ARSHI FF: Na Bole Tum, Na Maine Kuch Kaha...

CHAPTER 01: Tere naina...

GUPTA HAVELI (GH) 




Ruhi: “Didi, Didi, They’ve arrived! They’ve arrived!” She screamed out happily. 

Garima and Suraj welcomed them grandly in the traditional way. They were brought into the living room which was all decorated.






Dadi: “Amazing decorations. Very grand indeed...”




Garima: “Well, she is our laadli beti after all.” She smiled. 






Dadi: “Of course...”





Anjali: “So where is the bride then?”




Garima: “I’ll just bring her down now.”




Anjali: “I’ll come with you” She smiled.










....................











Khushi was waiting nervously as she felt her heartbeats get faster when they arrived in her room. Anjali scanned her top to bottom thoroughly and said: “Not bad.”






Khushi was very much uncomfortable with this woman checking her through but remained quiet as her mother was there. 






Anjali: “I’m Anjali. Arnav’s sister.” She said as she put her hand forward. 

Khushi hesitantly put her hand forward and said: “Hi, I’m Khushi...”




Anjali: “I know that." Khushi was very much disturbed by her behavior but said nothing.




Garima: “Chalo Khushi, you still have to meet the rest of the family...”








Khushi smiled and all 3 exited the room.










...................











Garima: “Devyaniji, this is my eldest daughter, Khushi.”






Dadi: “My, my, she is absolutely beautiful. May no one cast an evil eye on your beta” She smiled at Khushi, “Meet my family, this is Arnav’s mother Maya, Arnav’s sister Anjali, Arnav’s Brother Akash and this is his wife Payal.”

Khushi greeted each of them with a “Namaste” and a smile. Khushi had lost interest as soon as she found out that Arnav wasn’t here. She was very disappointed as she was expecting a lot more from him.







Dadi: “Actually, Arnav didn’t come. He had a very important business meeting and he couldn’t miss it. Don’t feel bad, I will assure you it won’t happen again.” She saw Khushi’s disappointed face and changed the topic. 





Dadi: “So beta, what are you currently studying?”





Khushi: “I’m doing my final year in fashion designing.”





Dadi: “Interesting. Do you wish to study even after marriage?”





Khushi: “Yes. I hope there are no objections?” She asked hesitantly.





Dadi: “No, no beta. I’m surprised that it’s such a coincidence. You know my Arnav has his own company in the fashion industry...”





Maya: “Match made in heaven...” She smiled, “My Anjali is in the second year of architecture. I’m so proud of her.” She boasted. 

After everyone asked their general question, they got prepared to leave for the long journey back. Everyone had different thoughts in their mind.








Payal (to Akash): “I really like her; she will be perfect for Arnav!”





Maya (In Thoughts): “Not bad...a little timid but at least she will be easy to control. Nice girl.”





Garima: “So, it was really nice meeting you all and we hope to see you soon.”





Dadi: “Absolutely. We had a lovely time and I most definitely want to take this alliance forward after speaking to my grandson."





Garima: “Bilkul, I hope to hear from you soon...”








Khushi ran up into her room frustrated to which the Raizada’s assumed to be her shyness. Her parents could understand what she was feeling so they answered on her behalf.








Suraj: “Devyaniji, don’t mind please but we would like to speak to our daughter first before taking things forward.”

Dadi: “Absolutely! Take as much time as you need. Actually, here is my grandson’s photo. Do give it to Khushi Beta.”









The Raizada’s left GH leaving the Gupta’s smiling for receiving such a good alliance. They smiled at the picture and knew Khushi wouldn’t deny. 











........................












AR OFFICE





Arnav was simply lost in her eyes. He was staring at her picture for much of his time now when he was suddenly interrupted by a knock on his cabin door.





Arnav: “Come in...” He was annoyed at Aman for interrupting.




Aman: “Sir, we have been waiting for you in the meeting room for 10 minutes now. Any problem?”





Arnav: “Oh, Oh Urm, No. I will be with you guys in a minute.”





He quickly put the photo in his drawer and was surprised at himself. Arnav (In Thoughts): “How could I get distracted? No, I have to keep this photo out of reach. I don’t want to face yet another heartbreak...”

.....................












