Next day..

Early in morning the door was being knocked at Khushi's house. Khushi and Lavanya looked at each other confused.

"Who must it be? So early.. someone is here.. strange!" Lavanya said shrugging and continued to eat her food as if no one knocked the door.

"Go and open the door Lazy La!" Khushi said sipping her tea.

"Nahin yaar..  You go.. I've to work all day.. let me have my breakfast peacefully.." Lavanya whined lazily.

"Aree yaar.. Tu ja naa.. Already I lost my job and my mood is so off.. I don't feel like meeting or talking with anyone.." Khushi frowned.

Meera rolled her eyes and with a hard sigh, she stood up from her chair and walked to open the door. Khushi and Lavanya smiled sheepishly.

Meera opened the door with no such interest of doing so, but since her cousin and her friend had been arguing over who will open it and no one stood up to do so, she felt the need to end it up by opening the door herself. But when her eyes fell on probably the most handsome man ever she has met, she was left awestruck. Her eyes were scanning him from top to bottom, his perfectly gelled hair, his chocolate dark brown eyes, his sharp features.. He has looks and body that would leave any girl drooling over him.

Arnav cleared his throat seeing the girl totally lost in him.

Meera came out from her dream land embarrassedly.

"Hi Meera.." NK reached and stood beside Arnav.

"Hi NK.." Meera replied.

"Is Khushi at home? Actually he's my brother and Khushi's boss.. He wants to talk to her.." NK said.

"Yes she is.. Please come inside.." Meera said showing them the way.

"No, thanks.. Just call Khushi.." Arnav said.

Meera nodded and went inside with NK. While Arnav chose to stay outside waiting for Khushi.

In few minutes, he watched her walking out of her house while he was leaning on his car. The sight of her walking to reach him was amazing, her silky hair was flying a bit due to the cool morning breeze and the simple white salwar kameez she wore making her look like an Angel.

"Say it Mr. Raizada.." Khushi reached to him and crossed her arms keeping a stern look as she waited for him to tell her the reason why he came to her house.

"Why did you hung up my call yesterday without even letting me complete what I was saying?" Arnav asked.

"Because I knew you were going to scold me without my fault.. I was already pissed off with you and I didn't want to talk with you.." Khushi said.

"You knew nothing OK! That's wasn't what I was going to do!" Arnav shrugged frowning.

"Oh yeah.. so let me guess, you called to talk about my salary.. That you're not going to pay me full salary because I just worked for few days, right?" Khushi smiled sarcastically.

"I called to apologize for my behavior.. I shouldn't have  blamed you for letting Raizadas inside my house... You don't know anything related to my family.. I was quick to judge your actions.." Arnav said.

Khushi looked at him for few seconds taken aback, she wasn't really expecting him to apologize and now that he suddenly did, she was lack of words. 

"I want you back to work!" he said. 

Khushi nodded sideways, "I accept your apology, but that wouldn't change the fact that you don't like my work.. You made it clear to me that you're just tolerating me for Aayu.. you're not happy with my work.. And I can't work in circumstances like this! By the way, you've nothing to worry for.. You can afford many and better cooks than me!"

"I admit I don't like few things about you but I never said a word against your cooking skills.. You're right, I can afford many and better cooks than you.. but none of them will be of Aayu's choice.. Aayu likes you a lot and he's upset that I fired you.. So come back for Aayu!" Arnav said.

After hearing Aayu's name, Khushi's heart immediately melted, she nodded her head: Okay..

"Good.." Arnav replied and glanced at his watch, "Let's go.. I'll drop you at Shantivan, then I'll go to my office.."

"I'm still having my breakfast Mr. Raizada!" Khushi glared at him.

"Come inside.." Khushi said and went back to her house. Arnav followed her, rolling his eyes. He can't believe she has guts to order him and he's unbelievably obeying her words.

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

Khushi's house..

Meera rushed to take plates and cups for Arnav and NK.

"What would you like to have?" Meera asked both smiling.

"Nothing.. thanks!" Arnav quickly replied sitting beside Khushi at the breakfast table.

Khushi raised her eyebrows at him and mumbled to Arnav, "You're saying "Nothing" as if you already had your breakfast!"

"And you're talking as if you know everything about me!" Arnav replied sarcastically.

"After working for few days with you, I already understood you don't have breakfast at home but office!" Khushi said.

"Keep your eyes on the kitchen not on my activities!" Arnav said.

Khushi glared at him, "What to do.. God blessed me with multitasking abilities!"

"Then make a good use of that Miss Gupta!" Arnav smirked.

Lavanya was staring curiously at both Arnav and Khushi talking God knows what. While Meera was serving aalo paratha and tea for NK.

"I'll make black coffee for you!" Khushi said.

"Hmm.." Arnav nodded smirking at her.

