Shantivan..

Arnav walked out of his room wiping his face with a towel, his eyes fell on Khushi, who was standing near the bed probably waiting for him to come out.

Khushi stare at him anxiously.

"What do you want?" Arnav asked, his expression like always hard to read for Khushi.

"Woh.. Actually I came here to ask you something.." Khushi stammered nervously.

"Hmm.." Arnav went to keep the towel, then came back to her waiting to hear her question.

"Is everything fine between us?" Khushi asked hesitantly.

"There is no 'US' first of all so that invalidates this question of yours.." Arnav replied.

"You know what I mean.." Khushi whined.

"No, I don't know what you mean Khushi Kumari Gupta!" Arnav crossed his arms and stare at her emotionlessly.

"You're behaving strangely with me today.." Khushi argued with a frown adorning her face.

"Should it matter to you?" Arnav asked. 

Khushi clutched her fist trying to keep herself calm.

"Is it difficult for you to answer a simple question?" Khushi asked irked.

"I don't owe you any explanations of my behavior Miss Gupta.. Keep it in your mind, that you're just a Cook here.. Do your job and get your salary.. That's it!" Arnav said.

Khushi nodded hurt with his words.

"And don't cross your limits Miss Gupta.. this is the last time you're walking in my room without knocking the door!" Arnav said serious.

"I'm sorry Sir!" Khushi whispered in low tone and left from there.

Arnav too walked out of the room and descended the stairs.

Khushi bumped with NK on her way, "Sorry.. I'm sorry.. NK!"

"It's okay.. relax.. Khushi.." NK replied with a smile that soon was replaced with a frown when he held her by her shoulder and got to see her face, "Khushi.. what happened?.. You upset?"

Khushi nodded her head with a sad pout NK hugged her and caressed her back, "Hey.. it's okay.. don't be upset.."

Arnav watched them hugging each other and clutched his fist.

"Miss Gupta.." he gritted her name loudly.

Khushi and NK broke the hug and looked at his side.

"Go and serve the lunch!" Arnav ordered.

"That's not my job" Khushi replied fiercely.

"This is not your job either!" he said pointing out to her and NK's hug.

"Bhai relax.. Why are you getting angry on Khushi?" NK said.

"She's Khushi for you NK.. For me she's just a cook who's supposed to be doing her duties and when done, then she can go and do whatever she wants to do of her life, for which I don't give a damn!" Arnav said, clearly angry.

"Arnav what are you doing here? Aayu is waiting for you to have lunch.." Isha came to the living room and dragged Arnav with her to the dining room. 

"Khushi.. if you want to.. we can have lunch at home.." NK said noticing Khushi's mood off.

"No NK.. Just go and have lunch with your family.. I'll have my lunch with Dai ma.." Khushi faked a smile.

"Ok.. Don't feel bad about Bhai's words.. He's like this only.. not just with you.. AR employees suffer the same!" NK patted her cheeks and left from there.

"The fault is totally yours Khushi Kumari Gupta.. what was the need of going to his room and ask him why is he behaving like this with me and invite trouble for yourself.." she scolded herself.

She left to the kitchen murmuring, "Today's bad day for me!"

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Dining hall..

"You know in London AR branch.. everyone is working happily without any fear of ASR now.. They're having a great time.." Isha giggled.

"Yeah.. and here the bad time starts for the employees!" NK said and Arnav understood that he meant for Khushi.

"NK Khushi is not any special employees that she will receive different treatment from me.. She is your friend that's okay.. but for me she's just a Cook! She does her job for which she gets salary for it.. Don't expect me to even take in consideration the fact that she shares a special relationship with you.. When on duty, I don't even spare Isha!" Arnav said.

Isha chuckled sipping her juice, "True!"

"Kushie is not just a cook.. she's special for me!" Aayu pouted sadly staring at Arnav. He climbed down from his chair and left from there running.

"Aayu.." Arnav called him but Aayu didn't hear him.

