Khushi had been lying down on the bed and was lost in Manvi's words. She slowly rose from the bed and made her way to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Manvi had been helping Jenny with the preparation of the dinner. Khushi glanced at her and stated firmly "main nahi karungi unse ache se baat!"

"Toh thik hai main yahan se chali jaati hun" Manvi declared at Khushi's resistance. 

Concerned for Manvi's well-being, Khushi interjected, "aap kaha jaogi? Abhitabiyat thik nahi hai aapki"

"Tum meri baat nahi manti ho toh main tumhari baat kyun manu?" Manvi responded, crossing her arms across.

"Aap aise mujhe emotionally blackmail nahi kar sakti ho." she argued

"Toh tum meri baat maanlo," Manvi said, a smile playing on her lips.

Frowning, Khushi expressed her dilemma, "Mujhe nahi pata kaise Mr. Malhotra se pyaar se baat karni hai!"

Manvi picked up a newspaper, placing it in front of Khushi. Khushi read the headlines, "He tops again! Women's man knows how to rule the corporate world."

"Aaj raat bahut bada din hai unke liye," Manvi remarked, "Lekin koi parivar waala unki inn khushiyon ka hissa nahi banta hai shuruwat yahan se karo."

"He always takes his new girlfriends!" Khushi retorted.

"Kyuki beti hamesha invitation phad deti hai! Unhe suna deti hai toh wo bechare kya kare?" Manvi reasoned in her explanatory tone. 

Khushi couldn't response to it and took a deep breath. A smile formed on Manvi's lips, "Tum jaogi toh mujhe yakeen hai wo uss ladki ki aur dekhenge bhi nahi." she said with a confidence in her voice.

"Aapse zyada main janti hun unhe! Saalo se dekh rahi hun." Khushi still argued with her.

"Tum bas dekh rahi ho Khushi aur jo hum dekhte hai wo kabhi kabhi sach nahi hota hai. Mujhpe bharosa karo," Manvi insisted.

Despite the ongoing battle within her, Khushi stumbled back to her room. Manvi held hope that her words would resonate with Khushi, compelling her to take the initiative to mend the broken relationship with her father. Manvi was determined to solve their differences to end the pain for Aarav and hatred of Khushi. 

Meanwhile, Aarav, dealing with the weight of his daughter's rejection, received a call from his staff about the impending event. In frustration, he shouted, "Tum logo ko itna khush hone ki zaroorat nahi hai! It means nothing to me," and tossed away his phone.

Recalling Khushi's dismissal of his achievements, Aarav sought solace in alcohol. Wearing his coat, he descended the stairs, and a lady entered the hall, seeking attention in a sexy dress.

He smiled at her aspiration for publicity. However, she doesn't know he is more opportunistic than any other woman. He looked up at the door of Khushi's room and it was shut.Exiting the house with the lady, he settled into a car with her.

Witnessing this, Manvi rushed to the scene. Lowering the window, Manvi acknowledged him, "Main umeed karti hun aajka yeh din aapke liye yaadgar saabit ho."

Downplaying the significance, Aarav added, "Koi badi baat nahi hai yeh! Tum aise bhaago mat warna girogi toh sunayegi 100 batein mujhe Khushi."

Manvi, seeing the positive in his behavior, smiled and retreated back into the house. Aarav's insecurities were evident, even in his dismissal of taunts.

The Taj Hotel

Aarav reached the hotel, striding into the banquet hall to claim his customary place in front. As he settled, the lady attempted to sit beside him, but he abruptly pulled the chair away, causing her to drop to the floor with a thud. The cameraman captured the moment, and Aarav, showing his stern gaze, declared, "This isn't your place! I've always reserved this spot for my daughter and never allowed anyone to take it."

Feeling insulted in front of the crowd, the lady got up and took a seat at the other end. The host announced, "He is the man who doesn't forgive any mistakes, dedicated and disciplined for the work, and if anyone messes up with him, we see the person falling down. The Business Tycoon of the Year award goes to Mr. Aarav Malhotra."

Aarav, devoid of any happiness, rose and walked to the stage. He accepted the award without a trace of joy and turned to leave, showing no interest in giving a speech. The host persisted, saying, "Mr. Malhotra, kuch shabd."

Glaring at the host, Aarav remained silent. The host continued, "Chalyie itna hi bata dijiye har baar aapke paas waali chair kiske liye aap khali rakhte hai."

Aarav, looking in that direction, was astonished to find Khushi sitting there. He assumed it was his imagination, perhaps induced by the alcohol he had consumed. The host questioned him again, and he sighed in pain, "Uss insaan ke liye jo mere liye sabse zyada matter karti hai! Aarav Malhotra ka wajud hai, guroor hai."

The audience was bewildered by his unexpected words. Aarav descended from the stage and headed out of the hall. The photographer stopped him, people gathered around, clicking pictures. He noticed Khushi walking out, and the lady posed with him, but he pushed her off. Aarav ran out but couldn't find her anywhere. He sighed deeply, "Wo yahan kaise aayegi?" he decides to head back home. 

