ILYLTF #5 (Chapter 145 - Page 110) - Page 63

I am so excited, just want to see their masti and romance in ceremonies :D

Wow awesome part.part ki liye bohot sukriya.love the part. the cousin is so arrogant.ridzy se kaise bate karraye hai.anji accha reply diya.bt there is armaan ridzy scene.miss them a lot.beautiful story.eagerly waiting for next part.pls post asap❤️😍😘

Awesome part.part ki liye bohot sukriya.love the part.cousins ne ridzy ke kis Tara bat kiya.anji accha reply diya.there is no armaan ridzy scene.miss them a lot.beautiful story.pls post asap.eagerly waiting for next part ❤️😍😘

prags yaartu mazak kar rhi hai hamare sath ye galat baat hain.

you know i read this the day u posted but then i got was pouting as you kinda posted after months and that too filler update. matlab kuch taras khao na readers pe

i was upset to not to comment here but then i thought its not fair on my part to do so as filler or actual, small or long you put efforts to put it together so i should appreciate the fact so here i am


I hate the cousins of RIdhima. They judge her too much and anjali feeling guilt is natural after all the way she treated her sister so rudely even till the starting of their internship. Though i couldn't pin point at what time that changed suddenly in serial.

Now I am looking forward for actual part soon.
Taras kha thoda

Hey! Love your ff so far! It's so cool. I'm so excited for the actual wedding and beyond, but building up nicely!

Previously On...

Armaan & Riddhima's relatives start arriving to attend the wedding.

Chapter One Hundred & Twelve

“MEERA!” Armaan cried, surprised. His cousin had made it for the wedding after all. Meera held on tight, hugging him with fervor. “I can’t believe you made it!”

“Bhaiya, you’re getting married. Of course I made it!” Meera retorted. “Aapko laga main aapki shaadi miss kar dungi?”

“Tune hi kaha tha na that you’re busy?” Armaan reminded her.

“Woh toh tab… I just made some changes to my schedule, and here we are! As if I would let work stop me from attending your wedding,” she reprimanded. “Aap aise soch bhi kaise sakte ho?”

“You’re the best,” Armaan declared, pulling Meera into a hug once more.

“I know,” Meera agreed. “But baaki sab chodo… mujhe bhabhi se milna hai! Kab leja rahe ho?”

Armaan chuckled. “Not yet. But kal shaam ko sirf hum cousins ki party hai, toh wahaan mil lena. It will be just all of us taaki Riddhima aur main ek doosre ke cousins se thoda introduce ho jaaye without the pressure of elders.”

“Smart!” Meera exclaimed. “Kiska idea tha yeh? I’m sure aapka toh definitely nahi tha.”

Armaan made a face at her. “Tujhe meri value hi nahi haina! But fine, iss baar you’re right. It was actually Anjali’s idea. Matlab earlier tomorrow was sort of a thank you party jo main aur Riddhima apne friends ko dena chaahte the for throwing us the wedding, but then Anjali suggested we invite all of you kyuki Riddhima ke cousins bhi mujhse milna chaahte hain achche se.”

“Nice,” Meera drawled. “And Anjali is?” She asked.

“Riddhima’s elder sister and my best friend,” Armaan told her.

“Oho! Nikki Di ko pata hai?” Meera asked, pretending to be horrified.

“Hahaha,” Armaan quipped. “I can have more than one best friend. But yes, Nikki ko pata hai. Nikki and Anjy are super close too, but Nikki ki best friend toh Riddhima hai.”

“Ohhh, I see how it is. Nikki Di ne aapka demotion kar diya toh aapne bhi unka kar diya,” Meera teased.

“Meeraaaa!” Armaan cribbed. “Rehne de woh sab! Tu thaki nahi kya itne lambe trip ke baad? Jaa rest kar ab!”

Armaan dismissed her with a wave. Meera laughed but obliged. She was tired after that flight. It was pretty late at night so everyone else was asleep, with the notable exception of Armaan.

“Waise Bhaiya,” she murmured, teasing, as Armaan guided her to a guest room, “aap ab tak kyu jaage hue the? Bhabhi se milne jaa rahe the kya? Chupke se?”

Armaan looked at her, absolutely terrified. “SHHHHHHH!” He ordered. “Itni zor se mat bol! Agar kisine sunn liya na, yahin pe sab kaam kharab ho jaayega.”

“Toh Bhabhi se milne jaa rahe the!” She crowed, delighted.

“Nahi! Skype kiya tha usse,” Armaan clarified. “Abhi mujhe akele ghar se bahaar jaana allowed nahi hai.”

“Allowed? What do you mean allowed? Ab aapko permission leni padegi kya?” Meera asked.

“Not permission exactly… but abhi mujhe ghar se akele nikalna allowed nahi hai,” Armaan replied.

“Kyu? Kuch hua hai kya? Ya sirf Riddhima Bhabhi se nahi milne ke tactics?” Meera probed.

“Nah, sirf Riddhima se milne nahi, kisi bhi cheez ke liye jaana allowed nahi hai,” Armaan explained. “Kyuki past mein kaafi baar bohot problems hui haina, jab main ya Riddhima akele ghar se nikle hain. Isliye hum dono ko mana kar diya!” He couldn’t help but whine. Armaan knew that it was for their own good that this rule had come into existence. After the last time, everyone was understandably worried, and he was too, but that didn’t mean he liked this.

“Oh,” Meera murmured. “That makes sense, but I’m sorry you have to spend time apart. But aisa socho na, sirf thode din aur fir aap aur Bhabhi toh hamesha hi saath rahoge na?”

“Yeah,” Armaan agreed. What he hated most about this whole thing was that he couldn’t spend much time with Riddhima, spending these last days together before they got married. Their relationship was about to change forever and he wanted to spend time with her before that happened, just as they were.

“Come on, Bhaiya! Don’t mope!” Meera exclaimed. Armaan gave her a careless shrug.

“Okay… whatever. Actually, sone se pehle kuch kha sakte hain? I’m so hungry!” She whined.

“Meera! Pehle kyu kuch nahi bola? Chal, pehle khate hain,” Armaan scolded her, pulling Meera with him to the kitchen. Making her sit on the little kitchen island, he turned to the refrigerator to check for leftovers, but not finding any, started to debate what exactly to cook for her.

“Maggi hai kya?” Meera asked. “Itne time se khaane ka mann ho raha hai mera, but akele khane mein mazaa nahi aata!”

Armaan chuckled. “Okay. Maggi it is!”

Meera changed into comfortable clothes and freshened up before meeting Armaan in the kitchen, who greeted her with maggi and a glass of cold coffee, just as she liked it.

"So, how are you? Kaam kaise chal raha hai?" Armaan asked her, making conversation as the two ate.

"It's been fine," Meera replied. "I have this colleague… He's been godsent. Seriously, woh nahi hota toh pata nahi main kya karti. Actually, uski wajah se hi I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it," she confessed.

"Kyu? Everything okay?" Armaan probed.

"Haan, bhaiya. Don't worry. Woh bas… Even he's on leave right now, so uska kaam bhi tha and I wasn't sure how my team would manage if I left too, but thankfully, they said sab ho jaayega. Hum dono ne hi last… I think 2 saalon mein, jabse humne join kiya hai… Ek bhi leave nahi use ki hai. So, jab humne maangi toh our boss allowed us both. Mujhe pehle laga he'll deny… And usne leave ke liye pehle apply kar diya tha toh I was sure when I ask, my boss will say no, toh maine poocha hi nahi… But he overheard me talking to someone one day aur unhone saamne se hi leave offer kardi mujhe!" Meera explained.

"Well, that's good!" Armaan enthused. "I know ki kaam ke liye main kuch kar nahi pata, but tu nahi aati na… Toh I would've missed you so much!"

"I know," Meera replied. "Me too!"

"Aur waise… Wahaan sirf kaam hi karti hai ya there's someone I should know about? You know… Romance and all?" Armaan teased.

"Kya bhaiya! Please don't tell me ki aapki shaadi ho rahi hai toh ab aap woh annoying matchmaker types ban jaoge," Meera whined.

"What's wrong with that?" Armaan asked.

"Nothing… As long as you don't target me!" Meera told him.

"But bata toh… Is there anyone?" Armaan repeated, this time gentler. "I mean, of course… It's okay if you're not comfortable. Mat bata… But I know ki tu zyada kisi se apni feelings share nahi karti, so I thought… Well, if you want to talk you know I'm here."

Meera seemed to be debating something before she finally sighed. "Well… There is someone… Matlab… I like him, but maine usse bataya nahi hai."

"And why is that?" Armaan probed.

"I'm not… I don't know… What if he doesn't like me? Kitna awkward ho jaayega," Meera replied.

"Please!" Armaan scoffed. "Koi paagal hi hoga jo tujhe pasand nahi karega."

"Bhaiya… You know it's not like that," Meera said. "Aise nahi hota. We're good friends and I don't want to spoil that."

"Usne kabhi koi indication nahi diya kya?" Armaan questioned. Meera shrugged in reply.

"Meeraaaa," Armaan sighed. "Sirf isliye ki shayad kuch bura ho jaayega… You can't do this to yourself. You should tell him. What if he likes you too?"

"I'm scared," Meera replied. "I can't lose him."

"You won't. Agar woh sach mein tera itna achcha dost hai, and for some reason, he doesn't return your feelings… It might be awkward for a while, but you won't lose him. I'm sure of that," Armaan told her.

"How can you be so sure? Agar aisa nahi hua toh?" Meera pressed.

"Then he's not as good a friend as you think he is," Armaan replied. "Teri feelings haina? So that's your problem. If he respects you, he'll respect your feelings. Haan, things will change, and maybe it'll take you time to get back to how you are right now, but it's not something you'd lose a friend over. At least that's what I think."

"I'll think about telling him," Meera conceded. "I'm still not sure, but jo aap bol rahe ho… It makes sense."

"Hmmmm," Armaan hummed. "But ab yeh toh bata ki naam kya hai? Who is it? Your colleague, huh?"

Meera's eyes bugged out of her sockets. "How do you know?!?!" She exclaimed.

Armaan threw his head back and laughed. She really was so easy. Or maybe, he knew her too well. Yeah, it had to be the second. Meera wasn't the easiest person to read. Armaan had heard that from many people. But to him, she'd always been an open book. Maybe it was because they'd grown up together and had been as close as siblings once upon a time. Not everyone was privy to her the way he was.

"I didn't even say anything," Meera continued. "How did you know it was him?"

"I just know you," Armaan replied. "Jis tarah se tu uske baare mein baat kar rahi thi… And you rarely talk about someone else so much."

"Yeah," Meera blushed. "I guess so. He's just… bhaiya, he's so amazing. Usne last 2 years mein mera itna saath diya hai… he's become very important to me. Hum dost hain… Actually, I can say… He's my best friend. He will always be. But I like him so much, Bhaiya.

And I think you'll love him. He's so smart. Bohot zyada funny hai. Very lively. But he's also very thoughtful and kind. Very passionate about what he does. And he adores his family so much. Actually… In many ways… Aap dono kaafi similar ho, when I think about it," she laughed.

"Nice," Armaan chuckled. "I'm the best… So your choice must be pretty good."

"Bhaiya!" Meera cried. "So narcissistic."

Armaan shrugged. "If it's true, it's true!"

"Aap meri chodo," Meera finally changed the topic. "Tell me about you. How excited are you? Finally… You're about to get married. Frankly speaking, mujhe nahi laga tha ki kabhi yeh din aayega. You… You're getting married. And a love marriage at that. Matlab… You've found someone who you're gonna love forever… mujhe nahi laga tha you were capable of that."

"Shut up," Armaan groused. "Tum sabne hi mera naam kharab kar rakha hai. Riddhima is the best person in the entire world. Of course I'm in love with her. As if anyone who meets her doesn't fall for her."

"You're just exaggerating," Meera laughed. "It's cute. Bhabhi bohot lucky hain ki aap unse itna pyaar karte ho."

"I'm not joking," Armaan replied. "I'm serious. Mere khudke colleagues… They all had a crush on Riddhima when they first came to work at Sanjeevani."

"No way!" Meera exclaimed. "Mujhe laga tha yeh sab sirf movies mein hota hai."

"Yes way," Armaan answered. "Mere saath real life mein bhi hua hai. So yeah… But I get it. Like I said… She is the best. Actually, agar koi usse milke 2 minute mein uske pyaar mein nahi pad jaaye na… toh problem hai. Then you know that person can not be trusted."

Meera giggled.

“I’m serious!” Armaan cried. “Ek kaam kar! Apne uss colleague-cum-bestie ko na tu Riddhima se milwa! If he doesn’t like her, he’s not a good judge of character. Fir tujhe bhi uske saath itna ghulne-milne ki zaroorat nahi hai.”

“Okay,” Meera snorted.

