When Khushi classes finished, she informed Arnav, who came to pick her up. Now he was driving on his way to their house when Khushi requested him to take her to the vada pav stall he once took her with Aman and Lavanya.

Arnav took her to the vada pav stall, and when they reached, he parked the car near and got down the car while typing a message to Aman informing him that he won't be able to join him to the club Aman invited him to.

He walked to the stall and asked the vendor to pack 10 vada pav with green chillies and chutney for everyone in his house. While talking to the vendor, he received a reply from Aman.

Aman: Kya yaar.. this is the second time you're cancelling our plans 😑🙄🙄

Arnav: I said to you that I wanted to try your method to celebrate misery in life. But its not necessary now.. since Khushi didn't break our friendship😅

Arnav: I've a better idea.. why don't you take Sheetal in my place to the club and party hard with your girlfriend?? 😜😜

Aman: Aree uski Ma bimar hai na (her mother is sick).

Arnav: Then go and take care of your Sasuma.. bada aaya party karne wala..  besharam ladka!! 😂😂

Aman: Yeah yeah.. I'll do that only. It's better to impress my future sasuma than trying to make my best friend happy 😒
Aman: Aaj ke baad.. I'm not going to take your ruthna manana (getting upset and then cajoled) with Khushi seriously. You always ditch me in the end.

Arnav: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Arnav kept his phone in his pant pocket as his attention went to the vada pav vendor who forwarded the plastic bag to him, making him take money out of his wallet as he paid for the vada pav while taking the plastic bag from the vendor's hand, whispering a 'Thank you' to the man with a polite smile on his face.

When he turned to leave, his eyes fell on Khushi who was sitting on a bench of a tea stall next to the vada pav stall he was. He halted on his steps as he stared at her with a confused smile, questioning her through his eyes 'What are you doing there?'

Khushi waved her hand at him, calling him to join her. Arnav locked his car with keys as he walked towards her and joined her, sitting beside her on the bench.

"Do you want to eat vada pav here?" he asked.

Khushi nodded her head, smiling at him as she didn't have to speak anything for him to understand her wish.

"Bhaiya do cup chai lana! (Bring two cup of tea)," Arnav shouted to the man preparing the tea.

As they waited for tea, Arnav handed the plastic bag to Khushi, gesturing for her to eat vada pav. Khushi took one and gave it to him and then took another for herself.

"Frankly speaking.. I thought you would never want to see my face after I reveal my truth to you," Arnav said in a soft surprised tone with her gesture.

He was about to take a bite of his vada pav when Khushi stopped him immediately in panic mode, "No.. don't eat Arnav ji!"

Arnav looked at her shocked, taken aback by her sudden behaviour, she almost yelled at him as if he was committing a crime for his eating his poor harmless vada pav.

"Wait!" Khushi was trying to supress her giggles after his reaction. She raised her vada pav to him, wiggling her eyebrows, "Kuch yaad aaya? (Do you remember it?)"

Arnav nodded his head, "Yes. The day we became friends. We cheered our friendship with vada pav."

"Haan! That's why I asked you to take me here Arnav ji.. so we forget the bitter moments we recently went through, start afresh and create new beautiful moments together as friends. This time our friendship won't be built on lies, but truth.. and we will built a long-lasting one this time," Khushi said. He could see a firm belief and determination in her eyes to make their friendship work this time.

A soft faint smile appeared on his lips as he blinked his eyes at her, "Done!"

He raised his vada pav too and bumped lightly with hers, "Cheers to our friendship!"

"Cheers to our friendship!" she said smiling chirpily, then she started eating her vada pav.

"Itni si baat ke liye mujhe heart attack dena jaroori tha kya (Was it necessary to give me a heart attack for such a small thing?)" Arnav asked dramatically rubbing his chest. 

Khushi giggled heartily. 

