He went to the dining room and sat down.Devayani looked at her grandson.He is just toying around with the food in the plate not having it ,obviously waiting for his wife.She shifted her gaze to her granddaughter who is excitedly discussing the new jewellery store in town with manorama.She seems to have moved on from the trauma of her married life with the help of her younger brother by her side.They came out of it together which made her dependence on her brother stronger .However,devayani can see that it changed anjali in a way that took away her natural warmth and sensitivity towards everything around her,especially khushi.Devayani doesn't know where to place her grand daughter for this new attitude of hers but she couldn't help but feel empathy for her and see the new changes in her personality as a defence and coping mechanism.She sighed and looking at het grandson smilingly asked.

"Where is khushi bitiya chotte..is she not having breakfast now?

"She is coming nani".

Anjali and arnav started a conversation about somethings about their childhood days.Nani and mami joining in with them complaining about arnav's troublesome nature with his mother.

Khushi walked in to the dining room and sat down beside mami across arnav giving a small smile in the direction of nani.

Even though arnav was seen engrossed in the on going conversation his complete attention was shifted to khushi the moment she entered the room.

She know he is looking at her and like always she tried to act oblivious and completely engrossed in serving and eating.Even before she can reach for the dishes around the table arnav handed over everything to her hands which he knew she will have.She took it without looking directly at him.When she started to dip her fingers on the aloo Puri on her plate he picked up the food from the plate and started having it.

From under her lashes she saw that and even without looking she knew that he was waiting for her.Still that very sight of him waiting for her to have the meal and acting all casual about it as if it was the normal thing to do (well for him it is!)spread warmth in her heart.

"Well Chotte in his childhood was calm and considerate with others but never with ratna,he always would want to have his way with her and will act all grumpy and irritating if it doesn't happens"

"Yeah,Even when he grow up he gave me a tough time in stuffs but it was all related to the ideals , beliefs and way of life and the way he and I perceived it.Still he used to gave in to me each and every time when we both wanted different things in different situations"anjali said giggling and then by looking at him added laughingly "in that sense nani I think I troubled him so much."

"True that anjali bitiya.. so it makes my daughter the sole bearer of all the troubles of raising him"Then by looking at khushi she asked
"Though I think now he found someone else to trouble for a life time.what say khushi bitiya.?"

Startled by the sudden question she looked at nani to find her looking at her with a knowing mischevious smile.She felt her cheeks getting warmer and couldn't suppress the blush that was raising on her cheeks.

"Nothing like that naniji,woh.... "

she trailed off not knowing what to say.

Thankfully nani didn't drag the matter and let her be as the conversation steered in another path.

Her eyes on their own accord find her husband's face and find him looking at her with that unsettling see through her soul gaze.unrelenting.pursuing.disarming.
demanding,and all the other things which she can't name.Is there a hintof smile on his lips or smirk?He was slightly leaning on the chair in a relaxed manner having finished his breakfast.It instantly unnerved her and she looked everywhere but at him like a deer caught in light.she felt out of breath suddenly and she knew that if she kept on sitting in the vicinity of his gaze something would happen to her,moreover she can't let him see how he can unarm her in a single gaze like this.She pushed the chair back hurriedly and getting up muttered an almost inaudible "I finished breakfast.." in nani's direction and almost ran out of the room.

He fight the strong urge to get up and catch her in his arms to see her fluster and tease her to his heart content and make her forget everything else but him.

"Chotte I forgot my clutch I will bring it down"anjali said finishing her breakfast and getting up from her chair.

"Ok di.take your time.I will wait here."

He moved into the living room as he got a call from aman.He was talking on the phone his eyes kept darting towards the kitchen door for he doesn't want miss glimpse of his wife incase she comes out anytime.

Nani and mami had already finished breakfast and moved out.Finshing the call he went in to the kitchen to find her cutting vegetables ,Hp working along side her.They were talking about the special dish she is preparing.HP turn around to look for something,spotting arnav he nodded in acknowledgement and moved out of kitchen.Khushi also turned around sensing him ,but when he started walking closer to her she immediately moved away and open the fridge pretending to look for something in it almost standing behind it placing it as a shield between them.She looked at him to find him looking at her with an impassive straight face,his expression not giving away anything.

"You didn't start?need something?"
She asked keeping a poker face still looking at the fridge.

"Why?you want me to go so that you can get rid of your troublesome husband"

His eyes now showing that glint which means trouble for her.Anything she will say as an answer to this question ,She knew will be twisted to have her where he wanted her.So she doged the question and said.

"I have work arnavji aap jayiye.."

And then continue to inspect the fridge and took out a bottle of water still standing behind the open door of the fridge.