“It’s very effective, bata raha hoon main! And even if it doesn’t work out… tu tension mat le! Riddhima ka ek cousin hai… He’s very cute, Meera. Main na… tujhe uske saath set up kar dunga!” Armaan told her.

“Aap apni shaadi pe meri matchmaking karoge?” Meera laughed.

Armaan shrugged. “He’s really nice! Hum bas 1-2 baar mile hain but I like him very much. Woh aur Riddhima bachpan se hi kaafi close the and I can see why. He’d be good for you, actually. Agar tera already yeh scene nahi hota na… main pakka try karta tum dono ke liye!”

“You’re so cute!” Meera exclaimed, pulling Armaan’s cheeks. “But, aap yeh sab rehne do. Abhi hum sab sirf Bhabhi pe aur aap pe concentrate karenge. Okay?”

“Okay,” he acquiesced. “Whatever you say.”

________

“I miss you,” Armaan murmured into the phone.

“I know,” Riddhima replied, making him chuckle. “But hum kal milenge na.”

“Hum… aur humaare saare dost,” Armaan said. “Sabke sab kabab mein haddi ban’ne tayyar!”

“Armaan!” Riddhima rebuffed. “Rehne do. Sab kitne excited hain. And unhone sab arrange karne mein bohot zyada mehnat ki hai. We should be thankful to them.”

“You’re right,” Armaan agreed. “Lekin Basketttttttt!” He whined. “Mujhe woh log har jagah nahi chahiye!”

“Itni zor se mat bolo koi uth jaayega,” Riddhima advised. “Meera just abhi hi sone gayi haina?”

“Right,” Armaan murmured. “I can’t believe she’s here, Basket! Mujhe nahi laga tha woh aa paayegi. I’m so happy she’s here!”

“I know how you feel,” Riddhima answered. “Ishaan ko dekhke main bhi bohot zyada surprised thi. Woh itna busy rehta hai… and masi ke baad, he doesn’t come back often. Usse yahaan achcha nahi lagta. It means a lot to me ki woh shaadi attend karne yahaan aaya.”

“Of course woh aaya, Basket!” Armaan replied. “He loves you so much. Woh tumhaari shaadi kaise miss kar sakta tha? I know main usse itne achche se nahi jaanta, but I can see clearly just how much he adores you.”

“Just as Meera adores you,” Riddhima added. “I’m very excited to meet her!”

“Tum jitna excited ho usse kai zyada woh excited hai. She’s been talking my ear off about you for so long! I’m sure woh aayi bhi mere liye nahi tumhaare liye hai,” Armaan commented.

“Armaan tum paagal ho,” Riddhima said.

“Hoon na,” Armaan agreed immediately. “Tumhaare pyaar mein.”

“That was so cheesy, Dr. Mallik! Yeh line use karna kab band karoge tum?” Riddhima asked.

“Kabhi nahi,” was Armaan’s prompt reply. “Kyuki mujhe pata hai, upar se tum kitna bhi isse cheesy ya cringey kaho… secretly andar se toh tumhe bohot zyada achcha lagta hai jab main yeh kehta hoon. Haina?”

Riddhima didn’t have an answer to that. She just shied away, blushing beautifully, not that Armaan could see.

“Oyye hoyye,” his soothing and silky voice was beautiful even over the phone as he said, “kya look hai! Tum bohot, bohot, bohot khoobsurat lag rahi ho!”

Instinctively, Riddhima looked up, searching. She knew that Armaan wouldn’t risk it, but she had to be sure. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d climbed her window. “Idhar udhar dekhna band karo,” he laughed. “Main sach mein wahaan nahi hoon. But tumhe dekhne mujhe wahaan hone ki zaroorat bhi nahi hai. I know you, Jaan. Ab itne saalon mein tumhaare reactions anticipate karna toh seekh hi gaya hoon main.”

“I really miss you,” Riddhima whispered, hopelessly in love. “I really miss you.” His absence from her side hit her suddenly. She hadn’t felt it so keenly ever before. It was as if she needed to be with him right this second. She was so overwhelmed that she started crying. She didn’t even know why that was. It was so silly. It’s not like she hadn’t gone days without seeing him before. She had done it so many times, and some times, they hadn’t even talked during this time apart unlike now when they spent all their spare time on the phone together. This wasn’t the first time they’d done this, nor would it be the last. Still, she suddenly couldn’t handle it. She just felt like crying. She needed to see him, needed to feel his arms around her, holding her close, loving her, protecting her.

“I know,” Armaan replied. “Shhhh,” he soothed. “Basket… Jaan, I know. I miss you. I love you. I know this is hard. But hum saath haina? Bas kuch dinon ki baat aur. Fir main tumhe khud se kabhi alag nahi hone dunga.”

“Pro—Promise?” Riddhima hiccupped.

“Promise,” Armaan vowed. “Main tumhe apni baahon mein itni kaske pakdunga, koi humein alag karna chahe toh bhi nahi kar paayega.”

“That was even cheesier,” Riddhima said, laughing through her tears.

“Made you laugh,” Armaan answered carelessly, as if that was enough. That everything else was fine if she was laughing, that he would do anything, say anything, no matter how stupid or silly, just to make her laugh. It warmed Riddhima’s heart to be on the receiving end of such wholesome love.

“I love you,” she mumbled into the phone, lying down on her bed and hugging the stuffed toy Armaan had gifted to her on the day he’d proposed.

“I love you,” Armaan replied softly. “Want to stay on the phone till you fall asleep?”

“Yes,” Riddhima replied. “Please.”

“Anything for my Basket,” Armaan told her. He settled in for the night as well, humming a song only she could hear, that was meant only for her, and always would be.

When he felt her breathing even, he softly asked, “Basket?” Her lack of reply was enough for him. She’d gone to sleep. But, not wanting to let go of her yet, Armaan decided against hanging up. It was extremely cheesy, much more so than anything he’d ever done in his entire life, even in the three years that he’d been dating his Basket, but he couldn’t bring himself to care, not at the moment. Being with Riddhima was more important. Feeling her presence was more important. So, he fell asleep with the phone still stuck to his year, his heart connected to hers, even in the silence of the night.

Chapter One Hundred & Thirteen

“Oh my gods!” Ishaan exclaimed. “Di, you look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you!” Riddhima replied.

“Agar Jeeju already aapse itna pyaar nahi karte na… aaj aapko dekhke pakka ho jaat unhe,” he added, making Riddhima blush.

“Ishuuuuu!” She whined. “Tu bhi inn logon ki tarah shuru ho gaya?”

“Of course,” Ishaan answered. “Aap blush karte hue itne cute jo lagte ho!” He told her, pulling her cheeks. “Main itni achchi opportunity kaise chod sakta hoon?”

“Riddhu,” Rahul breathed, entering the living room at the moment. “Wow. You look… wow.”

“Thank you,” Riddhima smiled, accepting the compliment with a small curtsy. “It’s all because of you.”

Rahul waved her off. “Seriously,” she insisted. “Thank you so much for helping me choose. Teri choice sach mein bohot achchi hai. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as pretty as I do now. Isliye… I am very happy ki har function ke liye kapde select karne mein tune meri help ki hai.”

“Of course!” Rahul cried. “I had to. Teri shaadi hai. How could I not?”

Riddhima smiled. She walked up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Rahul!”

"Tum dono ki yeh cutesy harkatein ho gayi ho toh chalein?" Anjali asked, stepping out of the room as well. She was dressed to the nines as well, looking absolutely gorgeous in a little black dress.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Rahul hooted. "So sexy, Anjy."

"Thank you, Rahul! You're looking very dapper as well," Anjali returned the compliment, gesturing to his outfit.

Rahul and Ishaan rounded up the others and they all piled into the car, driving to the hotel where the party was to be held. This was the one celebration for the wedding that Armaan & Riddhima had organized with zero input from anyone else. It was a sort of appreciation dinner that they'd planned for everyone, to thank them for their part in the wedding.

"Looking nice!" Rahul announced once they got there, throwing his arm around Riddhima and hugging her sideways. "Not bad, Riddhu. Tu aur Armaan bhi kaafi achcha yeh sab manage kar lete ho."

"Thank you for the glowing compliment," Riddhima laughed.

"Shall we?" He asked, offering Riddhima his arm which she promptly took.

Inside, the party was just starting. Armaan was already there, along with his cousins, the rest of their friends - Muskaan, Atul, Nikki, and Abhi - and the Rais. They were all gathered in a circle, talking amongst themselves. Laughter rang out loudly from the group, making Riddhima smile. As their little group made their way to them, everyone turned to look. Riddhima burned under Armaan's gaze, looking away when her eyes met his. He looked at her if she hung the moon sometimes. It was just too much for her to bear --- to have this kind of love, this kind of devotion, and moreover, from the best man she knew. She truly was so lucky.

"Hey," Armaan whispered when they reached where he stood, his eyes stuck on her, not paying attention to anyone else around them.

"Hi," she breathed, blushing a beautiful red, yet again.

Armaan kept looking at her and Riddhima ducked her head, unable to hold his gaze any longer. The couple stood there for a while till the clearing of a few throats pulled Armaan's unequivocal attention away from Riddhima. He cleared his throat too, looking away to hide his own blush.

"H---hi… Hi, guys!" He greeted the rest of the group. "So glad you could make it."

"Right," Anjali teased. "You're glad we made it. Dikh raha hai, Jeeju."

"Anjy!" Armaan reprimanded, even as he blushed, just like he always did, at the moniker of Jeeju, making them all laugh.

“Ridzyyyy,” Nikki greeted, pulling her into a hug. “You look so gorgeous!”

“Thank you, Nikki! Tu bhi kam sundar nahi lag rahi,” Riddhima replied, gesturing to her flowy pink gown, making Nikki grin.

“Dekh… mera baby bump bohot cute lag raha haina?” Nikki asked, stepping forward to display her bump in all its glory.

“Chooo cute!” Riddhima cooed. “Ab bas thode din aur and yeh cute sa baby humaare saath hoga.”

“I’m so ready,” Nikki moaned. “I love you, Ridzy, but tune bohot galat time choose kiya shaadi karne ke.”

“Sorry,” Riddhima apologized, holding her ears. “But tu please itne time khade mat reh. Ab tak baithi hui thi na… please waapas jaake baith. Don’t move too much!”

“Haan, I’m going,” Nikki agreed.

“Chal, I’ll help you,” Riddhima said. She guided Nikki to a comfortable and spacious sofa. A moment later, Abhi was there, tending to Nikki. “Riddhima… tum jaake sabse mil lo. Main Nikki ke saath baithta hoon.”

Riddhima nodded, throwing them both a smile before she moved back to where Armaan seemed to be meeting her cousins.

“Hi,” she whispered softly in his ear as she sidled up next to him. She was greeted by a warm smile and an arm wrapping around her waist.

“Hi,” he replied, whispering just as softly. “Tumhe kisise milana hai,” he told her, excusing them from the group.

“Kaun?” Riddhima asked him, but fell in step with him immediately.

“Chalo naaaa,” he whined, not telling her much more. Riddhima noticed that he was leading her to where a beautiful girl was talking to Saumya Bhabhi. Meera, she realized instantly. She’d never met Meera in person but had seen her photographs a few days ago when Vishal Bhaiya had busted out a family photo album.

Eager to meet her, Riddhima pushed Armaan to walk faster, the two of them laughing and giggling along the way. “Meeraaaa!” Armaan sing-songed when they reached her vicinity. “Look who’s here!”

Meera immediately turned around and squealed on seeing Riddhima. “Riddhima Bhabhi!” She cried, bounding up to her and pulling her into a tight hug. Riddhima returned the hug effortlessly, basking in the homeliness of it all.

When they pulled back a moment later, Meera was already talking. “Aap itne zyada beautiful ho, Bhabhi! Pictures really don’t do any justice.”

Riddhima blushed at her words. “Thank you! Waise tum kam nahi ho. Vishal Bhaiya ne jo album dikhayi thi usme tum itni choti si aur cute lag rahi thi… but ab dekho… absolutely stunning.”

Meera chuckled. “Woh sab mere make up ka kamaal hai,” she whispered conspiratorially. Riddhima laughed. “You’re cute,” she said, pulling Meera’s cheek. She could see why Armaan liked her so much.

“I know,” Meera boasted, making both Armaan & Riddhima chuckle. Saumya Bhabhi was now talking to Nikki, Riddhima observed when she turned to look for her.

“But seriously… aapko pata hai… I’ve been dying to meet you for so long! But kaam mein main itni busy rehti hoon toh mauka hi nahi mila,” Meera pouted. “But I am so happy ki at least shaadi pe toh main aa paayi.”

“I’m glad,” Riddhima said. “Tum sabse milke mujhe itna achcha lag raha hai! You and Saumya Bhabhi and Krishi and even Vishal Bhaiya… it’s nice to meet all of you. Tum sab cousins kaafi cute ho.”

“Woh toh hum hain,” Meera agreed instantly, puffing up and tugging at her non-existent collar.

