"Chamki-" She smacked herself in mind once and corrected her wording. Well, it takes time to break a habit. "Khushi! Why did she want to pair me off with NK? I mean, ya NK is a sweet guy and I don't mind seeing him. I really like him. But still..." Her blushing look as she was appreciating NK changed into puzzled one at last.

"...What does go in her mind to think about coupling you two?" He raised his brows with a little bit confusion. His wife is sometimes a riddle for him also. But Lavanya looked at him as if expecting an tangible answer from him. But he himself eyes her being puzzled and then finally his lips moved for a reply. "May be, she is a cupid sent by her Devi Maiya."

Lavanya witnessed ASR joking for the first time and beamed. "She may be a cupid. So she can't do other but following her tasks. But what about you? Why did you allow her and not tried to change her mind?" She inquired with a knowing grin and spoke out her suspicion after Arnav was speechless and looking down.

"Don't tell me, you two were in bed then." He looked down with a slight blush taking over his face at her verdict and Lavanya sighed. "Smart girl!" They laughed together and she felt delighted at this side of him.

"By the way, so you like NK?" He questioned her raising his brows in interest.

"Why shouldn't I? I mean, he is handsome, well-educated, nice and gentle, not to forget honest. I don't think I need more." She numeroused his qualities in her mind and answered with a leer.

"So you are in relationship now?" His unperturbed query caused an unsatisfied look on her.

"Not exactly...actually, I am waiting for a proper propose from him."

Arnav nodded and gestured Lavanya at Khushi seeing her coming out of the washroom. Lavanya smirked as a sudden idea hit her. She stood up and moved in.

"Chamikili!" She called her setting up an annoyed expression intentionally.

"J-ji Lavanyaji..." It won't be wrong to say she got frightened and spoke hesitantly.

"I just got to know something." She acted as if she would be pondering whereas Khushi blinked several times in confusion. "What?"

"Khushi, I know the truth! Why do you wanted to couple me with NK?"

Khushi's eyes widened when she got her angry tone. She was not aware of Lavanya struggling to hold back her laughter at Khushi's gulping.

"Erm...actually, I am s'sorry Lavanyaji. Honestly, I'I was a little jealous when I saw you and Arnavji on that day. That's why I-" Khushi admitted tentatively without contemplating her words but stopped and her tongue after seeing how surprised and disappointed Lavanya was.

"Chamkili..." Her expression turned serious and she placed her hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to feel insecure. Me and ASR are nothing but just friends now. And anyways, I was just joking. I am not angry with you. In fact, I should be thankful to you. NK is really a sweet guy and our date yesterday was fantastic. I enjoyed it wholeheartedly."

Lavanya's talking brought a relieved smile on Khushi's face. Inside she was jumping in joy as even if it started due to a jealousy act, bringing them together is something else now. Lavanya also smiled and moved out. "Good Night guys!"

Khushi's eyes followed her and they were brought back only to witness a disheartened Arnav standing at the poolside and glaring at her with narrowed eyes. Her smile slowly disappeared and she faced him nervously. He started moving towards her but she kept her eyes on the floor feeling uncomfortable. His frustration faded away after having a close up of this innocent and fearing soul. He smirked and pulled her chin up. "Khushi..."

As soon as his husky voice hit her eardrums, her face took back its usual glow looking him into the eyes. He continued, intending to improve the atmosphere.

"I thought you don't fear me anymore!?" She opened her mouth shaping a perfect 'O' only to be followed by another chuckle from him.

"I don't fear you!" She claimed hitting him playfully on the chest.

"Just seconds ago, your face was like that of the old Khushi Kumari Gupta!" He enlightened his thought with a leer raising his brows.

"N-No..." She denied sharply yet timid averting an eye contact. His smirk was not leaving his lips and he frowned his brows.

"Really?..." It was an ironical question that he very well knew, is was going get an answer by his action. And just as he expected, she started moving backwards while he stepped further. "Admit it Khushi, you still get afraid of me."

She shook her head and was about to reply when her legs hit the bed. Her hands clutched his collar for support and they both fell on the bed with him on top of her. Both got lost in each other forgetting everything around. But the strands of her hairs covering her face disturbed him and he tucked them behind her ear with one hand. Her breasts were rubbed against his chest due to her heavy breathing. He bend his head leaning forward but pulled back when a thought came across his mind. He got up and sat on the bed with his legs hanging down. She also joined him by taking place beside him.

