#ipkknd1

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[rabba-ve]

Tu Safar Mera — IPKKND Fanfic

A rewrite of the show IPKKND. 

Arnav was not kidnapped from the airport. How does Khushi try to prove her innocence? How does Arnav find out the truth? 

Sidenote: Shyam is still horrible but doesn't stick around for too long. The purpose of the story is to explore more fun, happy and romantic moments of Arnav and Khushi.

The chapters will be posted here and on Wattpad:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/192328571-tu-safar-mera

Enjoy!

For updates, follow the tag #tu safar mera

[lovingbirds25]

Happy Republic Day 2021 to all #Ipkknd1 #Sarun fans.. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKffL8cpZKo/?igshid=18yqxe95igddu

[phati-sari]

Hi

Hello,

This is covered in extensive detail here.

Please search the blog next time. It’s actually one of the quicklinks in the main menu!

[rowdyprofessor]

Hi :) I still don't get it why people didn't like ipkknd3, I originally fell in love with ipkknd1 but I watched ipkknd3 and I enjoy it very much I actually didn't find anything big problems. Except the fact the story line was a bit loopy but barun and shivani did great (and shivant is equal as beautiful as sanaya. People can't just ruin a show just cause they don't see ’chemistry’ between actors, obviously bar in and sanaya sent always going to make movies and shows together a billions times

Hello!

There isn’t a question here so I’m going to just say that I’m glad you liked it!!

[tellywoodtrash]

Since someone asked kind of a *make me choose* question to you.. I wanted to ask these...Shivay or Arnav also Nakul or Barun? I hope your answers are crazyyy as always ;)

Hello anon! 

I love Shivaay, I do; he’s my trash son who’s hella special to me; but I have to go with Arnav here. He’s the less crazy motherfucker. (Oh don’t get me wrong, he’s still a crazy asshole, just LESS so.) 

Nakuul or Barun, in what way? Looks? Personality? 

Looks-wise, Nakuul right now; I prefer Sobti from the IPKKND1 days; he’s looking quite bimaar and kamzor these days. 😕😕😕

Personality-wise… Sobti’s quite an awkward penguin, whose IRL personality makes me cringe!max, but then Nakuul (while witty and confident and all) can be a problematic fuckboii at times, so neither, really. I’ll settle for just seeing them in character, than have to deal with their michmichi-inducing real life selves. 

[vishwaspur]

Atif executed/directed everything perfectly. Even the simple scenes created magic. This scene failed to make an impression on many & the reason could be that they wanted to keep the real intensity & impact for future (like jab actually aisa kuch ho without intoxication & all) I agree on rose, lights & curtains issue. 'Gauri was covered head to toe' well, that i think will happen in future as well. Gul k shows mei maine just ipkknd1 dekha hai, so us show k basis pe keh rahi hun.

“Atif hi asli hero hai, baaqi sab zero hai” :’)

I agree. That scene was kept deliberately non-romantic but there were other ways to show the wrongness of the scene. Matlab..nashe mein Omkie romances with a rose? WTF? It wasn’t supposed to be taken seriously but sheeesh. That scene was the entire basis of Gauri’s pregnancy drama. And Omkara did remember bits of it. Those bits could’ve been convincing enough for him. Does he really think that’s his romance tactics? Rose and curtain? Yuck.

Gul’s show can and do offer some prettaayyy sensuous romantic scenes. I don’t have to go far. Look at Shivika’s recent pool romance. It was the very definition of “Paani Mein Aag” tbh. IPK1 was so long ago. But even before that was Geet and if my memory isn’t failing me again that had a lovely “Roop Tera Mastana” scene which had me fanning myself (okay I was young then so I shall be excused thank you very myself) IPK1 had that “Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai” scene (if I’m not wrong) which was pretttaaayy hot! The point I want to make is that romantic scenes need not be like kapray uttar ke shuru hojao. There’s a mood and aesthetic which makes a scene romantic, not what the characters are wearing; and this scene lacked just that! I mentioned Gauri’s clothes cuz they were an added discomfort in an already tiring scene. Convincing nahin lag raha tha kuch bhi.

