Arnav sighed and looked out of the window as the Suv rode past the buildings illuminated with night lights of the city.Anjali's phone kept buzzing with messages.
Arnav looked at her phone

"Di your phone.."

"It might be Akash ,he is sending the pics of the things he bought for everyone "
Anjali said smilingly
"I have asked him to get me something too"
she added
"I called sometimes before and he said they are all set ready for departure."

Arnav said.

"NK bhai is arriving too but might be reaching by early morning."

"Did he called you ?"

Arnav asked looking outside.

"Haan he sounds so excited I can't wait to see him."

Anjali said laughingly

"Arnav kept silence."

"I am so glad for this birthday party chotte after such a long time we all will be together."

"Yeah "

Arnav said non commitedly

"Chotte I know things happened in past between you And Akash and I know for a fact that you both are hurting away from each other."

She continued when he didnt said anything.

"This time let's start afresh,like old times."

"Nothing changed for me Di where he is concerned ,and nothing ever will change no matter how much he hates me."

"I know ,and no he dont hate you chotte, I can assure you that."

Anjali sighed.

"Can you belive he is going to be a father. "

She asked giggling

"Like for me he is still that silent shy kid who always kept to himself and will always toy around behind you."

"Yeah it is kind of strange to think that he is gonna be (a father) "

He smiled
"but i think he will make a best one "

"For sure, growing up with you it will be a wonder if he didn't.."

He looked at her amused.

"And how graciously you excluded yourself from the narrative."

"Well he was always himself with me and definitely he wasn't scared of me ,we had this unspoken agreement and no matter where we are we have our own thing going on between us, we had a lot of fun.."
Anjali finished laughing

"Ofcourse and that unspoken agreement, communication whatever and fun is on the expense of me"

Anjali choked on laughter looking at his sulking face.

"Ofcourse chotte That goes without saying.."

Anjali smiled looking at his face with a hint of smile,and send a quick prayer to heavens to make everything alright between the brothers.

*****

Khushi waited impatiently at the airport gate and ran to Akash and payal as soon as she spotted them coming out .Both sisters hugged tightly with shedding tears of happiness.Akash stood by watching with an affectionate smile on his face.They break the hug nd Khushi greeted Akash with a playful mock salute and extended her hand for a handshake first but he came forward and engulfed her in a bear hug.Over the time, Khushi and Akash had started bonding over like siblings and it became a buddy like friendship rapport contrary to the old awkward energy of sister in law-and brother in -law.

Shashi didn't greeted them but get into retrieving the luggages nd loading them into the car with the driver.
They looked at him ,the sisters knows their father well to understand he is being the strong head of the family man at the moment and shake their head at each other smilingly at his no expressions stance on their arrival.Akash moved forward and said.

"Babuji pls let it be i will do it.."

"Hogya beta how was the journey.."

Payal moved forward before akash could reply and stood right infront of him looking into the eyes.

Shashi looked at her taking her in, and then blinked his eyes to hide the tears , payal hugged him tightly and he consoled her when she break down to tears,Shashi smiled and looked at Akash through the tears in his eyes and extended his other hand to him.Akash moved to his side and Shashi held him close his eyes shining with the affection and gratitude of a father for taking care of his daughter.Khushi jumped in between them saying with her crazy kkg expression

"Haww how can you leave me out in the group hug ?"making all of them laugh .Akash took out his phone saying "this moment calls for a selfie" and all of them looked into the camera with Khushi standing hugging Shashi and payal her back to the camera ,head turned towards camera to smile for the selfie.

