"Khushi!"

Khushi turned to them nervously, she tried to smile but failed miserably.

"Kushie! Good morning.." Aayu ran to Khushi and started jumping, opening his arms to her gesturing her to pick him in her arms.

Khushi lifted Aayu and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, "Good morning!"

"I'm going upstairs to freshen up.. Aayu come.. You'll play with Khushi later.." Arnav said approaching them to take Aayu in his arms.

"I.. I will bath Aayu.." Khushi offered nervously.

Arnav nodded and went upstairs. Isha too followed him.

Khushi also went with Aayu upstairs as fast as she could to catch Meera first and ask her to leave Shantivan before Arnav sees her. 

She took Aayu to his room and made him sit on the bed, "Aayu can you please wait here for a while? I'll be back soon.."

"Okay Kushie.. I'll play with my toys till then.." Aayu smiled at her, then took his car toy to play.

Khushi patted his cheek lovingly and went outside his room. She checked on the corridor, running here and there searching for Meera.

"Where is this girl stuck now?" Khushi thought biting her nails.

************************************************************************
After few minutes, Arnav walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He freaked out seeing Meera coming in his room through the poolside, checking on her phone with a huge grin on her face.

"What the.."

Meera looked at him and gulped frightened, "ASR.."

"What the hell are you doing here in my room?" Arnav barked angrily.

Meera took a step back startled, "Woh.. actually.. I.. came to talk with Di.. but then I was seeing your beautiful house and ended up in your room.. I mean this poolside caught my attention.. then I started clicking selfies and didn't realize that I took time here.."

"How dare you to enter in my personal space without my permission?" Arnav shouted, "Don't you have any manners? How can you just walk in my room and have the audacity to use my poolside to click selfies? You think this is a tourist attraction? This is my room dammit!"

Meera looked down with moist eyes.

A knock took Arnav's attention, he glared at Meera and went to open the door. As he saw Khushi, he let her inside.

Khushi walked inside worriedly as she came running to Arnav's room when she heard him shouting. She already knew that Meera got caught by Arnav and he must be very furious. She stood there numbly and embarrassed staring at Arnav then at Meera behind. Meera rushed to Khushi and hugged her sister sobbing. Khushi shut her eyes tightly feeling bad for Meera, "I told you Meera.."

"What is this Khushi?" Arnav asked frowning.

"I'm sorry Sir.. this won't repeat again.. I'll make sure of it.. please forgive Meera.. she's just a kid.. she just got mesmerized with your house and out of curiosity.. she walked in your room.. she didn't had any bad intentions.." Khushi tried to save Meera from ASR's wrath.

"For God sake Khushi.. She's not of Aayu's age dammit.. at this age she doesn't know there is something called 'manners' then I wonder when she will learn it.." Arnav spoke in disbelief and disappointment.

"And I hope you didn't forgot that this is your work place.. Never was it mentioned in the rules that you're allowed to let your family members inside!" Arnav gritted his teeth.

Khushi looked down. What would she say to defend herself and Meera? He was absolutely right and anyone in his place would have lost his cool like he did if he saw a stranger and uninvited person in his house, that too in his room!

"Di I'll get going.." Meera said wiping away her tears and ran from there escaping from Arnav.

Khushi looked at her and tried to stop her, "Meera wait.."

"And on top of that.. She doesn't have any respect!" Arnav muttered rolling his eyes.

Khushi walked to leave to talk with Meera, but Arnav held her hand from behind, stopping her.

Khushi turned back to him again, "I know you want to scold me.. and it's your right only.. I shouldn't have let Meera.."

Arnav walked closer to her reducing the distance between them.

He cupped her face and whispered huskily, "I know it's not your fault.. I'm sorry for scolding you in anger.."

"No.. don't say sorry.. You have all rights to be angry on me and Meera.. trust me I really scolded her for coming here.. and also tried to make her leave.. but she's so stubborn.. she came in here in your room.. I'm so ashamed and embarrassed right now.." Khushi said.. and her eyes reflected that she was really feeling bad for something that's it not even her fault.

"Khushi it wasn't your fault.. so there's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.." he said.

"Just stop crying.." he wiped the corner of her eyes with a frown adorning his face.

