Arhi FF: Destiny Games T6 (Chapter 23.2 Updated 3rd Mar 2025) - Page 27

Kudos to Payal!!!!

Keeping my fingers crossed, that they would talk.

Originally posted by: rockingsoni

Kudos to Payal!!!!

Keeping my fingers crossed, that they would talk.

Thanks for the crossed fingers... they are speaking now 😉

Wow! One more chapter. I will read and post my comment soon

Cheers..

Oh no, Shyam and Co have managed to emotionally weaken NK. This is their plan. Definitely not for the benefit of NK. NK and La better share their problem with others.

Otherwise NK will be soon suffering like Anjali.

Nice update.

Cheers..

I was cleaning up my DG archive and see what I found...

This is a deleted scene, by the way :p

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"jijaji”

“eh?” Arnav looked baffled at the way Tanu addressed him

“What did you call him honey?” Anjali scoffed glancing sideways at Khushi.

“Haan, I call her Khushi Jiji, so I should call you Jijaji na?”

Anjali chortled “Logic!”

“Why would you call him Jijaji if you call me Jiji?” Khushi asked her shocked

“Are you are not married yet?”

Anjali started to laugh

“I like where this is going”

“No, we are not married” Arnav told Tanu as Khushi stared at him as if it was all his mistake.

“yet” Anjali added laughing, earning a stare from Khushi and Arnav.

“They are engaged then?” Tanu was genuinely puzzled?

“No” Khushi replied urgently.

“Then are you related?”

“No, we are not related.”

“But then why do you stay here Jiji, if this is not your house?”

The silence that the question brought about was lasting for a few seconds before it was broken by a shrill voice.

“Tanu!” Tara called out sternly, shutting her up instantly. She was standing at the door. “Forgive my sister’s inquisitiveness.”

But Anjali pitched in to answer

“Hey, that’s alright, what is wrong in being inquisitive?” she asked, “Khushi is our best friend and that’s why she stays here…” Anjali said as she bent towards Tanu and looked up at Khushi

“But why? Where is your family Jiji?”

Before Khushi could answer, Arnav came to her rescue “You don’t have to be related to be family and this is Khushi’s family and she very much belongs here. Right Khushi?”

“Wow” Anjali exclaimed and then added, “You don’t have to be born into the family to be related, you can get married too. Just saying…”

Anjali wiggled her eyebrows at her brother and Khushi suggestively.

“Breakfast anyone?” Arnav asked changing topic, “I am hungry”

Khushi nodded, as she walked towards the door. Arnav too followed her.

Anjali whispered to Tanu at their earshot “and one day, I hope she becomes my Bhabhi”

This was the first time Anjali had blatantly expressed something like this in front of them when both of them were present.

After a quick glance at Khushi who was staring at Anjali open mouthed, Arnav simply laughed it off asking “Oh really? Which brother?”

It was Anjali’s turn to stare at her brother as Khushi chuckled at Arnav, he was a pro at turning tables.

“Seriously?” Anjali asked with mock hurt “I am thinking of NK, what say Khushi?”

Arnav reached out to pull Anjali’s pony as she sprinted down

“Nani, Arnav Bhaiya is pulling my hair”

“Your nani is not here to save you little chipmunk!”

As the siblings raced down, Khushi and the girls laughed and followed them down.

“What did you both do to give an innocent 10-year-old that impression” Anjali was curious

“I don’t know, why don’t you ask her” Arnav told her before her raced her down...

***

this is just a tidbit, Sometimes, when I write, I go over board and write too many things, but thn when I proof read, I cut down things... Most of it get deleted, some I retain in notepads... Here is one such thing, timeline is some time when Tara was still alive and Khushi was still in RM.

Just wanted to gift you with something while you wait.

See you all soon with another update :)

Tanu is asking questions they can not easily answer. Anjali is enjoying the discomfort felt by Arnav and Khushi. Maybe this will give them some food for thought.

From the author's desk: Hello peeps, here I am with yet another update and I hope this will make you happy!

Thanks so much for your loving comments, Happy reading!

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Chapter 22: The home coming

Part 2: Confessions from the heart

"Arnav," Khushi began softly, "Your outburst at the hospital" she asked "Was it because you were feeling possessive... about me?"

Arnav's eyes widened in surprise, her words cutting through his own internal struggle.

"What if I were?" he inquired back.

"Why?" Khushi responded. "What makes you feel possessive about me?"

