Dedicated to: dipica13 🙏💕🤗

Khushi returned home, and the first thing she did as soon as she stepped inside her home was hug her brother tightly and sob in his arms.

"Khushi? Kya hua? Why are you crying?" Shyam instantly panicked while wrapping his arms around her protectively.

"Aap sahi keh rahe the bhaiya.. ye duniya badi zaalim hai (You said right bhaiya.. this world is very cruel)," she managed to speak in between her sobs.

"Khushi, please tell me clearly what happened. Did anyone say anything to you? You just tell me.. I won't spare that person," he started with the most soft and concerned tone for her, but ended with a dark filled with an angry tone, just at the mere thought of someone messing up with his little sister.

Khushi broke the hug, staring at him with her big hazel teary eyes. She held his hand, dragging him to their favourite spot, her room's balcony, "Come bhaiya, I'll tell you what happened."

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

Raizada Mansion..

Arvind joined his family at the dining room for dinner. He motioned a servant standing behind him to pull his chair at the head of the table so he could take his seat. The servant immediately obliged.

As he took his seat, his eyes travelled the entire dining room, yet he couldn't spot his son, which made him frown slightly, "Where's Arnav? He is never present at any of our meals."

Ratna smirked at her husband, "Oh come on, Arvind. You're talking as if you don't know what men at his age are up to."

"Well, your son is so addicted to his work that he seems not to see anything beyond this," Arvind shook his head as he remembered today's morning conversation with Arnav, "Do you know Shanaya Kapoor?"

Ratna nodded her head while taking a sip of her juice, "Yeah, of course. She's a supermodel and even took part of some fashion shows for AR as a showstopper."

"I sent her to your son. I thought he's going to have some fun with her. But can you imagine what he did to the poor girl? He sent her back without even meeting her for once. And on top of that, he came to my cabin to misbehave with me," Arvind spoke angrily, thinking about Arnav accusing him of sleeping with random girls.

"Woah.. Arvind, calm down. Maybe he doesn't want any distractions on his way, now that you've retired and there's a huge responsibility entirely on his shoulders," Ratna said, caressing the back of her husband's hand, "What did he say to you?"

At the question thrown his way, Arvind averted his gaze, "It doesn't matter anymore."

Ratna sighed, glancing at Anjali, who was having her food silently. She narrowed her eyes at her daughter, "Great. Your brother is working hard day and night to handle our family business, and you just sit at home, eat, and sleep like a princess. If you at least helped him in business, my poor boy would have time to come back home and have his meals with his family."

"If you let me follow my passion, then only I'll be able to do something in my life," Anjali said in a no-nonsense tone.

"Anjali, for God sake, open your damn eyes and look at yourself. You're a Raizada. You were born to rule this world, not to be behind the scenes and let another person or thing take the spotlight from you," Ratna spoke in a highly irritated tone.

"Exactly! People always remember photography. No one cares about the damn photographer. I don't want my daughter to face this humiliation in her life. I don't want other people to pose and show their tantrums while you sit on your knees, trying to find a perfect angle to take their photographs. My daughter will never do such a job in her life. I didn't raise you to be another's servant, I raised you to be a boss lady. If you don't have any interest in AR, then just sit at home and enjoy this lavish life," Arvind intervened.

Anjali knew it of no use to argue with them over this matter. She just sighed defeatedly, her eyes moistened as she pushed the plate aside and walked away from there. No one understands her, her dreams and passion. She wished she wasn't born in this family where everyone take the decision they think its best for her. People think she's so lucky to be a part of the most richest family in India, but she feels like it's a curse. If given a chance, she would, without any doubt, choose freedom to live her life with her own terms over this lavish lifestyle she's living.

Back in the dining room, Arvind glanced at Mohan Kaka, who came with the refilled juice jar to place it on the table, and he asked the man to stop. Mohan Kaka lowered his eyes as he stood meekly, waiting for his Malik to order him.

"Mohan.. can I ask you something?" Arvind asked in an intimidating tone.

"Ji Malik."

"Why does my son have your phone number saved on his phone? You've been working here for years in my house, even before Arnav was born, and I never had your phone contact," he raised his brow questioningly.

"Voh.. Arnav beta-"

"Don't you get tired of controlling other people's lives?" Mohan kept quiet as soon as they heard a sharp, angry voice from behind, and suddenly Arnav appeared walking in lightning speed towards the dining table as pulled a chair for himself furiously, taking his seat and gazing directly into his father's eyes, "Yes, I've Mohan Kaka's phone number saved on my phone. What will you do?"

Arvind was stupefied. His son's gaze was intimidating, cold, and emotionless. His eyes held no fear, and it was bothering him now. Perhaps he never had time to notice. But now he was feeling his son looked more like a stranger to him than his own family.

