It all started with 300 Rupees Chapter 32 Thread 5 - Page 26

Important Note: Everyone wants to know if I will continue writing or not. As of now, yes, I am planning on continuing to write. Between the show ending and my very tight schedule, I have contemplated on stopping to write – but my ONLY motivation is your comments. Do write something and let me know that you guys will stick around to read my work. Thanks.

I write 10,000 words and you only write – Great Update, I am still fine with that as long as I know you are reading my work. Thanks!

-KC

This chapter is dedicated to Kvarsha – you might be wondering – why? Let me explain – you have been my most consistent reader of this FF. You have NEVER ever missed to comment and any of the updates. I thank you for being so consistent with your comments, just a little thank you from my side to let you know that I do read your replies, and I appreciate it all. In addition to replying to the updates, thank you for always commenting on my all other posts as well.

-KC

Meenu: Did I thank you properly for KC's ACs? When I started writing on this forum, it was simply to distract myself from that comedy track. I never thought that one someone will run a chat thread under my name. I am honored. Thank you!

P.S. Shakespeare ka rebirth? Me? Iss compliment to kya naam doon?

Shivi: Thanks for making another of your milestones on my thread. Thanks for posting your 1500^th post on It all……

Shruti: Thank you buddy! Like – really. Thanks!

Pearl: Pearl, thanks for the both the comments. The reply to the update and the encouragement words after the note. I appreciate it Pearl. Thanks!

To all the readers who PM me with your wonderful words – THANK YOU!!

Ressers: DO UNRES. Thanks!

Another HUGE thank you to all the readers who have taken their time out to write something on the appreciation thread! I was in awe after reading all the wonderful comments. Thank you guys! I wish I could express what I felt while reading it. Thank you!

-KC

SINCERE APOLOGY FOR THE SUPER DUPER DELAY!

It all started with 300 Rupees 32

A

It was another day in his office. The same meetings, the same phone calls, the same people, the same routine. The only thing that was different was that he was actually looking forward for the evening. He wanted to go home, to her, to them, to his wife and his daughter. How much his life had changed within the matter of weeks!

He was a hollow soul who came to Mumbai for work; merely a way of keeping him busy, a distraction from his real life issues, a way to avoid the emptiness inside him. That's what he had done ever since she left him that unfortunate day – work, work, work and work.

He had done everything to keep him busy, keep him occupied, keep him away from spending time with his mind, his heart.

He could not spare a minute to himself, or his mind, or his heart…..

That would be too much for him to deal with…..

He made sure he worked so much that he didn't even have time to breathe. Projects after projects, meetings after meetings, business trips after business trips….

He had made a safe wall of work to shield him from dealing with his pain, the right way…..

He never thought that one day his work will give him the opportunity to meet his life again, his Khushi…..

And there it was, all over again……

He was too lost in this world when he heard "Mr. Raizada, phone call for you……"

He looked up and saw Roshni standing there across his table in his office, he spoke "take a message."

She looked at the phone and answered the phone again "Mr. Raizada is busy right now, I will have him call you back……I told him……okay……let me ask him again……."

She got enough courage to bother him again and said "Mr. Raizada, she refuses to leave a message, it's something urgent…….do you want to talk to……"

Before she could finish her sentence, he took the phone from her and said "hello?"

Roshni didn't know who it was but she knew one thing for sure, whoever it was, must be someone important to put such a smile on his face……

He spoke on the phone "yes ma'am" and he smiled again……

He finally looked up and said "Ms. Saxena, you can leave, I will check the files and get back to you." That's all he said and she walked out of the office, closing the door behind…..

"Yes sweetheart, what a pleasant surprise……you could have called me on my cell phone as well" he spoke with a beaming smile on his face, a rare but a sight worth watching…..

