Mr. & Future Mrs. Raizada's Villa!
7 pm

Khushi sat with Arnav at the outdoor lounge. They spend an amazing afternoon together by watching movies, played games and later went upstairs to the roof terrace to watch the sunset together. It was magical! Even more special than what she had expected. She was really happy but as the day ended, she realized that he'll be going soon. She wanted time to stop but it wasn't in her control.

"Khushi.." Arnav called her seeing her lost in her thoughts.

Khushi looked at him startled, then faked a smile.

"What happened? Do you want to go back home?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded sideways vigorously, "No! I'm upset because in just few hours you'll be in airport ready to go to London.."

Arnav gulped and looked away for a while. Khushi noticed he too was upset, she didn't want to spoil his mood so to distract him she looked around the lounge area: Wow.. it has ambient mood lighting!

Arnav knew what she was trying to do so he didn't reply to her. Khushi moved near him and whispered on his ear, "Sorry for spoiling your mood!"

Arnav pulled her closer to him and wrapped his one arm around her waist, "You didn't spoil my mood.." he nuzzled her hair, "I just don't feel like going now.."

Khushi shut her eyes tightly, trying to control herself from crying.

"There's something I want to share with you before we take a step ahead in our relationship Khushi.." Arnav moved back suddenly and looked at her seriously. 

Khushi was startled at first as he suddenly moved back as if trying to control himself from getting closer to her. She composed herself in seconds, "Yes.. Tell me.."

"After knowing about my past.. you might even feel disgusted to like and be with someone like me.." Arnav said with pain visible on his brown eyes. 

"What are you saying Arnav?" Khushi frowned. 

"I'll tell you my story.. then I'll give you time to decide.. whatever your decision will be, I'll accept it.." he said. 

"So the story starts with a well known and reputed family in Lucknow.. The Malik family.. Raj, the eldest son of Malik family got married with Ratna Raizada and they had three kids.. Advay, Anjali and NK.." Arnav said and paused a bit to glance at her. 

Khushi looked at him shocked, first Ratna surname caught her attention and then when he mentioned only three kids names except his. 

"Everything was going well in their life until Ratna found out that her husband wasn't a good man that she had thought, he was having an affair with another woman Ananya, and they had a 6 years old son, Arnav!" Arnav said.

Khushi gasped, she covered her mouth with her palms.

"Yes.. It's true only Khushi.. I'm the result of an extra marital affair!" Arnav gulped, he feared she might react like this only after knowing about his truth.

"Ananya, my mother never loved me.. she only gave birth to me so that she could make my father dance to her tunes and blackmail him to get money from him otherwise she would say the whole truth to Ratna ma.. she kept me in an orphanage and Ratna ma found out about me because a friend of hers saw me with my father and my mother, she followed me and my mother and informed Ratna ma about the orphanage I was staying in.. Ratna ma came to visit me to confirm if it was true that I was her husband's son.. if it was true to her husband had a relationship with my mother.. she talked with me and showed me her husband's picture and I confirmed to her innocently that Raj was my father and Ananya, my mother.. Little did I know that my reply destroyed that woman's life completely!"

Khushi heard everything shocked to the core.

"Then she went back home and asked for divorce to her husband and wanted all her kids to stay with her only..  This made my father furious, he got drunk heavily that day because his family and society got to know about his extra marital affair.. he couldn't bear the humiliation he was facing, so he went to my mother and took her forcefully to his car, he probably wanted to kill her or scold her for destroying his married life, but before they could reach to the place he wanted to go, they met with an accident and lost their lives.." Arnav said. 

"Everyone was shocked with the news of their death and I was depressed.. I lost my parents in such a young age, I knew they didn't love me at all.. but still, they were my parents only.. There in Malik mansion, my father's family took this opportunity and kicked Ratna ma, Advay bhai, Anjali Di and NK from their own house.. and Ratna ma had no option but to return to Delhi to her mother.. she surprised everyone, including me when she came to take me as well to Delhi.. she had a big heart Khushi.. not all women have courage to accept her husband's child with another woman.. I really respected and loved Ratna ma a lot.." Arnav said.

"Yes.. She really had a big heart.. it's not easy at all.." Khushi nodded with moist eyes.

"Advay bhai was 16 years old, he understood when Ratna ma explained to him about me.. NK was just 4 so he quickly got friends with me as he wasn't even in the age to understand what really happened.. but Anjali Di who was 12 years old hated me.. she thought because of me her parents married life got destroyed.. She wasn't ready to be friends with me at all.. and even cried to Ratna ma to not take me along with them to Delhi." Arnav said. 