Arnav looked at her with raw emotions as he gathered his thoughts. His heart raced, and he felt an overwhelming urge to express everything he had kept bottled up inside. Every fiber of his being wanted her to understand the depth of his feelings, the turmoil that had consumed him since the moment he realized his true emotions for her.

In that moment, a thousand doubts plagued his mind. What if she wasn't ready to hear this? What if she didn't feel the same way? He was terrified that his confession might push her away, that the fragile connection they had built could be shattered by his vulnerability. The fear of rejection hung heavy in the air, but the need to be honest outweighed his insecurities.

Arnav's thoughts raced, his heart pounding as he struggled with the vulnerability of the moment. In an effort to ease the tension and buy himself more time, he decided to pivot to humor.

"Well, Khushi," he began, his tone light and playful, "why are you so interested in whether I was possessive or not? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were excited about the idea of me feeling possessive over you."

Khushi rolled her eyes, exasperated yet not surprised by his attempt to deflect. "Arnav, I'm serious," she insisted, her voice firm but gentle. "I need to know why you feel this way about me. This isn't something you can joke about."

Seeing the earnestness in her eyes, Arnav's playful demeanor softened. He realized she will not stop until he gives her the truth. He took a deep breath, his smile fading as he returned to the gravity of the moment. Arnav took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Khushi's as he gathered his thoughts.

"It’s hard to explain" he said

“Try me” she insisted.

“I don’t know” began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I…I feel protective of you. I want to be there for you… that moment I saw you at the hospital, standing there vulnerable, It was like… I wanted to the one comforting you… I think… it was a crazy feeling, I lashed out and was so angry… made me realize just how much I care about you and how afraid I am of losing you."

Khushi's breath caught in her throat at his confession. She could see the raw honesty in his eyes, and it made her heart pound even harder.

"I was wrong to let my emotions get the better of me, and it wasn't fair to you or Abhi. I just... I care about you a lot, and sometimes that makes me act irrationally."

Khushi felt a surge of emotion at his words. She had always known there was more to Arnav than his stoic exterior but hearing him acknowledge his feelings was something else entirely. His willingness to lay bare his fears and desires touched her deeply, and she felt a newfound sense of affection blossoming for him.

“What does that mean?” she asked him earnestly, wanting to hear from him more.

Arnav's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing as he searched for the right words to convey the storm of emotions inside him. He reached out and gently took Khushi's hand, holding it between his own.

"It means," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "that I like you Khushi, and you mean so much to me."

There, he said it. He laid it all in the open. His emotions bare, his heart on his sleeve. But it felt like once he started, he wanted to tell her everything—every fear, every hope, every dream that had ever crossed his mind since he met her.

"I've wanted to tell you this for so long," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "Every time I saw you, every time we talked, I felt this... this connection. It scared me because I've never felt so deeply for anyone before. I never opened up so easily to anyone like I have done to you. You might have wondered, I was always at logger heads with you, But I liked doing that with you… to fluster you up, to challenge you and watch when you it give it back to me…”

Khushi gasped, the sound escaping her lips involuntarily as the weight of his words settled over her. She could hardly believe that this moment was real, that Arnav was finally laying his heart bare before her.

Arnav paused at her gasp, his eyes searching her face for any sign of discomfort or hesitation or doubt. Her reaction stirred a mix of fear and hope within him, but he knew he had to press on. Taking a deep breath, he tightened his hold on her hand, as if drawing strength from her very touch.

"I took so long to tell you this, but I don't want to hide anymore. I don't want to pretend that what I feel isn't real."

Khushi felt a twinge of hope, intermingled with the anxiety of what his words meant for them.

Arnav took another deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know I've done things that made you doubt me, and I know I've hurt you in ways I can't take back. But I want you to know that every moment I've spent with you has been the best part of my life. I want to build something real with you, something that can withstand anything."

Khushi listened quietly, her heart pounding in her chest, each word from Arnav resonating deeply within her. She had waited so long to hear this, to know that she was not alone in her feelings.

He paused, taking a deep breath. "I've have never done serious relationships… you know that. I have gone out with few girls…”

"20 of them," Khushi reminded him with a pout.

Arnav couldn't help but smile at her expression, feeling a wave of affection wash over him. "Yeah, 20" he admitted, his voice softening. "Now who is feeling possessive about me?"

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" she retorted with a glare "Always teasing me, always trying to turn my words against me."

