Dedicated to Starry0502

Early in the morning..

Khushi opened her eyes lazily and looked at her husband's side, staring at him sleeping peacefully, holding her hand in his hand. She raised her other hand to his cheek, and brushed her fingers against his cheek lightly, lost in her thoughts.

Flashback..

"Arnav bitwa would have taken 50 years to get married to you.. Shashi made him do it in one day only.." Buaji said.

While Shashi and Garima laughed at Buaji's joke, Khushi with a small smile on her face said: It's not like that Buaji.. he would have taken time, but I'm sure one or other day he would come to me and say Khushi let's get married. He just needed to fight back with the insecurities he carries with himself from his past and realize his love for me.. after that, he himself would have done anything to get married to me. He just needed to believe in himself that he will be a good husband and never betray his wife or hurt his wife the way his father did.. and I was willing to wait for him and fight with him against his own insecurities.. It would take time, but it would definitely happen.. not like this, but in a better way.

"What are you trying to say Khushi bitiya? We did wrong by trying to help your love story move forward?" Garima asked.

"Is Arnav bitwa unhappy with this marriage?" Buaji asked worriedly.

"Did he felt pressurized to marry you because of what I said to him?" Shashi asked realizing the consequences of his act.

"He said to me that he married me willingly.. but somewhere I feel he did felt pressurized to marry me.." Khushi said.

Everyone's face fell and the guilt started consuming them. Noticing that, Khushi said: See I'm happy and overwhelmed that you all thought about my happiness and you did this plan with a good intention to help me and Arnav ji confess our love to each other.. but I can't refuse to acknowledge that if it wasn't for this plan, then Arnav ji wouldn't have married me that day, but another day when he would be ready for it and I would be even more happier. Though I understand your intention was never to force him to get married to me, but it was wrong to emotional blackmail him.. knowing how Arnav ji is, it was bound for him to take such step in fear of losing me.. If I was just Khushi, then I would be jumping around here happily, but now I'm Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, unknowingly I think for two now, this happiness comes along with a guilty feeling also. I didn't want your mood to be off after knowing this, but now that you mentioned about the time Arnav ji would take to marry me, I felt necessary to let you all know that he had a reason for why he was refusing to get married now, it's not that he just wanted to keep me as his girlfriend, or he wanted to concentrate on his business or even that he felt it's still early to get married. He just wanted to be sure on himself that he would be a good husband unlike his father by moving on from his tragic past. We might think it's silly thing, it happened in past, he will not be like his father and he must move on and accept to get married.. but for him, it's not a small thing.. he fears to love someone.. he fears to get married.. but still he got married to me.. that's itself a big thing for me.. I don't know if ever he will say that he loves me, but now that I'm aware that this was plan by you all and Arnav ji in fear of losing me, fought with his biggest fear, I'm always going to be by his side and love him unconditionally.

Flashback ends.

Then her thoughts traveled to the first they made love. It was really special the way they expressed their love to each other, how much they missed each other and asked forgiveness to each other through their love making. Arnav had mumbled uncountable sweet nothings to her that makes her blush deeply even now.

"Good morning!" Arnav whispered and caressed Khushi's cheek smiling to her. She looked really beautiful today, her face was glowing like a moon.

Khushi looked at him startled, smiling surprisingly, "Good morning.. When did you woke up Arnav ji?"

"When you were lost in your dream land." he replied and pulled her closer, making Khushi rest her head on his bare chest.

"Are you okay? Do you feel any pain?" he asked concernedly, caressing her back gently.

"Just a mild pain on my abdomen but I'm fine and very happy." Khushi said blushing.

"It's normal.. I will bath you with warm water and you'll feel better." he said dropping a kiss on her forehead.

"I can bath myself you shameless hubby." Khushi giggled.

"I'm shameless? Who gave me these love bites?" Arnav asked showing his right shoulder to her.

"Let's go and freshen up please. Nani must be waiting for me for puja." Khushi said trying to hide how embarrassed she was, by sitting on their bed and searching for his shirt, which she found carelessly laid at the edge of the bed. She took it and wore it quickly. Arnav lifted her in his arms, taking her with him to the bathroom while teasing her to no end on their way and also inside the bathroom.

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Sometime later..

After attending the morning prayers, Khushi came back to their room and found Arnav watering his plants.

She hugged him from behind tightly, "Happy Birthday once again Arnav ji!"

"How many times will you wish me now?" he turned to her.

Khushi shrugged smiling and pulled his cheek, "You're my Baby today!"

"Oh really.." he smirked.