[sanayasobtisblog]

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#ipkknd #ipkknd1 #ipkkndrewind #ipkkndekjashn #arnavkhushi #arshisarun #sanayairani #barunsobti #sanayabarun #barunsanaya #barunsobtikingoftellywood #sanayairaniqueenoftellywood #rabbave #rabbaveonstarutsav It's so hot jodi 💘💓💗🥰🤩😘😍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (στην τοποθεσία मुंबई Mumbai) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6GBvk9phOp/?igshid=1fhh1gu0h7kgl

[sanayasobtisblog]

#ipkknd1 #ipkknd #ipkkndrewind #ipkkndekjashn #rabbave #sanayairani #barunsobti #arshi #sarun #sanayabarun #barunsanaya #barunsobtikingoftellywood #sanayairaniqueenoftellywood (στην τοποθεσία मुंबई Mumbai) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6F_HlzpQFj/?igshid=iiuz0pket2wy

[sanayasobtisblog]

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[sanayasobtisblog]

#ipkknd1 #ipkkndrewind #ipkkndekjashn #barunsobti #sanayairani #barunsanaya #sanayabarun #rabbave #terimeripremkahani #arnavkhushi #barunsobtikingoftellywood #sanayairaniqueenoftellywood (στην τοποθεσία मुंबई Mumbai) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5NGNkfpX8h/?igshid=pvkzjpot6sje

[sanayasobtisblog]

#ipkknd1 #ipkkndrewind #ipkkndekjashn#sanayairani #barunsobti #barunsanaya #sanayabarun #arnavkhushi #arnavsinghraizada #khusikumarigupta #khusikumariguptasinghraizada #arnavkhushisinghraizada #sanayairaniqueenoftellywood #barunsobtikingoftellywood (στην τοποθεσία New Delhi) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LGM9pJmmq/?igshid=1e109gq3y7q71

[sanayasobtisblog]

#ipkknd1 #ipkkndrewind #ipkkndekjashn #sanayairani #barunsobti #sanayabarun #barunsanaya #sanayairaniqueenoftellywood #barunsobtikingoftellywood (στην τοποθεσία Mumbai, Maharashtra) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5MvlKepPqb/?igshid=pjsw4xriwcys

[rabba-ve]

Ch 6: Raat Ko Ek Din Dhalna Hi Hai

Newest chapter of Tu Safar Mera!

Read on Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/753062598-tu-safar-mera-ch-6-raat-ko-ek-din-dhalna-hi-hai

Or below the cut. Enjoy!

"Bhai, ready to go?" Akash asked.

Arnav exchanged a look with Khushi.

"Nahi, main aaj office nahi jaa raha hoon. Aur tum bhi nahi jaa rahe ho," [I am not going to the office today and neither are you.] he replied. Turning to the rest of the family, he said, "Mujhe aur Khushi ko aap sab se kuch zaroori baat karni hai." [Khushi and I need to say something important to all of you.]

Everyone was wary and on guard due to Arnav's tone. "Kaa hua Arnav bitwa?" [What happened Arnav?] Nani asked to break the tense silence.

Not wanting to reply just yet, Arnav herded everyone to the living room. Khushi kneeled in front of Anjali and held her hands. She and Arnav had decided early this morning that their priority would be to make sure that Anjali made it through this. She needed to remember that they were here to support her and had her best interests at heart.

"Di, hame maaf kar dijiye hame yeh baat apse chupani nahi chahiye thi. Hum nahi chahte the ki hamari wajah se aapki zindagi barbaad ho." [Di, I am sorry. I shouldn't have hidden this from you. I didn't want to ruin your life.] Khushi said.

Shyam looked increasingly distressed. Arnav walked over to stand behind the sofa he was sitting on. Mami couldn't handle the tension.

"Kahe itna strecthiya karat ho? Jaldi jaldi batao ki kaa baat hai. Hamka beauty parlor jaeka padi. Hurry peleej!"