In an instant he was behind her his one hand on the handle of the door and other on the side if the fridge imprisoning her effectively between the open fridge and him."I kept something in the fridge.."He muttered and bend his body completely pressed to her sideways as if to look in to fridge.He removed the one arm that was on the handle of door the other arm still on the side of fridge around her,knowing very well she cannot push him with the bottle in her hand.

She tried her level best to not to show the effect his proximity is having on her.

"Chotte" anjalis voice rang across the hall .

"Coming di"he shouted back.

His face was directly infront of her slightly bend,his gelled hair falling on to his forhead his body pressed to her.He straightened up as if he have enough inspection of the fridge and closed the door and then backed her to the fridge with his body.

He looked at her to find her all flustered, her breathing slightly ragged. She is fighting the effect of his proximity looking everywhere but him. She placed her hands that was holding the bottle on his chest fully intended to push him.He guessed that move and instantly pushed her further into the fridge by completely putting all his body weight on her effectively immobilising her placing his arms on either side of her.
She is completely pressed to him with the hands holding the bottle sandwiched between their chest.
He bend his head and smooched her not so gently on her lips then without detaching his lips stayed like that for a moment and then started placing gentle butterfly kisses on her closed lips.His hands wound up around her upper body slightly angling her sideways to have her face in his arms in a more bended accecible position.He kept on pressing his lips to hers putting increased pressure on her lips with each kiss not completely sucking ,as if drinking nectar. When his lower body starts to have its own reaction to this encounter he left her and stepped back.

She came out of the daze feeling completely ravished still lost in him and looked at him to see that his eyes had darkened and his face showing the intensity of his aroused state.He looked away composing himself then coming closer without touching her kissed her gently on her forehead.

"Bye.take care.I will see you in evening."and stormed out of the kitchen.

She stood there for a minute to balance her breathing and fix her disheveled hair and then immediately pulled a chair and sat down on it when she felt unsteady on her legs.She picked up the knife to continue what she was doing but find her fingers trembling.She closer her eyes tightly to get him and the ignited moment out of her head and failed miserably.

Laad governor!

HP came into the kitchen in the form of a distraction and after few minutes of talking about mundane stuff she got her sanity back and get on with work.

"Babuji"
She chirped into the phone..you reached here?..how was the function?I got ready and am waiting for you.."

"Bitiya slow down"shashi smiled in to the phone shaking head at his chatterbox daughter .

"Function was good.i reached shanthivan and waiting in the gate.come."

"Oh.ok am coming Babuji.. you are not coming inside to greet naniji?"

"No bitiya I don't want to.. He paused and then said "it's already late may be later"

She understood the unfinished line and said before cutting the call
"Am coming babuji..give me a second"

She took her hand bag, went to naniji's room to inform her about her departure and went out.

When she spotted her father waiting on the gate in his scooter she all but ran to him smiling all the way like a relieved child who is meeting her father after a long day in school.

Shashi smiled at her antics and said
"Slow down why you always keep on running?if you hurt yourself I will never hear the end of if from your mother and aunt and not to forget your jiji and jiju too."
She smiled up at him and climbing onto the scooter sat behind him with her legs on either side and hands on his shoulder.She waved bye to the guards on gate who nodded at her and then asked him when he started the scooter.

"What have you brought for me babuji..??"

He smiled and replied "your mother and aunt has bought lots of chane nd golgappes from your favorite stall.happy?now sit still."

She got excited like a kid hearing about her favorite snacks .
"Really? then go fast na babuji.. I can't wait to have it.."

Shashi laughed at his foodie daughter who just need a mention of food to make her happy and drive towards their shop.

On the way they just briefly discussed about the orders for the day and about the upcoming events for which they have to start purchasing ingredients.

Arnav could not help but smile all throughout the drive at the memory of their little morning encounter in the kitchen.After dropping anjali in the accounting branch he got busy with back to back meetings presentations and preparations for the upcoming new collection launch.He had a video conference with akash regarding the collection.

He leaned his head on the chair and closed his eyes.
Akash's interactions with him was strictly professional and up to the point.Akash has become distant to him ever since the truth of their marriage comes out and he is right in his place too,but he cannot make an effort to mend the relationship with akash and payal,for he knew that any such efforts may open all his other past deeds which can take away khushi from him.He cannot take that risk.not now.never.He need her all to himself.Any way it is not like they all are waiting for an apology,for he knew akash and payal and his in-laws are just tolerating him for the sake of khushi.

Khushi.His heart just comes alive with the mere thought of her.He looked at his watch,it is almost lunch time.His phone rang displaying anjali's name.
"Chotte,are you free now?"

"Haan di I just got back now.Did you had lunch?"