Arnav smiled mesmerised, watching her laugh freely. He could feel a change in Khushi after the recent incidents in their lives, she seemed to be more vocal about her feelings with him, she isn't showing much hesitation while talking to him and finally he's getting to hear her speak more than two or monosyllabic answers from her on her own will, not by him forcing  her to talk.

A teenage boy came with their teas and handed it to them. When he left, Arnav looked at Khushi's side while sipping his tea, he asked, "Are you free this weekend?"

Khushi thought for a while, then she nodded sideways, "I've few assignments to complete."

"Will you be able to complete before weekend? If you want, I can help you with your assignments. It's because since Nani, Mami and Mama are leaving to Lucknow this weekend to attend a relative's wedding, Di is planning a trip to Nainital. You're my responsibility when our elders are not present. That's why I need to take you with me," Arnav explained to her.

Khushi looked at him emotionally, moved by his words. Maybe that's why it was so difficult to think about parting with him. He had the ability to make anyone feel like family to him. He has a very caring, warm and helpful nature. If NK, who met him in two days for a short period, instantly loved his vibe, then she was living in the same house with him, it's impossible not to melt for this cute human.

"I can try," Khushi nodded, "But Babu ji and Nani won't give me permission to travel with you guys."

"Don't worry about Nani and your father. Ma will convince them," Arnav assured her, "It won't make sense to leave you alone here while we all travel to Nainital. They  have to understand that."

"And if they don't agree?" Khushi asked, biting her lips.

"Then I'll stay home with you," he replied as if it's no big deal making her shake her head immediately disapprovingly.

"Please don't cancel your trip with your family because of me, Arnav ji," she said.

"You're a part of my family too. How can I go and leave you alone here?" 

"I can manage,"

Arnav narrowed his eyes at her making her pout at him cutely, "Don't look at me like that. Think of a way to convince Nani and my Babu ji."

"That's what I was saying.. I'll talk to Ma to convince them," he looked at her in disbelief, "You're the one being a pessimistic here!"

"I'm not a pessimistic!" Khushi pouted again. She looked down playing with her cup of tea.

She looks so cute. He couldn't help but smile widely at her.

He took his phone out of his pocket as he opened his camera and said "Idhar dekho! (Look here)," gesturing her to look at his phone so he could click their picture to register this cute moment in their lives.

"Say pessimistic!!" he teased her while she looked at him with a muh phulana (sulking) expression.

"Accha muh phulana band karo (Stop sulking)," Arnav chuckled, "Say Khushi!"

Khushi pressed her lips to suppress the smile threatening to appear on her lips, Arnav copied her expression as he clicked their selfie.

Khushi giggled seeing their expressions on the picture, shaking her head, "Nahi.. not this picture. Let's take another one."

Arnav raised his phone to take another selfie, this time they had soft smiles on their faces, Arnav showed his cup of tea to the camera while Khushi simply tilted her head, smiling at the camera.

Arnav send the pictures to her WhatsApp and then he updated his WhatsApp status with their second picture, and added a caption 'Chai and vada pav date with Miss Pessimistic 😁🥰.'

Khushi received their pictures on her WhatsApp, then Arnav asked her to see what he posted on his status. She whined, still smiling, "Arnav ji I'm telling you I'm not pessimistic. Wait now.. I'll also update my status."

Arnav watched her excitedly thinking what caption to write for their picture and he couldn't help but feel little emotional to see her finally behave like a girl of her age does, it was this side of hers that she kept hidden in fear of her family and society.

"See.. what I wrote in my caption to reply you," Khushi showed her phone to him grinning.

He looked down at her phone and chuckled, "Mr.Vada Pav😆."

Arnav's phone beeped with a message notification, it was Aman's reply under his status post.

Aman: Enjoy the date with your new best friend 🙄 purane wale ko toh bhool hi gaye (you forgot your old friend).

Arnav: Yaar 🤣🤣🤣
Arnav: Don't be jealous 😝
Arnav: We're going to Nainital trip together na.

