Someone placed a hand on her shoulder, and Khushi, startled, turned in fear. Upon seeing Aarav, relief flooded through her, and she exclaimed, "Kaha gaye they? Aisa kya important kaam aa gaya tha aapka jo mujhe aise bheed mein akela chodke chale gaye?? Haan?"

Aarav showed her the teddy bear, saying, "Yeh lene gaya tha tumhare liye. Aur kaha tha maine tumse haath pakadke hi chalna. Mere saath tumne hi haath chudaya tha, aur tumhare phone mein tracker hai. Mujhe pata tha tum yahan ho, toh dundh liya maine tumhe."

Khushi hugged him tightly, leaving Aarav perplexed at her unexpected action. He then noticed the boys standing in the queue. Placing his hand on her head, he consoled her, "Mr. Malhotra ke rehte koi tumhe kuch nahi kar sakta, Khushi."

Exiting the ride, he brought her to the restaurant, ordered food, and said, "Tum khao, main aata hun wapas."

She questioned, "Ab kaha jaa rahe hai aap?"

"Aata hun na!" Aarav spoke. Glancing at the woman sitting on the table with her child, he asked, "Aap kuch der meri beti ka khayal rakhegi?"

Totally amazed at the way he asked a favor, Khushi listened as the lady agreed, "Ji zaroor."

Aarav left, and Khushi glanced in the direction. He folded his shirt sleeves and saw the teenage boys in the queue. "Bahut shauk hai badtameezi karne ka tum logo ko na. Chalo bahar niklo!" he said angrily.

"Are uncle, hum toh bas mazak kar rahe they," one of them said.

"Lekin main mazak nahi kar raha hun, beta! Agar yeh chaaro ladke is queue se bahar nahi aaye toh pura amusement park band karwa dunga main! Aarav Malhotra hai mera naam," he shouted, grabbing everyone's attention.

The crowd began to push them, and the boys finally got out of the queue. "Padhne likhne ki umar hai na tum logo ki? Himmat bhi kaise hui meri beti ko buri nazar se dekhni ki?" Aarav slapped each one of them. He called the manager, who arrived promptly. "Aarav Sir," he greeted him.

"Mr. Tyagi! Yeh hai tumhari security? Meri beti ko kuch hi minute mein mental trauma se guzarna pada inn logo ki wajah se," Aarav scolded him for negligence.

"Sorry Sir, bache hai," the manager apologized.

"Bache hai par yeh nahi ki kuch bhi karenge. I want them out of the park right now! Make sure inke maa baap ko khabar ki jaaye aur dubara inhe kabhi amusement park mein entry na mile," Aarav ordered him to take strict action.

"Aisa hi hoga Sir," the manager agreed.

"Aap aisa nahi kar sakte," one of the boys protested.

Aarav glanced at him, "Sukar karo police ko bulake maine tumhe jail mein nahi daala hai!" He turned towards the boy, who looked down, and the manager escorted them out of the amusement park.

Turning back, Aarav saw Khushi standing there with blank expressions. She turned and walked towards the games stall. Aarav hurriedly followed Khushi to the games stall, where she seemed lost in her thoughts. Gently touching her shoulder, he turned her towards him. "Aapne jo kiya wo karne ki zaroorat nahi thi."

"Zaroorat thi Khushi. Koi tumhe kuch kahe ya misbehave kare, main bardasht nahi karunga," Aarav replied, being a protective father.

Khushi managed a small smile, still processing the events. Aarav took her hand and led her away from the crowd towards a quieter area in the amusement park. "Thik ho na?" he asked.

"Haan hun thik, par aap aise mujhe akela chodke mat jaaya karo! Main..." Khushi said in a bit of anger.

"Main kahi nahi jaa raha hun, tum bas mera haath chudake yahan wahan mat ho jaana. Now, let's enjoy the rest of our day," Aarav said.

They continued walking, and Aarav could see the tension gradually leaving Khushi's face. They reached a serene spot with a beautiful view, and the photographer asked them for the picture. Aarav looked at Khushi, she agreed, and they finally had a picture together.

Aarav's hopes went high that he would be able to win back his daughter's trust and heart which she had lost years ago. "Agar aaj humne achi yaadein banayi hai toh muskurado," he said. Khushi managed to smile for the picture, and as they walked away, Aarav couldn't help but continue the conversation.

"Bhale hi itne saal tumne mujhe apna pyaar jatane ka mauka nahi diya, but tumhe protect maine hamesha kiya hai aur aage bhi karta rahunga," he said.

Khushi glanced at him and remembered the past incidents. She recalled how he stood up for her against the school boy who teased her, resulting in his mother rusticated him. They spent the rest of the day enjoying the amusement park, building a connection beyond just friendship. Playing games, going on rides, and sharing laughter, Aarav couldn't help but be grateful for the chance to mend the broken bonds with his long-lost daughter.

As the day came to an end, they exited to the parking lot. He opened the back door for her, saying, "Baitho beta."

Khushi looked at him and thought for a while. She walked to the other side, leaving him confused. She opened the front door and sat down, leaving him amazed. He sat and drove off back home. Aarav couldn't shake off the feeling that this day marked the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship. He was determined to be the father that Khushi needed and to make up for the lost time.

He reached the entrance, and the automated gate opened. Moving inside, he halted the car in front of the entrance. He stepped out of the car with Khushi and they headed into the house. Aarav with determined steps ascended the staircase for his room to attend important office meetings.

Khushi sat down on the couch, reminiscing about the memories created with him. A constant smile adorned her face as she remembered the way he protected her throughout the day. She had seen a completely different side of him today.

Manvi stepped out of the guest room, noticing Khushi lost in her thoughts. Settling down beside her, she shrugged her shoulders. "So! Kaise rahi apne Mr. Malhotra ke saath amusement park waali date?" she questioned with curiosity.