[Why are you stretching this? Tell us quickly. I have to go to the beauty parlor. Hurry please!]

Khushi looked at Arnav. He nodded at her to begin.

Khushi began from the day Shyam rescued her from the goons. The truth was long and difficult but Khushi left out no details, eyes on Anjali the whole time.

"Aapko yaad hai, satyanaryan ki puja ke din, aapne pehli baar hame apne pati se milwaya tha? Uss hi din humne unse saare rishte tod diye aur Buaji ke ghar se bahar nikaal diya. Hum agle din hi aapko sab sach sach batane aaye the par aapka mangalsutra toot gaya. Aap itne ghabraye hue the ki hum darr gaye. Aapko uss halat mein dekh kar hame laga ke yeh sadma aap bardasht nahi kar paoge. Aur hum aapko aisa dukh kaise de sakte the?"

[Do you remember, you introduced me to your husband on the day of satyanarayan puja. The same day we broke all ties with him and threw him out of Buaji's house. The next day, I had come to tell you the truth but your mangalsutra broke. Seeing you panic at that scared me. I didn't think you will be able to handle this shock. How could I hurt you this way?]

Shyam fidgeted in his seat. Arnav laid a firm hand on his shoulder, preventing any ideas of escape. Anjali looked at them, the two men she trusted with her life. But she couldn't find anything to say.

Increasingly uncomfortbale by her silence, Shyam said, "Hame aise gande mazaak bilkul pasand nahi, Khushiji."

[Khushiji, I hate such sick jokes.]

Khushi stood up, eyes blazing. "Yeh mazaak nahi hai! Hum sab sach keh rahe hai. Di, iss aadmi ne aapko dhoka diya hai."

[This is not a joke! I am telling you the truth. Di, this man has deceived you.]

Shyam rushed at Khushi, shaking her by the shoulders. "Khushiji aap itna kaise gir sakti ho?" [Khushiji, how could you be so cheap?] Arnav was fuming. But he was beaten to the punch (perhaps literally) by Payal.

"Bas!" [Enough!] she shouted, pushing Shyam away. She put herself between him and Khushi. "Bahut keh liya aapne aur bahut sun liya humne! Khushi jhooth nahi bol rahi hai. Giri hui voh nahi, gire hue aap hai. Aap yeh bhool rahe hai ki aapki sachai hum bhi jante hai. Jab Di ki pregnancy ki khabar aai toh hame laga ki aap sudhar jayenge, ya Khushi ki shaadi ke baad use akela chod denge par aap toh kutte ki dum hai! Hamari behen ne aapki vajah se bahut kuch sehen kiya hai par aur nahi.

[You've said enough and we've heard enough! Khushi isn't lying. You are the cheap one, not her! Don't forget that I also know your true colours. When we heard the news of Di's pregnancy, we thought you would change or that you might leave Khushi alone after her marriage but a leopard never changes its spots! My sister has suffered a lot because of you but no more.]

Akash looked at his wife in surprise. "Tumne yeh baat hame pehle kyun nahi batayi? Mujhe batana zaroori nahi samjha?" [Why didn't you tell us this earlier? Didn't you think I deserved to know?] Before Payal could defend herself, Shyam spoke up.

"Kyunki yeh manghadan kahaani hai! Rani sahiba," [Because this is a made up story! Rani Sahiba,] He kneeled in front of Anjali, just as Khushi had earlier.

"Aap inn pe bilkul vishwas mat karna. Dono behne hame barbaad karne pe tuli hui hai. Hum jaante bhi nahi kyun." [Don't believe them. These sisters want to destroy me. I don't even know why.]

He turned back to look at the sisters. "Hamne kya bigaada hai aapka? Hamesha izzat se pesh aate hai, aur aap humpe aise ghatiya ilzaam laga rahe hain!?" [What have I ever done to you? I have always treated you with respect and you are accusing me of such terrible things.]

"Di, please inn ki baat mat suniye. Khushi aur hum sach keh rahe hai." [Di, please don't listen to him. Khushi and I are telling the truth.] Payal said.

