Khushi bit her nails nervously as she glanced at her brother, who was seated on the opposite sofa. His eyes were fixed on the television, and he appeared to be engrossed in the program. She could sense that he was serious and chose not to acknowledge her presence in the living room. Then she turned her attention to her Buaji, who was seated next to her on the same sofa. She silently implored her Buaji to help her in reconciling with her brother.

Buaji nodded with a reassuring blink of her eyes, then directed her gaze to Shyam, smiling sheepishly as she spoke, "Shyam bitwa, please let go of your anger. Look how your poor, tired titaliya is saddened by the fact that her brother is not speaking to her."

Khushi nodded with a puppy sad face.

Buaji continued, "You can't be mean to your little sister. She came back home after a long tough day at work, soaking wet from the rain, and you know she won't sleep until you talk to her. She needs to rest, but she won't be able to if you're still mad at her." 

Shyam made a face, finally showing a reaction on his face. He glanced at Buaji, slightly frowning. "Don't defend her, Buaji. She had plenty of time to hang out with her special friend and ditch her brother."

Khushi pouted, "Ye sach nahi hai bhaiya (This is not true)."

"Oh really? You chose to have dinner with him instead of ME and then you skipped watching Crime Patrol episode WITH ME to spend time with him," he finally looked at Khushi sulking like a jealous kid.

Khushi swiftly rose from her seat and hurried towards him. She eagerly positioned herself close to her brother and affectionately wrapped her arms around his shoulders, "I'm sorry bhaiya. I did text you that I had a meeting with Arnav, but I didn't tell you I'd stay for dinner too. And about missing Crime Patrol, it would've been rude to leave our guest alone to watch my favorite show, right?"

Shyam raised his one eyebrow, "You never missed a single episode of Crime Patrol for anyone else. He must be more important to you than me, isn't it?"

Khushi vehemently shook her head, her tone serious, "Absolutely not, never. In this world, no one is more important to me than you, bhaiya. You know, you don't need to compare yourself to Arnav ji."

Shyam noticed her eyes glistening, he immediately pulled her closer, reciprocating her hug, as he caressed her hair, "Hey chutki, don't cry. I was just feeling a bit jealous, you know how I am about you."

Khushi shut her eyes tightly, resting her head on his chest, "You don't need to feel jealous of anyone bhaiya. No one can replace you in my life." 

Shyam smiled warmly, placing an affectionate kiss on her head as he whispered, "I know, my little girl."

Buaji looked at them, shaking her head, "Thank God you managed to calm your brother down, Titaliya, otherwise Shyam would make up for the episode you missed by making Chotuwa feature in one of the episodes of crime patrol."

"Buaji seriously," Shyam chuckled, "My level of jealousy is not that extreme-"

He couldn't finish what he was saying because he was caught off guard when his sister jumped up from her seat. She had her hand on her chest and a panicked expression on her face. She said in a scolding tone, "Buaji, don't talk like that. God forbid, Arnav ji will never feature on a crime patrol episode. Nothing bad will happen to him. DM is always there to protect him from all evil."  

Shyam and Buaji stared at her dumbfounded for a moment before Shyam intervened, "Relax Titaliya.. Buaji is just kidding."

Khushi frowned slightly, "Humein aisa majak bilkul pasand nahi hai (I don't like this kind of jokes)."

Buaji got up and approached her, rubbing her back to calm her down, "Accha sorry, I won't joke like this again, Titaliya. Chotuwa ko kuch nahi hoga, kahe tension le rahi ho? (Nothing bad will happen to Chotuwa, why are you getting worried?)"

"Now you understand why was I getting jealous of him, right Buaji?" Shyam asked in a teasing tone to lighten up Khushi's mood.

"Hmm," Buaji smiled teasingly as she asked Shyam, "Chotuwa seems to be a big threat to you, right?"

"Koi threat nahi hai voh (He's not a threat)," Khushi shook her head, smiling bashfully as she hurried to her room.

Buaji chuckled while Shyam seemed totally lost in his thoughts. 

*****************************************

Aman's house..

