Rajveer helped Madhumati fix one of the lights in the living room. In a short time, Rajveer had become a beloved part of their lives, due to his kind, warm, and affectionate nature. Shashi, Garima, and Madhumati treated Rajveer like their own son, and he saw them as family, calling them 'Babuji,' 'Amma,' and 'Buaji.' The Murthy family, realizing that Rajveer wasn't trying to separate Nandini from them, welcomed him and Khushi into their lives.
Ams, treating Rajveer like her grandson, kept reminding him about getting married, while Nandini's aunt loved spoiling him with her unique cooking. Nandini's uncle, along with Nandini and Rishav, tried to save Rajveer from tasting these odd dishes, but Rajveer good-naturedly ate them anyway, winning the aunt's heart even more.
With their children now united as siblings, the Gupta and Murthy families wanted to get to know each other better. The Guptas invited the Murthys to a gathering the next day.
"Rajveer babuwa, didn't you mention being posted at a military academy? What exactly do you do there?" Madhumati inquired curiously.
"I teach the subject of 'Strategy & Communication' to the cadets, Buaji. Additionally, I assist in their training," he replied.
Perplexed, Madhumati asked, "What is a 'cadet'?"
"Cadets are individuals enrolled in military academies with the intention of becoming army officers. You can think of them as students, and we are their teachers and trainers," Rajveer patiently explained, accompanied by a reassuring smile.
"Oh, there's so much to learn about that world. No problem, son. Now that we have our son in the military, we will learn," Madhumati declared with a radiant smile.
Rajveer was moved by the genuine affection emanating from the Gupta family, grateful for the warmth and acceptance he had found in their midst.
Garima approached Rajveer with a hint of panic evident on her face. "Rajveer babuwa, please take a look at this list. The Murthys are South Indian. I don't know if they would appreciate what we usually cook. I could try to learn a few items, but..." she began expressing her concerns in a rapid stream of words.
Rajveer gently placed a hand on her shoulder and reassured, "Amma, calm down. They assured me that they would eat anything you cook, as long as it's not non-veg and is edible. So, relax and prepare what you cook best."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. In fact, I'm kind of scared that after tasting your food, they might end up coming over every day for your homemade delights," he added with a playful wink, eliciting a chuckle from Garima.
"By the way, where's our tornado? I didn't see her after coming back from jogging," Rajveer inquired, looking around.
"That Sanka Devi left early. I'm sure she was planning some kind of new mischief," Madhumati informed, shaking her head.
Rajveer chuckled at the possibility. In the last few days, he had come to understand his younger sister's nature pretty well. He wondered what kind of trouble she could create when she met his super six. The familiar ringtone of his phone disrupted the tranquility. Glancing at the caller ID, he noticed 'Riddhima calling' flashing on the screen. Politely excusing himself, he reached for his phone, a curious smile playing on his lips.
"Good morning, little one," he greeted as he accepted the call, his tone filled with affection.
Nandini's voice came through the other end, a mixture of excitement and earnestness evident in her words. "Good morning, Bhaiya! I wanted to talk to you about something important."
Rajveer sat on the couch and leaned back, focusing his attention on the call. "Of course, Nandini. What's on your mind?"
There was a brief pause before Nandini spoke, "Well, Bhaiya, I'll be out the whole day and night. I wanted to inform you and ask for your permission."
Rajveer's brows furrowed slightly, concern flickering in his eyes. "Out for the whole day and night? Where are you going, Nandini? Is everything okay?"
Nandini took a deep breath before explaining, "It's a plan, Bhaiya. A plan to expose someone's evil intentions. We're going to XYZ jungle. It's a group effort from my classmates, and I want to be a part of it."
Rajveer's concern deepened, but he maintained a calm exterior. "Exposing someone's evil intentions? Nandini, this sounds risky. Are you sure about this?"
Nandini assured him, "Bhaiya, I'm doing this with my friends. We've planned everything carefully, and it's for a good cause. I wanted to be honest with you and seek your permission."
Rajveer was touched that Nandini had started accepting him as her older brother and was asking for his permission. "Okay, Riddhu. I trust you, but please be careful. Can you share the names of your friends who will be with you?"
