Three Days Earlier.

Khushi knocked on her office door of Lavanya and heard her permit to enter.

She entered to find Lavanya trying to hide her tears.

Lavanya lifted her head and was surprised to see Khushi looking nervous.

"How are you? " Khushi asked nervously and Lavanya leaned into her chair with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.

"How do you expect me to feel seeing you and ASR all over the news...... So you have been double-crossing me behind my back and I like a fool was busy befriending my lover's side piece." Lavanya accused and Khushi was taken aback but she understood she was hurt. "You amaze me Khushi...... While you were walking around pretending you hate him, you were fucking him behind my back. " Khushi's widened in shock as Lavanya stood up and walked towards her halting right in front of Khushi. "He is using you just like he used me to warm his bed and made me do the most humiliating things just to satisfy his lust and carnal desires........ He is a sex addict and sex addicts like him never stick to one woman"

A slap touched down on Lavanya's cheek and she glared shocked at Khushi who was seething in anger.

"I know you are hurt but it's disgusting to paint him like some narcissistic sex addict just because you want me to feel guilty and disgusted with him...... We fell in love and am sorry if you ended up falling in love with him in a fake and paid relationship. "

Lavanya was stunned hearing this and rage overtook her and she grabbed Khushi by her neck and started suffocating her.

"What do you mean our relationship was fake..... It was real you hear me..... It was real. " Lavanya raged on like a lunatic and Khushi managed to shove her off making her fall flat on the floor.

Khushi coughed as she rubbed her neck to soothe the pain caused by the strangling.

"Arnav told me everything about your fake relationship and Aman showed me the contract you signed. " Khushi said looking at Lavanya who was picking herself up and looked mad. "I thought to ask for forgiveness but after what you said about Arnav and what you did, I'm keeping my apology and one more thing, my Arnav may be hot-headed, angry and aggressive, ruthless and cold, but he will never use any woman for his pleasure because he is a decent human whether you believe it or not...... I am capable of telling him what you did to me and you will be out of here in a heartbeat but am not a vindictive human being like you...... Our friendship is over and stays away from me and Arnav or else you will not only have to answer to not him but to Aman as well. "

Khushi cautioned and walked out closing the door behind them with a bang and leaning on the door to compose herself and she could hear crashing sounds coming from Lavanya's office.

She knew the old Lavanya has been activated and is about to get worse and she was prepared to face her.

After Arnav announced her as a new designer to the company, Lavanya always threw snarky comments at her when they bypass each other but she ignored it remembering Aman's words about how she will have to develop a tough skin if she is to be with Arnav.

And she thanks to Lavanya who left no stone unturned to humiliate her but she always claps back giving Lavanya a taste of her own medicine.

Present Day.

Arnav watched Khushi sitting next to him in his Lamborghini lost in thought.

He knew it had something to do with her dispute with Lavanya and even though he knew about what was going on, he chose not to interfere and give Khushi a chance to stand up for herself.

He took her hand and kissed it breaking her reverie.

Khushi blushed and flashed him one of her irresistible smiles that always made his heart skip a beat.

"Stop overthinking..... It's time to have some fun. " Arnav said and Khushi looked surprised.

"When did Arnav Singh Raizada aka ASR start having fun or know what fun is? "

Arnav chuckled at her words.

"Since he met you. " Arnav replied looking at her intensely and flashing her an irresistible smile and she looked down and blushed as they entered RM.

"Arnav is this party necessary..... I mean we haven't even started the project yet to know whether it will be successful or not. " Khushi argued as Arnav entered the pathway leading to his private garage.

"You already know Nani..... She won't take no for an answer...... And she hasn't seen you since the reception. " Arnav replied and Khushi sighed.

She gasped as Arnav entered the garage.

"Is all this yours? " Khushi asked as she looked at the display of luxury cars.

She has never been to this part of the house and she walked around admiring all the cars in awe and amazement.

"You can have any one of them if you want to. " Arnav said as he followed her and Khushi turned stunned at his proposal.

"Really." She squealed enthusiastically and Arnav nodded but within a few seconds, it died down.

Arnav cupped her face and made her look straight into his eyes.

"My love what's wrong?...... If you don't like any of them just tell me and I will buy you all the cars you want. "

Khushi removed his hand from his cheeks and held them in her hands.

"No, it's not that...... I love to pick one but unfortunately, I can't drive. " Khushi confessed and Arnav smiled.

"Don't worry..... I will teach you how to drive...... Come on, Nani must be waiting for us. "

Khushi smiled and they left the garage and entered the house.

Payal was seething in envy and jealousy and shocked when she saw how much Khushi has changed.

The woman in front of her was the modern version of Khushi and long gone were her chamkilis and replaced by an elegant yet simple look of a v-neck short sleeve ruffled white dress paired with nude heels.

Shyam was lustfully admiring Khushi as she and Arnav entered and Anjali was fuming but didn't want to cause a scene so she kept quiet.

