Khushi was walking back and forth inside her room and checking on Arnav's room every few seconds.

"What is he doing out there? It's almost 10 at night and he is still not home"

"He did tell he has some work in the office so he must be busy"

"But it's my birthday, I would like to see him at least"

"He was with you the whole day, don't you remember?"

"But that was in the hospital"

"Does it matter? Anyway, why do you want him? It's not like he knows it's your birthday and you will definitely not going to tell him so what are you planning on doing?"

"I don't know. It's just I don't like him being friendly with Lavanya"

"What does she has to do with any of this?"

"He asked her to call Arnav"

"That's because Arnav is his name"

"But she was happy calling him Mr. Arnav, why do they need to go in first name basis"

"That's their choice, you don't own him do you?"

"No, but"

"Then, relax. Let him live his life and you live yours. Just because he is being nice to you doesn't mean you own him. He has his own life"

"But I am in that life too"

"Yes, you are. But don't forget you are just a friend in his life. What happens when he finds a girlfriend? When he gets married?"

"Will he?"

"Of course he will. Why do you want him to be alone for the rest of life?"

"No.. not like that"

"Then"

"I don't know. You are confusing me"

Khushi finished the debate she was having with her inner self. She didn't want to continue this as she was afraid of the answers she will have for these questions. She took her phone out and thought calling Arnav. But then again, decided against it.

Then again she took the phone and thought texting him, but decided against it. Khushi waited for a few more seconds and thought she will call him but before she could dial his number, she saw his room light turned on indicating he is home.

"Should I go there and talk to him?"

"No, let him rest a bit. He just got home so he must be tired"

However, she didn't have to wait any longer, she saw him stepping out of his room. He looked tired. His coat was no where to be seen, his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbow, the top couple of buttons on his shirt was open and his tie loosely hanged around his neck.

Khushi quickly walked to the kitchen, prepared a nice cup of coffee and took it to Arnav.

Arnav sat there with his eyes closed. Since most of his day he was at the hospital, he had to work till late to finish the pending work. His body was extremely tired but he wanted to wish Khushi before it's midnight so he worked extra fast to finish his work before midnight.

Khushi slowly walked toward him with the cup of coffee and Arnav who was resting could smell the coffee. He didn't have to open his eyes to know who is bringing him this coffee. So he opened his mouth without opening his eyes.

"Thank you Khushi. You don't have any idea how I craved for a coffee"

"You look tired"

"It was a busy day. How are you?"

He straightened himself up and took the coffee from her hand while asking her.

"I am fine. Not the way I hoped for the day to go though"

"Is today a special day or something?"

"No, not like that. It's just I would love to have a day in my life without any bad things happening around me"

"Fair enough. But what are you doing up so late?. It's past 11 now"

"I was waiting for you"

Her mouth jumped the gun before she could think of another answer.

"Waiting for me?"

"I mean, I couldn't sleep. It was a long day"

"No, you didn't mean that, you said you were waiting for me. Now don't change the topic and tell me why were you waiting for me?"

Khushi looked around trying to find an answer. She can't smiply tell him that it's her birthday and she wanted to see him before she goes to sleep. He would think she is crazy.

"Arnav, are you home?"

Khushi heard Anjali's voice from Arnav's room and she was relieved. Anjali saved her yet again. Khushi turned around to leave but Arnav grabbed her wrist and shouted, 

"Di, we are outside"

"What are you doing, leave my hand. Let me go"

"Not yet Khushi, our conversation is not over yet"

She saw Anjali coming out from the sliding door but Arnav is no where to leave her hand.

"Di is coming, please leave my hand"

"Promise you aren't going to run away?"

"I promise, now please"

Arnav let go off her hand and looked Anjali. However, Anjali already saw what happened from the room. She saw how Khushi was going to leave and how Arnav grabbed her wrist. Although Anjali was angry at both of them, she couldn't help but smile looking at them. It looks like they are meant for each other.

"I thought I heard you coming. I was waiting for you to come home Arnav"

"I am flattered Di, looks like everyone was waiting for me to come home today. I have never felt this popular"

"Can we talk?"

"Di I know I dropped a bomb on you today. I was thinking of talking to you tomorrow when you are up. But since you are here, yes we should talk"

"And Khushi, I want you to be here as well because you are to be blamed as much as Arnav. You supported him"

"I am sorry Di, it's just we didn't want you to go get hurt"

"Khushi, when you heard your dad today were you relieved or hurt more?"

"More Di"

"Exactly, knowing the truth from the beginning still hurts but it hurts less than knowing you were kept in the dark"

"It's not her fault Di. I was the one who decided to keep it from you and she only followed my instructions"

"But Arnav, if you knew about Shyam, you should have said something or were you planning on doing something stupid like Advay did?"

"Di, are you mad? I wouldn't have married her because I wanted to save your marriage, well would have married her for another reason may be yet, but definitely not for this reason"

Although he said the last line as a whisper to himself Khushi who was standing close to him heard him loud and clear. She suddenly felt that familiar heat and the thumping of the heart.

"Not now Khushi, do not start with your pink cheeks and blushed face now. He was just giving an example so calm down"

Khushi tried hard to make herself understand.

"Di, if I was in Advay's place, I would have told you the truth right away, and I would have talked to Khushi before coming to a conclusion"

"Then why didn't you when you heard everything from Javed"

"I was going to, but I needed something to prove it"

"So you thought I will not believe you?"

