SS- Goodbye Shravan-Epilogue updated on page 61

The car was moving ahead swiftly and I was busy looking out of the window.

I had always enjoyed drives, not the very long ones, but definitely the ones long enough to allow me a dip into my thoughts.

I turned sideways to look at my husband of 1 month happily enjoying himself at the wheels, Rishabh Khuranna, my senior in school and dad's best friend's son. Our alliance was more of a dream of our fathers and was literally presented to us, gift wrapped and all.

Rishabh was a rising politician, a youth icon and literally had the whole country's eyes on him, with that lineage, money and qualifications, he was the hope of his party and also a heartthrob of many young girls..he was a gorgeous looking guy, really.

And tonight in that black Versace suit, he was dressed to kill. We were on our way to a wedding anniversary party of our friends. .the Dutts as they were known in our circle. Rishabh was humming his favourite tune while driving and I couldn't help looking at him again. ..its rare that you find everything in the same man, good looks, great wit, a good family name, free flowing wealth and a degree from one of the finest universities in the world, it's rare that you find someone like Rishabh and even rarer that you find someone better than him except that I did, and loved, and lost..Shravan Malhotra.

'Finally here we are..phew' said Rishabh jolting me out of my trance as he pulled up the driveway of the venue. I gave him a small smile and started unbuckling my seat belt. I had just reached for the door handle when I saw it being opened for me.

Oh yeah..my husband was chivalrous as well.

He took my hand in his and we started walking towards the venue. 'You're looking gorgeous tonight wifey. .Red seriously suits you..Oh the ideas I am getting right now' he whispered huskily into my ears. The words had their effect and I turned a shade pinker. He laughed at that and I smiled seeing him happy. I always knew that I was fairly good looking, but the way Rishabh used to look at me with those adoring eyes , invariably made me feel like the most beautiful woman to ever have existed. I have consistently wondered what was it that never allowed me to be his completely. My mind was his, my body most certainly was and my heart...well almost. A tiny part of my heart still hurt though..Did Risbabh ever notice that void?

Shravan. .why was I thinking of him so much today..when will I stop, I groaned mentally.

As we entered, I was mesmerised to see the arrangements. It was an outdoor party and the whole place was lit up with fairy lights, there were these tiny diyas floating on the little pond in the centre and beautiful earthen lanterns were hanging down the branches of the trees around with little lit diyas inside and also a beautiful rangoli was drawn near the dais. It was a sparkling sight to behold.

As I walked inside still admiring the decor, I could see Mr.Dutt and his wife rushing towards us grinning widely and with arms outstretched. 'Rishabh, bhabhi ji swagat hai aap dono ka, I am so glad that you both could make it to our 5th anniversary party' Mr.Dutt spoke in a single breath while shaking hands with Rishabh , while Mrs.Dutt nodded her head vigorously in affirmative. Mrs.Dutt or Rita as I called her gently nudged my elbow and whispered 'By the way S..I must tell you this, all of us at the club always discuss how you seem to be glowing with each passing day, marriage seems to be agreeing with you eh?' I just shrugged and gave her a formal smile.

I mean S...like seriously, what's with this new trend of calling people with the first letter of their name? How tough could uttering a five letter name possibly be, I thought to myself.

Rishabh spotted a few friends and started walking towards them after signalling me to join him once I was done with Rita. I spoke for a few more minutes with the host couple and then walked hurriedly to join my husband, I always got lost in these gatherings while he was unfailingly hailed as the life of such parties.

While moving forward, my heel suddenly got stuck in my designer sari and decided to trip me off with full force. As I lunged to the ground, I squeezed my eyes shut knowing very well the consequence, only to be rescued by a pair of muscular arms as my head hit against his well built chest. I quickly gathered myself and looked up muttering an apology only to find myself staring at a pair of the deepest orbs I had ever seen. They were still dark chocolate brown in colour, nested under those beautiful long eye lashes and the now furrowed eyebrows.

'Sshravann' I stuttered and could see him looking back at me surprised. He was looking dapper as ever in that greyish black bespoke tailored suit that he wore with a white shirt inside and as usual he had kept the couple of buttons on top unattended . There was something about the man, his aura did no favor to my heart beats. .they were competing against each other in making the loudest noise.

'It's been long, isn't it?' he asked in that deep rich baritone of his.

'It's sure been' I replied gulping down my initial shock.

So this was it, I was standing in front of Shravan Malhotra, the man I once deeply loved, with my entire being.

'How have you been?' he asked while craning his neck clearly looking for someone.

As if he needed to do that, I chuckled mentally, hell the man was a radar himself

'Umm..I have been .' I couldn't complete my reply, since we were interrupted by the sudden huddling of guests near the stage.

I could see Mr. Dutt was at the dais holding the Mike in his hand 'Attention ..Beautiful ladies and the gentlemen who have accompanied them, I thank you all for coming over to celebrate our wedding anniversary with us. There's no happiness complete without having one's loved ones cheer for them. It so happens that it is a special day for one of my friends as well. It's the day, he officially proposed marriage to his wife. And now his gorgeous wife would like to say something to him.or rather sing something to him. Mr. Shravan Malhotra, bhabhiji pehli baar himmat kar rahi hai aapke pyaar mein, zara gaur farmaaiye.'

The crowd started clapping for her and loud shouts of cheering were heard as the lights dimmed.

'You must be kidding. .biwi sings?' chuckled Shravan moving towards the dais.

I just kept looking at him going away..so he was married as well. And he looked pretty happy at that.

Who was his wife. ..he actually proposed her..he wouldn't as much as take a second look at any girl, hell..I was the only exception he made back then for lunches and dinners, I thought craning my neck this time.

Shravan's wife. .the term gave me a weird feeling, an indescribable feeling.