***

Arnav sipped the health drink and looked around the spacious bar of the hotel he is staying.Leaning back in to the chair he made himself comfortable absorbing into the solitude to gather his thoughts.After checking in and getting refreshed he went through some documents of the Agra branch.Sleep was eluding him after the much happening events of that day and anyway away from Khushi he won't be at peace.In between the journey they chatted over messages and just before she was starting from home to go to airport he called her and talked briefly.After that there was no texts and he didn't call her too as he knew she will be busy and waited for her call rather impatiently at his subconscious state.He had informed di about his arrival and checking in and then exit the room to the bar longue to just relax a bit.Taking out his phone he opened the WhatsApp app to see Akash has updated his status, he clicked on it to see the family pic from airport,selfies of four of them.Khushi was smiling to the camera the sunshine smile of hers,she looked so much at ease and happy.He sighed, took screen shot and then zoomed in on her face.She is wearing a dark shade carrot orange color anarkkali salwar.He sat lost in her smile staring at the pic.A tap on the table startled him from his reverie.

"Arnav oh my God is that you?"

There stood his college classmate Vinay Varma.He can't be termed as a long time friend considering the fact that Arnav doesn't maintain that kind of friendship bond with anyone from their college days,But vinay is his only close friend from his college in days with whom he shared an actual friendship,also him being in the fashion garment industry on a small scale on his own they chat over stuff,but after college they werent in touch because of multiple reasons, primary reason Arnav's struggles to start his own company and he got really busy with it and the bond just withered away. After a break they again started to catch up as Vinay reached out to him at the initial stage of his business venture seeking guidance from him,it helped him a great deal.Arnav continue to call him in between offering help and guidance in between and at one point pushed him to take financial aid from him to develop his business and was pissed at him for not responding to him positively.After multiple denials he finally come clean with Arnav and told him he never wanted to be there where Arnav wanted him in the first place,he is happy and content with what he have and he would like to keep it that way.When Arnav didn't look convinced he elaborated saying his ambitions and dreams will always aligns with his family and their priorities and he seems to understand that.Back in college Vinay was one of the few people he had a connection from heart,they used to understand each other without saying much.Vinay is a easy going person unlike Arnav and he maintains good relationship with all their batchmates even now.

Arnav got up hurriedly putting his phone down on the table to shake hands with him but Vinay came forward and they hugged briefly.

"How are you man ?What's up?"

Asked Arnav breaking the hug,
"All good , finally we meet in person"

Vinay replied smiling wide.

They sat down with drinks after exchanging pleasantaries Arnav informed him about Agra branch and his reason for visit and Vinay said about his wife's best friends wedding function as his visit reason.His wife is in the next wing of hotel having the girl gangs bachelorette night sort celebration and he is waiting for her here as they have the room booked for the night here.

They relaxed with the drink even though Arnav doesn't sip the drink much which he ordered along with Vinay's.

Arnav's phone rang and looking at the caller id he pick it up urgently saying and excuse me give me a minute he got up and moved away to answer the phone.Vinay watched as Arnav spoke softly to the phone ,his whole body language turned so gentle and it seemed as if that call was his lifeline.

Khushi informed him about Payal and Akash's arrival and then hand over the phone to Akash they talked briefly and as they finish call Arnav reminded her to call him once after reaching home.

Arnav came back and sat down his whole form relaxed after the call.

Vinay looked him in the eye and asked

"Wife?"

Arnav nodded with a lopsided smile and said

"Yes."

"That call changed your whole body language man".
Vinay replied teasingly with a raised eyebrow.

Arnav looked away and sipped his health drink to avoid saying anything to his statement.

"Can I see your wife pic if you don't mind?"

Arnav opened his phone scrolled to a pic of both them and show it to him,
It was a pic taken from the janmashtami celebration at his house ,they both looked so domestic and Arnav looked different in that pic no aura of the CEO ASR vinay noted.
Arnav's mind went back to the day when that picture was taken.

