ArShi FF - Zindagi ke Mausam-UPDATED 6/28 - INDEX - Page 7

Originally posted by: zafi

Fantastic update.⭐️

What Khushi went through was gut wrenching.😭😭😭

I am very angry at Garima and Shashi for arranging marriage for Khushi at such a young age and with a creep of a guy.

I am also mad at Arnav for freshening Khushi's wounds.

I am looking forward to reading more.

Thanks.😃

Originally posted by: madhu1210

superb update..

oh no khushi had suffered so much in the past and now Arnav behaved like this to her...😡

very nice friendship between NK Khushi👏👏

thanks for the pm..

Originally posted by: shiv456

awesome

Originally posted by: drunkiiebabe

awesome update emotional aww poor khushi

thanks for the pm

Zindagi ke Mausam - Part Seven

*Knock Knock*

Khushi loosened some strands of her hair so they could fall over her face.

Khushi: Come in !

Lavanya: Khushi? Where have...and you changed?

Khushi: Yeah I wasn't feeling too well. So I came upstairs a long time ago. I'm sorry, I should've been with you and NK.

Lavanya: No Khushi, it's fine. But you're ok now? I was just going to call you to come out to the terrace. Me, NK,Akash Bhai, Payal, Anjali Di, Jeejaji, ASR...we're all out there hanging there while the adults are conversing with the remainder of the guests. I couldn't find you so I guessed you came upstairs, but if you're not feeling well, not a big deal.

Khushi didn't want to see the monster's face again but she knew very well that if she didn't go upstairs NK would harass her to ends for not telling what's wrong.

Khushi: Nahi nahin, hum teek hain. Go, I'll be there in five minutes.

No, No I'm fine.

Lavanya: Ok Khushi.

Khushi had started felt her body taking a toll on her but ignored it and found a light sweater to wear.

Khushi cautiously went up the stairs and walked in on to the terrace. The minute she opened the door, she felt his eyes staring down on her. She half-walked, half-limped her way in between Payal and NK and sat down.

NK: Titli? (Butterfly) You're ok?

Khushi: Obviously ! What's going to happen to me? My foot was just hurting, that's all. So before I got yelled at about it, I decided I'd just rest a bit upstairs. Anyways, what was happening?

Khushi looked around at everyone smiling but when she caught Arnav's eyes she averted her gaze.

Arnav (in his thoughts) : Is this girl mental? She was here on the terrace hardly a half hour ago, her behavior from then to now..are at two different spectrums. Now, she's behaving like nothing had happened. Unbelievable.

NK: Nothing Khushi. We're planning how we're going to go out tomorrow to celebrate our engagement. Khushi: Again?

Lavanya: It's going to be our friends and us. We'll get a chance to introduce you to our friend circle. It'll be nice.

They all were joking and laughing at each others jokes when the wind blew away the strands of hair that were covering Khushi's face.

Payal: Khushi, what..what happened to your face?

Khushi: Nothing Di.

NK: What private conversation are you having with Khushi, Di?

Khushi: None of your business, keep flirting with Lavanya.

Khushi tried to non-chalantly cover her face again. Khushi turned to face her sister when NK playfully grabbed her cheek to pull on it and Khushi winced. The facial expression did not go unnoticed by NK.

NK: Khushi, turn this way.

Khushi: What is it?

NK: Khushi, I said, turn your face my way.

The laughs and jokes had calm to a halt as NK's voice started rising.

Shyam: What happened NK?

NK: Khushi. Did you not hear me? Turn my way NOW.

Khushi reluctantly turned his way and winced as he moved the strands away from face. He saw the bruised, discoloration on her face. Due to the darkness of the night, he couldn't tell that the discoloration was caused because of the contrast between the fingerprints and reddening.

Khushi: NK, what are you doing? Everyone's...

NK: How'd this happen? Who did it? Did someone touch you?!

Khushi evaded his eyes fumbling with words..

NK: KHUSHI, do you not hear me?! I ASKED YOU HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?!

