Khushi's POV

I opened my eyes and realised my position. I had fallen asleep in Aarav's lap. I was shocked and eyed him "dost.. Aapne khushi ko uthaya kyun nahi? Aapka haath pain kar raha hoga" I blabbered in one breath.

He spoke "shh.. Shant toofan mail..."

I smiled hearing "toofan mail" from his mouth.

Just, then I saw Avni and Vineet at his home. I was shocked seeing Vineet and sighed in disappointment.

"Bade papa aap yahan?" I asked.

"Haan beta.. Aarav ab main ise le jau?" VIneet asked.

"Haa.. le jayie.." Aarav replied.

I jumped down from his lap and moved out of the house with Avni and Vineet. I sat inside the car, I questioned "bade papa aap yahan kaise aaye?"

"Ye baat tum mujhe bataogi khushi.. Tum waha kya kar rahi thi? Aur kabse aa rahi ho Aarav ke ghar humse chupte chupate?" He questioned me.

I glanced at Avni Di, she made a helpless face.

"Bade papa.. Wo unka accident hua tha Khushi ki wajah se main toh unhe dekhne aati thi aur wo mere bahut ache dost ban gaye" I informed him.

"Beta.. ye galat hai atleast mujhe batana chahiye tha aapko aur Avni tumne bhi jhooth bola mujhse" Vineet scolded both of us.

"Papa.. maine jhooth nahi bola main toh dost ke ghar hi jaati thi kaam se aur ye apne dost ke ghar khelne bas dost ka naam nahi bataya" Avni answered him like an intelligent child.

"Avni.. ye kya jawab hua meri baat ka" Vineet asked.

I replied "bade papa.. Please mumma ko mat batana aap jante ho na unki bhabhi ne kitna kuch sunaya tha unhe phir mumma mujhe mere dost se kabhi milne nahi degi aur Khushi ko dost ke saath khelna acha lagta hai"

Vineet glanced at us thoughtfully. Avni also requested supporting me "papa please.. Sorry na aage se aapko batayenge hum"

Vineet sighed, always having to lose in front of their innocent faces. "Okay fine.. Khushi ye last baar next time aisa nahi hona chahiye"

I nodded in yes with a smile, we were hungry so we went to have the food and later we reached home. It was 10 pm. Ruhana glanced at us and scolded "tum teeno ko waqt ka khayal hota hi nahi na?"

"Maasi.. Sorry khushi ki zid thi aap bade papa aur Avni di ko nahi daanto" I said making an innocent face.

Ruhana sighed.. "Khushi.. Thik hai jao room mein khana toh khake aaye honge teeno?" she asked.

I smiled along with Vineet and Avni.

I asked "mumma kaha hai?"

"Wo office ka kaam kar rahi hai" Ruhana replied.

I nodded and went upstairs with Avni Di.

Next Day
Manvi's POV

There was a grand success party celebration of the company. Everyone was invited, I avoided going to the parties.

Aarav entered my cabin and said "aap aa rahi hai na kal party mein"

"Nahi" I replied.

"Kyun?? Aap Managing Director hai company ki aur aap nahi hongi toh adhura lagega na" he informed.

"Aarav main.." I hesitated.

"Mam.. yahan har koi darta hai aapse siwaye mere aur aapne promise kiya hai mujhse aap hamesha smile karengi" he said with a smile curving his lips.

I just could not deny and agreed to be in the party. He smiled and then presented a box in front of me. I questioned "kya hai ye?"

"Mujhe pata hai aap mujhse pyaar nahi karti par main aapko chahta hun aur ye wo hai jisme maine aapko hamesha apne sapno mein dekha hai" he poured out his feelings.

I was stunned hearing his words, I opened the box and there was a red saree in it. I was angered and threw it away "how dare you give me this??"

"Kuch galat nahi kiya hai maine" he informed.

"Aarav... don't cross your limits hum sirf dost hai aur kuch nahi samjhe tum" I shouted with teary eyes.

Then I glanced at everyone who was watching inside the cabin. I shouted "leave my cabin.."