The entire Raizada and Gupta family were celebrating janmashtami together specially organized by Naniji.The whole day before that Khushi was totally involved in the
Preparations and wasn't attentive to him at all citing the reason she doesn't want to upset Nani ji who gave her the responsibility of arranging everything for the Pooja.To top it all the night before she was with Nani till late night much to his annoyance.He went in between couple of times to call her and that's when Nani reprimanded him strongly and said she will come when she finish the preparations and gave him a long lecture about Pooja and God and his carelessness towards it.He didn't say anything to Nani but he was clearly pissed and went back to the room.Sometime later she came into the room to find him in the poolside engrossed in his laptop.She got changed , did her night routine skin care all the while he didn't even look towards her direction even though she knew that he was aware of her presence in the room,she went towards him and called out.

"Arnavji it's very late come inside let's sleep."
Arnav looked up anger clearly evident on his set jaw.

"Why do you come now ? '

He elaborated when she stood clueless to
the question.

"Everything else is done ?"

Khushi replied understanding the reason for his anger.
"Arnav ji vo me ane wala tha but naniji told me to finish it as tomorrow we all can relax a bit and then start the Pooja."

As she stood there expectantly looking at him waiting for him to accept her reasoning,he found that his anger was melting from inside at her clueless cuteness at the same time felt the need to release the pent up frustration.

"Khushi do you think it's all about Pooja?"

He asked as calmly as ever.

She looked at him as if expecting him to explain.

"It's about you forgetting my existence on the pretext of anything to be done for the House or for others in the family."

She looked as if ready for an argument her body language turning defensive suddenly
"Arnavji No one will say anything to you so you can stay the way you are but as a daughter in law of this house some things are expected of me ,I can't neglect those responsibilities,you won't understand that."

She continued as he listened calmly.

...,and moreover I myself wants to do all these things as the elders wanted me to do,it is important for me too."

Arnav sighed, the moon light falling in the poolside making her look as etheral as ever with her long luscious hair falling behind her like a fall ,she look like a fairy in her white salwar.He closed the laptop got up and stood in front of her.

"Khushi do you think I mind you doing all these things ,Pooja, rituals and all?"

She stood there looking here and there studbornly refusing to see whatever point he is trying to make.

He moved closer.

"Khushi ,I respect your views about religion,rituals and I don't have any problem or whatsoever with it,Its not about that and it is not the first time you did this.'

He finished.

She turned sharply towards him ,offended.

"I did what ?"
She asked rather exasperated.

"You can go around all day doing whatever you want to do,what you feel you should do, but for that why you need to shut me out ? Just once you cant talk to me or tell me you are busy or anything , it's like you forgot about me."

She looked at him like she saw it coming and replied haughitly.

"You talk about as if I left and went somewhere, when in reality it's just been a day i was busy with the pooja."

Arnav bite his bottom lips and looked at her with that I know you too well expression.

She turned away and marched back inside the room and as Arnav kept aside the laptop,draw the curtains and closed the door she lied down on her side facing the other side ignoring him.

He climbed next to her and reached out to hold her.She swat away his hand and moved away ,amused he moved closer and again tried to touch her,she turned around suddenly and sat up.

"Don't touch me , according to you I am just an ignorant wife na who always forgets her husband.So just let me be,don't come near me."

She said angrily.

Arnav paused and then move closer to her hugging her from behind and whispered sofly 'sorry'in her ear.She opened her eyes and stayed in the same position in his arms without turning around or protesting.

"Maaf nahi karoge"

He asked affectionately looking at her.

She still didnt move.

"Ok forget what i said i didnt mean it..."

Khushi turned around hastily pushing him off her to the side and sat up facing him.

"Yes you didnt mean it i knew you would say this and then another day you would bring up something similar and then say i didnt mean it."
She said angrily.

"I am your wife, with that i am a daughter in law of this house too arnav ji, you may not belive in god and all these things, but as your wife i have some duties to fulfill why you cant understand that?
If i does that how it become i am ignoring you? "

She asked exasperated.

He sighed.

'Khushi i said.."

"No, i don't want to hear anything because you say these same things all the time arnav ji.. Nd then you goes like it meant nothing.Today i want to know.. why you always say i ignore you,forget about you...i want to know now."