Aman: I'm not jealous 🙄
Aman: Together? No, we're going in different cars.. aur tumhari car mein Khushi ka seat already reserved hai!

Arnav: 🤣🤣🤣
Arnav: If you didn't have a girlfriend, then I would have taken you in my car.
Arnav: But since you're taking Sheetal with you.. we don't want to feel like third wheels 😂😂

Aman: Lavanya doesn't want to come with me too.
Aman: She wants to go with Khushi and NK.

Arnav: Done fir👌
Arnav: I'll take Ayan, Khushi, Lavanya and NK with me in my car.

Aman: Cheater kahike 😠
Aman: Kamina dost 😡

Arnav: 🤣🤣
Arnav: Har ek friend kamina hota hai 🤣.

Meanwhile, Khushi also received messages from Lavanya and NK. She opened Lavanya's message first.

Lavanya: Not Mr. Vada pav.. he's Mr. LANGUR🐒
Lavanya: I'm happy and relieved to see this beautiful smile back on your face.
Lavanya: Hope you're feeling better now.

Khushi: Don't call my friend Langur 🙈.
Khushi: Yes, I'm feeling much better and happy now.
Khushi: Thank you Lavanya for being with me when I was crying in college 🙈🩷🩷

Lavanya: Aree.. no need to say thanks for that.
Lavanya: What are we friends for then?
Lavanya: Aur tumhara dost Langur hi hai 😂😂

Khushi: 🙈🩷.
Khushi: Nahi hai 🤭🤭

Then she opened NK's chat.

NK: Waah.. Nice 😍😍
NK: Next time take me with you.. I also want to try chai and vada pav!

Khushi: Thank you 😊
Khushi: Yes sure 👍. I'll ask Arnav ji to show you this place next time.

When she was done with the replies, she looked at Arnav who kept his empty cup on the bench.

"Chalein? (Shall we go?)" he asked softly.

Khushi nodded her head.

*****************************************

Thursday Night..

It was 9:00 pm, after having dinner, Nani was watching her TV serials with Akash, Mami was helping Mama pack his bag and Arnav, Ayan and Khushi were helping Ratna pack her bags to leave tomorrow to Lucknow.

Ratna was showing her outfits with matching jewellery to them, but she was confused which saree she should wear for the sangeet ceremony.

Arnav and Khushi choose a magenta colour saree and Ayan voted for the peach color one. Ratna opted for the saree Arshi choose for her making Ayan stare at her with a sullen face, "Kya Ma! You always do what bhai says.. no one listens to me."

"Arey don't blame me. This time I'm not favouring anyone. Majority wins na, so two vote for magent against one. That's why I choose this saree," Ratna cleared so they don't start fighting over this.

"Don't tease him, Arnav ji," Khushi chided Arnav who was making faces teasing Ayan because their choice won.

Ayan giggled, sticking his tongue out to Arnav, celebrating his little victory because Khushi scolded him and she was on his side now.

Arnav pouted in response, picking a pillow from his mother's bed, he started hitting Ayan for laughing at him.

While Khushi shook her head, knowing they won't stop anytime soon. She approached Ratna to help her with the packing.

All this time, Ratna had a smile on her face, watching them, enjoying and teasing each other. Her cute little family... after witnessing Khushi's bond with her two sons, she is starting to secretly wish that Khushi becomes her daughter-in-law in the future.

She looked at Khushi with an affectionate smile, "Do you want me to convey any message to your family?"

Khushi nodded her head vigorously with tears brimming in her eyes, "Yes.. please tell them that.. I miss them a lot. I miss Amma's handmade jalebi.."

She couldn't complete what she was saying as she found herself choking on her own words.

"Khushi na (no).. don't cry meri bacchi.. be strong my girl," Ratna emotionally pulled her into a hug immediately when she realised Khushi was crying. Arnav and Ayan rushed to them worriedly.

"Di don't cry.. we know you're missing your family.. but we are here na with you.. we won't let you feel alone here," Ayan said, patting Khushi's head gently, trying to peek to see her since she had her face buried on the crook of Ratna's neck.