Arnav's smile didn't falter as he gazed at her with affection. "Well. Just to set the record straight, I was never serious about any of them. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. You bring out a side of me I didn’t even know existed. When you're near, everything seems brighter, and when you're away, there's an emptiness that I can't shake."

“I was also scared.” He continued “I tried to protect myself, on not getting hurt, that I didn't realize how much I was hurting you in the process. But I see it now. And I want to change that. I want to be the man who stands by your side, who faces whatever comes our way, together."

He paused before continuing...

“You don’t have to say it back, but I wanted to tell you how I feel, I don’t think I can go any longer without you knowing about it.”

Khushi's heart swelled with emotion as she absorbed Arnav's words. She looked up, meeting his gaze with a newfound determination.

"Arnav," she began, her voice steady yet filled with warmth, "I feel the same way about you. I've tried to deny it, to push it away, but the truth is, you mean so much to me too. I like you too.” She paused, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

A radiant smile spread across Arnav's face, his features lighting up with pure happiness as he gazed at Khushi. He gently wiped a tear from her eye, his touch lingering for a moment, savoring the depth of the moment.

"I don’t know where this will take us… I don’t know if your Dadi and Nani will accept me… I don’t want you to fight with them for me…” Khushi said still gazing at Arnav

"Shhhh..." he said softly, to stop her from continuing. "We will face it together, Khushi. Whatever comes our way, we will handle it, just you and me. I promise, Ok?"

He looked deeply into her eyes, his own filled with unwavering determination. "I know there will be challenges, and I know my family may not understand at first. But trust me, it will get better with time."

He gave her a small, playful smile, trying to lighten the mood. "You know," he said, his tone teasing, "nobody can escape Khushi's charm. Not even me, the supposedly unshakeable Arnav Singh Raizada."

Khushi let out a soft laugh, a mixture of relief and amusement glimmering in her eyes. "Oh really?" she replied, raising an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Arnav nodded, his smile widening. "Absolutely. You've managed to do what no one else could.”

She looked at him fondly “I love that smirk of yours”, watching him smirking more.

"Didn't you want to wipe it off?" he asked playfully.

Khushi blushed, lowering her gaze momentarily before meeting his eyes again. "Very much" she admitted, her voice soft and earnest, "because every time you smirk at me, it throws me off balance."

Arnav's smirk softened into a genuine smile, his eyes twinkling with affection. "Well, I guess you'll have to get used to it," he replied, his tone filled with warmth. "Because I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon."

She paused, gathering her thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, Khushi decided to voice the concern that had been weighing on her mind. "Your family... still believes you're engaged to Sheetal. Even though you've broken up with her, they don't know."

Arnav's expression grew serious, and he nodded slowly. "I know," he admitted. "It's a conversation I've been trying to find the right moment to have. But it's something we can't delay any longer."

Arnav gently squeezed her hand. "I will take care of it, Khushi. I promise. I'll talk to my family and make sure they understand.

Khushi nodded at him.

"I don't know what the future holds, and that terrifies me. But I do know that I care about you, more than I ever thought possible. But with you by my side, I will be Ok."

“Same here” he told her, smiling at her.

Arnav's grip tightened around her hand, as he lifted it to his lips and placed a kiss on them, a silent reassurance that they were in this together, no matter what lay ahead.

Khushi felt a warmth spreading across her cheeks as she shyly looked away from Arnav's intense gaze. The gesture of him kissing her hand, so tender and sincere, made her heart flutter. She was not used to such open displays of affection from him, and it left her feeling both elated and bashful.

In an attempt to mask her shyness, she gently pulled her hand away and tried to change the subject. "So, how did the quarterly results go?" she asked, a bit too eagerly.

Arnav chuckled softly, clearly not fooled by her tactic. "Ah, trying to divert the topic, are we?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

She pouted slightly, her efforts to steer the conversation elsewhere having failed. "I was just curious," she said defensively, her cheeks still tinged with pink.

"Curious, huh?" Arnav said, his voice filled with playful sarcasm. "Well, for the record, I am very much interested in this current ‘project’ of making you blush."

Khushi's eyes widened at his teasing, and she quickly looked down, her heart racing. "Arnav!" she exclaimed, half in protest, half in embarrassment.

He laughed as he reached out to take her hand again. "Don't worry, Khushi," he said softly, his tone becoming more serious. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Being with you, teasing you, seeing you smile—it means everything to me."