Khushi: “No Mumma, no papa. I don’t want to marry a guy who doesn’t even turn up for the shagun. I mean, what type of guy is he? He doesn’t seem interested. So why should I bother?”

Garima: “No beta, don’t say that. I’m sure he really was busy. They are such a good family, so the guy must be as equally good, na?”






Suraj: “Yes Khushi, I’ve met Arnav once before in a business seminar. He is a real hard worker which is probably why he couldn’t come today. Believe me Khushi, he is perfect for you.”

Garima: “Just think about it beta.” She handed Khushi his photo.





Khushi: “Today is equally as important, if not more! This is a decision that will change his whole life! I don’t know papa, I just don’t know.” She sighed






Suraj: “Don’t stress beta. No one will force you into this” He kept a hand affectionately on her head and said, “Dheko, some things don’t work out the way we want them to but believe me he isn’t that type of guy. But if you have no feelings towards him, fair enough. It’s purely your decision.”

Garima: “And we are with you every step of the way baby.”







Khushi stared at his photo carefully, and stopped at his eyes. She felt as if she could drown in his eyes and stare at them all day. She didn’t know what it was about him that made her think twice before denying.







Garima: “Look beta, we only know what’s best for you.”




Suraj: “No pressure, but I’m absolutely sure that he is the best one for you.”




Garima: “I mean, you don’t have to decide now, you will get to know each other very well before you marry.”

Suraj: “Absolutely. You can deny any time.”







Khushi: “Mumma, papa. I trust your choice and I know you will choose the right boy for me. I agree to this wedding...” She said after staring at the picture intensely. She surely had an attraction to his picture, but is this love?  Who knows...?

...............................

NOTE: Before readers bombard me asking for 'Meant to be...' update I wanna say that I'm working on the update and 3/4th of the update is done... I'll try finish it as soon as possible. But I hardly get to sit on laptop as my Dad is most of the time is working on laptop nowadays, so I hardly get chance to sit. Anyways keep patience I'll update MTB as soon as I write the last part of the flashback and last scene..hopefully won't take much long. Till then enjoy this update and take care people...

With love,

 Kavya

ARSHI FF: Gustakh Dil... (Stubbron Heart)

CHAPTER 13: Aaya dilliwali girlfriend chor chhad ke...

AR DESIGNS, DELHI, 01:45 PM




The entire day had been quite entertaining and surprised filled for the employees of AR Designs; so much so that they are gonna mark this day as red day on their calendars. The first and foremost shocking thing after the morning greeting was the usual fire-breathing dragon ASR was in unusual happy and mellow mood, not to forget he daydreaming love-sick teenager expression with puppy-eyes he had... especially whenever he was talking on phone in his free time, wasn’t only the end. The ASR, who never ever showed his emotions especially in office except a few occasional episodes if something happened to his Di, was now doing an open public display of affection towards his newly wedded wife. The ASR who never kept a photo of his dearest Di on his desk, whom he loved so much, always keeping her photo in his desk first drawer, has now put a life-size post-wedding photo of his and his wife in which Khushi was in simple white sari with red boarder stood smile as Arnav stood behind her smiling with his arm around her waist and chin resting in her shoulder smiling looking at her with adorning eyes (The photo taken on first day of marriage morning in room)  in his cabin which covered almost whole of the wall behind his desk...also quite a number of photo frames kept on his desk with two having Khushi’s single photo as bride and three photos of their wedding...one of them exchanging garlands, second they both stood side-hugging after the marriage rituals were over with Khushi’s head on his chest as Arnav looking down at her and third a photo of Khushi smiling sweetly with eyes lowered in shyness while Arnav with a lopsided smile on his lips watching his wife with adorning eyes in a digital photo-frame.  Not only changes in cabin, the great ASR had changed his phone screensaver and desktop photo into his wife’s photo and had called her at every free time he would get in-between his busy schedule.   Thirdly, he hasn’t shouted or blasted at any employee all morning...not even Aman which definitely makes it a historical day for the AR employees.







But as they say good things don’t last forever and like the saying goes, ASR’s good mood too didn’t last for long as the morning passed and afternoon rolled along with the sun’s heat increased and so did ASR’s temper, all thanks to Miss. Lavanya Kashyap. The moment she entered AR Designs she had started her daily tantrums and also seems like she had decided to tag after ASR everywhere for something or the other, even for the stupidest reason which finally started to turn his mood sour. So by lunch time ASR was back in his breathing-fire dragon mood....angry fire-breathing dragon thought the poor employees who were trying to save themselves from the angry dragon’s wrath while cursing Lavanya for bringing it upon all.







