(The girl in the picture is not Sanaya. The edit only reflects my imagination of Arnav and Khushi's looks. If anyone wants to interpret the picture according to the story here, feel free. I would love to hear your thoughts on this edit 😊)

Sunday..

"How was the movie date last night?" Shyam asked casually, watching his sister making jalebis at 4:00am. He was left speechless when she came to wake him up to help her make jalebis for the kids at the orphanage, claiming she had a busy day ahead, so she needed his help. She had prepared the batter last night after Arnav dropped her home. When he told her to leave it and rest, she denied saying that tomorrow she needed to leave early home and she won't have time to make the jalebi for the kids.

"It was.." Khushi paused for a second to think the answer before she replied with an unsure smile, "... strange."

"Strange?" Shyam didn't expect this kind of answer.

"Yes.. it was the first time I didn't pay much attention to Salman Ji's movie. You know how much I get lost whenever I watch any of Salman Ji's movies, I don't talk or listen to people around me. But Mr. Cold Light managed to steal a little bit of my attention last night," Khushi chuckled lightly as memories of their bickering over Salman's movies and then her demanding him to feed her something came to her mind. It was purely in the moment that she demanded him to buy something to eat. Otherwise, in normal circumstances, she would never order her boss like that. But it's not a big deal since he took her to a movie date. As a gentleman, it was his duty to look after her only. She mentally convinced herself and directed her attention to her frying jalebis in the pan.

Shyam had an unsettled expression on his face, "Khushi, kuch jyada nahi ho gaya? (Don't you think it's too much now?)"

"Haan. I know. But don't worry, bhaiya. Not all jalebis are for the kids. I'm making separate jalebis for Di," Khushi replied with a knowing sheepish smile.

"I'm talking about your boss," he looked at her seriously, "Don't you think you're getting closer and closer to him? His track record speaks for itself, but still, you ignored it and behaved as if he had never done anything wrong to you, Anjali, and Aman. It seems as if you're completely blind to his mistakes, Khushi. It's worrying me now."

"And you're acting blind to all his good deeds. And it's disappointing me now, bhaiya," Khushi sighed.

"I'm really sorry, Khushi. But I'll have to be honest with you. I don't really trust your boss. In fact, I'm just quiet because of you. But the way he sold our house to you and last night booked an entire auditorium to watch a movie with you seems suspicious to me. Why would he do these things for a mere employee of his? Pehle toh, he didn't even care to look at your face, nor did he know your name. And now, suddenly, his behaviour changed towards you. Don't you find it strange? I know.. you feel that we should be grateful to him for giving us the opportunity to get our house back. Trust me, a part of me is grateful, but I just can't act blind eye to everything he does now because he helped us. You also need to think why he would sell our parents' house to you when he knows you don't have enough money to buy it? That's a non profitable deal for him. And now book an entire auditorium to watch a movie with his PA.. like.. I don't know.. I find this too hard to digest. A man who does nothing for his own family, especially his sister, who actually needs his help, is doing all this for you, a stranger to him."

"He's not a suspicious person. And I'm not  completely stranger to him. His sister is my best friend. Mohan Kaka is also my friend. And these two are people linked to him only. He knows I'm that Khushi, who's often seen with his sister and Mohan Kaka. Then how come I'm a stranger to him? And the problem is in your way of thinking.. In a short time, I became Mohan Kaka's friend, and you had no problem with it, and if he does anything to help me, then you won't doubt his intentions because we're middle-class people. And you doubt Arnav Ji's intentions before he's rich. He belongs to the high-class society," Khushi said.

"Yes, I do think like that. You can blame me all you want. But I know the world out there is not safe for you. Your boss's lifestyle is different from us. I don't know much about him. Then how can I trust him with you?" Shyam frowned.

"You are right. The world out there is not safe for me," Khushi nodded, agreeing with him, "Because anyone can hurt or harm me. Not just people from high-class society. Aman toh middle class hi tha na.. and you know what he did to me. What I mean is that each person has their good side and their bad side. We can not really think that since Arnav Ji belongs to the high society, and his lifestyle is different from ours, that makes him a man of dubious character."

