Arnav knocked the door of his mother's room as he waited for her permission to enter in the room, as soon as he heard her 'come in' in low tone, he opened the door and walked towards her after closing the door behind with his leg, he sat beside his mother who looked away wiping the corner of her eyes with her duppata. 

"Kya Ma! Why are you wasting your precious tears because of Mami's taunts?" Arnav said in complaining tone while holding his mother by her arm and literally forcing her to rest her head on his lap to which Ratna had no option but to give in. Arnav rubbed his hand on her arm in a consoling and affectionate manner, "You know me and Ayan put invisible cotton balls in our ears when Mami is near us, whatever comes out from her mouth doesn't reach our ears because we don't hear it.. we simply ignore it.. and you should borrow some cotton balls from us too, so that you don't get affected by her words."

"You're saying this to make me feel good.. the truth is you two hide your feelings from me, but you feel bad too," Ratna said as she looked up at him little emotional, "I've been tolerating this behavior of your Mami ever since I shifted to this house when your father left me. It wasn't easy for me to come here with three kids to raise as a divorcee,  unemployed and homeless woman. I had to seek  financial help from your Mama to let you and Anjali continue your studies in school and for expenses I would have with baby Ayan who was only two at that time. At that time, your Mami would taunt me every day and night that her husband is the only person who works in this house and he is feeding everyone and bearing everyone's expenses and my presence with my kids in this house is only increasing the responsibility on his shoulders. That's when tired of hearing her taunts, I strongly decided that I would do anything but get money through my hard work to raise you three. You know I walked day and night, roamed around places in search of a job, that's when I met your Ananya aunty who offered me a job in her company, SweetArt after hearing my life condition, I'll forever be grateful to Ananya for helping me in the most tough phase of my life, because of her trust in a simple housewife like me who had no work experience, I was able to earn enough money to raise my kids and even then your Mami wasn't satisfied, she always keeps looking for reasons to complain or taunt me or my kids in this house. I always try to ignore her or keep quiet whenever she does these things because I don't want your Mama to feel like he has to choose whom to support between his wife and his sister, I never wanted them to fight because of me, that's why I tolerate all this. But that doesn't make me stone hearted, I still feel hurt when she speaks about you and Ayan badly, trying to prove that my sons are ill mannered lazy boys who are good for nothing and her son is well mannered, perfect and intelligent boy. I don't say it openly to everyone neither constantly keep praising my kids, but I know my Anjali was good in her studies and today she's working as a CA in a top firm, EY, and what to say about you, you were a genius in your studies and today you're working as system analyst in a top IT firm, chalo .. Ayan might not be that good in studies, but my son is best in sports, playing video games and very active in his school activities, he might be a famous cricketer, badminton or basketball player or even a video game developer in future. And most important thing, I can proudly say that I raised you, Anjali and Ayan, gave a good education and instilled good values in the three of you..so it definitely annoys me when I hear your Mami reducing you two to good for nothing to show her son as a great person."

Arnav was hearing his mother speak her heart out while patting her head gently to calm her down, when she finished complaining about Mami's behavior, he spoke in a low soft tone, "Khair chaddo hun, mitti pao (just leave it, bury it).. Just don't pay heed to whatever rubbish Mami speaks.. you already know she's not going to change herself.. so just ignore it Ma meanwhile I'll try to accelerate our house renovation process asap so that we shift there by the end of this year."

Ratna sat straight and looked at Arnav, she smiled softly and caressed his cheek, "Na mera baccha.. There's no need for you to stress yourself with the new house renovation because of me as you need to concentrate on your office work as well. I can handle your Mami.. it's not something new.. I've been dealing with this for years now," then she started shaking her head and hit her forehead lightly while blaming herself, "See this is why I shouldn't have cried in front of you and said all of this.. now you'll start worrying about me and stress yourself with renovation work while handling your office work.. this is what I didn't want to happen.. I'm not going to share anything which makes me upset with you, Anjali and Ayan from now onwards.. you three go out of your way later to bring a smile on my face."

