Raizada Apartment - 9:45pm

Arnav and Khushi reached at home when everyone had their dinner already and were watching a movie playing on TV together in the living room.

Ayan ran towards Arnav, holding his brother by his arm, he started dragging Arnav with him to their room urgently. A confused Arnav followed him questioning him on the way what happened. Khushi was asked by Ratna to go to her room to freshen up and change her clothes while Ratna would warm their food for dinner. Khushi nodded, taking the gift box, that Arnav had asked her to hold few minutes ago while he was opening the house door for them, with her to her room. Since Arnav was busy with Ayan now, she thought to give him the gift box later and keep it safely in her room.

What she didn't notice was curious Mami staring at the box in her hand, trying to figure out what it was, Mami turned Nani, Mama and Akash who had their eyes fixed on the TV screen, "Hello hi bye bye.. Seems likes Arnav bitwa buys another ghipt (gift) Khushi ke liye.. She tooks a big box to her rooms now.. dekha nahi tum logon ne? (Didn't you guys saw it?)"

Nani frowned slightly for being disturbed while watching the climax of the movie, she replied to Mami irritatedly, still not shifting her eyes from the screen, "Arey Manorama.. that's Aman's mother gift they went to buy. That's why they came back home late tonight." Akash and Mama didn't even care to react on this.

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

Arnav & Ayan's room

"Kya hua Ayan? (What happened Ayan?). How was your exam today? Is that what you want to talk to me?" Arnav asked concernedly.

"My exams went good.. I mean.. I think I'll get good marks this time," Ayan smiled sheepishly at his brother.

"You think?! After I've my dinner, you'll show me your exam question paper, we'll see kitne marks aayenge iss baar (we'll see how much you will score this time)."

Ayan nodded, "Thik hai (Okay)."

"Agar exams ki tension nahi hai, toh fir kya problem hai? (If you're not worried about your exams, then what's the problem?)" Arnav asked in a relaxed tone, dropping his office bag on his bed and loosening his tie, as he knew now his brother is not upset or nervous over his today exam results, so he's probably talking about a minor problem now because Ayan's biggest life problem are his school exams only. 

"Nani and Ma were speaking about you and Khushi didi today," Ayan said, jumping to his brother's bed, sitting there crossed legs, placing his feet under his legs.

Arnav sat on the edge of his bed beside Ayan with a slight frown adorning his forehead, "What were they talking about?"

"That you're falling in love with Khushi didi.. because you asked her to call you by your name, not Bhaiya like Akash bhai, you bought her expensive gift MacBook and you keep staring at her in a different way," Ayan explained, "Ye sab Nani bol rahi thi.. Ma bas sun rahi thi (All this was said by Nani.. Ma was just listening to her)," he added, defending his mother.

"What the.." Arnav was shocked to know his Nani keeps scrutinizing his every move and gestures towards Khushi in their house.

"And," Ayan gulped with a weak smile to his brother, he asked, "If I tell you what I said to them in order to save you and Khushi didi from Hitler Nani's magnifying glass eyes, you won't scold me na?"

"It depends," Arnav shrugged, "Tu bol.. uske baad dekhte hai main tumhare saath kya karta hu (You say it.. after that I'll see what I will do with you)," saying this, Arnav took a pillow from his bed mentally getting ready to hit Ayan as he knows Ayan must have done something wrong for sure.

"Bhai please," Ayan cried, "I came up with a permanent solution to save you. No one will be suspicious about your feelings for Khushi didi after what I said to Nani and Ma."

"What feelings?" Arnav shrugged, trying his best to look unaffected.

"Kya bhai!" Ayan chuckled at him, "No one is blind in this house to not notice the way you look at Khushi didi like a Mr.Majnu (Mr. Lover boy). And I toh know it from the first day you saw Khushi didi.. did you really thought you'll be able to hide this from me?"

"Shut up!" Arnav hit him on his back with the pillow in his hands making Ayan laugh at his brother's flushed face.

