SanDhir FF: Espresso Love (Ch.39 P.111 Dec.02) - Page 69

PART TWENTY NINE A - OLD BREW

"Hi Uncle, hi Aunty!" Parth smiled as he entered the house. "Jeete raho," they said as he touched their feet. I scoffed; so typical of him. We headed to the living room, but he pulled me back.

"Who's that?" he asked, pointing with his eyes to the two other people who had joined us. "I thought this was supposed to a formal dinner... to discuss us," he looked confused. I put my arms around him and pecked his lips, "It is!"

Taking his hand in mine, I led him to the living room as the two unknown figures turned around to face us. "Mom, dad? What are you doing here? When'd you come?" he hugged them, evidently surprised.

He turned to me and I just smiled in response.

--

--

I took a deep breath in, not able to put my happiness into words. "You called them, didn't you?" I asked her. She just smiled and took me inside the kitchen. "We'll be right back guys," she told our families, and I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but the look she gave to her mother held some sort of meaning. But she didn't give me much time to ponder upon it.

Taking my hand into hers, she kissed it. "I was just scared that things were going too fast. Even though I knew you were the one for me, I was afraid one of us would mess it up."

I raised an eyebrow, "Okay fine, I was scared I'd mess it up. But that's what I do Parth! I screw things up! I'm impulsive, hot-headed, easily angered. I didn't trust myself. But now I've finally stopped worrying."

"Are you ready? I don't want to rush you Vidu," but she didn't let me continue.

On her tip-toes, she put her hands around my face. "But baby I'm sure now! I've never been happier, or more satisfied with my life. Knowing you are with me in every step I take makes me want to get up in the morning! I want to feel this way every moment of my life now Parth."

I stood there, tears threatening to spill. For once in my life, I was absolutely spell-bounded. Enough to leave me speechless.

She chuckled, a small crack in her voice accompanying her laughter. "Say something Parth?!"

I let out the breath of air I didn't realize I was holding back; "I've always known this was it Vidu! I'm just glad we are finally on the same page now! You have no idea just how long I've waited to hear you say that!"

She turned around and opened the fridge, "Well that's always very encouraging!" But I didn't understand the implication until I saw her go down on her knee, putting forth a box she took out of the fridge. "Marry me?" she sweetly said, a strange sparkle in her eyes and a charming nervousness on her lips.

I stood there, dumbfounded, for a second. Was this really happening?

"Say yes, say yes!!" our parents chimed from the back. Vidushi chuckled, though with teary eyes. I knelt down to meet her level and wiped her tears. "Do you even need to ask?" I took the ring and put it on her, a loud string of congratulatory applause erupting from around us. "I love you babe!" I took her hands in mind and kissed her. I could see the background figures stepping outside laughing and felt myself smile against her lips. "I love you too Parth!"

--

--

"Hey Avantika, can you do me a favour? I need to speak with the executives of our south branch."

"Yes sure, I'll connect your line. But before that, I have a very impatient friend waiting to speak to you on the phone."

"Vidushi isn't it?"

She smiled, "As always!"

"Okay connect me to her first, and then the executives. As I speak with Vidushi, I'd like you to ask for internal reports from that branch, yea?"

"Sure Sir, I'll do that."

I entered the office and picked up the call. "Mr. Randhir Singh Shekhawat! Where have you been the entire morning?"

"Oh it's not like I run a corporation or anything," I commented, quite sarcastically. But that was often the language we shared so it was nothing new.

"Listen, I have big news!!!!" she sounded like a little kid jumping in excitement. "Did you finally get the promotion?"

"Nopeee," she squealed. "Guess who just proposed todayy..." I could feel her beaming with happiness through the phone, and even though a part of me felt a little sad, I was really happy for her. "No way!! When did he propose?? Wow, congratulations Viduu!"

"Hold on, who said he proposed?" I could just hear the "sass" in her voice, as she often phrased it. I smirked; "Oh my god. Vidushi Kumar, you never fail to amuse me!"

"So tonight, we are having a small party at around 6pm, and I'm expecting you to drag your ass over without any excuses, got it?"

She was pretty feisty for a five-feet-one girl, "Got it Ma'am! See you then! Congratulations once again Vidushi. I'm really happy for both of you! You really do deserve the best!"

"Thank you Randhir!"

I put the phone down and smiled to myself. I had always known Parth and Vidu shared a connection unlike others, sort of like something I had with Sanyukta. And at last, they are happy and, most importantly, together.

I signalled Avantika to connect the second call and resumed my work.

--

--

"Sanyuuu," Parth screamed over the phone, evidently happy. "You have to come over tonight!"

"What happened?" I smiled, his happiness was so contagious. "You sound happier than I've ever before!"

"Something special happened... But come over, I want to tell you personally!!!"

"Okay okay, I'll try to come. But I'll be late, is that fine?"

"Yea of course, take your time. Bring the little guy too, Vidu would love to meet him." I paused at his suggestion; "Randhir? I'm assuming he'll be there. I don't know if it's a good idea for me to be there, let alone Riaan."