The two of them chit chatted for a while with the occasional comment from Armaan, getting to know each other better, and obviously enjoying the other’s company. Their merry-making was interrupted by Ishaan, who had come out in search of Riddhima. “Diiiii!” He exclaimed, sidling up to her.

“Kya hua tujhe?” Riddhima asked him.

“Rahul Bhaiya ne mera jeena mushkil kar rakha hai,” Ishaan whined. “2 minute break lene aaya hoon. Please unhe bol dena aapne mujhe bulaya hai.”

Riddhima laughed. Rahul had taken Ishaan under his wing with all the planning & organizing and Ishaan had been suffering. He had been very excited at the start and had bent over backwards to help Rahul out, but now that the wedding was upon them and the intensity was only increasing, Ishaan seemed to be in over his head. He would often find her for a moment or two of reprieve.

“Ishaan?” Meera called out, her voice soft and tentative, making the two cousins turn to her.

“Meera?!” Ishaan cried, excited and disbelieving all at once.

“HI!” They both cried at the same time, stepping forward for a quick hug.

“What are you doing here?” Meera asked Ishaan.

“It’s my cousin’s wedding,” Ishaan replied. “I told you,” he added, tone accusatory. “What about you?”

“It’s my cousin’s wedding!” Meera exclaimed.

“Your cousin? What do you mean your cousin?” Ishaan pressed.

“My cousin,” Meera answered, pushing Armaan forward. “Dr. Armaan Mallik.”

“Riddhima Di is my cousin,” Ishaan explained.

The two looked at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing.

“Will someone explain ki yahaan kya ho raha hai?” Armaan asked, completely confused by what was happening.

After she stopped laughing, Meera turned to Armaan and said, “Bhaiya… this is Ishaan. We work together.”

“That’s it?” Ishaan asked, scandalized. “Meera… tujhse yeh umeed nahi thi mujhe!”

“So what? Hum colleagues nahi hain kya?” Meera asked.

“But we’re not just colleagues!” Ishaan cried. Turning to Armaan, he added, “Jeeju, yeh ladki aisi hi hai… isse na, meri bilkul importance nahi hai. But I’m supposed to be her best friend!”

“Oh,” Armaan mumbled, connecting the dots. “Best friend who works with you?” He turned to Meera for confirmation. Meera blushed a deep red, looking down to avoid Armaan’s eyes, but nodded.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “That’s Ishaan.”

“Oh,” Armaan whispered again. “Oh. Oh!”

“Jeeju, everything okay?” Ishaan asked him.

“Everything is brilliant!” Armaan cried. He pulled Ishaan into a hug. “This is awesome! I’m so happy! I’m very happy. Matlab… mere mann mein na… laddu phoot rahe hain!”

“Armaan… kya hua tumhe?” Riddhima questioned. “Aise kyu behave kar rahe ho?”

“Kuch nahi, Basket… I’m just happy!” Armaan cried.

“Bhaiyaaaa,” Meera whined. “Stop embarrassing me!”

“Fine, fine,” Armaan mumbled. “But we will definitely talk about this later.”

Knowing that she would not be able to get out of it, Meera nodded in acquiescence.

“Ishaan! Tu yahaan hai? Kabse dhoond raha hoon main tujhe!” Rahul shouted as he came to a stand beside Ishaan.

“Kya hua, Bhaiya? All okay?” Ishaan asked.

“No, it’s not! Teri Muskaan Bhabhi na… Jeena mushkil kar degi mera,” Rahul cribbed, unconsciously echoing Ishaan’s words from earlier.

“Rahul!” Riddhima reprimanded.

“What?” Rahul scoffed. “It’s true!”

“But hua kya yeh toh bata?” Armaan asked.

“Yaar, ab chicken tikka nahi dikh raha hai toh woh sadd rahi hai,” Rahul explained.

“But, Bhaiya,” Ishaan replied, “Humne rakhvaya tha na?”

“Haan,” Rahul agreed. “But pata nahi kya hua… tu please jaake check karna! Main khud chala jaata but mujhe abhi DJ ke saath setlist discuss karni hai.”

Ishaan sighed. “Okay, fine. Main jaata hoon. Aap itni tension mat lo. Main Muskaan Bhabhi ko bhi saath le jaaunga, okay? Woh khud hi sabse nipat lengi.”

“Thank you!” Rahul cried, giving him a hug. “Tu nahi hota toh pata nahi mera kya hota!”

Ishaan shook his head fondly before leaving in search of Muskaan, followed soon by Rahul who went to speak to the DJ like he’d been saying, leaving Armaan & Riddhima alone with Meera once more.

“Bhabhi,” Meera started. “Sach sach batana… aap shaadi ko leke kitne excited ho? Bhaiya toh kuch zyada hi excited hain! He keeps talking about you non-stop!”

Riddhima blushed, making Armaan chuckle lightly. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. “Please,” he laughed. “Yeh bhi koi poochne ki baat hai? Of course she’s excited!”

“Bhaiya… aap interrupt mat karo! Let Bhabhi talk na!” Meera whined.

“Very excited,” Riddhima murmured softly, still blushing. Armaan couldn’t help himself. He dropped a quick kiss to the top of her head.

“Aap dono bohot hi zyada cute ho!” Meera cried. “I’m so happy I finally met you, Bhabhi.”

“Me too,” Riddhima echoed. “Waise… tum aur Ishaan…”

“Oh,” Meera breathed. “Ishaan aur main ek saath kaam karte hain. We’re in the same team. And you know… Being the only desis on the entire floor, we became friends pretty quickly. He's my best friend."

"Awwww," Riddhima cooed. "That's so nice! I'm glad you have Ishaan. Wahaan anjaan desh mein adjust karna kitna mushkil hota hai mujhe pata hai. Aise time pe koi apna ho toh sab bohot easy ho jaata hai. I'm happy ki tum yahaan nahi ho toh koi hai wahaan tumhaara khayal rakhne… Aur koi hai Ishaan ka dhyaan rakhne.

I don't know if I should say this, but main fir bhi keh rahi hoon… kya karoon, I'm just really worried. Woh Ishaan… He's not the best at asking for help. Khud saari duniya ki help karne ek second mein ready ho jaata hai, koi naa maange toh bhi saath de deta hai, but he doesn't want to be a "burden" on anyone, toh apni problems kabhi share nahi karta… tum uski best friend ho, uske saath kaam karti ho, I'm sure you know him better than me, but still… I’ve known him since forever… he's very important to me. I hope that jis tarah mujhe pata hai woh tumhaara dhyaan rakhta, tum bhi uska rakhti ho."

"Bhabhi, aap ne mujhe thoda zyada emotional kar diya," Meera replied, as the two women smiled, wiping their tears. "But… I know. Ishaan na… He's the best. And I know ki usse help lena pasand nahi hai but main fir bhi zabardasti uski har problem ka part ban hi jaati hoon. Don't worry… Hum sab aapke Ishaan ka bohot achche se dhyaan rakhte hain!"

Riddhima grinned widely, pulling Meera into a hug. "Yaar, tum log kabhi yeh senti baatein chodke kuch aur baat nahi kar sakte kya? Aaj celebration ka din hai but tum dono yahaan khade hoke ro rahi ho!" Armaan teased.

"Shut up, Armaan!" Riddhima cried, whacking his arm. Armaan laughed and pulled her into a hug, extending his other arm to envelope Meera as well.

That's how Tara and Dhairya found them a few moments later. "Meeraaaaaa Diiiiii!" Tara whined. "Aap mujhse miloge bhi nahi kya?" She asked.

Meera pulled back and looked surprised to see Tara there. "Tara, tum yahaan?" She asked.

"Ab main bhi toh hoon Riddhima Di ki cousin. Sirf aapka bestie nahi hai!" Tara teased. Meera shook her head fondly at Tara and pulled her into a hug.

"Kaisi ho?" Meera asked her. "Itne mahine ho gaye milne nahi aayi ho!"

"I know," Tara smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. Bas woh college mein itna busy rehti hoon, kuch aur karne ka time hi nahi milta. But aap aajkal campus nahi aate Ishaan Bhaiya ke saath mujhse milne!"

"Haan, woh pichli 2-3 baar jab Ishaan tumse milne gaya tha toh I had some other commitments. Sorry," Meera apologized.

"Next time you have to come with Bhaiya! We made plans for Labour Day Weekend. Tab aa jaana! We'll go to the movies and try that new pizza place," Tara told her.

"Done and done," Meera agreed instantly.

Armaan & Riddhima who had been silently watching the exchange so far, took this moment to step in. "Tum dono ek doosre ko kaise jaante ho?" Riddhima asked.

"Diiii," Tara replied. "Ishaan Bhaiya introduced us na. Main Ishaan Bhaiya aur Meera Di dono ke saath apne saare festivals aur holidays spend karti hoon."

"That's so nice," Armaan commented. "Tum teeno ka toh alag hi scene chal raha hai. But at least… iss wajah se woh jo main awkwardness se darr raha tha… Woh nahi hui. Warna just imagine… poori shaam toh tum sabko ek doosre ke saath comfortable karane mein hi chali jaati!"

"Armaan…" Riddhima reprimanded. "Kuch bhi bolte ho tum!"

"Arreee… isme galat kya hai? Agar yeh log ek doosre ko nahi jaante toh awkward hote na ek doosre ke saath? Fir yeh sab awkwardness ke chakkar mein hum bhi party achche se enjoy nahi kar paate!" Armaan cribbed.

"Tum na, rehne do," Riddhima replied, giving up.

"Waise, Meera Di… This is Dhairya," Tara introduced the two.

"Of course!" Meera exclaimed. "Hi, Dhairya. It's so nice to meet you! Tumhaari Tara Didi tumhaare baare mein bohot baat karti hai."

"Sab bura hi bolti hongi," Dhairya replied. "Please unki baat mat sun'na. It's nice to meet you!"

Meera laughed. "Haan, kaafi burai toh karti hai… But achchi cheezein bhi bolti hai," she promised. "She misses you a lot!"

Dhairya laughed. "Haan, wahaan main nahi hoon toh kisipe apna raub nahi jhaad sakti na!"

"Dhairyaaaa," Riddhima scolded.

"Kya Di! Aapko pata haina… Yeh hamesha bas mujhe bully karne ka mauka dhoondti hai. Just because main chota hoon," Dhairya whined. "Aur aap toh sab samajhte ho! Anjali Di bhi toh aapke saath aisi hi karti hai!"

Riddhima laughed. Hugging Dhairya, she said, "Anjali Di aisa kuch nahi karti."

Dhairya snorted. "Okay, Riddhima Di. Whatever you say," he said, clearly not believing her.

"Yaar, tumlog kya raat bhar bas iss kone mein pade rahoge?" Vishal asked as he approached the group, holding an excited Vami in his arms. "Jabse dekh raha hoon… yahaan alag mandli jami hai tumhaari."

"Sorry, Bhaiya," Riddhima apologized sheepishly. "Woh bas baat kar rahe the."

Vishal grinned at her and ruffled her hair, making Riddhima smile. "Hi, Vami," she said, turning to the baby. "Chachi ke paas aaoge?" She asked, extending her arms.

Vami looked skeptical at first, hiding in her father's neck, but a little prompting from Vishal convinced her to be held by Riddhima. Riddhima cuddled Vami close and blew raspberries on her cheeks, making the toddler giggle in delight.

"Vami, aap Chachi ke paas reh jao, okay? Mummy Papa ko akele waapas bhej do," Riddhima said.

"Naiiiiii," Vami replied immediately, turning to her father. "Vami Maa Paa paas."

"Aur Chachi?" Riddhima probed. "Chachi ko bhi Vami paas rehna hai."

"Paa," Vami asked with all the seriousness she could muster. "Cha-i Vami saath?"

Riddhima looked a little confused, so Vishal translated for her. "Woh pooch rahi hai ki Chachi bhi humaare saath humaare ghar reh sakti hai kya."

"Awwwww," Riddhima cooed, dropping a loud kiss on Vami's cheek. Turning to Vishal, she said, "Bataiye, Bhaiya… Main reh sakti hoon?"

Vishal chuckled. "Main toh tumhe abhi ke abhi le chalu. Zara apne hone wale husband se pooch lo bas… woh tumhaare peeche - peeche nahi aayega na? Because seriously, Riddhima… Iss ladke ke saath main nahi reh sakta. He's too messy!"

Riddhima laughed. "Don't worry, Bhaiya. Hum isse hi sab saaf safai karwayenge," she assured.

"Hahaha, so funny," Armaan answered sarcastically. "By the way, I'm not messy, just busy."

"Whatever you say," Vishal commented, rolling his eyes.

"Attention, everyone!" Rahul called from the middle of the room, making everyone turn to him. "Thank you!" He spoke into the mic. "Waise toh aajke party ke hosts Armaan aur Riddhima hain, but woh apni bohot baar practice kari hui thank you speech de, uske pehle maine socha ki kuch happening hona chahiye, right?"

