ILYLTF #5 (Chapter 145 - Page 110) - Page 67

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty One

Riddhima woke up early, a huge smile on her face. It was finally here. Her wedding day was here. She was going to get married to the love of her life in a matter of hours. She remembered feeling something similar the same exactly a year ago… the day her and Armaan had their roka. She had been so happy and excited that day, so full of joy she felt she might burst from it. She hadn’t thought she could ever be happier than she had been that day. How wrong she had been. The exuberance she felt today was not something she had ever felt before. Maybe, she never would. Today was the beginning of the rest of her life, and she couldn’t contain herself.

She got dressed quickly, and tiptoed out of her room, pretty sure that everyone else was still asleep. She needed some time to herself. The last few days had been full of people in the best way possible, but she needed to not be with others right now, to breathe alone, to have this moment all to herself before she became a part of a couple forever. Because, as excited as she was, she was also scared. She would be leaving her home with her parents to make a new one with her husband. She loved Armaan and she knew he loved her. She knew that she would be very happy with him, perhaps happier than she had been while living with her father, given how intent Armaan seemed to be on spoiling her with anything and everything that he could. But, leaving her family behind was not easy.

There were so many things she would miss when she didn’t live with her family. She would miss waking Anjali up every morning, thinking up new ways to do so everyday. She would miss sharing breakfast with all of them. She would miss talking with Padma late into the night. She would miss being able to ask Shashank for advice by just walking into the next room. She would miss helping Nani in the kitchen. She would miss watching movies with Rahul, and she would miss sitting alone at her favourite spot in the house to read. She would miss the food her mom made, she would miss the discussions her and her father engaged in, she would miss helping her sister get ready. She would miss every little thing that had made their family in all the years they’d spent together.

But, that wasn’t all she’d miss. She would miss her own bed that was so comfortable with all the pillows set just right. She would miss her dressing table which was at the perfect height. She would miss her wardrobe which miraculously fit all her clothes. She would miss her small study table where she’d studied for so long. She would miss her bookshelf which had grown up with her — from carrying nursery rhymes to fairytales to romance novels to medical texts. She would miss it all.

But, she was very eager to make new memories with Armaan in their home. She had waited for this day for so long and now it was finally here. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad. It was such a weird thing, to feel both these conflicting emotions so thoroughly.

"Hi," a soft voice whispered in her ear, bringing her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Armaan smiling down at her, his smile as bright as a million suns.

"Hi," she replied, mirroring his smile with one of her own. She patted the space next to her and Armaan immediately sat down, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Pata hai, Basket… Aaj na, main bohot zyada weird feel kar raha hoon," he said. "Maine aise pehle kabhi feel hi nahi kiya. Bohot darr lag raha hai, pata nahi main achcha husband banunga ya nahi… Tumhe woh saari khushi de paunga ya nahi jo tum deserve karti ho."

"Armaan, aur kuch ho na ho, lekin mujhe poora bharosa hai ki tum world ke best husband banoge," Riddhima assured him.

"Aur tum world ki best wife," Armaan told her. "Tum already best ho!"

Riddhima laughed. "I'm not so sure about that."

"I am," he asserted. "Jab hum hain… Toh phir kya gham hai?"

"That was too cheesy," she laughed, wrinkling her nose.

"Arre, yaar! Woh kal raat ko Champ ne zabardasti mujhe Baghban dikhayi kyuki usse bore ho raha tha," Armaan whined, making Riddhima laugh.

"Ohhhh," she hummed. "Toh wahaan se uthaake dialogue chipka rahe ho?"

Armaan shrugged. "Waise… Ek baat batao," he requested a moment later. "Jab tum bhi 50-60 saal ki buddhi ho jaaogi, toh kya Hema Malini ki tarah beautiful lagogi?"

"Armaannnnnn!" Riddhima cried, whacking his shoulder.

"Owwwww!" He shrieked. "Itna zor se kyu maarti ho tum?"

Riddhima didn’t say anything, choosing instead to push him back and rest her head on her chest. “Armaan,” she murmured a few moments later. “Jaise Baghban mein hua, waise humaare saath nahi hoga na?”

“Basket, woh sirf ek movie hai,” Armaan answered. “Waisa real life mein thodi hota hai?”

“Lekin phir bhi… agar hua toh?” Riddhima probed.

“Main kabhi aisa hone hi nahi dunga,” Armaan told her. “Agar kabhi galti se aisa din aa bhi gaya, hum kisi old age home chale jaayenge, agar hum apna khayal nahi rakh paaye toh. Hum… hum Udaan mein shift ho jaayenge. Wahaan ke new age Dadu - Dadi banke.”

Riddhima laughed at that. “Pakka?”

“Pakka,” Armaan promised. “But… tum woh sab chodo na. Aaj ke din kya tum yeh sab baatein leke baith gayi? Tumhe yaad hai, roke wale din, tumne kya kaha tha?”

Riddhima looked up at Armaan and nodded. “Yaad hai.”

“Toh phir bas, wohi socho,” Armaan said. “Aaj ke din, hum bas khush rahenge, okay? Baaki toh saari zindagi hai tension lene, Basket. Lekin aajka din phir waapas nahi aayega. Toh aaj ke liye sirf achchi cheezein sochenge. We should have only happy memories of today, right?”

“Right,” Riddhima agreed.

Armaan smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Riddhima wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. They shared languid kisses for a few moments before they were disturbed by the ringing of Riddhima’s phone. Riddhima pulled back to see Anjali calling.

“Ahhh,” Armaan sighed breathlessly. “Tumhaari behen ki timing na, ekdum perfect hai. As always.”

Laughing, Riddhima mussed his hair some more before answering her phone. “Good morning, Di.”

“Ridzy, kahaan hai tu?” Anjali asked. “Maine mana kiya tha na ki akele kahin nahi jaana.”

“Sorry, Di,” Riddhima apologized. “Main yahaan bas garden mein hoon, humaare room ke saamne waale.”

“Chal jaldi, andar aa. Haldi ka time ho raha hai. Tujhe ready nahi hona kya?” Anjali ordered.

“Haa — Haan, Di,” Riddhima replied. “Aati hoon.”

“Immediately, Ridzy,” Anjali emphasized. “Armaan ko bolna ki romance karne uske paas saari life hai. But abhi ceremony time pe hona zyada important hai.”

“Diiiii!” Riddhima whined.

Anjali’s only response was loud laughter before she disconnected the call. Sighing, Riddhima turned back to Armaan. Before she could say anything, he said, “I know, I know. Di bula rahi hai. But tum bhi apni Di se keh dena… bas aaj ki baat hai. Kal se main tumhe bulaunga aur tum usse keh dena… Sorry Di, Armaan bula raha hai! Okay?”

“Okay,” Riddhima agreed. She stood up on her tiptoes for one last, quick kiss. As she turned around, predictably, her dupatta flew in Armaan’s face, leaving him mesmerized. When she turned around for one more look at him, he was standing there, eyes closed and a huge smile on his lips, unaware of the rest of the world. Riddhima’s heart skipped a beat at the sight. She was so in love.

________________

The haldi ceremony took place at the pool side of the hotel. In keeping with the theme, everything was decorated a lively yellow.

The gang had pleaded their case in front of Shashank and Billy, so that they wouldn’t have to choose sides, and had gotten permission to do the haldi ceremony together, so they’d set up a special sitting area for the couple.

Armaan and Riddhima entered the ceremonial area along with their moms this time. The four of them the picture of happiness. Armaan was escorting Padma down the makeshift aisle with her arm wound around his, while Ananya escorted Riddhima, a hand on the small of her back and the other around her shoulder. The couple was dressed in white with accents of gold, looking royally majestic.

Riddhima

Armaan

The gang was decked out in yellow, once again in perfect coordination.

Abhi

Nikki

Atul

Anjali

Muskaan

Rahul

The ceremony began shortly after the arrival of the couple. Nani, being the eldest, kickstarted the ceremony. She applied some haldi to Armaan first, and then wiped a bit of it from his face to apply that to Riddhima. After having applied the ceremonial uptan that had been wiped out of the groom’s body, she reached into the bowl to apply some more haldi to Riddhima’s face. She blessed the couple and kissed both their foreheads, wishing them a happy married life.

After her, it was Shashank and Padma, and then Billy and Ananya, who did the same. The other elders in their families followed suit. Once they were done, Armaan & Riddhima’s cousins lined up, and then finally, it was the gang’s turn. It was pandemonium after that, because of course, Armaan could not let them go without applying haldi to them in return, which resulted in a full blown fight. Everyone was applying haldi to everyone, soiling their clothes. Muskaan and Atul had the bright idea of also adding other things to the mess, so there was ketchup, melted chocolate, and syrup in the mix too. By the end of it, they all were sticky messes, covered in food and haldi from head to toe.

“ARMAAN!!” Riddhima cried. “Kya kiya yeh?”

“Maine kya kiya, yaar?” Armaan whined. “Main akela thodi tha? Baaki sab bhi toh the!”

“Start toh tune hi kiya na, duffer!” Nikki screamed. “Agar tu Muskaan ko nahi lagata, toh woh yeh sab nahi karti na!”

“Yaar, tum log har baar mujhe hi kyu blame karte ho!” Armaan protested. “Bin baat har cheez ka bill mere naam pe phat jaata hai. Main faltu mein hi badnaam ho gaya hoon har jagah tum logon ki wajah se!”

“Oyye, Armaan!” Rahul reprimanded. “Itni nautanki mat kar, samjha? Teri hi galti hai. Teri haldi thi, humaari nahi… jo tu palat ke hum sabko lagane laga! Agar yeh sab nahi kiya hota toh kuch nahi hota na! Ab dekh… sabke kapde kharab kar diye. Kitna uncomfortable lag raha hai!”

“Uncomfortable lag raha hai?” Armaan asked rhetorically. Before Rahul could reply, he pushed Rahul into the pool. “Le, ab achcha lagega.”

“ARMAAN!” Rahul shouted, while everyone else started laughing.

“Chal, bahar aaja,” Armaan said, crouching down in front of the pool. He offered Rahul a hand, which Rahul took after making a face. Then, he used his momentum to pull an unsuspecting Armaan into the water, which… Rahul seriously expected better from Armaan. Why Armaan thought he wouldn’t do this was beyond him. So, he deserved to get his clothes wet for being so naive.

When Armaan came up after being dunked, he spluttered. “DADDU! What the heck, man?”

Rahul shrugged. Armaan turned to look at the gang all laughing at him. “Bohot zyada hi hasi nahi aa rahi tum sabko?” He commented. Then, caught Muskaan, who was closest to him, and pulled her in as well, setting another round of raucous laughter.

Somehow, one by one, the entire gang found themselves in the pool, till it was just Riddhima standing by the poolside. Nikki, thankfully, had been spared the shenanigans too, owing to her pregnancy. Riddhima absolutely refused to stand anywhere near lest she be pulled in as well, so Armaan, being the person he was, got out of the pool and chased Riddhima around the entire area, till he finally caught up to her. He hauled her up on his shoulder and then jumped into the pool with her.

“ARMAAN!” She shrieked. “Aise koi karta hai kya?”

“Main,” Armaan answered. “Main karta hoon.”

“Tum naaa,” she bit out.

“Main na kya?” He asked.

“Stupid, idiot, duffer, kahin ke!” She muttered under her breath.

“I HEARD THAT!” He shouted.

“I MEANT THAT!” She replied, just as loud.

“Basket ki bachchi! Ruko tum,” he threatened, and then began splashing water on her. Riddhima splashed him right back, and then the entire gang joined in as well.

They would have stayed in the pool, playing for who knows how long, if Nani had not interrupted them. “Chalo, band karo ab yeh sab!” She stated, after letting them have fun for a while. “Baaki ki saari rasmein bhi aaj hi karni hain. Chalo… bahar aao, aur kaam par lago sabke sab. Mahurat ka time paas aa raha hai. Tum logon ki shaitaani ki wajah se agar phere late hue toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga!”

That was the end of the haldi ceremony. No one wanted to anger Nani and they all obediently followed her instructions. Once they got out of the pool, the hotel staff was waiting with towels and bathrobes for all of them. Armaan made Riddhima wear a robe before pulling one himself, and Riddhima dried his hair for him, because he was absolutely hopeless at doing it. Once they were all considerably warmer, Anjali took Riddhima and started in the direction of her room. Riddhima turned to see Armaan already looking at her. She grinned at him and gave her a small wave. This was the last time they were meeting like this. The next time they did, she would become his wife. The thought sent a thrill down her spine and she shivered. Anjali, mistaking it for a shiver from the cold, rushed her down the path and Riddhima went willingly. The sooner she got ready, the sooner she could get married to the love of her life.

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Two

“Riddhima Didi, aap mere baal braid kar doge?” Navneeta asked, as she lounged in Riddhima’s room along with the other girls. Anjali, Muskaan, Nikki, Keerti, Naina, and even Tara were in Riddhima’s room, helping her get ready. They had hired a make-up artist, but Anjali insisted on doing most of Riddhima’s make-up herself, wanting to help her sister look her best the day she took the most important step of her life.

“Navu,” Keerti reprimanded. “Riddhima Didi ko pareshaan mat karo. Unhe tayyaar hone do.”

“Mumma, Didi sabse achche se braid banati hain!” Navneeta whined.

“Of course,” Riddhima replied. “Aa jao,” she gestured to the empty space in front of her. “Rehne dijiya na, Bhabhi,” Riddhima said, looking at Keerti, addressing her with the moniker for the first time. While Armaan had been doing it increasingly outside the hospital, she had not been comfortable enough before. But now that she was getting married to Armaan, things would change. “Do minute lagenge.”

Keerti looked at Riddhima, completely taken aback. She had not expected that the wedding would change the equation between them. While it was true that Shubhankar was extremely close to Armaan, the same was not the case between Keerti and Riddhima. They were definitely not just colleagues, but they weren’t family, not really. Keerti categorized herself firmly as a friend for Riddhima, but not one as close as Muskaan or Nikita. A mentor, perhaps. But not family. And now, to hear herself be addressed as such from Riddhima, while definitely a surprise, was a pleasant one.

“Navu,” Riddhima started, making conversation as she braided the girl’s hair. “Aaj shaadi mein aap kiske side se ho? Meri ya Armaan Bhaiya ki?”

“Main toh dono ki side se hoon,” Navneeta replied promptly.

“Dono ki side se kaise ho sakte ho?” Riddhima asked. “Aapko ek side toh choose karni padegi na?”

“Lekin main choose kaise karu?” Navneeta pondered. “Aur waise bhi… choose karna itna important kyu hai?”

“Agar aap choose nahi karoge, toh yeh kaise decide hoga ki aap shaadi ke time joote churaoge ya bachaoge?” Muskaan questioned, indulging in their mindless talks.

“Joote bachane ke bhi paise hote hain kya?” Navneeta wondered out loud.

“Kli,” Nikki clicked her tongue. “Uske koi paise nahi hote.”

“Toh main aapki side se Riddhima Di!” Navneeta exclaimed immediately. “Armaan Bhaiya se bohot saare paise nikalwaungi.”

Her words sent a peal of laughter throughout the room. “Very good,” Riddhima praised. “Bohot saare paise nikalwana. Lekin phir, thode mere saath share karogi na?”

“Ridz?!” Nikki cried, surprised.

“What?” Riddhima asked. “Tum sabke sab uske joote churake paise kamaoge, aur main nahi? Need I remind you ki tumhe yeh mauka hi sirf meri wajah se mil raha hai? Thoda kuch toh haq mera bhi banta haina?”

“Waise… baat toh tune pate ki hai,” Muskaan agreed. “Agar tu Armaan se shaadi karne haan nahi bolti toh humein itne paisa kamaane ka mauka hi nahi milta.”

“Yes, exactly!” Riddhima cried triumphantly. “I feel I should be compensated.”

“Waah, yeh kya baat hui?” Nikki asked. “Matlab ab har cheez ka credit khud hi? Tu kabse aisi ho gayi, Ridzy? Sab Muskaan ki sangat ka nateeja hai! Aur tu…” she added, turning to Muskaan. “Tu kya uski side le rahi hai? Usko paise diye toh humein kam milenge! Khudka hi nuksaan karwa de.”

“Woh nuksaan ki nahi, faayde ki baat soch rahi hai,” Riddhima clarified. “Taaki jab iski baari aaye, toh humein isse bhi paise dene pade!” Nikki’s mouth dropped at Riddhima’s words. Of course, Muskaan was being calculative about this. That was just like her.

“Oyye, Ridzy!” Muskaan cried. “Meri pol kyu kholi? Ek toh main tera side le rahi hoon… lekin tune mere saath aise kiya? Bhalayi ka sach mein zamaana hi nahi raha!”

“Muskiiiii!” Riddhima cried, pulling her into a hug. “I love youuu!”

“Haan. Theek hai, theek hai,” Muskaan waved her off.

“Guys,” Anjali interrupted them. “Yeh sab theek hai but can we please concentrate? Ridzy, tera saara makeup bacha hai. Uske baad fir hair do bhi hai and then tujhe lehenga pehenke sab pinup bhi karna hai. Bohot time lagega. Please ab time waste karna band kar and focus, okay?”

“Sorry, Di,” Riddhima replied, biting her tongue.

"It's okay, baby," Anjali smiled. "I know… Tu bohot nervous haina? Aur isliye khudko distract karne ki koshish kar rahi hai?"

"Hmmmm," Riddhima hummed, not elaborating. What could she say? Wasn't it very natural to be nervous before a person got married? It was such a big change. And change was always scary, no matter how prepared you are for it.

"Don't worry, Ridzy," Nikki tried to reassure her. "Sab theek hoga. Waise bhi, yeh shaadi toh bas formality haina tum dono ke liye, so that you can move in together. Uske alawa toh tum apna sab kuch already share karte hi ho. I know for a fact ki tu Armaan ke ghar kabhi bhi aati jaati hai… You look after everything and make sure that things are in order when he can't. Jab sab renovation ho raha tha, I think more than Armaan, you supervised everything. Tu hi usse sab bills time pe pay karna yaad dilaati hai.

