At the temple

The DR was all ready to impress Arnav as per Anjali's instructions thinking that doing some special puja in his name will wipe away the years of pain he had gone through because of them.

Shyam: Anju did Sali Sahiba mention this temple? I mean ... there is nobody here ... neither she nor sale sahib

Dadi: I too was thinking that Damad Ji ... because there is no one

Chachi: But this is the temple Lavanya usually comes

Akash: Maybe they had taken the other route because Mohan will take the route which is safer rather than short as per Arnav's instructions

Anjali: Yeah ... what Bhaiyya said is true ... they are coming here only ... you all please think positive ... everything will go according to our plan

Sheetal too was praying to give her the love of Arnav, but what to do even god cannot fulfill everyone's wish at a time, because that was when they heard a voice calling as Arnav.

Hearing the name and as the sound felt familiar they all looked towards the voice and what they saw was extremely unbelievable for anybody who only knows the ASR. Because it was the first time they were seeing him inside the temple. After registering it only they concentrated on the owner of the voice and it was obviously his Khush who was in the yellow suit looking as beautiful as ever and much traditional according to them.

Anjali, Sheetal, and Payal were extremely jealous of her beauty as every male person who turned towards her hearing her voice was shamelessly admiring her including their own brothers or husbands. Arnav saw some male eyes on her and possessively held her shoulder. Then he turned her around to face him to divert her attention as he noticed DR standing there even when he was on a call and indicated her one second.

Khushi cared less about the attention she was getting from the male population and indicated the Prasad to him. He raised his other hand towards her in which he had held her phone wordlessly saying her his hands are not free. She who was unaware of the presence of his family happily fed him and by that time he had finished his call.

He then purposely took the Prasad and fed her the remaining part. By the corner of his eyes, he saw Anjali gritting her teeth and others were standing as if hit by thunder. He knows they will not create a scene in the temple and it is a golden opportunity so he purposely flirted with her.

Arnav: Yaar ... don't put this much sweetness to your hand ... I am diabetic you know

Khushi: Arnav behave ... we are in a public place

Arnav: If not ... it is not a problem?

Khushi: Arnav! It is not America and also we are in a temple. And you know I won't appreciate you to do your shameless antics before God

Arnav: Okay ... okay ... (Side hugging her and rubbing her arms) relax yaar and ... leave it ... I mean I was just teasing you ... nothing serious, okay?

Khushi: Now that's better ... okay so who was on the call?

Arnav: It was Lavi ... they had struck in a traffic jam and will reach here in some minutes. (Noticing his family trying to come towards them) so let us wait downstairs and also ... there is someone I want you to meet

Khushi: Who Arnav?

Arnav: Just come man ... you will definitely like her

Saying this he forwarded his hand towards her, she smilingly linked her hand around him and he led her downstairs royally ignoring his parasite family.

He led her downstairs unaware about the curious Anjali and Payal following them while Sheetal and others stayed there to complete the puja. He then led her towards the bench kept near the offering doves. Arnav pulled Khushi on the bench and sat there while Anjali and Payal to find who that person is, hid behind the pillars from where they can hear Arshi's talks. But when they saw Arnav and Khushi sitting in peaceful silence it was getting on their nerves.

Suddenly they saw a little girl of about five years coming running towards them. Arshi who was talking between themselves looked up hearing a little voice calling Arnav uncle and stood up. She hugged Arnav by his legs and squealed.

Girl: Arnav uncle ... you are back!

Arnav picked her in his arms and hugged her.

Payal: Nanad ... did you see that? ... Is that Devar Ji? ... I mean he is behaving all sweet

Anjali: Payal Ji ...  I think he is acting actually ... to irritate us. Otherwise how this drastic change in a person? Because from the time Mrs. Raizada dead he is the always the angry and arrogant self ... he is rude even towards his Di and family ... so how can he change overnight?

Payal: But his behavior with the Khuranas

Anjali: Payal Ji ... yesterday night I had thought about the whole thing and now I have arrived at a conclusion

Payal: What is it?