"And I'm not saying Arnav ji is a saint too," she added, "But to understand the intention behind his actions, we need to understand where is he coming from first, his past background. He said to me that he doesn't like crowded places, that's why he took me to private screening of Tiger movie. He heard my side of the story, how we had to sell our parents' house to Mr.Sinha and he decided not to snatch our parents' house from us, and look for another one to gift his Kaka, the one he promised to him when he was a kid."

She paused to glance at her brother, who stood still and lost, as if he was pondering over her words. She placed her hand on his shoulder, calling for his attention, "Bhaiya, trust me. I understand you. I know you are worried about my safety. And I know why you're hesitant to trust him. You saw me crying from my first day on the job. You know how distraught and tormented I seemed when I first started working in AR. And it was always because of a certain ASR, you heard a lot of bad things about him from me, haina. You saw your little sister suffer while working for him, and you wanted to protect me from him. Still, you used to feel helpless because he is my boss, and the corporate world would not be generous to me in any way. This is the first inkling we got about Arnav Ji. This is why you find it so difficult to trust him. But as time passed and I had more time to spend with him while I worked for him, I was able to see another side of him that is often misunderstood by others. He doesn't really express his feelings in words, which makes it more complicated and difficult to understand him."

"Remember when we first met Di? She was taking pictures of our shop and we also found it suspicious. We questioned her about it, and she explained to us that she wanted to take pictures of our area because of her photography course. And then she started getting friendly with us. You also hesitate to be friends with her after knowing her background, but then, after getting to know more about her. You accepted to make her a part of our family despite the fact that she also belongs to high-class society like Arnav ji. And that's because now know you understand her better, you know where she's coming from.. and the same is happening with me and Arnav ji. I began to understand him better," Khushi said.

Shyam looked at her, "And what do you think about him now that you began to understand him?

"I think he's a coconut! Hard on the outside and soft on the inside," Khushi chuckled softly.

"I see you becoming a sensible woman now," he pulled her cheek, "See.. I agree with you, Titaliya. After listening to you, I'm willing to give your Genie a benefit of doubt."

Khushi smiled brightly, "Ye hui na baat (Now you have come to the point)."

"And you also said that Arnav ji does nothing for his family, especially Di. Well, let me prove you wrong today. He only called me to his house to help him talk with Di. He wants her to join AR as the head of their fashion photography team. He is willing to help her pursue her dream," Khushi added.

Shyam's eyes grew wide as he exclaimed, "What? Is this true?"

Khushi nodded her head vigorously, her eyes moistened as she smiled emotionally, "Yes. Di's dream is finally coming true. Remember, we prayed so much for her to become a professional photographer. We had almost lost hope because her parents were strictly against the idea. But now, Mr. ColdLight will illuminate Di's dark and uncertain path toward her dreams."

"Wow. I can't believe this. I'm so happy for her," Shyam spoke after letting this news sink in, "Where is she? I want to talk to her. We must celebrate this. After years of suffering, trying to convince her parents to let her pursue her passion professionally. She's finally getting what she always dreams of. Now I get it.. this is why you woke up early to make jalebis for her, right?"

"Calm down, bhaiya!" Khushi gestured him with her hands to do what she said, "We still need to talk to her. That's why I'm going to her house first. Only after her decision can we officially celebrate this happy news. And I'm making these jalebis because of my deal with DM. I promised that I would feed her innocent children with my handmade sweets if DM looks after Arnav ji's health and bless him with long life. And separate jalebis for Di, to celebrate this happy news with her."

"Okay," Shyam nodded, unable to contain his excitement. He said, "If possible, tell Anjali to come and meet me. I want to see the happiness on her face."

"Ji jaroor (of course)," Khushi smiled teasingly, "Now help me fry these jalebis. Otherwise, I'll get late."

Shyam readily helped her.

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

Raizada Mansion..

Khushi got down the rickshaw while asking him to wait there till she came back.

"Bhaiya, I'll pay you after I come back, okay?" she said, "And I already offered you jalebis. Now, don't try to steal from the boxes I'm keeping in your rickshaw. Otherwise, DM will punish you severely. These jalebis belong to her children," she said in a warning tone, making the driver gulp before her replied, "Ji madam. Don't worry. I won't touch them."

"Good," Khushi smiled. While the driver parked his rickshaw near RM to wait for Khushi, Khushi walked ahead towards the huge gate of the mansion.

When she arrived, the security guard asked who she wanted to meet and the purpose of her visit, and he also demanded to check her ID card.

