Destiny, Fate & Love Thread 1. Chapter 1 - 42. - Page 16

CHAPTER 16. FORGIVE ME, PLEASE!

Place - Dining table in Khurana Mansion

Dadima sighed as she noticed the silence shrouding the dining table. Maan, Sonia and Dadima were having breakfast. Sonia was ignoring Maan while Maan was staring at her while eating in between. Dev and Naintara were still in Mumbai and were planning to come back through evening flight. Once breakfast was over, Dadima got up, glanced at the guilty and contrite looking Maan and angrily glaring Sonia, shook her head and walked away.

Maan glanced over to Sonia only to notice that her breakfast was over. He finished his breakfast and got up and knelt in front of her. "Sonia suno…", Maan started. Soni turned her head away and shook her head signaling him that she was not happy with him. "Suno toh sahi…", Maan pleaded. Soni covered her ears and closed her eyes. "Sonia…", Maan tried again. Sonia did not want to listen to him. To block out his voice, she started singing in a loud voice, "Dhunki, Dhunki, Dhunki laage.." Not only was her voice loud but her singing was off tune and her voice sounded horrible in high pitch. In short she sounded like a banshee screeching. Sonia kept on singing in the most horrible way possible. Maan winced and was about to shout at her to shut her up but remembered that he was here to ask for apology and not create more problems. He decided to try apologizing later on. He preferred to have his hearing intact and walked away as fast as his legs could carry on.

Soni opened her left eye and looked around. Maan was not around. She grinned. While showering she had discovered that while her low pitch voice was okay, her high pitch sounded horrible. While she knew the Dhunki song by heart courtesy of sitting home for two days doing nothing but listening songs, today she purposely sang the song off key. She knew that her high pitch voice along with the off key tune would annoy anyone. But she never thought she could actually drive Maan away. Sonia smiled, "Waah! Soni Puttar, Waah! Tum ghatiya gaa sakti ho yeh pata tha. Par itna ghatiya ki khud Maan Singh Khurana bhi bhaag khada ho yeh nahi socha tha. Shabaash puttar!" She patted her own back and giggled happily not noticing a certain Dadima grinning who also enjoyed the whole scene watching it from her regular place; behind the curtains.

Place - Khurana Constructions

Khushi grinned as Pinky handed her Arnav's phone number. In the morning when she remembered her promise to Lavanya, she was very happy. But she soon realized that she did not have Arnav's address or phone number. She was worried and confused as to what to do next. But a light bulb lit in her head. If he was MK Sir's client his phone number would have been in the Office, right! The moment she reached office, she had asked everybody for ASR's number but unfortunately no one helped her. Then Adi Sir had told her that Pinky must have everybody's number as she is the receptionist and the one who handles incoming and outgoing calls. And now Khushi was lucky because Pinky had handed her ASR's personal number. Khushi grinned happily as she dialed Arnav's number from her mobile.

Maan was unable to concentrate on his work. How was he to appease Soni when she refused to even look at him? He had asked for Dadi's help but Dadi had denied him her help stating that he had dug his own grave, now it is up to him to find his way out of it. Who would help him? Maan wracked his head. Whenever he had personal problems till now, he talked to his Angel Dear. But if he told Angel his predicament, then he will have to explain the whole Soni situation and with Anjali pregnant he preferred not to create any stress for her. Suddenly he had an idea. Why did not think of it earlier? He picked up his phone and dialed Anjali's number.

Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan

Anjali was passing her Chote's room when she noticed Arnav's phone ringing. Arnav was late last night due to an important meeting and hence had decided to take an off today. Anjali noticed that her Chote had gone for a bath so she walked into his room and picked up the phone. "Hello?", Anjali spoke but there seemed to be no response on the other side. "Hello? Kaun bol rahe hain?", Anjali asked in sweet voice. Still there was no response. Thinking that the caller must be baffled with a woman's voice from ASR's phone, Anjali spoke up, "Dekhiye, hum ASR ki behen bol rahi hain. Kahiye, kya kaam hain?" But still no one spoke. Anjali shrugged her shoulders and ended the call. "Di, kaun tha?", Arnav came out of the bathroom with only towel tied on to his waist. Anjali replied, "Pata nahi, shayad wrong number tha." Anjali walked away.