She finished breathing heavily with anger.

Arnav looked at her with that see through pointed gaze and then dropped his gaze looking down.
She waited and then got down the bed angrily went to the cuboard and removed a mattress, took a pillow and a bed, then spread the matress on the floor gingerly as Arnav looked on.

"What are you doing"
he asked confused about to get up to come down to her.

She sat down on the matress looked at him pointedly and said.

"You don't have answe na.. You cant always throw anything like that in the air and get away with that arnav ji..let me sleep."
She said and lie down facing the other side.

He got down silently taking a pillow and then lied down on the other side.

Sensing him she turned around

"Arnav ji aap vapus jayiye nahi tho i will..."

Arnav cut in between and said

"I wont come near you i promise i will stay here, i wont get sleep in the bed without you."

He said that with utmost sincerity and his eyes showed the plea.

She turned around without saying anything and closed her eyes.

He kept tossing and turning on the bed restless supressing the urge to go to the other side and lie down facing her.

Sleep took over khushi soon as she closed her eyes,she was tired with all the work she had done for the pooja.He felt bad for reacting to her like that after she had a long day but he knew if he say sorry now she will blow up again as the topic of argument moved on to something else and he dont want to keep the argument on in that direction by answering her question.

He waited patiently lying down sideways with open eyes looking at her after sometimes she moved in her sleep and as expected moved towards him. Arnav carefully spread his hand and placed it around her and as she moved next she was in his arms and as he adjusted his hands she snuggled up to him in sleep.Securing her in his arms he drifed off to sleep.

As the morning sun rays seep into the room khushi opned her eyes and found herself lying in her husband's arms practically on top of him.

She tried to get out of his arms and the movement wake him up. She sat up.

He tried to stretch his arms and winced as his muscles catch up due to lying down in the cold floor.

He sat up facing her.

"You know you cant sleep on floor adat bhi nahi hai why dont you sleep on the bed Arnavji?"

She adnonished him concerned, their earlier fight forgotten.

He moved closer and then lifted her off the floor in bridal style and placed on the bed gently.

He stood there looking at her with that face begging for affection, pampering, love, intimacy all at once.

She put forward her arms in an action indicating come here.

He climbed on to the bed and placed himself in her arms in his favorite position with his face on her chest, and as she thread her fingers through hair he closed his eyes in contentment.

"Arnav ji.."

"Hmm.."

he answered his voice muffled as he nuzzled his face on her bosom.

"I have to go down aaj pooja hai na.."

He looked up his face soft, eyes insistent.

"Naraz ho abhi bhi?"

He asked.

She didnt said anything, her heart fluttering with the love for the man in her arms, even as she wonedered how he does that?The night before she felt tremendous anger towards him, didnt want to do anything with him and now all she wants to do is just hug him and keep him protected in her arms forever.

She shook his head, cupped his face and kissed him tenderly on his forehead.

He stared at her with love and tenderness.

As he angled his face to capture her lips she suddenly put her hand on his mouth obstructing him.

He raised his eyebrows.

"Woh pooja hai na aaj uske baad.."

She answered without looking at him directly.

He removed her hand and sat up straight,lifted her and placed her on his lap.

He tucked her hair ever so lovingly behind her ear,hugging her to him tightly. Caressing her cheeks he bend down to kiss her on her cheeks.

She looked at him ans shake her head in no.

He looked puzzled.

"Kya hua pooja hai tho kiss bhi nhi kar sakthe kya?"

She averted her eyes.

"Vo pooja me vrat (fast) hotha hai na yesterday we slept separately too tho.."

He looked more puzzled now.

She sighed and said.

"Vo kuch nahi arnavji pooja hone thak wait karo aap."

"Dont tell me there is this ritual of no sex before pooja because techanically we slept together only, we didn't made love yesterday night."

Mortified she looked at him then quickly averted her gaze from his knowing eyes.