"Tell me what happened next?" Arnav asked curiously, keeping the pillow  back to his lap.

"Looks like your future sasur ji is strict and conservative type of man and he only accepted Khushi didi to join college if she focuses completely on her studies and then goes back to Lucknow to marry the person he'll choose for her. That's why Nani is afraid that Khushi didi might distract herself from her studies if she spends time with you and you both might fall in love each other which will create problems in future for Khushi didi."

"What rubbish!" Arnav furrowed his brows hearing this, "He can't force her to marry someone she doesn't even know if she'll be able to fall for him or to even accept him as her husband."

"Maine bhi same socha (Even I thought the same)," Ayan said, "That's why I came with an idea to make Nani focus on something else other than keeping an eye on yours and Khushi didi every move."

Arnav nodded, gesturing him to continue.

"I said to them that you're dating your one of your office colleagues, Sheetal," Ayan said everything in one go as he climbed down the bed quickly to escape from Arnav, he ran towards the closed the door of their room, holding the door knob as Arnav was still registering what he spoke fast to him.

"Bhai please don't scold me.. I said this to help you and Khushi didi," Ayan cried, clutching the door knob as if getting ready to escape whenever Arnav will get up from the bed to attack him.

Arnav calmly gestured him to sit back on his bed. Ayan shook his head with crying face, "Nahi.. You'll hit me."

"Come na.. I won't do anything to you," Arnav motioned him to come near, without showing his intentions through his facial expressions.

But Ayan knew his elder brother more than anyone, so he just opened the door of the room to escape from Arnav who got up from the bed and went running behind him. 

Arnav, the Tom ran behind Ayan, the Jerry who went to find a place to hide behind his mother in the living room, but she wasn't there so he screamed desperately as Arnav was approaching him, they started running around the living room couches disturbing Nani, Mami, Mama and Akash who were peacefully watching the happy ending of their movie.

"What is this childishness Chote and Chiku?" Nani scolded them, watching Arnav snatch a cushion from the couch and throw it in direction of Ayan who quickly squatted escaping from the cushion weapon Arnav used against him.

"Bhai started it Nani.. I didn't do anything," shouting Ayan went to the kitchen to look for his mother who is the only person who can save him now. 

"Chote!" Nani looked at him questioningly. "Not now Nani," saying this, Arnav hurriedly went behind his brother.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Arnav bitwa should acts maturewa now. He's not a baccha like Ayan to bhaag (run) around the house like this. Look how my Akash bitwa is a well mannereds and maturewa man, he's kids ka doctor (pediatrician) but doesn't behave like a kid," Mami commented in a taunting way. 

Akash looked at his mother gesturing her to keep quiet. Mami shrugged as if saying she didn't say anything wrong, just stated facts.

"And instead of mocking others everytime, you should continue your English lessons with Akash bitwa," Nani replied sarcastically making Mami twist her mouth unpleasantly, getting up from her seat, she walked towards the kitchen to know what happened with her both grandsons.

"Maybe Chiku told him that we know about his girlfriend, Sheetal," Nani thought on her way to the kitchen. When she reached the kitchen, she was shocked to see Ayan holding a plastic bottle of water and Arnav with squeeze bottle of ketchup sauce as they started to splash it on each other turning the kitchen into a mess.

"Stop it you two!" Nani shouted angrily but it had no effect on Arnav who throwing his bottle of ketchup sauce weapon to attack Ayan on the slab, went running after Ayan's life and to save himself, Ayan ran as fast as he could towards the dining room where Khushi was waiting for Arnav to have dinner while chatting with Ratna, who sat with her to make time for Arnav to freshen up and join her for dinner.

Khushi and Ratna were also shocked to see Arnav's shirt wet and Ayan's t-shirt dirty with ketchup sauce as they ran around the dining table.

"Ma.. thank God I found you," Ayan said while doing saat phere (seven rounds) with Arnav around the dining table as their mandap, "Look what bhai is doing.. he wants to hit me.. please tell him to stop."

