The mansion was bathed in darkness when Arnav Singh Raizada entered supporting his Laptop Bag on his left shoulder and his blazer hanging from his right arm, He looked at the time.

1:30 AM

“Damn Raizada.” He mumbled, “Di is going to kill me!!”

He walked towards the kitchen, The lights were switched on. Arnav frowned, “Is Di waiting for me to come back?”

As soon as Arnav entered the kitchen he was surprised to see Khushi sitting on the Dining Table looking at the watch in her hand.

“What's taking him so long?” She mused to herself “I'm not even sure he has eaten or not.”

Arnav couldn't believe his eyes, Khushi was waiting for him.

“Khushi?” Arnav looked unsure, as he called out for her in a soft voice.

Khushi looked up at him, A full-fledged smile bloomed on her lips. “Arnav-ji!”

“Why are you awake?” Arnav asked “I would've been fine.”

“It's terrible having to eat alone, I thought I would give you company.” Khushi said “I-I didn't think you might not like it.”

Arnav smiled, “I don't mind you waiting for me, but it's really late.”

“It's alright.” Khushi shrugged “I was not sleepy.”

“Sure.”  

“Settle down, I'll heat the food up for you.” Khushi said softly, gesturing him to sit.

For the next few minutes, there was a comfortable silence in the kitchen. Khushi was heating up the food for Arnav while the man himself was looking at her with a soft smile on his face.

“Choti?” Arnav looked up from his book to find his doll looking at him with a wide-smile on her face.

“Annav!!” She jumped on the bed and sat next to Arnav.

“What are you doing here? It's late night and you have school tomorrow.” Arnav said surprised.

“I was here to meet you!!”  She pouted “You don't want me to come to your house?”

Arnav sighed, “Who said that?”

She pointed at Arnav poking his chest. Arnav chuckled.

“Of course I want you to come to my house doll. It's your house too. I was just saying that it's late.” Arnav explained himself.

The door was opened by Ratna who was carrying a tray of food. “Have your food chotte!!” She set the plate. “Chutki do you want to have something baby?”

“No Maa, I don't. I am full.” She responded cutely patting her stomach. “Annav, Why didn't you have your food till now?”

“I was busy doll.” Arnav told her

“You are just irresponsible about your health. You said na that it is late, Why didn't you eat till now?” She asked scowling at him.

“Who keeps delaying their dinner till so long?” Khushi asked as she served him dinner.

“I was busy.” Arnav whispered.

“However busy you are, You shouldn't be irresponsible about your health.” Khushi said sternly. “You need to take care of yourself.”

Arnav smiled, “I'm sorry”

“What should I do with you Annav?” Chutki slapped her forehead dramatically.

Ratna chuckled at her antics.

“You know what Maa, I will come to have my dinner with him everyday. I will make sure that he never delays his dinner.” She said sternly eyeing her annav.

“That's like my little doll.” Ratna kissed her face affectionately.

“No. I am Annav's doll.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Okay Annav's doll.” Ratna flicked her nose.

“So You'll not eat without me?” Arnav asked amused.

“No.. because I know you will find reasons to delay your dinner then” She said cutely

“Did you have your dinner?” Arnav asked Khushi who had settled herself beside him.

“No”

Arnav looked at her frowning, giving  her a Were-You-Seriously-Lecturing-Me-About-It-A-Minute-Back look.

“I wasn't hungry.” She looked down at her lap embarrassed.

“And Di didn't force you to eat?” Arnav asked “That's a first.”

“She was not at home today.” khushi said

“Come, eat with me.” Arnav kept the plate between the two of them

“But..”

“Come on, eat quietly. Or I'll have to feed you myself.” Arnav said sternly.

“What-?!”

Arnav bit his tongue “Eat Khushi.”

Khushi gave him an angry look but began to eat from his plate.

“I'm not asking you to eat like a sparrow, Eat properly. Already you would have skipped your milk in the evening taking advantage of Di's absence.” Arnav said.

“Arnav-ji.” Khushi whined.

“It's no use whining. Come on, We need to sleep as well. It's really late and you have college tomorrow.” Arnav said calmly.

“Welcome back Khushi, You are late today.” Anjali frowned, taking Khushi's bag from her and led her towards the couch.