His words were met with an enthusiastic cheer across the room.

"Yes! Exactly!" He exclaimed. "Ab, bolke thank you toh sab kehte hain, lekin I feel… inn dono ko kuch alag karna chahiye, nahi?" He asked. Once again, he was met with a unanimous agreement.

"Okay… so, Armaan. Riddhima. As you can see, humein kuch different chahiye… And well, party toh yeh hai, but I don't know… Thodi boring nahi hai? Why don't you do something to entertain us? Yaa bas humein bore karne yahaan bulaya hai? Isse achcha toh main ghar pe so jaata!" Rahul cried.

"Ooooohhhh," the crowd chorussed. "Entertain us! Entertain us! Entertain us!" They chanted.

"Fine! Fine! Fine!" Armaan exclaimed. "Waise yeh party boring sirf boring logon ko lag rahi hai… But as very gracious hosts, we will entertain you!"

Turning to Riddhima, he held out his hand. "Shall we?"

Riddhima took his hand immediately and he guided her to the centre of the room, where Rahul was standing. Once they were there, Rahul made himself scarce. Armaan instructed for the lights to be dimmed and asked them to put on some music. He pulled Riddhima close to himself and began swaying the both of them gently in time with the beats.

One by one, other couples joined them on the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the room. Riddhima caught Meera and Ishaan dancing together and instantly grew suspicious. She had half a mind to ask Armaan about what was cooking, but decided against it in the moment. This moment was about her and Armaan, and no one else. Not right now. Riddhima snuggled into his chest, smiling wide. She felt so safe and loved in his arms. There really wasn't anything that could touch her while she was like this.

They danced for what seemed like hours. Though everyone started off with their partners, after a while, they began switching partners, and Riddhima ended up dancing with everyone present in the room, much to Armaan's chagrin and their guests' delight. They all shared a hearty meal after dancing, and then, it was time for the speech.

Armaan took to the middle of the room, his hand clasped in Riddhima's firmly. "Thank you so much everyone," he began. "Riddhima aur mere liye yeh bohot zyada khushi ki baat hai ki aap sab aaj humaari life ke sabse khoobsurat pal ko apne saath se aur khoobsurat banane aaye hain. Vishal Bhaiya, Saumya Bhabhi, Tara, Dhairya, Krishi, Ishaan, Meera, Diya, Dodo… thank you so, so, so much for making this trip despite your various other commitments. You don't understand how much this means to us. Aap sab humaari pehli family away from family ho, and having you with us is so important. So, thank you!

Ummm… actually, I don't really know how to thank you guys… Nik, Champ, Muski, Nikki, Abhi… Uh, Dr. Shubhankar, Dr. Keerti, and most importantly, Anjy and Rahul… Agar aap sab nahi hote, this day would never have been possible. Thank you so much for taking the time to plan this wedding and for making it so beautiful. I don't think main yaa Riddhima itni achchi tayaari kar paate. But more than that… Thank you so much for supporting Riddhima and I so much, and especially you, Rahul. Agar tu nahi hota toh shayad hum dono saath nahi hote. You've been there since the start… Meri bohot saari stupid harkaton ke baad, tune hi sab sambhala tha… So, thanks for that! Thank you for always being the best friend anyone could ask for and helping me see the light. You're awesome.

Ahhh… All of you are, actually. Thank you so much for everything. Riddhima and I are so grateful to have you here with us! And I hope ki yeh shaadi jitni humaare liye memorable rahegi… Utni toh nahi, but kaafi zyada aap sabke liye bhi ho! Thank you!"

As a token of appreciation for everything they'd done, Armaan & Riddhima had gotten gifts for everyone that they presented after Armaan's speech, Riddhima not having elected to say anything separately, as always, the shier of the two.

All the girls got charm bracelets that had the first letter of their name, an A, and an R dangling on it, apart from a heart, and another charm that was different for everyone. Anjy had a dress, Muskaan had a pizza, Nikki had an infinity symbol, and Dr. Keerti had a bell. Apart from that, they got spa vouchers and a pair of gorgeous earrings.

The guys all got a vintage pocket watch with their names and the date of the wedding inscribed on them. They got tickets to a cricket match and a spa day in addition to that.

"Yeh sab… bas thank you bolne ke liye," Riddhima said. "Aur koi behes nahi tum sabko rakhna padega. Okay?"

"Okay," they chorussed.

"This is gorgeous! Thanks, Ridzy," Nikki blubbered, hugging Riddhima tight. The others murmured in agreement.

"Okay, guys! Let's get going. Thode time mein mujhe aur Armaan ko airport jaana hai to pick more people up… Aur kalse sab ceremonies shuru ho rahi hain so please go and get some rest! We all need to look our best!" Rahul instructed.

"Aye, aye, cap'n!" They all cried.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Armaan whispered into Riddhima's ear, hugging her tight.

"Tomorrow," Riddhima confirmed.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you," she replied.

Armaan dropped a gentle kiss to the top of her head and tightened his hold on her before letting go.

He helped her get into the passenger seat of Anjali's car and stood there waving till they were out of sight. Soon, he wouldn't have to end his night with a goodbye. Just a couple more days to go. He could handle it. He would.

Chapter One Hundred & Fourteen

“Billy?” Armaan asked when he saw his father sitting in the living room, deep in thought, later that night. “Kya hua? Everything okay?”

“I’m not sure,” Billy answered after a moment.

“Baat kya hai? Kuch pareshaani hai toh mujhe batao… maybe I can help?” Armaan asked. Everyone else had retired for the night, leaving the father-son duo to their devices.

Billy sighed. “Pata nahi tujhse kaise kahoon,” he admitted. “Aisi kuch baatein hai… jo main tujhse karna chaahta hoon… but shayad ab woh mera haq nahi hai… ya phir shayad, main kehne se ghabrata hoon.”

“Dad,” Armaan replied. “Aisa kuch nahi hai. Aisi kya baat hai jo aapko kehne ka haq nahi hai? Aap mujhse kuch bhi keh sakte ho.”

“Kuch bhi?” Billy confirmed.

Armaan nodded. “Haan,” he added. “Kuch bhi.” Wanting to lighten the mood, he joked. “Haan, but kisi Bollywood movie ke villain baap ki tarah mujhe shadi todne mat kehna… cause woh main nahi karne wala.”

“Yehi toh main chaahta hoon, Armaan,” Billy answered, Armaan’s joke falling flat on him. “Ki tu Riddhi ko kabhi nahi chode.”

“Billy… kaisi baatein kar rahe ho aap? You know I love Riddhima… Main usse kabhi nahi chodne wala!” Armaan rebuked.

“Har baar,” Billy whispered. “Har baar sirf pyaar kaafi nahi hota, Armaan.”

“Aap… aap jabse aise ghuma fira ke baat kyu kar rahe ho? Seedhe seedhe bolo na taaki mujhe bhi samajh aaye,” Armaan requested.

“Armaan… kal subah se teri shadi ki rasmein shuru hone wali hai. Kal hum sab iss ghar se niklenge, aur jab waapas aayenge, toh tu akela nahi hoga… Riddhima tere saath hogi. Teri wife,” Billy started.

“Riddhima bohot zyada achchi ladki hai, Armaan. Uske jaisi, maine aaj tak koi bachchi nahi dekhi. Itne saaf dil ki, itni sachchi… tujhse kitna pyaar karti hai woh… hum sab se kitna pyaar karti hai woh. Itne kam time mein woh hum sabki life ka itna important hissa ban chuki hai, humaari family ka itna important hissa ban chuki hai… hissa kya… humaari toh family hi woh haina? Aaj hum sab yahaan hai… main yahaan baitha tujhse baat kar raha hoon, tu meri baat sunn raha hai… sab uski wajah se.

Riddhi… woh iss duniya ki har khushi deserve karti hai, Armaan… aur uski khushi tere saath hai, tere paas hai… usse kabhi yeh khushi mat cheen’na, beta. Please.”

“Dad, aap yeh sab… aap iss tarah kyu baat kar rahe ho? Mujhe darr lag raha hai,” Armaan whispered, astonished at seeing this side of his father. Billy was always the moment. He was the life of every party, the funniest and happiest person Armaan knew. To see him so sombre and serious… he didn’t think it had ever happened before.

“Pata hai, Armaan… shadi ke baad na… life bilkul badal jaati hai. Chahe woh love marriage ho ya arranged… humein kitna bhi lage ki hum apne partner ko bohot achche se jaante hain… actually hum unhe nahi jaante. Jab rishta bandh jaata hai, jab hum ek doosre ke saath rehne lagte hain… sab kuch change ho jaata hai. Aur, har couple… har couple yeh change sahi tarah se face nahi kar paata.

Main aur Annie bhi nahi kar paaye. Armaan, main Annie se bohot pyaar karta hoon, hamesha se. Lekin… maine bohot galtiyaan ki hain, beta. Khaskar Annie ke maamle mein. Maine usse apna pyaar hamesha diya, lekin apni understanding? Respect? Space? Yeh sab main nahi de paya… shayad isliye hi hum dono alag ho gaye. Main nahi chaahta jo galtiyaan maine ki hain, woh tu kare.

Main Annie se itna pyaar karta hoon, lekin uska dil sabse zyada buri tarah maine hi toda hai, Armaan. Maine uska saath tab nahi diya jab usse meri zaroorat thi. Main ek achcha boyfriend toh tha, but ek achcha husband nahi ban paaya, aur isliye Annie mujhe chodke chali gayi. Main yeh nahi kahoonga ki sab meri wajah se hua, kyuki ek rishta judta do logon ki wajah se hai toh toot’ta bhi do logon ki wajah se hai… lekin maine hi aisi situations create kardi ki Annie ko kuch aise decisions lene pade jiski wajah se hum alag ho gaye.

Uss waqt maine yeh baat realize bhi nahi ki main kitna galat hoon. Maine yeh nahi socha ki mujhe apni wife ko support karna chahiye, uski situation samajhne ki koshish karni chahiye, usse adjust karne mein help karni chahiye. Main bohot zyada arrogant ho gaya tha, Armaan. Aur meri arrogance aur ego mein aake maine Annie ko dekhke bhi andekha kar diya.

Tu Riddhi se bohot pyaar karta hai mujhe pata hai. Tu usse kabhi dukhi nahi dekhna chaahta yeh baat bhi main jaanta hoon. Lekin kabhi kabhi, hum apni galtiyaan hi nahi dekh paate, aur jab tak baat samajh aati hai… bohot late ho jaati hai, Armaan. Humaari zindagi kab humaare haath se nikal jaati hai, pata hi nahi chalta… aur woh insaan jisse hum iss duniya mein sabse zyada pyaar karte hain, jo humaara humsafar hota hai… humaari zindagi ke safar mein woh hi peeche choot jaata hai.

Tu mujhse promise kar… tu kabhi aisa kuch nahi karega jisse Riddhi ko lage ki tum dono mein differences aa gaye hain. Tu har kadam pe uska saath dega. Uss har cheez mein support karega. Usse apni baat rakhne ka mauka dega aur uski baaton ko samjhega. Tu… beta, tu kabhi aisa kuch mat karna jis wajah se Riddhi ko lage ki tum dono ka alag hona hi better hai. Karega na?”

“Dad… aap yeh…” Armaan trailed off, not knowing what to say. Billy had never been so open with him ever before. Had never admitted his mistakes, had never admitted he loved his wife. Overwhelmed by his words, a few tears spilled out of Armaan’s eyes, and he pulled his father into a hug. He thought about what to say, to do, to make this easier. To make Billy see that things would be better. “I promise,” he finally settled on. “Main Riddhima ko kabhi aisa mauka nahi doonga, Dad. Hum dono hamesha saath rahenge, I promise.”

Billy breathed a sigh of relief at Armaan’s words, some tension leaving his body. He relaxed into Armaan’s embrace, happy to have gotten what he wanted. It might not seem a big deal, but Billy knew that Armaan understood the weight of the promise he had just made. He didn’t know how he knew, but he did. Armaan would never break this promise. He was sure of it.

“Dad, aapne kabhi Mom se yeh sab…” Armaan trailed off, the question clear in his hesitance.

“Maine aur Annie ne sach mein apne saare differences resolve kar liye hain, Armaan,” Billy assured his son. “Ab hum dono ke beech sab kuch ekdum perfect hai… but iska yeh matlab nahi hai that I don’t have regrets. I have a lot of them. Main nahi chaahta ki tu kabhi apni zindagi pe peeche mudke dekhe, aur tujhe kabhi koi pachtaava ho, aur especially Riddhi ko leke toh bilkul nahi.

Shadi se pehle, har parent apne bachchon se yeh baatein karte hain, I think. Ki unki zindagi kaise badalne wali hai, kaise ab sab kuch alag hoga… But shayad mera experience thoda bura raha hai isliye yeh saari baatein hopeful aur exciting lagne ke badle darawni lag rahi hai, nahi?”