"Bas karo tum dono (Stop it you two)," Ratna said in scolding tone, staring at them in disbelief. Hearing Ratna's command, Arnav and Ayan finally stopped, standing each on either sides of the dining table. Ratna continued in stern tone, "You two go to your room, go take a shower without fighting like two monkeys. And then, Chote, you join Khushi for dinner and Ayan, you go to study."

Khushi looked down, suppressing the smile forming on her lips when Ratna called them two monkeys. But she was still wondering what made the two brothers fight like this when they went to their room like best friends before this.

Arnav glared at Ayan who joined his hand as if asking forgiveness for what he did. Arnav walked towards his room followed by Ayan who went to pacify his brother now.

Ratna shook her head smilingly, she looked at Khushi wondering if she should share the reason why Arnav  probably was angry with Ayan but then decided to respect her son's relationship status and talk about Sheetal openly to others when he would be ready to introduce her to his family and make his relationship official.

"Don't worry about these two Khushi bitiya... they're always like that... one minute they'll behave like best friends and the next minute they'll be wanting to take each other's lives," Ratna said.

Khushi chuckled softly, nodding her head acknowledgingly.

************************************
Arnav & Ayan's room

Arnav reached his room, tired and panting hard for running the entire house behind his brother, he flopped down on the bed, closing his eyes and Ayan joined his brother, laying beside him on the bed.

"Bhai I did what I could think at that moment to save you.. If Nani thinks you already have a girlfriend, then she'll stop behaving like Hitler Nani with Khushi didi whenever she's around you and you'll also get more time to spend with Khushi didi at home without being watched suspiciously by our family members," Ayan pouted, "Aap hi bataye.. maine kuch galat kiya? (Now you tell me.. Did I do anything wrong?)"

"Voh sab toh thik hai Ayan.. but Sheetal is Aman's girlfriend. Now what will I do if anyone finds out about this at home?" Arnav opened his eyes and turned his face to his side to look at Ayan.

"No one knows who is Sheetal and how does she look.. so there's no problem. Also Ma and Nani aren't going to pester you to introduce Sheetal as your girlfriend anytime soon because they think you're focusing on your career first and waiting for the right time to make official announcement of your relationship to them and they were like they will respect their Chote's decision," Ayan replied winking at his brother.

Arnav glared at him, "And if Khushi finds out about this from Ma or Nani and believe your cooked up stories, then she will say tata bye bye to me. Meri love story toh shuru se pehle hi khatam hogi (My love story will end even before starting)."

"Just Chill bhai.. Aisa kuch nahi hoga (Nothing will happen)," Ayan patted his shoulder in an assuring way, "In fact, instead of worrying about Sheetal's matter, you should start thinking about successful ways to impress your Strict Sasur ji and guarantee your place in the top list of the prospective grooms he's looking for Khushi didi. So that you'll be the chosen one," he rubbed his finger on his T-shirt covered with ketchup sauce and raised it to apply on Arnav's forehead, "to fill Khushi didi's maang with sindoor," he laughed heartily at Arnav who slapped his hand away rubbing his forehead to remove the ketchup sauce on him.

"Go and freshen up you chatterbox naughty boy. Who's teaching you all these things ahn? Don't tell me you already have a girlfriend now?" Arnav asked suspiciously.

"I'm a smart guy.. I know everything. And I don't have a girlfriend," Ayan giggled, getting up from the bed, as he was about to go to the bathroom but Arnav pulled him back to his place making him whine loudly. Arnav left the bed heading towards the closet to choose his comfy home clothes, "I would have let you take a shower first.. but Khushi is expecting me for dinner, so you'll have to wait."

"Haan haan.. thik hai!" Ayan replied, then looking at Arnav choosing his clothes, he smiled mischievously, "Arey wah bhai.. You're in love with Khushi Didi!"

Arnav turned to him, gesturing him to speak low, "Ayan shut up! If anyone overhears you speaking about this, I'll be in trouble because of you. Don't you know even walls have ears in this house and those ears belong to your Mami who wouldn't take time to spread this news like wildfire and create a thunderstorm out of mine and Khushi's life?"

