Chapter 15 - Gratitude and Love

Playground

Ayaan's blood boils when he see Rohan with Vikas. Ayaan moves towards Rohan and is about to hold his collar.

Vikas defended by coming as barrier between Rohan and Ayaan.

Ayaan - "Move aside, Vikas."

Vikas - "Can't you see two sportsmen talking?"

Ayaan - "I know what is going on between you two."

Vikas - "What is going on?"

Ayaan stammers, "I know he is threatening you."

Vikas - "Stop making useless assumptions and create scene. And remember, Vikas is not the guy who fears people's threatenings. Neither you, Mr. Naveen Basu nor anyone."

Ayaan - "Mind your behavior, Ayaan. It's public."

Vikas - "If someone see from far, do public feel that I should mind my behavior or you?"

Vikas moves Ayaan's hands from Rohan's shoudlers.

Ayaan growls and leaves from there rapidly in his car.

Rohan - "How rude!"

Vikas - "Me or him?"

Rohan - "Both. I feel it's better to approach police."

Vikas - "But there should be a soild evidence to investigate someone like Mr. Naveen Basu."

Rohan - "We shall look for it."

Vikas - "I hope justice is served for my friend and you."

Rohan - "Yes."

Rohan and Vikas shook their hands.

***

Two days later

Dimple-Arjun's reception

Arjun and Dimple are busy receiving gifts from the guests and posing for the photos. Soumya and Rudra are looking at them from the seating area.

Soumya casts the evil eye from the couple, "So adorable, right?"

Rudra - "We'd be more adorable when our wedding happen."

Soumya - "That's the fact. Better you start talking to your parents."

Rudra - "And you did everything for me, right. Since you Janvi aunty and Shraddha aunty, it's enough. Let them initiate the conversation."

Soumya - "Rudra is Rudra only."

Rudra - "Any doubts?"

Soumya - "Never."

Soumya hugged Rudra from sideward. Rudra kissed her forehead.

Rudra - "By the way, Nandini didi talked to Pishimaa about Rajveer bhaiyya. And Pishimaa accepted the relationship."

Soumya - "I'm glad. Maa-beti suffered a lot in these years. Now they deserve only happiness."

Rudra - "Even my bhai and Romi too deserve happiness. Some idiot has drugged Rohan bhaiyya which could potentially affect his career. While Romi's heart was broken by me."

Soumya - "You don't worry. Both will get the best."

Rudra - "I believe in that."

Soumya - "Shall we take a picture with the newly weds?"

Rudra - "Yeah."

Rudra takes the gift from his bag. Soumya and Rudra moves to the stage.

Rudra shook hands with Arjun and Soumya hugged Dimple.

Rudra and Soumya - "Hope you stay happy as always."

Arjun and Dimple smiled.

Arjun - "I wish you the same. You people look so adorable together. And your relationship should progress every year. Keep that in mind."

Soumya and Rudra nodded.

Dimple - "Whatever is the circumstances, don't lose your hope on love. Believe your love over other external factors."

Soumya hugged Dimple, Rudra and Arjun smiled.

***

After the ceremony closure

Ishaan has assembled all the staff members in the hall. 

Ishaan - "I'm extremely happy that this wedding was really successful and it had become a breakthrough in our Event management company. We got two new projects and that had to be started very soon. We got many pre-bookings as well due to this event."

Everyone clapped their hands.

Ishaan - "Everyone had contributed equally for the success in the project. So our company had decided for a pay hike for everyone from this event."

Everyone got happy and clapped their hands.

Ishaan - "I am expecting the same amount of passion from you all in the future as well. And give a special applause to Rudra for managing a few discrepancies very gracefully without hurting anyone."

Everyone applauded Rudra as well.

Rudra smiled and blushed. He felt very proud of doing something on his own. He feels the beauty of hardwork and pay hike.

Ishaan - "So yeah, you can sleep now. Tomorrow afternoon 4PM, our flight has been booked. We have to leave early at least by 5AM. Good night all."

The crowd dispersed.

 Rudra's phone got notified. He jumps in joy as he recieved the salary in his bank amount. He jumps in joy and calls Soumya.

Soumya - "Hello Rudra..."

Rudra - "Soumya, have you taken your dinner?"

Soumya - "No, I'm going to."

Rudra - "Don't go. Wait for me."

Soumya - "Rudra, I am starving now."

Rudra - "Starve for some more time. Please..."

Soumya - "What?"

Rudra - "I mean, wait for some more time. We are going out."

Soumya - "What? really? Tomorrow I have to wake up early to submit reports."

Rudra - "Don't worry. I'll land you before 10 PM."

Soumya - "Okay. I'll wait."

Rudra comes to Soumya's hostel in his bike. Soumya comes.

Soumya - "Rudra, my stomach is making weird sounds."

Rudra - "Nautanki kahinki... Today I am going to take you for dinner."

