It has been 3 days since they slept together, and three days of completely avoiding each other. Khushi would spend the whole day in her boutique, and when she came home, Arnav would quietly slip into his study and stay there until Khushi fell asleep.

Khushi turned over her comforter and slipped into the cold sheets. She lay awake for a few minutes, trying to retire for the night...but her mind wouldn't let her. There was too much to think about. There were times Khushi tried to approach Arnav...to say something...anything...to make the situation better. To know how he felt about what happened between them. Honestly...Khushi wasn't even sure how she felt about what happened. The sheets were cool against her skin...it was only a few nights ago that Arnav's warm body was sleeping next to her's...adding the much needed warmth to these now cold sheets.

Khushi knew she should feel extreme guilt for what happened. Arnav has always been Payal's...and he always will be. They made it clear between them that their marriage was strictly friendship....then where did this desire for him come from? She loved Yash...but then why did her heart skip a beat thinking about Arnav?

Khushi closed her eyes and images of their night together clouded her mind. His hands on her...his lips grazing her skin...his teeth leaving their mark...claiming her as his. When he was inside her...Khushi opened her eyes, the memory too much to handle. The desire she felt for him was still there...she still wanted him.

Khushi turned to her side, feeling ashamed at her thoughts. This wasn't right...was it? Is she even allowed to feel like this? Khushi closed her eyes again and an image of Arnav smiling entered her mind. He was holding Ahaana, and when he lifted her up in the air, he grinned up. One of those rare moments Arnav smiled from his heart.

A smile adorned Khushi's pretty face at that memory. A warm feeling entered her heart and she embraced it. Was she starting to develop feelings for Arnav? What was this feeling? Maybe this marriage wasn't hopeless after all...maybe...maybe things might be different between them.

With that image of Arnav and Ahaana in mind, sleep finally consumed Khushi.

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Khushi woke up the next day feeling refreshed. Feeling light for the first time since her wedding day, Khushi dressed for work and headed to the nursery.

When she entered, Ahaana was already awake and Devyani was cleaning the nursery. Khushi went straight to the bassinet and picked Ahaana up. "Hi baby" Khushi murmured and placed a loving kiss on Ahaana's forehead. Ahaana looked up with her big brown eyes and let out a cute gurgling noise at the affection she was getting.

Khushi felt the burst of love for this baby girl and placed another kiss on her forehead. Khushi held her close. She may not have given birth to Ahaana...but she was Khushi's. Khushi was ready to raise her...nurture her...fight for her...protect her...teach her...she was ready for it all...because she loved her unconditionally.

It was these moments Khushi cherished. No one could understand the love she had for Ahaana. There was a time when Khushi wanted children of her own. When she married Arnav, a part of her ached that it won't happen anymore. But now with the new development in their relationship, is more children a possibility? Does she still want more children? What would it be like to get pregnant? Would she be able to juggle work and more children? When the siblings fought...who's side would Khushi take? Khushi let her mind wonder as she secured the blanket over Ahaana.

In that moment, Ahaana took Khushi's index finger in her small chubby hands and squeezed...and Khushi's heart swelled. It dawned on Khushi that she didn't want more children if it meant giving less attention to Ahaana. If having more kids meant her having to choose between them...then Khushi didn't want that. No...it wouldn't matter if she never had children of her own...because this angel was all any mom can ask for. Khushi's eyes teared as she watched Ahaana yawn and her eyes droop. Emotional and unconditional love pouring for this little girl, Khushi picked up Ahaana and rocked her in her arms as Ahaana dosed off to sleep.

Khushi took a deep breath to get a hold on her emotions. She then turned to Devyani. "Is Arnav awake yet?" Khushi asked politely.

"He left early in the morning." Devyani replied, her face holding a kind smile.

"Oh" Khushi reacted, a little disappointed.

Devyani then continued, "He said that he will be in shooting most of the day...and then he has to attend Akash's Khanna's premier tonight at 7pm. He wishes for you to be ready by 6pm."

"Ok thank you." Khushi replied politely, but she got an uneasy feeling for some reason. Why didn't Arnav just directly tell her that he was going to be late tonight? When Ahaana shifted in her arms, Khushi brushed off that feeling and adjusted Ahaana to a more comfortable position.

Khushi decided in that moment that she would skip work and spend the day with Ahaana. Since she signed the contract with Zosh Entertainment she has been busy designing Yash's clothes, causing her to spend less time with Ahaana.

Today would be the perfect opportunity. She will spend time with Ahaana and then take her time getting dressed for the screening. It was Arnav and her first public appearance together...and she wanted to look her best.

