Arshi, NK, Lavanya, Aman, Sheetal - 8 years old
Payash - 10 years old
Anjali and Shyam - 12 years old

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Standing at the balcony of Khushi's room, Khushi, Arnav and Payal were talking about their school life. Khushi was holding a plate filled with jalebis she got from her mother as treat for winning the basketball competition with Arnav, she wasn't even listening properly what Arnav and Payal were talking about because she was lost in her favorite sweet world. But she was Khushi Kumari Gupta aka Nav's Chatterbox, even if she wasn't paying proper attention to their talks, she made sure to keep her opinions forward every now and then during their conversations. 

"Akash bhai told us that you got the highest mark on your maths exam Payal di.. congrats.. everyone at home was happy for you," Arnav said smiling. 

Payal shyly smiled, "Thank you."

"Next time I'll also study hard and get full marks on my exams," Khushi said licking the sugar syrup on her fingers smiling cheekily, "Promise me that you will ask Ratna aunty to throw a jalebi party for me if I get full marks. And yes.. I will bring my new friend, Rocky to celebrate with me also." 

"And what about me?" Arnav asked feeling jealous that she started including Rocky in her celebrations and forgot to mention his name.

Khushi wanted to hit his forehead but Arnav caught her wrist before she could touch him, he gestured her to look at her hands dirty with sugar syrup, "Go and wash your hands first Khuhi!"

Khushi free her hand from his hold, "It's your house I was talking about, so obviously you'll be there buddhu!" glaring at him, she thrust the plate into his hand and walked inside her room through the balcony, rushing towards the bathroom to wash her hands and then joined them again to continue the conversation. With the help of her wet hands, she attempted to style Arnav's hair in spikes. Arnav sighed wondering what was she upto now but didn't stop her from playing with his hair, "What are you doing Khuhi?" 

Khushi giggled, "I'm trying Pikachu's spiky hairdo on you," she poked her index fingers on each side of his cheek chirpily chanting, "Pika Pika.. Pikachu!"

Even though he loves Khushi's antics, her craziness is his mood changer but in front of Payal Di, he had a reputation to maintain, he was serious, no-nonsense and intelligent boy, the ASR. Resisting the urge the pull his best friend chubby cheeks and laugh at her crazy ideas, he shook his head in disbelief, "I wonder when you'll grow up and behave a little bit mature Khuhi!"

"Abhi toh main bacchi hu.. aur tum bhi ho kyun ki hum dono ki age same hai (I'm still a kid.. so are you as our age is same)," Khushi stuck out her tongue to him. 

Payal chuckled, "You two carry on.. I'll go to my room to sleep. Good night!" 

"Good night Payal Di/Jiji!!" Arshi replied in sync, standing beside each other like good kids who promise to behave well after Payal leave the room. 

When Payal left the room, Arnav looked at Khushi, "I think we should sleep as well. It's quiet late now, otherwise Garima aunty will come here and scold us for being awake till late night."

"Kya Nav!" Khushi whined boringly, "You're spending the weekend in my house. And we can sleep late tonight because tomorrow is Sunday-Funday-No school day, okay? Hum log na khoob masti karenge aaj.. (we'll do lots of fun tonight)," she ended rubbing her palms together in excitement. 

"Don't you get tired? I'm so exhausted due to the basketball match today," Arnav said weakly, staring at her wondering how she gets this much energy and excitement anytime and for each and every activity in her life. 

"Okay," Khushi pouted, shaking her head in disbelief at her little robot with his battery low, "We'll do in one mission together and then go to sleep, what say? Just one mission Nav.. please!"

"What-"

Even before he could complete his question, Khushi held his arm suddenly pulling him forward as she pointed towards the sky with her earth shattering like scream, "Loook Nav.. shooting star.. make a wish quickly!" 

It seems not only he got alert with Khushi's scream, her neighbor friend, her khatta buddy also start barking as soon as he heard Khushi's scream, he came near the garage corner from where they could see him through the balcony side. Khushi got distracted from making a wish as her eyes traveled down at her neighbor's garage corner, she smiled widely seeing Rocky and waved her hands at him, "Rocky!!"

