Arnav was in a terrible mood. He was in Armani trying on his tuxedo for Akash's premier and everything was going smoothly until he noticed a few people stare at him and whisper. Usually, it didn't bother him. Being a celebrity, you get used to people recognizing you. But for some reason, people were whispering behind his back a little too much today. What was going on?

He got his answer when his eyes fell on a pile of latest magazines on the coffee table for customers. One of the most popular gossip columns consisted of a front page picture of him. And not just any picture. He lifted up the magazine for a closer look, and it was a snapshot of him holding Lavanya against the wall at the bar, his lips hovering over hers.

Cursing, he slammed the magazine back on the table, startling the employee helping him. Great...this is just great! "Pack this suit!" Arnav ordered in a stiff tone, causing the employee to scurry off to the cash register. After changing and paying, Arnav made way to his car and headed home. He had a few phone calls to make.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Khushi stepped into the house after leaving the boutique early. She had a couple of new designs in mind and wanted to work on them for the rest of the night. Akansha was capable enough to close the boutique herself, and if an emergency were to happen, Khushi was only a phone call away.

When Khushi turned to walk up the stairs, Arnav's muffled voice stopped her. It felt like he was in his study talking on the phone. But it was the irritation in Arnav's voice that stopped Khushi from going up the stairs. She should avoid going in there right now. He sounded mad and her presence may make it worse.

"I want this taken care of!" Arnav snapped and slammed the phone back on its receiver.

'To hell with it" Khushi thought, and entered the study.

She walked in to Arnav leaning with his elbows on the desk, and his face resting on his hands. He looked simply exhausted...and her heart went out to him.

Arnav looked up when he felt someone watching him, and met green eyes. "You're back early." Arnav asked surprised, subtly turning over the magazine that had his picture with Lavanya lying on his desk. He did not want Khushi seeing it. Despite his platonic relationship with her, Khushi was still his wife and any woman would react badly if they saw their husband with another woman.

"Yea I just felt like leaving early today. What's bothering you Arnav? You look distressed." Khushi asked, genuinely concerned for him. Everything has been so hard for him recently. She may not be the love of his life, but as a friend she wanted to try her best and comfort him.

"umm...It...It's nothing really...just some stress over the release of the new film." Arnav stammered, trying to avoid telling her the real reason.

Khushi walked further into the room, "Are you sure? We're friends Arnav. You can talk to me about anything." Khushi prodded further, genuinely wanting to help.

"It's nothing...really I'm fine." Arnav answered, a little too stiffly...a result of his nervousness. He regretted it the moment he said it, noticing the change in Khushi's expression.

"I see..." Khushi replied coolly, getting the hint that she was not wanted. "I will get out of your way then", saying that, Khushi turned to walk out.

"Wait!" Arnav called out, stopping Khushi. When she turned around and waited, he sighed and handed her the magazine.

Curious, Khushi walked up to Arnav and took the magazine. Her eyes darkened...for a fleeting moment. Arnav wondered if he imagined the change.

Khushi looked down at the intimate picture, trying to keep her face blank. There goes that feeling again...the weight on her chest...the same feeling she felt when she saw the love bite on Arnav's neck.

When Khushi placed the magazine back on the table Arnav spoke, "It's not what it looks like...The cast and crew were having drinks..."

"Arnav..." Khushi said, cutting him off. "I've said it before, you don't have to explain anything to me...it's your life." Khushi continued, trying to be casual about it.

When she turned to leave again, Arnav called out to her. "Khushi! Please...just listen to me. I need to say this." Arnav didn't understand why, but he felt guilty and wanted to clear the air. When she turned to look at him, he continued, "I know we don't share the same relationship as other couples...but you're still my wife."

Khushi felt her heart give a loud thud when Arnav called her his wife. It was the first time he actually acknowledged her as that...and he did it without hesitation. She walked up to him and leaned on his desk, waiting for him to continue.

"We had a bad day when shooting and the cast and crew went out for a few drinks after to de-stress. Mahi...she's been hitting on me since the beginning. And that night...she just took me by surprise and that's when this photo was taken. I know it doesn't look good...but trust me...nothing happened." Arnav explained.

Khushi said nothing for a moment. When she noticed Arnav becoming anxious she pushed off the desk and stood right in front of him. "I'm assuming this is the night you came home with a hickey?" Khushi asked coolly. Arnav cleared his throat, starting to feel really uncomfortable. He shouldn't be, considering that they were only friends. But he couldn't help it.

