"Aree.. she's the cook of this house.. and I want-"

"She's my Cook.. not yours.. Sahil is there to attend you and your family" Arnav retorted.

Anjali shut her eyes tightly for a second trying to control herself, she gritted her teeth smiling, "Khushi will you please come with me for a while?"

Khushi gulped, glancing at Arnav then at Anjali.

"I told you already.. She won't come with you" Arnav smirked.

"Who are you to order her? Let the innocent girl speak for once.. You're intimidating the poor girl, aren't you ashamed?" Anjali glared at him.

"Am I intimidating you Sweetheart?" Arnav turned his face to Khushi with a mischievous smile forming on his lips.

Khushi shook her head in response. Arnav looked at Anjali smirking, "See!"

"She's scared of you that's why she agreed to your words" Anjali narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms.

"How dumb you're" Arnav chuckled sarcastically, "Khushi calls me aka her boss as Karela on my face, you still think she's scared of me?"

"I'm not dumb.. And Khushi calls you rightly as Karela! That's what you're" Anjali glared at him, she took a pillow from his bed and aimed it at his face, hoping it to wipe off that stupid smirk on his face.

Even before the pillow hit Arnav's face, Khushi caught it in time and smiled sheepishly to Anjali, "He's sick ma'am.. please don't hit him"

"Tum bhi (You too)" Anjali let out a sigh in disbelief as Khushi supported Arnav. She went from there highly irritated and groaning on her way.

"Poor ma'am.. I should go and talk to her" Khushi said once Anjali left. She looked at Arnav feeling pity of Anjali.

"Yeah.. You can go and talk to her.. Don't let her know that I approved this" Arnav said.

Khushi nodded. Before she left, he cupped her face and dropped a gentle and soft kiss on her forehead.

Though he didn't say in words, but the kiss on her forehead meant a thank you for taking care of him in this state. She was the one who slept with him in hospital whole night to take care of him, she's the one who cooks for him and makes sure he eats and have his meds in time, she's the one who keeps coming to his room to ask him if he's alright, if he needs any help, if he wants to eat something, she's the one who spends time with him, who chats with him and never let him get bored alone in the room, she's the one who feels the pain when he is hurt. He doesn't say anything, but he does notice everything Khushi does for him. She makes him feel he's important to her in this world.. and this feelings is priceless, this feeling is everything he needs to lead this life happily and peacefully.

Khushi closed her eyes feeling his lips lingering on her skin. It felt blissful. Since the day her parents left this world, this feeling, this love, this care, this warmth has been missing from her life for a long time. She will always be grateful to her Mama (uncle) and his family for accepting to take her to their house and raise her, but she wasn't blind and ignorant to not notice that they never loved her like they love Meera, they only considered her as a burden in their life, they had no choice but accept her as society would badmouth about them saying that - Shashi abandoned his sister's daughter. It was a fear of rejection from the society that forced them to accept her. Though they gave her food to eat, clothes to wear and paid her school fees, she always used to miss the love and care she got from her parents. However, she learned how to live without the precious love and care she always longed for. When she finished her school, big fights over financial crisis started taking place in her family, indirectly taunting her that she's grown up enough to start working and earn for herself and let them live their lives peacefully, they had to save money to educate Meera and get her married one day also. She understood that it was time to go and free themselves from their burden (Her). She decided to leave to Delhi where her friend (Lavanya) had shifted to study further. Lavanya is one kind of girl who loves adventures. She wanted to study in Delhi college, live in a rented house and pay her own college fees with a part time job -knowing about Khushi's situation she invited Khushi to join her in this adventure. Khushi accepted it since she didn't want to stay longer in her house and be a burden to her family. How much crazy her friend La sounded with her adventurous life plans, but it was actually with this crazy friend of hers that she got the love and care she longed for, but it wasn't permanent one - La wasn't going to be there for her all the time, she too had her own life to deal with, one or other day she would get married and she (Khushi) would feel alone again, though the love and care from La's side won't change but it won't be the same as living everyday with her. But her life changed from the day, she met a little boy named Aayu, who gave her love and care in abundance. As if that wasn't enough, DM send Arnav in her way - her loving Karela. Aayu is sweet and Arnav is bitter, but both love and care for her like no one does in this world. She finally got the love and care she always craved for in her life from her boys.

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

At night.. Restaurant XYZ..

"Oh my God.. this place is so cool.." Meera smiled widely looking around the luxurious and spacious restaurant, she immediately took her phone to click some pictures of the place, "I need to show my friends later where I was"

"This generation is something else.. Anytime ready with phone to click selfies!" Aman shook his head smiling at her.

