"She is mine" Arnav, this time, whispered softly making Anjali smile.

He felt all breath leaving his body at the mere thought of her leaving him and going far away.

No he wouldn't be able to bear it.

Arnav sat with a thud on the chair opposite to Anjali, still trying to sink in what he had just uttered

"Chotte" Anjali called softly and Arnav looked up at her helplessly

"Di. I can't. I can't live without her" he said

"Why?" Anjali asked

"Uske bina mein jee nahi paogi. Uske door jaane se meri saansein ruk jaayegi" Arnav murmered

"Kyun chotte?"

"Kyunki pyaar karta hu usse. I love her damn it" Arnav uttered those words finally, and felt as if a huge weight has been lifted from his shoulders.

He felt light hearted.

He felt so relieved after he uttered those same words he had been running away from all his life.

"Oh chotte" Anjali murmered and embraced her brother in a warm hug.

"I can't let her go di. I won't let her go. I won't let him take her away" Arnav said pulling out his sister's hug and hurrying up, with the sole intention of confronting Advaith and warning him away.

"Chotte. Relax. Listen to me" Anjali said quickly holding his hand.

"No di. There is no time. I have to be quick. I can't risk it" ASR was in full form, all set to win her back as soon as the Arnav in him realised his love.

"I lied chotte. Kushi ji is not engaged" Anjali said startling Arnav

"What do you mean?" Arnav asked, his heart beat increasing as hope started to brew up.

"I lied to get you to confess. You were so stubborn. I had no other choice" Anjali said with a shrug and Arnav sighed in relief

"How did you know?" Arnav asked softly

"The jewel box. Kushi ji's things in it. And then what you said that night. Everything made sense at last" Anjali said

"Uh! Who's this Advaith then? What is his relation with Kushi?" The green monster in him couldn't help but ask

"A childhood friend. Nothing more" Anjali said and Arnav sighed in relief

"So, what are you going to do next?" Anjali asked

Arnav thought about it. Then he remembered his encounter with Kushi a few hours ago.

He cringed as he thought how he had messed up yet again.

And her words...

'I have better things to do that worry about your whims and tantrums'

She has quite openly said faraq nahi padta.

She stopped caring about him?

Arnav gulped at that thought.

Oh! He had done everything in his power to push her away and he succeeded. Now how will he find his way back?

"I will think of something di" Arnav said and Anjali nodded

"I'm so happy for you chotte. Kushi ji is perfect. She made you laugh after so many years and I should have known back then" Anjali said

"Well, I didn't make it easy for anyone to understand." Arnav grimaced as each and every one of his misdeed flashed in front of his eyes.

"True. You were always angry at her. Always shouting at her or making her cry. It came as a shock" Anjali admitted, not caring to filter her words.

Arnav grimaced as he heard his sister's words.

"Mami's expressions were epic" Anjali said with a soft laugh

"Mami knows?" Arnav asked in surprise

"Chotte. The whole family was there when you quiet openly declared your feelings for Kushi ji" Anjali said with a teasing smile.

"What exactly did I say that night?" Arnav asked, feeling embarrassed at having his feelings beings exposed in front of everyone.

"All I can think of is her. Her eyes, her smile, her voice. And her tears. Her bloody tears that never lets me sleep. Kushi Kushi Kushi" Anjali said imitating Arnav in his baritone voice.

He winced

"F*cking great" Arnav muttered under his breath earning a glare from his sister.

"Now go sleep. Since you have accepted your feelings for her, I think you will be able to sleep better than these past few months" Anjali said and Arnav looked up at her in surprise, thinking how she knew he had been having trouble sleeping

"Sleep eluded me since she came into my life" Anjali repeated again imitating Arnav

"Di please" Arnav begged, turning slightly red.

"Aww. My chotte is blushing? I never thought I would be able to see this ever" Anjali said pulling his cheeks playfully

"I'm not blushing" Arnav said gruffly.

Anjali simple ruffled his hair and walked out of his room happily.

Arnav leaned back in his chair and looked at the sky

At the brightly shining star in the sky.

Kushi had said she believed her parents to be up there watching her down.

Baat sacchh ya jhoot ki nahi. Viswaas ki hei, she had said

"Momma. I'm in love. But I think I ruined it all. I hurt her so much. Probably beyond repair. Guide me momma. I can't live without her. I was a fool not realise it soon." he said looking at the bright star.

The star blinked and Arnav felt that his mother just approved of his love and his woman.

He is going to win her back.

No matter what he has to do.

She feels something for him. Else, she would never have opened herself to him on Diwali night.

She is not someone who takes such things casually.

There must be a place for him in her heart. There has to be.

And you broke her heart, a voice inside his head taunted.

A/n

Here goes the next shot.

What do you think Arnav is going to do, now that he has realised his love.

What will be Kushi's reaction to all this??

Please do vote and comment

Love ❤