He heard "was that Roshni who answered the call?" He grinned at her question and replied "yes." She spoke "why don't you give her a cabin of her own where she can sit all day and do some actual work instead of trying to stay around you all day?" He couldn't help but smile at her irritation, yet again, he replied "she does have her own cabin, she was just here to discuss something about a project…….is that good enough Mrs. Raizada?"

She replied "I don't know, I still don't like her around you……..sorry about that. When are you coming today?"

He replied "When will Aashna come back from school? How was she in the morning?" He heard "She went to school after almost a week now, that's why she was little uncomfortable but she is very fond of her teacher, she was fine once she was in school……I told her teacher to call me if there was any problem, no one has called so I am assuming everything is fine….." He answered "good……so what's her schedule like when she is in school…..when does she come back from school?"

She replied in a frustrated tone "you would know if you lived with her……."

They were both quiet hearing her statement. He finally said "we have been discussing this same thing for the whole last week now…….why are you making this harder for me Khushi? Don't you know how hard it is for me to do all this? I want to live with both of you more than anything……you know that……but……"

She interrupted "I am sorry Arnav Ji…….I know…..you are right…..but I still don't like this…..I don't even know if it's necessary……..I don't even how I let you talk me into this……"

He answered "Khushi……I know it's hard…….I understand…….it's hard for both of us…….but it's not about us right now…..it's about……"

She interrupted again "I know Arnav Ji…….I understand that but I still don't know if this is the right way to do it……."

They had talked about this, over and over again for the last week, every day, all the time but he still wasn't able to convince her that his decision is right. He decided to change the topic, he said "what's for dinner? Are you cooking?" She replied "of course I am cooking, anything you want to eat in particular?" He was glad his distraction had worked. He smiled and replied "I like everything you cook sweetheart."

She replied "when are you coming?" He answered "do you want me to come now?" She finally laughed and said "I think you should do some work too, just like Roshni, but in your own cabin, don't work with her." He replied "yes ma'am, anything else?" She replied "yes, I love you." He answered "I love you too sweetheart."

He could barely concentrate on working after their conversation. The latter part. He didn't know who was this hardest on? Him? Her? Or Aashna? What if Khushi was right? What if he was not doing the right thing? What if this could mess things more? He blankly stared at that file while thinking about all this when he heard the knock on the door. "Come in." Sure enough it was Ms. Saxena. He said "yes Miss Saxena, do you need anything?" She replied "sir, Karan called, he wanted to schedule a meeting sometime this week now that Khushi is back after her long vacation……" She said in a sarcastic tone without realizing who she was saying it to.

He heard what she said, he looked up to see her sarcastic face, he slowly put that file down on the table and got off his chair and spoke "vacation?" She had only heard about his temper, now she was about to experience it, live. She stood glued to the floor and barely replied "I mean……this project was on hold……just because of her…….that's why……" He looked at her with those pair of enraged eyes and said "her daughter was in critical care after an accident, does that sound like a vacation to you?" She couldn't even reply anything to that. She stayed put, without moving, without being able to look at his angry face. He spoke again "she has been up day and night trying to take care of her daughter all by herself, does that sound like vacation to you?"

He walked towards her now and asked furiously "Answer me Ms. Saxena, does that sound like vacation to you?" She almost shivered hearing his blatant angry voice and answered "I was just thinking about the project, it has already been so delayed which is not good for our company……..I was just worried about that….." He looked at her with enough rage in them and asked "it's nice to see how much interest you take in our company and how worried you are for our company but this project is worth more than a child's life? Is this what you are worried about? This damn project?"

He didn't even want to hear anything from her anymore, he quickly spoke before losing any remaining temper "leave." Leave had never sounded better from him than today. She took off as soon as she heard that word and saved herself from god knows what was coming next. Though she couldn't help but wonder why was he so pro Khushi? Why did he always take her side? Why wasn't he worried about their project and worried about Khushi's daughter. Not that she dared asking him anything but she couldn't help but wonder what is up with him and that Khushi…….

