::IPKKND 1st Anniversary Celebration::

Superficially Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta are very similar. Both hail from Lucknow, both lost their parents at a young age and were then raised by maternal family. However the two dealt with the upheavals in their childhood in markedly different ways. While Khushi grew up in Lucknow valuing religion and relationships, Arnav moved to Delhi where power and money became his markers for success in life.

The first fortuitous meeting between Khushi Kumari Gupta and Arnav Singh Raizada laid the foundation for all of their future meetings; it was accidental, full of misunderstandings and unwanted by both.

The second meeting proved just how similar these two individuals were but in their own ways. Their first meeting, ostensibly on Arnav's home ground in his childhood home and surrounded by press members showed the lengths to which Khushi would go for her family. Their second meeting, now on Khushi's 'home ground' in a religious setting showed just the same of Arnav; a self-proclaimed Atheist but willing to partake in religious activities for his sister.

 Once again, the two clashed and Arnav finally met someone who wouldn't capitulate before his power and status. This act of defiance however would come at price for Khushi. Angered by her insolence Arnav released footage of their disastrous first meeting and Khushi found herself the object of ridicule in her hometown. The incident also facilitated the introduction of Shyam Jha into her life which would result in further catastrophe in her future.

Forced out of Lucknow and into her Buaji's house in Delhi Khushi once again (and quite literally this time) runs into Arnav. Undeterred from their previous altercation Khushi once again stands up for herself and asserts that she will pay for the damages to his car despite Arnav's belief to the contrary and accusations that she is a gold-digger.

 The two meet once again when Khushi unwittingly starts working in Arnav's company to pay off her debt to him and thus began a set of cruel games set out by Arnav to humiliate and humble Khushi. Khushi rose to every challenge set and it was Arnav instead who was humbled. The first embers of attraction began to burn when Arnav saw Khushi dressed in a saree of his favourite colour and he was forced to accept that she wasn't as uneducated as he had first presumed. After saving Khushi from a speeding car Arnav experienced his first pangs of guilt and briefly questioned his actions.

However this was not the only instance in which Arnav's actions put Khushi's life in danger. When Khushi inadvertently mentions Arnav's girlfriend Lavanya to his Nani he orders her to work offsite unaware that the building is on the verge of collapse. Arnav arrives in time to save Khushi but unwilling to work for a boss who doesn't value her life Khushi quits and plans to move back to Lucknow.

 While Arnav and Khushi both feel restless at the thought of parting but unsure as to why destiny continues to bring them together and on Teej Khushi's fast was broken unwittingly by Arnav providing the first indicator of their future relationship.

Having found admirers of her upbringing the Raizada family Khushi is invited into their home to train Arnav's girlfriend into becoming a suitable daughter-in-law. While Arnav is unwilling to have Khushi in his house once again they both show their willingness to bear burdens for their family. Khushi accepts the position of 'teacher' in order to pay her father's debts while Arnav agrees to the plan to appease his sister.

 This phase would be the most important in Arnav and Khushi's relationship. Khushi began to see the 'Arnav' behind the 'ASR' facade when she witnessed his love for his sister as well as his compassion for a young child. Arnav in turn would witness Khushi's compassion for others, good nature and her general child-like wonder with the world. Arnav even swallows his pride long enough to apologize to Khushi when he realises he has misunderstood her empathy about his parents for pity. However his opinion of her as a meddling gold-digger prevailed while Khushi continued to lament over Arnav's casual approach to relationships.

The first instance of attraction on Khushi's side comes when she brings Arnav and Lavanya back together after they break up. On an occasion when she should have been happy Khushi found herself crying at the sight of Arnav and Lavanya hugging. Over the following days as Khushi tested out her new found emotions Arnav found himself increasingly and amused by her weird behaviour.

 It was after their failed trip to Nainital that Arnav found himself questioning his attachment to Khushi once again. He was concerned for her health when she fell ill and enraged by a thug daring to hit Khushi but failed to understand why and once again pushed Khushi away.

When they return to Delhi, Khushi is distraught by the news of her father's hospitalisation and finds herself seeking comfort in Arnav when she rushes to hug him. Arnav who is still questioning his attachment to Khushi fails to hug her back and the two fall back into an awkward but slightly more aware relationship.

In the period that follows Arnav's changed reactions to Khushi can be seen when he furtively provides her with two silver coins she wanted and brushes over a favourite vase that Khushi inadvertently breaks. Khushi herself now under pressure to get engaged to Shyam finally realises that the increase of heartbeat and awareness she feels around Arnav could possibly be love.

 The two then share many intimate moments culminating on Diwali night when unable to deny his attraction any longer Arnav almost kisses Khushi. Angered by his lack of control and the various emotions that Khushi makes him feel Arnav announces his engagement to Lavanya and lies to Khushi that she means nothing to him.

Arnav and Khushi once again plan to separate and never meet each other again and Khushi hurt by Arnav's dismissal of the moments between them agrees to marry Shyam. However as always they can never stay apart and Arnav finds comfort in Khushi's presence when he is upset after talking about his mother with Anjali.

Upon learning that Khushi is engaged Arnav once again begins a set of games intending to force Khushi into admitting her feelings for him. Once again however he's forced to put an abrupt end to his games, unable to stand Khushi's tears against his taunts.

...continued  below