Place - Khurana Constructions

Khushi ended the call and slapped her forehead. It turns out Arnav had a sister and she had picked up Khushi's call. Khushi had not known what to say and had remained mute. Now holding her phone in her hand, she asked Devi Maiyya to help her out as she dialed the Arnav's number again hoping for Arnav to pick it up.

Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan

Arnav picked up the phone as soon as it rung and spoke up, "Hello ASR here." "Arnavji?", a soft voice spoke up from the other side and Arnav's heart stopped beating for a sec. He took a harsh breath as he felt her voice vibrate through his brain. She had called; Arnav felt happiness bubble in his heart. He had not slept an ounce last night due to her haunting his thoughts and hence had been forced to take a day off by his Di and Jijaji after they saw his tired and puffy eyes.

Arnav was about to speak up but he remembered what had happened last night. After leaving Khushi at her house he had gone on a long drive on one of the highways. He had stopped somewhere on the road and stayed there till his Di worried for him called him up. He had cooked up an excuse of meeting to pacify his Di.

Arnav cancelled the call but after a second's hesitation saved her number on his mobile.

Place - Jha Couple's Room at Shantivan

Anjali was back in her room knitting when her phone rang. Maan was calling her. She happily picked up her phone and spoke "Arre! Kya baat hai. Aaj Maan Saab ne humein yaad kiya. Itne din toh ek phone call bhi nahi aur ab achanak se call. Baat kya hai?"

Maan: Angel Dear, tum jaanti ho na main kitna busy rehta hoon. Toh aisa sawaal poochti kyon ho?

Anjali: Maan Saab, ek phone call ki hi toh baat thi. Chote se bhi baat ki, par humse nahi. Agar Chote ne bataaya nahi hota ki aap theek ho, hum toh pareshaani se hi bimaar pad jaate. Achha yeh sab chodiye. Aap humein bataayiye aapne humein yaad kaise kiya?

Maan: Woh ek madat chaahiye thi. Kisika dil dukhaaya toh use manaate kaise hain?

Anjali: Kise manaana hai?

Maan: Ek ladki ko?

Anjali: Ladki?

Anjali was baffled. Yeh Maan Saab kab se maafi maangne lage? Aur woh bhi ek ladki se?

Maan: Haan….Woh…..NT rooth gayi hai Dev se. Dev ko manaane mein madat chaahiye tha.

Anjali: Par woh dono toh Mumbai main hain.

Maan: Haan! Woh Dev ka subah call aaya tha. Bada pareshaan tha. Mujhe call kiya par Mujhe toh kuch nahi maaloom ladkiyon ke maamle mein toh maine socha tumse pooch loon.

Anjali: Achha theek hai.

Anjali thought for a second and spoke, "White Roses. White matlab peace ka colour aur Roses ladkiyon ko hamesha pasand aate hain." As soon as she told Maan the solution, he cut the call. Anjali looked at her phone in shock. Inhein kya hua? Yeh toh bina bye bole call cut nahi karte. Anjali was baffled. First her chote and chutke were behaving weirdly by mumbling and being lost in their thoughts and now Maan was asking help for Dev when Dev was known as the charmer during his college days. Something was wrong here. If Shyamji also started acting weird, then she would organize a satyanarayan pooja, Anjali promised herself.

Place - Dadima's room at Khurana Mansion

Sonia was talking with Dadima when a servant entered a room with a bouquet of White Roses in his hand. He handed the bouquet to a curious Soni while a smiling Daadi looked on. Soni looked at the roses and smiled. Then she noticed a card attached and opened it. 'I m Sorry' was written on it. Sonia's smile turned into frown. She crushed the note and spoke up, "Itni aasaani se nahi Maan Khurana." She spoke out loud and walked away with the bouquet. Dadima waited for Sonia to leave the room and sent a sms to Maan, "Thoda aur koshish beta. Itni aasaan nahi hai."

Sonia entered the room and placed the flowers in a vase and smiled at them. Maan had sent them for her. She lied down on her bed and removed a photo frame from below her pillow. She had nicked it from Maan's room when he was at work. It was his photo but unlike his usual three piece suit he was wearing a casual shirt and jeans in it and giving a small smile to the camera. Dadima had told her that the picture was taken by Annie and that's why Maan was smiling in the picture.