Everyone was beyond astonished by NK's behavior. No one had ever seen NK like this, except for Payal, and that too the night when Khushi was attacked. Ever since that night he had become cautious about everything that had to do with her. People sometimes questioned the relationship NK and Khushi shared but NK never found anyones questions worthy of answering.

Khushi: Nanhe, please...

Lavanya: NK what are you doing? Why are you..

Nanhe: Lavanya, not now! I'm asking Khushi something.

Lavanya was a bit taken back by NK raising his voice at her.

Khushi: Ok, ok...I'lll..I'll tell you. Uh, woh...um

Khushi looked up at Arnav who was staring at her darkly. Khushi stared back in to his dark eyes and let out the concoction of a story to NK.

Khushi: When I...when Lavanya left to the parlor, I was getting ready at home, I suddenly felt dizzy, I lost my balance and fell hitting my face against the table...that's it.

NK: Pagal ! Why didn't you say anything before? We would've called the doctor !

Khushi: Exactly why I didn't want to tell anyone, it's not a big thing.

Khushi started feeling a bit disoriented. Her body had begun burning up as well, she had to go rest otherwise she'd become the center of everyone's attention, and she hated that. Ever since she was younger, if she had high amounts of stress or was caught in a rollercoaster of events she'd get a high fever that would come with her being delirious. Last time when it happened continuously for a week was after the attack...her fever would not drop even a degree. It remained steady at 38C. She had certain days where her stress level would increase and she'd have fevers but usually kept it a secret because everyone in her family worried for her.

Anjali: Khushiji, you're okay right?

Khushi: Haan Anjaliji ! I'm fine.This bandar just worries too much for me.

Arnav(in his thoughts): She's right. Ugh, can't believe I thought that..but she's...right. NK does worry for her a bit more than friends would. He raised his voice at Lavanya for the first time I've ever seen. There was not just care and worry in the way he raised his voice, but a sense of protection, of rage..but why?

Lavanya: It's all my fault Khushi, I shouldn't have let you alone.

Khushi: Haye Devi Mayya, not at all Lavanya ! It's not your fault at all. NK's just making it a big deal.

Payal: Khushi you're fine right? Have you taken your medication?

Khushi widened her eyes and Payal quieted down. Though everyone assumed she was talking about the pain killers for her foot, Payal meant the medication for her seizures.

Khushi: Di, I did. And seriously, everyone, I'm completely and absolutely fine. Please, don't worry about me. NK, look I'm going to my room to rest now. So don't worry.

NK: Fine.

As Khushi walked towards the door, she felt herself swaying. She slowly was disconnecting with her surroundings.

Arnav who had been staring at her throughout the time she was there, saw she was about to fall down. He quickly went by her side and caught her waist, while slowly resting her head on his shoulder.

Payal: Khushi !

Lavanya: Oh my God ! Khushi? Khushi? Are you ok?

NK: Titli, what the hell! I knew it. Let me...

Arnav: It's alright NK, I've got her. I'll take her to her room.

Arnav picked her up in his arms and carried her downstairs to her room.

As Arnav headed towards her room, he slowed down realizing no one knew about the encounter in Khushi's room. He feigned confusion and turned to ask NK where her room was.

Arnav: Which way?

NK: Down the hall to the left.

Arnav settled her in to the bed, while everyone else went downstairs to tell the elder members of the family to call the Doctor. And with that Arnav was left alone in the room with Khushi.

As he was taking her hand off his forearm, he felt the burning of her skin.

She had a fever.

"Khushi" he muttered softly.

As he said her name she stirred in her sleep. He didn't know why but he felt tempted to see the marking he had left on her face. Swiftly, brushing away her bangs from her face he traced his fingers over the slight bruising. He moved the strands back against her soft face.All of a sudden he noticed her breathing become ragged and her face contort in to a frightened expression. Her hand had tightly gripped his forearm, digging her nails thru the thin material of his shirt.