Shyam ignored Payal and continued:

"Hum aapko sach batate hai. Hum iss ghar ki izzat ke khatir, saale sahab ki khatir chup rahe. Par ab hamare paas koi chaara nahi hai. Pehle din se hi Khushiji humpe dore daal rahi thi. Apni maryada ko bhoolke. Aap choti hai, Khushiji. Aapki umar mein man kachcha hota hai. Isilye humne zyaada kuch kaha nahi. Magar jab humne badhava nahi diya, inhone saale sahab ko phasaya. Yeh bahut hi giri hui aur badchalan ladki—"

[I am going to tell you the truth now. For the sake of this family and Arnav, I didn't reveal this earlier. But now I don't have any other choice. Khushi has been eyeing me since day one, disregarding her boundaries. You are young Khushiji. At this age, your mind gives in to temptation so I didn't say much. But after I brushed her off, she trapped Arnav. She is a cheap and characterless—]

Arnav grabbed Shyam's collar and slapped him (A well-deserved and long overdue slap). "Yeh meri Di ko dhoka dene ke liye." [This is for cheating on my Di.] Another slap echoed through the house. "And this is for tormenting my wife."

Khushi was moved at seeing Arnav come to her defense.

"Yeh dono insaan mere zindagi main sabse zyaada important hai, aur tumne inn dono ko dukh pohachane ka gunah kiya hai."

[They are the two most important people in my life and you have committed the crime of hurting both of them.]

He addressed Anjali: "Mein iski ghatiya harkaton ke baare mein pehle se jaanta tha, Di. Mujhe bhi Akash aur Payal ki shaadi ke din pata chala. Main chup tha kyunki main nahi chahta tha ki iss baat se aap par ya aapke hone wale bache pe bura asar ho. Itna hi nahi, iske intentions pehle se hi galat the. Aur woh achha damaad banna sab dikhawa tha. He only married you for the money. Uss ne dhoke se meri will badal di aur hamari puri property apne naam karne ki koshish ki. Mere private investigator ne saare saboot bhej diye hai. Akash, call the police. Mujhe yeh aadmi hamare ghar se bahar chaiye!"

[I already knew about his despicable deeds, Di. I learned about it on the day of Akash and Payal's wedding. I didn't say anything because I didn't want it to negatively affect you or the baby. His intentions were always bad. Even his perfect son-in-law act was just for show. He only married you for the money. He even tried to change my will and takeover our property. The private investigator has sent me the proof. Akash, call the police. I want this man out of our house!]

Akash and NK dragged Shyam to hand him over to the security at the door.

"Ek minute." [One minute.] Anjali stopped them. "Aaj ke bad agar aap phir hamare ya hamare parivaar ke paas aye toh humse bura koi nahi hoga." [If I see you anywhere near me or my family ever again, I won't spare you.] She broke her mangalsutra and threw it at Shyam's feet; the metallic clack of the gold on the marble tiles filled the room as the black beads scattered on the floor. She pushed him out and slammed the door.

In the next moment, she found herself engulfed in a hug from her entire family. Arnav was closest and she let him support her. She still had this. A wonderful brother. A loving family. They would give her the strength she needed to rebuild her life.

"Ab damadji ko bye bye to godbharai ko no hello hi?" [Bye bye to son-in-law so no hello hi to baby shower?] Mami asked in an attempt to lighten the mood. Only Anjali smiled.

"Godbharai hogi, Mami. Hum uss insaan ke liye aansu nahi bahayenge."

[Baby shower will happen Mami. I am not going to waste tears on him.]

"Are you sure, Di?" Arnav asked.

"Hum theek hai, Chhote," [I am fine, Chhote.] she replied. Her family had seen enough pain. It was time for celebrations.

[rabba-ve]

Ch 8: Teri Berukhi Se Hai Badi Umar Intezaar Ki Meri

Note for this chapter: We are trying to stay true to the characters in the show and hope we have been successful so far.  That being said, we have used this story to point out some of Arnav's problematic characteristics/behaviours that we thought went unacknowledged or were treated lightly in the show.