Khushi nodded and composed herself.

"Can I go downstairs? I need to talk with Meera.." Khushi said.

Arnav nodded. When Khushi left, he caressed his chest near his heart confused, why is he feeling a kind of heart-ache when he saw tears in Khushi's eyes?

"Woah! At least close the door ASR.." Isha giggled standing at the door frame staring at him only in his towel.

Arnav walked towards her and closed the door on her face.

He went to take out his clothes from the closet irritated with the start of the day itself.

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

Khushi ran towards Meera who was getting in the rickshaw.

"Meera wait.." Khushi shouted.

"Bhaiya please wait for a while.." Meera said and got down the rickshaw.

"What happened Di? Did ASR scold you when I left?" Meera asked curious.

"Don't you have any shame Meera? How can just run away from there without apologizing to Sir?" Khushi frowned.

"Oh come on Di.. Didn't you saw how he was shouting on me as if I committed a sin?" Meera shrugged.

"If you commit a mistake, then be ready to face the consequences also.." Khushi said sternly.

"Di please.. I already heard ASR's scoldings for the day.. don't start with your lecture.. you're all are behaving as if it's a big deal.. I haven't committed any crime.. I just went to see his mansion from inside and clicked few selfies.. What's wrong in that? These rich people are way too arrogant.. they get angry for petty things!" Meera rolled her eyes.

"Meera I can't just believe I'm hearing this from you.. Just look at you.. You don't even repent or feel embarrassed for you what did.. You invaded someone's personal space.. he didn't gave you permission for that.. If I start checking your phone without your permission, you would feel bad.. then imagine a room.. it's his room.. his space.. you can't just walk in and click selfies there for God sake Meera.. What's wrong with you?" Khushi held her head frustrated and staring at her sister in pure disbelief.

"Are you done with your lecture Di? I already heard it all.. Can I go now?" Meera asked arrogantly.

"Dare you come back here again Meera!" Khushi threatened her angrily.

"Can't promise!" Meera winked at her and got in the rickshaw, asking the driver to take her to college.

Khushi just gasped with her hands on air, "I can't believe this!"

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

"No Kushie will bath me.. she told me to wait.." Aayu denied Isha who offered to bath him.

"But she isn't here na.. Aren't you hungry? Don't you want to have breakfast soon? So let me bath you now.." Isha tried to convince him.

"There she is.." Aayu pointed to the door smiling seeing Khushi walking in the room, he looked at Isha, "I told you.. she will come.."

Isha nodded smiling.

"Be quick Khushi.. I'm sure he's famished now.." Isha said.

Khushi nodded and took Aayu with her to the bathroom.

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

Sometime later..
At the kitchen..

Khushi stood near the kitchen slab, with crossed arms still upset with what happened early in the morning. She was lost in her thoughts and didn't realize when Arnav walked in the kitchen.

Arnav took steps towards her and stood behind her. He placed a flower behind her ear.

Khushi got startled, she turned back and held her ear to know the reason why she felt ticklish suddenly.

He kept staring at her with the flower adorning her hair. She looked so beautiful right now!

"Have to go now.. See you at the lunch time ok!" he said and left the kitchen.

Khushi smiled feeling butterflies on her stomach. She was little shy.. little overwhelmed.. little surprised.. little.. no.. very happy with this gesture of his!

************************************************************************
Sheesh Mahal..

At the dining hall..

"I've met with him Nani yesterday.. I saw with that cook and Aayu.." Shyam said sipping his coffee.

"What? Does it mean he's dating that cook?" Akash frowned.

Nani shook her head in disbelief, "I don't know how Advay bitwa trusted Arnav to take care of Aayu.. what will he even teach to that kid.. I don't want to imagine!"

"Haan Nani.. and just see.. he's a dating a cook now.. this will affect Aayu's upbringing badly.." Anjali said with pity look.

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

AR..

"Isha try to understand that this is not London.. Advay bhai had already kept a head designer here and I can't just take that post from that person to give it to you because you're my friend.." Arnav sighed trying to explaining Isha from long time.

"So I, Isha Agarwal will have to work here as some random designer! You know my talent ASR.. You know that I deserve to be head designer only.." Isha said annoyed.