Ayan bit his tongue, quickly apologizing for it, "Sorry sorry bhai.. I'll be careful from now onwards. I won't let anyone know about this. I promise."

Arnav smiled a little. He knows Ayan really means it. Because they're experts when it comes to keep each other's secrets and covering up for each other's mistakes.

"You know what.. I'm thinking to ask Anil (barber) to shave your head completely bald tomorrow as a punishment for your lie about my relationship with Sheetal," Arnav said aloud once he was in bathroom with a serious tone but he was just teasing Ayan.

Ayan chuckled, "You won't do any such thing.. you won't let Anil bhai spoil my hair at any cost."

After Arnav was done with shower, he walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, he looked at Ayan, who was heading towards the bathroom to shower as well and said smirking, "Waise.. There's an actual punishment for you Ayan."

Ayan stopped on his track, looking at his brother confused, "Kya?"

"I'll have to confiscate your phone and video games for tonight because Khushi will give you tuition after dinner," he replied, trying his best not to laugh at Ayan who made an unpleasant face crying at his fate and rushed to the bathroom.

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

After Arshi had their dinner, Khushi sat with Ayan at the dining table to explain 10th class physics's circuits, Ohm's law and resistance topics to him while Arnav took Ayan's history question paper with him to calculate his marks percentage as he joined Akash in the living room, who was watching Grey's anatomy alone as everyone went to sleep already.

After watching three episodes with Arnav, Akash wanted to go to his room to sleep, so Arnav brought haldi doodh for them. He asked Khushi and Ayan to take a break for sometime to complete their challenge game. This time it was Akash who finished the glass of milk first and won the game. It didn't make any difference to Arnav, Khushi and Ayan as they'll have to wake up early because tomorrow will be an eventful day for them.

When Akash left to his room, Arnav sat with Ayan and Khushi.

"Bhai pata hai.. aaj Ma ne kaha ki app ek genius the school mein (Bhai you know.. today Ma said you were a genius in your school)," Ayan spoke as soon as his brother joined them. The reason was simple, he wanted Arnav and Khushi to talk with each other and what better topic to talk about other than studies when you're with Khushi!

And his plan worked perfectly, as Arnav and Khushi started sharing  their school memories with each other forgetting Ayan's presence in the room. Ayan took this opportunity as he silently tip toed back to his room to escape from studies.

They talked until the wee hours. Arnav couldn't wait to get to his room and hug Ayan to thank him for this brilliant idea as this is the first time he has interacted with Khushi for so long.

Their conversation was interrupted by Ratna who walked in the dining room with a glass of water in her hand. She was about to take a sit on the chair, when she realized the presence of Arshi in the room, she frowned wondering why they were still awake, "What are you guys doing here?"

"Khushi was giving tuitions to Ayan, but then we started talking about school memories and didn't even notice when he left," Arnav explained.

Ratna sat beside Khushi, drinking her water while shaking her head in disbelief. She placed the glass on the table, looking at them pouting, "It's good I've company now.. even I'm not getting sleep."

"Why?" Arnav asked worriedly.

"I was trying to sleep but I'm constantly thinking about your marriage.. this thought is not letting me sleep," Ratna said smiling teasingly at him.

Arnav knew she was hinting at his marriage with Sheetal. He started coughing intentionally while thinking to himself, "If Ma starts talking about Sheetal in front of Khushi.. tu toh gaya kaam se Arnav.. (You'll be gone Arnav)."

Ratna offered her glass of water to him which he was quick to deny, scolding her through her eyes for embarrassing him in front of Khushi talking about marriage, Ratna laughed knowing how her son hates talking about his personal life in front of strangers (Khushi). Little did she know what he was really worried about at the moment.

"You go and sleep. No need to spoil your sleep because of me, there's still time for my marriage. We'll talk about  it after four years," he said glancing at Khushi while mentioning the time set for his marriage.