"Vo that is also a part of pooja fasting if you observe it so..."

"So you are saying we didnt made love yestsrday so let it be as a fast.Thats kind of fooling the god beside its already ridiculous!"

He said amused.

Offended she tried to get out of his lap.

"Apko kya anyway you dont believe in all these, don't belittle beliefs nd rituals."

He let her move out of his arms and stood up as she moved to the wardrobe.

"Ok fine after the pooja dont forget."

He said to her back.

It was late evening pooja conducted by Nani every year for the whole family. He too joined the pooja after returning from work wearing a white colour kurta to match to her outfit designed by him. All were surprised to see him in the pooja but now they are used to him attending poojas and other events which his wife feels is important, beside he had the promise of an after pooja endeavour given by his wife which is his actual motivation.

After the pooja is done as usual she was half ignoring and half negotiating through actions when he asked her what she promised in morning. He kept teasing her following her everywhere as she went around overlooking the after pooja stuffs of keeping things, serving refreshments etc. He finally caught hold of her in the store room near the kitchen and doesn't leave her till she gave him what she promised in morning but of course in her own terms because they are not in the bedroom yet.

When they were coming out of the store room he was still not ready to leave her and that's when the camera man ie,khushi's close friend preeto's 11 year daughter who were on a spree to capture everything on her new camera gifted by her papa found them. They straightened and posed smilingly for the camera.

He looked at the pic again as that day's moments passed through his
mind.If anyone of his business assosiates or employees see that pic they won't believe its him, or they would wonder what happened to him. Whenever he see this pic he realises thats what love has reduced him to, this petite little girl had him wrappped around her little finger he mused.
Vinay's words brought him back yo reality.

"She is so beautiful her name is Khushi, right?"

"Yep.Khushi.. Khushi Singh Raizada."

Arnav replied smilingly while sitting next to him.
"Are you in touch with any of our college mates?"

Arnav asked taking back his drink.

"Yep, almost everyone we had this alumni group on fb and all are fairly active there."

Arnav just nodded in response.

"Except people like you ofcourse who went out of our league we can't add you there."

Vinay added laughingly

"Its nothing like that all my sm accounts are managed by my team except the personal ones."

Arnav replied.

Vinay replied in that calm tone of his.

'I know man, you are too busy for all this,was just kidding."

As they sat enjoying the solitude and cool air vinay stated out of nowhere.

"Lavanya is back in india."

When Arnav didn't react to the statement vinay asked looking at him.

"I suppose you are not in touch with her."

"No i am not."

Arnav replied non commitedly and asked after a pause.

"How is she doing?

"As far as i know i cant say that she is fine Arnav. "

Vinay replied.

There was a long pause of silence after that and as vinay watched arnav closely no change in expression is displayed on his face.

Vinay continued,

"She is back in India for quite sometime now,and we were in someone's birthday party couple of months ago if i remember correctly it was at Nita's house.

Lavanya wasnt in touch with anyone after your breakup and departure from India, it was on Nita's insistence along with our persuation she agreed to attend the party. Initially she was looking okay and was mingling with all friends in the party all laughing and smiling, later i found her sitting near the balcony alone looking into her mobile phone. It was not okay the way she was sitting there so i went near her she didnt see me approaching so engrossed in her mobile. When i sat next to her only she looked up from the mobile and i found that she was crying. To my unspoken question she handed me her mobile phone and in that it was pictures of you and your mrs clicked from a party. I think it was the first time after your marriage you both appeared in the media."

Arnav realised he was talking about one of his business colleagues party which he attended with khushi after much persuation and they were clicked without their knowledge by someone in the party and those pics were later leaked to the media.Khushi usually never attends business parties with him but this time he made her to agree because it was his old business partner Mr. Ravi Sharma's party, who was also Arnavs family friend and khushi shares a mother-daughter like bond with his wife.She was styled by his styling team, which was ofcourse not with her wholehearted consent but she agreed nonetheless,for the evening and man she looked breathtaking in his favorite colour.