When she looked back at Arnav to inform him about Rocky, she realized that the shooting star left and she couldn't make a wish, she made a sad face staring at Arnav who shrugged with It's-not-my-fault look, "What? Aur karo Rocky Rocky.. toh ye hi hoga (this is what will happen).. you'll miss these rare opportunities in stars universe only."

Khushi pouted sadly and Arnav immediately regretted for taunting her, he pinched her little nose, "Cheer up.. I made a wish for you."

Khushi looked at him smiling widely, "Sachi? What did you ask for me?"

"We can't say na.." he shook his head in 'no' making it clear he wasn't going to reveal his wish to her. 

"Fine!" Khushi rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to Rocky again. She kept shouting and talking in sign language with Rocky while Arnav stare at her annoyed muttering to himself, "Ungrateful girl.. I made a wish for her and she didn't even thank me.. and now talking with her new friend responsible for making her miss the opportunity to make a wish!"

Unable to see her giving her whole attention to Rocky making cute faces to him while he replied to her by barking and wagging his tail, Arnav rubbed her cheek with his thumb gently, calling for attention, "Bas Khuhi (enough Khuhi).. chalo, did you forgot about your mission or you're planning to continue your talk from distance with your new khatta buddy?"

Khushi hit her forehead and said in realization tone, "Oh yes.. our mission! Let's go.. let's go!" she held his hand, then gave one last look to Rocky waving at him, "Bye bye Rocky.. see you tomorrow.. Good night.. sleep well my Khatta buddy and don't forget to warm yourself with Nav's sweatshirt!" Arnav rolled his eyes at the sugar coated good night wish by Khushi to her new buddy. 

He walked near the railings peeking to see Rocky, waving at him and bidding goodbye to Rocky while thinking to himself, "Good night buddy.. I know you're my Khuhi's neighbor, you live near her.. you're her khatta buddy now.. and you're also fond of her because she gifted you my sweatshirt.. you're cute and all.. but don't forget she's my friend first.. don't steal her from me."

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"So what's your mission?" Arnav asked once they were inside her room.

Khushi smiled mischievously, "Mission Jalebi! Amma kept some jalebis on the fridge from our celebration party. We'll have to steal three jalebis from that plate without getting caught by anyone at home." 

"Seriously Khuhi!" Arnav looked at her in disbelief, "Couldn't you come up with a better plan? You already eat so many jalebis, why do you want more?"

Khushi pouted, caressing her tummy cutely staring at him with puppy eyes, "It's not me.. my tummy asking for more!"

Arnav face palmed, "Ask your tummy to sleep.. tomorrow is also a day to feed him." 

"Nav please!" she cried, joining her hands begging him. "Okay fine.. let's go!" Arnav said getting up from the bed to take her downstairs to the kitchen. Khushi climbed down the bed smiling happily, "Nav listen.. we're going to play Super Mario's character in this mission okay.. you're Mario-"

"I'm not!" he narrowed his eyes at her who royally ignored him and continued by stressing and making it clear that he got no option but to accept be her Mario, "You're Mario.. and I'm Princess Peach.. instead of mushroom kingdom, ours is Jalebi Kingdom.. Buaji is the main villain, Bowser.. she can breath fire and burn my jalebis. Jiji is Princess Daisy, Amma is Rosalina and Babu ji is Wario. What do you think?"

"You're asking as if you'll change the characters if I say what I think.." he rolled his eyes earning a giggle from Khushi, who held his hand, dragging him with her towards the door while saying, "Chalo mere Mario.. it's time for you to fight the world to bring jalebis for your Princess Peach!" 

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"Mario!" Khushi hissed seeing Arnav descending the stairs that would led them to the living room area as she could hear his footsteps sound, "Don't make noise.. anyone might wake up!" she whispered once she joined him to go downstairs. The two reached the living room tiptoeing and survived this first round of their game without any hurdle on their way. 

"We won the first round!" Khushi announced happily earning a mock chuckle from her friend who was finding her game absurd, "Of course we'll win every round because Bowser and Wario are sleeping my Princess Peach.. it's just you and me here."

Khushi narrowed her eyes at him, she stomped her foot on the floor and folded her arms, "Go back to my room if you don't wan-" she stopped talking when she glanced down at her feet and realized her anklet was missing from her ankle, she gasped, "Nav my anklet is missing.. I lost my anklet.."

