Not edited. Posted a note below. Please read it.
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"Here. Take this." Ratna tells offering her a envelope

"What is in this Aunty-ji?" Khushi asked inspecting it.

"Shagun for my daughter."

Khushi opened the envelope and found 21000 in it. She had her eyes wide and looked at Ratna with an amused look.

"No. I can not take this. Please" She handed it back to her and picked her bag to leave.

"No. Stop. If you had ever thought of me as your mother, you won't be rejecting it!" She says in a very stern voice.

"But how can I?"

"Why can't you?" She asks making her speechless.

"Now, take it."

"Take it Khushi. You cannot fight with her in such matters." Arnav remarks gaining another hit from his mother.

"Ouch!!" He yelps rubbing his arm.

"Now go, Before I change my mind." Ratna says

"Bye Aunty-ji. Bye Nani-ji. Bye Anjali." She bids all of them bye and sits in the car.

On the insistence of Ratna, she agreed that Arnav would leave her to her new apartment.

The whole journey was a quite affair with few words exchanged here or there. Arnav kept glancing at her and she kept glancing at him but both were oblivious of other's gaze.

Finally after around 20 minutes of travel, he stopped infront of a huge building with around 15 floors.

Arnav came out and rushed to open door for her. But to his luck she was out before that. He pouted but Khushi didn't see that.

"Is this where I will be living?" She asks looking around.

"Yes." He says taking out her bag from back.

Walking inside the society, the guard saluted him and asked him to fill in his entry. Making his entry and filling him with the information about Khushi and introducing her to guard, they made their way to her flat.

"The AR owns the last three floors. So you would find familiar people around, that won't be difficult for you I guess?"

She nodded and smiled at him.

"Your flat will be at 13th floor." She nodded again.

"Do you speak?" He asks

"What?"

"Oh ya, you do?" She looks at him confusion at his mocking tone.

"You were just meekly nodding at my questions, so I thought if you speak or not?" He says making her cheeks red in embarassment.

He chuckled at her expression.

Moving out of the lift, he stood in front of her apartment.

Flat no: 1307

She says loud in her mind.

"Here's the key." He says handling them to her.

She looks at them and then at the door. A sheen layer to tear forms. She looked down at the keys.

Her apartment.

"Open!" He encouraged her with a smile.

Shuffling through the keys, she held one out and opened the door. Moving inside she was welcomed by a small cozy interior.

"So how is it?"

"Just like I dreamt about my paradise." She whispered unknown to her.

He looked at her with a small smile. Coming around, he held her shoulders.

"This isn't dream. This is truth. This is your house now. Live it. Live your dream. Leave the past behind. Leave every worries behind and start from a new beginning." He says looking directly in her eyes.

No doubt he is sad about her leaving the house, but if it can save her sister's marriage then why not. Khushi is his now. She isn't going anywhere. So he needs to fix the problem in hand before keeping his proposal infront.

"Thank you Arnavji. For everything." She blinked.

"You should thank yourself for being brave. Anyone in your place won't be able to fight as you did. You are brave Khushi. Keep up with this bravery and shine more." She smiled through tears and hugged him.

He stiffened at once but nonetheless returned the hug. The mere hug held alot of promises and non existent words between them.

Care, respect, affection, trust, warmth and above all... Love.

Withdrawing back, she tugged a tresses of her hair back and looked down embarrassed.

How could I just hug him out of no where. Stop Khushi. Don't go back on that track. Remember you're a middle class, filthy, ugly orphan.

"Um... No problem. It happens. You were excited so you hugged me. Though I didn't mind it at all." He played cool to cut in embarassment.

"Huh?" She looked surprised at him.

"Yup. Mind giving me one more?" He winked making her blush and giggle.

"Go and look at your paradise."

Smiling she went and looked around. They were in spacious living room that had a big glass window at on side. The curtains were drewn closer. She moved closer to it and pulled away letting the sun rays peak inside. As the rays fell on her, she smiled.

On the opposite corner of glass pane, was an open kitchen. Coming inside, she saw hob stove, a chimney, a microwave, refrigerator, and a glass almirah. There were cabinets below the kitchen island. She opened them one by one and took in the space they held.

The kitchen was painted cream color in contrast with light blue of living area.

The living area had a 5 seated sofa set with a table and a carpet beneath it. Infront of the sofa's, a 32" led was hung on the wall. There were few simple wall painting hanging around the walls.

"You could remove them and hang your pictures here." He said when she looked the paintings.

"I don't own any."

"What? You don't have your single picture." She looked down embarrassed again.

You embarrassed yourself again Khushi!!

"No problem. We would have your photo shoot at AR."

"No. I mean its ok. I don't need any pic of mine. These paintings are good."

"No arguments. Now go and look at your bedroom."

"But-"

"Go!"

