Manohar Raizada and Manorama Raizada walked into the living room and went straight to Arnav. Manorama didn't hesitate to engulf Arnav in a hug.

"What is this Arnav. You got into an accident and we hear about it on the news!? Ek phone tak nahin kiya." Manorama scolded her son. She pulled back and placed a hand on Arnav's bandage.

"I'm ok mom...Mein aap logo ko pareshaan nahin karna chaata tha." Arnav replied. He then passed Ahaana to Anajana's waiting arms and turned to Manohar, giving his dad a tight hug as well.

Manohar Raizada was one of the top Justices of India, but he always supported his son's decision to not pursue law. Manohar and Manorama always taught Arnav to follow his dreams and supported his every decision.

"How are you beta?" Manohar pulled back and took a long look at his only son. On the drive here, Manohar and Manorama were expecting the worst. The last they saw Arnav was during Payal's funeral and it broke their heart seeing their son so lifeless.

That man was only a shell compared to the Arnav they brought up and loved. But seeing Arnav now...Manohar saw clear eyes and a peaceful face. He looked more mature now than he was before. Pain and loss will do that to you. Teach you important lessons but also make you stronger in the process....and this Arnav looked stronger...and Manohar had a feeling he knew why.

Manohar turned to see Khushi still standing near the doorway, not wanting to interrupt the family reunion.

"Arre bachi...aap waha kyon khari hai...yahaan ayi yeh." Manohar said, his voice tender and caring. He and Manorama were grateful when Khushi decided to come into this house. They knew that Arnav was in no form to raise a child on his own due to his heartbreak. When Khushi decided to marry Arnav and take on Ahaana's responsibilities, she gained Manohar and Manorama's respect. However, they were nervous before coming here today. They didn't know if this marriage between Khushi and Arnav would work. It was a known fact that Arnav was madly in love with Payal and Khushi never saw Arnav as more than her sister's husband. And a marriage can never stand the test of time if it was only based on compromise...but seeing Arnav and Ahaana now, they could see that Khushi was doing a beautiful job.

Khushi hesitantly walked to Manohar and Manorama, both with smiles on their faces. Khushi then bent down to touch their feet and Manohar and Manorama did not hesitate to give Khushi their blessings.

Khushi rose and gave them a soft smile. "Let me go and get your bedroom ready." Khushi said, and with that, she swiftly made her exit and went up the stairs.

Manohar, Manorama, still holding Ahaana, and Arnav sat down in the living room couch. "Papa, how is the firm?" Arnav asked as they all settled down.

"It's going great beta. How are you? Movie kaisa chal raha hai?" Manohar asked.

"It's good dad. Premier is set for tomorrow night. So let's see how it does." Arnav replied.

"Acha hi hoga. Tu fikar mat kar." Manorama said, always the dotting mother.

Khushi came back into the living room. "I put away your luggage into your bedroom..." there was a little hesitation, "What should I tell the chef to cook for dinner?" Khushi finally asked, feeling a little out of place. Manorama and Manohar exchanged looks, clearly noticing Khushi's uneasiness.

Knowing that something had to be done, Manorama passed Ahaana to Manohar and stood up. "Tell the chef that you and I will cook dinner tonight." When Khushi's eyes widened in surprise, Manorama walked up to Khushi and placed an arm around her, "Issi bahane tumse todhi baat chit bhi ho jayegi. Mujhe toh apni bahu ke saath time spend karna hai bas." Manorama said, causing Manohar to chuckle and Arnav to smile.

"Khushi beti...bach ke rehna...Manorama khaana bahut theeka bana thi hai." Manohar teased his wife, causing her to huff and Arnav to laugh. That line caused Khushi to smile, as was the intention.

Khushi then turned to Manorama, "Ayi ye Aunty." She said and led Manorama to the kitchen.

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"So...what should we make?" Manorama asked, opening the pantry in the kitchen.

"Anything you want Aunty...I will help in any way I can." Khushi replied formally. Manorama noticed it and decided to ignore it. Khushi didn't know them and so it made sense that she felt out of place.

"Hmmm how about Chinese? It's Arnav's favorite." Manorama said and took out the packet of noodles. She handed the noodles to Khushi and turned to take out the vegetables.

"Why don't you make the noodles...and I will make some stir fry." Manorama said, getting out the cutting board. When she noticed Khushi still standing there holding the noodles, she gave a questioning look.

