Hey lovely readers...

Hope you all are safe & sound in your houses during this pandemic...

I missed you all & missed drafting my stories... There are many reasons for the huge delay in the update but I won't go into all that & bore you all...

I'm thankful to each one of my ardent, loyal, understanding & very very patient readers & followers for sticking to me & my stories even after so much of delay in the updates..

You guys are just amazing & I'm very fortunate to have you all in my life...

Also thank you to those who have been asking & worrying after my well being during this pandemic...

This update is dedicated to all my lovely readers but a special mention to Shagun2704 my dear Somu who celebrated her b'day a few days back. Somu, you did get my wishes on your b'day itself but your gift was pending. So this is it, though belated. Hope you & my other readers would like it.

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Arnav was working on his laptop sitting on his recliner but he wasn't able to concentrate. The images of his cherishable togetherness with his wife today after days of distance between them were just flashing in front of his eyes.

He has loved every second spent with her today. Their vegetable shopping, her ice cream treat to him, their gorging on gol gappas, he has enjoyed every bit of it. But the best was their intimate moment shared in his car when he came to drop her home. Their emotional talks warmed their hearts & then their kiss after days of craving & pining felt like rain after a prolonged drought. The sweetness of her soft lips was still lingering on his rough lips. He can give away his fortune to live his whole life with his Khushi in such ecstasy.

His lips & fingers were desperate to devour his wife. He couldn't settle with just one kiss. He needs to feel, touch, taste & love every inch of her. All of her, whole of her.

He heaved a helpless, frustrated sigh.

A knock on his open door intruded his contemplation.

It was his brother Akash who entered with a quizzical look on his face & settled on the recliner near his bhai.

"Yes Akash??" Arnav asked, looking at his laptop screen.

"Bhai.. if you are busy I would come later." Akash asked politely but his voice gave away the seriousness of the matter he was here to discuss.

Shutting his laptop, turning towards his brother giving him all his attention, Arnav gave his little brother an encouraging nod. "I'm all ears Akash."

"Bhai.." Akash started. "You have always been my support, my strength, my mentor & my role model since childhood. I have always looked up to you, whenever I felt weak in any situation, whenever I faltered in taking any decisions because I knew you were there to guide me, to encourage me. You have always stood by me, fulfilled all my wishes & never let me down."

"Akash.." Arnav interrupted. "Why are you enumerating all these now?? Whatever I did or am doing is my responsibility as an elder brother towards you." Arnav said, patting his brother's thigh.

"Yes, that's what I meant. You have always performed your duties & fulfilled all your responsibilities towards me & our family. I know you are very much capable of living up to others' expectations & your own as well. But that doesn't mean you don't need anybody's support & backing." Akash said, confusing Arnav. "However, you never showed or demanded any of it ever is a different thing altogether. But as your brother, I want to be that support to you, that supporting shoulder whom you can look up to for strength & support when you're in need." Akash held his brother's hand in his & pressed it affectionately.

"Akash... I don't..." Arnav swallowed not able to say further as he was overwhelmed by his brother's words but couldn't understand the reason behind them.

"Bhai.. I know you have always been closest to dii. You share every little thing with her. But I also know that there are certain facts or secrets you couldn't share with her as well. So I want to be that confidante for you, whom you can trust with anything & everything without fearing to be judged." Akash said, looking into his brother's eyes.

Arnav shifted uncomfortably in his place. He was moved by his brother's words. But he wanted to know what got this sudden need in him to share his brother's problems.

"Akash.. I don't get you. What are you talking about?? Stop talking in circles & come clear. Will you??" Arnav asked in his usual straightforward manner.

Akash stopped beating around the bush & came straight to the point.

"Bhai... I feel there's something wrong between you & Khushiji. In fact I feel somewhere our whole family is the reason behind whatever conflicts you both are facing but the main culprits are Sheetal & Arav here." Akash stated simply, shocking his bhai.

"Akash.. what are you saying?? There's nothing like that. Khushi & I are..are all..all good... brother." Arnav tried to deviate his brother from the topic but his stutter gave away his uneasiness.

"Bhai.." Akash moved closer to his brother. "Please don't make me feel an unworthy cousin who knows only to demand but not to give. Though I have always done that only in all my relationships but I have understood my folly. Though late, but I did." He shook his head, sighing deeply. "I'm now trying to amend my mistakes of not standing with & for my relations when they needed me. Bhai.. please trust me & open up to me. I might not be able to solve your issues but sharing might lighten your burden & mine as well. Please bhai." Akash beseeched hopefully.

Arnav felt proud of getting such solicitous relations in his life who wants to see him happy & content.

Arnav ruffled Akash's hair smiling affectionately. "When did my little brother grow so big that he wants to share my problems & responsibilities??" Arnav asked with soft eyes.

"When I understood my shortcomings in handling my relationships, to the verge of losing them." Akash whispered. His voice wet with tears remembering the crack in his relationship with his lovely wife which he could suffice on time otherwise he would have been left with nothing but remorse & regret of losing that one woman who loved him unconditionally, accepted him with all his flaws & forgave him even if he didn't deserve.

He knows his bhai is going through some similar phase & may be worse than that. So he wants to become the pillar of support for his bhai as he can very well understand what he is going through.

Arnav also knows why his brother can relate to his sufferings as he also has made some similar mistakes of hurting his love, his wife. He was not that immune to his brother's distress. But he refrained himself from intruding as he wanted him to be a man enough & face the consequences of his mistakes bravely. He is proud that his brother lived up to his expectations & now wants to help him & surprisingly for the first time, Arnav too felt the need of having a brotherly talk & relieve some of his stress.

"Bhai..." Akash urged.

Arnav swallowed hard & nodded assertively.

Then Arnav narrated his first meeting with Khushi till their latest conflict due to Sheetal. Words kept flowing. Emotions kept appearing in his eyes, changing its quality at regular intervals. Akash noted a myriad of emotions pass on his bhai's face. Fury, jealousy, love, regret, remorse but the most prominent was passion which stayed at the fore whenever he took Khushi's name during his narration.

Akash was absolutely shocked at the end of Arnav's narrative. Whereas Arnav's insides knotted tightly, unfurling in loops & curls, to the verge of his innards exploding as the remembrance of his atrocities against his lovely, innocent wife hit him hard, all over again.

Arnav gulped the lump of hysteria formed in his throat with great difficulty. He felt like crying in his brother's arms for his Khushi & for himself.

Arnav watched with bated breath as the words got through his brother. He waited for him to explode but got confused as the bewildered expressions on his face got replaced by a certain fear & anxiety.

"Akash." He probed cautiously, touching his shoulder.

"Bhai.." Akash uttered through the construction in his throat. "Would you have really asked me to back out from marrying Payal if Khushiji hadn't adhered to your blackmailing??" Akash asked, looking at his bhai, scared of his answer.

Arnav replied immediately. "No..Never Akash. I was just trying to scare her, using her jiji's marriage as a bait as I knew how much she loves her jiji, that she can do anything for her happiness & she did agree. But if she hadn't, then I would have found some other way out but I would have never sacrificed your & Payal's happiness for dii's." He shook his head vigorously, trying to prove his point. "But I did force Khushi to sacrifice herself for my dii & her jiji's happiness & this regret will stay with me till the end of my life." He shut his eyes tight in self contempt as Khushi's face contoured with hurt & pain from that fateful day, flashed through his eyes.

Akash immediately threw himself in his brother's arms, catching him off-guard.

"Thank you bhai. Thank you so much for saving me from committing the biggest & irreversible mistake of my life bhai." Akash mumbled near Arnav's ears.

Arnav caressed his brother's back, trying to comprehend his words.

"What do you mean by that Akash??" Arnav asked, pushing him a bit away gently.

Akash swallowed before replying. "Your influence on me & my gratitude towards you was so high at that time bhai that I would have definitely agreed to your words & would have reneged on all my promises I gave to Payal by abandoning her at the altar." Akash accepted shamefacedly.

Arnav gasped at the knowledge.

Akash nodded, not meeting his brother's eyes.

Regaining his composure, Arnav held his brother's forearms in a tight grip.

"Look at me Akash." He commanded sternly.

Akash looked in his brother's stern eyes.

"I'm telling you this for the first & the last time Akash. Never.." He emphasized. "Never do the mistake which I did & regret severely, terribly. Never take anybody's love for granted & never use it for your advantage. Especially your wife's, who has put trust in you, in your love for loving her, caring for her, supporting her, standing for & with her even if the whole world is against her. Never let her down. Neither for others nor for yourself. Never make her regret loving you, for trusting in you, for coming to you leaving her family & her loved ones." His grip on Akash tightened with every word he uttered as he wanted him to grasp everything for lifetime.

"Am I clear Akash??" Arnav asked in a no nonsense tone.

