Sorry for being late but I think the lengthy update will do

RM, New Delhi, India

Lavanya was sitting on the dining table waiting for Arnav to return from the office and her thoughts drifted to the events of last month.

Ravi and Tania had got engaged in Delhi itself as everybody was there only and Priyanka too came to attend that. It was very awkward for Priyanka and Shyam to meet each other after the circumstances they had parted ways. But with the constant encouragement and involvement of others, the childhood best buddies had cleared the misunderstandings between them and was back to being friends. After two more days Oberois along with Sheetal left for Mumbai leaving Rudy here as he was on his vacations. And as soon as they left Lavanya and Khushi joined the hospital. Later Lavanya, Khushi, and Arnav confronted the doctor regarding Payal's matter. And their suspicion was right, the tablets Payal taking were pills which can cause infertility in the long run. They were ready to sue the doctor but she revealed her helplessness as she was blackmailed into doing that. Even though Khushi and Lavanya lashed at her for forgetting her oath and doing the unbearable they couldn't completely avoid the helplessness of the widow lady because the threat was that they will harm her dumb daughter who is her only family. So Arnav Singh Raizada warned her and like everyone out there she too knows what ASR's threat means. She also revealed that she hadn't seen the caller in person and only through calls and messages from a private call or direct notes at her office, home or vehicle. But she told that she doubts an unknown man who she had seen in many suspicious situations. Arnav immediately asked her why to bend through such a threat which was not even in person or why she didn't inform the police.

Then she revealed that the first time she denied them as her conscience hadn't allowed her to do that, her daughter was kidnapped and gave her back only after she agreed to it. Understanding her helplessness Arnav asked her not to worry and he will be sending security persons to ensure their safety. Arnav decided to take Rahul's help to search for the person and decide to leave the room but Khushi had understood that there is more to it from the expression of the doctor. Later she informed them the matter hesitantly which came out as a shocking truth to all of them, that is Mrs. Anjali Manohar Jha had twice gone for abortion stating that her husband hates kids and if he gets to know this he will kill her. The doctor got suspicious about it thinking maybe she too was being blackmailed so revealed it to them. If they hadn't known Shyam from Priyanka they would have believed Anjali's words to be true and would have felt pity for her just like the doctor was feeling now. So now as they know all this were utter bullshit, but what they couldn't understand was why she will do that to her own child.

Ensuring the doctor about her and her kid's safety the trio walked out. Arnav was about to dial Rahul's number but Khushi's low 'Dad' caught his attention. Looking up from the phone Arnav understood he had heard everything as Manav was in tears. And Arnav knew his Dad was shattered just like he was on the day he lost his wife. So they all immediately took him to Lavanya's cabin which was nearby. Later Khushi explained everything to him in a much calmer way as he was insisting to know everything. Later he had suggested that they should talk to Shyam regarding this to know the truth and they decided to keep it with themselves till they get proofs. So Arnav had contacted Rahul and briefed him everything and by the end of the discussion with him, Arnav's resolve about Anjali being behind all these got cemented considering the situation.

And then one day as per Manav's insist Khushi had talked to Shyam regarding the matter and from his expressions itself it was clear that he had no idea about it. And then Shyam revealed a truth which shook the foundation of her that is he had never touched Anjali since he still can't forget Priyanka or simply they hadn't consumed their marriage. Manav on learning that just hugged Arnav and cried asking 'Arnie ... is that our Anjie ... please tell me it is not ... how ... how could she stoop this low?'. They had witnessed a broken husband many times but that day they all saw a broken father. Khushi had briefed Shyam about the situation excluding Payal's issues and asked him to keep quiet until the right time. And the event which followed proved Arnav's doubt about Anjali being the culprit when Khushi slipped down the stairs and sprained her leg the very next day. But he was glad it was only a sprain and was waiting for proofs which Rahul had ensured to collect.

Then there came talks regarding Lavanya's marriage with Pawan and that day DR realized from where did ASR get his anger. That day Arnav saw his father expressing every grief, every frustration, and anger which he had kept inside him for years. That day everyone except Manohar, Manorama, and Nani was shocked to learn that Manav and Manohar had a younger sister Manisha who had committed suicide. Manav told the DR that he will never let happen anything like that to Lavanya and he isn't helpless anymore like in the past which cost him his baby sister. He had clearly explained to them that Lavanya will marry the person she loves, not according anybody's opinion and if they are planning to do stunts like emotional blackmailing or threatening he won't hesitate to take legal help.