Anjali: That is it is his acting. I mean ... do you remember him denying the marriage with Sheetal from the time I had told my wish to him? From that time he is singing only one song that is he doesn't love Sheetal ... he will never marry her and he will marry that person whom he loves. Don't you think it's all his stupidity? Because it is not that we were in love with our partners before marriage. And I think he thinks like that because of Papa's inter cast marriage with Mrs. Raizada saying it is true love. (Sighing) I can only call it as stupidity rather than love and Arnav too wants that type of crazy love for him ... like I will let that happen. So I think he is doing all this drama so that we won't pressurize him to marry Sheetal

Payal: You are saying that ... he is doing all this just to make us believe that he is very close to Khushi Ji so that we will drop Sheetal's alliance?

Anjali: Exactly

Payal: I too think it is right ... because he is getting more intimate with Khushi Ji like hugging and kissing only when he sees us. Maybe he is doing all that to irritate us thinking that Sheetal will herself reject the marriage and we will drop this idea

Anjali: Hmm ... but we will not let that happen ... come what may happen I am not backing off from this alliance and won't allow Sheetal to do that. (Sighing) let us move Payal Ji ... let him act however he like but in the end it's we are going to win. Now let us go and complete the puja and then we have to go shopping and then to the orphanage remember?

Payal: Ok then let us go

Arnav: Of course Vedu ... do you think I can stay more days without seeing you?

Vedu: Haww! Don't lie to me, uncle ... I know you hadn't missed me

Arnav: Hey ... who said that? I definitely missed my Vedu

Vedu: Really? Where were you last month then?

Khushi giggled hearing that and Vedu looked up to see a pretty aunty smiling at them. She broke the hug and looked at Arnav raising her eyebrow and then looked at Khushi. Arnav too followed her line of vision and saw her frowning seeing Khushi.

Arnav: Vedu that is Khushi ... and Khush this Vedika

Vedu: Is this the same Khushi Naina aunty talk about?

Khushi: You know me?

Vedu: Yes ... she ... I mean Naina aunty told me about her best friend that is you and to make friends when I was going to school for the first time. She, Sruthy aunty, Aman uncle, Rahul uncle, and Arnav uncle used to talk a lot about all your friendship

Khushi: Really? So have you made friends at school?

Vedu: Yes ... a lot but...(With a pout and sad face) Aunty ... you don't know about me? I will not talk to you

Khushi: Arrey ... why are you not talking to me Vedika? It's all the fault of your Aunties and uncles ... I mean they had told you about me but hadn't told anything about you to me ... then how would I know? So it's not at all my fault, right?

Vedu smiled at Khushi once agreeing with her and then started to hit Arnav on his chest with her tiny hands.

Vedu: Leave me, uncle, you are very bad ... you hadn't told anything about me to Aunty ... you don't love me right?

Arnav: (Stopping her hands) it's not like that Vedu ... I mean I wanted to surprise your aunty. (Winking at Khushi) did you see Aunty's surprised funny face? (To Khushi) you were surprised ... right, Aunty? ... okay so now you only tell her to not to be angry with me

Khushi: (Playing along) yes ... yes, I was surprised ... so please forgive your uncle now

Vedu: (To Arnav) Really? ... so you love me, right? ... you ... you won't leave me like Papa?

Arnav: (Hugging her) never ... and I love you so much Vedu

Vedu: I too love you ... uncle

Khushi: Haww ... you left me out!

Vedu called her by waving hands and Khushi too joined them and the three shared a group hug.

Anjali and Payal had already left from there who were irritated with the emotional scene.

Vedu: (Breaking the hug) so how come you are in the temple today? And why hadn't you come to the park for jogging today?

Arnav: Your aunty wanted to pray ... so ...

Vedu: (Observing both of them closely) Aunty are you uncle's wife?

Arnav: What the!

Khushi: How do you know that?

Vedu: Arrey ... isn't it obvious? Like the heroes of films, (To Khushi, pointing at Arnav) he is doing things you like ... changing his usual routine and all. Also, I had seen the bracelet you are wearing ... it is similar to the one married women wears in the neck, right? ... so by all that

Khushi: (Hugging Vedu) wow Vedika you are very ...

Vedu: Intelligent?

Khushi: And cute too

Vedu: Really? (Kissing her cheeks) you too Aunty ... I like you ... and you can call me Vedu like uncle does

Khushi: Okay ... I will call you that only

Arnav smiled seeing them get along well.

Arnav: So ... you came for flying your worship doves?