Aman's mother was watching him trying to call someone, but the person never picked up. He gave up frustrated, throwing phone across the living room in anger.

His mom shook her head, picking the phone for him as she cleaned the screen with her duppata, "Why are you getting so worked up? Who are you even trying to talk to at this hour?"

"The one who brought me into this world but never has time to even answer my calls," he chuckled with a hint of self-deprecating humor. 

His mother instantly looked up, a hint of horror and panic in her eyes, she shouted at him, "Why are trying to contact him ahn? I already told you don't interfere in their family matters. He's no one to us. Don't bring trouble to our family. We're living peacefully now, don't mess up things now Aman."

"So you're okay with the fact that his daughter humiliated me and threatened to fire me from my own father's company? What kind of mother are you? His son threw coffee on my face and humiliated me in front of everyone in the canteen and now his daughter threatened to fire me from my father's office and you want me to bear all this humiliation silently and not retaliate even once, waah Ma!" Aman glared at her, slowly clapping in a sarcastic manner.

His mother's eyes filled with tears after hearing his accusations, "I'm the only one who truly cares about you, that's why I'm asking him to stay away from Arvind and his family matters. And no, I'm not okay with the humiliation you had to go through at your workplace. If I had money and power, I would never let you go through this humiliation of working as a mere employee of your father's company. But what can I do? I'm helpless, beta."

"You can't do anything about it, right? Then let me do it my way," he replied stubbornly, "Aur waise bhi.. I'm not doing anything wrong, in fact, I'm helping my father open his eyes by letting him know what was going on behind his back," he shrugged casually.

"If you think exposing his daughter's deeds will help you win your father's trust and respect, then you're mistaken beta. He's not going to change his feelings towards you," she said with a pity look knowing how much Aman craved for his father's love, care and attention.

"That's okay.. you don't need to repeat this again and again," he looked at her irritated, "It doesn't matter to me if my father will change his feelings for me or not.. but at least I'll get satisfaction of watching Anjali suffer after what she did to me. This is my perfect opportunity to avenge her, Ma. I can't let it go so easily. Earlier I didn't reveal anything to her father because she was Khushi's friend. But now, she means nothing to Khushi. So I don't really care about her now."

She gritted her teeth frustrated with his stubbornness, "Fine, do whatever you want to do. Play with fire if you want to get burned."

She got up and left the living room. Aman rolled his eyes as he mumbled to himself, "It's not me who's going to be burned in this fire.. it's his children's time now."

*****************************************

Raizada Mansion..

Arnav reached home and found Mohan Kaka waiting for him. He shook his head staring at the sleepy man following him to his room, "I don't need a wife waiting for me to get back home. You can go and sleep in your room, Kaka."

Kaka smiled a little. He wanted to joke and tell Arnav to get a wife so he doesn't have to worry and wait for him to get home safely, but he kept quiet because he knew marriage is a sensitive topic for him and the last time he touched this topic, things didn't end quite well.

"Sab theek hai na, Arnav beta?" Mohan Kaka asked eagerly wanting to know if he reconciled with Khushi.

Arnav understood the meaning behind this quiet. He slowed down his steps, glancing at Mohan Kaka with a slight smile on his face, "Haan, sab theek hai. That little firefly is back in my life again!"

Mohan Kaka flashed the brightest smile to him, unable to contain his excitement, he clapped his hand making Arnav stare at him amused, "Are you learning from Roshni (Mohan Kaka's granddaughter) how to express your excitement?" 

Mohan Kaka laughed, "Your happiness makes me the happiest, that's it!"

Arnav gulped as he halted on his steps, staring at Mohan Kaka intently. Mohan Kaka stopped laughing, as he lowered his eyes and nervously asked, "Kya hua beta? Maine kuch galat bola kya? (What happened, son? Did I say anything wrong?)"

Arnav pleasantly surprised him by initiating a hug. As Arnav, though initially reluctant, embraced him, his eyes widened in astonishment, but then he felt as if his baby boy had returned to embrace him from the past. Mohan Kaka's eyes welled up with tears, realizing that nothing had changed, his Arnav beta was still his baby boy, the one he had raised with love and care, the one he loved as his own son.