Armaan laughed through his tears. Trust his father to make a joke at a time like this as well. “Don’t worry, Billy. Aapke yeh sab bolne se main dara nahi. Waise bhi, Basket se shadi toh main karke hi rahoonga, chaahe kuch bhi ho jaaye.”

“That’s my boy!” Billy cheered. “But, on a lighter note… mujhe pata mujhe kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai, but main phir bhi kehna chaahta hoon… I’m really happy, Armaan. Riddhi se better tujhe sach mein kahin milegi.”

“I know,” Armaan agreed.

“Woh bechaari… pata nahi usne tujh mein kya dekha,” Billy lamented jokingly. “Lekin yeh tera good luck bohot achcha hai ki usne tujhe ghaas daali, toh please ab uska dhyaan rakhna… warna Shanky baad mein, main tujhse pehle ladne aa jaunga, samjha?”

“I know,” Armaan replied, rolling his eyes.

“I’m proud of you, son,” Billy murmured a moment later, all pretenses gone. Billy didn’t know the last time he’d told Armaan that, if ever. He had definitely never been a good father, but he was learning now. And Armaan deserved to know how proud he was of the person his son had become, so much better than him, just as Billy had always hoped.

“Thanks, Dad,” Armaan mumbled, suddenly shy. He always put up a brazen front, but the truth was that all it took was one word of appreciation from the important people in his life, especially his parents, to render him a mess. Maybe it was because they so rarely complimented him that it seemed surreal whenever they did. At one point of time, he’d felt the same way when Riddhima used to say nice things about him, but in the past few years, he’d learnt to take a compliment from her, and especially in the last few months, because she had gotten so generous with them. The same was not the case with his parents, and especially with his father. Though their relationship was much better now, they still didn’t do emotional talks well.

“I love you,” Billy added, pulling Armaan into a hug, and shocking Armaan to the core. This was definitely not what he was expecting, but he couldn’t deny that it made his heart swell in happiness to hear his dad say that to him.

So, no matter how difficult it was for him to reciprocate in kind, no matter how awkward and shy he felt, he managed to stutter out, “I love you, Dad,” in response, as his arms tightened around his father, finally sharing an embrace his heart had longed for for years.

_________________

“Pata nahi…” Armaan sighed. “It was very awkward… but it was also… nice??? Billy ne kabhi aise mujhse pehle baat nahi ki hai,” he explained. Armaan was on the phone with Riddhima, regaling the tales of what had transpired between him and Billy.

"But it's good na… Ki Dad is trying. He wants to do better," Riddhima replied.

"Haan," Armaan agreed. "It is. But wohi na… I'm not used to it. Aur yeh sab… Jo Mom ke baare mein bol rahe the… And all those things about being a good partner… It felt very… Pata nahi main explain bhi nahi kar paa raha."

"I get it," Riddhima said. "Main aur Papa toh hamesha se itne close rahe hain… Lekin aisi sab baatein hoti haina… Even I get awkward. Tumhe pata hai… Jab Papa ne finally humein accept kar liya tha, aur roke ke baad, agar woh kabhi aise hi mazaak mein bhi mujhe tumhaara naam leke chedte the na… Mujhe kitna zyada ajeeb lagta tha. I never thought ki kabhi main aur Papa aisi baatein karenge."

"No way… Papa, tumhe mera naam leke chedte the? I don't believe you!" Armaan exclaimed.

"Armaan, abhi important yeh nahi hai ki Papa kya karte the aur kya nahi. Hum tumhaare aur Dad ke baare mein baat kar rahe haina," Riddhima reminded him.

"Right," Armaan mumbled. "Billy."

"Tumne kya kaha unse?" Riddhima asked.

"Main kya kehta? Mujhe toh kuch samajh hi nahi aaya but then he asked me to promise ki main tumhe hamesha support karunga aur tumhe samjhunga… As if woh mujhse promise nahi lete toh main yeh sab nahi karta… But I felt that he needed me to not laugh at him for asking this… Toh jabki mujhe bohot zor se mann kiya yeh kehne ka unhe yeh sab baaton ki tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai… I promised him to look after you," Armaan told her.

"Good boy," Riddhima praised him. Armaan grinned toothily at that.

"Woh sab toh theek tha… But then he said I love you, Basket," he added. "I love you! He actually said that to me. Mujhe samajh hi nahi aaya main kya bolu!"

"Samajh nahi aaya matlab kya?" Riddhima cried. "You obviously say I love you too! Tumne kaha naa?"

"Haan, baba," Armaan replied. "I did. But it was so weird. Ugh. I just shuddered remembering that."

"Armaan!" Riddhima scolded. "Aisa nahi kehte… Aur isme weird kya hai? Mujhse I love you bolne mein toh tumhe kabhi weird nahi lagta? Din mein 100 baar bolte ho. Aur Dad ko ek baar bolne mein itni problem?"

"Tumhaari baat alag hai," Armaan protested. "You're my wife!"

"And he's your father," Riddhima snarked.

"Exactly," Armaan said. "Woh Dad hain… Don't tell me tumhe Papa ko I love you kehne mein awkward nahi lagta."

"Ummm…" Riddhima thought about it. "I mean, I guess… A little. But woh toh mujhe sabse kehne mein lagta hai. Tumhe bhi. Woh toh tum itni baar kehte ho isliye ab mujhe itna weird nahi lagta but tumhe yaad hai jab humne date karna bas start kiya tha? It took me so long to get properly comfortable in saying it!"

"See… You find it awkward too!" Armaan cried triumphantly.

"But," Riddhima protested. "Like I said… I find it awkward with anybody, not just Papa. Tumhe toh sirf Dad ke saath problem haina!"

"Haan, but… It's Billy, Basket. Kabhi kabhi na… Main bhool jaata hoon that this is not the same Billy jo apne business mein itne busy the ki meri school ke annual day function pe nahi aaye, jinhone mujhe boarding school bhejna aasaan samjha taaki woh apna life bina kisi rukawat ke jee sake, jinhe iss baat se bhi koi fark nahi pada ki unke bete ne med school mein top kiya hai, aur jo tab bhi time nahi nikaal paaye jab unke bete ko jail ho gayi," Armaan replied.

"Aisa nahi hai that I don't see how many efforts he's taking now. Jabse Nikki ne unhe phone karke Papa se milne bulaya hai, he's genuinely tried so hard, Basket. Humaari shadi ho ya tumhe accept karna ya fir meri treatment mein mujhe support karna… He's gone above and beyond. I know he regrets whatever happened in the past… With me and with mom. Aur main sach mein aage badhne ki koshish kar raha hoon… Lekin yeh sab bhulana asaan nahi hai.

Pata hai… Kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki main sab kuch bhulke aage badh chuka hoon but fir kuch aisa hota hai jisse mujhe kuch yaad aa jaata hai… Koi choti si hi baat, but woh achanak itni badi lagne lagti hai. I just don't know how to handle it," he confessed.

"I understand, Armaan," Riddhima soothed. "Dad has made many mistakes. Just because ab sab theek ho raha hai iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki puraane ghav bhar jaayenge. Yeh sab baatein bhulane mein bohot waqt lagega… Shayad tum inhe kabhi bhula bhi na pao… But important yeh hai ki tum apni inn yaadon ko iss nayi shuruat ke raaste mein aane na do.

Dad bhi jaante hai, Armaan. Woh samajhte hain. It's not easy for you. I know that he won't hold any of these emotions against you. But you should be honest with him. And yourself."

"Kabhi kabhi toh yeh sab kitna easy lagta hai… Aur kabhi aisa lagta hai ki zindagi nikal jaayegi aur main yeh nahi kar paunga," Armaan sighed. "Tumne kaise kiya, Basket? How did you manage this?"

"Tum kya keh rahe ho?" Riddhima asked. "Maine kab…" She trailed off, confused.

"Basket, I know ki hum iss baare mein zyada baat nahi karte… Shayad tum yeh sab mere saath discuss karne mein comfortable nahi ho kyuki hum dono shuru se itne close hain… Lekin, Jaan… Anjy bhi toh tumhaare saath… I don't know what word to use… But… The two of you didn't have the best relationship, did you? Anjy tumse kitni jealous hua karti thi… But woh… Proponol wale incident ke baad… Things changed between you two, didn't they? I know ab sab bilkul theek hai, and Anjy is the best sister, but she wasn't always, was she?" Armaan asked.

Riddhima didn't say anything for two long, heart-breaking moments, before she finally replied in a soft voice. "You're right," she said. "Main aur Di hamesha aise nahi the… I don't know ki kya problem thi… Shayad Di ko lagta tha ki main Papa ki favourite hoon aur woh mujhse zyada pyaar karte hain… I don't know.

Par… Proponol wale case ke baad, Di tried to make an effort to make things better. I think… Kyuki galat humaare saath hua, hum yeh bhool jaate hain ki jisne galat kiya, uske liye bhi kitna mushkil hota hai, Armaan. To realize that you've hurt someone so close to you so badly, to face that guilt everyday… I'm not excusing their actions, but it must have been hard to make amends.

I saw that. Di struggled a lot in the initial days. Aisa nahi hai ki hum dono ke beech sab kuch ekdum se turant theek ho gaya… Shayad bahar se kisi ne dekha ho toh unhe yehi laga hoga ki Di ka behaviour meri taraf ek tarah se overnight hi badal gaya… But it took us time to build that rapport.

Maine bhi kaafi struggle kiya tha uss waqt. I love Di so much, Armaan. I always have. Lekin unhe maaf karna mere liye utna asaan nahi tha jitna maine socha tha. Tumhe pata hai… Bachpan se, I always used to dream about the day jab mere aur Di ke beech ke saare differences khatam ho jaayenge… Aur jab aisa hone laga, jab Di ne meri taraf kadam badhaya… Main darr gayi, Armaan. I didn't know if it would last. I was so scared to trust Di.

But, I wanted her to be a part of my life. Isliye maine bhi kadam badhaaye. Tumhaari tarah… Mujhe bhi waqt laga sab bhoolne mein, aage badhne mein, Di ko poori tarah trust karne mein… But har din, maine bas ek nayi shuruat ki. Di ko ek mauka diya, khud ko ek mauka diya. Bohot filmy dialogue hai, lekin agar kisi cheez ko shiddat se chaho, toh woh mil jaati hai, Armaan… Sirf isliye nahi kyuki qayanat yeh chahti hai, but isliye, kyuki agar hum kuch sachche dil se chahte haina… Toh usse paane ke liye hum koshish bhi sachchi karte hain, poore mann se, apni poori jaan laga kar.

Agar tum Dad ke saath kadwi yaadein bhulakar sab theek karna chahte ho, toh tumhe bhi sachchi koshish karni padegi… Aur mujhe poora yakeen hai ki mera Armaan yeh kar sakta hai."

"If you say so," Armaan murmured. "Kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai ki tumhe mujhpe kuch zyada hi confidence hai… Utna jitna mujhe khudpe nahi hai."

"Hai," Riddhima told him. "Kyuki main jaanti hoon tumhe. I know ki tum jo chahte ho uske liye sachche dil se koshish karte ho. Humaare liye bhi tumne ki thi, haina? Aur dekho… Ab humaari shadi hone wali hai. Dad ke saath bhi sab theek ho jaayega, agar tum chahoge toh."

"I hope so," Armaan sighed.

"I know so," Riddhima assured him.

A knock on Riddhima's door halted their conversation. "Riddhima, beta," Shashank called out softly. "Kya hum andar aa sakte hain?"

"Ek minute, Papa," Riddhima called back.

"Okay," she said into the phone. "Ab mujhe jaana padega. Papa bula rahe hain. But tum itni tension mat lo. Sab theek ho jaayega, okay?"

"Hmmm," Armaan hummed. "I'll miss you."

"Armaan," Riddhima sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," Armaan agreed. "I love you."

"I love you," Riddhima replied, and then hung up.

"Jee Papa?" She asked, opening her door, surprised to see Shashank standing there along with Padma.

"Hum andar aa jaaye?" Padma prompted when Shashank didn't say anything.

"Haan, Mumma… Yeh bhi koi poochne ki baat hai?" Riddhima replied, standing aside to let her parents in.

"Kya hua?" Riddhima questioned once they were seated. "Sab theek haina?"

"Sab theek kaise hoga?" Shashank murmured softly. "Meri bachchi jaa jo rahi hai mujhe chodke."

"Papaaaaa," Riddhima choked out, immediately wrapping Shashank in a hug. Shashank kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tight.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Riddhima," Shashank said. "Tum kal jab yahaan se jaogi toh phir… Armaan ke saath chali jaogi, lekin yeh hamesha tumhaara ghar rahega, okay?"

"Mujhe pata hai, Papa," Riddhima replied. "Yeh ghar, aur aap sab… Aap hamesha mere rahoge. Just because main Armaan ke saath rehne lagungi, aap yeh mat sochiyega ki mujhse peecha choot gaya. Main aap sabse milne itni baar aaungi aapko lagega hi nahi ki ab main yahaan nahi rehti."