He checked the time and left the office as fast as he could. He got in the car and started driving. The more he got closer to her place, the more anxious he got. He couldn't wait to see her, see them, but then he couldn't help but feel anxious. As he drove, his mind started replaying what had happened that morning when he came face to face with Aashna the very first time. As nervous as he was already with the thought of meeting her, the actual incident didn't help at all.

He could never forget what he felt that morning…..

How could he be so nervous about meeting a four year old? Could that be even possible? After all he was Arnav Singh Raizada. But right now he was only a man, who was just a husband by the morning and a father by the night. To this angel, who didn't even exist for him until yesterday.

It was long day. And even a longer night. He would never forget that night. The night where he had first witnessed what she had been witnessing every day for three years. Every night. That feeling. That strange unwanted feeling.

It was the first time they had seen the dawn together, after sharing their biggest grief, biggest loss and their biggest regret. They barely had any sleep that night. The only good thing about that night was that they were together, after all that they had been through. Together.

He remembered how he was up before she was. He had turned to see the peaceful face resting on his arms. She looked serene. Though the dried tear drops were still visible on her face, she still had some kind of satisfaction on her face. She didn't look stressed, or worried, or upset. She was sleeping peacefully, in his arms, right next to him, with him.

He looked at her closed fist, he gently opened it, making sure he didn't disturb her sleep, he took her past, their past away from her hand and slowly and got off the bed. He put that haunting black and white picture away, making sure she didn't see it again, not first thing in the morning at least. He freshened up and slowly walked out the room.

Naina was in the kitchen making something. She saw him entering the living area, she asked him "do you want coffee? I just made it." He turned to see her and replied "no, that's fine, thanks." She looked at him in confusion and spoke again "you like black coffee right? I can make black coffee too." He was quite surprised hearing that, he asked "how do you know…..?" She replied "how else? Khushi told me. She hates black coffee and still can't understand how you can drink black coffee." She was chopping something while talking and smiling. He had no idea Khushi actually talked about him like that to anyone. He didn't know what to say, he just said "Is Aashna still sleeping?" She replied "yes, she should be up soon, this place has never been this quiet when she is around……" He saw her face, her eyes, she was clearly very fond of Aashna, anyone could read the tension in her eyes. She asked "is Khushi still sleeping?" He answered "yes, I didn't wake her up…….she was pretty tired and upset……" He didn't complete his sentence, he just looked around to see the place again, how different it was from the very first time he was there.

Naina brought his coffee and said "do you want anything else?" He replied "no, thank you. Thanks for the coffee." He took the coffee from her walked towards the pictures on the wall. So many of them. With Khushi and Aashna. He couldn't help but admire how adorable they looked together. A perfect mother and a perfect daughter. He looked more closely to all the Aashna's pictures, as if he was trying to know her by analyzing her pictures. Preparing himself to meet her for the first time.

Part B Continues……

It all started with 300 Rupees 32

C

He was shocked.

So was she.

Naina didn't even see the whole thing before Aashna hid behind her.

Khushi started walking towards Aashna when he held her wrist and said "Khushi….wait." She turned around to see him, his face, his disappointed face. She stopped walking and said "let me go talk to her, why is she….." He said "she just got up, she is still not feeling well, don't bother her right now….I am sure we can talk to her little bit later…"

Khushi looked at him and didn't know what to say. What could she have said? She wasn't expecting this at all. She wasn't expecting all this to be this tough. She had only imagined Arnav being not okay with her having a child but she had never thought that Aashna wouldn't be okay with her having a husband. She didn't see this one coming. As much as she wanted to convince herself that everything will be fine, she could see on his face that he was little disappointed over what just happened.