Lavanya who was sitting beside him in a huge round table, rolled her eyes: You belong to the same generation Mr. Aman Mathur!

"Here are the menu books" the waiter said as he placed the menu books on the table for everyone.

Meera immediately took a menu book and started to order what she wants but Khushi stopped her by pressing her hand on Meera's arm and faking a smile to her, she managed to whisper silently only for her sister to hear: Don't get too excited..

Meera too faked a smile to everyone.

"We just reached now, right? We can order for cold drinks while we chit chat, then we will think and order something to eat.." NK suggested with a smile, he glanced at Meera, "But if you want to order anything to eat now, just do it Meera.. feel free and comfortable"

Meera shook her head with a plastered smile on her face, "No! It's okay.. I'm not that hungry!"

"Are you sure?" NK asked. Meera nodded her head assuring him.

"Okay.. Then what do you all want to drink?" NK asked.

Everyone told their favorite cold drinks to the waiter, who took a note of it and went from there while the group of friends continued their conversation.

Khushi listened to their conversations till her phone beeped and took her attention. She smiled lightly seeing the person who messaged her on her whatsapp.

Arnav: Someone is having dinner outside with her friends and forgot completely about me!

Khushi typed down her reply biting her lips to control herself from smiling like a stupid in front of Aman, Lavanya, NK, Akash, Payal, Sahil and Meera.

Khushi: Aww my jealous boy! I was thinking about you only❤

His reply came in seconds.

Arnav: Then come to me! Why are you wasting time there?

Khushi: Aren't you tired of staying the whole day with me already?🙈

Arnav: Nah..

Khushi: 😍

Arnav: I miss you everyday when you go back home 😘

Khushi: I miss you too ❤
Khushi: Yaay 😍😍😍You used emoji for me

Arnav: Pagli

Khushi giggled to herself reading his reply.

"Di with whom are you talking? You've got a boyfriend or what?" Meera asked smirking slightly.

Khushi shook her head startled, "No one.."

"Seriously Di.. You need 'how to lie' lessons.. Show me your phone then" Meera said curiously.

"Meera.. It's her phone, respect her privacy" Lavanya glared at her.

"Come on.. I was just kidding" Meera whined.

NK was still staring at Khushi with confused expression. Meera is her cousin sister and Khushi didn't said anything yet about her relationship with Arnav to Meera.

Khushi though read his expression, she looked away avoiding eye contact with him for now.

"Not fair Di.. You have a boyfriend and you didn't say anything to your sister.. It was good Shyam told me about your relation with ASR, otherwise I would be the last one to know about this.." Meera thought with a sly smile playing on her lips.

To avoid further discussion on this topic after Khushi became uncomfortable, NK called the waiter to order for their food.

Khushi looked back at her phone, to check Arnav's new message. She smiled brightly staring at the picture he sent to her. It was his and Aayu's selfie, both in their blue night suits and a cute smile on their faces. Arnav had his usual half-smile, but that's still cute for her. There was a caption attached to the picture he sent, that left her chuckling in disbelief.

Arnav: Watching cartoons and eating popcorns.. enjoying a lot without you!

Khushi: My boys❤ Liars 😂 I know how much you both miss me right now!

Khushi caressed their picture displayed on her phone screen with her thumb. Her eyes twinkled in joy and her heart felt the need of having both near her, right now.

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

Shantivan.. Arnav's room

"What did Kushie say?" Aayu asked curiously peeking his uncle's phone.

"She didn't believe us.. She said she knows we're missing her.." Arnav informed that their plan to make Khushi jealous flopped.

"Oh no.." Aayu munched his popcorns frowning cutely, "What do we do now?"

Arnav shrugged snatching the bowl of popcorns from Aayu's lap, "Watch cartoons and eat popcorns!"

"It's not fair.." Aayu crossed her arms pouting, "They took our Kushie from us!"

Arnav pouted too. Both uncle and nephew staring at each other with disappointed looks.

Just then Anjali knocked the slightly open door.

"Come in" Arnav said glancing at the door.

Anjali walked in with two glasses of turmeric milk.

"It seems someone can't live without me" Arnav smirked staring at her walking towards his side of the bed.

Anjali glared at him and handed him the glass.

"No thanks" Arnav shook his head.

Anjali handed to Aayu too, who mimicked his uncle trying to escape from drinking milk.

"No thanks" Aayu repeated with a sheepish smile.