Arnav side hugged her smiling, "Ma relax.. I was anyway going to renovate our new house. So whether it's now or later doesn't matter to me."

Ratna pouted as she raised her hand to pat his cheek affectionately, "But I don't want you to stress-"

"Koi stress nahi Ma.. (there's no stress).. in fact, tomorrow I'm going to show our house to Khushi," Arnav said as he tried to divert his mother's attention from Mami to their house topic, something which would lighten up her mood. 

"Acchaa.. It's good for Khushi to spend sometime out of home and refresh her mind for a while.. ye ladki sirf padhai karti rehti hai (this girl only keeps studying)," Ratna said shaking her head in disbelief. 

Arnav chuckled softly while nodding his head, "Yeah.. don't worry, me and Ayan will teach her how to take life lightly!"

"Hmm!" Ratna looked at him sternly as she twisted his ear playfully, "Just don't turn her into a devil mischief maker like you two."

"See there's no difference between you and Mami!" Arnav said teasingly earning a glare from his mother, "Chittar khaane tu? (Would you like to get hit by my slippers?)"

Arnav giggled shaking his head sideways, "Nahi.. chittar nahi, mujhe kal aapke haath se bana mattar paneer khaana hai (Not slap, I want to eat your handmade mattar paneer tomorrow)."

Ratna smiled at him as she blinked her eyes assuringly, "Okay done!"

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Khushi was helping Ayan to prepare himself for his next exam at the dining room, when Akash came to sit with them as he stopped by the dining room to eat his instant noddles.

Ayan looked at Akash eating his food while messaging someone constantly with his phone, he started giggling silently as he understood Akash was chatting with Payal and he came up with the excuse of cooking instant noddles at this time so he could have the opportunity to escape from the living room where their family especially Mami was settled watching TV and join them who were busy with studies and wouldn't pay attention to him in the dining room. 

Khushi looked at Ayan and asked through eyes gestures, "What happened?" and in reply, Ayan signaled her to look at Akash typing and smiling with his phone. They kept staring at Akash curiously until Akash looked up at them, then Khushi instantly looked down at the books laid on the table to pretend she was reading something but Ayan continued staring at Akash with a mischievous knowing smile, "With whom are you chatting Akash bhai smiling like newlywed bride?"

Akash shrugged trying to act composed, "A friend of mine shared a funny message.. that's why I was smiling."

"Acchaa.. oookay!" Ayan pretended he believed Akash's explanation, then he shared a secret glance with Khushi and both smiled discreetly at each other and then continue with the studies. 

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It was 11:35 pm when Arnav received silence as an answer to his question and he down looked at his mother only to realize that she had fallen asleep on her bed and he was sitting beside her and stroking her head while saying random things to her to distract her from thinking about Mami and get upset about it. He smiled softly at her innocent, angelic face as he covered her properly with the blanket and kissed her forehead, whispering good night to her before getting out of bed and walking away to leave the room, closing the door carefully enough not to disturb his mother's sleep.

He had planned to talk to his mother about convincing Shashi to let him help with Khushi's college fees issue, but later decided to postpone that conversation for another day after seeing his mother upset by his Mami's behavior. He ended up having a light and much needed conversation with his mother that really brought about a change in her mood and she ended up falling asleep peacefully.

After leaving his mother's room, Arnav went to the kitchen and took the bottle of water he had kept in the fridge with him and headed towards the dining room to check if Khushi and Ayan were still busy with studies there, but he found no one there, thinking that they might have gone to sleep already, he was about to leave the room while shrugging and muttering to himself, "They all went to sleep and no one remembered about our turmeric milk competition!", when his eyes fell on the open doors of the balcony attached to the living room, he frowned slightly wondering who left the door open and walked to close the door while complaining on the way in low tone, "Everyone is in a hurry to retire to their rooms and sleep, no one cares to check the doors and see if the lights are off or not!"