Due to past experiences, Arnav had developed a fear of physical contact. He feels uncomfortable when people touch him, as it creates a sense of vulnerability and reminds him of his past. Maintaining a physical distance from others provides him with a sense of security and prevents them from discovering his personal history. 

Khushi never got why he wouldn't let her touch him when he passed out at the office. He was used to dealing with his fainting spells all by himself. His dad always treated his diabetes like it was a sign of weakness. And to avoid the insults and reprimands he received as a child, he developed self-reliance in managing his diabetes over the years.

However, that night, something unexpected occurred. When he awoke from his nightmare, Khushi was still by his side. Despite his rude rejection of her help and attempts to push her away, she remained steadfast in her support. Instead of opening his eyes to deal with his pain alone, he opened his eyes to the presence of an angel beside him, offering comfort and sharing her jalebi with him. The intricate details of that night are forever etched in his memory. 

Their silent form of communication through gently rubbing each other's thumbs that night instilled a sense of trust in him regarding her touch. Her touch did not make him feel as though she was intruding upon his personal space, rather, it was a comforting, caring, and a soothing touch.

After that night, he never denied her to touch him again. And tonight, after revealing a part of his past to her, he feels as though he has grown even more closer to her.

Khushi's words affected him deeply. Today when she cried in front of him, telling him how much she missed him. He realised that his detached behaviour caused pain to his loved ones. And his Mohan Kaka cared a lot for him even at this age, he has a granddaughter now, still he treats him as if he's his child. He is still patient with him. He gets affected the most when he's upset with him.

The realisation made him feel guilty. It's not that he never cared for Mohan Kaka. He had always held Mohan Kaka in great affection and care, but upon his return from London, he found himself unable to maintain the same level of closeness with his Kaka. He struggled to engage in open conversations or express physical affection as he had done freely when he was a child. His life had undergone significant changes, and he often felt a sense of disconnection from his former self.

He did not wish to take his Mohan Kaka's affection for granted. The moment he observed his Kaka's eyes gleaming with joy due to his own happiness, he could not refrain from expressing his gratitude with a warm embrace, reciprocating the unconditional love and care he had received from this man.

"I swear, I don't regret the day I told you not to fire Khushi bitiya from AR. It was the best decision I ever made," Mohan Kaka grinned as he let go of Arnav.

Arnav chuckled, "You can take credit for that. She really is my happiness."

Mohan Kaka gasped, staring at him suspiciously.

Arnav, being aware of what was about to transpire, swiftly diverted the conversation. He asked Mohan Kaka to send someone to deliver a cup of turmeric milk to his room. 

*****************************************

Khushi's room..

Buaji was making Khushi sleep on her lap, caressing her hair gently. She smiled teasingly at her niece asking, "So, you got your smile back from Chotuwa after a week?"

Khushi opened her one eye looking up at Buaji, "Kya matlab, buaji?"

"Sanka Devi, don't act all innocent now. I've been noticing your behavior from past few days. You've been upset, not talking to us much, and always saying you're tired from work just to lock yourself in your room and sleep early. But now that Chotuwa came home tonight, you're all happy and jumping around like a bunny, with your energy refreshed like a blooming flower!" Buaji pinched her nose playfully.

Khushi's eyes widened, "Aapko ye sab kaise pata? (How do you know all this?)"

"So I guessed it right.. Chotuwa came to return your smile!" Buaji continued to tease her.

Khushi smiled, her cheeks turning red, "Buaji aap bhi na!"

"So, spill the beans! Tell me everything from the very beginning.. when did all this start? What is going on between you and Chotuwa ahn?" Buaji giggled playfully.

"Buaji, there's nothing going on between me and your Chotuwa! He's just a friend, that's all!" Khushi exclaimed, sitting up straight and turning to face her aunt.

Buaji gave her a suspicious look, "Chal jhooti.. do you think I'm blind? That I can't see what's happening right in front of me? A week without Chotuwa made the happiness of our household so low that your brother and I could barely recognize you. Now that he's back in your life, you're instantly back to your usual self. And yet.. you claim that he's just a friend.. humph!"