"Well...umm...y..yes...but..." Arnav stammered, but Khushi cut him off again, "And you said she tried flirting with you since you guys started working together?"

"Yes...the woman does not understand the meaning of 'I'm married'." Arnav replied, a little frustrated.

Arnav saw it then, the playful glint in Khushi's eyes. "Tell me where she lives and I'll shoot her for hitting on my husband." Khushi said in a calm tone.

There was a moment of silence, where Arnav didn't know what to say...and then burst out laughing. It was such a nice sound...and his face seemed to light up from it. When was the last time Arnav laughed like that? Khushi didn't remember. She grinned in return, feeling a sense of pride for being the reason behind his laughter.

~Main tha rahguzaar, tune thama is qadar

Ab rahi na koi bhi fikrr...~

For Arnav, it felt nice. He has always been a happy go lucky kind of guy. Laughing came naturally to him. But for the past few months, he forgot what that felt like. There was just no reason for it. He would occasionally smile when he was with Ahaana, but that was it. Khushi's blunt comment was exactly what he needed in a messy situation like this.

What he said next came without any hesitation or awkwardness, as it should be among friends, "I just...don't need this right now you know?" Arnav said. "There are already so many rumors with this marriage...and this only adds fuel to the fire." Arnav leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, "Sometimes it sucks being media's favorite" he murmured, suddenly feeling exhausted.

~Main tujhme baant lu, yun khud ko humsafaar...~

His eyes shot open when he felt soft hands on his shoulders. He didn't hear Khushi move, but she now stood behind him and gently applied pressure to his knotted muscles. "Relax...stop being so stressed about this." Khushi said softly, while gently rubbing the tension away. Arnav felt the knots slowly unwind, and he began to relax under her touch.

"Don't worry too much about the rumors. The media just need a reason to write." Khushi pressed the base of his neck and felt the tense muscle loosen. "At the end of the day, you are known for you work and your fans love you just the same. As for this incident, people will forget about in a few days, especially when we start making public appearances together."

~Reh na jaye koi bhi kasar...~

Arnav felt the last of his tension melt away. Khushi stepped back, and giving a reassuring smile, exited the room. Arnav, however, continued to stare at the closed door even after Khushi left. How did she manage to make him relax so easily? No one has ever been able to do that except Payal. And here was Khushi, managing the same feat so effortlessly.

~Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

What Arnav thought next surprised him a little bit. Khushi wasn't so terrible after all. If given the chance, they can become great friends in the future...someone he could share his problems with. And after ages...he felt calm. The raging storm that was his life now settled...just a little bit.

~Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Khushi drove to film city with Ahaana in the back in her car seat. She had an important meeting with Mithelish ji and their new idol, so she and Arnav decided that she would drop off Ahaana to Arnav before heading to Zosh Entertainment.

She parked her car and picked up Ahaana.

"Are you excited to see papa?" Khushi cooed, making Ahaana smile in return. Khushi carried Ahaana in one arm, the baby bag in another, and made her way to the set.

After asking a few spot boys, Khushi was guided to Arnav's van. She knocked and when Arnav's deep voice called out, Khushi entered the lavish van. Arnav was alone in the van, seated on the couch as he read over his lines. There was a coffee table in the middle as the couch curved around it. To the side there was a mirror with bright lights and a chair in front of it. In the back, Khushi saw a walk in closet and a door, which was probably a small bedroom or a bathroom.

The walls were a deep burgundy with shiny black lines. It was definitely a movie star's van. Arnav looked up from his lines and a smile lit up his face.

"Hey! You're here." Arnav said standing up. The sudden joy he felt in his chest surprised him as Khushi entered. That can't be right...that feeling was due to having his daughter with him...that had to be it. Or was it the combination of both?

Brushing off that feeling Arnav walked over to Khushi and took Ahaana from her arms.

"I placed 2 changes of clothes in the bag. Diapers and formula are also in here. I just fed her so she should be good for the next 2 hours." Khushi said, placing the baby bag on the couch.

"Sounds good. I'll try to get out early today so you don't have to worry about picking her up." Arnav said, he then lifted Ahaana up, making her giggle.

"Are you sure?" Khushi asked. She gave a soft smile at seeing Arnav playing with a giggling Ahaana.

"Yea...you and papa are going to have fun? Aren't we Ahaana?" Arnav said and tossed Ahaana up in the air, causing her to laugh.