"Please, please...stop. Stop it..please, hum..hum aapke, please humare liye, stop it PLEASE"

Her shaking body and delirious state dumbfounded him.

"Humare saath...please stop stop please...aap.."

As Arnav was about to awaken her from her delirious state, NK appeared in to the room. His eyes lost the usual liveliness and his smile disappeared.

NK(in his thoughts) : Not again. Not Khushi.

NK: Arnav, you can go now.

Arnav turned around and saw NK's face was masked in an unusual expression. The wording of the sentence had a choice, but NK's tone did not. It seemed to be an order. Arnav got up slowly removing Khushi's grip from his forearm. If it was a cue, NK rushed to Khushi's bedside and shook her softly. He felt the fever that was burning up Khushi. He had thought she stopped getting these fevers, what else had this girl been hiding from him? He had not even waited to see if Arnav had exited the room.

NK: "Hey, butterfly, come on, get up, you're having a bad dream." "Khushi, please, get up, please."

Hurt and regret emanated from his tone. Arnav stood at the doorway frozen in place when Khushi let out a blood-curdling scream and grabbed on to NK for the life of her.

Khushi: Please help me ! Please ! Don't leave me. Woh...wohhher sobs drowned out what she was saying but NK seemed to hear everything and held her tight comforting her.

NK: I'm here, and it was just a nightmare Khushi. I'm not ever leaving your side.

Khushi: I can't...I can't do this. NK, I'm so sorry...your...and what if...

NK lifted Khushi's face to his own, and looked in to her eyes earnestly.

NK: It was just a nightmare Khushi. Just a nightmare. Never again, and I mean it. Never Again.

Khushi nodded slightly when from her peripheral she saw him standing there. He was watching her very carefully. She stared in to his eyes and for some reason that stare burned all the life out of him. He turned away and left the room. Arnav's steps staggered slightly. Through the couple encounters he had with her he never saw what he did a moment ago. Her dark honey speckled hazel eyes. In them he saw what he hadn't before, her eyes, for a brief moment, were a reflection of his own. And the thought of that, chilled him down to the bone. He was brought of his thoughts by footsteps that were heading towards the direction of the room.

Anjali: Chote, Khushiji aab kaisi hain?

How is Khushi now?

Lavanya and Anjali looked at him expectantly but he just shrugged. They opened the door and saw NK was stroking her hair as she had fallen in to sleep again. Arnav looked at Lavanya but she had noticed nothing amiss. Could she not see her fianc was doting over his so-called best friend beyond a "best friend" would? He may have not admitted it but he cared for Lavanya and would not let this Khushi girl take Lavanya's happiness away from her. Khushi's haunted eyes came back to him and he shook the image out of his head. He looked down at his forearm where blood had seeped thru his sleeve. Arnav pushed the recent events to the back of his head. Arnav disappeared and ASR came alive. The wheels in his mind began to churn.

Originally posted by: zafi

Awesome update.⭐️

I loved it.

I am waiting for you to get up to when Shashi and Garima come for Payals engagement.

I wish you had continued the story from where you left off in the previous one.

I love this story so much that I went back and read that story again to chapter 13.

I am looking forward to reading more.

Thanks.😃

Originally posted by: gouthu

Amazing dear hey plz send me PM's

HEY ! JIJI ! WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME?

Payal clasped her sisters mouth shut with her hand, Akash looked at Payal cocking his eyebrow up in interest. Payal's cheeks burned red and shook her head side to side. Khushi's eyes widened in disbelief and moved away from her sister.

Khushi: JIJI ! Why are you lying? Akash Bhai, Jiji can shake it !

Payal: KHUSHI ! No..woh..woh Akashji..

Akash : Shake it, eh?

Akash's lips curved in to a smile and then proceeded to wink at Payal. He strutted out of the room leaving a flushed Payal and a shocked Khushi.

Khushi: What.Was.That.All.About?!

Payal tried to walk away when Khushi grabbed her hand and placed it on her head.

