NK's apartment..

Khushi and NK were watching a movie after having dinner together.

Khushi giggled watching a comedy scene making NK smile faintly at her.

She looked around his living room when it was interval, "You live here alone NK.. Why don't you shift to Shantivan?"

"When Advay bhai and Sana bhabhi were alive, they would always try to convince me to live with them.. but I knew once I start living with them, my freedom would be snatched from me.. Return home early.. No late night parties.. Join them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.. and get married lectures! And I was like I want to live my life independently, have my own home.. do whatever I want.. bring my friends home.. and all these stuff!" NK said.

Khushi giggled, "I know right.."

"But when they left this world.. I really repented for refusing their offer.. If I had accepted to live with them, I would have spend more time of my life with them.. You know I feel like going back to my past and rectify my mistake! But it's too late now.." NK said brokenly.

"NK what you did was nothing wrong.. You were turning an adult.. And you felt the necessity to start living on your own, get a job and earn for yourself, have your own place to stay and enjoy your life with friends.. As you had said have your freedom to do what you wanted and learn from your own experiences.. Besides.. You didn't know that your brother and sister in law would have lost their lives.. So it's not really a mistake you did.. We don't have control over our lives NK.. Only God knows what's going to happen next with us.." Khushi said.

"Thank you.." NK said.

"For what?" Khushi asked confused.

"Your words made me feel better!" NK  said with a small smile, "You know after their death.. I was completely in shock and devastated.. I was feeling numb.. not knowing what to do or what to feel.. I locked myself in home and didn't talk with anyone for days.. Arnav bhai had to handle everything, Aayu, Shantivan, relatives, AR and had to face Raizadas also.. He didn't complain for once to me and left me to recover completely from shock.. when I was feeling better, first thing I did was meet with Bhai and Aayu.. I realized more than me, Aayu needed support.. He lost his parents when he's too small to even understand the situation.. My little boy just cried day and night for his parents Khushi.. And when his parents didn't come, he started being stubborn, refused to eat or talk with anyone.. he became cranky and Arnav bhai was having hard time to handle him.. until you came in our lives.. Khushi you don't even imagine what you did for us.. You helped us a lot and no matter what we do.. we will never be able to repay you this.. Aayu is back to his normal self only because of you.. You're an angel that came in our lives.."

Khushi listened to his words with moist eyes: I'm glad I was able to help you! I know what it is to live without your parents.. because I've been gone through this phase too.. so I understand that right now Aayu needs lot of love and care so that he doesn't feel depressed over having lost his parents..

NK hugged her, caressing her hair, "I'm sorry.. Such a fool I'm.. I called you to have dinner and fun.. and here I made you cry.."

Khushi shook her head, hugging him back: I'm happy that you open up yourself to me.. It's good to let out everything that is in your heart.. You feel relieved after that..

"Yes.. It's true.. I'm feeling much better and relieved now that I shared my thoughts with you.." NK said.

They broke the hug and Khushi checked her phone, she looked back at him: I guess it's quite late now.. I should get going!

"Okay.. Thanks for accepting my invitation.. I had a great time learning how to cook with you!" NK said as he stood up from the couch and took his car keys from the side table.

Khushi collected her things and put it on her purse, while replying to him: Don't even think to cook after tonight without me around.. You'll destroy the kitchen other..

"You know my cook always warns me to not touch anything in the kitchen as I always mess around.." NK chuckled.

Khushi giggled. They left his apartment and NK dropped her home.

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

Next Day.. 

Arnav descended the stairs with Aayu in his arms. Aayu ran his fingers through Arnav's hair.

"Aayu what are you doing with my hair?" Arnav asked.

"I'm brushing your hair Annav uncle.." Aayu replied with full attention on his uncle's hair.

Arnav shook his head in disbelief. "No, don't do that Annav uncle.. See I'll have to brush your hair again.. otherwise people in office will laugh at you.." Aayu pouted with a frown.

"OK.. Brush my hair properly then!" Arnav replied.

They reached at the living room, and Khushi walked out of the kitchen reading the list of items Dai ma asked her to buy at the market.

She saw Aayu and Arnav and smiled, greeting them: Good morning..

"Good morning Kushie.." Aayu replied smiling brightly.

"Morning.." Arnav replied in cold tone.

Khushi felt the difference in his tone, but chose not to react.

"Kushie.. how's Annav uncle looking today? I brushed his hair!" Aayu said proudly.

Khushi smiled a little, "Good!"

"Kushiee.. he's not food for you to reply like this.. Say Handsome or not?" Aayu asked.