Aur… Armaan bhi toh Gupta House mein pada rehta hai jab dekho tab. Tujhe pata hai, beech mein jab tu aur Rahul Delhi gaye hue the, aur ek din Nani ghar pe akeli thi, toh Armaan stayed back with her so she wouldn't have to stay alone.

Tum dono saari responsibilities shayad share nahi karte ab tak, but I think you share like 90% of the things already. Woh 10% bohot chota hai. Usse darrne ki kya zaroorat?"

"Hmmm, you're right," Riddhima agreed.

"Of course I am," Nikki replied smugly.

"Navneetaaa! Dekho, kaun aaya hai!" Shubhankar called out, knocking on the door.

"Ek minute, Shubhankar!" Keerti called out. Turning to the girls, she asked. "Is it okay agar woh andar aaye?"

"Of course," Riddhima was quick to answer. "Aap unhe andar bula lijiye."

Keerti smiled in thanks and quickly let Shubhankar in, who arrived with Dhruv in tow.

"Dhruv?" Navneeta shrieked in delight, immediately pulling her best friend in for a hug.

"Hi, Navu," Dhruv greeted, returning her hug just as enthusiastically.

Once Navneeta released him, Dhruv marched up to Riddhima, who pulled him into a hug as well. "Aap late ho, Dhruv," Riddhima pouted.

"I know," Dhruv agreed. "Sorry, Didi. But woh mere exams the na. Isliye mujhe late ho gaya. Aapko aur Armaan Bhaiya ko kya yeh ekdum exams ke beech ka hi time mila tha shaadi karne? Maine itne saare functions miss kar diye!"

"Sorry," Riddhima apologized, pulling away from him and holding her ears. "But… Ab toh aap aa gaye ho na!"

"Haan," Dhruv agreed. "But aap mujhe baaki saare functions ke videos bhej dena, okay? Mujhe dekhna hai ki aap sabne kitni masti ki."

"Of course!" Riddhima promised.

"Riddhima Didi, aap toh abhi se kitne beautiful lag rahe ho! Armaan Bhaiya toh aaj aapko dekhke faint hi ho jaayenge," he teased.

"Chal… Badmaash!" Riddhima scolded jokingly.

"Arre, sach! God promise!" Dhruv vowed.

"Dhruv theek bol raha hai, Di," Navneeta seconded. "Aaj aap bohot pretty lag rahe ho!"

"Okay, bachchon," Shubhankar rallied them. "Ab aap dono Riddhima Didi ko ready hone do… Aur mere saath chalo, okay? Hum Samrat aur baaki bachchon ke saath khelenge. Waise bhi, itne time Samrat ko akele nahi chodna chahiye. Pata nahi Atul aur Yuvi usse manage kar payenge ya nahi."

"Come on," Keerti hoarded them out of the room. "Papa ki baat suno, Navu. And no badmaashi, okay?"

"Okay, Mumma!" Navneeta vowed.

As Shubhankar towed the kids out, he turned to Riddhima and said, "Sach Riddhima, aaj Armaan ke hosh hi udd jaayenge." Riddhima blushed at his compliment.

"Awwww, so cute," Tara cooed, pulling Riddhima's cheeks. "Aap toh ekdum tamatar ki tarah laal - laal ho rahe ho, Di!"

"Taraaaaa!" Anjali scolded. "Mat kar. Uska sab foundation kharab ho jaayega."

The others laughed at Anjali's whining. Seeing as the coast was clear with no young ears, Nikki resumed the topic they'd been discussing before Shubhankar had arrived. "Ridzy… Seriously, though. Tu itna nervous kyu ho rahi hai?" She asked. "You're behaving as if you and Armaan have never slept together."

"Nikki!" Riddhima shouted. "Kya bakwaas kar rahi hai. Kuch bhi bol deti hai bina soche. And… We haven't. Just, fyi."

"Rubbish!" Nikki dismissed. "I don't believe you. Tum dono itne time se saath ho… Hamesha aise chipke rehte ho ek doosre se… And you want me to believe you? No way."

"Nikkiiiii… Main kyu jhooth bolungi?" Riddhima asked. "We really haven't. Armaan wanted to wait till we're married."

"Armaan wanted to wait?" Muskaan asked, stressing on him. "Toh matlab… Kya? You didn't?"

Riddhima shrugged, not answering verbally. But, her actions were answer enough. Sighing, she added, knowing they wouldn't leave it alone till she said at least something, "We almost did a couple times… But the timing didn't seem right… Or the place, according to Armaan. So, we didn't. And then shaadi ki tayyaariyaan shuru ho gayi, toh we sort of just decided that it was best to wait till after."

"Who knew Armaan would be such a romantic?" Anjali sighed. "Ridzy, tujhe yaad hai… When we first met? He was such a flirt. Matlab, kahin ladki dikhi nahi ki chala line maarne… And now look at him. The timing and place need to be perfect. So cute."

Riddhima blushed, hiding her face in her palms. "Awwww, Ridzyyyy!" Muskaan cried, hugging her. "Tu aise embarrass kyu ho rahi hai? We're all very happy for you!"

"Yes, we are," Keerti agreed. "But I think agar Riddhima zyada comfortable nahi hai toh humein iss topic pe focus nahi karna chahiye."

Riddhima threw her a grateful look at that. "You're right, Dr. Keerti," Nikki agreed. "But Ridzy… Tu iss baat pe toh nervous bilkul hi mat ho. You know Armaan will go at whatever pace you set. You never have to worry about this."

"I know," Riddhima replied. "It's just very scary… Not just this, but everything. I'm so excited, but it doesn't help the nerves, does it?"

"No," Keerti and Nikki answered in unison, the only two married women sitting there.

"But dheere - dheere sab settle ho jaayega," Keerti told her. "And Armaan will be there with you. Woh bhi toh bilkul itna hi nervous hoga. But ek saath, I'm sure you both will manage just fine."

"Let's hope," Riddhima murmured.

Just as Keerti had predicted, Armaan was a bundle of nerves himself. He kept pacing the length of the room, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, giving everyone a headache with his constant rambling. "I will be a good husband, right?" He asked, for probably the millionth time.

"YES!" Everyone in the room chorussed.

Armaan shuddered at their loud response. "Haan, theek hai. Isme itna chillane waali kya baat hai?" He asked.

"Armaan… Dekh… Mujhe pata hai tu bohot nervous, and it makes sense… But please… Tu itni tension mat le. You'll be fine," Rahul advised.

"Aise kaise, yaar? Itna bada change hai… How can you be so sure?" Armaan questioned. "What if I'm just boyfriend material and not husband material?"

"Armaan… You've been husband material since the day I met you," Abhi told him. "If you weren't, Riddhima tumse shaadi karne haan nahi kehti."

"Exactly," Rahul agreed.

"Tu itni tension mat le," Atul said. "Tujhe pata haina… Hum sabko hamesha bas tera hi example milta hai jab koi perfect partner ki baat karta hai? Seriously, yaar, Armaan! Agar tu mera bhai nahi hota na… Main jaan le leta teri. Itni mushkil se Anjali aur meri baat bani hai… Aur tu hamesha beech mein aa jaata hai. Anjali hamesha bas yehi kehti hai ki tu Ridz ko jaise treat karta hai mujhe bhi usse waise hi karna chahiye."

"Teko pata haina… Uss din mera aur Muskaan ka jhagda sirf isliye hua kyuki Muskaan ko lagta hai ki main teri tarah nahi hoon?" Rahul asked rhetorically. "Armaan… Dude, you've set standards too high. Tu yeh sab bakwaas toh kar hi mat. I've been there since day one. Dekha hai maine tujhe aur Riddhima ko… Ek saath bhi aur alag bhi. Mujhe pata hai ki tu uski kitni care karta hai, uska kitna khayal rakhta… Aur yeh bhi ki woh tera kitna khayal rakhti hai. Iss maamle mein tujhe tension lene ki zaroorat bilkul nahi hai. You're great for each other, and you'll be great together."

"You think?" Armaan pressed.

"I know," Rahul replied. "Of course, getting married is scary… But you don't have to worry so much. You and Riddhima are going to be like one of those Bollywood romcom couples who have the best life."

"Well, I sure hope so!" Armaan agreed.

Armaan still seemed very nervous, so Rahul quietly gestured for Abhi & Shubhankar to talk to him. Maybe talking to them would ease his worries. Rahul knew that both couples had their problems from time to time, but Nikki and Dr. Keerti seemed very happy to be married.

“Armaan! Relax!” Abhi advised. “Tum itni tension mat lo. I thought you were excited to get married. Pichle itne mahino se maine sirf tumhe khush aur excited hi dekha hai about the wedding. Ab achanak yeh sab?”

“Tab toh bas shaadi ke baare mein soch raha tha na,” Armaan replied. “Ab shaadi ho rahi hai toh uske baad ke baare mein sochke darr lag raha hai. Aisa nahi hai ki main khush nahi hoon. I’m so excited and happy. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier… but tum logon ko pata haina… mera track record itna achcha nahi raha hai. I know Basket loves me and she’s also very happy about the wedding… lekin maine past mein usse itni baar disappoint kiya hai. Ab main woh waapas nahi karna chaahta.”

“Armaan, it’s impossible ki tum usse kabhi disappoint nahi karoge. Married couples mein an-ban hoti rehti hai. Koi bhi insaan apni saari zindagi sirf khush nahi reh sakta. Like every other couple, you and Riddhima will have your ups and downs too, but that doesn’t mean that going through with the wedding is a bad thing. Disappoint toh tum usse bina shaadi kiye bhi kar sakte ho na,” Abhi tried to reason.

“Lekin ek husband se disappoint hona aur ek boyfriend se disappoint hona… dono mein fark hota hai,” Armaan fired back.

“Bilkul hota hai,” Shubhankar agreed. “As a wife, Riddhima will definitely have more expectations from you than she did when you were dating. Yeh uska haq hai. Lekin, tumhaara bhi toh haq hai us par. You will also have more expectations from her. Your dynamics will change, but tumhaara pyaar toh nahi badlega na? You will still love each other. And that’s why you’re getting married, right? Because tum dono ek doosre se itna pyaar karte ho. Feeling nervous is natural, but don’t let this feeling overpower your happiness. Tum ne hi kaha tha naa aaj subah hum sab se, ki tum aaj sirf achcha sochna chaahte ho? When you look back at your wedding, do you want to remember feeling scared and nervous, or do you want to remember being happy?

Main yeh nahi keh raha hoon ki tum galat soch rahe ho. Your fears are justified… but tum yeh sab sochke baaki din spoil mat karo. Like Abhi said, fights and disagreements are a part of marriage. Ab… mujhe hi dekhlo… main kitni stupid mistakes karta hoon. This year, I almost forgot our anniversary. Keerti ko mujhe yaad dilaana pada tha. She was disappointed ki main itna important din bhool gaya… lekin, iska yeh matlab thodi hai that she’s not happy to be with me? She is… and I know, kyuki woh mujhe kehti hai that she’s happy that we decided to get married.

Jo bhi problems aayengi, you two will face them together, as a unit… aur jab woh support hota haina? That’s the best thing in the world. Uss sabke liye, thodi pareshaani toh utha sakte hain hum. Right?”

“Right,” Armaan murmured in agreement. Dr. Shubhankar’s words did put him at ease. And he was right. Armaan was absolutely ecstatic to be getting married to Riddhima. He should not let his nerves foreshadow that excitement. And, really, what kind of a husband would he be if he went into this marriage with such an attitude? He needed to believe in himself a little more, and in Riddhima, a lot more. Together, they would deal with whatever happened. And, how silly was it to get worked up over some non-existent issues, that too on his wedding day? No. This would simply not do. He would think only happy thoughts now. And nothing else. Only a few hours till he became a married man. And, hadn’t he been dreaming about being his Basket’s husband for years now? So, that’s what he would focus on. Them being together, finally. The rest of it could wait. And, it would.

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Three

“Armaan?” Ananya asked, knocking on his door. “Are you ready?”

“Just a second, Mom,” Armaan called back. He turned back to the mirror and reset his sherwani’s collar for probably the millionth time. “Do I look good?” He asked Krish, who had stayed behind to keep Armaan company while the others helped with last minute preparations.

“Yes,” Krish replied, exasperated. “Jaise ki aap dikh rahe the jab aapne yeh question mujhse pichli 50 baar poocha tha. You look as good as you can. Ab isse zyada achcha dikhna hai toh aapko plastic surgery karwani padegi… and we don’t have time for that. Mahurat abhi 2 ghanto mein hi hai.”

“KRISHHHH!” Armaan whined. “Stop being a smart-ass. I need to look my best. Tujhe koi idea bhi hai ki Riddhima kitni zyada beautiful dikhne wali hai? I need to match up to her.”

“Bhai… while it’s very cute ki aap Bhabhi se itne pyaar karte ho, this is getting tired now,” Krish stated. “Main Taiji ko andar bula raha hoon. Ab aap yeh baar-baar apne kapde ulte-seedhe karke dekhna chod do.”

Krish opened the door to see that Meera, Muskaan, and Saumya were accompanying Ananya. They were all dressed for the wedding, having gone all out and looking gorgeous. He told them as much, before inviting them in.

“Armaan, band kar ab yeh sab,” Ananya told her son who had gone back to fixing his hair while staring at himself in the mirror. “Chal… abhi thodi rasmein hain baaraat se pehle, uske liye tujhe neeche chalna hai.”

“Mom, bas ek minute,” Armaan replied.

“Kabse dekh rahi hoon,” Ananya rebuffed. “Tera ek minute khatam hi nahi ho raha! Tu bohot handsome dikh raha hai… ab itna sajna-sawarna chod de!”

When he still didn’t listen, Muskaan marched forward and bodily intervened, stopping Armaan from putting his hands in his hair, or anywhere, for that matter. “Hero, bas karna! Hum logon ko aur bhi cheezein dekhni hai. Tere aage-peeche ghoomein kya hum bas?”

“Aaj ke din nahi ghoomoge toh kab ghoomoge?” Armaan asked. “Aaj meri shaadi hai. Thodi importance dedo mujhe!”

“Teri shaadi hi karane ki koshish kar rahe hain hum!” Muskaan fired back. “Lekin woh ho nahi paayegi agar tu sajne-sawarne ke chakkar mein mahurat miss kar dega toh!”

Armaan sighed. “Theek hai, theek hai. Chalo! Bolo kya karna hai?”

“Neeche chalo,” Saumya instructed. “Pooja ka time ho raha hai.”

“Fine,” Armaan relented. “Chalo.”

Meera immediately wound her arm through his and started walking out of his room, escorting him to the ballroom. Part of the ceremonies would be held there, after which Armaan would mount a ghodi and the baraat would arrive at the courtyard, on the other end of the hotel, to give some illusion of a proper baraat to everyone attending.

Armaan was surprised to see all his friends when he got downstairs, even Anjali, waiting there for him. They had truly taken the “attending from both sides” thing to heart. He had not expected Anjali to be in attendance, not when her sister was about to get married in mere hours. He thought that she would spend all her time with Riddhima. But then, he noticed that Nikki wasn’t around. Maybe, they had decided to trade spots for a little while so that Anjali also got to be a part of this. They were best friends after all. Touched by the sentiment, he marched up to her and pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you so much!” He whispered.

The rituals began after that. There was a priest who was continuously chanting mantras and asking Armaan to do something or the other, which Armaan didn’t really understand why, but kept his mouth shut because of the glare Ananya gave him whenever he tried to interrupt. He really just wanted to get on with it and get to the mandap so that he could see Riddhima. He was positively sure she would be looking absolutely ethereal, like the goddess she was, and he needed to see her.

Thankfully, after an hour or so, the pooja was done. Meera stepped up on a small stool at the end of it, to tie his sehra on his head. Armaan grinned at her, happy that she was here, was a part of this. He really did adore her so much and having her by his side while he got married made all the difference to him. Their considerably large party then made their way outside, ready to leave, so that Armaan could get married. Finally.

However, before he could mount the beautiful mare in front of him, he was stopped by his gaggle of cousins, who were surprisingly being led by Anjali and Muskaan. “Sorry, Armaan,” Anjali started, not sounding sorry at all. “Lekin agar ghodi chadhni hai, toh pehle fees deni padegi.”

“Kya fees?” Armaan asked, lifting his sehra.

“Ammy!” Dia whined. “Don’t be obtuse. Tumhe pata haina… ghodi chadhne behno ko bribe karna padta hai?”

“Dia!” Gunjan rebuked. “Usse bribe nahi shagun kehte hain.” Turning to Armaan she added, “But haan… Maan Bhaiya, shagun toh aapko dena padega.”

“Main koi shagun-wagun nahi de raha!” Armaan cried, outraged.

“Oyye, Hero!” Muskaan fired back. “Dega kaise nahi? Dena toh teko padega! Aur hum sabko!”

“Tu yahaan kya kar rahi hai?” Armaan questioned. “Pehle toh bada keh rahi thi na… Armaan, teri ek nahi do - do saaliyaan hai?” And then, to Anjali, “And you! Anjy… mujhe laga tum Riddhima ki behen ho!”

“Yes,” Anjali agreed instantly. “But tum mere best friend bhi toh ho. Aur ab, apni best friend ki shaadi bhi attend karne aayi hoon main. Sirf apni behen ki nahi. Toh, mujhe attend toh karni chahiye na!”

“Rahul, what is this? Inn logon ko bol yeh sab drama na karein!” Armaan instructed.

“Sorry, Armaan!” Rahul called out, unrepentant. “Teri side lene mein koi faayda nahi hai, but Anjy has promised me a percentage of the winnings from what you give them.”

“Saale, kamine!” Armaan shrieked. “Yehi teri dosti, yehi tera pyaar? Beech mein aa gayi, paise ki deewaar? Aisa karega tu mere saath?”

“Bilkul,” Rahul answered, not even the slightest bit guilty. “Teri shaadi karaane mein mujhe bohot mehnat lagi hai. Kuch toh reward milna chahiye na!”

“Armaan,” Atul added. “Dekh na… Anjali kitne pyaar se maang rahi hai. De de. Please!”

