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“I am not coming home tonight!” Khushi listened to his grave words.  

“But… Tomorrow…!” she didn’t know how to tell him that the next day she was going to Kolkata with Anjali.

“I know! I will come to see you off…!” Arnav said and disconnected.  She sat on the recliner for a long time.  

“He doesn’t want to share his problems with me…! But I understand…!” she sighed ..!

“Chal Khushi… You need to do packing for Anjali Di also…!” She got herself up and went to Anjali’s room.  

“You know, what Khushi…? Sometimes I get worried for Chote…! He is such a jerk…!

“What?” Khushi was surprised.  His Di calling him a jerk? She gaped!

“Yes, Jerk! Sometimes he does not understand the feelings…!” Anjali went ahead keeping her clothes neatly folded, into the bag.

“He never understands feelings..!” Khushi mumbled.

“I mean… Aakash… he was doing everything possible to save the company and Chote just trashed everything…!” Anjali let out…!

“Save the company? Which company?” Khushi asked worriedly.  Anjali tried to coverup stuttering

“I mean… That showroom in Mumbai… I mean that crap company.. Aakash was trying to salvage the situation….” Anjali spoke but Khushi understood unspoken words.  She could visualize the board meeting. 

“Aakash jijaji must have suggested something and he must have blown his head off… !” Khushi thought twisting her nose, sulking…! 

“But what was that… ‘save the company? Crisis?” she grew restless.

“I will be right back, Di!” she hurriedly came back to her room.

“Hello, Arnav ji..!” she started off when he picked up the phone.

“Khushi.. Are you alright?” He asked concerned.  

“Yes.. I am perfectly fine… But.. You..!” But before she could say something, he had hung up.  She threw the phone on the bed in frustration.  

“And on top of that, he is not coming home, tonight..! Not done, Arnavji..! I am Khushi, Mind it!” she turned and picked up the phone.  

“Di.. I will be back soon…!” she said hurriedly and went out with the car keys..! Time to visit office to meet her good old gang and have some fun time with them…! 

*****  *****  *****  *****  

“Take care of yourself…!” Arnav’s mask of a tough man worn off in Khushi’s embrace.  

She was about to leave and Arnav arrived.  He oversaw the packing and went into his Di’s room. 

 Khushi had waited for her Arnav ji, nervously.  She was sure about her gang.  No one will let out anything but Aakash? She was not sure.  He was through and through ASR man.  But ASR was not ready to buy any explanation from Aakash.  Aakash was not a kid… He understood the danger and had put his foot down with the backing of his Mother and Mehra.  He could turn down the proposal and was given the responsibility to clean the financial mess ASR had created.  He had not met his Bhai after the row in the EGM.  He badly wanted to talk to his bhai to sort it out but ASR had cut himself off from the office.  

“You too!” she looked into his eyes and a mysterious smile appeared on her face.  He looked at her gravely and tightening the grip asked gritting.

“What?” she merely shook her head kissing him hard.  He reciprocated reluctantly.  There was something in her mind and she knew a secret about him.  He pulled her apart and holding her at arm's length asked her again…! She again lunged on him and kissed him.  “You are the best!” she said rubbing her cheek on his chest.

“Oh! And you came to know about it now!?”  He exclaimed scornfully.  She giggled mischievously.

“I told you today… That you are the best!” she said giving him a silly grin, irking him all the more.  

“Oh yeah! I am the best! Among how many? How many men you have in your life, Khushi?” he asked disdainfully flaring up his nose.  Khushi just loved his expressions… grumpy, morose, pursing his lips like a kid.  She giggled and the hiccup brought him back…!

“Careful…!” he thumped on her back.  She looked up grinning, secure in his arms. 

“You are a mystery, I never want to solve..Khushi!” he spoke gently in her ears and

“You are a problem, I never want to resolve…!” she bit his ear lightly giving him Goosebumps.  He pulled her closer… He was missing her already.  

“I will be there soon…!” he said letting her go out of his embrace.  She nodded looking into his eyes. 

“Take care… Call me… Miss me…!” she said smiling.  He was all sulking and she was smiling broadly.  

“And Aakash Jijaji is coming with us to the airport…!” she declared much to his annoyance and disappointment.  

 “Humm..!” he said grumpily.  She came back from the door.

“And… You don’t have to go to the office…. Finish off the paperwork, handover everything and come to me…! We have Di’s wedding coming up…!” she giggled again flicking at his nose and before he caught her ran out of the door…!

“How does she know…? Does she know? What? How?” he stood there flabbergasted.  

“And don’t ask anyone, how I know…! I know…!” She held her head high with a glint.  He grabbed her angrily.  She slipped from his grip and grinned…!

“If you think, you are omnipotent, I am omniscient…! I know everything, you mighty ASR!” she teased him sticking out her tongue and the mighty ASR felt powerless before his woman….! He smiled inwardly…! Now he was ready to take on the world, including his other family members…with his Khushi by his side…!

****   ***   ******

“What? Where are you going? Can’t even wait to see us off?” Khushi asked morosely.  Arnav just waved at them..

“Bye Di, Bye Khushi…!” he said turning to leave.

“Bhai…!” Aakash called from behind and ASR’s muscles flexed with his nerves tightening.  He didn’t turn but said…!

“Bye!” Aakash saw him going out of the house with moist eyes with Anjali holding his hand sympathetically.  Taking over was not that simple after all.  His bhai would severe all the ties, he knew…! Aakash would have to handle it all alone.