Khushi sighed, her lips downturned as she spoke in a dispirited tone, "It is the truth only Buaji.. we are just friends. It is likely only I who am unable to prevent my heart from developing feelings for him."

Buaji glanced at her with a hint of concern. Given the recent unfortunate incident of her niece's broken engagement, she sincerely hoped that Khushi would not experience heartbreak for a second time.

"What happened Titaliya?"

Khushi looked at Buaji with a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, "Can I share my feelings with you, Buaji? Will you keep this a secret between us?"

Buaji nodded, pulling her closer, she wrapped her arms around her little girl and urged her to share her worries with her, "Of course.. batao kya hua hai?"

Khushi pouted, snuggling to her Buaji, "Maybe you and Shyam bhaiya are right. I find myself behaving differently when I am with Arnav ji. Initially, I believed that my feelings for him stemmed from the fact that he was sent to me by Amma and Babu ji on the day I fainted at my parent's house. But, whenever he gazes directly into my eyes, I can't help but feel my heart racing. This even led me to consider the possibility that I am attracted to him, as he is undeniably a handsome man. But now, I sense that my feelings are evolving beyond mere attraction, Buaji. My emotional state is linked to Mr. Cold Light. When he is happy, I find myself happy too, and when he is upset, I feel sad as well. He didn't talk to me for a week due to his personal issues and look what I made to myself.. but the moment he showed up at the beauty salon, I swear I felt like my snatched happiness returned to me. I never thought I would literally cry in front of him Buaji, confessed to him that I missed him and even ki-"

"Even kya?" Buaji glanced at her with curiosity as she abruptly stopped speaking, appearing slightly embarrassed.

"No, no, nothing," Khushi said, shaking her head vigorously. She scolded herself in her mind, "Khushi, control your mouth! You almost told Buaji that you kissed Mr. Cold Light on the cheeks."

"Are you sure there isn't something else you want to share with me?" Buaji raised her eyebrow suspiciously.

Khushi nodded with a weak nervous smile, "Haan na, Buaji. I just wanted to tell you this," she faked a yawn, "Now I think I should go to sleep." 

"Hey Sanki, wake up! Don't leave me hanging here in suspense," Buaji tapped her cheeks, "Do you have any idea of what you just revealed to me?"

Buaji exclaimed in joy. Her eyes twinkling in excitement.

Khushi lowered her eyes, biting her lower lips shyly.

Buaji chuckled while observing her response as she delicately held Khushi's chin, prompting her to raise her gaze, "Meri pyaari gudiya ko.. (My doll has fallen in..)."

Khushi closed her eyes, shaking her head in refusal, "No, don't say it now Buaji."

Buaji furrowed her brow, perplexed, "Why?" She paused for a moment, her expression turning stern, "Don't tell me you're holding yourself back because of your broken engagement."

Khushi became serious and said, "No, it has nothing to do with Aman. I no longer dwell on him, our broken engagement, or the opinions of others."

"Then?"

"Our life circumstances are a bit tricky right now. I don't think it's the best time to talk about my feelings. I'm holding back because of Bhaiya and Arnav ji. First, the one who was trying to help Aman win me back was not only my best friend, but also Bhaiya's first love, Anjali Singh Raizada. I can tell he's still heartbroken, but he's trying to act normal in front of us. It's gonna take time for him to forget about Anjali. Now, imagine if I go and tell Bhaiya about my feelings for Arnav ji aka Anjali's brother, right now. It would be complicated since he hasn't been able to move on from Anjali yet."

"And then there's Arnav ji. He is not ready to commit to a relationship at this time due to personal reasons. So, I'm scared to tell him how I feel.. I don't know what he'll say.." she pursed her lips.

"I get what you're saying about your brother, but Chotuwa? No way! I refuse to believe that a man like him, who swallowed his pride and came all the way here to admit he was wrong and ask your brother to let you stay in his life, wouldn't be ready to commit to you. I'm telling you Titaliya, if you express your feelings to Chotuwa, I believe he will accept you with open arms. Don't waste time with your theories.. we will deal with Shyam bitwa later," Buaji said excitedly.