His phone rang. He looked around and realized where he was. He picked it up to check it, Khushi calling. He answered "yes sweetheart." She replied "where are you Arnav Ji?" He answered "on my way, I should be there soon, do you need anything?" She replied "yes." He asked "what?" She replied "you." He smiled and replied "really?" She answered "don't get too excited, I want you to come home soon so I can eat, I am really hungry and waiting for you." He replied "that's not fair sweetheart. I think you have forgotten, you still owe me a storm check – remember?" She replied "with this kind of hunger, I can't remember anything. How long is it going to take for you to come home?" He replied "at least another half hour." She screamed "half hour? What is wrong with you? Why did you leave the office so late? I really hope you were not working with that Roshni, were you? You know how hungry I am? And don't tell me to eat without you because I won't….wait Arnav Ji, someone is at the door…..who is here at this time? You are coming so late, I am hungry and why are other people ringing the doorbell….."

She walked towards the door while still on the phone, opened the door in frustration, only to be shocked. She hung up the phone and embraced him and said "why did you lie?" He wrapped his wife's petite body around him and kissed her hair and said "I didn't lie, I wanted to surprise my famished wife." They stood like that for few seconds when he said "not hungry anymore?" She moved back and smiled and said "what's that? Present? For me?" And she went to grab the gift bags from his hand when he stopped her and said "yes, they are presents, but not for you, it's for Aashna."

She replied "so I don't get anything?" He pulled her in and said "you have me." No matter how many times he had touched her, no matter how many times he had kissed her, no matter how many times he had pulled her, no matter how many times they had been that close and even closer, something about his touch, it still gave her flutters in her stomach, it still made her fluster, it still made her turn scarlet, it still made her crave him more and more.

They stood close, so close, his one arm wrapped around her waist, her eyes were glued on his, anticipating something more, he leaned in, her eyelids closed, she felt his warm breath on her neck, she gasped…….

He pulled her in even further, she placed her hands on his chest for support, and waited for his mystic touch of his lips on her skin….

He moved his lips closer to her neck….then her ears…….and whispered "we are not in the bedroom sweetheart. Remember?" And he smiled.

She opened her eyes in frustration and pushed him back and said "then why did you pull me? I am hungry." He smirked again and said "I know you are hungry." Her eyebrows arched in irritation and she said "for food." He replied "I didn't say otherwise. Why are you clarifying?" She replied in her pretty frustrated voice "I am going to eat, you can join me if you want to, I should have just eaten myself, why was I even waiting for you? It's not like you care." And she walked away, or at least tried to until he pulled her again, slid his hand in-between her long open hair, leaned in, making her shudder all over again, brushed his lips on her earlobe and whispered "you think I don't care?" Her heart started racing, her lips parted, her eyes closed, her body shivered…..

He noticed that and smiled at her reaction to his touch, he removed any remaining distance between them, intentionally, and spoke again "where is Aashna?"

She heard that, she knew he was doing all this to frustrate her, it was revenge time. She trailed her index finger along his spine, towards his nape, towards his neck, then his lips, twirling her finger on his lips, she pulled herself up, on her toes, and placed her lips on his. And kissed him.

With enough hunger.

With enough power.

With enough desperation.

With enough frustration.

With enough seduction…..

Just when he was about to reciprocate, she pulled away, pulled herself up again, leaned towards his ears and whispered "Aashna is playing in her room."

And she walked away now, leaving him frustrated, just like her.

Leaving him irritated, just like her.

Leaving him desperate, just like her.

Leaving him wanting, more, just like her.

Who knew who was more frustrated, more irritated, more desperate?

He placed the bags on the couch and walked to her, in the kitchen. She was getting the plates ready when she felt his arms wrap around her waist again, she froze. He felt that and kissed her neck, leisurely, wetting her skin, more and more…..

Her neck arched while still holding the plates….

In anticipation………

But she heard his voice instead of feeling his lips "I hope you still remember the storm check, it's been long due, be prepared tonight……"

And he released her, while releasing thousands of butterflies fluttering inside the pit of her stomach…..

She barely composed herself….

From his touch……..

From his kiss………

From his words……..

Be prepared tonight….

She stood still, unable to move, unable to think, what did he mean by that? She didn't know. The flutters amplified…….