Ratna thought smiling to herself, "Oh so he's planning to get married with Sheetal after four years. But why is making me wait so much to see him getting married? Maybe Chote is indeed planning huge for his future career."

"Why did he specifically said four years? Is he hinting that.. No no no Khushi.. stop. He's just a friend and will always be your friend only," Khushi thought, twirling the pencil on the table awkwardly feeling left out in mother and son conversation about marriage.

Ratna got up from the chair smiling at Arnav, "Okay. I'll go to sleep now. Bye bye. Good night.. oops Good morning! It's 3 am!"

"What?" Arnav and Khushi widened their eyes shocked.

Ratna nodded her head confirming to them as she gestured them to look behind at the wall clock and see the time with their own eyes. Arnav and Khushi followed her gaze and were shocked to realize they talked for long time. They got up from their chairs and hurriedly went to their respective rooms making Ratna laugh at them, shaking her head, "Ye bacche bhi na.."

Arnav walked in his room, he found Ayan already sleeping on his bed so he kissed Ayan's forehead softly, mumbling 'Thank you' to him. Then laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling sighing as he got lost in thoughts of what future has in store for him. Was he doing the right thing to fall in love with a girl like Khushi who has her life decisions planned by her father? If Khushi too falls in love with him, will she ever reciprocate her love for him or refuse to acknowledge her feelings for him in fear of her father and the agreement they had to let her continue her studies? Will their relationship create problems for Khushi in future? Was he doing the right thing by thinking about his future with Khushi when she might marry the man her father will choose for her and leave him heartbroken?

There were too many doubts and questions running on his mind but he brushed it off his mind, advising himself  "Sochna kya.. joh bhi hoga dekha jayega, kal ke liye aaj ko na khona, aaj yeh na kal aayega (why think about it, we'll face whatever happens, don't lose today for tomorrow, today will not come again tomorrow)."

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

Next day (Saturday - 8:35am)

"Ma," Arnav walked in the kitchen, looking for his mother.

Ratna, who was making jalebis with Khushi, looked at his side questioningly, "Kya hua?"

"Khushi what are you doing in the kitchen? Don't you know Lavanya and Usha aunty will come to pick you up at anytime now and you're still not ready?" Arnav looked at the girl in disbelief, chatting with his mother while making jalebis, not even caring about the time.

"Voh.. I'm making jalebis for the birthday party. I thought it's not good to go there empty-handed," Khushi replied, lowering her eyelashes as she shyly fidgeted the ends of her duppata.

Arnav smiled a little hearing her explanation, he found her cute while saying that. But quickly composed himself as he heard his mother adding to support Khushi's explanation, "And I'm helping her to save time only. Don't worry, we'll finish it before they come to pick her up."

"Hmm," he nodded, "I came here to ask you which style of haircut should I ask Anil to do on Ayan's hair?"

"Anything that won't make me receive complaints from his teachers at school. Aur voh undercut hairstyle toh bilkul bhi nahi (And definitely not that undercut hairstyle)," Ratna replied still terrified with the last experience she had seeing Ayan in undercut hairstyle.

Arnav chuckled as he asked teasingly, "What about I ask Anil to shave his head completely bald?"

"I will shave your head bald and give your hair to Ayan to wear it as a wig," Ratna replied smiling sarcastic-sweetly at him. Khushi giggled hearing their funny banter.

Arnav laughed walking backwards and waving at them, "We'll get going then. Bye bye!"

"Bye bye. Take care," Ratna waved back at him smiling.

When he left the kitchen, Khushi remembered that she still didn't give him Aman's mother gift that she kept in her room. She hit her forehead lightly and went running behind him after informing Ratna of the same.

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

"Arnav ji!" luckily she found him still descending the stairs with Ayan, she called him loudly standing at the door frame, holding the gift box in her hands.

Arnav turned around and saw her holding the gift, he hit his forehead as he climbed up the stairs to reach her, "I was going to forget Usha aunty gift. Thanks for reminding me."