In the parking lot, his eyes widened as he saw Khushi standing, arms crossed, next to the car. He walked closer and silently stared at her, overwhelmed by seeing her as part of his achievement. 

"I don't care Mr. Malhotra!"

"Aapke saath toh ghar ke bahar ek kadam bhi nahi rakhungi main" 

He recalled her hurtful words "tum.. Yahan" he asked, disbelief evident in his tone.

"Dekhiye... " She paused recalling Manvi's advice. 

"Gusse se nahi, pyaar se baat karogi unse. Jaise pehli baar unse mil rahi ho, ek naye dost banane hai tumhe."

"Bahut bada din hai aapke liye toh socha dinner karlun aapke saath" she added, extending an unexpected invitation in a gentle tone which she never used in past for him. 

He was touched hearing her words. The lady came to the parking lot and called him "Aarav what are you doing here? Humhe hotel mein jaana tha na?" she asked

However, their moment was interrupted as the lady from the event approached the parking lot. Khushi, feeling a twinge of annoyance at her presence, maintained her calmness. 

"agar aapka inke saath hotel jaane ke plan hai toh main ghar laut jaati hun" Khushi thought in her mind as she had promised Manvi she won't be sarcastic with him. 

Aarav, without missing a beat, headed towards the lady with a sarcastic smile, "Mil gayi publicity?? Don't expect anything else, just leave," he yelled, dismissing her.

He turned and saw Khushi waiting for him near the lift. They walked together to the hotel restaurant, an unusual yet significant occurrence for both. It felt like a dream for Aarav — the first time he would be having a dinner date with his daughter. 

At the restaurant, the waiter led them to a dinner table. Khushi took her seat while Aarav sat opposite her, creating an awkward silence between the two. Aarav broke the silence by forwarding the menu, "Order karo."

Khushi glared at him, she looked at the menu and proceeded to order her food. The waiter turned to Aarav, who denied his regular meal, "Jo isne mangwaya hai, wahi kha lunga main."

"Sir, hamesha ki tarah whiskey on rocks lenge na?" the waiter inquired.

"Nahi, aaj kuch nahi chahiye," Aarav denied, his attention fixed on his daughter.

Khushi, astonished by his response, questioned within herself whether he was pretending or if he genuinely meant it. Despite her skepticism, she decided to observe, as she had promised Manvi.

"Mujhe toh laga tum iss saal bhi nahi aaogi," Aarav said softly, expressing a hint of vulnerability.

"Mr. Malhotra, yeh toh samjhana mat, main aapke liye aayi hun... Mai toh bas..." Khushi wanted to clarify her intentions.

"Tum aayi mere liye, utna hi kaafi hai, Khushi," Aarav replied, acknowledging her presence with gratitude.

As the dinner progressed, Khushi coughed slightly, prompting a quick and concerned response from Aarav. He poured water into the glass and got up from his chair, forwarding it to her. "Aaram se," he reassured, rubbing her back lightly.

Their eyes met, and Khushiobserved his gestures, a mix of skepticism and contemplation in her gaze. Theyfinished the dinner, and Aarav took care of the payment.

Khushi held his trophy, which he had forgotten to pick up from the table. Aarav walked with her, smiling, "Janti ho, aaj iss trophy ki ehmiyat badh gayi hai, kyuki aaj yeh tumhare haath mein hai."

Silent, contemplative stares were exchanged between father and daughter. "Ghar chale?" Khushi finally broke the silence.

Aarav nodded positively. The driver brought the car, and Aarav opened the door for her, though she chose to sit in front. Aarav sighed deeply as he took his seat behind, and the car smoothly moved along the road.

Malhotra Mansion

Manvi eagerly anticipated Aarav and Khushi's arrival, yearning for a positive shift in their relationship. Upon hearing the vehicle stop, she quickly positioned herself behind her door, eager to witness the unfolding scene.

As Aarav and Khushi entered the hall, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Khushi, appearing resolute, began heading upstairs. Yet, Aarav intercepted, breaking the silence with a plea, "Khushi, kya hum aaj ki tarah kabhi kabhi kuch pal saath nahi bita sakte?"

Khushi paused, glancing back at him, her response measured, "Sochungi iss baare mein," before resuming her ascent to her room. In the corridor, she observed Aarav embracing Sharda tightly.

"Kaki, aaj mujhe sone ke liye iss sharab ki zaroorat nahi hai... Kyuki mere paas ab yeh kuch pal hai yaad karne ke liye," Aarav confessed, his eyes revealing a hint of moisture. Sharda warmly smiled, acknowledging the emotional transformation in him.

Aarav then ascended the stairs to his room, holding a newly earned trophy with reverence, placing it on the shelf. This act symbolized a departure from his usual solace in alcohol, choosing instead to find comfort in cherished memories of the event.