Arnav had two cups of coffee in his hand.
The staff was looking at ASR carrying two cups of coffee in his hand by himself with wide eyes. They had never seen him do that ever.
Arnav handed a cup to Sheetal and kept the other one on the table for himself.
He then closed the door of the cabin and returned to his chair. He waived his hand towards Sheetal to gesture that she should sit down, as he picked up the intercom, "Listen, I want no calls, no meetings, no interruptions for the next thirty minutes!"
Then he leaned in his chair, picked up the coffee mug and took a sip. His eyes filled with affection as he looked at Sheetal and leaned forward on the table. He said in his husky voice, "So, Sheetal, Aarav..."
"Yes, Arnav, I was not going to tell you ever but, yes! He is! It's true!"
"So, you have been raising him single handed?" Arnav asked in a soft voice, his gaze soft.
"Yes!" Sheetal's eyes twinkled. She was on the right track!
"Sheetal, now that I have come to know... now, what?" Arnav asked her compassionately.
"Arnav, I never thought about it! I had no idea, this is how we were going to meet again." Sheetal said looking at him with expectant eyes.
"Hmm.. " Arnav started thinking. His eyes narrowed. Then he picked up the phone and made a call.
"I don't want to talk to you!" Khushi said angrily on the phone on the other end.
Arnav could imagine a hurt Khushi trying to hide her tears and grief.
He quickly gathered his thoughts and with a sharp face said on the phone, "Khushi, get the guest room ready in an hour! Sheetal and Aarav will be staying with us until further arrangements are done!"
"Kya...? Really? .. Why?" Khushi was shocked.
Arnav interrupted her, "We will discuss it later on! We will be there in an hour!" and he hung up the phone.
Sheetal's eyes were wide as she looked at him. "A..r.n..a.v...! What was that?" she stumbled.
"Ya! You both will be staying with me until we figure out what to do next!" Arnav said to Sheetal in a stern voice.
"Arnav, what happened to you?.. You were...." Sheetal looked at him shocked.
"This is me! Don't look so shocked! The soft me you saw until now.. is not me! Matter of fact... that's what defines me!" ASR said with his posture straight, strong, his eyes cunning and his face reflecting his self confidence to the fullest.
He picked up his jacket from the chair as he took the last sip of his coffee and waved at Sheetal, "Now, finish your coffee! We have to get your stuff, Aarav and head home within the hour! I don't like being late!"
"But.. Arnav.. I am fine where I am!" Sheetal tried to protest.
"Nope! That's not an option anymore! After what you have told me, I want to make sure that everyone gets their due appropriately. You need to stay with me till we figure this one out!" Arnav said in a strong voice.
Sheetal tried, "But.. Khushi?"
"You don't have to worry about Khushi! I will deal with her! It's my problem!" ASR said as he picked up the phone, "Aman, I am heading out right now! Cancel all those damn meetings for the rest of the day! And remember not to disturb me till late this evening!"
As he shut the phone off, he looked at Sheetal and said, "Now, if you are ready, let's go!"
Sheetal had no choice but to jump to her feet. She was puzzled at Arnav's sudden move. He had not given her much room or time to think.
She picked up her phone as she walked out with Arnav and down the stairs, "Aarav, beta!
Pack all our stuff! I am coming to pick you up!"
******************
"Mom, where are we going?" Aarav asked as he saw Arnav in driver's seat.
"Hey, big guy! How are you?" Arnav asked affectionately. Sheetal was stunned to see the sudden change in Arnav's attitude again. Here he was, as gentle with Aarav as he was when they met for the first time.
"You are coming with me!" Arnav said to Aarav.
"No!" Aarav said in loud and strong voice.
"What?" Arnav asked.
"Why?" Sheetal asked as she held Aarav's hand
"I don't like obligations!" Aarav said as he stood there with folded arms.
"Wow, that's a big word for you!" Arnav said.
"He is just like..." Sheetal looked at Arnav with meaningful eyes.
Arnav's gaze became pointed as he understood Sheetal's implied meaning.
He started the car and said to Aarav, "Now get in the car quickly. I don't like being late!We can discuss this later!"
"Come on!" Sheetal opened the door for Aarav. He jumped in with an unhappy face.
*****************
Arnav entered RM with Sheetal and Aarav.
Anjali, Mami ji and Nani ji welcomed Sheetal and Aarav.
"Chhotey, Khushi bitiya said that you decided to bring them home as they are new to the city and do not yet have a place to stay. Good thinking! With Aarav around, we will have a lot of fun!" Nani ji said with a pleasant smile.
Arnav looked at Khushi who was standing at the landing. She averted Arnav's gaze.
Arnav turned to Anjali and said, "Di, get them settled in the guest room. I will be upstairs. I have a conference call to attend."
As Arnav headed up the stairs with his long and fast strides, Khushi started coming down the stairs. Arnav swiftly grabbed her hand and looked at her with a pointed gaze. "Chhodiye hume! Let go of me!" Khushi whispered.
"You are coming with me!" Arnav held her hand strong and started climbing up the stairs. Khushi's eyes filled with anger.. tears.. as she started walking with Arnav so that no one else would notice. Her eyes filled to the brim as she looked at Arnav while being dragged to the room.
"You know, you are hurting me!" her eyes said.
Arnav averted her gaze and focused in front as they neared the room.
Sheetal pulled her phone out and typed, "Step one: Success!"