"You'll have it" Arnav ordered glancing at Aayu. Aayu pouted and shook his head, "Nahin! I don't like milk"

"But this milk is good for you Aayu.. Don't you want to grow up soon and be a super man?" Anjali smile trying to convince him.

"Actually he wants to be Spider man" Arnav said pressing his lips tightly to suppress the mischievous smile threatening to come out anytime. He enjoyed irking and teasing Anjali. Her face was worth watching.

Anjali rolled her eyes sighing.

"My Kushie makes chocolate milk for me" Aayu said, his cute eyes showed how much he missed Khushi right now.

"But turmeric milk is also good Aayu.. Let's do one thing.. I'll also drink with you" Arnav said, he took one glass from Anjali's hand and handed it to Aayu.

Then took the other glass from her hand for himself.

"3.. 2.. 1.." Arnav counted and gestured Aayu to drink with him. Both drank the milk, shutting their eyes tightly.

Anjali bit her lips smiling staring at both.

They handed the empty glasses to her making faces.

"By the way, just two glasses of milk for us? What about your husband?" Arnav asked when she was leaving the room.

Anjali turned to him and looked speechless. She didn't even thought to make turmeric milk for Shyam.

"It's okay.. Milk is for good boys only.. I'm sure your husband won't mind it.." Arnav smirked.

"He's not a bad boy" Anjali frowned.

"Are you telling me or convincing yourself?" Arnav raised his brows.

"You know I feel like breaking a coconut in your head" Anjali gritted her teeth and walked to leave.

"Anjali bua.." Aayu stopped her, "Can you bring coconut oil? I want to apply on Annav uncle's hair" he ended with a mischievous smile.

Anjali understood that Aayu was teasing her. She shook her head trying her best not to smile to both, "Good night!"

Arnav and Aayu high-five when Anjali left from the room, with a huge grin on their faces.

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

At the living room..

"Manorama massage my legs properly.. Anjali bitiya does it better than you" Nani complained.

Mami rolled her eyes.

"Try going to a gym Devyani!" Nana said shifting his attention from the movie on TV to Nani. 

"Hello hi bye bye.. Sasuma and gym!" Mami laughed out loudly.

"Manorama!" Mama widened his eyes gesturing her to keep quiet.

"Chicken.. Just imagine your Sasuma having a body like Katrina Kaif!" Nana said. 

Mami couldn't control her laughter anymore.

"You're talking as if you have a body like Salman Khan!" Nani narrowed her eyes at him. 

"In past I-"

"Oh please! In past you were thin like a match stick and on top of that, the clothes you used to wear didn't even fit you.. I feared your pants would fall down at anytime and you might embarrass me" Nani rolled her eyes.

"I might embarrass you or you wouldn't be able to control your desires for me?" Nana smirked.

Nani gasped with wide eyes, "What are you saying? Don't you have any shame? Our kids are here!"

"From which angle are Manohar and Manorama, kids for you? " Nana rolled his eyes.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Naughty Sasur ji" Mami giggled shyly.

"Unbelievable" Nani muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Movie is very interesting" Mama said trying to change the topic.

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

At XYZ restaurant..

Aman was chatting with Arnav while Lavanya was chatting with him and he paid no heed to her words.

"Aman! Are you even listening what I'm saying?" Lavanya asked irritated.

"Hmm.. Wait" Aman said concentrated on his chat with Arnav, grinning to himself.

Lavanya looked away annoyed, "Stay with your phone only.. don't come to me later"

Arnav: What is my girl doing? Don't leave her alone!

Aman: Relax.. She's with me and La na.. Everyone is also chatting with her and making her comfortable as well.. and she got a new friend also, Payal.. both are bonding well 😊😊
Aman: Now she's eating..

Arnav: Make sure she eats for real please.. This small Tomato of mine eats birdie's food!

Aman: 😂😂😂 Tik hai!

Arnav: We'll talk tomorrow then.. Take care of your bhabhi for me.

Aman: Always will take care of her for you 😊
Goodnight!

Khushi patted Aman's shoulder making him jerk. Aman's phone almost fell from his hand as his eyes widened thinking of the possibility of being caught talking about her with Arnav.

"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to scare you" Khushi said with sheepish smile.

Aman hide the phone on his pant's pocket and smiled nervously, "It's okay Khushi.. Do you want something?"

Khushi nodded her head cutely, she whispered on his ear: When we leave from here, can you take me to Arnav's home before dropping me and La home? I won't take much time, just few minutes.. Promise!