"Yehi toh hum chaahte hain," Padma said. "Ki tum yahaan par hi raho… Humaare saath. Hamesha. Armaan bohot achcha ladka hai, Riddhima. Tumse usse zyada koi pyaar nahi karega. Humein pata hai ki tumhaari zindagi uske saath bohot khush-haal rahegi. Lekin tum humse alag rahogi… Yeh baat sochke dukh hota hai."

"Ab jab main ghar waapas aaunga, tumhaari smile nahi rahegi mujhe welcome karne… Anjali ki cooking ka mazaak udaane bhi koi mera saath nahi dega… Mere saath subah jogging jaane koi nahi rahega… Koi nahi rahega jiske saath dair raat (late night) baithke main movies dekhu… I'll miss you so much, Riddhima bete.

Shayad, mujhe iss baat ki jitni khushi hai ki tum apni life ka ek naya chapter shuru karne jaa rahi ho, uss insaan ke saath jo tumse itna zyada pyaar karta hai, usse zyada mujhe dukh hai, ki yeh nayi shuruat tumhe mujhse door le jaa rahi hai. I don't know mujhe tumse yeh kehna bhi chahiye ya nahi, lekin yehi sach hai. Aur hum ek doosre se kabhi jhooth nahi bolte, right?" Shashank asked.

"Right," Riddhjma blubbered. "Papa… Kya aisa nahi ho sakta ki hum sab yahin rahe, ek saath? Shaadi ke baad main aur Armaan yahaan shift ho sakte haina… Humein alag kyu rehna padega?"

Padma laughed through her tears. "Buddhu…" She said. "Hamesha se aisa hi hota hai, Riddhima. Aur waise hum toh rakh lenge tum dono ko yahaan… Lekin mujhe sach-sach batana… Tum dono ko apni privacy nahi chahiye kya?

Beta, mujhe pata hai ki tum Armaan ko bohot achche se jaanti ho… Lekin ek saath rahoge toh tumhe samajh aayega ki shayad tum apne partner ko jaanti hi nahi. Shaadi sab kuch badal deti hai, Riddhima. Nayi zimmedaariyaan, naye log, naya rishta… Sab sambhaalne mein waqt lagta hai. Aur yeh sab… Hamesha achcha yeh hota hai ki husband aur wife yeh sab akele manage karein. Isse ek doosre ko leke understanding bhi badhti hai aur ek saath waqt bitaane ka mauka bhi milta hai.

Jab tum aur Armaan yeh sab figure out kar rahe hoge, tab wahaan humaara kya kaam? You should start your new life together without outside influence."

"Aur… Tum hi toh keh rahi thi… Ki itni baar yahaan aaogi ki humein pata hi nahi chalega tum kahin aur rehti ho," Shashank added. "I'll hold you to that."

After a few moments of silence, Shashank spoke. "Riddhima, beta… Mujhe pata hai ki yeh shaadi sirf aur sirf tumhaari marzi se ho rahi hai. Tum aur Armaan ek doosre se bohot pyaar karte ho, aur ek doosre ka saath paane ke liye tum dono ko bohot mushkilon ka saamna karna pada… Meri naraazgi ka bhi. Lekin, beta… Iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki ab tum humaare paas, especially mere paas, nahi aa sakti kisi problem ko leke.

Hum sabko pata hai ki Armaan kitna achcha ladka hai, aur mujhe poora yakeen hai ki tumhaari zindagi mein aisa din kabhi nahi aayega, lekin agar… Kabhi bhi tumhe lage ki tum Armaan ke saath nahi rehna chaahti ho, yeh ghar hamesha tumhaara tha aur tumhaara rahega.

Mujhe pata hai ki shaadi se pehle shayad mujhe aisi baatein nahi karni chahiye. Yeh waqt khushiyaan baantne ka hai… Lekin kya karu? Tumhaari fikr toh ab bhi hoti haina mujhe… Aur main kabhi nahi chaahta ki tum iss ghar se yeh sochke niklo ki ab tum yahaan waapas nahi aa sakti. Tum aa sakti ho. Din ho ya raat, chaahe koi aur chaahe na chaahe, lekin agar tum yahaan aana chaahti ho, tum aaogi. Aur koi tumhe kuch nahi kahega chaahe tumhaare yahaan aane ki wajah kuch bhi ho. I promise you, beta.

Please, kabhi khudko akela mat samajhna. I'm always there for you. Tumhaare har decision mein main tumhe support karunga. I just want you to be happy, Riddhima. Phir woh jaise bhi ho, jahaan bhi ho. I will always make it happen. I promise."

"You're the best, Papa," Riddhima cried, hugging him once more. "I love you. Aur aap chinta mat kariyega. Aap sahi keh rahe hain. Armaan ke saath mujhe kabhi inn cheezon ki fikr karne ki zaroorat nahi. Agar kabhi ho bhi, toh aap haina… Bas… Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye."

"Riddhima… Tum dekhna… Tumhaari zindagi ka yeh naya mod, tumhaari zindagi ko itni khushiyon se bhar dega ki tum samajh nahi paogi ki unhe sambhalogi kaise," Padma smiled. "Tum duniya ki har khushi deserve karti ho… Aur mujhe pata hai ki Armaan tumhe usse bhi zyada khush rakhega."

"Mujhe bhi," Riddhima agreed. "Thanks, Mumma. I love you," she said, hugging her as well.

"And I love you," both her parents chorussed at the same time. Shashank kissed her forehead, making Riddhima tear up.

A knock sounded on the door once again. "Agar aap sabki senti baatein khatam ho gayi ho, toh hum aa jaaye?" Anjali asked, making the trio chuckle.

"Darwaza khula hai, Di," Riddhima called out, not making any move to step out of her parents' embrace.

"Awwww, family hug? Mujhe bhi!" Anjali cried once she entered the room, hugging the three of them.

Then, she said, "Okay… Ab aap jaaiye. Ab hum Ridzy ke saath time spend karenge," she gestured to Rahul who was still standing by the door, letting the Gupta family share a moment together.

"Of course," Shashank agreed instantly. "Have fun! Hum yahaan se chale jaate hain. Waise bhi abhi kaafi tayaari karni hai kal ke liye."

"I'm gonna miss you, Ridzy," Anjali whined, hugging her once more after Shashank & Padma had left. "So, so, so much."

"I'm gonna miss you too, Di," Riddhima echoed. "Lekin hum har roz hospital mein milenge na? And I promise, main aapse milne ghar aati rahungi."

"Aur mujhse?" Rahul asked, pouting.

"Tujhse mile bina kaise rahungi main?" Riddhima asked rhetorically. "Waise bhi ab toh Armaan ko aur mujhe teri help ki zaroorat zyada hogi na. Poora time saath rahenge toh soch hum dono mein kitne jhagde honge… And as always, you'll have to play peacemaker," she said, hugging him as well.

"Of course! Armaan ne tujhe zyada pareshaan kiya toh mujhe batana. Achche se class loonga main uski," Rahul promised.

"Okay, guys! Ab yeh sab bohot ho gaya, let's have some fun!" Anjali exclaimed.

"What fun?" Rahul & Riddhima echoed.

"Well, cause aaj Ridzy ki last night hai yahaan, toh I thought we should watch her favourite movie!" Anjali cried, pulling out DVDs of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Om Shanti Om. Riddhima had watched those movies so many times she remembered all the dialogue from them, yet she cheered at the sight and hurried to the DVD player.

The three of them spent the rest of the night merry making and laughing, making enough memories to last a lifetime. Things would change between them, but the love they had for each other would not, and really… What else could they ask for?

Chapter One Hundred & Fifteen

The next day, Armaan woke up early, a huge smile on his face. It was here. It was finally here. The first day of her wedding ceremonies! Armaan had insisted on going all out, and for once, Riddhima had agreed. He was so happy that she had. He wanted them to have the most beautiful wedding, a marker of the beautiful life they’d live together.

The wedding would take place over the course of three days. The first day would mostly be spent in greeting guests who had arrived either late last night or would do so early in the morning, followed by some fun activity that Rahul was being very tight-lipped about. The next morning, they would have the mehendi ceremony in the morning and sangeet in the evening. The haldi ceremony would be on the morning of the wedding, followed by the actual wedding happening in the evening.

It felt like a dream to him still, that they'd managed to come this far. They'd had the worst luck, and for a while, Riddhima had been afraid that they'd never be able to make it, just like Armaan had, but he'd always believed in them. Even when they were fighting or upset, unhappy in the moment, he knew that he would rather spend his entire life being unhappy with Riddhima than being happy without her. He knew that that wasn't entirely the right way to look at a relationship, that staying in an unhappy relationship wasn't the right thing to do, but it's how he felt… Maybe because he knew that his unhappiness would never last as long as Riddhima was around. It was something he could say in theory, that he'd spend his life unhappy if he had Riddhima, because he knew it wasn't something that would ever come to fruition. They would definitely have their ups and downs, highs and lows, and most importantly, they would have lots of fights, times when they would be angry at each other, or upset with their relationship… But he also knew that at the end of the day, they would always find each other again and find happiness with each other. That's just how their relationship had always been. And he couldn't wait for it to be their relationship for the rest of her life.

“Armaan? Are you ready?” Saumya called out, knocking on his door. “Late ho raha hai! Come out quickly.”

“Do minute, Bhabhi!” He shouted, setting his hair just the way Riddhima liked it.

“Tere 2 minute na… aadhe ghante se chal rahe hain! Riddhima wahaan bas pohonchne wali hai but tu bas yahaan baithke sajta sawarta reh!” She scolded.

“Bhabhi, pakka wala 2 minute!” Armaan insisted. He hurriedly sprayed Riddhima’s favourite perfume on his clothes and applied some moisturiser on his face. Fixing his collar, he gave himself a once over in the mirror and once he’d deemed that he was looking as good as he was physically capable of, joined the others. They all piled into the already waiting cars, all thanks to Rahul, and made their way to the hotel.

“Armaan,” Vishal asked as they drove, “aaj sirf close family hi hai ya aur log bhi hain?”

“Bas sirf close friends and family, bhaiya. Baaki sabko main shaadi aur reception pe invite kiya hai, but yeh sab functions mein nahi. Lekin waise toh… yeh log bhi kam nahi hai,” Armaan laughed.

“Itne kitne log hain?” Krish asked, curious.

“Let’s see,” Armaan replied, calculating in his head. “Hum sab aur Riddhima ke cousins. Humaare saare hospital ke dost… uss din sab party pe bhi the. Lekin, apart from them, there are a few other people from the hospital who are going to be there. Aur fir Riddhima ke thode friends aaye hain London se specially, just to attend the wedding, so they will be there. A few of my friends also. Aur haan… woh humaara Lonavala wala Sanjeevani ka orphanage haina? Wahaan ke sab bachchon ko humne invite kiya hai, and Riddhima ek retirement home kaafi jaati hai, toh wahaan ke sab dada dadi and bachchon ko bhi bulaya hai… toh sab mila ke actually… bohot saare log hain!”

“Agar itne saare log abhi aa rahe hain toh reception pe kaun aa raha hai?!” Meera asked, stupefied by the amount of guests already.

Armaan chuckled. “Well, Billy & Papa ke associates wagerah sab sirf tab aayenge. Nani ne bhi kuch logon ko invite kiya hai. And I think Mom and Mumma ne bhi kiya hai. Plus there are some of Anjali’s friends who she has invited for the wedding too. And hospital ke staff mein thode log aur hain who are only invited then.”

“This wedding is the event of the year, isn’t it?” Vishal joked.

“Well… meri shaadi hai. What else did you expect?” Armaan snarked. “But yes… it kind of is. Sab log bohot zyada time se wait kar rahe the. You don’t even know half of it.”

“I don’t want to either!” Vishal exclaimed. “Bohot hi zyada dramatic story hogi, knowing you.”

“Your loss,” Armaan shrugged.

The group bantered back and forth till they reached the hotel where they were greeted by the staff with huge smiles on their faces. Everyone was welcomed with a tilak and sweets, along with some ice cold lemonade to beat the heat. Armaan was even presented with a welcoming garland, being the groom.

“Rahul ne kaha tha sab garden mein milenge,” Vishal announced, pulling the group to the garden once everyone had arrived.

When Armaan arrived there with his entourage, Riddhima was already present in the garden. She was busy being hugged by her friends from her time in London. Armaan walked up to them and greeted them too, accepting their hugs. He remembered them all from the time they’d met in Paris for another wedding. That time seemed so long ago. Armaan had been so unsure then, so scared. He hadn’t wanted to move forward in his relationship with Riddhima because he was so convinced that things would go wrong if he did. And now, here he was, getting ready to marry her. They’d come such a long way since then.

