Love Me Like You Do

Do you know who spilled the milk?

"What? I never lost all games." Sheetal defended.

"Right. Only the ones against me."

Anjali probed for more anecdotes. Whenever Sheetal said anything, Arnav taunted her failures at everything.

Khushi was enjoying this. Arnav was clearly not fond of Sheetal for lying about many things and he was taking every jibe he could get. When Nk would defend Sheetal, Arnav would roll his eyes.

Soon, Anjali was pissed. "Chhote, bas bohot hua. Jab se ye aayi hain, tum aise kar rahe ho. Is this a way to behave with guest? She's your friend na." (Translation: Chhote, that's enough. Stop behaving like this.)

"Whatever." Arnav got up and left. Khushi knew it was no use talking to him.

"Sheetal ji, please don't mind. He's like this only. Always has to be best in everything. So if people have shortcomings, he is quick to point it out."

Khushi saw Anjali take a sharp breath, surprised at Khushi's open insult.

"I know that already. I spent four years in college with him. He's not changed at all. I don't mind it." Sheetal shook her her with a smile.

"But you're mistaken then. He is not the Arnav he was eight years back." Khushi made sure to hint her about the gap years. "He believes in love, in relationships. He has matured a lot from being an emotionless ruthless businessman. He has matured a lot because of love. But yes, he's still the same to everyone except family. So, to you he hasn't changed at all. But the family knows how much he has changed. Hai na, Di?" Khushi looked at Anjali for the support.

Anjali, who was again surprised at Khushi being so vocal about Arnav's transformation, nodded. "It's true Sheetal ji. Khushiji has changed him a lot. And all for the better." She giggled.

***

Arnav heard Aarav coming into his room. "ASR!"

"Hey! Out here!"

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?"

"B... Anjali aunty said as you're here I can ask if I can come to garden."

"Of course. You never need to ask permission again. You can come in here whenever you want."

"Really ASR?"

"Really."

"Thank you!" Aarav hugged him and Arnav couldn't help but smile at the kid's innocence.

"Why do you like plants so much?" Arnav asked.

"When I was in orphanage me and my friends used to tend to the plants there."

Arnav was shocked to see him admit to being in orphanage. He controlled his initial reaction. "Aarav, are you adopted?"

Aarav nodded, now gone silent. "When Mumma came, she said she can take care of me now. So I don't have to stay in Ashram. I am not adopted. Mumma is my mother only. She told me."

Arnav tried to gauge the extent of lies fed to this child. "So, she came back for you? That's good, na."

"I was angry that Mumma and Dad left me. But she said Dad was not responsible enough to take care of me, so he left me in Ashram. She tried to find me and finally she did."

Arnav hugged him. This child was expecting a lying cheating lady to be his mother. Why was the world cruel to innocent creatures?

"You're a good boy. Never trouble your Mumma like yesterday, okay? Take care of your health so she worries less. Promise me?"