"I'm here to meet Arnav ji. He knows what I'm here for," Khushi replied while showing him her ID card.

The security guard gazed intently at her when he heard her call their Malik's son as Arnav ji before walking to his booth and calling Arnav to confirm if he should let Khushi inside or not. Upon receiving permission from Arnav, he let Khushi enter the mansion.

Khushi walked inside through the walkway that led to the front door of the mansion. She was lost appreciating the beauty of their huge landscaped yard garden, when suddenly, she was pulled by someone that she only recognised after recovering from the shock and hearing the person's panicked voice, "Khushi, what are you doing here?"

Khushi looked at Anjali taken aback, and then her eyes fell on Anjali's hand, holding her by her arms and dragging her back to the gate, "Di.."

"You shouldn't come here. My parents won't like to see you here. It will create problems for me later. You could have messaged me if you wanted to meet me," Anjali said in an urgent, frightened tone.

"But Di.. please listen to me -

"No, Khushi. Please jao yahan se (Please go from here). We will talk later, ok?" Anjali said quickly, nervously pushing Khushi to leave.

"Stop it!"

They heard Arnav's voice behind. Anjali felt as her heart jumped out of her chest. She thought it was her father, but relaxed a bit when she realised it was Arnav's voice.

"I called her here," Arnav said with his usual cold tone, staring at his sister with narrowed eyes.

Khushi turned to face Arnav, sighing in relief, "Aacha hua aap aa gaye.. Di toh meri baat sun hi nahi rahi thi (It's good you came.. Di wasn't listening to me)"

Anjali looked at them confused. She thought Khushi was there to meet her, but it turns out that Arnav called her.

"When does she listen to others? She only thinks about herself," Arnav said in a taunting tone before he signalled Khushi to follow him.

"Le.. he will talk with Di like this.. sarcasm and taunts seem to be the only language he knows how to speak," Khushi thought, face-palming.

"Why didn't you tell me Arnav called you here?" Anjali whispered to Khushi as the two followed Arnav inside the mansion.

"I was about to tell you, Di. But you didn't even let me explain anything," Khushi replied in a whisper tone, too.

Anjali looked at her apologetically.

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

Inside the mansion, they met with Arvind on the way to the staircase. Arvind looked at Khushi from top to bottom. From the way she was dressed, he could easily identify Khushi didn't belong to their class society.

He frowned slightly, seeing her standing close to Arnav and Anjali, "Who's she?"

Anjali quickly replied in a nervous tone as she feared Khushi would reveal to her father that she is her best friend, "She's Arnav's PA."

Khushi felt bad that Anjali didn't acknowledge her as her best friend, but she also understood her friend's situation. She forced a little smile on her face, lowering her eyes and adjusting her bag on her shoulders.

Arnav's darted a taken aback look at his sister before he shifted his attention back to his father, who was teasing him for working even on a Sunday.

"Are you serious, Arnav? You want to work even today," Arvind said with an unbelievable look on his face. He gazed at Khushi intently with a lusty smirk on his lips, "Give this little poor thing a break now. Tomorrow is also a day!"

"Exactly. He doesn't take time off from work. Now he wants others to work on Sunday too," said Anjali, defending her friend, completely unaware of her father's intentions.

Arnav shut his eyes momentarily, his jaws tightened as he clenched his fist. He noticed how Khushi became uncomfortable with his father's lusty gaze on her. She quickly covered her arms with duppata.

He took a step ahead and stood in between her and his father, swiftly pulling her behind him, covering her completely from his father's view.

Ishq Gehra Mera
Tujhpe Pehra Mera
Raahon Mein Hai
Maana Dhuan Hi Dhuan
My love is boundless
I'll shield you from all harm
On our path
A fog has risen

Khushi raised her eyes, staring at him from behind. A wave of emotions swept over her. She was feeling overwhelmed, surprised, and protected by Arnav, who shielded her from the disgusting man staring at her with dirty intentions.

Mera Ruaan Ruaan Mera Ruaan Ruaan
Mera Ruaan Ruaan Ab Tere Naam Likhna
Every part of my body, every part of my body
It is written in your name now

Arvind rolled his eyes when Arnav blocked Khushi's view from him. He gave a sharp look at his father, "You better go and join Mom for breakfast!"