“Armaan!” Cole cried, pulling him into a hug. “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks,” Armaan replied. “I’m happy for me too!”

“See?” Cole boasted. “I knew you’d be happy. Marriage will suit you well, my friend. I’m sure.”

“Let’s hope so,” Armaan laughed.

“Nervous?” Cole asked.

“Very,” Armaan confirmed. “My whole life is about to change, isn’t it? Hers too. I mean… being a husband is so different from being a boyfriend. I dunno… I just don't want to disappoint her.”

“It’s a learning curve, that is for sure,” Cole agreed. “But you’ll both learn together, won’t you? Things will change but you’ll have each other to rely on. It won’t always be smooth sailing, but you have each other and that’s what is important.”

“You’re right,” Armaan agreed. “As long as I have her, I’m going to be just fine.”

“That’s the spirit!” Cole cheered. “Here’s to you and your lovely wife - to - be having a beautiful marriage.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Armaan confirmed, clinking his glass with Cole’s.

They greeted Bi and Vani Aunty next. Bi had arrived the prior night and had elected to stay with Abhi & Nikki, knowing that Armaan would be entertaining other relatives. While they'd planned to make the drive to meet Bi last night, neither Armaan nor Riddhima had been able to because they'd had conversations with their respective parents. They both bent down and touched her feet to seek blessings.

"H se hamesha k se khush raho tum dono," she told them. "Hamesha ek doosre se itna hi p se pyaar karo aur l se ladayi kam karo."

The couple laughed, pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you, Bi," Riddhima murmured. "Humne aapko bohot pareshaan kiya na? Itni jaldi - jaldi Mumbai bulakar. I'm sorry!" She apologized cutely, holding her ears.

"Iss sabke liye toh r se roz y se yahaan aane t se tayyar hoon," Bi replied. "Apne A se Ammy ko s se settle hote hue d se dekhne toh maine kabse i se intezaar kiya hai."

Armaan blushed at her words and looked away, making the women coo at him. Riddhima put her arms around his stomach in a quick hug. "Tum dono saath mein kitne pyaare dikhte ho," Vani commented. "Sach… Jab bhi main tum dono ko dekhti hoon na, mujhe itna achcha lagta hai, ki main kya hi batau."

"Thank you, Aunty," Armaan replied bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck. "Aap shaadi pe aaye… Thank you!"

"Aana toh tha hi," Vani replied. "Teri shaadi main kaise miss kar sakti hoon? Sirf Bi thodi hain, jinhone wait kiya hai. Maine bhi kam intezaar nahi kiya hai!"

The group chuckled at her words. Turning to Riddhima, Vani added. "All the best, Riddhima. Iss Armaan ke saath rehna itna bhi easy nahi hai. I hope tum sab manage karlo… waise toh mujhe pata hai ki Armaan tumhaara poora khayal rakhega, but fir bhi ek baar keh rahi hoon… Uska achche se khayal rakhna, Armaan! Samjhe?"

"Yes, Aunty," Armaan promised, rolling his eyes.

Riddhima saw RK & Madhu waltz in, and interrupted Armaan’s conversation with Vani to drag him to the couple. “RK!” She exclaimed, hugging him tight. “Thank you so much for making it! I know tumhaare liye manage karna difficult raha hoga… but it means so much to us that you’re here.”

“Of course,” RK replied, returning her hug just as enthusiastically, and then pulling Armaan in for one as well. “Tum dono ki shaadi hai… toh aana hi tha! How could I miss it?”

“Hi, Madhu,” Riddhima greeted, hugging the woman as well. “Thank you so much for coming!”

“Congratulations!” Madhu said. “Aap dono sach mein itne khush lagte ho ek saath. Isse achchi baat toh ho hi nahi sakti ki ab aap dono ki shaadi ho rahi hai! Main aap dono ke liye bohot khush hoon. Sach mein!”

“Awwww,” Armaan cooed. “Thank you, Madhu! That’s so sweet of you!”

“So… all ready? Kitni excitement ho rahi hai?” RK asked the couple, smirking knowingly at both of them, making them laugh.

“Pucho hi mat,” Riddhima answered. “The last few days have been a whirlwind. Mujhe ab tak believe nahi ho raha hai ki finally humaari shaadi ho rahi hai.”

Armaan put an arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her head. “Believe it, Basket!” He cried. “Ho hi rahi hai… finally!”

“Lekin, I’m sure tum dono se zyada excitement toh unn sab namoono mein hogi,” RK joked. “Event of the century, am I right?”

Riddhima scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Woh log kuch zyada hi enthu ho rahe hain… but that was to be expected.”

“I mean… mere alawa unn sabko bhi bohot papad belne pade yeh din dekhne… toh khushi toh hogi hi na,” Armaan added cheekily, setting their little group off.

“Waise hai kahaan yeh sab? Koi dikh nahi raha?” Madhu questioned. She had become somewhat friends with Muskaan in the past few months and had been looking forward to seeing her.

“Yahin kahin honge,” Armaan told her. “Subah se bas idhar udhar bhaag rahe hain. Humne bhi actually unse zyada time baat nahi ki. I guess organizing a wedding is a tough job.”

As they kept conversation flowing, talking about anything and everything, Armaan saw that Emma had arrived too. She had flown in to attend the wedding with her husband, Ron, and their daughter Rose. He was so happy that they were all here to celebrate this special occasion with him, with them. Wanting to introduce Riddhima to Emma’s family, he excused them.

As the two walked hand in hand to greet Emma, the others couldn’t help but look at the gorgeous couple. They seemed to be lost in a world of their own, sharing smiles and laughter, clearly very happy and excited about the upcoming big day.

“Emma!” Riddhima cried, hugging her tight. “Thank you so much for making the trip.”

“Of course,” Emma replied. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Would we, Ronnie?”

“Of course not,” her husband, Ron answered. Turning to Riddhima, he greeted her. “It’s so nice to finally meet you,” he said. “I’ve heard such good things. Congratulations on the wedding. It looks beautiful.”

“It really does,” Emma seconded.

“Thank you so much,” Riddhima replied. “But I can’t take the credit. Our friends are responsible for the whole thing. Armaan and I had little to no input in the entire arrangement.”

“That’s true,” Armaan confirmed. “I don’t know why, though. Everyone knows I throw the best parties.”

“Shut up,” Emma scolded jokingly. “It’s so nice that your friends did this for you.”

“It is,” Armaan agreed. “You know I’m just kidding. They’re the best. I’m very thankful that they all stepped up like this.”

“Well, I’m very excited for the festivities,” Ron declared. “As is Rose. Aren’t you?” He asked his daughter, who nodded enthusiastically.

“That’s my girl!” Armaan cheered, hi-fiving her. “Tell me, Rose… did you miss me?”

Rose nodded. “I missed you!”

“How much?” He asked.

“So muchhhhh!” She showed him, spreading her arms wide. “Lots and lots.”

“I missed you lots and lots too,” Armaan replied, bending down and opening his arms for her. She immediately hugged him, making everyone smile.

“Armaan… why don’t we talk for a bit?” Emma asked a few minutes later. “I have so much to say!”

Armaan looked at Riddhima who nodded in encouragement. “Sure,” he agreed. “Whatever you say.”

The two of them walked away arm in arm, Emma already saying something to him the second they were out of earshot. “Don’t worry,” Ron tried to reassure Riddhima, who was looking at their retreating backs apprehensively. “It’s nothing bad. Emma just wants to check in with Armaan to see how he’s doing with all these changes. But just by looking at him, I can tell you he’s very happy and excited. I’ve never seen him so lively ever before.”

Riddhima smiled at his words. It made her extremely happy to know that her presence and their relationship had made a positive difference for Armaan. She only ever wanted him to be happy. “I’m glad,” she said. “I hope he stays happy forever.”

Riddhima went to greet other guests after that, leaving Ron to mingle with the others. Just as she walked away, she saw Sukanya Bhushan enter the garden and rushed to meet her.

“Sukanya Aunty!” She cried in hello, hugging the woman tight. “It’s so good to see you!”

“You too,” Sukanya smiled. “But ab toh Masi bulane ki aadat daal lo tum.”

Riddhima blushed. “Of course, Masi,” she repeated.

“You remember Ravi?” Sukanya asked, turning to her husband.

“Yes, of course,” Riddhima replied. “Namastey Uncle. Kaise hain aap?”

“Bilkul badhiya,” Ravi answered. “Welcome to the family, Riddhima.” He proceeded to press a quick kiss to her forehead.

“Thank you, Uncle,” Riddhima replied, blushing. Turning to Sukanya, she asked, “Dia aur Uday nahi dikh rahe, Au… I mean Masi?”

“Woh Samrat aur Mayank ke saath aayenge,” Sukanya answered. “In fact, they’re already on the way. Aate hi honge.”

“Oh! Samrat aur Mayank dono aa rahe hain? That’s so great! Mujhe laga tha pata nahi itne short notice pe aa paaayenge ya nahi,” Riddhima confessed.

“Well, to be honest… I think woh dono hi invitation ke baare mein sunnke thode surprised the but they were very excited. Dia keh rahi thi ki they agreed to come almost immediately. I mean… tum sab college ke waqt kaafi close the na? Despite you and Anjali being their seniors, I know tum sab ek saath hi hangout karte the,” Sukanya said.

“Haan, Aunty. Woh actually, mere basketball aur Di ke dramatics ke extracurriculars ki wajah se hum unn sab se kaafi close the, right from the start… but still… I was not sure,” Riddhima replied.

“Don’t worry!” Sukanya laughed. “They’re very excited!”

“There you are!” Dia’s excited cry interrupted their conversation. “Main kabse dhoond rahi hoon!”

“Dia!” Riddhima shouted jovially, pulling her into a hug. “Finally! Main kabse wait kar rahi thi!”

“Sorry, Ridzy,” Dia lamented. “Woh sab Nupur ki fault hai. Tum usse kehna!”

“Nupur?” Riddhima asked, confused.

“Main! Hi, I’m Nupur,” someone said, making Riddhima turn. Behind her stood Samrat, whom she took a minute to recognize because he was dressed so differently than she was used to seeing him, and two beautiful women who Riddhima didn’t think she knew.

“Hi??” She greeted, but it came out more like a question. “Hum pehle mile hain? Sorry, maine aapko pehchaana nahi.”

“By God!! Tum kaise pehchaanogi? Hum kabhi nahi mile hain! Main Nupur hoon, Dia ki cousin,” Nupur introduced herself. Riddhima smiled. She looked between Dia and Nupur for a second, before guessing, “Mayank’s wife, right?”

“WOW!” Nupur exclaimed. “Tum toh badi smart ho, by god! Itni jaldi pehchaan liya?”

Riddhima laughed. “Dia ne mujhe bohot kuch bataya hai. Isliye.”

“Oh! Dia,” Nupur turned to her. “Tum meri buraayi toh nahi kar rahi thi na?”

“Of course not, Nupur!” Dia replied.

“Don’t worry,” Riddhima assured. “Dia ne sirf bohot achchi baatein boli tumhaare aur… Gunjan?” Riddhima confirmed looking at the woman she was sure was Gunjan, and getting a nod in reply, continued, “Gunjan ke baare mein. Which I think is right. I mean, tum dono ne jinn idiot ladko se shaadi ki hai… you two have to be saints! No other explanation.”

“Excuse me!” Samrat interjected. “Agar tumne notice nahi kiya ho, Champ, toh main bata du… main yahin par khada hoon, aur mujhe tumhaari saari baatein sunn rahi hain!”

“I know, Sam!” Riddhima replied, laughing. Her chuckles set Samrat off as well. He stepped forward to pull her into a tight hug.

“Congratulations, Champ!” He said. “I’m so happy for you. Aur shaadi pe invite karne ke liye thank you so much!”

“Well, I’m a good person,” Riddhima replied, stepping back. “Tumhaari tarah nahi jo shaadi karli aur invite karna toh door, apne puraane doston ko inform bhi nahi kiya!”

“Actually, sab kuch itni jaldi - jaldi mein ho gaya…” Samrat tried to justify himself.

“Theek hai, theek hai. Rehne do. I know everything. But you should have told me na, Sam,” Riddhima argued. “Yaa tumhe darr lag raha tha ki main tumhaari saari poll khol dungi toh Gunjan tumhe chod degi?”

“Please!” Samrat scoffed. “Chashmish mujhe kabhi nahi chodegi.”

“Aww, you’re so cute!” Riddhima replied, pulling his cheeks. “Mr. Commitment Phobe, so happily married. Kabhi socha nahi tha maine ki aisa din aayega.”

“Main kabhi socha nahi tha ki aisa din aayega, Ms. Bookworm,” Samrat fired back.

Chuckling, Riddhima turned to Nupur and Gunjan and hugged them both too, introducing herself and thanking them for making it to the wedding. Then, she asked, “But, Uday, Benji, aur Mayank kahaan hai?”