"Yes bhai. Now everything is clear to me. As they say that A PERSON LEARNS FROM HIS OWN MISTAKES & I did too, that too in a hard way, after almost losing my love. But now my priorities are clear to me & so is the importance of each & every of my relations. Your brother is no longer a spineless jerk who would let his wife suffer without any fault of hers." Akash said looking confidently at his bhai. "I would always love her, support her, stand for her against this whole world just like she has been doing for me till now. She has never made me feel inferior as she believes that a husband & wife are a team, dependent on each other. Nobody is superior or inferior." He said smiling, remembering the encouraging, million dollar words his Payal had explained to him in the hospital.

Arnav looked at his brother with a proud smile.

"I'm proud of you, my brother. But I know you are very ashamed of me now. Very mortified by my deeds towards my Khushi & most probably you don't take me as your mentor or your role model any more." Arnav said, abashed of his dastardly deeds & setting a shameful example for his younger brother.

Akash let out a mirthless chuckle.

"Who am I to judge you on that basis or feel embarrassed of your deeds towards your wife when I myself have never been a good & trustworthy husband??" Akash said relieving his brother from any humiliation.

Arnav looked astounded at his brother.

"Yes bhai. I would judge you, accuse you in this matter if only I myself would have been worthy enough to do so. When I myself took my wife's love & feelings for me for granted, then how can I point a finger towards you on the same. I'm absolutely a nobody to do that especially not when you are regretting & repenting for your every horrendous deed against Khushiji, not when you are on the road to redemption & amendments just like me. I know, you love Khushiji a lot, just like I love my Payal." Akash said smiling, remembering his wife's beautiful face.

"It's just that.." He continued. "once we got them in our lives we never felt the need to confess our love to them again & again. We failed to understand that they just want our time, our warmth, our support & our love in return of the same things they have been showering on us in abundance. We just took their presence in our life for granted as we believed that their day starts with us & ends on us. So they won't go anywhere leaving us even if we ignore their significance in our lives under the pretext of balancing our other relations. But we forgot that they came to us leaving all their precious relations, only to have a life with us. But what did we give them in return??" Akash shook his head in self disgust for being an insensitive jerk all the while.

Arnav could say nothing but agree to each & every word his brother uttered.

Hasn't he done the same with his Khushi?? Take her & her feelings for granted.

He chuckled ruefully. "You are so right Akash." Arnav nodded in acceptance. "We are businessmen. We run companies worth trillions. We know what our consumers require. We are well aware of our customers' interests even without meeting them & we confidently set out our designs according to their choices. We proclaim to understand the whole national & international market but we fail to understand our own women, our own wives." Arnav hissed clenching his jaws. "We insist on our machinery maintenance regularly for smooth & undisruptive production. But we forget that even our relationships need the same maintenance. BE IT A MACHINE OR HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, MAINTENANCE IS ALWAYS REQUIRED. IN FACT IT'S MORE CHEAPER THAN REPAIRING. " Arnav let out an upset sigh, very disappointed with himself for understanding this fact so late.

Akash affirmed to his bhai's words nodding his head.

"I guess we should have done masters in becoming a good husband instead of business administration." Akash added chuckling, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

Arnav smirked at his usually serious brother's humorous comment.

"But even after being such insensitive husbands, we are fortunate enough to get such modest, loving & doting wives." Arnav smiled as his heart swelled with pride for having Khushi as his significant other half even if he didn't deserve such a beautiful & selfless angel.

"So true bhai. We are truly fortunate to have them in our lives." Akash inserted acknowledging his own good fortune of having Payal in his life. "You know bhai, I literally shudder whenever I think that what would have happened if I would have gotten married to a girl of maa's choice??" Akash said.

Arnav looked amused at his brother. "Either you would have become a ghar-jamai or a divorcee till now" He replied chortling.

Akash made a horrified face at his bhai's remark which could have been possibly true if he would have married to his mother's choice of a girl & no points for guessing the reasons.

"Noooo bhai." Akash yelped, scared with the imagination.

Arnav patted his shoulder. "Relax Akash. I was just stating the possibilities which could have actually happened if you would have said HELLO HI to mamiji's choice which was a miss universe & BYE BYE to your heart's desire - Payal. But it would have been fun to see you getting oscillated between mami & Miss Universe everyday." Arnav was enjoying making fun of his brother.

Akash narrowed his eyes. "Stop imagining me in such deadly situations bhai."

Arnav suppressed his laughter & raised his hands in surrender.

"But fortunately that's not the case. You have Payal & I have my Khushi." Arnav's eyes & voice immediately softened while taking his wife's name.

"Yes bhai & I love my Payal very much." Akash said dreamily.

"But not more than how much I love my Khushi." Arnav stated authoritatively, like an elder brother who always wants to be one step ahead of his younger sibling.

"No, I love my Payal more." Akash countered.

"Maybe." Arnav shrugged. "But not more than my love for my Khushi." He was not leaving either.

"Nope bhai." Akash stood his ground.

"Yes Akash." Arnav gritted, standing up.

"No bhai." Akash stood up too, face to face to his bhai.

"Akash..." Arnav glared trying to scare him.

"Bhai..." Akash was not ready to back out.

"Akash if you don't back out then I will tell Payal that you were wetting your bed even after reaching primary school." Arnav threatened Akash.

"Bhai, now you are blackmailing me like you used to do in our childhood to do your bid." Getting cornered Akash complained like a kid making a puppy face.

That reminded them of their cute childhood banters when Arnav used to boss over Akash taking advantage of being an elder brother & Akash used to get intimidated by his elder brother's glares & blackmailing. But still both had immense love & respect for each other then & now as well.

"Ok ok. Don't be a cry baby now." Arnav ruffled Akash's hair. "I won't tell Payal anything."

"Brother promise??" Akash asked, pinching his throat, again just like childhood days.

Arnav got very emotional as they both had literally shifted into their golden days of childhood where Arnav was a very carefree, naughty, dominating yet caring Chhote, until that fateful day when he lost his mamma & her Chhote too died with her.

Arnav immediately pulled Akash in his arms. "I promise brother. I would never let any harm reach you. I would always be there to protect you, to support you, to save you from any cruelties of life. I promise Akash. I promise." Arnav whispered in his wet voice, caressing Akash's back.

Akash could feel the emotional heaviness in his bhai's words.

"I know bhai, I know & I believe in your words." Akash replied, giving strength to his bhai. "I believe in your capability of making everything alright for everybody. I trust you with everything bhai." Akash moved a little bit back & looked straight into his bhai's eyes with genuine trust. "I still love you as much bhai. You are & will always remain my mentor, my ideal & I will always be with you in any circumstances, to support you, help you."

Arnav smiled heartily. "& I love you brother." He replied kissing his younger brother's forehead affectionately.

Both the brothers had this emotional moment after like ages as Arnav had stopped displaying his emotional side to anybody after his mother's death. But today the brother in him couldn't control & emotions just flowed out & he was glad for doing that.

"Bhai.. Can I do anything for you & Khushiji??" Akash asked with hopeful eyes. "I want to see you both together just like before, very close & very much in love."

Arnav sighed. "No Akash. I have created this mess & I have to clean it myself." Arnav said cupping his brother's shoulder balls. "It's true that Khushi & I aren't that close now, all thanks to my big fat ego but our love is still very much there & will always be. In fact I'm one lucky jerk that even after suffering so many atrocities from me, Khushi still loves me & is still there with me, for me. She has always forgiven me. Putting past all my mistakes she has always accepted me with all her love & that's why I have always taken her for granted intentionally & unintentionally both. But this time my intentional mistake has pushed her beyond her tolerance & she couldn't forgive me with a mere apology. I need to do much more than that. She deserves much more than that & I'm ready to do anything to seek forgiveness from her."

Arnav moved towards the wall where pics from his & Khushi's marriage are hung. Arnav was applying vermillion in Khushi's hair partition & Khushi had closed her eyes feeling the significance of the moment. Even after going through such a catastrophe that day, after all the crying & heart rending wait for him to arrive, she was looking exquisite in her green & pink lehenga. Arnav caressed Khushi's cheek above the glass of the frame.

"Such a beautiful angel my Khushi is Akash. But to her bad luck, she got stuck with a devil like me." Arnav chuckled dryly at his own comparison. "But this devil loves his angel way too much to let her go from his life."

Akash was overwhelmed to hear such raw, potent & utmost genuine feelings in his bhai's tone.

Arnav moved towards another frame of theirs, a bit smaller than the first one. He smiled warmly remembering the most beautiful moment of their remarriage. As soon as they were declared husband & wife by panditji, he had kissed Khushi on her forehead & NK had captured their heartwarming moment in his camera.

"Khushi has always trusted me to get her trust broken by me in one way or the other. But now it's time to become Khushi's Rajkumar, she has always dreamt & deserves Akash." Arnav spoke with conviction.

Akash nodded understanding his bhai's sentiments. He moved towards Arnav & patted his shoulder.

"I'm sure you would succeed in wooing your love soon bhai." Akash encouraged him.

Arnav smiled thankfully.

"But bhai first thing we need to do is kick this Sheetal & her minion out of our house." Akash gritted clenching his fist.

"No Akash. Sheetal needs to be kept in front of our eyes until we know her real intentions. She could be more dangerous out of our radar. I can't take any chances." Arnav turned towards Akash. "Just a day more brother & her whole life story till now would be on my desk with all the secrets." Arnav assured his brother.

