After Three MonthsNirmala had settled back to Delhi. She didn't live at Malhotra Mansion nor at Tiwari Killa. She had set up her very own apartment. She believed that it wasn't possible for her to reconcile with Ramnath. Though they had agreed to stay together for Shravan and Ram himself had accepted his fault, still, as an independent women, she just couldn't think of staying with that Man again. She indeed had forgiven him but sometimes forgiveness hurts your respect and that wasn't acceptable to her. So, Sumo had got her an apartment which was somewhere in between The Malhotra's and Tiwaaris.
It took a while for Shravan to accept this, but he thought it was for his own good.
Sunday Morning
Since five Sundays, it had become a weekly ritual for Shravan , Suman and Ramnath to have Sunday brunch at Nirmala's place. And today was no different. The four of them were seated at the table. Suman had eventually moved out of her injuries, courtesy the care Shravan took of her. She enjoyed those small moments and all his attention.
Even now, they sat beside each other, occasionally grinning and elbowing.
After the first round of mouth watering food, Nirmala made an announcement.
"We were thinking of Shravan's marriage", she addressed them.
This came as such a big jolt to the duo. Shravan was wide eyed for a long time while Suman tried to think not about it.
"I and Ram Have almost finalised the girl...I hope Shravan, you don't have a choice of your own?"
Sumo's eyes flickered with hope.
"Hmm.. That... No", babbled Shravan.
"Drat! I didn't know I loved a Fattu", thought Suman.
Nirmala got up and returned with a picture.
Shravan, here is the girl, Look.
He took the envelope. Suman's eyes were already shooting daggers at the enclosed picture.
Shravan gingerly slid the envelope to slowly reveal it, heart tightened and eyes twitching. Suman was peeping over his arm to have the first glance of it.
But Shravan let out a gasp as soon as it was seen. He tilted it, away from Suman's glance
"She's so beautiful Mom! I Love Her", he grinned loudly.
Suman had so tightly clutched the Table knife that it looked she was going to kill him any moment with it.
"Thank you so much!", He got up and hugged Nirmala. Ramnath giggled seeing Suman's face.
"Shravan, won't you show Sumo, your to be bride?"
"Yes of course", he winked.
He slowly and lovingly moved towards her and flipped the picture, to show her.
Sumo's face flushed with deep pink. Anger long dissipated , she couldn't form words to speak.
"Aunty!", She pleaded.
"I told you, she was very beautiful!", Popped in Shravan.
Sumo later hugged Nirmala as they both took their blessings.
"I've talked to Tiwari ji," told Nirmala. "He was equally very delighted."
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So ended the long years of darkness and gloom and stood a bright future in front of them. These years had been so eventful, they had gone through almost everything. Thus emerged such a strong knit relation which had withstood all odds. It was only moments before they going to unite, forever.