Dia looked around to search for them, and finally found the three of them walking into the party, Mayank and Uday having a baby strapped to their chests respectively. “Hey guys!” Riddhima greeted them enthusiastically.

“Riddhima!” Mayank was the first one to notice her, rushing forward to pull her into a light hug, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy. “So many congratulations! Main tumhaare liye bohot bohot bohot khush hoon!” He cried, dropping a quick kiss to the top of her head.

“Thank you, Mayu!” Riddhima replied, pulling back and ruffling his hair.

“Riddhima!” Mayank cried, scandalized. “Not the hair!” After a beat, he added, “Aur please ab yeh Mayu wali nonsense tum chod do. Ab toh Maa bhi nahi bulaati!”

“Main kya karu, you’re such a cute grump!” Riddhima replied, holding his cheeks in one hand and shaking his head.

“Riddhima! Main bhi hoon,” Uday grumbled, wanting her attention. Riddhima pulled him into a hug. “I know! Hi, Uday!”

“Tumhe pata haina tum meri favourite sister - in - law ho… fir bhi mujhe bhao nahi deti tum!” Uday whined.

“Uday… main tumhaari only sister - in - law hoon, toh by default favourite bhi hui na?” Riddhima asked him.

“Sirf tum ho toh iska yeh matlab thodi hai ki tum favourite bhi ho, Champ! Khudko itni bhi importance nahi deni chahiye,” Samrat teased her.

“Woh toh maine tumse hi seekha haina, Mr. Shergill… khudko itni saari importance kaise dete hain woh tumse better kaun jaanta hai?” She asked rhetorically.

“Yeh baat toh tumne bilkul sahi boli,” Nupur agreed. “Samrat hamesha khudko bohot importance deta hai!”

“Nupur, yaar!” Samrat whined. “Tu aur main toh ek hi thaali ke chatte - batte haina… fir bhi tu hamesha mera mazaak udaati hai!”

“Samrat… tumhe muhavre use karna aa gaya?” Riddhima asked, surprised. “I’m impressed!”

Samrat grinned smugly. “Of course! I’m a well educated man!”

Riddhima laughed at that. “Of course you are!”

Then, she turned her attention to the cute babies. “They’re so cute,” she gushed, peeking into Uday and Mayank’s carriers. “Yours?” She asked, looking up at Mayank.

Mayank nodded proudly. “Yes! Raj aur Rahul,” he introduced them. “Twins hain… abhi bas 4 mahine ke hain, but they’re the smartest babies in existence.”

“Ab tumhaare bachche hain toh smart hona toh guaranteed haina,” Riddhima joked. “But… Raj & Rahul? Shah Rukh Khan movies dekhke naam decide kiye kya?”

“By God, Riddhima! Tum kitni smart ho!” Nupur cheered. “Yes! Humne Shah Rukh ke naam pe hi rakhe hain dono ke naam… actually, maine… yeh Mayank mein itna talent kahaan,” she boasted.

Before Riddhima could reply to that, an arm grabbed her around the waist, Rahul’s voice crying, “Riddhu!!” in her ear loudly.

“Hey,” she greeted once she’d gotten her bearings.

“Hi,” Rahul replied. Turning to the others, and realizing he knew only Dia and Uday, he greeted the duo. “Hey, Dia! Hey, Uday! So glad you could make it!”

Dia nodded in acknowledgement, smiling widely.

“Rahul… meet your namesake!” Riddhima laughed, gesturing to the baby strapped to Mayank.

“Oh… Rahul, huh? Naam toh sabne suna hi hai… but good choice of name. Congratulations,” Rahul told Mayank.

“Thank you,” Mayank replied. “And congratulations to you, too! Shaadi ke liye. Riddhima is the best. I’m sure you two will be very happy together.”

Rahul & Riddhima looked at each other, absolutely stunned at Mayank’s words before they burst out laughing. “Main aur Riddhima?” Rahul huffed between laughs. “No way!”

“Oh,” Mayank mumbled. “I’m sorry. Mujhe laga…”

“It’s okay,” Riddhima waved him off. “Kabhi kabhi ho jaata hai. This is Rahul, by the way. My best friend… and definitely not fiance. Rahul, these are my friends… Samrat and Mayank, aur yeh unki wives, Gunjan aur Nupur… and this is Benji, my other college friend,” Riddhima introduced all of them.

They all greeted Rahul and vice versa, before Riddhima turned to him. “What’s up? Itni khushi kis baat ki mana raha hai tu? Mujhe ab tak sunaayi de raha hai,” she asked, rubbing her ears to get rid of the echoes of Rahul’s exuberance.

“Maine finally uss idiot chef ki biryani recipe change kar di!” Rahul crowed.

“No way!” Riddhima screamed, absolutely jubilant. The menu for the wedding was decided and Riddhima loved everything the chef had presented her with, except the biryani which she absolutely abhorred. Rahul had been trying to get the chef to agree to use his recipe for it because Riddhima loved his biryani so much with no luck for the past few days. It seemed that he had finally managed to get the chef to agree.

“Yes way!” Rahul told her. “Ab tujhe apni shadi pe woh stupid biryani nahi khani padegi!”

“Rahul, you’re the best! I love you!” Riddhima cried, hugging him tight.

“Waise toh I love you too,” Rahul answered. “But seriously, Riddhu… teri shadi ne na mujhe bohot tension di hai. I’ve started getting gray hair because of you!”

“Shut up, Rahul!” Riddhima scolded. “Tujhe kitni baar bola hai aise bakwaas mat kiya kar… aur suna mat mujhe… I know jab teri baari aayegi you’re going to make me repay all this tenfold.”

“Woh jo bhi ho,” Rahul shrugged. “I have gray hair, Riddhu! GRAY HAIR!”

“I see aaj sab yahaan jamaa ho rahe hain,” Armaan walked up to the group. “Hello!”

“Sukanya Masiiiiii!” He cried, hugging her tight. “I missed you so much! Look at you! 2 mahine hum nahi mile aur aap itni zyada gorgeous ho gayi hain. How?”

“Charmer,” Sukanya scoffed lovingly, ruffling Armaan’s hair. “Congratulations, beta! I am so, so, so happy for you,” she said, kissing Armaan’s forehead.

“Thank you!” Armaan replied. He then hugged Ravi who echoed his wife’s sentiments and then his cousins.

He looked at Gunjan for a moment too long, making her conscious under his stare, holding Samrat’s hand tighter in her own. “Gungun, right?” Armaan murmured after a moment. He looked up at Sukanya for confirmation, who nodded, making Armaan smile widely. “Of course. Gungun! I knew it. Look at you! Kitni badi ho gayi ho, yaar. Aur… pehle se bhi bohot zyada cute. Waise… generally bachche bade hote hain toh unki cuteness kam ho jaati hai, but tumhaari toh aur badh gayi!”

“I’m sorry… kya hum ek doosre ko jaante hain?” Gunjan asked, surprised.

“Jaante… tum ne mujhe nahi pehchaana? I am hurt. I thought I was your best friend, Gungun!” Armaan cried dramatically.

“Aap yeh… baar - baar Gungun kyu keh rahe hain? Woh toh sirf Maan Bhaiya hi…” Gunjan trailed off when Armaan pointed at himself. “Maan Bhaiya,” he explained. “Woh… uss waqt tum bohot choti thi na… aur tumhaare saamne ke cute se daanth toh the hi nahi… isliye tum Armaan bol hi nahi paati thi… bas poora din sirf Maan Bhaiya… Maan Bhaiya… Maan Bhaiya!”

“Oh!” Gunjan exclaimed. “Maan Bhaiya!” And threw herself into his arms for a hug. “I missed you! Itne saal ho gaye… aap kahaan the ab tak? Aapko idea bhi nahi hai how much I missed you… aap itne saalon se Mumbai mein ho? Ek baar bhi baat hi nahi ki mujhse… aise koi karta hai kya? Aapko meri bilkul yaad nahi aayi na, Bhaiya? I see how it is!”

“Bas, bas, bas!” Armaan laughed. “Kitna bolne lagi ho tum! Itna bolna sikhaya kisne tumhe? Pehle toh bas aankh neeche karke ground pe nazrein tikaaye baithi rehti thi. Ab dekho…”

Gunjan pouted. “Aap har baar ki tarah phir galat cheez pe focus kar rahe ho, Maan Bhaiya!”

“Right!” Armaan agreed. “Sorry. Haan woh… maine call nahi kiya na? I’m sorry… but mujhe kya pata tha ki tum Mumbai mein ho? Yeh Dia… tumhe pata hai… yeh toh mujhse kabhi baat hi nahi karti. Agar woh mujhe nahi batayegi toh mujhe kaise pata chalega? Isliye saari fault uski hi hai.”

“Armaan!” Dia cried. “Not fair! How was I supposed to know you knew Gunjan?”

“Of course I know her! Hum tumhaare ghar pe hi mile the na, Dee Bee!” Armaan exclaimed.

“Humaare ghar? Kab?” Dia asked, confused.

“Jab tum sab bohot chote the, I think,” Ravi intervened. “Armaan apne summer vacations mein humaare yahaan rehne aata tha… aur Shashi Bhaisaab bhi aaye the Nupur aur Gunjan ko leke kai baar… toh bas tab tum paanchon ki pehli baar mulaqat hui thi.”

“Haan,” Sukanya agreed. “Mujhe yaad hai… Armaan aur Gunjan ki hamesha bohot zyada banti thi. Armaan guitar bajata tha aur Gunjan gaati thi… taaki Nupur aur Dia dance kar sake. Aur tum chaaron ki audience hota tha Uday. Poori summer vacation tum 5 ek saath khel mein hi bita dete the.”

“Right,” Armaan added. “Lekin jab main 5th mein gaya toh Billy ne meri boarding school Panchgani se Shimla change kardi toh wahaan se main har summer mein nahi aa paata tha… and I think uske baad Nupur aur Gungun ne bhi aana band kar diya tha, right? I think tab tum sab sirf 6-7 saal ke the. Toh I guess it makes sense ki tumhe yaad nahi hai.”

“Gunjan teri yaadasht bohot achchi hai,” Nupur lamented. “Mujhe toh yeh sab kuch yaad hi nahi tha, by god!”

Armaan laughed. “Nupur… tum toh bilkul nahi badli, I see! Don’t worry… mere paas bohot saare photos hain. Tumhe saari bhej dunga.”

“Thank you, Armaan Bhaiya!” Nupur expressed her gratitude.

“Any time,” Armaan replied.

“Maan Bhaiya… this is my husband, Samrat!” Gunjan introduced Samrat, bursting with excitement.

“Hey!” Armaan greeted and pulled the man into a light hug. “I feel like I know you,” he murmured. “We’ve met before, right? I just can’t place you!”

“You never liked to remember people who were better than you anyway, did you?” Samrat cribbed. “Of course, tum bhool gaye. Classic Three Point Ammy!”

“Three Point Ammy? How do you know that?” Armaan asked, shocked. “Wait… Oh my God! Fade Away Sam?”

“In the flesh!” Samrat agreed. “It’s good to see you!”

Armaan laughed disbelievingly and pulled Samrat into another hug, this one much tighter than the one before. “I can’t believe it! It’s been years!”

“It has,” Samrat agreed. “Tumne humaari team… I think 2000 mein chodi thi? It’s been almost a decade.”

“Dude… don’t say chodi thi… makes it seem like I abandoned you! I graduated!” Armaan rebuffed.

“Same difference,” Samrat shrugged.

“Ab tum ek doosre ko kaise jaante ho?” Nupur butted in. “Armaan Bhaiya… aap thode zyada hi world famous nahi ho?”

Armaan laughed. “Arre, meri shadi hai… toh mujhe toh saare guests pata hone chahiye na kaun hai! But waise… Samrat aur main same hi boarding school mein the. And we both played for our school’s basketball team, toh hum kaafi achche dost hua karte the kisi zamaane mein. But jab meri schooling khatam ho gayi aur main college ke liye Kasauli chala gaya uske baad hum touch mein nahi reh paaye.”

They made small talk for a while after that, and then Armaan & Riddhima left them with Rahul to meet the others. One by one, Armaan & Riddhima greeted all their guests, thanking them profusely for making the trip and exchanging stories from the time apart. These were people that they hadn’t been in touch with regularly, but who were all an important part of their lives and it was so nice to finally have some time to catch up with them. Riddhima was grateful that Rahul and Anjali had thought of having this time together instead of just plying them with ceremony after ceremony.

Once they were done with lunch and catching up with the guests, Armaan and Riddhima changed into more casual clothes for an afternoon with the kids. Everyone from the Lonavala Orphanage and Udaan Foundation had reached late in the morning and had been resting earlier, but now, they had planned to just relax by the beach. Muskaan and Rahul joined them for a while too, but it was mostly just Armaan & Riddhima with the kids. All in all, a beautiful start to their wedding celebrations. Neither of them could have asked for anything better.

Wow. So many chapters all at one time.