Khushi turned towards her and asked, "Aapko kaise pata hum kaha gaye they?"

"Sharda kaki ne bataya mujhe," Manvi replied.

Khushi smiled a bit, trying to understand him. "Kya soch rahi ho?" Manvi asked, noticing her dilemma.

"Yeh Mr. Malhotra they hi nahi! I mean... he is always in his attitude, work, ya phir apni desires puri karne ke liye kabhi koi kabhi koi! Aaj unhe ek stranger lady se mere liye favour manga.. Naaki apni usual," Khushi exclaimed.

"Isliye kah rahi hun jitna waqt unke saath bitaogi, unhe tum andar se samajh paogi! Unke dil mein tumhare liye kitna pyaar hai wo dekh paogi aur yeh jaan paogi Mr. Malhotra tumhare papa bhi hai,'' Manvi replied, tapping her cheek.

Khushi shook her head positively. She also informed her about the incident, and Manvi said, "Tumne hamesha unke actions ko negative way mein liya hai Khushi... I am happy ki tum ab positively sab dekhna shuru kar rahi ho aur mujhe yakeen hai ek din tum unhe Mr. Malhotra nahi papa kahogi."

Khushi refused, "Nahi aisa nahi kahungi kabhi nahi," crossing her arms and returning to her attitude.

Manvi sighed deeply, "Ho toh unki hi beti...!" she said sarcastically.

Khushi gave her a look and went to her room to change. Manvi was thrilled that her one little push was bringing father and daughter closer to each other.

Her phone rang; she picked up, "hello," but she couldn't hear anyone from the other side. The signal was low due to some reason. She went upstairs to the terrace and attended the call, "haan! Nahi dekhiye koi sa bhi flat chalega mujhe bas mere budget mein hona chahiye."

"Mam time lagega," the agent informed her.

"Dekhiye mujhe jald se jald chahiye main zyada din kisike ghar iss tarah nahi ruk sakti," she replied. Aarav had done a big favor for her, but she can't stay at his house as she knows the mindset of society, especially when he is the top industrialist, and media is always there for new gossip about him.

After concluding her phone call, Manvi descended the stairs and encountered a small snag. Her saree pallu got entangled with the railing, prompting her attempts to free it. In the process, a forceful jerk caused her to stumble backward, colliding with Aarav. Both of them ended up on the floor, and in that moment, their eyes met for the first time.

Aarav, captivated by the innocence in her gaze, found himself unable to look away. Manvi, realizing the compromising position, tried to disentangle herself. However, her efforts were hindered as her neck chain became entwined with Aarav's. Despite her struggles, Aarav placed a reassuring hand on her. She pulled away, allowing him to assist in untangling the chains. Throughout the process, his gaze remained fixed on her.

Finally resolving the entanglement, Aarav uttered, "Ho gaya," signifying the completion of an unintentional and brief moment of closeness.

Manvi got up, taking a deep breath. Aarav stood up and gave her a questioning look "tum yahan waha girti padhti kyun rehti ho?"

"Wo meri saree ka pallu atak gaya tha," she replied.

"Acha," he raised an eyebrow, adopting a sarcastic tone.

"Dekhiye aap... Yeh toh sochna bhi mat," Manvi warned, pointing at him.

"Tumhe kyun lagta hai main tumhare baare mein sochunga? Main sirf apni beti ke baare mein sochta hun," Aarav replied.

"Acha aap mere baare mein nahi sochte? Toh phir mujhe akele jaane kyun nahi dete hai? Aapka yeh driver saaye ki tarah mere saath jaata hai," Manvi complained.

"Haalat dekhi hai apni tumne? Mujhe samajh nahi aata how the hell you managed to live with that guy for so many years," he said angrily.

"Aap bhi toh Khushi ke saath ek chatt ke neeche rah rahe hai na? Ye jante hue ki uske dil mein aapke liye kitni nafrat hai," Manvi retorted

"Beti hai wo meri... Uske alawa hai kaun mera?" Aarav stated.

"Jawab aapne khud diya," she replied with pain.

"Jis insaan se tumse maa banne ka haq cheen liya! Dominant raha... Kabhi tumhari ijjat nahi ki phir bhi tum uss insaan ki tarafdari kar rahi ho?" he questioned.

She was amazed, "aapko yeh sab kaise pata?"

"Bhool rahi ho main Aarav Malhotra hun! Ghar ke naukar tak ki main police verification karwata hun!" Aarav informed.

She was left in disbelief. "matlab? Aapko mujhe bharosa nahi hai..."

"Bharosa karna maine saalo pehle chod diya hai specially aurton pe..." He replied.

"Arghh! Aapka na kuch nahi ho sakta hai... Aap yeh sab aise nahi jaan sakte mere baare mein yeh galat hai," she argued.

"Toh kaise janta?" He asked.

"Puch lete! Agar kisike saath apna dard bhaat lenge aur kisika sun lenge toh aapke ego hurt ho jayega kya?" Manvi questioned.

"Excuse me! Mere andar koi dard ward nahi hai samjhi! Aur main tumse behes kyun kar raha hun? Mujhe apni beti ke saath dinner karna hai neeche tum baad mein karna... Jab dekho beech mein aa jaati ho," Aarav said with insecurity.

She smiled upon hearing him. Aarav went downstairs and sat at the dining table for dinner. Khushi, for the first time, had a calm expression when she saw him. Manvi noticed them from the corridor and smiled. Memories of her recent conversation with him stirred an unfamiliar feeling in her heart "Mannu! Tujhe inki baatein buri hi nahi lag rahi hai... Kya ho gaya hai tujhe?" she wondered.

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