ARHI FF : Life and its twists !!! *On Hold*

Part 26:

Arnav tried to catch up with Kaajal after the fiasco at the studio. But within he reached the door , he saw her start her car and zoom out of office. He tried calling her cell, but she didn't answer. After sometime he tried and she had switched off her cell. He went in to find Khushi biting her nails and extremely nervous .She looked at him and questioned him with a gesture, he nodded a NO in response and she sighed and slumped on the chair holding her head. Arnav rushed to her side thinking she had a headache or something.

Arnav – Khushi ?? ….. tum theek ho ?? ……. Kya hua ?? ….. (he said while trying to get her hands off her head)

Khushi – theek ?? ……. Hum theek kaise ho sakte hai ?? …… (making a face)…… Kaajal upset hai …….. UD yaha hai …….. ek meri behen hai ……… doosra mera dost ……. Aur in dono ke beech mai pasha hui hoo ….. hey devi maiyaa …… aapko meri chutney banane ka itna shauck kyun hai ???

Arnav – Relax Khushi !! ……

Khushi – Relax ?? …….. hum kaise relax kar sakte hai Arnavji ?? …… ek toh humari behen gussa hai ……. Aur hume pata bhi nahi hai ki woh kaha hai ……… (she took out her cell and tried calling her again to only get a switched off message) ….. Kyun karti hai yeh aisa ??? (she complained to no one in particular) …

By then her mobile buzzed .It was message from KJ – "I will be fine, I need some time to cool off . So don't bother to bother me ……. Traitor Twin".Khushi just rolled her eyes and tried calling her when Arnav stopped her from doing so.

Arnav – Khushi … she is not a kid ….. I guess she ll cool off and waapis aa jaayegi ….. don worry too much …..

Khushi – shayad aap sahi keh rahe hai …… hum bhi naa (hitting her head slightly) …. Kaha aapko in sab mai phasa diya ….. aapko AR bhi toh jaana hai …. Aap jaayiye ….. mai yaha sambhal loongi ….

Arnav – you sure ??

Khushi – jee …(and Arnav left bidding her bye)

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It was almost 10pm and he was still working at AR. He didn't notice time fly by.Half of his day was consumed by MG and he still wasn't ready to transfer any of his responsibilities at AR to anyone. He wanted to still do what he did before. He had switched off his personal mobile, since he didn't want anyone to disturb him. Finally after he was happy with the quotations and figures in the file, he switched off his laptop and stretched .He felt he needed a strong dose of coffee and he went near his coffee machine. He had a look at the clock and sighed , he better switch on his mobile , lest his dii or nani or even Payal murder him for going off the grid. He switched on the mobile and poured a cup of coffee for himself .He turned to go back to his seat and as if on cue his mobile rang. It was from Kaajal. Wondering what was in store for him, he kept the mug on table without even taking a sip and answered the call.

Arnav – Hello KJ …. (but was disturbed to hear a male voice answer the call)

Male Voice – hello Sir … may I know who is this ??

Arnav – who are you ?? … and why do you have Kaajal's phone ???

Male voice – sir … I am Mr.X (not so important character) …. I am talking from the Pub Mystique …. Miss Kaajal is extremely drunk and she is not in her senses …… can you arrange for someone to pick her up from here ?? …. It is not safe for a girl to be all by herself in such a state …..

Arnav – What ?? …. Oh ok ……. I ll be thr in 20mins …… can you stay with her till then ??

Male voice – ye…yess ….. but may I know who is this ??

Arnav – Its Arnav Singh Raizaada …..

Male voice- what ?? …. THE Arnav Singh Raizaada ?? OMG …. I cant believe I am actually speaking to you ….(by then Arnav had cut the call and was halfway to his car)

Arnav reached the place in 15 mins and was wondering what on earth made Kaajal to take such a stupid step. He was wondering how he would get her back home in such a state, if it was even possible. Well , we will see what we can do based on how Miss.KJ is , he thought sarcastically banging the wheel and in his usual style got off the car. He entered the pub and his nose scrunched with the strong smell of alcohol and what not. His eyes searched for the familiar figure and he noticed her sitting at the bar. He went near and noticed ,she had atleast some 10 shots near her table with another guy timidly standing behind her advising her not to have any more. While there were another bunch of guys who surrounded a guy who had 9 shots next to him. They were encouraging him to have another shot to beat the girl.Oh damn !! he thought … if this was a competition it was a sick one he thought and advanced towards her. He could make out her sarcastic comments on the guy with whom she was competing.

KJ – kyun be hero ……..peenaa ?? ……. Bada hero banke drink offer kar raha tha is lady ko (she told pointing herself, while the guy whom she was pointing at was almost unconscious )

Arnav – Kaajal …. (he said patting her shoulder, while he nudged the guy who supposedly had called him to move)

Kaajal – ehh ?? ……. Yeh kaun bolo …. (she looked around in every direction and finally saw Arnav. She gave him a huge smile and tugged him by shoulders next to her) ….. Arnavvv ………. Tum bhi yaha ……. (made a gesture of drinking while winking at him) …. Aaye ho naa ??? …(shaking her pointed finger in confirmation) ……… but don worry …… mai kisise kuch nahi kahungi (she told in a hushed tone) ….. see …. My lips are sealed (she made a gesture) …….

Some guy in the other grp – come on dude ……. Get up ……. One more shot !!! and we can beat this girl …. Get up …..

KJ – ha ha ha ……. Lagta hai tumhara dost ……. (goin closer to examine his face ,while Arnav pulled her back a bit) …. So gaya …….. aur tum log yeh soch rahe ho yeh mujhe ……….. (pointing at herself) harayega ……. So much for offering a "drink" to the lady ……. (by then the guy who she was competing with started to snore) …. Lo …… yeh toh haar gaya ….. (she said to Arnav) …. How boring !!!! ….. anyways …… Mike (the bartender) mera bill yeh saab pay karenge …….. afterall he offered me a drink ……. (she laughed and tried getting down the seat .Arnav tried to help her steady herself with what bit patience he had and she surprisingly pushed his arms away raising an angry eyebrow at him) ……. Tumhe kya lagta hai ??? Mai chall nahi sakti ?? (she screamed ) …. If you think so sadu ……. You are wrong ……. Get that ?? mujhe kisiki sahare ki koi zaroorat nahi hai ….. samjhe tum ??? …… (and she tried walking a few steps. She faltered and was losing balance when Arnav went and held her by shoulder to steady her) …

Arnav – yaa …. I can see that (he said sarcastically) …. Come …. (he more so pulled her with him ,with her protesting. He was in no mood to listen to her )

Outside the pub :

Kaajal – sadu !! …….. mujhe yaha kyun leke aaye ho ?? …….. mujhe andar jaana hai (she threw a tantrum)

Arnav –NO Kaajal …… tum andar nahi jaa sakti …….. Tum apne senses mai nahi ho …..

Kaajal – toh ??? …….. kisne kaha ki andar jaane ke liye sense ki zaroorat hoti hai ??? its not written anywhere …. (She pouted)

Arnav – right !! (now leaving her to steady herself, folding her arms) …. Sense ki zaroorat nahi hai …… tabhi tum jaise paagal log andar jaate hai ……

Kaajal – what ??? …… tumne mujhe senseless kaha ??? ….. aur paagal bhi ???

Arnav – nahi …. You did the honors yourself …..

Kaajal – whatever …….. mai andar jaa rahi hoo (she turned)

Arnav – (rushing to hold her ) no …. You are not !!! …… (she squirmed and yapped nonsense when he tried to stop her ) …. Kaajal shut up !!! …. Shut up !!! …. I SAID SHUT UP !!! (shaking her shoulders and she finally did shut up)

Kaajal – (making a crying puppy face)……. Chilla kyun rahe ho ???

Arnav – MAIN CHILLA RAHA HOO ?? …… (steadying her using one hand and pointing using the other as if talking to a kid) ….. MAIN NAHI CHILLA RAHA !!! (and she tried speaking) ….. I SAID SHUT UP KAAJAL MEHRA !!! …..(she was almost in the verge of tears) … oh great !!! ….. NO CRYING !!!(he warned her) … ab chup chaap chalo mere saath !!! …

She finally started to walk or he started to pull her with him towards the car. He opened the car door , dumped her into the front seat and did the seatbelt while glaring at her. She looked regretful for a second and stared at him. He unceremoniously went to the driver seat and settled himself. He held the steering and closed his eyes to try to calm himself. He finally realized he needed to inform Khushi about KJ and called her. She was shocked when she was informed about her sister's situation and was a bundle of nerves. She and Arnav decided to somehow sneak her into the house while all were asleep.

Arnav – Unbelievable !! ….. such carelessness ……. I didn't expect this from Kaajal ….. I am soo disappointed with her !!! …… I thought she was mature and could handle life ….. this is just not done !!! …. Anyways Khushi …. Tum yeh socho ki hum kaise isse ghar ke andar le jaa sakte hai …….. I ll be there in an hour (and cut the call) …… you are in big trouble young lady (he glared at Kaajal, who just made a sorry face and bowed her head down. After some time she was continuously staring at him trying to speak and wasn't having the guts to that. Arnav noticed this) ….. (sighing) …. Bolo !!! …..

Kaajal – tum naa ….. jab gussa karte ho …… bilkul papa jaise lagte ho ……

Arnav – (almost losing the control over steering , skidded a bit and he finally managed to pull the car to the side ) WHAT ???(turning towards her with a shocked expression) …. PAPA ??? ….. you mean dad ??(she nodded ,while he made a confused face)

Kaajal – haan …. Pata hai …… mai aur Khushi jab bhi kuch galti karte the …… papa aise hiii hume daante the …… aur kehte the ……. 'you are in big trouble young lady'(managing to imitate her father while still drunk) ….. aur phir hume punishment dete ……. Ki woh humse tab tak baat nahi karenge jab tak sudhar nahi jaate ……. Aur hum rone lag jaate ….. mumma unhe manaa leti thi …… aur phir hum dono kaan pakadkar uthak baithak karte ……. Aur papa maan jaate …….. (now crying) …. Mujhe papa ki bahut yaad aati hai …… pata nahi kyun humse rooth gaye …… aur humse door chale gaye …….. aur mumma bhi chali gayi ……. Hum kaise maanaayenge unhe ?? ….. kaise bataye papa ko ki hum sudhar gaye hai ……mai rozz kaan pakadkar uthak baithak karungi ki woh maan jaaye …… taaki woh humse baat kare ……. Mujhe unki bahut yaad aati hai …….. I miss him ……… I really do miss him …… (and she cried even harder.Unknown to Arnav ,even his eyes were misty)

Arnav – Kaajal ….(in a soft voice) ….. its ok ….. and mai tumhe tumhari papa ki yaad dilaata hoon ?? Really ?? your DAD of all people ?? ……..

Kaajal – (nodding) …. Haan ……. Bilkul papa jaise dikte ho …… (he questioned by making a face) …. Papa jab bhi gussa hote unka naak bilkul laal ho jaata ……… aur aur phulane lagte ….. aur woh aankhen aisi karte(by narrowing his eyes ) ……… aur aur ….. (gesturing completely as if speaking to a deaf person) … aur unke maathe par aise wrinkles hote …… bilkul tumhari tarah ……. (Arnav didn't know if he should be offended by the comparison of take it as a compliment …. Seriously ?? a FATHER ??) ….. but pata hai ……. Tum naa ……. Ek acche daddy banoge ……

Arnav – (even more shocked) ….. KYA ??? ….. Mai aur Daddy ??(he was trying to clarify and push some sense into her inebriate brain)…….

Kaajal – haan ……… bilkul mere papa jaise …… tum tall ho …… strong ho …… smart ho ……(now Arnav was not sure if he should stop her or not, since he was in some way enjoying her praising him) ….. aur phir …. Tumhare paas itni acchi gaadi hai …….. aur phir itna bada ghar hai (gesturing) ….. aur tumhare saare family itne acche hai ……… pata hai tumhare bacche kya kahenge ??

Arnav – Kya ??

Kaajal – yehi ………. MY DADDY STRONGEST !!! (she made an action of showing her muscles to point out strength)

Arnav – (now almost smiling) hmmm ……. Par Kaajal ……. Yeh sab toh theek hai ……. Par ek problem hai …….

Kaajal – ( scrunching her head to think) kya ??

Arnav – mere paas abhi tak koi biwi nahi hai …….. toh bacche nahi honge ….. aur phir mai strongest daddy nahi ban sakta ……..

Kaajal – basss ??? itna sa problem ??? ……. Khushi hai naaa …… usse kaho ki woh tumhari biwi ban jaaye …… (she said with full smiles ….now happy with her solution)

Arnav – usse poochna itna aasaan hota …… toh ab tak maine kar liya hota (he blurted) ….

Kaajal – arre ……. Woh hitler nahi hai …….. jo tumhare poochne par tumhe gas chamber mai band kar degi …….. tumhe poocha hi nahi …….. toh aise kaise keh sakte ho ……

Arnav – right !!! ……. I cant believe am taking dating advice from a drunk female …… (he started the vehicle and started to drive) ….

