Khushi bustled into the guest room, her mind swirling with the last-minute details for the grand event. As she scanned the room, her eyes fell upon Manvi, who was furiously packing her belongings.

"aap abhi jaa rahi ho? Maine kaha na aapko iss event ka hissa banna hai" Khushi's voice cut through the room, tinged with urgency and a hint of frustration.

Manvi paused, turning to face Khushi with a weary smile. "Khushi tumne mujhe tumhari madad karne ko kaha tha.. Ab mujhe jaana hoga"

With a heavy sigh, Khushi folded her arms across her chest. "thik hai jao! Main akele bachi Mr. Malhotra ko sambhalungi.. Huh"

Manvi couldn't help but chuckle as she approached Khushi, gently patting her on the head. "nautanki.. Unhe sambhalne ke liye tumhe meri zaroorat nahi hai"

Khushi shot her a glare, but Manvi's playful demeanor softened her resolve.

"aap event ke baad jaogi samjhi aap warna acha nahi hoga" Khushi warned, her tone slightly softened

Manvi relented, nodding in agreement. "thik hai.. Lekin mere paas koi dress hai nahi.."

A mischievous glint sparkled in Khushi's eyes as she rushed out of the room. "do minute ruko," she called over her shoulder.

Moments later, Khushi returned, a small smile playing on her lips as she presented Manvi with a saree. "Yeh meri mumma ki saree hai aap yeh pehen lo"

Manvi's eyes widened in surprise, her heart touched by Khushi's gesture. "kya?? Nahi main yeh nahi pehen sakti'' she protested softly.

Khushi's voice was firm but gentle as she insisted, "aapko yeh pehenni hogi! Aapne meri zindagi mein meri maa ki kami puri ki hai dost.. Aapko haq hai isey pehnne ka"

Tears welled in Manvi's eyes as she was overcome with emotion. "Lekin shayad tumhare dadda ko pasand na ho agar maine yeh pehna toh" she expressed concern about Aarav's reaction to his wife's belongings.

With a reassuring smile, Khushi assured her, "Dadda kuch nahi kahenge aap yeh peheno tabtak main dadda ko dekhke aati hun"

As Khushi left the room, leaving Manvi clutching the saree to her chest, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the bond they shared and the love that surrounded her.

Khushi climbed the stairs, her footsteps light but purposeful as she approached Aarav's room. Pushing the door open, she called out loudly, "Dadda! Dadda!" but there was no response. She headed towards the pool area and found him exercising in the water, his muscles rippling with each movement.

"Dadda!" she called again, a bit louder this time.

Aarav emerged from the water, his wet hair slicked back as droplets cascaded down his face. A smile curved on his lips. "Bolo beta," he addressed her, his voice warm.

Khushi giggled. "Ho gaya aapka underwater workout?" she questioned, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

He tossed the dumbbells aside and stepped out of the pool, slipping on his bathrobe. "Haan... Tum abtak tayaar nahi hui? Jaana nahi hai mere saath?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Jaana hai, Dadda, lekin aap bhi toh abtak ready nahi hue ho!" Khushi replied, placing her hands on her hips.

"Haan, bas ho raha hun," he said with a chuckle. Khushi came up behind him and nudged him towards the wardrobe. She opened it and picked out a suit.

"Aap yeh suit pehenoge," she said excitedly, holding it up.

"Thik hai, aur aap kya pehnne waali hai?" Aarav asked, glancing at the suit appreciatively.

"Wo dress jo aapne last week dilwayi thi mujhe... Sirf ek ghanta rah gaya hai event ke shuru hone mein. Jaldi ready hoke neeche aao aap!" she said, her voice full of urgency.

He nodded, and Khushi went to her room. She took a deep breath and pulled out a photo frame with her mother's picture. She caressed it and smiled softly. "Dadda ne aapke saath galat kiya mumma, par ab Khushi badi ho gayi hai aur ab dadda bhi pehle jaise nahi hai! Dekhna aaj jo main dadda se mangungi, mujhe wo denge aur dost ko iss ghar se jaane nahi denge, mujhse door."

She placed the picture aside and got ready for the event, her excitement palpable.

Aarav tied his watch around his wrist and glanced at himself in the mirror. Every year, he prepared for this day, but today his daughter had made it special by arranging everything herself. He moved out and saw Khushi standing in the corridor, speaking to someone on her phone. "Yeah... thank you!" She ended the call and turned to face him.

"Kiska phone tha?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Dadda, manager uncle ka phone tha! Maine bas pucha ki sab tayari ho gayi hai ki nahi," she informed, her eyes twinkling with the thrill of the preparations.

"Acha... tumhari dost aane waali hai?" he asked, his tone casual but with a hint of something more.

Khushi raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "Dost? Kaun dost?" she asked, her expression innocent.

Aarav glared at her. "Khushi, zyada drama mat karo mere saamne... Aa rahi hai ki nahi?" he asked again, more insistent this time.

Khushi denied, "Aapka event hai na! Unka kya kaam ismein? Maine mana kar diya unhe."

"Kyun? Hum dono waha rahenge, wo akele yahan kaise rahegi? Sharda kaki bhi toh jaane waali hai aaj," Aarav said, his concern evident.

"Dadda, wo rah lengi. Aapko kyun itni fikar ho rahi hai unki?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Mujhe uski fikar nahi hai! Wo aana chahe toh aa sakti hai..." Aarav said, his eyes suddenly widening.