Arnav came to office in a very good mood; he doesn’t remember when he was this happy and content last time.  And this was all because of his Mishti; her thoughts never left him and so didn’t the smile on his face. He was missing her a lot, hence had called her multiple times in his free times in-between his busy schedule reminding her about their lunch plan to which she laughed off saying that she remembers but if he doesn’t let her finish cooking than how is she suppose to bring lunch for him and he replied flirting with her that he would happily have her in lunch, dinner or breakfast over food any day if he has a choice, making her blush in all shades of red and him laugh out loud, as giving her a  loud ‘mwah’ he kept the call.  And he couldn’t wait for her to bring lunch, so they’ve lunch together...lunch is just an excuse, he wants to spend time with her. 







That was his last call to her not because got busy, but because it seems like Lavanya has decided to annoy the hell out of him. Since the time Lavanya has entered office today she is tagging behind him for one thing or the other...even the stupidest reason and being extra cliché today much to his irritation, like she kept flaunting her extra short dress...if that thing can be called a dress, also seems like she even forgot how to walk as she kept stumbling and falling on him and she was getting on his nerves as much as he tries to control his temper but it’s easier said than done. Right now Arnav sat in his cabin, he had an hour before his next meeting, which has mostly gone in drain... here he was thinking to call his wife and flirt with her on phone but Lavanya came to him with some stupid quires which doesn’t seems to end. 







Lavanya asked saucily: “So ASR what’s next?” bending over the table more than necessary as if to show something on the file with her cleavage on display due to the very low neckline of her dress.





Arnav glanced at her once then looked at the file than back at her with stoic face said: “You know what Lavanya; you’re off this project from now on. I’m handing it over to that new girl, Puja Gor right at this moment, she’ll organize the show...”




Lavanya perplexed: “What?”




Arnav simply repeated: “Yes, I decided that I’m handing it over someone else...you’re off this project.”




Lavanya: “What ASR you can’t do this...”




Arnav challengingly raised a brow saying: “Yeah right...and who is going to stop me?”





Lavanya demanded: “But how can you replace me from this project and make someone else the project head?!” this project was big and is very beneficial for her career which she didn’t want to let go...she didn’t understand why suddenly ASR wanted to hand over to someone else.





Arnav: “Because I think you’re not qualified enough to handle such a big project...”




Lavanya agitated: “I’M NOT QUALIFIED ENOUGH?! How can you say that ASR...?! And handing over to Puja Gor, ASR you’re forgetting that girl has just joint hardly 06-07 months ago and you wanna give such a big show to organize...Why?”

Arnav replied simply: “Since from the time your brain went on vacation...”





Lavanya: “What?!”





Arnav:  “Aur kya kahoon main Lavanya....these stupid quires for which you’re eating my head as if you don’t know anything and organizing a show for first time. I know what you’re trying...this flaunting yourself in front of me and being over-bearing cliché, stumbling and falling over me on every two step as if you don’t know how to walk on heels...pathetic attempts for getting my attention Ms. Kashyap! And I don’t want this show to get ruined because of your pathetic desperateness; hence I’m handing over this show to someone else, that’s final!”

Lavanya: “You can’t do this ASR...!”





Arnav: “I can and I’m doing it...I had enough of your tantrums, and since you can’t understand anything about how to organise this show I’m handing it over to someone who can do it well. Now leave the project related file, you’re off it and get back to work..."





Lavanya tried saying: “But-”





Arnav cut her of rudely: “Get back to work Ms. Kashyap, and don’t test me or else I won’t hesitate to replace you by a better candidate giving your position” as he picked up the intercom asking his Personal Secretary to send Puja Gor in his cabin.







Lavanya came out of Arnav’s cabin feeling highly insulted by ASR’s words and cursed herself for loosing such a big project. As she passed Neha, ASR secretary’s desk she heard her speak which made her stop and listen.







Neha: “Sure ASR, I’ll send her...”





Arnav: “Okay...” and was about to keep but stopped him for a query.





Neha: “ASR I’ve a message for you...”