Read on below the cut

or on Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/754417295-tu-safar-mera-ch-8-teri-berukhi-se-hai-badi-umar

Arnav woke up to an empty room and panicked. He ran downstairs hoping that Khushi hadn't reconsidered her decision to stay for the contract. When he found out that she had, in fact, gone to Laxminagar, he couldn't control his anger. Which, if he was being honest with himself, was mostly fear.

"Khushi!" Arnav shouted as he pushed open the doors of her room in Buaji's house.

"Arnavji?" Khushi looked up, surprised. "Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?" [What are you doing here?]

"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" [What are you doing here?] he asked, moving towards her.

"Apne parivaar se milne aaye hai, aur kya! Yahan aane ke liye aapse ijaazat leni padegi kya?" [I am here to meet family, what else! Do I have to ask for your permission to come here?]

"Nahi! Par bata ke nahi aa sakti thi?" [No! Why didn't you say you were going?] He was incredulous.

"Bataya toh tha Naniji ko. Aap ko batana humne zaruri nahi samjha." [I told Naniji. I didn't find it important to let you know.] She answered, flippant. Her casual disregard for his place in her life stung.

"Main kitna pareshan ho gaya tha."

[I was really worried.]

"Kyun?"

[Why?]

"Because you're my wife, damnit!" He pulled her closer by her shoulders.

"Hai re Nandkishore!" [Oh lord!] The couple broke apart as Buaji entered the room. "Arnav bitwa, tum kab aaye? Paanch minute bhi apni patni se door naahi reh sake?" [Arnav, when did you come? You couldn't stay away from your wife for five minutes?] She laughed, nudging Khushi with her elbow.

Arnav was saved from responding to that by the landline. Khushi ran out to pick it up.

--

"Hum tumhre liye chai bana det hai. Tum yahi baitho. Naashta naa karke janeka sochna bhi mat." [I am going to make chai for you. You sit here. Don't even think of leaving without breakfast.] Buaji warned as she led Arnav to the dining table and went to the kitchen.

"Chaubees hazaar?!" [Twenty-four thousand?!] Arnav overheard Khushi on the phone.

"Par ek mahine ka kiraaya toh aath hazaar hi hai.... Accha, teen mahine ka... Theek hai, Shuklaji, hum Buaji ko pooch ke bata dete hai." [But the rent for a month is eight thousand... Oh for 3 months... Okay Shuklaji, I will ask Buaji about it.] She put down the phone and headed to the kitchen.

"Kiska phone tha?" [Who was on the phone?] Arnav asked as she passed. Khushi turned around, flustered.

"Kisi ka nahi!"

[No one!]

--

After breakfast, Buaji was determined to send Khushi home with Arnav.

"Kya Buaji aap humse pyaar nahi karti. Hum to aap sabse milne aaye the aur aap hume bhaga rahi hai." [Buaji you don't love me. I came to meet you all and you are throwing me out.]

"Hai re Nandakishore, aye Sankadevi kal hi to mile the godhbarai ke waqat. Vaise bhi Garima aur hum Shashi babua ko aspatal leke jaa rahe hai. Tum yaha akeli kaa karogi?" [Oh lord, we met you yesterday at the baby shower, Sankadevi. Anyway, Garima and I are taking Shashi to the hospital. What will you do here all alone?] Buaji slapped her on the arm.

"Chale?" [Let's go?] Arnav raised an eyebrow, holding back a laugh at Khushi's comically angry expression.

"Hamare paas koi aur chara hai kya?" [Do I have another option?] She grumbled, nose flaring.

In the car, Arnav tried really hard to break the ice but it wasn't his forte. He was used to finding ways of getting her to shut up. This silent treatment was still new territory.

As soon as they reached Shantivan, Khushi jumped out of the car. She had walked halfway across the hall when she realised that she had forgotten her phone. Khushi turned around and promptly walked into Arnav. His hand came up to the small of her back for support. For a second, she lost herself in the comfort of that moment. Then, she protested.

