In the Evening, Arnav entered the mansion carrying a few packets in his hands.

“I'm home!!” He shouted from the hall before keeping the packets on the table and settling on the couch.

Anjali came out of the kitchen with a glass of water for her brother, “What's that?”

“Do we have our topper at home?” Arnav asked

Anjali frowned, “What?”

“Khushi, Has she returned from college?” He clarified

“Yeah, She had returned long back.” Anjali said “She's in her room.”

“Her Ninth Semester result is out, Didn't she tell you?” Arnav asked surprised.

“Yeah, She did.” Anjali said smiling “But how come you know?”

“I'll tell you!!” Arnav got up from the couch and picked up the remote, Switching on the LED TV.

“What are-”

“What the-? Di you still watch cartoon?” Arnav looked at his sister surprised.

“I do not, It was Khushi.” Anjali smiled “She was watching Tom and Jerry.”

“Tom and Jerry?” Arnav laughed.

“What's wrong with Tom and Jerry?” Khushi asked glaring at Arnav, Both her hands rested on her hips.

“I want to watch cartoon!!” She whined, pouting cutely.

“We are watching Discovery Channel.” Arnav mumbled with his eyes trained on the television screen.

“Discovery is boring!!” She made a crying face, “All day showing animals.”

“Doll,” Arnav pulled her on his lap “Discovery is knowledgeable. You get to know so many things about the world around you!!”

“I don't want to watch Discovery.” She tugged at Arnav's T-Shirt making a cute puppy face. “Please”

Arnav sighed, How could he not melt after seeing her make such an adorable face.

“Okay, Tell me what do you want to watch?” Arnav asked flicking her little nose.

“Cartoon” She responded Cutely “That one with a Meow”

“Tom and Jerry?” He asked while she nodded her head vigorously.

Arnav smiled and changed the channel.

“Of course nothing is wrong with Tom and Jerry, They're perfectly fine.” Arnav shrugged.

Anjali laughed while Khushi pouted, “Arnav-ji!!”

Arnav smiled, “Congratulations Khushi, I'm proud of you.” He kissed her forehead affectionately.

“Proud of her, for what?” Shyam entered the mansion.

“This girl, right in front of you has topped in her university for the fifth consecutive time.” Arnav said smiling at a now red-faced Khushi. “I got to know from one of the news channels.”

“That is a great news!” Shyam exclaimed

“Why didn't you tell me earlier?” Anjali asked faking anger.

“Di..” Khushi sighed “I didn't think it was that important.”

“Of course it is important bacche, I'm so proud of you my darling.” Shyam took her in a loving hug.

“Thank you so much bhai” Khushi mumbled

“What did you just-” Shyam asked surprised

“I am sorry, I just felt like calling you.. I'm very sorry.”

“Why are you apologising Khushi, You can call him bhai.” Arnav comforted her “Right, Jija-ji?”

“Of course you can, I was just surprised” Shyam smiled softly “I didn't see that coming since you have been calling me Jija-ji”

Khushi smiled nervously, “I..”

“Change of topic Guys, I have got Khushi something.” Arnav announced

Khushi widened her eyes, “What- No- Arnav-ji.. You didn't-” She stopped mid-sentence noticing Arnav's glare.

“Why did you stop Khushi?” Arnav fake frowned “Go on! Complete yourself.”

“Arnav-ji, You don't have to do anything.” Khushi whispered

Arnav sighed softly, “Clearly, It wasn't over that day.”

“Dekh toh lo, Nahi pasand aayega toh phenk dena.(At least look what it is. If you don't like it, Throw it away.)” He said calmly and went towards the table to bring the packets he had brought.

“Chotte, You and gifts?” Anjali teased

“I'm hoping she'll like it.” Arnav smiled slightly and handed her the packet.

“Open it Khushi.” Anjali urged her, barely containing her excitement.

“It's not your gift Di.” Arnav chided

“But what is it?” Anjali asked as Khushi tore the wrapping from the box.

