At RM

Arnav broke the hug and kissed her forehead. She smiled brightly at him and he held her by the waist and looked at her from top to bottom.

(Khushi's dress) 

Arnav: Hey  ... new dress ... and have to say you are looking so fresh in this ... but you are not going to wear this for the outing, right?

Khushi: Definitely not ... I will not be comfortable ... and I wore it for now as it is bought by you ... and I have never worn it before 

Arnav: (Smirking) Really ... this was bought by me ... I mean I don't remember ... anyway, I liked it ... (Observing her expression) but I don't know what DR will say

Khushi: (Shrugging) doesn't matter ... you liked, right and that is what matters to me ... and yeah If they are only comfortable in Sarees it doesn't mean that everybody will be like that ... also we are going for sightseeing not to a Satsang (A spiritual gathering). So it will be more appropriate if I wear something cool like Lav said because the season is too hot here

Arnav: Why it will not be ... I mean with a hot lady standing here

Khushi: (Pulling him towards her with his collar) dare you to mock me Mr. Raizada

Arnav chuckled and engulfed her in a warm hug.

Arnav: I told the truth yaar you are looking damn hot ... and you know what? I am too much happy

Khushi: Why? Because I am angry?

Arnav: No my lord ... because my old tigress is back

They both broke the hug and smiled at each other and that's when Khushi saw the time.

Khushi: Oh my God ... look at the time ... it is time for your coffee, right? Stupid man ... why are you always forgetting about your intake ... or is it because you like medicines that much?

Arnav: It's not a big deal ... just a drink my drama queen ... and you don't have to worry ... I mean I have my own personal doctor (Winked at her) so now without wasting more time you go and get the coffee

Khushi: Arnav ... you know you can't alter your food schedules? Then? ... (Sighing) no ... leave it ... no use of saying it because you will never change.  By the way, now I can go down without you or Lav to the den?

Arnav: Yep ... because as I told you my feisty Khush is back

Khushi shook her head at him and started walking but stopped in her tracks listening to him

Arnav: Listen ... please check upon Kiddu after bringing it ... I mean she might need you

Khushi nodded understandingly and walked out. Then she got down the stairs and gone towards the Mandir first and prayed before heading towards the kitchen. On her way, she saw everybody expect Sheetal and Payal sitting in the living room gossiping. They hadn't seen her so she too ignored them and walked away.

Reaching the entrance of the kitchen she peeped in only to see HP making puries and Sheetal and Payal serving tea for everyone to take to the living room.

Khushi was very angry with Anjali for saying those horrible things to him and all others for listening to it without saying anything but wasn't ready for an argument with them now as she doesn't want to be late. She was thinking what to do but sighed in relief when she saw Lavanya coming back after placing something in the refrigerator. So she reached beside Lavanya and touched her shoulder.

Lavanya was ready to blast on the person thinking it as her stupid family as Arnav's painful face wasn't leaving her mind. But when she turned around saw Khushi there and sighed

Lavanya: Oh ... it's you ... good morning Kiya

She saw Sheetal and Payal eavesdropping so she asked teasingly but in a loud voice as she wants them to hear her conversation

 Lavanya: So ... had a good sleep?

Khushi: Morning Lav ... and yeah I must say the best sleep after two horrible weeks

Lavanya was surprised, hearing her audacious reply but was happy to see the change while Payal and Sheetal frowned upon hearing her.  That's when they heard Chachi calling Payal and so she headed towards the hall.

Now Lavanya got the best chance so she decided to have some fun and winked at Khushi. And she was more than ready to play with her bestie

Lavanya: (Loudly) and may I ask you why?

Khushi: (Smirking) obviously because I had the best companion

Lavanya: Companion ... who?

Khushi: You know who

The cup in Sheetal's hand almost dropped hearing that and Lavanya had to control her laugh

Lavanya: Oh ... okay. By the way, why are you here? I mean I had sent tea to the room. Doesn't Kiddu give you?

Khushi: Where did you send it?

Lavanya: Obviously to the guestroom

Khushi: That's why ... I wasn't there

Lavanya: Really? Then where were you?

Khushi: Don't you know that? With Arnav of course

Lavanya: (Loudly) Oh! With Bro ... hmm not bad!

HP smiled at them while Khushi faked a blush. Sheetal started to sweat hearing all that but kept quiet as she doesn't have the guts to speak to Lavanya.

Lavanya:  So now why are you here? To get your tea?