Kaajal – (after a break for silence ,which was for 5 mins) ….. you know Khush lucky hai ….. meri tarah nahi ….

Arnav – kyun ??

Kaajal – tum acche ho …. tum usse pyaar karte ho …… aur usse kabhi dhoka nahi doge …..usse use karke chodd nahi doge tissue ki tarah ……. jaise uss UD ne mere saath kiya …… (for the second time in the night he slammed the break) ….

Arnav – Kaajal ?? ( he touched her shoulders slightly to comfort her) … UD ???

Kaajal – pata hai ……. Mai usse bahut pyaar karti thi ….. hoo …… hum sabse acche dost the ….. usse har cheez share karti thi …… jab usne mujhe apna valentine banaya ……. Mai bahut khush thi …… mujhe laga ki mujhe mera life partner mill gaya ……. Aur celebrate karte karte ….. us V-Day ke din humne bahut pee liii ……. Hum dance karne lage …… (in a hushed one) close dance kiya tha humne….. phir …. We dint know wen we lost control and were kissing madly ……. I …. I …. Slept with him Arnav …….. Everything felt soo perfect ……. Meri behen mere saath ……. My love …… my company ……. My family …… everything was perfect ……… but subah jab mai uthi toh woh nahi tha mere saath …….. uss din mujhe uss shyla ne kaha …… ki ….. UD uske saath …… mere baad ……. (she again cried a bit while Arnav clutched the steering for some control over his anger at UD) …. He was bed hopping ……… he used me …… tab mujhe pata chala ki mai uske liye ek To-Do ke alawa aur kuch nahi thi …… I was in his to-do list and that's what he wanted to … to-do me ……… maine kisi ko kuch nahi bataya ……. Khushi ko bhi …… I asked him Sadu …. Aur pata hai usne kya kaha …….. its upto me to believe whom I want …….. he doesn't want to take the trouble to clarify anything to someone who didn't trust me …….. maine usse bhoolne ki kaafi try ki ….. but I don't know …… it kills me ……… I still love him …….. I don't know why ………. I should be angry on him ……. And me ……. But I ….. I cant …..

She cried again holding on to Arnav's shoulder and he let her cry . He cudnt believe UD could do such a thing . He was angry on UD and if he was in front of him , he would have happily murdered that man. But somewhere in his mind Khushi's words made rounds , that Kaajal trusted Shyla over UD and UD was angry on her for that . That Shyla was trying to get in between these two from long. He couldn't decide who was right or who was wrong and he cudnt even tell Khushi this part. IT was Kaajal's truth and it was her right to tell or to not tell . He felt a weight on shoulder and he realized, KJ was asleep on his shoulder. He took a deep breath and slowly started his car and drove to Mehra Mansion.

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End of Part 26

Part 24 :

Khushi – dekhiye hume pataa hai ki mujhe aapse nahi poochna chahiye ... par Kaajal aur mere family waale mujhe kuch batane se rahe ...par mai ummeed karti huu ki aap mujhse sach kahenge ...

Arnav – poocho khushi ...

Khushi – hume kal kya hua tha ??? (Arnav just stared back at her )

Khushi – kahiyena ... kya hua tha hume ??

Arnav just didnt know what to do , to tell her the truth which in itself was hazy and adding to it was Kaajal's ultimatum that no one should tell Khushi anything. Or to lie to her, which he wasn't comfortable with either. He was stuck with a confused expression on his face, which annoyed Khushi even more . He made his decision and looked at her , a girl who had grown up to be a woman , but those eyes still contained a hint of the innocent bubbly girl . Should he tell her the truth and create fear and worry in those eyes ?? Khushi looked expectantly at him , which made him even more doubtful of his decision. He went and sat next to her on the bed and looked at her with eyes full of concern.

Arnav – kyun khushi ?? ... tumhe nahi pata ?? (he questioned ,as if checking the waters before deciding to take the plunge)

Khushi – (frowning a bit) ... agar hume pata hota ... toh aapse kyun poochte ?? ... (which made Arnav give her "the look" which scared her a bit even now) ... hume kuch yaad nahi hai ...ki kya hua ...

Arnav – toh kya yaad hai tumhe ?? (in a soft encouraging tone) ..

Khushi – hum ... matlab hum dono(looking at him and pointing to herself and him) ... (Arnav nodded) ... aapke garden mai the ... then ... baarish start hua ... phir mai behosh ho gayi ... uske baad kuch yaad nahi hume ...

Arnav – ofcourse Khushi ... tum behosh thi toh tumhe kuch yaad kaise rahega ... (she frowned at him) ...

Khushi – fine !!! ... aap bhi kuch mat kahiye ... (she told in a irritated tone and turned her face away from him) ...

Arnav – Khushi ...(she slightly turned towards him) ... aisa kuch filmy drama nahi hua jo tum expect kar rahi ho ... tum behosh ho gayi ... aur main tumhe andar leke gaya ... aur thodi derr baad Kaajal aur tumhari bhabhi tumhe ghar leke aaye ...

Khushi – bass ??? sirf itna hi hua tha ?? (she sighed as though disappointed ) ...

Arnav – ofcourse (trying to decipher what she was thinking) ...

Khushi – par ... (now in a bit confused tone as if speaking to herself) ... hume aise kyun laga ki humne kuch dekha ... amma ka chehra ???

Arnav – (now slightly shocked) ... kya ???

Khushi – kuch nahi ... thake hue the naaa ... toh aise hi sapna dekha hoga ... (she smiled back at him) ... kya hum ab kaam kar sakte hai ?? (she asked expectantly) ...

Arnav – you know what Khushi ?? ... you are UNBELIEVABLE ...

Khushi – kyun ??? ... ab humne aisa kya kar diya ?? ... (she asked with a frown) ...

Arnav – tum beemaar ho ... uthne ki taaqat nahi hai ... aur kaam ke peeche padi ho ... apna khayal nahi rakh sakti?? Pata hai tumhare ghar waale kitna pareshaan ho gaye the ??? kam se kam unke baare mai toh socho ... aur thoda aaraam karo ...

Khushi – (frowned even more) ... baat toh aise karte hai ... jaise khud apna khayaal rakhte ho ... Khud apni manmaani karte hai ... aur hume bhaashan dete hai ... Laad Governor kahinke ... (she said in a hushed tone to herself) ...

Arnav – (smiled a bit hearing her complain about him) ... kya ?? kya kaha tumne ??

Khushi – kkk ... kuch bhi nahi ... humne kuch bhi nahi kaha ... aur hum keh bhi kya sakte hai ??? aap sab humare aur humare kaam ke peeche haath dhoke jo pade hai ...

Arnav – Khushi ... tum ...

SURPRIISSEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...

Muskaan ran into the room and jumped on Khushi's bed and gave her a tight hug ...

Muskaan – hiii diii ... (grinning from one ear to the other )

Khushi – Minnie !!!! ... tum ??? yaha ??? ... kaise ???

Muskaan – haan dii ... mai ... yahaaa ... plane see ...

Khushi – (giving a mock frown) ... par tum toh 10 din baad aane waali thi naa ?? ... tumne hume bataya bhi nahi ???

Muskaan - toh ?? ... waapis chali jaao kyaa ?? ... oh comeon dii ... mai yaha aapko surprise de rahi hoo aur aap hai ki time table leke baithi ho ...

Khushi – par hume bataya kyun nahi ki tum aa rahi ho ??? ... tumhe pick up karne ke liye airport aa jaate ...

Muskaan – diii ... (as though talking to a small kid) ... bata deti toh surprise thodi na rehta ... aap ka sense of humour KJ se bhi kharaab hai ... aur waise bhi aapke liye ek aur ... (she turned to look at Arnav who was smiling at her) ... Hey !!!! ... how are you ??? ...

Arnav – I am fine muskaan ...

Muskaan – Nice to see you ... btw ... aapki sister kaisi hai ?? ... sorry mujhe naam yaad nahi ... naa aapka ... naa aapki sis kaaa ...

Khushi – actually she has a problem remembering names of people whom she has met only a couple of times...

Arnav – hmmm ... woh bhi theek hai ...

Muskaan – cool ... dii ... (turning her attention towards Khushi) ... mai keh rahi thi ki ... (Kaajal entered the room with a guy in his mid thirties , just around a couple of years older than Anjali)

Kaajal – oh god !!! Minnie !!! ... aaate hi hungama shuru kar diya ... (Minnie pouted and looked at Khushi , who held out her arms so that her younger sis could hug her ) ... oh !!! great ... now its one against 2 of you mentals !!! (she rolled her eyes) ... Minnie give her some space to breathe dodo ... shez ill ... and sadu ... (she asked Arnav) did she...

Arnav – yup ... she had her food ...

Kaajal – Really ?? (with a astonished face) ...

Arnav – haan ...

Kaajal – kaise ?? ... I mean ... mere se toh itna nakhre karti hai ...

Arnav – mujhe toh koi nakhre nahi dikhaya ...

Kaajal – how rude is that Khush ?? ... mai bolu toh nakhre ... aur yeh keh de toh khaa leti hai ... apni toh jaise koi value hi nahi reh gaya ...

Muskaan – kabhi tha kya ??? ... (she added cheekily) ...

Kaajal – chamchi kahinki ... yaha se nikal toh sahi ... phir batati hoo value ke baare mai...

Khushi – Kaajal ... aap kyun humari muskaan toh tang kar rahi hai ...

Kaajal – tu rehne de ... baat hi mat kar merese ...

Khushi – really ?? (with a fake excitement) ... thank you devi maiyaaa ... finally aapne meri sunn li ... thodi derr se hi sahi ...

Kaajal – What ??? ... mai baat naa karu toh tum khush ho ??? ... (she faked an anger and turned her back towards them)

Khushi – (got up on her knees and moved on the bed and hugged her twin's waist) ... arre ... yeh toh sach mai bura maan gayi ... hum toh sirf mazaak kar rahe the ...

Kaajal – (turning around) ... mai bhi ...

Arnav – really ?? ... tum sab kya kisi drama company se bhaage hue ho ??? ...

Kaajal – bola na ... Khaandaani problem hai humari ... (and everyone burst out laughing) ...

Prem entered the room to see his sisters and Arnav laughing and couldn't help a smile. How he wanted Kaajal and Khushi to lead a normal life , only he knew. He felt his prayers were being answered , although a bit late. Priya , who had accompanied her husband just kept a reassuring hand on his shoulders and the couple looked at each other and smiled.

Prem – arrey ... kya hua ??? tum log aise kyun hass rahe ho ?? ...

Kaajal – hey bhai !!! ... kuch khaas nahi ... bai yuh hiii ... (all the other three looked at Prem and Priya and smiled)

Prem – Khushi (she turned to him) ... tum ek aur surprise handle kar sakti ho ??? (she narrowed her eyes a bit and looked at the door) ... you can come in ... (Sunny Malhotra entered the room)

Khushi – (giving a shriek got up from the bed and rushed towards him to hug him) ...Aaap ??? ... yahaaa ??? ... bata nahi sakte the ??? ... (she gave him a rib cracking big bear hug and he hugged her back) ...

Muskaan – kyun dii ... kaisa raha surprise ???

Kaajal – ofcourse accha hi laga hoga ... (she looked at Arnav trying to read his expression. He was totally green with jealousy and it was evident. She nudged him and gestured him to calm down a bit) ...

Khushi – Kya bhaiyaa !!! ... (she addressed Sunny , and Arnav relaxed a bit) ... aapne bhi hume nahi bataya ??? ... (she broke the hug ,while he kissed her forehead) ...

Sunny – Pehle hi bata deta ... toh humari Khushi ke chehre pe yeh Khushi dekhne ko thodi na milti ?? ... chalo ... bed pe leto ...

Once she settled on her bed , Sunny caught hold of her wrist and checked her pulse , then he checked her temperature, her eyes ,skin and hair and nodded in displeasure.

Sunny – tum apna zara bhi dhyaan nahi rakh sakti ?? ... (he scolded her) ... accha hua ki mai India shift ho raha hoo ...

Khushi – kya ??? aap ... yaha ??? ... shift ???

Sunny – haan khushi ... waise bhi ... mai bore ho gaya hoon London se ... tum logon ke bina waha rehna impossible ho gaya tha ... so decide kiya ki shift ho jaau ... aur yaha apna practise start karu ... ek do hospitals se offers aaye hai ...

Khushi – sacchi ?? aap is wajah se shift ho rahe hai ??? (she asked as if she doubted)

Sunny – haan ... btw ... tumhe aaraam karna chahiye ... aur hume yaha se nikalna chahiye ... (he told others. Everyone left and the only people left in the room were Arnav and Kaajal) ...

Khushi – Arnavji ... sorry ... aaj koi kaam nahi ho paaya ...

Arnav – no issues Khushi ...

Khushi – kya hua ?? ... koi problem hai kyaa ?? ... aap thode pareshaan lag rahe hai ...

