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“Di’s wedding would be the best distraction for you, Khushi…!” he thought wrapping her into his fold.  

“Humm…!” she snuggled rubbing her cheek on his chest.  He kept stroking her head for a long time… ! 

“Awaa… No…!” She suddenly shuddered clutching her stomach.  Arnav sat up at once…!

“What happened?” he asked her and she looked aghast.

“I don’t know… Something is happening in here…” he touched her tummy.  She was panic… He was clueless.  

“Pain?” he asked she shook her head.

“Vomiting sensation?” she again shook her head.  He thought for a while with his hand on her tummy…!

“Its too early to feel the life and kick…” he said and she shot up…

“How do you know?” jerking his hand from her stomach.  

“Relax.. Khushi… I read it somewhere…” he said trying to be reasonable.  She looked at him suspiciously.   She was in doubt… “You think, I am really pregnant?” she asked unsure about herself. 

“Yes, Khushi… trust me…! The test is positive and the baby is growing inside here…” he again kept his palm on her tummy.  She sighed.  

“So jao Khushi… And we have to slog for Di’s wedding also…” he winked.

“What? Di’s wedding? When?” she asked thrilled….!

“Relax…! We have to finalize the date.  I will be calling Shondeep’s parents tomorrow…” he said pushing her back on the bed.

“Call now!” she ordered looking out for his cell…!

“Are you mad? Look at the time, Khushi!” He retorted.  She was pacing the room.

“Humm… Wedding.. So much planning needed… I should talk to Elsa Bhabhi… She is the best planner… I should talk to Payal jiji… Babuji… Buwaji… Nani… Oh! Hey devi mayya, Raksha karana…” she prayed and Armav smirked.  

“Khushi… I need to go to Kanpur for a couple of days…” he waited for a blast….!

“Yeah.. Ok!” She was still engrossed in wedding planning…! Arnav had a broad smile on his face.  Finally he got permission from his wife… Everything else would fall in place soon..! He turned his face and within no time she heard his faint snoring…! 

“Humm… These men…. !” she threw her hands in the air and sat on the bed.  There was no time for sleep also.  She must brace herself up for the wedding…! The stirring in her stomach had stopped replaced by adrenaline rush of excitement of Di’s wedding.

“Butterflies of anxiety… in my tummy… playing with the baby…” she said dreamily and slid closer to her husband waiting for sleep to take her to the dreamland.  

******  *********  ******

“What? Where are you going?” Khushi opened her eyes to see Arnav all set to go with his attaché and laptop bag.  

“Told you..! I have to go to Kanpur …!” he said adjusting his tie, looking into the mirror.  The reality dawned on her.

“This is cheating…!” she retorted and he turned smirking.  “You said ok. Khushi… Last night  when you were planning for the wedding…” he reminded her and she puffed her cheeks sulkily.  He had trapped her cleverly.  

“I will also come with you…!” she said getting up and he pushed her back.

“Don’t even think about it.  You are staying here and taking rest…. You are pregnant Khushi… You can’t exert so much…!” he cupped her face.  

“This is not fair…” she pushed him away sulkily.  

“Anything is fair with you Khushi….!” He provoked she reacted exploding…!

“Oh yeah? Good!!! Keep playing the games, Arnav ji… and I will show you who’s the boss…!” she retorted.  

“Don’t you dare challenge me…!” Arnav lost his temper… Khushi jerked away and went into the bathroom fuming…!

“Take a cold water bath, Khushi…! It will bring your temper down…!” he yelled picking up the bag and she opened the door.  He turned to find his arm gripped tightly.

“What the…! Khushi…” He looked at her. 

“Don’t bother…! Get a grip on yourself first…” she said in a deadly calm voice and went out of the room.  He stood there bewildered.

“What’s wrong with her?” he shook his head hopelessly and came out.  Khushi refused to see him off excusing herself off to the kitchen…! 

***  *****  *****

“Time for some drastic action….” His phone buzzed. 

“Hello Papaji…” he answered gravely, still engrossed in his thoughts.

“Have made arrangements for your meet with him in private…” Papaji was equally serious.  He sighed.  The bit meeting would decide his further course of action.  Krishna Kant would strike back anything.  He must be ahead of every one else.  

ASR went to the police station where the FIR was filed.  Rattan was taken into judicial custody.  Arnav walked the corridors….long, dark and creepy.  As he entered the room he saw Rattan sitting at the table, fuming with rage and humiliation.

“Rattan…” ASR sat opposite and the Havaldar closed the door behind.  Rattan waited for the door to close and pounced on ASR.  

“Why the hell are you here?” he hissed.  ASR pushed him a little away…!

“I couldn’t stop myself.  After all we are blood relations.  We are a family.  My Dadi still lives with you…” ASR had the right effect.  Rattan distanced himself a bit and asked dryly…

“What do you want?”  ASR stared at him for a while….!

“I want to take you out of this mess…” he said sitting on the chair again.

“What? Why?” Rattan asked aghast…!

“Told you…!” ASR said swallowing the disgust.