Arnav hugged his mother from behind and he gesture Ayan to hug Khushi so they could group hug her to make her feel better. 

They shared a tight group hug, whispering sweet nothings to Khushi until she stopped crying.

They made Khushi sit on bed and Arnav to fetch a glass of water for her on the kitchen. He came back in the room within seconds and handed the glass of water to her. He sat on knees on the floor, in front of her, gesturing her to wipe away her tears, "I shouldn't have teased you by calling you Miss Pessimistic.. you should be called Miss Happiness only. Keep smiling only.. you don't look good crying."

Khushi didn't say anything, she was sitting quietly, her eyes lowered filled with unshed tears making Arnav feel helpless. But he wouldn't take rest till he brings her smile back on her face.

"You said you're missing your Amma's handmade jalebi haina? Then.. I've an idea.. you share her recipe with me and Ayan. We will make your Amma's special jalebi for you ok?" he said in a soft tone filled with concern and care for her.

*****************************************

Arnav and Ayan took Khushi with them to the kitchen to make jalebis for her and cheer her up while Ratna stayed on her room to finish her packing.

Khushi taught them how to make sugar syrup and jalebi batter and they're doing everything she instructed like two little obedient kids.

When it was time to fry the jalebis, their attempts to get a perfect shape of jalebi and burning the jalebis in the process made her laugh heartily.

"This doesn't look like jalebi.. but a scribble drawing," Arnav concluded making a weird face as he took out the fried jalebis and kept them on a plate.

Khushi laughed more, clutching her tummy.

Arnav and Ayan were relieved to see they failed attempts to make jalebis like her mother managed to bring a smile on her face.

But their happiness was short lived as Nani made an entry in the kitchen. Her face revealed she didn't like to see what was happening.

"What are you three doing here in the kitchen so late at night?" Nani asked in a stern tone, a slight frown adorning her forehead.

"Jalebis!" Arnav replied. Khushi and Ayan stayed silent.

"Itni raat ko? (So late at night?)" Nani asked.

"Humein nahi pata tha jalebis banane ka koi proper time hote hai (We didn't know there's a proper time to make jalebis)," Arnav shrugged, making innocent face but Nani knew her grandson's sarcasm very well.

Ayan couldn't help but let out a chuckle, but Khushi remained silent and nervous, with her head down like a good girl.

Much to their relief, Ratna came to their rescue as she dragged Nani with her out of the kitchen making Arnav and Ayan share a high-five and Khushi sighed in relief. The two brothers raised their palms to Khushi also and in response she raised her two palms and slapped against their upraised palms, smiling at them. She was feeling like a part of their team already.

*****************************************

While Nani was complaining to Ratna about Khushi staying till late night alone with two boys. Ratna explained to her what happened.

"Ma you seriously have to stop this. Arnav and Ayan only wanted to cheer her up because she was missing her family. They are not doing anything wrong," Ratna chided her.

Only after hearing fully story from Ratna, Nani felt bad for Khushi and appreciated Arnav and Ayan's gesture to make jalebis for her.

*****************************************

When elders retired to their respective rooms to sleep, Arnav, Ayan, Khushi and Akash took over the living room to watch Farzi webseries together while having the jalebis Arnav and Ayan made.

Akash didn't like much and after eating half jalebi, he didn't touch it anymore. But Arnav, Ayan and Khushi were eating the jalebis one after another. It might not be perfect jalebi, but since they made with love for her, Khushi didn't care for perfection, she was relishing the jalebis especially made for her. As for Arnav and Ayan, they started considering themselves as good cooks since they tasted the jalebis and thought it didn't taste as bad as they had imagined.

Arnav had his eyes on Khushi throughout the webseries as he kept checking on her, if she was fine, if she was watching or she was lost thinking about her family.

*****************************************

Here's the update. Hope you all enjoy reading it 😊.