"Yeah, sure. My dear wife is waiting for me," Arvind nodded with a fake sweet tone, "Why don't you invite your PA to have breakfast with us?" he asked, trying to peek at Khushi, which was making Arnav even more irked at him.

"Good idea, Dad," Anjali smiled a little, agreeing with her father. If Khushi could get along with her parents, it would be easier for her to convince them when it came to her marriage with Shyam.

"You shut up," Arnav yelled at her angrily, which caught Anjali off guard as she looked at him with wide eyes, not expecting this kind of reaction from him over a simple conversation. Her face distorted with rage, her eyes filled with hot tears.

"What's wrong with you?" she replied with a tone matching the intensity of his, "We're just inviting your PA to have breakfast with us. Why are you getting angry because of this? And why don't you let her reply if she wants to have breakfast with us or not?"

Khushi immediately shook her head vigorously, "No. I had my breakfast at home."

Arnav looked at them with 'Mil gaya jawab' (got your answer) look before he turned his face sideways to check on Khushi. He motioned her to walk ahead, and she did as he commanded.

Arnav threw a hot, angry look at Arvind and Anjali before following Khushi upstairs. He walked behind her, making sure his father didn't get to lay his dirty, lusty eyes on her.

"Let's go," Arvind said to his daughter, holding her by her arm and guiding her to the dining room while explaining, "You don't need to fight for middle class people like that girl. She's not worthy of sitting at the same breakfast table as us."

Anjali looked at him confused, "But Dad, you.."

"She works in AR, right? We need to fake courtesy and friendliness towards our employees. You would know that if you followed your brother's footsteps and joined AR. Didn't you see how he didn't even care if that girl had her breakfast or not? That's how you should treat these low class people," Arvind said in a taunting manner to her.

Anjali looked at him, disappointed. For a moment, she thought he was indeed being generous to Khushi. And how her life would become so easy if he didn't differentiate people because of their class society.

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

Arnav took Khushi to his study room on the first floor. He poured water from the jug on an empty glass and handed it to her.

He looked at her, taking the glass from his hand, distraughted after the unpleasant experience she had to face because of his father.

He remained in silence till she finished drinking the water. When she emptied the glass, he gestured to her through his eyes to give it to him. She obliged, handing the glass back to him. He placed the empty glass on the table and then raised his eyes to meet hers again.

"Are you okay?" he broke the silence.

Khushi nodded her head. But still, he noticed she was uncomfortable and tensed.

"I'm here," he said, assuring her that in his presence, nothing would happen to her. He took a few seconds pause before adding, ".. hmm.. you call me your Genie, right? Then you shouldn't feel scared when I'm around."

Khushi's eyes twinkled, her lips broke into a surprised smile, "Wait.. are you admitting you're my Genie?"

"Are your ears blocked?" he asked intentionally in a sarcastic way to divert her mind from what happened recently.

Khushi smiling sweetly at him while retorting, "No, it's your mouth that's been blocked since forever, and now it's finally opened to tell me something good. That's why I'm confirming if I heard right or not."

"She's back to her abnormal self!" Arnav muttered to himself, making Khushi frown slightly as she tried to understand what he was saying. 

She raised her brows at him questioningly, "What did you say?"

"I didn't have my breakfast yet. So I'm going to call Kaka to send our breakfast here," he covered up for what he said earlier.

"You didn't say that before," she looked at him suspiciously.

"Why don't you keep trying to figure out what I was saying while I call Kaka?" he asked sarcastically.

"I don't have all the time of the world to think about what you were saying,"

"You have time, but brains.."

Khushi's mouth opened in big "O" as she stared at him unbelievably, "You should be ashamed of yourself. I came here to help you, and you're insulting me. If you think I've no brains, then sign my termination letter and fire me from AR."

Arnav looked at her with a deadpan expression on his face, "Jyada overacting karne ki jaroorat nahi hai (You don't need to overreact)."

"Dialogue mein emotions aur intensity lane ki jaroorat hai, tabhi toh aap jaise robotic log bhi react karte hai (It's important to bring effect and intensity in the dialogues, only then robotic people like you react)," she retorted.

"See how working with me is doing good to your brains," he smirked, "Now you've started to speak my language!"

Khushi blinked her eyes twice, shocked with herself, "Haila! Ye kab hua? (When did this happen?)"