“Champ, tere se yeh umeed mujhe bilkul nahi thi!” Armaan rebuked. “Bas… Anjali kya mil gayi tu toh bhai ko bhool hi gaya!”

“Armaan, meri baat maan,” Vishal advised. “Inko paise dede. Yeh log aise nahi maanenge.”

“Vishal Bhaiya is right,” Nupur agreed instantly. “Armaan Bhaiya… agar aapne paise nahi diye na, toh aaj aapko ghodi pe baithne nahi milega… aur Riddhima Bhabhi bas mandap pe aapka wait hi karti reh jaayengi.”

“Tum log bilkul nahi maanoge na?” Armaan asked rhetorically.

“Bilkul nahi!” They all confirmed.

“Theek hai. Chalo… batao kitne paise lagenge?” Armaan questioned, surrendering to his fate.

“Zyada nahi,” Muskaan informed him. “Bas 15,000!”

“15,000 toh aise bol rahi hai jaise 15 rupaye maange ho!” Armaan exclaimed. “Mere paas itne paise nahi hai!”

“Hero, chup chaap jeb dheeli kar,” Muskaan threatened. “Ridzy se shaadi karni haina?”

The two kept on bickering, standing there in front of the mare. Finally, fed up, Billy decided to intervene. “Yeh le, Muskaan!” He said, producing a bundle of crisp thousand rupee notes. “Tere 15,000. Chal ab… humein jaane de.”

“Kya baat hai Billy Uncle!” Muskaan praised. “Aap badi jaldi maan gaye? Thank you!”

“Tum dono ke chakkar mein mahurat sach mein miss ho jaata! Itni mushkil se yeh nalayak shaadi ke liye mana hai. Agar iske chakkar mein aaj Riddhi ghar nahi aayi na, toh 4 thappad main maarunga!” Billy told the crowd.

“Awwww,” Anjali cooed. “Billy Uncle, you’re too cute!” She hugged him sideways. “I wish, mere father-in-law bhi aap hi hote!”

“Anjy, don’t worry,” Armaan soothed. “For all intents and purposes, Billy is your father-in-law.”

“Oh, yes! Of course, I am. Main nahi aaunga toh aur kaun aayega? Atul aur Armaan koi alag hain kya mere liye?” Billy stated, causing both Anjali and Atul to blush deeply.

“Okay, okay!” Ananya stopped them. “Ab chalein? Humein late ho raha hai!”

“Yes, Aunty,” Rahul agreed dutifully. “Let’s go!”

Rahul and Atul helped Armaan mount the mare, and amongst loud music, a ton of relatives, and bright laughter, Armaan finally became one step closer to having the love of his life forever.

__________________

Riddhima was sitting in her room, surrounded by her family and Keerti & Shubhankar. They were doing the chooda ceremony before the wedding rituals. It was the ceremony where the bride's uncle & aunt would make her wear the chooda that she would then keep wearing for the first few months of her marriage.

"Waise toh yeh rasam mama aur mami karte hain," Shubhankar said. "Aur I know it's a little weird because Armaan bhi mujhe apna bada bhai maanta hai… But mere liye, Padma Didi meri badi behen jaisi hai." He smiled remembering the time that Padma had gotten married and how they'd gotten close then, starting to think of each other as a sibling.

"I know," Riddhima replied. "Thank you. Aap iss rasam ke liye maan gaye, yeh mere liye bohot badi baat hai. Really. Thank you so much!"

"It's our pleasure," Keerti assured her. Turning to Dr. Shashank, she added. "Balki humein toh aap sabko thank you kehna chahiye ki aapne humein apni family ka hissa banaya aur iss rasam mein hissa lena ka mauka diya. Thank you."

They shared an emotional hug before the ceremony started. Shubhankar and Keerti made Riddhima wear every choodi and tied the kaleere on her wrists. Once they were done, they both kissed Riddhima on her forehead and the three of them shared a hug. "All the best, Riddhima. And so many congratulations," Keerti wished her. "I hope ki tumhaari married life bohot successful aur happy ho."

"Thank you!" Riddhima exclaimed.

After the ceremony, everyone left Riddhima alone, making sure to look at some last minute preparations for the wedding, leaving her with just Nikki for company, who was resting before the ceremonies as well.

“Nikki, are you sure tu theek hai?” Riddhima asked her best friend.

“I’m fine,” Nikki insisted, when it was clear she was not. “Bas woh thoda pain ho raha hai.”

“Nikki, maybe we should go to the hospital,” Riddhima murmured. “Teri due date nazdeek hai.”

“Itni bhi nazdeek nahi hai,” Nikki answered. “Abhi bhi almost ek mahina bacha hai, Ridz. Tujhe pata haina… ab 8 months in, even breathing is uncomfortable for me. Bas thoda backache ho raha hai mujhe. Nothing else. Let me rest for a while. I’ll be better soon.”

“Fine,” Riddhima relented. “Lekin agar pain kam nahi hua toh hum hospital chalenge, okay?”

“Fine,” Nikki echoed. “But I’m sure I’ll be okay.”

“Are you excited?” Nikki asked her, wanting a change in topic.

Riddhima’s blush was a dead giveaway. “Of course you are,” Nikki answered the question herself. “I’m very excited too. Both my best friends are finally getting married. Waise… ek baat bolu, Ridzy?”

At Riddhima’s nod, she continued. “For a second there, I wasn’t sure ki tum dono kabhi iss stage tak pohonchoge. I mean… itni sab gadbad and then… let me just say it… both of you are absolute clowns. I was afraid that one of you will fudge it all up over some petty fight like you had in the past. So I am glad it all worked out so well in the end.”

Riddhima laughed. “I can understand. Armaan and I have not had the best of histories. But, I always knew. Chahe hum kitna bhi ladle, jhagadle, ek doosre se door ho jaaye… I knew one day this day would come, and we would be married.”

“That’s good. I’m sure you needed to have that faith in yourself and this relationship with the way everything has been,” Nikki commented.

“Some days more than the others,” Riddhima countered. “But I think… you guys don’t understand, not really. I mean, Rahul ke baad, tumne humaari relationship ko sabse kareeb se dekha hai, but even you don’t understand… Armaan aur main, when we say we cannot live without each other, we mean it very literally, Nikki. Itna toh main usse yeh saare mahine alag rehke samajh gayi hoon. I know that after the shootout, agar aaj woh aur main theek hain, tum sabke saath hain… it’s only because we had hope that getting better would mean being together again.”

“Even when you hated Armaan? I mean… tujhe toh yehi laga tha na that he left you because of your paralysis,” Nikki asked.

“Even then,” Riddhima told her. “Aur… maine kabhi Armaan ko hate nahi kiya. That’s the crux of it, isn’t it? Don’t get me wrong… maine koshish bohot ki, aur sachche dil se ki… ki main usse bhool jau, usse nafrat karu… saari duniya se nafrat karne lagi, lekin usse nahi kar paayi.”

“You two are so weird,” Nikki finally commented. “Tum dono kisi Bollywood movie se nikalke bahar aaye ho kya? I thought aisa sab sirf filmon mein hota hai.”

Riddhima laughed at that, setting Nikki off as well. The two of them spent the rest of their time giggling together, sharing secrets as if schoolgirls on a sleepover. It had been so long since they’d had any time to spend together, just the two of them, so it felt so nice to be able to have this. Riddhima was grateful that Anjali had decided to attend Armaan’s ceremonies. She knew that Anjali had been feeling guilty about not being as present on the groom’s side as she’d like, had Armaan been getting married to anyone but her, so she had urged her elder sister to attend, even though Anjali had been reluctant to part with her.

“Baraat aa gayi! Baraat aa gayi! Baraat aa gayi!” Dhairya cried, running into the room. “Nikki Di! Jaldi chalo. Aapko neeche bula rahe hain!”

“Go on,” Riddhima urged, when Nikki looked back at her. “I know you want to! Just… apna dhyaan rakhna, okay?”

“Yes, Doctor!” Nikki replied dutifully, before taking Dhairya’s hand and allowing him to escort her downstairs to the courtyard. Finally alone, Riddhima immediately rushed to the balcony, wanting to take a glimpse of her beloved groom. The sight did not disappoint. Armaan was sitting on the ceremonial mare with baby Samrat in his arms, both of them enjoying the spectacle in front of them. Riddhima spotted Atul, Meera, and Rahul in the crowd, dancing happily. Soon, the baraat was joined by her cousins, who all mingled with the others, dancing as they went. Ishaan walked up to Armaan and helped him down, pulling him into the dance as well, and Armaan happily obliged. He looked so radiant, so happy, Riddhima fell in love with him all over again. Her heart thundered in her chest at the sight of him, walking up to her mother, getting ready to marry her. But, just before he disappeared out of view, he looked up, right at her, as if he had known she was there the entire time, and sent her a wink and blew her a kiss, making her smile. She blew him a kiss of her own before she returned to her room, happy to wait till she could see him again, this time to be with him forever.

For a few minutes, Armaan enjoyed his baraat. Still atop the mare, he even danced as the rest of the party did. But soon enough, he got annoyed that it was taking so long. It seemed that both his and Riddhima's family needed to dance till they dropped this very moment, as if they would never get another chance, ever. Irritated, he called Rahul, wanting to stop the fanfare so they could go inside.

"Abbbeeee, Rahul!" He complained to Rahul as he stood on his tiptoes to reach Armaan who had bent down to whisper in his friend's ear. "Inka kab tak chalega?"

"Kyu kya hua?" Rahul asked, smirking wide. He was completely aware of what the issue was, but how could he let this opportunity to tease Armaan pass?

"Kya hua kya?" Armaan scoffed. "Yeh log aise dance kar rahe hain jaise aajke baad inko dance karne hi nahi milega… Aur yeh dekh! Riddhima ki family, welcome karne ke badle, yeh log bhi dance karne mein busy hain!" He gestured to Ishaan, Tara, and even Nishank Chachu, who had mingled with the baraat, dancing along with them.

"Haan toh… Achcha haina! Sab shaadi enjoy kar rahe hain," Rahul replied innocently.

"Yeh log shaadi hone kahaan de rahe hain, enjoy karne ke liye!" Armaan grumbled. "Jaldi yeh sab program khatam karwa!"

"Badi jaldi ho rahi hai tujhe!" Rahul laughed, pulling his cheek.

"Dadduuuuuu! Please na, yaar. Dekh… Riddhima bhi upar akele kab tak baithe rahegi? Chal na… Aage ki ceremonies karte hain. Maine Riddhima ko achche se pichle 6 ghanton se nahi dekha! Thoda taras kha le, yaar. Pleaseeeeeee!" Armaan pleaded.

"Kitna cute hai yaar, tu!" Rahul exclaimed, reaching up to kiss Armaan's cheek. "Ruk… Karwata hoon band. Bohot ho gaya naach gaana, ab zara sach mein shaadi kar lete hain!"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Armaan cried, hugging Rahul and patting his back.

Rahul left him there and went to speak to Padma & Shashank. After an intense discussion, Shashank pulled Billy aside, who managed to wrangle everyone enough for the dancing to stop and the other ceremonies to start.

At the gates, Armaan was greeted by Anjali and Muskaan, who had rushed here after dancing in the baraat for a few minutes, wanting to be there in the welcoming party. They were accompanied by Tara, Dhairya, and even Ishaan, and a couple of Riddhima’s other cousins whose names he didn’t remember. “Welcome, jeeju,” Anjali greeted him, causing his cheeks to dust red, making everyone coo at the sight.

“Thank you, saali ji,” he replied.

“First things first,” Muskaan stated. “Agar andar jaana hai toh paise lagenge.”

“What the!” Armaan exclaimed. “Abhi aadhe ghante pehle toh paise diye the tumhe… ab waapas?”

“Woh toh… as your best friends!” Anjali clarified. “As Riddhima’s sisters, we deserve this. Keep up, Armaan!”

“Yeh achcha hai,” he commented. “Dono taraf se bas maal batorne mein busy ho tum dono!”

“Of course!” They agreed. “Kuch toh faayda humaara bhi hona chahiye na!”

“Jeeju, please!” Tara pleaded. “Aap itne nakhre mat karo. Yeh toh neg hota hai. Aapko dena hi padega. Warna no entry.”

“Yes,” Isaan agreed. “What Tara said. Agar aapko humaari Riddhima Di ko leke jaana hai… toh hum aise kaise chod dein aapko? Fees toh deni hi padegi.”

“Mummaaa!” Armaan whined. “Dekho yeh log kya bol rahe hain!”

“Sorry, Armaan,” Padma apologized. “Isme main koi help nahi kar sakti. Yeh toh riwaaz hai.”

“Mummaaa!” Armaan whined once more.

“Kya jabse mumma mumma kar raha hai,” Nani snorted. “Chal jaldi se paise nikal!”

“Haan,” Muskaan said. “Zyada nahi maangungi. Bas 10,000!”

“Abbe tu kitni laalchi hai,” Armaan cried. “Abhi 15,000 diye. Ab 10,000 aur?”

“Jeeju… usme toh sirf Anjali Di aur Muskaan Di ka hissa tha na. Hum sab bhi toh hain! Unke chakkar mein aap humein kyu sideline kar rahe ho?” Dhairya asked.

“Armaan, ab tu kya bachchon se ladega?” Rahul commented. “Chup chap de dena paise. Waise bhi ghodi chadhne ke toh Billy ne diye the na! Ab zyada nautanki mat kar.”

Armaan sighed but agreed, handing over the money to Anjali, who was clearly the eldest of the lot. “Tum dono itni khush mat dikho,” he told them. “Jab tum dono ki baari aayegi, toh chun - chun ke saara badla lunga main!”

Finally having handed over the money, he was allowed up to the threshold, where Nani and Padma welcomed him with an aarti. Padma stepped up to pull his nose, as was tradition when welcoming your son-in-law. Armaan stepped back a couple times, before giving in, and letting her pull his nose, despite the protests of his family. This was his mother. He would never feel bad about having to be shown up by her. It was her right.

All the rituals done, he stepped inside. Shashank welcomed him with a hug of his own before directing him to the seating area.

“Oyye Nikki!” Armaan whispered to his best friend who was sitting beside him. “Tu theek haina? Riddhima keh rahi thi tujhe back ache ho raha hai?”

“Tu aur Ridzy kitne chipku ho, yaar! Abhi sab rasmon ke beech mein bhi tujhe time mil gaya usse baat karne ka?” Nikki asked.

“Of course!” Armaan exclaimed, as if it was stupid to think otherwise, which in their case, it was. They’d been exchanging texts the entire day. It helped both of them with the nerves and the excitement because they just got each other, better than anyone else. And of course, also because neither of them could go a whole day without talking to each other, especially a day as special as this.

“Nikkiii!” Atul cried, coming to sit beside her. “Tu theek haina? Tujhe uncomfortable toh feel nahi ho raha? Tere liye lau kuch? Garam doodh, thanda paani, fruits, chaat? Kuch bhi?”

“Atul, Atul, Atul! Ek second saans le le pehle!” Nikki replied. “Aur main theek hoon. Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Tum sab itne zyada pareshaan kyu ho rahe ho? I’m just in my last stage of pregnancy. Marr nahi rahi hoon main jo tum sab itna zyada over kar rahe ho!”

“Isliye toh over kar rahe hain,” Atul contradicted. “Tujhe pata haina ki iss time tujhe strictly rest karna chahiye… lekin ab hum sab shaadi mein itne busy hai toh tu rest nahi kar paa rahi na!”

“Atul, you’re so cute!” Nikki cooed, pulling his cheeks. “But seriously, I’m okay. Mujhe kuch chahiye hoga toh main Abhi se bol dungi.”

“Tera woh husband pata nahi kahaan hai,” Armaan commented. “Abhi toh usse tere saath hona chahiye na?”

“Armaan,” Nikki reprimanded. “Woh kisi shaadi ke kaam mein hi busy hoga. Tu hamesha kyu uske baare mein aise bolta hai?”

“Maine kya bola? Nahi haina woh yahaan! Toh bas… pata nahi usse itna kya kaam rehta hai. I have hardly seen him in any ceremonies,” Armaan defended himself.

“Armaan, woh shaadi ke saath - saath Sanjeevani mein sab handle kar raha hai,” Nikki told him. “Hum sab shaadi pe itna focus kar rahe hain… aur sabke ek saath chutti lene se Sanjeevani mein bhi kaafi workload badh gaya haina… sab manage karna is very difficult. Dr. Shashank bhi zyada time nahi de paa rahe, toh woh unke hisse ka kaam bhi dekh raha hai. Bas… isliye.”

Armaan sighed. “I know. He’s working very hard and I really appreciate ki woh yeh hum sabke liye kar raha hai, really. But Basket was a little sad. Tujhe pata haina… woh aur Abhi kaafi achche dost bann gaye hain… toh uski absence usse thodi khatakti rehti hai.”

“Aur agar Riddhima sad hai toh tujhe kaise chalega, right?” Nikki asked, rhetorically.

“Right,” Armaan agreed nonetheless. “But seriously… Abhi ko hum sabki taraf se thank you kehna. Uski wajah se hi hum sab saari ceremonies itne achche se enjoy kar paaye. I know ki kuch investor meetings wagerah bhi chal rahi hain abhi toh woh usse wahaan bhi dhyaan dena hai on top of everything else.”

“Here you go!” Rahul and Ishaan appeared with some refreshments before the conversation could go further. Atul immediately downed a glass of juice, profusely thanking the two of them. Rahul even convinced Nikki to eat something, but Armaan staunchly refused everything that was offered.

“Oyye, kya hua? Abhi bhi nervous hai kya?” Rahul asked softly, taking a seat beside him.

“Woh toh hoon thoda,” Armaan replied. “But itna bhi nahi… but woh, subah se Riddhima ne bhi toh kuch achche se nahi khaya na. She’s been so busy with everything. Baad mein uske saath kha lunga.”

“And you worry you won’t be a good husband!” Rahul scoffed.

“Waise, Rahul…” Armaan questioned. “Aur kitna time lagega, yaar? Hum log kabse baithe hain yahaan!”

“Kabse kahaan?” Atul replied. “Ab tak toh maine sirf ek starter khaya hai!”

“CHAMP!” Armaan & Rahul cried in unison.

