RM, New Delhi, India

It was morning and Arnav slowly blinked his eyes open and tried to get up only to realize he was holding Khushi around her waist from the back and she was hugging his arms. He frowned as he couldn't find Kiran on the bed and tried to free himself as he was going insane with the negative thoughts but got startled as he heard from his back.

Kiran: Finally! ... you know what Arnie ... I think you are really gone upon Kiya ...

Arnav: Huh!

Hearing her voice he turned around to find Kiran sitting in the recliner playing with her phone ready in her jogging attire. He detangled himself without disturbing Khushi and said confused.

Arnav: But ... I ... I mean ... you

Kiran: What ... I ... you? Go and change Arnie ... you had promised me you will take me to jog from today ...

He groaned inwardly as this is what he can't understand ... her cool behavior as if ... as if nothing happened. But even then decided to do what she told so as to make her happy and walked to the washroom taking his dresses.

While brushing he thought about her behavior in the last two days. That day she had hit her head and she was in the hospital under observation till yesterday morning. Even though Arnav wanted to bring her home Khushi insisted she stays there knowing well that she won't rest if brought home. But there too she was acting all cool ... yes, she will be having nightmares in sleep but it was like she doesn't remember that at all the next day. Doubting whether she actually memorize it or not he insisted to act along with her ... least she had to go through those painful memories. And thus Khushi had to emotionally blackmail her to get her sleep in their room. But sometimes he really thinks Kiran is doing it purposely ... to avoid talking about the incident.

But what he can't understand is why she is acting like this even with him as it was always him for her even before her own sister. And she was a person who always talks it out without any compulsion, unlike Khushi. And as he thinks along that direction it is worrying him as he really can't understand what to do to relieve her from those horrible nightmares without hurting her. He definitely needs someone to guide him in this complicated situation and his hope is as always his Big B.

Not wanting to make it difficult for her he schooled his expressions while coming out from the washroom and saw Kiran was impatiently waiting for him. Indicating her to walk out he walked towards the nightstand and took out the post-it note and wrote Khushi a quick message to inform where they were going least she worried not seeing Kiran. Turning around he saw Khushi shivering due to cold and covered her with the duvet and adjusted the room temperature. She was looking pale with the stress she was in but surprisingly she was strong than him in this matter. And seeing her handling Kiran very maturely nobody can say she was the same person who is still affected by those panic attacks. Kissing her forehead he walked out and saw Kiran who was laughing and talking animatedly to HP in the living room and that instantly warmed his heart. Choosing not to spoil her mood he decided to put his anxiety in the back seat for now and told in a cool voice.

Arnav: Chal Kiddu ...

Kiran: Yeah (Turning to HP) ... okay ... so I will show you how many likes you got when I get back ... I think then only you will believe me

HP just smiled at her and she jogged towards Arnav and saw him watching her with a lost expression.

Kiran: Hey ... what are you looking at? ... come ... let us go ...

Arnav: Hmm ... yeah, come ... by the way what likes you were talking about?

Kiran: Oh Arnie ... you won't believe it ... I mean ... I had taken his photo the day he wore the new Kurta and posted it. And you see now, it has become one of the most liked photos I had posted in Insta ...

Arnav: Looks like he is going to give you a competition ...

Kiran: (Shrugging her shoulders) ... no ... no ... nobody can give me a competition ... (Winking) but yeah maybe he will be a tough competition for Rowdy ...

Both turned around hearing a 'what the!' and saw Nikhil and Rudy too were ready for the jog.

Kiran: Oye copycat ... that is Arnie's dialogue

Rudy: Oh really ... did he got a patent on that ... stupid girl

Kiran: How dare you ... you Mr. Rowdy ... you called me stupid ...

Rudy: Then ... what else do you expect ...

Kiran: You ... you are gone today Mr. Rowdy

And there they go again. Nikhil and Arnav followed them as Kiran was chasing Rudy. Arnav chuckled forgetting everything for a second and said shaking his head.

Arnav: What I don't understand is how I become the reason for their bickering time again and again ...

Nikhil: (In a surprised voice) Arnav? ... how? I mean why you are ...

His mask slipped hearing it and all the pain came back and said taking a deep breath.

Arnav: Nikhil ... please ... I am buying time until Big B comes. Don't make it difficult for me ... I ... I don't know what ...

Nikhil saw the agony in his eyes and his own eyes welled up with unshed tears.

Nikhil: But she ... why is she acting like this? I mean how can she? Kiya was almost withdrawn when ...

But stopped realizing the blunder he did as he knows how sensitive was the topic for Arnav.

Nikhil: No ... no, forget it ... let us do what she wants ...