Arnav – exactly problem nahi hai ... actually jis photographer ko humne pehle decide kiya tha ... usne contract tod diya ... mai legal team se baat kar raha hoo ...

Kaajal – par kyaa usse force karna theek rahega ?? ... I mean he can sabotage the whole collection ...

Arnav – mai bhi wohi soch raha hoo ... i have asked for shortlisting of photographers again ... but without Khushi and you ... mai decide nahi kar sakta ...

Khushi – arrey ... isme hum dono ki kya zaroorat hai ??? ... aap jise decide karenge ... woh accha toh hoga hi ...

Kaajal – I think she is right ... I don have any issues if you decide the photographer ...

Arnav – ek photographer hai mere dimaagh mai jo yeh kaam kar sakta hai ... and he is available too ...

Kaajal – cool ... toh finalize kar do usse ...

Arnav – OK !!! ... (taking his coat, while Kaajal took his files) ... you take care Khushi ... (She smiled and nodded ) ... bye ...

Khushi – bye ...

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In the hall , everyone was sitting and having a serious discussion with Sunny when Arnav and Kaajal arrived . Kaajal had informed Arnav that Sunny was a psychologist and he had helped Khushi with dealing with her phobias and knew her pretty well. Girish gestured them to join the rest of them .

Sunny – Hi ... I am Dr.Sunny Malhotra ...

Arnav – Arnav Singh Raizaada ... (and they shook their hands) ...

Sunny – (now speaking to all of them) ... Jaise maine pehle hi kaha tha ... I cannot start her sessions right now ... I need time ... usse pehle se hi shakk hai ki mai yaha kyun aaya hoon ... I don't want her to stress more ...

Kaajal – par bhaiyaa ...

Arnav – if I may ?? ... I think he is right ... woh mujhse bhi pooch rahi thi ki usse kya hua tha ... Maine baat ko taal diya ... yeh kehkar ki woh bas behosh ho gayi thi ... par ...

Sunny – par ??

Arnav – usse doubt hai ... I don't think she is convinced ... usne yeh bhi kaha ki usne uske amma ka chehra dekha ...

Nani – KYA ???

Sunny – Relax dadi ... isiliye maine kaha ki main apna sessions start nahi kar sakta ... btw ... Arnav ... you were with her when the incident happened right ??

Arnav – yes ...

Sunny – I need every detail of the incident ...(when Arnav was about to answer) ... not now ... we will have a session sometime this week ... I just want to tell you all ... be normal around her ... it doesn't look like a psychotic episode ... so there is no need to panic ... we just need to take care of her health and diet and divert her mind ...

Everyone agreed to his suggestion and Arnav left .

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Khushi tried to sleep , but she couldn't . She was soo happy that Muskaan and Sunny were back to India .But what gave her the ultimate joy was , her laad governor had come to visit her . He had fussed over her food and he had actually cared for her . She smiled and she got up from her lying position .She just breathed in the air which still had his perfume. She sat cross legged and felt something nudge her and when she lifted her blankets she found one of his sketchbooks there. She picked it up and checked , yup , it definitely belonged to him. She switched on her bedside lamp and started to look at his designs. What she saw gave her a pleasant surprise. They were ethnic designs , which reminded her soo much of her old attires. Pom-Poms , silk ,shiny laces and colors. She looked at each of these designs carefully , running her hands carefully over them as if caressing them . She looked at the date of the first design and it gave her a shock , it was almost 3 years back ,the time she was engaged to Shyaam and he was engaged to Lavanya . So you did not care for me huh ??? she asked him mentally, smiling at his secret. Do you still ?? , she asked him again, pretty unsure . 2 years is a long time , she thought. When called for dinner , she silently went and had food without much fuss and ate hungrily with picking her food . She was in good mood , smiling ,making jokes and happy. Everyone thought it was because of Muskaan and Sunny's return, but Kaajal was a bit unsure, but she let it go . There is no point in finding a reason why one is happy , she thought. It was almost 12 when Khushi couldn't control herself, She took out her cell and msged Arnav – "you left something behind", since she didnt have the guts to call him up now. Almost 30 seconds later , her phone buzzed – "Really ?? ... what is it ?? I hope nothing precious ". She smiled and replied – "I am not sure if its precious or not ... any guesses ?? " .At the other end , although Arnav was a bit annoyed at being woken up from his Khushi's dream , he was pleasantly surprised by her message. He couldn't control anymore and he called her up, hoping Kaajal wasn't around. Khushi was surprised by his call . She fumbled with her mobile and finally picked up the call .

Khushi – aap ?? ... aapne call kyun kiya ??

Arnav – kyun nahi kar sakta ?? ... call kaat du ??

Khushi – arre humne aise kab kaha ?? ...

Arnav – toh phir naaraaz kyun ho ??

Khushi – arre ... hum kaha naaraaz hai ?? ... aap bhi naa ... (there was silence for a minute which was killing both of them ) ... Hello ?? ... aap so rahe the kya ??

Arnav – nahi ... mujhe toh aadaat hai aise beech raat ko logon ko call karne ka ... ofcourse Khushi ... mai sone ki koshish kar raha tha ...

Khushi – koshish ?? ... koi sone ki koshish kaise kar sakta hai ??

Arnav – kyun nahi kar sakta ?? ... tum yaha nahi ho ... so isiliye demo nahi dikha sakta ... (he almost bit his tongue at his cheeky dialogue ) ...

Khushi – hmmm ... koi pareshaani hai ?? (assuming his silence to be some trouble)

Arnav – nahi nahi ... bas kaam kar raha tha ...thodi derr pehle tak ... par dii ne zabardasti sula diya ... (to which she giggled ) ... tumhe hasi aa rahi hai ?? ...

Khushi – ofcourse ... aur Khushi bhi ... kyunki ... kal se sab hume zabardasti sulane ki koshish kar rahe hai ... including you ... ab tassalli hui ki mai akeli nahi hoo is atyachaar se ...

Arnav – woh isliye kyunki tum beemaar ho ... btw ... tumne davaayi kha li ??

Khushi – jiii ... aur acche bacche ki tarah khana bhi kha liya ...

Arnav – good girl (he told like he was telling a small kid , she giggled again, which was musical to his ears) ... waise Khushi ...

Khushi – jiii ...

Arnav – kya bhool gaya hoon mai waha ??

Khushi – woh ... aapki sketchbook ...

Arnav – oh woh ?? ...

Khushi – jii ... kaafi puraani lag rahi hai ... maaf kijiye ... aapse bina pooche maine aapke designs dekhe ...

Arnav – koi baat nahi ... btw kaise lage ??

Khushi – theek thaak hai ...

Arnav – sirf theek thaak ??? ...

Khushi – hmmm ... waise aapki in designs ki inspiration kya hai ?? ...

Arnav – tumhe kya lagta hai ?? ... koi guess ?? ...

Khushi – jii ... woh ... (not able to find words)

Arnav – tum ... (he said without hesitation) ...

Khushi – hum ??

Arnav – haa ... although ... tumhe ajeeb lagega ... tumhare purane dressing sense kaafi different tha ... colourful , vibrant with life ...

Khushi – par ... yeh designs baahar kyun nahi aaye ??

Arnav – sahi mauka ... aur model nahi mili ... but maybe someday ... I will release them...

Khushi – hmmm ...

Arnav – Khushi ???

Khushi – jiii ...

Arnav – neend aa rahi hai ??

Khushi – hmmm ...

Arnav – toh so jaao naa ... baat kyun kar rahi ho ??

Khushi – arrey ... yeh kya baat hui ... phone aapne kiya ... aur hume daant rahe hai ki baat kyun kar rahi ho ?? ...

Arnav – (although was in full mood to talk to her more , decided against it considering her health) ... Khushi ... chalo ... so jaate hai ... Good night ...

Khushi – Good night ... (he cut the call and both slept with a smile on their faces)

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End of part 24

Part 21 :

At Mehra's : (Khushi going through her room and Kaajal slouched on the sofa absent mindedly changing channels on the home theatre)

Khushi – Mere drawers Khule kyun hai ?? ... (inspecting her room)

Kaajal – woh !! ... kuch ajeeb sa smell aa raha tha ... kuch sadne ka ... maine chk kiya toh pata chala ki woh kuch seeds ke packets hai ... toh maine woh pheenk di ...

Khushi – Kya ???? ... tumne woh packets phenk diye ?? 😲😲

Kaajal – haan ... kyun ?? usmai kuch diamonds the kya ?? hidden ones ?? 😆

Khushi – nahi ... itne mushkil se dhoondne se mile the woh London mai ...😔

Kaajal – oh ... but newaz tujhe kab se gardening mai interest aane laga ?? ...😉

Khushi – hume nahi ... woh toh hum Arnavji ke liye ...😲 (she stopped) ...

Kaajal – Arnav... *JII* ... (cocked at eyebrow) ...

Khushi – woh ... err ... (just then their bhabhi – Priya entered ) ...

Priya – yeh kyaa hai ladkiyon ?? .😡😡😡... kitni baar kaha hai ...time pe khane pe aa jaao ... harr baar kya mujhe aake aarti ki thali aur nyota dena padega tum logo ko ?? ...Kaajal !!! ... aise shoes pehenke sofa pe soya mat karo ... kitni baar kaha hai ...

Kaajal – actually ... bhabs u told ... sofa pe soya mat karo ...😆😆😆😆. (Khushi rolled her eyes) ...shoes ke baare main kuch nahi kaha tha ... 😉😉😉

Priya – Kaajal !!! ... tu meri ek baat nahi sun sakti ... 😡😡😡

Kaajal – arrey ... technically sunn toh rahi huu ...😆😆 (pointing towards her ears) ...

Priya – (coming and catching her by ears) ...har baat pe mazaak ... bacchpana ... tu choti nahi rahi ... samji ??

Kaajal – owww ... it hurts bhabs ... (managing to get her ears out of her bhabhi's hands) ... waise aaj aap mahakali ka roop kyun dhaaran kar rahi hai ?? ...😆😆

Priya – woh mujhse nahi ... isse pooch ... (pointing at Khushi) ...

Khushi – maine kya kiya ??? ...😕😕. (looking confused) ...

Priya – Sia ne kaha ki tune khana nahi khaya aaj ... aur shaam ko doctor ke saath tera appointment tha ... tu udhar bhi nahi gayi ... (kaajal glared at her twin😡😡) ... Khushi ... mazaak nahi hai yeh ... teri tabiyaat mujhe theek nahi lag raha ... 😒

Khushi – important kaam tha bhabhi ... aur waise bhi mujhe kuch nahi hua ...(slightly irritated)... mujhe pata nahi tha ki aap mere peeche jaasoos laga rahi hai ...

Priya – haan ... aaj yeh kaam tha ... kal kuch aur kaam hoga ... parson aur kuch ... aisa kab tak chalega khushi ??? ... aur is kaam ke wajah se apne tabeeyat ka khayal rakhna mat !!! tu din ba din weight loose karti jaa rahi hai ... aur susth lag rahi hai ... chehra dekh kaise murjhaa gaya hai ... (coming and holding her face)

Kaajal – (coming to her sister's rescue) ... OK OK Bhabs ... Main Monday ko khud usse le jaaungi ... 👍🏼

Priya – tum dono se kuch kehna bekaar hai ... mai hi paagal hoo ... ab mera mooh kya dekh rahi ho ... Khana laga diya hai ... chalo ... (she turns to leave)

Khushi and Kaajal both come and hug her from behind . 🤗

Khushi – sorry bhabs ... really really sorry ... pukka jaaungi... Monday ko ... 😊

Kaajal – haan ... aur mai joote pehenke nahi soungi sofa pe .😊... aaj ke liye ...😆😆

Priya – (turns and hits their heads lovingly and smiles) bas bas ... aur maska daalne ki zaroorat nahi ... chalo ab !! ...

The dinner was as usual a very buzzing activity at Mehra's .Everyone talked , made fun of each other , discussed random topics . It was time for retiring for bed . Khushi and Kaajal whose rooms were next to each other's walked up the stairs and when they reached the doors , Kaajal pulled Khushi's hand . Khushi looked at her questioningly.

Kaajal – Actually woh seeds maine phenke nahi ... (Khushi narrowed her eyes😳) ... woh maine us *Chotte* ko ... i mean tumhare Arnav*JII* ko de diya (her eyes popped out🤔) ... bola ki teri taraf se gift hai 😲(now totally shocked with her mouth open and no words coming out of it) ... and I also told him to not stare at you soo much ...😲😲😲😲😲. (and Kaajal ran into her room and closed the door , doing a double check if its actually closed while having a naughty grin all the while😈) ..

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In Khushi's room , Khushi is tensely walking around muttering to herself .