Arnav: “Message for me..?”





Neha: “Woh Khushi ma’am called a while ago and left a message for you...”





Arnav confusedly asked: “Khushi called on your desk and left a message...why didn’t she call me?”





Neha: “Ma’am said she called on your mobile but your phone was switched off...” informing him.





Arnav: “Switched off...?” he looked for his phone and saw it on other side of table, picked as he pressed the power button the phone switched on as he confusedly tried to remember when he switched off his phone because as far as he remembered he never switched his phone off. As soon as the phone switched on 32 missed call alerts came and all were Khushi’s as he further asked Neha, “Why didn’t you forward Khushi’s call to me..?” getting angry now.

Neha nervously replied: “Woh you instructed not to disturb till you don’t finish your discussion with Lavanya ma’am...”





Arnav barked: “When the hell I gave you such instruction...?”






Neha gulped fearing her boss’s raising temper replied: “Woh Lavanya ma’am said that you told to inform her that not to let anyone disturb you or any call to be forwarded to you...”





Arnav shouted: “What the hell!”





Neha started apologizing in fear as he calmed down knowing it was no use shouting on Neha as it was not her fault, so calming himself he said: “Sorry Neha for shouting at you, just remember not to listen any such type of orders from anyone especially Ms. Kashyap...always confirm it from me and no matter how important meeting or discussion going on if it’s Khushi’s call or she herself no restricting her...”

Neha: “Yes sir”




Arnav: “BTW what message did she leave?”




Neha: “Ma’am said she won’t be able to come with your lunch, so she sends it through Mohanji who just dropped it by just now. So I was asking its almost 02:00 PM, lunch time... should I bring your lunch..? Khushi ma’am said to give you lunch by 02:00.”    








Now this was the last nail on coffin and Arnav’s mood turned bitter knowing Khushi isn’t coming, he said yes to Neha who came giving his lunch quickly exit not wanting to be burned in ASR’s wrath. Aman came to Arnav’s cabin to give some file and they had lunch together as he watched a grumpy ASR very amusedly but didn’t say anything knowing he isn't in best of his moods now seriously. They both silently finished their lunch and Aman gave him his medicines which he quickly gulped with water. 








Arnav was about to call Khushi to ask why she didn’t come to office with lunch but Neha came informing that he has next meeting in 05 mins and the clients have arrived. So he kept his phone on table and picked the needed file for the meeting and along with Aman walked off to conference room for the meeting with Neha following them, unnoticed that he forgot his phone on his desk. 









Other side Lavanya was very happy that Khushi didn’t come for lunch, she had discretely switched off ASR’s phone and also dropped the message she made Neha give unknowingly to plant seed of doubt in Khushi’s mind. 




Lavanya: “Plan-A, successful...” with an evil smile said to her two minions.





Pam: “Yeah, now that behanji would be out of ASR’s life...”




Sim continuing: “...and La ma’am in!” 




Lavanya: “ASR doesn’t know what is waiting for him at home, when he would return home she would question him and they both would get into fight...one fight lead to another and slowly-slowly we would drift them apart so much that they both would separate their ways. We bowed the seed of doubt in Khushi’s mind which would turn into a huge tree tearing them apart and no doubts on us.” as the three of them laughed evilly thinking success of their full-proof plan.

............................















RAIZADA MANSION, 04:30 PM






Hari Prakash made way to his Arnav Bhaiya’s room, Badi Bhabhi as that what he has started to address Khushi as to being the elder bahu of Raizada household, had told him in the morning to come to him in evening to take list of thing need to be brought from market after finishing the tasks till afternoon before starting with evening chores and get the needed things from market. He knocked on the door waited few moments but didn’t get any reply. So he knocked again but after knocking few and not getting reply he thought no one was in room and about to leave, as the door pushed open accidentally; so he peeped inside and called: “Badi Bhabhi, are you inside?”






He pushed the door open looked inside to see if anyone was in but saw none, the room was slightly dark as the lights were off and curtains were pulled to block the sun rays. Seeing no one around HP turned around to leave the room, but something on ground on other side of bed caught his attention. Thinking that something has fallen down, he moved to pick up the object frowning at thought of what it could be. But when he reached at near to see it properly his face went pale...there on ground lying was an unconscious Khushi. 