"Yes really.. Arnav ji are you sure you don't want a birthday party?" Khushi asked.

"Hmm.." Arnav nodded his head, "Sure."

"What can I do to make you feel special?" she circled her arms around his neck.

"You already make me feel special Khushi. Don't stress yourself. I'm really happy today." he nuzzled her cheeks.

Khushi hugged him, running her fingers through the back of his hair lightly, "Are you happy or just telling me that you're happy?"

"I'm happy because I've my Happiness now. You!" he whispered on her ear, reciprocating the hug.

Khushi smiled hearing this from him, but she knew how much Arnav must be missing his mother today, that's why the first thing he went to do after freshening up with her, was to take care of his plants.

A knock on the door made them break their hug, as Khushi went to see who was at the door and Arnav finished watering his plants.

"Di do you need something?" Khushi asked as soon as she opened the door.

"Yes. I want to talk with you Khushi." Anjali said.

"Come in." Khushi smiled, guiding Anjali inside their room.

Anjali saw Arnav at the poolside, she asked Khushi to wait for two minutes and she went to Arnav. She cupped his face and kissed his forehead smiling lovingly at him.

"What? Can't I kiss my brother now?" she shrugged when he gave her a look. Though he can stop her from wishing him with words, but he can't stop her from wishing him through gestures.

"Of course you can.. not just today, but everyday!" he smirked.

Anjali messed with his hair, then went back to the room. She held Khushi's hands smiling apologetically, "I'm really sorry for everything I said to you yesterday Khushi. I was upset that my Chote is in pain and I end up showing my anger to you. I'm really very sorry."

"It's okay Di. I understand as a sister you were bound to react like that. But the good news is that everything is fine between me and Arnav ji now." Khushi said smiling brightly.

"What? Really?" Anjali's eyes widened, twinkling in excitement.

Khushi nodded her head with an assuring smile. Anjali squealed and pulled Khushi into a tight hug.

Arnav walked in the room and saw both hugging each other and laughing, "What happened? Salman's new movie is coming up ahn?"

Khushi and Anjali turned to him and face palmed.

Anjali rushed to him and pulled his cheek, "I'm happy that you both finally solved your problems."

Arnav smiled slightly, "Even I'm happy."

"Don't fight with each other from now on. This house looks so dull when any of the members of the family is upset." Anjali pouted.

"Look who's talking. Don't you keep fighting with Jiju all the time?" Arnav mocked.

Anjali glared at him, "He fights with me okay!"

Arnav chuckled mockingly, "Oh really?"

"Yes really!" she smiled sarcastically to him. Arnav shook his head and went to the bathroom.

Anjali turned to Khushi giggling, then noticed an hickey on Khushi's neck, which Khushi had managed to cover successfully till now with her duppata.

"Does it hurt?" Anjali asked teasingly.

Khushi frowned, "Where Di?"

Anjali pointed to Khushi's neck, trying hard to suppress her smile and put on a worried look, "There.. your neck.."

Khushi touched her neck with her finger then widened her eyes realizing it was a love bite given by her husband during their love making, her cheeks turned completely red as she covered her neck with her duppata, faking a smile to Anjali, "It's nothing Di.. mosquito bite.. you see.. a big one."

Just then Arnav walked out of the bathroom after washing his hands, Anjali asked him worriedly: Chote your room has mosquitoes? Why didn't you told me before?

"What?" Arnav frowned, then looked at Khushi who took a step backwards and signaled Arnav to agree with what Anjali said, she showed him her neck for him to understand the situation.

"Hmm.. yeah.. I left the door of poolside open yesterday.." Arnav said.

"Oh okay.." Anjali said biting her lips, "Be careful next time.. Come downstairs to have breakfast."

Both nodded and as soon as Anjali left, Khushi closed the door and leaned her back on it, sighing in relief.

"Did you just compared my love bite to a mosquito bite?" Arnav asked in disbelief.

"Di noticed it so I had to cover up na." Khushi said.

"Thankfully I've a shirt to cover up the love bites on my shoulders, my back.. the nail scratches.. and all.." he teased her, trying to hide his smile.

Khushi ran to him and beat him on his chest, blushing heavily, "Shut up Arnav ji.. You were more shameless than me."

"Should I show my back?" he asked trying to unbutton his shirt but Khushi shoved his hands whining, "Noo.. Arnav ji stop it.. stop teasing me."

Arnav pecked her lips, "If not you, then who will I tease?"

Khushi smiled at him circling her arms around his waist, "Okay.. you're free to tease me always."

"I've to go to office for an urgent meeting," he said to her.