Soumya - "Wow, really?"

Rudra - "Yes. Not only dinner. There are few more."

Soumya - "Wow... Upon hearing dinner, my stomach is making more sound. Please go fast."

Rudra - "Oh come on. You have to wait a lot. Hold me tightly. I'm going to start the bike."

Soumya - "What?"

Rudra starts his bike and the bike moves blazing the air.

Rudra took Soumya to a juice shop.

Soumya - "Juice is your special dinner. You don't know Soumya. Soumya being hungry is equal to Soumya being angry."

Rudra - "I know that. That's why I get you here. Have some juice first. So that your stomach won't make any noise till the dinner."

Soumya - "What the hell!"

Soumya orders two Mango milkshakes for herself and two chocolate milkshake for Rudra.

After having the drink, Rudra took Soumya to a Textile store.

Rudra - "Select whatever dress you like, Soumya."

Soumya hugged Rudra and kissed his cheeks, "So cute of you, Rudra."

Soumya kept various dresses on her and shows to Rudra. Rudra found her beautiful in all the attires.

Soumya - "Which one is looking better?"

Rudra picked a few.

Rudra - "You look beautiful in all the attires. But I want to see you in Red Velvet."

Soumya - "But you picked all the red velvet dress. All are looking beautiful. What should I select?"

Rudra picked one.

Soumya - "You have a very good taste. Let me try this and then we shall pack it up."

Soumya tried the attire and comes in front of Rudra. 

Rudra's heart skipped a beat upon seeing her beauty supported by a elegant red velvet dress.

Rudra - "I am speechless."

Soumya blushed.

Soumya - "I too liked this. Let's pack this."

Soumya and Rudra selected dresses for Rohan, Nandini, Tej, Anjali and Kalyani.

Rudra paid the bill and comes out of the shop.

Rudra took Soumya to a local dhaba. 

Soumya - "I am glad you have common sense to use your first salary in a dhabha insteaf of some 5-star hotel."

Rudra - "I used to have more common sense. I lost in between because birds of same feather flock together. Today I got it though."

Soumya hits Rudra with her hand-bag. Rudra laughed and defended.

Rudra - "Let us order small amount Biriyani first. So we shall have more space to have non-veg dishes. Then we shall have more amount of non-veg dish. Then we shall order a Bucket Chicken Biriyani."

Soumya - "Nice idea. Start it."

Rudra and Soumya had a king-sized feast.

Soumya and Rudra walked on the road. Both couldn't walk because of their fully-filled stomach.

Rudra - "My tongue needs more food but my stomach doesn't."

Soumya - "God designed our body in a same way."

Rudra - "Are you happy?"

Soumya - "Yes Rudra. I am happy whenever I am with you."

Rudra - "I am happy because you are with me. Without you, I wonder what I would be doing."

Soumya saw a lantern shop where people are buying lanterns and flying it in air.

Soumya - Rudra, let's go there. Let us fly a lantern."

Rudra and Soumya go to the shop and buys a lantern. 

Both of them set it out in the air.

Soumya - "I believe that you'd be doing something right if I am not there, Rudra."

Rudra - "You are believing me blindly."

Soumya - "Because love is blind."

Rudra - "No. Love will give you vision."

Soumya - "True though."

Rudra - "I'd promise today that I'd keep you more happy than however happy you're today. I'd clear all my arrears and debts and marry you."

Soumya - "And you won't be alone till then, Rudra. I'd be with you. Always."

Rudra and Soumya hold each other's hands.

 ***

2 days later

Next day

Rudra's house

Rudra enters his house. Anjali, Nandini, Tej and Kalyani are standing there. Everyone is happy to see him. Kalyani hugged him crying.

Kalyani - "I missed you a lot, beta."

Rudra - "I missed you too, Dadi. But don't worry, I will be with you always. I brought something as well."

Nandini takes aarti for Rudra. Rudra takes blessings from Nandini, Tej and Kalyani.

Tej - "Keep it up, Rudra. I am happy that you are working on your life."

Nandini - "God always bless you, Rudra. Hope you shine more in future."

Anjali kissed Rudra's cheeks.

Anjali - "Afterall you're my bhai. Don't lose your cuteness amidst chasing success."

Rudra - "Di, there is a chipkali in your shoulder."

Anjali screams and checks her shoulders. Rudra laughed louder.

Anjali - "Rudra, I won't leave you today."

Lafzon ka Yeh Rishta Nahi song plays from Ishqbaaaz

Lafzon ka ye rishta nahiLafzon ka ye rishta nahiSadiyon ka ye hai waastaHai rooh ka raabtaNa ab kabhi nazdeekiyon ki fiza yeAaaye na doori dilon meinKarti hai aankein dua yehKoi khusi ho gum hoKahi jyada kam ho..Koi khusi ho gum hoKahin jyada kam hoBaatenge jo ho ata

Rudra runs as Anjali chase him. As Rohan is standing, Rudra hides behind him.