"Ok bhai. As you say. I trust you." Akash smiled.

"But that doesn't mean she will get to stay at peace till then." Arnav flashed a reticent smile at his frowning brother.

"& how??" Akash queried.

"Our wives alongwith NK & nani would make sure of that." Arnav replied with glee.

Akash raised a quizzical eyebrow at his brother.

Arnav smirked. "They are a team against Sheetal I feel, reasons obvious as I disclosed to you. I guess they all have doubts on Sheetal just like us. So until the confirmation, they are going to make her dance on their tunes. The bet they placed with her today in mami's room & the punishment she is gonna serve tomorrow for losing that bet is a part of their revenge game I suppose." He shrugged. "But I'm happy that due to this, my naughty Khushi is somewhat back." Arnav winked at Akash who smirked in return.

"So it's gonna be fun tomorrow seeing Sheetal dancing on their tunes." Akash rubbed his hands in excitement. "They are definitely gonna show her stars in the daylight." Akash raised his hand towards his bhai for a hi-five.

Arnav stood clueless looking at his brother's face, then at his raised hand & then back at his face.

Akash gesticulated him through his eyes to complete the action.

"What??" Arnav asked, unaware.

Akash groaned narrowing his eyes in annoyance at his boring & at times dumb brother. With his free hand he then himself raised his brother's hand & gave a hi-five to his own raised hand. "This" he mumbled, thinning his lips.

"Oh.." Arnav uttered understanding his lack of knowledge in such gestures & smiled sheepishly.

Akash chortled, shaking his head at his brother's embarrassed visage & then both the brothers shared a hearty laugh.

"Akash, I don't mind Khushi playing this avenge game on a fun note. Sheetal deserves that payback for putting my Khushi through so much. I just don't want Khushi or anybody from our family to get hurt furthermore due to that Sheetal." Arnav went & sat on the recliner with his elbows on his knees & hands steepled.

"One thing I have understood, that Sheetal definitely has some dangerous motive behind landing suddenly in our house with her son who is surprisingly a photocopy of mine when I have nothing to do with him at all. The striking resemblance never bothered me before but now when I have understood that this is some of Sheetal's underhand tactic, I'm worried, especially for my Khushi." He craned his neck upwards to look at Akash who immediately rushed to him & sat beside him on the recliner.

"Then what do we do bhai??" Akash asked.

"I just want to keep tabs on whatever Khushi & others are planning for Sheetal so that I can protect them if anything goes wrong." Arnav replied.

Akash nodded understanding.

"Why don't you ask Khushiji directly bhai??" Akash suggested.

Arnav shook his head. "No Akash. I don't want Khushi to feel that I don't trust her or worse than that that I'm trying to save my so-called friend. All thanks to my damn ego & the rubbish ignorance game I played with her." He suspired hard.

"We can't ask Payal too as she would definitely inform Khushiji." Akash added.

"I don't feel like asking nani as that might lead to a whole different emotional conversation which won't be good right now as Khushi might walk into nani's room anytime & I don't want her to remember anything that might hurt her more when she is coming out of her gloomy self." Arnav stated.

"So that leaves us with only one option." Akash said, arching his eyebrows.

"NK" Both the brothers said together.

"He could be easily manipulated or threatened if he shows any resistance in answering our questions." Arnav was confident of that. "Let's go to him right now Akash." Arnav ordered & both the brothers left for NK's room.

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"Jiji..." Khushi shouted from behind startling Payal, who was sitting on the swing at the terrace of RM.

"God Khushi." Payal turned her head towards her sister's voice. "You scared me." Payal said, keeping her hand on her heart which was beating fast.

"Sorry jiji." Khushi giggled moving towards her jiji & sat near her on the swing.

"I was looking for you in the whole house & you are sitting here, all alone. Why??" Khushi asked, pushing the swing with her legs.

"Wo... I'm waiting for Akash." Payal replied with a slight blush.

"Waiting for Jijaji?? Here??" Khushi asked, twitching her brows.

Payal nodded.

"But he must be in your room only. Then why are you waiting for him here??" Khushi asked, enjoying the swing.

Payal smiled before replying. "Akash is trying to mend his mistakes. He apologized to me for ignoring me & for not understanding my feelings. He is trying to work on our relationship."

"Really!!" Khushi exclaimed. "That's a wonderful news jiji. I knew he is a good man & would come around soon. I'm so happy for you jiji." Khushi's eyes were twinkling in the moonlight. Happiness was clearly visible in them for her jiji. "But then why are you sitting alone here?? You should be with him."

"He only asked me to wait for him here, at the terrace. The main problem behind our strained relationship is lack of communication & lack of time for each other. So we decided to spend as much time together & share our thoughts, feelings & expectations to the other. What better place than our beautiful terrace can be for that at this time." Payal said, looking around their beautiful terrace decorated with beautiful plants, artistic show pieces, artificial fountain & the swing they both were sitting on. "The cool breeze, beautiful moon & its glowing light, sweet fragrance wafting from the flowers of the plants here & this cozy swing, perfect ambience for a couple to have hearty talks." Payal explained smiling.

"Oh to ye baat hai. Sab kuchh hai yahaan to phir jijaji kahaan hai?? Don't tell me he has gone to arrange some romantic music so that you both can have a romantic couple dance as well." Khushi teased, nudging her shoulder to Payal's.

"Dhat pagli." Payal lightly hit on her sister's thigh. "He had something important to talk with Arnavji. So he asked me to come here after getting free from my chores. He would join me after meeting Arnavji." Payal said, wrapping the corner of her saree pallu on her index finger playfully.

"Oh. Then what am I doing here??" Khushi said standing up from the swing. "I should get going before jijaji comes & calls me kabab mein haddi." Khushi giggled & started to move but Payal held her wrist, stopping her.

"You are my baby sister & a very important part of my life. You can never be a haddi." Payal replied offended. She isn't over yet of her own mistake of jeopardizing her sister's life & their sisterly bond due to her unintentional ignorance.

"Offo jiji. I was just kidding." Khushi said sitting back. "Don't get all emotional now or jijaji would have to ask, "PAYALJI, AAP KI JHANKAAR KAHAAN GAI??" (Ankletji.. Where is your tinkling lost??) Khushi joked, making Payal smile & Khushi was about to get up again to leave when Payal stopped her again.

"Khushi please sit with me till your jijaji arrives or are you desperate to go to your Arnavji??" Now Payal teased Khushi, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Aisa kuchh nahin hai jiji. Hum baithte hain na aap ke paas. Waise bhi dono bhai business ki baat kar rahe honge to hum wahaan jaake kya karenge. Iss se to achchha hum thodi der yahaan aap ke saath jhula jhule aur thandi hawa ka mazaa le. (It's nothing like that jiji. I will sit with you. As it is both the brothers must be talking about business then what would I do there. Better I enjoy the swing with you amidst this cool breeze.) Khushi said keeping her head on her jiji's shoulder & pushed the swing to go higher.

Payal dropped a kiss on her baby sister's forehead & wiped the corner of her own eyes surreptitiously. She was happy to see her sister so carefree, smiling & joyful again. She looked upwards at the sky & prayed to their devi maiyya to keep her Khushi always happy & cheerful.

Both the sisters sat enjoying the feel of the cool breeze caressing their cheeks & their wayward hair strands flying onto their faces tickling their cheeks more. These reminded them of those serene late nights they enjoyed sipping masala tea sitting in the courtyard of their house in Lucknow & also here in Laxminagar.

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Arnav & Akash knocked on NK's room door but not getting any response, they pushed it & it opened as it wasn't bolted from inside. Not finding NK in the room they dialed his mobile. NK informed them that he was out to meet one of his friends & was now on the way back to RM. So they decided to wait for him in his room itself.

They went towards his bed to sit to find it cluttered with some opened & some packed chips packets, chocolates, magazines, cds etc. They turned towards the sofa & found it in no better condition than the bed.

Arnav groaned annoyed. "How can anybody be so unorganized!!" He muttered under his breath.

Akash immediately piled everything in the middle of the bed, making space for themselves to sit.

Both sat waiting for NK to come soon & answer their queries.

Arnav got a call from Aman & he got busy with that.

Akash was feeling bored. So he grabbed a magazine from the pile & started turning the pages. The aroma wafting from the open chips packet tempted him to munch on it. Grabbing the pack he took 2-3 chips together & put them in his mouth. He chewed on them mechanically but as the taste bursted in his mouth he realised what a terrible mistake he made. The chips were too spicy. He spit back in the packet & started hissing as his mouth was burning & that got him his bhai's attention.

Arnav was confused to see Akash blowing out air from his mouth rapidly & at the same time he was fanning his mouth with his hand Then suddenly he started hiccupping & his eyes were all red & watery.

"What the." He squealed. "Aman I will call you later." He cut the call immediately & rushed to Akash.

"Akash, what happened??" He asked, concerned, rubbing Akash's back.

