Hour later Arnav woke up from his sleep to see his wife sleeping beside him, her hand still on his hair, turning to her side, he kept looking at her. Inching closer to her he pulled her close to him, hugging her little tightly "Meri Khushi!!!" saying dropped a kiss on her forehead.

His eyes went towards the wall clock, it was around 3 past fifteen minutes (p.m.). Snuggling close to his wife he closed his eyes, nothing could be more perfect than this, his wife...his love...in his arms.

Around 5 p.m. Khushi woke up from her nap, blinking her eyes open, they automatically went towards Arnav, only to meet with Arnav's warm ones. Caressing her cheek, he whispered softly "did you sleep well?"

Khushi "Ji"

Brushing his nose with hers he replied "Good", she shivered as his hand wrapped around her waist pulling her dangerously close to him. Gulping she put her hand on his forehead checking his temperature.

Arnav "I am okay now Khushi" getting a hmm from her.

"Arnav ji, let me get up"

Instead of letting her go he tightened his grip on her saying "No, let us be like this for while" few seconds passed in silence not knowing what to say, Arnav broke it "Khushi..."

She raised her eyes to meet his waiting for him to continue, Arnav "Can I?", her eyes teared hearing the uncertainty in his voice, if it was before he would not hesitated to kiss her but today, he is so uncertain of her reaction. It is not that he ever touched her without her will but he never lacked the confidence but today he is really fearing of her rejection. Putting her hands around his she placed her lips on his silently giving him her permission. As much as he wants, she too wanted this, want to be loved by him, want to love him, she just wants to forget everything now and only to remember about them and their love.

Payal looked at Anjali getting irritated with her constant complaint of Khushi, and also top to that concerned looking at her husband worn out self, he is already tired and instead of letting him rest for few minutes, as soon as he came inside, she had started her water works.

Akash sighed and requested Payal "Can I get a strong coffee, Payal?"

Nodding her head, she rushed to the kitchen to make him one.

Anjali "How can Khushi ji talk like that? How could she say something like this? Maami can you believe it? What she said? She said I'm not giving any attention to my husband and he will become tired of me. My Rahul ji will leave me."

Akash not able to take it anymore snapped at her "Stop it Di.....from past one hour I'm listening the same thing. And what wrong did Khushi ji said?"

Maami "Akash bitwa?"

Akash "Yes, I don't feel anything wrong with what Khushi ji said. She is absolutely right. For Aarav, she is ignoring her husband. Jijaji wanted to take her with him on this trip but what she did instead of going with him she made excuses to remain here with that boy. Agree she lost so much.....but is it only her who is going through the pain. Did she even think about how jija ji might be feeling? Just because he does not say anything does not mean he is not feeling anything. He was so excited planning the trip and see he is so disappointed when she refused to go with him. And Maa, will you be okay, if Papa stops giving you any attention."

Maami could not say anything to that, she knows what he said is right. Akash continued "Instead of making her understand you are here consoling her. And Di, no man would like it if his wife ignores him for others especially strangers. Learn to set your priority straight else you will be regretting latter and would have no one to blame than yourself" Giving them his piece of mind, he left to his room leaving behind wide-eyed Anjali and helpless Maami ji who don't know whom to support.

Payal who heard everything shaking her head in disappointment at them left behind her husband carrying his coffee. Coming inside their room she took in the haggard expression in his face, he is sitting on the single sofa, his head laid at the back of the couch, eyes closed.

Akash smiled in spite the headache he is having suffering all because of his sister's constant complaint. He opened his eyes and met with Payal's loving one's as she massaged his forehead.

"Have your coffee, Akash? It will get cold otherwise."

Akash relaxed and took the cup of coffee placed on the table before him while Payal continued giving him massage.

Few minutes of silent, each lost in the thoughts. Akash, thinking he was lucky enough he got understanding and loving wife who supports and encourages him not even his family and sister are trying to understand the pressure he is in. Don't know how his brother had handled so much pressure, he had never handled the business alone, his brother would be the one who does the most of it, it is not his brother had not trusted his capability but because he did not let the pressure and burden fall on him, be it he is present or even being in one of those business trips he had always handled efficiently. It is only when he is handling everything alone since Arnav had taken this break from business he is able to understand the constant pressure his brother was in.

While Payal thinking about her husband struggling alone trying to handle the business as well as family. She is glad Arnav and Khushi are away from here, they needed this time and space for their relationship and she is not blaming them in-fact she is happy they are able to help Arnav and Khushi, but she also feels sorry for her husband who is overloaded with work and top to that all the daily dramas his sister is creating is taking toll on him. All she could do is silently support him and love him showing she is always there for him.

"Till when......" Akash voice brought her back from her thoughts. He took her hands from his forehead and pulled her forward "till when she is going to be like this. Can't she see she is getting distanced from everyone with this type of act. She is losing everyone; can't she feel it? I really don't understand how can some outsiders became so important to her that she is hurting her brother, her husband, her family. I am really ashamed and guilty because it is all because of us that she is like this. Instead of treating her like fragile doll we should have let her face the world, otherwise she would not be this blind and fool to believe others over her family nor she would fight with her family for others."