Khushi sighed thinking about Arnav's past recently revealed to her, "Buaji, his situation is not as straightforward as it may seem. I must take his feelings into account and respect the time he needs to feel ready for a relationship. I'm willing to wait patiently for him."

Buaji shook her head in disbelief, unaware of Arnav's past story and the impact it had on his thoughts about relationship and marriage, "What if he starts liking someone else while you're still waiting for him?"

"He won't," she replied confidently, closing her eyes to sleep with a faint smile adorning her lips.

"What makes you so confident Titaliya? You don't know men at all.." Buaji was about to lecture her when Khushi made a face whining, "Buaji please sone do mujhe.."

"Arey.. Sanka Devi.. Keep sleeping.. someone else is gonna snatch your man right from under your nose!" Buaji said in warning tone.

Khushi opened her eyes and glared at Buaji, "Buaji, it's not appropriate to spread negativity at this hour. Why don't you go and get some rest too?"

"Haww.. look at this girl. Is this how you talk to your Buaji now?" Buaji widened her eyes dramatically.

Khushi giggled sheepishly, "And is this how to talk to your niece who just shared her deepest secrets and feelings with you?"

Buaji hit her forehead, smiling a little, "No one is going to snatch Chotuwa from you, happy?"

Khushi nodded smiling, "Ye hui na baat! (That's more like it)."

As Buaji was about to retire to her room, Khushi's phone emitted a sound, indicating that she had received a message. Buaji picked her phone from the side table and handed it to her, frowning slightly, "Who's disturbing you at this time?"

Khushi grinned staring at her phone screen as she replied to Buaji, "Your chotuwa!"

"What did he say?" Buaji asked, trying to sneak a peek at her phone.

Khushi quickly hid her phone on her chest, smiling widely. "He's wishing me a good night."

Buaji eyed her with suspicion before departing from her room.

Khushi quietly chuckled to herself as she lifted her phone from her chest to reread Arnav's message.

Arnav: Good night, Sunshine 🌞, it's time to hit the hay and let your glow recharge for tomorrow.

Khushi kept smiling, reading his message again and again until she realized startled that she hadn't replied to him yet. She bit her tongue and hurriedly typed a reply to his message,

Khushi: Good night Mr. Cold Light 🥶, it's time to hit the freezer and chill under the light.

Arnav: What the...

Khushi laughed heartily. She kept her phone back on the side table and hugged her pillow, sighing dreamily, "If you keep calling me Sweetheart and Sunshine, then I'll have to hide my feelings with a lame joke only."

*****************************************

Next day..

As per his promise, Arnav arrived at the Gupta residence to escort Khushi to Aina's birthday party. 

He patiently waited at the door after knocking. And after two minutes, the door  opened revealing Khushi welcoming him with her bright sunshine smile inside the house.

He glanced at her from head to toe as her appearance caught his attention. He was not accustomed to seeing her in traditional attire, as she typically wore formal clothing when working with him.

The orange anarkali suit, a subtle touch of makeup on her face, and her hair left open with delicate curls at the ends, had a captivating effect on him. He found himself  swallowing hard, unable to avert his gaze from her.

"I hope you had a comfortable night in your freezer," Khushi said playfully, adjusting her ring as she felt a bit bashful under his intense gaze.

He remained silent, his mind seemingly detached from the conversation.

"Chotuwaa.."

Buaji's scream brought him back to reality with a jolt. Buaji happily rushed towards him, cupping his face affectionately, "You kept your promise.. (screaming) Shyam bitwaaa.. look who's here."

Arnav smiled a little, "Namaste Buaji."

Buaji glanced at Khushi overwhelmed, she dramatically pointed out, "Look.. he's already calling me Buaji. He already accepted-"

Khushi faked a cough, widening her eyes at Buaji, "Buaji you better rush to the kitchen. The milk is boiling over."

Buaji bit her tongue sheepishly. She gave one last long glance at Arnav before leaving while thinking to herself excitedly, "Hayee.. Chotuwa is so handsome. They look so great together."

"Chalein?" he tilted his head gesturing they should leave now.