Khushi's face fell, "But why? It's your Birthday today Arnav ji. Don't go to office please. I promise I will be with you all the time."

"I'll just attend this meeting and come back to you. I also want to spend this day with you only, that's why Aman will take you to my farm house." Arnav said.

Khushi nodded her head, "Okay."

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At the dining room..

Arnav and Khushi reached at the dining room and took their seats.

"Hello hi bye bye. Good morning Arnav bitwa." Mami said smiling brightly.

"Good morning Mami." Arnav replied to her.

"What did you do to Khushi bitiya that her face is glowing and she's running here and there like a beautiful butterfly?" Nani asked smiling.

"The same question is valid to Khushi as well. What did you do to Arnav Khushi? He's looking so happy, with great mood and healthy." Shyam asked teasingly.

Arnav just shook his head with a slight smile and poured juice on his glass while Khushi smiled shyly.

Everyone giggled staring at the lovely couple.

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

Sometime later..

"Khushi you'll make sure I get fired by ASR today." Aman cried staring at the back seat of his car filled with bags with items needed for the preparations of Arnav's birthday party surprise.

"Relax Aman.. I know what I'm doing.. You just pray that my plan doesn't flop." Khushi said taking her seat at the front seat and buckled up her seat belt, flashing a cute smile at him, "Shall we go now?"

Aman cried taking out the car from the shopping mall parking lot, "You'll get me killed today. If ASR gets to know that I helped you in this, then he won't spare me at all."

"Aren't you tired of his threats already? He always say that he will fire you, but he never does so. So just relax Aman and let's talk about other things because seeing you nervous like this is making me even more nervous and scared about my own plan." Khushi glared at him.

"Are you nervous and scared? Wow.. It doesn't look so!" Aman said sarcastically.

"Of course I am.. I just don't show it like you." Khushi frowned.

"Okay.. Okay.. Relax Aman.. ASR needs you like he needs his laptop and his phone.. he won't kick you out of AR.. he will scold you but that's okay.. you're already used to it.. one more day won't make a difference.." Aman said to himself, breathing in and out while driving.

"Aman are you crazy? He needs you like he needs a laptop and phone?" Khushi looked at him weirdly.

"Yeah.. I'm his laptop and phone in real life." Aman said proudly.

"And I'm his life and heart in real life." Khushi said equally proud.

"I'm his Files and Presentation." Aman said stucking out his tongue to Khushi.

"I'm his Coffee and Plants." Khushi said.

"I'm his What the.." Aman said then realized what he just said and looked at Khushi, both burst out laughing loudly.

After their composed themselves, Aman turned serious, "Khushi did you talk with Jenny after she went back to Lucknow?"

Khushi nodded sideways, "No. Why? Is there any problem?"

"No.. I actually don't know. I did call her and even messaged her but she didn't reply to me. First I thought she must be tired and all, but now it's worrying me." Aman said.

"I will try to call her now." Khushi said taking out her phone from her purse and she dialed Jenny's number, it rang few times and finally Jenny picked up the phone.

"Hi Jenny. How are you?.. I'm also fine.. yes.. Jiji is also fine.. she went yesterday only to Sydney with Akash ji, NK and Lavanya for their honeymoon.. (glancing at Aman's desperate look to hear Jenny's voice).. Jenny listen.. Aman has been trying to contact you but is unable to.. he's with me now.. talk with him.. (frowning) but why?"

"What happened?" Aman whispered worriedly.

Khushi didn't got time to speak further as Jenny hang up the phone. She looked at Aman, "She doesn't want to talk with you."

"But why?" Aman frowned.

"I don't know. Even before I could ask her anything, she cut the call. I think she was crying also," Khushi said worriedly.

"But everything was fine between us when she left. Then why doesn't she want to talk with me?" Aman asked confused.

"Don't worry Aman. I'll find it out for you. I will call her later and ask her what happened." Khushi said and patted Aman's shoulder to console him.

"Okay. And yeah, don't spoil your mood because of me. It's your Laad Governor's birthday. Don't be upset because of me and Jenny. I will surely solve this problem." Aman said with a weak smile.

Khushi nodded, but deep inside she was already getting worried for both.

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7 pm.. Farm house.

Arnav walked through the garden side to reach his farm house, he was surprised to see his garden decorated with fairy lights and a table placed at the centre for two people.

He reached at the door and knocked it once nervously, muttering to himself: Get ready to be scolded for reaching so late ASR!

As soon as the door open, Arnav was left with open mouth seeing his wife who leaned at the door frame, crossing her arms looking hot and sexy in a modern dress.