Nandini eagerly listed everyone's names, providing Rajveer with as much information as possible. He listened attentively, committing each name to memory. Once she finished, he spoke, "Nandini, if you need any kind of help or if things get even slightly uncomfortable, promise me you'll call me immediately. I mean it, little one."
Nandini's voice softened with gratitude, "I promise, Bhaiya. I'll call you if anything goes wrong. But I believe in our plan, and I'll make sure we execute it safely."
Rajveer couldn't help but worry for his younger sister, but he respected her sincerity and determination. "Alright, Nandini. Stay safe, and remember, I'm just a call away. Keep me updated, okay?"
"Thank you, Bhaiya." Nandini expressed her affection before ending the call.
Rajveer sat there for a moment, his thoughts swirling. The protective instinct within him was strong, but he also recognized Nandini's growing independence. He trusted her judgment and hoped that the plan would unfold without any complications.
Turning towards the living room's doorway, he found Garima watching him with a knowing smile. "Family, no matter how it comes into your life, is precious, isn't it, Rajveer babuwa?" she remarked.
Rajveer nodded, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Indeed, Amma. Family is everything."
...-...
...-...
...-...
Khushi was teaching Lavanya how to wear a saree for the last three hours. Lavanya had called her the night before to inform her that Aman's mother had called Lavanya to go to temple with her the next morning around 11 am. That's why Khushi had to come over to the Raizada mansion at 6 am.
As Lavanya fumbled with the saree for what felt like the hundredth time, Khushi couldn't help but make a dramatic, crying expression. "Lavanya ji, if I had taught Laxmi ji [Nani's pet goat] for this long, even she would've earned her PhD on it by now. But you?"
Lavanya chuckled at Khushi's theatrics. "I'm sorry, Khushi. It's because I'm getting confused as you're teaching me to wear a saree over your salwar suit. How about you also change into a blouse and petticoat like me? Then, I'll understand properly what goes where."
Khushi sighed, realizing the merit in Lavanya's suggestion. "Okay. But if you mess up again, I'll stitch this saree on you so that you don't have to re-wear it again," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Lavanya burst into laughter at Khushi's playful threat. She handed Khushi a matching red blouse and petticoat to go with the red saree they had been using for the demonstration. Khushi exchanged her salwar suit for the traditional attire and resumed her role as the saree-draping instructor.
Arnav found himself tending to his private garden, the lush greenery a sanctuary of tranquility. As he watered his plants, his attention was momentarily diverted by the open window of Lavanya's room, situated directly opposite. Little did he expect the captivating view that awaited him.
His eyes widened as he observed Khushi demonstrating the art of pleating to Lavanya. In the process, her pallu slipped off her shoulder, leaving her blouse exposed. Given that she was wearing Lavanya's sleeveless, backless, and deep neckline blouse, Khushi unintentionally showcased her curves in all their glory.
A sudden dryness enveloped Arnav's throat as he stood frozen in place. Internally scolding his shameless eyes, he made no move to close the scene unfolding before him. Instead, he remained rooted, captivated by Khushi's presence. From top to bottom, he absorbed every detail, saving the image of her in his mind, a moment frozen in time.
Once Khushi completed the demonstration, Lavanya followed the steps, standing in front of the mirror to practice the pleating technique as Khushi had shown her. Khushi couldn't help but chuckle at Lavanya's earnest attempts. However, her amusement was short-lived.
As Khushi glanced out the window, she noticed Arnav in his garden, flooding his plants with water. His dazed expression caught her off guard, prompting her to follow his gaze. It was only when she looked down that realization struck—moments ago, her pallu had slipped off her shoulder, leaving her blouse exposed.
A gasp escaped Khushi's lips as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, her accusing gaze locking onto Arnav. In return, Arnav met her eyes with an intense look. Although his facial expression remained stoic, the darkened intensity in his eyes betrayed his true reaction.
"Khushi, I did it!" Lavanya's excited shout drew Khushi's attention away from the window. She beamed at Lavanya's accomplishment, proud of her successful teaching efforts. Glancing back at the garden, Khushi noticed that Arnav was no longer there.
