Chapter 17

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

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Epilogue - "Stand by me"

2 years later

Sumit is pacing the hall nervously, waiting to take one last glance at her before he settles in his seat.

Sai is busy with her group of friends and they are lined up outside the packed auditorium, waiting for the green signal to take up their seats. As the ushers allow them in, Sai spots Sumit, standing at the Guest entrance, a proud smile beaming on his face. She nods, they share an eye contact and both enter to take up their seats. 

Sumit in the family section and Sai in the student section.

The academic procession arrives in the auditorium and the dignitaries take up their positions on the stage.

The entire convocation is heavily choreographed with the students having practised their pauses, nods and poses to exact seconds. Still, a loudest cheer and thunderous claps are heard from a section of the audience when the Chairman's Proficiency Gold Medal is awarded to Dr. Sai Joshi for her all round performance. 

Sumit and Sushila join her friends in resounding claps and Sumit is busy capturing the moment in his mind. His Sai, bowing to receive her medal. The metal shining brilliantly against her chest, complementing the sparkle in her eyes. As she walks away from the dias, a wink and quick flying kiss is what he receives. 

As the convocation ends, friends and family surround Sai and they spend a wonderful time chatting with each other, promising to be in touch with each other and such happenings. Sumit who has been observing this from the sidelines, is happy to see his love, Sai being appreciated all around and his heart feels full. Yet, he quickly catches Sandhya and they go for their secret discussions. 

Sai is eager for the function to end and spend the rest of the day with Sumit, gets irritated a bit when Sandhya drags her with her.

“Sai yaar… Sumit Sir se to tere hi hai… aaj apna last day hai saath main… chal na kahi chalte hai”

“Are par Sandy, mereko Sumit ke saath celebrate karna tha na… thik se mil bhi paai hun main subah se…” She pouts, but it seems to have no effect on anyone.

Aniket joins the chorus,

“Are Sai .. ruk na please… dekh Ajinkya chala jayega US… phir pata nahi kab aayega ye nalayak… aur phir aayega to humse milega bhi ki nahi…”

Sandhya chimes in… “Ek kaam kar… tu jaldi nikal jaa… lekin abhi thodi der ke liye chal”

“Acchha par Sumit ko bolke to aane do” Sai replies half heartedly.

She goes near him and nervously looks at him.

“Vo sab log celebrate karne jaana chahte hai… mujhe bhi leke jaa rahe hai”

Sumit looks at her, in slight indignation,

“To tum hamare saath nahi chalogi… Aai ne tumhare liye sheera banaya tha”

Sai feels sad, she contemplates skipping the reunion, but Sushila consoles her..

“Jaa beta… koi nahi… shaam ko aake khaa lena…”

Sai, still morose, asks, “Pakka na Aai… Aap naraz to nahi ho?”

“Are nahi… jaa jaa… have fun”

Sai looks at Sumit, he doesn't smile and she leaves half heartedly.

As soon as she is out of earshot, he receives a light smack on his head,

“Kyun pareshaan kar raha hai usko… jab tera aur Sandhya ka already plan hai ye sab?”

Sumit chuckles… “Kay Aai… karu de na thodi masti… anyway you both are one team… mujh bechare ko to apna hi handle karna hai”

Sushila chuckles too… “Bada aaya… apna handle karega… chal ab… last minute preparations baki hai”

Sandhya brings Sai to her apartment and they change out of their sarees into something more informal. Sai is surprised to see a brand new shift dress in soft pink Sandhya offers her but which fits her perfectly.

Sandhya avoids questioning when and where did she buy this and they leave for the club.

Only that it's not a club but Sumit ka apartment.

Sai is stunned to say the least, before she can even ask Sandhya what is happening, a blindfold is placed on her eyes by Aniket and they each hold her arms and guide her inside. 

Sai, having accustomed to the design of the house, can make out that they are heading for the terrace. 

As soon as they arrive, the faint music changes, Aniket removes her blindfold and a tap on her shoulder makes her turn around and she sees Sumit next to her. 

Before she can open her mouth for a new question, he holds her hand and pulls her to the centre of the terrace. Lights come on, she sees all her friends and family members assembled and the music starts.

When the night, has come

And the land is dark

And the moon, is the only, light we'll see

No I won't, be afraid

No I won't, be afraid

Just as long, as you stand, stand by me

So darlin', darlin' stand, by me

Oh-oh stand by me

Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me

They slow dance to the tune and Sai catches everyone looking at them with immense love. Her family and friends, those who have always appreciated her and those for whom her happiness matters. 

She sees Devi Tai and Pulkit lightly swaying with each other, Harini a spunky teenager now capturing the moments in her latest mobile. Sai sees her gang, Sandhya, Aniket and Ajinkya… her die hard supporters and who have been through her ups and downs. Sandhya blows a kiss to them and Sai realises she is in on this plan as well. 