Aman smiled and nodded, "Of course I can take you there"

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

Sometime later..
Shantivan..

"Annav uncle I'm going to wish Goodnight to everyone" Aayu said and climbed down the bed running outside the room.

Arnav watched him leaving and frowned when he saw Shyam who just came on Aayu's way. Aayu stood still on his place which was some feets away from Arnav's room visibly scared of Shyam. 

Arnav took the crutches that was leaned on the wall near his side of the bed and walked with its help outside the room.

He stood behind Aayu, narrowing his eyes at Shyam. 

"Sale Sahab why you're troubling yourself by walking till here? Please relax.. I wouldn't harm your nephew at all.." Shyam smiled politely to Arnav.

"I won't let you harm him either" Arnav said in serious tone.

"I don't want to harm him.. He's my family.. Why would I want to harm such a cute little boy like him? The problem is you're judging me wrongly Sale Sahab.. that's why you suspect everything I do.. you think of me as a bad person when you don't even anything about me" Shyam said.

"I might be wrong but a kid never fails to judge who's a good or bad person" Arnav smirked.

"Aayu is scared of me because of my beard, hain na Aayu?" Shyam asked smilingly to Aayu.

Aayu frowned to him.

"You shaved it, didn't you? But still he's scared of you.." Arnav said. Aayu nodded agreeing with his uncle.

"But every kid loves me" Shyam argued stubbornly trying to prove himself as a good person to Arnav.

Arnav rolled his eyes, "Oh come on.. Come up with better arguments next time"

Shyam gritted his eyes and tried hard to control his anger and desire of punching Arnav hard on his face.

"Aayu go and wish good night to everyone.. I'm here waiting for you" Arnav said changing his tone into a soft one to his nephew.

Aayu nodded and went to the living room.

"Good night Sale Sahab!" Shyam forced a smile on his lips and went from there.

"Sale Sahab my foot" Arnav muttered to himself, rolling his eyes.

On his way to his room, Shyam clutched his first angrily thinking, "You'll pay badly for this ASR.. I'll destroy completely..  Just wait for your fashion show day.. Just wait!"

"Shyam ji" Anjali called him from behind.

Shyam turned to her, "What?"

"Do you want to drink milk?" Anjali asked.

"Have you gone mad or what? What kind of question is this? Am I a kid or what to drink milk now?" Shyam frowned getting irritated.

"You don't need to talk to me like this" Anjali said hurt.

"Aww baby.. Will you start crying now because I denied having milk? Or you want to do a puja to bring your husband on right track now? He's doesn't talk to you properly now, hain na?  He's going on a wrong path.. It's really important to do a puja now, you need to save your husband, right?" he cupped her face and said in sweet yet sarcastic tone.

"You're sick.." Anjali looked at him disgusted, "Maybe Arnav is right about you"

"What did you just said?" Shyam glared at her.

Anjali looked away and crossed her arms.

Shyam held her by her arm harshly. Anjali shoved his hand away angrily, she pointed her index finger to him, "Don't you dare touch me like that!"

Realizing his mistake, Shyam immediately changed his tone and expression: Rani Sahiba we need to talk calmly.. let's go to our room.. we're standing in the corridor right now.. anyone might come.. please!

"Di come here" Arnav shouted frowning at the scene he just witnessed, while standing downstairs and waiting for Aayu outside the room. Though he saw what happened between Shyam and Anjali at the corridor, he couldn't hear what they were talking to each other.

Anjali stare down at him from the corridor, then at Shyam.

"Leave him Rani Sahiba.. He just wants to instigate you against me.. Let's go to our room.. We need to talk Baby" Shyam whispered to her.

"Niche ao abhi (Come downstairs now)" Arnav ordered, gritting his teeth.

Anjali shut her eyes tightly for a second. Her husband or her brother?

"Rani Sahi-" Shyam was left dumbfounded when Anjali took few steps back and made her way downstairs to her brother.

Anjali descended the stairs hurriedly with moist eyes. She ran towards Arnav and hugged him tightly, sobbing in his arms.

The crutches fell from Arnav's hands on its own as raised his arms to reciprocate her hug, equally emotional.

"Anna-" Aayu who came back excitedly holding Khushi's hand to surprise his uncle was silenced by Khushi who kept her hand on his mouth and gestured him not to interrupt the brother-sister lovely moment.

Aayu and Khushi watched their hug with lovely smiles playing on their lips while Shyam was burning in anger and jealousy that Anjali chose Arnav over her.