Reaching near the balcony, he could see a figure standing lonely there and staring at the dark sky filled with tiny shiny stars, dropping his first plan to close the door, he walked in the balcony and stood behind her, "Are you looking for a shooting star?"

Khushi looked back startled to hear his voice from behind, then she nodded sideways as a reply to his question. Arnav took a step forward to stand beside her as raised his eyebrows staring at her with a suspicious gaze, "But there's definitely something that's bothering you. That's why you're here, silent and lonely, lost in your thoughts!" 

"It's nothing.." Khushi lied as she looked away trying to avoid eye contact with him, "I was just enjoying the cool breeze before going to sleep."

"Drink my chilled water then.. you'll feel thanda thanda cool cool!" he extended his bottle to her to which Khushi giggled shaking her head sideways, "No, thank you!"

Seeing Khushi smile whole heartedly meant half of his effort to change her mood was done, he kept the water bottle on the near small center table. Khushi looked at him smiling, "You've memorized that Navratna oil ad that features Salman Khan. Are you Salman Khan's fan?"

"No!" Arnav shook his head in denial, "This ad just caught my attention because of the name Navratna.. It's kind of my and Ma's name formed in it.. Nav and Ratna!"

"Oh yes.. I didn't notice it before," Khushi smiled in realization as she slightly nodded her head agreeing with him. 

"I did.. and I'm sharing this little silly thing about me to you because I consider you as my friend," he shrugged, "But I understand nowadays people don't trust newly made friends to share their worries with them."

As the smile faded away from her face, she lowered her head in guilt as she knew Arnav was indirectly talking about her only. 

"It's okay.. and it's correct to take your time to trust your newly made friends," he said as he climbed to sit on the balcony railing, gesturing Khushi to join him. Khushi reluctantly climbed up to sit beside him. They sat together staring at the night sky in a peaceful silence that prevailed between them for a moment before Khushi turned her head to look at Arnav, "I do consider you as my friend.. you're the first friend I made here in Delhi.. it's just what I was thinking before you came here is something I don't like to talk about with anyone."

Arnav looked at her as he asked in low tone, "You were thinking about what we talked at the coffee shop?" 

Khushi nodded her head slowly, she looked down at her lap sadly. Yes, she was thinking about her life after college, she was thinking about getting married to a complete stranger in future and starting a life with that person, she was thinking whether that person will be good and supportive towards her or not, will he let her pursuit her dreams or take decisions of her life like her father. She was thinking about many possibilities of her future life and the thoughts were making her feel scared and suffocated so much that she felt the need to get some fresh air outside in the balcony. 

Arnav thought something for a moment, then looked at her, "If you find it difficult to talk about your life with me as your friend, then consider me as your toota taara and tell me what's your wish right now?"

Khushi looked at him hesitantly and awkwardly to speak anything.

"Come on Khushi.. don't think about anything else.. just tell me your wish.. I'm not your friend right now.. I'm just your shooting star.. and I'll disappear in seconds if you take so much time to speak.. jaldi.. jaldi bolo (speak fast)," he persisted. 

When Khushi fell in silence, Arnav thought she wouldn't speak her wish to him, so he opened his mouth to convince her one more time, "Khushi-"

But Khushi surprised him by saying what was hidden in her heart, she said in meek and low tone, while fidgeting her fingers nervously, "I wish.. I wish I didn't have to marry the person my father will choose for me.. I'm scared to spend my future life with a stranger to me." 

"Finally you admitted you don't want to marry the person your father will choose for you. This is what I wanted to hear from you Khushi," Arnav thought staring at her intently before whispering to her, "Your wish will definitely be fulfilled!" 

Khushi smiled sadly, shaking her head sideways as she thought to herself, "It will remain a wish!" 