Sonia pouted at the frame and spoke, "Itna aasaan nahi future Mrs. Maan Khurana ko manaana, Dear Future husband." She giggled as she stared at his photo.

Place - Khurana Constructions

Khushi went on trying to call Arnav in between her work but it was of no use. He refused to pick up. She disappointedly stared at her lunch as she sat in the canteen during lunch hour. He was not even picking up the phone, then how was she to ask forgiveness and convince him to become friends? Another light bulb lit in her head, as she got another idea.

Maan was worried. Lunch time was over and he had yet to ask Soni's forgiveness. He had asked Khushi to order a bouquet of white roses which was to be delivered to Miss. Soni at his house. He had received Dadi's message and he knew he had to do something fast. Then he remembered; Dev was a charmer and flirt during College days and many times Arjun and Akash had told him how Dev could charm any girl without any major effort. He called Dev.

Place - Arjun Rathod's House in Mumbai

Dev was shocked when Maan explained his predicament and asked him for help. Dev could not believe it. Maan Singh Khurana was asking his help to apologise to a girl. Dev seriously wanted check if the sun rose from west today. Dev wracked his brain and suggested chocolates. As soon as the call was over, Dev explained everything to Annie, Arjun and NT and all four had a great laugh on Maan's expense. Annie and Arjun could not believe that there was a girl in this whole world who actually had the guts to shout at Maan Bhai and even reject his apologies.

Place - The Living Room at Khurana Mansion

The door opened and a parcel was received by the servants. Soni, who was sitting on the sofa and reading a magazine was curious when she was handed another parcel. Dadima, who had received an sms from Maan that he was sending over another gift, entered the room. Soni opened the parcel to find Belgium Chocolates. She frowned, put the parcel on the coffee table and walked off to her room. Dadima was disappointed and sent Maan an sms stating "Did not work".

Place - Khurana Constructions

Khushi happily dialed Arnav's phone number. She had borrowed Adi Sir's and Pinky's Mobile and now she was trying from Pinky's Phone. "Hello ASR here", a voice spoke from other side. "Dekhiye, hum Khushi bol rahe hai. Humein aapse…." The call was cut from the other side. She dialed again and her call was rejected. After trying for some more time she tried his number from Adi Sir's Mobile.

Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan

Arnav was tending to his darling plants when his phone rang again. He checked it to see an unknown number. He answered it through his blue tooth, "Hello ASR here." "Dekhiye phone mat kaatiye. Humein aapse jaroori baat karni hai.", a voice spoke up on the other side. Arnav's heart skipped a beat due to fear. Was she alright? Kuch hua toh nahi? May be she was calling because she needed help. "Haan, Khushi bolo.", he replied. She started speaking, "Dekhiye, hum maafi maangna chaahte hain aur…". Arnav cut her off with, "Yeh achha hai. Pehle galti karo aur maafi maango. Ek kaam karo, ek knife lo aur Mujh par vaar karo. Phir kehna sorry. Theek haina Khushi Kumari Gupta?" "Hum samajhte hain ki aap kya keh rahe hain par humaari baat toh sun lijiye…", Arnav heard Khushi speaking and he replied, "Kuch nahi sunna Mujhe aur behtar hoga ki tum mujhse aaj ke baad call mat karo. Samjhi." Arnav cut the phone and sighed. It was getting tougher and tougher to stay angry with her. But then he was also stubborn. He will never let the grudge go away. Afterall he was Arnav Singh Raizada, right!

Place - Khurana Constructions

Khushi's eyes were filled with tears. She could not believe the way Arnav behaved. But she was also Khushi Kumari Gupta and she was taught not to back down. Arnav had to accept her apology and she will make sure of that. She went to Pinky and noted down AR's Office address. Tomorrow morning, she will visit him. She went to Maan's cabin to ask for a half day leave for the first part of tomorrow's day.

Maan paced to and fro as he wondered on the enigma called Soni. Any other girl would surrendered but Soni seemed a different case. He had ordered a box of Belgium Chocolates online himself and had got it delivered to his house. But that plan also went into drain. Anjali and Dev's plan was not working then who he could call next? Khushi entered his cabin and asked for a half day for tomorrow and Maan absentmindedly granted her. As Khushi left the room, Maan was struck with another idea.