She put the plates back on the counter and tried breathing, to calm her nerves…….

She didn't know how long it took her to compose herself after his one sentence. She finally looked around and he was already gone. She walked out of kitchen to find him when she spotted him standing outside Aashna's room, peeking in, not going in, just standing there and watching her play inside the room. He almost opened the door to walk in but he stopped. She didn't know why. She stood where she was without making any sound. He stood there for another few seconds and then finally walked back to the living room. She was quite surprised to witness all this. The bags were still sitting on the couch.

She walked to him, nonchalant, and asked him "what are you doing here? I thought you went to Aashna's room?" He looked up and replied "I…….will just wait for her to come out…….I don't want her to……" He didn't have to spell it out for her, not anymore. She knew what he was trying to say. Just that one incomplete sentence made her forget the earlier completed sentence.

She held his hand and said "should I go get her?" He didn't say anything. She replied to her own question "I will go get her." And she turned away to walk to Aashna's room. He watched her go towards her room…….

With same anxiety…….

With same hesitation…….

With same uncertainty……..

With same apprehension……..

Just like that day when he had made his decision after their initial dreadful unanticipated encounter. How she was hiding behind Naina, or what she called her, Nina. From him. From him? Why? He didn't know. Why would she run from him? They had never even met before. He didn't know why she reacted like that?

Part D Continues……

It all started with 300 Rupees 32

D

Everything replayed in his mind, all over again.

How Khushi had walked to her and picked her up again and said "Aashna, what's wrong?" Without wasting anymore second, Aashna climbed on Khushi and murmured something while holding onto her shirt. Khushi took Aashna along with her to her room without saying anything to him. Or Naina. They both just stood there, not knowing why Khushi went to the room without saying anything.

Naina saw him, noticed his disappointment and said "don't worry, give her some time, she should be fine……" He just nodded without saying anything. She started walking away, but she couldn't. She came back to Arnav and said "if you don't mind, may I say something?" He looked at her with surprise and said "of course." She turned her neck halfway to make sure Khushi wasn't around and then went back to looking at him, she said "Aashna has never been with……I mean Aashna had never had a father in her life……or any other father figure…….the thing is Khushi is very attached to Aashna, if she won't tell anyone that she is her adopted daughter, no one will know……Khushi is very protective of Aashna……little too much…..there are not too many people who she trusts around Aashna……to be honest I was actually surprised that she let you hold her and stuff because she doesn't let anyone near her…….I don't know why she is like this around her but…..that's how she is…….but Aashna is not too comfortable around men…….not even Karan…….though she is very fond of K but…….but not Karan…….and this would be a big change for her…….don't mind her behavior…she is not used to having men around her……you obviously know about her own father and how he abandoned her when she wasn't even born…….so she never really had that kind of relationship with any male…….I don't even know if I should be telling you this but if it was for someone else, Khushi wouldn't even think twice before getting rid of them but it's about you…….I have never seen Khushi like this with anyone else……and I know she wants you and Aashna to bond, that too without wasting any more time but……it doesn't work like that…….I know she wants you to be part of their life as soon as possible but……give her little time……I……hope you didn't mind me saying this……I……."

She stopped talking when she heard the door shut. Khushi was out of the room with Aashna, who was still in her arms, hiding, even now. She walked back to them and said "Naina, is breakfast ready? I should feed her something." Naina replied "yes, let me set it up….." She walked away saying that, leaving Khushi, Arnav and Aashna there. Arnav asked "is she okay?" Khushi replied "she is fine…….she is just….I guess……little uncomfortable around……..around……."

Before she could complete her sentence, Naina came and announced "breakfast is ready Khushi, let me take her……" Khushi walked to him and said "I am sorry about that……she is just……" He interrupted "let's eat breakfast first, she is waiting for you, we will talk after eating, come…"

They all sat quietly. Eating. Thinking. About the unspoken awkwardness between Arnav Singh Raizada and a four year old. About a prospective father. About a child deprived of a father's love. About a mother who never thought that the actual problem would be the four year old, not the adult. About a situation that no one was prepared for. A situation that seemed to have taken a whole wrong turn. No one could hear anything on the table, their loud thoughts kept them occupied.