HP immediately started shouting loudly calling everyone: “Naniji! Maamiji! Anjali Didi! NK Bhaiyya! Payal Bhabhi! JALDI AAIYE!!!”





Hearing HP’s shouting everyone came rushing to Arnav’s room following his fanatic voice, as Maamiji questioned: “Hello Hi Bye-Bye, HP wherjjj the fire ki tum itna loud shoutjj kart ho eh?!” (Hello Hi Bye-bye, HP where is the fire that you’re shouting so loudly?)  





Nani: “Kya huwa, Hari Prakash?” 





HP sacredly pointed: “Maamiji, Naniji... woh woh...”





All came in to see properly and were shocked to see fainted Khushi on the floor, gasped in shock and HP nervously told: “I came to take shopping list from Badi Bhabhi, but no one replied when I knocked on door so I thought maybe she is not in room. I was about to leave but the door opened and I saw her lying here fainted...”





Coming out of shock Nani gave quick instruction: “Nanhe, pick Khushi up and make her lay properly on bed...”





NK coming out of shock quickly rushed and picked up unconscious Khushi and made her lay on bed as Nani sat beside her, put a hand on Khushi’s forehead and neck to check temperature muttered: “She is burning with fever...” then turned to say, “HP call the doctor immediately and Payal please bring a bowl of ice-cold water and a cloth... Nanhe, call Chotte and inform him.”





HP quickly ran downstairs to call the doctor using landline of the house and NK picked the cordless in Arnav’s room, dialled Arnav’s mobile which kept ringing but no one picked. He again tried but no one was picking up the phone.





Nani concernedly asked: “Did Chotte answer the phone?”





NK: “No Naniji, Nannav isn’t picking...maybe he is in meeting and his phone is in silence...”





Nani: “Keep trying” as Payal came with a water bowl and cloth, which Nani took from her and wetting the cloth put on Khushi’s burning forehead.





Payal stood one side watching Khushi concernedly and glanced at NK who kept trying to reach Arnav.








............................









AR DESIGNS, DELHI





Lavanya came into ASR’s cabin to show him the final report before sending it and she knocked in the cabin but getting no response, peeped inside. She walked in and kept the file table for him to see when he returns and was about to leave but stopped at the vibrating sound. She turned around and saw ASR’s phone vibrating on the desk, so she picked it up to see who was calling as a sly smirk appeared on her lips seeing the caller id showing ‘Home calling...’ and then deliberately cut the call.





She evilly thought to herself: “Call as much as you want to ASR, Khushi but I won’t let you reach him so easily...” as with sly smile she cut the call 3-4 times deliberately.






Again as it started ringing she picked it up to say something presenting the situation that makes Khushi more suspicious of Arnav and she pressed the green button, had only put the phone on her ears but before she could utter a word the phone was snatched from her. And she turned around to face a fuming ASR with Aman behind him looking at her as if observing her which made her gulped scared now.






Arnav angrily: “What the hell! Are you doing here, Ms. Kashyap?”




Lavanya nervously: “Woh...woh I came to give you report file for final checking and if it’s okay, than to send it further...”    





Arnav: “Okay, but what the hell were you doing with my phone...?” barked at her angrily demanding answer.




Lavanya started fumbling: “Actually ASR...woh I thought to just tell the caller to call later...”




Arnav angrily: “No thank you and you better stay away from me. Now GET OUT!” as Lavanya again getting insulted simply walked out but stopped at door to hear the conversation.





After Lavanya left Arnav saw the call had cut and was about to check who it was when it again started vibrating, he saw the id ‘Home calling...’ thought to be Khushi picked up immediately saying: “Hello Mishti” 




From other side NK spoke: “Nannav it’s me.”




Arnav frowned asked: “NK..?”




NK said in urgent voice: “Nannav come home immediately...”




Arnav getting tensed: “NK what happened...? Everything is okay at home, right..?”






NK urgently replied: “Actually Nannav, HP found Khushiji fainted lying on the floor and she is burning with fever...please come home quickly...”




Arnav went pale hearing the words from NK rushed saying: “I’m... I’m coming...coming home...” as he went fanatic.

Aman concernedly asked: “ASR everything okay...?”





Arnav sacredly looked at him saying: “Aman... Aman Khushi...my Mishti fainted and NK said....NK said she burning with fever. I... I need to go home now, Aman...”