With the clock nearing 10:30, Khushi helped Lavanya secure her saree with pins before sending her off to meet Aman's mother. Once Lavanya left, Khushi began the task of unpinning the pallu of her own saree. As she focused on the delicate task, she suddenly felt a warmth against her back. Inhaling sharply, she recognized the familiar scent of a specific perfume, realizing exactly who was behind her.
"How did you come in? I locked the door," Khushi questioned nervously.
"The window," Arnav replied cryptically. He then buried his nose in her open hair, inhaling deeply, as if savoring the sweet fragrance that enveloped her.
Khushi felt a shiver run down her spine as his warm breath gently caressed her bare shoulder. "A-Arnav ji?" she called out hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Shush... don't say a word," Arnav urged, his voice a soft murmur against her ear. "I won't touch you... Just let me... just let me be here for a moment." His plea held a vulnerability she hadn't expected, and it tugged at something deep within her.
Khushi, her heart pounding, remained still, allowing the proximity between them to linger. The room seemed to hum with an unspoken tension as Arnav's presence wrapped around her. The soft rustle of her saree and the faint sound of his breath were the only audible traces of their shared space.
Khushi didn't know how long they stood there, caught in the unspoken currents that swirled between them. Eventually, Arnav took a step back, breaking the enchanting closeness that had wrapped around them. As he stepped away, Khushi turned to face him, her cheeks flushed with a telltale blush. She met his intense gaze, finding a certain hunger mirrored in his eyes—a hunger that left her both intrigued and flustered.
Unable to hold his gaze for too long, Khushi lowered her eyes, the intensity of the moment making her heart race. The charged atmosphere between them left an indelible mark, and she felt the warmth of his proximity lingering even after he stepped back.
Arnav, seemingly grappling with his own emotions, closed the remaining distance between them. Gently cupping her face, he tilted her chin upward. Khushi could feel the warmth of his touch, and as his lips met her forehead in a tender kiss, she closed her eyes, reveling in the affection that enveloped her.
When she opened her eyes, Arnav was already retreating, disappearing through the window, leaving Khushi standing there, her heart pounding with the imprint of his presence. The room echoed with the fading echoes of their shared moment, leaving Khushi in a daze, lost in the whirlwind of emotions that Arnav had stirred within her.
... - - - - ...
After changing into her clothes, Khushi joined the Raizada ladies in the living room. Arnav followed suit, taking a seat on one of the couches and engrossing himself in his laptop.
"Nani ji, there's something I wanted to discuss with you," Khushi began, addressing Devyani.
"What is it, Khushi bitiya?" inquired Devyani with curiosity.
"Well, bhaiya suggested that I should go back to school and not waste any more time. Since I'm already 21 this year, if I take another year off, I'll be 26 by the time I graduate—two years older than my peers. So, I was thinking... would it be okay if I come to teach Lavanya ji in the afternoon or evening only? Lavanya ji has already learned most things, so she doesn't require as much attention anymore," Khushi explained nervously.
"Khushi ji, that's a wonderful idea. You should definitely go back to school. And you can come over after your classes get over," Anjali chimed in with a supportive smile.
"Yes, Khushi bitiya. Anjali bitiya is right. We don't have any problem," Nani ji added with an affectionate smile.
"Hello hi bye bye! But if you go to college, won't you get new friends? Won't you want to spend time with them?" Manorama interjected.
"Mami ji, by the time that happens, Lavanya ji won't need me every day anymore. And it's not like I was going to keep coming here all my life. Sooner or later, I will stop coming," Khushi responded with a reassuring smile.
"Let's not talk about that day," Anjali protested. "So, Khushi ji, what subject are you planning on taking?"
"Business management or Finance. Not sure yet. I want to discuss it with Bhaiya first," Khushi replied.
"HHBB! I totally expected culinary arts or fashion designing," Manorama expressed, feeling surprised. Even Arnav appeared taken aback.
"Mami ji, I cook and design my clothes for my own amusement. It has nothing to do with my desired career," Khushi clarified with a smile.
"It seems you're getting along with your older brother very nicely. What about your younger sister, bitiya?" Nani asked.
"Nandini is super cute. She's a little shy, but when she opens up, she smiles from the bottom of her heart. It'll take some more time as we didn't get to spend much one-on-one time yet," Khushi replied with a shrug.