Khushi glared at him and went to the kitchen mumbling to herself, "Few minutes back when Meera asked him what he wants, he replied nothing.. thanks!..  Now I offered to make coffee for him and he immediately accepted.. He just wants to torture me.. that's it.. Can't even let me have my breakfast peacefully.. Laad governor!"

Back to the breakfast table, NK asked curiously, "Are you Khushi's cousin also?"

"No.. I'm her friend!" Lavanya replied.

"So you three live here together? Where are your family members?" NK asked taking a sip of his tea.

"Haan.. My parents sent me to Delhi for further studies and I end up staying back here, I always liked the idea of living independently.. Meera is from Lucknow, her parents sent her here to stay with Khushi till the time she completes her studies.. And Khushi's parents died when she was just 6 years old, she used to live with Meera's parents and after her school finished she came here to start a new life.. Khushi is my school best friend, so when I got to know she's coming to Delhi.. I asked her to stay with me and we both would pay half for house rent.. in that way we both live together and decrease our expenses!" Lavanya said.

Arnav and NK felt bad hearing about Khushi's parents.

Khushi came back with Arnav's coffee. She handed to him and looked at NK and Arnav's serious faces.

"What happened?" she asked confused while taking her seat.

"Nothing!" NK said with a faint smile. Internally he was admiring the strong woman in front of him.

Khushi too smiled, "Did you like aalo paratha?"

"Yeah.. they are just yummy.. I must say if it was not for Aayu, then I would have stolen you from Bhai.. Such an amazing cook you're!" NK said.

Arnav rolled his eyes and Khushi giggled.

Meera laughed loudly  trying to make herself visible to Arnav and NK.

And she got the attention she wanted from NK, who asked: How's college going Meera?

"Good.. My exams are also near.. So I'm going to be very busy in studies in the coming days!" Meera replied.

"Oh.. Best of luck then!" NK smiled.

Arnav took time to sip his coffee but didn't fail to notice the mocking silent chuckle and eyelock shared by Khushi and Lavanya and he didn't even took seconds to conclude that Meera wasn't a very bright student as she was trying to portray to him and NK.

"Thanks!!" Meera replied smilingly.

"Sir are you sure you don't want to try Di's handmade aalo paratha? It's really delicious!" Meera asked to Arnav. Though NK gave her attention, Arnav's expression were like he doesn't give a damn to her.

"No thanks..I know they are delicious... Perhaps you forget your Di is a cook at my house!" Arnav replied.

Meera smiled embarrassedly, "Yeah.. right.."

Arnav looked at Khushi, "Shall we go? I'm getting late!"

"Okay.. let me just change my clothes and take my purse!" Khushi said.

Arnav groaned, "Just take your purse.. No need to change your clothes, you look beautiful with this white salwar kameez!"

The last line were said in a flow from his mouth and he couldn't stop it in time.

Khushi stare at him astonished, did he really find her beautiful in her simple home clothes? It was nice to hear that compliment.. but at same time strange that her Boss is the one who said that!

Arnav was stare at her big hazel eyes confused of what to feel after hearing a compliment from his mouth to her.

NK laughed, "Wah Bhai.. I didn't know that you would be ready to give fake compliments to Khushi  just to reach soon in office and save yourself from waiting till she gets ready.. You're truly a workaholic!"

Meera and Lavanya giggled.

Khushi shook her head as she stood up and went to her room. She hit her forehead once she reached in her room, "Such a fool you're Khushi.. How can you even think ASR will ever compliment you?"

Lavanya walked inside, and hugged Khushi from behind, "Baby what happened? What magic ASR did that you accepted to work with him? Did he force you? What did he say when you both were outside? Tell me na Khushi.."

"Relax La!" Khushi stopped Lavanya from asking non stop questions, "He didn't force me.. he actually came to apologize.. and I accepted to work again with him because of Aayu only.. not for him!"

"Oh my God.. He apologized to you!" Lavanya left Khushi and squealed happily, not believing it as if it was a dream!

"So? Why are you getting so happy about it?" Khushi asked.

"Hello! Every Boss here in Delhi makes their employees say sorry, but they never say it.. They are so arrogant and proud of themselves like anything.." Lavanya rolled her eyes.

"Yes but this time he fired me from job without my fault, that's why he apologized!" Khushi said.

"I'm happy for you Baby.." Lavanya hugged her smiling.

"I'm also feeling better now.." Khushi smiled and hugged her back.

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

Shantivan..

"Kushieeee.." Aayu's eyes twinkled in happiness as soon as he saw Khushi walking in with his Arnav and NK uncle. He climbed down the couch and ran towards her.

"Aayu.." Khushi ran towards him and kneeled down to reach his height. Both hugged each other tightly with smiley faces. Khushi kissed him all over his face, while Aayu giggled happily receiving so much love from her.

"I misshed you sho much Kushie.. I was vely shcaled you alsho leabe me like Mumma and Papa.." Aayu pouted sadly.