"Chodiye humein." [Leave me.]

Arnav pulled her closer. "Kyun?" [Why?] Khushi grabbed her phone from his hand.

"Bas jaane dijiye humein!" [Just let me go!] she said as she pushed him away, storming off upstairs.

NK watched this scene, concerned. Arnav was in great need of his romantic expertise.

"Nannav, mere bhai!" [Nannav, my brother!] he called out to him, "Kya kiya tumne? Why was Khushiji so angry?" [What did you do? Why was Khushiji so angry?]

"Nothing. It's fine." Arnav said as sat back on the sofa next to NK.

"Come on! You should tell me. I can help you! Hum hai toh kya dum hai!" [If I am there then why be force?] NK leaned forward. Arnav looked at him from the corner of his eye.

"'Dum' nahi, 'gham'." [Not 'force,' 'sad'.] Arnav corrected. He was skeptical of NK's ability to be helpful. Then, he decided that there was nothing to lose. "She is angry because I shouted at her for going to Laxminagar this morning without informing me."

"Very bad, Nannav!" NK reprimanded, shaking his finger at Arnav.

"Yes, I know. That's not helpful."

"You should buy her a gift and say sorry!" NK jumped up like he had just had the best idea in the world.

"Ek gift se kaam nahi hoga. That's not enough." [A gift won't do it. That's not enough.] Arnav said.

"Kyun? Khushiji toh kitni sweet hai. She'll definitely forgive you."

[Why? Khushiji is so sweet. She'll definitely forgive you.]

"It's not that simple." Arnav whispered, mostly to himself. But, he realised, it was important for NK to know the full truth to actually be able to help. So he told him about the contract marriage and his misunderstanding and Khushi's refusal to accept him as her husband.

"I don't blame her! How could you?" NK was furious. He stood up as if to leave.

"I don't blame her either!" Arnav said, "I regret everything I have done. I just want to make it up to her. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together."

"I'm only going to help you because I know that Khushiji also cares about you." NK sat on the sofa again to think.

"Idea!" NK snapped his fingers. "You should recreate the special moments of you relationship! Trust me, Nannav, this method is foolproof!"

"That doesn't sound like such a bad idea. Thanks, NK" Arnav said. It was definitely worth a shot. He walked to his room, already making a mental list of their "special" moments.

--

Khushi was sitting on the threshold of the french windows, facing the pool. She was eating channa while complaining aloud about Arnav.

"Samajhte kya hai woh apne aap ko?" [What does he think of himself?]

"Tumhara pati." [Your husband.] Arnav's voice intruded. Khushi turned around to glare at him and promptly stood up to leave. Arnav grabbed her wrist as she brushed past him.

Next thing she knew, she'd been whirled around, arm bent at the elbow, wrist being held in an unbreakable grip at her lower back.

"Yeh kya kar rahe hai aap?" [What are you doing?] she gasped, looking up at Arnav.

He ran his free hand across her back, shifting her hair to one shoulder.

"Tumhe kuch yaad dilane ki koshish kar raha hoon," [Trying to remind you of something,] he whispered into her ear.

He slid his hand back across the string of her kurta and untied it.

"Kuch yaad aaya?" [Remembered something?]

Khushi's mind flashed to the day they first met. His vice-like grip on her wrist, the feeling of her blouse's string being broken, the clatter of the pearls as they fell to the floor. She felt the same terror she had felt then at having been made so vulnerable and unsafe.

"Aap badtameezi kar rahe hai!" [You're manhandling me!] She pushed him and broke free. Arnav noticed the way she cradled her wrist against her chest, gingerly feeling her bruise. He reached for her injured hand. Khushi jerked away.

"Dard deke humdardi jatane ki aadat ho gayi hai aapko! Isse behtar hoga ki aap dard dene se phele ek baar soch le. Woh manhoos din yaad dilana chahte hai jisne hamari zindagi uthal-puthal kar di. Kya haasil karna chahte the hame chot pahuncha kar? Boliye!"