Arnav: Nikhil ... I know what you are implying at and ... and that worries me too but I really don't know how to approach her. Big B always know how to handle sensitive situations well ... during that time also it was he who gave me the confidence and I thought

Nikhil: You are right ... let him come ... and you please try to talk to her ... I mean she never hides anything from you. And hey ... don't worry you know you can always count on me I will manage the office along with Akash

Arnav: Thanks, Bro ...

Nikhil: No Arnav ... it should be me saying thanks to you for always being there for my sisters. And you know what Arnie ... Kiddu is lucky to have you not just as her brother in law but as a friend, as a brother, as a father and much ... much more

Arnav: Why are you talking as if I am some angel ... she is so lucky to have a brother like you too, Nik ... a brother who left his own parents for his sisters. I know it is not easy and you have always ...

Nikhil: (Chuckling) I guess it is better if we stop our praising each other session ...

Arnav: (Smirking) ... same here ...

Their conversation broke hearing Kiran laughing out loud and they looked ahead to see Rudy on the ground and again looked at each other and jogged to them and pulled him up.

Arnav: What happened?

Kiran: Didn't you see that Arnie ... he thought he can always win the race. See today not only I won the race but also he fell down ... hahaha ...

She was again laughing like hell that she was in tears due to that and thus she failed to notice the raised eyebrows of her brothers at Rudy who was all lost and smiling looking at her.

Arnav and Nikhil too smiled happily hearing her genuine laughter after three long days and that too due to Rudy. But even then it wasn't a surprise to them as they know that even though they always fight with each other they care for each other a lot. So they knew Rudy was doing all this purposely and as expected rest of the running was filled with their bickering and silly fights.

They got back home after almost one hour and walked to their respective rooms not noticing Khushi who was sitting on the swing in the front garden lost in her thoughts. Arnav entered the room but couldn't spot Khushi and started to search for her. But she wasn't in the poolside or in the balcony. He was about to go and search for her when he spotted her in the swing. He was facing her back so he couldn't clearly tell what was happening with her but she was in a relaxing posture. So he decided to leave her alone for some time deducing maybe she is gathering her thoughts and left to take the shower.

During the shower, he heard her phone ringing and going off four-five times and wondered why she left it here. As the number of calls increased he sped up his shower. He came out and got dressed quickly and again the phone rang. He rushed towards it and realized it was the call from the hospital. He took the call and the person on the other side spoke hurriedly even before he could say anything.

Person: Ma'am ... ma'am, please don't cut the call ... I ... I know what situation you are in and how difficult it is for you. But it is really important ... I would have managed if it was possible but it is the case of life ... moreover, her parents are being adamant that only you should handle the operation. Please try to understand Ma'am that she needed to be operated as soon as possible ...

Arnav: (Clearing his throat) excuse me ... may I know who is speaking?

Person: ASR?

Arnav: Yeah ...

Person: ASR ... it is Niraj ... Niraj Saxena ...

Arnav: Khushi's junior doctor?

Niraj: Yes ...

Arnav: Okay ... so what were you saying, Dr. Saxena?

Niraj: ASR actually ...

Arnav: Yes tell me ...

Niraj: The matter is there is a sudden change in her schedule and an operation is planned at ten today. It is a complicated case and we were in a great dilemma without a suitable donor and the patient ... her condition was worsening. But yesterday night surprisingly I had a call from the city hospital that there is a person with a matching organ. The patient ... she is a kid, of merely ten years and her parents agreed for the transplant only upon Ma'am's words. I tried to convince them realizing her condition but they are being adamant that only she should attend it. I called her some time ago but she refused outright without even listening to the whole matter and then is not taking my calls. I ... I don't know what to do anymore ... it is the matter of life but she isn't ready to even know who the patient is ... I understand her POV ASR but ...

Arnav: (Gulping) what operation it is Dr?

Niraj: It is heart transplantation ... I don't know do you know this that heart can't be stored for more than six hours ... so I don't know what

Arnav: Let me talk to her Dr ... and ... don't worry you guys prepare for the operation ... she will be there

Niraj: That would be good ... thank you so much, ASR ...

Arnav: No need for all that ... it is the matter of life like you said and ... please talk to the kid's parents and assure them Khushi will be there

Niraj: Sure ... bye then ...

Arnav: Yeah ... bye

Arnav walked out furious at her for behaving like this. Nikhil and Rudy weren't down yet. Lavanya was gulping down the breakfast avoiding Chachi's comments and Anjali's smirks and Dadi was still in the Mandir. Shyam was reading the Hindi newspaper for Kiran, Akash was translating it and Chachu watching them with a smile. He couldn't help but smile at that he still can't believe how the males of his family got attached to Kiran. Without disturbing them he walked out and saw Khushi in the same position as before. He walked to her and touched her shoulder

Khushi: Huh?

Arnav: Why are you doing this?