Khushi noticed his expression. She turned around and saw Manvi stepping out of the room in a green net saree. Aarav kept staring at her, his gaze unwavering. Khushi tapped his hand lightly and signaled him to focus. He descended the stairs with his eyes fixed on Manvi, her presence captivating him. He missed a step, but she caught him before he could fall, and Khushi captured the moment on her phone.

"Yeh... saree?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Jee wo..." Manvi hesitated, glancing at Khushi.

"Dadda, maine di hai! Achi lag rahi hai na, dost?" Khushi asked, her smile wide.

Aarav smiled faintly. "Haan."

Manvi noticed his expression but remained silent in front of Khushi. Khushi pulled them out of the house, and they headed towards the venue for the event. Aarav sat in the front while Khushi and Manvi were in the back. Aarav glanced at Manvi through the rearview mirror and closed his eyes for a moment, lost in thought.

Manvi thought, "Inhone kuch kaha nahi! Jaane kyun, inki chupi baad mein toofan layegi." She had a feeling about the upcoming storm, her intuition tingling with anticipation.

Taj Hotel

Aarav stepped down from the car along with Khushi. He grabbed her hand and took her inside. Khushi turned back, seeing Manvi still inside the car.

"Dadda... Dost?" she called out.

"Wo aa jayegi, tum chalo," he said and walked into the hall.

Manvi stepped out of the car and watched them head in. Sharda approached her and asked, "Yahan aise kyun khadi ho? Chalo andar."

"Kaki! Yeh saree... wo Khushi ne kaha toh maine pehni," Manvi explained, sensing Aarav's anger earlier.

"Main janti hun Khushi ne zid ki hogi! Par ek baat dhyan rakhna... Aarav ke saamne kabhi bhi uski patni ka ya usse judi kisi bhi cheez ka zikar aage nahi hona chahiye, warna..." She took a deep breath, looking anxious.

"Kaki, aap aisa kyun keh rahi hai?" Manvi asked, curious about his past.

"Phir kabhi bataungi, chalo abhi andar," Sharda said and took her into the hotel.

The stage was set up, and performances were going on. The decoration was done with Aarav's taste in mind. The host announced, and Aarav went to the stage.

"Thank you everyone for attending the event! Iss saal yeh khaas isliye bhi hai kyunki meri nanhi si beti ne iski zimmedari apne kandhe pe li! Khushi, Dadda loves you a lot!" He gave her a flying kiss.

Khushi beamed with pride.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Jaise aap sab jante hai, har saal hum kisi international company ke saath collab karte hai, lekin iss saal! We are opening our branch globally! Please have a look," he said, pointing towards the projector as the screen lit up.

The marketing team's hard work was evident in the design, and the audience applauded. Aarav signed the deal, and the media captured the moment.

Manvi stared at Aarav, amazed at his accomplishments. She couldn't take her eyes off him. Khushi snapped her fingers in front of her eyes. "Mere dadda handsome hai."

Manvi hid her smile. "Haan... Main toh bas..."

"Aap toh kya?" Khushi asked, teasingly.

"Kuch nahi..." Manvi denied, shaking her head.

"Maan kyun nahi leti ho aapke dil mein mere dadda ke liye kuch hai," Khushi said, noticing the emotions on Manvi's face.

"Nahi Khushi, aisa kuch nahi hai aur kabhi hoga bhi nahi. Chalo, jaake apne dadda ke saath enjoy karo," Manvi said with a smile. Khushi understood the reason behind her denial.

Aarav noticed Khushi and grabbed her hand, leading her in a dance.

"Aaj yeh event successful hua tumhari wajah se, Khushi!" he praised her.

Khushi smiled proudly. "Dadda... Main toh hun hi intelligent."

"Wo toh tum ho! Batao kya chahiye tumhe?" Aarav asked, looking at her fondly.

Khushi glanced at Manvi, who was standing in the corner with Sharda, both cheering for them. Gathering her courage, she turned to Aarav. "Jo kahungi wo doge?" Khushi questioned, her eyes full of determination.

"Haan baba! Aajse pehle tumne jo maanga hai maine tumhe diya hai ab bhi dunga," Aarav agreed, smiling warmly at her.

Taking a deep breath, Khushi voiced her desire. "Main chahti hun aap dost ka divorce karao aur unhe meri maa banake hamesha ke liye ghar mein le aao."

Aarav was shocked by her words, stopping mid-dance to stare at her. "What??" he exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise.

"Haan Dadda... Mujhe aap aur dost dono mere saath hamesha ke liye chahiye," Khushi said, her voice steady despite the weight of her request.

Aarav turned his gaze towards Manvi, who was engaged in a light-hearted conversation with Sharda, a smile playing on her lips. As he took slow steps towards her, memories of moments spent with Manvi flashed in his mind, and Khushi's words echoed in his ears.

Reaching Manvi, he caught her attention. She looked up at him, her smile fading as she saw the anger in his eyes. "Kya hua Aaravji?" she asked, her voice trembling with apprehension.

Without warning, he raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face, leaving her in a state of shock. The entire hall fell silent, and the DJ stopped the music immediately.

"I hate women!! Ainda mere aur meri beti ke aas paas bhi nazar mat aana samjhi?" he shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice filled with fury. 

Aarav's chest heaved with heavy breaths as he looked around the room, the weight of the moment sinking in. He turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Khushi stood there, hell-shocked by his reaction, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Manvi, with tears in her eyes, stood rooted to the spot, wondering what mistake she had committed to warrant such a harsh response.