"Bhai.. I... I.." Akash tried to speak but the hotness of the chips wasn't letting him.

"Speak up dammit. What happened to you suddenly??" He snapped, all worried for his brother. "Let me call the doctor."

"Bhai.. Bhai.. Wat... Water." Akash could manage to say amidst his hiccups.

Arnav immediately reached for the water jug but it was empty. He rushed towards the mini fridge kept at a corner. He looked for the bottle of water but the fridge was filled with Cold drink bottles instead. He grabbed one & rushed back to his hiccupping brother. Opening the cap he held the bottle to Akash's mouth & made him drink. Akash immediately took huge swigs of the chilled cold drink. As the spiciness subsided he moved the bottle away but he was struggling to steady his breathing.

Arnav kept the bottle on the side table & removing his hanky started dabbing it on Akash's face.

"Feeling better??" He asked, still very much worried.

Akash nodded as he was actually feeling better.

Arnav sat beside him. "What happened to you all of a sudden Akash??" He inquired, pocketing his hanky back. He doubted whether his brother suffered a cardiac arrest or what.

Akash couldn't say anything embarrassed, so he just pointed towards the chips packet lying there.

Arnav picked it in his hand. "Flaming hot & spicy chips." He read & immediately understood the reason behind his brother's cardiac arrest which was actually a spice attack.

Akash shut his eyes tight, ready to get rebuked.

"Why did you eat such spicy chips when you know you are not habituated to such spiciness Akash??" Arnav scolded him standing up & threw the packet on the floor.

"Wo bhai.. I didn't know about its flavour before eating. It's just that after tasting them I realised my folly." He whispered, opening his eyes & craning his neck upwards to his bhai's towering form.

Arnav glared at him.

Akash made a puppy face.

"You scared me you idiot." Arnav said, sitting back & slapped Akash lightly on his cheek.

"Sorry bhai." Akash held his ears.

"That's ok." Arnav replied. "But were those chips actually that spicy??" He asked.

"Try for yourself." Akash teased earning a scowl from his bhai.

"Waise bhai... What did you give me to drink?? It wasn't water for sure?? But whatever it was, it tasted amazing. Very different from the regular cold drinks." Akash said, licking his lips.

"I don't know exactly." Arnav shrugged. "There was no water. So I just grabbed the first bottle of the cold drink I found in the fridge." Arnav replied, pointing towards the fridge.

"Oh.." Akash mumbled. "Are there any more bottles of the same cold drink??" He inquired.

"There are many." Arnav replied, leaning back to the headboard.

"Really??" Akash got up excitedly & moved to retrieve one more bottle from the fridge.

Arnav looked in wonder at his brother's excitement for a mere cold drink & chuckled.

Akash came back with two bottles of the same cold drink.

"Wow bhai. There are many more bottles. I got two for us." He said sitting near his bhai & offering him one of the bottles.

"No.. I'm fine. You enjoy it." Arnav refused.

"Ok.." Akash didn't insist. Keeping one bottle on his lap he opened the other, held it to his mouth & started drinking.

After finishing half of the cold drink he let out a satisfied sigh.

Arnav raised an amused eyebrow.

"It's really tasty bhai." He reiterated & finished the rest of the half cold drink.

Now that surely tempted Arnav. He snatched the other bottle from Akash's lap.

"Now when you are insisting me so much, let me try it." He reasoned conveniently & twisted the bottle cap to break the seal. Once opened he held it to his mouth but stopped & looked at Akash. "Don't tell Khushi that I drank this or she would be mad at me. I will take an extra dose of my diabetic medicine. Ok??" He said, narrowing his eyes at Akash who gestured as if locking his lips & throwing the key away, indicating that his secret was safe.

Arnav then took a sip from the bottle & gave a look to his brother who got scared. 'Did he make a mistake in rating the cold drink very high in front of his bhai.' Akash thought.

Arnav smirked, relaxing him. "It's really tasty Akash. I liked it. Let's raise a toast." He forwarded his bottle.

"But mine is finished." Akash swayed the empty bottle.

"Then get another one from the fridge Akash. There are many." Arnav encouraged. He was enjoying this brotherly moments after long so he wanted to make the most out of it.

Akash immediately ran to the fridge & in record time he was back with a new, full bottle. He unscrewed it & raised in the air.

Arnav smiled & clinked his bottle with Akash's.

"Cheers." Both said together & started sipping.

Within minutes they both emptied their respective bottles.

"Why is this idiot NK taking so long to come back??" Arnav mumbled wiping his lips, keeping the empty bottle aside.

"He will be back bhai. Don't worry. But the wait for him is worthy enough bhai. We got to enjoy his cold drinks." Akash commented, winking at Arnav. "But ek baat manni padegi bhai. NK's bhai's choice in chips might be dangerous" He eyed at the chips packet that created havoc in his whole body a while ago & gulped "but his choice of cold drink is absolutely superb. What say bhai??" Akash asked, raising the empty bottle.

Arnav nodded in affirmation. "You are right Akash. I have had many kinds of cold drinks but this one is surely very different."

Both were binged into the taste of the cold drink that it didn't occur to them to read its name on the bottle.

"So what say bhai!! Ek aur ho jaaye??" Akash asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ok.. If you insist." Arnav permitted as if he wasn't tempted but still was doing a favour on Akash.

Both the brothers were enraptured by the cold drink but failed to understand that it was intoxicating them & the effect was already visible.

Akash stumbled while getting up from the bed to get more cold drink & Arnav instead of holding him from falling, guffawed at him.

Somehow Akash managed to bring two bottles but before he could reach his bhai, his stumbling steps got entangled with one another & he fell down on his butts on the floor, dropping the bottles from his hands. Luckily the bottles were of plastic & not glass otherwise they would have broken & Akash would have hurt himself.

"Ouch." Akash yelled, rubbing his butts.

Arnav's eyes widened at the scene but immediately he burst into laughter.

Akash made a crying face. "You.. You are laughing at.. at me bhai." He pointed towards his butt instead of his face in intoxication. "I won't talk to you & I won't give you this.. this cold drink as well." Akash hurriedly collected both the bottles from the ground & stuck them to his chest, trying to hide them from his bhai.

Arnav stopped laughing at that & got up from his place to fall back again on the bed as the so called tasty cold drink was showing its effect on him as well.

He carefully raised himself from the bed then walked slowly towards his brother & tried to snatch one bottle from him, bending down.

"No.. No.. I won't give." Akash said adamantly, tightening his hold on the bottles.

Arnav sat near Akash on the floor with a thud.

"Akash.. I'm your big... bigggg brother right??" Arnav asked, spreading his hands wide to explain 'big', again like childhood days. Today both the brothers had remembered & relived their childhood, so their hearts were still lost in those days & they were behaving accordingly, turnt.

Akash nodded pouting.

"Then won't you.. you share your cold drink with me??" Arnav gave a pleading look.

Akash shook his head sideways indicating 'no'.

"Akash.. Did you forget our.. our teachers taught us that sha.. sharing is ca..caring. That's good manners & you are a good boyyyyy." Armav said, trying to manipulate Akash.

"But our teachers also tau.. taught us that we shou..shouldn't laugh on any person who.. who falls down. But you laughed on me & that is bad.. bad manners. You are a bad boyyyyyyy." He imitated his brother.

"Ok.. I'm shorrrryyy." Arnav resorted to manofying.

"Hold your... your ears also... bhai." Akash demanded.

"Ok.." Arnav held both his earlobes. "I'm shorrrryyy." Arnav drawled.

"Hehehehe." Akash laughed. "You look shooo cuteeeee bhai." He gave an air kiss to his brother & a bottle of cold drink as well.

Arnav was elated getting the bottle.

Both the brothers opened the caps of their bottles & drained the whole content down their throats in a go.

"Me first.. Me first.." Both started arguing, showing their empty bottles when NK entered whistling & rotating his bike keys playfully around his index finger but stopped on his tracks seeing the most unexpected scene in front of him.

"Akash.. Nannav mere bhai.. Why are you two sitting on the floor??" He asked, tossing his bike keys on the bed & walking towards them.

"NK.. You are back." Both the intoxicated brothers dropped the empty bottles in their laps & shouted together in happiness taking NK by surprise as neither of them showed such happiness on seeing him ever, especially his Nannav mere bhai.

He rubbed his ears with his index fingers. "Jesus.. You both would turn me deaf & would bring this roof down with your shouting."

Arnav & Akash laughed louder at his comment & NK narrowed his eyes at them.

What has suddenly gone into his usually serious brothers' minds to laugh like that & why are they sitting on the floor?? Has their wives' ignorance game turned them lunatic?? NK mused biting his nails but his musings came to a halt when he heard them singing as well now.

"Hai re Nandkishore is back from kidney... Hai re Nandkishore is back from Kidney...Hai re Nandkishore is back from Kidney." They were singing, clapping & laughing.

NK scratched his head not understanding anything when his eyes fell on the bottles in their laps. His eyes widened.

"Shit." He covered his mouth with his one hand. That's when his eyes landed on the three empty bottles on the side table near the bed. His eyeballs were ready to pop out of their sockets. He clasped his other hand too on his mouth.