Khushi: AAPKO MERI KASAM JIJI ! AAPKO AAPNI BEHEN KI JAAN PYARI HAI KE NAHIN?!

SWEAR UPON ME ! DO YOU TREASURE YOUR SISTERS LIFE OR NOT?!!

Payal: Khushi, sharm kar. Itni acting tho Bollywood ne bhi nahin dekhi hogi.

Khushi, have some shame. Bollywood hasn't even seen this much acting.

Khushi: So tell me !

Payal narrated to Khushi the story that had become hers and Akash's. The first meeting, the consequential bumping in to each other, his sweet gestures, their short but pleasant conversations, all of it.

Khushi: HAYE ! Hum mar jaayein !

Khushi clasped her hands together in excitement. Payal noticed the glint in her eyes, which meant her mischevious little sister, was up to something.

Payal: Khushi, suhn, kuch maht karna. We're...we're friends. He's a nice guy.

Khushi, listen don't do anything.

Khushi: FRIENDS?! AYE HAYE ! JIJI, aap ko nahin pata?

Jiji, don't you know?

Payal: What?

Khushi: Ahem ahem, pyar dosti hai.

Love is friendship.

Payal's blush that had begun to face deepened to a red.

Khushi: Issi khushi main, hum Khushi Kumari Gupta, sister of Payal Gupta, soon to be something something of Akash Jha will go make jalebis!

In this happiness, I, Khushi Kumari Gupta, sister of Payal Gupta, soon to be something something of Akash Jha will go make jalebis!

Khushi ran out of the room before Payal registered what she had meant. Payal sat there on the bed and smiled to herself with an ache in her heart. It had been so long since Khushi had been happy wholeheartedly. There had been a few times over the four years where Khushi had genuinely been happy. One of the occasions was when they found out about NK's engagement. And since she had been here, this was another one of those times.

Khushi. Her sister. She could never get enough of her sister, her sister was so strong, so brave, so beautiful, so amazing. She wished with all her heart she found someone who understood that beyond her bravery was a simple girl with simple desires...wanting a fairytale of her own.


Khushi ran towards NK room and forgot to knock.

Khushi: HAYE DEVI MAYYA !

Khushi turned around closing her eyes tightly and then burst in to laughter. Khushi had walked in to NK in nothing but a towel with Lavanya in his arms.

NK: What the HELL KHUSHI ! You're supposed to be resting ! Now stay like that !

Lavanya: Um, Khushi, let's..uh let's wait outside.

Lavanya grabbed Khushi's arm and walked out the room.

Khushi: I apparently have horrible luck catching you at the worst moments, or it could be your good luck.

Lavanya looked at her confused.

Khushi: Well, would you rather Devani Aunty catch you and NK...kya kehte hai... doing hanky panky?!

Instead of the blush that would've come to someone else in Lavanya's place, she burst in to laughter.

Khushi: KYA?!

WHAT?!

Lavanya: Honey, we need to work on your vocab. Otherwise, your husband will not be aroused but more likely be bursting in to fits and giggles like I am.

Khushi: Devi Mayya, don't talk like that !!

Khushi's usually pale skin began to turn the color of pink rose petals.

NK : What happened?

Lavanya: Nothing baby, I just stumped our Khushi.

NK: NO ! That can't be ! What a miracle, what's the secret?!

Khushi glared at Lavanya and promised hell if she opened her mouth.

Lavanya: Girl Code takes preference here ! Sorry NK !

Khushi:Now that I'm released of my imprisonment, can we plan that party for your engagement?!

Lavanya: Actually we've decided we aren't doing that party.

Khushi: But why not?!

Lavanya: Because darling Khushi, we have about a month till my wedding. We have to prepare for the other functions as well ! Oh my God ! There is so much we're going to have to do ! I can't...Anjali Di is on her way too, and I mean..it'll be perfect. We'll figure out such great ideas. Okay Khushi, let's go, hurry !

Lavanya gave him a quick peck on the cheek and rushed to Khushi's room. NK sighed and shook his head and muttered "Women."