"But Ratna ma didn't listen to her pleads and was determined to take me to Delhi as well.. We reached in Delhi .. Ratna ma was still very depressed and hurt.. her simple and perfect life suddenly took a tragic turn..her husband betrayed her.. she lost her husband.. she was kicked out of her house with three kids.. she had to go back to her mother's home.. her story become reason of gossip in Lucknow.. I guess thinking about all this, she crossed the roads lost in her thoughts sobbing.. and didn't realized when a car with full speed hit her and she fell on the road.. she too.."

Arnav couldn't complete the sentence, he cried bitterly. The scene was still fresh in his mind when the car hit his mother and yet again, he lost another important person in his life.

"She couldn't survive Khushi.." Arnav shook his head crying, "She couldn't.. one uncle took her to hospital.. doctors tried their best.. but they couldn't save her Khushi..they couldn't save her.."

Khushi hugged him tightly and made him rest his head on her chest, she kept caressing his hair, "Shh.. don't cry Arnav"

"I lost her Khushi.." Arnav cried his heart out in her arms. 

Khushi shut her eyes tightly biting her lips to control herself from crying aloud.

She consoled him and kept asking him to stop crying. After few minutes, only Arnav composed himself and broke the hug. He sat back properly and wiped his face with his palms.

Khushi rushed to the kitchen and poured water on a glass and came back to him, she made him drink water.

"Can I continue?" Arnav asked. Khushi nodded sideways, "You should rest now.."

"No..  I want to say everything to you Khushi.. Today itself.." Arnav said stubbornly.

"Okay.. but you'll not break down like this again otherwise we'll stop and go to rest only.." Khushi said caressing his cheek with her palm concernedly.

Arnav nodded, "You know before taking her last breath, Ratna ma said to Advay bhai to never leave me alone and always take care of me like he would care for Anjali Di and NK.."

Khushi smiled a little through the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"After Ratna ma's death, her family the Raizadas started to hate me as they consider me the reason why all this happened to Ratna ma.. they said that I destroyed Ratna ma's life and they could never accept me in their lives.. Advay bhai fought with them for me, he tried to convince them to accept me and treat me well.. because all that happened was my father's fault.. Not mine.. I was innocent in all this.. but they stick to their decision.. they didn't let me enter in Sheesh Mahal also.. Nani didn't even to look at my face.. she was disgusted with me.. you know.. it hurt so much that day when I saw hate in their eyes for me..  they weren't wrong either.. in their place, anyone would have hated me and refused to accept me.. but as a child I couldn't understand why everyone hates so much.. I mean only Ratna ma, Advay bhai and NK treated me with love and care.. everyone else used to look at me with hate and disgust in their eyes.." Arnav said with moist eyes.

"Then Advay bhai got angry with them for not letting me in Sheesh Mahal.. He had promised Ratna ma to never leave me alone, so he took me and NK to Shantivan.. Shantivan belongs to Nana Prem! He was Nani's husband but things didn't work out between them so they divorced and Nana bought Shantivan where he used to stay alone.. Nani stayed with their kids, Manohar, my mama and Ratna ma.." Arnav said.

"And Anjali? She stayed back in Sheesh Mahal?" Khushi asked.

Arnav nodded, "Advay bhai tried to convince her a lot.. but she refused because of me.."

"Years later, Advay bhai started AR and got married with Sana bhabhi.. He invited Raizadas too, though they didn't talk with me but the wedding ceremony went well and Sana bhabhi came in our lives.. Sana bhabhi was Advay's bhai college best friend.. when he started AR only, her parents wanted to shift to London and Advay bhai got scared to lose her.. he immediately confessed his hidden feelings for her and proposed her for marriage.. It was really beautiful love story!" Arnav smiled.

"They got married when I was 12 years old.." Arnav said, "When bhabhi came in our lives.. she changed our daily routine completely.. life was fun with her.. everyday she came up something new to entertain us.. troubled Advay bhai a lot.. they used to cutely fight with each other and me, Nana, Dai ma and NK used to make them patch up later.. those days were best in my life Khushi.. I can't tell even explain in words to you.. I just wish I could back to past and live those moments again!" Arnav said. 

"Years later, I completed school and it was time to join college.. I left to London with Nana.. and NK stayed back with Advay bhai and Sana bhabhi.." Arnav said, "During this time I was in London.. Anjali Di liked Shyam Jha..  she wanted to get married to him but Advay bhai was against their marriage because he knew Shyam wasn't a good man for her.. He explained to her the reason why he doesn't want to get her married to Shyam but she didn't listen to Advay bhai and got married to him.. she went to Shantivan after her marriage to take blessings from Advay bhai.. he refused to give blessings to her and said that he'll never accept their marriage.. Raizadas got angry with Advay bhai.. a huge fight happened between Advay bhai and Raizadas because of Anjali's marriage.. Raizadas wanted him to accept Shyam but he didn't want.. Anjali got angry and hurt with Advay bhai and said many hurtful things to him, that he loved me who destroyed their mother's life more than her.. that's why he couldn't accept her happiness.. that he was jealous of Shyam because they were business rivals and her husband was better than him..  she said really nonsense stuff to Bhai which hurt him a lot.. and they didn't talk with each other after that fight.. Raizadas supported Anjali's decision and asked her and Shyam to stay with in Sheesh Mahal with them.."