"OH.MY.GOD." were the only muffled words he could utter as realization dawned upon him that his brothers haven't turned lunatic but they are drunk & that too heavily.

He removed his hands from his mouth & held his now spinning head with them.

"5 damn bottles." He murmured, pulling his own hair in frustration.

What would happen when the family would find out about his decent brothers' not so decent activity?? No scratch that.. what would happen when the family would find out that he has these cold drink bottles in his fridge which are actually not cold drinks but cocktails with heavy dosage of alcohol. NK was ruminating fearfully when his ears bursted out with a loud 'BHOW' from either side.

He stumbled back scared with the sudden attack. He saw both his brother's now laughing hysterically for scaring him with a 'BHOW' when he was lost in his thoughts.

He didn't even get any idea when they stood up from the floor & when they reached to his sides to scare him.

"NK darr gaya.. NK darr gaya.. NK darr gaya." Now they were singing this new song.

They need to be stopped otherwise anybody from the family can reach there hearing them.

He rushed to them & clasped his either hands to their mouths silencing them.

"Akash... Nannav.. It's quite late now. You both should go to your rooms & sleep. Payal bhabhi & Khushiji must be waiting." To save himself from getting rebuked by the family, NK tried to distract his brothers & usher them out of his room before they started singing & laughing again.

Arnav jerked NK's hand from his mouth. "Khushiiiii.... My Khushiiiii...." Arnav's eyes lit at his wife's mention.

"Yes Nannav mere bhai.. Your Khushi.. She is waiting for you in your room." He tried to tempt him.

"Khushiiiii... I'm coming baby... I'm coming Khushiiiii." Arnav shouted even more loudly.

NK tried to hush him but he himself yelped in pain instead.

Akash had bit hard into NK's palm which he had clasped tight on Akash's mouth.

Akash also started laughing loudly seeing NK jumping on his place like a monkey making hissing sounds & jerking his hand on which Akash had bitten.

Payal & Khushi made their entry at that exact time & they were shocked to see the scene going on in front of their eyes.

Getting bored waiting for Akash, both the sisters had decided to go to their husbands themselves. They were on the way to Arnav & Khushi's room when they heard voices coming from NK's room.

They had immediately rushed to NK's room to be welcomed with such weird & unexpected scenes happening where one brother is shouting like Tarzan. Second is laughing like a hyena & the third is hissing like a snake & simultaneously jumping like a monkey

Both the sisters shared a quizzical look & spoke together loudly. "What's going on here??"

All the three brothers turned their heads towards the voice & stopped with whatever they were doing.

The moment Arnav saw his Khushi, the child in him disappeared & Khushi's Arnavji came to the fore. His face glowed in happiness seeing his wife who was looking like a beautiful moon in her white night wear. Her silky, unbound hair was inviting him to bury his face in them & inhale its fragrance.

On the other hand seeing Payal, Akash started scratching his chin. He felt as if he has forgotten something linked to Payal. But what??

NK was on a different tangent, complaining to God. "God.. Why are you hell bent on getting me killed today?? Weren't these two intoxicated brothers enough to make me go bonkers that you had to send these two sisters here who would pull my hairs off & make me bald once they would know the reason behind their husbands' inebriated condition?? God.. Please save me." He joined his hands & looked upwards for help.

His actions didn't go unnoticed by both the sisters who deduced that he is the main culprit behind whatever weird is going on here. But they would have to tackle him later as they have more pressing matters in their hands to be taken care of for now.

Arnav started to move towards his wife.

"Khuuuussssiiii.." he purred, trying to stabilize his wobbly steps but managed to reach his wife. "You are.." He hiccupped. "So beautifuuuulllll.. my dar" He again hiccupped "my darling" He completed, looking dreamily at his wife's beautiful face, who blushed hearing the endearment.

"Arnavji.." She whispered, suspicious of his appearance & tone.

He moved towards her smiling like a besotted fool. Stumbling, balancing he reached his wife.

He tried to touch her nose with his index finger of his right hand. But couldn't touch it, as his finger would everytime cut through the air because his inebriated eyes were showing him two Khushis & that's why he couldn't touch the real Khushi's nose.

"Khuuuussshhhiii.. Your.. your nose.. I.. I want to touch your" He again hiccupped. "your nose, but I.. I can't." He complained annoyingly, due to one more failed attempt of touching her nose.

Khushi smelled alcohol as he came near & she understood the scenario. She then held his hand & made his index finger touch her nose.

"Hehehehe." He laughed happily like a child as if he got his favourite candy.

"Laal... Ho... gai.." He teased her as usual, touching her nose & was about to get disbalanced, when Khushi held him through his shoulders.

"Khushiiiiii... My...Khushiiiii...my sweetheart... I..

I loooooovvveee you." He slurred in his tipsy tone & hugged Khushi.

Seeing his bhai, all romantic with his wife. A drunken Akash too pulled up his sleeves.

"Paaaaayaaaalll..." He tried to copy his bhai.

"My dal.." He hiccupped. "My dalllliinnngggg." He was more intoxicated than his bhai.

He smiled foolishly looking at his wife & was about to move towards her, swaying in his steps. But one sharp stare from Payal & he stopped in his steps, covering his mouth with his palm.

Unlike Khushi, Payal had already understood, looking from distance only that her husband is drunk. She remembered his similar condition from Arnav's so called bachelor's party.

She was very angry at him. Making her wait for him on the terrace, he was enjoying drinks here with his brothers. He is so gone today, decided Payal.

Akash hiccupped loudly & then laughed at himself.

"Payaaaalllll... Shweethalt.." His romantic nerves were bouncing to come out seeing his romantic bhai. "Payal.. I.. Looooovvvveee.." But he couldn't complete as his wife was now glaring at him with raging eyes & flaring nostrils.

He immediately rushed towards his bhai on unsteady steps.

"Bhai." He called Arnav who was busy inhaling his wife's jasmine fragrance, which got mixed with the strong smell of alcohol.

"BHAIIIII." Akash shouted in his bhai's ear, startling him.

"WHAT THE." Arnav retorted angrily, rubbing his ear, moving back unwillingly from his wife's arms. .

He narrowed his eyes at Akash. Khushi was holding him by his arm, not letting him fall.

"Bhai.. She isssss.... scaling me." He complained to his bhai like a kid, pointing at his furious wife.

Arnav glanced at Payal. Indeed she was looking scary in anger.

He gulped fearfully but tried to appear brave. Afterall he has to protect his ASR's reputation.

"Be a man Ak.. Akash." He patted Akash's shoulder encouragingly. "She is your.. your wifffeee. Go to her." He hiccupped & pushed Akash towards Payal.

Gathering some courage, Akash looked at his wife, who was now standing with her hands on her waist. Her red, angry eyes clearly stating I-will-kill-you. On top of that his tipsy eyes were showing him more scary images of Payal standing in front of him, with her saree pallu tucked at her waist & a big broom in her hand, ready to beat him to a pulp.

He ran back to his bhai, who was busy admiring his wife, hardly managing to keep his drowsy eyes open.

"Bhai.. Bhai.. I won't go.. with.. with her. I.. I.. will stay with.. with you.. in.. in your room tonight bhai." Akash stated, making a puppy face.

Now this got him his bhai's attention.

"WHAT THE." Arnav turned towards him.

"No.. You will go to your room... with your.. your wife & I will go to my.. my room with my.... Khuuuusshhiii.." He replied, clearly denying to Akash's arrangement. How can he stay away from his Khushi??

"But bhai.. She will.." Akash again pointed towards Payal who was now gritting her teeth at her tipsy husband.

Akash immediately hid behind Arnav.

"Bhai.. She will beat me.. with.. with that broom in her.. hand." He expressed his fear, peeping a bit from behind his brother, to look at his angry wife & immediately hid back again,closing his eyes.

"Khushiiii.... Let's go to... to..our roooooommm..." Arnav started to pull her.

"Ok..ok Arnavji.... Wait or you will fall down." Khushi supported his upper arm & ushered him out but not before glaring at NK which indicated I-will-see-you-in-the-morning.

Now it was time for NK to hiccup.

"Bhai... bhai..don't go... Take me with.. with you." Akash kept on pleading, forwarding his hand like a kid, but his brother was already gone with his wife.

Payal came & stood in front of him folding her hands at her front giving him, now-who-will-save-you-from-me look.

"So... Shall we also go to our room or you want to enjoy more with your other brother??" Payal mocked him with a sarcastic smile.

Akash cowered in fear.

"You... You won't beat...beat me... Right??" He asked, holding her hand, trying to cool her.

"No.." She replied with a fake smile. But Akash smiled in relief. "I won't beat you Akash. I will EAT you." She gritted, gripping his wrist & started pulling him out of the room.

"I'm sorry Payal... So sorry... I'm sorry." Akash was apologizing continuously.

Payal stopped at the door, turning around gave NK a similar deadly glare as Khushi. NK understood that he would be a dead meat tomorrow morning by both these sisters' hands & whatever left over would be there of him, would be disposed by their husbands, his brothers, who would be sobered up by then.