"Welcome home Hubby!" she said with an innocent smile that made him gulp with his eyes fixed on her.

Khushi took his tie in her hands and played with it, smirking slightly at him making Arnav shocked at her behavior, "Do you know what time it is now? It was just an urgent meeting, right?"

"Will you let me inside? I'll explain it to you." Arnav cleared his throat, composing himself.

Khushi shook her head, "Explain it now!"

"Actually Aman forgot to inform that after that meeting.. I had another important one with my clients and then.."

Khushi placed her index finger on his lips, "Shh! I don't want to listen to these excuses.. Are your meetings more important to you than your Wife?"

Arnav nodded sideways and dropped a soft kiss on her finger and Khushi quickly withdrew her finger from his lips.

"You're more important to me." he said.

"Liar.." Khushi said and clutched his tie in her fist and pulled him closer to her, startling him who had to hold her by her waist to balance himself.

Arnav widened his eyes staring at Khushi amused. She moved her face near him and bit his earlobe, "You will be punished for making your wife wait for you."

Arnav smirked and asked huskily, "And what's your husband's punishment?"

"I'll think that later.." Khushi said making Arnav laugh at her.

Khushi pushed him back, "I won't let you inside Arnav ji and you'll not be allowed to touch me.. Stop laughing!"

Arnav stopped laughing immediately, "Okay. Now that's a serious punishment."

Khushi narrowed her eyes at him and ordered, "Follow me!"

She held his tie again and pulled him inside the house, Arnav followed her behind unable to contain his grin, he hugged her from behind making her lose the grip on his tie.

"Wow.. You've decorated it beautifully.." Arnav said looking around the living room decorated with candles and rose petals, red and white balloons all over.

"Did you like it?" Khushi asked.

Arnav nodded his head, dropping light kisses on her bare shoulder, "But I love to see you more.. You're looking so gorgeous my baby angel.."

Khushi turned to face him and circled her arms around his neck, "Thank you Mr. Raizada.. But you're yet to witness one more surprise!"

"Woah.. what are we waiting for then?" he grinned excitedly, pecking her lips.

"Come.. tonight I will bath you!" Khushi winked at him and ran upstairs to their room.

The smile on Arnav's face just kept widening and if look closer at him, one would have witnessed the great ASR blushing slightly.

He followed her to their room, untying his tie and unbuttoning his shirt already on his way.

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

"Khushi are you sure is this you or my wife got kidnapped and replaced by a doppelganger?" Arnav asked taking off his shirt and threw it carelessly to the bed.

"Shut up.. Come faster otherwise I'll change my mind." shouted Khushi, who was already in the bathroom waiting for him.

"Coming.. coming baby.." Arnav said hurriedly getting rid of his pants and rushed inside the bathroom.

Khushi was already in laid in the bathtub, her naked form covered with foam. She blew air in direction of the foam that was on her hand, smilingly to him.

Arnav looked at her amazed, "You'll drive me insane woman!"

Khushi lowered her eyes blushing while Arnav joined her after taking off his boxer.

He took her in his arms and kissed her all over her face, "Thank you.. You're indeed making this day unforgettable for me Khushi."

"Don't say thank you to me Arnav ji.. You deserve this and more.." Khushi said kissing his chest.

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

Khushi handed Arnav a white shirt and jeans pants to wear after they were done with their bubble bath, "You bought this for me?"

Khushi nodded her head.

"Tell me one thing. Who helped you in this? I'm sure you didn't do this alone." Arnav asked suspiciously wearing the white shirt.

"Aman. Who else?" Khushi raised her brows smiling cheekily to him.

"Oh.. Partners in crime now." Arnav said while putting on his pants and Khushi helped him in buttoning his shirt.

"Yes." Khushi grinned.

"I'm ready.. What's in store for me now?" Arnav asked.

Khushi kissed his cheek soundly and held his hand, taking him downstairs to the dining room. Arnav was playing with her hair on the way and stealing kisses every now and then.

She made him sit on his chair and asked him to wait for two minutes, then she rushed to the kitchen to warm their food.

The table was already set and Arnav waited patiently admiring the decorations.

"Yeh ladki bhi na.. balloons! Does she think I'm a kid?" Arnav muttered to himself, holding one red balloon on his hand.

Khushi came back with the dishes, and looked at him throwing that ballon on air, "Someone is looking like a kid today. See your mumma just bathed you and now you're playing with balloons."

Khushi giggled, keeping the dishes on the table.