He picked up the dress and kept it on the table "bhool gayi aap maine kya kaha tha aapse.. Iss samajh ki parwah kare bina jeena sikhiye.. Apni khushi sabse aage rakhiye aap" he said and left the cabin.

I sighed deeply, I closed my eyes. In the evening, I went back to my flat.

Yes, me and Khushi had returned back to our flat as Khushi's school was reopening. I had the saree which Aarav gave to me. I glanced at it, it was not meant for me. 14 years ago, this color faded away from my life.

I heard Khushi's voice, I hid the saree into the wardrobe and cleaned my eyes. I can't show my pain in front of my daughter, she is too young to understand. I smiled fakely "aa gayi khushi.."

She smiled "yes mumma.. Bade papa chodke gaye" she replied.

"Acha.. change karlo main dinner bana deti hun" I spoke and moved out of the room.

I came to the kitchen and shouted "kya khaogi??"

"Chole bhature" she shouted back.

I sighed and started preparing chole bhature. Khushi came out of the room and sat down on the couch turning on the television.

"Ye nahi ki aake help karde.." I murmured..

After a few minutes, I saw her holding the rolling pin and trying to make the bhature. I smiled and questioned "aaj meri help kaise karne aa gayi aap?"

"Mumma dost ne kaha hai aapki help karni chahiye mujhe" Khushi replied.

I was surprised "Acha toh dost ki baat tum bahut maanti ho aajkal" I asked.

Khushi laughed "haan.. Dost hai hi special ek dum pap.." she paused..

I understood what she meant, I ruffled her hairs and together we made the bhature.

We sat on the dining table and had the food, Khushi was talking about her dost. I wonder who is that special person who was giving her such good knowledge.

Malhotra's House

Aarav's POV

I was sitting on the couch with a sad face, I was disheartened as Manvi refused to wear the saree which I bought with so much love and emotions.

Why can't she understand my love for her is beyond the world. I know, she had a bitter past but I want to make her present and future beautiful.

Ahana sat beside me and asked "kya hua? Aaj mera devar itna sad kyun hai?"

I gave her a look and made a face "bhabhi.." I kept my head on her shoulder.

She patted my cheek and asked "kya hua?? Tumhe pata hai na tum aise udas bilkul ache nahi lagte ho"

"Bhabhi.. Main itne pyaar se saree leke aaya tha meri khadoos boss ke liye aur unhone pehenne se mana kar diya" I informed her.

"What?? Usne tumhara diya gift tukraya how dare she? Toh kyun uske peeche apna time waste kar raha hai?" Ahana asked.

I kept my head on her lap and eyed her "kya karun bhabhi.. Pyaar ke aage majboor hun"

Ahana sighed and ruffled his hair "agar wo nahi maani toh?" she asked.

"Maanna toh unhe padega bhabhi.. Jab aap Virat bhaiya ke nakhre jhel sakti ho main unke kyun nahi?" I asked, winking at her.

She laughed.. "Point hai.."

"Kya?? Maine kab nakhre dikhaye??" I heard Virat's voice, who had just entered the house.

I stood up and teased "hamesha dikhate ho bhai.. Haina bhabhi?"

"Haa sahi kah raha hai Aarav bahut natak hai tumhare" Ahana joined me.

Virat was shocked and argued "Excuse me.. Ulta mujhe tum dono ko jhelna padta hai iss ghar mein ek paagal hai toh dusri uske bachpane ko badawa deti rehti hai"

Ahana eyed him with an open mouth "Virat.. How dare you call my dever "paagal" ? she scolded him.

I made a crying face... "bhaiya aapko mujhse pyaar hi nahi hai" I said in my dramatic tone.

"Virat.. Ek toh wo pehle se udaas tha aur ab tumne usko aur dukhi kar diya very bad.." she scolded him.

"Are.. natak kar raha hai ye ache se janta hun iss nautanki ko main" he said pulling my ear.

Ahana jerked his hand away "tumne usko kaan kaise kheeche"

They started to argue over me and I was enjoying the scenario. I thought about Manvi, will she come to the party tomorrow?

I have to ask her reason for not accepting my love and she has to answer me. I am Aarav Malhotra and it is not easy to get rid of me. 

To be continued..

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