- Anjali, you will drive with Javed and this is my last word! – Arnav's voice was booming with firm resolve – much to Anjali's dismay:

- Chote, I don't want to be a burden to Javed-ji, and I want to…

- What makes you think it's a discussion, - Arnav's voice became dangerously calm and levelled which only meant one thing – he was in his "ASR mode" and this was almost undefeatable…

Anjali sighted collecting her courage:

- But, Chote, I really can do it on my own; it wouldn't be my first time taking a bus to the office…

Arnav shouted again – he couldn't keep up his calm façade with this issue that was far less trivial than it seemed to abashed Di. But he couldn't tell her the real reason behind his decision so he opted out for second best real reason:

- Should I remind you that you've almost collapsed few days ago because of exhaustion – and we were just lucky that you were already in the office?

Anjali stiffened and clutched her saree nervously – she didn't want her family to know that her bad leg failed her once again but the guard who helped her out that day reported this incident to Arnav despite her saying not to. The whole family was worried, they catered to every her need, they were loving and protecting… yet Anjali couldn't shake off the feeling that Raizada pariwar was pitying her… again. And by now she knew that it may end really badly.

And this is why she was not going to lose this fight to Chote. She would manage on her own – even if it meant she'd have to fight off her Chote!

- Arnav, don't you forget that I'm your OLDER sister and this is not the tone I would tolerate from you!

Snap! This was Arnav's turn to remember that Anjali is as much Singh Raizada as he is and she would fight back if forced to.

- Touché, Anjali, that was a good one, - came amused voice from behind Arnav. He turned around to face his so called accomplice who was supposed to be helping him to convince Anjali – but instead were mostly silent apart from occasional smirk or sarcastic comment on Arnav's expense. Feeling cornered from every side Arnav went to an "offence is the best defence" tactic:

- Oh yeah? Why don't you tell me your solution for this problem, Mr. Harvard?

Javed smiled on this old nickname awarded to him during their uni days – usually Arnav addressed him this way only to underline his irritation and poorly concealed anger. But Jev didn't need this sign to tell Arnav was fuming – he could see that much in his best friend. But he could also see things that omitted Arnav's clouded sight… he saw Anjali. Not the sister who needed protection from her maniacal ex-husband… but a woman who wanted to be free.

Arnav was all kinds of a great businessman, in some aspects he was really brilliant… but diplomacy was not one of them. He could never read people, could not see past his preconceived notion of them and past his own superiority complex. Granted – with Khushi's entrance to his life he Arnav was slowly changing for better… but it will take him some time to actually SEE.

This is why Javed could not have held this failure against Arnav – it was almost predestined that Anjali would fight back on this issue. To make it worse Arnav chose dinner as his fighting scene and was this close to embarrass his Di in front of the whole family which only made her fight harder…

Which is why it was a time for his entrance. He would do what they'd agreed he would do… guilt her into driving with him to the office. Not reason with Anjali, not argue with her or try to overpower her… but use her warm heart and soft nature against her.

Javed hated himself for what he was about to say. "Anjali, have I offended you in some way that you try to avoid me?" He kept rephrasing this one sentence in his head since morning but however he said it – it still sounded low… and cheap.

But he didn't see any other choice, neither did Arnav. If they wanted to keep Anjali safe and let her keep her job – Javed had to force himself onto her.

Jev inhaled deeply and…

- Arrey wa! I'm so-so stupid! Arnav-ji, you would never forgive me! – Khushi jumped up from her seat and ran towards coffee table in the common room. Arnav turned around worried with all the fuss:

- What is it, Khushi? What happened?

Khushi came back running with a piece of paper in her hands:

- I completely forgot to tell you that Aman-ji called and he was looking for you, - she turned a bit to face Javed, - both of you. He said it was really urgent and there's some problem with land lease problem and you need to call him right away! And I forgot to tell you! I'm so-so sorry!

Khushi sounded so apologetic and sincere that Arnav couldn't find a nerve to be upset with her now. Especially since they have had more pending issue at hand – those land papers were bugging them for quite some time now. Arnav stood up and motioned Jev to follow him as he almost ran towards his room. Javed bowed ceremonially to the ladies at table and then ran just as quickly.

