Aarav and Khushav were playing down stairs after having their lunch and immediately running off to play.
Arnav stood at the top looking down at his son and nephew.

He felt like he has failed at his responsibility as a father and Akash and Payal who were standing behind him felt sorry for him knowing exactly what he was thinking.

Payal moved closer to him and turned him around and Arnav bowed his head but Payal lifted it.

To see his misty eyes.

"Aarav is very matured for his age and he didn't want you to worry that's why he never told you he was being bullied for not having a mother...... That doesn't mean you are a bad father....... And you've proved that when you adopted him...... Even up until now we are still surprised at how you took in a child that wasn't yours and loved him like he was yours...... We are the parent of Khushav but he loves you more than us..... Don't beat yourself because of this..... Okay. " Payal said and Arnav smiled and nodded and looked back at the bits down stairs.

Aarav sat on the floor speaking to Khushav who was listening to his big brother attentively.

"I saw Mama today and she is more beautiful than her pictures. " Aarav said and Khushav babbled as if he agrees with Aarav making Aarav chuckle. "Do you know how I found out about mama? " Aarav asked and Khushav babbled in return. "Am going to tell you all about it. "

Flashback.

Aarav who had just finished bathing with the help of Payal rushed into his father's room only to find the room empty and he was about to move out when a photo album on his father's bed caught his attention.

He moved onto the bed and sat down, picked up the album and placed it on his lab.

He opened it and found the pictures of a beautiful woman in a red saree pictures taken form different angles.

He smiled as he flipped through the pages.

The door of his father's bathroom opened and out came his father with a towel around his waist and one in his hand wiping his hair.

Aarav looked up and smiled and Arnav smiled back at him and sat beside him.

"Papa..... Who is she? " Aarav asked pointing to the pictures and Arnav sighed.

"Her name is Khushi. " Arnav replied looking affectionately at the picture and Aarav immediately knew his father loved this woman because that's the same way his uncle Akash looks at his aunt Payal.

"And you love her right? " Aarav exclaimed and Arnav looked at him shocked but smiled afterwards and knew better not hid his feelings for Khushi from his son.

"Yes..... I love her very much...... In fact she is the love of my life. " Arnav replied and Aarav smiled widely but frown afterwards making Arnav look at him in confusion.

"But where is she?...... Why is she not here with you and me?....... I want her to become my mama. " Aarav said and Arnav sighed and picked him up from the bed onto his lap.

"She is not here because I hurt her. " Arnav confessed and Aarav gasped  and looked up shocked because he never imagined his father hurting anyone and Arnav saw it. "Yes Aru...... I hurt her because of my misunderstanding and she left because of me...... But I  am really sorry for hurting. " Arnav said remorsefully and Aarav snaked his hand around his neck hugging him after feeling the pain in his voice.

"Don't worry Papa...... I know mama will come back soon and I will help you win her back..... Okay" Aarav said after breaking the hug and Arnav smiled at him and kissed his forehead.

Flashback ends.

"That's how I found out about Mama...... So now that Mama is here, you will have to help me to help papa win her back..... Okay. " Aarav said and Khushav babbled and clapped in response.

The trio at the top smiled seeing them having a conversation not knowing they were actually plotting a reunion.

Akash who had to sign an important document left Arnav and Payal and went to his cabin and called Aman to bring the file he needed to sign.

Aman entered and handed the file to Akash who signed it.

"Did we hurt Khushi in anyway? " Aman asked out of the blue and Akash sighed. "If we didn't then we don't deserve that kind of hostility from her. " Aman ended in a disappointed tone.

"It's a normal reaction to meeting us for the first time in five years...... Yes I am hurt just like you but put yourself in her shoes...... The sister who was her protector since they meet all of a sudden abandoned her....... He father was striked down by stroke....... She had to endure taunts from her aunt and mother while having to deal with bhai, Lavanya, her minions and my mother at the same time...... Then she was being forced to marry a man who was already married and nearly killed her father....... She nearly died Aman and all because of bhai's ego ...... And you think it's easy for her coming back to all of this and still work with us!?...... No..... But Khushi is a strong woman and she needs time to adjust to us again..... I know she will come around so don't think negative about her...... We must give her time. " Akash explained and Aman knew he was right.

"You are right...... I shouldn't have said that...... Well have to go and prepare their cabins and studios for them...... It has to look perfect for my baby sister. " Aman exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Or her friend? " Akash said wiggling his eyebrows at him and Aman nearly choked on his saliva.

"I don't know what you are talking about. " Aman said fidgeting and Akash laughed.

"Yeah right!..... I saw how you couldn't take your eyes of her and I dare you to deny it. " Akash challenged.

