"Good Morning" Khushi chirped as she and Anjali settled on their places on the dining table.

"Good Morning Chotte" Anjali greeted her brother, Who had just descended the stairs, dressed in an office suit.

"Morning Di, Hello Khushi." Arnav smiled at the two girls.

"How are you Khushi?" Shyam asked, looking up at her.

"I'm better Jija-ji, Di is taking me to the NGO today. Aren't you di?" Khushi asked.

"Today?" Anjali gasped, "You're hurt Khushi, Not Now!!"

"It's been a week and a half that I haven't stepped out of my room apart from mealtimes!!" Khushi pouted,

"You're such a child Khushi!!" Anjali chuckled at her expressions.

"Aren't you supposed to go to the hospital for your check-up today?" Arnav asked Khushi, who scrunched her face trying to remember.

"Yes.. In the evening." Khushi replied, "The last time I was there, the doctor had said that my recovery was better than normal patients."

"Because even your body knows you can't sit idle, for more than fifteen minutes at a time." Shyam commented with a grin.

"I don't know how you people manage it!!" Khushi whined.

"We don't, actually but we know that sometimes it's important." Anjali said. "Unlike you, A live fluttering butterfly!!"

"Diiii.."

"Khushiiii.."

"She's made a place for herself in our family in such a short period of time." Anjali thought to herself, A little louder than required.

"She's.. cute." Shyam smiled.

"She is."

Shyam wrapped his arms around Anjali's waist, "You.. know, I feel like I have gotten my chutki back." He confessed, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"Shyam-ji." Anjali rubbed soothing circles on his back, He had unknowingly put her own thoughts into words

"I know it's.. not true." Shyam added quickly "I know.. there's no use hoping."

"It's okay, Shyam-ji." Anjali cupped his face "I.. would wish for that to be true too."

Shyam shook his head, "Chutki is dead Anjali, We looked for her, didn't we? We didn't find her, did we? However much we hope. The truth won't change. She.. she is  dead."

Anjali nodded, "I know that, but considering Khushi to be.. 'like' our chutki isn't wrong, Is it?"

Shyam nodded, suddenly a child-like smile lighting his face at the mention of his sister. "You remember how possessive your chotte was about chutki back in their childhood?"

Anjali nodded, "She was his little doll" She sighed. "It's difficult to understand how he was not affected by her sudden death though."

"She was merely a four year old Anjali and Arnav an eight year old when Chutki died, At that time.. He was barely aware of the concept of death. I don't expect him to remember her, Not when none of us have never even mentioned chutki around and in front of him for more than 20 years. In a way It's good that he.. has forgotten about her." Shyam said

Anjali frowned, "Why would you say that?"

"His level of possessiveness for Chutki was too much to be handled. I mean, He didn't even let me talk to my sister when he was playing with her." Shyam pouted.

"Right, Exactly how you've been possessive of me all these years." Anjali replied, her cheeks painted in tinges of red.

"I at least don't keep you away from your own brother!!" Shyam defended himself.

Anjali chuckled, "Right, But that's how it is. Chotte has always been possessive of every person he loves." She shrugged.

"Tell him all this now and he'll shrug it off as a lie!!" Shyam said.

"I was never that way.. You're cooking up stories to tease me!!" Anjali imitated her brother. Shyam chuckled.

"You want me to drop you at the NGO?"

"I'll get ready in five minutes." Anjali said, nodding vigorously.

"I'll wait, Be quick. I have to leave for the court later." Shyam brushed his fingers against her cheek.

"Anjali!!" Shyam yelled from the end of the stairs "I'm getting late!"

"I'm coming! One more minute." Anjali ran out of her room, trying to balance a few files and her handbag.

"Slow down Anjali.. Relax!" Shyam sighed as she rushed downstairs and took the files from her "When are you going to grow up?"

Anjali pouted, "You were the one who was saying that you're getting late."

"I was.. and I am, but that doesn't mean you'll rush like that. What if you'd hurt yourself?" Shyam chided.

"I'm fine, Right?" Anjali twirled and giving him a 4D view of herself. Shyam chuckled in response.

"Yes. You're Absolutely Fine! Now let's GO!!!" Shyam smiled.

"Where are you going?" Khushi asked standing next to Shyam.

