In the party hall

It was time for the press meet and Arshi entered together. The media was capturing the elegant couple and was all ready to dig about the 'secret person' in ASR's life.

Arnav: Please be seated, everyone ...

As everyone settled the reporters started to fire questions at them from everywhere.

Reporter 1: Is she the special person your father wanted to introduce to the media?

Reporter 2: Who is she to you?

Reporter 3: Is she your girlfriend?

Arnav: Wait ... wait ... I am here to answer all your question if it isn't too much personal ... but yes ask one by one ... as of now, yes she is the person Dad mentioned ... and no she was my GF but not now ...

Reporter 2: If you two broke up why is she still with you?

Reporter 4: Yes and why are you introducing her to us now after your break up?

Arnav: Excuse me ... when did I say we broke up?

Reporter 2: You just ...

Arnav: Will you guys let me finish my sentence ... and I think I had just told you guys to ask one by one

Repoter 1: Sorry ASR ... but what are you trying to say actually? Err ... I mean you said 'was'

Arnav: Yeah ... I am coming to that. Khushi was my GF but not now ... because now ... she is my better half ... my wife ...

Reporter 5: What? ... wife?

Arnav: Yes ... that is what I said

Reporter 2: But how is this possible? ... I mean your impending marriage with Ms. Jha was not a secret ...

Arnav: Really? ... without my awareness?

Reporter 2: But ASR ... it was the latest rumor of the town and some of your relatives and neighbors too confirmed that the talks about your marriage with your BIL's sister were going on in your house

Arnav: Come on ... that's why we term them as 'rumors', right?

Reporter 2: But then ... why didn't you ever comment on it or denied it? ... I mean it hadn't just started yesterday ... we are hearing it from last few years

Arnav: I didn't find it necessary as I was committed much before that ... exactly saying almost nine years now

Reporter 2: Nine years? ... but then why wasn't she seen anywhere with you?

Arnav: Yeah you are right ... you hadn't seen her here ... but then I guess you guys hadn't done a hard work ... because we used to attend every event together in America  as she was there to complete her medicine at Harvard

Reporter 2: Harvard? That is were your cousin is doing medicine now?

Arnav: Yes ... and not doing but done because both my wife and SISTER are doctors already ...

Reporter 1: Okay so ... Mrs. Raizada was your sister's classmate?

Arnav: Not just classmates ... they are besties

Reporter 2: Just asking out of curiosity ... was it the attraction towards the wealthy hot brother of the best friend that led to the marriage?

Arnav: Good story ... but sorry to burst your bubble because we didn't meet through Lavanya ... no ... and the marriage wasn't the outcome of a mere attraction ... like I said earlier we were in a relationship from the time she joined as my junior and yeah was in love obviously. And after some years we were sure about us ... so got married ... end of the story

Reporter 3: Junior? But she studied in medical school right?

Arnav: Oh about that ... my Biwi here is a double graduate ... she was my junior in fashion school but joined medicine because that is what she was interested in ...

Reporter 2: Means Mrs. ASR hate fashion designing when her husband is the fashion king?

Khushi: Excuse me ... where did that came from? Becoming a doctor was my passion ... but that doesn't mean I hate any other job. It is true that when I can do something to bring someone back to life gives me immense happiness more than anything ... but I do love designing and that's why it was my second option

Arnav: Yes ... (Proudly) and that's why she graduated both course with flying colors

Reporter 1: Sorry ... our intention wasn't to offend you ma'am or sir ... so how much time it is to your marriage?

Khushi: Almost three years ...

Reporter 3: Three years? But then why keep it as a secret all this while? ... and now this sudden interest in introducing her?

Arnav: (With a sharp look) ... yeah it is right I hadn't announced it publicly ... but it was never a secret ... my close friends and family were surely aware about it and like I said she wasn't staying here. But now we are planning to stay here ... so I don't want anybody to have any fake ideas about our relation. And yeah the world should know who Mrs. ASR is, right?

Reporter 1: Of course ASR ...

Reporter 2: So Mrs. Raizada ... you know ASR from sometime now so you must be aware about the news about his alleged relation with different models, colleagues and even with Ms. Jha for that matter ... so what is your reaction to it? Did you at least once felt it might be true ... you know what I meant?