Khushi glanced at Arnav from top to bottom, of course he was looking damn handsome with a three piece black suit and that handsome face with sharp features of his, but she didn't want to admit it because she didn't like the way he greeted her now. Also because now she knows he purposely threw the note she had written for him last night where she mentioned that apart from their food for dinner, she had made special toast and burger for him and Aayu and he left the toast untouched.

"Sorry Aayu.. I'm in hurry now.. I've to go to the market.. We will talk later.." Khushi said and walked to escape from replying to Aayu.

"Kushiee wait.. I want to go with you!" Aayu shouted.

Khushi stopped on her track and looked back at them.

"No Aayu! You're not going anywhere.." Arnav said sternly.

Aayu pouted sadly, "Pleaseee.. I want to go with Kushiee.."

"Let him come with me.. I promise I'll take good care of him.." Khushi said.

Arnav glared at her, "Didn't you hear what I said? Aayu is not going with you.."

"Annav uncle.."

"Aayu don't start.. It's not everytime that I will accept everything you want.. You didn't have your breakfast yet and you already want to go out.. the market is a very crowded place and you might get lost there as well.. It's not safe for you to go there.." Arnav said serious.

Aayu looked down sadly, "Ok!"

Arnav left him on the floor and patted his back, "Now go to Dai ma and ask her to serve your breakfast.."

Aayu ran to the kitchen to call Dai ma.

Arnav looked back at Khushi, "And you stop thinking that you know how to take care of Aayu better than me! I'm his family and I know what's good or bad for him.. Anything will happen to him, it will affect me the most.. not you.."

"I might not be his family but I love Aayu as my family only.. and when I said that I would take care of him.. I meant it Mr. Raizada.." Khushi said staring at him fiercely.

She left from there with moist eyes hurt with his words. Arnav looked away and shut his eyes, "Dammit.."

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

"Karela.. Laad governor.. I thought we would share a good bond now.. but no.. You see na DM.. How he behaved rudely with me? So now just because I'm not Aayu's family.. I'll not take care of him.. I don't know what's good or bad for him.. Stupid man.. I felt like cracking an egg on his dumb head!.. What is wrong with him today?.. Yesterday he talked so politely with me.. we didn't fight.. everything was so good.. It thought we would be friends also.. but what happened that he suddenly changed his behavior with me.. he didn't even ate the special toast I had made for him.. I just wasted my time cooking for him yesterday.. I thought let it be maybe he didn't feel like eating it.. but now he greeted so coldly.. "Morning".. Bhuddo.. I know it's morning that's why I'm greeting you and wishing you to have a good morning na.. You're an Idiot Khushi.. You should have realized that a ghost possessed him yesterday that's why he was behaving friendly with you.. because today he's behaving normally only.. This is him only.. Rude and arrogant.. Karela.. Laad Governor.. Stupid.. Idiot!" Khushi mumbled to herself irritated on her way and she didn't even realized when she bumped with someone until she heard the person's reaction.

"Ouch! You stupid fool.. Can't you see where you walk?" the lady asked with a frown on her face and an arrogant tone.

Khushi was about to say sorry but changed the idea when the lady replied arrogantly to her, "And can't you see where you walk too? If you used your eyes, we wouldn't have bumped with each other.."

"How dare you reply to me like this?" the lady asked with wide eyes.

"Who are you, by the way?" Khushi asked with attitude.

"Isha!" Khushi heard Arnav's voice from behind.

(I've changed the character sketch of Meera Kapoor .. please do check character sketch to see new picture of Meera Kapoor)

"ASR.." Isha smiled widely, she ran to him and threw herself in his arms, "Oh my God.. I missed you so much ASR.."

Arnav hugged her back and glanced at Khushi, who had confusion written all over her face.

Khushi realized Arnav was staring at her, so she looked away and caressed her arm awkwardly.

Isha broke the hug still with a huge smile on her lips.

"Why did you came alone? I was coming to pick you up!" Arnav asked.

"Relax na ASR.. I grew up in Delhi only.. I just needed the address you sent to me and here I'm!" Isha winked at him.

"You needed the address to tell the taxi driver to drop you here! Don't try to be smart.." Arnav smirked.

"Yeah right.. Only you're smart!" Isha pouted.

"HP.. HP.." Arnav shouted to which HP came running outside. Arnav signaled him to take Isha's belongings that were in taxi car.

Isha then glanced at Khushi and frowned, "Who is she ASR?"

"She's the cook here.." Arnav said staring at Khushi emotionlessly.

"Oh she's just a cook and look at her attitude!" Isha rolled her eyes. Not wanting to give importance to Khushi anymore, she dragged Arnav inside the house excited to meet with Aayu.

