The evening approached quicker that day, The Raizada Mansion was decorated for the birthday of Anjali Raizada-Jha. The birthday party wasn't a grand event. Only the closest friends and family were invited to be a part of the celebration of Anjali's birthday. Yet, as was obvious. Arnav Singh Raizada being the king of Fashion and Shyam Manohar Jha being the best criminal lawyer of the country couldn't help but do their best for their sister and wife respectively.

The party was in full swing, the woman of the hour was being pampered like anything by the two most important men in her life.

When Anjali entered the Raizada Mansion after a long day of shopping. She was almost completely back to her chirpy and happy self much to the relief of her husband who had been regretting his decision of a surprise party for the whole day, because it made his Anji sad on her birthday. The house was pitch dark, much to the confusion of the birthday girl.

"Where are Khushi and chotte?" Anjali frowned looking at her husband who shrugged.

"Let's get in first and we'll find out." Shyam responded leading her into the house holding her waist.

In a matter of seconds, The whole house was suddenly flooded with light and was echoing with a loud cry of SURPRISE!!

Anjali closed her eyes tightly and stumbled backwards as a result of the unexpected sound and was held in place by her husband who was expecting this sound any moment now.

Anjali opened her eyes to see her family and friends assembled in front of her with huge smiles plastered on their faces. She roamed her eyes to take in the whole mansion which was decorated just as she would like it.

"Happy Birthday Di." Arnav came forward and hugged her followed by Khushi who wished her, kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly like a child making Anjali chuckle at the cute girl wrapped in her arms.

"Thank you chotte. Thank you very much chutki." Anjali replied cheerfully to their wishes and detached herself from the hug.

"Happy birthday Anji" Shyam pulled her in a side hug and kissed her forehead.

"Get a room, you two." Arnav exclaimed covering his eyes with his palms.

Anjali glared at him, slapping his shoulder playfully.

Arnav pouted animatedly.

"So this was the plan, to surprise me?" Anjali asked the boys who nodded with a cheeky grin.

"I loved it, but you'll have to pay for troubling me all day." Anjali threatened.

"Punishment accepted." Arnav said "But right now It's time to party."

***

A couple hours into the party, The guests were enjoying the party, Khushi was standing in a corner, a glass of mocktail held between her fingers.

"I won't deny that you look like a literal piece of art in that ankle length dress, standing in the corner with your mock-tail in your hand, but this is not a gala and you're not a british socialite." Arnav told her in a manner of teasing "Why are you standing away from the party like this?"

Khushi chuckled, "I've been fluttering around the whole room for the last two hours. I'm kind of tired."

Arnav's expression turned from mischievous to concerned in a matter of seconds.

"Khush-"

"I'm fine." Khushi cut him off before he could start to fuss over her for no reason.

Arnav sighed, "You need to make up your mind Khushi." he said concerned.

"I'm just hungry I guess, and bored. Will you dance with me monsieur?" She did an elaborate dip, making Arnav smile and pull her into his arms

"Like you even had to ask." Arnav spoke against her ear and lead her towards the dance-floor, waltzing all the way.

Arnav snaked his hand around her waist and guided her hand to rest on her shoulder. Khushi looked up, meeting his eyes and smiled as they swayed in sync with each other and the soft music playing in the background.

"I feel like Cinderella." Khushi said softly

Arnav raised his brow at her, "Cinderella?"

"You know, The story of a simple maiden girl, a prince charming and dancing all night long, without the care of the world." Khushi told him

Arnav nodded, "That story involves the Princess running away from her prince charming. I won't allow that to happen in our case." Arnav said firmly and twirled her into a spin before pulling her back against his chest. Khushi giggled "Now tell me my princess, Are you having fun?" He asked softly.

Khushi nodded. Arnav twirled her again. "Okay. Now let's take care of feeding your tummy." Arnav touched her stomach.

"That's a good idea." Khushi approved.

"I'll be right back." Arnav kissed the back of her hand and went off to get her some snacks.

***

Sheetal drove into the Raizada Mansion. The mansion was lit up and decorated, A number of cars were parked in the private parking area of RM

"I think there's a part going on." Arpita observed

"Are you sure this is not a bad time to show up?" Avinash asked

"Your daughter is in there, There is no bad time if you want to go and get her." Sheetal said solemnly

Thank God there's a party, It would at least divert ASR's attention from that good for nothing blood sucking gold digger and they'll be able to take her away without a problem.

"She's right Avinash-ji, We've just come to take Khushi home. We're not going to disrupt any celebrations that might be going on in there." Arpita said.

"Exactly. Just go in, take her with you and get out. Simple!" Sheetal told them

Arpita nodded, "Let's go inside."

***

Khushi was waiting for Arnav to come back with her food when she was forcefully pulled into a hug by someone.