Vedu nodded at him and ran away towards the seller to get the doves saying them that they will meet after that. Arnav smiled at her retreating back and again they both settled on the bench.

Arnav: She reminds me of the little Kiddu I met 10 years back

Khushi: (Smiling) she resembles Kiddu a lot ... so where do you meet her?

Arnav: Here only ...

Khushi: Here?

Arnav: Yeah ... that day I think it was Rahul and Ninu's wedding anniversary last year and I came with them as we were heading towards the party after that ... Aman and Sruthy too were there. They all had gone in and I was waiting here. Then I saw a little girl crying sitting here and like I said she reminded me of Kiddu. So I went to her and asked what is the matter. She told me her life story and (Tears filling his eyes) I was horrified imagining her situation

Khushi: Arnav?

Arnav: Roshni ... Vedu's Maa belonged to a low-class family in Punjab who considered girls only as responsibility. Roshni from her teenage loved her neighbor and friend Sunil but her parents weren't happy with that and married off her just at the age of 18 crushing her love. But she was ready to move on as she didn't want to hurt her husband and parents. Later only she realized her husband was just lusting over her and by that time she was pregnant with Vedu

Khushi: What happened to her lover ... Sunil?

Arnav: He was broken ... but he knew she was helpless so decided to live with her memories but when he got a job here, and he couldn't stop the urge to go and meet her. And when Roshni met him she was very guilty that only because of her he decided not to marry. But he explained it was not her fault and continued their friendship. Everything was going well she had Sunil's support and her husband was at least loyal after the news of her pregnancy. But one day he found Roshni with Sunil and he thought she is continuing her affair and was again back to his monstrous life ... beating her mercilessly ... bringing girls home and intimating them before her and she was totally broken and guilty thinking it was her fault to talk to Sunil again which lead to all this because he started to even doubt about the fatherhood of the child.

Khushi: But she had moved on long back ... how could he even!

Arnav: She had but that was him ... he couldn't think against his obsession and after Vedu was born he used to rape Roshni continuously. Everything got worse on that day when he heard little Vedu calling Sunil as Papa because she loved Sunil and that man killed him then and there and she and her Maa ran away to this temple and ... that was the day I met her

Khushi held his hand tight unable to even imagine that situation. Both of them were crying silently for that poor soul

Khushi: She ... she ... saw that?

Arnav: Unfortunately yes ... and she told me she used to fly worship birds so that her wish got fulfilled. She used to pay the vendor with the little money Sunil used to give and that day all her money was over. And she was crying for that because she hadn't money. Khush, that day I realized all the money we had made doesn't mean anything before her wish ... because she wanted only that ... the money to fly a dove

Khushi: Then?

Arnav: I said to her to come here and complete her ritual every day and I will pay for that. She was very happy and immediately we become friends (Chuckling at his own words) but then only she told me about her wish Khush ... and hearing that I promised myself that I will do whatever I can for accomplishing it

Khushi: What was it?

Arnav: For her mother to get love in life ... she is hoping that today too even after Sunil has gone she is thinking someone to love her mother and pamper her as heroes do in movies. I hadn't had words Khush ... to say anything to make her feel better. And you know what was more ironic nobody was there for them ... even Roshni's family blamed it all on her indicating her relationship with Sunil ... they left Roshni and Vedu on roads. She was hoping to have a better life by flying those doves ... and I couldn't stand all that. We all then met Roshni ... she was a little girl grown overnight as a mother ... so we decided to take up her responsibility and she was with Sruthy in her apartment until last month as she couldn't stand more people then, otherwise, Anand Sadan was there. Now she decided to move on for her daughter and is working as Sruthy's assistant and living the next door to Sruthy

Khushi: What happened to Roshni's marriage and that man?

Arnav: Obviously she got divorced ... Ninu fought her case ... domestic violence ... marital rape ... murder ... so it was very easy and he is sentenced to the lifetime

Khushi: Hmm ... you all had done everything for them and that was very good of you ... but ... why didn't you all hadn't told me anything about it?

Arnav: Khush ... everyone wanted to tell you but that time the situation was different ... I mean you were just out from those horrible attacks and doctor told to not to stress you so I had prevented them all. I never had the intention to hide this from you ... but as time went and they moved into a normal life it had slipped my mind. I am sorry Khush ... I know I shouldn't have

Khushi: (Holding his hand) ... I understand Arnav ... it's okay

Both shared an emotional eye lock.