Khushi looked at the packet of noodles she was holding and didn't know what to do. Its not that she never cooked for Arnav before and she was a pretty decent cook. But for some reason, she was nervous today. She was asked to make a favorite dish of Arnav's...and she had no idea how to even start. She didn't just want to make any type of noodles...she wanted to make it the way Arnav would enjoy it. And these inner feelings were starting to worry her. Their last bedroom encounter before the accident surfaced a lot of unsaid emotions. Khushi knew she had to stay away, but when Arnav's accident happened, Khushi felt herself reacting from emotions and not logic. Now...she genuinely wanted to cook this dish for Arnav and she was nervous about making it well. But...she couldn't care so much...she shouldn't care so much. It felt wrong. Her mind and her heart battled as she continued to stare at the packet of noodles.

Manorama saw the conflicting emotions play on Khushi's face and her heart went out to this girl. It was clear to see that she was battling some inner struggle.

"Khushi...?" Manorama gently asked, trying to tread carefully.

Khushi came out of her thoughts and swiftly covered up her inner turmoil. Now was not the time to get caught up in her own emotions. Khushi had to stay calm in front of Arnav's parents so they had a peaceful stay. They don't need to be dragged into the mess in her and Arnav's life right now. Khushi gave Manorama a nervous smile, "I...ummm....I never cooked noodles for Arnav before. I am not sure how he likes it..." Khushi voiced, only revealing a little portion of her true thoughts.

Khushi did a damn good job of covering up her struggle. But Manorama was a smart woman. And she was not easily fooled.

Manorama gave Khushi a soft smile, "Don't worry...I will show you." She replied and got to work. By the time they were done in here, Manorama will make sure Khushi loosened up around her and Manohar.

Manorama and Khushi worked around the kitchen and Khushi followed Manorama's instructions carefully. Manorama took this time to have small talk with Khushi. She talked about anything and everything...and slowly...she started to draw Khushi out and make her feel more comfortable.

Khushi added some soy sauce to the noodles she was making and Manorama chopped some vegetables for the stir fry.

"Khushi...beta make sure to add some chili sauce to the noodles. Arnav likes spicy." Manorama instructed and Khushi followed. Little by little, Khushi was loosening up to Manorama. She and Manorama continued small talk as they worked around the kitchen.

"Do you have video of Ahaana crawling for the first time?" Manorama asked.

"Yes Aunty...I'll show you once we sit down for dinner. It was the cutest thing seeing her trying and finally being able to do it." Khushi said, the memory bringing a smile to her face. That look didn't go unnoticed by Manorama and she smiled as well. Khushi loved Ahaana. A blind person could see that.

Manorama had her doubts if Khushi will ever be able to love Ahaana as her own. Some people can never love another person's child, but that was clearly not the case with Khushi.

Khushi added the chili sauce and turned to Manorama, "Aunty is this enough or should I add more?" Khushi asked, trying to make sure that the dish is made to Arnav's liking.

"Arre yeh 'Aunty Aunty' kya laga rakha hai...mummy ji bol." Manorama scolded. When Khushi didn't know how to respond and remained quiet, Manorama placed the knife she was holding on the counter and turned to Khushi, deciding it was time to address the elephant in the room.

She reached out and took both of Khushi's hands in her's. "Dekho beta...iss ghar ki bahu ko...beti ka darja diya jaata hai...tum ab iss ghar ki beti ho. Kabhi yeh mat samaj na ke tum akheli ho." Manorama said in a soothing voice.

When Khushi looked down, Manorama placed a loving hand on Khushi's head. "I know...Payal iss ghar mein pehli ayi thi...lekin isse tumhara haq kam nahin ho jatha. Tum ab Raizada parivar ka hissa ho...tumne jo iss ghar ke liye kiya...woh bahut kam log kar sakte hai. Tum ab meri beti ho...iss ghar ki beti. Manohar aur mujhe kabhi paraya mat samaj na." Manorama comforted.

When Khushi looked up, her eyes were sparkling with unshed tears. Manorama had no idea the depth of Khushi's struggle she was facing since she married Arnav...and yet in that moment...she managed to make her feel so welcome. Khushi didn't feel like she was being treated differently for once or that she was intruding into a life that was never meant to be her's. In that moment...she wasn't Arnav's second wife...or Payal's sister...she was just Khushi. She was being welcomed into the family...just as Khushi.

She was so touched by Manorama's kind words that she couldn't help herself. Khushi reached around and gave Manorama a tight hug. Finally seeing Khushi loosen up, Manorama simply smiled and hugged Khushi back.

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"Wow mom Chinese!" Arnav said as he sat down at the dinner table. Khushi took a seat next to Arnav and had Ahaana on the highchair next to her so she could feed her.

Manohar and Manorama took their seats as well and Arnav dove straight for the noodles. Khushi got a little nervous seeing Arnav fork some noodles into his mouth. Normally, she wouldn't care about Arnav's opinion about her cooking. But this time around...she was nervous to see his reaction. Chinese noodles were his favorite and she would be embarrassed if he didn't like it.