Place - Mumbai Airport

Naintara Dev Khurana was shocked when Maan Veerji called her up. And she was more shocked when Maan told her his problem. She was not sure what to give as an answer to him. If flowers and chocolates were not working, what would work? She thought to herself what would she want if Dev was apologizing? Jewellery; but Soni had told her that she did not like heavy and expensive jewelleries. She thought again and the answer came to her. She told Maan the answer and happily ended the call. After a hour passed and she boarded the flight, she was still in shock. She did not know what was shocking her more; Maan asking her help or Soni rejecting his apologies.

Place - Guest Room at Khurana Mansion

Dadima entered Soni's room. In the morning, she had enjoyed the whole Maan's apologies and Soni's rejections debacle but now that it was near to evening she wished the cold war would end as soon as possible. So, she decided to deliver Maan's gift herself. She handed a smiling Soni the gift. Soni opened the packet to see a beautiful silver coloured sari. The saari seemed designer and expensive too. She was about to smile when she remembered that Dadi was standing in front of her. By now she knew that it was Dadi who was Maan's informer. So she frowned, took the saari and placed it into her cupboard. Dadima sadly sent Maan an sms stating "NO".

As soon as Dadima was out of her room, Soni pulled out Maan's photo. She spoke to him, "Arre! Aap samajhte kyon nahi. Main mehenge cheezon ki shaukeen nahi hoon. Aap pyar se raste ka chaat bhi khilaate toh bhi main khush ho jaati. Par aap toh itne mehenge tohfe bhej rahe ho. Mujhe kya chaahiye? Bas itna hi ki aap khudse jaaye, mere liye kuch apni pasand ka khareedein aur apne haaton se Mujhe de. Par aap toh aise tohfe bhej rahe hain jaise ki main aapki hone wali patni nahi koi business partner hoon. Farak ko samjhiye Maanji."

Place - Khurana Constructions

Maan was shocked to know that this plan also went to drain. It was closing time and he was still no close to cracking the problem called Soni. He had gone online and had shopped for a gift in one of the costliest boutiques which also had online ordering option. While browsing he had come across the silver saari. He had drooled over as he loved the color white and he imagined how it would look on Soni. The result of his imagination was that the saari was bought immediately. But still she was not satisfied. He decided to talk to her at home and marched off to his car.

Place - Outside Khurana Constructions

Khushi stood on the bus stop. Her bus had come and gone and two more buses had passed but she waited there hoping against hope that Arnav would come. But he seemed nowhere. Disappointed she took the next bus.

Arnav stood still as he stared at her from his hiding place. He had parked his car far off. He had not planned to come here but he could not resist himself. He had to see her once. It was obvious that she was waiting for him. But he would not meet her. He knew that he was just being stubborn but the hurt she gave him through yesterday's acting was still fresh in his mind. He watched as she took a final look around and climbed the bus. Arnav walked off to his car.

Place - Dining Table in Khurana Mansion

It was nighttime and NT and Dev had returned. All five members of the house were seated around the dining table. It was obvious to NT and Dev that Soni was still angry at Maan. She was speaking to everybody except Maan. Hell! Even the servants were being spoken to but Maan did not get even one glance.

Maan had tried to talk to Soni the whole evening but she had skillfully avoided him. He was still confused as to how to appease her and sat at table playing with his food and thinking about his dilemma.

Place - Khushi's Room at Buaji's House

Khushi could not sleep so she went to kitchen and did what she did best. She made Jalebis while mulling over a certain stubborn mule called ASR.

P.S Hey, the sari which Maan gifted Geet is the Kurbaan Hua saari. It is going to play a big part later on.

love it

Oh no dear chapter was not at all confusing but provided better insight into the characters
Man poor maan bechare ki watt lag gayi but then he gotta understand that Geet is not easily persuaded Sach neon papad balne padenge inhe
Arnav bhi na pata tha Nahin manega itni jaldi but dont underestimate Khushi she can be very determined when she gets to something beware

Originally posted by: coolflora

love it

both asking for forgiveness for their mistakes

Thank you😃

Originally posted by: chavvi16

Oh no dear chapter was not at all confusing but provided better insight into the characters
Man poor maan bechare ki watt lag gayi but then he gotta understand that Geet is not easily persuaded Sach neon papad balne padenge inhe
Arnav bhi na pata tha Nahin manega itni jaldi but dont underestimate Khushi she can be very determined when she gets to something beware

Thanks for the review😃

Originally posted by: dona86

loved it...