Arnav very well knows, how topics like this may affect Khushi and thus was about to blast on the reporter. But Khushi confidently held his hand under the table. He looked at her surprised but she just blinked her eyes assuring him and looked ahead.

Khushi: About such news ... the only thing I felt is ... anxious about the people who talk these rubbish ... because one thing I can never predict is that what (Looking at Arnav) he will do when he is angry especially if that is something which will hurt me. And about it being true (With a smile) being unfaithful towards our relation is the thing Arnav can't even dream ... if that is what you meant. And about knowing Arnav ... it is not from sometime like you mentioned... like he said we are in a relation from nine years ... so I know who 'Arnav' is inside the 'ASR' you guys are talking about ...

Reporter 3: So that means you guys were in a relationship from college days ... so didn't your parents opposed such affair and all ... that too, years back?

Khushi: (Laughing) ... how much Indians they were ... we lived in America and these all were common there ... (Stressing on the words and faking a smile) that too years back. Also both our parents were fast forward ... and I guess they were sure about Arnav-Khushi much before us

Arnav and Khushi shared a small laugh and others looked at them curiously.Seeing that Arnav thought it is good if he share this news rather than they finding it from somewhere else.

Arnav: Oh about that ... Papa and Mamma ... that is Kabir Kumar Khurana and Gayathri Kabir Khurana was Dad's and Mom's best friends respectively ... and that made us childhood buddies as we were neighbors

Reporter 1: Means Mrs. ASR was your childhood sweetheart

Arnav: (Sharing a laugh with Khushi) ... not exactly though ... I mean as kids we liked to irritate each other but we were always together but yeah after we shifted to India only I realized how sweet those fights were

Reporter 4: So you are saying that your love story started from childhood?

Arnav: Well not entirely ... even though we used to fight she always had that special part in my life and I used to feel so lonely when we parted. Then I knew somewhere that I had some feelings for her ... but yeah realized it was love during our college days only

Reporter 6: So how was it to meet each other after a long separation?

Khushi: I must say it was really something ... (Chuckling) I still remember his reaction when he realized it was me as Kiran, my sister called me Kiya because I was nicknamed like that by himself

Arnav: It was one hell of a meeting I must say because it was really an accidental meeting in a jogging park and that too through the prankster Kiran was something. But when later on when I realized it was Kiya all along (Shaking his head with a small smile) I don't know what and all I had done in happiness

Reporter 1: Ma'am don't get me wrong but ... how is ASR at home? And as a husband? Because as far as we heard from you and seeing him when he is with you ... I think there is a different person inside this ASR

Khushi: (Smiling) ... yeah that's true actually ... but he acts like that only with the people who are close to himself. In fact "I am very close to few people ... but they mean everything to me" is what his policy is. So at home back there ... he is a normal person (Chuckling) not the arrogant beast you are talking about. He is the understanding son for Dad ... buddy-bro for Lavanya and Kiran, etc. And as a husband (Looking back at Arnav who was looking at her curiously to hear her reply) ... I can call myself lucky because it is not every day we can see a husband cooking your favorite food for you ... scolding you for being careless about your own health ... looking after you as if you are a child when you are ill ... supporting you in every second of life ... considering your family as his own ... and understanding you more than yourself. If these all are the requirements for the good husband ... then I will say Arnav is the best ever husband in the world

Reporter 4: So ASR ... now your turn ... what about Ma'am?

Arnav: (Smilingly) ... all I can say is she is the missing part of my life ... and as I have her now I can't even imagine my life without her. Yeah ... it may sound cheesy and impractical ... but then I will say 'Love is being impractical' because ... hadn't we heard about love winning over medical science and all? ... so that's it I guess

Reporter 7: One last question ASR ... what are your future plans? ... and what about ma'am?

Arnav: Future plans? ... hmm ... we are going to start our works for the winter collection soon ... and Khushi is going to join Dad and Lavanya in RH (Raizada Hospitals) ... (Looking at his watch) okay I think that's it for now ...