"When I finished my college, I got one best news on my graduation.. Sana bhabhi was pregnant of Aayu.. I was so happy that I just fly back to Delhi the next day itself to meet with them.. I stayed for one week with my family, then went back to London and started working in AR branch at the same time pursuing my master degree.." Arnav said.

"Sana bhabhi wanted me to come back to Delhi.. but I had got used to London.. I decided to stay back there only with Nana and handle AR branch there to help Advay bhai.. Then I became friends with Isha, her mother and her brother Karan.. They were like my family also there.. And I used to come to Delhi to visit my family almost every month!" Arnav said. 

"And the rest you already know.. Bhai and Bhabhi met with an accident and lost their lives.. Aayu is facing what I and my step siblings did face in past now.. that's why I'm trying my best to never make him feel lonely like we felt in past.. I'm trying to give him all the love and care Sana bhabhi and Advay bhai would give if they were alive.." Arnav said.

Khushi was still trying to digest everything that she heard now. Their life was full of twists and turns and tragic ends! She was wondering how he was still sane now, because if she was in his place.. maybe she wouldn't have enough strength to bear all this he faced.

"Do you want to know why Advay bhai never accepted Shyam? Why he never wants Aayu to go close to them?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded.

"Because RD didn't belong to Shyam's family.. Shyam's father killed his best friend Roy after forcing him to sign the property papers and faked it as an accident.. He threw Roy's family from their own house and took over Roy's mansion and RD.. they kept the company's name as RD to share emotional stories to their partners and say that they kept the name RD in memory of Roy only.. His father taught Shyam to be cunning like him only.. And Advay bhai knew that Shyam doesn't love Anjali, he just want to gain Advay's bhai trust and repeat what his father did to Roy and take over AR.. that's why Bhai never accepted to him.. he wanted to protect Anjali and Raizadas from Shyam but they were stubborn.. Advay bhai was really worried for Anjali, Raizadas, Sana bhabhi, NK and Aayu's protection.. He always asked his people to keep a watch on every Shyam's move.. now that he's not here anymore.. I'll have to be alert!" Arnav said. 

"Oh my God.." Khushi gasped, "He's so dangerous!" 

"Hmm.. he is.." Arnav said, "So this is my past Khushi.."

Khushi leaned back and sighed, "I could never imagine you faced so much Arnav.."

"Do you still accept me after knowing who I really am?" Arnav asked gulping.

"Of course I do.. You don't disgust me Arnav.. Your father is the one to be blamed here.. not you.. he destroyed so many lives including yours.. but I'm glad that Ratna aunty had such a big heart that she took you to Delhi and united you with her kids.. Advay, NK, Sana, Nana and Dai ma were a great support for you.. you found your happy perfect family with them..  because of them you had a very good upbringing also..  unfortunately Raizadas didn't accept you and Anjali still hates you.." Khushi said holding his hand and squeezed it lightly.

"And Anjali hates me even more now that Advay bhai transferred his property to me.." Arnav sighed.

"Let's stop talking about this topic.. Your mood is completely off now.." Khushi said staring at him. 

"Yeah.. it's over now.. I just wanted to let you know about me before its too late.." Arnav said. 

"Now that I know about your past.. It didn't change anything I feel for you.. in fact I like you even more now.." Khushi pulled his cheek smiling.

Arnav smiled at her, "Really?"

"Haan! I want to pamper and give more love to you now.. because you need it badly.." Khushi said.

"I like this!" he smirked naughtily.

"Come.. let's swim together then!" Khushi said as she stood up.

"Let's change our clothes!" Arnav said. 

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Shantivan.. 

"Yes I missed you Kushie.. but I'm not upset with you for not coming today..  Annav uncle told me that he's going to spend the day with because tomorrow he's going to London and you'll missy missy him so much!" Aayu giggled talking with Khushi over the phone. 

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Khushi widened her eyes, she looked at Arnav who was standing near the pool waiting for her to finish her talk with Aayu.  She rushed to him and whispered, "Did you said to Aayu that I'll missy missy you?"

Arnav nodded his head, "Won't you?"

"Excuse me.. We will missy missy each other.. it's not just me!" Khushi glared at him.