Khushi gave him a stern look and then gestured for him to look down at her feet. "Do you want me to walk barefoot?," she said with a hint of sarcasm. 

"Khushi you told me to pick you up early in the morning. It's not my fault that you're not ready yet," he shrugged with don't put the blame on me now look.

Khushi pouted, "I'm almost ready. I just need five more minutes, okay?"

Shyam approached them, clearing his throat, "Don't leave without having breakfast."

Khushi swallowed nervously. She anticipated that Arnav would become irritated with Shyam's request to wait until she finished her breakfast. Given Arnav's aversion to waiting, she sensed a conflict brewing between these two.

But to her surprise, Arnav turned to her with a frown, "You haven't had breakfast yet? What were you doing until now?"

Khushi took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes at him. She took the longest shower of her life, walked like a model to show her outfit to Shyam bhaiya and Buaji so they could decide which one looked best on her, and wasted her time trying to draw the perfect eyeliner shape. She did all this just to look beautiful for him, and he was scolding her for not having breakfast yet.

"What?" he shrugged confused with her angry look at him.

"Nothing!" she replied sternly, walking away. He watched her retreating figure with a puzzled expression.

"She took her own sweet time getting ready for the party, that's why she missed breakfast," Shyam said.

Arnav simply nodded, "Oh okay!"

*****************************************

Luckily for him, Khushi instantly forgot she was mad at him when he decided to join her for breakfast.

After breakfast, they left her place and Khushi told him they were going to the place she wanted to take him first.

When they arrived, Arnav came to the realization that she intended to take him to the holy place he used to frequent as a child. He cast a gentle glance at her while they were seated inside the car and inquired in a soft tone, "Why are we here?" 

She responded with a knowing smile and a subtle blink of her eyes, "The reason will soon be revealed to you."

*****************************************

When they got out of the car, Arnav locked it and went to Khushi. She was looking for something in her bag. After a few minutes, she finally pulled out a white cloth and gave it to him. She said, "Here, tie this around your head."

Arnav obediently took the white piece of cloth from her hand and tied it around his head.

They were proceeding towards the dargah, but the place was rather congested with people meandering about and occasionally colliding with one another. Arnav was expressing displeasure towards those who were jostling and bumping into Khushi repeatedly, until he protectively positioned his arm around her back, holding her tightly close to him, and guiding her inside the holy place with him.

Na Tu Jane Na Main Janu,
Yeh To Rab Ka Kamal Hai
Neither you nor I know; this is God’s miracle.
Hal Hai Kya Hal Hai,
What is its present condition?
Dil Kya Bataye Kya Hal Hai
What can the heart say about its condition? Hal Hai Kya Hal Hai,
What is its current condition?
Dil Kya Bataye Kya Hal Hai
What can the heart say about its condition? Ishq Hai Ya Koi Bharm Hai, Sab Ke Lab Pe Sawal Hai
Is it love or an illusion?.. It’s the question on everyone’s lips.

Khushi had long since forgotten about the commotion. The moment he held her, she knew she was in her safe haven. Her gaze lingered on his face, utterly captivated by him.

****************************************

After they were done praying inside the dargah, Khushi took Arnav towards the tree filled with mannat locks.

He quietly watched her as she retrieved a small key from her bag, a gentle smile gracing her face.

"Did your wish come true?" he asked.

Khushi nodded her head, smiling happily, "Yes.. Do you remember the day we met here? You returned my mannat lock and fulfilled my wish?"

Arnav nodded.

"That day I returned here to make a different wish... not for myself, but for you," she said, "I told Khwaja ji, whenever I look into your eyes, all I see is emptiness. That I didn't know what secrets are hidden in those mysterious eyes of yours, but I hope you find a way out of this darkness. Yesterday, you said, "A ray of sunshine found its way to a dark lamp, setting free the genie within." That made me realize that my wish came true. I think I was sent by Almighty as the sunshine in your life to help you find your way out of this darkness, Arnav ji."

"That's why I brought you here, so we can unlock this mannat lock together," she whispered, innocently showing the keys on her hand to him.