"Shh-" Arnav placed his palm on her lips, gesturing her to look up at the first floor as he was hearing footsteps sounds from there. They quickly rushed to the nearest sofa and hide behind it, peeking curiously from the sides to check who woke up at this time, their eyes widened seeing Buaji coming downstairs with Khushi's anklet in her hand, a confused expression written all over her place as she looked at her surroundings, speaking loudly to herself, "Why was Titalia's anklet left on the stairs like this? Maybe it fell off her ankle while she was playing. I'll go and keep it on her room." 

"Oh no! Buaji is going to your room," Arnav said with We-are-going-to-get-caught expression on his face, but was interrupted by his friend who thought correcting him was more important than finding a solution to it, "It's Bowser Mario.."

Arnav face-palmed, "Whatever Khu- Peach.. We need to stop her otherwise we'll get caught by Bowser and we lose the game!"

Khushi nodded, nervously biting her nails and sitting close to Arnav in fear of getting caught. Arnav slapped her hand off her mouth, "This is not time to eat your nails Peach.. if you want to enter in your jalebi kingdom then we need to think a plan to stop Bowser asap!"

Buaji was heading towards Khushi's room while Arshi quickly got up from their hiding place and set to implement their plan. They took the TV remote silently and threw it away in opposite direction of the kitchen side to distract Buaji. Buaji frowned getting alert after she heard the sound, dropping the idea to visit Khushi's room first, she went down to check where did that sound she heard came from, she walked towards the entry hall of the house and taking this opportunity Arshi rushed towards the kitchen to get Khushi's jalebis. 

Arnav opened the fridge careful to not make any sound, Khushi quickly stole her three jalebis giggling silently because she was enjoying this adventure game with her best friend. Arnav shook his head and started dragging her to leave the kitchen when they heard Buaji shouting and calling Garima and Shashi as she thought a thief invaded their house when she saw the tv remote on the floor. 

Arnav and Khushi had to stop at the kitchen itself as they peeked through the door to know what their opponents were doing now. They saw Rosalina (Garima) and Wario (Shashi) descending the stairs worriedly and rushing towards Buaji standing near the exit door. 

Arnav held Khushi's hand and looked at her, "Peach we've to run very fast now, are you ready?"

"Yes Mario!" Khushi smiled readily. He took her outside the kitchen and they took the opportunity Garima, Shashi and Buaji were disturbed to know about a possible thief in the house and went outside to ask the security guards about the same and went running upstairs to Khushi's room. 

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"Yaay!" Khushi happily jumped like a rabbit once they walked in the room, "We won the game Mario.. you successfully brought jalebis for your Princess Peach from the jalebi kingdom!" she raised her sticky hands for a high-five earning a I'm-not-gonna-touch-your-dirty-hands look from Arnav, "You can stop calling me Mario now.."

Khushi rolled her eyes seeing him show his attitude to respond her high-five, she went to take her one last jalebi she kept on her plate on top of her side table and started munching her last jalebi happily. Arnav went to sit beside her on the bed, smiling a little admiring the way she eat her favorite sweet. Khushi looked at him after she finished eating her jalebi, she smiled at him and pecked his cheek, "Remember when I said to you that my kisses aren't for free.. but I'm still giving you this one today Nav because you're being stubborn and not letting me touch you with my hands now.."

Arnav smiled after getting her special sweet kiss, he held her hand in his surprising Khushi now, "Khuhi I'll always be your best friend na?" 

Khushi nodded her head, not getting what happened to him suddenly to ask her such questions. But before she could even ask him, they heard her parent's voice approaching the room and they had to quickly hide the empty plate under the bed and then get on the bed and cover themselves as fast as they could to pretend that they were sleeping. 

Garima and Shashi opened the door of Khushi's room and came to check if they were okay after the strange incident that happened downstairs, even though they asked the security and they confirmed it to them that no thief walked in the house as they were awake and keeping a watch on everything, Garima still wanted to feel satisfied by personally checking on her kids. After seeing Arshi peacefully sleeping on the bed, Shashi and Garima kissed both on their foreheads and left from there. 

Arnav and Khushi opened their eyes once Shashi and Garima left their room, they quickly went to the bathroom to wash their face and sleep for real now. 