Kiran: (Waving her hands before them) hey lovebirds ... come to back to earth ... it's a temple after all

Lavanya and Nikhil chuckled at that.

Arnav: Oh ... you guys reached. Lavi, go ... and complete your Puja soon ... we have to be present at Anand Sadan for breakfast

Lavanya: Okay Bro ... I am just going to get the puja props and then just a simple puja. It will not take more than half an hour

Khushi: I will come with you Lavz ... I mean I want to know all the special pujas here and this Arnav doesn't know about anything

Nikhil: I too am coming ... I too want to understand the traditions here

Kiran: Now please go and complete your puja soon ... I want to go to Anand Sadan soon ... so go and come fast

When Lavanya went inside with them she saw her family looking at them curiously but she just ignored them.

Outside the temple

Arnav: Arrey why my tomboy Kiddu is all dressed up like a cute doll?

Kiran: Why asking? Your sis insisted ... saying it is a temple and blah blah

Arnav: What to do yaar ... see even your sister was insistent on these

Kiran: Arnie ... then why do you ask to come here? What was the necessity... when there isn't a person called God? Because if yes then there will not be a thing called pain ... we will not lose our Moms ... I and Kiya will not lose our Papa ... these all bad things will not happen. These people are stupid Arnie ... but what I can't understand is that how can Kiya believe in him?

Arnav chuckled at that

Kiran: Why are you laughing Arnie ... I am serious

Arnav: I know ... and I had laughed because this was the question I too asked her one day ... but her answer stunned me Kiddu ... so I left that thought from my mind completely

Kiran: What?

Arnav: That is what I had said was true ... that it's God who gave us that pain ... but again it is God who gave her ... her Kiddu and Arnav ... her happiness too

Kiran: (Smilingly) she is weird isn't it? I mean taking everything positively

Arnav: But you love her like that

Kiran: Just like you

They both chuckled at that. When the DR finished there and came down they saw Arnav and Kiran. As she saw them she wished Chachu, Shyam and Akash who she found was just the puppet of the DR Ladies and when Akash asked her why didn't she go inside the answer itself showed them she was literally the female version of ASR.

After they all left Arnav and Kiran continued their chat. Then Vedu came there and he invited her to Anand Sadan and knowing it was his birthday she squealed and hugging him tight wished him. After that, she left to meet Khushi and by then Kiran who was observing everything was really angry. Arnav saw her and asked frowning.

Arnav: Hey ... what happened?

Kiran: How do you know this Vedu? ... and Arnie why are you behaving like my Arnie with her? ... I mean why are you treating her like me?

Arnav smiled at the Kid inside her who now too can't stand him bonding with some other kid but he chose to clear her confusion as he knows it's all the problems of teenage.

Arnav: (Side hugging her) Kiddu, you don't have to be insecure bacha ... she is just a little Kid and faced a lot in her this small life.

He told her everything about Vedu and by the end like her sister she too had tears in her eyes.

Kiran: I ... I am sorry Arnie ... I mean I behaved like that without knowing anything ... the poor soul had to face all these at such a young age and you were cheering her up and ... how foolish of me to get jealous of a little girl

Arnav: (Rubbing her arms) hey ... hey, it's okay ... it happens ... you see even Lavi was first afraid, seeing our bond it was the problems during teenage ... but later she realized. And Kiddu ... I just want to say to you to not to be behind this because you have to know this ... that is you are most important for me like how you are to Khushi ... you ... you are like our firstborn ... because you are the one who instilled this father-mother kind of emotions and responsibility in us; you are and always will be our kid even when we will have our kids, ok?

Kiran hugged him feeling emotional with his talks and then they all left to Anand Sadan. All of their friends were there and with cake cutting and all everybody enjoyed a lot during breakfast and lunch. Anjali and her gang who was busy with shopping had only reached there in the evening much to the relief of Arnav and for the first time, he was happy that his sister was a shopaholic.

But what was surprising for Arnav, Lavanya, Rahul, and Aman was the happy Anjali left from there even after his flirty behavior with Khushi in front of her.

Guys, just one more update and then Dr. Manav Singh Raizada will be back with a bang