"Arnav, control yourself. Is this way to talk with your father?" Ratna glared at her son for misbehaving with his father.

"It's okay," Arvind immediately intervened, glacing at his wife and gesturing her to keep quiet while he shifted his attention back to Arnav, "It's okay, beta. You don't like me asking Mohan why you have his phone number saved. Okay. I apologise. I'm sorry, okay?" he softened his tone.

Arnav gave him a long, intense look before turning his head to Mohan, "Kaka, serve my food and send it to my room."

"Baby, why don't you sit with us?" Ratna asked. She looked at her son lovingly, patting the chair beside her, gesturing him to join them for dinner.

"Have your dinner with your devoted husband, Mom. I don't want to disturb," Arnav said sarcastically as he got up to leave.

Arvind shut his eyes momentarily. He knew his son used the word devoted to taunt him for his past.. well, still current actions as well.

Ratna kept quiet as she understood the "what's the issue" now. So they had a fight over this cheating topic again.

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

Aman's house

"Why did you come back late today?" Aman's mother asked. She and her son were watching TV in the living room after having their dinner.

"Khushi's mood was off. So I took her to an ice cream date to cheer her up, Ma," Aman replied.

"Why was she upset?" his mother asked.

"It's related to her work," Aman said.

His mother sighed, "Why did she apply for this job in the first place? Why don't you tell her to quit if she's not happy with her job?"

"Ma, don't worry. She's going to submit her resignation letter tomorrow," Aman said.

"Oh, finally, she gave up this idea of working. Good, tell her to come here and spend more time with me now. I'll teach her how to cook your favourite dishes," his mother smiled satisfied.

"She didn't give up on working yet, Ma. She just won't work in AR anymore," Aman clarified.

His mother shook her head, "Why don't you tell her to give up on this stupid idea of working? Explain to her that you're the man of the house. It's your duty to earn money to take care of the household expenses, not hers."

"I already spoke to her about this, Ma," Aman frowned, annoyed with this constant nagging from his mother, "But what can I do if her brother allows her to do anything she wants? I can't say anything if Shyam bhai already allowed her to do this job. I'm just her fiance, not her husband yet. The day she comes here in this house as my wife, she will start living by my rules. Until then, let her do whatever she wants."

"I hope you remember this and don't let her make you dance to her tunes after marriage," his mother said in a warning tone.

"Khushi is not a vile woman, Ma! Please stop talking like this about her," Aman whined.

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

At Khushi's balcony..

Khushi shared everything with her brother about the deal Arnav made with Anjali.

Shyam was sitting with her on her swing, she head her head rested on his chest, and he had his arms wrapped around her as he kept consoling her.

"I thought I misjudged him first, but he's really a bad person. If he thinks I'm going to break my friendship with Anjali di because of this job, then he's highly wrong about me," Khushi said, pouting, her eyes misty.

"Khushi, he doesn't want you to be friends with his sister because we're different. They're rich people who belong to an elite class while we're just middle class people," Shyam said sadly.

"Then why does he treat his own servant with respect? Mohan Kaka is also like us. If he can be friendly with Mohan Kaka, then why can't I be friends with Anjali Di?" Khushi asked innocently.

"I don't know, dear.. I don't have answers to your questions. But let me tell you, I'm proud of the decision you took. I'm glad your first thought was to save the relationship you share with Anjali and not break this beautiful bond you two share instead of choosing that job. Amma and Babu Ji must be proud of you, too," saying this emotionally, he dropped a soft affectionate kiss on her forehead.

Khushi smiled a little emotionally as she looked up at the dark sky and searched for the two most bright and shiny stars, "Amma and Babu ji must be proud of you too, bhaiya because you're the one who raised me single handedly, you're the one who instilled good values and morals in me."

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

Raizada Mansion..

Arnav was laid on his recliner with his laptop on his lap. He didn't realise when he fell asleep working and when his dream started to look like reality.

He started moving his head slightly in his sleep while shutting his eyes tightly. He was sweating, trying to come out of that dream, but he felt stuck in it. He felt his body heavy, finding it difficult to even lift his finger.

"Mom.. I saw Dad with another woman.. she's was.. she was sleeping with him.. on his bed," Little 9 years old, Arnav shared with his mother, trembling. The images of his father sharing a bed with another woman and not his mother were haunting him, not letting him sleep properly at night till he shared this with someone. He didn't even understand what was really happening in that room, but that sight was enough to make him feel sick. He just wanted to puke. He ran away as far as he could from that room. He cried. He tried to erase those images from his mind, but it seemed impossible.