Khushi: What? ... and why are you angry ... no, don't answer that ... sometimes you don't even need a reason to be angry. But when did you come? ... I mean you are all-ready ... you told me you aren't going to the office today and we will go with Kiddu to some park. So I got my schedule too according to that and here you ...

Arnav: Really? Is your schedule all clear?

Khushi: Yes ... and hey ... why are you looking at me like that? I don't understand?

Arnav: You don't understand or you don't want to understand? (Shaking his head) ... my Kiya was never this heartless ... this cruel ...

Khushi: (Shocked) what?

Arnav: What else do you expect me to say? ... and how can you act so unprofessional?

Khushi: Really? ... you want me to be professional ... then what the hell are you doing? You are skipping work today, why? No ... you don't have to tell me ... I know why ... but then how can you expect me to be any different?

Arnav: Yes I agree I am skipping my work ... (almost shouting) but it isn't costing one's life dammit ...

Khushi: Don't create a scene Arnav ... I am not going to the hospital for just one day ... and that is not going to kill anybody. (Seeing his expression) Arnav? ... what is the matter? ... tell me kya hua (Tell me what happened) ...

Arnav: Did you let Dr. Saxena speak?

Khushi: I ... Err ... I

Arnav: What I ...I? Kiya ... I understand you are worried ... and you are right ... I too am. But that does not give you any right to play with someone's life ...

Khushi: Arnav ... please tell me what the matter is ... what ... what did Dr. Saxena say?

Arnav: (Sighing) ... he was saying that he got a call from the city hospital that there is a suitable donor for the transplantation

Khushi: What? Sana got donor ... thank god. The operation has to happen today only ... a heart can't be stored ...

Arnav: I know ... Dr. Saxena told me ... it is scheduled at ten and you are going to attend it ... so now go ... get ready

Khushi: But Arnav ... how can I go today ... last two days it was okay as she too was there. But today ... don't worry I will talk to Dr. Saxena ... he is very efficient ...

Arnav: It is not possible Kiya ... her parents are adamant that only you should do it ...

Khushi: But Arnav ... how will you manage ... I can't allow you to face all this alone ...

Arnav: (Sighing and taking her hands in his) ... I understand ... but we can't ignore the situation of that kid ...

Khushi: I know ... so you are saying that I should go ...

Arnav nodded at her and she said even though not fully satisfied.

Khushi: Hmm ... (Leaning on his chest) ... and you know what I am so happy for Sana ... Arnav ... we were very afraid whether she will get a donor or not. But yeah I am a little bit afraid as it is the first time I am taking the charge ... till now I have only assisted Auntie ...

Arnav: (Gathering her in his arms) ... hey ... don't think like that ... you will be successful ...

Khushi: Hmm ... and Arnav can I tell you something?

Arnav: From when did you need my permission? ... tell me what the matter is ...

Khushi: Arnav ... I think we should consult a psychiatrist ...

Arnav: (Breaking the hug) no Kiya ... I already told you that is not necessary ...

Khushi: Arnav try to understand ... this is what you did then too. But then I started to get panic attacks and later we had to consult one at last ...

Arnav: (Sighing) ... I know Baby ... but you were matured ... you were ready for that .. but she ... she is a kid ... she may not take it in a good sense ...

Khushi: But her behavior Arnav ... why she is acting like this?

Arnav: Maybe she doesn't remember at all ...

Khushi: But we have to make sure of that ... I mean ... it might turn into something else if she bottled up all these ...

Arnav: But ...

'Kiya is saying right Arnie' they both recognized the voice and yes they were right it was indeed Rishi who said that.

Arnav: Rishi?

Ravi: Yes Arnie ... Rishi and Kiya are saying right. She needs a psychiatrist and ... don't worry ... Rishi is here right ...

Khushi: Yes ... that's a good idea. She won't even think anything else ... and she may talk openly if it is Rishi ...

Arnav: But ...

Khushi looked at Ravi with a pleading look and he instantly said.

Ravi: No buts and ifs ... first, you come with me. We will have breakfast and then we all will go somewhere on the pretext of outing ...

Arnav: Kiya has to attend an operation ...

Khushi: I still think I will talk to her parents so that somebody else can attend it

Arnav: You can't back off ... you had agreed ... and yeah I had promised Dr. Saxena that you will be there ... so now no more excuses ... go ... get ready

Rishi: Kiya ... you go ... we will manage here ... don't worry

Ravi: Yes Kiya ... you go ...

Khushi sighed as she knows she can't win the argument when the brothers are together.

At RH, New Delhi

In the evening

It was a long operation and Khushi walked out completing it. She was exhausted but tensed as well thinking what would have happened after 'the talk'. She walked to her cabin ready to call Arnav and opened it. But what she didn't expect was the tear-stained Akash and Payal sitting there on the couch.