Nani gushed over Khushi and so did Mami which surprised Khushi but she was enjoying it.

"Khushiji..... You are looking so elegant. " Akash complimented and Payal glared at him which made him confused but he shrugged it off.

"Thank you, Jeju....... Suhani maa wanted me to change my wardrobe and bought the dress for me. " Khushi revealed.

"Hello hi bye bye..... Suhani is the best..... I have to take style tips from her so that I can look young like phati saree. " Nani and Arnav glared at Mami for the name and she laughed nervously. "Hello hi bye bye I mean Khushi. Hello hi bye-bye"

"It's okay Mami... You can call me phati saree if you want to. " Khushi said and Mami's face lit up but it dropped with what Akash said next.

"Khushiji don't encourage her."

Mami twitched her mouth annoyed and Khushi hugged her laughing and she pinched her cheek playfully.

Everyone except the Jhas and Payal smiled seeing this and Akash was taken aback by the hate in Payal's eyes and it disturbed him but Nani's voice broke his reverie.

"We are so sorry Khushi dear..... We thought we could finish up everything before you arrived but HP was caught in traffic and we wanted to have everything homemade and fresh because I know you always love fresh food. " Nani revealed glaring at HP who run out of there to the kitchen.

"Don't worry Nani..... I will help HP finish it. " Khushi replied standing up but Mami stopped her.

"Hello hi bye bye...... It's your celebratory dinner for doing something not even Akash and Arnav haven't been able to do and I and Payal are already helping them...... Arnav. " Mami called out and Arnav turned to her. "Show Khushi around the property..... By the time you are done everything will be ready...... Payal come on. " Mami commanded.

Arnav held Khushi's hand and dragged her out of there before she could retort.

Nani and Akash admired them as they walked away.

"Dadi what happened? " Akash asked concerned seeing the tears in his grandmother's eyes.

"Don't worry Akash dear..... It tears of happiness." Akash smiled at his reply. "I never thought I will ever see this day where our chote will look so happy and all thanks to the angel in a form of Khushi. "

Anjali stood up annoyed and limped away with Shyam following and Akash and Nani sighed knowing she was feeling jealous.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Delhi heading towards RM, Shashi, Buaji and Garima sat in an SUV sent by Nani to pick them up.

Shashi was grinning from ear to ear hearing how Khushi bagged a big deal for ARD and the celebratory dinner held in her honour.

He knew his wife, sister and daughter were furious and he loved it.

"I have a gift for you my little angel and I know you will love it. " Shashi thought with a smile on his face.

"Why are always favouring Khushi. " Buaji asked glaring at his brother who glared back at her. "If it had been Payal, you wouldn't be this happy...... You were always partial when it come to the two of them but since we came to Delhi, you always ended up favouring Khushi...... I get Khushi has always been your favourite because she was always closer to you than Payal but you are being unfair and it's hurting Payal. "

Buaji's eyes were filled with tears by now and Shashi turned away from them looking out of the window.

"Di, don't waste your time with him...... He won't listen. " Garima replied looking angrily at Shashi who felt her gaze but ignored it.

"I don't hate Payal even if she is not mine but I thought I raised her better so that she will not be like you but she ended up just like you...... Behind that innocent face is a greedy woman who loves money and attention just like you and you have destroyed Shriya's life because of your envy but I won't let Payal succeed as you did. " Shashi thought as the car entered the mansion.

Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the mansion, Khushi was amazed at how big the mansion was from the multiple gardens to the fountains, Olympic size pools both indoors and outdoors and multiple acres of forest hidden perfectly behind the mansion.

The joy on Khushi's face made Arnav happy.

Khushi lay on the grass and Arnav laid down closer to her and she scouted and placed her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat as he stroked her hair.

"Khushi," Arnav called out softly and Khushi hummed in response. "Tell me about your late parent and your family. "

Khushi stood up and sat down and so did Arnav as they faced each other.

"My dad was from a wealthy family but according to him, my grandmother was a classist who never liked my mother because she was an orphan and from a middle class..... My maternal grandmother died while giving birth to my mom and my grandfather was devastated but raised my mum as a single father because he didn't want another woman coming into their lives and maltreating my mother....... He loved and pampered her a lot since she was the only child."

"Wait so how is Garima your aunt if your mom was the only child? " Arnav asked confused.

"She was adopted when she was ten years and my mother was eight. " Khushi replied and Arnav nodded and she continued. "My grandfather was a sweet maker just like babuji and he was an apprentice at his shop...... My mum and Garima grew up really good sisters and when my aunt was twenty years old, babuji and her got married but three months after they got married, my grandfather died of a sudden heart attack and everyone was devastated but babuji was always there for my aunt and mother...... A few years later my mother met my father at the company she use to work for as a seamstress....... Papa was a designer. "

"Just like me. " Arnav asked amused and Khushi nodded giggling.