"No.actually today thought if having it outside with my colleagues as we all are going out to celebrate the engagement of Tina in account section.I already accepted their invitation chotte.Is it ok with you?"

"Of course di why are you asking?Go and have fun."

"Ok chotte.you have your lunch on time.See you in evening."

"Bye di.take care.give me a call or msv when hou are back."
"Acha Baba.Bye"

Usually whenever both arnav and anjali are free in the lunchtime they will have their home made lunch together.Lunch will be send from shanthivan around noon time.No matter khushi left early or late to her father's shop she will never forget to make any one of his favorite dish for lunch regularly.If incase he didn't have the homemade lunch he will get it in the dinner time.Whenever he is free in lunch he will ask khushi to come to AR to have lunch together and as usual every time she denies, partly to avoid anjali and partly because she can't miss a chance to miss her mothers homecooked lunch.

Aman knocked and entered the cabin to brief about the meeting scheduled afternoon and informed him that his lunch is kept in the dining area attached to his cabin.He sighed ,got up dialling his wife's number and walked to the dining area and sat down in the chair.

The line got connected after a first couple of rings

"Hello"

"Hi"

It seems she picked up the phone without looking at the caller id because after a pause she said

"Arnavji!did you had your lunch and tablets?are you having lunch from home or are you going out?but please don't..."

"Hold on jaan.."He interrupted her nonstop questionnaire with a laugh and said" yes I am going to have my lunch from home.what are you doing?"

"Woh I was just finishing some packing work of an order to have lunch.You have lunch and dont dorget to take the tablets."

"Done Madam.Anything else?"

"Hmm.nothing..shall I keep the phone then?"

"No."

"No?.why you want to say something else?"

"No.but I want to hear your voice a little more."

"Amma and buaji is here with lunch they are waiting for me ...I have to go.."

"You are Spending the whole day with them, can I get atleast a few minutes on phone with you?" He asked opening the Tiffin box and starting lunch afrer connecting his Bluetooth.

"Aye sanka devi Kya kar rahi ho...come have lunch.."He can hear buaji's voice trailing away admonishing his wife.He smiled and then said
"so tell me whatsupp?"

Hmph!He is back to the troubling mode acting all casual while buaji is scolding her giving all the crazy names.

"Arnavji! "She started whining only to be cut by him puposely.

"Yes jaan..tell me..waise why you didn't answer nanis question of how I am troubling you?"

He will keep on using endearments in that husky voice and talking as if he didn't have a care in the world.laad governor!and in no way she is going to answer that question.

He continued "hmm I think no one knows actually it is the other way around, that it is you who keeps on troubling me."

"Me ??when did I troubled you? tell me."

"It is just that you yourself will drive me up to the wall and then act all unaware about it "

"Huh?what is he speaking about.I am troubling him?"

He laughed into the phone "don't tire your delicate brain jaan it will burst"

Her jaw dropped open

The nerve of this laad governor!

"I guess I should now go and complain to nani how her bahu is troubling me.." his voice struggling to contain the mirth.

"Yes.you go and complain.i don't care.."Khushi replied angrily and cut the call.

He laughed removing the bluetooth and washed his hands and asked the staff to clear the table before moving out.He was just going through the file a smile still in his lips when his phone rang.The caller id showing her smiling hazel eyes and lips.He picked up in the first ring.

"Yes baby..so finally got answer about how you were troubling me?"

"Woh..arnavji..Amma wants me to ask you something.." her voice showing the hesitation.He sat up straight and said the laughter gone from his voice and said "yes jaan tell me"

"Woh..there is a lot of packing work to be finished for tomorrow's order, since we are having a busy day babuji decided to do the rest in home..I am planning to stay back in laxmi nagar so that we can finish it tonight.

He closed his eyes very well anticipating the next lines.

"Babuji asked naniji permission for me to stay the night there as it will be late when we will finish and also it has been a while I stayed there so..."

"So he decided that you will stay there?"His tone was low and sound irritated.

"What?arnavji..woh Even I want to hmm.. stay..."

He counted mentally to control the rising irritation and said..

"You can go there and finish the work when it is done give me a call I will come and pick you up.."

"Arnavji it will be very late why you want to be up late and drive?"

"Khushi even I am going home late today.I Will see to the preparations of the upcoming collection launch.So it is not a problem.ok?"

"Arnavji.."

"No more discussion on this topic.ok?"

She sighed and said "woh babuji.."

"Dont worry he didn't ask me no so he will not say anything if i come there to pick you up..because..I am your husband.."The last sentence showing his barely concealed anger.

"And Khushi if you really wants to stay you can go anytime but at the end of the day I want you beside me."and the call got disconnected.