...

The Raizada family took this brief pause to relax after overheated discussion they've just witnessed – Manorama and Nani-ji went to check on dessert preparation, NK sprinted to his room to check his emails and the only two left were Khushi and Anjali.

Khushi was biting her nails, her gaze were running wild trying to catch on something relaxing. Anjali placed her palm over Khushi's trying to calm her sister-in-law down:

- Khushi-ji, I am sure everything will be fine. Chote and Javed-ji are very good at this, they will sort it out.

Khushi offered a small nervous smile:

- Oh, I know, I know… It's just… I really don't want to add to Arnav-ji's troubles now… he already has so much to worry about. New company, new office… Javed-ji…

Even though Khushi's voice was getting more and more quiet Anjali still heard the last part loud and clear… Javed-ji!

She didn't know why… First she thought that her guilty conscious was playing tricks on her, making her try to fix the damage she'd caused to Javed. Then she'd figured that the only thing she could do was to try and see Javed the way he wanted her to see him – not as her little brother's friend but as a separate adult man… And that is exactly what she would do if he'd ever came back to Shantivan since that dreadful day over a month ago. But he didn't… Till yesterday when he suddenly showed up at their doorstep announcing that his business will hold him in Delhi for a long time and he'd be staying at Shantivan. Javed always did it – never asked, just informed. But somehow it all managed to look gracious and polite… like everything Javed did.

So now… maybe because she hasn't seen him for so long… or maybe because of her resolve to see him for who he really is… Anjali became suddenly attuned to everything that concerned her brother's best friend. And when Khushi mentioned Jev among Chote's problem Anjali just couldn't walk past it:

- Javed-ji? Why is Chote worried about him?

Khushi shrugged uncomfortably as if she didn't want to discuss this subject. But seeing how Anjali's face darkened she explained:

- Arnav-ji didn't want to worry Javed-ji with our home troubles and… - she sighted, - he kept a lot of things to himself. You know how Arnav-ji is like…

Anjali nodded and prompted Khushi to continue with her explanation.

- So now Javed-ji feels like… a stranger to the family. As if Arnav-ji kicked him out…

This was so ridiculous that Anjali exclaimed immediately:

- But that's not true! Chote would never abandon Javed-ji, he's like a brother to him! Why can't he see it?!

Khushi agreed passionately:

- I've told Arnav-ji that everything will come around, and when Javed-ji came back to Shantivan Arnav-ji really thought that everything is all right now… but they don't talk. Arnav-ji thinks that Javed-ji is still upset – and that worries him.

Khushi clutched her fists:

- And now… if they have more problems with their business… it can be that Javed-ji will have to work even more and we won't get to see him… to pacify him… to make it right between him and Arnav-ji.

- Oh, - was all Anjali could say as she was considering this situation. It was absurd that Javed would think that Chote didn't love him as much if he hid all their problems from him… but then again – what if he really felt this way? Abandoned. And Chote was hurting because he was losing his best friend…

Few minutes later Anjali turned to Khushi who was cleaning the table and asked her:

- Khushi-ji, would you be so kind to bring me my massage balm – my leg is hurting a bit…

Khushi startled and ran towards Anjali's room… But instead of worry there was a smile on her face. And victory.

…

- So, Aman, are you sure that lease contract didn't come up when they called? – Arnav spoke to his assistant on a speakerphone so Javed would be included in the conversation too.

- Yes, Mr. Arnav, they merely asked us to send letter of attorney along with documents for their inner document procedures, nothing out of ordinary… Can I help you with anything else?

- No, Aman, that will be all. Thank you. Have a nice weekend.

- Um… Thank you, Mr. Arnav, you too. Give my regards to your family.

- Will do, - Arnav disconnected the phone call smiling to himself on Aman's surprised tone. Somehow his long-term assistant had the hardest time adjusting to Arnav's new happier and more relaxed persona than the rest of AR Design employees. Maybe because Aman knew first-hand what kind of man ASR was… and Arnav seemed so different to him.