Hey devi Maiyyaa ... yeh kya kiya ... Kaajal tu bhi na ... kya zaroorat thi unse milne ki ... kya zaroorat thi unko woh dene ki ... pata nai kya soch rahe honge woh humare baare mai ... par ... Kaajal ko kaise pata chala ki woh beej unhe dene thi ... kahi use humare baare mai pata toh nahi chall gaya ... aur kya Arnavji ne usse sab kuch keh diya ?? ... (thinking of the almost kiss and stuff) 😲😲😲... nahi nahi ... woh kyun kahenge ... woh toh bhool bhi gaye honge ... tu bhi na Khushi ... kuch bhi sochti rehti hai ... par ... Kaajal kya zaroorat thi tumhe unhe woh dene ki ... upar se unse jaake yeh bhi keh diya ki humari taraf se unkeliye gift hai ... hey devi maiyaa ... raksha karna humari ...

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Earlier in Arnav's room, he is busily going through is "gift" with a smile on his face . ❤️He goes to his garden and starts mixing the manure and mud in required quantities so that he can sow the seeds . After an hour or so of mixing and dirtying himself in mud and manure ,he looks satisfied and smiles . Anjali , enters the garden to call him for dinner , when she sees him smiling and carefully sowing the seeds into the pots .

Anjali – Arrey waah chotte ... lagta hai koi acche mood mai hai ... 👍🏼

Arnav –(startled and turns and faces his dii) ... Aisa kuch nahi hai dii ...

Anjali – chotte ... hum tumhe acche se jaante hai ... kitne maheene ho gaye the tumhe aise muskuraate hue dekhe ... hum naa ... aaj bahut khush hai ... kitne dino baad tumhe aise muskuraate hue dekh rahe hai ... aur upar se do saalon baad hum Khushiji se mile ... (Arnav tried moving a bit of his hair from his forehead, but ended up smearing mud on his head) ... Arre ... yeh kya kiya ?? (she started laughing) 😆😆😆

Arnav – kya hua di ??😕 (but was delighted to see his dii laughing heartily after soo many months) ...

Anjali – (goes in and takes out his cell and clicks his pic ) ... yeh ... (still controlling her laughter) ...

Arnav – oh !! ... thodi si toh mitti thi ... (now mocking an anger) ... aap mera mazaak uda rahi ho ?? ...

Anjali – nai nai ... (still laughing ) ... woh toh hume bass ... yaad hai chotte ... woh din ... jab khushiji ne apne chehre pe besan laga diya tha ... kitna hase the hum uss din ... aur tum bhi ...

Arnav – (remembering with a smile on his face) ... haan di ... uss din mujhe nainital jaana tha ...😍 (remembering the nainital moments) ...

Anjali – haan ... (noticing the seeds packets) ... arrey yeh kisne diya ?? ... yeh yaha ke toh nahi lag rahe ... kahi se mangwaaya kya ?? ...

Arnav – woh ...Yaha pe nai milte dii ... London se hai ... Khu...(almost blurting out ,when Anjali raised an eyebrow😉😉) ... mere ek dost ne diya hai ...

Anjali – (shocked) ... Dost ??? aur tumhare ?? 😲... chotte tumhare dost bhi hai .???😲😆😆...

Arnav – comeon dii ... cant i have friends ?? (almost irritated) ...

Anjali – humne aise kab kaha ... hum toh bass ... (almost telling he wasn't the types to have friends , but decided to shut up) ... khair chodo ... khana lag gaya hai ... aap jaldi se neeche aa jaao ... aur nahakar aana ... poore ghar mai hume mitti nahi chahiye ...

Arnav – diii ... (pleading her to let this pass) ...

Anjali – decide kar lo chotte ...ab toh hum bula rahe hai ... nahi aaye toh payal aa jaayegi ... aur poori diabetes , raat ko bina khaye ke sone ke baare mai , tumhare sehat ke baare mai lecture degi ... hume toh aap mana kar denge ... par tumhari us pyaari si choti behen ko kaise mana kar paaoge ?? ...(she smiled mischievously) ...

Arnav – fine dii ... aap jaao mai aata hoo ...

Anjali – waise chotte ... tumne bataya nahi ki Khushiji aur Kaajal ,Sunday ko aa rahe hai ...

Arnav – Aap ko kaise ??😲😲😲 (shocked) ... aapne mera msg pada (she nodded) ... plzzz diii kisi ko kuch mat kehna ...Kaajal mujhe maar daalegi ab ... 😉

Anjali – arre waah ... mile ek din nahi hua ... aur aap unse itna darr rahe hai ...😆😆😆

Arnav – mai kisi se nahi darta dii ... woh toh bas usne mana kiya tha kehne se ... bol rahi thi surprise hai ... (shaking her head , Anjali was leaving) ... please di ... keep it a secret (she turned and smiled at his childishness) ..

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Sunday Evening :

Arnav : Kab aa rahi ho tum ?? (on his phone)

Kaajal : Yup on our way ... this stupid evening traffic ...arre sambhalke Khush !!!...

Arnav could hear another woman complain about speed and traffic rules to them.

Arnav : What ?? ... Khushi is driving ??? 😲😲

Kaajal : (to Arnav) unfortunately yes🤔 ... and madam seems to be in full mood to kill anyone on or near the road ... (Khushi puts a sudden break) ... (to Khushi) hey bhaggu !!! was it necessary Khush ??? ...

Khushi : yeh kabse one way ban gaya ... ???😕

Kaajal : Tats why I told you to take left u idiot !!! .😡... great now we are lost !!

Arnav : Lost ??? (confused) 😕

Khushi : we are not !!! ... we just need directions ...

Arnav : tum log kaha ho ?? ...

Kaajal : duh uh ... road pe ... aur kaha ...😆😆😆.

Arnav : give the phone to her ...

Kaajal : (taking out her Bluetooth and fixing it to Khushi's ear,while Khushi fidgets )... ek min ...

Khushi : kyaa hai ?? kyaa kar rahi hai ?? ...😡😡(irritated)

Arnav : Khushi ... (she just froze for a min)😲 ... Khushi ... can you hear me ??? (still no reaction) ... (kaajal checked the phone if it was disconnected 😆😆and nudged Khushi to speak) ... Khushi ???

Khushi: jiii ... (bit nervous and embarrassed)

Arnav : tum kaha ho ?? ... (the next 15 mins went in him giving directions to her and Khushi driving and finally reaching Shantivan)

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All the Raizaadas were waiting at the entrance for them while JP had gone to receive them. As soon as Payal saw her sister , she squealed and rushed and hugged her .

Payal : Khushiii !!!! ... kaisi ho ??? main tumhe kitna miss kar rahi thi ... (while her sister hugged her and started to rant about how much she missed Payal and stuff)

Just then Khushi entered and

Khushi : jiji ?? ... 😆😆😆

Payal : (shocked) ... Khushi ??? 😲... toh yeh ?? ... (mocked anger) ... Kaajal ... 😡

Kaajal : (laughing) ... sorry ... couldn't control myself from fooling you 😈... aur aap toh aise dekh rahi hai ki mujhe dekhkar aapko koi Khushi nai hui ??😆😆😆 ... not fair diii ...

Khushi : (shaking her head at her twin's antics) ... jiji ... (she hugged Payal) ... hum ne aapko kitna miss kiya aaapko pata hai ?? ...

The rest of the time went in all the Raizaada women hugging and greeting Khushi , while being acquainted to Kaajal and Priya . after the refreshments were done , everyone sat in the hall discussing random and boring topics about life in London, sarees , jewellery etc etc . Kaajal looked at Khushi and Arnav with a tortured expression pleading atleast one of them to save her😆😆. Khushi just shrugged her shoulders at her helplessness which made Kaajal frown.Aakash excused himself from the talk feigning a phone call and left smirking at Arnav, Kaajal and Khushi 😉😉. Now it was only Arnav and Mamu caught in the ladies talk.Mamu looked unaffected since he was used to it ,considering the fact that he was married to Manorama Raizaada.👎🏼 But Arnav couldn't take it any longer .

Arnav : Kaajal , Khushi ... kyun na hum poolside pe jaake Phoenix collections ke baare mai discuss kare ?? ... kuch toh kaam ho jaayega ... 👏👏

Anjali : yeh kya chotte ?? aap is waqt bhi kaam ke baare mai soch rahe hai ???

Arnav : comeon diii ... yaha pe baithke ladies talk mai bore hone se toh kaam better hai ... 😆😆

Khushi : Anjaliji ... waise bhi agar aaj doubts clear kar sakte hai toh kal koi problem nahi hogi naa ... waise bhi hume kal se kaam shuru karna padega na ...

Priya : theek hai ... (knowing very well that the girls were getting annoyed) ... and Kaajal ,Khushi ... no shaitaani ...

Kaajal & Khushi : (making a small salute) ... I I MA'AM ... (and rushed behind Arnav) ... 👍🏼

At Arnav's Garden :

Kaajal : cool ... this garden is maintained brilliantly ... sadu !! I am pukka sure that ki tum apne gardener ko kaafi acchi salary dete hoge ...

Arnav : thanks ... but I don't need to hire a gardener ... (Kaajal looked quizzically at him )

Khushi : (blurted out) ... yeh khud iski dekhbaal karte hai ... 😳

Kaajal : really ???? (quite shocked) ... acchi baat hai ... agar kuch saal baad tumhara company faayde mai naa rahe toh kam se kam ek nursery start kar sakte ho 😆😆... (looking at a flower) ... wow !!! this is really cute ... shucks !!!! Main apna mobile bhool aayi ... jes a sec ... I ll b bak ...

Khushi – kaa ... (shocked that her sister left her alone with Arnav) ... 😕

What followed was an awkward silence for a while with both stealing glances at each other ,waiting for the other to start talking. And both almost turned towards each other to talk and looked at each other with a shocked expression. It was Khushi broke the eye contact and turned her head sideways ,looking at the leaves with keen interest .Not able to take it any longer Arnav decided to speak .

Arnav – Khushi .( in his usual husky voice,she stilled but didnt look at him) ... Thank you ...

Khushi – (suddenly turning towards him with a shocked expression) ... jii ??😲 Kya kaha aapne ?? 😲😲

Arnav – maine kaha... thank you ...(her face still had a big question mark etched all over it,probably wondering why he was thanking her) ... for the seeds ... and for everything ...

Khushi – oh !!! ... umeed hai ki aapki koi kaam aayegi ... hume zyaada pata nahi iss baare mai ... toh us nursery waale ne jo diya India ke climate ke liye ... woh utha laaye ...

Arnav – they are perfect ... Mere purane phoolon ke paudhe dry ho rahe the ... aur main kuch change karna chahta tha garden mai ... so tumhara gift perfect time pe aaya ...

Khushi – aap isse badalna chahte hai ??? par kyun ??? .😕😕... all the plants look fine and healthy ...

Not knowing how to breach another topic with her, he started to show around his plants , explaining her how some were ill , how some of them had reached their age to dry out ... how some of them were infected and how to find out if any of the leaves were infected or not . How to use the tools , he even went out to the extent of explaining her about the different quantities and types of manure needed for different plants. Khushi stood there like a obedient student listening to all of it , while Kaajal who had come back sometime back saw them talking and decided to save Payal out of the misery and went bak to Payal's room .😉😉😉

Everything felt easy with Khushi , thought Arnav . It was like he could talk to her forever. While it was dark due to sunset ,both he and Khushi took a couple of pots near the poolside lamp to check on the status of the plants . While he was keenly observing a leaf , Khushi chuckled looking at his expression. Arnav looked at her wondering what was funny ...

Khushi – you should be a botany lecturer... (she laughed ) 😆😆😆

Arnav – I would prefer taking that as a compliment ...

Khushi – main aapko offend nahi karna chahti thi ...🤔 (wondering if he would go back to ASR mode) ...

Arnav – I know ...

A chill wind started to blow and small drops of rain started to fall all around .

Arnav – Khushi ... tum andar jaao ... Main inhe waha rakhke aata hooon ... (holding a couple of pots . Khushi being Khushi , decided to help him by taking another pot . ) ... toh tum abhi bhi kisi ki bhi baat nahi sunti ...😉. (shaking his head )

Khushi – (shrugged ) ... chale ...

Arnav nodded and they both rushed to keep the pots while it started to pour heavily . They ran near the glass door which was surprisingly jammed. Both of them tried to open the door and found themselves in the same position as that of the Diwali night ,two and a half years back . 😳😳😳

Many things happened at once , a transformer burst somewhere near with a loud bang almost like a gunshot , a couple of unknown girls near the transformer screamed due to the suddenness of the event ,the power went off and after a couple of seconds there was a string of lightning and thunder everywhere . He felt her shiver near him and lose control, so he held her trying to prevent her from falling.

"Om prakash ... generator on Karo ... jaldi ... ",screamed Arnav , knowing that Khushi was afraid of darkness. But when the lights came back , the sight in front of him made all the blood drain out of Arnav's face .

There ... stood in front of him ... Khushi whose eyes spoke of unseen horror ... tears flowing out of them ... gasping for breath while she muttered words inaudible to anyone ...shaking and shivering horribly out of control ... holding on to Arnav for dear life ...asthough some one would lurk out of the shadows and take out her life ...