Seeing her reaction already accepting defeat, he spoke in a light funny way to change her mood, "Your wish will only be fulfilled if you truly consider me as your toota taara, so Miss Gupta you better take me seriously!"

Khushi smiled at him, nodding her head.

"Don't you have any wish to make?" Khushi asked him. 

Arnav nodded, "I do have many!"

"Uhmm.. You can tell me too.. voh.. I can your toota taara as well!" Khushi spoke little shy as she started taking baby steps to maintain their friendship bond. 

Arnav smiled brightly hearing this from Khushi. He was really getting excited to see her responsive to his attempts of making her feel comfortable around him, but had to control his emotions in front of her. 

"Well for now.. I wish to complete our house renovation asap! Will you help me?" he asked.

"Yes!" Khushi agreed immediately, "After all.. I'm your toota taara.. and Mr. Raizada you better take me seriously," she added giggling. 

Arnav smiled heartily, "Yeah yeah.. why not?" 

"You know.. when I was giving tuition to Ayan.. then Akash bhai came to sit with us and he was smiling a lot while texting someone.. Ayan was saying that he was talking with the girl we saw at the terrace," Khushi shared with him. 

"Really?" Arnav raised his eyebrow surprised. 

Khushi nodded her head and smiled remembering the scene in her mind, "And when Ayan asked with whom he was talking smiling like newlywed bride (Arnav chuckled at the term used by Ayan to describe Akash's smile), he replied his friend shared a funny message with him.. that's why he was smiling."

"Maybe he is scared of getting caught by his mother.. that's why he's hiding this from us," Arnav said.

"Hmm.. maybe!" Khushi agreed. 

"Khushi.. voh, talking about Akash.. I've something to confess to you," Arnav initiated hesitantly, "Since you consider me as your friend and more important than that.. today you considered me as your toota taara, someone you trusted enough to share a wish you would never share it to anyone.. I'm feeling bad for lying to you now.. voh, actually.. I lied to you about the pictures.. Ayan didn't delete those pictures."

Khushi looked at him not knowing what to say for few seconds, before she asked: So you're planning to show it to everyone?

"No.. we just thought of using the pictures to blackmail Akash into doing everything we want.." he said sheepishly, "I know you think ye galat hai (this is wrong).. but we're cousins Khushi, if we don't tease and have fun with each other, then who will.. I know you're not like this with your elder sister Meera.. we behave differently with our siblings.. here we are always like this looking for reasons to irritate and tease one another."

Khushi blinked her eyes understandingly. 

"I hope you're not upset with me.."

"No.. I'm not.. you told me the truth, that's more important to me," Khushi smiled softly at him. Arnav smiled back at her, "Accha chalo ye batao (Now tell me).. How's your studies going? That Lizard is helping you na or she leaves you alone there?"

Khushi chuckled when she realized he was talking about Lavanya, she replied to his questions and that led to some more questions and they ended up talking for more time than they expected about her college life. 

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One hour later..

Arnav accompanied Khushi to her room, he stood behind her while she opened the door and then looked back at him smiling and wished him "Good night.."

"Good night.." he smiled softly, "Don't forget to get ready tomorrow.. I'm going to show you our house." 

Every time he mentions our house Khushi strangely felt as if he was including her too, but then she brushed off such thoughts from her mind and nodded her head, "Yes."

When he was leaving to his room, she hesitantly called him again, "Arnav ji!"

Arnav turned back to look at her as he asked her through his eyes 'what?'. 

Khushi smiled a little, fidgeting the ends of her duppata, "Thank you Arnav ji.. aap se baat kar ke accha laga (I felt good after talking to you)."

Arnav blinked his eyes with a light smile playing on his lips, "You're welcome!"

When Khushi walked in her room and closed the door, Arnav did a hurray hand gesture while happily going towards his room. 

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Hope you like the update! Tried to make it Arshilicious update for you all to compensate for the long break I took.