"Oh Arnav she just ate so she might...." Khushi started to say as she saw Arnav tossed Ahaana in the air. As soon as Arnav caught Ahaana, Ahaana spit up on Arnav's shirt, staining it. "...Spit up..." Khushi finished her sentence.

Ahaana started crying and Arnav bounced to comfort her. "shhh...it's ok baby...papa's got you." Arnav soothed. Khushi walked closer to them and took Ahaana from Arnav's arms. "Why don't you wash that off?...I got her." Khushi said.

As Khushi placed Ahaana back in her carrier, Khushi saw Arnav take off his shirt and enter the closed door she saw earlier. It was a bathroom. Khushi wiped Ahaana's mouth and made sure she didn't spit up on her own clothes. Satisfied that Ahaana was clean, Khushi walked over to the bathroom to see Arnav struggling to get the stain out as he rubbed the material under running water in the sink. Khushi took a sharp intake of breath as Arnav's chiseled back. His muscles flexed as he rubbed his shirt and Khushi felt her mouth go dry. Her fingers itched to touch those toned muscles...scrape her nails over them...

"Khushi dekho naa...yeh daag nahin utt raha." Arnav said, completely oblivious to the effect he was having on Khushi at the moment.

Khushi shook out of her inappropriate thoughts and entered the small bathroom. She walked beside Arnav and took the shirt, rubbing it under the water. Ashamed of her thoughts, Khushi focused all her attention on the shirt and didn't bother looking at Arnav, who now stood beside her, still shirtless, in the very small bathroom.

"This stain won't come off...do you have a tide pen?" Khushi asked.

"Yea I have one here..." Arnav said, his voice trailing off as he reached around Khushi to the cabinet behind her. Neither of them was sure what exactly happened. But just as Arnav shifted to get closer to the cabinet, Khushi happened to turn at that exact moment. It was the slight shift in bodies...where now Arnav was right in front of Khushi, caging her in between him and the sink.

The air around them stilled. They felt each other's body heat...and the electricity sparked. Khushi let out a shaky breath and Arnav's gaze fell on her lips. Those curvy...soft...lips. It became quiet between them...and it became hot.

Both knew what the other was contemplating. The fire sparked between them and Khushi titled her head as Arnav leaned forward.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!*

Arnav and Khushi jumped as the knock on the van door interrupted their moment. Arnav dashed out of the bathroom and opened the van door.

"Sir, your shot is ready." The assistant said. Arnav replied with a simple thanks and closed the door. He turned to see Khushi grab her purse and clutch it tightly.

"I...I should go..." Khushi shuttered, horrified at what was about to happen between them.

Arnav was just has horrified. What was wrong with him!? How could he let that almost happen? He had to say something...he had to clear the air.

"Khushi...about earlier..." Arnav tried to say.

"Nothing happened." Khushi said hastily. "NOTHING." She said again. Arnav stared back at her and agreed. "Yes." He replied, "Nothing happened."

Khushi exited the van and started walking. But something stopped her. She turned to see Arnav, still shirtless, standing at the door staring at her. The look that passed between them was absolute fire. Yes...nothing happened between them. But as Khushi and Arnav stared at each other...why did it feel like something did happen? Something neither of them can control?

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Khushi was seated in one of Zosh's many conference rooms, waiting for Mithelesh ji and Zosh's new idol to show up for their first meeting. If things went well, she will sign her first big assignment after the wedding, and was looking forward to getting back to work. Khushi tried to focus and not think about what almost transpired between her and Arnav merely an hour ago. She reviewed some of her sketches and kept her mind busy with this new business deal.

Who was this new idol she wondered? She didn't get a lot of details from Mithelesh ji in their last meeting. She didn't even know the person's name. When she heard the door open, she stood up from her seat to greet the men who entered the office, and froze.

The man in front of her stopped abruptly as well, equally shocked. His boyish smile slowly fading from his face.

*FLASHBACK*

"Khushi will you tell me who the hell we are waiting for?" Payal asked for the umpteenth time. Both the sisters were seated in a cozy café, waiting for a certain someone to come. They made such a sight. One with siren green eyes whiles the other with warm brown. Both had brown wavy hair, but Khushi's had red tints, only heightening her waves and giving her a stylish look. Payal's straight brown hair, on the other hand, reflected her calmness...more of an angelic beauty. Both the sister's were indeed lookers...beautiful in their own unique way.