Aman held his friend steady saying: “Yeah, ASR I’m coming with you too...”







Lavanya went away from there before ASR saw her eavesdropping in his cabin as Arnav nodded at Aman and both the men rushed out with hurried steps.







Arnav quickly said to his Personal Secretary passing her desk: “Cancel my rest of appointments for today and ask Akash to attend the important meetings on my be-half...” who simply said ‘Yes sir’ watching her boss rushing out.




Arnav with Aman was going out was called from behind by Lavanya: “ASR, where are you going now...? You’ve meeting with Mittal’s in 15 mins...” wanting to stop him anyhow or else her plan might get spoiled.




Arnav turned around and rolled his eyes seeing Lavanya making way to him, walking like a pageant queen: “I cancelled my meetings for the day, I need to go home and Akash will attend the meeting with you.”




Lavanya: “But ASR, Mittal’s only want you to sign the deal...you were suppose to attend the meeting with me, please meeting ke baad jana or else we might lose the deal.” trying to convince him to stay.




By now other employees were discretely watching the scene and Arnav hurriedly said: “Mittal’s can go to hell for all I care, right now my wife is sick and needs me. So I’m going to be at her side...”




Lavanya’s inside burned hearing this from him but maintained outward composure said: “ASR, you’re rushing out for that girl...? I’m sure this must be her new drama to get attention you can’t always run after her leaving everything for her whims and fancies. Such a Dramaq-”

She was cut off by loud angry: “ENOUGH!!” Lavanya stopped her ranting and looked at the very, very, very angry fire-breathing ASR who seemed to want to burn her but somehow held herself standing in front of him., while rest of the staff stopped their work and were openly watching the scene.






Arnav angrily shouted: “Enough Ms. Kashyap! Now you’re crossing your limits... What do you think yourself that you’re badmouthing about my wife..? Who has given you rights to question me, lagti kya ho meri...are you my Boss..? My family member..? Who are you to question me..? I think you’re forgetting your position, well in that case let me remind you that I’M YOUR BOSS and YOU ARE MY EMPLOYEE...” stressing on the sentence as he gave her looks that would have burned her if looks could burn people than Lavanya would’ve turned into ashes by now as he continued, “...and my wife doesn’t need to do anything to grab my attention because she is sole center of my all attention. BTW it’s not her who needs whims and fancies for getting others attention, that is YOU! I had enough of your Drama-queen tantrums...if you don’t stay in your limits I won’t hesitate to throw you out of my office. And Ms. Kashyap, I guess like this non-existing dress you’re wearing which covers less of you and displays more of your body, your self-respect has also turned non-existing... but my wife has a respect and I won’t tolerate it been hampered by anyone!” 

Aman kept a hand on Arnav’s shoulder reminded him: “ASR we need to leave, Bhabhi needs you...”








Arnav turned to look at Aman and nodded at him as both man rushed out leaving behind a very embarrassed and humiliated Lavanya who looked around to see everyone looking at her with disapproving eyes as the staff got back to their works whispering among themselves commenting how much desperate has Lavanya turned for ASR’s attention that even after his constant pushing away she keeps trying her desperate attempts. Hearing these talks Lavanya could only silently fume cursing Khushi in her mind, getting back to her work with her two minions following after her.










...........................










Arnav jumped out of passenger side even before Aman can shut the engine and ran inside the house, while Aman too quickly cut the engine off and getting down from driver’s side followed after Arnav inside...he hadn’t let Arnav drive seeing that he was in way can drive in such panicked state, so instead he drove them to Shantivaan and also Arnav didn’t do any sort of argument.






Arnav rushed in his room, reaching the doorstep he paused, he didn’t see the doctor checking Khushi or Nani sitting beside her or notice other family members present in the room. His eyes were fixed on very pale and weak looking Khushi lying on the bed with covers pulled on her and a wet cloth on her forehead which Nani removed, putting in the water bowl. She looked so weak, fragile and lifeless which he didn’t like it  at all, quickly rushed to her side sat down holding her cold pale hand in-between his both palming rubbing hers to warm a little, than kissed her the back of her hand.

