"Akash stop the car," Arnav said immediately after he spotted Khushi and Lavanya walking on the sidewalk, looking here and there, perhaps searching for a rickshaw.

"Bhai you can't walk in this condition. If you want then I will drive faster, but please stay in the car. I will take you to Khushi," Akash said worriedly.

Arnav face-palmed for a while, before pointing behind the car, "Khushi is there.. Just stop the car because we're leaving the girls behind."

"Bhai I will take you to Khushi's house. You don't worry," said Akash with utmost concentration on his driving.

"Akash!" Arnav shouted in disbelief. That's when Akash registered what Arnav meant to say before in his mind, he glanced at Arnav sheepishly while pressing the brake peddle. He parked the car near the sidewalk and got down the car to help Arnav.

Arnav got down the car, taking support of his crutch to stand. 

"Bhai you stay here.. No I'm here.. Or I'll go and call-" Akash adjusted his specs confused on how to not leave Arnav in his condition and go to call the girls who didn't notice them till not yet. He was startled by Arnav who interrupted him and shouted on top of his voice, "KHUSHI".

On the other side, Khushi and Lavanya's feets came to a halt when Arnav's voice reached to their ears.

"Did you just heard Arnav's voice?" Khushi asked to clear her doubt.

"Yeah.. I did!" Lavanya confirmed, looking back, her eyes twinkled in excitement when she saw Arnav standing few meters away from them. She patted Khushi's shoulders vigorously with enthusiasm, "Khushi look back.. ASR is there!"

Khushi instantly followed Lavanya's gaze curiously, as soon as her eyes fell on Arnav, her eyes filled with tears as she ran towards him as fast as she could to reach him. With just one feet away from him, she jumped on his arms, hugging him tightly.

Arnav raised his free arm and circled around her waist, reciprocating the hug.

"I'm sorry," both said at the same time. 

"Arnav it was my fault.. You don't have to apologize to me," Khushi said as she broke the hug, looking up to him with a slight frown adorning her face.

"But I shouldn't have yelled at you like that," Arnav explained.

Akash smiled watching Arshi's reconciliation, while Lavanya approached them and stood beside him.

"Stop crying.. You're giving a tough competition to Tomatoes!" Arnav chuckled lightly as he rested his palm on her right cheek.

Khushi smiled lightly and she rested her head on his chest, wrapping her both arms around his waist and shut her eyes for seconds, "I hope you're not angry with me now."

Arnav kissed her head, "No Tomato.. I'm not angry now," he glanced at Akash, "Akash let's drop Lavanya home."

Akash nodded walking to his driver seat, while Lavanya stood confused, raising her one eyebrow, "What do you mean by that ASR? Won't you drop my baby home with me? Where are you going to take her?"

"Relax.. Your baby is safe with me," Arnav smirked. 

Lavanya gave him a suspicious funny look before getting in the car. Khushi giggled, helping Arnav to sit on the car and then took her seat at the backseat with Lavanya. 

************************************************************************
Mr. & Mrs. Raizada Villa.

Settled at the outdoor lounge, Arshi were clearing out their misunderstandings that led them to fight with each other.

"You were coming to meet me.. and I was going to Shantivan to apologize to you," Khushi chuckled lightly at the incident.

"You know.. After the fight we had, I vent out my frustration and anger on Di.. then Aayu came to talk with me and calm me down.. he was the one who convinced me to apologize to you.. he said to me that his mother taught him that Love always want to say sorry and Ego always wants to hear sorry.. that's when I realized we shouldn't let the bitter taste overpower the sweet taste of our Love.. I asked Akash to take me to your home.. I wanted to sort things out between us now itself because I knew you would be crying and refusing to eat," Arnav said. 

"Aayu is such a special child.. He always manage to bring us together when we're angry or upset with each other.. If it wasn't him, then we wouldn't have come this far in our relationship," Khushi said amazed.

"That's true," Arnav whispered, drawing invisible circles on her palm.

"Arnav," Khushi called, staring intently at him. Arnav looked up to her, gesturing her to speak what was on her mind. 