“A locket chain.” Khushi extracted the bracelet out of the box “A gold chain!”

“Did you like it?” Arnav asked softly.

“It's really beautiful.” Khushi replied

“Is that a butterfly?” Anjali exclaimed “So thoughtful of you chotte.”

“I have another thing.” Arnav said smiling

Khushi gasped, “Arnav-ji.. You've already-”

“It's Jalebis, I hope you like them.” Arnav scratched the back of his neck. “I just saw them being made, and couldn't stop myself from buying a few.”

“She's not your doll chotte, Not everyone is a Jalebi fanatic.” Anjali thought sadly

“I.. love them.” Khushi exclaimed tackling Arnav into a bear hug. “Thank you so much”

Arnav chuckled wrapping his arms around her waist. “You're most welcome.”

Anjali and Shyam looked at the scene unfolding in front of them with shock as well as sadness.

“Chutki?” Ratna exclaimed taking the little girl in her arms and making her sit on the slab, a safe distance from the stove.

“What are you making mumma?” She asked cutely

“What does my little angel want to eat, I'll cook whatever you say.” Ratna said smiling at the little girl

“I want to eat Jalebis.” Khushi demanded

Ratna laughed kissing her chubby cheeks, “Oh my angel, I'll make you jalebis.”

Arnav and Anjali smiled at the exchange.

“Now you are done with your demand, Come with us. We'll play.” Arnav helped her to get down from the slab.

Arnav entered the terrace, with a shawl in his hands.

“It's cold out here, You should be careful.” Arnav wrapped the shawl around Khushi's shoulders.

“I'm fine.” Khushi whispered.

“What are you doing here, All alone?” Arnav asked softly

Khushi shook her head, “The chain is very beautiful.” She said softly.

“I'm happy you liked it.” Arnav spoke

“It must be costly, Right?” She asked

“Maybe, I didn't see the price-tag.” Arnav said

“You did pay for it though.” Khushi pointed out.

“Lawyer!” Arnav mumbled.

Khushi laughed, “I don't think I have ever had people who care for me like you do.” She smiled.

“You have me, Di and Jija-ji, and everyone loves you Khushi.” Arnav cupped her face. “It doesn't matter how much I spend on buying you a gift as long as you like it and it brings a smile on your face.”  

“I know you all treat me like family, Arnav-ji-”

“Khushi, You are a family member. You are my family Khushi, I don't know how to make you believe that you aren't a burden or an obligation. You are family.” Arnav said desperately “And people do all of these things for family.”

Khushi sighed, “I don't think I'm used to the concept of having a family, I am just scared that one day you'll think that you've done enough, for me. I'm scared that.. You'll think that I'm trying to take an advantage of your kindness and-”

“You need to tell me, One of these days.. You'll have to tell me who has instilled all of this in your brain, But for now, Listen to me and listen to me very carefully. You, Khushi are not an obligation on me. You can never be an obligation to me, You are my best friend, my family. You are the only person in this whole-wide-world who witnesses the real Arnav come out. You are the only person with whom I'm this soft and this patient” Arnav said softly

Khushi was looking at him like an innocent child, hanging on his each word.

“You are not going to get rid of me, all your life. I am never going to let go of you, I am never going  to think of you as a gold-digger because I myself give you all the right to use my wealth, my name, my reputation, You hear that?” Arnav asked

“Why?” She asked, dazed.

“I don't know” Arnav replied cupping her face “I don't.”

“It doesn't matter what reason, I need you to accept me first, everything else can be figured out much later.” Arnav thought.

Khushi removed his hands from her face and hugged him tightly.

“I don't know what I'll do if you ever decide to let go of me.” Khushi said

“I promise, not to let go of you all my life.” Arnav tightened his hold on her.

I was really bored and wasn't in the mood of studying so ended up drafting this instead.

I hope no one missed me much. 😉

So.. Er. I hope you enjoyed this update.

Let me know what you think of this chapter.

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