Khushi didn't tell Payal who they were waiting for; she wanted it to be a surprise. When the café door opened, letting in the wind from outside, Khushi turned to face the love of her life.

"Appi...I want you to meet Yash Arora, the man I fell in love with." Khushi said, her eyes not leaving the handsome man approaching their table.

Payal's eyes widened in shock, she turned to see who her little sister's eyes were fixed on. Yash Arora was a tall man, brown hair and even browner eyes. But it was his smile that was his best feature. Boyish...and a little bookish.

"Hello, you must be the sister I've heard so much about. I'm Yash, nice to meet you." Yash said politely to Payal, extending his hand for a shake.

Payal shook his hand with a polite smile and glared at Khushi, "How long have you known him and WHY did I not know about this earlier?" she said, feeling very offended that her sister didn't tell her about this sooner.

"7 months..." Khushi replied sheepishly. "7 MONTHS!" Payal shrieked, and was shushed by Khushi to keep it down.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner!? Do ammi and abbu know?" Payal inquired.

"Well, Khushi and I thought it was best to see how the relationship worked out first. We didn't want to get the family involved unless we knew we were serious with each other." Yash spoke up, trying to explain the situation.

"Yes...I wanted him to meet you first. But don't tell ammi and abbui yet. I'll tell them when the time is right." Khushi pleaded, and turned to give Yash a smile. He looked back at her lovingly and lifted their joined hands to kiss hers.

Payal looked at the two of them and saw how much they cared for each other. Khushi's face held a certain glow the moment Yash entered. If this man made her baby sister so happy, then she had no problem with him.

"And if I disapprove?" Payal asked jokingly. Yash gave her a killer smile, "Well then I'll just have to win you over now won't I?" He replied confidently.

Charming guy, Payal thought chuckling, and started shooting questions about how they met.

*FLASHBACK END*

"Hello Mrs. Raizada, Let me introduce you to Yash Arora, our new idol" Mithelesh ji introduced, completely unaware of the tense atmosphere between the two ex lovers.

Khushi was the first to compose herself. "Yes...well...hello Mr. Arora. Pleasure to meet you." She greeted with a smile and an extended hand.

Yash couldn't say anything. She still managed to take his breath away. The last time they met, Khushi coldly told him she doesn't love him and that it was over between them. Few weeks later there was news of her marrying the famous actor, Arnav Singh Raizada.

When Yash noticed his manager giving him a curious look, he weakly smiled and shook Khushi's extended hand. Both felt the electricity that shot up their arms from the contact.

"Well then, let's get started shall we?" Mithelesh ji said, clapping his hands enthusiastically.

They discussed Yash's look for almost two hours, coming up with different ideas. Khushi even drew some rough sketches on the spot to explain her ideas further. Unknown to Mithelesh ji, both Khushi and Yash stole glances at each other. Sometimes their eyes would meet and they would look away quickly.

"Well then I guess this settles it. Here is the contract. Sign it and let's make this official." Mithelesh ji stated, placing the contract in front of Khushi.

Khushi hesitated. Signing this contract means working with Yash for the next month. Can she handle it? Things did not end well between them last time, and Yash staring at her wasn't making her any less nervous.

Khushi took a split second decision and signed the contract. She was a grown woman and she was perfectly capable of keeping her feelings at bay. She will only share a professional relationship with Yash, she thought with a determined look.

She handed the contract back to Mithelesh ji and shook hands with him. The ringing of his cell phone kept him from talking further.

"Yash will you escort Mrs. Raizada out? I have to take this call. Come to my office once you're done. Good day Mrs. Raizada." Mithelesh ji said, giving Khushi a kind smile.

Once Mithelesh ji left them alone, Khushi gathered up her sketches, ignoring Yash's presence. When she was about to leave, Yash blocked her path. She moved to the right, and he did the same. She moved to the left and Yash stopped her once again.

"Will you please get out of my way Mr. Arora. I have to get back to my boutique." Khushi said, her tone slightly edgy.

"We have some unfinished business, MRS. RAIZADA." Yash replied, emphasizing bitterly on 'Mrs. Raizada'.

"We got nothing to talk about." Khushi replied coolly, trying her best to keep her emotions at bay.

"Oh yes we do. You got some explaining to do. I want to know why you suddenly left me and married that Arnav guy." Yash asked, anger evident in his voice.