“Er..” Khushi attempted to smile

“Did Mohan not reach on time?” Anjali gasped “Did you have to wait?”

“No.. Mam.. I-”

“I'll ask Mohan to be careful the next time.” Anjali said, “Come on Now, I'll get you some milk.”

Khushi nodded, Anjali smiled and patted her head.

Arnav, Who had been standing near the staircase walked upto Khushi “Good Evening” He smiled settling next to her. Khushi returned a weak smile.

“College must be getting hectic, Right?” Arnav asked softly.

“It's good.” Khushi whispered.

“You're looking tired though, You shouldn't over work yourself, You're not yet completely okay.” Arnav spoke tenderly.

“I'm fine.” Khushi said quietly.

Arnav sighed, “Come with me, Khushi” He held out a hand in front of her.

Khushi hesitated “Come on.” Arnav insisted pulling her into a standing position.

Arnav led her towards the terrace, The sun had long set, A few stars were shining on the night sky. The terrace was lit up with shimmering lights.

“Mumma always said, that darkness brings ill-fortune.” Arnav said with a small smile gracing his lips “So.. These fairy Lights.”

Khushi nodded in acknowledgement, “The place looks beautiful.”

“Khushi” Arnav held her hand gently “Is there something bothering you?”

Khushi bit her lip, “It's nothing like that!!”

“You're a terrible liar Khushi” Arnav said matter of factly.

“Arnav-ji..” Khushi whispered, looking at her hands entwined with his.

“Did something happen at the college?” Arnav asked softly “Did someone say something?”

Khushi shook her head, “No Arnav-ji.”

“I'll not force you.” Arnav sighed, “But that doesn't mean I believe your ‘It's nothing’ lie.”

Khushi bit her lip, “Arnav-ji..”

“Di didn't notice, that you had called her mam downstairs, Had she noticed, She would've questioned you just like I am.” Arnav said calmly.

Khushi sighed softly, “I don't want to be a burden to you people, Arnav-ji. You are already doing so much.” Khushi spoke with downcast eyes.

He sighed looking at her demeanour.

Arnav held her chin up, “Look up, Khushi. I thought we have come a long way from being strangers. I thought we were at least friends if nothing more” He said softly. “I suppose I was wrong.”

“No Arnav-ji.. We have. We have come a long way. You're not a stranger to me anymore.” Khushi said desperately trying to make him believe her words.

“Then why are you treating me like one, all of a sudden?” Arnav asked softly.

“I am not.”

“You just did that. You know.  You're not confiding in me about what is wrong with you, You called Di mam, You're saying you are a burden to me. Of course you're shutting me out, Making me a stranger after all these weeks of..” Arnav breathed in deeply, trying to control his emotions “I thought you found a family in us. In me.”

“You are family. I'm sorry.. You are. You really are. I- I am so.. sorry.” Khushi sobbed, “I'm sorry Arnav-ji, I didn't mean to make you feel like that.”

Arnav closed his eyes, God-Dammit this is not what he wanted.

He pulled her in his arms, rubbing her back.

“Stop crying Khushi.. Shh. It's alright.” He whispered sweet-nothings to her as she cried into his chest while still being cocooned in his arms.

“You're family.. Of course you are.” Khushi sobbed “My only family.”

“Khushi.. Stop crying. Please stop crying.” Arnav tried to calm her down “You'll fall ill Khushi. You've not recovered completely.”

Arnav sat on the terrace holding her in a hug as her cries subsided and turned into soft sobs and eventually, She fell asleep in his arms exhausted with all the happenings of the day.

Arnav sighed softly as he felt her relaxing in his arms, Aware that she had fallen asleep. He carried her downstairs to her room and made her lie on the bed and covered her with a duvet.

“Chotte.. What happened to her?” Anjali asked concerned.

“She's just sleeping di. I'll wake her up later for dinner. Don't worry she's fine.” Arnav said calmly, switching on the bedside lamp knowing about her fear of darkness.

“You sure?” Anjali asked

“Positive.” Arnav smiled and with one last look at her sleeping form came out of Khushi's room.

Next part.

Not much to say. Personal life not very smooth so, writing served as an amazing distraction also that got you an update.

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