NK ran & bolted his room door. What if both the sisters change their minds & don't let him see the tomorrow morning sunrise.

"Oh God.. Please save this poor soul from these avengers tomorrow morning." He prayed for himself.

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Khushi gently made Arnav sit on their bed & moved to get his diabetes medicines. He is heavily drunk & missing his meds in this condition could be dangerous for him. Good that he has had his dinner already.

Arnav was watching Khushi's each & every move with his drowsy eyes. The smile on his face was intact.

Khushi handed him his meds with a glass of water but he didn't make any move to take them. He was just looking at her beautiful face as if absorbing her delicate features.

Seeing him lost in her she slid the tablet in his mouth & made him drink the water. He was just enjoying her care & concern.

Keeping the glass on the side table, she tried to move away but he held her wrist & pulled her to sit beside him on the bed.

"Arnavji.." Khushi squeaked, unprepared.

Arnav chuckled seeing the 3 famous O's on her face which made her look cuter every time.

"Khushi.." Arnav husked.

Surprisingly, his tipsy voice had the same hypnotizing effect on her as his sobered tone.

He turned towards her & gently held her hand, raised it to his mouth & kissed it warmly.

"I love you Khushi." He kept her hand on his heart, covering it with his. "I love you so much that it hurts. It hurts here." He said without fumbling & with so much intensity that she literally shivered under the effect.

"It hurts so much to live with this fact that after promising you a life full of love, joy & happiness, all I gave you is ignorance, pain & grief. It hurts so damn much to be the reason behind your every suffering Khushi." Clouds formed in his intoxicated eyes but the downpour was from Khushi's eyes.

He shook his head at her, wiping her tears with his trembling fingers.

"Your tears always fall like hot lava on my heart, burning my insides but still, it's me only who fills your beautiful eyes with this endless stream of tears. Ironic much." He let out a painful chuckle & cupped her face between his warm hands.

Khushi was just listening to his each & every word which he was uttering without fumbling or faltering, as if he was never drunk. But Khushi knows better. The one who is opening up to her is not an ordinary drunk man but a guilt ridden & burning with regrets, her husband, her Arnavji.

"I have broken every single promise made to you." She saw him gulping the onslaught of emotions. "& I'm very ashamed & regretful for that Khushi." He couldn't stop a few tears rolling down his eyes. "This time I won't promise you anything Khushi but I would prove myself worthy of your love & trust. Worthy to be called Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada's husband. A husband you would be proud of."

Khushi nodded smiling through her moist eyes. She was too choked up with emotions to produce a word. They say a drunk man can never lie or fake his feelings. He says & does what his heart actually feels & wants. She could see an ocean of love overflowing in her Arnavji's deep brown orbs. His words were coated with very much genuine feelings & raw, unadulterated emotions.

"I will keep on trying till my last breath to make up for all the tears you shed because of me. I can go to any lengths to keep you happy. I CAN GIVE AWAY MY LIFE TO KEEP THIS SMILE INTACT ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE KHUSHI." He confessed caressing her cheek bones with his thumbs. But Khushi's breath stuck in her throat at his words & a shadow passed through her eyes.

She pulled his hands down from her face harshly.

"How many times did I tell you that I don't want your life Arnavji but I want your unconditional love & unwavering trust??" She snapped. "Don't you understand this simple thing?? Why do you keep on talking about giving your life for me when all that I want is to live my life with you??" Her teary eyes turned furious.

"Sorry Khushi.. I.. I hurt you again." He apologized holding his ears. She turned away from him angrily. "I won't say that ever again Khushi." He turned her back towards himself by her shoulders.

They stared into each others' eyes. The yearning, the longing, very much palpable in them.

"Khushi... Punish me the way you want for everything I put you through. But please don't stay.. stay away from... from me." His voice finally faltered as every nerve of his body was fluttering to touch her, love her. "This.. This distance between us is.. is killing me." He moved towards her killing the distance till their knees stuck together.

He again cradled her delicate face in his large hands.

"You are so soft, so delicate & you are mine. I want to spend my whole life loving you, cherishing you." He brought his face closer to hers, their lips inches apart.

His eyes on her quivering lips & her eyes closed in anticipation.

She could feel his hot breath on her lips & her soft petals became more eager to be consumed by his rough lips.

Loss of warmth of his hands from her face followed by a sudden thud sound destroyed all her hot expectancy.

She opened her eyes & found him lying on the bed sideways. The alcohol had finally shut down his senses.

Her jaws dropped.

Trust this man to tickle her hormones then leave her high & dry.

She chuckled at her crazy musings.

She slowly bent towards his face & kissed his cheek. "I love you too Arnavji & I trust you with all that you said." She whispered in his ear & saw his lips curved upwards.

She was surprised & inhaled a sharp intake of breath realising that even though his mind had shifted into deep slumber under the alcohol effect but his heart was still under her spell, acknowledging her words.

She was proud of having such an effect on him.

Caressing his hair, she got up from the bed & straightened him on his side of the bed, holding his legs.

Switching off the lights, she joined him on the bed & laid beside him with her head on his heart & her hand around his waist.

His conscious heart felt her warmth & he wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you Khushi." He murmured & soon started snoring softly.

Khushi kissed him on his heart promising to be together always & closed her eyes to have a peaceful sleep in her husband's protective arms.

But the coming days were going to put their love, togetherness & their LIVES at jeopardy.

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Payal dragged a whining Akash to their room & pushed him on the bed. She stood before him folding her hands at her front.

Akash sat lowering his head, playing with his fingers & shaking his legs.

Payal groaned in annoyance & looked heavenwards for patience.

"How could you do this to me Akash??" She started. "First you asked me to wait for you at the terrace stating that you have some work with your brother & you would join me after that. I, like a fool, sat there for nearly an hour waiting for you & here you were having party time with your brother. At least you could have informed me. You say you want to work on our relationship. Is this how you are going to do that??" She yelled, demanding answers.

When she looked down at him for response, her jaws hit the floor.

He was already asleep, lying straight on the bed.

"How could he?? Just how could he??" She muttered, gritting her teeth.

She got so angry that she picked the water filled jug from the side table & was about to splash all the water on Akash to wake him up. But one look at Akash's face & she held herself from doing so.

She kept the jug back & sat near Akash staring at his face.

There was the same child like innocence & the same cute charm which she had witnessed on his face before their marriage when he was trying hard to woo her & which had made her fall for him. She has been missing this innocence & charm on his face, in him, since the cracks in their relationship. But now when they are trying to ameliorate their relationship with affinity, her Akash is back with the same innocence & charm, she loved.

She caressed his hair affectionately. Giving a fleeting kiss on his lips she slept wrapping her arms around him but not before muttering, "You won't be spared tomorrow morning Akash."

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Arnav's mobile rang the alarm to wake him up for his regular jog at 6:30. But he was finding it difficult to even open his eyes let alone stretch his hand & switch off the alarm so it went off itself after 2 mins as per it's settings.

He wasn't willing to go for a jog today which was a first for an early riser & a fitness freak like him.

He somehow managed to open his heavy eyes & sat on the bed resting his back at the head board.

He turned his head to look at the time on the wall clock but hissed in pain instead. He held his head in his hands. "Shit.." He groaned, closing his eyes. "Why this sudden pain??" He pressed his head with his fingers trying to ease the pain.

But instead of relief some flashes of his nocturnal activity of previous night came rushing in front of his eyes... His & Akash's conversation..Them going to NK's room.. Drinking that cold drink & turning tipsy.. Going all crazy.. Singing.. Shouting.. Clapping.. That's so not him. He shook his head in embarrassment.

Then he remembers coming back to the room with Khushi..

"But what happened after that??" He asked himself. All he remembers after that is that he was totally lost in admiring Khushi. After that, when & how did he fall asleep??" He tried to recall but couldn't.

"Hope I didn't misbehave with Khushi??" He swallowed.

"If you have, then I'm going to kick you Arnav Singh Raizada." He chastised himself.

"No. Never. He can never misbehave with his Khushi. Not even in his wildest dreams." He assured himself.

"But the most important thing to be pondered upon is, how the hell Akash & I got intoxicated by a simple cold drink?? What was actually there in those bottles that we both behaved like kids after consuming them??" He scrunched his eyes partially due to pain & partially due to the questions his aching brains were producing.

He didn't get the answers to his questions but he did get a remedy for his headache in the form of a glass of lemonade his Khushi was holding in her hand, in front of his eyes.

He looked at the lemonade glass & then at his Khushi's beautiful face.

"Drink this Arnavji, you will feel better." She said smiling sweetly at him.

Arnav averted his eyes in embarrassment, remembering his last night's foolishness.

Khushi sighed & sat in front of him on the bed. She held the glass to his lips which reminded him of Khushi putting his meds in his mouth with her hand last night & he looked at Khushi in adoration.

She smiled & gestured to him to drink the lemonade. He obeyed.

As he finished she kept the empty glass on the table.

"Khushi!!" He grabbed her hand before she thinks of leaving the room.