Pouting, she moved towards a room. Turning the knob, she opened it.

She took a deep breath and took in the fragrance of the room. It was so ethereal.

Just to the front of the door was the bed. A white bedsheet spread on it with 2 white pillows placed. At its right was a door which she assumed to be restroom. At the left of bed was again a glass window but smaller in size. The curtains were held aside by the strings. There was a balcony at the other end of it. Going around, she stood in the balcony and took in the fresh air that spread through her system. Spreading her arms, she closed her eyes.

Arnav watched her every move closely. He could see the happiness spreading in her and being a reason for that made him proud.

At least I could bring a smile on that face.

Coming out of the room, she visited the other room that held almost same features as the first.

"This is so pretty. I am in love with this house." She whispered through tears.

"So?"

"Um... I am a guest at your home. Serve me with something?"

"Ohh! Yes. What would you like to have?"

"Umm.... Aalo sabji with puri and halwa." He chirped.

"Umm.... Yes. Give me few minutes." She hesitated faking a smile.

"Will it be ready in 1 hour? I have meeting to attend."

"Yes. Just some time. Please have a seat."

"Hmm."

"Mango shake too?" He added

"Ok."

Entering in the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator to see it empty.

Completely empty

"Hey Devi mayia. Now what will I prepare? He is just outside and I don't have anything. Help me." She chewed her nails in tension.

"Khushi. How many more minutes?" He said from living area, shuffling through the channels of television.

"Ji, coming!"

"I think I should tell him. He will understand."

Coming out of the kitchen, she stood near the edge of a sofa.

"Ready. Where are the dishes. Oh I guess at dining table. No problem. Let me help in setting the table." He says excited and got up to help.

"Voh... Actually-"

"What?"

"There wasn't anything in the kitchen. No vegetables or flour or fruits. So I couldn't prepare anything!" She says looking down, avoiding meeting his eyes.

Khushi he is your first guest and you disappointed him. What kind of hospitality are you showing him? Such a dumb-ass you are. Idiot!!!

" You should have said me before. What were doing inside for 10 minutes then?"

"Voh... I... I am sorry."

"But I am hungry?"

"I will go and bring something from the market. Just give me some time?"

"I have a meeting in 40 minutes Khushi." He says looking at his watch.

"Oh!!"

"Leave. I will grab something on the way." He said and picked his keys to leave. He was just near the door hoping for her to stop him. When she didn't, he sighed heavily.

"Khushi?"

He turned to see her eyes filled with tears and a lone tear flowed down.

"What the! Why are you crying?"

"Because I couldn't serve you anything. I am a horrible host. You were my first guest in my new house and I have left you disappointed."

Taking a deep breath of exasperation, he held her shoulder and made her sit.

"Stop crying!" He commanded.

Hearing a command she compiled immediately. Wiping the tear strains with the back of her hand, she sniffed last time.

"Now. Coming to my hospitality, did you know I will be your guest?"

She shook her head.

"Did you know I will be demanding something to eat when I had my breakfast?"

She again shook her head in denial.

"Did you even knew you had nothing in this house, like material to prepare a meal?"

She shook her head again.

"Did you think I would demand something that isn't possible. I knew you had shifted just few minutes back."

She nodded in affirmation.

"So why can't you deny when you could have. For once Khushi, think about yourself and not about others comfort. You won't be able to live in a world like this with your so caring nature. You have to be hard. Not on yourself but on others. You just can't go on obeying what you are commanded to! You need to speak for yourself. You have to bring back that Khushi. That's lost somewhere. Find her!"

"I hope I am clear?"

She nodded.

"You can speak Khushi!" He said, rolling his eyes.

"Y-yes."

"And... Congratulations. This is just starting Khushi. You have many more success and happiness coming to your way. Brace yourself to embrace them. Wish you luck for the new journey. And if you need anything, call me anytime. Ok?"

"Ji. And... thank you. It was just because of you that I am where I am." She said looking around in house.

He smiled.

"Now I will be taking your leave?"

"Y-yes." She stuttered.

"Bye."

"Bye."

"Take care."

"You too."

He stepped outside the house and turned to face her.

"Ok Then. Bye." He waved his hand.

"Bye." She imitated his action, smiling.

He walked few steps with a thumping heart.

"Khushi?" He turned again. Just in a hope for little more conversation.

"Ji?"

"Umm... Meet you tomorrow at office. At sharp 9:00 AM."

"Ok Arnavji."

"Bye?"

"Bye!"

Finally he moved and stepped inside the lift with a heavy heart. Turning he saw her standing at her door looking his way.

He smiled and waved her bye. She returned his gesture.

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I have started a Arshi new story and introduction, chapter 1 and chapter 2 are already up. Those who aren't aware, please go and check it on my profile. It's based on contract marriage track.

Thank you.