"It's not your fault. I kept it in my room and forgot to give you  yesterday," Khushi said.

Arnav took the gift box from her hand, "Thanks. Bye. See you soon."

Khushi nodded with a small smile. He went back to Ayan, who was waiting for him at the staircase. Ayan smiled mischievously as he whispered to Arnav, "Bhai.. if she loves you, then she'll turn around. You know like that palat scene of DDLJ." 

Arnav rolled his eyes at the absurdity, but inside in his heart, he bought Ayan's stupid love theory as he looked back to check if Khushi would turn to look at him again, but she didn't, instead shut the door of the house.

He looked back at Ayan with a straight face and thrusted the gift box into Ayan's hand for him to hold, "You and your stupid ideas.. I'll make sure Anil shaves your head bald today. Let's go!"

Ayan whined following him, "Bhaii this is not fair.. how can you punish me if Khushi didi didn't turn around to look at you? What's my fault in that now?"

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

Aman's house (01:36pm)

Aman informed everyone present in his house that his mother was at the door with Lavanya and Khushi as soon as he received a message from his sister. Everyone ran to hold the party poppers while Arnav rushed to the kitchen side to light the candles on the cake and bring to the cake to the hallway.

As soon as the door opened, everyone started singing the happy birthday for Aman's mother who smiled heartily staring overwhelmed at the surprise party kept for her, but Arnav stopped paying attention to the cake he was holding while walking towards his Usha aunty, to everyone singing the birthday song as if it's a lullaby and even to his Usha aunty's reaction at the surprise birthday party, the moment his eyes fell on Khushi, looking so pretty and fresh in a simple white floral print salwar suit and she left her hair open. He didn't realize when he stumbled over the edge of thick carpet on the way and fell on the carpet with the cake following the same fate of his.

He tried to save himself and the cake from falling but it was too late. The damage was done!

Everyone stopped singing and dropped the party poppers on the floor as they looked wide-eyed at the scene trying to register what had just happened, at last gasping and raising their hands without moving from their places instinctively to save the cake from kissing the carpet.

Arnav looked up guiltily at Usha for destroying her cake, he held his ear saying sorry for it. The moment everyone realized the non-living thing (cake) was gone, they finally shifted their attention to the living thing (Arnav) who had also fallen on the carpet but everyone was feeling more sorry for the cake than him.

"Aman why are you standing like a statue? Come and help Arnav bitwa stand," Usha said scoldingly.

Khushi, Ayan and Aman hurried towards Arnav to help him stand on his feet.

"Are you okay?" Khushi asked concernedly. Arnav nodded his head without looking at her side as he was still embarrassed and guilty for having ruined the whole mood of the surprise birthday party.

"Your shirt got smeared with cake cream.. come to my room.. I'll give you my shirt to wear," Aman said as he dragged Arnav to his room. Ayan followed them.

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

Aman's room

"Bhai.. this girl is driving you crazy," Aman chuckled at Arnav's embarrassed face while was wearing  the shirt given to him by Aman as the past few minutes fresh incident of the cake getting murdered by him flashed on his mind.

"This is his same condition at home as well.. Bhai keeps staring at Khushi didi as if he's hypnotised by her," Ayan added making Aman bursting out laughing at Arnav, who glared at both for making fun of him.

"Laugh as much as you both.. Here I'm dying of embarrassment.. God knows what Usha aunty and everyone else must be thinking about me," he pouted, sitting beside Aman on the bed with a thud.

"Arey relax.. there's another cake Ram uncle (Usha's elder brother) bought for Ma. She'll cut that one," Aman patted his back, "You just tell me.. what happened with you that you forgot your surroundings and only saw Khushi in front of you like in Bollywood movies?" he asked teasingly.

"She looks different today.. I don't know maybe it's because she let her hair down for the first time like this.." he said as the image of today's look of Khushi flashed on his mind.

Aman and Ayan burst out laughing at him again. Arnav knew he was going to be teased for the rest of his life by them for finding a girl with loose hair out of this world. But well, that's exactly what happened!