As it was a private gathering nd the vibe was total family like they both were relaxed and got little cosy as the music played for the couples to hit the dance floor. He was totally engrossed in her and got instantly carried away,the evening was already long for him because she was looking so gorgeous and he couldnt control himself.Those pictures were taken then without their knowledge.

Vinay continued
"I realised she was on the verge of a panic attack and i comforted her as much as i could, luckily nita was there then and she took care of her."

Vinay finished looking at Arnav.

Arnav didnt utter a word but was listening calmly, no hint of the effect of the relevations on his face.

"You did her fair Arnav?"

Vinay asked looking straight into his eyes.

Arnav moved back stretching his body in the chair and then replied calmly.

"No, it was all messed up and before i could handle it better she found out that i had fallen in love with my wife."

"That can't be an excuse Arnav, you were planning to get married to her soon, realising she had fallen in love with you i guess,then how come?"

"Yes Vinay i admit it i messed up, but there were lots of things involved and while i cant justify it,all i can say is that it was never my intention to hurt Lavanya."

He added after a pause.

"....It wasnt in my hands."

"Did you realised that she had fallen im love with you?"

"Yes. I did....but in my defence i was clear that I agreed for the marriage not out of love, rather it was a matter of convenience she knew that too."

"You meant to say you cant be blamed for her falling for you."

"No one can be blamed for falling for anyone Vinay."

Arnav said with a sigh.

"When your marriage news came out everyone were stumped, because it was too sudden after your breakup,but there were no pictures of you guys or any public appearances so we thought lav might have moved on with time, until that party where i saw her breaking down when she saw your pictures with your wife. All her wounds are fresh and she is not healed Arnav."

"My marriage to my wife was sudden vinay and it may look like i was cheating Lavanya behind her back thats why I abruptly called off the engagement and got married, but that is not the case, there were some personal reasons for my marriage at that time and the way it took place which i cant disclose to you."

"I understand Arnav but i just remember Akansha your first ever serious relationship back in college."

"That time too after your breakup with her you said something similar to me about the reason for breakup is her falling for you.The breakup was so rough for her so much so that she left the course in the middle because she cant see you with anyone else.She is not married yet."

Arnav kept silence remembering the endless mails she used to send him after leaving college asking for a patch up, he reasoned politely with her initially and later as he stopped responding, the mails stopped after a while.

"She is still not moved on Arnav.. She told me she tried so badly to move on but it all end up in disasters because she is searching for you in all the boys she is meeting ."

As arnav kept silence staring into the darkness behind them Vinay stated.

"I have seen them suffering and i cant take it that my friend is the reason for it, I cant comfort them, also i can't blame you."

"I know you wont let anyone speak to you this far, today i am taking the liberty to let it all out because along with you i have also carried the burden of all these things, from the hostel room we shared to this moment."

Arnav looked away closing his eyes and said.

"I know Vinay..and I am sorry for not being there for you when you needed me to vent out, just talk or to shout at."

After a pause of pregnant silence vinay spoke.

"You know Arnav I couldn't understand you back then,you kept away from girls, but they were always behind you from the very beginning. Later as you find your footing in the course and have a clear goal of what are you going to do for yourself, you allowed some of them to warm up to you, and those girls you selected were different, they were all strong women, in their perspective, way of life, intellect in every which way.Even though you entered into the relationship on your own terms with no promise of a love or a marriage in future I dont know what you have done all of them fell madly in love with you, you always treated them right and i can see that why they would fall for you,why they would start nursing the hopes of becoming mrs. ASR one day,but you always maintained that you didnt love any of them."

"I didn't Vinay ."

Came the instant reply.

"And where you are going with this Vinay ?"

His voice sound resigned.

"Its just that, I thought ek din aisa ayega that you will run behind a girl to make her understand how much you love her, and move heaven and earth to win her."