“Kya?” Atul asked.

“Tu kya meri shaadi attend karne aaya hai ya khana khane?” Armaan interrogated.

“Obviously, main kha…” Atul started to say but stopped at Rahul’s glare. “Khana khane… thodi aaya hoon? Mere bhai ki shaadi hai… uske liye aaya hoon. Khana toh… woh toh bas… woh toh bas added… haan, added bonus hai. Woh actually, Armaan… Kya bolu, yaar. Ridz ne itna mast menu decide kiya hai. Toh bas main thoda baithke aise khata rehta hoon, ekdum mast mein! Lekin aaya main sirf shaadi ke liye hi hoon, haan. Tu tension mat le!”

“So, Armaan!” Shashank greeted, joining their little ragtag group. “All set?” He asked, taking a seat beside his son-in-law.

“Uh… ji… ji, Papa,” Armaan replied. Despite how far they’d come, Armaan still did get conscious around Shashank at times. He supposed he always would. Shashank had that aura about him. And more than that, Armaan had that kind of respect for Shashank, both as a doctor who was his boss, and also as the father who had raised the woman he loved.

“Good. That’s good,” Shashank commented. “Are you happy?” Shashank probed, his question genuine.

“Never been happier,” Armaan assured him.

“That’s my boy!” Shashank cheered. “You’re looking great,” he added, gesturing to Armaan’s ensemble. He was dressed in a cream sherwani with a dark red velvet dupatta, that he suspected would match Riddhima’s lehenga perfectly. The sherwani had been matched with pyjamas and jootis of the same colour. All in all, he looked every bit the handsome groom he was supposed to.

Armaan’s outfit

They made small talk for a while, reminiscing the ceremonies that had taken place so far, when they were joined by Padma and Nani. “Mumma!” Armaan cried, jumping up to pull her into a tight hug. “Aap aaj kuch zyada hi beautiful lag rahe ho!” He commented.

“Tum bhi bohot zyada handsome lag rahe ho,” Padma replied, reaching up to kiss his cheek. She raised her hand and rubbed his cheek with the back of her hand to get rid of the lipstick imprint she’d left behind. “Ekdum dashing,” she added. “But of course… mera Armaan toh hamesha hi handsome lagta hai!”

Armaan beamed at her and then turned to Nani, touching her feet and then hugging her as well. “Kisi ki nazar naa lage mere bachche ko,” Nani commented. She wiped some kajal from her eyes and pressed it to his neck.

“Shashank,” Nani called. “Chal beta, mahurat ka time ho raha hai. Riddhima ko leke aate hain. Rahul, Atul… chalo bachchon! Aur zara Abhi ko bhi bula lena!”

“Ji Nani!” The two chorussed. The Guptas left from there, leaving an excited and nervous Armaan in their wake. Rahul turned to him and pulled him into a hug. “It’s time,” he murmured. “You ready?”

“I’ve been ready for years,” Armaan told him.

Rahul barked out a laugh at his words. “Good.”

Atul and Rahul left Armaan in Nikki’s company then. They found Abhi discussing something with Keerti and pulled him away as well.

“Ahhhh! Armaan!” Nikki exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. “I’m so excited!”

“You and me both,” Armaan replied, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

“A se Ammy!” Bi called out as she walked up to him.

“Bi!” Armaan shouted, hugging her tight. “Kahaan ho aap? Vani Aunty ke saath itna busy ho ki mujhe toh dekhte hi nahi aap!”

“C se chup up!” Bi rebuked. “Aise kuch n se nahi hai. Tu hi toh s se shaadi ki rasmon mein busy rehta hai. Abhi toh tujhe apna saara t se time bas r se Riddhima ko dena chahiye waise bhi.”

“Bi is right, Armaan,” Billy added, as he and Ananya joined their little group. “Abhi toh tera saara time Riddhima ka hona chahiye!”

Armaan blushed at that. “Okay, Mr. Dulhe Raja… ab sharmaana baad mein… we need to be ready. Riddhima bas aati hi hogi,” Ananya instructed.

_______________

“You’re looking so beautiful, Riddhu,” Simar said. Her and Rajiv had arrived just a couple moments ago, wanting to see Riddhima before she had to go downstairs.

“Thank you, Aunty,” Riddhima replied, grinning brightly.

Simran nudged Rajiv, who finally realized there was something they needed to do. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a box, presenting it to Riddhima. “Riddhi, agar tu aaj yeh pehnegi toh humein bohot achcha lagega.”

Curious, Riddhima opened the box to see a pair of beautiful bangles nestled inside.

“Uncle, yeh…” Riddhima trailed off, absolutely speechless. They were gorgeous, but probably too expensive. She didn’t feel right, accepting something like this.

“Riddhu, please mana mat karna,” Rajiv said.

“Please,” Simar added. “Tujhe hum dono sirf beti kehte nahi, maante bhi hain. Apni beti ko de rahe hain. Tu humein mana kar degi?”

When phrased like that, Riddhima had no choice but to accept their gift. Simar put the bangles on Riddhima’s wrist herself.

“Absolutely gorgeous,” she murmured. Riddhima pulled the couple into a tight hug, thanking them profusely.

Anjali was helping Riddhima with some last minute touches of her makeup, that had somehow gotten messed up due to her crying with Rahul’s parents, when their parents arrived. “Riddhima… bohot zyada sundar lag rahi ho,” Padma said, kissing her forehead. Nani applied a nazar ka teeka to her as well, and hugged her tight. Shashank was feeling too emotional to say anything, so he just opened his arms for Riddhima, and she rushed in, hugging him tight. The father and daughter took some time to get settled, both of them feeling too vulnerable to let go so quickly.

“Shashank Uncle,” Muskaan murmured softly. “Mahurat ka time ho raha hai.”

Shashank stepped out of the hug and wiped his tears. He cleared his throat before saying, “Haan. Bilkul. Chalo… baaki sab kahaan hai?”

As if on cue, Rahul, Atul, Abhi, and Ishaan stepped into the room. “Ready?” Rahul asked softly, taking Riddhima’s hand in his own.

“Ready,” Riddhima confirmed.

Padma grinned brightly and spread the ceremonial dupatta, with Rahul, Atul, Abhi, and Ishaan holding a corner each over Riddhima’s head. Shashank took her hand in his own, and they were flanked by Muskaan and Anjali as they marched down the stairs, to the courtyard, where Armaan was waiting for her. Dhairya and Navneeta ran up to them mid-way through their walk and joined their party.

Once Riddhima entered the vast expanse of the courtyard, she was stunned. It was all so breathtakingly beautiful. Fairy lights hung at every corner, lighting up the entire place, and she could clearly see every little detail. The courtyard was decorated with lots of reds and whites, just as she’d wanted.

The decor didn’t hold her attention for long though, because right ahead, she could see Armaan. His back was turned as he told Bi something, before he finally turned. The expression on his face was not one Riddhima would ever forget. She had never seen him look at her like that before… as if she was the answer to all his prayers, the fulfilment of all his wishes. She was pretty sure she was looking at him the same way. Neither of them broke eye contact as Riddhima walked towards him. As they drew closer, Armaan couldn’t help the tears that fell from his eyes. Riddhima’s mere presence was everything. He had been so nervous and so agitated the entire day, but one look at her, dressed as a bride, as his bride, and everything faded away. He didn’t remember why he was nervous, where they were, who they were with. All that mattered was Riddhima, and the fact that they were about to get married.

Armaan had known that Riddhima would be a vision in red. He had known she would be positively ethereal. But he had not been prepared for her to look just so beautiful. Decked out in a dark red lehenga with gold accents to match his sherwani’s, laden in jewels that he knew were family heirlooms, from both his mother and hers, she had never been more gorgeous.

It seemed like it took an eternity for her to walk down the makeshift aisle, time somehow passing slower than Armaan had ever known. This little walk seemed to last longer than the three years of their relationship, or maybe he was just that eager to have her by his side. When she finally reached him, he wasted no time in taking her free hand in his. When Shashank saw that, he let his daughter’s hand go, knowing that he was making the most right decision he had ever made in his life.

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Four

The ceremony started with the varmala. Armaan & Riddhima, surrounded by their closest family and friends, stood in the middle of the courtyard in the view of all the guests. It had been a very fairytale-esque entry with Armaan arriving on horseback, the same ceremonial mare that had brought him to the courtyard, looking all princely in his attire. Riddhima had been waiting for him at the start of the pathway. He picked her up and placed her in front of him before riding down the cobblestone path to the middle of the yard, where the others were already waiting.

Once they’d arrived, the ceremony began. Padma presented Riddhima with the varmala first, but just as she was going to put it around Armaan’s neck, Krish, Vishal, Atul, and Shubhankar, lifted him up, placing him out of reach. “Yeh kya kar rahe ho? Neech utaaro!”

“Sorry, Bhabhi!” Came Krish’s pat reply. “Bhai toh neeche nahi utrenge. Itni asaani se thodi apne bhai ko aapke hawale kar denge hum!”

“Atulllll,” Anjali tried to appeal to him, but Atul immediately closed his eyes.

“Sorry, Anjali!” He exclaimed, knowing that he would not be able to resist if he looked at her. “Lekin aaj bhai pehle. Usse aise thodi chod dunga main!”

“Shubhankar Bhaiya… aap bhi?” Riddhima turned her puppy eyes to him. “Aap aisa karoge mere saath?”

Shubhankar did stumble when he heard her call him Bhaiya, but thankfully, Vishal had a tight grip on Armaan and they did not end up dropping the groom right before he got married.

“Armaannnnn,” Riddhima turned to him, finally, her tone filled with warning.

“Basket,” Armaan replied, grinning wide. “I’m sorry. Main tumhaari koi help nahi kar sakta. As you can see, isme mera literally koi haath nahi hai!” He waved his hands in the air for the added effect.

“Haha,” Riddhima laughed dryly. “You’re so funny.”

“Woh toh main hoon,” Armaan agreed.

“Armaan, neeche aao!” She commanded.

“Like I just said,” Armaan countered. “Main kuch nahi kar sakta!”

“Armaan,” Riddhima reprimanded.

“Riddhima,” Armaan answered, the picture of innocence.

“Yeh final decision hai tumhaara?” She asked him.

“Basket, maine kaha na… main toh kuch nahi kar sakta! Inn logon ne mujhe pooche bina hi utha liya toh mere bolne se utaar thodi denge?” He clarified.

“Okay, fine,” Riddhima murmured. Turning to Shashank, she said, “Chodo, Papa. Ghar chalte hain. Armaan ko shaadi karne mein interest hi nahi hai. Toh hum yahaan rehke kya karein?”

“Arreee! Na — nahi! Nahiiiii! Int — Interest hai! Bilkul interest hai!” Armaan shouted. Looking down at Krish, he added, “Kya kar rahe ho sabke sab? Neeche utaaro mujhe! Abhi ke abhi!”

He jumped down and bowed in front of Riddhima. “Chalo, Basket. Fatafat pehna do!”

“Kli,” Riddhima clicked her tongue. “Main aise tumhaare saath zor - zabardasti nahi karna chaahti. It’s okay!”

“Riddhima, tu yeh…” Nani started, but Riddhima cut her off.

“Arre, theek hi toh kaha maine, Nani. Agar Armaan ka mann nahi hai toh hum uske saath zabardasti kaise kar sakte hain?” She asked rhetorically.

“You’re right, Riddhima!” Abhi agreed with her instantly, making Nikki glare at him. “I mean,” he hastily added, “hum kabhi aur shaadi kar lenge… jab Armaan ka mood hoga! Naa hi Riddhima kahin jaa rahi hai aur hopefully iss baar woh bhi kahin nahi jaayega!”

Armaan barked a laugh at his words and gave him a hi5 which he happily returned. “You’re absolutely right, Abhi! Waise bhi… baaki sab ceremonies toh ho hi gayi hai. Bas actual shaadi hi bachi haina… woh tum hum kabhi bhi ghar pe hi kar lenge. Kuch tayaari ki bhi zaroorat nahi!”

“I should hope not,” Rahul warned. “Ek shaadi plan karne mein mere 12 baj gaye hain! Main phir se nahi karne wala!”

Turning to Armaan, he added. “Chal ab… mann toh tera hai nahi… toh ab bas sab band karte hain aur ghar chalte hain. Bohot thak gaya hoon main. Ab jaake 2-3 din sirf araam karunga!”

“Sab mann hai uska,” Billy intervened. “Woh toh hai hi idiot. Kuch bhi karta rehta hai.”

Turning to Armaan, Billy whacked the back of his head. “Tu bol na!” Billy exclaimed. “Karni haina shaadi!”

“Ha — Haan! Woh toh…” He scoffed. “Phew! Bas aise hi… maz — mazaak kar rahe the! You know me! I’m so silly. Mujhe bas mazaak karne ki aadat hai! It was all in good fun. Koi hum aise sach mein shaadi beech mein thodi chodenge!”

“Lekin main mazaak nahi kar rahi,” Riddhima replied. “Hum kabhi aur dekh lenge ab!”

“Basket… baby!” Armaan laughed nervously. “Tum… tum aise gussa kyu ho rahi ho? Maine kaha na… it was just a silly prank! Chalo ab… yeh game khatam karte hain!”

Riddhima harrumphed and turned away, not saying a word. “Achcha, baba!” Armaan gave in. “I’m sorry!” He said, holding his ears and going down on his knees. “Please, na.”

“Ridzy dekh naaa,” Anjali reasoned. “Kitni cutely jeeju sorry bol rahe hain! Chal ab… jaldi se yeh ceremony finish karte hain kyuki fir aage bhi toh aur hain!”

“Haan, Ridzy! Please!!” Nikki pleaded. “Dekh… iss baar toh main jaise taise aa gayi. Armaan ka nahi toh mera hi soch le! Tujhe pata haina ki main kitni excited thi tum dono ki shaadi ko leke… apni pregnancy ke 8th month mein bhi main har ceremony mein aayi hoon. Aur ab tu mere saath aisa karegi?”

“Fine!” Riddhima sighed. “But sirf tere liye, Nik!”

“You’re the best, Ridzy!” Nikki exclaimed. “I love you!”

“I love you, too!” Riddhima replied, pulling her into a light hug.

Turning to Armaan, Riddhima gestured for him to stand, but he stubbornly remained on his knees. Riddhima blushed a deep red, but bent down to wind the varmala around Armaan’s neck. Everyone cheered when she did that, throwing rose petals at the couple.

Armaan stood up after that, taking his own varmala from Ananya, and stepped forward to make Riddhima wear it. Rahul and Abhi moved to hold her up, just as Armaan had been a few moments prior. Before either Riddhima or Armaan could protest, she was up in the air.

“Basket… no masti,” Armaan stated. “Chalo neeche aao!”

“Armaan… maine thodi kuch kiya,” she threw her words back at him. “Yeh Rahul aur Abhi apne mann se hi…”

Armaan glared at Abhi and then at Rahul, but neither of them were the least intimidated by his gaze. “Armaan… tu yeh sab na kahin aur jaake kar. Mere saamne toh teri bilkul nahi chalegi tujhe pata hai,” Rahul said smugly. “Tu koi aur tareeka dhoondle kyuki main toh Riddhu ko bilkul neeche nahi utaar raha chaahe tu jo bhi bole.”

Not wanting to back down, Armaan gestured to Krish and Atul to lift him up again, and they did. It took a moment for him to find the rhythm, but then he swung and placed the varmala around Riddhima’s neck, making everyone cheer loudly. They showered them with tulips this time. A few of them got caught in Riddhima’s hair, and Armaan reached up to pluck them out, very lovingly and slowly, careful not to ruin anything from her updo.

After the varmala ceremony, the couple was guided to the mandap where the rest of the wedding would take place. Armaan held Riddhima’s hand in his, threading their fingers together, squeezing them occasionally, the entire time. Once they were both sat in front of the holy fire, the priest began chanting.

When it was time for the kanyadan, both Shashank and Padma stepped forward, understandably emotional. They performed all the rituals as instructed, but before they took their seat behind the couple once more, Armaan lowly whispered to them, “Aap dono itni chinta mat kijiye. Main Riddhima ka achche se khayal rakhunga… aur phir… Mumma, aapko pata haina… main thode din aapse milta nahi hoon toh mera mood hi kharab ho jaata hai… toh hum itni baar Gupta House aayenge ki aapko lagega hi nahi ki Riddhima kahin gayi hai!”

Riddhima managed a watery chuckle at his words while Padma caressed his cheek. “Mujhe pata hai,” she said. Saying so, she stepped back, as did Shashank.

After that, the priest instructed Armaan to tie the mangalsutra around Riddhima’s neck. Muskaan helped Riddhima adjust her veil and her hair so that Armaan could easily tie the mangalsutra. Once he was done with that, Ananya presented him with the sindoordaan. Pinching some vermillion in his fingers, Armaan filled Riddhima’s maang. A lot of sindoor fell on her nose, making everyone cheer. Riddhima couldn’t help the sob that left her throat. It was really happening. She was here and Armaan was here, and he was applying sindoor on her, and they were getting married. This was it. Forever. She had been waiting for this day for so long and now that it was here, it was so much more than she had ever imagined. She couldn’t help herself. All her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, and she started crying. Armaan looked at her, tears in his own eyes as well, and wiped her cheeks carefully.

“Happy thoughts only. Remember?” He asked her softly. Riddhima nodded and took a deep breath to calm herself down. When she was sure her next breath would not result in another sob, she smiled at him and reached forward to wipe his cheeks as well. Seeing as how suddenly, the mood had gotten sombre with their tears, Riddhima pinched some of the sindoor that had fallen on her nose and rubbed it on Armaan’s nose, a promise that she would love him just as much as he would love her. That seemed to make everyone smile, not that Riddhima noticed because her eyes were stuck on Armaan who was looking at her as if she’d hung the moon.

It was time for the pheras after that. The couple circled the holy fire seven times to finish their saath phere, each phera a new promise they made to each other - to love, to cherish, to respect, to support, to be faithful, to be understanding, and above all, to never take each other for granted. Armaan and Riddhima did not let go of each other’s hand the entire time, their fingers clasped tightly together. The attendees all showered them in marigold petals, the traditional genda phool which was so auspicious and a huge part of Indian weddings, a perfect contrast to the tulips and roses earlier, just like the contrast between the couple themselves. They were so different from each other, yet suited so well together, the perfect complements.

