Part 7 

"Today is ASR's Birthday," Lavanya said to Khushi who just came out of the washroom, finishing bath.

"Haan, So?"

"There is no shooting and you are completely free today."

"So?"

"Shall I go to my house to meet my family?" Lavanya asked for Khushi's permission.

Lavanya usually hesitates to ask for permission to go to her house because Khushi feels bored to be alone. But every time Khushi permits Lavanya to visit her home which is located in the outskirt of the city. This time also no difference, Khushi readily agreed.

"Tomorrow also no shooting as Arnav is out of the station. He comes only tomorrow evening. So, take your time."

"Really, Khushi? Shall I go?"

"Yup...Go"

"Thank you, Khushi."

"Wait..."

Khushi went to the cupboard and removed a bunch of money.

"Take it... buy something worthy for your family members."

Lavanya hugged Khushi happily and kissed her cheek.

"I will be back soon."

"I can manage... don't worry."

Lavanya went to her town happily. Khushi took her mobile and her face brightened seeing Ratna's "Good morning" message. She was not fond of such messages. But Ratna the message was from Ratna. She was sending her interesting messages regularly. She and Ratna became good social media friends these days. Usually, Ratna is the one who always starts the conversation through WhatsApp and most of their conversation ended up with phone calls. Ratna asks her something about shooting spot incident and Khushi starts explaining it through chatting. Ratna immediately comes on the line to listen to it from Khushi directly. It became their regular routine. Generally, Khushi doesn't like to give space to anyone. But Ratna is a different woman, Khushi had never seen. She is such a down to earth person who behaves so cool and normal. There is no haughtiness or ego in her behavior which is very rare to find. So, Ratna easily stole Khushi's heart and Khushi gladly gave her space in her life. Ratna keeps demanding Khushi to come to RM. Until now, she didn't feel to visit RM as she didn't get time.

On the other hand, Khushi started enjoying in the set also. She was not so rigid like before. Aman was so relieved about her. She and Arnav became close in a very short time. They started having food together. He shares the eatables with Khushi which he snatches from others. The shooting spot became lively because of Arnav and Khushi's nock-jocks. Aman liked it very much.

Khushi kept her mobile down. She thought something. She selected a decent dress from her collection and got ready with light make-up.

RM

Ratna rushed towards the door and pulled it widely and next second, she opened her mouth widely, seeing Khushi standing at her doorstep. Khushi was smiling, seeing her standing like a statue, not greeting her.

"Shall I come in or go back?" Khushi asked Ratna.

Spreading her hands, Ratna moved towards Khushi and hugged her tightly.

"What a great surprise... the only and only Khushi Gupta is in our house. I just can't believe this." She shouted excitedly.

Arvind gave a look at them, hearing Ratna's tone who was sitting in the living room.

"Arvind... look... who is here." she again shouted breathlessly.

"Welcome to our home, beta."

Arvind stood at his feet and greeted Khushi.

"Namaste Babuji."

"Ohhh, God... I can't understand what to do..." Ratna jiggled, standing at the same place.

"Just sit maji." Khushi smiled.

"What would you like to eat?"

"Anything."

Khushi was dumbfounded, seeing Arnav in a sleepy avatar. He came down hearing Ratna's scream. He was also shocked seeing Khushi at his place. And Khushi also surprised as she thought he was out of the station.

"Look Khushi, today is his birthday, he just woke up."

Arnav caressed his uncombed hair. Khushi looked at him unbelievably who was standing with sleeveless vest and messed up hair.

"You here?" She frowned.

"Actually, I should ask you the question." Arnav smiled.

"I thought you are out of station..."

"I will just come." He rushed back to his room to get a bath, not answering her.

"I think he won't be at home," Khushi said that again.

"Why?" Ratna questioned.

"I heard he will go somewhere on every birthday."

"That means are not you here to wish Chotte?" Khushi felt disappointment in Ratna's tone.

"Actually, today is *no shooting day*. So I thought to visit your place."

"I thought you are here for Chotte," Ratna uttered making face.

Khushi felt embarrassment.

"That's ok... anyhow she is here..." Arvind consoled Ratna.

"Actually, I'm happy that you and Chotte became friends. I so want you to come here but I was hesitant to call you on his birthday."

"Will you celebrate his birthday?"

"No... he doesn't like to celebrate his birthday. That's why he always bunks the shooting. And he doesn't want fans to come here to meet him leaving their schedules behind. So, he lies."

"Ratna, ask her to eat breakfast," Arvind commanded.

"No, babuji, let's Arnav come."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah... after all, today is his birthday..."

They took seats in the living room and Ratna started interviewing Khushi. She asked rapid-fire questions. And Khushi answered her patiently. Almost, Ratna got all the info about Khushi... from Khushi.

"Last and final question...? Shall I ask?" she hesitated.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Did you love Rohit?"

Khushi smiled painfully. It's obvious that everyone wanted to know about her personal matter.

"I liked him very much... I was supposed to fall in love with him... but God saved me."

"I heard he came to the set to meet you."

Khushi nodded yes.

"Did Arnav tell you?"

"No... I saw it in the STAR magazine's gossip section. Don't you?"

"I usually don't give heed to those gossips."

"Sometimes, they write truth too." Ratna smiled.