"Never.. I will never leave you again.." Khushi nodded sideways with teary eyes.

Arnav felt a sharp pain in his heart hearing what Aayu said. This doubled his guilt feeling.

"Plomishe Kushie?" Aayu asked.

Khushi nodded kissing his forehead, while she whispered: Promise my Baby!

Aayu smiled and hugged her even more tightly, he rested his chin on Khushi's shoulder peeking to see his Arnav uncle, "Annav uncle thank you fol blinging my Kushie back!"

Arnav blinked his eyes with a small smile to Aayu.

"Now that everything is sorted.. We must celebrate it.. What about having Khushi's chocolate cookies while watching Aayu's favorite cartoon?" NK asked.

"Yaay.." Aayu squealed happily.

"I'll get going then.." Arnav said and turned his feet towards the door.

Khushi left Aayu and followed him, she was walking behind him smirking and then cleared her throat to gain his attention.

Arnav turned back and stare at her blankly, "What?"

"I've some conditions to work with you now Sir!" Khushi said trying to act serious like him.

"And what are those conditions? Increase your Salary?" Arnav asked with It-was-expected look.

"See.. this is your problem! You didn't even heard what I said, and you jump directly to judge me!" Khushi frowned.

"As if you didn't judge me!" Arnav shrugged.

"When did I judge you?" Khushi pouted.

"I called you last night to apologize but without even listening to me you hung up the on me.." Arnav replied.

Khushi bit her tongue cutely in response.

"Don't waste my time Khushi" Arnav taunted indirectly telling her to say the conditions.

"Haan.. First condition is I can maintain a formal and professional relationship with you but not with Aayu and NK.. So either accept that or I will.."

"Next.." Arnav cut her off.

"Second is you are not going to call me Unprofessional again!" she said.

"Next?" he asked.

"And I will write notes for you.. You're not going to stop me!" she said.

"Those stupid notes!" Arnav rolled his eyes, "Write for yourself, not for me then!"

"You're refusing my third condition?" she asked blinking her eyes innocently at him.

"Anything else?" he asked.

Khushi nodded sideways.

"Done then!" Arnav said and left from there. Khushi jumped in happiness smiling, she hugged herself, "Are wah Khushi.. You finally managed to handle this Laad governor khadoos ASR!"

"Put these items in the kitchen.." Dai ma walked in wiping the sweat beads on her forehead as she hand over the bags to HP ordering him to take the fresh vegetables she bought from market to the kitchen.

She saw Khushi standing near the door, she smiled: Khushi.. you're back..

Khushi nodded smiling, "Haan Dai ma.. I came back!"

"I'm so happy.. It was just a misunderstanding from Arnav beta's side.. He has nothing against you!" Dai ma said.

"Yes I know.. He apologized to me.. All is fine now!" Khushi said.

"Dai ma if you don't mind.. then can I go to the market and buy the ingredients for cooking from now on?" Khushi asked.

"Not at all.. That's not your job.. Don't take trouble for it.." Dai ma said.

"It's not a trouble really... It must be tiring for you at this age to go to market and especially in sunny days.. So let me help you in this.." Khushi said.

Dai ma caressed Khushi's hair smiling, "You're just like Sana bitiya.. She too wouldn't let me go to the market despite knowing that I'm a maid in this house and this is my duty.. Okay you can go to market from now on!"

Khushi smiled.

"Kushieeee.. come heleeee.." Aayu shouted.

"Coming.." Khushi shouted back and rushed to that living room.

"This girl came with happiness to this house.. She's like Angel for us in such a dark phase of our life!" Dai ma thought.

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

At night..

Arnav walked out of Aayu's room after making him sleep. He found Dai ma on his way.

"Dai ma you need anything?" Arnav asked.

"I was just going downstairs to drink water.." Dai ma said.

"I'll accompany you then.." Arnav said.

"That's not needed beta.." Dai ma smiled at him.

"Chalo! (Let's go)" he looked at her sternly.

Dai ma had no option but to accept, they descended the stairs together.

"How's Aayu's health now?" Arnav asked.

"Very much better.. Khushi's entry in his life played a big role in this!" Dai ma said.

"True.." Arnav nodded.

"You know Khushi reminded me of Sana bitiya today.. She offered to go to the market for me from now on.. And from the time Advay beta married her and she came to this house, she never let me go the market or do heavy duties due to my age.. She used to treat me like her mother.." Dai ma said.

"She's a nice girl.. I think we can trust her!" Arnav said.

They reached the kitchen, Arnav switched on the lights and went to bottle of water from the fridge. His eyes caught attention of the sticky note again.

"Khushi left a note again for you!" Dai ma said as approached Arnav.

Congratulations I've cooked your Bro today.. Karela!!!

Dai ma couldn't control her giggles and Arnav just shook his head, "Unbelievable.."