“Vivaah sampann hua. Aaj se aap dono pati - patni hue!” The priest announced. As everyone showered flowers on them, Armaan dipped his head and touched his forehead to Riddhima’s, both of them sporting huge grins and teary eyes. This was it. The start of their forever. It had taken so long for them to reach this point in their lives, but it had all been worth it. Every heartbreak, every tear had been worth it. As Armaan pulled Riddhima closer to him, he couldn’t help but think that he would go through all of it a thousand times over, if it meant that he could have this… Riddhima in his arms, their family around them, happiness shrouding them like a talisman. He was the luckiest man on the planet bar none to have all that he did, and he vowed to never take even a single moment for granted ever.

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Five

After the pheras, Armaan and Riddhima stepped forward, seeking blessings from their entire family one by one, starting with Nani and Bi, followed by both sets of parents, and then Vani Aunty, leaving their aunts and uncles for the end. After that, they went to meet every elder who had decided to attend, coming all the way from Udaan, before finally greeting their friends and cousins.

"Abbe, oyye! Champ!" Armaan exclaimed as he searched for his jootis in vain. "Mere joote kahaan hai?" He asked.

Atul looked at Rahul, the picture of guilt, and Armaan directed his question at Rahul. Rahul pretended to look here & there, seemingly searching for the jootis himself before turning back to Armaan. "Pata nahi," he shrugged.

"Pata nahi ka kya matlab? Joote tum logon ko diye the na? Sambhal ke rakhne?" Armaan questioned.

"Woh, actually… Armaan…" Atul tried to say something, but then trailed off as if he didn't know what to say, which probably was the case.

"Woh actually kya Champ?" Armaan probed. "Joote kahaan hai?"

"Hey, Jeeju!" Anjali called out. "Looking for this?" She questioned innocently, holding up his jootis for all to see.

"Anjy!" Armaan cried. "Yes, please!" He moved to grab them out of her hand, but Anjali stepped back with a smirk.

"Itni asaani se kaise? Aapko toh pata haina… How does the saying go?" She turned to Muskaan in question.

"Paise dedo… Joote lelo," Muskaan sang. "Itna toh pata hi hoga na tujhe, Hero? Ya yeh sab bhi hum sikhaye tujhe? Ki aise muft mein joote waapas nahi milte?"

"Kamino!" Armaan cried, turning to his two best friends. "Tum log joote bacha nahi sakte the kya? Itni baar kaha tha… Inn ladkiyon ke haath joote nahi aane chahiye!"

"Aur tu!" He turned to Krish, who was grinning, enjoying the show. "Kya khi khi karke has raha hai? Inn logon se kuch nahi hua toh tu nahi kar sakta tha kya kuch?"

"Jeeju, aap inse kya pooch rahe ho," Tara interjected. "Anjali Di ko joote toh Atul Bhaiya ne hi laake diye the!"

"What?!?!" Armaan cried, turning to Atul. "Champ tune…"

"Yaar, Armaan… Woh," Atul looked down, shrugging guiltily.

"Champ ko na… Kuch kaam hi nahi dena chahiye!" Rahul cried. "Hamesha sab gadbad kar deta hai!"

"Excuse me, Dr. Grewal," Anjali rebuked. "Joote mujhe Atul ne diye, but sabko pata hai yeh plan kiska tha!"

"Aur sabko pata hai mujhe uksaya kisne tha!" Rahul fired back.

"What the?!?!" Armaan shouted. "Yeh sab tum logon ki mili bhagat thi?"

Anjali & Rahul immediately stopped arguing, going ramrod straight and absolutely refusing to look Armaan in the eye. Atul looked between the two of them and sighed. Finally, when he realized neither of them were going to say anything, he started speaking. "Armaan, actually… Haan. Hum sabka hi plan tha, yaar. Woh Anjali…" He trailed off when Anjali glared at him.

"Anjali… Anjali nahi… Woh toh… Woh… Woh… Mus — haan… Muskaan!" He cried, when his eyes fell on her. "Muskaan ne… Usne humse kaha ki… You know? Tere joote bachaane ke toh koi paise nahi milenge lekin woh… Tere joote agar unhe dede toh woh log humaare saath… Jo bhi paise tu unhe dega… Woh log humaare saath aadha - aadha baant lenge. Toh bas woh… Maine aur Rahul ne socha… Well, rasam toh yeh poori karni hi hoti haina. Toh hum bhi apna thoda faayda kara lein. Waise bhi, subah se inn ladkiyon ki aish chal rahi hai. Har baar teri jeb dheeli karwayi inhone lekin humein toh kuch nahi mila!"

"Champ? Thode se paison ke liye tune humaari dosti bech di?" Armaan complained melodramatically. "Abhi thode time pehle tu kya keh raha tha? Haan… Bhai se badhkar kuch nahi? Itna bada jhooth? Chalo… Inn ladkiyon se toh mujhe koi umeed nahi thi. Lekin Daddu tu bhi? Aur Champ tu? Tum dono se yeh expect nahi kiya tha maine!"

"Oyye, Nautanki!" Riddhima called out, when she saw how Atul had started taking his words seriously. "Kitna faltu drama karte ho poora time? Yeh sab bakwaas band karo ab. Chalo, fatafat inn logon ko paise dedo aur chalo. Mujhe bohot bhook lagi hai!"

Armaan sighed and turned to Anjali. "Boliye, saali sahiba! Iss baar kitne ka chunaa lagaane wali hain aap mujhe?"

"Well, seeing as iss baar humein paise kuch zyada logon mein baantne hain… Don't you think you should spare at least 25,000?"

"25? Did you just… Did you say 25,000? I heard that correctly, right? Matlab… Maine yeh conversation imagine nahi ki haina?" Armaan asked out loud.

"Yes," Anjali announced decisively. "You heard right."

"Jooton ke paise maange hai ki jooton ki factory ke? Itne paise nahi doonga main!" Armaan cried out.

"Soch lo… Joote waapas chahiye ya nahi?" Muskaan asked.

"Soch liya," Armaan assured. "Main nahi de raha itne paise." Turning to Meera, he said, "Meera… Woh bag maine diya tha na? Woh kahaan hai?"

"Woh bag? Woh toh maine Krishi ko De diya tha," Meera explained.

"Maine Saumya Bhabhi ko," Krish immediately stated when Armaan turned to him.

"Sorry, Armaan. Woh bag toh maine Rahul ko diya tha… Vani bohot pareshaan kar rahi thi toh main sambhaal nahi paa rahi thi," Saumya apologized.

Armaan made a face and turned to Rahul, all hope lost. "Maine toh Muskaan ko de diya tha," Rahul shrugged.

Armaan turned to see Muskaan holding the bag in her hands, a smug smile on her face. There went his spare pair of shoes as well.

"Tujhe kya laga tha? Sirf tu hi smart hai? Hum bhi kaafi smart hai, Hero!" Muskaan smirked.

"Ab 25,000 de raho ya nahi?" Anjali questioned.

"Mujhe na… Joote chahiye hi nahi. Main aise hi theek hoon," Armaan stated. He started walking out, completely barefoot, but Padma stopped him.

"Ruko, Armaan!" She called. Turning to Anjali, she said, "Anjali… Beta, yeh kya bachpana hai? Jooton ke 25,000 koi maangta hai kya?"

"But, Mom!" Anjali whined.

"Koi Mom nahi," Padma replied firmly. "Chalo, Armaan ke joote waapas karo."

"Arre, Bhabhi!" Billy and Ananya cried in unison. "Nahi, nahi," Ananya added. "Anjali joote waapas mat kar."

"Haan," Billy agreed. "Bhabhi, aap kyu bachchon ko daant rahi hain? Yeh toh haq hai Anjali ka? Ab… Armaan se nahi maangegi toh kisse maangegi? Jeeju hone ki koi toh responsibility usse nibhaani hogi na!"

"Right," Ananya agreed. "Armaan, paise de Anjali ko. Abhi."

"Mom, mere paas nahi hai itne paise!" Armaan cried. "Seriously."

"Mere paise toh ghodi chadhte waqt khatam ho gaye the," Billy lamented.

"Sorry, Billy Uncle," Muskaan said. "Paise nahi toh joote bhi nahi."

"Yaar," Armaan cried. "Tum sab kaise patthar dil ho… Ugh. Mere paas abhi paise nahi hai but I promise main tum sabko baad mein shopping le jaunga… And we'll go for dinner and a movie? Theek hai?"

"Promise?" Anjali probed, a little suspicious.

"Pakka promise!" Armaan vowed. "Me, and all my saalis!" He cheered.

"AUR HUMAARA KYA?!?!" Rahul & Atul shrieked in unison.

Anjali looked at them and shrugged. "Baat toh paise share karne ki hui thi. Agar paise hi nahi hai toh…"

Rahul looked at her, absolutely betrayed, before turning a pleading gaze to Armaan. "Meri taraf toh dekhna bhi mat!" Armaan exclaimed. "Tum dono ke saath na… Aisa hi hona chahiye! Mere joote bachaane ke badle inn logon ko diye na? Bhugto ab!"

Once Armaan had his jootis, they moved to the dining area. Most of the people had left by then, and only a few close friends lingered, who immediately vacated the area so that they could all enjoy their meal in peace. Naina helped Riddhima settle down in a chair beside Armaan while Meera and Tara went to get them food.

They all shared dinner together, laughing and reminiscing, recounting their favourite bits of the wedding. Rahul and Anjali entertained them all with a few tales of the mishaps that happened behind the scenes that most of them were unaware of, almost all of them courtesy of their better halves. Armaan and Riddhima listened intently, not contributing much, but were happy to hear their family's version of events. In between bites, Armaan and Riddhima kept feeding each other, keeping an eye on the other, to make sure they ate properly.

After dinner, it was time for the bidaai. There was not a single dry eye in the room as Riddhima bid good-bye to the family that had raised her to find her home with a new one. Armaan had half a mind to suggest that he'd move in with them and be a ghar jamai, just so that Riddhima could still live with them.

"I'll miss you, Papa," Riddhima sobbed, hugging Shashank tightly.

"I'll miss you so much, mere bachche," Shashank replied, crying just as hard. "Apna khayal rakhna tum, okay? Aur Armaan ka bhi… Aur kabhi bhi kuch bhi chahiye ho… Toh sabse pehle mujhe hi bolna, okay? Main abhi bhi Papa hoon tumhaara… Aur hamesha rahoonga."

"I know, Papa," Riddhima said. "Aap bhi apna dhyaan rakhiyega. Main nahi rahoongi toh aapki man-maani nahi chalegi. Nani aur Mumma ki sab baat sun'na and maan'na. Aur Di ki bhi!"

Shashank nodded on top of her head, squeezing her tight. He pulled away after that, wiping Riddhima's tears to no avail, as more tears kept falling from her eyes, no matter how many he wiped. He reached into his sherwani's pocket and removed a small teddy bear from it, presenting it to Riddhima, hoping it would bring the smile that the present usually brought on her face. But, of course that made her cry harder and she threw herself into his arms once more, her sobs echoing with renewed vigour.

Riddhima hugged Padma next, crying into her shoulder, just as she'd done with Shashank. "I'm going to miss you so much, Mumma," she said. "Aapke saath toh mujhe zyada waqt hi nahi mila. Aap abhi toh ghar aayi thi, aur ab main jaa rahi hoon!"

"Tu ghar se jaa rahi hai, mere dil se nahi," Padma said. "Aur… Tujhe main itni baar ghar bulaungi kisi na kisi bahaane se, aisa lagega hi nahi ki tu kahin gayi hai."

"Mumma," Armaan replied. "Aapko Riddhima ko ghar bulaane kisi bahaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aap bas hukum karna… Main aur Riddhima turant haazir ho jaayenge."

A watery chuckle escaped Riddhima's lips at his words. Padma gave Armaan a hug as well and kissed both Armaan and Riddhima's foreheads. "Khush rehna. Aur ek doosre ka khayal rakhna."

Armaan nodded, kissing the top of her head as he gave her one more hug. "Mr. Supercool, ab tu meri Mumma ko chod do!" Riddhima whined.

"Never," Armaan replied, hugging Padma tighter for added effect, making her laugh.

Anjali broke down in Riddhima's arms, both sisters hugging each other as if their life depended on it. "Ridzy, tu yahin ruk jaa na. Waise bhi pehle bhi toh Armaan humaare saath rehta tha. Ab phir reh lega… At least mujhe tujhse alag toh nahi rehna padega… Main… Main kaise rahoongi tere bina, Ridzy? I'm going to miss you so much everyday!"

"I'll miss you, too, Di!" Riddhima said. "Aapne promise kiya haina… Aap mujhse milne aate rahengi. Aapko aana padega… Warna main aapse gussa ho jaungi!"

"Pakka," Anjali vowed. Turning to Armaan, she said. "And you… Jeeju. Meri choti behen ka achche se dhyaan rakhna, samjhe? Warna tumhe batane ki zaroorat nahi ki tumhaare saath kya hoga!"

"Yaar, yeh tum Gupta ladies ki specialty hai kya? Aise, besahara, bechaare, masoom ladko ko bina wajah daraana - dhamkaana? Aise dhamki dene ki zaroorat nahi hai, Anjy. Tum kuch nahi kahogi phir bhi main apni wife ka achche se khayal rakhunga," Armaan answered, relishing how he could call Riddhima his wife. Riddhima smiled through her tears, blushing, hopefully because of the same thing.

Anjali glared at Armaan, making him cower. He laughed and pulled both the women into a hug. "Don't worry, Anjy. Tumhaari Ridzy ka main bohot, bohot, bohot achche se dhyaan rakhunga. Okay?"

Anjali nodded in acknowledgement and pressed herself tighter into his embrace. Armaan kissed her temple, before doing the same for Riddhima, burying his face in her veil.

Armaan & Riddhima sought Nani's blessings, who blessed them with a long and happy life together before hugging both of them to her chest. "Tum dono har thode dinon mein time se ghar aa jaaya karna," she instructed them, trying to keep her voice from cracking. "Main koi bahaana nahi sunungi ki Nani hospital mein bohot kaam hai yaa hum thak gaye hain yaa kuch bhi. Ghar aana hai toh aana hai. Aur… Jab tum aaoge, I promise tum dono ki saari favourite cheezein banaungi main. Apne haathon se."

"Naniiiii!" Riddhima cried, hugging her once more. "Aap bhi chaliye na humaare saath."

Nani smiled at her request and shook her head. "Agar aa sakti, toh zaroor aati. Lekin ab… Teri zindagi ki nayi shuruat hai, Riddhi. Tujhe khushi se karni hai, okay?"

Riddhima nodded even as tears kept streaming down her eyes. Nani kissed her forehead. "Meri bachchi… Hamesha khush rehna."

Armaan gave Nani another tight hug, just as Rahul pulled Riddhima into one of his own. "Time se khana aur time se sona. Wahaan koi rok - tok nahi toh iska yeh matlab nahi ki tu har cheez mein apni man - maani karegi," Rahul instructed. "Armaan ko zyada pareshaan mat karna. Aur agar woh tujhe zyada pareshaan kare, toh mujhe batana… Prank war mein, main teri hi side loonga."

Riddhima laughed at his words, nodding lightly. "Tu bhi kuch ulti - seedhi harkatein mat karna aur ekdum good boy ki tarah rehna. Muskaan ko zyada tang mat karna aur usse ladna mat. Di ke saath breakfast table pe har din koi argument mat shuru karna… Aur ghar pe sabka khayal rakhna, okay? Khaas kar khudka!"

"Yes, ma'am," Rahul agreed. Turning to Armaan, he said, "Sudhar jaana ab tu zara. Har baar teri help karne nahi aa paunga main. Riddhu se thoda kam ladna aur please har baar ki tarah tum dono koi stupid argument ko bina wajah kheechke lamba mat kar dena. Ek doosre ke saath achche se rehna."

Armaan smiled at him, pulling Rahul into a tight hug. "Thank you," he whispered. "For everything. Hamesha mujhe aur Basket ko support karne, hum dono ki help karne. Tu nahi hota toh pata nahi… Shayad aaj humaari shaadi bhi nahi hui hoti. Thank you so much, Daddu. I love you."

"I love you," Rahul replied, squeezing Armaan tight before letting him go.

Riddhima hugged all her cousins, and her aunts and uncles, receiving blessings and good wishes from all of them. Armaan and Riddhima shared a group hug with the gang, all of them a mess of tears and laughter, extremely happy to have shared this day. It had been a long time coming, and it had finally happened. They were all a little emotional, recounting the journey they'd had to get to this day.

And then, it was time for Riddhima to go, to leave one home for another. As they drove away from her family, towards her new home, Armaan held Riddhima's hand in his own, reaching forward to wipe her tears from his other hand. "I love you, Mrs. Mallik," he whispered, kissing her hand.

"I love you, Mr. Mallik," she replied, smiling a real smile for the first time in hours. She shifted and wrapped her arms around Armaan, resting her head on his chest. Armaan wrapped his arms around her as well, snuggling close to her, kissing her head as he did.

Finally, they were married. After everything, it had finally happened. Only good things could happen from here on out, of that, there was no doubt.

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Six

“Basket, tum theek ho na?” Armaan asked his wife, marvelling once more at the fact that he could call her his wife now.

“Of course, baby!” Riddhima exclaimed instantly. “Mujhe kya hoga?”

Riddhima seemed perfectly content now, to laze in his arms, a sheer contrast to how she had been just minutes ago. Armaan didn’t think he’d seen Riddhima cry so much ever before and that was saying something. Armaan knew that it couldn’t be pleasant to leave behind her whole life the way she had, but he had not thought it would be so bad. But, maybe that was the entire issue. He had not thought. He couldn’t. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be in Riddhima’s position - to turn her back, even if metaphorically, on everything she knew, for the sake of a man. He didn’t think he would be able to do it. For Riddhima to have placed so much faith in him, to have trusted him so much meant the world to him. He would be the best husband in the world, and not because of any promise he had made to so many people in the last few days, or for any other reason, but to be worthy of this trust that his wife had bestowed upon him.

