Next day
6:30 AM

The sun peaked through the curtains on the bed to wake a girl that had so much to do in life.

As in queue, she woke up with a jerk. Breathing heavily, she looked in her surroundings and summoned it that it was her paradise.

Yawning, she stepped out of bed and did her morning routine. Freshening herself, she made her way to the living area.

I don't have groceries! What will I have for breakfast now? I need to shop badly.

Changing herself into presentable form, she stepped out the door. She suddenly saw a packet of milk lying on the door mat. She looked from right to left, trying to spot any human but couldn't.

Who must have dropped it here?

Picking it up, she came inside and dialled a number. The call was received after 2 rings.

"Hello?"

"I am Khushi."

"Ji boliye? (Yes?)"

"Actually I found a packet of milk placed at my door step. I wanted to ask how did it drop there?"

"Oh that. Its that I informed the milkman of the society to leave one at your door. You may need it. If you don't want to, I would ask him otherwise!"

"Ohh. No! No! Thank you Happy ji. I wish to continue it." She thanked the watchman of the society.

"No problem madam. It would be ₹50 for each packet."

"Ohh ok. Whom to pay?"

"The milkman would write it in his record and you have his number in the diary I told. If you ever wish to not buy, you could simply call and inform beforehand. And yes, he would collect his income on 1st of every month."

"Thank you." Hanging up the call, she picked the packet of milk and boiled the content.

Filling her stomach with it for breakfast, she thought to gather some meal at the canteen.

7:15 AM

"I should get ready. Its almost time now."

Picking her office attire, she had a shower and changed herself into it. Coming outside, she combed her hair and applied some gloss. Approving her look, she went to wear her slippers.

I pretty badly need to shop for myself now that I have to go on work place daily.

Mentally noting to visit the mall, she came out of her room and sat around on one sofa. Picking her bag, she checked all the necessary things she may need.

8:15 AM

Zipping the bag, she stood and went towards the door. Picking the house keys, she stepped out of house and locked it behind.

Entering in the lift, she waited till she reached ground floor.

Stepping out, she collided with a hard chest. She groaned in pain and rubbed her forehead. Muttering a quick sorry, she looked up to see Arnav.

"Arnavji, you here?"

"Actually I came to pick you up!" He said scratching the back of his neck.

"Me?" She asked astonished.

"Hmm." He smiled slyly.

"But why? I will hire a cab and come. I don't want to trouble you."

"Oh no! It would be my pleasure to help you."

"But-"

"Nahh! Now we are getting late. Quietly hop in the car." He says getting near the car with her trailing behind.

Not having a choice, she quietly sits beside him on the passenger seat. Starting the engine, he started for office.

"How was the first day at your paradise ?" He asked with a hint of tease in voice.

"Good. I was afraid to sleep to alone in a big house but then I guess exhaustion took over and I slept."

"Hmm."

I wish I could sleep with you and take all of your fears and insecurities. Hopefully one day!!

After minutes of silence,

"So, excited to work back for me?"

"Yes!" She smiled his way.

"I am gonna take alot of work as you are back. So no excuses and no leaves!"

"Yes boss!"

"Boss?" He looked at her.

"Just call me Arnavji, as you always say. I like that name. No one besides you say that to me." He confessed.

"Oh."

"Here we are." He says. Pulling up infront of the building, he steps out. Hurling the keys to chauffeur, he rushed to her side. But like always she was out before he could help as a gentleman.

Exhaling a heavy breath, they both led their ways inside. Arnav went to his cabin and Khushi went to pantry for his coffee.

"Sir, yesterday we had a call from Rizwan Co. . They wanted to know about the progress of their order. I had briefed them about it but they wanted to speak to you?" A employee asked.

"I will handle that. Send me the details of progress before that. I wanna check it before myself.

"Yes sir. Anything else?"

"No. You may leave."

Stepping out of the pantry, Khushi bumped into someone.

"Oh!!! I am so sorry. I didn't see you. Oh shit!! The paper are-" The girl babbled and looked up at her intruder

"Khushi!!"

"Lavanya-ji!" Khushi held a shocked expression.

"You? What are you doing here? You work here? I didn't knew before. Oh shit!!! I am so sorry for that night. Because of me you stumbled and fell. I shouldn't have pestered you for the walk on ramp. How are you now? I guess you had a nervous breakdown that-"

"Breath!!!" Khushi whisper yelled and held her hands.

"Yaar!!!" She sighed.

"Will meet at lunch. Yeah? Now I need to make another coffee and clean up!"

"Sorry!" Lavanya pouted.