Arnav stood up from his chair and followed Aayu.

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

At the kitchen..

"Aree what happened?" Khushi asked taken aback by Aayu who came suddenly in the kitchen and hugged her legs tightly.

"Kushie come to feed me.." Aayu pleaded looking up to her cutely.

"Haan.. I will.. but why is my baby looking upset?" she asked and knelt down cupping his face.

"I'm scared.. You're not going to leave me again na?" Aayu asked with tears brimming in his eyes.

"She will not Aayu.. that's not what I meant with what I said in the dining room.." Arnav said as he watched his nephew talking with Khushi.

"Kushie is special for me.. she's not like other cooks who came here and left.. I don't want her to go!" Aayu cried wrapping his arms around Khushi's neck tightly.

"She won't go Aayu!" Arnav tried to explain the little boy who got frightened.

"You said she's not special Annav uncle.." Aayu accused frowning.

Khushi glanced at Arnav, then shifted her attention to Aayu: Don't worry baby.. I'll be always with you! I won't leave you.. I'm here only!

"I want to eat with you Kushie.. food is tasty when you feed me with your hands.." Aayu pouted wiping away the tears from his cheek with his small hands.

"Okay..  let's go.. I'll feed you.." Khushi smiled at his innocence. She held his hand and walked till the door of the kitchen where Arnav was standing.

Arnav step aside letting both walked ahead as he followed them to the dining hall.

"What happened Aayu?" Isha asked concernedly.

"I'm hurt with Annav uncle.." Aayu said and passed an angry look to his Arnav uncle.

"Don't say like that.." Khushi whispered to him after she sat on the chair beside his.

"But Kushie Annav uncle said you're not special!" Aayu complained, "After Mumma and Papa left me.. You're the only one who I love so much! You take care of me like my Mumma did!"

Aayu broken down in tears when he said the last lines as he remembered of his parents.

He opened his arms to her and Khushi lifted him to her lap, she wrapped her arms around him, whispering sweet nothings to console him. Tears rolled down from her cheeks seeing him crying so bitterly.

Arnav and NK panicked seeing him cry.

They rushed to Aayu who was in Khushi's lap with his head rested on Khushi's chest crying.

Arnav knelt down before them, he caressed Aayu's cheek softly, "I'm sorry Aayu.."

"Don't cry champ.. shh.. If you stop crying, uncle will buy you many toys.." NK said.

Aayu looked at them sobbing, "I don't want toys.. I just want Kushie.. I don't want anyone speak bad about her.."

Khushi felt overwhelmed, no one after her parents death loved her the same way this little boy does.

"I'm sorry Aayu.. Khushi is not like other employees.. she's just not special for you but for me as well.. I'm just upset with her.. that's why I said all that.." Arnav end up revealing what he tried to maintain a secret in desperation of seeing his nephew crying uncontrollably.

Khushi glanced at him confused, why would he be upset with her? What did she do?

But this was not right to think about this, because Aayu needed her attention.

She made Aayu drink water, patting his back gently. Aayu calmed down and opened his arms to Arnav gesturing Arnav to take him in his arms.

Arnav lifted him in his arms, Aayu buried his face on the crook of his neck. Arnav took him to his room.

NK sighed once they left, "I don't know why Bhai spoke about you when he knows Aayu is close to you and he would feel bad.. Poor kid.. now he will be upset all day thinking of his parents.."

"You seem to be very close to Aayu!" Isha commented watching Khushi taking Aayu's plate.

"I am.." Khushi replied politely and looked at NK, "I don't think Aayu would want to eat now.. I should make his favorite chocolate cookies to make him feel better, na?"

NK nodded, "Yeah.. I'll help you.."

Khushi and NK moved to the kitchen.

"Okay.. she's not just a cook here.. she's way more than that!" Isha said to herself raising her brows astonished at how Aayu, NK and even Arnav treat her differently from other employees.

"I can't believe I'm the only one sitting here.." she sighed looking at the empty table.

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Arnav's room..