“I’m okay, Armaan. Pakka,” Riddhima murmured, bringing him out of his thoughts. “Woh bas… sabse alag rehna hoga na ab, toh thodi emotional ho gayi thi. But I’m really excited about the life we’re about to start together, baby. I promise.”

“Hmmmm,” Armaan hummed. “You’ll tell me, right? Agar tumhe koi baat pareshaan karregi?”

“Tumse nahi kahoongi toh kisse kahoongi?” Was her prompt reply, making him smile.

“Waise… wifey,” Armaan murmured softly, pulling her close. “Congratulations.”

“Congratulations, husband!” Riddhima replied, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Only took us three and a half years.”

“Exactly. Only! Jaisi tumhaari harkatein thi na… mujhe laga tha kamse kam 30 saal lagenge!” Armaan exclaimed, clearly joking.

“Meri? Meri harkatein? Maine kya kiya?” Riddhima asked, wanting to know.

“Kya kya harkatein nahi thi yeh poocho tum!” Armaan told her. “Kitna bhagaya mujhe apne peeche. Haan bolne mein hi mahine laga diye. Aur phir har baat pe mujhse naraaz ho jaati thi!”

“Toh tum kaam hi aise karte the na!” Riddhima defended herself. Sobering at the direction the discussion had taken, she felt it important to add. “Armaan… mujhe pata hai ki jo bhi hua… humaare beech jab ladaayi hui, agar tumne mujhse jhooth bola ya koi baat chupaayi, woh sirf isliye kyuki tumhe laga ki tum mujhe protect kar rahe ho, ya shayad isliye ki tum mujhe stress nahi dena chaahte the. Kayi baar shayad isliye bhi kyuki tumhe laga ki main shayad tumhaara nazariya nahi samjhungi. Ho sakta hai woh sahi bhi tha. Lekin… Armaan, hum partners hain. Har cheez mein. Tumne agar kabhi mujhe mauka hi nahi diya, toh main kaise jaanungi ki uss situation mein main kaise react karungi?

Ab… Pari wali baat ko hi lelo. Tumne itne time tak itni badi baat mujhse chupaayi, usse chupaane aur jhooth bole. I guess, I can understand where you’re coming from… but it really hurt me, Armaan. Tumne kaise soch liya ki mujhe tumpe itna bhi bharosa nahi hoga? Kyu tumne uss raat hi mujhe phone nahi kiya help maangne? Agar tum mujhse baat karte… main aur Di shayad Pari ko apne saath le jaate, ya wahaan tumhaare ghar aake tumhaari help karte.

Armaan… jab bhi mujhe koi pareshaani hoti hai, main kisi problem mein phansti hoon… toh mujhe sabse pehli tumhaari yaad aati hai. Main hamesha sab tumse share karti hoon kyuki mujhe pata hai ki tum meri help karoge… agar help nahi kar paaye, toh at least mujhe support karoge, mera hausla badhaoge. Lekin, kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai ki jaise main tumpe trust karti hoon, tum nahi karte. Isliye tum apni problems hamesha Rahul ya Atul ke saath share karte ho, mere saath nahi.

Shayad, maine hi kabhi tumhe apne upar woh confidence nahi diya ki tum aake mujhse baat kar sako. Shayad, tum kabhi mere paas isliye nahi aaye kyuki tumhe laga ki tumhe sab kuch akele hi handle karna hai. Mujhe nahi pata ki wajah kya thi… but main tumse kehna chaahti hoon ki please, tum aisa mat socho. Jis tarah tum mujhe support karte ho, main bhi tumhe kar sakti hoon. Mujhe pata hai ki pichle kuch mahino mein hum dono ne apni galtiyaan sudhaari hain, and things have been so good between us. Hum ek doosre se ab itni baatein nahi chupaate toh humaare beech jhagde hona jaise band hi ho gaye hain. And, I really like that, Armaan. I like that we are in a place where we trust each other so much. I hope ki aage chalke bhi tum yeh baat yaad rakho. Just because tum mere husband ho iska yeh matlab nahi ki tumhe mujhe har cheez se protect karna hai. Okay?”

Armaan shuddered at her words, getting extremely emotional. He hugged her to his chest, resting his head on hers. She was absolutely right. He had been the one who had failed to establish communication between the two of them. He had always assumed Riddhima’s reaction to be the worst and had stopped himself from confiding in her when he had wanted nothing more than to have her wrap her arms around him and assure him that things would be okay. He shouldn’t have done that. He should have trusted her more, just as she had trusted him.

Maybe, her reaction after he had pretended to be Muskaan’s fiance had cemented his beliefs. But then again, he wasn’t sure how she would have reacted if he had told her before he had done what he had. It was true that a lot of times he was only trying to spare her the hurt from what was happening and was only trying to protect her, but it backfired every time, hurting her more than he had ever intended.

“You’re right, Basket,” he murmured. “Maine hi mauka nahi diya. Mujhe bohot darr lagta tha ki kahin… kabhi meri kisi baat se tum itni gussa naa ho jao ki mujhe chodke chali jao. Lekin, I promise… wapas aisi galti nahi hogi. Jis tarah tum mujhe sab bata deti ho, main bhi tumse kuch nahi chupaunga. You deserve nothing but the truth.”

“Thank you, baby,” Riddhima smiled, pressing her lips to his chest, right above his heart. Both of them were happy to spend the rest of their journey in silence, mulling over the conversation they’d just had, and enjoying the closeness they could share now. It didn’t take long for them to reach home, where everyone was eagerly waiting to welcome Riddhima home. The entire gang had landed at Armaan’s house after the bidaai, having requested the driver to take the longer route home for the couple so that they could reach before them and help Ananya and Billy with anything they might need.

When Armaan & Riddhima stepped in front of the door, they were greeted by an enthusiastic Billy and Ananya at the forefront of their little welcoming party with all their friends behind the couple. Ananya did the aarti and the newlyweds bent down to seek her blessings. She blessed them, allowing Riddhima to touch her feet, just this once, knowing that it was important for her daughter to have all the blessings she deserved as she began this new chapter of her life. She hugged Riddhima tight and kissed her forehead before saying, “Welcome home, beta!”

“Chalo, ab apne left pair (leg) se yeh kalash girao aur ghar ke andar aao,” she instructed, pointing to the kalash that was set on the entryway. Riddhima did so, stepping inside the thaal with the red alta and walking on the white sheet laid out for her. At the end of the sheet, Billy was waiting with open arms and an eager smile. Riddhima stepped into his embrace, feeling completely settled for the first time after saying goodbye to her father. Billy was the father of her heart, and just being around him made the ache in her heart lessen, making her miss Shashank just a little less.

“Welcome home, mere bachche! Iss ghar ne aur hum sabne… iss din ka bohot intezaar kiya hai. Humaari family poori karne ke liye, thank you so much!” He told her, kissing her forehead.

“I love you, Dad,” she murmured, hugging him once more.

“I love you, too, Riddhu! Aaj mujhe meri beti poori tarah mil gayi… isse achcha din kya hoga?” He asked rhetorically, making her smile wide.

"Okay, okay, guys! Itna senti drama kaafi hai aaj ke liye! Let's have some fun!" Muskaan broke their moment.

"What fun?" Armaan asked, a little irritated. Honestly, he was a little too tired of having to share Riddhima with so many people. Now, all he wanted was to go to their room and be alone with her.

"Chal toh humaare saath," Rahul replied in Muskaan's stead. "Sab abhi hi bata dein kya?"

Anjali and Saumya helped Riddhima to the living room where they'd set everything up. Riddhima saw Nikki seated on a sofa and immediately took a seat beside her. "Nikki, tu theek haina?" Riddhima asked, worried.

"Mmmmm," Nikki moaned, not saying anything.

"Nikki, are you sure? Hum hospital chalein? Please, don't lie and tell me if it's hurting too much," Riddhima pleaded.

"Not a lot, Ridzy," Nikki managed to reassure her. "Itni uncomfortable toh main aajkal har waqt rehti hoon." Which, while true, wasn't the complete truth. Yes, it had gotten bad in the past few days, and it seemed like even sitting was a huge task in itself, but today was different. Nikki's back felt like it was on fire, and she even breathing seemed to hurt. But, this was Armaan & Riddhima's big day and she couldn't let her be the one to cause any problems. It had taken them so long to get here and the entire shindig had passed without much issue, unlike anything to do with the couple in the past. Now that they were almost there, she wouldn't let anyone, least of all herself, cause trouble.

Riddhima hummed noncommittally as if she didn't believe Nikki, but thankfully did not press the issue. Meera called attention to everyone then, diverting Riddhima, much to her relief. She knew that if Riddhima tried just even a little, Nikki wouldn't be able to hide. She'd gotten lucky so far because Riddhima was distracted… Or well, distracted was the wrong word. She was busy with her wedding, as any bride should be, and hadn't paid much attention to anything else around her apart from Armaan. Frankly, it was a little too cute, watching the two of them together. Nikki didn't think she'd ever seen the two of them so enamored with each other, which was saying something because being enamored with Riddhima seemed to be Armaan's default setting.

"Okay, so… Humne iss bowl mein ek ring chupaayi hai… Aur jo yeh ring pehle dhoondega, woh hoga humaara winner! Waise… Kehte hain ki jo yeh game jeet jaata hai, ghar mein uski hi chalti hai, toh aap dono apni poori mehnat laga dena!" Meera explained, gesturing to the bowl of milk and rose petals in front of her. "And yes, remember… Humne sirf ring hi nahi, kuch aur cheezein bhi chupaayi hain, but unko dhoondne se kuch nahi hoga. The key to winning is finding the ring!"

Everyone cheered and hollered, anticipation buzzing in the air as both Armaan & Riddhima's hand immediately dove into the bowl in search of the ring. Though, it quickly became clear to Riddhima that Armaan's motive had been to find her hand and not the ring, which he did almost immediately. He caught hold of her palm in his and intertwined their fingers together. Riddhima grinned at him, not making any move to separate their hands, which was a definite surprise for Armaan, but a good one nonetheless. She didn't stop her search though. She pulled their intertwined fingers together, moving across the bowl in search of the ring. She found a coin first, and a small conch, before her fingers made the deduction that the object in her palm was actually a ring. Triumphantly, she jerked her hand out of Armaan's abruptly, not giving him a chance to understand what had happened, before presenting the ring to the crowd.

"Yay!" Meera cheered. "Riddhima Bhabhi jeet gayi!"

Armaan looked absolutely scandalized at what had happened but Riddhima just answered with a smug grin of her own, showing him a thumbs down, just to aggravate him more. "Well, obviously," Billy said. "Inn dono mein Riddhi hi toh smart hai. Waise… Kabhi kabhi mujhe doubt hota hai kyuki usne iss bandar se shaadi karne haan keh diya, but other than that, she's the best!"

"Billyyyyy!" Armaan cried. "Kabhi meri side le liya karo aap!"

Billy's only reply was to wave him off without a second thought, making everyone laugh. "I agree, Billy Uncle," Abhi chimed in. "Waise Riddhima kaafi smart hai lekin iss maamle mein…"

"Oyyyeee, Dr. Modi? Tum kehna kya chaahte ho? Mera bhai best hai!" Atul jumped to Armaan's defense. "Kyu, haina Rahul?"

Rahul who had been sitting back and enjoying the show till then, sprang at the sudden call. He looked between the couple, not knowing what to say. Armaan was his best friend and he loved him, but that meant that he was also very aware of how much an idiot said man was. In the end, he just ended up shrugging, not saying anything.

"Dadduuuuu! What do you mean?" Armaan cried out, repeating his actions. "Kya? Kehna kya chaahta hai tu? Ki main stupid hoon?"

"Jab tujhe pata hai toh mujhse kyu pooch raha hai?" Rahul fired back.

"Daddu, tu bakwaas mat kar? Maine aisa kya kiya hai?" Armaan asked, absolutely outraged.

"Mujhse toh tu yeh mat hi pooch. Itni lambi list hai mere paas! Kyu Nikki?" Rahul turned to his partner in crime for some support, was shocked to see Nikki clutching her stomach and gasping for breath.

"NIKKI!" He shouted, attracting everyone's attention to her. He ran to her and sat by her side, supporting most of her weight. "Nik… Kya hua? Are you okay?"

"My… My… My water burst!" Nikki managed to say in between breaths.

"Oh my god! Abhi toh poora ek mahina bacha hai!" Abhi panicked. "We're not ready. We're not ready! Nikki ka bag bhi ghar pe hai aur… Aur abhi raat ko itna late ho chuka hai! Nursery bhi ready nahi hai abhi toh!"

"Abhi!" Riddhima commanded. "Stop panicking. Everyone please stop panicking. Right now! Aap log aise behave karenge toh hum Nikki ki bilkul help nahi kar payenge."

Turning to the gang, she issues instructions for everyone. "Armaan, tum abhi ke abhi gaadi nikaalo. Hum Nikki ko hospital leke jaa rahe hain. Di, please time her contractions. Muskaan, tu aur Rahul Nikki ke ghar jaake Vani Aunty se uska bag le aao. Atul, tum Vani Aunty ko phone karo taaki woh bags leke ready rahe hain aur hospital aa sake. Everyone, quick!"

Everyone scrambled to follow Riddhima's instructions. Armaan drove Nikki, Abhi, and Riddhima to the hospital while Rahul & Muskaan went to get Nikki's bags, and bring Vani Aunty to the hospital. Atul & Anjali stayed back with the Malliks to help with everything else.

Riddhima spent the entire ride alternatively calming down Nikki & Abhi who were absolutely not prepared for this kind of a situation. They'd thought they had a whole month before the baby and had thrown themselves into Armaan & Riddhima's wedding, thinking they'd focus on the child after. "Okay, guys. Relax. Hum sab hain. Everything will be fine. The baby will be born without any complications, Nikki. Tu chinta mat kar. Humne last check up pe sab dekha tha na. Everything is fine. Kabhi kabhi aise premature delivery ho jaati hai but that doesn't mean something is wrong. It'll be fine. Deep breaths, okay?"

Once they were at the hospital, a stretcher was already waiting for them, Anjali already having called ahead and having apprised them of the situation. If people found it odd to see a bride running down the hallway of the hospital barking instructions at everyone in the vicinity, no one commented on it. After Nikki was situated in her private room and Riddhima had made sure she had some time before she had to push, she went to get scrubbed up, Armaan following her silently.

"Nikki theek hogi na, Basket?" Armaan asked her quietly. He was shaken up by the whole thing, Riddhima could tell. He had also been banking on the fact that there would be a month to Nikki's delivery after the wedding.

"Don't worry, Armaan," Riddhima assured him. "I wasn't lying. Nikki ke latest reports sab achchi hain. Woh aur baby dono healthy hain. It'll be fine."

"Sure?" He probed.

Riddhima smiled and took his hand, squeezing it. "Sure," she replied. "Tum itni tension mat lo."

After a moment, she added, "I'm sorry. Maine tumse bina pooche hi… Poora charge le liya. I'm sure neither of us wanted to spend tonight like this."

"Basket!" Armaan rebuked. "Kya bakwaas kar rahi ho? Of course, we have to be there for Nikki… Aur agar humein yahaan hona hi hai toh isn't it better ki tum hi delivery karo? All of us, but most importantly Nikki, trusts you the most. Waise bhi… Aisa koi decision lene se pehle tumhe mujhe poochne ki zaroorat thodi hai."

"Mujhe pata hai," Riddhima clarified. "I know ki tum bhi yehi chaahte ho, but ek baar humein discuss kar lena chahiye tha na. Tum mana karte toh bhi main maanti nahi waise, but aisa karne se pehle at least ek baar tumhe bata toh dena chahiye tha na!"

"Jab tumhe pata hi hai ki mujhe koi problem nahi hogi toh yeh discussion kyu ho rahi hai?" Armaan asked, confused.

"Ab hum partners hain," Riddhima answered. "And I feel bad ki shaadi ke baad pehla decision hi maine tumse bina discuss kiye le liya."

Armaan sighed, stepping forward and pulling her into his arms. "Aisa kuch nahi hai. Tum aur main toh ab ek hi haina. Jo tumhaara decision, wohi mera decision. Aur especially aise case mein. Don't feel bad, Basket. I love you."

"I love you," she muttered, hugging him tighter. Armaan smiled and dropped a kiss to her head. "Chalo ab," she said, "Nikki ke paas hona chahiye humein. Tum bhi na, Basket! Bina time dekhe kahin bhi shuru ho jaati ho! Yeh hospital hai."

Riddhima looked up at him, absolutely enraged. She whacked his arm. "Shut up, Armaan!"

"Owwww!" He exclaimed, rubbing the spot she'd hit. "Bohot tez maarti ho tum!"

"Good," she declared. Turning, she stepped out of the changing room, pulling him with her. By the time they got back to Nikki's room, Vani Aunty and Bi had arrived too, along with Rahul & Muskaan, as well as Atul & Anjali, who had brought Armaan's parents along with them.

Riddhima rushed inside the room after assuring everyone that they had nothing to worry about. After six hours of labour, Nikki gave birth to a baby girl and a baby boy, the twins being a huge surprise. None of her scans had shown any indication that there were two babies, but Riddhima assured Abhi that it happened sometimes, when the babies were placed such that they were directly one behind the other. Because the sonography was only a 2D report, they'd ended up missing the other baby, because the babies' heartbeats seemed to be in complete sync.

When Riddhima placed the babies in Nikki's waiting arms, the peace that Nikki felt was unparalleled. It felt that her heart expanded tenfold in a matter of seconds to fill in all the love she felt for her two little ones. She hugged them to her chest and let out a disbelieving laugh, before she started crying, the sudden rush of emotions overwhelming her. "I love you," she softly murmured to the kids through her tears. This was the best day of her life.

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Seven

"They're so beautiful," Armaan murmured, holding the girl in his arms while Riddhima held the boy.