"He's going to the office, and I am going to my NGO." Anjali told her.

Khushi nodded, pouting. Anjali sighed, giving up at last in front of her wishes.

"You can come too.. If you promise to be a good girl and not exert yourself." Anjali placed her conditions in front of Khushi.

Khushi nodded in agreement, "I'll be a good Girl. Promise!!" She pinched her throat in a Khushi-Like manner. Shyam closed his eyes, controlling the overwhelming emotions from bursting forth in front of Khushi.

"Come on, or else we'll be late." Shyam nudged his wife and gestured her to move.

"No shararat, Pakka!! (No mischief, Promise)" A little girl stood in front of Arnav, pinching her throat "I'll be a good Girl."

Arnav crouched in front of the girl, and removed her hands from her throat, "Open your eyes Choti" He held back a grin as her surprised grey orbs met his soft chocolate ones.

"Where is Bhai?" She asked him innocently, She was fairly sure that it was Shyam standing in Arnav's place only minutes ago, Not to mention scolding the shit out of her.

"I sent him away, He was troubling my doll right?" Arnav asked her and she nodded vigorously, pouting all the way.

"I just missed my milk, That's all!!" She confessed innocently, and looked up to find Arnav glaring at her.

There.. You've made a mistake

"You did what?" Arnav whispered intimidatingly

"Mm.. Milk.. Yu.. Yuck.. I.." She stuttered

"Come in, Finish Your Milk now, Or.. I won't talk to you for One.. no two days!" Arnav showed two of his fingers.

"But.. Annav.."

"Come on doll!!" Arnav pulled her with himself towards the Jha Mansion.

"Look, They're here." Malini squealed as Arnav dragged her protesting daughter inside the hall.

"I was sure she'll listen to Arnav only." Shyam smirked, "Thank you buddy."

She looked at her brother wide-eyed.

"Something wrong chutki?" Shyam raised his brow at her, while the little girl shook her head.

"Here, Now finish this glass of milk" Malini handed her a glass of milk.

"Clear all her dues, Her Fees, and other funds." Arnav instructed Aman, Who nodded with a smile.

"ASR, We're not running a charity." Sheetal interjected, Arnav looked at her frowning.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I.. mean, look I know that you're feeling responsible for her condition, But you've already done more than enough for her." Sheetal said

"Look Sheetal, Although I do respect your opinion, This is something I haven't asked for your input into." Arnav said coldly "It's better that you don't interfere."

"I.. was just-"

"I don't.. need you to do anything Miss. Kapoor!" Arnav snapped, rather rudely.

"I'm sorry ASR." Sheetal mumbled, embarrassed.

"Not everything in this world is to be judged on only one parameter, Sheetal. I have been observing the girl for the last week and a half, All her past records clean, Her work records brilliant, Great academics, I would not want her to spoil her year because of monetary issues." Arnav said "For your very kind information, It's Mine and My sister's joint decision. I would not have anyone questioning that."

Sheetal nodded, "I'm sorry ASR."

"We're friends Sheetal, You should know that I don't take decisions from the heart, and when I do.. Its for family." Arnav said softly "So.. either, this decision is well thought-out. OR She's family."

"I know.. I shouldn't have questioned you like that, I'm just worried-"

"You don't have to be, Sheetal. This office, This wealth, and everything else that you see here is mine, and I know how to use it wisely." Arnav said flatly "I don't like people questioning my decisions about how to use my own money."

Sheetal nodded, gulping soundlessly.

"We're friends Sheetal, But I don't think we're close for you to tell me what I should or shouldn't do." Arnav said calmly and left the cabin after gesturing his right hand man to make the arrangements to do the needful.

"You should know where to stop talking, sheetal." Aman sighed, looking at her with pitiful eyes. "Don't repeat the same mistake twice, Or you'll be kicked out of this office before you can spell the word 'termination' "

"You're trying to threaten me?" Sheetal asked, slightly intimidated.

"Poke your nose in ASR's decision, One more time and see what happens." Aman shrugged.

Woaahhhhh... It's been long.

I'm sorry!!!

Here's the second update for today as promised. I fell asleep in the middle of drafting this one. 2 times 😜

I'm sorrrryyyyyyyyyy for being so late.

Anyway.. Let me know what you think of this chapter

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