He smiled marvelling on all the changes that happened in his life since recently – but his walk down the memory lane was interrupted by a chuckle of his business partner:

- Bhai, does your wife overreact so much in every matter, or just when office calls? Because she sounded like the whole company will come crushing down on us!

Arnav almost got offended by Javed's comment on Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada but then remembered that he had the same thought and smiled easily:

- Well, she has this thing for a drama… you'll get used to it in no time! Especially since we're about to face one more of her dramatic performances if we won't show up for desert! Lets' go!

…

As the two were coming in the Shantivan's common room they've witnessed a picture of Khushi massaging Anjali's foot. Arnav ran towards his sister, concerned for her well-being… And Javed had to fight an urge to run ahead of him, to kneel before her, to make her feel better, to care for her… Because he had no right for this kind of gesture. He was nobody to her.

- Di! Are you all right? – Arnav's voice expressed so much worry when he sat by her on the couch looking at his wife and his sister for explanation. His Khushi started first:

- Di was in pain, I brought her massage oil…

Anjali nodded:

- Yes, thank you, Khushi-ji, it's all right now, - and she carefully hid her wounded leg under her saree.

But Arnav still wasn't convinced:

- Are you really all right? I think I would call Mr. Janam so he would examine your leg – just to be sure…

- No-no, Chote, - Anjali protested quickly, - I'm all good now. Just… I thought that maybe… I should take up your offer…

Arnav's gaze was unfocused – he tried to understand what offer she was referring to. Anjali turned to face Javed – for the first time this evening:

- If you don't mind, Javed-ji, I would very much like if you'd drop me off to the office… If it's not too much trouble for you.

Javed raised his brow questioningly and then bowed ceremonially:

- It would be my honour, Anjali-ji.

Anjali smiled at him with gratitude… and some sort of longing he could not quite place. What would she want with him all of a sudden?

- Anjali, bitiya! What has happened? – came much familiar voice of their Nani-ji. She and Manorama appeared in the common room right in time to witness kneeling Khushi who was holding massaging oil. They both knew all too well what it implied…

- Oh, Anjali, my girl, you're hurting! Haven't I told you that local bus is no place for such delicate ladies as us? – Manorama's voice was both praising and scolding.

Anjali nodded with a smile:

- Yes, Mami-ji, but we've got that covered, - and she winked at Javed, - right, Javed-ji?

She winked at him. Smiling. Javed felt dizzy and tried his hardest to keep his serious tone as he addressed Manorama:

- Yes, Mami-ji, I will make sure that no harm will come to Anjali-ji from this point onwards. I will make it my highest priority in life.

Anjali shied a bit on this pompous statement, Manorama and Nani-ji smiled with relief… and only two people in the room knew how serious Javed was at this moment. Arnav nodded with gratitude because Javed was the only person besides himself he would trust with his Di's life. Well, maybe Akash too, but his brother was away for now so there was only them left…

And Javed ignored all the different expressions in the room – he had eyes only for Anjali. She was shining. He knew this special kind of warmth and happiness that was spreading through his body when she smiled like this – openly, sincerely, easily. Whatever changed her mind about their driving arrangement made her… happy.

Or whoever. Because the only expression Javed noted was Khushi's – she looked at Arnav with happy… and victorious smile. And once Nani-ji and Manorama took Anjali away to apply some other herbal remedy they thought of, he addressed Khushi directly:

- Khushi-ji, did you know that Aman's phone call wasn't all that crucial as you made it look like?

Arnav turned to Javed with confused look on his face – what exactly was Javed implying? Khushi misunderstood something, exaggerated a bit – so what?!

But Khushi was not looking at Arnav – she was looking at Javed. She squinted her eyes a little trying to figure out if she should try to play him or come clean. Having made her decision she shrugged dismissively:

- I may have overreacted… or even made it up.

- But why? – Arnav's voice was an epitome of surprise! Why would his wife lie about something like this?

- To get you out of the room before you'd upset Anjali-ji even more with your insistence and strictness.