"Yes just like you until my grandmother refused to accept them and he left everything behind and married my mother...... A few years later I was born and they were always so happy...... Papa didn't mind being a simple tailor in a small town in Kanpur..... We weren't rich but we were happy and also it was closer to Babaji so we always visited them and I played a lot with Payal...... We had little money but we were all happy even though there was a little fight here and there but they always made up but all changed when a few weeks before my eighth birthday, maa came into my room in the middle of the night and carried me to papa's car.

I woke up and asked them where we were going and they said to babuji's house...... I was too sleepy to say anything...... The woke up in Payal's room because of screaming and yelling....... Payal was fast asleep so I went down and from outside the window I saw my mother slapping Garima and I was shocked because they have always been close and I have never seen them fight...... Babuji stood shocked and my father was fuming as he wanted to kill her...... He held my mother's hand and walked back into the house and was taken aback seeing me....... Papa carried me and dragged maa out and into his car..... I asked them what happened and Papa said Garima did something to hurt maa but told me not to worry....... I fell back asleep and when I woke up, I was in a hospital bed with bandages on my head and arms and my left leg in a cast."

Khushi's eyes pooled with tears and Arnav asked her to stop if she doesn't feel comfortable sharing but Khushi shook her head and continued.

"I, unfortunately, found out my parent passed away in an accident and I was the only survivor but I would have died if my parent hadn't shielded me....... Babuji adopted me afterwards and helped me get over my depression even though I was never fully accepted by the others, he always made up for it and now here we are. "

Arnav looked at Khushi with so much pride.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead and Khushi smiled as he cupped her face.

"You are so strong and brave...... I thought I grew up worse but you had it far worse than me...... At least I grew up in an upper-class family and had Nani no matter how much she did favour Anjali over me but still, it can never compare to want you went through but look at you...... Always smiling and spreading happiness everywhere you..... Am so happy I met you and thank you for giving me another chance even after everything I did to hurt you. "

Khushi hugged Arnav and he reciprocated and they stayed that way for minutes savouring each other's warmth until HP's worried voice broke them up.

They both looked up to find HP looking worried.

"Arnav Bhai..... Khushiji..... Please come to the mansion now..... There is trouble. " HP said and Khushi and Arnav looked at each other confused but followed him.

Immediately they arrived in the lounge of the mansion they saw Dhami looking ashamed and his son Aditya with tears in his eyes looking at Khushi, everyone looking at her and Khushi squeezed Arnav's hand tightly with fear in her eyes.

Aditya moved closer to them and hugged Khushi who was taken aback by the hug from the stranger.

He broke the hug and cupped her face.

"You have Khush's eyes. " Aditya cried out and Khushi looked at him shocked.

"How do you know my father? " Khushi asked confused but curious.

"Khushi," Nani called out as she walked towards her. "Dhami is your grandmother and Aditya is your uncle, your father's older brother. " Nani revealed and Arnav and Khushi were stunned.

Flashback.

Mami and Payal were done with the food when the doorbell rang, Akash opened it and greeted Shashi and the others as they entered.

Nani welcome them and Payal came to touch her father's feet but he looked away and the situation turned awkward.

Another ring of the doorbell broke the awkwardness and HP rushed and opened the door and entered Dhami and her son Aditya.

Nani welcomed them in and Aditya halted shocked to see Shashi.

"You are Shashi Gupta..... The brother-in-law of Shriya bhabhi. " He said and everyone stood shocked.

"Shriya as in the woman Khush left with. " Nani exclaimed in shock as she looked at Garima who was fidgeting looking nervous.

Anjali and Shyam were stunned realising Khushi was the daughter of Dhami and the heiress of the Singhania wealth.

"So that means you are the shameless sister who painted your sister a gold digger. " Nani yelled at Garima who flinched in shock and humiliation.

"Hey Nandkishore what's going on here? " Buaji asked confused.

"What is going on is that this gold-digging shameless woman tried to extort money from me years ago because my foolish son fell for her sister and I know for sure her sister was involved..... I finally understand why she was so nervous at the reception...... It was because she recognized me...... Such a disgusting family and I am sure the child is equally a gold digger like her mother and her aunt here. "

"Enough Dhami. " Nani yelled at her and she looked at her stunned. "Khushi is not a gold digger and a decent girl like her will be born of a decent human being and can't believe my best friend is this heartless to spew such venom against her deceased son...... I understand you hate middle-class people because your husband left you for one but stop assuming every middle-class people is a gold digger...... For years I let your words influence my dislike for Manorama but no matter how annoying she may be, she is a good human and I understand why my son loves her so much."

Mami looked at Nani shocked because she always thought Nani hated her but today she realised she does love her but was under bad influence.

Khushi and Arnav entered with confusion etched on their faces.

Flashback ends.

Khushi's knees went weak by the revelation and Arnav and Aditya held her before she could fall.

"Ssssshhhrriiiyyyyaaa........ Iiiiiisssss iiiinnnnooooccccent. " Shashi stuttered shocking everyone.

To be continued.

Precap: Khushi rejects Dhami.

Next update: 16th June 2022.

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