[You've made a habit out of hurting me and then showing your sympathy! Wouldn't it be better if you didn't cause pain in the first place? You want to remind me of that dark day that turned my life upside-down? What did you hope to achieve by hurting me? Tell me!]

She waited for an answer despite the tears threatening to overwhelm her.

"Khushi, I'm..." Arnav wasn't able to do much more than stare back at her.

"Rehne dijiye." [Let it be.] She left the room.

An overenthusiastic NK walked in, completely unable to read the room.

"Nannav, mere bhai! Was it successful?" [Nannav, my brother! Was it successful?]

"It failed. Completely." A dejected Arnav answered. It dawned on him that he would have never done this and upset Khushi so much if it hadn't been for NK's plan.

"Sab tumhari galti hai!" [It's all your fault.] he shouted, storming towards NK.

"What?" NK asked from the corner he was cowered in. But his question was lost in Arnav's continued rant.

"I should've never listened to you! What was I thinking? Taking advice from you!"

"Bhai!" Akash appeared in the form NK personal superhero. "Kya hua? Kyun chilla rahe hai aap? Aur neeche Khushiji jalebiya kyun bana rahi hai? [What happened? Why are you shouting? And why is Khushiji making jalebis downstairs?]

"Khushi jalebi bana rahi hai?" [Khushi is making jalebis?] Arnav said, immediately shifting into concerned mode.

"Nannav lekin hua kya hai?" [Nannav, but what happened?] NK was finally able to ask.

"Tumne kahan special moments recreate karo toh maine wahi kiya. But it backfired. She got really upset." [You said to recreate "special moments" and that's what I did. But it backfired. She got really upset.] Arnav answered.

"Kaunsa moment recreate kiya?" [What moment did you recreate?] Akash asked, leading Arnav to the recliner so he could calm down.

"Our first meeting." Arnav explained the details. "NK you said that this method was foolproof!"

"Not for such a big fool." Akash murmured. Arnav shot him a glare.

"Sorry, bhai! Plan achha tha par uska execution galat tha. Waise aap yeh sab kar kyun rahe ho?" [Sorry. The plan was good but the execution was bad.] Akash looked to Arnav for answers who, in turn, looked to NK.

"Akash deserves to know." NK said. Arnav took a deep breath and told Akash the entire convoluted history of his marriage.

"Aapne yeh sab kaise kar diya, Bhai!? How could you use my marriage to blackmail Khushiji? Aap...aap sach mein mujhe aur Payal ko alag kar dete?" [How could you do this!? How could you use my marriage to blackmail Khushiji? You... you would really separate me and Payal?] Akash was furious.

"Of course not! I just pretended that I would separate you. Tumhari khushi sabse important hai. I know I hurt her and I'm sorry for that. Ab main apni galtiyan sudharne ki koshish kar raha hoon. But apparently I keep screwing it up."

["Of course not! I just pretended that I would separate you. Your happiness is most important to me. I know I hurt her and I'm sorry for that. Now I'm trying to make up for my mistakes. But apparently I keep screwing it up.] Arnav said.

"Okay, bhai. Hum aapki help kar denge. Sabse pehle, aapko apne "special moments" theek se choose karne hoge."

[Okay. We will help you. First, you have to carefully select the "special moments".]

"Exactly!" NK chimed in. "Apne dangerous moments mat recreate karna!" [Don't recreate your dangerous moments!]

"Kuch romantic socho, Bhai." [Think of something romantic, Bhai] Akash added, "Jab maine Payal ko pehli baar propose kiya toh maine aisa hi kuch kiya tha. Aap aise moments recreate karo jab aisa laga tha ki duniya main aap dono ke alawa koi bhi nahi hai. Jab aapki dhadkan aapke saason se tez ho gayi." [When I proposed to Payal for the first time, I did something similar. You should recreate the moments when it felt like you two were the only people in the world. When your heartbeats were faster than your breath.]

"Wah, Akash bhai, wah!" [Wow, Akash bhai, wow!] NK applauded him with a slow clap. Arnav nodded, taking in every word.