Khushi sounded so simple, so matter-of-factly… as if she was explaining world-known facts to six-year-olds. But Javed knew there was more to this. He suggested:

- … And you needed to stay alone with Anjali-ji. Does you following conversation, by any chance, has anything to do with Anjali-ji changing her mind on our discussion topic?

Khushi smiled innocently looking at Arnav and back at Javed:

- What do I have to do with this? Her leg hurts, she reconsidered your kind offer and agreed – that's it!

And her argument would've been valid if both men wouldn't shake their heads in disagreement. Javed spoke first:

- We both know it isn't true – her leg wasn't hurting when we left and unless you jumped up and down for ten minutes straight she wouldn't hurt at all. So Anjali-ji faked her pain issues… and I wanna know why.

Arnav smiled – indeed he knew that Di wasn't in pain but he never thought that his Khushi may be involved in this pretend. He was really interested how this would be explained and turned to his wife asking for more information:

- Khushi, please, would you tell us what were you speaking about with Di?

Khushi smiled a bit because it felt like she was seeing double – Arnav and Javed were so much alike right now, with the same posture and same questioning expression…

She went on to tell them briefly what kind of conversation they have had with Anjali… only to be interrupted by Javed's hysterical laughter:

- I mean… are you telling me… you've told Anjali-ji… that I feel DETACHED from the family…and it's all Arnav's fault… and she needs to anchor me by driving with me?

Arnav was looking at his wife with incredulous expression. That… what she did… was something!

Khushi corrected Javed with regal headshake:

- I only implied that Arnav-ji was worried about your friendship and we have a very little chance to pacify you since we don't see you all that much… And if Anjali-ji decided to act as a peacekeeper between you too and came up with an idea on how to find time to talk to Javed-ji – that was totally on her, I had nothing to do with it!

And she nodded with "end of argument" seriousness.

Javed was still a bit hysterical so Khushi tried bringing him back to the ground:

- Why? Have you had a better idea on how to get Anjali-ji to drive with you?

That did it. Javed stopped laughing… but kept smiling. Because his idea, their mutual with Arnav idea, was dreadful – using Anjali's guilt. Khushi's idea was way better – she used Anjali's constant drive to be useful and bring happiness to people around her. She gave Anjali a purpose, a reason. She made Anjali smile… because of him, Javed.

Yet he still couldn't control his appreciation of the humour in this whole situation:

- You've made me into Anjali's charity project.

Khushi nodded:

- I've made what you were trying to do. You are welcome!

For some reason a memory came to Arnav's mind – Khushi jumping on his bed, arguing with her supplier on the phone. "I'm a businessman's wife!" was one of her arguments… Indeed, she was businessman wife – she'd found a solution to their problem with so much finesse. And she was his Khushi because only she would care to make this solution so thoughtful and merciful to everybody involved – something he would not be bothered with as long as he had his results.

That was one more of many moments he was grateful to his life for having brought him to Khushi.

And that made two of them, since Javed was also immensely grateful for Khushi's involvement in this case. He wanted to ask more, to know the details, to access Khushi's impressions and observations on how Anjali took information about him… but right then and there Hari Prakash showed up to call Khushi to Nani-ji room for some "urgent matter" and Khushi ran away in a split second.

So… there was only one more question to be asked:

- Arnav… Khushi-ji doesn't know about Shyam and why we are trying to keep Anjali-ji under my protection. Why would she help us arrange this?

This was a riddle that was bugging Javed since the moment he realised Khushi's impact on Anjali's decision… but it really wasn't a question for Arnav. He answered simply:

- She did it for me.

He just knew it. Maybe she thought that he was worried about Anjali's health… or worried about Di being away from home in general… or maybe Khushi even thought he'd decided to play matchmaker for Javed and Di. For whatever reason it was – Khushi understood it was important for Arnav that Di would drive to the office with Javed. And she also understood that he would upset Anjali to achieve what he wanted… and later be beaten up about it.

So she fixed it. Khushi fixed it all for him so he would get his arrangement and still keep peace in the house.

Because she loved him. Unconditionally.