Khushi: No ... to get Arnav's coffee ... its time you know? And he had again forgotten that

Lavanya: He will forget Kiya so that you will remind him ... and I know (As if telling to Sheetal) he likes it very much when you do things for him

Khushi: Okay ... okay ... now stop it Lav ... and can you tell me where is honey, so that I can make his coffee?

Lavanya: Hari Bhaiyya ... please give her the honey ... she has to make the coffee

HP: But Bhaiyya's coffee is already prepared

Sheetal: Yes Lavanya Ji ... I have made it as soon as the Puja finished

Lavanya: (To herself) Oh God ... this Behenji will never learn. (Loudly) Sheetal ... sorry to burst your bubble ... but he will not drink that. And Hari Bhaiyya now your Bhaiyya need his special coffee as he is addicted to that. (Sighing) but we can't blame him too ... I mean her coffee has magic

Sheetal had had enough of this and ran to the hall to recite everything happened here to her Bhabhi and seeing that Lavanya, Khushi, and HP laughed out. HP then took the honey and gave Khushi

HP: Bhabhi ... here is the honey

Khushi raised her eyebrows, hearing him and Lavanya laughed seeing her expression.

Lavanya: Hari Bhaiyya knows Kiya ... after all, he is Bhaiyya's pet

HP: Yes Bhabhi I know and yeah Bhaiyya had strictly instructed to call you like that

Khushi: Okay Hari ... but please call me something else until everyone knows about it ... and I can call you Hari right? I think that is what Arnav calls you

HP: Sure Didi

Khushi smiled at him and then made the coffee and was going towards the stairs when she saw the family looking weirdly at her. She chuckled at herself and started to ascend the stairs, but in the middle, came face to face with Arnav.

He was all set to go out and she smiled at him, but he didn't see that, as he was busy enjoying his family's look seeing his attire as if they couldn't recognize him in casuals. But then he saw the coffee cup but purposely descended the stairs ignoring her to rile her up. 'Oh how much I like her feisty attitude' he thought. Khushi saw that and frowned

Khushi: What the ... Arnav ... Arnav stop right there

Arnav who was with his back towards her smiled at her mood and then smirked seeing his horrified family. He then turned around and said innocently

Arnav: Yes Kiya ... what happened? And why are you not ready yaar? Go ... go ... get ready

Khushi: (Gritting her teeth) Arnav Singh Raizada ... that will not work with me so shut up and drink this ... otherwise, I won't hesitate to forcefully do that

Arnav held her shoulders purposely to show his family and smiled at her and mouthed 'sorry, just kidding' and then  took the coffee and sipped it

Arnav: Wow! Yeh tumne banaya (You prepared this) ... thank you

Saying this he pecked her cheeks cupping her nape and settled on the couch taking the newspaper. She looked at him open-mouthed seeing his guts but he winked at her.

Arnav: Arrey ... why are you standing there like a statue? Go get ready ... Lavi you too

Lavanya nodded and both of them went upstairs. The whole family was in a frozen state while Anjali gritted her teeth seeing his attitude. 'I will show you what Anjali Manohar Jha can do Arnav, just wait till Papa comes' she thought wickedly.

Arnav was talking with Akash about today's deals and that's when Khushi, Kiran, and Nikhil came down all ready to go out

(Khushi, Nikhil, and Kiran) 

DR's eyes almost popped out seeing their attire but told nothing not wanting to have a repeat telecast of the morning incident.

Not seeing Lavanya there, Kiran asked

Kiran: Arnie where is Lavz?

Arnav looked up at her and indicated towards her room

Kiran: (Sighing) late as always

Khushi and Nikhil sat on the sofa waiting for Lavanya while Kiran not finding any place settled on Arnav's armrest and asked Chachu

Kiran: Uncle ... can you please give me that newspaper

Chachu first looked at the paper in his hand and then towards the other papers on the table and frowned while DR watched the scene amused. Arnav saw his Chachu's expression and told

Arnav: Chachu ... she doesn't know to read Hindi properly ... that's why

Chachu: Oh okay ... take it beta

Kiran: Thanks, uncle

And that's when Madhumathy (Kaki) came there. She frowned seeing some new faces and asked

Kaki: Maa Ji ... you have guests but nobody told me anything

Dadi: They came yesterday evening only

Kaki: Oh ... so who are they?

Arnav: Mrs. Mishra, they are my people from U. S. Khushi, Kiran, and Nikhil

Madhumathy frowned, hearing 'my people' and was about to interfere, but Payal shook her head indicating no and Chachi whispered she will tell everything later.