"They are," Riddhima agreed. "So cute. You did so great, Nikki. I'm so proud." She siddled up to Nikki and dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

Nikki had just woken up and Riddhima had brought the kids to her and Abhi. Upon Abhi's insistence, no one else had been able to see the babies before Nikki, so they'd all gone out to buy some presents, while Armaan had stayed back with Riddhima.

"I love you," Abhi murmured quietly, making Nikki blush. "Thank you for giving birth to such perfect little angels. I'm so grateful."

"I can't believe ki iss Abhi ke bachche itne cute hain," Armaan commented, breaking the couple's moment.

"Armaan!" Riddhima rebuked, unable to hit him because they were both busy holding babies. "Kya kuch bhi kehte rehte ho!"

"Sahi toh keh raha hai yeh, Ridzy," Nikki defended her best friend. "Pehli baar isne life mein pate ki baat ki hai. Inn dono mein saare mere genes hain… That's why they're so cute!"

The four of them shared a laugh at Nikki's words and then their friends descended. Rahul & Atul came in, singing a song, carrying balloons and a cake. Muskaan & Anjali were right behind them, holding a cake and cute soft toys.

"Congratulations, Nik!!" They cheered, giving her hugs.

"Thank you so much, guys!" Nikki exclaimed. "You're all so cute. Bachchon ke liye yeh sab laane, thank you!"

"Chal, chal! Bachche kya aa gaye tujh mein itne manners aa gaye?" Muskaan scoffed. "Sirf tere bachche nahi hain woh dono… Humaare bhi kuch lagte hain!"

"Haan, Nikki! Ab main bachchon ka mama hoon aur agar maine unhe presents nahi diye toh main unka favourite kaise banunga?" Atul asked.

"Excuse me!" Armaan exclaimed. "I'm gonna be the favourite."

"Please," Rahul rolled his eyes. "Tum dono namoonon mein se koi unka favourite nahi hoga. Woh toh bas main hi hounga!"

"Main!" Atul cried.

"Main!" Armaan countered.

"Maina kaha naa… Main!" Rahul asserted.

"Guys, stop it!" Riddhima scolded them. "Aise ladna band karo. Don't you even dare fight like this in front of the kids again. Unke saath aise oonchi awaaz mein bilkul baat nahi karna!"

"Sorry," the trio murmured softly, looking suitably chastised.

"Nik… Tune naam decide kiye?" Anjali wondered after there was a lull in conversation.

"Yes!" Nikki announced proudly. "Humne naam decide kar liye hain."

"Toh batane ka kya legi?" Armaan asked

Looking at Abhi, she questioned. "Bata de kya?"

"Isme poochna kya hai?" Atul whined. "Ab fatafat bata do!"

"Bata dete hain," Abhi agreed. Nikki smiled. Together, they chorussed, "Guys, meet Nibha and Abhin Modi!"

"Oh, Nik!" Riddhima gasped. "They're perfect."

"I agree," Armaan seconded.

"Me too," Anjali said.

"Me three," Rahul added.

"Haan… Matlab… Maine jo naam suggest kiye the unse better hain yeh," Muskaan reluctantly agreed.

"Mujhe ab bhi lagta hai tum dono ko mere suggest kiye hue hi naam use karne chahiye the… But these are not bad," Atul gave in when everyone stared him down.

"Thanks, you guys!" Nikki murmured, getting teary eyed. Riddhima sat beside her and gave her a hug, having passed Nibha to Rahul.

"Guys, tum sab raat se yahin ho… Why don't you go get some rest? Itne dinon se itna hectic chal raha hai aur… Aaj shaam ko reception bhi hai," Abhi suggested.

"Hum reception nahi karenge," Armaan announced.

"What?" Nikki shouted. "Kyu?"

"Dumbo," Armaan replied. "Of course… Tu nahi aa paayegi toh kaise karenge?"

"Armaan… Tu yeh kya keh raha hai? Just because main nahi aaungi tu poora reception kaise cancel kar sakta hai?" Nikki questioned.

"Of course, kar sakta hoon!" Armaan answered.

"Ridzy! Tu hi isse samjha!" Nikki told Riddhima.

"Main kya bolu?" Riddhima replied. "I agree with him. Yeh decision sirf Armaan ka nahi hai. Hum dono ne milke decide kiya hai ki hum reception kuch time baad karenge."

"Aur phir honeymoon?" Abhi wondered.

"Main sab manage kar lunga. We'll push our reservations by a few days," Armaan assured him.

"Waise bhi, delivery ekdum normal hui thi aur Nikki ke saath koi complications nahi hai. So, kal subah tak discharge mil jaayega and uske 2-3 baad, at least 1-2 ghante toh woh ghar se nikal paayegi. Hum tab reception kar lenge," Riddhima explained.

"Are you sure?" Nikki pressed. "Mujhe bilkul achcha nahi lag raha ki tum aisa kar rahe ho."

"Of course, Nikki. We're very sure," Riddhima told her. "Aur… Tu bata, agar teri jagah main hoti aur meri jagah tu… Toh tu kya karti?"

Nikki looked away. She couldn't deny she'd do exactly what Riddhima was. "Fine," she muttered.

"Good girl," Armaan cheered, giving her a hug and a kiss.

"But phir bhi… Pagphere ke liye toh jaana hoga na?" Abhi asked.

"Haan," Riddhima reluctantly agreed.

"Okay," Nikki commanded. "Toh ab tum sab ghar jao. Get some rest. Aur phir baad mein shaam ko aa jaana, okay? Tab tak mujhe aur Abhi ko bhi bachchon ke saath thoda time mil jaayega."

"Hmmm," Riddhima hummed in agreement. Armaan was about to protest, but Riddhima held his hand, halting him. Armaan sighed but relented.

Rahul drove everyone else to the Gupta House while Armaan took Riddhima to his apartment, still in her scrubs, her bridal lehenga packed neatly in bags. Armaan held Riddhima's hand on the gear, occasionally bringing up their entwined fingers to kiss her palm. "Humne reception postpone karke theek kiya na?" Armaan wondered out loud after a few moments of companionable silence.

"Haan," Riddhima agreed instantly. "I can't imagine Nikki not being there. Can you?"

Armaan sighed. "No. But… Uske liye baaki sab bhi disappoint ho jaayenge. I'm not going to lie… Even I'm disappointed. I was excited, Basket."

"I was too," Riddhima told him. "But Nikki ke bina main enjoy nahi kar paati. And I know ki tum bhi nahi kar paoge. Aur, 2-4 din mein kya fark padega? It's fine."

“Hmmmm, you’re right,” Armaan replied. “Nikki… well, she’s been there since the start, Basket. Jab Mom aur Billy nahi the na, tab bhi woh thi mere saath. Agar woh aur Bi nahi hote… I can’t imagine where I would be without them. Unke bina apni life ka ek naya chapter start karna feels so wrong.”

Riddhima smiled, bringing up his free hand to kiss his palm. “I know,” she said.

“Abhin aur Nibha kitne cute haina?” Armaan asked excitedly. “Seriously! Unn dono ko chod ke jaane ka mera mann hi nahi kar raha tha!”

“Mera bhi nahi kar raha tha,” Riddhima told him. “Agar Nikki nahi bolti toh mera toh poora plan tha uske saath hi rehne ka, lekin humein usse aur Abhi ko thodi privacy deni chahiye na!”

“Hmmmm,” Armaan hummed thoughtfully. “Kitna weird lagta haina? Pehle privacy jaisi cheez hum sabke beech kabhi aayi hi nahi. Hum kabhi bhi ek doosre ko phone kar lete the, kabhi bhi milne chale jaate the. Lekin ab Nikki ko phone karne se pehle main sochta hoon ki kahin usse disturb toh nahi kar raha. Kabhi - kabhi bohot weird lagta hai.”

“Ab hum bade ho gaye haina,” Riddhima replied. “Weird toh lagta hai. Di aur meri bhi relationship inn pichle saalon mein kitni badal gayi… but I guess, it’s all a part of life.”

“It takes time to get used to,” Armaan murmured. “But at least… tum toh ho! Tumhe phone karne se pehle mujhe nahi sochna padta… na tumse milne aane se pehle. Aur ab toh… bilkul nahi sochna padega!”

Riddhima giggled, hugging Armaan’s arm. “You’re right!”

They reached home by then. Armaan got out of the car and rushed to open Riddhima’s door for her, who was patiently waiting for him to do so. She knew that he was particular about stuff like this and didn’t step on his toes, no matter how badly she wanted to. It wasn’t just Armaan who loved to irritate her.

The moment they entered the house, they were bombarded by questions from the extended family about where they’d been all night. “Yeh koi waqt hai ghar aane ka?” Taiji hollered. “Kahaan the saari raat?”

Riddhima lowered her head demurely, unused to such shouting. Even when Shashank had been at his worst, he had never raised his voice at his daughters, no matter how mad or angry he was. Seeing her get spooked, Armaan held her hand and glared at Taiji, who was not the least bit intimidated. “Hum hospital mein the,” he answered. “Aap sab kal yahin the na jab Nikki ke labour pains shuru huye?” Not waiting for them to answer his question, he added, “Toh phir pooch kyu rahe hain? Uske saath hi the hum saari raat.”

“Kal hi shaadi hui hai tumhaari! Ghar chodke bahaar aise raat bhar bahaar rehna koi shobha deta hai kya?” Taiji taunted. “Nayi naveli bahu, shaadi ke jode mein hi raat bhar ghar se bahaar ghoom rahi thi… kisi aspatal mein. Tumhe humaari izzat ka zara khayal nahi aaya?”

“Taiji… wo — woh main… woh…” Riddhima stuttered, scared.

“Bhabhi, aap itne sawaal kyu kar rahi hain?” Billy stepped in. “Armaan ne kaha na… woh log Nikki ke saath the.”

“Nikki ke saath the ka kya matlab hai?” Taiji fired back. “Ab shaadi ho gayi hai toh ghar pe dhyaan dena chahiye… lekin yeh toh ab bhi apne doston mein hi busy hai!”

“Bhabhi… Nikki humaare hi ghar ki bachchi hai. Armaan ki sabse achchi dost hai. Usse zaroorat thi toh Armaan aur Riddhima ka farz banta hai uske saath rahe. Aap bol toh aise rahin hai jaise yeh dono kisi party mein gaye ho. Nikki labour mein thi… aur Riddhi uski doctor hai. Agar woh inki dost nahi bhi hoti toh bhi Riddhima ka farz banta ki woh uske saath rahe delivery ke waqt,” Ananya defended.

“Yeh ek hi doctor hai kya wahaan?” Taiji probed.

“Nahi, Bhabhi,” Billy replied, getting tired of her tirade. “Lekin Nikki ki doctor woh akeli hi hai. Aur mujhe bilkul manzoor nahi ki iss ghar ki wajah se Riddhi apne kaam ko nazar andaaz kare. Uska kaam abhi bhi utna hi important hai jitna shaadi se pehle tha. Aur hamesha rahega. Aap yeh drama karna band kijiye ab. Meri bachchi ka ghar mein pehla din aur aap usse aise behave kar rahi hain… achcha lagta hai kya? Maine aapse pehle bhi kaha tha ki Riddhi ko koi rok - tok nahi hai. Usse jab, jaise, jahaan jo karna hai woh karegi. Aur aap usse itne sawaal na pooche toh hi achcha hai.”

Taiji looked extremely miffed at Billy’s words and was getting ready to throw a complete tantrum, when Vishal stepped in. “Mummy… rehne do na. Chachu theek hi toh keh rahe hain. Aaj itni khushi ka din hain… yeh sab baatein karke hum usse spoil kyu kare?”

Taiji scoffed, but conceded. “Armaan, tu Riddhi ko room mein le jaa,” Ananya instructed. “Thode time rest karlo tum dono. Raat bhar jaag rahe the.”

“Haan, Mom,” Armaan agreed. “Aur aap tension mat lijiye. Nikki ki delivery bohot achche se ho gayi thi. Dono bachche bhi theek hain aur Nikki bhi.”

“I know,” Ananya replied. “Vani ne bachchon ki photos bheji mujhe. Abhi toh achche se nahi dekh paaye unhe, but dopahar ko jab tum dono Shashank Bhaisaab ke ghar jaoge tab main aur Billy Nikki aur bachchon se milne hospital chale jaayenge.”

Armaan tugged Riddhima with him and led her to their room. Once the door was closed, he pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry,” he murmured softly, kissing across her face. “Subah subah itna drama ho gaya.”

“Armaan,” Riddhima breathed, pulling him closer, getting lost in the sensation of his lips dragging across her skin. “Armaan,” she moaned.

Armaan smiled against her cheek, turning around to capture her lips in a kiss that she returned enthusiastically. “I love you,” he said in between kisses.

“I love you,” she replied. She pulled back and hugged him, hiding her face in his chest. “Tum kyu sorry bol rahe ho?” She questioned. “Tumne kuch nahi kiya. Family mein aisi baatein hoti rehti hain. Ab kaunsa mujhe Taiji se har din milna hai. Kabhi kabhi agar woh kuch keh dein… It’s fine.”

"But that's wrong," Armaan protested. "Unhe tumhaare saath aise behave nahi karna chahiye tha!"

"I don't know unka aisa behave karna sahi tha ya nahi. Woh shayad thodi orthodox hain, toh isliye unhe yeh sab achcha nahi laga. Aur unhone keh diya. I agree ki unhe iss tarah se apni baat nahi kehni chahiye thi, but I guess I understand where she's coming from too. Lekin, jab woh chillaane lagi toh ek second ke liye main bohot darr gayi thi," Riddhima admitted.

Armaan hugged her once more, hiding her away in his arms. "I know," he murmured. "Dikh raha tha mujhe. Isliye main unse zyada gussa hoon. Unhe kuch galat lagta hai toh woh aaraam se bhi baat kar sakti haina? Aise cheekhne - chillaane ki kya zaroorat hai? Aur tumhe iss tarah taunt karne ki toh koi zaroorat nahi hai. You're a doctor. Tumhaare kaam ki koi timings nahi hain. Emergency koi humse pooch kar thodi aati hai? Itna toh woh bhi samajhti haina? Toh aise scene create karne ki koi zaroorat nahi thi."

"Hmmmm," Riddhima hummed. "But bas ab 1-2 din ki baat haina. Phir toh woh waapas Delhi chali jaayengi. Aur humein unse deal nahi karna padega. So it's fine."

Armaan clicked his tongue but didn't say anything. "It's fine," she repeated. "Sabki families mein aise log hote hain. Kabhi - kabhi unhe ignore karna ho better hai. Mujhe toh Saumya Bhabhi ke liye bura lag raha hai. She has to live with Taiji. Unhe kitni restrictions hoti hongi."

Armaan chuckled. Trust his girl to be more worried about someone else than herself. "It's okay," Armaan told Riddhima. "Vishal aur Saumya Bhabhi unke saath ek flat mein nahi rehte. They stay in the same building, but flats unke alag hai, toh bhabhi ko itni rok - tok nahi hai, cause half the time Taiji doesn't know what's going on."

"That's good," Riddhima replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

Armaan nodded. "Chalo ab, let's get some sleep."

"Kya sleep?" Riddhima asked. "Mujhe ab tayyaar hona hai. Aaj meri pehli rasoi hai. Aur phir, pagphere ke liye ghar bhi toh jaana hai."

"Basket!" Armaan protested. "Raat bhar ki jaagi hui ho. Come on, get some sleep now! This is not good for your health."

"Achcha?" Riddhima fired back. "Abhi tumhe badi chinta ho rahi hai? Tab kya jab khud mujhe phone kar - karke hospital bulaate the aur apni night duty mujhe thamake sone chale jaate the? Tab tumhe koi concern nahi tha?"

Armaan smiled sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders. "Tab main tumhaara husband nahi tha na!" He answered.

Riddhima laughed, tiptoeing to kiss his cheek. "You're cute. But, it's fine, Armaan. Aisa pehli baar hai kya jo main raat bhar jaagne ke baad din mein nahi soyi? It's very normal for us, you know that. Main manage kar lungi. Tum agar thak gaye ho toh tum so jao," she advised.

"Nah," Armaan replied nonchalantly. "I'm not too tired. Ab jab tum nahi so rahi toh main bhi nahi sota."

"As you wish," Riddhima shrugged.

"Waise, Basket… Tum aaj kya meetha banane wali ho?" He asked.

"Maine socha ki tumhaari favourite apple pie toh nahi bana sakti kyuki mujhe traditional meetha banana hai… Toh badam ka halwa banane wali thi," she answered. Armaan loved badam ka halwa.

"Nahi, nahi," Armaan protested. "Woh mat banao! Tum abhi gajar ka halwa bana dena. Woh Billy ko bohot pasand hai!"

"Lekin tumhe toh bilkul nahi pasand na!" Riddhima disagreed.

"Pch," Armaan sighed. "Toh kaunsa mujhe khana hai? Isliye toh keh raha hoon. Ab tum badam ka halwa banaogi toh main kaise resist karunga?" He pouted.

"What do you mean mujhe kaunsa khana hai? Tum nahi khaoge kya meri pehli rasoi?" She questioned, her face falling at his words.

Armaan smiled at that, pulling her in closer and kissing her forehead. "Basket… Jaana… Aaj tumhaara fast haina? Mumma ke ghar pooja se pehle tum kuch nahi khaogi, right?"

Riddhima nodded. "Toh main kaise kha sakta hoon?" He asked rhetorically. "Mera bhi toh fast hai!"

"Armaan!" Riddhima exclaimed, touched. She hugged him tight, hiding her face in his chest. "Tum na… Bilkul paagal ho."

"I know," he agreed. "But yes… Main tumhaare saath hi khaunga! Isliye tum Billy ka favourite bana dena."

"Fine!" She replied. "Ab mujhe jaane do! Ready hona hai."

She pushed him back, trying to get out of his hold, but he only pulled her closer at that. "Waise… Mrs. Mallik," he whispered lowly in her ear. "Happy first day of marriage!"

Riddhima blushed at his words. "Happy first day to you too, Mr. Gupta," she answered. Armaan grinned widely, looking intently at her. Unable to meet his intense gaze, Riddhima shifted, looking at the floor. After a few moments, she pushed against his chest once more. "Chalo… Ab chodo mujhe!"