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End of part 21

Part 16 :

"Ek minute Mr.Mallik ... " said a voice . Everyone turned towards the owner of the voice.

It was a shock for everyone to see her here .She had an different aura around her ,she was accompanied by 4 lawyers and she didn't have the softness is her eyes. She wore a navy blue business suit and had her hair tied in a high pony (similar to Bips look in Corporate) . Only jewellery on her were her solitaire earrings and a bracelet , she didn't have any chamkiliness around her anymore . She spoke now looking at Mr.Mallik , " ... maana ki Raizaadas ke paas minority shares hai ... par aapse kisne keh diya ki aap CEO ke seat ko occupy kar sakte hai ?? " . 😳

It was Nani who spoke , " Khushi bitiya ... tum yaha ?? ... " . 😲

Arnav ' (guessing 🤔) yeh Khushi nahi hai ... (she looked back at him with a smirk ) ...

Mr.Mallik - Madamji ... (starting to get nervous) ... Ms.Mehra ... hum ... toh ... woh ...

She again asked him coolly but in a raised voice, " Maine poocha ki kisne permission de di ?? "

Mr.Mallik - woh ... humne socha ki ... ab in logon ke paas kam shares hai toh ...

She smirked again with a glint of hatred , " sahi kaha ... inke paas minority shares hai ... magar... mere samajh mai yeh nahi aaya ki tum yaha kya kar rahe ho ??"

Mr.Mallik - kya keh rahi hai aap ??😲 ... humne aapko papers toh dikhaye the na ... humare paas shares hai ... inse bhi zyaada ...

Nani - yeh kya ho raha hai ?? ... Khushi bitiya ... aap inke saath mili hui hai ... ?? 😲😲😲(with utmost disbelief and a tinge of disgust)😡

Mr.Mallik - arre ... Mausiji ... lagta hai aapki aankhen budhape ke wajah se kamzor ho gayi hai🤢 ... aap Ms.Mehra ko Khushi kyun bula rahi hai ?? ... hume toh lagta hai ki aapko koi doctor ...

Kaajal - OH SHUT UP MR.MALLIK !!!😡😡😡 ... main yaha meri introduction dene yaa tumhare koi pravachan sun ne nahi aaye hoo ... aur mere paas zyaada time nahi hai tumhare bakwaas sun ne ke liye ... main yaha sirf apne deal ke liye aayi hoo ... (everyone looked with a shocked expression at her ) ... aur jab yaha deal ke dono parties present hai ... mujhe lagta hai ki hume tumhari koi zaroorat nahi hai ...

Mr.Mallik - par ... humare beech jo deal hui thi ?? ... uska kya ??

Kaajal - humare beech jo deal hua tha ... uske baare main toh aapko pata hoga hi ... sochiye ... kya kiya tha aapne ?? ... aapne apne assests ke baare mai jhoot bola😡 ... jo cheez pehle se hi girwi tha ... usko lekar aapne humare saath deal karne ki koshish ki ... aapko kya laga ... ki hum log bewakoof hai ?? ... hum background check nahi karte ?? ... hume toh yeh baat 1.5 saal pehle hi pata chall gaya tha ... par humne wait kiya ki aap yeh sacchai keh denge ... lekin nahi ... toh hume jitna bardaasth karna tha ... humne kiya ...

Mr.Mallik - Kya keh rahi hai aap ?? Maximum shares mere paas hai aur aap keh rahi hai ki meri koi zaroorat nahi ?? humare deal ?? ... apne aap ko t...

Kaajal - (raised her hand to cut him in between) .. aapne theek se suna nahi kya ?? ... mai ek baat sirf ek baar kehti hoo ... lekin tumhare slow brains ke liye ek aur baar keh deti hoo ... theek se sun lo ... process kar lo ... aur samajh lo ... tumhari yaha koi zaroorat nahi hai ... kyunki jis shares ke baare mai tum bol rahe ho ... woh toh kabhi tumhare the hi nahi ... aur rahi baat us deal ki ... tumhari harkaton ne us deal ki dal bana di ... ab khana zindagi bhar khichdi ... kisi aashram mai ...

Mr.Mallik - Kya ??

Kaajal - Lawyers ... (in a plain bored tone )please tell him in his language so that he understands ...(she walked and stood near Arnav). I dont wanna waste my energy trying to talk to a dumb and additionally at present a deaf idiot ... (now in a bit cheerful voice) aur aap sab log khade kyun hai ... koi classroom nahi hai yeh ... aur nahi main aapki koi headmistress ho😆😆 ... please take ur seats ...

Everyone sat on their respective chairs , but Arnav didnt .😳 She raised an eyebrow at him and took a seat next to his while her lawyers explained to Mr.Mallik that since he had taken a loan from one of the lenders for buying the shares 3 years back , he had legally no right over the shares once the lending period was over ,6 months back . and they were informed of the fact that Mehras had bought the assets based on which he had bought the shares.

Mr.Mallik - par ... aap ... aisa kaise kar sakti hai ...

Kaajal - Business Mr.Mallik ... ise business kehte hai ... khair chodiye ... aap nahi samajh paayenge yeh naye baatein ... woh kya hai na ... aapki umar ho gayi hai ... meri maaniye ... toh aapko ye business visiness sab chadke koi aashram ya teerath yatra ke liye jaana chahiye ...(Nani looked at her with a slight shocking expression)

Mr.Mallik - tum ... tum aisa nahi kar sakti ...

Kaajal - Kyun ?? (with a smile on her face ) ... kyun nahi kar sakti ??? ... infact FYI ...(making a mocking puppy face) maine aisa kar diya Mr.Mallik ... (now in a serious tone )ab meri baat suno ... jo bhi baaki ke bache kuche izzat hai use leke nikal jaao ... warna mujhe security ko bulana padega ...

Mr.Mallik - tum yeh galat kar rahi ho ... tum nahi jaanti ki tum kisse ulajh rahi ho ... (Kaajal raised an eyebrow while Arnav's temper was rising when he saw his chacha point a finger at her, he clenched his fists ready to punch him if he further offended her, she noticed that and kept her hand on his fist which was rested near his thighs under the table.😊 He relaxed a bit and looked at her, she just closed her eyes and nodded slightly ,meaning she would take care of this.👍🏼 It is not possible he thought ,continuing to stare at her .At that point he forgot that she had known about his chacha's intention and also about the fact that she held the maximum shares of AR) ... hum is khel ke purane khiladi hai ... humse uljhogi toh barbaad ho jaaogi ... main tumhe nahi chodunga ... tumhe barbaad kar doonga ... (Kaajal looked like she was about to laugh while everyone around were quiet wondering what to do)

Kaajal - Really ??(raising an eyebrow and with a smile on her face) ... tumhe kehne ke liye aur kuch nahi mila ki old hindi filmi dialogues maar rahe ho ?? ... as crappy as ur dialogues are Mr.Mallik ... let me make one thing *crystal* clear ... ek ki tum kaafi ghatiya insaan toh ho hi ... but unfortunately usse bhi zyaada ghatiya business karte ho ... doosra ... mujhe barbaad karne ke liye tumhe kam se kam hazaar janam lene padenge ... woh kya hai naa ... tum purane khiladi ho ... toh tumhari nuske bhi purani hai ... aur predictable hai ... tumhe toh mujhse darna chahiye ... kyunki according to u ... main nayi hoo ... toh mere plans bhi naye honge jo tum predict bhi nahi kar sakte ... aur teesra ... GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE !!! ... SECURITY !!! ... (the security arrived and pulled him out of the room. He went out spewing venom against them)

Arnav - kya chahti ho tum ?? (with a stern face) ...

Kaajal - Sorry ?? ... (with a amused expression) ... pehle toh mai yeh chahti hoo ki tum baith jaao ... comeon ... its not an execution chair ki tumhe current lagega ...😆😆 (she gestured him to sit on his chair , but Arnav left the CEO's seat and sat down next to it ) ... doosra ... (addressing everyone ) ... mujhe aap logon se poochna hai ki yeh shares Mr.Mallik ke paas kaise aaye ...

Anjali - hume pata nahi ... (the same answer was etched on everyones face ) ...

Kaajal - (sighed) ... Shyaam Manohar Jha !! 🤢... (everyone looked bewildered at her) ... yeh sab uska plan hai ...mujhe nahi lagta Mr.Mallik ke paas itne brains hai ki woh yeh sab akele plan kar sakte hai ... don worry he is still in jail 👏... but unfortunately woh aapke chacha ke saath mila hua hai ... and I don get one point ... how could you forget to keep a check on him ???😒 (her question pointed towards Arnav more than others ) ... newaz ... jo hua so hua ... Mere paas company ke 50% shares hai ... yeh rahe uske papers ke copy (she gestured her lawyers to provide them with a copy each) ...

Nani - Aap chahti kya hai ...

Kaajal - Actually ... kuch khaas nahi ...😊 (she smiled which confused everyone😕) ...

Just then her twin entered the room which shocked everyone further ,both of them had dressed exactly alike, although the new entrant's hair was shorter and a bit wavy. "Sorry ... I am late ... (turning towards her twin, giving her a customary hug and kissing her hair whilst she was still seated) ... not fair ... did I miss all the *fun* ?? ... "😉

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End of part 16

Part 23 :

Kaajal – (after around 5 minutes of eerie silence, she gasped) ... OMG !!!!

Arnav – Kya hua ???

Kaajal – (she looked intently into his eyes,with a slight confusion) ... you LOVE her !!!! ... (Arnav looked stunned at Kaajal)... yes ... it makes complete sense now ... you LOVE her ...

Arnav – (trying to get back to ASR mode) ... What ??? ... what the hell Kaajal ?? ... I am not in ...

Kaajal – ofcourse you are ... and ofcourse you wont ...

Arnav – what ?? (confused) ... you know ??? tum khud hi apne baat ko nullify kar rahi ho ...

Kaajal – (shaking her head ) phew !!! Men !!! ... mere kehne ka matlab tha ... ofcourse you LOVE her and ofcourse ... you will NOT accept it ...not so easily atleast... thanks to the three lettered word – EGO ...

Arnav – kya bakwaas hai yeh ...

Kaajal – bakwaas nahi ... sach hai ... it makes complete sense now (speaking more to herself) tumhe ajeeb nahi lagta ??... you remember each and every bit of any moment with her ... every fight ... every word ... and for a business tycoon who doesn't remember his employees name below two levels management , yeh definitely badi baat hai ...

Arnav – oh really ??? aur yeh tum itne confidence se kaise keh sakti ho ??

Kaajal – coz ... I have done a major in psychology ...and thanks to that ... I can read psychos like you ... pretty easily ...

Arnav – ur crazy Kaajal ...

Kaajal – ahan ?? ... Atleast I am not a egoistic stupid business tycoon who happens to be a chicken in a disguise of lion ...

Arnav – tumhari ...

Kaajal – himmat kaise hui ?? ... by default meri himmat aise hii hai ... one free suggestion to you ... calm down ... apna rusted dimaagh use karo ... aur socho ... Khushi is not going to wait for you forever ... get that ??? sooner or later she will have to get married ... gharwaalon ke wajah se hi sahi ... aur mujhe pukka yakeen hai ki woh zyaada manaa nahi karegi ... knowing the martyr she is , I am sure she will agree to any resume who is approved by the family ...par tum yeh socho ... kya tum usse kisi aur ke saath dekh sakte ho ??? ... can you accept the fact that she would be someone else's wife , live with him , sleep with him , bear his kids and grow old with him ?? ... is it possible for you to not blame yourself seeing her be with someone else wondering if that someone could have been you ?? ...

Arnav – tum kehna kya chahti ho ??

Kaajal – sirf yehi ... there is time now ... the ball is in your court ... if you LOVE her and want her to be with you ... the least you can do is go ahead and tell her that ... (she waited for sometime to see his reaction , but when he didnt budge she shook her head and turned to leave) ...

Arnav – par ... (she turned to look back at him) ... woh mujhe kaise accept karegi ??? after all that has gone through between us , after the number of times i have hurt her ... woh mujhse kaise pyaar kar sakegi ?? ...

Kaajal – (now with a bright smile) ... owww ... poor puppy ... (she pouted a bit) ... you know ... ek raaz ki baat baatao ?? ... (he nodded ) ... I cannot understand the way behana behaves nor can I read her so easily ... I donno why ...par main itna jaanti hoo ... if there is one thing which can be predicted about Khushi ... its that ... Khushi is unpredictable ... and coming to ur point ... after what you hab told me ... there is a lot to hate about you ASR ... but I am pretty sure , she doesn't hate you ... although i donno if she loves you ... she surely cares for you ... a LOTTT !!!

Arnav – tum yeh kaise keh sakti ho ki woh mujhe hate nahi karti .???

Kaajal – coz you are *Alive* in *one piece* ... without much physical damage ...

Arnav – what ????

Kaajal – oh !!! ... you donno her anger ... do you ??? ... her anger creeps ME out !!! ...