"Yeah... people mostly believe fake news than the truth."

"Exactly... it's because fake news is more interesting than the true news." Ratna laughed.

"What today special?" Khushi diverted.

"No shooting for Chotte.... that's very special. I'm going to cook all the Chotte's favorite dishes today."

"I would have brought him something if I had known his presence."

"No need..."

They turned towards the staircase, hearing Arnav's voice.

"You are here for me... that's enough." He said with a lopsided smile.

"Excuse me... I'm not here for you but for Amma."

"Even though if you are here for me, you won't agree with it." He smirked, making Khushi embarrassed.

Arvind spared a glance at Ratna and she widened her eyes. Is Khushi here for Arnav? She scratched her jawline with suspicion.

"Let's have breakfast." Arvind tried to cool the situation, diverting them.

They took seats. Khushi was dumbfounded, seeing a variety of dishes being kept on the table. Ratna served everything on Khushi's plate. She gasped, gulping down.

"How could I eat everything?"

"Are you in diet, Khushi?" Ratna asked.

"No, Mom. She is not in the diet. After all, this is her last movie. She doesn't mind anything. Hain na?" Arnav smirked again.

Khushi ate silently, without answering to his question. Ratna sensed something abnormal. Is Arnav speaking with hidden meaning?

Khushi saw Arnav keeps smiling but she doesn't ask him WHY. He will taunt her for sure. But Ratna wanted to know the reason for his non-stop smile.

"Chotte, you look so happy... your smile says that."

"I just am thinking about what will happen next?"

"What will happen?" She asked.

Khushi and Arvind also stopped eating and looked at him.

"Khushi Gupta is with Arnav Singh Raizada at his home on his Birthday... the gossip is going to spread in the industry like a forest fire." He stuffed a Rasamalai into his mouth, saying that.

"I don't mind about gossips."

"It's not a gossip but true. You are really with me in my place on my birthday." He said smilingly.

Khushi continued, eating which made Ratna thrilled. She thought Khushi will show a hurry to go back, hearing Arnav's statement. It seems she is not caring about it.

They finished having breakfast.

"Chotte, take Khushi with you and show her your room. I will prepare lunch for Khushi."

Before Khushi said anything,

"Mom, today is my birthday... not Khushi's." Arnav teased.

"Was not the breakfast up to your taste?"

"Of course, it was..."

"Then it's enough for you."

Arnav dropped his jaw which made Khushi chuckle.

"Let's go, Maharani..."

He started dragging Khushi towards his room.

"This is my room."

"Your room also is like you... so boring." She laughed.

"Ohh really?"

"Yeah...full of black and white."

"Gray is also there." He countered.

"And light black also..." she teased.

"Do you know what psychology says?"

Khushi raised her eyebrows like WHAT?

"The person who likes black very much would be so colorful by his thoughts."

"Ohh..."

"Yeah, I like black doesn't mean I don't like colorful stuff."

Khushi looked at him smilingly but Arnav's next stance changed her facial expression.

"Trust me, Khushi. I really like you."

She composed herself.

"I'm not colorful."

"Don't your house have mirror?"

Khushi looked at somewhere. She jerked, feeling his hand on her hair. She saw him standing so close to her.

"Black hair, white skin, hazel eyes, rosy lips, you are damn colorful."

He said while reading her expression.

"Where is your gym?"

Arnav smiled at her folding his hands like DON'T CHANGE THE TOPIC.

"Shall we go?"

"Do you want to see me exercising?"

"What's the big deal, you have already posted a lot in your Instagram story."

"How many times did you watch it?" he asked smirking.

"Not even a single time."

"I believed ..."

" I'm going..."

"Where?"

"To the kitchen."

"Come, I will show you my gym." He again dragged her to his gym which is next to his room.

"Mmmm.... It's good."

"That's all you want to say?" Arnav asked disappointedly.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Don't you think, you should say something?"

"Don't' beat around the bush. say it straight."

"Today is my Birthday."

Khushi bit her tongue and extended her hand for a shake.

"Happy Birthday."

"I'm so glad to get a wish from you."

He said pressing her hand.

"Do you work out with every instrument?" She again diverted him.

"Yeah... and some floor exercises also."

"Ohh..."

"I do hundred push-ups you know?"

Khushi chuckled.

"Don't you believe...? I can do it keeping you on my back."

"You are a very good liar."

Arnav took a position to do a push-up.

"Come on, sit on my back."

"Shut up."

She left the room not waiting for Arnav. Arnav rushed behind her and stopped her, clutching her hands.

"Mark my words, one day you will be on my back when I do push-ups."

He was not teasing her. His penetrating gaze was evident to it. Khushi gulped, couldn't face his eyes which were tearing her soul without mercy.

To be continued...

The next part is available on Inkitt

 She knows...

"Mark my words, one day you will be on my back when I do push-ups."

He was not teasing her. His penetrating gaze was evident to it. Khushi gulped, couldn't face his eyes which were tearing her soul without mercy.

"What so big deal? It will come true if Aman keeps such a scene in the movie." Khushi said casually while removing his hand from hers.

Arnav was about to say something, before that, they heard,

"Khushijiiiiii," from NK who was rushing towards them.

Arnav rolled his eyes whereas Khushi smiled at NK.