"Everything will be okay. It's only been a few days since you got to know about each other," Anjali assured her.
"But Bhaiya and I get along so well. How come Nandini feels so hesitant?" Khushi pouted.
"That's because you're overly friendly, and your brother welcomed your friendliness with open arms. Don't forget, Khushi, that while you knew that you were adopted, your younger sister didn't know about this. For her, her life as she knew it turned out to be one big lie. It would take anyone time to accept the changes in such a situation," Arnav answered seriously.
Khushi sighed. "I guess. I just want to cuddle with my sister like I do with my jiji," she expressed her desire, pouting like a little child.
"Why don't you cuddle with someone else while you wait for your sister?" Arnav suggested innocently, but the naughty glint in his eyes revealed what he actually meant.
Khushi looked away, blushing. Anjali and Devyani exchanged a knowing look at the scene but stayed silent.
"So, you'll be coming in the afternoon when you start your classes?" Mami ji asked.
"Yeah."
"NO!" Arnav shouted, startling everyone. He cleared his throat and said, "I think the evening time would be more suitable. Khushi could go back home after her classes, relax a little before coming over. It might become too much for her to handle if she has to rush over soon after her classes. And what if she had to stay at the college after the classes? Colleges held various kinds of activities. She would have to get involved in those. So, evening time it should be."
"Chhote is absolutely right. Khushi ji, you come over in the evening. And once you're done for the day, Chhote would drop you home every day," Anjali suggested, keeping an innocent smile on her face. She didn't want her brother to know that she was playing Cupid.
Khushi wanted to protest, but the eager look on Arnav's face made her nod her head in agreement.
...-...
...-...
...-...
After spending the whole day with Manik in the jungle, one thing became very clear to Nandini: Manik loved her. However, she couldn't understand why he lied that night, claiming that he was just playing with her feelings and that all of it was just for revenge. As Nandini thought about everything that happened since that night, she recalled the scene at the hospital where Manik confronted her and asked why she rejected Dhruv. He seemed genuinely upset that she said no to Dhruv. That's when it hit her – he was sacrificing their love because Dhruv liked her, and Manik could go to any lengths for his friends, especially for Dhruv.
When Nandini confronted Manik about this and asked him point-blank if he did all those things for Dhruv, he looked genuinely guilty. He tried to deny everything, but it became clear to Nandini.
"How could you be so selfish, Manik? So insensitive?" she asked in disbelief later that evening.
They had been sitting in front of the fire when one thing led to another, and they almost kissed. But Nandini punched Manik instead and pushed him away.
"Nandini, I've been through the same pain," he told her honestly.
"Really? It was YOUR choice... for your best friend, Dhruv. Manik, where was my right to choose, huh? I'm like a toy that you keep passing on to your friends, isn't it? You didn't even consider my feelings," Nandini cried.
"Nandini, I thought..."
"You thought? Manik, you're so full of yourself. You think you're all-knowing, and others are idiots. Because Dhruv told you that he loves me, you thought, let me hand over Nandini to Dhruv. You'll become a better friend, and Dhruv will think of you as a saint. Manik, you thought about yourself and your best friend. But what about me? You didn't think about me even once? How I would feel? Nothing? Not even for a second?" Nandini sobbed harder.
Manik gave her a guilty look as whatever she said was true. He really hadn't thought about her in that moment. He regretted it later, but at that time, he didn't consider Nandini's feelings. Nandini saw the truth in his eyes and walked away, shaking her head in disbelief. Nandini met up with Dhruv and Aliya. Seeing her crying, Dhruv gave her a side hug for comfort. However, the atmosphere tensed when Manik arrived and swiftly pulled Nandini away from Dhruv. Realizing the potential complications, Manik instructed Dhruv and Aliya to leave, emphasizing the need to avoid being seen together, especially by Harshad.
Once they left, Manik attempted to pacify Nandini. However, their private moment was interrupted by Navya, who pretended to stumble upon them as they previously planned. Manik dropped both Nandini and Navya at the girls' hostel, ensuring their safety.