"I have work to do..... Am leaving. " Aman said and run out of the cabin as   Akash burst put in laughter.

Payal called her father to tell him about Khushi but she discovered she has already been there and had left to her hotel with Preeto after he failed to persuade her to live with them.

Payal voiced out her hurt about how Khushi ignored her and Shashi asked her to give Khushi sometime to come around but also warned her not to force her which Payal agreed hesitantly.

To prevent the Raizadas women from crowding on Khushi, they were never told of her arrival after they got home.

It was only Manohar who knew among them and just like Shashi told Payal, he also warned them especially Arnav and Payal not to force themselves on Khushi and wait for her to come around. And Aarav was also told not to tell anyone about Khushi's return and even though he was confused, he obeyed.

The family after returning home and changed, then all went down to have their dinner.

The Raizada women were surprised to see Arnav, Aarav, Payal, Akash and Manohar with a glow that shocked them.

"You all look really happy..... Did something good happen that you are not sharing with us. " Nani asked and Anjali also saw it and turned to them but Arnav kept numb feeding Aarav and so did Akash who was feeding Khushav. So Payal took it upon herself to explain.

"We just closed a big collaboration that's all...... "

"Oh okay. " Nani exclaimed in hurt seeing this son and grandsons ignoring her.

Mami also felt the same but she new she deserves it for supporting Anjali and in the process loosing her son and the opportunity to redeem herself by taking care of her grandson.

Anjali on the other hand knew it was a lie and was determined to find out what it really was that has made all of them happy especially Aarav who was seen whispering something to his father but immediately she , Nani and Mami come there he stopped.

The family finished their breakfast in silence and Arnav and Aarav moved into his room because Aarav wanted his father to tell him all about Khushi.

Akash and Payal bath Khushav and the little guy immediately feel asleep because of how exhausted he was leaving his parent to delve into their alone time.

Delhi Hotel.

Khushi sat at the poolside with her feet in the water when Preeto came and sat beside her.

"Khushi!? " She called out and Khushi hummed in response and looking at her.

"You know am your friend right? " Khushi frown but nodded. "How long are you going to deny you have feelings for Arnav and before you deny it...... I know you better than anyone." Preeto said and Khushi sighed in defeat finally tired of denying it. "I saw how hurt you were when you discovered the boy was Arnav's son and relief when Shashiji revealed he was adopted...... Know one thing, the more you deny your feelings for him the more confused you became. " Preeto ended.

"You are right..... I am confused..... How can I have feelings for a man who left no stone unturned to hurt...... How Preeto!...... The man has hurt me more than all the bad people in my life combined...... And yet I have feelings for him..... I don't know what is wrong with me...... I feel that everytime he does his hurtful things, I see pain and regret in his eyes..... I see a man struggling to come out of whatever trauma he has been through that make him react that way and just when I thought the pain and hurt in his eyes were true..... He goes ahead and does something worse than before...... I can't fall for him because he is toxic...... And it's better not to give into any feelings I have for him...... Whether it's hate or love. " Khushi exclaimed in frustration and confusion and stood up and left to her room as Preeto sighed and followed and went to her room to sleep as they had a long day tomorrow and she knew not to disturb Khushi.

Khushi laid on her bed in tears and confusion.

"Why him?...... Just why him?...... Devi maiya please guide me and saw me the right path. " Khushi said and turned around as sleep over took her not knowing her path was to Arnav as his path was to her.

The Next Day.

The Raizadas left home early to prepare for the arrival of Khushi and Preeto and so did Aman who wanted to get the glimpse of Preeto.

The Raizada trio were shocked to see them so excited to leave for work which is very unusual scene for them and Anjali was determined to get to the bottom of this.

Arnav made Aman assemble everyone at the conference hall as he and the others waited for Khushi and Preeto.

Khushi and Preeto entered looking absolutely gorgeous in  their making outfits.

And both men couldn't take their eyes off them making the others chuckle breaking Arnav's reverie but Aman kept on staring at Preeto.

Khushi also blushed seeing his intense gaze on him but looked away so that she wouldn't be caught blushing.

Aman was lost in the goddess Preeto that he zoned out but his reverie was broken by a sound from a flicked finger and he looked around to see everyone looking at him weirdly with the exception of Akash who smirked and winked at him and Aman glared at Akash but smiled when he turned to Preeto who glared at him and he gulped.

Khushi stifled her laughter seeing Preeto and Aman's situation.

Aman cleared his throat and led all of the to the conference hall which had all the staffs waiting for their boss and was curious as to why they have been called here all of a sudden.

Arnav cleared his throat stopping the murmuring and muttering in the hall.