"Haan so you tell him that even I will missy missy you!" Arnav chuckled.

"Aayu.. did you have your dinner?" Khushi asked, "Yes! Very good baby! Really.. You had fun with Isha and NK!"

Arnav smile hearing that Aayu enjoyed the day with Isha and NK. 

"Now go and watch cartoons for 30 minutes and then ask Dai ma to take you to your room and make you sleep ok?" Khushi said smiling, "Bye baby.. Good night.. Love you!"

Khushi handed the phone back to Arnav.  He left his phone at the lounge and went to her. 

He lifted her from behind and jumped with her inside the pool. Khushi screamed laughing.

They swim together for sometime, then Arnav leaned at the edge of the pool and pulled her closer to him, he made her lean her back on the front of his upper body and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her securely in his arms.

"Look at the stars!" he whispered.

Khushi looked up in the sky and smile in awe, the sky was fully dark with a beautiful glowing moon and so many twinkling stars.

"See.. that's your Ratna ma.. then those two stars are your Advay bhai and Sana bhabhi.." Khushi said pointing to three stars.

Arnav smiled faintly then gazed at her admiring her while she was completely lost in star gazing. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek suddenly.

Khushi widened her eyes as she didn't expect him to kiss her.  She turned to face him startled for a while.

"Didn't like it? I will take it back then!" he teased her and kissed her once again, "I took it back now!"

Khushi stare at him with Are-you serious-look?

"Oh shit.. I kissed you again, right?" he smirked, "Let me take back this one as well.."

Saying this he showered her both cheeks with many kisses, Khushi giggled happily. 

"I guess it's quite late.. We should leave now.." Arnav said with heavy heart.

"No.." Khushi cried, "One more hour please!"

"We should go back only.. otherwise it will be difficult to leave for me.." Arnav said caressing her cheek.

Khushi bit her lips sadly, "Okay!"

"I enjoyed every minute I spent with you today Tomato.. I really loved it.." Arnav confessed genuinely brushing his cheek against hers.

Khushi closed her eyes feeling goosebumps, "Me too!"

"Thank you for accepting my request to spend the day with me!" Khushi said as she opened her eyes and smiled genuinely to him.

"Don't spoil everything by thanking me like a stranger!" Arnav said frowning.

Khushi chuckled, "Okay!"

They got out of pool and went inside to change into her their clothes. Then walked out of the house.

Arnav lifted her in his arms, "Say bye bye to your home!"

Khushi smiled and shouted to the villa, "Bye bye home!"

Then she looked at Arnav and both laughed walking towards the carport. He made her sit on her the car and buckle up the seat belt for her, then went to his driver seat.

They headed to her house.

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Khushi's house..

Lavanya opened the door and saw Arnav standing with Khushi in his arms, "Hayee.. Welcome Love Birds!"

"Shut up La.. He kidnapped me in the morning.. And I didn't even get time to wear my sandals.. As a punishment only he is carrying me in his arms!" Khushi said. 

Arnav chuckled.

Lavanya giggled and went from there leaving them alone. Meera was just coming in to see who's at the door, when Lavanya dragged her back to the room. 

Arnav made Khushi stand on her own, "Now you're back home safe and sound ma'am! Enjoyed ASR's company?"

"A lot!" Khushi smiled.

"I'll get going then.." Arnav said.

"Wait.." she held his hand tightly, "I wish you didn’t have to go so soon but I am so glad for the time we had together. Have a safe journey, eat and have your meds on time, call me when you reach there and take care of yourself!"

Arnav smiled faintly and nodded. He pulled her closer and hugged her tightly, squeezing her lightly in his arms, "I will miss you dammit!"

"I'll miss you too!" Khushi said hugging him back even more tighter, she closed her eyes enjoying the feeling to be in his arms and inhaling his cologne smell that drives her crazy, "I want this cologne of yours! I'll smell it when you're not here!"

Arnav chuckled, "Crazy! It's in my room.. the first one you'll see on my dresser.. take it whenever you want to.."

Khushi smiled.

He broke the hug and patted her cheek gently, "Take care of yourself! I'll be back soon.."

"And yes.. Aayu.."

"Don't worry.. I'll be there for Aayu always.." Khushi blinked her eyes assuring him.

"Bye.." Arnav dropped a kiss on her forehead and went back to his car.

Khushi stood there at the door watching him leave. She waved at him and forced a smile on her face, but she was feeling like crying now.

When left, Lavanya came to her and she broke down in Lavanya's arms. Lavanya kept consoling her all the night.

Arnav didn't sleep either that night. He was feeling restless, he didn't feel like leaving her now. All he wanted now was to finish his work in London soon and come back to Delhi asap.