Most of the day went by like that. Aashna avoiding him, hiding from him, staying quiet, not interacting with him, at all. Every time he would try to talk to her, she would hide behind Khushi or Naina. Before they knew it, it was dinner time already. The same thing happened at dinner, everyone remained quiet. It was pin drop silence on the outside, rather opposite inside everyone's mind.

Until Aashna dropped her glass of milk and it splattered on everyone. Everyone finally looked up to see what happened. By the time everyone looked up, Aashna was already crying because of the spill. Khushi walked to her and picked up the glass and said "Aashna, don't cry, I will get you a new milk, do you want white milk or chocolate milk?" Aashna replied "chocolate milk. I want straw. Red one." Khushi kissed her chubby cheeks and picked up a napkin to clean the milk spots from her clothes. She started walking to the kitchen when she handed another napkin to Arnav and said "sorry about that."

And she continued walking. The dinner was over but not the awkwardness.

Naina spoke "Khushi, let me take her for her bath." She took Aashna to the bathroom. Khushi spoke "I have to talk to you, not here, can you come to the room?" They both walked to the room, she closed the door and said "I am sorry about that Arnav Ji, she is…..I mean she has never met you before…….and she is little uncomfortable around………around men………she is very friendly and social but I don't know why she has this weird fear around men…….Naina thinks it's because Nidhi was like that when she was pregnant with her…..because of that……that bas***d who abandoned her………I don't know how much of that could be true but she is very afraid of men…….I should have told you that before but I didn't know she would react the same with you…….I don't know what I was thinking……maybe I thought she would be automatically with fine with you….."

Before she continued, he said "Khushi, that's normal right? She has never had a father in her life, so that kind of reaction is absolutely normal. You don't need to explain her behavior, we need to give her some time. I am sure it will get better with time."

She replied "I guess once we start living together, her fear should get better……"

He looked at her in surprise, this was the first she brought up this topic, of them living together.

Regardless of the fact how much he wanted to discuss their move in together, this wasn't the time to discuss that. He interrupted "Khushi, I don't think it's a good idea to start living together before giving her some time to get used to…….me…….let's give her some time first…….let her get used to me for a while first……we should spend some time together……instead of just moving in together…….that would not be good for her……for our relationship……..I don't want her to feel that we have forced her for this…….we should give her the time she needs……."

Now she was surprised to hear that, she had no idea he was about to say that. She didn't even know what he was trying to say. She finally asked "what are you trying to say?"

He spoke "let's give her some time. With me. I don't want her to feel forced to accept me as her father. I want her to accept me on her own. Not just because we are forcing her into this new change just because she is four……"

She replied "You are telling me that we should wait until she readily accepts you as a father?"

He cupped her face and answered "you don't think that would be better?" She looked at him with continued surprise and asked "how long do you think that will take? Don't you think it's better if we start living together……that would be little easier on her?"

He held her hand and said "No one wants this more than me Khushi, believe me. I want all of us to move in together as soon as possible but not like this……she won't even look at me, that's how afraid she is of me…….how are you expecting her to be fine with living with me twenty four-seven?"

She placed her hand on his shoulder and said "But how is she going to get more comfortable with you if she is not living with you?" He replied "I will spend time with her, here. This is her comfort zone, I have to make a room for myself in her life, right here, without moving her."

Part E Continues…..

It all started with 300 Rupees 32

E

She removed her hand away and said "I don't think that's a good idea." And she looked away.

He cupped her face again and said "Khushi, look at me." She did.