"Ji.." She looked at him with soft eyes.

"Khushi I.." He gulped nervously. "Khushi I'm so sorry for last night. I don't know what happened to me. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you or hurt you in any way. But believe me it was unintentional. I don't remember what I did or said to you. But I'm..." Khushi clasped her hand on his mouth, stopping his blabber.

"Arnavji.. Stop apologizing first." She shook her head. "You did or said nothing as such to be embarrassed or guilty of." She gave an assuring smile, removing her hand from his mouth.

He exhaled a sigh of relief.

"In fact I absolutely loved your cute antics from last night." She continued smiling naughtily.

He rubbed the back of his neck smiling sheepishly, remembering his craziness.

Khushi chuckled & embraced him, wrapping her arms around his torso, taking him by surprise.

Not the one to let go of the chance, he immediately circled his arms around her delicate form.

What a lovely start of his day!!

"Khushiiiii" He murmured, gently bunching her freshly washed wet hair & inhaled its fruity fragrance.

She snuggled more into the warmth of his muscular arms.

"Khushi.. What did I tell you in my inebriated state last night??" He asked even though he was sure that he must have confessed his love to her again & again but still he wanted to hear it from her.

"Whatever you said, you just stole my heart all over again Arnavji." She replied, rubbing her lips on his heart.

He smiled overwhelmed with her warm gestures.

"I love you Khushi." He said burrowing his face in the crook of her smooth neck. He can never get tired of confessing his love to her time & again.

"I love you too Arnavji." She replied & he crushed her tight in his arms.

An involuntary sob left from his mouth. He was pining to hear these words from her.

She understood his emotional state & the reason behind it.

She caressed her one hand on his back & the other on his shirt cladded chest.

He gently pulled her slight back & framed her face in his palms.

"Khushi.. Please say it again." He urged.

"I love you Arnavji." She iterated softly, lovingly. "Just don't make me regret, for trusting you again with my heart Arnavji." She whispered.

"Never." He rested his forehead against hers. "Never again." He added strongly, confidently.

She smiled & blinked her eyes at him, acknowledging his words.

He kissed her forehead & moved his lips down towards hers.

He was about to capture her lips when she pushed him & covered her nose & mouth.

"What the!!" His eyes widened at the sudden, unexpected push.

"Ewwww... Your mouth stinks Arnavji. As if something has died inside." She grimaced, scrunching her nose.

"Is that so??" He asked. Though he was aware of his stinking breath as he hasn't brushed his teeth yet & also because of the so called simple cold drink he consumed last night which wasn't at all a normal cold drink & he was sure of that by the way it affected Akash & him

Khushi bobbed her head pouting.

Arnav groaned seeing her oh-so-kissable pout.

"Ok.. Just wait here. I will be back in 2 minutes. Don't go anywhere please." He beseeched before getting up & rushing to the bathroom.

Khushi shook her head, chuckling. She got up & started folding their blanket. She was straightening the crumpled bed sheet when a pair of strong arms got circled around her tiny waist. She smiled & stood straight in the safe confines of her husband's arms.

He nuzzled her nose on her neck & gently turned her around facing himself.

She rested her hands on his chest. His hands gripping her waist tight.

Both kept staring at each other.

He blew air from his mouth on her face. "Hope my mouth doesn't stink now?" He asked, smirking.

She laughed at that.

She looked more beautiful to him when her lips were stretched from ear to ear.

"No.. Now you smell of cool mint, the fragrance of your mouthwash & I love it." She teased.

"But I love my wife's natural taste & smell." & before she could reply her lips were covered by his.

He kissed her soft petals softly, tenderly.

She slowly raised her hands from his chest & circled them around his neck.

She participated in the kiss, matching with his every action fervently.

Arnav groaned in pleasure as this was the first kiss after their fight where both were equal participants.

The kiss soon turned passionate as Arnav sucked on her juicy lips intensely. Wanting more of her he bit on her lower lip demanding entry. But instead of parting her lips for him she bit back on his upper lip that made Arnav gasp in surprise.

She won the battle & entered his minty fragrant mouth. Tasting the nectar from the hot cavern of his mouth she was about to pull back her tongue when it was gripped between his rough lips & sucked upon until dry. He again captured her rosy lips & kissed them desperately by nipping, biting & sucking on them again & again.

Seeing her struggling for breath he half heartedly withdrew his lips from hers & rested their foreheads together.

When their breathing stabilized & their eyes met, she lowered her eyes shyly.

Arnav raised her face holding her chin. "That was..amazing" He replied, swiping his tongue on his lips. Khushi bit her lower lip, increasing his desires & he was about to kiss her again when she kept her hand on his mouth.

"That's all for now." She said sternly, suppressing her laughter at his frustrated expressions. "Go & get ready. You already missed your morning jog. Now are you planning to chuck office too today??" She asked, removing her hand & raising her eyebrow, imitating him.

"Yes my love." He pulled her to him. "No office today." He replied, flicking her nose playfully with his index finger.

She raised both her eyebrows. "Kis Khushi mein??" She asked.

"Arey... How can I miss seeing Sheetal undergo her death sentence??" He winked at Khushi.

"Death sentence??" Now Khushi's eyebrows sky rocketed.

Arnav tittered. "Then what!! Cooking for all is definitely gonna be a death sentence for a lazy bum & free-loader like Shit-al" He imitated NK's funny pronunciation making Khushi chuckle. "& that's gonna be a free comedy show for all of us then how can I miss the fun. So.." He pulled her towards him through her waist. "no office today." He added rubbing his nose with hers.

"Really??" She asked, narrowing her eyes. "Or is it that you want to save your DEAR FRIEND from getting more harassed by us??" She fake mocked him twitching her mouth, suppressing her laugh.

Arnav understood that she was just pulling his legs.

He raised his hands from her waist to her face & held it gently. "Khushi.. She holds no value for me anymore. Neither as a friend nor as a stranger." He said looking straight in her eyes which softened at his words.

She nodded & pressed her lips on his cheek. He closed his eyes savouring the warmth of her soft lips.

"Then what are we waiting for. Let's start with the fun then." Khushi said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yes darling." Khushi couldn't hold her blush at the endearment. "But before that, there's somebody else who needs to be confronted." Arnav completed tilting his head & Khushi understood who that person is.

Well she herself is eager to confront that person.

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In Akash's room he also woke up with a splitting headache. He was sitting with his head in his hands, pulling his hair to ease the pain.

"Payal.. Payal.." He shouted.

"Kya hai?? Kyu chilla rahe hai aap subah subah mere naam se??" (What is it?? Why are you shouting my name in the morning??") Payal yelled back at him.

He immediately looked up to find her standing near the bed. "How did she appear immediately??" He murmured.

She glared at him & he gulped.

"Payal.." He called out sweetly. "I don't know why but I'm having a terrible headache." He informed, pressing his forehead.

"Oh really.. You don't know why it's aching??" She asked with a sarcastic smile.

He shook his head innocently.

"Of course.. How will you remember??" She shrugged. "Just like you conveniently got busy partying with your brothers last night making me wait for you at the terrace, the same way you forgot how you got this headache as well." She mocked, flaring her nostrils.

Now that rang apprehensive bells in his aching head.

He recalled his last night adventures with his bhai. That also reminded him of the reason behind his aching head.

"That damn cold drink which wasn't a cold drink." He muttered under his breath.

"Huh??" Payal narrowed her eyes.

"Payal.." He got up from his bed throwing the blanket & stood near his upset wife. "Payal.." He held her by her forearms. She jerked his hands away.

Akash gulped but tried again.

"Payal.. Please just listen to me once what I have to say. Then you stay angry how much ever you want." He said holding her hands.

"What??" She scowled, pulling her hands harshly.

"No.. No.. What I mean is just listen to my reasoning of why I couldn't come to the terrace last night. Then I would pacify you by all means." He requested, making a pitiful face.

She twitched her lips but nodded giving him permission.

"Wo Payal.. After talking to bhai, he & I went to NK bhai's room to discuss something important with him. There he was.." He paused & swallowed nervously. He isn't a good liar but right now he needs to excel in it. "He was listening to music, having his favourite chips with some new flavour of cold drink. He offered us but we refused. But he insisted stating that it's a new & a very delicious flavour. So just to keep his heart bhai & I drank a bottle each with him. I don't know what happened after that & how we got intoxicated. All I remember is due to intoxication I forgot about you waiting for me at the terrace & bhai & I were behaving like kids." He completed making an utmost, innocent face he possibly can.

"Aisi baat hai??" (Is that so??) She asked, scrutinizing his face.

Akash nodded his head up & down vigorously.

"Sorry NK bhai. But I need to pacify my angry wife & at the same time save myself from her scoldings as well so I'm dragging you unnecessarily in between." Akash muttered to himself.

"But I'm really sorry Payal for making you wait at the terrace all alone." He said holding his ears, genuinely regretful.

"That's fine Akash." She removed his hands from his ears. "I wasn't alone. Khushi was there with me & we sisters had a good time on the swing." Payal smiled.