Khushi looked back up at him, her heart swelling with emotion. "You mean everything to me too," she confessed, her voice sincere.

They both had a quiet and late lunch, just the two of them.

Their quiet moment was punctuated by the gentle clinking of cutlery and the soft hum of the overhead fan. Despite the tranquility of their surroundings, Khushi could not shake off the weight of her thoughts. She bit her lip, her mind racing with words left unsaid.

"Arnav," she began softly, breaking the comfortable silence that had enveloped them, "I'm sorry about every decision I made that caused trouble, to you, to Anjali, to Abhi..."

Arnav looked deeply into Khushi's eyes, feeling the intensity of her emotions. "Khushi," he began gently, his voice filled with warmth, "I understand why you feel that way, but I want you to know that your decisions, even the ones that caused trouble, were made with the best of intentions. I am proud of who you are. You don’t have to apologize for it. If anything, it made us wiser, those decisions have brought us to where we are now. I wouldn’t have it any other way”

Khushi nodded at him thankfully, her eyes mirroring the gratitude and relief she felt. She smiled back at him, drawing strength from his unwavering support.

Khushi listened, feeling the weight of his words and the compassion behind them.

“Thank you!”

Suddenly, Arnav's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at the screen and his eyes widened in surprise. "Akaash just messaged me," he said, looking at Khushi. "NK is here!"

Khushi's face lit up with excitement. "What! Seriously?" she exclaimed. "He must have been worried about Anjali."

Arnav chuckled, shaking his head with a fond smile. "It's mid-semester for that bugger. I'm going to tell him off for skipping classes," he joked.

Khushi watched him with a tender smile, her heartwarming at the sight of his playful mood. "Why are you smiling at me like that?" Arnav asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing”

“Come on tell me”

She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling. "I was thinking you would make a good father," she said softly.

Arnav was taken aback for a moment before his playful grin returned. "Oh, is that so?" he teased. "Well, Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta, what are going on in your mind?"

Khushi's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink as she realized the innuendo in Arnav's words. "No, no, I didn't mean it that way!" she stammered, flustered. "I just meant... you have such a caring side."

Arnav couldn't resist teasing her further.

"Oh really, so you don't think I'd make a good father?" he quipped, pretending to be hurt.

Khushi shook her head vehemently, her hands flying up in a gesture of denial. "Of course you would! I just—"

Arnav's laughter filled the air as he wrapped his fingers around hers, pulling her close. "Relax, Khushi, I'm just pulling your leg," he said, amusement dancing in his gaze. "But it's good to know you think so highly of me."

Khushi leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment, taking comfort in his presence. "You know, now that NK is back, I can't help but think about how wonderful it must be to have all four of you siblings together again. It must be such a happy reunion," she said wistfully.

Arnav's eyes softened as he looked at her.

Khushi sighed softly. "I wish I could be there too. I miss those days at RM, the laughter, the chaos, the warmth of family. It feels like a lifetime ago."

Arnav tightened his hold on her fingers, his gaze locking with hers. "You are always a part of that family. No matter where you are."

Khushi looked up at Arnav, her eyes searching his. "Are you saying that now because we like each other?"

Arnav's grin softened into a gentle smile. "I've always felt this way, Khushi. Whether we like each other or not, you are and always will be a part of our family."

Khushi's eyes searched his, a hint of curiosity mingled with uncertainty. "What does that mean now that we like each other?"

Arnav's expression softened, and he held her gaze. "For me, it means the world, Khushi."

She bit her lip, taking a moment to process his words. "No, that’s not what I meant…”

Arnav's smile was gentle and reassuring. "We do whatever feels right for us. If you want to take it slow, we can do one step at a time—see each other for a while, become boyfriend and girlfriend, propose, and then get married. But honestly, we could drive to a temple and get married right now for all I care."

Khushi chuckled softly, her anxiety melting away to laughter. "Stop joking…” then she gave him a shoked expression “You really mean that?"

"Absolutely," Arnav said, his fingers tightening around hers. "But don’t worry too much about all that. Whatever makes you happy, Khushi. We'll do this together, at your pace. Ok?”

“Ok”

Khushi looked down at their intertwined fingers, her voice softening. " I want to see all of them. I want to go through the phases of being boyfriend and girlfriend, the excitement of a proposal, the joy of planning a wedding, and finally, being married. I want to cherish every moment."