--

--

Her voice held a tone of sadness. "I know he'll be there, but this is important for me. I'm sure he will understand. If it gets uncomfortable at any point, I promise I won't force you to stay, okay?"

I heard her smile, though I know she wasn't entirely happy. "See you tonight Parth!"

"Bye Sanyu!"

I knew Randhir and Sanyukta hadn't met in the last few months, but I figured they could sort their issues, or at least ignore them, for one night. It was a special night, and I knew I was being selfish, but I didn't want either one of them to be missing. They were the family that kept me alive in my darkest days, and I couldn't bear to not have them in my life anymore.

It was selfish of me, but I also knew that they needed to give each other a chance. Now was the time. Maybe I could even put my plan to action.

Scroll Down for Chapter 29B!!

After getting ready, my parents and I once again left for Vidushi's house where we were holding a small gathering for just close ones.

Our parents sat in the living room, conversing amongst one another, while I stole Vidushi away for a bit and took her to the balcony. We sat on the swing, her hand in my hand, and just absorbed the moment. We didn't need words, we didn't need talks; we just needed each other.

"I have never felt so complete in my life before Vidushi, thank you for making me feel this way!" I caressed her cheek and kissed her, pouring out my heart in that one kiss. "Parth, I have always been a career-oriented woman. But when you came into my life, everything was kicked out of place. I think that's why we never worked out back then. But you know what, it is only now that I realized I never needed to choose between either of you!" She kissed my fingers, "You make me feel like a silly girl in love without treating me like one!"

I put my arm around her shoulder, on which she rested her head. We spent nearly half an hour just sitting on the swing, until I received a call.

"Hey, what's up?"

Vidushi looked at me, asking who called, "Sanyu!" I whispered. "Ohhh..."

"You are coming right?" I asked while putting her on speaker.

"Actually I ended 10 minutes later than planned and so I missed the bus, and the next one is after 45 minutes. Then I'll pick Riaan up from the babysitter's place, and only after that will I be able to come over to Vidushi's. Is that fine? I know it's really late but I didn't think I'd miss this bus!"

She really sounded dejected; but Vidu piped in, "Hey Sanyu! Don't worry about it! We want you here okay?"

"Hi Vidushi!" she said (with a smile, I was sure). "I'm so sorry for holding you guys up though!"

"No worries at all! In fact, one of us can pick Riaan up right?" she asked me. "Oh yea, for sure. We'll do that so you are just responsible for bringing yourself over, cool?"

"Thank you guys!!"

"No problem. Okay then, see you soon?"

"Yep, very soon! Bye!"

--

--

I splashed some cold water on my face before heading out, wanting to mask some of the tiredness away from sight. Once satisfied with myself, I walked to the car and headed to Vidushi's. She finally knows he's the one! I smiled to myself. I remember the conversation we had right after Parth asked her to meet his parents, which was surprisingly just 2 weeks back.

--

"Randhir, we have a problem!"

"What's up?" I casually asked while pouring some wine for the two of us. "He wants me to meet his parents!" she said, her face hidden in her hands. I couldn't stop myself from chuckling out loud, only to receive a deathly stare in return. "Okay fine, I'll stop. But Vidu, what's the big deal? If you aren't ready, then just tell him!"

She exhaled loudly, "You guys don't get it! It's a level of commitment I don't think I'm ready for! I have so much to achieve in my life still, I can't be tied down. And you? Out of everyone, you should be the last one to say What's the big deal?'."

I put the glass down, "Okay listen to me. You and I both know Parth isn't someone who will ever tie you down! So don't give me that crap. What's the real reason behind your worry?"

"I don't know... It just feels like I'm going to eventually be pressurized into committing more and more, and next thing you know, I'm pregnant and I have to take a mat-leave for which I probably will have to give up my position, and perhaps even my pending promotion."

"Vidushi, are you listening to yourself? If you've forgotten, let me remind you, he's the same person from college! I can't say anything about him that you don't know. But just know that you aren't being fair to him with this! It's different if you aren't ready, but your reasoning isn't the right way to go about it."

--

Later that evening, she had sent me a "Thanks Randhir baba for your wonderful advice!" She had taken Parth out for dinner where she let her concerns and insecurities out in the open. And of course I was right. She had heard it from both of us for her stupidness that night, I chuckled, remembering her pouting face.

I had reached her home by now. Fixing the gift wrapping, I rang the bell.

"Shekhawat, is this the time to come?" she threw an angry look, obviously feigning it.

"Kumar, I thought I'd give you guys some privacy," I smirked, adding a shameless wink to turn the one in front of me even redder than she was. "Shut up you idiot, our parents are here too!"

I laughed as I handed her the gift. "Congratulations Vidushi!" I hugged her. "I'm really so happy for the two of you! Where's the lucky man?"

"Right behind you!" a voice, I recognized as Parth, said. And so I turned.

But the first person I saw was... "Riaan?"