Sai chuckles and transfers her attention to the man in front of her. He did not move mountains to be with her but just became the solid rock offering her foundation. A silent supporter always, who unshackled her from her troublesome past and gave her wings. And who is at the moment, so deep in love with her that he has tears in his eyes.

Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand, by me

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

So darlin', darlin', stand, oh-oh, oo-oo, oh-oh

As long as I know I got you right here

Right here by my side

Come on, come on, stand, stand right here

Seeing him like this also brings tears in her eyes, her heart filled with immense love at this specimen of a man. He leans closer, unable to bear his nervousness and whispers in her ears, a question he has been dying to ask.

“Sai… I have waited long enough for this day, I just have to ask you this today… although I do know the answer. Will you do me the honour of gracing my life as my better half and allow me to be yours forever and ever?”

Sai tilts her head back, in half a daze and catches his eyes. Its not that she has not expected this question, but the suddenness of it all shocks her. But then everything about Sumit is like this. He has always been a transparent person, saying what he feels in calculated words and never with deceit. His spontaneity and honesty has always charmed her. Today is no different. She sees the anxiety in her eyes and she almost laughs. He doesn't take a fraction of second to register her mirth, (Oh … how well you know me Mr. Pathak, Sai thinks to himself) but to put him out of his misery, quickly leans in and plants a soft kiss on his cheeks.

Tilting her face away again, she holds his eye contact and replies, “Yes”

An immediate relief washes over him and he pulls her in tightly. The music has by now stopped and the applause brings them back from their euphoria. 

Sumit shows a thumbs up to Sandhya and she squeals her loudest and runs to hug both of them. Sai laughs at her innocence and they are soon joined by Aniket and Ajinkya in a massive group hug.

As they move apart, Sai and Sumit move to Sushila and bend at her feet for her blessings. She wishes them well and plants a kiss on Sai’s forehead and caresses Sumits face. 

“Bas… ye to pehle se hi tumhara tha… aaj se officially ho gaya… Khush raho… ek dusre ko khush rakho.. Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye”

Sai hugs her back and lets go of her tears. Sushila caresses her again and lets her calm down.

Sai and Sumit then move to Devi and Pulkit and once again bow down for their blessings.

“Pulkit Jeeju… aap se mera khoon ka rishta nahi hai…par usse badhkar hai.. Aaj aapki hi dua on ki vajah se main yaha tak aai hun”

“Kaisi baat kar rahi ho tum Sai.. ye thank you speech kabhi aur dena… tumne iss pagle ko haa kardi… ab mera kaam shuru.. Shaadi ki kitni saari tayyariyan jo karni hai. Tension ho raha hai mujhe… Ladkiwala hun main”

Sai laughs again and Devi hugs her. Sai also pulls Pulkit to join them in the hug and Sumit looks at the family picture.

The day ends on a much blissful note.

4 months later

Sai and Sumit are on the stage, receiving guests at their reception party when Virat walks in with Ashwini. He sees them, happy and content, dressed to perfection and looking perfectly alright with each other. 

Virat remembers how he had imagined this, the first time he saw Sai and Sumit together in the cafeteria and chuckles to himself.

He climbs the dias and Sai goes quiet for a moment. Sumit, who has been holding her hand, gives her a gentle squeeze and they wait in an impasse. 

“Acchha baba thike… aaj tumhara din hai.. Pareshan nahi karunga… bahot pyaari lag rahi ho”

Sai smiles hearing this and gives a fist pump to Sumit.

“Dekho maine kaha tha na… main hi jeetungi”

“Tumse kabhi koi haar paaya hai kya?” Sumit replies in mock anger.

Virat chimes in, “Are bas karo.. Apne reception ke din to ye mat karo… anyway… Sai and Sumit… Many Congratulations and Best wishes… I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, good health and success. I have faith in both of you and I know you will do good”

“Thank you Virat Sir” replies Sai courteously

“Thanks Virat… for being so gracious…” replies Sumit, equally formal. 

Virat looks at both of them smugly and all three burst out laughing. Virat and Sumit shake hands, pose for a photo and Virat gets down from the dias.

Observing far from the distance, he looks at them in genuine warmth and pride. His friend, the man who was always better than him and the woman who taught him the facets of life in spite of her young age. They, happy and content, having found a better and perfect other half of each other.

And he, having lost the golden opportunity, has changed himself for good, reveling in the afterglow of the love that was once showered on him. 

Finish!!!

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First of all, so sorry for the delay… I just got extremely busy and lost touch on the story somewhat. So my apologies in advance if this feels too abrupt. Will try to improve the other ones and be consistent in other ones.

Thank you for waiting patiently and loving this.

I had fun writing this and hopefully you all did too.

Song is "Stand by me" by Ben King. Also used in Dildaara from Ra.One.