"Fine. I thought I loved you but I didn't. You were a struggling singer and I didn't want to be with a man who could barely support himself. That's why I left and married someone more capable. Are you happy now?" Khushi replied, her tone so level, that she even surprised herself. She felt her heart break at the look on Yash's face. She could tell that her words hurt him, but she had to do this. Yash needed to know that she can never be with him.

She quickly walked around him, lowering her eyes so he wouldn't see the tears collecting. She made her way to door, but Yash stopped her once more. This time, he grabbed her by her arms and pushed her against the wall, caging her in.

"You forget that I know how to read you all too well." Yash whispered in Khushi's ear. Khushi felt goose bumps rise and the familiar feeling of Yash's body pressed against her.

When she met eyes with Yash, she knew she couldn't hide her feelings for him. "I've loved you long enough to know you speak with your eyes Khushi...and your eyes show that you're in a lot of pain." Yash murmured, holding her in place so she had no other choice but to look at him. "I refuse to believe that what we had wasn't real. If you love me...if you have ever loved me...then you will explain to me what went wrong." Yash told her, his voice soft, but still holding command.

He let her go then, stepping back to put some space between them. He saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears and it took him all his might not crash his lips on hers.

"Meet me at our spot in an hour." And with that said, Yash left the room, leaving Khushi behind with a hand over her pounding heart.

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Khushi tossed another rock into the lake, watching it bump across a few times before finally sinking to the bottom. She was sitting on the soft grass of a hidden park in the outskirts of the city. This was her and Yash's secret meeting place. They used to come here a lot because very few people knew about this place. The couple shared many memories here...their first kiss, the first time Yash confessed his love to her, the first time they made love...Khushi closed her eyes at the flood of memories. This place truly was special to them.

She opened her eyes when she felt a presence sit next to her on the grass. She didn't need to turn to see it was Yash. He didn't speak...he simply waited.

Khushi quietly took out her phone and showed her wallpaper to Yash...it was a picture of Ahaana. When Yash frowned Khushi spoke, "That's Ahaana...Payal's little girl."

"Oh..umm...Congratulations?" Yash said, not really sure why Khushi was showing him a picture of her niece.

"No Yash...She's mine now...Payal's dead. She died at childbirth. I married Arnav because I have to take care of Payal's family." Khushi explained, anguish evident on her face.

Yash sat there shocked, trying to digest everything. It was a lot to take in at the same time. Khushi left him because she had to take care of Payal's family. Payal...he felt a moment of grief hearing about her death. He genuinely liked Payal when he met her. However, his grief was short lived when he realized how unfair he found this situation to be. Khushi loved him and she shouldn't have to sacrifice her life for something fate had in store for her sister.

"Don't do this...it shows how unhappy you are. Payal's death could not be helped. But she wouldn't be happy knowing that her sister halted her life for her." Yash tried to explain.

"I can't leave them Yash. Ahaana needs me more than ever now." Khushi answered.

"And what about me! You didn't even tell me what happened, you just left. I know you still love me. Arnav can never love you like I do." Yash gushed, getting frustrated at the situation. Why did this happen to him? Why did this happen to them? Was falling in love such a crime?

"Stop being so selfish!" Khushi rose, "I have to do this...they are my responsibility now."

"And what about love?" Yash shot back. He grabbed Khushi by the shoulder and pulled her close. "Can you really stay with a man who might not ever love you? Can you grow old with someone like that?"

When Khushi didn't answer, Yash simply crushed his lips against hers. He kissed her with fervor, like he just came out of a 40 day fast and she offered him water. It felt so nice just to feel her against him again. Oh how he missed her...

Khushi lost herself in the kiss for a moment. His lips felt so good pressed against her own. The feeling familiar...and very comforting. God how she missed this feeling of being loved.

But reality soon hit her and she jerked back. "No! We can't be doing this! I'm married now." Khushi said, pushing away and frantically trying to put some distance between them.

Yash only held her tighter and tried to kiss her again. But this time Khushi pushed him against his chest and got out of his grasp. "I said NO!" Khushi yelled, her fiery temper starting to flash in her eyes.

Yash held a stiff expression, his breathing heavy as he watched Khushi, "You and I both know you will never be happy in this marriage. When you realized that, you will come to me on your own. Come find me when you are thinking straight...I am staying at the Grand Hyatt. Room 802." And with that challenge, he left, leaving behind a fuming Khushi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~''

And the plot thickens! How was this chapter? Their love is slowly starting but how will Khushi handle this new situation she is in? Stay tuned!

-JC