Arnav – aur tum chahti ho ki mai usse jaake yeh kahu ki mai usse pyaar karta hoo ??

Kaajal – ofcourse !!! ... you know *chotte* (he glared at her, while she giggled) ... words are one of our greatest friends and yet one of our greatest foes ... sometimes people depart due to words spoken in the spur of moment ... yet most of the times , people move away from each other due to words unspoken ... so speak up ... (he moved towards the door, while she rushed towards him to stop) ... not now ... (rolling her eyes) ... she is not in the right mind now ... and tum ainviii jaake usse nahi keh sakte ...

Arnav – phir kya karu ??

Kaajal – mere kehna maano ... I will tell you when ... till then for ur own sake ... listen to me and do as i tell you ... and don't act like a lost puppy in front of her ... be urself ... Khadoos and sadu ... and what does she call you ???

Arnav – Laad Governor ...

Kaajal – yup !!! LG !!! ... now go sleep ... good night ... (Kaajal went towards Khushi's room, Arnav followed her) ...

Arnav – you both share a room ?? ( a bit puzzled) ...

Kaajal – no ... and that doesn't mean ki tum future mai spiderman banke room mai khidki se ghuss sakte ho ...(Arnav rolled his eyes which meant 'as if i was gonna') ... you neva know ... Main aaj raat uske saath hi sone waali hoo ... she might need me ... and you go now ... (she literally pushed him to his room and closed hers and Khushi's door) ...jaaaooo ...

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The next day Khushi got up with a throbbing head ache , with hazy memories of the day before . She felt very weak and tired and her body was aching a lot. She felt Kaajal's arm hugging her tightly and Kaajal's hair strewn across her neck ,tickling her a bit . She opened her eyes with a bit difficulty ,trying to adjust her eyesight to the slightly dark room .She moved her sister's hair from her neck and tucked it slowly behind her ears .Kaajal stirred a bit and Khushi gave a weak smile .

Khushi – Kaajal ... (with a bit difficulty) ...

Kaajal – hmmm ... (she opened her eyes slightly , smiled at her sister and closed again to open her eyes in shock after a few seconds. She got up and checked her sister's head to confirm that she had high fever and was pretty weak. She decided to play safe) ... hey thr ... kaise feel kar rahi ho ??

Khushi – hmmm ... sarr mai dard hai ... body mai dard hai ... kaafi kamzor feel kar rahi hoo ... (she tried getting up) ... par Kaajal ... hum yaha kaise pahunche ??? hum to Shantivan gaye the naa ??

Kaajal – (was a bit shocked but composed herself) ... kamzor nahi toh kyaa wresting match ke liye taaqat aayegi agar khayegi nahi toh ?? ... dekh kaise beemar pad gayi ... tum faint ho gayi thi Shantivan mai ... toh humlogon ko tumhe ghar laana pada ... aur bukhaar bhi badd gaya tera ... you know how much you scared us Khushi ??? (Khushi again tried getting up,but Kaajal pushed her back to the bed) ... uthne ki koshish bhi mat kar ... warna I swear I will tie you up to the bed ... now get back to sleep ... mai doctor ko bulane jaa rahi huu ... and no office n kaam for you for some days ... don't even try to protest ... warna I will ban you from entering office ... (Khushi pouted and went back to sleep) ...

Arnav was up by the time Kaajal came out of the room . When enquired , she told him and the family that Khushi didnt remember a thing of what had happened yesterday evening , other than the fact that they had gone to Shantivan . Although , everyone was a bit worried , she explained that it would be better to play along that line until Sunny comes . She told her family to be normal around her , fuss around her but not tell her what had happened. She informed Arnav that Khushi might not be able to start working on the project for sometime and he was fine with it . Kaajal lent her car to Arnav ,since he hadn't got his ,to get back home .

In the evening ,Arnav got a call from Kaajal to come home with any stupid work related to the project so that she could shut Khushi up . She informed him that Khushi was ridiculously throwing tantrums to get back to work and since her fever had come down a bit, even the doctor had told her she could work a bit from home, but not stress herself more. Arnav reached Mehra Mansion in an hour and he was escorted to Khushi's room by Prem.

Prem – pata nahi mera naseeb hi aisa hai ... ya pichle janam mai maine kisi paagal se punga liya tha ... meri behene mujhe paagal khaane bhejne pe tuli hui hai ... (he complained to Arnav) ...(when they reached her room) ... kuch zyaada hi hyper hai ... pataa nahi kaunsi kaam karne waala bhoot chada hai uspar ... All the best ... (he told Arnav , who just nodded in response)

Kaajal – (she saw Arnav open the door) ... Hey !!! ...

Arnav – hi !!! ... Kaisi tabeeyat hai iski ??

Khushi – hum theek hai ... aur waise bhi aap humare tabeeyat ke baare mai humse bhi pooch sakte hai ... (clearly giving a hint that she was annoyed. When he looked at her ,he saw she had a bowl of soup ,which he assumed to be spinach soup and another bowl of oats and fruits mixture and a glass of juice kept near her)

Kaajal – whr is Prem bhai ?? ...

Arnav – I think ... woh abhi yaha se nikle ... why ??

Kaajal – oh !!! ... He was on doctor duty ... and I am here on Khushi Patrol ... (she asked him to come in and indicated him to sit on the bed ,while she was seated on the other end of the bed with Khushi seated in the middle ,resting her head on the headrest) ... and who on earth asked you to stop eating it ??? (she asked Khushi) ...

Khushi – (irritated) ... soup is supposed to be drunk not eaten ...

Kaajal – all the same (rolling her eyes ) ... now just drink or eat or whatever ... or you want me to shove it down your throat ??? ...(Khushi took in a spoonful of it and gulped it in making a weird face) ... tum babies se bhi worst ho ... even Neal doesn't throw soo much tantrums ...and btw ... staring at food with soo much hatred doesn't make it disappear ...(jes then her phone rang and she answered it )

Khushi – mujhe yeh khana bilkul pasand nahi hai ... yeh toh bimaar log aur gadhe khaate hai ...

Kaajal - exactly the reason why *you* are having it ... (Khushi looked at her annoyingly ) ... Ek ki tum bimaar ho ... aur doosra ki tum *Gadhi* ho !!! ... (Khushi just took the nearest pillow and threw it at her twin, but missed it) ... no use behanaa ... and btw mujhe kuch kaam se baahar jaana hai ... (to Arnav) can you babysit for sometime ??? (making Arnav smirk)

Arnav – sure ... (Khushi looked at him while narrowing her eyes in slight anger) ...

Kaajal – and sadu ... don allow her to even look at work until she finishes eating all of it ... (she showed the platter) ... and be careful ... (she left to the door) ... and don't let madam get off the bed ...

Khushi waited for her sister to leave and with a naughty smirk kept the soup bowl on the table and extended her hand towards Arnav indicating him to give her the files .

Arnav – (nodding his head in disapproval) ... pehle khana khao ... uske baad ...

Khushi – mujhe nahi khaana ... (she crossed her arms and pouted)

Arnav – then tumhe files nahi milenge ... (both stared at each other for some time and Khushi realised that Arnav was not the one to give up ) ...

Khushi – (frustrated took the soup bowl again and started to gobble up the soup and finished it) ... abhi mil sakte hai ?? ...

Arnav – (controlling his urge to laugh ) ... well Kaajal ne kaha tha ki tumhe yeh sab (pointing towards the platter) khatam karni hai ...

Khushi – accha ?? aap kabse doosron ki baat maan ne lage Mr.Arnav Singh Raizaada ?? ...

Arnav –(knowing very well that she was trying to provoke him to ASR mode) ... kaafi time se ... anyways ... kal tumhari haalat dekhne ke baad ,I agree with Kaajal ... (Khushi sighed in annoyance) ... soch lo ... khana khalo aur kaam pe lag sakte hai ... ya phir aise hii baithi raho ... bina kaam ke ...

Khushi – (irritatingly shoved the oats and fruits museli into her mouth) ... this should be illegal ... (Arnav looked questioningly at her) ... Khana khao yaa phir kaam mat karo ... (he chuckled) ...waise aapko yaha coat pehenne ki zaroorat nahi hai ...

After about 10 mins Khushi had finished her food while refreshments had been sent for Arnav. He had got rid of his coat and was going through the files while Khushi cleared her throat to get his attention.

Khushi – ab khush ???

Arnav – nahi ... (taking out her tablets ) ... yeh khalo ... tab shayad khush ho jaau ... (she silently took it and had ) ...

Khushi – Arnavji ... ( in a soft tone) ... kya main aapse ek baat pooch sakti hu ??

Arnav – poocho ...

Khushi – dekhiye hume pataa hai ki mujhe aapse nahi poochna chahiye ... par Kaajal aur mere family waale mujhe kuch batane se rahe ...par mai ummeed karti huu ki aap mujhse sach kahenge ...

Arnav – poocho khushi ...

Khushi – hume kal kya hua tha ??? (Arnav just stared back at her )

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End of part 23

Part 12 :

She looked totally different. She wore a tailored skirt suit in black which ended 3 inches above her knees , stilettos ,a red scarf around her neck , with neatly defined eyes and red lipstick and nails. Her hair was shorter with waves and it glowed with a hints of purple and red in the bright light. With a bright smile she walked up to the podium. She reached the podium and gave a customary hug and kiss to the host ."wow !!! ... its good to see you back KJ ... ladies and gentlemen who else should be destined to collect the award other than the chief strategist responsible for the rebirth of The Mehra Group. We would really love to hear some words about your future plans", saying which he handed over the award. Kaajal received the award and was to give an acceptance speech for the award.

Kaajal – (looking at the host) Wow !! You really made me sound like a 75 year old granny with that introduction of yours!!😆😆 ... Unless you wonderful ladies out there want to fruitlessly ask me the secret of my jawani 😉...let me make one thing very clear ... I am not a vampire😆😆 ... nor did I have a weird Chinese surgery which rewired my aging genes😆 ... and definitely its not make up😆 ... although it's not really good for a girl to tell out her age ,but kya kare hum majboor hain ...I am just 24 ...😉😉 (the audience and the host laughed at her comment ) ...

And as usual ... my dear hatta katta and tandarust elder brother who can take on 10 mustande has "oh soo gracefully" just chickened out from coming to the stage to accept this award 😆😆😆... (the cameras focus on Prem who looked amused😳)... i am confused whether its because he thinks usse buri nazar lagegi😆 or may be coz he is plain afraid that some of you might wanna take his life because of his wonderful speeches ... no worries bhai ... as usual I am here to save u(bows)🤣 ... ... and now he is goin to say ... dekloonga tujhe ... (which he does and again the audience laugh) ... 🤣🤣

Now without further delay ... I just hope that the organizers have taken the pain of removing any substance which can probably cause harm to the person who is giving the speech,😆😆 like rotten eggs , tomatoes , shoes ... etc ... if not I pray to god to provide you all with awesome patience ...atleast for the next 5 mins ... 😆😆

(taking a deep breath)My Nanu started a small cloth shop which sold embroidered sarees and duppatas to make a livelihood and slowly that shop turned into a group of shops and then into a small factory employing around 100 to 150 workers . My father who had an entrepreneurial streak ,with the help of my mamu aka Girish Mehra , further developed this factory into Mehra industries. Well, I was impressed to learn that my dad and mamu were besties and their friendship turned into a relation when my dad married my mom and the happy story continued for further 10 years when Mehra group became one of the leading companies in textile business and thats wen the story took a sad turn.😔 I am not going to bore you wonderful guys with that story, which anyone who has seen baazigar can guess.😆

My dad's dream was that Mehra group reach new heights but yet stay rooted and being one of Papa's pari, I decided to help mamu in achieving that dream. Now that we have started to achieve a small part of the dream I would like to thank everyone who is involved . My mamu for being our beacon of hope when we thought we were lost, my bhai Prem who is our backbone , my nani who is our support ,my parents who are our inspiration, my wonderful sisters for keeping us grounded throughout our journey, my mami for treating us like kids even now ,seriously guys she fusses over our food even now!!😆😆 ... our staff and workers who are the real heroes and the main reason for this achievement ,our suppliers , our customers and ofcourse our fiercest competitors.

And now safely assuming that the question regarding the future plan was not about my personal life which is would kill the hopes of page 3 reporters for chatpata news😆😆 , I shall speak about the immediate future plan for Mehra Group. Right now we are planning to launch a Indian bridal collection named "Phoenix collection" which would be headed by my wonderful sister who has just finished her Fashion designing course.👍🏼 Also we plan to have another launch related to the Heritage ethnic draperies for interior decoration to feel the real Golden era at our cosy homes. We shall announce the mentioned launches officially in time to come and we hope to work in tandem with the best for the mentioned projects. Please let your best wishes, appreciation ,criticism and ofcourse orders coming .

Thank you all and have a wonderful evening .