Arnav's eyes softened as he listened to her. "I understand, Khushi. And I promise, we will experience every single phase together, just the way you want."

“Ok”

Arnav's eyes twinkled with mischief. “So, let’s become boyfriend and girlfriend tomorrow, propose the day after…”

Khushi whined, lightly smacking his arm, "Stop it, Arnav!"

He laughed, his joy contagious, "What? that’s not the pace you want”

“I am now rethinking about me liking you”

Khushi's eyes sparkled with amusement, but before she could retort, Arnav pulled her closer, his voice filled with joy. "No, you are not allowed to do that," he said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "You can't take back liking me now. It's too late!"

Khushi giggled, shaking her head. "You're impossible, Arnav."

"And you secretly love it," he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

She sighed dramatically, "Maybe I do."

He laughed again, wrapping her in a comforting embrace.

"By the way, Khushi," Arnav said his tone softening, "If you want to come to RM now, I will take you… you mentioned wanting to come to RM to pick up some of your belongings.”

Khushi's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern. "Please do not remind me of that, it is causing me stress."

Arnav slowly eased her from the embrace as he looked into her eyes, searching for any signs of hesitation or fear.

"I wouldn’t force you if you don't have to come, but if you are worried about seeing Dadi again... last time, I wasn't there. I promise you; I won't let the last bad experience repeat itself. You'll be safe with me."

“No, I don’t want to cause any more trouble for you…”

"If you open up about your breakup with Sheetal, it will be very distressing for Dadi. She already blames me for so many things, and this will just add fuel to the fire. She will think I am the cause of all the troubles." Khushi said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arnav's expression softened. "Khushi, you can't keep worrying about what Dadi thinks. Her opinions are deeply rooted in her own biases, and we can't live our lives trying to appease her. What matters is the truth and how we handle it together."

Khushi bit her lip, torn between her concern for Dadi and the desire to support Arnav in his decision.

Arnav couldn't resist teasing her further. "Where did my fearsome tigress go? Now you're just a kitten scared of Dadi's reaction," he said, a playful glint in his eyes.

Khushi's eyes widened a bit "But even the strongest tigress can be wary of hurting those she loves. And Dadi is family, no matter how difficult she can be."she retorted with a smirk. "Besides, even a tigress knows when to be cautious."

Arnav chuckled, shaking his head. "Is that so? Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see when the tigress decides to make her grand return."

"Oh, please! I am choosing my battles wisely,"

Arnav squeezed her hand reassuringly, his eyes filled with determination. "Khushi, NK is there, Nani is back now, and so are Mama and Mami. You can come home once.”

Khushi took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Arnav," she said softly. "I'll let you know about my visit."

Arnav gently squeezed Khushi's hand, his smirk adding to his handsome features. "Why don't we go out for dinner tomorrow?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and determination.

Khushi blinked, bemused by the sudden suggestion. "Dinner? Tomorrow?" she repeated, her mind racing to catch up. "But... aren’t you moving way too fast?"

Arnav chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"What? this is a good pace for people who like each other," Arnav said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Khushi playfully rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Khushi, I've asked you out so many times, but you always had a way to wiggle out of it," he said with a knowing smile.

“No that’s not true” Khushi said indignantly, but Arnav continued without missing a beat

"Lets count how many times we have gone out... just the two of us....Hmm zero"

She bit her lip, trying to suppress the flurry of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Despite her reservations, the idea of spending an evening with Arnav filled her with an undeniable sense of joy.

"But what about Tanu?" she asked hesitantly.

"Don't worry," Arnav reassured her, his tone becoming tender. "Tanu can be at Abhi's place. We have the night to ourselves. What say?"

Khushi looked into his eyes, feeling the warmth and sincerity in his gaze. She realized that this was what she wanted too—a moment to savor their newfound connection. "Alright, dinner it is," she agreed, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

Arnav's face lit up with happiness, and he leaned in to kiss her hand gently. "I promise, Khushi, this will be a night to remember," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

As he opened the door to leave, Khushi felt a sense of anticipation and excitement bubbling within her.

***

When Arnav arrived home that evening, the house was abuzz with laughter and chatter. Stepping into the second floor lobby, he was greeted by the sight of his brother NK animatedly recounting a story, with La listening intently, her eyes sparkling with amusement. The five were all seated near the fish tank playing cards

"Arnav, you're finally here!" Anjali's voice rang out. "All my brothers are home. This is perfect."