Khushi just shook her head in disbelief, "For these people you just get respect when you've money!"

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

"Who is she Annav uncle?" Aayu asked staring at the woman having breakfast with them.

"She's a friend of mine.. Isha Agarwal She lives in London and works in AR with me.." Arnav replied. 

Isha smiled at Aayu, "And I already know that you're Aayu!"

Aayu smiled back at her little shy to meet a new person.

"Your uncle is already my friend.. Will you be my friend?" Isha asked.

"Yes.." Aayu smiled.

He looked at Arnav, "Annav uncle when will Kushie come back?"

"She will come soon.. finish your food now.." Arnav said.

"Kushie?" Isha asked confused.

"Khushi.. the cook you met few minutes ago!" Arnav said.

"Oh! But why are you asking for her Aayu? Do you want to eat something else?" Isha asked.

"She's my Kushie.. my best infinite times friend!" Aayu said with his eyes twinkling in happiness.

"Oh okay.." Isha replied finding it strange that Aayu made the cook his friend.

They finished their breakfast. Arnav guided Isha to her room.

"Isha I need to leave for office.. If you need anything, then just call Dai ma.. she will help you.." Arnav said.

"Yeah ASR.. Don't worry about me.. I'll be fine.." Isha said.

"Bye then.. See you soon!" Arnav said.

"Bye.." she smiled and waved at him. 

Arnav went downstairs where he found NK talking with Aayu. 

"Khushi is not here!" Arnav said as he approached them.

NK looked at him and smiled astonished, "How do you know that I came to meet with Khushi bhai?"

Arnav shrugged in response. Aayu frowned cutely, "'Haww.. You just to meet with Kushie NK uncle?"

"Hey don't be angry little boy.. Am I not chatting with you now?" NK pulled Aayu closer and hugged him tightly from behind. Aayu giggled.

"Kushie isn't here uncle.. She went to the market.. I wanted to go with her.. but Annav uncle denied!" Aayu pouted glancing at Arnav.

"That's ok.. I will take you there next time.." NK said.

"I wanted to go with Kushie!" Aayu whined.

"OK baccha.. We three will go next time to the market.." NK said and kissed Aayu's cheek.

"I'm leaving for office.." Arnav said with serious look and walked to the door.

Aayu ran towards him, "Annav uncle!"

Arnav turned back. 

"Are you angry with me? I listened to your words na.. I didn't go with Kushie!" Aayu said with tears brimming in his eyes.

Arnav knelt down and pulled Aayu closer to him, "Can I ever be angry with you?"

"You're very serious today.. So I thought you're angry with me.." Aayu said staring at him.

"It's nothing.. I'm not angry with you.." Arnav replied caressing Aayu's hair, "Now go and play with NK uncle.."

"Okay.. Bye.. Come back soon to watch cartoons with me.." Aayu said and pecked his cheek. Then went from there running to the living room.

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

"What do I tell you La? He's an idiot.. He just hurt me so much today that I can't even tell you.. No.. let me just tell you the whole story.. Yesterday I told you that it was good day for me, right? Because we spend time together in his penthouse with Aayu playing video games.. he talked politely me and even teased me by sprinkling water on me.. but today.. I just don't know what happened to him.. early in morning I went to kitchen and found my note on dustbin.. he didn't eat the toast I made for him.. and when I said good morning to him.. he replied so coldly to me.. and on top of that.. He denied me taking Aayu to the market.. he said he is Aayu's family so he knows what's good or bad for him.. you know right what he meant by this.. he meant that I'm not Aayu's family.. that I don't know what's good and bad for Aayu.. That I wouldn't take care of Aayu the way he would.. How can he just say something like this to me? I love Aayu.. I would take proper care of my little baby when he would be with me in market.. but he thinks only he knows everything.. Laad governor!" Khushi shared everything to her friend over the phone, letting out all the anger she had in her heart.

"Relax Baby.. If you think of his point of view.. then he's not wrong either.. Aayu is a little kid yet and markets are very crowded and not safe at all.. He's just worried for his nephew.. And don't forget that he even fired you from your job when you let his family inside the mansion.. That's means he's very protective about Aayu.." Lavanya said.

"You're always on his side!" Khushi frowned walking on the roads.

"He's such a handsome and hottie.. I will always be on his side only.." Lavanya giggled.

Khushi rolled her eyes then bit her lips, "I forgot to tell you.. today he wore three piece Armani black suit.. He was looking bit more handsome with clean shaved look!"

"Hayee.. Hayee.. Someone was checking out Mr. ASR!" Lavanya teased.

"Shut up.. I'm just telling you the truth.. He is a handsome Karela!" Khushi pouted.