There was a knock on the door. Payal entered saying, "Aapki kitty party ho gayi ho toh neeche dinner ke liye aa jaiye. Sab intezaar kar rahe" [If your kitty party has ended, come downstairs to have dinner. Everyone is waiting.] They all shuffled out.

--

Everyone went to their rooms after dinner but Khushi stayed back in the kitchen. Arnav didn't mind because this gave him time to work on his plan.

It was quite late when Khushi came up.

"Achha hua so gaye," [Good. He fell asleep,] she mumbled. She changed and got into bed, falling asleep quickly.

On the recliner, Arnav turned over so he could see Khushi. He had hurt her again today. Despite having promised that he would never do that again. Her words from that afternoon came back to him.

Aap badtameezi kar rahe hai! Dard deke humdardi jatane ki aadat ho gayi hai aapko! Isse behtar hoga ki aap dard dene se phele ek baar soch le. Woh manhoos din yaad dilana chahte hai jisne hamari zindagi uthal-puthal kar di. Kya haasil karna chahte the hame chot pahuncha kar?

[You're manhandling me! You've made a habit out of hurting me and then showing sympathy! Wouldn't it be better if you didn't cause pain in the first place? You want to remind me of that dark day that turned my life upside-down? What did you hope to achieve by hurting me?]

He had hurt her at every turn. And not even realised it. How many times had he left bruises on her? Had ignored her pain? No more. He would fill her life with so many joys she would never need to think about the terrible memories again.

--

The next morning, Khushi suddenly sat up in bed.

"Hey Devi Maiyya, Arnav Singh Raizada ke chakkar mein hum Buaji ko kiraye ke baare mein poochna toh bhul hi gaye!"

[Hey Devi Maiyya! I completely forgot to ask Buaji about the rent because of this Arnav Singh Raizada!]

She called her aunt and found out that the three months' rent had been paid in full by the very same Arnav Singh Raizada.

She knocked repeatedly on the bathroom door.

"Arnavji! Bahar aaiye! Humein aapse baat karni hai!"

[Arnavji! Come out! I need to talk to you!]

"Khushi, lekin—" [Khushi, but—]

"Nahi! Abhi bahar aaiye." [No! Come out now!] A knock punctuated every word. She paced around the room, then came back to the door, hand raised. And walked straight into Arnav.

He had stepped out of the shower in a hurry, only a towel wrapped around his waist. Time froze.

"Khushi, tum theek ho na?" [Khushi, are you okay?] Arnav asked.

She was too lost to respond. There was only this: the feel of his shoulder under her hand, heartbeat loud in her ears, the water dripping slowly from his hair, and all the space that wasn't between them.

"Tumhe kuch baat karni thi?" [You wanted to say something to me?] He reminded, smiling. He shook her by the shoulders to break her out of the trance.

"Haan?" [Yeah?] She looked into his eyes, then down again. She stepped back, shaking her head as if to clear out the intruding thoughts.

"Aapne Buaji ke ghar ka kiraya kyun diya? Kis haq se? Kisne kaha the aapko?" [Why did you pay the rent for Buaji's house? With what right? Who told you to?] Her anger made a fast recovery.

"Khushi, it's not a big deal." Arnav was still smiling.

"Big deal hai! Humein aapka koi ehsaan nahi chahiye." [It is a big deal! I don't need any favours from you.]

"Ehsaan?" [Favours?] Now he was angry, too. "Maine rent diya kyunki main uss ghar ka damaad hoon. Buaji aur woh ghar mere liye bhi kuch maine rakhte hai. Tumhare husband hone ke haq se maine rent pay kiya. Yeh responsibility hum dono ki hai." [I paid the rent because I am the son-in-law of that house. Buaji and that house mean something to me, too. I paid the rent because I am your husband. We share that responsibility.]

"Nahi hai. Aur kitni baar bolna padega ki hum aapko apna pati nahi maante?"

[We don't. How many more times do I have to tell you that I don't consider you my husband?]

"Manogi." [You will.] Arnav's confidence let him smile at her again before he turned and walked back into the bathroom.