Everybody looked up hearing sound from the stairs and saw Lavanya coming down. Kiran was about to speak, but Arnav pressed her hands while Khushi and Nikhil' jaw dropped. The DR breathed a sigh of relief seeing her

Lavanya: (Innocently) Mamma ... can I go with Bro

Chachi instantly looked at Kaki as for her, to allow that Lavanya's future MIL's approval was required.

Kaki: Manu ... see even living there Lavanya hadn't forgotten her culture. And look at her dress she is very well dressed unlike them ... I mean at least it is covering everything properly ... and that means how much ever they try these people can't influence her or change her ... so it's okay let her go

Chachi: (Nodding understandingly) okay Lavanya go ... but don't be too late

Lavanya nodded at that and they were about to go but stopped hearing Kaki's extra sweet voice

Kaki: Lavanya beta you are looking very beautiful ... from where did you buy these dresses?

Lavanya: (Acting all innocent) really! thank you, auntie and it's From America, what happened?

Kaki: (Pointing at Khushi and Kiran) do you know them?

Lavanya: Yeah ... of course, why?

Kaki: Nothing much, but look at their clothes (Payal pressed her hands but she ignored it)

Lavanya: Nice right? looking good on them ... in fact ... it's from AR's casual collection. Right, Bro?

Hearing that everyone's jaw dropped as they thought one sweet word from them and Lavanya will change tables but here she supported them. 

Arnav: Yep Lavi ... and why will not it look good (Arrogantly) AR have only the best ... so nobody can blame it

Kaki smiled unwillingly as Arnav spoiled her plan to defame them because as it is from AR, if she said anything bad about the dresses, it will be against Arnav and it is will not be good for them while Anjali gritted her teeth. Then Dadi asked as instructed by Anjali

Dadi: Arnav ... are you guys going shopping?

Arnav: Why? Did Anjali and Chachi found fault in it too? 

Dadi: ARNAV! Don't be sarcastic ... and yeah if yes then take Bitiyas too; they wanted to buy some new Sarees for an upcoming Puja

Arnav: Dadi ... first of all ... I am not interested and I am not ready for any argument right now and secondly ... we are going for an outing and maybe to some local markets. But your Bitiyas only wear high branded designer Sarees ... (Under his breath) wasting my money ... (Loudly) so it will be better if they go themselves ... and (Sighing) don't worry I will ask Mohan to drop them

Anjali stomped off to her room as her another plan to make Arnav and Sheetal closer too failed.

Soon they came out to the car and as soon as they were away from other's sight

Kiran: Lav ... what happened to you? What type of dress is this? I mean It is horrible summer here and you ...

Nikhil: Yes Lav ... what is this? Why are you wearing a winter collection when you instructed all of us to wear something cool?

Khushi: Yeah ... I even asked you is this dress okay and you said yes but now you yourself ...

Lavanya: Sorry Kiya ... but otherwise, Mamma won't allow me out

Khushi: Okay ... but I am not underdressed for India, right?

Khushi asked doubtfully while other two frowned and Arnav said keeping his hand around Khushi's shoulder

Arnav: Don't worry baby ... this dress is more than right here ... and Kiddu nothing happened to Lavi ... it was her old idea to go out without any fuss which she used to do before coming to America. (To La) But I thought you left all that

Lavanya: Old habits die late, Bro

Saying this she opened her jacket and threw it in the backseat of the car while others looked at the 'hot La' open-mouthed and Arnav shook his head at her antics as she winked at them.

They all then set for the day out. Rahul called him on the way and told him to come to the orphanage during lunch.

At U. S. 

Manav came back exhausted after a six-hour-long operation to his cabin and relaxed in his chair. His PA came there with his tea and said

Asst: Dr. ... there was a call for you one hour before

Manav: Here? To office? Who?

Asst: Yes and it was a lady ... she was saying that she tried your number many times but it was on voicemail. I told you are in OT ... so she told me to inform you once you are back and it is very urgent.

Manav: Oh Okay ... but who was it?

Asst: She only told me to memorize you about checking the phone

Manav nodded and took out his phone, he frowned seeing so many missed calls from the number and about to call back but his phone rang with the same number

Caller: Hello Manav ... are you there? And where is Arnie ... what happened to him? Why his number is out of coverage area? Is he ok? What about Kiya? Her number too is unreachable. Nothing happened, right? Kiddu, Lavi, and Nikhil everyone is okay right?