Reporter 1: Thank you sir ... thank you Ma'am for your lovely time

Arshi: Welcome

Arshi walked out and again entered the party hall in which Mr. and Mrs. ASR was still the topic.

Arnav indicated Aman to come over as soon as they were out and said Khushi to join the gang. Khushi sensed he was up to something seeing the exchange between the friends so she asked holding his hand.

Khushi: Arnav ... what's the matter?

Arnav: Nothing serious baby ... you just join them ... I and Aman have to meet someone here

Khushi left as she realized he is not going to reveal it now and Aman came there immediately.

Arnav: Aman ... (Smirking) the one in the red shirt and the one have specs ... we need to have some personal conversation

Aman: (Smirking) ... sure Arnie let me get them ...

Aman got them to a secluded place stating Arnav wanted to give a personal interview regarding their new collection. But what happened there actually ... only the four of them knows.

After a couple of hours, the party came to an end and all left for home. Everybody directly hit to bed as they were hell tired.

Next morning

Today, only Arnav and Ravi were going for jogging as the 'kids' planned some competition in the gym. Arnav was coming out from the kitchen getting the protein shake but the scene he saw in the living room made him smirk.

Anjali and Chachi were frantically going over all the newspapers but what they saw wasn't what they had expected. Anjali wondered why her bribing hadn't worked and switched on the TV but the result was the same. She became very frustrated and threw the remote on the couch after switching off the TV and stomped away to her room. Chachi too followed her Anju and gone to her room on the ground floor.

Ravi who was coming down fortunately or unfortunately came face to face with one of his cousins... the so-called first love of his. And thinking about her being his love he felt pity towards himself. He had expected to meet her here but what he didn't expect was the abortive look on Anjali's face. He wondered what could have happened but shrugged it off thinking it to be one of her mood swings. Anjali who saw him glared at him and he would have ashes if looks could kill because Anjali Manohar Jha was boiling in rage.

He too glared back at her and descended the steps as fast as possible and once again came face to face with another cousin of his ... his brother from another mother, Arnav. And from the looks on Arnav's face, it was clear that whatever the matter which pissed of the great Anjali Manohar Jha exactly was done by none other than her one and only brother Arnav Singh Raizada. Ravi too smirked and quote.

Ravi: I guess it is Mr. ASR who is behind the pissed off mood of the Raizada princess?

Arnav: Princess my foot ... she is the devil, Big B ... hey ... don't tell me you still haven't gotten over her

Ravi: Do I look that mad to you? ... (Shaking his head) I asked out of curiosity man ... because it is not every day we can see the great Anjali Singh Raizada oops ... the great Anjali Manohar Jha failing in something

Arnav: What to do Bro ... sometimes my so-called sister thinks that I am ASR just like that

Now they were outside and started to run. Hearing this Ravi asked chuckling. 

Ravi: So what's the matter?

Arnav: She bribed the reporters

Ravi: What?

Arnav: Yep ...

And Arnav started to narrate how he found out this.

FLASHBACK

Arnav was about to go to get Khushi for the press meet when he saw Anjali and Chachi talking and handling over something to two men who he guessed as the media people. He shrugged it off considering it to be the reward for praising Anjali.

Ravi: Oh ... so she is frustrated because they haven't mentioned about her?

Arnav: No Big B ... I too thought she was asking for that and left the matter ... but I realized for what exactly was it during the interview only ...

FLASHBACK

Arnav was observing the two guys with gawk eyes and it wasn't difficult for him to guess what exactly they were doing. So after the press meet he and Aman met them. ASR approached them just like a tiger treating his prey and stated in a no-nonsense tone.

Arnav: If you guys are thinking that you can outsmart ASR ... then you don't know me at all

Reporter 2: (Sweating) ASR ... what are you saying? ... we ... we don't get it

Arnav: Really? ... then what were you trying to do exactly? ... oh I got it ... It is very easy to defame someone if you have the power, right? ... so what about you two losing it?