"Di, it was his word against mine and he is your husband so I didn't want to tell you something without having any proof. But when I saw what he was doing with Khushi's money I decided to tell you the whole truth. We were planning on telling you this today and the rest you know"

"I can understand Arnav but this is my life. Your duty as a brother is to tell me what you know. It's me who should investigate on that to know the truth"

"But Di"

"Not buts Arnav, I don't want either of you to come in between this. As you said, he is my husband and this is my life. So I should be the one to deal with this"

"Di, he is dangerous, you can't face him alone"

"Khushi, when Advay used to abuse you, did you ask any of us to come in between you two? No right, you dealt with it on your own"

"Di, that was different. But this is different"

"Please Khushi, you have gone through enough and the last thing I want is for you to carry my burden. You two told me what you know and leave the rest up to me"

"Di, at least let me help you"

"No Arnav, this is not your battle to fight. When I need help, I will tell you"

"Ok Di. But at least tell us what are you planning on doing?"

"I am going to confront him. I am going to tell him everything I know and confront him"

"But what if he denied?"

"It's his loss, if he accept, I will happily divorce him without asking for any alimony, but he denies, then he will have to pay a good alimony"

"He won't go down without a fight Di"

"Yes I know that. I have the details of his so called SJ foundation and how he used that to launder money out from different people. I have heard everything Khushi's dad said, now I know what Javed knows so legally he is doomed. I am sure if summoned at testimony by the court, Javed will have no option than to attend and give his testimony"

"Are you sure this will work Di?"

"I sure hope so for the sake of him. Because if this doesn't I am taking the matter in my hands and it will not go well for him"

"So either way, he is out?"

"Yes he is. I don't need a man like him in my life Arnav. He must go. I might need your help finding a good divorce lawyer"

"Di, I might be able to help you with it. Lavanya's cousin brother is back in Delhi and he is one of the top divorce lawyers in the country"

"Please get me his number Khushi"

Anjali looked at Arnav and Khushi and she saw their faces were gloomy, they were sad for her.

"Now please don't be sad for me. Be happy that I get to leave a man who is not only a cheater, but a lair and a manipulator. I should have done this before but Advay took matter into his hand and in the process he ruined an innocent life"

"That's fine Di. It was not only his fault, my father did all this"

"But in a way, I am glad Khushi, otherwise we would have you in our lives. This may sounds so selfish given the fact that you suffered a lot but we are happy that we have you in our lives aren't we Arnav?"

"Uh... hmm.. Yes. Yes we are"

Anjali looked at both Arnav and Khushi and left them to continue whatever they were doing before.

"I can't believe this is my sister. It's like she has become this super strong female in a day"

"I told you, Di is stronger than all of us and she is right, this is her life and we should support her to deal with this the way she wants to. Even if she decided to stay with Shyam, we should accept that"

"What? You would have been OK if she had decided to stay with him?"

"Arnav, it's her life. She knows the truth so she can call the cards. We aren't anybody to make a decision for her. We all know how that ends when someone else take a decision on your life. I am the prime example"

Arnav was impressed at Khushi's maturity. He didn't have this kind of maturity when he was 21 and that reminded him 21, her birthday. Arnav looked at the time and there was less than 20 minutes left till midnight.

"Khushi, can you please do me a favour and bring me another cup of coffee? I am going to take a shower so if I am not out by the time you are back, you can leave it by my bedside table"

"Ok sure"

Saying that Khushi quickly went to the kitchen. She prepared the coffee as fast as she can so that she can leave the coffee by his bedside table and then go back to her room. This is the best chance she will get to avoid his question on why did she waited for him.

After all, her wish came true. She wanted sometime with him before her birthday is over and she got it.

Khushi saw the empty pool side.

"Great he is still taking a shower. Quick Khushi, quickly go and leave the coffee"

She entered his room but it was all dark and it made her angry. She didn't know where the light switch is and the last thing she wanted was to fell on the floor with a hot coffee in her hand.

"He should have at least leave the lights on. How can I see when it's dark"

"Close your eyes for a second and reopen, that will help your eyes to adjust to the darkness"

She heard Arnav's voice from the back and as it was unexpected she stumbled on something but before she hit the ground she felt someone holding her and pulling her. Khushi closed her eyes as a reflex.

"Khushi, open your eyes. You are safe"

She heard Arnav's voice right next to her ears. She slowly opened her eyes to see something incredible in front of her. There was a small beautiful cake in front of her with 'Happy Birthday Khushi' written on it. The cake was complimented by a small pink candle.

"Khushi, blow the candle a make a wish, be quick we only have five minutes before midnight"

Saying that Arnav moved away letting Khushi blow the candle.

"Arnav, how did you.."

"We can have our question and answer round later. Now quick, blow the candle and make a wish"

Khushi blew the candle while having tears in her eyes. She must have celebrated a number of birthdays but this one by far the best she had. She didn't need to wish for anything because all that she want is right here in this room.

In this moment, Khushi realised Arnav is a lot more than friend for her. She knew she has started having feelings for him. The attraction she felt for him is no longer an attraction but a feeling.

Arnav took a piece from the cake and fed Khushi, then he hugged her tight and whispered,

"Happy Birthday Khushi, may you have all the happiness in this world"

She couldn't hold her tears any longer. She hugged him back and her eyes started pouring out.

"Khushi, what happened? I thought this will make you happy"

"I am happy Arnav, after a long time I am happy"

Arnav broke the hug and looked at her face.

"Then why are you crying?"

"These are my happy tears"

"You silly, people smile when they are happy. Now please stop crying otherwise I will feel bad"

Saying that he moved toward her closing the gap between them and slowly pressed his lips on her forehead.

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