Aayu sat on middle of the bed with Arnav at the right side.

"You want to watch cartoons? I won't go back to office today just to watch it with you.." Arnav said.

Aayu nodded sideways.

"Aayu I'm really sorry.. I didn't mean to hurt you champ.." Arnav brought Aayu closer and kissed his forehead with closed eyes. Seeing Aayu cry for his parents, was the last thing Arnav wanted for now.

"Annav uncle it's okay.. If Kushie is like my mumma.. then you're exactly like papa.. I can't be angry for long with you both!" Aayu smiled.

Arnav caressed Aayu's hair lost in the thoughts of his brother and sister in law. 

"Hi.. Hope I'm not disturbing you both!" Isha smile nervously as she walked in Arnav's room.

Arnav composed himself and looked at her side, "You need something Isha?"

Isha nodded and sat beside Aayu, snatching him from Arnav's arms, she cuddled with the little boy: I need this boy! He promised to teach me how to play games!

Aayu giggled, "I'll teach you Isha Didi.. but not now!"

"Not now? Why? Busy with your uncle?" Isha asked.

"Because I want to go somewhere with Annav uncle!" Aayu said and glanced at Arnav.

Arnav smirked, "You smart boy.. taking advantage of my guilty state?"

"Where do you want to go?" Arnav asked.

"I want to see Kushie's home!" Aayu smiled cheekily.

"You need her permission for that.." Arnav said.

"I'll go and ask her.." Aayu said as he stood up on the bed itself ready to go downstairs.

"Wait.." Arnav pulled him back, "You need to wash your face first!"

Aayu nodded. Arnav took him to the bathroom.

"Will anyone give attention to me in this house?" Isha asked boringly.

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

At the kitchen...

"Kushie can we see your home now?" Aayu asked after Arnav made him sit on the kitchen slab.

"We?" Khushi asked.

"Me and Annav uncle!" Aayu said.

"Yeah.. I've no problem!" Khushi said smiling at him, but ignored Arnav completely.

"Champ just wait for a while.. we're making very delicious chocolate cookies for you.. then we will go to Khushi's home" NK said.

"No.. I just want to go with Kushie and Annav uncle only!" Aayu said with innocent smile but his mind had another plans.

"What about me?" NK asked pouting.

"You can finish making the chocolate cookies here and also give company to Isha!" Arnav said.

"I wish NK came with us instead of you!" Khushi muttered to herself.

"We will be back soon!" Khushi said smiling to NK, "I trust you with the cookies!"

Arnav looked away with a frown adorning his face.

"Really? I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a disaster.." NK said unsure.

"NK uncle let's see if you can chocolate cookies better than my Cookie Queen!" Aayu said challenging NK.

"What will I get in return?" NK asked smirking.

"Nothing!" Aayu said with lopsided smile.

"Haww.. Why?" Khushi asked.

"I know he won't win!" Aayu laughed making Khushi and Arnav smile, and NK hit playfully Aayu's arm. Aayu hide his face on Khushi's chest, laughing.

Khushi lifted him in her arms, "Let's go now.. Bye NK.. thank you helping me with the cookies.."

Arnav sighed impatiently, "Shall we go now?"

Khushi glared at him, "Yes Sir!"

Arnav left them walked ahead and followed them outside.

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

Khushi's home..

Khushi opened the door of her house with the keys and guided them inside.

Aayu looked around her house curiously. Arnav took him to the living room and made him sit on the couch, whispering to him: Behave properly here.. and don't run here and there or mess with Khushi's things.. she's good with you but that doesn't mean you should mess with her house..

Aayu nodded his head obediently.

"Aayu you want juice or something else?" Khushi asked.

"I want to see your room Kushie.." Aayu ran to her and pulled her with him, asking her to take him to her room.

Arnav face palmed, "What I explained him now.. and he just did the opposite.."

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

"Wow.. You've stars in your room Kushie.." Aayu jumped in her bed, twirling and gazing at the stars excitedly.