Thank you😃

Originally posted by: suhaaana

loved it😊

Thank you😃

Originally posted by: valli22

nice part

Thank you😃

CHAPTER 17. I AM DESPERATE FOR SOME FORGIVENESS

Place - Khurana Mansion

Maan entered Soni's room to help her get down the stairs only to notice the room empty. Where is she? Where did she go? He marched towards the stairs only to see Dev and NT helping her down the stairs. He could not believe it. For two days it was he who helped her down and today she went away herself. Was it only two days back when she entered this house? It seemed like eternity. Maan was baffled due to the puzzle called Soni by the time he reached the office.

Place - AR Fashion House

Khushi smiled as she paid the rickshaw wallah. She clutched the dabba in her hand tightly. After deliberating the whole night, Khushi got up early in the morning and made some Lucknowi sweets. She was planning to gift it to Arnav as an apologetic gesture. She was happy with her plan as she knew no one could resist sweets and hence Arnav would have to forgive her. She looked around the whole area and walked towards the building entrance when the watchman stopped her from entering in.

Arnav walked out of his car talking on his Bluetooth when he encountered a crowd at the entrance of the main building. He walked towards the crowd and many employees noticing him and knowing his temper scurried into the building. Soon the crowd thinned out and he noticed a girl quarreling with the security guard. The guard was stopping her from entering the building as she neither was not a staff and nor did not have any appointment letter with her. The moment he reached the girl she turned around and Arnav felt his breathing stop. His Afreen was here! His eyes could not believe it. Till then the other security guards dispersed the crowd away. He dismissed the guard who was stopping Khushi from entering the building with a nod of his head.

Arnav was about to smile when he remembered that he was supposed to be angry with her. How were you supposed to be angry with someone who was sweetly smiling at you? Arnav questioned. Arnav gripped her shoulders and dragged her in to the security office which was emptied for him. He did not wish anybody to see her especially Akash. He pulled her close and asked, "Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?" His angry eyes bore into hers. She gulped and answered, "Hum yahaan aapse maafi maangne aaye hain." Arnav pushed her away mildly and she happily opened her dabba and took out something. It was a jalebi. She thrust the jalebi under his nose. "Yeh humaari taraf se. 'Sorry gift' hai. Kha lijiye aur humein maaf kar dijiye.", Khushi told him in a happy tone. Arnav pushed her hand away from his face and replied, "Main meetha nahi khaata." "Arre! Kaise insaan hain aap jo meetha nahi khaate?" Khushi asked puzzled at his refusal to sweets. How could anybody say no to sweets? She could never resist them.

Arnav felt angry as he heard her question. How dare she ask him what kind of person he was! That's it. He had enough of this madness. He walked out of the cabin and told one of the securities, "Is ladki ko andar aane mat dena. Aur yeh agar thodi der baad yahaan nazar aayi toh tumhari naukri gayi." Khushi glared at his back. How could he threaten someone in such a manner? What is the watchman's fault in this whole fiasco? She was done with apologizing. No more of trying to appease him. He is a Rakshas and Rakshas do not need any apology. Arnav walked away to his office.

Khushi closed her dabba and grabbed her bag and walked off. While walking away, she crashed into someone. "Khushiji, aap yahaan kaise? Kuch kaam tha?". She heard someone talk to her. She turned around to see her Akash Jijaji. What was he doing here? "Aap yahaan'" Then she noticed his bag and realized that he worked here. She smiled at him and spoke, "Toh aap yahaan kaam karte hain." "Ji Khushiji. Kaisa laga aapko humaara Office?", Akash enquired eagerly. Afterall if she was impressed, Payalji will be impressed too, right! "Bahut achha hai!", Khushi replied with smile. "Andar aayiye na. Aap abhi tak Bhai se bhi nahi mili. Unse bhi mil lijiye." Akash requested. Khushi shook her head. If that Rakshas saw her, Devi Maiyya knows what drama he will do next. And what if he threw Akash and his brother out of the office because they were related to her? No! Thank you! She preferred going away than damaging someone's career or life. "Rehne dijiye. Phir kabhi Akashji." Akash smiled back and enquired. "Waise aapne humaare sawaal ka jawaab nahi diya. Aap yahaan kaise?" "Koi rooth gaya hai. Use manaane aayi thi. Ab main chalti hoon. Der bahut hogayi hai. Ghar mein sabko humaara namaste kahiye ga." She walked off and Akash smiled. She was one sweet girl! He thought.