"I call of you here to introduce you to some special guest joining us for our upcoming fashion show...... As you all know we are collaborating with A&A Designs this year and I wanted to introduce you all to the designers of A&A....... Meet Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta. " Arnav introduced and immediately Khushi name rolled out of his tongue, she felt shivers run down her spine at how sultrily he pronounced her name. "And Miss Preeto Malhotra....... You are all to treat them with equal respect as us....... Any disobedience or insubordination will be fiercely dealt with...... Starting from now they are also your new bosses...... You may all disperse now. " Arnav said and the staffs nodded and moved back to work.

Among them was Anjali who had followed them to work and was shocked seeing Khushi back and rushed to the washroom.

"No... No.... No.... This is not supposed to happen." Anjali exclaimed in frustration but stopped and smirked looking at her reflection "Why are you worried?..... In fact..... This is good...... Khushi has always been a pushover  and emotional fool and all I need is to paint Arnav in a bad light and sure she is feeling guilty for Shyam's issue....... I will definitely manipulate her against all of them and this will make Arnav more hurt when the time comes........ Get ready chote..... You are going to pay dearly for not doing my biddings." Anjali said and laughed and then washed her face and moved out to execute her plan but at her right time.

Khushi and Preeto were showed their cabin and studio and they loved it.

Arnav and Aman smiled seeing their expressions and Aman moved closer and Preeto glared at him making Khushi chuckle.

"If you to ladies ever need something...... Don't hesitate to tell me. " Aman said and smiled sheepishly seeing Preeto glared at him.

"And once more welcome to AR Designs...... We leave you to to work and as Aman said don't hesitate to ask for anything you need...... " Akash said and they both nodded and they all left the cabin.

Preeto looked around and like the place.

She and Khushi immediately started working on the designs because Adarsh had called saying he will take longer than expected and will send some of the designers to help them and had entrusted everything to them.

Everyone went back to their respective work and two hours later Arnav's telephone rang and he picked it up and rolled his eyes at what the receptionist said.

"Let her in. " Arnav said and leaned back in his swivel chair with his arms crossed as Anjali walked in and sat down without being asked to.

"What do you want? " Arnav asked calmly because he didn't want to ruin his good mood.

"Chote." She exclaimed but Arnav glared at her. "Sorry I mean Arnav...... I really need your help..... The place I work is not a very good environment..... I want you to give me a job here please...... If Payal can work here then I also can......Please Arnav am your sister...... I need a good paying job and you are the only one who can provide that. " Anjali begged with folded hands.

"Sorry I can't help you..... It's enough that you still living in Payal's house and still upset her...... This place is a place of seriousness and before you start with but Payal works her..... Let me tell you..... She applied like everyone else even when I and Akash would have given it to her if she asked but she didn't...... She got her position not because of nepotism but because her hard work and qualification...... You on the other hand have no qualification, don't have any certificate to work in a place like this because you have always been lazy when it come to school....... And all my workers down to even the peon have some kind of experience which you don't have...... I know your boss is planning of firing you because of your incompetence but can't because of Nani...... I don't do lazy..... So please leave because I have better things to do than waste my time on you and I am in a very good mood so don't make very drag you out...... Now leave. " Arnav said to Anjali who was shedding her crocodile tears and stood up and opened the door to leave when she saw Khushi coming towards Arnav's office and turned and saw Arnav typing on his computer and smirked.

She then left the door opened and moved closer to Arnav who looked up .

"I know I did wrong but why are you punishing me for what Shyam did?" Anjali cried and yelled at Arnav who stood up from his chair. "He decieved me and here you are punishing me for it..... I lost my baby and yet you thought I deserve it...... You are a monster....... And I hate. " She cried seeing Khushi's reflection and smirked inwardly.

"Not as much as I hate you..... You deserve to watch your baby die and far more worse things happening to you...... I ha...... " Arnav stopped seeing Khushi standing at the door with a file in her hand.

Khushi moved closer to Anjali and wiped her tears with her thumbs and turned and glared at Arnav.

"Just when I thought you won't stoop low you just had to..... You don't deserve anyone's love. " Khushi said with disgust to Arnav who staggered to hear this and Khushi turned to Anjali. "He doesn't deserve your love so stop begging for it. " Khushi concluded and Anjali run out of there in tears but smirked on her way out.

"Checkmate." She whispered as she walked out.

To be continued.

A little teaser.

Khushi looked up to find Arnav crying.

And moved closer to to him and hugged him taking Arnav aback but he reciprocated.

Don't forget to hit the ⭐✨⭐ button, comment and follow for more.

٩(ര̀ᴗര́)ᵇʸᵉ.

xoxo xoxo.