Arnav finally managed to wake up with a jerk, breaking that nightmare he was having. He immediately sat straight on his recliner, keeping his laptop aside. He wiped the sweat beads off his temple, trying to bring his heavy irregular breathing pattern to normal one.

He got up from the recliner, and his shivering hands reached to the glass of water kept on the side table of his bed. He drank it in one go and headed straight to the poolside attached to his room to relieve himself from the suffocating he just went through with that nightmare and breath some fresh air.

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

Next day..

Arnav was driving on his way to the office when he noticed Mohan Kaka standing on a sidewalk and trying to make a rickshaw stop for him.

He parked the car on the side and honked, waving his hand to call Mohan Kaka to his car. After realising the car belonged to his Arnav beta, Mohan Kaka rushed to him, smiling as he stood at the passenger door, staring at him through the open window, "Arnav beta.. office ja rahe ho? (Are you going to the office?)"

Arnav nodded, "Get in the car. I'll drop you where you want to go."

"Arey nahi beta. You go to the office. I'll manage," Mohan Kaka shook his head vigorously, immediately denying the offer. He can't accept this at all. It's his Arnav beta's goodness to offer him to drop him at the place he wanted to go, but he can never sit on his Malik's car.

Arnav opened his door and got down the car, walking around his car as he reached Mohan Kaka's side and opened the front seat door, forcing Mohan Kaka to get inside the car. Mohan Kaka tried to protest initially but ended up accepting defeat to a stubborn Arnav.

"Where are you going?" Arnav asked once he got back into the driver seat and buckled up his seat belt, gesturing Mohan Kaka to follow suit.

"Ek dargah pe jaana hai (I want to go to a shrine)," Mohan Kaka replied.

"Ok. Tell me the location," Arnav said, and Mohan Kaka started giving instructions to him how he would reach the dargah.

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

When they reached the dargah, Arnav helped Mohan Kaka get down the car, and he was about to walk around to get inside the car when Mohan Kaka stopped him, requesting him to join him in the dargah, so he could tie his mannat ka tala (wish lock) too.

Arnav made a stoic expression, glancing at the holy place as he said emotionlessly, "I don't believe in these things, Kaka."

"If you don't believe in this, then just simply accompany me. I won't take much time, promise beta," Mohan Kaka requested again.

Arnav nodded as he locked the car, walking ahead with Mohan Kaka, who happily handed a white piece of cloth to him, gesturing him to tie it around his head.

Arnav does as he is instructed by Mohan Kaka, completely unaware that few feet behind him, Khushi was also covering her head with her white duppata with a soft smile on her face as she walked ahead in parallel with him towards the dargah.

Arziyaan sari mein, chehre pe likh ke laaya hoon,
Tumse kya mangu mein, tum khud hi samjah lo...
Ya maula..., maula maula maula mere maula

All my desires are written on my face
What can I ask from you? You interpret yourself
O lord... lord, my lord

Dararein dararein hai maathe pe maula
Maramat mukdar ki kar do maula, mere maula..
Tere dar pe jhuka hoon mita hoon bana hoon
Marammat mukdar ki kar do maula..

My forehead is scarred, O Lord (my fate is cursed)
Repair my fortune O lord, my lord
I am bowing at your doorstep, I have been destroyed and rejuvenated
Repair my fortune, O lord

"This place hasn't changed since your last visit when you were a kid, haina?" Mohan Kaka asked as they kept moving towards the dargah.

Arnav looked at him and nodded.

"You still remember this place?" Mohan Kaka asked curiously, his tone reflected his surprise at realising Arnav still remembers this place.

Arnav nodded again. Mohan Kaka smiled a little and decided not to bother him with his non-stop questions. His Arnav beta seems to not like to talk much now, in contrast to the little Arnav, who used to enjoy chatting with him for hours, who was curious about everything around him and never stopped throwing questions to him.

Khushi walked past them, her eyes fixed on her phone as she was sending a message to her friend Anjali asking where she had reached till now as she was waiting for Anjali to reach so they could inside the dargah together.

She didn't realize her long white dupatta was flying behind in air due to the windy weather and took its own sweet little time to gently caress someone's face as it brushed across his face.

Arnav was caught unprepared for that soft material land on his face. But the moment the white soft material touched on his face, it strangely felt as if a wave of peace rushed through his soul. He genuinely didn't know if this was the effect of the vibe of the holy place or specifically the soft white material. But his disturbed soul found its calmness at that particular moment.

But that moment was short-lived as he watched the owner of the white dupatta retreating figure. He shifted his attention back to Mohan Kaka, who asked him, "Kaisa lag raha hai beta? (How are you feeling, beta?)"

"Sukoon (peace)," he gulped painfully.

mora piya ghar aaya, mora piya ghar aaya

my beloved has come home

maula maula maula mere maula...