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

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The dinner was to be served and luckily for Arnav , their table was next to the Mehras.Anjali was feeling a bit uneasiness in her leg,so Aakash offered to take her to the doctor since a missing Arnav wouldn't stand good with their competitors and customers alike. Grudgingly,Arnav agreed with Aakash and he sat down with his managers. He kept stealing glances at her and she barely looked at him.😉 She treated him asthough she didn't recognise him at all. 😕After her speech ,she had come back to her table gracefully accepting hugs and pats on her back from many, but she didn't even seem to recognise them. "OK Khushi Kumari Gupta ... if you are planning to play this game ... I will ..."😡😡, he promised himself.

Meanwhile there was a huge uproar at a nearby table . A young girl, who had barely worn a decent dress was shouting,"Ladies and gentlemen , Karan Malhotra has just proposed me ... and I have accepted it !!! I am getting married ". And the guy there had just spit his champagne on his plate looking shocked.😲😲 It was very clear to the people next table that this guy hadn't done anything like that. Arnav eyes went and rested on her again, she looked amused😆 by the turn of events and she had just indicated Karan Malhotra to move out of the table. Both of them got up and moved towards the restroom. Not able to control himself Arnav had excused himself to follow them without their notice. 😉😉😉They were barely near the pathway when he heard her speak .

KJ – Wow !! Karan !! Congrats yaar ... suna hai teri shaadi hone waali hai ...

Karan – Comeon KJ !!! you know ... Maine kuch nahi kiya ... (tried to control her laugh😆😆) ... But yaar Manini loves me ... and ... and...

KJ – And ... tu darr gaya is proposal se ... 😛

Karan – Yaar ... mere samajh main nahi aa raha ki maine kab aur kaise usse propose kiya ... its a shock to me that I proposed her ... 😆😆😆

KJ – Relax dude ... Its an old trick ... champagne main ring ... ladka talli ... and u know the story ...

Karan – Oh !! come on ... main abhi talli nahi hoon ...Manini aisa nahi kar sakti ... she cant be that cheap ...

KJ – toh tum maante ho ki woh cheap ho sakti hai ... newaz uska asli naam Urvashi hai ... aur woh sirf tumse tumhare status aur paison ke liye shaadi karna chahti hai ...

Karan – tu yeh sab kaise jaanti hai ?? ...

KJ – kyunki 2 saal pehle woh mere office apna portfolio chodne aayi thi ... well... and not to sound very cheap ... she tried to bribe the manager by trying offering to sleep with him ... woh paison ke liye kuch bhi kar sakti hai ... 🤢🤢

Karan – paisa ??? paisa toh pairon ki dhool hai ...

KJ – aur tu duniya ka sabse bada fool hai 😆😆... sunn ... meri baat maan ... just test her ... jaake usko bata ...kameeni darling...😆😆oops manini darling ... mere dad ne apna saara property kisi charity ke naam kar dena ka socha hai ... main bhi wohi chahta hai ... since main apne daddy cool ki tarah apne pairon pe khud khada hona chahta hai ... so I really hope u will stay by my side as my strength thru thick and thin ...

Karan – really ??? itna filmy dialogue ??? ...

KJ – trust me bacche ... real life bhi kaafi filmy hoti hai ... jaa ab ... (she pushed him)

Karan - main yeh kabhi nahi kahunga ... kabhi nahi ... ( and she nodded with "yeah rite" 😉😉)

Karan had just finished speaking these lines to Manini when she just disappeared telling her already dead mom met with an accident 🤣. and after 5 mins he received an sms from her telling she doesn't want to be with him 🥳. Karan just ran up to Mehra table and kneeled down .

Karan – KJ !!! you are the best !!!!👏👏 ... bacha liya tune mujhe ... tu sach main meri best friend hain ... I love u !!!... and did I tell you ... you are the best !!! (and hugged her 🤗)

KJ – well silly ... I know that ... and as usual ... I have to save ur ... u know what 🤪... seriously mere baigair tumhara kya hota be ... Khoteya kahinka ...

Prem – Kya ho raha hai ?? ... tu phir se koi😡 ... (asking Kaajal) ... kabhi toh sudhar jaa 😒... (he sighed) ...

KJ – bhai ... chillax ... mai sudhar gayi toh aap yeh dialogue kise batayenge 😆😆... aur waise bhi ... maine is Malhotra ke bacche ki jaan bachayi ... accha kaam kiya hai bhai ... aap toh acche kaam ke liye bhi daant te ho ... not fair u know😉 ... (she mocked) ...

Arnav had just curled his fist in anger😳 and was about to get up and bash that Karan guy ,when his phone rang. It was Anjali ,

Anjali – chotte ... kahan hai aap ??

Arnav – Dii ... aap theek toh hai naa ...

Anjali – haan chotte ... woh hum jaldi mai dawayi lena bhool gaye the ...

Arnav – Kitni baar kaha hai dii ... aap apna khayal bilkul nahi rakti ... main abhi aa raha hoo ...

With what little sanity he had left with him , he walked past the Mehras .Kaajal just looked at the man with extreme anger walk past her. She had a weird feeling that he was staring right at her throughout. 😕😕She just brushed the thought ,thinking she was being suspicious as usual.🤔

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At Shantivan as soon as Arnav reached home :

Arnav – PAYAL !!!! ... PAYAL !!!! ... (shouting at the top of his voice)

Anjali – Chotte ... tum Payal ko kyun bula rahe ho ...

Payal – (came running down towards them with the whole house being gathered) ... Ji Arnavji ... Kya hua ... aap chilla kyun rahe hai ?? 😕😕(with a worried and tensed look)

Arnav – Payal ... (now tryin to control his anger) ... Khushi ne recently tumse kab baat ki ?? ...

Payal – 3 Maheene pehle ... aapko bataya toh tha ...

Arnav – uske baad usse tumhari koi baat nahi hui ???

Payal – Ji ... Nahi ... usne bola tha ki woh India aa jaayegi ... par shayad humse naaraaz hai ki hum waha usse milne nahi gaye ... kyun Arnavji ... kya hua ???

Arnav – Baat yeh hai Payal ... tumhari behen India waapis toh aa gayi hai ... par tumhari behen nahi rahi hai 😲... woh badal gayi hai ... woh tumhari pehle waali Khushi nahi rahi ... uske tevar hi badal gaye hai 😡😡... aur meri maano toh tum usse milne ki ummeed mat rakho ... bhool jaao usse ... main nahi chahta ki uski wajah se tumhe ya phir is ghar ke kisi member ko aur kuch takleef pahunche ... samjhi tum ??? 😡😡😡(he stormed off to his room and shut his door ,without even a look at Payal who was in tears by now😭😭)

Payal – (to Aakash and Anjali ) ... Zaroor unhe kuch galat faimi hui hai ...😭😭😭😭. ( to which Anjali came and squeezed her shoulders in understanding)

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Nothin what happened today had made sense to Arnav. 😕Khushi worked from the age of 14?? She was the chief strategist to get Mehra Group up ?? But what was she doing at AR ?? Plus she never looked like she did today . There was something different about her . He had wasted 2 years waiting for her like a majnu .😭 He threw his coat and vest and kicked his bed .😡 He went ahead and splashed cold water on his face to check if all this was real . He was furious at Khushi but angrier on himself for being such a fool . He just wanted to get rid of her from his mind so went ahead and opened his files and laptop and was in for a rude shock when he looked at the third file in his hand .

"Dammit !!! ... what the !!! ... ", he had just signed a deal with Mehra Group for textile materials for his heritage hotels and for the designs . He had to make this contract void . He was not going to work with a woman who didn't even acknowledge his presence in her life . First he thought he would send Aakash and then decided he would go ahead and do that himself . Remembering the time Khushi had come to Shantivan to give her so called resignation , telling Nani , she wanted to do this herself since she didn't want someone to think her backing off is her acceptance of defeat.

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The next day he left for Mehra Group's office in the Morning.

At Mehra group :

KJ – What the hell is happening here ??😡😡😡 ... (shouting) ... tum logo se ek bhi kaam theek se hota hai ki nahi ??😡😡😡 ...I had told you clearly I am not to be disturbed from Morning 10 to 12 . Bola tha ki nahi ki koi appointment mat rakhna ?? (she thundered at her PA ) ...

PA – Par madam ... woh Arnav Singh Raizaada hai ...

KJ – Aur main Jhanshi si raani !!!😆😆😆 ... tum mere liye kaam karti ho ?? ya us Raizaada ke liye ... I don't care ... 12 ke baad hi main usse mil sakti hoo ... usse wait karna hai toh karle ...

PA – OK ma'am ... ( Kaajal just stormed into her office)

After around 30 mins

Arnav – What the ... ???😡😡 ... what do you mean that I have to wait ?? Appointment ka matlab samajahthi ho tum ?? It means I need not wait ... that time specified is for me ... (he ran his hand through his hair in anger) ...

PA – One minute sir ... please wait kijiye ... Main try karti hoo ...

Arnav – Forget it !!! ... where is her cabin ???

PA – Sir ???... Ma'am doesn't like to be disturbed ... unka mood kharaab hai aur kaafi gusse mai hai ...

Arnav – Aur main usse bhi zyaada kharaab mood mai hoon aur usse bhi zyaada gussa hoon ... where is her cabin DAMMIT !!! 😡😡

PA – sir ... (and as Arnav was looking around her saw her move towards her cabin. He took fast steps and entered the cabin without looking at the nameplate )

He obviously didn't know it was Kaajal and mistook her for Khushi.

KJ – W*F... !!! ... 😲😲😡😡😡😡😡

Arnav – (raised an eyebrow )... Oh !!! so tumne apne aap ke saath apna language bhi change kar liya ??

KJ – who the hell are you ??? and tumhe kisne ghusne diya ??? ... 😡

Arnav - Oh !!! who am I ?? itni jaldi mujhe bhool gayi ... Arnav Singh Raizaada ...

KJ – so ??? I don care a damn ...I am busy now ...

Arnav – mujhe tumse baat karni hai Khu...

KJ – (cutting him in between)but mujhe tumse koi baat karni nahi hai ... aur nahi mere paas time hai ...

Arnav – what the ... ?? samajhti kya ho apne aap ko ... 😡😡

KJ – none of your business ... ki main apne aap ko kya samajhthi hoo ...(and started walking towards the door) ...

Arnav – RUKO !!! ... 😡😡

KJ – Mr Raizaada ... Aap shayad bhool gaye hai ... yeh office mera hai and I am the boss here and I give orders ... jaha tak mujhe yaad hai ... mai tumhari naukar nahi hoon ... 😡😡

she was about to walk past him when he held her arms and she almost fell off balance but within a microsecond she managed to stand still trying to understand what the hell did this man want . 😕😡

KJ – you Psycho !!! 😡😡😡😡... mera haath chodo ...

Arnav – Nahi toh kya kar logi ??

KJ – you know ...what you are doing is incredibly stupid ... main sirf ek baar warn karti hoo ... but tumhari bhalayi ke liye dobara bol deti hoo ... leave my hand ...

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End of part 12

Part 22 :

There ... stood in front of him ... Khushi whose eyes spoke of unseen horror ... tears flowing out of them ... gasping for breath while she muttered words inaudible to anyone ...shaking and shivering horribly out of control ...sweating profusely... holding on to Arnav for dear life ...asthough some one would lurk out of the shadows and take out her life ...

Arnav – Khushi !!! (shaking her a bit) 😲😲... Khushi ... kya hua ??? ... Khushi !!! (he panicked since she didnt respond to his calling) ...

Arnav tried to move to get help , but Khushi held on to his hands very tightly ,although unaware of it . He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do . she looked petrified as if she had seen a ghost . He couldn't leave her alone , nor could he make her stand here in the rain. She already looked tired and unwell compared to 4 years back and god only knew what would happen if she fell ill now . using all his strength he yelled , "KAAJAL !!!! ... DIII !!! ... " ...

Kaajal being the nearest, rushed to see her sister and Arnav at the other side of the glass door . She managed to push the jammed door and came near them . She was still trying to take in what was happening to her sister and planning what to do next , suddenly Khushi's legs gave in and she collapsed on the floor. Khushi became totally numb and cold all of sudden . The terror and restlessness still on her face. Arnav tried his best to reduce the impact of falling .Kaajal tried cradling her sister in an attempt to calm her down ,"Khushi ... shhh ... kuch nahi hua ... dekho ... hum sab yahi hai ... " .

Kaajal looked helplessly at Arnav ,when he decided that its better to move Khushi inside the room. He scooped her trembling body and placed her on his bed. She still clutched on to his hands. Kaajal sat next to her and hugged her sister, placing Khushi's head on her chest and trying to calm her like a mother would calm her child. That was when both Arnav and Kaajal heard faint voices from Khushi's mouth ... "maa ... nahi ... amma ... " . For a moment Kaajal looked asthough she was struck by lightning but she came back to her senses soon and started patting Khushi assuring her that she was here and she need not worry about anything.

Kaajal – (to Arnav) ... can you please call bhabs and get my mobile ?? ...