"I'm really sorry.. My jealousy ruined everything today.. I was just stuck on "You left me for Sheetal" part that I didn't even paid attention to the reason behind it. I said so many ugly things to you.. I'm sorry," she hugged suddenly, shutting her eyes tightly to hide her tears from him, "I didn't want to hurt you Arnav."

Arnav caressed her back, "Shh.. We already said sorry to each other.. and I understood your point of view.. After all who, better than me, understand this feeling of jealousy?"

Khushi broke the hug, still sitting close to him, she raised her eyebrows in questioning look. 

"NK, Aman, Happy whatever, Sahil.. I've tolerated all them around you," Arnav complained sighing, "Thankfully I won the race!"

"Excuse me Mr. Raizada I'm not a trophy," she twisted his ear playfully, making Arnav wince in pain, "And for your kind information, Aman, Happy ji and Sahil already have their life partners."

"I don't know about Happy and Sahil.. but NK and Aman were single only when you came in our lives.. Trust me, it's not that difficult to fall in love with you.. that's why I used to get jealous whenever I saw them around you.. and since I was unable to express my feelings for you.. I used to hurt you instead.. So I kind of understand what you felt when I left you and went to Sheetal's house without informing you," Arnav said. 

"Talking about Sheetal.. Why did she called you to her house? Is everything alright?" Khushi asked serious.

Arnav sighed, "She called me to talk about Shyam and..." he hesitated to take the second name in front of her. 

"And?" Khushi asked curiously.

"Your cousin.. Meera."

"Meera?" Khushi frowned.

Arnav nodded, "Khushi, Shyam and Meera have teamed up against me. They went to Sheetal and convinced her to join hands with them to destroy me. I don't know what exactly they plan to do, all Sheetal told me is that they're planning to spoil my fashion show. She assured me that she's on my side and she'll keep me updated about their plans. Right now, she's just pretending to be Shyam and Meera's partner."

"But.. I don't understand.. Meera and Shyam don't even know each other.. How is it possible? And why would she do this? I know Meera is a spoilt brat but I don't... think she's capable of doing this," Khushi gulped. She didn't want to believe her cousin sister could be such an evil woman to team up with Shyam to destroy Arnav. 

"I don't have any idea of how Shyam and Meera met with each other Khushi.. but you already know Shyam has been plotting to snatch the property from me for a long time now.. Maybe he noticed that I was close to you and he found out everything about you that can be used against me.. and by the way you talk with me about Meera's personality.. she's easy to be manipulated and bribed,"

Khushi sat silently numb, she was still trying to register and believe in this information. It was quite shocking to know suddenly that her cousin sister is helping Shyam to destroy Arnav.

"Is Meera trying to take revenge on you because of that day you scolded her for walking in your room without permission?" Khushi asked shocked, trying to understand what could be the reason that led her sister to plot with Shyam to spoil Arnav's show.

Arnav shrugged, not knowing what to say about Meera as he had less interactions with her till now.

Khushi opened her mouth to say something, but close in the next second when she saw two men approaching them.

"Arnav.. they are coming in. Did you call someone?" she gestured him through her eyes to look behind.

Arnav followed her gaze, "Oh.. that's the delivery boy.. I ordered pizza on the way."

"Sir he came to deliver the pizza you ordered," the guard informed as they stood in front of Arnav.

Arnav nodded in acknowledgement as he took his wallet out of his pocket, extracting money from it to pay the delivery boy.

Khushi volunteered herself to take the pizza box and kept it on the near table while Arnav handed the money to the delivery boy, "Thank you.. Here's your tip as well."

"Thank you so much sir," the man smiled in gratitude. The guard then escorted him till the gate.

"Didn't you had dinner?" Khushi asked as soon as the guard and the delivery boy left.

Arnav nodded sideways, "And don't you dare scold me Tomato.. I know you didn't eat anything till now as well," he bend a little, stretching out his arm to reach the pizza box on the table. Khushi quickly helped him, taking the pizza box, she placed it on his lap.

