Chapter 47

Chapter 44-Amrit

The night was still young.He could technically still leave and no one would bother, especially when the spotlight shone on his little sister.The Brars certainly knew how to throw a part he realised.As it turned out ,the actual announcement was scheduled to take place inside the house ,attended by a select bunch of guests,followed by a number of onstage events outside ,including a giddha competition which was open to all the guests who had passes.

He was thoroughly confused by this whole ordeal and found it rather excessive .His sister ,on the other hand ,had burst into laughter when she got to know of the itinerary.

"Veerji,looks like Inder veerji's idea paid off after all."

He had blinked causing her to elaborate.

"Veerji,this announcement is not just a get together for everyone.It's also a great marketing opportunity.By providing exclusive guest passes we can expand the market to the general public as well.Moreover, the cultural performances and the competition can serve as additional incentives to attend."

This was a rather creative avenue, he had to admit.Unorthodox, but creative and shockingly feasible,well worth the costs.Before long,his mother and Akaal Singh Brar made the announcement,and his sister was now the chairperson of the Brar-Babbar empire.He couldn't be prouder of her he thought as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

He suddenly realised he would miss her a lot.Not only her,but the little family they had managed to build together with their mother and Pammi.His heart ached as he thought of Pammi.While he didn't love her,not the way he had Vikrant,he could still profess to care for her.Both heart broken,they had managed to become each other's rock.In a different lifetime,they would have been soul mates but in this life,they were fated to be each other's person.

To his amusement,despite being swamped by people flocking to congratulate her, Gurleen seemed to be searching for one person in the room.The said person was standing with Prabhjyot Kaur Brar and never had he seen a prouder man.When their eyes met she flashed a brilliant smile before turning a bright red.Amrit shook his head in exasperation.Something was definitely cooking there.

His eyes met his mother's across the room.She had seen the little exchange as well and seemed to be struggling to control her laughter.He would miss all of this ,their casual banter ,the teasing,the tears and the fights.One by one,everyone was leaving the nest and despite not admitting it,everyone knew their household wouldn't be the same again.

After six months,Gurleen would be in Brar mansion,Pammi in Amritsar and he and their mother in Calcutta.Their little house filled with memories would remain empty,left to gather as memories of a sarangi haunted the walls.His only consolation was the presence of Maitri di and his mom who would accompany him.

It took a while for his sister to extricate herself from the crowd and reach him.He wordlessly pulled her into a hug,a single action conveying a thousand emotions.He knew that both of them were crying badly but he didn't care.Soon they were joined by their mother and Pammi .

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"Amrit,"he whipped around,his heart stopping at the voice,a voice he had carved into his memories and a voice he hadn't heard in over a decade.

"Vikrant" ,he whispered.

He yearned to tussle his hair and caress his face,yet propriety stopped him.Both of them were married to other people now.He no longer had a right over him.

"May we talk for a while?"

He nodded,his throat dry.They proceeded to the garden where the cultural performances were on in full swing.They stood under a tree and watched the crowd.

"Amrit,how have you been?"

"Really fine,never been happier."he nearly choked on his words.

Vikrant nodded before gazing back into the distance.

"Gurleen has grown into a beautiful young woman.You and Pammi have raised her well.It's hard to believe that the little girl who once filled your socks with flour is now one of the most influential people in Punjab.She'll go a long way, mark my words."

Amrit nodded silently.A young boy came running up to them,right into Vikrant's arms.

"My son ,"he gestured."His name is Amrit."

"Oh"

His head was spinning.Nothing made sense.

Vikrant smiled at his confusion.

"I know things ended on a sour note between us but it doesn't change the fact that you were my first love.You taught me what it was to love someone with every iota.How can I ever forget that?I forgave you a long time ago and I have moved on ;so should you.The circumstances back then were beyond our control,please don't dwell on your bitter past,you need to look towards the future.I just want you to be happy and get closure.I hope we see each other soon."

And he walked off,leaving him behind.His emotions were a mess,something too painful to untangle.He worried he'd break if he so much as touched them.He saw his sister in the distance,talking to her fiance.He was holding her hands and he seemed to be crying.Atleast,she should get her happy ending,he thought.

His shoulders shook and a strangled sob escaped him.He felt a hand in his.Pammi had come ,tears in her eyes.No doubt she had talked to Inder,he thought darkly.He finally gave himself permission to break and the two of them collapsed on the grass,crying like they had never done before.