Arnav's eyes welled up with tears, and he swallowed painfully before gently drawing her closer to him and placing a tender kiss on her forehead. A single tear trickled down his cheek and landed on her lowered eyelashes.

"Meri zindagi mein aane ke liye... shukriya! (Thank you for coming into my life)," He softly spoke into her ear.

"Arnav ji, don't cry. I always want to see you smiling," the moment she felt the moist on her eyes, her heart pricked. His presence was drawing him closer to her heart at a pace she had not foreseen. She found herself wondering when this man had become such a significant part of her life.

They then unlock the mannat lock together, inadvertently overlooking someone standing at a distance, observing them with an expression of sheer jealousy and envy.

"Disgusting woman.. look at her getting close to a man in a holy place like this.. you were completely right the day you called her a gold digger.. she was actually behind Arvind's son for money that's why she was so eager to break her engagement with you beta," Aman's mother commented staring at Arshi disgusted.

Aman was grinding his teeth and glaring at Arnav and Khushi. They were passing a small lock back and forth, arguing like children over who would keep it.

Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, he began to take large and rapid strides towards them until his mother swiftly approached him and restrained him, saying, "What are you doing? I'm begging you don't create a scene here, Aman. You have witnessed with your own eyes that she was engaging in infidelity with Arvind's son. Now forget this woman and move on in your life."

Aman turned to his mother furiously, his eyes red as he shouted at her, "Why is it always me who have to tolerate everything silently? Why is it always me who have to let go of the people who rightfully belong to me? These two Raizada siblings always got what was rightfully mine.. and now his son came here to snatch my Khushi from me too. She's the only woman I ever loved in my life, my first love Ma.. he took her away from me. And you want me to silently watch everything being snatched away from me like a loser. You want me to remain a loser in my life always, hide my identity from the world and live like a servant to my father's children, right?"

Aman's mother cupped his face, "Khushi doesn't deserve you beta."

He gritted his teeth, shutting his eyes momentarily before gazing dangerously at his mother, "I.don't.care Ma.. she was, is and will always be mine. I won't let Arnav Singh Raizada take her away from me. You just wait and watch how she will come back running to me one day."

After making his message clear and loud to his mother, he walked away from there leaving his mother disturbed with his determination. 

*****************************************

"Wait here, don't move until I get back, okay?" Arnav instructed her as if he was talking to a toddler who would get lost without elders around.

"Okay!"

She watched him walk away and smiled to herself. When she casually looked around, she found Aman's mother staring at her with a disgusted expression on her face.

She rolled her eyes and looked away to avoid any kind of interaction with this venomous lady who left no stone unturned to defame her in the society because of her decision to break the engagement with her son. She never thought that someone who used to treat her like their own daughter would flip on her like that just because she and her son went their separate ways. It was all fake. She figured that out way later.

Aman's mother made her way inside the dargah, while Arnav came back with a mannat lock and keys in his hand.

He glanced at Khushi who looked serious now and asked concernedly, "What happened? Did anyone tease you here?"

"I just saw Aman's mom," Khushi replied, "But she's gone now.. tell me what were you doing?" her smile was back.

Arnav quickly scanned the area in an attempt to locate the woman, but she had already disappeared. He then turned his attention back to Khushi and stated, "I went to get a mannat lock."

"Do you want to make a wish?" Khushi asked with an eager hopeful smile.

Arnav nodded. "Go on," she patted his back, excitedly pushing him to go and make a wish.

Arnav shook his head at her enthusiasm before securing the lock to a grill encircling the tree and quietly making a wish,

"I'm not sure if making a wish here will make a difference, but Khushi believes in it, so I want to make a wish for her. I hope she stays happy always. Whenever someone looks at her, at first glance, you think this girl has no worries in her life, she's living her best life as she is always seen smiling no matter what the situation is in her life. I used to think she's a happy go lucky girl, pampered by her elder brother with less knowledge of the harsh reality of this world. After getting to know her, I realized her life wasn't like a fairytale. She lost her parents at a young age, and she and her brother had to give up their dreams because they didn't have enough money to fulfil them. Then, she saw a different side of the man she thought was her perfect partner. I know it wasn't easy for her to decide to break off her engagement with Aman. I know she really loved him, and breaking up with someone you love is really painful. But despite everything that has happened in her life, she always bounces back and faces every challenge with a smile on her face. I've always admired that about her—she's a resilient woman. But now, I'm making this wish because I don't want her to just smile through the hard times. I want her to live a life where she's truly happy and surrounded by the love and care of her loved ones. I don't want her to get hurt or betrayed anymore. That's my wish.. I want to see Khushi genuinely happy in her life."