"I know that.. And it's exactly why you're the head designer of AR branch in London.. but not here Isha! The person in charge of the designing department is highly competent for that work and I don't doubt my brother choice at all.. I can't keep you here by snatching someone else's dream job!" Arnav said.

"And I don't think you understand that you're just here for few days.. You have a life in London and you'll go back there.." Arnav said.

"What about you?" Isha asked.

"I'm going to stay here only Isha!" Arnav said.

"Why? Why can't you take Aayu to London with us?" Isha cried.

"I just can't Isha.. Aayu's family is here.. Shantivan is his home.. How can I take him with me to London?" Arnav frowned.

Isha sighed, "Sorry.. It's just.. I'm not ready to lose my friend.. I'll miss you ASR.. I don't think I'll be able to live in London without you.."

"We will meet each other often.. Don't worry.. I'll keep coming to London only for business issues.." Arnav said.

"You just think about business!" Isha chuckled sadly.

Arnav patted her cheek, "Don't be upset.. Once you get married, you'll even forget me!"

Isha rolled her eyes, "It's not me.. But you're praying for me to get married to get rid off me, right?"

"Maybe!" Arnav smirked. 

************************************************************************
Lunch time..
Shantivan..

"Wow someone is looking pretty today with a beautiful flower that matches her beauty!" NK complimented Khushi.

Khushi blushed, "Thanks.. Bye the way, Sir isn't home yet!"

"Yeah I know.. I was in office only.. he was in a meeting when I left office.. must be on his way.." NK said.

"I came here to meet you only.." NK said.

"Oh.." Khushi smiled, "So tell me how are you?"

"Fine.. And you?" he asked.

"I'm also fine.. I forgot to tell you.. Aayu said your cookies were not that bad.." Khushi said.

NK smiled, "Really?"

"Yeah.. but still you lost the challenge NK.. because he said my cookies are the best in the world!" Khushi smiled proudly.

"Kushie.." Aayu walked in the kitchen, he saw NK and smiled brightly, "NK uncle!!"

He rushed to NK and NK lifted his little boy in his arms, and kissed his cheek: Hi champ..

"Kushie I was saying that Dai ma called Annav uncle and he said he's on his way.. I'll wait for a while to have lunch with him only.." Aayu said.

Khushi nodded, "Okay!"

"Let's go and play for a while till then!" Aayu said excitedly.

NK and Khushi accepted it. They went to the garden side to play.

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

Arnav reached and gave the car keys for a security guard to park it. He walked in with Isha and saw Khushi, NK and Aayu running around the garden and having fun.

Khushi saw him and her eyes twinkle in happiness. She stopped on her track forgetting her surroundings and just kept staring lost in him.

This gave NK opportunity to cage her in his arms, he smirked: Caught you!

Arnav gave them a deadly stare fuming in anger and walked away.

Khushi frowned seeing his expression, she thought: Is he angry with me again?

"Kushie you lost.. NK uncle caught you.." Aayu said. 

Khushi looked at Aayu, then at NK who had his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly so that she doesn't escape.

She plastered a smile on her face, "Yeah.. I lost.."

NK left her and raised his collars proudly.

"You were playing so well.. I didn't want you to lose Kushie.." Aayu sighed sadly.

"It's okay.. next time I won't spare NK.." Khushi smiled, "Now let's go inside.. your Arnav uncle has reached.."

************************************************************************
Arnav's room..

Khushi knocked the door of his room to call him downstairs to have lunch.

Arnav opened the door and stare at her with serious look, "What?"

"Come downstairs to have lunch.. everyone is waiting for you.." Khushi said.

"I know what I've to do..  You don't need to keep reminding me that everyone is downstairs waiting to have lunch.." Arnav said rudely.

"You're again angry with me.. Why don't you just tell me what makes you upset with me?" Khushi asked tired. Her eyes moistened. The more she is getting closer to him, the more it hurts when he behaves like this with her.

"I don't want to.. I don't think you'll ever understand me.." Arnav said emotionlessly.

Khushi removed the flower and placed it on his hand forcefully, "Keep this with you.. I don't want it anymore!"

She left from there hurt.