"I know what I said to Lavanyaji...you felt bad..." She uneasily apprehended the topic in order to clear away discomfort. "I am really sorry Arnavji, I-"

She stopped feeling his touch on her hands. A simple handhold is enough for her to know he is not mad at her. It was proved when he looked her in the eyes and spoke. "Ssh. It's alright. You don't have to apologize. But you should know, I love you only and will always love you only." Those spoken words held a lot of confidence and faith in them that she didn't notice her eyes getting moist. "You don't need to feel insecure at all, especially of Lavanya. As she said we are just friends." His right hand started caressing her left cheek suppressing his tenderness.

"I know Arnavji. But I myself even don't know why I felt jealous. I am really sorry for that." She patted his hand showing delicacy back. He shook his head slowly and pulled her on his chest. She closed her eyes and threw her arms around his back to enjoy the warming hug. He placed a small peck on her head and pulled back.

"By the way Khushi, you were jealous of Lavanya, your close friend but how come you were comfortable around Sheetal?" He asked her learning to get to know the truth by her expression. He first was surprised but then a smirk made its way to his lips.

"NK is influencing me. I am becoming an idiot like him not to realize your envy and insecurities."

"I agree with the fact but I don't think it's Nanheji's effect." She pouted teasing him and broke into laughter. He watched her with narrowed eyes and a smile playing on his lips. He couldn't resist but pulled her again in a hug.

"By the way, you know Lavanya and NK's relation would have been really awkward if you weren't there. I hope that idiot keeps her happy." As soon as he told it, a grin appeared on his face and he continued. "After all, she's my ex-fiancee."

She knew he was teasing her intentionally and chuckled. "Yes, I hope it too for your ex-fiancee."

He pulled back smiling and kissed her forehead, followed by a peck on her cheeks. Finally, their lips reached for the other ready to sink in their love-filled paradise in each others arms.

The next morning NK and Lavanya had a small talk alone but unaware that two ears were listening to them secretly. Khushi was excited that these two were comfortable talking to each other and could easily find something to talk about. Some weeks passed like that and the both came more closer. Lavanya once unintentionally uttered out to Khushi that she's waiting for him to propose her for days but nothing is happening. That made Khushi go off to her Sanka Devi mode and started making plans for their proposal getting on her hubby's nerves. He represented his opinion of letting NK do it himself alone. According to him, she should stay out of this clearly and take care of her health as she wasn't well herself. But life wouldn't have been so adventurous if she listened to him.

"Nanheji, I am very upset with you." She stormed into his room and surprised a NK who was watching TV.

"Khushiji, what happened? Why are you upset with me?" An anxious NK asked her switching off the television.

"Nanheji, are you serious about Lavanyaji?" She questioned him back looking at him with a serious face. She waited enough now and couldn't do other than interfering.

"Yes Khushiji, I am serious about her. In fact, I think I love her." He admitted it with dreamy eyes only to see a positively aroused Khushi smiling at him.

"And why am I not getting to see that?" She pouted raising her brows and corrected her phrase. "I mean, why can't I believe you?"

NK's expression saddened and he inquired in disbelief. "Why are you saying this?"

"Nanheji, you aren't understanding anything. If you love Lavanyaji, then you should propose her. Or are you waiting for her to go back?"

"No...Propose?" NK gasped once and spoke further. "Will she accept my proposal?"

"Nanheji, she you are going out together for sometime now and you are still doubting!" She humphed glaring him incredulity.

NK pondered recalling the dates with her and expressed a pleasant beam. Khushiji is right. They are seeing each other but don't call each other girlfriend-boyfriend. He should change that. It is high time for him to propose her. But how? He was about to slide in his schemes when Khushi shook him slightly after having no response by calling him. He came back with a jerk and gazed a hectic Khushi speaking unstoppably.

"I have to go, Arnavji is back." Like always, she felt her Laad Governor and she should go back into their room. He had forbidden her to step out or work because she was feeling dizzy at morning and was almost unconscious. "But you have to propose her now. Or else she will lose her. She was talking about going back." She enunciated before rushing out and running into her room leaving a restless NK behind.

"Lavanya wants to go back?" He muttered to himself. "No, no, I can't let her go back. I love her!" He realized he don't have much time. He has to propose her right now. "I will propose her tomorrow itself." Saying that he opened his laptop and searched for some ideas.