Rudra - "Bhaiyya, save me from didi."

Anjali - "Rohan, you should not save him today."

Rohan pinches Rudra's eyes and bring him to Anjali. Anjali pinched his other ear. Rudra screamed. Tej laughed and released him from Rohan and Anjali. Rudra hugged Nandini.

Rudra - "Pishimaa... I love you always. You are there for my support. Rohan bhai, you always support me. But now..."

Rohan - "I would have supported you today but you didn't give me the bro hug. Neither you asked me whereabouts. I was hearing it all."

Rudra pouts and pulled his ears.

Rohan smiled upon seeing his expressions.

Rudra suddenly lifted Rohan and started rolling, "Bhai, now you are okay."

Rohan - "Okay baba... Leave me down. I feel dizzy."

Rudra let him down and hugged Rohan tightly.  Anjali, Nandani, Kalyani and Tej joined the group hug.

****

Soumya's house

Soumya is showing all the photographs that Rudra and she had taken in the wedding and also the journey.

Janvi - "A beautiful love story started in the 18 days."

Ashwin - "What is in this? Our love story started in 18 minutes when you poured juice on my pants."

Janvi  - "Hssshhh..."

Soumya - "Baba... You told me that you had an arranged marriage. But something else happened."

Ashwin - "She poured juice on me when my family came to her house for seeking alliance. But arranged marriage turned into a love marriage."

Shraddha - "Yes. I was the cupid for Ashwin and Janvi as well."

Soumya - "Aww... Pishimaa... Because of you, I am born in the universe."

Janvi - "Oh come one... Don't butter your Pishimaa... She is my lovely sister-in-law."

Soumya - "I have something else too."

Soumya takes the dress from the cover which was presented by Rudra.

Soumya - "How is this?"

Prem (Shraddha's son) - "It looks great."

Soumya - "Rudra's choice."

Ashwin - "Wow. Rudra brought you this?"

Soumya nodded.

The door bell rang.

Shraddha opened the door and see Romi standing over there.

Romi - "Aunty, Shall I see Soumya now?"

***

Rudra's house

Rudra is showing the dresses he bought for his family to them. They loved the dresses and they are so happy for the progress in Rudra's life.

The door bell was rang.

Romi and Soumya were standing as Nandini opened the door. Nandini asked both of them come inside.

Rudra is shocked to see Romi and it added when Soumya is with him.

Soumya and Romi takes blessings from the elders of the family.

Romi took Rudra to his room.

Soumya sits with the family.

Rohan - "I hope the outcome is fruitful. It would be difficult for Rudra that Romi would be his sister-in-law."

Soumya - "Don't worry, bhaiyya. It would be fruitful. Rudra will understand."

Tej - "Only two days before, Rohan and Romi revealed this to us and Romi's family. We don't have any problems with this alliance because Roys like Rohan a lot and we like Romi very much. But the barrier is Rudra and Romi's past relationship."

Soumya - "I'm happy for Rohan bhai and Romi. Rudra was actually praying that Romi should get the best partner. And his wish was fulfileld as Rohan bhai is the best. Rudra too knows that."

Nandini - "But it is difficult."

Soumya and Rohan - "But it is not impossible."

"You're right," says Rudra coming from his room. 

Rudra comes with Romi and he joined Romi and Rohan's hands together.

Rudra - "There won't be any hindrance in your relationship."

Rohan hugged Rudra.

Rohan - "Thank you Rudra."

Rudra - "No need to thank me, bhaiyya. By the way, you have given me the shock so now I'm giving the shock to you all."

Everyone is looking at Rudra,

Rudra - "Soumya and I are loving each other."

Everyone is shocked and looks at Soumya. Soumya nodded. 

Soumya - "Yes. I'm loving Rudra. In fact I am loving him since long... But now only we could reciprocate our feelings for each other. I know that you cannot accept it easily but..."

Tej - "Soumya beta. No need for any explanation. I trust your choice more than Rudra's choice because you are very sensible. If you feel Rudra is good for you, then there should be a reason."

Soumya - "Thanks uncle."

Rudra and Soumya hugged Tej.

Rohan - "I am happy for you both."

Romi - "Congratulations guys."

Anjali hugged Soumya and Rudra. 

Nandini - "Soumya, Rudra is immature and might be impulsive too. But he is very good at heart. Please take care of him."

Soumya nodded and hugged Nandini.

Anjali - "It is no less than your house now, Soumya."

Soumya smiled.

Tej - "Rudra, Soumya is first my bahu and then only she is your wife. Okay?"

Lafzon Ka Yeh Rishta Nayi plays from Ishqbaaaz

Everyone laughed. Rudra and Soumya hugged Tej. Rohan, Romi, Anjali, Nandini and Kalyani joined the hug.

To be ended in the next chapter