Feeling a heavy weight of guilt and realization, Manik initially wanted to go home after the confrontation with Nandini. However, as her words sank in, he couldn't shake off the awareness of his own actions. Instead of leaving, he changed his mind, turning his car back towards the hostel. Parking outside, he remained in his car for the entire night, contemplating the gravity of his mistakes.
With the first light of dawn, Manik was filled with anticipation, waiting for Nandini. His intention was to apologize and make amends. As Nandini and Navya emerged from the hostel, the sound of a vehicle caught Manik's attention. Turning around, he noticed an army jeep coming to a stop in front of the girls' hostel. Although he could see the scene unfolding, the distance prevented him from hearing the conversation. His confusion deepened when he observed a man stepping out of the jeep, greeted by Nandini's welcoming smile.
"Good morning!" Rajveer greeted Nandini cheerfully.
Nandini gasped in surprise, her face lighting up with a wide smile. "You? Here? How did you know where to find me?" she asked as she moved towards her brother, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest. The hug was a comforting embrace she truly needed.
Rajveer furrowed his brow slightly, sensing that his sister was upset about something. "I called Chachi for the address. I know we're meeting tonight, but I needed to see you with my own eyes to make sure you're okay," Rajveer explained, dropping a kiss on top of Nandini's head.
Navya observed the scene with her mouth open in surprise. "Hello, I'm Navya Naveli, Nandini's best friend. Are you her boyfriend?" she asked with an overexcited smile.
Rajveer and Nandini pulled away from each other, exchanging a look before bursting into laughter. "Navya, you're too much," Nandini said, still giggling.
Rajveer put his arm around Nandini and addressed Navya, "Hi, I'm Captain Rajveer... Nandini's older brother. I was in town, so I thought, why not drop off my beautiful little sister at her college today."
Navya bit her tongue at the mistake. "Oops! Sorry," she told them sheepishly.
"It's okay," Rajveer assured her with a warm smile. "Since you're my little one's best friend, that makes you my little sister as well. Okay? You can call me 'Bhaiya' like Nandini as well," he offered.
"Thank you, Bhaiya. Nandini, how come you never told me you have such a handsome brother?" Navya asked as Rajveer helped them get into his jeep.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you about it later," Nandini told her with a smile.
Rajveer got into the driver's seat and asked, "Did you girls have breakfast?"
"No. We'll eat in the cafeteria," Nandini replied with a shrug.
Rajveer nodded. Throughout the ride, Navya shared details about how she and Nandini became friends, the bullying from Fab5, and their plan to trap Manik for revenge. Rajveer noticed how Nandini furrowed her brow when Navya praised Harshad and criticized Manik. He sensed there was more to the story than what Navya revealed and decided to inquire about it later from Nandini.
"We're here, girls. Navya, it was really nice to meet you. Riddhima, here... keep this and eat something," Rajveer said, pulling out his wallet and handing her six 500-rupee notes.
"Bhaiya, how much do you think we eat?" Nandini asked, amused.
"Why?"
"Why would I need Rs. 3000 for food? Rs. 200 is enough," Nandini told him, shaking her head.
"So what? Keep it. Just in case you need it," Rajveer insisted.
Nandini smiled as a faint memory came to her mind. Her adopted father, Ajay, used to give her pocket money the same way Rajveer just did.
They stepped out of the jeep and said goodbye to Rajveer. As they went inside, Navya inquired, "Nandini, why does your brother call you 'Riddhima'?"
Nandini started to explain but decided to wait until she had removed Harshad from their lives. "I'll fill you in later. Just consider it as his nickname for me," she said with a smile.
"Okay. But, your brother really cares about you. Did you notice how he insisted on giving us a ride to the college? He said he wanted to see with his own eyes that you were okay. How sweet!" Navya remarked with a smile.
Nandini paused and looked at Navya. "Do you really believe that... he loves me?" she asked uncertainly.
"Absolutely. It was evident in his eyes. It's the same expression I see in my father's eyes for me," Navya reassured her before giving Nandini a puzzled look. "But why do you ask?"
"It's nothing. Lately, I've been finding it difficult to figure out who truly loves me," Nandini shared with a sad smile.
Navya was confused by her response but didn't inquire further.