Before Khushi laid on her side of the bed, she walked to Arnav's side and covered him properly with the blanket and then dropped a kiss on his forehead, "Before you sleep, I wanted to ask you how are you feeling after spending one day (Saturday) of this weekend at my home? Amma always said that when someone leaves their home to spend time with us in our home, it's our duty to make them feel at home as well.. and I hope I managed to make you feel at home, comfortable, happy and entertained Nav! I hope you enjoyed our version of Super Mario game  (she giggles making him smile as he listened to her blabbering patiently.. I know you don't like to be called by this name Mario, but it's just for the game (she pats his shoulder in a consoling manner).. and.. I also wanted to thank you for making a wish for me when I got distracted by Rocky and also for helping me steal those three jalebis.. and.. I'm very happy and excited that you're here with me.. you're spending this weekend with me (she giggled pinching his cheeks excitedly).. I can't wait for tomorrow.. we will play many games with Jiji, Shyam bhaiya and Rocky. I know you're tired and sleepy because of today's basketball match.. so I won't bore you anymore with my talks okay.. Good night Nav, sleep well and sweet like jalebis dreams!!"

"Good night Khuhi!" he replied. Khushi frowned and slapped his shoulder, then walked to her side of the bed complaining on the way, "I gave such a long speech for you.. and you only say Good night to me.. this is so unfair Nav.. you're very khadoos."

Arnav chuckled staring at her laying beside him on her side to sleep with a cute frown adorning her forehead. As soon as she rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, he placed his palm on her forehead, "I'll sing a song for you that I heard Ma humming these days. I think it suits you."

Khushi still didn't open her eyes acting like angry with him, but she was definitely curious to know which song he's going to sing for her. 

"I'm not good at singing but here you go.. Tumsa koi pyaara koi masoom nahi hai (There's no one as adorable and innocent like you).. Kya cheez ho tum khud tumhe maloom nahi hai (You yourself don't know who you are).. Lakhon hai magar tumsa yahan kaun haseen hai (There are millions here but there's no one like you)...Tum jaan ho meri tumhe maloom nahi hai (You don't know that you're my life)," he sang for her, patting her head gently for her to sleep. 

Khushi opened her eyes smiling at him, "Aww.. you're so sweet Nav!"

"Khuhi don't call me sweet otherwise I'll stop singing!" he frowned. 

"No no.. okay I won't call you sweet.. continue Mr.Khadoos!" she shook her head immediately holding his hand and placing it on her head gesturing him to continue. 

But before he could continue, she interrupted him again frowning slightly, "Nav why did you ask me if I'm always going to be your best friend that time?" 

Arnav thought for a while before shaking his head with It's-nothing look and smiling a little as he continue to sing for her. Yes, he was feeling a temporary jealousy and he always feels that when she tends to give more attention to her other friends than him, but now he understood their friendship is special, his Khuhi might have many friends in this world, but at the end of the day, she always comes back to him and vice-versa. 

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Early in the morning, Garima walked in Khushi's room happily to wake them up for their Sunday's activities but she got the shock of her life seeing their guest whom she thought Khushi would treat him well during his stay, sleeping at the edge of the bed in an uncomfortable position while her daughter occupied almost the whole bed for herself, her legs were on top of Arnav's legs and her one hand resting on his head while the other was holding his hand while she was deep asleep. Arnav was already awake staring at Khushi who didn't let him sleep peacefully the whole night neither let him get up from the bed to start the day as she locked him with her by holding his hand tightly and keeping her legs on him. 

She looked at Arnav feeling pity of the poor boy who got tortured by her daughter the whole night and rushed to save him, "I'm so sorry Arnav beta.. I shouldn't have let you sleep with Khushi knowing her sleeping habits.. I should have asked you to sleep with Jiji (Buaji)."

"Bowser.. noo," Arnav shook his head horrified. Garima looked at him confused while removing Khushi's legs from him to help him get off the bed, "Kya?"

Arnav composed himself as he sat on the bed still holding Khushi's hand, "Nothing aunty.. I'm fine.. I slept well with Khuhi." 

"You're not a good liar beta.. I know this taekwondo queen didn't let you sleep peacefully!"