"You eat.. I'm not hungry," Khushi sighed sadly, "Meera is worrying me now.. I don't know what to do.. If I talk with her family, then they will blame me for letting their daughter walk on the wrong path.. Also I don't really understand how Shyam and Meera- oh God," her eyes widened as realization dawned upon her, "The black car.. that's it."

"Black car?" Arnav raised his brows questioningly, while bringing the slice of pizza near her mouth and forcing her to have a bite.

Khushi nodded while chewing her food. Arnav waited for her to finish, so that he could feed more but Khushi held his arm, stopping him from feeding her so that she could explain the black car story. She snatched the pizza from his hand and fed him instead, "Lavanya told me that someone came to pick Meera in a black car.. she couldn't see who the person was and Meera also looked disturbed and left hurriedly.. I think that person is none other than Shyam."

"Yeah," Arnav agreed, "Khushi you don't need to be worried for Meera or her family. I will handle this matter.. I won't let them be successful in whatever they're planning. And don't comment or question Meera about anything till now. Just pretend that you know nothing about her relation with Shyam. Leave things they way they are."

"But-"

"Khushi you better eat pizza now," he interrupted her.

Khushi pouted staring at him with a slight frown on her forehead.

"Trust me.. It's delicious," he said smirking.

"How can you be so calm after knowing about all this?" Khushi stare at him astonished.

"I've to be calm to think how to counter attack my enemies," he replied.

"Liar.. I know you're worried, but you're trying to distract me.. because you don't like to see me upset," Khushi wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling to him. Arnav rested his one hand on her waist, as he kissed her cheek, "Then don't be upset.. otherwise I'll be even more worried for you."

Khushi nodded, closing her eyes.

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

Shantivan

Nani walked in the kitchen to drink some water, she rolled her eyes seeing Nana already there pouring water on his glass on the kitchen slab.

She approached him, taking her glass on the way, clearing her throat, she asked suspiciously, "Is that water?"

"Is that a glass?" he pointed to the glass on her hand sarcastically.

Nani glared at him, "Of course it is.. while on your case, I'm not sure as you've already replaced water with alcohol in a water bottle before."

"Because of people like you, that is very difficult to get a second chance to improve yourself in this world," Nana cried dramatically, "Always suspecting, doubting and accusing others when they're trying hard to change their bad habits. I've already promised to my baby grandson Arnav, that I won't touch alcohol from now on.. What else do you want me to do?"

"From which angle does Arnav look like a baby to you?" Nani asked stupefied, "And stop being over dramatic!"

"He is a grown up man now.. I know that, but still he's like a baby for me," Nana said, "Remember you also used to be my baby.. but-"

"What rubbish.. Stop talking about past. I'm not your baby anymore," Nani said irked.

"Baby do you want to drink water? Let me help you," Nana said teasingly, taking the glass from her hand and pouring water from the bottle on it. 

He kept the glass on the slab and left from there smirking. Nani shook her head, then glanced at the glass and gulped. She looked around the kitchen taking the glass to drink the water, then she left the kitchen hurriedly, giggling to herself shyly as she remembered of their past, when Nana used to feed her secretly in the kitchen to avoid family's teasings.

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

Arshi's room

"Arnav you shouldn't have said all that to her.. You were so close to convince her to stay by your side and expose her husband's real face. Now I'm scared that she might choose to stick to her husband's side after what you did," Khushi said shocked after hearing from Arnav, about his fight with Anjali. 

"I know.. I'll talk with her tomorrow," Arnav said in low tone.

Khushi pulled his cheek, "You need to control your anger," Arnav hmm-ed while she covered him properly with the blanket and rested her head on her pillow, staring at him, "Everything is going to be alright Arnav.. Don't think too much.. I'm sure if you talk with Anjali calmly, she will understand what made you suddenly behave like that with her."

"You're really interesting, do you know that?" Arnav chuckled making her confused, "Downstairs you were shocked, upset and tensed about Meera and you were like how I was calm after knowing about your cousin and Shyam, and now that I'm upset and tensed about Di, you're like calm down and don't think too much.. everything is going to be alright."

"What is this baby? Dual personality?" he laughed at her, earning a smack on his shoulder.

"Good night," Khushi shut her eyes tightly, pretending to be angry with him. 