As Khushi, Lavanya, and Payal were preparing things she remembered she had forgotten to talk to NK.

Khushi: I'll be right back !

Khushi was running down the stairs when she slipped...shutting her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the fall she realized 30 seconds later..that nothing hurt. But it should've...she was supposed to fall. Khushi's eyes flew open when she saw NK had stuck his leg out to prevent her from falling. She was leaning against his leg. Khushi straightened up and engulfed her best friend in to a hug.

Khushi: Thank you Bandar. For being there...always.

NK hugged her back tightly knowing the thanks wasn't just for saving her from the fall.

If there was any reason for Arnav to doubt what he had thought about NK - Khushi's relationship, it had disappeared as he saw them embraced in a tight hug. Something flared up inside Arnav. Arnav knew he had a tendency to make women fawn over him. He knew and didn't care for it. But this girl...Khushi...hadn't paid him mind at all. That, however much he hated to admit, took a hit at his egotistic thoughts about himself. On top of that, she was..what all girls who were from small hometowns were...homewreckers. Disgusting.

NK was the first to see Arnav standing there, he moved away from Khushi naturally. Khushi looked downstairs to see the rakshaas...standing there and staring at her again. He made her unbelievably uncomfortable in her own skin. Her attention from him wavered when she heard someone call her name.

Anjali: Khushi ji ! Khushi ji !

Khushi walked down the stairs carefully and smiled.

Khushi: Anjali ji ! How are you?

Anjali: I'm well, how are you? No more fever right?

Khushi: Everything's good. Anjali ji, they're waiting upstairs for you. I'm going to just get some tea and snacks and I'll meet you there.

Anjali headed upstairs and Khushi to the kitchen.

NK: Titli ! Where are you going?

Khushi: Kitchen, I was going to make some tea and snacks for everyone upstairs.

NK: I'm actually hungry too, are you too Nanav?

Arnav: No --- I

NK: Well, you'll have coffee right? Come sit, and then I've got to head out so we'll leave together. You were heading to AR?

Arnav: Yes.

NK: I'll be back, let me go tell Khushi to make extra stuff for us as well.

Arnav: I'll come with you.

NK turned around and looked at Arnav in confusion. Arnav never did anything without reason, and he also unpredictable, but whatever, he wasn't going to bother to question it.

Khushi had tied her dupatta across her shoulder with a knot at her waist. She was in the middle of finishing the batter for the pakoras.

NK: Khushi, I'm hungry too. And I'm in the mood for coffee, make me some after your done with all this.

Khushi: NK ! I've put the tea on the stove, and I'm about to fry the pakoras. Tell Kaka to make it for you. I've got to get the jalebi batter ready too ! And my hair is all over the place.

NK: I want you to make it, so make it. Acha, wait I've got to make a call.

Khushi: Before you go, at least fix my hair, I can't...I've got batter..NK, NK?!

Khushi turned around to realize that NK had already left the kitchen but what troubled her more was that she hadn't realized Arnav was standing in the doorway watching her the whole time. Khushi took a deep breath and looked at him in the eyes.

Khushi: Do you..do you want anything?

Arnav shook his head and remained leaning on the door frame watching her. Khushi turned around and started frying the pakoras, but strands of her hair kept falling to her face. As she raised her hand to move away the strands from her face, a hand grabbed her arm. Khushi turned.

Khushi : NK --- aap? What..what are you doing?

Arnav touched his fingers lightly against her cheeks and tucked in her hair behind her ear. His fingers drifted back to her cheek and she flinched.

Arnav: Don't be scared, he whispered.

Khushi: Tha---thank you. My pakorey...

Arnav let go of her hand and briskly walked out of the kitchen.

Khushi felt her knees shaking, her lips trembling and her mind spinning.

Khushi (in her thoughts) : Yeh..yeh normal reaction hai. I mean, after his behavior with me before...I'm..I get frightened. I shouldn't be, but it's my body's natural response...right? Then why...stay away from him Khushi. He's strange. And you're crazy. Strange and Crazy do not go together.