Place - Khurana Constructions

Maan was near to pulling his hairs out of his head. Today morning, Soni had refused to even take his help and preferred to go down the stairs with NT's help. Above on that, Dev, NT and Dadima had started to give him looks as if he had killed somebody. Arre! What was his fault if Soni was still not accepting his apology? He looked around his cabin when he remembered another person who could help him out.

Place - Akash's Cabin at AR

Akash placed his bag onto the table and was about to sit in his chair when he got a call. As he checked the screen he was shocked to see Maan Bhai's name. Why was Maan Bhai calling him? He picked up the phone and spoke, "Ji Maan Bhai Boliye." When Maan started talking, Akash was shocked. Slowly shock turned to bewilderment. Why would Dev ask for Maan's help in apologizing to NT Bhabhi? Dev was charmer on his college days. Infact, he was known as the Love Guru. Akash scratched his head as he pondered the answer to the problem. If Flowers, chocolates and Saari did not work, what will work? Suddenly he remembered a scene from the movie he had seen with the family few days back, and offered the solution to Maan Bhai. After the call ended, Akash wondered if today was the day to apologise. There Khushi was trying to appease someone and here Dev was trying to appease NT. He shrugged his shoulders and turned towards his work. Suddenly, his work seemed more interesting than these problems.

Place - Khurana Constructions

It was nearly lunch time when Khushi returned. She had gone directly to Devi Maiyya's mandir from AR to ask her help. She had promised to herself at AR that she would not apologise anymore. But she soon remembered how Arnav had saved her life and again changed her mind. She was going to apologise. She did not care if he becomes her friend or not but she will gain his forgiveness. After all she could not bear that someone was in pain due to her one silly mistake. Suddenly, another bulb lit as she got another idea.

After half an hour, she was standing at Pinky's counter while Pinky suggested her some good songs related to forgiveness that Khushi could sing. Once Khushi went away, Pinky wondered who was the person for whom the songs were being collected. But she shrugged her shoulders and went back to munching her chips. If Khushi wanted her to know, she would tell her right?

Place - Arnav's Cabin at AR

Arnav's mobile received a voice message. He opened it only to hear a sweet voice sing, "Humse bhool ho gayi, humka maafi daido, Humse bhool ho gayi, humka maafi daido." Arnav raised his eyebrow. "Maafi de do na Arnavji.", Khushi spoke in a sad voice. Arnav smiled at her antics and kept his mobile aside. After few minutes another voice message came. Arnav smirked as Khushi sang sweetly from his mobile, "Maaf abhi kardo yaar, Maaf karo sarkaar, Maaf abhi kardo yaar, Maaf karo sarkaar, Tumko aata hai ghussa, Humko aata hai pyar. Maaf abhi kardo yaar, Maaf karo sarkaar." Arnav burst out laughing as she sang the song in an off key manner. She ended the song with a plea, "Arre! Sarkarji. Maaf Kardo."

Akash entered his brother's cabin to see him laughing out loud. Akash felt his eyes widen and mouth fall open as he stared at this impossible sight. Was something wrong with his specs? He shook his head, removed his spectacles, cleaned it with his kerchief and wore it again. The sight was still the same. Suddenly Arnav noticed him and sobered up. He spoke up, "Ya Akash! Kuch kaam tha?" Akash gulped and entered the cabin. This day was turning weird. He needed his Payalji Dose as soon as possible. He hoped she won't mind him calling in the afternoon instead of evening.

Place - Guest Room at Khurana Mansion

Soni was exasperated when she received a teddy bear with "I am Sorry" written on it from Maan. She rolled her eyes at Maan's denseness and went to do what she did best; complain to Dadi about what an idiotic grandson she had!

Place - Khurana Constructions

Khushi looked at her mobile every now and then between her work. She did not know what she was expecting, a message or a call. All she wanted was one signal from Arnav that he had forgiven her. But it was nearly evening and yet there was no response from Arnavji.