Arnav nodded and using the intercom called his sister and the rest of the people in the hall and informed them the situation. He also told them to not hoard into his room , since it would panic Khushi more. It was Anjali and Priya who rushed to his room . Priya quickly took Kaajal's place next to Khushi ,while Kaajal took her mobile to make some calls . While Anjali , took Arnav's place , Arnav went near Kaajal who maintained a calm composure while talking to someone.

Kaajal – I don't understand sunny ... why now all of sudden ?? ... I thgt aapne kaha tha ki she would be fine after her sessions with you ... yeah ... can you come to India ?? please ??? ... she needs you ... I need you bhaiya ... yeah ... I know ... no ... I haven't yet given her any dosage of Ativan(tranquilizer) ... yeah mere paas rehta hai ... but no ... I wont ...aapne kaha tha unless it is very necessary, we need not give it to her ... ya ... bye ... meet you soon ... (looking at Arnav) ... Sunny Bhaiyaa ... he is a psychiatrist ... Khushi ke unke saath sessions the London mai ... so that she doesn't suffer from PTSD ... I am not understanding anything ... kya hua hai isse ... woh bhi ab ??? ... (she broke down, Arnav placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder) ... I cant see her like this ... Khushi nahi toot sakti ... kabhi nahi ...

Arnav – you need to be next to her ... (she nodded and they entered the room) ...

Kaajal – NOOO !!!! ... no ways bhabhi ... I am not giving her that ... (she went ahead and snatched the injection of Ativan from her bhabhi) ...

Priya – par Kaajal ... abhi ... is waqt ke liye wohi sahi hai ... she needs to calm down ...

Kaajal – no bhabhi ... (in a final tone) ... I have seen the effects of this (showing the injection) on people ... mai apne behen ko un logo jaisa nahi dekhna chahti ...

Priya – (now losing her cool) ... toh kya chahti ho ??? ki woh isi tarah raatbhar tadapti rahe ??? ... Kaajal ... hum bhi Khushi se pyaar karte hai ... dushman nahi hai hum uske ... so jaayegi toh theek ho jaayegi ... Sunny ne bhi wohi kaha hoga na ...

Kaajal – no ... aur yeh decision mai loongi ki ab use kyaa dena hai aur kya nahi ... kyunki I am the only one who is related by blood to her at this moment ...

Priya – (gasped) Kaajal !!!!...

Kaajal – sorry bhabhi ... par aapne aur koi chaara nahi choda ... mai chahe toh raat bhar iske saath baithoongi ... isse sambhalungi ... humari wajah se kisiko koi takeleef nahi hogi ... (she went ahead and cradled Khushi to comfort her shivering body) ... aur is waqt mai iss baare mai koi behes nahi karna chahti ... (she told in a decisive tone) ...

Arnav – I think ... aap sabko neeche jaana chahiye ... (everyone nodded and left) ... (to Kaajal) I guess ... I ll change and come back ... (he took out a towel and handed that to Kaajal so that she could dry Khushi's hair lest she fell ill and thankfully since Arnav had shielded her from rain , her clothes weren't wet)

Kaajal – thanks ... (she gave a weak smile) ...

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After some time , when it had stopped raining and Khushi had been silenced to sleep by Kaajal and Payal , Arnav entered his room .

Arnav - how is she ?? ... tum chaho toh yehi ruk sakti ho ...

Kaajal - (still holding Khushi's hand) ... so rahi hai ... but I guess hume ab nikalna chahiye ... not to sound rude , but it would be better if she wakes up in her room than here ... (looking at Arnav's confused expression, she placed Khushi's hand on her stomach and indicated him to come out) ... Maine Sunny se baat ki ... he told us it would be better for her to wake up in known surroundings which wont confuse and stress her mind more ... But I still am not able to understand ... after every precaution we took 2 years back , after she had taken sessions for PTSD ... ab kya hua ?? ...

Arnav - I donno ... ek minute pehle woh baat kar rahi thi ... then baarish shuru hua ... we were rushing inside ... power gaya and when it came back in a minute ... I see her like this ...scared ... jaisi koi bhayanak cheez dekh liya ho ... Mujhe pata tha ki usse andhere se darr lagta hai ...isiliye uske saath tha ... par ...

Kaajal - I dont think yeh andhere ki wajah se hai ... moreover shez not scared of darkness anymore ... (Arnav looked at her surprised) ... uske liye bhi sessions liye the ... for overcoming her phobias ... but ... (she went to her thinking mode staring at nothing in particular with a serious expression) ... anyways ... sunny and muskaan toh kal tak aa jaayenge ... till then ... everything has to be in control ... (it looked like she told that command to herself than him) ... and btw ... am so sorry that you had to see this at ur place ...

Arnav - dont be ridiculous Kaajal ... she is more important ... (he added unknowingly) ...

Kaajal - WHAT ???? ...

Arnav - (coming back to senses) ... Kya hua ?? I just told its OK ...

Kaajal - Really ??? ...

Arnav - yeah ... (trying to change the topic) ... anyways ... tum use kaise le jaaogi ?? ... usse uthana toh padega ...

Kaajal - That i dont want to ... I meant I dont want her to wake up now ... but may be hume usse uthana hi padega ...

Arnav - nahi ... uski koi zaroorat nahi hai ... (he went and lifted the sleeping Khushi effortlessly as always ,making Kaajal give him a look) ... what ??

Kaajal - looks like you are an expert at lifting or holding her ... (she smirked for the first time after 3 hours) ...

Arnav - and mujhe laga tha ki shayad tum serious ho ...

Kaajal - sadu ... Main serious hoo life mai ... but itna bhi nahi ki mai zindagi jeena bhool jaao ...

Arnav placed Khushi carefully in the backseat with her head resting on Kaajal's lap and Priya sat in front in the passenger seat ,since Arnav decided to drop them home . He drove carefully making minimum use of brakes ,so that it would not disturb Khushi . Once they reached Mehra's place , he again lifted Khushi and entered the house with Kaajal and Priya . Once , she was placed in her cozy room , what followed was too much of worried talks and looks of anxiety at Khushi,who seemed to be oblivious to the surroundings. It had started to rain heavily once again.

Nani - Mujhe lagta hai aapko aaj raat yehi ruk jaana chahiye (to Arnav) ... Priya ... guestroom tayyar karwa dena ... (seated next to Khushi with her hand brushing her Grand-daughter's hair lovingly ) ... aur aap log khana khaa lijiye ... mujhe pata hai ki aapmaise kisi ko khane ka mann nahi hai ... par yeh mera hukum hai (before anyone would protest) ... fikar mat karo ... main gudiya ke paas rahungi (she told her son Girish,her daughter-i-law Hema and Kaajal in particular) ... jaao ...

Arnav called up home and informed them about the arrangement for the night. He assured a clearly worried Anjali ,Payal and Nani that Khushi was better. After a quiet dinner which was new to the Mehra household ,almost everyone moved to their rooms ,except a small boy who was busy throwing tantrums , "Nahi ... mujhe Khushi bua ke saath sona hai ... " .

Priya - Neal !!! ... bua ki tabeeyat kharaab hai beta ... unko rest lena hoga naa ...

Neal - nahi ... !!! mujhe Khushi bua hi chahiye ... (he pouted and sat down on the sofa with arms crossed,making Priya's temper rise)

Kaajal - (coming to the rescue with Arnav tagging along with her)...Bhabs you know what ?? isko Khushi ke saath aaj rehne do ...

Neal - (delighted with a huge grin) sacchi ... (Priya glared at them) ...

Kaajal - haan ... toh kya hua agar Khushi bua ki tabeeyat aur kharaab ho jaayegi ??? ... toh kya hua agar Neal ko bhi bukhaar ho gaya ?? waise bhabs ... aaj doctor uncle ne bua ko injection diya tha naa ... kaafi bada injection tha naa ???

Neal - (now a bit scared) Injection ??? (making his eyes bigger) ...

Kaajal - haan ... woh bhi Itna bada (making a huge gesture) ... aur woh bhi teen teen ... '

Neal -(gulping) teen ... ???

Kaajal - haan ... ab tum kal beemar padoge toh tumhe bhi teen injection lena padega na (she said making a sad face) ...

Priya - haan ... woh bhi ek hafte ke liye ...rozzz... (smirking at her son's fear) ... ab Neal injection se thodi na darta hai ... kyun Neal ?? chalo ... ab bua ke paas chalte hai ...

Neal - (started to cry) ... naaaiii .. mujhe nahi jaana ... mujhe injection nahi lena ... mai mai ... kal bua se milunga ... mammaaa ... (Priya lifted him and tried to console him)

Kaajal - OK OK ... ab rona mat ... waise bhi water shortage ka problem hai humare country mai ...

Neal - good nite bua !!! ...(he kissed her cheek)

Kaajal - Good nite handsome(she kissed him back)... n don call me bua (she added in a lil irritated tone) ... it sounds soo auntyish ... (priya rolled her eyes and took her son to his room) ... KIDS !!!! ...

Arnav - good nite Kaajal ... (he was trying to walk past her when she held his left arm and made him turn) ...What the !!!

Kaajal - not so soon sadu ... I need to talk to you ... In the balcony ... n don worry ... its protected from the rain ... (she pulled him there) ...

Arnav - bolo ??

Kaajal - main nahi tum bolo ... (Arnav had a big question mark on his face) ... (rolling her eyes) ... what the hell is going on between you and Khushi ??? ... kya pakk raha hai tum dono ke beech ?? ...

Arnav - (turned around trying to avoid her eyes) ... what ?? kuch bhi toh nahi ...

Kaajal – your lying ...

Arnav – No I am not ...

Kaajal – comeon ... don even try to lie to me ... I have proof ... your not meeting my eyes when speaking ... when I asked you the question ,your eyes were shocked and you lowered your gaze ... then you turned ur back on me ... you placed ur hand inside your pocket which signifies you are hiding something ... and lastly there is a significant change in ur tone when you answered my question ... n adding to it , it was without any confidence ...

Arnav – (shocked and turned towards her) ... Unbelievable ... tum kya mujhe interrogate kar rahi ho ??

Kaajal – its just Psych 101 , and topic change karne ki koshish bhi mat karo ...

Arnav – (trying to dodge the topic) ... you know ... you are much smarter than what people give you credit for ... jabse mai tumse mila hoon ... I always felt you to be easy-going , a bit intelligent and but a rebel ...

Kaajal – I know ... and I even know ki tum topic change karne ki koshish kar rahe ho ... back to the topic ... what is it that you are trying to hide ??? ... (she looked into his eyes as if reading his mind ) ... I want to know everything that happened between you and Khushi ...

Arnav – aisa kuch nahi hua ...

Kaajal – really ?? ... whom are you trying to fool Arnav ??? Me or yourself ??? ... My bet is both ... and moreover ... you think mai information dhoond nahi sakti ??... if anything I take pride in ... its in my ability to dig into facts and get the truth out ... no matter how shielded or old it is ... and bina reason ke , meri behen , jo kisi ladke ko ghaas nahi daalti , ek poore company ke,which btw belongs to you , day to day activities ko follow nahi karti ... is there no reason why you two behave differently around each other ?? there is no reason for the awkwardness you guys share ?? ... is there no reason why you stare at her ,as if nothing else exists in the world?? ...is there no reason that *you* were the last person whom she bid farewell to.. while leaving from Lucknow two years back ??? ... or is there no reason that you can distinguish between me and Khushi pretty easily ,considering the fact that except Minnie no one else even in my family can do that ??? is there no reason that she held on you for support and comfort when she was petrified ??? or bina reason ke Arnav Singh Raizaada , who has a reputation of not caring for anything is staying at my place ?? and bina kisi reason ke ... ur are in *High Alert* mode ,trying to safeguard Khushi from anything that can harm her ,including her lack of co-ordination of limbs and brain at times ...I am not accusing of anything or judging you by anything ... I am giving you a chance as a friend to tell me the facts ... which whether you like it or not ... I *will* find out ... today or tomorrow is the only question ...

Arnav – (shocked and giving up since there was no use denying anything that had happened between him and Khushi )...Fine !!! ... I will tell you everything ... but I don't want you to judge me by my past and I don't want to lose the only friend I have made in the recent years ... and most importantly ... I don't want you to tell any of this to Khushi !! ... (she nodded)

Arnav gave a detailed information of each and every event that occurred with Khushi and him .How they met , how they hated each other, how she ended up working at AR & at his place,Shyam fiasco etc ... Ofcourse , he tried to mellow down the diwali night sequence by omitting the almost kiss and conveniently omitted the part of his feelings towards Khushi . Kaajal patiently listened to him , with a unbiased expression as if she was reading an interesting novel.

Kaajal – OK ... Although totally weird ... I still don understand ... kyun tum log aise behave karte ho ... ek doosre k aas paas ... (after around 5 minutes of eerie silence, she gasped) ... OMG !!!!

Arnav – Kya hua ???

Kaajal – (she looked intently into his eyes,with a slight confusion) ... you LOVE her !!!! ... (Arnav looked stunned at Kaajal)

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End of part 22