"Do you trust me?" She remained silent. He asked again "is that a no?" She replied "I trust you but I still don't know if this is a good idea or not''.it's so much easier if we all start living together''"

He interrupted "good for US. Not her." She suddenly crashed onto his chest and held onto his shirt, tight. He embraced her and asked "Khushi are you okay?" She didn't reply to that. She stayed quiet. He caressed her hair and asked again "Khushi, please say something." She finally looked up to see him and said "do you really think this is a good idea?" He kissed her forehead and replied "I can't do it alone, I need you in this one."

It was that night and almost a week later, every day they had discussed this same issue. Every time they met, which was every day, they discussed this. Every time they spoke on the phone, they discussed it. Every day he would try to reassure her that it wasn't going to take that long. Little that he knew that he was actually assuring himself, given that he had made absolutely no progress with Aashna.

"Arnav Ji, look who is here." He heard her voice, and his trance broke. He turned around and she was standing there with Aashna, who was already in her Pajamas.

He walked to her and said "Hi Aashna, how are you?" And she nodded in reply. He spoke again "I have some presents for you, do you want to see it?" A smile spread on her face when she said "presents for me?"

His eyes widened. This was the first time she had actually talked to him. She finally talked to him. HIM. He was so thrilled that he couldn't even get himself to answer. He just stood there in awe and shock, without being able to utter anything anymore.

After a whole week, she finally replied to him. She had actually talked to him. It had taken him entire week to get to this level with her. A conversation between them. Between him and her. Without any fear or hesitation. He was too lost admiring his progress with them when he heard'.

"Arnav Ji?" He looked at her then back at Aashna and finally replied "yes, presents for you. Do you want it?" She looked up to see Khushi's face for permission, Khushi nodded yes. She spoke again "Yes."

Second time. Within a span of a minute. They were actually having a conversation. THEM. He walked back to the couch to pick up the bags when he heard "presents, presents, presents." He turned to see her and she was clapping and jumping around Khushi.

That was some sight. She was actually happy around him. He was the reason behind her all the excitement. He walked back to her and gave her the bags, one by one. She asked "can you open this, I am too little. I can't open it." He turned around to check who she was talking to but to his surprise, she was actually asking him to open the presents, no one else. He looked up to see Khushi's face, which had another set of smile on it.

He said "why don't you sit here and I will open it for you. Which box do you want me to open first?" She looked at all the presents and pointed at the purple box and said "this." He quickly un-wrapped the box and gave it to her. She looked at and jumped in excitement "Mamma, look, it's a purple bag. For me. It's my bag." She quickly opened the zip and stuffed it with her plush bear and said "where is my bear?"

As much as he wanted to play with her, he was too shocked to even comprehend all of this. She was actually playing with him. Him? All of sudden? How? Why did it matter how? He had only seen her play like that with Khushi or Naina, but she was actually playing her game with him. He finally snapped out of his thoughts and said "oh no, where is your bear?" She giggled and pulled the bear out of her bag and said "here." And showed it to him. She pointed to the next bag and said "what's this?" He replied "do you want to see something really nice Aashna? It's in my car. Should I bring it?" She asked "more presents?" He replied "yes, a big one." She replied "Mamma, there are more presents. A big one. I want the big present."

He spoke "Khushi, let me bring it from the car, Aashna I will be right back, okay?" She nodded and went back to playing with her new purple bag. He was back with a big box. She ran to him and said "this is for me? What is it? Can you open it? Mamma look, this is for me." He placed the bag down and opened it and said "do you know what this is?" She looked at it and screamed with joy "A Dollhouse." He placed it on the floor and set it up for her. She pulled Khushi to the dollhouse and said "look Mamma, a dollhouse." She sat in front of the dollhouse and said "this is so pwetty. Mamma I want to show it to Sia."

No one saw this coming. She walked to him and asked "what's your name?" He looked at Khushi after hearing that question. She looked at him and said "Aashna, you can't call him by his nam." He interrupted "My name is Arnav." She replied "ohh, thank you Annav." She turned to see Khushi and said "look Mamma, Annav brought all these presents for me."