Arnav closed his eyes, savoring the spicy flavors. "Hmmm...this is amazing...Thanks mom!" Arnav gushed, and forked some more noodles.

"Meine nahin banaya." Manorama said, giving a coy smile.

Arnav gave a confused look and then it dawned on him. He turned to see Khushi feeding Ahaana and her face was tinted red from blushing. Arnav's eyes softened. His heart swelled and he couldn't hide the fact that this new information made him extremely happy. When Khushi stole a glance at Arnav, her blush deepened at the way Arnav was staring softly at her.

These little gestures were surprising him at every turn. Before the accident, they were not in the best of terms. Especially when he realized that Khushi was ashamed of everything that was happening between them. But when Khushi came to him in the hospital, he saw her act without thinking. For once...she didn't hold herself back. She simply went with instincts...and he missed this side of her. He missed having Khushi simply be herself around him...and not work so hard on keeping her guard up at all times.

'Aap ne toh humari jaan le li Arnav...' His heart warmed when she said those words to him. And when she hugged him, his heart soared. In that moment...he felt like it was a victory for them. A small victory...but a victory none the less.

Manohar and Manorama exchange glances as the observed Arnav and Khushi. They couldn't help but smile. It was clear to see that Arnav adored Khushi...and there was definitely more between them than just compromise. Yea...their son was going to be just fine.

Manohar cleared his throat, causing Arnav and Khushi to break away from their eye lock and come back to reality. Awkwardness filled the air between them and Manohar decided to ease the tension a bit.

"How is your boutique doing beta?" Manohar asked Khushi, diverting their focus to a different topic.

"It's doing very well." Khushi replied politely.

"You know it's so admirable how you created your own line at such a young age. Your parents' must be very proud." Manohar continued.

Khushi gave her first genuine smile to Manohar. He had kind eyes, especially when he called her 'beta' or 'bachi'. It was...heartwarming.

"I have already decided that I am going shopping tomorrow in AMORE." Manorama said, "I heard such good things about you Khushi." Manorama then turned to Manohar, "Manohar give me your credit card." She demanded. Manohar simply laughed and started to reach for his wallet when Khushi's voice stopped them.

"Arre mummy ji...iski koi zaroorat nahin hai. You can take whatever you want. I can never charge you for anything." Khushi said, her face smiling. She was starting to like Manohar and Manorama more and more.

Arnav's ears perked at Khushi calling his mom 'mummy ji'. It left a warm feeling in his belly hearing it. It didn't feel out of place hearing Khushi call his mom that. It felt...right.

"Thank you beta...you saved me from being bankrupt." Manohar joked, causing Manorama to slap his arm. Manohar and Manorama went back and forth with their banter and Arnav simply laughed at his parents' antics.

He turned to fork some more noodles and saw Khushi staring at Manohar and Manorama, smiling, with a softness to her face.

"Kya soch rahi ho?" Arnav asked.

"Kuch nahin...bas ammi abbu ki yaad aa gayi." Khushi replied, still smiling. "Ammi humesha kehti hai...ke baro ka saya ghar par humesha hona chahiye. Ghar sukhi rehta hai. It's just...nice...to have your parents' here." Khushi replied. She chuckled at something Manohar said again and turned to feed Ahaana some more.

Arnav kept his gaze on Khushi. He watched his parents interact with Khushi some more and saw Khushi completely relaxed for the first time.

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Later that night, Manorama brushed her hair and sat on her side of the bed. Manohar was already sitting on his side reading a law book.

"Did you notice Manohar...Arnav and Khushi are sleeping in separate rooms." Manorama stated the obvious.

"Yes I notice. I can't blame them. They didn't marry in the best conditions." Manohar replied, closing his book and giving his wife his full attention.

"Honestly Manohar...before coming here I was truly worried. I wasn't sure what we would be walking into. Lekin aaj dono ko dekh kar...dil ko thasali hui." Manorama said. She then smiled, "Mujhe Khushi pasand hai." Manorama said.

"Hmmm." Manohar agreed, "Mujhe bhi...woh bohut achi ladki hai." Manohar then frowned, "But Manorama...they don't love each other yet." He voiced his concern.

Manorama smiled at her husband, her women intuition tingling. "Fikar mat kijiye...woh bhi ho jaye ga." She simply replied and turned off the bedside lamp.

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How as this chapter? Arnav's parents see something brewing between Arnav and Khushi.

Also, Khushi now started to slowly act on emotions as well...but her mind keeps telling her this is wrong. How will Arnav tackle this? Let me know what you thought in the comments!

Also, I do not take credit for the picture.

Thank you!

-JC