Arnav looked at her concernedly saying her name softly: “Mishti...” as he ran his fingers though her hair and then looked at the lady doctor and worriedly asked, “Doctor, what happed to Khushi...? Meri Mishti theek ho jayegi, right and nothing serious happened to her..?” too tensed as he can never imagine something happening to his dear wife, who is his life.





Doctor: “She is fine Mr. Raizada I’ve given her injection to reduce the temperature, just fever which I’m guessing because of the weather changing...so it’s normal to get fevers in this season change. But yes, her having such high temperature is also partially because she is over-stressed. I’ve written the prescription, just give her the medicines in time and try to keep her stress-free and happy...and she’ll be healthy again in no time.”





Arnav nodded: “Sure Doctor...” he took the prescription which he handed to HP who taking it immediately left to bring the medicines.





Doctor packing her stuffs continued saying: “She needs to eat a lot of healthy food, nothing heavy or spicy...plain and simple is good for her now, also she needs complete bed rest 03-04 days and no showers or bathing 02-03 days, just wipe her with wet cloth would once a day be enough...taking medicines in time and being stress-free she’ll be fine in no time, okay. Now I’ll leave...”





Arnav: “I’ll make sure of it...” 






Nani: “Nanhe escort her till door.” NK nodded and with the doctor went away; to escort the doctor as Naniji instructed him. 






Nani looked at Arnav who was simply staring at Khushi’s face, caressing her hair softly and before she could say anything, Khushi stirred waking up. Khushi felt her head as if being banged by a jackhammer and also something warm caressing her hair in smoothing manner, she opened her eyes which felt heavy. 






She looked at her blurred surrounding which slowly clearly and first thing she uttered was a weak: “Ar... Arnav...” notes her husband sitting beside her.

Arnav looked at her now open her eyes immediately replied in soft voice: “Haan Mishti I’m here... Does my Koyel want something?”




Khushi weakly: “Pani...” (Water...)




Arnav quickly taking the water glass from bedside table brought to her lips, making drink and then after she was done kept back on the table, wiped her lips with his fingers. Khushi shifted a little, keeping her head in his lap and snuggled into him as she asked tiredly: “You’re home early, Jaana..?” she still hadn’t noticed others present in room.           





Arnav slowly caressing her head replied soft: “NK called informing that you got sick, so I came back...”




Khushi with a frown said groggily: “You shouldn’t have... *coughing* ...you had an important meeting.”




Arnav simply replied: “Nothing is more important for me than my Koyel.” bending down he kissed her forehead lovingly which made her lips tip upward a little despite her fever.








The family who were present in room witnessing the scene had multiple emotions running through all of them. One side where Anjali fumed seeing Arnav-Khushi close especially him saying that Khushi is most important for him, didn’t go well with her...it’s her place, she would always remain most important for him and no one else, which she’ll make sure of. Other side Payal felt a pang of jealousy seeing Khushi having such a loving and protective husband, who would have thought the ruthless, heartless ASR who didn’t believe in ‘love’ or ‘marriage’ would turn out to be such a loving and perfect husband. Mami simply fanned herself seeing this new unbelievable side of her ever angry-sadu Arnav Bitwa, Aman simply smilingly admired the couple and Nani was happy to see such positive change in her elder grandson...it true she is still angry at them for getting married like that but she couldn’t thank heavens enough that Khushi came in Arnav’s life like a blessing.









Nani decided it was time to give the couple much needed privacy and remind about others presence, so she said in stern voice: “Chotte, you take care of Khushi...we’re leaving now. Also I’ll send HP with chicken soup for her.”





Arnav-Khushi startled looked at Nani as Arnav got reminded of everyone’s presence while Khushi aware of everyone present tried getting out of his lap but he didn’t let her instead simply nodded to Nani saying: “Ji Nani...”   




Nani got up from the bed gestured others to leave as she left and one-by-one all left. Last was Aman who said to Arnav-Khushi before leaving: “ASR if you need anything, just ring me once and Bhabhi take care of yourself...”




Arnav: “Thanks Aman, and I won’t be coming office few days, just handle all the meetings on my be-half and I’ll be working from home.”




Aman: “Sure man, I’ll take a leave now...” giving a smile to Khushi and a friendly pat on Arnav’s shoulder he left closing the door behind him softly as he exited.