After he had finished making his wish, he turned to her and found her curiously gazing at him. She hopped towards him with excitement, "What did you wish for?"

"Don't you know it's a secret?" he asked with a poker face.

"You've turned on your robotic mode, didn't you?" she asked sarcastically as he dragged her out of there.

*****************************************

Sometime later..

They reached at Aina's place. Arnav accompanied Khushi till the door of Aina's house. He waited with her till someone opened the door.

"Call me when the party is over, ok?"

Khushi nodded, smiling warmly at him. 

Just then, Aina opened the door and was taken aback when she saw her boss standing in front of her. Her eyes widened in surprise, akin to a deer caught in the headlights. "ASR.. aap," she stuttered.

"Happy birthday, Ms. Singhania," Arnav formally wished her and took out a small box from his pant pocket and handed it to her, "I got you a little something."

"That's so sweet of you, ASR. Thank you so much," Aina smiled surprised as she took her gift. She definitely didn't expect a gift from her boss on her birthday. "Please come inside.." she quickly stepped aside, inviting them inside her house.

Arnav politely declined the invitation, informing Aina that his sole purpose for being there was to drop Khushi off at her place.

"I just told him yesterday that it's Aina's birthday. I can't believe he already got her a gift," Khushi thought to herself. She couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. Arnav was a man of few words, but his actions could definitely make any woman's heart melt.

"Thank you so much for the gift once again," Aina expressed her gratitude and held Khushi's hand, pulling her inside.

Khushi discreetly whispered to her friend that she should proceed ahead, as she needed a moment to bid farewell to Arnav.

Aina gave her a knowing look before excusing herself to allow Arnav and her a moment of privacy.

"What is this?" she turned to him sternly, demanding an answer.

Arnav shrugged, not getting what she was asking, "What?"

Khushi glared at him.

"Can you please stop getting mad at me without telling me the reason?" he frowned slightly. She got mad at him when he was at her place, and she didn't even tell him why. Now she's doing the same thing again.

"If you don't bring me a gift on my birthday, then I'll turn you into a sugar syrup to make my jalebis," Khushi warned him, folding her arms, looking away with a pout adorning her lips.

Arnav chuckled, realizing she was jealous, "Don't worry.. I'll throw your birthday party myself."

Khushi glanced at him suspiciously, "Pakka?" He nodded and she melted instantly, flashing a cute smile to him. 

Arnav shook his head at her, "Silly girl...if I knew that getting a gift for your friend wouldn't make you happy, then I wouldn't go out of my way to buy her a gift."

"Nahi nahi.. apne bilkul sahi kiya. Aina was so happy that you got her a gift," Khushi quickly explained.

"Then why are you not happy?"

"It's nothing. I'm happy," she assured him, mentally scolding herself for getting jealous over a silly matter. She mentally blamed Buaji for this.

"I'll get going then," he said taking a few steps back. Khushi nodded waving at him, "Bye."

She watched him enter the lift, admiring his handsome face until the lift doors shut.

And this was the moment she actually registered his words.

Silly girl...if I knew that getting a gift for your friend wouldn't make YOU happy, then I wouldn't go out of my way to buy her a gift.

"He is doing this to make me happy. Hayyee Devi Maiyya... look at how he is making it difficult for me to resist falling for him," she thought smiling to herself and then turned to enter Aina's house.

*****************************************

Here's the update. Let me know what you think about it.

This one is specially dedicated to my friend Starry0502 💜😘. I wasn't lying to you.. it's finally here 😂🤪.

And coincidentally Sarun zouk ad crossed 10 million views today. So here's Jugnu update to celebrate it 😍💫🎉🎉.