Khushi hurried and finished her pakorey and began her jalebi's. As everything was done she called Kaka to take the tray with tea upstairs. She'd come upstairs with the food in a minute. Khushi started the coffee maker and started warming up oil. Khushi headed upstairs and dropped off the food to the girls promising she'd be back soon.

NK: Khushi, where's my food and coffee?

Khushi: Oye. Hello! I'm not your maid. I'm making it, have patience.

NK: You're sooo sweeet !

NK pinched her cheeks and watched that Arnav kept looking her way.

Khushi: Let me start with the...pakorey, till then the coffee will be done.

NK: Khushi, don't put sugar in Arnav's coffee. He's diabetic.

Khushi: And you want at least 3 spoonfulls of sugar NK?

NK: You know me well, what a good maid.

Khushi: SHUT UP !

Khushi walked in to the kitchen and was back 5 minutes later with pakorey and coffee.

Khushi: I..I didn't know if ..how you like your coffee, so I left it black. There's milk there.

NK: No worries Khushi he doesn't use milk. Sugarless Black Coffee. That's how he has it.

Khushi: I need to talk to you NK, when you come home tonight let me know. It's important.

NK looked at Khushi with questioning eyes, they were asking if she was troubled, Khushi shook her head and smiled at NK. Arnav noticed the exchange of wordless communication between Khushi-NK. This was just getting weirder by the minute.

Lavanya: Khushi ! Where were you?!

Khushi: I was heeding to your fiance's demands. Thank God, I won't have that responsibility soon. It'll be all on you !

Lavanya: Hey, he's not demanding !

Anjali: Aye haye Lavanya, look at you taking NK Bhai's side !

Khushi: Oh why wouldn't she? Anjaliji, you should've seen her a little while ago, she...

Lavanya: Chup ! If you don't shut it now, I'll tell everyone about...about what you said !

Payal: Acha pagli number one and two, let's eat and tell Khushi what we've planned so far.

NK came home that night exhausted, about to head to bed when he remembered that Khushi had to talk to him. He headed to Khushi's room.

NK: Khushi?

Khushi was sitting with her legs folded on her bed, hair up in a bun, her dupatta thrown to the side. She was concentrating hard on a certain aspect and held a finger to NK to give her a minute and gestured for him to sit down.

Khushi: Ho Gaya !

NK: What?

Khushi: A design. It's not finished, but there was a part that was bothering me but I figured it out.

NK: You haven't sketched...

Khushi: In so long? I know. I was talking to Lavanya, she happened to see my recent sketching pad. I started doodling in it on the nights I've been free here. She flattered me beyond belief saying it was amazing and stuff, but...it's silly she asked me to design something for her...during one of the wedding celebrations. I told her, I'm not that good. But Devi Mayya knows how stubborn your fianc is. She made me swear that I'd at least try something and have it to show her by the end of the month. So I'm just...I have random doodles I'm working on. She's..she's used to wearing designer stuff, and I'm just...it's...

NK: You're special Butterfly. And don't question that. I'm...I'm happy to see more of the old you. Its taken time, but I see it.

Khushi felt the her eyes moisten with tears but she blinked them back.

Khushi: Ok, leave all that ! The real reason I called you is...

Khushi narrated to NK everything that had been happening between Payal and Akash.

NK: I can't believe it. We've been so busy with everything else that we were oblivious to their blossoming love story. I have a plan. We'll put it in effect tomorrow. But before that, I need to see where Akash Bhai is in all this. We'll meet in the morning !

Khushi: Ok ! Goodnight Bandar.

Khushi laid in bed and thought back to 14 years ago.

14 years ago...