After Aman left, Khushi looked at Arnav with tired heavy eyes and in hoarse voice slowly asked: “Why did you say to Aman that you’re not going office few days..?”




Arnav simply: “Because you’re sick.”




Khushi frowned saying: “It’s just mild fever; I’ll be fine you don’t need to stay home.”




Arnav smoothed the ceases on her forehead with his fingers replied: “No my presence with you is more important, no discussions on it. Is your head aching?”




Khushi signed knowing her stubborn husband won’t listen and not having energy to argue, she simply gave in said: “Yeah a bit...actually a lot, I feel like a hammer is been banged on my head...”




Arnav started pressing his fingers on her head, trying to ease her headache a bit as he saw her face relaxing and eyes shut heaving a sign as the head massage relieving her a bit, he softly asked her: “Yeh fever kaise hogaya..? You were fine till morning...did something happen..?"




Khushi stiffed at the question and almost tear up but controlling her emotions replied weakly: “Nothing of that sort, it’s just weather change and all the stress of marriage. It just simply took a toll on me...”

There was silence from his end which made Khushi open her eyes and she came face-to-face with him. What she saw made her gasp; Arnav had such a heartbroken look that it made her heart drop in her stomach...he was looking at her with sneer vulnerability and fear clearly written in is crystal blue eyes which made her want to reach out for him and smoothed his distress. 







She slowly raised her right hand, cupped his face asked concernedly in low groggy voice: “Kya huwa, Jaana?” (What happened, Jaana?)






Arnav held her hand which was on his face and brought her palm to his lips, kissing the inside of her palm he replied in a soft voice which clearly reflected his emotions for Khushi to read: “If anything happens to you I won’t be able to take it, Mishti... Main mar jaoon-” 




Cut by her as she pressed her palm on his lips to stop him from saying further and shook her head in ‘No’ as tears spilled from her eyes saying: “Marne ki baat maat kariye, kuch nahi hoga aapko... Bhagwanji aapko humari umar dey de par aapko kabhi ek kharoh bhi na aaye.” (Don’t talk about dying; nothing will happen to you...  God gives you my age but not even a scratch comes on you.)






Arnav pulled her hand off his lips but held in his mouth said: “I can’t see you like this...all pale and sick; you know that I can’t see you in pain. Why are stressing so much about family and hampering your health..? Is it because they’re angry on us..? Mishti, stop worrying about it they’ll get over it in few days when their anger cools down. But something happens to you I won’t be able to take it. I lost my Mom when I was 13, I saw her shooting herself and it took me great deal of time to get over it... I saw my dad kill himself out of guilt and to get over that truth of my dark past and build myself again took great effort, but still the chains of past had me bound in some way which I got free finally, in true sense when you came in my life like ray of light in my dark life...like a blessing to free me from my chains. I can face everything in this world but I can’t bear a frown on your forehead or a teardrop in your eyes... I can’t even breathe without you; mujhe chor ke kabhi mat ja na Mishti, main jee nahi paunga....”

Khushi understood his fears and trying to assure him, says: “I’m not going anywhere leaving you, Jaanu...” tighten her hold on his hand, her violet eyes giving him all the promises and assurance with all the love he’ll ever need. 









Tears spilled from his crystal blue eyes which he was holding back since long, letting out all his fears and scars in front of her. Arnav just laid before her with his guards down and defenceless for Khushi to witness the scared, lonely child which he kept hidden behind the mask of ruthless, heartless, arrogant ASR from the world’s eyes. And he wasn’t afraid to show her his weak and vulnerable side because it’s only her who can mend and the broken child inside him. And that was the evening Arnav-Khushi shared something very emotional which bonded them even closer taking their relationship to another level and making it stronger.











..............












In the evening around 08:00 PM, Lavanya along with Akash returned from office and as soon as Anjali saw Lavanya, followed her to her room and closed the door behind her entering the room. Anjali asked about office happening and how their plan went to which Lavanya told the way ASR has insulted and humiliated all day, to which Anjali tried consoling her. Than Lavanya question about what happened at home, as Anjali narrated it all and by the end both ladies weren’t happy with seeing Arnav-Khushi together, fuming in anger at the turn of events which were opposite of their desired end of the day. They both sat together, thinking of new plans on how to throw Khushi out of Arnav’s life, not realizing that without Khushi there won’t be any life for Arnav.