Then Chachi, Anjali, and Payal started to explain the qualities of Pawan so that Lavanya herself will agree for the marriage. Arnav too didn't try to hold back and mocked them asking what quality he does have to marry his sister who is a Harvard graduate and a respected doctor. Chachi tried to argue saying it should be decided by Lavanya and her parents not by him, and for that one sentence Chachi is still suffering. Lavanya had lashed at her for talking like that about Arnav saying, he has right on her more than anybody else and doesn't forget that she is an adult. From that day she hadn't spoken a single word to her mother completely ignoring her. The final blow was Akash and Manohar too agreeing with them, one in the grief of letting his sister die and afraid of repetition and other trying to win his little sister's heart. In all these Kaki had to keep quiet fearing for Payal's life. Dadi who was repenting for her silence for a long time which took her daughter's life had announced that they won't be going with the proposal as Lavanya wasn't interested and even Anjali couldn't change her decision.

That night Manav had explained the youngsters about his cute sister and her tragic story. Manisha was in love with their neighbor Arvind but her grandparents had refused that outright as he wasn't rich. Later without hearing her or Manav's protest, they married her off to a rich businessman. In the first day after her marriage when she came home, she cried her heart out in Manav's arms explaining how her husband had raped her in the name of the first night. But their Dadi scolded her saying it is a husband's right and nobody hadn't said anything against her except Manav which of course fell on deaf ears. Then after one month of her marriage, the news greeted them was her suicide. She had left a note for Manav which broke him further. She had thanked him for all his support till then and explained she no longer feel like a woman but like a piece of meat getting physically assaulted by her husband daily. The final nail in the coffin was her husband's friends raping her, thereby killing her unborn and her husband enjoying the scene. She had asked him to never let go of Arpita and ended her note praying to God to never give her fate to anybody else.

Everybody was crying as he finished the past and Akash promised himself that he will never let that happen to his sister and to protect her always, not that she needed him as she had Arnav but still, he will be with her whenever she needs him.

Then after a long silence from both ends, everything was back to normal with Rahul collecting proofs against Anjali but they realized she was clever than they had expected as it was almost impossible to get any proofs.

With growing days Kiran got attached to the men of the house as they were very fond of her constant blabbering. Visible changes in Akash towards Arnav and Lavanya too was unavoidable. Then everybody got busy with Karvachauth preparations and DR ladies were for a series of surprises, they had expected Khushi to never fast, or Arnav to not agree with her considering the facts that he doesn't believe in these rituals. But their expectations broke when they entered the kitchen that day for Sargi.

Her thought process got broken as someone patted her head and she saw mentally and physically tired Arnav standing there.

It was past midnight when Arnav parked his SUV in the porch of RM. He sat with his head on the steering for god knows how much time and then sighing got out and walked with slow steps deliberately as he just hated to imagine the scene there. He knows he is being a coward but he just doesn't know to handle the situation. As expected Lavanya was dosing on the dining table while Rudy and Nikhil were shuffling through channels uninterested. Hearing him coming they both looked up with eyes mirroring his pain he tried to smile at them but failed miserably. Shaking his head he walked over to Lavanya and patted her head and she jerked awake and looked at him with puffy eyes clearly indicating that she was crying.

Lavanya: Bro ... you came ... come ... sit ... I will serve your dinner

Arnav: No Lavi ... I am not hungry ...

Lavanya: No Bro ... that will not work anymore ... why can't you understand you have to eat to care for others ... and don't forget you are diabetic. No ... now don't argue with me it is Kiya's strict instruction

Arnav sighed and sat down as he knows she won't leave him today. He started to have it but felt difficult to swallow as his thoughts were going back there again. He started to talk to avoid thinking

Arnav: You guys had food?

Lavanya: (Sleepily) Hmm ...

Arnav: (Sighing) ... Lavi ... you go and sleep

Lavanya: (Shaking her head) ... no ... no, I am fine ... you tell me what you were saying

Arnav: Did you guys had food?

Lavanya just nodded and he knew they too would have swallowed it just like him.

Lavanya: Chachu called ... he ... he will come tomorrow or day after tomorrow ... it is safe to fly now ...

Arnav just nodded and was on his fifth morsel when they all heard the cry. Immediately his eyes filled with tears. He kept the spoon down and ran up the stairs taking two steps at a time. Others too followed him and Akash who was watching all this from upstairs too had tears in his eyes as he can't imagine the terror the innocent girl going through. He walked towards the room following Arnav, Rudy, Nikhil, and Lavanya, and Shyam too came there. Arnav halted at the door of his room and saw Kiran crying hysterically in Khushi's lap throwing her hands and legs and Khushi trying to calm her down.

Kiran: Leave me ... leave me you creep... leave me alone

Khushi: Kiddu ... baby calm down ... it is me ... Kiya ... you ... you are safe ... nothing had happened to you

Kiran: No leave me...leave me ... Arnie ... please save me. Arnieeee ... Kiyaaa ... somebody, please save me

Khushi: Baby ... calm down ... you will hurt your head like this ... you...