"Aahh! Its ok." Khushi waved her hand at her.

"See ya." Khushi smiled at her retreating figure.

Walking back in pantry, she made another coffee just like he wants. Asking the help from a sweeper to clean the mess, she left to his cabin.

"Sign them!" Anjali and Aman sat in a coffee shop.

Anjali had got the divorce papers ready in a short span of time. Informing the same to her husband, they decided to meet outside.

"I won't!" Anjali frowned at him.

"Why not?" She looked at him in eyes, trying to read them probably.

No response.

"Aman, don't waste my time. Sign them and free us."

"I am not signing."

"Aman!" She exasperated.

"Anjali. Is it so easy for you? How can you so easily reach for this damn papers!!!"

"Because I want your happiness!" She wanted to say.

"Sign. Them."

He stood up to leave, but turned and looked at her in eye. His eyes held a thin layer of tears in them but despite those they carried a pain of mistrust and loneliness.

"Anger is one letter short of danger." He said looking at her in eye.

"The day you sign them, send me. I will sign them too but not before that." Slamming his hand on the table, he paid for their untouched coffee's and left.

Sitting in his car, he let those tears escape he had held them at bay.  He couldn't hold them back.

Why don't you believe me! I love you. Only you Anjali. I have no one but you in my heart, my soul. Please stop your acts before I will be forced to take a step that costs our lives. I want to have a happy ending. Please try to see my love that's for you. I don't have anyone besides you.

Why can't you show an ounce of trust on me. It was you who cooed me after my parents death. Why can't you do that again.

I had found my paradise in you. My life, my happiness, my peace, my sorrow, my death, my worries, my... Everything is you.

If you sign those damn papers Anjali, I swear... I swear I won't show myself to you ever again. I would rather die than sign those...

He cried bitterly for god knows how long. He hadn't visited Shantivan. He though to better stay in his apartment than with her.

He shifted in his bed when he heard the bell.

Ting tong! You have a guest.

"Who might it be?" Wiping his tear stricken face, he inhaled a long relaxing breath.

He moved to open the door.

"Hi!"

Making a way, he let him inside.

"What are you here for?" Aman asked.

"What did she say?"

"She had given me divorce papers to sign."

"What!!!!" Arnav exclaimed

"Yes!" He whispered in a chocking voice.

Quickly making a move, he stood and hugged his best friend.

"Shhh... Don't! Don't cry. Did you... Did you sign them?"

"No. How can I?" He replied helplessly.

"Don't give up please. You know she can be an idiot sometimes. Let's clear out everything. Let me tell her everything."

"You don't have to Arnav. I want her to realise her mistake-"

"No!! You know how adamant she gets when she makes up her mind. Listen to me and listen carefully."

"Go and tell her the truth. Tell her about me and my love for Khushi. Tell her that Khushi is like a sister to you. Tell her that she don't have to be insecure ever when it's her. Tell her how much you love her. Tell her what she means to you. Say that she is the only girl in your life. Go and tell her." Arnav says holding his face.

Listening him, Aman had his eyes filled with tears again. He memorized all his past moments with her.

How she used to tease him. Pull his ears when he makes her worried unnecessarily. Love and cared she showed when he got into an accident and got his leg fractured.

Their dates, long drives. Late night sneak outs. Her weird cravings. Her anger. Her blush when he compliment her.  Her lips, she would bite when he would look at her with lusty-love filled gaze. Her eyes that held love for him.

He closed his eyes at their bitter sweet memories.

"So what did you think?"

"I... I don't know."

"Look, being a brother I will ask you to give a chance to my sister. I know... I know she can be tough sometimes but she is good at heart-"

"I ain't giving her divorce, if that is what you are thinking." Aman said little rudely.

"No Aman. Don't take me wrong. I was-"

"Its ok Arnav. Before a friend, you are a brother. And I can understand it." Aman patted his shoulder, left for his room.

Closing the door behind him, he slid down against it. He felt so lonely today. He had never felt this alone ever. He had a complete family.

A mother in Ratna Ma.

A brother in Arnav.

A newly formed sister- Khushi.

A life partner, best friend, soulmate in Anjali.

But despite all that he is lone at the time of sorrow and today he can see all those relations crumbling down at his feet.

And Its rightfully said "Blood is thicker than water."

Blood relations hold a major place in ones life than the other relations.

Sighing, he decided to sleep than to mourn over, Determined to talk about it the next day.

___________
I had published another story "Dil pe lagi chot" and few of one shots too only on Arshi. The ones not aware could kindly check them out.

Thank you.