"Khushi, you're unbelievable!" Arnav chuckled, shaking his head at her before he took his phone to call Mohan Kaka.

Arnav informed her that Mohan would bring his usual toast and coffee for breakfast. If she wanted anything else, then she had to tell him. Khushi readily agreed to eat the same as him, "You eat chole bhature yesterday with me. Now I'll eat the kind of food you like."

Though he did find her gesture cute, he remained normal on the outside.

The two sat on the couch waiting for Mohan Kaka.

"Let me tell you.. you already spoiled our plan before we even started to implement it. What was the need to taunt and then yell at Di like that?" Khushi shook her head disapprovingly.

"She was pushing you to him," Arnav gritted his teeth angrily but then stopped himself from explaining it further. He looked away, trying to control his emotions.

Khushi gulped. Arnav didn't know that she eavesdropped his conversation with his father that day. She knows about his father's extra marital affairs. That's why she was extremely disturbed and conscious when he started teasing her.

"It's okay. Don't be angry. I'm with you, na. I know I'm safe," Khushi said assuringly.

Arnav looked back at her, visibly calmer now.

"Real genie doesn't get as angry as you," she pouted.

"Real genie toh real hai hi nahi Khushi. He's a fictional character," he reminded her.

"Now you're back to speaking your language, haina," she smiled sarcastically, "You know very well what I meant still you love to rile me up, right?"

"Aisa hi samajh lo (Consider it like that)," he nodded, "You eat my brain at office, I've to give it back to you in some other way!"

Khushi didn't expect him to give such an answer. She started giggling and then apologised, "Sorry. But I've improved. Didn't I? Ab toh jyada tang bhi nahi karti hu aapko (Now I don't bother you too much)."

"That's because of the divided responsibilities. Miss Singhania tolerates you now," he shrugged.

Khushi stood up from the couch and walked to the corner of the room, facing her back to him, folding her arms across her chest, acting upset with him.

That's when Mohan Kaka entered the room with their breakfast. He looked at Khushi, confused, wondering what happened to her, "Khushi bitiya sab thik haina? Why are you standing there alone?"

"She is talking to the walls. Don't disturb her, Kaka," Arnav said with his serious face, his tone laced with a playful tone.

Khushi turned to him, narrowing her eyes at him, before she unwillingly smiled at him, finding the situation hilarious now that Mohan Kaka pointed it out. She sat back with him, "Do you know what these walls said to me? They said that you also think I've improved, and I don't bother you much now, but still you won't admit. You forgot walls have ears. They must have heard you talking about me."

"Well, I don't speak alone when I'm in this study room. So I don't know what these walls heard and shared with you," he shrugged, suppressing his smile.

Mohan Kaka was shocked to see Arnav indulge in a nok-jhok with Khushi. He was seeing a glimpse of his chotu Arnav. His eyes filled with tears. Everyone said to him that Arnav changed now, including Anjali. But he didn't believe it, somewhere he knew Arnav hides his real self from the world. One or another day, he would be able to see his Arnav beta real self. The one he was once when he was around him.

"Kaka, tell him to stop teasing me now," Khushi whined.

"Never stop teasing her beta!" Mohan Kaka smiled emotionally.

Khushi's eyes widened, thinking Mohan Kaka was siding Arnav in this. But Arnav understood the meaning behind his Kaka's words. He wanted to see him always like the way he behaves when he's with Khushi. He gulped painfully, staring at Mohan Kaka before averting his eyes and shifting his attention to the breakfast tray Kaka placed on the table.

"Bohot ho gaya mauj-masti. Now eat your food," he ordered her.

Khushi stared at him in disbelief, muttering to herself, "His Desi Dad avatar is back!"

"Mauj-masti? Do you think I was having fun?" she raised her brows.

"Kaka chup karao is ladki ko (make this girl shut her mouth)," Arnav made a face, indicating he was getting tired of her now.

"Haww.." Khushi's jaws dropped.

Mohan Kaka chuckled, "What can I do?"

"You don't need to do anything, Kaka. I'll stay quiet only. He will talk with his sister alone, only then will he understand my importance," Khushi said, narrowing her eyes at Arnav while taking a toast from the plate.

Arnav pressed his lips tightly, hiding his smile from her.