She couldn't continue as she had choked on that and gulped looking up and her eye clashed with Arnav's seeking strength. He came out of his trance and ran towards them. He sat beside Khushi and tried to hold Kiran's hands and legs but she was struggling to save herself just like that night. By now everybody watching the scene was crying and Arnav desperately tried to calm her.

Arnav: Kiddu ... Bacha ... I am here ... your Arnie is here ... nothing had happened to you ...

Kiran: No ... no ... no ... leave me alone ... please, I am begging you. Don't come near me rascal ... don't you dare ...

Arnav: Bacha ... please open your eyes ...

Khushi: Yes ... open your eyes baby ... nothing had happened to you

But she wasn't listening to them, so Arnav helped Khushi to make her sit and hugged her tightly. She was hitting him badly for sometime before she slowly lost her strength murmuring weakly to leave her. Khushi handed him a glass of water and he made her drink it slowly. After that, he placed her head on his chest and rocked her. He sighed seeing her snuggling to him like a baby. After some time he felt her even breath and placed her on the bed. All left for their own rooms not wanting to disturb her. Khushi sat there stroking her hair and Arnav went to freshen up.

He came out and saw Khushi sleeping in a sitting position leaning on the headboard and Kiran snuggling in her lap. He shook his head and straightened both of them and tucked them inside the blanket. Instantly Kiran had snuggled to Khushi's chest like a baby. Then he closed the doors and curtains and got inside the covers hugging both of them from the back. Khushi put her head on his shoulder in her sleep and he kept his head above her. He tightened his hold on them feeling their steady breath but sleep was far away from him. It is like this from the past three days ... that is from the day of Karvachauth ... from the day his Bacha almost got molested. He sighed his mind going to that day despite all his attempts to not to go there.

His still remember their baffled look when in the morning the ladies entered the kitchen to make Sargi. Khushi and Lavanya were sitting at the kitchen table chatting nineteen to dozen while Arnav and Manav were in aprons busy completing the dishes and placing them on the table before the ladies. After finishing the cooking they removed their aprons and joined the ladies.

Manav picked the Kheer and fed it to Khushi and instantly Arnav opened his mouth.

Manav: What? ... are you my DIL?

Arnav: What the! You will only feed your DIL and not son ... and as far as I remember this is prepared for those who will be fasting

Khushi: Really? ... but you denied eating it last year ...

Arnav: And I had suffered enough for that ... hey ... don't look at me like that, okay? Last year I hadn't had dinner on the previous night and hadn't even had this in the morning. (Sighing) ... only I know how I had held up until that stupid moon comes out ... (Shrugging) I don't want a repeat telecast of last year ...

He pouted at the end making the other three chuckle and Payal, Anjali and Chachi jealous, as all their husbands were sleeping selling the horse and here Arnav was keeping fast for Khushi. Having watched enough Anjali cleared her throat. Everybody looked up at her and immediately the laughter died to see them. Lavanya kept munching her fruits ready for another questionnaire session and as expected Dadi asked as she started working on the dishes.

Dadi: Manav ... Arnav ... what are you guys doing here?

Manav: Maa! ... we ... well ... we were preparing Kiya's Sargi (Sighing) ... even though her MIL is not here I and my son are here fit and fine ... and I guess it is our duty to fulfill that part ... especially since I can't expect anybody else to do that ...

That was like an indirect slap to Dadi as she understood it was directed towards her because she hadn't completely accepted Khushi even though she was behaving civilly with her. So she kept mum not having anything to say. Shrugging Manav turned towards Arnav, Lavanya and Khushi.

Manav: Anyway you guys finish it and go to bed ... I have to start packing as I will be leaving around noon ... the flight is at two ...

Khushi: No need for that Dad ... your luggage is packed and placed in the cupboard ... so now you go and catch some sleep

Manav: (Side hugging and kissing her hair) ... thank you beta ... and you know what this is why I was jealous of Kabir ... for having a daughter like you ... (Sighing) but now see ... he gave you to me leaving me all alone to take up the responsibilities

Khushi: Dad ... how can you say that you are alone? ... we all are there for you

Manav just smiled at her. Anjali and Chachi were fuming seeing the father-daughter love while others including Payal and Dadi were smiling at that. Anjali so wanted to wipe off the smile from Khushi's face and Arnav and Lavanya grinned seeing her expressions.

Khushi: And Dad ... is it necessary for you to go? ... I mean ... you could have sent someone else, right?

Manav: Kiya ... you know why I am going today ...

Arnav: But Dad ...

Manav: No Arnav ... I can't help it ... (Blinking away his tears) I am missing her terribly and I have to meet her today at any cost. Also ... the conference will be much productive. Don't worry it is just one week ... I will be back before you guys miss me

Arnav: You know what ... you are pretty stubborn ...

Manav: Agar Baap kiska hoon? (Whose father am I?) Anyway ... let me catch some sleep now

Saying it Manav left from there and the trio too followed his suit avoiding any conversation with others. Manav left at noon, Arnav even though was fasting kept teasing Khushi and Lavanya who was secretly fasting with food along with Kiran making them sulk.