Arnav kissed her forehead, "Good night."

Khushi opened her eyes smilingly, she moved closer to him and rested her on his chest, circling her arm around his waist. Arnav caressed her back gently.

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Next day (8 am)

Shantivan

"Annav uncle," Aayu squealed watching his uncle walking in the house, and Aman by his side approaching them at the living room.

Raizadas except Akash and Payal gazed at them with curiosity filled in their eyes, realizing that Arnav didn't spend the night at home.

Aayu walked to Arnav, looking up to him with a cute excited smile, "Did Kushie accept your sorry uncle? Were you with her?"

"Shh," Arnav widened his eyes at Aayu for revealing their secret in front of everyone. Aayu giggled mischievously, placing his index finger on his lip while Aman chuckled silently.

"I think they fought yesterday.. that's why he went to apologize to her.. Hello hi bye bye.. How sweet!" Mami whispered to Mama smiling dreamily.

"How disgusting.. I wonder how these kids nowadays can spend a night together without being married.. Poor Aayu.. God knows what kind of upbringing this kid will have under Arnav's custody.. Thank God our Anjali bitiya isn't like them," Nani taunted, shaking her head in disgust.

"I always thought Snakes are deaf!" Mami rolled her eyes hinting to Nani, who eavesdropped her conversation with Mama and gave her unnecessary comment.

Nani glared at Mami, while Mama unaware of the situation, said casually, "No Manorama.. Snakes can hear a range of low sounds, they just have difficulty to hear sounds at a higher pitch."

"Acha (Oh really).. Thanks for the information ji!" Mami giggled pulling Mama's cheek, who unknowingly mocked Nani.  Mama smiled shyly to his wife, not noticing his mother fuming.

"Where's Di?" Arnav asked. Payal was quick to reply, "She's in the kitchen."

"Do you want help ASR?" Aman asked readily to take him to the kitchen.

"No, I can walk with the crutches," Arnav replied.

"Are you sure?" Aman asked and Arnav nodded in response, "You should go to AR now. Stay alert!"

Aman nodded understanding what Arnav meant to say. He left from there and Arnav headed towards the kitchen.

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

Arnav stood behind his sister like a little boy who committed a mistake and came to apologize. He had planned to clear his throat to gain her attention, but instinctively hugged her from behind murmuring on her ear, "I'm sorry Di."

Anjali was startled for a moment, but after realizing it was Arnav hugging her, she shut her eyes tightly for a second then moved away from him, "Leave me alone.. I don't want to talk with you."

"I'm really sorry.. I wasn't angry with you. I just vented out my anger on you because I had fought with Khushi.. I know that Shyam has been influencing you against me.. I understand your situation.. Let's talk calmly once again.. Yesterday, I was not in the best of my moods," Arnav said.

Anjali turned to him in a swift glaringly, "I don't want to talk."

"So your husband already turned you against me?" Arnav frowned, "Deep inside you.. You also know that he's not a good man for you but still-"

"I know," Anjali hushed him, "Now shut up and go away before he see us together.. Please don't spoil my plan."

"Acha (Really)," Arnav smirked making Anjali glare at him, she pushed him lightly pleading him to leave from the kitchen.

"But we seriously need to talk.. We should meet secretly," Arnav said in low tone while leaving from the kitchen. Anjali nodded her head.

"Listen," Arnav stood at the kitchen door, grinning sheepishly.

Anjali sighed with a 'Now what?' expression.

"Did you forgive me?" Arnav asked and Anjali raised the egg in her hand to throw at him making him escape from there chuckling.

Anjali giggled to herself after he left, "Yeh Arnav bhi na.. I've kept perfect nickname for him.. Chote!"

"I just hope Shyam doesn't get suspicious about us.. that's why I'll have to avoid talking with Arnav in this house and behave rudely with him in front of Shyam. Shyam must trust me like before," she thought to herself determined.

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

"Plan," Arnav chuckled to himself thinking on his way to his room, "God finally gifted my dear sister a brain that function properly!"

"Shyam Jha it's time to fasten your seatbelt!" he smirked.