Akash sighed in relief for getting through her.

"Thank you Payal for forgiving me for disappointing you &.." He paused a bit embarrassed "& for behaving like a kid in intoxication last night." He apologized again.

Payal laughed remembering his antics from last night.

"Akash.. Frankly saying, I enjoyed your state last night." She said suppressing her lips. Akash frowned. "At least that way I got to know how much you are scared of me." She winked teasing him.

Akash smiled sheepishly & pulled her in his embrace & she completed the hug by wounding her arms around him.

"Was I too funny last night??" He asked looking down at her.

She looked up at him & nodded. "Funny & cute." She pulled both his cheeks laughing. Akash pouted & then laughed heartily with her.

"Is your head still aching Akash??" She asked, touching his forehead.

He smiled at her concern. "Not much now. I guess once I freshen up & have breakfast, it would be completely gone. Don't worry." He said, kissing her forehead.

"Ok then go, have your bath & get ready fast. Today we have a new chef, specially imported from The US to prepare our meals. Remember??" Payal asked, raising her eyebrows, smiling naughtily.

Akash furrowed his brows at her words but then remembered who she was talking about.

"Oh yeah. It's gonna be fun." He said punching his fist in the air.

"Yeah but before that somebody else's ears need to be twisted." Payal growled.

Akash again understood who it was but he was scared of his own lies coming out in the open.

Payal looked at him & he faked a smile nodding.

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"Before those avengers barge in my room to butcher me, I should leave this room." NK blabbered to himself wearing his Tee.

"I should have left for Kidney.. Errrr.. Sydney last night." He mumbled. "No problem NK. Just leave the house as soon as possible & take refuge into some of your friend's house or a hotel for a day or two. Meanwhile they will forget everything & all will be goody good again." He tried to pep up himself.

"Yes that's a good idea." He decided & taking his bike keys hurried towards the door.

But as soon as he opened the door he gasped in shock.

His so called nemesis were standing in front of him.

His two brothers with their wives were standing in a line besides each other, blocking his way.

Their rigid postures made him tremble in his shoes. But the weapons in their hands, scared the shit out of him.

His usually sweet best friend Khushiji was glaring at him with a belan in her hands. To hit him on his head may be. He touched his hands on his head which would be blown soon.

His nannav mere bhai was flaring his nostrils, holding his huge garden scissors in his hands, to chop down his hair probably or chop down his neck. He caressed his smooth neck with his hand which would be bleeding soon.

His usually calm younger brother Akash was looking at him furiously, carrying a stick in his hands. To hit on his bum may be. He caressed his bum which would be swollen soon.

His usually demure Payal bhabhi was glowering at him angrily, holding a broom in her hands. Certainly planning to dust his whole body by hitting this broom. He would be a total gone case today.

He gulped hard fearfully but tried to appear confident by faking a confident smile at them. But they knew better as they had already seen his reactions to their appearances.

" Hey guys.." He again swallowed. "Good morning. What are you all doing here??" He asked, smiling unnecessarily wider. "Oh I get it. You all have come to take me for breakfast. But there was no need as I was about to come down for the same." He said, trying to appear normal.

But getting a collective scowl from all of them he stumbled on his place.

They continued stepping forward brandishing their so called weapons at him making him step backwards.

"See guys.. I know you all are angry at me due to last night's happenings." He finally resorted to confessing, left with no other option. "But believe me guys it wasn't my fault." Arnav snarled at that.

"I mean I had those drink bottles in my fridge but they weren't mine." He was revealing, moving backwards at the same time & they were moving towards him until NK's leg hit the bed & he stopped with them standing in front of him surrounding him, coercing him to spill everything.

"Those were my friend's bottles. He had ordered online for his weekend party. But he was out of town when his order arrived. His parents are orthodox so he requested me to get his parcel & keep them in my fridge as he knows I have a mini fridge here in my room. He said he would collect on the day of the party." With every word, NK was slowly slowly bending backwards. "Being a friend I just helped him. But I didn't tell anybody in our house as I know alcohol is prohibited in our house. But those weren't pure alcohol bottles. They were cocktails, a mixture of alcohol & fruit juice so technically, I didn't break any rule of this house." He completed & fell on the bed behind him on his back. He was breathing heavily looking at the four pairs of eyes hovering over him. His whole body perspiring fearfully.

"But we consumed your so called cocktails & got intoxicated, what about that??" Arnav asked, bending towards NK's face & tapped his garden scissors on his head as if going to chop his hair.

"I'm sorry Nannav mere bhai. I will not go to any party this whole month as a punishment for that." NK apologized, making a crying face, trying to placate his angry elder brother.

"But due to your cocktail The shrewd Arnav Singh Raizada behaved like a kid. What about that Nanheji??" Khushi asked, bending down, hitting her belan lightly on NK's chest.

"I'm sorry Khushiji. I will eat & drink only baby food for one whole month as a punishment for that." NK announced in a childlike tone, trying to appease his best friend.

"But because of getting intoxicated I got scolded terribly by Payal. What about that NK bhai??" Akash complained bending down, hitting the stick lightly on NK's left thigh.

"I'm sorry Akash. I would hear scoldings from Payal bhabhi 3 times a day for one whole month as a punishment for that." NK declared, trying to calm his younger brother.

"But your cocktail plans ruined Akash's & my plans of spending time together on the swing, on our terrace. What about that NK bhai??" Payal asked bending down, hitting the back of the broom lightly on NK's right thigh.

"I'm sorry Payal bhabhi. I will get a custom made tete-a-tete swing for both of you & place it in your room. Then you can swing with Akash 24/7 on it. Nobody will disturb you." NK promised, trying to pacify his Payal bhabhi so she becomes sweet as before.

NK looked at all the four faces who were bending over his face, trying to gauge their reactions whether they have cooled down or not by his declaration of punishments for himself.

Arnav, Khushi, Akash & Payal stood straight & looked at each other then at NK who was still lying on bed praying to all the Gods for his life & the four of them started laughing loudly, throwing their weapons on the floor & giving hi-five's to each other.

NK was lying clueless about their sudden eruption of laughter.

Akash forwarded his hand to NK gesturing him to hold it & get up from the bed. NK obeyed immediately & got up from the bed holding Akash's hand.

"Nanheji.. You are so cute." Khushi pulled his cheeks.

NK frowned at that.

"Yes NK bhai Khushi is right." Payal ruffled NK's hair playfully.

Now NK's frown deepened.

"Totally crazy NK bhai." Akash shook his head, still laughing.

"Idiot NK." Arnav hit NK friskily on his head.

NK still stood confused.

"Arey Nanheji... We all were just pulling your leg by scaring you." Khushi volunteered to clear his confusion. "You weren't even there when these two brothers consumed those cocktails from your fridge then how are you responsible for their intoxication??"

Payal looked at Akash gritting her teeth as his lies was caught. Akash smiled sheepishly then pleaded through his eyes pouting cutely. Payal shook her head at his cuteness & smiled relieving him.

"We aren't angry with you Nanheji. We were just fooling you by faking anger. Ab kal raat jo hua uske liye itna to banta hai." Khushi winked at NK.

"Really?? You all are not angry with me at all??" He asked to confirm.

"Nooooooo" All the four spoke together.

"But it was fun seeing these two astute businessmen behaving like kids." Khushi commented smiling naughtily at Arnav & Akash.

"Not just kids Khushi but very cute kids." Payal teased them more.

Both the brothers looked away embarrassed & both the sisters giggled.

NK exhaled soundly, very much relieved.

"Then why did you get all those scary objects with you??" NK asked, gesturing towards the so-called weapons thrown by them on the floor.

"Just for special effects." Arnav replied, circling his one hand around NK's shoulders & gave a playful pat on his chest with the other hand.

Everybody laughed together.

"But you two were actually cute yesterday Nannav & Akash. I should have recorded your antics in my phone for future use so that I could have got to blackmail both of you to do my bid." He teased his brothers who glared at him but then pulled him in a brotherly hug.

Both the sisters smiled looking at the three happy brothers huddled together.

"But you all literally scared the shit out of me." NK said, breaking the hug & wiping the sweat beads from his forehead & neck.

Arnav & Akash smirked at that.

"Nanheji.. Your's was just for fun but now it's time to really scare the shit out of somebody else. What say??" Khushi said, looking at everybody's faces.

"Then what are we waiting for?? Let's go." NK shouted excitedly.

"Let's go." Everybody asserted together & left the room for their mission HARASSING SHIT-ALL.

To be continued...

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So.. A funny, hilarious & entertaining update amidst this heaviness of the Corona crises.

Hope you all would like it & forgetting your worries for sometime atleast, would laugh your guts out.

Fellas.. This is a very crucial crises. Don't take it lightly. Stay home stay safe & follow the lockdown rules to the T for your & your family's sake. That way you would contribute towards the nation as well.

Respect all the Corona warriors associated with all the essential amenities. They are out of their homes so that we can stay safe in our homes.

Lastly... Let me know your views on the updates through your votes & comments. Hope the delay in the update won't affect the response to this story.

Love
Kavita ❤️