*Finally here's the update I promised... Hope you like it. Sorry for any mistakes.

In a daze Khushi opens the door and enters only to face another approaching storm.

The whole Gupta family including him (Shyam) were waiting for her, Khushi acknowledged their presence when Buaji spoke.

"Hey Nandekishore, Sanka Devi has grace us with her presence. Where have you been? Do you know how long we've been waiting for you? We want to know your answer..."

Before Buaji could finish her speech there's a knock at the door.

Khushi without wasting a moment rushes to open it, a reprieve from these questions.

Only to face the one person whose mere presence stirs storm of unbidden emotions in her heart

"I've just come to return your purse" Arnav said stiffly.

Khushi took it slowly without looking at him, she couldn't allow him to see the hidden emotion in her eyes.

"Kaun hain Titiliya?" Buaji loud voice interrupted their exchange.

"Hai Nandekishore namaste, Khushi we have a guest bring him inside"Buaji said approaching ArShi

Garima,Payal and Shashiji all looked towards entryway where Mr Arnav Singh Raizada stood. Nodding his head in greeting he met the whole Gupta clan.

" I should get going" Arnav said with bit discomfort.

"One minute, bitwa take some sweets with you aaj Diwali hai" Garima offered a plate of sweets.

"No amma, he can't have sweets he's diabetic" Khushi quickly interrupted.

Looking a bit disappointed Garima greeted him Happy Diwali.

"Amma you should congratulate Arnavji he is getting married; Naniji has accepted Lavanyaji as her granddaughter-inlaw.
The task I was hired to do is completed, now there is no reason for me to enter Shantivan" Khushi said the last part while looking at Arnav.

Arnav who was looking at Khushi the whole time, his chocolate brown eyes darkened slightly as she spoke. His anger growing at the thought that she's leaving his life, but the ASR in him masked any emotions he feels.

Arnav turns away heading towards the door, Buaji tells Khushi to walk him out. As they both approach the door Arnav heads out while Khushi comes out with him she quickly thanks him for returning her purse as she stands there wait for him to leave he does a full body turn and looks her directly in the eyes.

" Apni cheezain yahan wahan churne ki aadat hai tumhari....Jaise apni payal mere poolside pe churari thi...
Tumhari payal meri pass thi iss baat ka koi galat matlab mat nikal lena...Yeh mat sochna ke ek aamir admi tumhari payal ke apne seene se laga kar baita tha...Mujhe Iss sab se koi farak nahi parta.... It doesn't mean a thing ".

Lifting her head and staring into those brown eyes of his, her heart skips a beat. While he continues to use his words like daggers aiming directly for heart.

" Shahid tumhare liye hoga... Tumhe toh socha key tumhari zindagi ban gayi...Lekin mere liye us baat ki ya tumhari koi ahymiyat nahi hai ".

Her bright hazel eyes started to dim, not allowing him to get the last word she gathered courage and twisted her hands in her sari pallu told him."Aap galat ho Mr Raizada, nor do I care nor do I need an explanation...Mujhe koi galat pheemi nahi hai...And about how I feel meri tapad(slap) was answer enough" she coldly replied.

Staring at her dangerously he was about to approach her but instead clench his hand into a fist trying to rein his growing angry.

He sharply turned around and marched towards his white SUV, while she headed towards the front door.

A bang of the car door frightened Khushi she turned to glance back in his direction with a sad expression on her face. Arnav got into the and speeds out Laxmi Nagar.

Khushi slowly closed the front door and bee-lined for her bedroom when Buaji halted her steps.

"Kushi where you going we haven't finished our talk before the interruption we were discuss something very important...your marriage to Shyam".

Khushi closed her eyes then slowly opened them. She began thinking of everything that happened tonight so far. Him (Arnav) walking her out of circle of lit lamps, him placing her payal on her ankle with his head bent, the almost-kiss, the slap, the wedding announcement and his hurtful words.

Turning to Buaji with a defeated look in her eyes Khushi spoke "Buaji I've made my decision mein ready hoon, I'm ready to  marry Shyamji".

Everyone is shocked except Buaji. Shyam who was lurking in the shadows since Arnavs sudden arrival appeared front and centre with a hidden smirk.

Finally you going to be mine Khushiji thought Shyam.

Buaji began serving sweets to everyone,Payal and Garima looked worried and Babuji eyes started tearing up an inner turmoil and sadness developed in him knowing that he failed to protected his innocent young daughter.

Khushi slowly kneeled in front of her Babuji putting comforting hand on his " Don't worry Babuji everything will be okay, you don't have to worry about me now". Her father wanted to scream aloud that Shyam is a monster and that he wants him far away from her but all he could muster was a soft whimper.

Shyam evilly smirked at Shashi knowing that he won this round. Buaji then told Khushi and Shyam and to take Devi Mahiyyas blessings.

While everyone is discussing the upcoming wedding Khushi silently headed towards her bedroom. Closing the door softly her tears that she been hiding started streaming down her face as she slowly bent  her knees to the floor, sitting curled up in a ball, all her defenses completely come down; her hopes have all but fallen away and her heart broken into small pieces.

On the side of Delhi a certain man has stopped his car in the middle of a quiet road clutching the steering wheel till his knuckles start turning white, looking straight ahead with a pained angry stare. He closed his eyes and threw his head back on the headrest; he then immediately saw Her  beautiful teary eyed face.

He immediately lifted his head up. "No, I won't be weakened by her tears I made the right decision, I'm never wrong" thought Arnav arrogantly.

Khushi and Payal are spending sisterly quality time something they haven't done a lot since they've moved to Delhi.
While massaging jasmine oil in each others hair Payal asked if she's sure about her decision to marry Shyam.

"I've already made my decision, maybe this is my fate...jiji stop worrying, okay?"

Payal looked at her little sister and sensed she's not being entirely open with her but doesn't want force her to talk.
So she prayed to Devi Mahiyya to always keep her sister always happy and smiling.

Arnav is busy in his room finishing getting changed when his Di entered excitingly.

"I can't believe it Chhote that you agreed to get married...You who used run away from thought of getting married announced your engagement. Chhote you are happy, right?" Anjali said after sensing Arnav extra quiet demeanor.

Turn away from Anjali, " Of course Di, I'm happy" Arnav replied looking left and right trying to play down is inner turmoil.

Anjali left his room satisfied leaving Arnav to ponder about all the events that happened tonight.

As the night quieten down despite the day of celebrations, two people who are fated to one another look out their respective windows to the clear moon sky,both basking in the moonlight unknowingly feel each others presence.

Both don't realise that their decisions they have made as brought upon torrential storm that will sweep them in a direction they could never imagine. One things for sure their lives will forever change from this moment forward.

Pheww...I've completed the Diwali track I hope you all liked it. Let me know what you think your comments and votes are always appreciated. I would like all of you to give any ideas of how I should move forward in this fan fiction I'm open to any suggestions.😁😁😁