Reporter 3: ASR ... we are saying truth ... we weren't trying to defame Mrs. ASR

Arnav: (Smirking) ... when did I took Khushi's name? ... so it is true ... that is what you were exactly trying to do, right? ... to defame Khushi?  ... so now bear the consequences

Reporter 2: ASR ... we are sorry ... we ... we became blind seeing money. Please ... please don't make us jobless ... we ... we have our families depending on us

Reporter 3: Yes ASR ... please forgive us ... we ... we won't repeat it ever again ...

Arnav: (Roaring) Repeat? ... if you even try to repeat it ... you won't be alive for the next time then ... got that?

Reporter 2: Yes Sir ...

Reporter 3: And sir please ... if needed we will apologize to Mrs. Raizada

Arnav: No ... no need for that ... but yeah if you write one word ... and I mean it one word offending my wife ... you will see the worst of me. And remember ... that nobody is lucky to see it twice

Reporter 3: No ... sir we will not write a single word other than what you told us ... please ... please forgive us ...

Arnav: Good ... and yeah ... make sure your colleagues are informed too

Reporter 2: Of course sir

Reporter 3: Tha ... thank you so much, sir

Arnav: (Nodded) but yeah don't forget what I said.

The two of them nodded their head fearing for their life and ran away from there while Arnav and Aman walked out and joined others.

Ravi: (Chuckling) that was hilarious buddy ... I can't wait to share it with others

Arnav just smiled and asked something Ravi hadn't expected.

Arnav: Big B ... what is your opinion about Tania?

Ravi: Ta ... Tania? Why?

Arnav: Hey ... nothing ... It is just that Rishi seemed very much comfortable with her ... so I was wondering if something is going on between them? ... I mean like a secret relation?

Said Arnav gauging Ravi's every reaction and inwardly smiling at the pale look on his face.

Ravi wasn't very comfortable, in talking about her but he literally shouted as he heard about Rishi and Tania.

Ravi: What! ... Rishi and Tani ... I mean Tania ... no way ... what happened to you? ... are you mad Arnie?

Arnav: Why are you getting hyper Big B? ... I was just asking nothing serious ... or is there anything I am not aware of? I mean I asked like that because they were very comfortable with each other

Ravi: Oh come on Arnie ... being comfortable doesn't mean they are in a relationship or something like that ... they can be just friends too

Arnav: (Shrugging) okay ... but what I told is also a chance, right?

Ravi: Rubbish ... what has gotten into you? ... I mean he maybe treating her just like I see Sheetal.

Arnav: Oh yeah ... I was coming to that only ... so what is it between you two? I mean ... you two were putting the dance floor on fire

Ravi: Hey ... don't put your guttural mind there ... she is just like a sister to me ... and most importantly haven't I told you how smitten Rishi was by Sheetal?

Arnav: That is what we guessed ... but it can be wrong too, right? ... I mean he may be seeing her as a sister just like you did ...

Ravi looked at him unsure and Arnav patted his back supportingly and then looked at the other side for not laughing at his face and mentally told ... sorry brother I had to do this ... I had promised Nani and Rudy. Then told out loud but more likely to himself

Arnav: I guess I should ask him about it ... I mean if that is the case then it will be very nice, right? As Tania seems perfect for our family ... and who knows may be he need somebody's help ... just like I had asked for you. Oh ... it will be a nice experience, right? ... to play a cupid ... I need to tell Kiya about it today itself

Every word Arnav was saying was pure torture for Ravi to even imagine and he decided to express his heart before it is too late, which he had kept guarded until then. As he very well can imagine what will happen if others too joined Arnav-Khushi in this cupid play. Then he will have to see Tania becoming his Bhabhi. That thought itself was terrifying and he shouted

Ravi: NOOOOOOOO ...

Arnav: Big B... what happened? ... any problem?

Ravi: (Shaking his head) no ... nothing

Arnav: Shall we go in then?

He asked as they were before RM. Ravi nodded his head absentmindedly making some plans in his head.

And Arnav eagerly entered in his room to tell this to Khushi but she was sound asleep. He shook his head at her and was about to close the door when Kiran came there. And as he listened to Kiran about her conversation with Tania he was sure that 'Tanish' was set. He shared what happened with Kiran too and bid her bye. And then slowly started towards the bed to wake up his sleepy baby to share the good news.