Arnav looked at him pointedly.

"...And i guess that day is here finally,the way you look at your wife's pic confirmed it to me."

Vinay finished with a smile.

"What rubbish! We are married"
Arnav said defensively.

Vinay just smiled in respnse and then added after a pause.

"May you get all your feelings returned in the same intensity Arnav."

Arnav looked away from his knowing eyes.

Vinay stood up hugged him and took his leave.

Arnav left the table suddenly drained after the conversation.He went back to the room got freshen up ready to hit the bed. He opened his mobile to see notification for Akash's status update. He opened it to see pictures of khushi and akash taken after they reach Rm, they are in Akash's room, payal must have taken the pictures.

He looked at the time it is past midnight, they must not have slept considering they reached RM not so long ago.He saw khushis message sometime ago telling they reached home. She as usual messaged him instead of calling him as he said to her earlier.He sighed and dialled her number, after a series of rings it got connected.
"Helloo, Arnavji?"

He closed his eyes and said duskily.

"Hi,"

"You haven't slept?"

"No, i was going to..."

"You are up?"

"No, hmm i am in jiji's room we were just talking..."

"Oh ok.."

"You will sleep alone?"

"No, am sleeping here with jiji, jiju is sleeping in the guest room as nanheji will be coming late he will receive him too."

"Hm"

"Tum teek ho??"

"Hmm."

He understood from the pause between her answers that payal is listening to their conversation.At first he thought to end the call but then decided against it.

"Did you missed me at all?"

Pause.

"Khushi?"

"Vo.. Arnavji..."

He relaxed on the bed lying on his front hugging the pillow missing her more even as she stutterd on the other side of the phone.

"Yes. bolo jaan..bilkul miss nhi kiya?"

"You went just before a few hours only.....Aap jaag kyu rhe abhi thak you have work tomorrow na?"

"Thats not the answer to my question."

Pause

"Jiji.....ek minute i will just go to my room and come."

Arnav can hear payal admonishing her for it and she is giving some excuse of taking something from the room.After a a pause she started speaking.

"Arnavji"

"Reached room?"

"Hmm. Khana khaya apne?"

"Yep."

"Dawai?"

"Yes."

"Jaag kyu rhe abhi thak? You reached early no?."

"I met one of my friend here."

Before Arnav could finish khushi cut in.

"Friend?? Who?"

"Vinay. Vinay Varma. One of my old friend."

He conveniently omit the hardward part.

"Hmm. Aap sojaiye abhi. Its not good to be up this late."

"I will, but you still didn't answer my question."

"Apko kya lagtha hai"

"Kyu ro rhe the jab me jaa rhi thi?"

"Kyunki aap aise chale gye Arnavji!and you fought with me before that"

Her voice came out half accusing, half crying.

"I fought with you?"

He froze as soon as he heard her muffled crying sound in response.

"Baby"

..."I was just teasing you cos I was missing you...stop crying..am sorry.."

"Promise me you won't ever fight with me before going somewhere."

Arnav bite his bottom lip ans said.

"I promise i won't."

"Never ever."

"Never again"

"Me kuch bolu abhi?"

"Hmm.."

"I love you"

Pause.

"Khushi ?"

"Hm."

"I said i love you."

"Janthi hu hum bhi apse i love you "

He smiled.

"And i want a promise too.."

"Kya?"

"When i come back i want my time to be exclusively mine khushi"

Khushi felt a jolt of his demand through her body.

"wada"

"Okay good night sleep well."

"Aap bhi.. Apna dhyaan rakho"

As he call went dead on the other side Arnav felt emptiness from within. He opened his gallery and stared at her pic, as he kept staring at her laughing pic in Akash's status tears start brimming at the back of his eyes as Vinay's words echoed in his mind.

He kept the phone with her pic onscreen on the bed and staring into it slowly closed his eyes awaiting a long night ahead.

************************************