Arnav pulled her to his lap in one move making Khushi gasp staring at him shocked, "What are you doing Arnav ji?" she slapped his chest for scaring her.

"Showing you what this kid can do!" Arnav said placing wet kisses on her neck.

Khushi closed her eyes shivering under his lips touch. She clutched his shirt tightly and cried when gave her a bite. Arnav licked that spot to soothe her pain, mumbling sweet nothings to her.

"I'm already very hungry!" Arnav said leaning on his chair and tucking her hair behind her ear gently.

"I've cooked your favorite food.." Khushi said biting her lips to control herself from giggling.

"Very funny!" Arnav said making her chuckle.

She turned to table and started serving the food for them. Arnav kept dropping kisses on her shoulder till her arms.

"Arnav ji.. You will get full time to do your shameless things.. please eat now." Khushi whined.

Arnav rested his chin on her shoulder, "Feed me!"

"See I told you're looking like a kid today." Khushi giggled. Arnav tickled her smiling.

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Shantivan..
Anjali and Shyam's room.

"What happened Rani Sahiba? You're looking upset." Shyam asked half-laid on their bed.

Anjali stopped folding his shirts and glanced at him: I don't know.. See I'm really happy that Chote and Khushi went to his farm house to spend some quality time together. But today it's his birthday na.. he should have spend time with us.. his family. We also feel like celebrating his birthday with him and he's only giving that privilege to Khushi.

"I understand your feelings Rani Sahiba.. but you also need to understand your Chote's feelings. He's an introvert person, who doesn't open himself to any random person just like that.. He never celebrated his birthday after his mother's death.. and somehow Khushi gave him that kind of love, care and warmth, that perhaps he only felt with his mother.. that's why he took her with him to his farm house.. to spend this day only with his special lady.. and this should be more than enough for us Rani Sahiba.. We can't expect him to change from one day to another.. he's still not comfortable with birthday parties and all.. but Khushi managed to make a move this time.. who knows in future.. he will accept to celebrate his birthday with us and his friends too.." Shyam said.

Anjali nodded, "You're right Hubby ji.. I'm so lucky to have you.. You always explain things to me so patiently.."

Shyam smiled at her.

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

Farm house..
At the garden side..

Khushi walked to Arnav who was standing near the table placed at his garden, this time carefully she took the cake to the table and looked at Arnav smiling, "You can open your eyes now Arnav ji."

Arnav opened his eyes and looked at her, then at the cake on the table.

He smiled a little but his eyes turned moist as he remembered the way he would ran to the table to see his birthday cake in past and he would call his mother to cut the cake with him.

Khushi cupped his face and wiped the corner of his eyes, "Don't cry Arnav ji. I know you're missing Ma a lot. You wish she was here with you the cut the cake."

Arnav hugged her tightly, burying his face on the crook of her neck.

"Baby look at me." she broke the hug and made Arnav face her.

"I know that Ma can't cut the cake with you now but she's here with you.." Khushi smiled through the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

"You believe that your Ma is now a star and she keeps looking at you from the sky, na?" Khushi asked. Arnav nodded in response.

Khushi pointed to the most shining and twinkling star at the sky with her index finger, "Then she's there to watch you celebrate your birthday.. she will see you cutting your birthday cake today Arnav ji."

Arnav looked up at the dark sky filled with stars and smile emotionally, understanding the most special surprise Khushi kept hinting at now.

He looked at her again and pulled her into a close and tight hug, "Thank you my life. Thank you so much for this.. I didn't expect this surprise.. you just left me with no words.."

"You don't need to thank me Arnav ji.." Khushi reciprocated the hug smiling.

They broke the hug after few minutes, and Khushi sang for him handling the knife to him.

"Happy Birthday to you.. Happy birthday to you.. Happy birthday to my love.. Happy birthday to you!" Khushi clapped her hands excitedly and signaled him the blow at the candles but Arnav just the cut the cake making Khushi pout and blow the candles for him.

"Arnav ji you're such a spoilsport.. Ma must be thinking what kind of Laad governor she got as her son.." Khushi whined.

"I'm no kid to be excited to blow candles," Arnav shrugged as he took a piece of cake to her mouth.

"First piece for Ma!" Khushi reminded him.

"I'm doing that only.. I see my Ma in you Khushi.. You've same qualities as hers.. By feeding you this cake.. I feel like I'm feeding her in past.." Arnav said with tears filled eyes.

Khushi took a bite trying to smile, but end up sobbing emotionally and rested her head on his chest. Arnav kept the piece of cake back to the plate on the table and hugged her back.