Khushi didn't know what was happening. She was only 8 years old. She left with her Mama and Baba on her way to her Gigi's home in Lucknow. They had lived in Delhi and spent every vacation of hers from school was spent in Lucknow. Everyone in school had a Gigi or Bhai, but she didn't, not with her at home. She had a older cousin, she was her Gigi. And she had made a new friend recently too. Her Buaji, who lived with her Gigi's Bauji had married last year during vacations. There was a two older boys that lived in her Buaji's new home. She never really saw the oldest one. She didn't like boys very much anyway, but the other boy was there, all the time. His name was Nand Kishore. She didn't like him very much, he used to bother her all the time. But Gigi said that they were all friends.

On the way to Lucknow, the car had got in to an accident. There was a drunk driver who ran pass the light and collided head first with the car. Her mother died on impact, but her father had managed to keep a few breaths left when they reached the hospital. Khushi's doe eyes had confusion layered with shock and loss. She was covered in blood, waiting for her Gigi's family to come. They came, and she remembered Gigi's Bauji talking to the Doctor. There was a lot of screaming and waving but Khushi tuned it all out. She wanted to see her Baba, she wanted to know, that he would fix everything.

Doctor: Khushi? Your Baba wants to see you.

Khushi jumped out of the seat where Gigi's Ama was holding her tightly. She went in to the room and saw her Bauji connected to all these wires and machines. He beckoned her to come over and sit next to him.

Bauji: Khushi.

Khushi: Baba, Baba..Mama...woh

Khushi's tears escaped her eyes and ran down her face silently.

Bauji: Bitiya, hum...humari baat suno. Hum, humein jaana hoga.

Sweet daughter, listen..listen to me. I have to go.

Khushi shook her head furiously.

Khushi: Hum, hum Devi Maiiya se baat karenge. Hum kahenge ke aapne nahin jaana. Aapne humare paas rehna hai.

I'll...I'll talk to Devi Mayya. I'll say you don't want to go. You want to stay with me.

Bauji: Khushi, Devi Maiiya ki baat nahin tal thai. Humein jaana hoga. Lekin humari rajkumari, yaad rakhna, hum aapse dhoor nahin hai. Raat ko aap taarein dekhti hai, hai na? Hum aur tumhari Mama, dono taarein bahn ke aap ke paas rahenge. Khushi, hamesha khush rehna humari rajkumari. Yaad rakhna ke aap se zaada humein koyi bhi nahin pyaara. Aab, aap jao.

Khushi you don't disagree with Devi Maiiya. I have to go. But listen my princess, remember, I'm not far from you. You look at stars at night, right? Now me and your Mama, both will stay with you as stars. Khushi, always stay happy princess. Always remember that no one is more precious to us than you are. Now, you should go.

Khushi was sobbing now and held on to her father tightly, hoping, praying to her Devi Maiyya. He kissed her forehead lightly, stroking her hair slowly. The night passed with Khushi in her father's arms. However, when she woke up she saw she was in a strange bed...she was still in the hospital. Khushi saw her arm was bandaged and so was her foot. She felt a strange feeling of emptiness. And that's when she knew. She knew she was alone.

The days following after that Khushi had turned in to the walking dead. She didn't speak, ate when forced and stayed in bed. The dark circles under her eyes increased and she started withering away. Everyone worried, the doctor recommended a psychiatrist if her health didn't imrprove soon.

Khushi's health began improving the day Payal and NK had come from her Buaji's home.

Khushi was sitting on her bed, looking out the window.

Payal: Khushi?

Khushi looked her way and then turned back to the window. Payal didn't ask questions, she didn't get Khushi to talk. She just sat down next to her, held her against herself, watching the stars with her. For the nights afterward, it became a routine for Payal to come and spend the night with Khushi like that. One night, Payal didn't come.

Shashi, Garima, Madhumati, and NK's parents were sitting on the sofa.

"Gigi, kahan hai?"

They all turned around slowly not believing their ears. They saw Khushi who'd walked out of her room and spoke for the first time in two weeks. Buaji was the first to react, taking full opportunity of this chance. She held back her tears of happiness and went to Khushi.