“Bhai!” NK said standing up for an embrace

Arnav's heart warmed at the sight of his animated brother. He stepped forward and embraced NK tightly. "It's good to see you, NK," Arnav murmured, clapping his brother on the back.

NK pulled back, a broad smile on his face. "It's been too long, Bhai.”

Arnav pulled back slightly, a puzzled look crossing his face. "NK, wasn't it just two months ago that you left for Australia? What brings you back in the middle of the semester?"

NK let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "Bhai, you know nobody ever bothers to keep me in the loop about anything! I heard about Anjali’s near-death experience and didn't think twice—I packed my bags and came straight home."

"I am so loved" Anjali quipped

Arnav chuckled, shaking his head at his brother's impulsiveness. "Typical NK," he said affectionately, patting him on the shoulder. "But I'm glad you're here."

Akaash and Payal were seated nearby, engaged in a playful argument over one of the cards that Akaash threw down. Akaash looked up and grinned at Arnav. "Bhai, just in time to save me from Payal's winning streak."

Payal playfully rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to him, Arnav. He's just sore because he's losing."

Arnav chuckled at their banter, feeling a wave of contentment wash over him. The house was filled with the warmth of family, and he relished the rare moment of all being together.

NK smirked, turning to Payal. "I am starting to think that Akaash is always letting you win"

Payal laughed, shaking her head. "Don't be silly. It's all skill! But speaking of wins, shouldn't we talk about the most sensational news being… Arnav is a taken man now!"

Akaash and NK exchanged knowing glances, their smiles widening. "Oh really? The newest couple, huh?" NK teased, nudging Arnav playfully. "Tell me its Khushi"

Arnav felt his cheeks flush slightly, but he kept his composure. "Well, if anyone's qualified to spread the news, it's Payal," he remarked, casting a mock-serious look at his sister-in-law.

"Absolutely," Anjali joined in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Payal has been our resident news anchor for years."

Everyone burst into laughter, and Arnav found himself grinning despite the teasing. "Alright, alright," he conceded, raising his hands. "Yes, Khushi and I have some news, but let's save it for after dinner, shall we?"

Payal clapped her hands in delight. "See, I told you all!" she exclaimed, earning another round of good-natured ribbing from the family. “Tell us everything Ok?”.

“Congratulations, Arnav! This is such wonderful news!" La exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy.

Akaash sighed dramatically, a smile playing on his lips. "Finally, Bhai."

NK, looking particularly pleased, leaned in closer to Arnav. "Congratulations Bhai and I must say, I'm happy it's Khushi and not Sheetal," he whispered with a wink, causing Arnav to laugh.

Anjali, unable to contain her exuberance, jumped up from her seat to hug Arnav “Oh my God, what happened? How did you ask her? Was it romantic? Did she cry? Oh, I wish I could've seen her face!"

Arnav chuckled, seeing Anjali's excitement. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Anjali! Slow down and breathe!" he said, raising his hands to calm her down. "One question at a time."

Anjali took a deep breath, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Okay, okay. Start from the beginning.”

As the laughter subsided, Arnav felt a wave of affection for his family, their teasing making him feel even more connected and supported.

“Let it wait until after dinner”

“Lets gather at the terrace then…” Akaash suggested “just like the old times”

The evening unfolded with stories, laughter, and the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones. Arnav looked around at his family, feeling grateful for this moment of togetherness, and knowing that with Khushi by his side, the future held even more promise.

***

Unbeknownst to everyone, Dadi had been quietly standing near the stairs of 1st floor, having overheard the entire conversation. Her face clouded with disapproval as she caught wind of the family's excitement over Arnav and Khushi's budding relationship.

As much as she loved her family, Dadi had always harbored reservations about Khushi. She believed that Sheetal, with her poised demeanor and social standing, was a far better match for Arnav. Determined to steer Arnav away from Khushi and towards Sheetal, Dadi began to devise a plan.

She needs to do it, she said herself. She needs to show him how Sheetal has always had such a calming influence on him. She understands our world, our traditions. Dadi also decided to invite Sheetal to family gatherings more often, creating opportunities for her to be around Arnav. She has to now watch closely, hoping that familiarity and convenience would rekindle any old feelings Arnav might have for Sheetal.

Despite her efforts, Dadi could not help but notice the genuine happiness that radiated from Arnav whenever he spoke of Khushi. It was a joy that even she, with all her traditional views, found hard to dismiss. But she was resolute in her intentions; She wouldnt accept that girl as eldest bahu of the family. She believed she was doing what was best for her grandson and the family.

