ARSHI SS: Complicated Relationships! *Chp 8* upd 25/12 'pg 32' - Page 14

Arnav thought over the matter for the rest of the day. He wanted to be by Ansh's side, loving and pampering him. The love that he couldn't express to his Di, he wanted to shower all that love on Ansh. He also didn't want that matter to be dragged to the court. He had just said that to make Khushi agree. But now when Khushi agreed, but with her own condition, he was perplexed. Staying in Khushi's house for a week wasn't a great option after all. That woman always managed to make his heartbeat race when she came in front of him. She had that effect on him 5 years back and nothing seems to be changed now. Not that he ever showed that, he was always the one with a locked heart. And those who had the key to his heart left him alone in this world. And now he was scared to handover that key to anyone else. So another reason for him leaving the country 5 years back was his increasing fondness for Khushi. He was then sure, that if he stayed near her or in the country, he would have surely ended up by falling in love with her. But now it was Ansh, Di's son with her, he wanted to do everything for him. So he had finally decided to agree to Khushi's offer and warned himself to keep away from Khushi during his stay with them. So he called Khushi to let her know his decision. Khushi was glad that he accepted her offer while ignored the butterflies in her stomach.

Khushi had informed Akash about Arnav's decision and he was nothing but surprised with this development. He felt his Bhai and Khushi under same roof would surely be a sight to watch. Payal was also shocked to hear that her boss was going to stay in Khushi's home and was glad that she wouldn't be there as she had a small trip planned to Shimla with her college girlfriends during his stay there. Khushi was upset that Payal won't be here when she would need her to deal with Arnav. Payal left the same night for her 5-days short trip.

Next day Arnav had arrived with a still amused Akash. Akash in teasing tonehad told Khushi that he was happy with her decision. Ansh had been elated to know that Annav uncle was going to stay with them. Since Khushi and Akash had explained Arnav's actual relation, that is, of him being his real mom Anjali's brother to Ansh, he felt more attached to Arnav than he already was. Arnav's offices' interiors were still incomplete as the launch of his company in India was planned after 10 days, which was his Di's birthday. Till then he was going to work from home.

Khushi had decided to handover all responsibilities of Ansh to him after lunch. So she had called Arnav in drawing room after their lunch. "This is the time schedule that you should follow with Ansh. Make sure Ansh does everything on time. Also do not agree to everything that Ansh asks you to do." She said while handing over the sheet to him. "I don't need to be instructed about how I should behave with Ansh, I'll follow the schedule though." said Arnav with I-know-everything look. Khushi slightly smiled and said,"Don't be over-confident Mr.Raizada, Ansh can give a very tough time at times. I can say that with my own experience." Arnav felt that she was underestimating his capability, so he replied, "I deal with various kinds of people over the world, Khushi. You think I can't handle my own nephew, who is a 3-year old?" Khushi raised her one eyebrow and said, "You may be dealing with various people but dealing with kids is different and I suppose, you don't have an experience at that, Mr.Raizada." "Stop calling me Mr.Raizada, Khushi. I'm not an age-old man walking with a stick, to call that! Call me A-R-N-A-V!" Arnav said irritated. Khushi chuckled a bit seeing Arnav's irritation and said, "Okay Arnav! Bas? Now I have to go to my office. Do take good care of Ansh. Bye." She said moving towards the door. "Bye!" Arnav muttered.

Arnav ran after Ansh with his cereal bowl in his hand to feed him. Khushi had given him all of responsibilities regarding Ansh to him for a week. Within these 3 days of staying with Ansh and Khushi, he came to know how brilliantly Khushi handled Ansh whereas he was on the verge of losing his sanity in 2 days itself. Khushi was secretly enjoying the whole drama between Arnav and Ansh. 'So Mr.Raizada thought that it was easy to handle Ansh? Serves him right!' She thought when she saw how difficult it was getting for Arnav to take care of Ansh.

Just then Ansh came running and crashed himself besides her on the sofa and exclaimed, "Mamma, I have finally found my Daddy!!" Khushi looked at him flabbergasted.

Arnav too stood numb, behind the couch; Khushi and Ansh were sitting on. He too had heard Ansh's declaration of finding a father. He was also curious now.

"What are you saying Bachha?" Khushi asked him still trying to recover from the shock Ansh gave her. Ansh looked at her and said again loud, "Offo Mamma! Didn't you hear? I said that I have finally found my Daddy!!" "And how can you say that? Did you meet him?" Khushi asked trying not to show her turmoil as she had complete idea about who he was talking. "Yes Mamma! Its Annav uncle only! He is perfect to be my Daddy!" Ansh replied innocently not knowing how his statement was affecting Khushi. They both turned back to see Arnav, when they heard the sound of spoon crashing on the floor. Ansh grinned at Arnav and patted besides him indicating him to occupy the space. Arnav did so and glanced at Khushi who was still dazed. He looked back at Ansh and asked, "Why do you think that I can be your Daddy?!" Khushi glared at him as soon as she heard his question while Arnav's eyes held a mischievous glint as he looked back at her. In these 2-3 days, Arnav and Khushi were trying to be friendly with each other as much as they can. Khushi enjoyed watching Arnav's expressions whenever Ansh gave a tough time to him and Arnav used to get irritated. Now Arnav had got a chance to irk Khushi. He wasn't going to let it go. But now he concentrated on what Ansh had to say.

"You know Annav uncle, when I asked Superman about who can become my Daddy; he had said that the one who'll run after me without scolding me, kiss and hug me many times and say that he lubs (loves) me. You are doing these things. So you'll be my daddy!" saying this Ansh threw his arms around Arnav's neck. Arnav also embraced him back, a light smile playing on his lips feeling pleased at the thought that Ansh considered him a father figure. He always felt he went near to his Di, when he hugged Ansh. It helped him to forget his guilt of not being with his sister, for some while.

Khushi was trying to smile back t Ansh but was still contemplating what Ansh had just said. "Damn you Akash! I'll see to it that you don't get married to Payal soon." She thought annoyed on Akash for stuffing her son's brain with his terrible ideas; patted Ansh's head though when he grinned at her.

Next day after dinner, Arnav asked Khushi to come to the living room after Ansh was asleep as he wanted to discuss something with her. When they were finally seated in the living room, he started, "Look Khushi, I want Ansh to attend my company's launch which is on Di's birthday." Khushi was caught off guard with his demand. "I am sorry Arnav. But Ansh will not attend the launch." She replied. "What do you mean by Ansh will not attend the launch?"He raised his voice. "I said No means no!" she raised her voice too. "Agree or not, Ansh will attend the launch because I want him to." Arnav said with a tone of finality. "He can't attend because it's neither safe for you nor him to be together when the media is covering the event! It could prove fatal for both of you!" She let it out all in one go before she could understand what she said..

Arnav stood there dumbstruck after hearing Khushi.

So how was it?