Buaji: Titliya, Payaliya ki tabeeat kharab hai. Woh tho keh rahi ke usne tumhare paas ana hai, par humne usse kaha ke usse arahm karna chahiya hai. Woh uss kamre main hai, Nanhe Babua ke saath.

Butterfly, Payal wasn't feeling well. She wanted to come to you but we told her she should rest. She's in her room. With NK.

Khushi walked to the room and saw Payal was laying down, pale, while NK was telling stories.

Khushi: Gigi?

Payal and NK looked up and saw Khushi standing in the doorway of the room. Payal smiled, with no sign of surprise on her face.

Payal: Come here, Khushi.

Khushi came and lay down next to her sister, holding her tightly. NK pretended as if nothing new had occurred and narrated his stories to both of them. Payal soon fell asleep. Khushi walked up to leave when she heard NK speak.

NK: Butterfly. That's what Chachi calls you right?

Khushi nodded.

NK: Come, sit here.

Khushi complied and sat next to him on the bed.

NK: Your Baba called you Rajkumari, right? So does that mean you're the Queen of Butterflies?

Khushi's lips curved in to a small smile.

NK: You're so lucky then. Your parents are stars you know? Right there.

Khushi: Baba told me.

NK: You're a butterfly...so you can fly and meet them whenever you want. Close your eyes when you're missing them a lot, and then think about flying to the stars and seeing them happy. That's so cool, isn't it?

Khushi nodded her head.

NK: Do you miss them right now?

Khushi nodded her head again.

NK: Close your eyes, hold my hand. We'll fly and meet them right now.

Khushi did as she was told. After a few minutes the grip on her hand loosened and her eyes opened.

NK: Did you see them?

Khushi nodded and then did something she hadn't in the past two weeks...she cried. She hugged NK and cried. Hearing all the commotion, the adults came to the doorway but stopped when they saw what they had been waiting for her. For Khushi to finally release her emotions.

NK: I'll be your best friend from now on. We'll be like Tom And Jerry, I promise.

Khushi wiped her tears and sniffled.

Khushi: Promise? Can I be Jerry?

NK: Promise.

It took everything in the adults standing there that night not to break in to tears out of happiness. What they had been attempting to do for two weeks now...a 11 and 10 year old had managed to do.

Khushi opened her eyes and walked to the stars.

Khushi: 14 years. It's been 14 years? Mama, Baba you sent me an angel to take care of me. NK is no less than an angel for me. He's been with me through every hardship. Tell Devi Maiiya to give him all the worlds happiness.

Khushi went to rest in her bed and thanked the heavens above for the happiness she had in her life right now.

The next morning

NK knocked on Akash's door before they headed for the office.

NK: Bhai, can I come in?

Akash: Haan NK, come, why are you asking?

NK: I don't know Bhai, you could be hiding a secret girlfriend or something in the room.

At that comment Akash started coughing.

NK: What happened Bhai?

Akash: Nothing, nothing. I don't have a girlfriend. You know that.

NK: So Bhai, you know I was thinking...you're older than me. Lavanya and I can wait till you get hitched first. It's not like you're interested in anyone anyway, so I'll just tell Mom and Chachi that they should start looking for you.

A little too quickly Akash protested.

Akash: No no no no !

NK: Why Bhai?

Akash: I...uh, I don't...want to get married to those you know socialites daughters. They're too stuck up.

NK: Don't worry, Lavanya has a really nice friend she was telling me about. How about her? What was her name again...you know, like those...uh ..it's name for jewelry too in Hindi. Like..Payal Di's?

Akash turned red and turned to shut his briefcase.

Akash: Pa..Payal?

NK: No No Bhai, her name isn't Payal. It's..I REMEMEBR! It's Kangna. How about her?

Akash: I told you NK, I'm not interested in getting married to Kangna.

NK: Oh, but you're interested in getting married?

Akash: NK !

Akash was about to walk out the door when he stopped and turned around at what came out of NK's mouth.

NK: Anyways, Mom and Chachi are looking for a guy for Payal Di, so now they'll look for a girl for you at the same time.

Akash: What?!