***

Arnav, Akaash, Payal, NK, La, and Anjali had a splendid time late into the night, their laughter echoing across the terrace as they pulled each other’s legs. The main focus of their good-natured ribbing was Arnav, who found himself at the center of their playful interrogation about how he asked Khushi out. He, in typical Arnav fashion, gave indirect and roundabout answers, sparking even more teasing from his siblings and Payal. Yet, Arnav always had a clever way to turn the tables, making everyone laugh even harder.

The highlight of the evening came when they decided to FaceTime Khushi. The group delighted in teasing her as well, and they watched with amusement as Arnav came to her rescue, his protective side evident even through the screen. Khushi took it all in good stride, her laughter mixing with theirs, adding to the joyous atmosphere.

After spending hours reminiscing and creating new memories, the gang finally made their way down from the terrace, their hearts light and spirits high. The night had been well spent in the company of loved ones, the bond between them growing stronger with every shared moment.

***

As the night drew to a close, La found NK in his room before heading to her respective room. The laughter and cheer of the evening had given way to a calm, introspective silence. La reached into her bag and handed NK a small plastic packet containing a few strands of hair from Anjali's comb.

"Here," she said softly, watching him closely as he carefully placed the hair into a labeled envelope marked 'Anjali'. Her eyes fell upon the other packets on the table, each bearing the names of Akaash, Arnav, and even one labeled 'Dadi' and another marked 'Nani'

"Do you really need to go through with this?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "Isn't it evident that the family loves you? Does it really matter if you're not biologically related?"

NK looked up and met her gaze, his expression serious yet calm. "I know they love me, La. And I love them too, no matter what the DNA test says. But I need to know the truth. It's something I have to do for myself."

La nodded, understanding the depth of his need for closure. "I just hope you find the peace you're looking for," she said gently.

"I will," NK assured her with a small smile. "No matter the results, this family is my family. That will never change."

With that, they bid each other goodnight and went off to their rooms, RM was already enveloped in a serene silence.

La walked slowly to her room, the soft glow of the hallway lights casting gentle shadows on the walls. Her mind was a whirl of thoughts, each one more complex than the last. She couldn't shake the image of NK carefully placing the strands of hair into the envelope. It was such a simple act, yet it held so much significance.

As she reached her door, La paused, her hand resting on the knob. She thought about NK's determination to uncover the truth about his origins. It was a quest for identity, a journey to understand where he truly belonged. And while she admired his courage, she couldn't help but feel a pang of worry. What if the results weren't what he hoped for? What if they brought more questions than answers?

La pushed open the door and stepped inside, the room dark and quiet. She took a deep breath, trying to ease the tightness in her chest. She knew that NK was strong, but she also knew that the truth could sometimes be a double-edged sword. It had the power to heal, but it could also cut deep.

She moved to the window and looked out at the night sky, the stars twinkling like distant beacons of hope. La whispered a silent prayer for NK, hoping that whatever the DNA test revealed, he would find the peace he so desperately sought. She hoped that the love of his family would be enough to anchor him, no matter what the future held.

With a final glance at the stars, La turned away from the window and prepared for bed. Her thoughts lingered on NK, her heart filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension. She knew that the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but she also knew that NK had the strength and the love of his family to see him through.

As she lay down and closed her eyes, La made a promise to herself. She would stand by NK, no matter the outcome. She would be there to support him, to offer comfort and reassurance. Because in the end, family was about more than just blood—it was about the bonds they had forged, the love they shared, and the unwavering support they offered one another.

And with that comforting thought, La drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.

To be continued

_________________________________________

So what do you all think? Was the confession too cheesy? Was it romantic? Did you expect it? Tell me about it in the comments. Dadi knows about Arnav and Khushi... She will now start with her plan... And NK is digging up.. what will he find? a long lost secret or would this be another unnecessary worry?

Stay tuned to know more, I will be back soon with another update.

The words have been said from both sides. The feelings came out just right. They know where they stand.

There are still many obstacles in their path though.

Dadi got wind of the news already. She sets her plan in motion. Will she succeed? We hope at some point she sees the futility of her actions.

Originally posted by: coderlady

Dadi got wind of the news already. She sets her plan in motion. Will she succeed? We hope at some point she sees the futility of her actions.