"KHUSHI.." she heard Arnav's voice and widened her eyes, turning to her left side where she found him in his car.

Arnav gestured her to get in the car.

"I'll call you later.. Talk of Devil and he appears!" Khushi mumbled quickly to Lavanya who laughed at her and hang up the call.

"What?" Khushi asked frowning.

"What the.. Get in the car, I'll drop you to the market!" Arnav said not believing she has guts to talk with him like this.

"I don't want to.. I'll go by foot only!" Khushi said.

"Khushi I hate people who argue with me unnecessarily.." Arnav gritted his teeth.

"You hate people who don't agree with everything you say! You those who go against you!" Khushi said.

"Are you done?" Arnav asked sarcastically, "Now get in the car! I'm getting late for office.."

Khushi's phone rang, she picked it up making Arnav glare at her for making him wait.

"Haan NK.. Yes.. I'm going to the market only.. haan.. I'm just on my way.. yeah.. ok.. I will wait for you then.. see you" Khushi talked with NK and hang up the call.

"You can leave for office Sir.. I don't want you to reach late because of me.." Khushi smiled sarcastically to him.

Arnav looked at her angrily and started the car, heading to AR.

Khushi sighed and talk to herself sadly, "Was I unnecessarily rude to him? Maybe if I accepted to go with him to the market.. we would have talked with each other.. and things could be better, hain na DM?" 

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

At the market.. 

NK was telling Khushi what to buy with the help of the list and Khushi asked for the vegetables to the vendor.

He smiled watching her trying to convince the vendor to give her fresh vegetables instead of the day before.

"Let's go.. We're done here.." Khushi said holding the bags.

"Let me help you.." NK said taking the bags from her hand.

Khushi smiled at him, "It's okay.. I'm used to this!"

"You're with a gentleman right now Khushi.." NK winked at her.

Khushi giggled, she looked around the market, "Want to try the special tea here?"

"Sure.. Is that the tea stall?" NK asked pointing with his index finger.

"Yes.. you got it right.." Khushi said and both walked to the tea stall.

"Are you comfortable na? Having tea here?" Khushi asked handling a cup to him.

"Uff this is very hot.." NK exclaimed having a bit difficult in holding the cup at first, but then managed it, "Don't worry about me.. I'm comfortable here with you.."

Khushi smiled and sipped her tea, "You're so different from your brother.. You're so sweet and gentleman and he.. he's a Karela!"

NK laughed, "Karela.. like seriously! Only you can come up with this!" 

"He's good man!" NK said, "Just circumstances of life made him like this.."

"Oh please! You and La are always by his side.. You make me feel like I'm the Vamp here.. who always thinks bad about him.." Khushi pouted.

"I already told you.. you're an angel.. not a vamp!" NK said pulling her cheek. Khushi giggled.

"Now finish your tea quickly.. Aayu must be waiting for us.. Also there's a new member in the house.. So I've to ask her what she would like to have for lunch.." Khushi said.

"New member?" NK asked confused.

"Haan.. Weren't you at Shantivan? Didn't you saw her?" Khushi asked.

NK nodded sideways, "No!"

"Her name is Isha.. she seemed to be close to Arnav sir.." Khushi said remembering how Isha ran to hug Arnav.

"Oh Isha.. She's Bhai's friend.. and work as head designer of AR in London.." NK said, "But when did she came here?"

"When I was leaving to the market.. she came with a taxi driver.." Khushi said.

"Oh okay.." NK nodded, "Maybe she was upstairs when I reached.. I only found Aayu downstairs.."

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

Lunch time..

"Haan Dai ma.." Arnav picked up Dai ma's call.

"Aren't you coming home to have lunch beta?" Dai ma asked, "Your friend Isha is waiting for you.."

"I don't know Dai ma.. I've important work to finish.. I'll call you again in few minutes to inform if I'll come or not.." Arnav said.

"Okay.. Try to come home.. Khushi made delicious dishes today.." Dai ma said smiling.

"Hmm.. Is she home?" Arnav asked, trying hard not to sound curious.

"Haan.. She is here.. Nk bitwa is also here.. these three had loads of fun at the kitchen today.." Dai ma said.

"Ok.. I'll hang up now.." Arnav said serious and hang up the phone.

He frowned and started typing on his laptop furiously.

Note:

I tried to search many actress picture that match with ASR but didn't find any for the character of Isha. At last I had to use picture of Surbhi Jyoti. It would be helpful to me because there are pictures in internet of her and Barun together.

And Surbhi Jyoti is not Meera Kapoor (Khushi's cousin) anymore in the story because of a reader's request.