The thought gave her butterflies. She would be interacting with Arnav tonight for the first time after they slept with each other...and she didn't know what to expect...but the thought excited her none the less.

*A few hours later*

Ahaana was soundly taking her afternoon nap and Khushi was working on a few sketches for Yash's first stage performance. She was thinking of a suave look...slacks and suit jacket...but no shirt. She kept the colors dark...sleek...it would make a statement. After spending a little more time on the sketches, she decided to send them via mail to Zosh to have the look finalized.

Khushi has not encountered Yash ever since their last meeting...and she wanted to keep it that way. She didn't want to meet Yash unless it was absolutely necessary and strictly for professional reasons.

After cleaning up her work table, Khushi realized she still had some time before she had to get dressed. She made her way to the living room and looked for something to do. Arnav was still not back. 'I guess he won't be back until he has to come pick me up' Khushi thought, a little disappointed.

Khushi was hoping that they would talk before they made their first public appearance together. She wanted to clear the air with him...and was hoping that they could start fresh.

Seeing that the living room was spotless, Khushi started walking around the house...hoping to find something to do. In the hallway, her eyes then fell on a picture of her and Arnav...it was their wedding picture...a gift given to them from the photographer. It was the only evidence of their wedding actually taking place. There were no other signs of their marriage. Everything was still the same in this house...as if she didn't live here at all.

Trying to ignore that stinging feeling, Khushi continued to walk until she came to Arnav's room. The door was closed. Now that she thought about it...she never saw what his bedroom looked like. Her hand hesitated on the door knob, but after few moments of hesitation, Khushi entered the master bedroom. The room was huge...a large king bed on one side. There was a fire place on the other side of the bedroom and a cozy coach facing it. There was one door leading into the walk-in closet...and another door leading into the master bathroom.

When Khushi's eyes fell on the bed again, she saw that there were still two pillows...and it was clear to see what Arnav only slept on his side of the bed...the other side was left untouched. Khushi's chest tightened seeing that, her heart going out to Arnav. He was struggling so much to move on. Khushi then noticed that the bedroom was a little unkempt. A few articles of clothes were strewn on the floor...a few magazines as well. The bed was also unmade.

"Mona!" Khushi called out to one of their maids. The young maid came running, hearing her name, but stopped at the entrance of the bedroom door. Khushi saw her hesitate at the entrance and frowned, finding that odd.

"Yeh kya hai Mona. Arnav ka kamra aap log saaf nahin karte kya?" Khushi asked, pointing to the messy state of the room.

"Sorry ma'am...but after Payal ma'am passed away...Arnav sir gave us strict instructions to not come into his room..." Mona replied honestly, hoping she does not get in trouble with the new lady of the house.

Khushi's heart lurched at that again. She didn't realize how deep Arnav's scars ran...she was too busy in her own messed up situation to really notice what Arnav was going through.

Making sure her voice was steady, Khushi replied to Mona, "Koi baath nahin...aap jaa sakte hai...hum iss kamre ko saaf kar denge."

When Mona left, closing the door behind her, Khushi got a determined look in her eyes. Payal would never have wanted to see Arnav like this. She had to help him...she had to bring him back for the sake of Ahaana and himself. Khushi will help Arnav heal...and sending a soft prayer to Payal, asking her to give her strength, Khushi pulled up her sleeves and got to work.

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Arnav downed his drink and signaled the bartender to close his tab. He was dressed in a dark grey Armani suit with a black shirt. It is difficult to put into words how Arnav Singh Raizada looked like at the moment. The suit fit him like he was born in it...it fit to perfection...lining his broad shoulders and narrow hips. His hair was styled up and a Movado watch glinting under the dim light. He looked every bit the megastar he was.

However, everyone admiring this handsome man from afar failed to notice the look of turmoil in his eyes. He seemed conflicted...guilty for a crime he committed.

No one had the chance to delve deeper into this man's problems, for he paid the bartender and made his way to the exit.

Arnav entered his car and placed his forehead on the steering wheel, trying to gain control of his emotions. It was a mistake...it was all a big mistake. The memory of soft skin and green eyes caused him to clench his jaw and tighten his fingers on the steering wheel. His heart only belonged to Payal...but then how did he lose control? How could he have let his lust take over? In the moment, they needed to comfort each other...but he hated himself for letting it become more. He hated it.

Disgusted with himself, Arnav straightened and cranked up his engine...it was show time.

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Sorry for the wait readers! Thank you so much for your patience and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

-JC