Payal knelt before, his hands still in her hand, she doesn't know what to say to him, because whatever he said is true, she can't even console him saying everything will be alright because nothing can be certain when it comes to Anjali.

At the end Payal could only say "We will make sure nothing wrong happens to our loved ones. We are there right? I am with you. Will face everything together." Akash pulled her in for a much-needed hug from her. Understanding his need for her support she caressed his back.

If Khushi's word upset her then Akash's word pierced her, she can't understand why is no one supporting her, understanding her. They had always accepted her every wish then why she is facing disapproval and cold shoulders from everyone, even Nani and Maami who though does not say a word could clearly see their disagreement with her.

Anjali sat lost carrying a sad face, at the same time Sheethal entered tagging Aarav along into her room. Sheethal "What happened Anjali? Are you well?"

Anjali smiling weakly at her "Nothing, come sit. My bacha" saying she pulled Aarav making him sit on her lap. Sheethal taking a seat beside her kept quiet letting Anjali fuss over Aarav for few minutes before interrupting the duo "Aarav beta, go and play your video games for now, I want to talk your Anjali aunty."

Aarav looked at his mother who signaled him to leave, nodding his head he got and ran off, Anjali "What is it Sheethal?" worry evident in her voice.

Sheethal "No, you tell me what is it? Won't you tell me. I thought I am your friend."

Anjali getting a sympathetic shoulder started crying "Today Khushi ji said so much to me and not only that Akash too shouted at me."

Sheethal hugging her "I am sorry Anjali, it is all because of me and Aarav. That is why I am saying it is not good for us to be here. It is not good for you to go against your family for us" she completed with fake sympathy.

Anjali coming out her hug wiped her tears saying "No, that cannot happen. I cannot allow you and Aarav to go away from here. Aarav has rights to live with his father and his family. This is his house and you are his mother."

Sheethal "but Anjali no one will accept this. You will just receive everyone's displeasure. Trust me, I and Aarav will be happy anywhere. I don't want because of me the relationships here get disturbed."

Anjali holding her hand "You are so nice Sheethal ji, but don't worry, it is just matter of time. When Chotte comes back I will talk to him about Aarav."

Sheethal sighed "I have no hope Anjali. Arnav will never accept Aarav as his son. Can't you see how he is behaving with me and Aarav? In fact, he is not even talking to you, isn't? All he cares now is only his wife."

Anjali "don't say like that, he needs to know and understand Aarav needs his father. Believe me Sheethal ji, I will give Aarav his rightful place."

Sheethal "What about Khushi, Anjali? Do you think even if you make Arnav accept Aarav, will she let him go?"

Anjali surprised "Khushi is Chotte's wife Sheethal ji. I cannot ask Chotte leave his wife. He loves her so much. My Chotte will not be able to live without her. For giving Aarav his rights, I cannot snatch my brother's happiness nor can I do injustice to Khushi ji. I know you and Chotte were not fault, whatever you both shared it was all in the past. But then Khushi ji too is not at fault and today she is Chotte's present and future. You too wanted the same right. You too don't want to come between them, right? *Sheethal nodded her head* And don't worry about Khushi ji, when she comes to know Aarav is Chotte's son she will accept him. Think Aarav will get two mothers love....no make it three....you, Khushi ji and me."

Sheethal hugged her, gritting her teeth, this woman wants just Aarav then what about her, what about her rights? Even now after trying to instigate her against Khushi she does not seem to remove that woman from Arnav's life. All she thinks about is Aarav....Aarav....Aarav.

He looked at his wife, his gaze intent as his wife served him the food silently. He stopped her from making another plate, pulling her to sit on his lap he enclosed her in his hug.

Khushi "What are you doing? Someone will see" she whispered in nervousness.

Arnav "No one is here Jaan, Ramesh and his family has left for their cottage, others to their quarter, it is only you and me."

Khushi "Arnav ji, the food will get cold. Leave ma and starting having your dinner."

He tore a piece of roti and taking it with sabji brought it towards her mouth. Khushi looked at him who insisted "Kha lo Khushi, I wish to feed you with my hands."

Khushi "Par....."

Arnav "No Jaan, let me" She opened her mouth, Arnav fed her the piece "I was missing us so much Khushi." She kept silent chewing the roti, Arnav continued "I know it is my fault for us being close yet so apart, yes we closed the distance between us physically but I know nothing changes even now and there is long way for us to go."

Arnav "Jaan, all I ask you to give is a single chance....last chance to me...for yourself, for me, for ourselves. Can you give it me, Love?"

Khushi's eyes teared hearing him, a lone tear escaped her eyes, wiping her tears shaking his head "Shhh Jaan don't cry....I am sorry...I am really sorry...." Khushi just laid back on him, hiding his face on his neck, started crying loudly. She too is missing them so much and want to end this distance between but could not know how to do it...because the pain and fear is still residing in there strongly. Arnav's throat choked with tears, his eyes with unshed tears, he enclosed her and rocked her like a baby chanting sorry and love you like a mantra.

Cursing himself for putting his wife in agony. Now no more, he will do everything in his power to rectify his mistakes, it is time he starts healing her and in return healing himself.

Precap:

What do think will happen next?

I don't know how this part came. Really was thinking to write something and wrote something else. Hope it is okay.

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