She was quiet. So was he. They both stood back and watched her play with her dollhouse with excitement. She also brought her bear with her to play with her. Khushi asked him "why did you tell her your name and not..?" He replied "what was I supposed to tell her? I am your father?" She replied "yes." He asked "and she would have been fine with that?" She replied "she is four." He asked "exactly. I want her to like me for who I am, not for some forced relationship." She spoke in irritation "we are not forcing her into something..."

He answered "would you have liked it if I had forced you to be with me?"

There it was. Their past. All over again.

He noticed her face change from irritation to pain. She looked away. Without saying anything. Trying to avoid looking at him. She was quiet. She knew he didn't mean it like that but it still reminded her of their wedding. Forced wedding.

He walked around her and cupped her face and said "Khushi, I know what you are thinking. I have done that once with you, I don't want to repeat the same with her. You were an adult and you actually had a choice to make your decision. But not her, she is four, and I don't want her to feel forced into anything. I want her to accept me, willingly. Khushi, I can't do this alone. I NEED you. Please don't make it hard for me. Look, we have finally made some progress and I know it's only going to get better. Please Khushi."

She heard everything he said. Patiently. His request. His concern. His mistake that he was trying to rectify with Aashna. His intention. If someone had told her that he would do something like this last month, she would have never believed it. But this was all happening right in front of her. She couldn't ignore it even if she wanted to. It was the same Arnav Singh Raizada who at time couldn't even tolerate kids in his house.

Love does change people. And there was live example of someone who had changed in love.

She finally said "she is very lucky to have a father like you." He replied "thank you Khushi. Thank you for your patience. I know it must be hard for you but just give me some more time, I promise it won't take that long."

She replied "it better not, I want to tell everyone, as soon as possible, about us."

He spoke "not until we tell Aashna first, she has the first right to know. She should know before everyone else. Right?" She nodded and said "I will get dinner ready."

After dinner, Naina went to put Aashna to sleep.

She was pulling the curtains in her room when he walked towards Khushi and spoke "I still can't believe she actually talked to me today. It's a strange feeling Khushi. I have never felt like this. Hopefully it won't take that long anymore for her to feel comfortable around me." She replied "you can still change your mind and listen to me." He replied "you don't like giving up Mrs. Raizada, do you?" She pulled the curtain, smiled and spoke "Do you?" He pulled her in and said "not when it comes to my family."

She felt his hand on her waist, towards the hem of her shirt, sliding slowly inside, on her skin, caressing...

She stopped fixing the curtain, gasped and said "Arnav Ji..."

And closed her eyes...

He held her from either side of her waist, still caressing her soft skin, leaned in and whispered "Yes Khushi Ji..."

Her eyes opened hearing his words. In surprise. She looked up and saw his smirk...

Khushi Ji.

He had never said that before. She asked "why did you say that?" He continued trailing his hand upward and spoke "say what?" She answered "Khushi Ji?" He replied "why do you say Arnav Ji?"

She flinched feeling his cold hands caressing her back...

She finally said "that's because you are my husband." He pressed his palm on her upper back and pushed her towards him and said "that's because you are my wife."

She spoke again "but Arnav Ji..."

He stroked his lips on her earlobe and whispered "but what Khushi Ji...?"

She suddenly pushed him away and said "don't say that."

And she walked away.

He smiled at his flustered wife. He walked to her and wrapped his hand around her and said "what happened Khushi?"

She turned around but remained quiet for a bit before she said "Arnav Ji...thank you for doing all this for Aashna, for me..."

He completed her sentence "for US."

She rested her face on his chest and said "I had no idea you would do all this for us."

He cupped her face and said "and I had NO idea that to get you back in my life, I would have to woo a four year old."

To be continued...

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Originally posted by: ananya123

Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta...
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta...
Kaise hum jaane... Humein kya pata...
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta...