Hey friends.. 

Firstly A VERY HAPPY DUSSEHRA to all of you. It's the day of the victory of good over evil. May maa Durga clear all the evil & hurdles from your life & you all stay happy & healthy always. 

Secondly, sorry for not updating on the given date as I was not well & was hospitalized due to high fever. But I'm much better now & am here with the update. 

I would like to dedicate this update to my dear friend @nilimamalladi It was her b'day yesterday.. 

Though I already wished u yesterday Nilu but would like to do it again. 

Wish u a very happy birthday Nilu.

🎈🎊 🎉🎂🍧🍨🍩🍰🥧🍫🎉🎊🎈

May God bless you with a happy & healthy longevity 😘

Now enjoy the update… 

Do not skip the teaser part as I have altered it a bit.. 

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Mami was discharged from the hospital. The whole family was in her room sans Anjali who had gone to the temple as she had kept special pooja for her mami's speedy recovery. Mami was sitting comfortably on her bed with a pillow under her plastered foot. Everybody was having tea with her in her room, not wanting to let her feel alone. 

Sheetal was at her job in AR. She wanted to stay back home to show her fake care & concern for mami to stay in her good books. But after her showdown with Arnav & Khushi, regarding her job, nobody was lenient with her that they would let her take even a half day leave, full day was out of the question. Arav was gone to school. As per Khushi's new strict rules, Sheetal herself makes her son ready for school, prepares breakfast for him, drops him to school which is in the complete opposite direction of AR & then returning back all the way goes to her job. She was hell irritated & frustrated due to the extra workload which she hasn't done since long even when they were in the US or even after coming here in RM. But she was helpless for now. To get her mission accomplished, she has to bow down in front of Khushi & everybody for the time being. But soon she will turn the tables again, back in her favour. She was sure of it. 

As soon as mamaji came to know about mami's condition, he returned back to India, catching an early morning flight. 

He couldn't stay there after knowing about his wife's condition, so he returned in the early morning flight. No matter how much they fight or quarrel on petty issues or no matter how much she irritates him with her HINGLISH & her over the top makeupwa, he loves his wife very much. They had had an elope marriage because he was from an upper class & she from the lower & was working as a maid in his house. But has love known any boundaries or societal norms?? It just happens. He knew his family would never accept their relationship. So they had the only option to elope. He loved her & wanted her as his wife. Fortunately, after some time his family did bent in front of their wishes & accepted their marriage & her as the daughter in law of the Raizadas. 

"Manno.. How are you feeling now?? Hope it's not paining much??" Mamaji asked holding mami's hand, sitting beside her. 

"I'm pheeling better Akas ke papa & now bhen you are aalso back phrom phoren, I would be completely phine soon." She replied smiling. 

"Yes.. Yes Manorama. Afterall he must have brought makeup kits, jewellery, perfumes & all the other things you asked him to get from there. So seeing all those things, you are definitely going to be fine." Nani teased her daughter in law. 

"Sasuma.." Mami whined pouting. 

"Sahi kahat ho amma tum. Jitni bhi baar hame phone kiye rahi, iski list har baari badhat rahi. Hamari khabar antar to sabse aakhir mein poochhat rahi, wo bhi yaad raha to."(You are right mother. Her list just kept on increasing every time she called. She used to ask about my wellbeing in the last that too if she remembered) Manohar joined his mother in teasing his wife. 

"Aap to shutupia hi kar lio." (You just shut up.) Mami said glaring at mamaji. 

"Haaye.. Hum to taras gaye the tumse ye sunne ke liye hamri Manno rani. (I was yearning to listen this from you my manno rani.)" Mamaji teased her more. 

This time mami blushed hearing the endearment 'Manno rani' from her husband which he usually uses when they are alone. 

"Pagla gaye ho ka Akas ke papa. Sasuma aur bachcho ke saame kuchh bhi bolat ho. (Have you gone crazy Akash's dad. Saying anything in front of mother in law & kids.)" Mami chided mamaji looking at everybody, flustered. 

Everybody chuckled at their cute banter. 

"Oh wow maasaji. Manno rani & all haan." NK quipped in between. "So this is your own version of today's endearments like darling, sweetheart, baby, honey." NK said winking at Manohar. 

"Arey inn sab mein uun baat kahan jo 'manno rani' bulaane mein hain NK babua aur hamri manno ko bhi yahin pasand hai. (All these today's endearments are nothing in front of my 'manno rani' endearment. Even my manno likes that only.)" Mamaji said winking back at NK. 

"So maasiji.. Shall I also start calling you 'manno rani maasiji from now onwards??" NK also wasn't behind in teasing his maasi. 

Nani, Payal & Khushi giggled. Akash pressed his lips to stifle his laughter. Arnav rolled his eyes at his incorrigible cousin. 

"NK babua.. I think it's taime to parcel you back to kidney." Mami mock glared at her nephew. 

"Oh no no no. How can I go leaving my 'manno rani maasiji' in this condition??" NK simpered. 

Annoyed mami threw a pillow at him which he caught with dexterity & kept it on his lap laughing. 

"NK bitwa.. Enough of teasing my bahuriya now." Nani fake glared & NK raised his hands in surrender. 

"Akas bitwa.. I think we should get a nurse to assist your mother & look after her diet & meds." Manohar Raizada suggested to his son Akash. 

"Dad.. The doctor did ask the same but Payal refused." Akash informed looking at Payal. 

"Why bitiya??" Manohar asked his daughter in law." Everybody's eyes were on her, including Manorama's. 

"Wo papaji… Why should any nurse come to assist my maaji when I'm there to take care of her?? Being her daughter in law, it's my duty & responsibility to look after her. I have queried about all the necessary precautions & meds from her doctor properly. I remember each & every instructions. You please don't worry about anything papaji." Payal replied politely. 

"I trust you bitiya." Mamaji replied looking proudly at his dutiful daughter in law. 

Manorama looked at her daughter in law with soft eyes. This girl is making her place slowly in her heart. 

Nani could read the changing feelings in her daughter in law's eyes for her daughter in law. 

Akash couldn't help but feel more proud of his wife & more ashamed of himself for his behaviour with her till now. 

Anjali entered the room carrying the pooja thali in her hand. Smiling at everyone, she went to mami & offered her prashad after asking about her health. Then she distributed the prashad to everybody else & sat beside mami. 

"Thank you Anjali bitiya for perphorming the pooja phore me at the templewa." Mami said gratefully, holding her hand. 

"You don't need to thank me mami. You have always taken care of us, whenever we used to fall ill in our childhood. This is the least I can do for you for all the love, care & concern you have showered on Chhotey & me always. You are no less than a mother to us & we love you lots. You know that….right mami??" Anjali asked pressing mami's hand gently, looking at her Chhotey who affirmed nodding his head. 

Mami nodded with moist eyes & all smiled heartily. 

"Naniji.. Mamiji is sitting since quite long. I think we  should let her rest now." Khushi suggested. 

Everybody agreed & started dispersing accept Payal who stayed with her maaji to help her lay properly & mamaji who was going to stay at home today, with his wife. 

After adjusting her sasuma on the bed, Payal kept the cordless near her pillow. 

"Maaji.. You take rest now. I will go to the kitchen & prepare for lunch. Khushi is going to the market to buy vegetables. If you need anything then just dial through this cordless & I will be here." Payal instructed politely. 

Manorama smiled nodding her head. Payal could sense the change in her sasuma's behaviour towards her. She has become polite then before. Payal was happy with this improvement. 

"You don't worry bitiya. I'm here only. I will look after her & call you if she needs any help." Mamaji said breaking her trance. "You can concentrate on your work bitiya."

"Papaji.. You also take some rest. You must be tired & feeling sleepy due to your early morning journey." Payal said genially. 

"Yes bitiya. I will." Mamaji replied back smiling affectionately at her. 

Nodding, Payal left the room. 

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Khushi was combing her hair, when Arnav came out from the bathroom, all ready for the office. 

He went & stood behind his wife. Khushi met her eyes with his through the mirror & both exchanged a smile. 

"Are you going anywhere Khushi??" He asked adjusting his tie knot. 

Khushi kept the comb back & turned to face him. 

"Yes.. I'm going to the vegetable market." She replied. 

"Why??" He asked taking his hair brush & brushing his hair. 

Khushi looked at him with raised eyebrows. 

"To buy jewelries Arnavji." She replied pressing her lips, holding her chuckle. 

Arnav stopped brushing his hair & looked at Khushi who was suppressing her chuckle. Then he understood how silly he sounded with that one word question. He smirked at his own foolishness. 

"What I mean is, why are you going?? Either HP or OP can go.. Right??" He asked. 

"Yes they can. But we can't put all the burden on them. They already have too much to do in the house. Also that way I would step out of the house. Otherwise I'm always cooped up in the house. I feel good breathing natural air." She explained adjusting her dupatta around her neck. 

Arnav understood what she meant. It was just a simple statement from her but it raised the guilt in him. After their second marriage they have never gone out anywhere, just the two of them. First they got busy in exposing Shyam & then this Sheetal's issue. They never got time for outing or even a simple candle light dinner. Sometimes situations or sometimes, no actually most of the times he himself behaved like a douchebag. He didn't even take her to a honeymoon which she deserves, they deserve. He promised to himself that once this Sheetal's issue gets resolved, he will take his Khushi on an impending, long honeymoon. Where nobody else would be there to disturb them or demand their time & attention. Neither his office responsibilities or her household duties. 

"Arnavji.." Seeing him lost in his own thoughts, Khushi shook him by his shoulder. "What happen?? What set you thinking all of a sudden??" She queried. 

He has vowed to share everything with her but this, he won't share with her right now. Let it be a surprise for her. 

He shook his head. "Nothing much. Just some work related stuff." 

Though Khushi didn't buy his words but didn't push him either. 

"Are you ready??" He asked wearing his wrist watch & pocketing his hanky & mobile. 

"Yes.." She replied keeping her mobile in her purse. 

"Then let's go." He said taking his laptop bag & moving towards the door. 

Khushi halted on her steps hearing him. 

"Let's go means??" She asked confused. 

"Means let's leave for the vegetable market." He replied turning back to her. 

"Wait.. Wait.. You mean.. You are coming to drop me to the market??" She asked.

"Yes I'm.. But before he could continue she disrupted coming to him. 

"No Arnavji.. There's no need. I mean you have already missed your half day office. Now if you will come to drop me to the market which is in complete opposite direction of your office then you would get more late to the office. I will take an auto. If you want I will take our other car & the driver. You please don't bother. I will…" Now she was stopped from blabbering by her husband's finger on her lips.

"Ssshhh.." He shushed her softly. Moving his finger, he cupped her delicate face with utmost delicacy. 

"Khushi… I know, you don't need my assistance or me ushering you anywhere as you are capable of handling everything alone. But I want to join you Khushi. Due to my own idiocy & recklessness, I have lost so many precious moments to be with you in past days. Now I just want to grab every single opportunity to stay with you, beside you. Destination doesn't matter to me if you are with me." He husked looking in her soft, hazel eyes. 

"Just out of my other stupidity & for some worthless revenge, If I can go to drop Arav to his school which is also in the opposite direction of my office then why can't I come to drop you. He is absolutely a nobody to me Khushi but you are my everything & I can do anything for you. Going in the other direction is nothing. I can even go to the netherworld for you." His genuine words coupled with love for her in his eyes filled Khushi's heart with joy & she stood speechless. 

"Now shall we leave?? The vegetables are calling out to us, to buy them." He joked making her chuckle & both left the room together. 

After a long time they both were travelling together this way. It's not a proper outing but still it's way better than the distances they endured in past days. 

Khushi could see Arnav was very elated with this short travel. His lips were stretched into a mild smile throughout. He also kept on talking about one thing or the other with her, unlike his usual self where he is just a listener when she does all the talking. She liked this change in him. But somewhere it pricked her as well. Is he changing himself only for her?? 

"Where are you lost Khushi??" He asked seeing her all silent. 

She shook her head, smiling mildly & concentrated on his talks. 

After a while she asked him to stop the car & Arnav obeyed. 

"The market is just a few minutes away from here Arnavji. There would be too much crowd & you won't get space to park the car. So you drop me here & I will walk till the market." She said unbuckling her seatbelt & taking the cloth bag from the back seat. 

She was about to alight the car when she saw him coming out of the car from his side of the door. Khushi stopped him holding his elbow. 

"Arnavji.. I will go by myself now. The market is just at a walking distance." She said pointing out towards the direction of the market. "You can now go to your office. It's already quite late. I will return home in an auto." She said. 

"Who said I'm leaving you here alone & going to office??" He asked.

 Khushi knitted her eyebrows. 

"I'm coming with you to buy the vegetables, then I will drive you back home & then I will go to my office wifey." He replied flicking her nose & started to alight the car. 

"Arnavji.." Khushi stopped him again. "Why are you doing this??" Arnav tilted his head at her question. 

"If you are doing all this just to please me, then please don't do it. If you are changing yourself just for me then please don't. I would never want you to change yourself out of your will or do anything for me going out of your comfort zone. I know this is not your place to wander. You can never like to go to such down market, crowded areas. This can never be your choice of place." Arnav was hearing to her keenly. "You doing all this unwillingly won't please me. In fact it would make me feel guilty." She said looking straight into his caramel orbs. 

"Why do you think I'm doing all this to please you Khushi??" He asked tucking her loose hair strand behind her ears. "You know me Khushi. I'm very selfish when it comes to you. As I told you earlier, I don't want to leave even a single chance to be with you. Destination doesn't matter to me Khushi if you are with me in the journey." He said softly, holding her hand on her lap. She was looking at him unblinkingly. "If you are there with me then the hell can also be no less than heaven for me." He raised her hand & kissed her palm lightly. Her eyes became moist. 

"Are you sure Arnavji??" She asked & he nodded in assurance. 

"Your office??" She reminded him. 

"I guess you are forgetting Khushi that I'm the boss there. If I don't go to the office for a day or even a week then our company won't shut down. I have hired qualified & efficient people who work for us in our company. Some are absolutely reliable as well. So I can definitely allot my time to my lovely wife, chucking our office." He said rubbing the tip of his nose with hers. 

She felt ecstatic when he said 'our company' instead of 'my company'. That shows the real positive change in him. Arnav Singh Raizada was full of himself, proud of his achievements & egoistic for his wealth & assets. It was always me, my money, my company for him. In their initial days he used all these intentionally to show her down, to mock her status. After their contract marriage, he had softened in emotions but the ego & arrogance of his status was still there & he reminded her time & again. After their second marriage, he didn't mock her deliberately. But due to his temper issues, unknowingly he had spat all these to her many times. Not to hurt her though but still it did hurt her. But this change from 'mine' to 'ours' is quite a proof that he is changing from within, willingly. 

"So..shall we go now??" He asked wearing his glairs. 

"Think again Arnavji. I'm going to a common, open vegetable market & not to any air-conditioned supermarket. The place would be crowded. It would be very hot too. There would be too much dirt & dust. There would be cattles roaming around. You might get to celebrate an unexpected birthday today by cutting a cow dung cake with your boot clad feet." Her shoulders shook as she grunted at her own words. Arnav smirked. "I might take more than necessary time in bargaining & would wander from one vendor to another. Will you be able to bear all this patiently, without uttering your 'what the, what the'?? Aap ke businessman reputation ki to hello hi bye bye ho jayegi." She teased him, wriggling her eyebrows, trying to backtrack him. 

"Good try Mrs. Raizada." He flicked her nose again. "But I'm not going to chicken out." 

"I doubt." She said twitching her mouth. 

This time he replied with his actions rather than words. He removed his glairs & kept on the dashboard. Removing his jacket & vest-coat, he flung them at the back seat carelessly. Pulling his tie, he threw it on his jacket. Rolling his shirt sleeves till his elbows, he opened the top three buttons of his shirt. He ruffled his hair a bit, looking into the front view mirror. 

Khushi was just staring at him with open mouth. The way he transferred his sturdy businessman look into a boyish look, actually made him look 5 years younger than his actual age. 

"So Mrs Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada.." He turned towards her. "Your husband, your Arnavji minus the businessman ASR is at your service ma'am." He bowed down dramatically making her giggle.  

"Now let's get moving." He pushed her gently by her shoulder gesturing her to alight the car but she again stopped him holding his forearm. 

"Now what Khushi??" He whined. 

Leaning forward, she closed two buttons of his shirt, leaving just the top one open. "Respected husbands don't go on showing their chest to other women." She muttered, glaring at him. 

"Jealous??" He asked quirking his eyebrow. 

"You wish." She fake smiled & alighted the car taking her purse & cloth bags & started walking towards the market. 

Smirking, Arnav came out of the car & followed her. 

They reached the market & it looked just as Khushi explained him a while ago. 

Too many vendors with varieties of vegetables. Men, women with children wandering from one vendor to another. Cattles roaming, trying to chew upon available vegetables lying on the road or snatching from the vendors' lot & getting scolded by them. Lots of noise, terrible heat. But it looked lively. 

He followed Khushi to one vegetable seller. She deftly started picking the vegetables she wanted to buy. He saw her investigating the tomatoes, potatoes, onions properly piece by piece. He too thought of helping her & started picking veggies & putting in the basket of the vendor. Suddenly Khushi slapped him gently on his palm. "What??" He asked. She picked a tomato from the basket, picked by him & showed it to him narrowing her eyes. It was rotten from side. He smiled sheepishly. She shook her head smiling & threw the tomato towards a cow standing at some distance. She then explained to him how to check the quality of veggies. He was a good student & learnt it immediately & became an efficient helper.  The vendor transferred the veggies in the cloth bag & passed to Khushi but Arnav took it from his hands. Khushi smiled at him & then walked ahead to buy greens. Here too she insisted on freshness & quality of the bunches of different types of green leafy veggies. She bargained with the vendors at the best of her ability & the vendor had to bend to her wish. Arnav was proud of his wife's abilities. But a lump of nostalgia formed in his throat which he swallowed to ease down. Khushi moved forward followed by Arnav taking a whole round of the huge market, buying veggies wherever she deem fit from, glancing at Arnav from time to time whether he was okay or not. Arnav was carrying all the bags not letting his delicate Khushi burden her shoulders. He many times saved himself from dashing into other people earning glares from them, saved his pricey boots from getting covered with cow dung. He was sweating due to excess heat but he never once whined or threw a tantrum which ASR definitely would. He maintained his calm, much to Khushi's surprise. 

After completing their vegetable shopping, pushing their way through the throng they came out of the market towards their car. After loading the bags on the back seat they settled back in the car in their respective seats. Removing her hanky from her purse, Khushi started wiping the sweat from Arnav's face. Arnav closed his eyes reveling in her touch. 

"You must be exhausted Arnavji??!" She asked concernedly 

He opened his eyes & smiled softly at her. His eyes sparkling with unfathomable serenity.

"No." He shook his head. "I'm nostalgic." He replied pulling her hand down from his face. 

Khushi scrunched her eyes asking him to elaborate. 

"Khushi.. My mamma was also just like you. Even after we had an army of servants at home, she always preferred shopping veggies & other things herself & I used to accompany her every time to the market. I used to enjoy seeing her cajoling, threatening, explaining, insisting the vendors & shopkeepers to supply good quality. She had good bargaining skills that used to amaze me how she used to bring down the seller to half of the price to what he actually stated of the particulars. I guess the astute businessman in me was in the making since then." He chuckled. "Then while returning back home from shopping she used to treat me with my favourite ice cream. Then, after I got detected with diabetes, she started making sugar free ice cream for me at home only." His voice turned into a whisper & his grip on her hand tightened. "Today while shopping with you, I was getting flashes of mamma & me shopping in the same way. Thank you Khushi for letting me come with you." Raising her palm, he kissed her fingers. Khushi was too emotional to reply. She just smiled through teary eyes. 

Suddenly she pulled her hand from his & alighted the car asking him to stay put, she would be right back. Arnav was confused but still obeyed her. 

After some five minutes she came back & sat in the car. Before Arnav could ask her, she forwarded an ice cream cup towards him. Arnav looked at it astonished & then back at Khushi. 

"Your treat for joining me for shopping." She said. "& it's sugar free." She added. 

Arnav understood that she is making him relive his childhood memory fully. He smiled widely taking the cup. It was strawberry flavour. He looked at her surprised. "How do you know my favourite flavour Khushi??" He asked. 

"I had heard dii telling once that you loved to eat strawberries a lot in childhood. So I guessed, that should be your choice of flavour in ice cream as well." She explained shrugging. 

"Hmmm.. Quite impressive Mrs. Raizada." He appreciated. Khushi raised her imaginary collars. Arnav chuckled. 

"By the way, where did you get it from??" He inquired. 

"There's an ice cream shop at a distance." She replied. He nodded. 

"Where's your ice cream Khushi??" He asked removing the upper lid from the ice cream cup & eating a spoonful. 

"They didn't had my favourite vanilla flavour that's why." Khushi replied pouting. 

Taking a spoonful of ice cream he brought it towards Khushi's mouth. "Taste this flavour. You might like it." He exhorted. 

She opened her mouth & had it. "Hmmm.. It tastes quite good." She replied savouring the taste. 

Arnav himself had another spoonful. "Hmmm.. Now it's really yum." He replied looking at her lips which were slightly wet. 

Khushi understood the underlined meaning & blushed looking down. 

Arnav then shared the ice cream with her. Making her eat one spoonful & then himself the other. That way they finished the ice cream. Little bit of ice cream was stuck at the corner of Khushi's lips. He slowly bent towards her & before Khushi could understand anything he licked it with his tongue. 

"Ahhh.. Now that tastes heavenly." He said relishing the taste of her skin along with the ice cream. 

Khushi touched her lips & turned her face shyly. Arnav smiled at her response. 

Throwing the empty ice cream cup away, wiping his hands with a tissue, he started the car & drove away. Khushi was looking out of the window still blushing. 

She was in her own thoughts so didn't recognized that the car wasn't going in the direction of their house. It dawned on her when Arnav stopped the car at the side of the road. She looked ahead & found themselves in one of the lanes of Laxminagar. 

She looked at him confusingly. "Why are we here Arnavji??" She asked. 

But instead of answering Arnav stepped down & came towards Khushi's side of door & opened it. 

Offering his hand he gestured her to come down. She obliged still confused. 

"Boliye na Arnavji." She insisted. 

He pointed his finger towards something. Khushi turned her face in the direction. There was a paani puri seller standing with his cart. The same fellow whose paani puri she & her jiji used to relish. 

She looked at Arnav. He smiled. "My wife too deserves a treat of her favourite food." He replied gesturing towards the cart. 

Her eyes twinkled & mouth watered. 

"Let's go." He pulled her towards the cart & ordered the paani puri maker to serve his wife as many pani puris she wants. 

The man nodded & offered an empty bowl to Khushi in which he would serve her the paani puri. 

She smiled at her husband mouthing a 'thank you'. He blinked his eyes. 

The man served Khushi her first paani puri. She ate but felt it less spicy. "Bhaiyya thoda tikha banaiyena. (Please make little spicy.)" She said. The man nodded & added more spices to the potato mixture. "Thoda aur dalo masala." She insisted. The man obeyed. 

Arnav's eyes widened seeing the amount of spices his petite & sweet wife loved to eat. He gulped scared. 

Khushi was now relishing the paani puri as it was as per her taste. Little bit sweet. Little bit sour & more spicy. Arnav was admiring her. She was eating carelessly, expertly, opening her mouth wide & stuffing the whole big puri in it & chewing it, relishing its taste. The noise she was making while relishing the stuff & the little water from the puris dripping down her lips was tempting him to taste them. He fisted his hands tight, to control his desires. 

"Aap nahin khayenge saab?? (Won't you eat sir??)" The man asked Arnav in between. 

Before Arnav could reply, Khushi did. "Ye itna tikha nahin kha sakte aur na hi itna bada mooh khol sakte hai (He can't eat this spicy nor can open his mouth this wide) She showed opening her own mouth wider & pushing a paani puri in. 

"Ek kha lunga. (I can have one.) He replied wiping the drop of water from Khushi's lower lip. 

Khushi gave him an are-you-serious look. He blinked affirmatively. But then both smiled remembering a similar incident happened when they had come to stay for a few days at Gupta House during their contract marriage period. 

Khushi asked the man to make a less spicy paani puri for him & if possible use a small size puri. 

The man did as asked & served small in size & less spicy pani puri in Khushi's bowl for Arnav. 

Khushi forwarded the bowl towards him. He shook his head & gestured her to feed him. She raised the puri to his mouth which he opened as widely as he could & she pushed the pani puri in his mouth. As he chewed, the flavours bursted in his mouth & surprisingly he liked the sweet, sour & bit spicy taste. Khushi wiped the water from his chin & asked him through her eyes that whether he liked or not. Though she guessed through his delighted expressions that he liked it. He opened his mouth again asking her to feed him more. Khushi smiled joyfully. Her Arnavji eating anything from roadside vendors was a miracle in itself but he liking its taste was actually an eight wonder of the world. 

He nudged her breaking her thought process bringing her back to their pani puris. Then there was no looking back. Both had tummy full of pani puris of their own preferences & then drove away towards RM. 

Arnav stopped the car inside the premises of RM. His face picturesque of happiness & contentment. Khushi's heart was equally beatific. Both turned towards each other smiling. 

"Thank you Khushi for letting me accompany you & for this wonderful time together. Today I enjoyed with you neither as ASR nor your Arnavji, but as my mamma's Chhote who had got lost in the hardships & trials & tribulations of life." Moving forward, he cradled her face gently, warmly. "Only you can bring out that Chhote in me with your love & presence Khushi. Only you have that power, that potential." He said genuinely, caressing her smooth cheek bones. 

Khushi acknowledged hid words with her heartwarming smile. 

"I also enjoyed this little time with you Arnavji. Thank you for sparing time for me." She said looking at him with soft eyes. "Just hope all these is again not temporary, just to cover up your follies or a compensation to the pain your thoughtless actions have inflicted in me or only because you felt me drifting away from you." She asked straightforwardly without mincing her words. All this joyous moments with him definitely made her happy but that doesn't mean they have wiped off the pain, sufferings, miseries she endured in past days due to him.

He slowly removed his hands from her face, regretful for killing the trust his beautiful Khushi had in him. 

 "I'm no longer that Khushi who used to forgive & forget everything with just one loving look from you or by a few heart warming words Arnavji. Yes.. I have sobered down & I do consider & value your efforts of amendments. Believe me.. I do Arnavji. But this time I want all these to be permanent in my life. I'm fed up of living a life full of fear, dread & insecurities with you, that don't know when you will change again & start taking me for granted, due to somebody or something again." She said wryly. Her eyes welled up. 

Her blunt, sad words tore into his heart. He cleared his throat to dislodge the lump of guilt. 

"Khushi.. I know it's hard for you to trust me again after what ever I have put you through." He held her hand threading their fingers together. His chest hurting at the unsurety & distrust in her regarding his love. But he himself is to be blamed here. "But just.. just trust me this once & I won't let you regret again for giving me this last chance Khushi. This time if I throw away this last chance then I would be doomed, dead…because it's not only about you but about me as well Khushi. You know how selfish I become when it comes to you. My life depends on you. Your presence is quintessential for me to survive Khushi. So how can I hurt you again & let you go away from me, ending my own life as well. I want to live the rest of my life with you as you complete me Khushi. There's no Arnav without his Khushi." He kissed her fingers. His eyes sincere & words genuine. 

She looked at his penitent face silently. 

"I would prefer to die Khushi but won't hurt you ever again. I would give away my life before breaking your heart again. I would embrace death before taking you for granted again. I don't deserve to live if I make you regret 'US' again Khushi." Arnav felt the lump in his throat grow when Khushi clasped her hand on his mouth shaking her head, not wanting him to talk about his death. 

Tears filled her eyes & dripped down her cheeks. The intensity in his feelings unsettled her equilibrium. Dread filled her heart remembering the potential & dangerous threat lurking on their heads in the form of Sheetal & her accomplice. She immediately hugged him tight. Her heart was thundering in anxiety. 

"Aisi baatein mat kijiye Arnavji. Aapko hamari bhi umar lag jaaye. (Don't say such things Arnavji. May you live my life as well)" She breathed in a fear laced tone, tears wetting his shirt. 

He held her close to him. His body covering hers protectively. "Mujhe tumhari umar nahin, tumhara saath, tumhara pyaar chahiye Khushi. Bas aur kuchh nahin. (I don't want your life. I want you & your love Khushi & nothing else.) He kissed her hair & at the crook of her neck softly. Moving back he held her face & kissed her forehead tenderly. "Just you Khushi." He kissed her forehead. "Only you Khushi." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Forever." He kissed her chin. "and ever" He kissed her cheeks one by one. "Till the last breath of my life Khushi." His breath feathered across her plump cheek. Khushi's chest heaving up & down at the intensity of his words & actions. His lips moved towards hers. But before they could unite she turned her face & his lips landed on her ear. He fisted her hair in a gentle grip. "Please Khushi..please " He whispered but the hidden plead in his words tugged at her heart strings. She slowly turned her face again, her eyes closed. 

He smiled & kissed the area below her ears & trailing a path through her smooth cheek, he placed his desperate lips on her trembling ones. He was tasting the nectar of her soft petals after days of yearning & longing. He slowly sucked on their sweetness taking his time. The kiss sensitized her. She reciprocated to her limits. She gripped his shoulders to equipoise herself from getting carried away. Lack of oxygen forced him to part his lips from hers. "I love you Khushi." He said hoarsely, resting his forehead against hers. His one hand  holding her head from back & the other at her petite waist. "I love you so much that it hurts. This distance between us hurts. You drive me insane Khushi." He smooched her lips again. "Go before I lose my control Khushi." He urged kissing her forehead one more time & sat straight on his seat, gripping the steering wheel tightly. 

Gathering her senses back, Khushi asked, "Won't you come for lunch??" 

He turned towards her with a naughty smile. "For now I'm sated with this." He swiped his thumb on his lips lightly. Khushi flushed. Her bashful visage was a sight to behold. "Also the yummy pani puris are still seated satisfiedly in my stomach. So no lunch today." He said caressing his tummy. Khushi smiled understanding. She stretched her hand to retrieve the vegetable bags from the back seat but Arnav stopped her. "You go in. I will ask the watchman to drop the bags inside." Khushi nodded & got down of the car, taking her purse. 

"Bye." She waved her hand smiling. 

"Bye sweetheart." He passed a flying kiss to her. 

She didn't want to melt into a mushy puddle after hearing the endearment & his romantic gestures, so she scurried away from there, straight to the main door of their house. 

He chuckled at his wife's shyness. 

Then he asked the watchman to extract the bags from his car & drop in the house. The watchman obeyed. 

Glancing once in the direction, his shy wife ran away, Arnav drove out of RM towards his office half heartedly. 

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Entering the house Khushi straightaway barged into NK's room. 

NK  was watching a horror movie sitting on the bed, munching on his all time favorite chips. Startled by the sudden opening of his door, he threw his chips packet in the air & all the chips came showering down on him. Some landed in his hair. Some on his shoulders. some in his lap & some scattered around him on the bed. 

"Jesus.. You scared me Khushiji." NK hissed rubbing his chest dramatically. He switched off the TV with its remote. 

Khushi bursted out laughing seeing him covered with chips. 

"Nanheji.. I thought you love chips only to eat but I didn't know you like to bathe with them as well." She jested laughing still. 

"Khushiji.. First you scare me & now you are laughing at me. Not fair." He complained like a kid & started picking the chips & depositing back in its packet. "My poor chips." He whined making Khushi laugh harder. 

She sobered down & started helping him in collecting the chips. "I'm sorry Nanheji. I didn't mean to startle you." She apologised picking the chips from his hair & putting in its packet. 

"That's ok Khushiji." He replied settling back on the pillows after gathering all his chips. Khushi sat opposite him. 

"By the way.. What brought you here so hastily??" He asked then narrowed his eyes as if scrutinizing her face. "Why are your cheeks so red Khushiji??" He asked munching again on his chips. 

Khushi immediately touched her cheeks remembering her husband's romantic talks & ministrations of a while ago in the car. 

"No..nothing." She replied smiling sheepishly, wiping her cheeks with her palm. 

"Are you sure??" He asked again. 

"Haan nanheji aur wo sab chhodiye, hame aap se kuchh baat karni hai. (Yes nanheji.. Just leave all that, I want to talk to you about something.) Before he digs more on the reason behind her crimson cheeks, she immediately changed the topic to the one she was here to discuss. 

"OK.. Go on.. I'm listening." He replied keeping the chips packet aside, giving her his complete attention. 

"Nanheji.. Did you follow up with your friend regarding our work?? What did he say?? Is there any progress??" She asked anxiously. Hopefully. 

"Yes Khushiji.. I got a call from him just a while back." He said. 

Khushi looked at him expectantly. 

"He couldn't get the name of the owner of that number." Khushi's face fell. "But he confirmed that the owner doesn't reside in India. He is operating that number from the US that's for sure." NK supplied. 

"US.." Khushi mumbled. "Sheetal is from there. Arnavji has studied there. This man also lives there. So is it possible that he is from somebody of Arnavji's old acquaintance from Havards?? Arnavji was very intelligent. A scholar & always a topper there. So may be somebody who was jealous of him in those days is trying to take revenge by harming him now." Khushi thoughtfully put forth her doubts. 

"But why would any jealous brat take his revenge from Nannav after so many years??" NK asked back. 

"May be because he is still jealous of all the success, name, fame & wealth Arnavji has earned & may be he couldn't do anything good or big out of himself." She surmised her doubts. 

"Hmmm.. That's quite possible Khushiji. But still.. Would he plan to kill Nannav just out of jealousy?? Can anybody go to this length to extract revenge on such petty things as jealousy??" NK asked. 

Khushi shrugged her shoulders. "We can never understand how or in which direction a human mind works Nanheji. It's very hard to learn or trust anybody in today's time. You never know when anybody would backstab you. That anybody could be your acquaintance or a stranger. You never know. Take this Sheetal for example Nanheji. Arnavji takes her as his good friend from his old days. But he doesn't know that she ain't any friend but a foe, who has dangerous plans against him. To harm him. To part him from his wife. To shatter his family staying amidst his family, under his own roof." She said pensively. Her innards shuddered with the thought of Sheetal succeeding in her conspiracy. 

NK held her hand lightly lending his support. 

"You are right Khushiji. It could be anybody. But you don't need to worry. My friend has assured he will definitely trace that man's name in a day or two. Due to increasing cyber crimes nowadays, the cyber cell police has become very active & intelligent. He needs to be very cautious. One wrong move from him & his whole career will be ruined. So we need to have some patience." NK explained, trying to ease down Khushi's anxiety. 

"I understand Nanheji. Your friend is doing a very big obligation on us by helping us going out of the way & risking his career. I don't want him to put his career at stake. We can wait for two days. At least we got to know the whereabouts of this person if not his name. Something is better than nothing." Khushi said in her usual positive self. NK nodded. 

"As it is Sheetal's plan is to first separate Arnavji & me. Then only she can go ahead with her further plans & I'm never going to leave my Arnavji. So she can just dream of her plans succeeding as I'm not going to let her succeed in reality." Khushi said. Her eyes sparkling with conviction. 

"Yes.." NK punched his fist in air cheerfully, seeing his best friend so strongly determined. 

"& I have my KKK team with me to support me then how can that chudail Sheetal win." Khushi smirked & hi-fied with NK. 

"But Khushiji.. don't you think we can make this two days wait more entertaining??" NK asked wiggling his eyebrows, smiling mischievously. 

Khushi understood the underlined meaning & to whom he was referring to. 

"Ye bhi koi pochhnewali baat hai nanheji?? (Do you need to ask nanheji??) She replied reciprocating his mischievous smile which boded ill for vicious bitch Sheetal. 

Both shook hands with each other vigorously, excitedly, naughtily, like school kids planning on playing naughty pranks on their weak classmates. 

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Sheetal was back from office & was now sitting on a chair near mami's bed in mami's room in the name of giving her company. But in reality she was just trying to stay in mami's good books by flattering her with her sweet-talks & false praises, as the other women of the house were against her sans mami. Mamaji was gone out to meet some of his friend passing his wife's responsibility to a very EFFICIENT Shital, to not let his wife feel alone & keep her entertained. 

But to Sheetal's surprise, mami didn't look that pleased or flattered with her praises, she used to be. Only if she knew that Manorama Singh Raizada was changing & becoming a better human being who knows to differentiate between genuine words & flattery comments. Also between genuine people & two-faced ones. Though she has no idea about Shital's treachery, but since she has started seeing good in her daughter in law Payal, she has started understanding the difference between good & bad. Even though she won't agree but she knows whatever praises & flattery comments Sheetal is showering on her, she doesn't deserve or possess. So Shital is definitely not as good as she thought of her. 

Manorama was again & again glancing towards the door, waiting for anybody to come. Precisely her daughter in law who definitely doesn't flatter her with fake praises but showers her with genuine care & concern. 

"What happened mamiji?? Are you waiting for somebody??" Sheetal asked annoyed with Manorama's lack of response on her talks. 

But before Manorama could answer, her eyes did which smiled seeing her daughter in law Payal walking in the room with a tray in her hands having a glass of milk & a plate of biscuits. 

Sheetal fake smiled at her. Payal's mouth turned bitter seeing Sheetal but nonetheless, she responded with an equally fake smile & sat near Manorama on the bed, with the tray in her lap. 

"Maaji.. Have your milk." Payal forwarded the warm milk glass. 

"I don't want to drink milk. I don't like it. I want to hab tea." Mami whined pushing the glass slowly. 

Payal sighed. "Maaji.. Milk is good for you. It's full of protein which helps in healing the fracture soon." Payal explained like a kindergarten teacher to her grown up sasuma. 

"But I don't like its taste." Manorama threw one more tantrum making a face.

 She was doing this deliberately as she liked all the care & attention she was getting from her daughter in law. She liked the way Payal was pestering her, cajoling her to eat or drink anything just like she did in the afternoon when she (Manorama) refused to eat green salad stating that she isn't Laxmi to eat raw vegetables. But Payal pestered her to eat as its good for her health. She tried to entice her by offering to make her favourite gajar ka halwa. She was enjoying all the pampering from Payal & the whole family. Being the eldest amongst six siblings she never got much love & pampering from her parents as it was divided in five more siblings. Coming from a very poor backward class family, she was devoid from all the happiness a child yearns for in its childhood. Due to lack of money she couldn't study further after fourth standard as her parents believed that her three brothers deserve more to get educated as they have a career to build & then would have a family to look after. So her two sisters & she had to sacrifice their studies for their brothers. Same went with good food, good clothes & everything good which went to their brothers as they were the sons of the house. She grew up compromising all her life to the limit of working as a servant in Raizada family. Fortunately, she caught the eyes of the only son of the Raizadas, Manohar Raizada. But again her background became a hurdle in their union & they had to elope. To her good fortune, later she was accepted as the bahu in the family. But the bitter experiences of unacceptance & being neglected since childhood doubled with her own inferiority complex of not being able to blend in her inlaws high class society, had turned her bitter. She knew her sasuma did accept her but somewhere her background & Manohar choosing her against the family did prick her. She (Manorama) just wanted to make a strong foothold in her family, in the high class society & amongst her elite friends who she knew were accepting her only because of the Raizada tag & wealth. She was also very much aware that they make fun & mockery of her behind her back. So that's why she wanted to have a wealthy, highly educated & Miss world type daughter in law. Not only because she could flaunt her in front of the world but also that her daughter in law wouldn't have to face what she herself did. That was the only reason for her not liking & not accepting Payal as her bahu. But now Payal is efficiently changing her thoughts & feelings by her genuine love, care & concern she yearned for, since childhood. Her bahu was giving her priority, was giving her importance she thought she would never get. 

"Payal.. If mamiji doesn't want to drink this milk then why are you forcing her." Sheetal's loud voice broke Manorama's rumination. "If mamiji wants to drink tea then why don't you serve her tea?? How careless you are for her." Sheetal yelled at Payal which irked Manorama. 

Payal was too enraged & was about to lash out on her but her sasuma beat her to it. 

"Miss Sital Kapoor. You hab no rights to arder or sout on my bahu. I'm her sasuma & only I hab the rights to sout, arder, explain or demand anything phrom her. Next time don't you dare raij your voice on her." Mami chastised Sheetal straightforwardly who was shocked but Payal was happy beyond limits. 

"But mamiji.. I was looking for your interest & likes only." Sheetal said trying to show mami that she is her well wisher & not her bahu. 

"Thanks but no thanks Sheetal." It was Payal this time. "My sasuma has her whole family & her bahu to look after her. We don't want our so called guests to poke their nose in between our family matters. I hope I have made myself clear??" Payal glowered at her. 

Sheetal couldn't say anything, just nod at her, embarrassed. 

"By the way.. What are you doing here Sheetal??" Payal asked handing the glass of milk to her sasuma who took it without any more fuss. 

"I came to see mami's health. Mamaji asked me to sit & accompany her as he had to go out. So I was just talking to her to keep her entertained." Sheetal explained, struggling to sound soft. 

She was hell frustrated & angry to the core by the water running backwards towards her in which she had planned to drown Khushi. She couldn't understand how Arnav & Khushi again came close to each other after her successful attempts on creating distance between them. She couldn't fathom how the Raizada women who were divided into two groups with the majority with her, again united. She couldn't comprehend how the whole family has suddenly started treating her & Arav as guests, whom they valued no less than their family & were at their back & call. She couldn't decipher how everything she invested in this family to fulfill her motives, went downhill. 

"But we don't see you entertaining mamiji in any way." Khushi said entering the room followed by NK & nani.

They had heard Sheetal insulting Payal when they were outside the room. Khushi was about to rush in, to give Sheetal earful but mamiji surprised them by flagellating Sheetal on her bahu's behalf. They were too elated by this change in mami. 

 "You are in fact boring her with your annoying talks Sheetal." Khushi said sardonically, sitting beside her jiji who smiled at her. 

Nani took the comfy chair & NK made himself comfortable on the other side of mami. All prepared to corner Sheetal in the worst possible way for her & in the best possible way for them. 

Mami was happy to see all of them in her room. They asked after her health. She replied that she was feeling better. 

The KKK brigade concentrated back on Sheetal who was feeling uncomfortable, sensing danger due to their unfathomable gaze on her. 

Before she could find an excuse to escape, NK asked her with a pseudo concern. "What happen Sheetal, you look scared suddenly??" 

"No. Nothing. It's nothing like that. I'm absolutely fine." She replied with fake confidence. 

"Good. Then I would suggest you to do something for mami to entertain her." He said with a fake smile. 

"& what is that??" She asked. 

"Why don't you sing something for mami. Something which she hasn't heard till now." He suggested adroitly. 

Sheetal thought it to be nothing worth fearing. He is just asking to sing. In fact, it's a good chance for her to put Khushi down with her singing talent. She will sing something which not only mami, but any of these Raizada women must not have heard. They will all fall flat. 

Seeing her lost in her thoughts, KKK team understood she is planning something. But they were relaxed as they know she has foolishly fallen in their web. 

"Yes NK.. I will sing something very melodious which nobody of you must have heard neither any of you can even try to copy." She stated confidently. 

"Oh really.." NK said showing fake excitement. "Then the stage is all yours." He said pointing towards the floor near mami's bed. Mami kept her empty glass back in the tray & got charged up to be entertained. 

Sheetal stood up immediately, enthusiastic to display her opera singing. 

Standing with her hands joint in a professional opera singer's pose, she started screaming from her rough throat in the name of opera singing. Her pitch was raising high every second, ready to turn every occupant in the room deaf. Everybody covered their ears with their index fingers & shut their eyes tight. 

But Sheetal was going on & on, lost in her own disharmonious singing, closing her eyes. 

Anjali who was helping Arav in his homework in his room, asked him to continue writing & herself came limping hastily, hearing the ear piercing scream of Sheetal. She also had to cover her ears to save her eardrums. 

"Enoughhhhhh." Everybody shouted together loudly. 

Startled Sheetal stopped her so called singing, abruptly. Everybody sighed in relief & opened their eyes & removed their fingers from their ears. 

Opening her eyes, Sheetal saw stunned faces of everybody. She was elated thinking that she shocked them with her rendition. She patted herself mentally, feeling proud, smiling foolishly. 

"What was that??" NK scowled. . 

"That's called opera singing NK. Didn't I stupefied you all with my melodious singing??" Sheetal asked, expecting lots of praises from each one of them present there. 

"If this is your melodious singing then what would be your disharmonious singing??" Khushi asked incredulously. 

Everybody chuckled at her comment. 

"Sheetal we asked you to sing & not scream. It felt as if you were hell bent on tearing our eardrums." Payal taunted rubbing her ears which were still buzzing. 

"Haan Sheetal.. Tumri bhayankar gayki se agar ham behre hoi jaate to logo se keh sakte the ki umar ka takaza hai lekin agar hamri teeno bahuriya aur hamri bitiya bhi behri hoi jaati to ham duniya ko kya mooh dikhate??(Yes Sheetal.. Due to your horrible singing if I would have turned deaf then I would have reasoned it as age critique. But if my daughters in law & my daughter would have turned deaf, then how would I have faced the world??) Nani asked with terrified expressions. 

"Not facewa Sasuma.. How would you hab shown your earswa to the worald." Mami commented making animated faces. 

NK, Khushi & Payal laughed loudly. Nani & Anjali chortled. Sheetal felt embarrassed. 

"It wasn't that bad naniji." Sheetal said making a sad face, trying to earn some sympathy points. 

"Yeah right & I'm not an old woman.. Right??" Nani mocked Sheetal. "Sheetal I would prefer my Laxmi's meh-meh over your so called opera singing anytime." 

Sheetal was hell embarrassed getting compared with the goat Laxmi

"Errr Sheetalji.. It was actually horrible. I would suggest you to never try that again." Anjali suggested, stifling her laughter. 

"You know Sheetal…" NK said taking a cream biscuit from mami's plate & separating the two parts. "Even my walking talking 'gusse ki dukaan' brother Nannav can sing better than you." He added licking the cream from the biscuits. 

"Bilkul sahi kaha nanheji. Hamare Arnavji Sheetal se kahin behtar gaa sakte hai. (You are absolutely right Nanheji. My Arnavji can sing way better than Sheetal.) Khushi stated proudly, raising her chin high in the air. 

"Arnav & sing??" Sheetal raised her one eyebrow. "You are delusional Khushi." She mock laughed at Khushi. "Arnav can never sing. I can bet with you on that because I know him much better than you do. Singing & dancing is not his cup of tea. He isn't cut out for all these things. In fact that's the reason, he always used to avoid attending any kind of gatherings & functions back in Harvard, so that his friends would not force him to sing & dance which he dislikes." She said with a proud smirk. 

"You are absolutely right Sheetal." Everybody's heads turned towards the direction of the voice. There, the man in question was himself standing at the door, who has just returned from his office & without even freshening up, he rushed to see his wife first. His heart warmed up seeing her smiling at him. 

He entered the room without moving his gaze from his wife's face & came & stood near her. His eyes on his beautiful wife who was praising him stating the quality he doesn't possess. But how can he let her words go in vain. He has vowed to always leave up to her expectations & he will do it at any cost. 

"Arnav can never sing." He repeated Sheetal's words & her proud smirk widened. 

"But Khushi's Arnavji can." He replied, wiping the smirk from Sheetal's face. 

"What's up family??" Akash entered, glad to see his whole family gathered in his mother's room.

He went to his mother & kissed her forehead. Manorama smiled at her son. He then sat near his wife smiling lovingly at her. Payal smiled back at him.

"Nothing much brother." Arnav spoke getting Akash's attention back to him from his wife. "You are about to witness your astute businessman bhai turning into a romantic singer for his lovely wife." He said looking at his wife intently.

Akash raised his eyebrows in astonishment at his bhai's words.

Arnav held Khushi's hands gently in his. Khushi was just looking at her husband in anticipation & so were the others. 

"Teri meri, meri teri, prem kahani hai mushkil,
Do lafzo mein ye, bayaan na ho paaye.

Ek ladka, ek ladki ki, ye kahani hai nayi,
Do lafzo mein ye, bayaan na ho paaye. 

Saara din bit jaaye, saari raat jagaye. 
Bas khayal tumhara, lamha lamha tadpaye. 

Ye tadap keh rahi hai, mit jaye faasle, 
Ye tere mere darmiyaan jo hai saare. 

Teri meri baaton ka, har lamha sabse anjana, 
Do lafzon mein ye, bayaan na ho paye."

There was a pin drop silence in the room. Everybody was standing slack jawed & were looking at Arnav unblinkingly. Nobody was able to believe that Arnav whom they have never heard even humming, just sang a song. Though it wasn't remotely close to be called singing but still, he sang.. er.. kind of sang, was nothing less than an eighth wonder. 

Everybody looked at each other in shock & Sheetal was about to faint but Arnav & Khushi, they both were transferred to the night, when they had danced together for the first time on this same song. Their sizzling chemistry had set the stage on fire & the same fire had aroused many unsaid feelings & desires in both of them. 

Khushi was just staring at him with moist eyes. She was overwhelmed by remembering that night, when he had saved her from losing the challenge which he himself had placed, otherwise he could have easily won. But he had come to her help going out of the way, as dancing was not his forte. But still, he had danced with her & had made her win. Even today, just for her, he sang a song which he never did before, that too the song which holds a significant value for them. 

Arnav understood her emotional state as he was feeling the same. 

"Sorry.. I know. It was not that good. But I tried, for my Khushi & see, nobody fainted. So it wasn't that bad either." He joked making her smile, through her tears. 

She clapped heartily for him. Everybody except Sheetal, joined Khushi & the sound of loud clapping was reverberating in mami's room. 

Sheetal was gritting her teeth furiously at one more defeat. 

"I didn't know, my Chhote can sing as well." Anjali said smiling, cupping her Chhote's cheeks. 

"Come on dii. That's not a big deal." Arnav removed her hands, trying not to blush. 

"NK babua.. Caal the police immediately." Mami said out of the blue, shocking everyone. 

"Why maasiji??" NK inquired, confused. 

"Becaj he ij not our Arnav bitwa. He ij hij double rolewa. Our real Arnav bitwa can neber sing. Hello hi, bye bye." Mami reasoned animatedly. 

Arnav rolled his eyes & everybody laughed at his expense. 

NK saw Sheetal glaring at Khushi. 

"So, miss Shit-al." He called her & she looked at him horrified, hearing him call her that way. 

"Oh sorry. I mean Shital." He touched his ears apologizing fakely, pretending it to be his usual slip of tongue. 

Sheetal fake smiled. 

Akash, mami & Anjali believed his excuse but nani, Payal & Khushi knew better so they couldn't help but guffawed & somewhere Arnav too felt that NK said that deliberately & seeing the three ladies guffawing, he was sure of his doubts. He too couldn't help but chuckle. 

"Shital.. this isn't the Arnav you knew back then. But he is Khushi's Arnavji, who can do anything for his Khushi. Sing & dance as well." NK taunted the already burning Sheetal. 

But she wasn't one to accept defeat easily. 

"Ok.. I agree that Arnav sang, as I myself witnessed him sing but Arnav & dance?? Not possible at all because Arnav has two left feet, when it comes to dance & I'm ready for any bet on that." Sheetal said over confidently. 

"Deal??" NK grabbed the opportunity immediately, forwarding his hand towards an over confident Sheetal. "If you lose, then you will have to do, whatever I ask for the next 24 hours." NK explained the deal. 

Seeing his confidence, Sheetal hesitated a bit, but now she can't back out as it would mean embarrassing herself more. But somewhere she was confident that Arnav can never dance. So she accepted the deal with NK. 

"I accept." She agreed shaking hand with his. 

Everybody tried to stifle their laughter as they knew Sheetal has landed herself into big trouble. 

"But if I win, Khushi will have to do whatever I say for the next 24 hours" She kept her own nasty condition forward. 

Arnav was about to say something but Khushi interrupted. 

"I agree." She said looking at Sheetal who was giving her looks like, you-are-going-to-regret. 

But Khushi just wished her. "All the best Sheetal."

"Then in that case, if you lose Sheetal, than Khushi should have the right to punish you. That would be a fair deal." Payal altered the challenge a bit. 

"Fair enough.. I don't mind." Sheetal accepted, shrugging her shoulders overweening. 

"So Sheetal.. Be ready to lose. I will be right back." NK said & left the room but not before winking at his KKK team, who winked back at him. All these was noticed by Arnav sharply. He then saw his wife shaking hands with her jiji secretly, under their saree veils. There's something definitely cooking between these two sisters & my dumbo cousin. He thought. But to his surprise he saw nani showing thumbs up to both the sisters who reciprocated with the same. 

WHAT THE..Nani too.. Have these four made a team against Sheetal?? He asked himself. Well if that's the case then nobody can save Sheetal from getting butchered. It's gonna be fun. Arnav chuckled inwardly at his musings. 

"Here.. Here.. Here." NK dashed back in the room with extra springs in his feet as he has to make Sheetal jump on her place in frustration, going mad with one more defeat. 

"NK.. We were talking about Arnav dancing & not you. Arnav is standing carelessly without bothering to prove me wrong. I don't know why you are jumping in excitement??" Sheetal mocked NK. 

"Sheetal.. I know you are too eager to lose. I won't make you wait for long." NK smirked showing her a pendrive. 

"Don't tell me this pen drive is going to dance on Arnav's behalf." Sheetal jeered, pursing her lips in a self satisfied smirk, folding her hands at front with attitude. 

Arnav & Khushi rolled their eyes at her open display of her foolishness. 

"If ASR wishes then he can make this whole world dance on his little finger." He said showing his little finger. "Phir ye pen drive kya cheez hai." NK retorted waving the pen drive in front of Sheetal. 

Everybody chuckled knowing what's there in the pen drive. 

NK went towards the big LED TV & attached the pen drive with it. He switched on the TV & fast forwarded & then stopped at a point. All this while he was standing in front of the TV, so the screen wasn't completely visible to Sheetal but the moment NK moved aside & Sheetal watched the scene going on the TV, her eyes went wide as saucers & her jaws hit the floor. Arnav was dancing on the stage with a few background dancers. Seeing visuals of other family members & Khushi as well, Sheetal deduced it to be of the sangeet ceremony of his & Khushi's marriage. She was staring at the screen unblinkingly, shocked to the wits. She wasn't able to believe her own eyes. 

If Sheetal was standing thunderstruck then Arnav & Khushi were again transferred to their sangeet night. The way Arnav had danced for Khushi was absolutely unexpected but very pleasant. Khushi was on cloud nine. A beautiful pleasant smile broke on her lips watching his dance again on the screen. Arnav pulled her to himself, circling his arm around her shoulders. Khushi smiled warmly at him & looked back at the screen. 

Along with them all the others were also engrossed in Arnav's dance, going on the screen. When Arnav's proposal scene happened, everybody clapped enthusiastically as if it was happening live. Khushi looked gratefully at Arnav for giving her, her dream proposal that night. Her eyes moist with happy tears. Arnav kissed her forehead lovingly. 

As soon as Arnav's dance & proposal scene ended on the screen, they heard a loud thud sound. Everybody turned in the direction of the voice & found Sheetal lying on the floor, unconscious. 

"Nannav.. Lagta hai tumhara jhumka Sheetal ko bohot zoro se laga. (Nannav.. I guess your earrings hit Sheetal hard)" NK commented looking at an unconscious Sheetal. 

"Jhumka naahin NK bitwa.. Thumka.. Thumka. (not earrings NK bitwa.. Dance steps)". Mami corrected NK, shaking her head. 

Everybody chuckled but couldn't ignore an unconsciously lying Sheetal. Anjali, Payal & NK rushed towards her & bent down near her. Khushi was also about to go but Arnav stopped her holding her hand. She looked at him. 

"You don't need to go. They will take care of her." Arnav said, not wanting Khushi to care for the woman who is the reason behind their sufferings. Khushi nodded adhering to his words & stayed beside him. 

NK touched his fingers at Sheetal's nose. He shook his head with a sad face. 

Everybody looked at him scared. 

"Too bad. She is still alive." NK said chortling. 

"NK.." Everybody screamed, glaring at him at his ill time levity. 

"OK.. Ok.. sorry guys." He raised his hands in surrender. 

Payal quickly got some water & sprinkled on Sheetal's face. Her eyes fluttered open. 

Everybody sighed in relief.

"Sheetalji… Are you ok??" Anjali asked concerned. 

"Main kahaan hoon??Aap sab kaun hai??(Where am I?? Who are you all??) Sheetal muttered looking at everybody's face, holding her head, still lying on the floor.

Not getting any sympathy from anybody, she again tried to fake unconsciousness. 

Everybody rolled their eyes understanding her drama. 

Payal winked at Khushi who blinked at her. 

"Nanheji.. I have a better idea to get her back to conscious completely." Payal said a bit loudly. They saw Sheetal's eyeballs moving behind her closed eyelids. Means she is listening. 

"& what's that Payal bhabhi??" NK asked feigning innocence. 

"Wait.. I will show." She replied & removed one of her slippers from her foot. 

Everybody understood her idea. 

Payal then held her slipper, sole down on Sheetal's nose. "See Nanheji.. Now when Sheetal will smell my slipper, she will sit up immediately, fully conscious." Payal explained deliberately. 

Everybody struggled to hold their laughter. 

Sheetal had smelled dirt & dust the moment Payal held her slipper to her nose. But she had no idea what it could be. But as soon as Payal revealed it to be her slipper, Sheetal immediately sat up on her place, fully conscious & pushed Payal's slipper away. "I'm fine.. I'm fine." She mumbled, not wanting them to try some other dirty tactics on her. 

"Arey waah Payal bhabhi.. Aap ka Gutkha kaam aa gaya." NK praised Payal giving her a hi-fi. 

"Gutkha nahin nanheji.. Nuskha.. Nuskha." It was Khushi this time correcting NK, who smiled sheepishly touching his earlobes. 

All four of them stood up from the floor. 

"So Miss Sheetal Kapoor.." Khushi came & stood in front of Sheetal, folding her hands at her chest. "Now when you yourself witnessed my Arnavji dancing 'for me'.." She emphasised on the words 'for me'.. "You lost the challenge & become entitled for punishment." She said reminding her of their challenge. 

Sheetal looked at everybody's faces. She had accepted the challenge in front of all, now she can't back out. She clenched her jaw, muttering profanities to herself for her overconfidence. 

"What do I have to do??" She asked. 

"Tomorrow you will make breakfast, lunch & dinner for everybody, just like jiji & I do everyday." Khushi said simply. 

Sheetal looked at her horrified. 

"Khussi…" Mami interrupted. Everybody looked at her. 

"Ji mamiji??" Khushi asked. 

"My phriends are aalso coming to vijhit (visit) me tumarrow, to ask aphter my healthwa. They bill hab nasta-pani aalso." Mami supplied. 

"No worries mamiji. Sheetal will make snacks & refreshments for them as well. Right Sheetal??" Khushi asked her with fake sweetness. 

"How can I cook so much for so many people??" She asked making a puppy face which couldn't melt anybody. 

"That you should have thought before challenging my Khushi." Arnav replied on Khushi's behalf, looking vengefully at Sheetal. 

"But Arnav.. I have office tomorrow. How can I take leave?? Remember you & Khushi only made the rule that I can't take any extra leaves till I'm here." Sheetal stated making excuse to escape from the punishment. But Arnav was quick to beat her to it. 

"I approve your 1 day leave Sheetal. I hope now there's no problem." Arnav replied quirking his eyebrows. 

"But how will I do everything alone??" Sheetal asked. 

"Just like we do daily." Payal replied. 

"But you take HP & OP's help." Sheetal retorted. 

"They just cut vegetables. We do the rest." Khushi countered. 

"Muft ki rotiyaan bohot tod li Sheetal. Ab zara roti bel ke bhi dikhao. (Enough of freeloading Sheetal. Now show your cooking skills as well). NK taunted. 

Sheetal gulped all the insults as she has no other option until she succeeds in her plans. 

Sheetal looked at Anjali for help but she shrugged her shoulders gesturing 'you asked for it'. 

"Come on Sheetalji.. You are behaving as if cooking is such a big deal & even if you don't know, then google is always there to help you." Anjali said suggestively, trying to encourage Sheetal. 

Sheetal flared her nostrils at her suggestion instead of help. 

"Ok Sheetal. I sympathize with you. So I'm giving you one more option." Khushi said showing her generosity. 

Sheetal looked at her hopefully. 

"If you don't want to cook then you will have to do 100 sit ups right now, holding your ears." Khushi said. 

Sheetal sighed in relief as this was way easy in comparison to cook 3 times meal for the whole family. She was about to accept it but Khushi wasn't done yet. 

"With every single sit up, you will have to say loud & clear that "KHUSHI IS VERY COOL. SHEETAL IS A BLOODY FOOL." Khushi added smiling mockingly. 

Everybody smirked inwardly at Khushi's intelligence. They know Sheetal would never accept to praise Khushi so she will have to accept the cooking punishment. 

Sheetal looked at her petrified. The nerve of this girl. How dare she call her a fool & herself cool. She inhaled exhaled hard to control her fury. Never.. Never will she do any such thing. She decided to stick to the previous punishment. 

"I opt for the first option." She said raising her chin. 

"Okay then Sheetal. Your 24 hours punishment starts tomorrow morning at six o' clock." Khushi said. "Everybody have their breakfast at nine. I hope you would be able to manage??" Khushi asked with fake sympathy. 

"I can & I will." Sheetal replied arrogantly & left the room. 

"My jalebi bai is on a roll to avenge Sheetal." Arnav whispered to Khushi. 

"Do you have any objection??" Khushi teased him. 

"Nope.." He raised his hands. "In fact I'm enjoying getting my Sankadevi back." He winked at her. She smiled. 

Arnav got a call so he left the room after informing Khushi. 

Anjali too left to see whether Arav has completed his homework or not. 

The KKK team joined their hands together for cornering Sheetal as per their plan. 

"It's time to make Sheetal taste her own medicine." Khushi said. 

"Yesssss.." The other three supported. 

"Kal ham Sheetal ko itna pareshaan karenge ki wo hamesha ke liye madhosh ho jayegi." NK commented. 

"Madhosh nahin nanheji.. Behosh.. Behosh." Khushi & Payal corrected him pulling his ears. 

"Ya wohi.. Wohi.. Behosh ho jayegi." He repeated & all the three women laughed but they suddenly remembered that they are in mamiji's room, who is eyeing them suspiciously. 

Before mami could ask them anything, they dispersed hurriedly stating one or the other excuse. 

Mami sat agape seeing all of them vanishing so suddenly. 

To be continued…… 

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So how's it let me know through ur votes and comments as usual.

The other half of the previous teaser would be there in the next chapter. 

P. S - The next update would be the final epilogue of YAMS.. 

Love 

Kavita ❤️