Khushi screamed, startled at the sudden hug.

Arpita pulled away, confused.

"Khushi-"

"Who are you?" Khushi looked at the woman wide-eyed.

"Gudiya.." Avinash held her by her shoulder, his soft brown eyes clouded in worry for their daughter.

Khushi shrugged his hands away from her, stepping away. "Are.. Is-"

"They're your parents Khushi, stop acting oblivious!!" Sheetal snapped at her

"Parents?" Khushi frowned, backing further away.

Arpita tried to reach for her, "Child, Why are you getting scared?" She asked "We're your parents."

"I.. I don't know you." Khushi said in a voice that shook terribly. "I don't."

"Oh quit the drama now, will you?" Sheetal rolled her eyes at Khushi. "They're your parents, and they've come to take you back with them. You gotta go with them."

"We've come to take you home, Gudiya." Avinash cupped her face, "You don't have to stay with strangers anymore."

"You're strangers. I don't.. don't know you. I don't.. don't-" Khushi wriggled out of his hold and ran in the direction of the food stalls.

Avinash held her arm and pulled her harshly. "KHUSHI!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?? WE'RE YOUR PARENTS."

"Please.. I don't.. don't know you.. let me go. Please.. I-" Khushi whimpered struggling to free herself from Avinash's grip.

"Khushi.. We've only come to take you home darling." Arpita said softly.

"Please let me go I.. I beg of you." Khushi pleaded horrified.

"Khushi what has happened to you?" Avinash left her arm to cup her cheeks, but before he could hold her again, Khushi rushed away from them

Arpita and Avinash shared worried looks between themselves before following her.

***

Arnav was walking back to Khushi with a plate full of snacks enough for the two of them when he saw a visibly shaken and terrified Khushi running into his direction, Arnav barely had time to keep the plate of snacks away before he felt her colliding with him.

Arnav wrapped her into a tight hug, "Doll?"

"I.. don't know them Annav.. I don't know them." Khushi sobbed into his chest

"Who?"

"Th..Them.. They Annav.. I.." Khushi was a stuttering badly

Arnav rubbed her back "Shh.. It's okay." He dropped kisses in hair

"I.. don't want to go with them Annav.. please-" Khushi was holding Arnav so tightly, as if her entire life depended on it.

Arnav held on to her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. "Shh doll, I- Khushi no one will take you away. I promised, I'll never let go. Shh, trust me doll. Trust your Annav." Arnav struggled to calm her down

Arnav felt a tightness in his chest as if someone had clawed his heart mercilessly as he led her to a nearby couch and made her sit on his lap, He dared not loosen his hold on the almost broken girl, fearing the worst. Khushi's face was still buried in his chest, as she sobbed wetting his shirt. Her hold on him was still just as tight as she refused to let go of him. She was still mumbling words incoherent and unconnected.

Sheetal along with Arpita and Avinash came running to him. Arnav looked at them frowning.

Sheetal paled for a second, seeing Khushi cocooned in the arms of ASR, but she recovered quickly and introduced the Rathores to Arnav

"Arn- ASR, They are Khushi's parents." Sheetal informed him, Arnav stared at them blankly. Of course he knew who they were, but what were they doing here?

He had opened his mouth to respond when he felt Khushi's sobs turn hysterical, her hold tightened even more on his frame. Her nails dug painfully in the skin of his back but he cared less as the situation suddenly became so clear to him.

"Khush-" Arnav tried to break the hug, while Khushi fought to stay safely in his arms.

"She needs to go with her parents ASR." Sheetal insisted.

"Khushi.. Gudiya please-" Avinash reached out to touch her. Khushi flinched at his touch, as if electrocuted.

"Sir.. Please don't scare her like that. She is already panicking." Arnav tried to explain to him.

"They're her parents, ASR. They're only trying to get through their daughter." Sheetal said kindly.

Arnav didn't have time to glare at her when Sheetal practically pulled Khushi out of Arnav's grip, making Arnav gasp in pain as her nails scratched his back, tearing his shirt a little.

"LET GO OF KHUSHI!!" Arnav roared at the top of his lungs. Sheetal immediately left her and staggered back while Khushi ran back into his arms.

Arnav hugged her tightly, "Shh.. It's okay, I promise it's okay doll." Arnav said to her, turning to Sheetal he gritted his teeth.

"Don't you dare try to touch her again, or I'll rip that arm off your body." Arnav said in a dangerously low voice.

"Khushi.." Arpita moved closer to her

"AWAY!! MOVE AWAY!!" Arnav shouted, making Arpita stumble backwards in terror while continued to sob shakily in his arms mumbling words that were too jumbled to be properly coherent.

Okay.. this finally came out fairly quick. What do you think? I've ended on a cliffhanger after quite a while (If that can even be considered a cliffhanger)

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