"Yes.." Khushi smiled at him.

"That's Salman Khan!" Aayu pointed to the poster in the wall of her room.

"You like Salman Khan Kushie?" Aayu asked.

"Yes.. I like him a lot.. I've watched all his movies till date and that too many times.." Khushi said.

Aayu smiled.

"Aayu what are you doing? Get down the bed right now.." Arnav scolded him, his eyes went wide seeing his nephew jumping on Khushi's bed. Of course, Khushi wouldn't object but he knew she might not like it.

Aayu pouted and climbed down the bed.

"And you knock the door before walking in Mr. Raizada.. This is my room, not yours!" Khushi said frowning.

Arnav looked at her, "I'm not in your room yet!"

He gestured her to see that he was just inches behind the door frame.

Khushi sighed hard and left from her room heading to the kitchen.

Arnav smiled slightly at her disappearing figure, then looked at Aayu: Come here..

Aayu walked to him.

"What had I told you?" Arnav asked.

"But Kushie didn't scold me.." Aayu looked up to his uncle cutely.

"Kushie didn't scold me! Of course she won't scold you because she likes you.. Now you be a good boy and go to the living room.. sit there quietly!" Arnav said.

Aayu nodded his head and ran to the living room.

Arnav walked in Khushi's room, he arranged the quilt and pillows of her bed that Aayu had messed up while jumping on it and left from there, heading to the living room.

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

"Kushie lives here with her sister and friend.." Aayu informed his uncle.

"I know.. I've been here before!" Arnav said.

"When?" Aayu looked at him confused.

"When I brought her back to you after asking her to leave the job.. Forgot?" Arnav asked.

"Oops.. that day!" Aayu nodded acknowledging.

Khushi came back with a tray with two glasses of mango juice and snacks for both.

She served for both but didn't meet eyes with Arnav while serving him.

Arnav drank his juice and made a face, "This juice taste different!"

"Mine is good!" Aayu replied sipping his juice.

"Woh actually mango juice got over.. so I just mixed orange and mango juice.." Khushi bit her lips revealing to him embarrassed.

"And you had to serve this one to me?" he asked raising his one eyebrow.

"Of course.. I wouldn't serve it to Aayu.." Khushi said with obviously-look.

Aayu giggled. Arnav sighed in defeat, "Ok!"

He drank the juice in one go making Khushi shut her eyes highly embarrassed. She told Lavanya to buy more juice!

After chatting with Aayu for sometime, Aayu yawned feeling sleepy.

Khushi took him to her room and made him lay on her bed. She covered him properly with blanket and kissed his forehead.

Then went back to the living room. She looked at Arnav awkwardly as she had to spend time with him till Aayu wakes up.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize when her foot accidently hit the leg of the table making her stumble and she fell on him, who was sitting on the couch.

Arnav held her in his arms taken aback and Khushi screamed shutting her eyes tightly, "Aaaah!"

"Shh.. nothing happened.. you didn't got hurt.." Arnav whispered in her ear.

Khushi opened her eyes instantly when his husky voice reached to her ears. She immediately tried to stand on her own.

"Tomato careful.. I won't you eat you up.." Arnav frowned seeing her struggling to get out of his hold.

"Don't call me Tomato!" Khushi said angrily and finally managed to stand up, she took a step back from and looked away crossing her arms.

"Okay.." he replied.

"Okay?" Khushi asked in disbelief.

"Okay.. I won't call you Tomato from now on" he said nodding.

"Are you .. you know what.. just forget it.. I give up.." Khushi said pissed off and looked away.

"Why did you say that I'm special for you?" Khushi asked as she sat on the couch annoyed with him.

Arnav ignored her and started typing on his phone something.

"I'm asking you something!" Khushi gritted her teeth.

"I already told you before I don't owe you any explanations Tomato!" Arnav said.

"Don't call me Tomato!" Khushi cried. She ran to the bathroom frustrated.

Arnav chuckled.