Soon moon came out and everybody including guests broke their fast at the terrace while Nikhil was breaking Lavanya's fast at poolside. Rudy was busy recording everything on camera as it was new for him. And in all this nobody noticed Kiran was missing.

Throughout the Puja, Arnav kept teasing Khushi and finally when she broke his fast by feeding him and ate the remaining herself he told Kiran.

Arnav: What were you saying ... it is me who can't control hunger (Pinching Khushi's nose making her pout) we understood who is hungrier now ... right, Kiddu?

He turned around to high-five with Kiran only to frown as she wasn't there. He looked around to check whether she was with Shyam, Akash or Chachu but she wasn't anywhere on the terrace. Sensing his silence Khushi looked up and found him tensed.

Khushi: What happened Arnav? Where is Kiddu?

Arnav: That is what I was wondering ... where is she? Wasn't she here sometime before ... fighting with Rudy ...

Khushi: Hmm ... maybe she is in the poolside with others ... see Rudy too isn't here

Arnav: Let us go there then ...

They both smiled at the guests who greeted them and walked towards the poolside through the stairs. Reaching there they saw Rudy mercilessly teasing Nikhil and Lavanya but Kiran was nowhere to be seen. Which tensed them further and Arnav immediately asked.

Arnav: Rudy where is Kiddu? ... she was with you, right?

Rudy: No Arnie ... I came alone ... she might be on the terrace

Arnav and Khushi shared a tensed look and Nikhil sensed something wrong.

Nikhil: Arnav? ... what happened?

Arnav: (In a tensed voice) ... she isn't there Nik ... everybody is on the terrace so there is no chance she will go downstairs ... and that too without informing anyone ...

Lavanya: Maybe something came up ... come ... let us check

Rudy: She ... she was with Shyam Jiju last I had seen her ...

Khushi: Then come let us go and ask him ...

She started towards the terrace.

Arnav: Khushi ... they would have been moved to lawn. You go ask Jiju ...I will check the terrace one more time. Nik ... Lavi ... Rudy please check in the rooms

Everybody ran in search of her. Reaching down Khushi immediately spotted Shyam engrossed in a talk with the neighbor but seeing her tensed form he asked her.

Shyam: Is there any problem Khushi?

Khushi: Jiju ... have you seen Kiddu?

Shyam: Kiddu? Yes ... she was with me before the puja started ... and then she told me she was going to poolside. And yeah she hadn't taken the poolside stairs was saying there she won't get the net connection as she wanted to post the photos.

But Khushi's eyes welled up as she wasn't there in the poolside and her gut feeling was saying something else.

Shyam: Hey ... hey ... why are you crying? ... she will be there only ...

Khushi: She isn't there Jiju ... I ... we can't spot her anywhere

Soon Lavanya, Rudy, and Nikhil too joined them saying she wasn't there in any rooms. Hearing the commotion Akash, Chachu, Payal and Dadi all got tensed and started to look for her while Nikhil and Shyam left to the security room to check the CCTV footage. Arnav came running hoping she will be there but one look at Khushi's eyes he got his answer. Soon Arnav got Nikhil's call stating she was in the corridor which led to back lawn before some time.

All ran towards there and searched every nook and corner, in between Manorama taunting her for making others tensed but Dadi shut her up with one glare. Kiran was nowhere in the visibility and it increased terror with every minute. When they had reached near the storeroom they heard muffled cries and sooner heard her crying for help to save her. The anguish in her voice terrorized them but they hoped it was just she had got stuck there. Arnav along with Akash had broken the door and there she was ... lying on the floor crying frantically for help. It didn't take much time to understand what had happened seeing her state but hoped nothing had happened to her. In the tension nobody noticed someone escaping through the other door. Arnav instantly took Khushi's shawl and wrapped Kiran and picked her. Just one look down at her and he was shattered seeing the anguish in her eyes.

Tears filled his eyes once again going through the terrific memories filling him with self-disgust, for not being able to protect her properly. He remembered Kabir's words on death bed 'Arnie ... I am trusting you with them ... please take care of my girls' and what he had done? He failed both of them ... first Khushi and now Kiran too on the verge of happening the forbidden.

Feeling Khushi cupping his cheeks he opened his eyes and realized what had woke her ... his tears. She pressed herself more into him silently expressing her support and he tightened his hold, praying the Almighty to help him if he is up there. With Manav held up there due to bad weather he doesn't know on whom to rely on. He just hoped somebody was there to guide him and as on cue, his mobile beeped with Big B flashing on it. He sighed reading the text which said 'I am coming tomorrow ... don't worry we will make everything alright'. He hoped like always his savior ... his mentor ... his Big B can help them out of this.