Maan sighed as he kept down the phone. His Dadi had called up with a long lecture about how idiotic he was that he could not even appease one young girl. But what was his fault? He was a business tycoon not some sadak chaap Romeo. Should he handle his KC or think of appeasing girls? Anyway, he was not the flirt of the family, that title was reserved for Dev. And even Dev's plan did not work. Why isn't anybody scolding Dev for the plan failure? Why was everybody blaming him? Maan shook his head. After listening to Akash's idea, he had surfed online for a teddy bear for nearly two hours before he found the type he wanted. And now, Soni even rejected that. God! No wonder people claim that no one can understand women! And he understood why married men always advised others to not to get married! Maan shook his head. Now he was left with only one choice! He picked up his mobile and called up Arnav. He explained everything to him and asked for his help.

Place - Arnav's cabin at AR

Arnav shook his head as he listened to Maan. Here he was trying to dodge someone's sorry and Maan was asking him how to appease someone. There was irony in life! How would he know what to do? If flowers, chocolates, clothes and teddy bears did not work, then what would work? Then Arnav remembered how most of his models drooled over diamond sets. He smirked and told Maan the solution.

Arnav cut the phone and kept it aside. But after a moment's hesitation, he opened Khushi's voice messages and heard them again. He kept on playing them again and again as he listened to her sweet voice singing just for him.

Place - NT and Dev's room at Khurana Mansion

NT was shocked when Soni barged into her room, thrust her with a Jewellery box, told her to keep it safe as it was expensive and walked away. As NT had the keys to the locker, NT went to Dadima's room and explained everything to her while opening the safe. Before she could keep it, Dadima, due to curiosity, stopped her and opened the box. Both were shocked to see a beautiful diamond set which obviously cost more than 10 lacs. They kept the box inside and smiled at each other. NT spoke up, "Jaisi hi Soni ko sab kuch yaad aayega hum unki sagai Veerji se kar denge. Jo ladki aise mehenge set ko thukra sakti hai, uske jaisa achha character humein chirag leke dhoondne se bhi nahi milegi." Dadima nodded her head in assent.

Place - Guest Room at Khurana Mansion

Soni entered her room. She hated heavy jewelleries and here the idiot was sending her diamond set! And Maan claimed to be her future husband! If he was in love with her, wouldn't he know that! She shook her head and went to do what she did the best! Complain to someone! But this time she chose Maan's photo kept under the pillow!

Place - Khurana Constructions

Maan shook his head as he received two messages; one saying "Nice Taste" from NT and another saying "Not working" from Dadima. He seriously wanted to bang his head on the table. What could he do? He wondered. Soon he noticed that it was time to go home. He prepared himself to be greeted by one angry girl and three hostile family members at home and walked out of the premises.

Place - Outside Khurana Constructions

Three buses had passed and Khushi still stood at the bus stop waiting for Arnav to show up. But he was not there. She looked down disappointed. She geared herself to spend a night full of no sleep and making of Jalebis and climbed the bus. But as the bus moved she noticed Arnav's car. She was shocked. So he was here! She smiled cheerfully. She looked around and suddenly spotted him coming out of his hiding place. She smiled. So that is where you are hiding! Tomorrow you are going to forgive me!

Arnav watched her climb the bus and sighed. He wished she would not have played the prank and he would not be so angry at her. Then maybe he could have dropped her home. He shook his head at the situation and drove off.

P.S. After a month of writing and updating this FF, I got a basic idea of my typing speed and how soon I could update. I noted down all my update dates and days it took me to write one chapter and I have come up with a tentative schedule for future updates. Now there will be three updates each week - On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satudays! I am not sure of the timing. According to the Indian time either I will update in the afternoon or the night. So, you will get the update before 11:30 PM in India. Enjoy!

Precap -

"Dil se maangi hui maafi toh sab sweekar karte hain. Aap bhi karlijiye na, Arnavji!"

"Main tumhein maaf kar sakta hoon Khushi, lekin meri do shartein hain."

"Ab toh Maaf kardona, Sonia."

"Aap itne pyar se khud chunke yeh tohfa laaye hain aur dil se maafi bhi maang rahe hain. Toh theek hain. Maan, Maine aapko maaf kiya."