Sighing, Armaan pulled back, dropping his arms from around her. Riddhima looked up at him, surprised that he'd given in so quickly. "Maine ek baar kaha aur tumne chod bhi diya?" She questioned, surprised.

Armaan looked at her, confused. Riddhima giggled and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth before running into the bathroom, leaving a dazed Armaan behind. “Oyye hoyye!” He mumbled to himself.

Riddhima stepped out of the shower wrapped up in just a towel, thankful that Armaan was not in the room when she did. She knew if he would’ve been around, they would have never even managed to leave the room for the rest of the day, let alone the house. She quickly rushed to the wardrobe and pulled out a red saree that she’d purchased specifically to wear today. She was extremely grateful that Anjali had taken the time to set her wardrobe up last night while she’d been at the hospital. She got dressed quickly, draping the saree across her body with practised ease. She had just sat down at the dressing table to apply some make up when Armaan came back.

“Basket? Are you done?” He called out as he stepped inside the room, not looking up from his phone. “Main abhi Billy se baat kar raha tha… he said that tumhe lene Rahul ek ghante mein aa jaayega.”

When he looked up, he stopped short. Riddhima was tying her mangalsutra… or well, she was trying to anyway. Dressed in a deep red, she looked like an absolute vision and his heart thumped at the sight. As their eyes met in the mirror, Riddhima blushed and looked away, making him smile. Wordlessly, he stepped forward and took the chain from Riddhima’s hand, hooking it around her neck. Riddhima smiled at him in gratitude. He dropped to his knees behind her to reach her neck better, and dropped a kiss there. He reached around her to pick up the sindoor-daan and turned her around. Pinching some between his fingers, he filled her partition, the sindoor dropping to her nose once more like it had the previous day, making them both smile. Next, he picked up the payal and tied it around her ankles, kissing her feet as he did, very reminiscent of the first time he’d done it.

Once he was done, he pulled back and stood up, taking Riddhima up along with him. “Perfect!” He commented. Riddhima laughed at that. Her husband was extremely biased. Not that she minded, of course.

“Tum bhi jaldi se jaake ready ho jao ab!” Riddhima told him, pushing him into the bathroom.

“Suno toh!” Armaan protested, not letting her shut the door.

“Kya?” She asked him.

“Paas aao!” He instructed. Riddhima raised an eyebrow at his demand, but moved closer nonetheless.

“Aur paas,” he instructed. She did as told.

“Aur pass,” he breathed once more, his sense assaulted by the scent of her perfume. Dazed, Riddhima stepped even closer.

“I love you,” Armaan finally whispered against the shell of her ear. Riddhima grinned brightly at his words.

“I love you,” she replied. “Lekin ab tayyaar ho jao!” Saying so, she pushed him inside once more and quickly shut the door.

Blushing, Riddhima hid her face in her hands. Her husband was too cute. When she looked up at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but admire herself. She looked more beautiful than she had ever thought possible, dressed in her husband’s favourite colour, decked up in just her sindoor, mangalsutra, and chooda. Her first day as a wife. As Mrs. Armaan Mallik. She couldn’t believe it had happened. After so long, after so many misunderstandings, so much pain, so many hardships, they were finally married. It had actually happened. Armaan was her husband now. Her husband. A silly grin spread across her face at the thought. She hadn’t imagined her transition to calling Armaan her husband would be so easy, but it was. It felt so natural, as if he had always been her husband and nothing else. Laughing at her thoughts, she hit her head. It was time to go and start her new life!

Chapter One Hundred & Twenty Eight

“Oh! This is delicious!” Billy mumbled around a mouthful of halwa. Riddhima had just served everyone and Billy had taken the first bite, not letting anyone else eat before him. Armaan was suspiciously absent from the scene, not wanting to be coaxed into eating. After the ruckus that Taiji had created earlier, he thought it prudent to remain in his room while everyone else ate. He had feigned the need to get some rest when Meera had gone to fetch him.

“Yes!” Saumya agreed. “Bohot hi achcha bana hai, Riddhima!”

Riddhima blushed at the praise. “Thank you!”

“Meri Riddhi toh hai hi perfect,” Ananya added. “Jo bhi karti sab achcha hi hota hai. Best daughter and the best doctor!”

“Mom!” Riddhima whined, shying away from the praise being heaped on her.

“What Mom!” Ananya reprimanded. “Maine koi jhooth thodi bola?”

“Annie bilkul sahi keh rahi hai,” Billy interjected. “Meri beti toh hai hi sabse best!”

“Seriously, Bhabhi!” Krish said. “Halwa bohot zyada achcha bana hai!”

“I was a little sad ki Armaan Bhaiya humaare saath breakfast ke liye nahi aaye,” Meera confessed. “But now I’m so happy! Unke na hone se humein zyada khane mil raha hai! I know ki agar woh hote toh woh humein sirf thoda sa taste karne dete… woh bhi shayad nahi… aur saara khud hi kha lete.”

Riddhima laughed. “Armaan bas taste karke chod deta!” She assured Meera. “Usse gajar ka halwa bilkul pasand nahi.”

“Tumne phir bhi wohi banaya?” Vishal asked, as he fed an eager Vami more of the halwa.

Riddhima nodded. “Dad ka favourite haina… isliye!”

Billy grinned victoriously at the proclamation. “See! Jab main Armaan se kehta hoon toh woh bilkul nahi maanta… but I always knew, Riddhi! I’m your favourite!”

“Of course,” Riddhima agreed, smiling indulgently. She found it exceedingly cute that Armaan & Billy had an ongoing feud to prove who she liked better. They were grown men but most of the time they behaved like such kids, she didn’t know what to say.

The doorbell rang then, and Riddhima rushed to answer it. Rahul, Atul, and Ishaan stood on the other side, huge grins on their faces. “Riddhu!” Rahul exclaimed, stepping inside the house to pull her into a tight hug. “I missed you!”

“It’s been less than a day,” she reminded him.

“Toh kya hua? I still missed you!” He said.

The duo kept on hugging till Atul physically had to separate them. “Abbe, oh! Rahul! Tu akela hai kya? Hum bhi hain!” He whined, pulling Riddhima into another tight hug. Riddhima laughed and returned his hug just as enthusiastically.

“Ridz! Aaj se toh tum meri bhabhi bann gayi!” Atul exclaimed. A second later, he shook his head. “Nahi, nahi. Tum toh waise meri sali ho na?”

He pulled back, scratching his head. “Yeh bohot confusing hai. Ab tum meri bhabhi ho ya sali?”

The group laughed at his confusion. “Atul Bhai… jo bhi ho,” Ishaan intervened. “Mujhe toh Di ko hug karne dijiye!”

Riddhima shook her head, and opened her arms for him. He immediately hugged her. “You look so pretty, Di!” He exclaimed, examining her from head to toe. “Matlab… itni zyada beautiful lag rahe ho! Jeeju ne aapko apni nazron se hatne kaise de diya?”

“Shut up!” Riddhima scolded, whacking his arm. “Jab dekho pareshaan karta rehta hai!”

“Riddhi!” Ananya called out. “Kaun hai beta?”

“Hum hain, Annie Aunty!” Rahul answered in her stead.

“Arre! Rahul, Atul!” Ananya exclaimed, entering the living room. “And, Ishaan! Riddhima ko lene aaye ho?”

“Jee, Aunty,” Ishaan smiled demurely. He was still a little awkward around Riddhima’s in-laws. Maybe more so because they were Meera’s family as well. Meera, the girl he loved, but was too afraid to confess to. He sighed. Now was not the time to spiral. Riddhima had just gotten married. He was here for her and no one else.

“Chalo… Riddhima ne gajar ka halwa banaya hai… woh khake hi jaana,” she instructed the three boys who readily agreed. After pacifying Billy’s epic fit at having to share the halwa by promising to make him more, Riddhima served some to three of them, who relished it.

“Wow, Ridz!” Atul was the first to exclaim. “Bohot zyada tasty bana hai! Waise toh mujhe pata hi hai ki tum jo bhi banati ho sab bohot tasty hota hai, but aaj toh kuch zyada hi tasty hai!”

“I agree!” Ishaan chimed in. “Bohot amazing hai, Di! I really missed your cooking! Wahaan US mein toh mujhe hi banana padta hai.”

“Excuse me!” Meera interjected. “Aise taunt kya maar rahe ho? I’ve been learning!”

“Yeah, right!” Ishaan scoffed. “Uss din tumne dal jo itni achci tarah se jalayi thi… I have no words. Tum mujhe yeh batao how did you survive there for so long without knowing how to cook?”

“Meri college ka canteen bohot achcha tha,” Meera replied primly. “Unlike yours.”

“We studied at the same college,” Ishaan sighed.

Meera shrugged. “It’s not my problem if you don’t have refined taste.”

“Haan, haan!” Ishaan exclaimed. “Tumhaara taste toh itna fine hai ki tumhe woh 2 din puraane bread butter hi itne zyada tasty lagte the!”

Before Meera could provide a comeback to that, Billy intervened. “Okay! Cut it!” He instructed. “Sab halwa enjoy karo na! Iss waqt yeh debate karna zaroori hai kya?”

“Sorry, Billy!” The two of them replied in unison, looking appropriately chastised.

“Waise… humaare Mr. Romeo kahaan hain? Dikhaayi nahi de rahe!” Rahul commented as he gobbled up the halwa. “Bohot tasty bana hai, Riddhu! Mujhe zara pack karke dena! Baad mein aur khaunga!”

“Riddhi isse kuch mat dena!” Billy thundered. “Itna mil raha hai usme hi khush rehna seekho, Rahul. Baaki saara halwa mera hai!”

Riddhima shrugged apologetically at Rahul, who smiled. Billy was rather cute at times. Answering Rahul’s question, she said, “Woh so raha hai. Kal raat bhar Abhi ko handle kar raha tha na. It was very tiring.”

“Yes, it was,” Rahul agreed, shuddering at the memory of an antsy Abhi and how they’d had to calm him down.

Once they were done eating, Rahul turned to Riddhima, asking, “Chalein?”

“Main do minute mein aayi!” She told him. “Thoda samaan lena hai.”

Rahul nodded in agreement. “Jaldi se le aa!”

She rushed inside the room where Armaan was perched in front of his laptop, browsing baby products on an online shopping website. “Kya kar rahe ho?” She asked him, startling him at the sudden interruption. He was concentrating so hard, he hadn’t even heard her come in.

“Woh… Abhin aur Nibha ke liye,” he explained, showing her the pram he was looking at. It was a large one, meant to accommodate two babies instead of one.

“Very cute!” Riddhima agreed. “Tum unn dono ko bohot zyada spoil karne wale ho, haina?” Armaan shrugged. Of course he was. Those were his best friend’s babies. His godkids!

“Rahul aa gaya hai,” she informed him. “Toh main jaa rahi hoon uske saath.”

“Main bhi chalu?” He asked, already shutting the browser and getting ready to wrap up so he could leave with her.

Riddhima laughed at his eagerness. “Tum thode time baad aa jaana,” she said.

Armaan pouted. “Mujhe tumhaare saath jaana hai!”

“Armaan,” Riddhima explained patiently. “Baby… abhi tum yahin raho. Sab hain ghar pe. It doesn’t look nice agar tum bhi chalo toh… aur phir, tumhe Mom aur Dad ko Nikki se milwane bhi le jaana haina?”

“Fine,” Armaan reluctantly agreed. “But sirf thode time!”

“Okay,” Riddhima promised. “Mom Dad ko Nikki ke paas le jaane ke baad aa jaana.”

Armaan hugged Riddhima then. “You’re the best!” He crowed. Riddhima laughed. “That I am.”

She pulled back when Rahul started insistently knocking on the door. “Oh, Heer Ranjha!” He called out. “Kitna chipkoge, yaar? Riddhu… chal jaldi! Late ho raha hai!”

“Kya yaar!” Armaan complained. “Mujhe laga ki ek baar shaadi ho jaayegi toh yeh dialogue toh at least mujhe nahi sun’na padega. But yeh toh phir se wohi kahaani shuru ho gayi.”

Riddhima giggled. “Sorry, baby! I have to go!” She reluctantly detangled herself from his arms. Picking up her bag, she opened the door to see Rahul tapping his foot impatiently on the other side.

“Ho gaya?” He asked. Riddhima nodded.

“Oyyeee, Majnu!” Rahul called, peeping in to look at a sulking Armaan. “Leke jaa raha hoon apni Riddhu ko!”

“Meri Basket!” Armaan clarified. Rahul rolled his eyes at his possessiveness, smirking wide. It was so easy to rile him up.

“Haan, haan!” Rahul exclaimed. “Whatever. Time pe aa jaana lene!”

“Yes, boss!” Armaan answered sarcastically.

Riddhima shook her head fondly at their antics. “Ho gaya?” She repeated, looking at Rahul. He guffawed but nodded. He left and Riddhima turned to shut the door behind her. Armaan blew her a flying kiss as she did so.

Smiling, Riddhima made her way back downstairs. Ananya handed her a tiffin full of the gajar ka halwa she’d just cooked. “Mom, yeh kya?” She asked.

“Arre… meri beti ne aaj pehli baar rasoi mein kuch banaya hai,” Billy explained. “Uss khusat Shanky ko bhi toh pata hona chahiye ki meri beti ke haath ka khana kitna achcha hai!”

Riddhima couldn’t help the tears that spilled from her eyes at his words. She hugged him tight. “Thanks, Dad!” She choked out. Billy rubbed her back and kissed her forehead. Reaching into his pockets, he pulled out a box and handed it to her. “Yeh lo, beta,” he said. “Tumhaara shagun.”

Riddhima opened the box to see the most gorgeous earrings nestled inside. The earrings were rose gold, encrusted with rubies and diamonds to form a teardrop. “Dad, iski kya zaroorat thi?” She asked, already knowing that they must have cost a fortune.

“Zaroorat kaise nahi hai?” Billy asked. “Pehli rasoi ka shagun hai, beta. Isse tu mana nahi kar sakti!”

“Tere Dad bilkul theek keh rahe hain,” Ananya added. “Aur waise bhi… hum tujhe kuch bhi de, tu mana nahi kar sakti. Apne parents ko mana karde, itni bhi badi nahi hui hai tu abhi.”

Riddhima gave in, knowing there was no winning with them. She reached up to undo the plain earrings she’d been wearing and put on the new ones. “Kaisi lag rahi hai?” She asked once she was done.

“Ekdum pyaari lag rahi hai! Bilkul tujh jaisi!” Ananya said, kissing her forehead. “Chal… jaa ab. Jaldi se jaake jaldi se waapas aa jaana, okay?”

Riddhima nodded. Finally, she made her way outside the house with Rahul, Atul, and Ishaan flanking her. It was very weird, but she started missing her new home, even before she stepped into the car. Shaking her head of those thoughts, she focused her attention on Atul’s mindless chatter, allowing herself to be pulled into the discussion about what plant he should gift Anjali next.

At the Gupta House, Riddhima was welcomed with all the pomp and fanfare befitting a new bride. She was passed around the family who all took turns to hug her tight and welcome her back home. Anjali held on the longer, silently crying on her sister’s shoulder, making everyone emotional.

“I missed you so much, Ridzy!” She confessed, pulling back.

“I missed you, too, Di!” Riddhima replied, reaching up to wipe the tears that had streamed down Anjali’s face. Anjali smiled, doing the same for Riddhima.

“Ab dono saara din yahin khadi rahogi kya?” Nani asked. “Chalo andar!”

“Jee Nani!” The sisters chorussed.

Once everyone had settled inside the house, Riddhima was bombarded with questions about Nikki, which she answered to the best of her ability. Nikki was fine, and so were the kids. No, there weren’t any complications in the delivery. The babies and the mother were all as healthy as they could be. The babies would need to be monitored for a few months but would be fine. Yes, they were extremely cute. Cuter than Riddhima had ever imagined a baby could be.

“Waise, Annie Aunty ne Riddhima ka bana gajar ka halwa bheja hai,” Rahul announced. “Bohot tasty hai. Aap sab bhi khayenge na?”

A cheer rung out through the room at his words. Happily, Rahul strutted to the kitchen and plated the halwa for everyone. The next hour was spent eating the scrumptious halwa and merrymaking, till they were interrupted by the doorbell. Ishaan opened the door to see an exuberant Armaan on the other side with Muskaan in tow and grinned.

____________

Armaan took Billy & Ananya to the hospital almost immediately after Riddhima had left. On the way, they stopped to buy a few presents for Nikki and the babies. They were greeted by Muskaan who had stepped out of the room to give Nikki some time with Abhi’s parents who had arrived sometime ago.

“Oyye, Heroine!” Armaan exclaimed, giving her a hug. “Tu yahaan kaise? Mujhe laga tu bhi gayi hogi Basket ke pagphere ke liye.”

“Main thode time mein chali jaungi,” Muskaan assured him. “But Nikki ko ekdum aise akele nahi chodna chahiye na humein. Isliye main ruk gayi. Woh abhi thode time mein Su aane wali hai toh uske baad main free ho jaungi.”

“Nikki kaisi hai? Aur bachche?” Ananya asked.

“Sab ekdum first class hain, Annie Aunty,” Muskaan told her. “Woh… iss waqt Abhi ke parents aaye hain toh unke saath hai. Aap chaliye na… Nikki kabse aap logon ka wait kar rahi hai.”

Grinning, Billy & Annie rushed inside the room. “Billy Uncle! Annie Aunty!” Nikki exclaimed happily on seeing them. Annie rushed forward and gathered Nikki in a hug. “Congratulations, my darling!” She said in greeting.

“Thank you!” Nikki replied. Once Annie had hugged Nikki to her heart’s content, Billy did the same.

Nikki introduced them to the kids after that. “Billy Uncle, Annie Aunty… yeh dekhiye… yeh Nibha aur yeh Abhin. Aur yeh hain tum dono ke Billy Nanu aur Annie Nani!”

“Nikki!” Billy exclaimed. “Main kis angle se tujhe Nana lagta hoon, yaar? Main toh Armaan ke bade bhai jaisa lagta hoon! Tu yeh sab kya galat cheezein sikha rahi ho bachchon ko?”

“Oh, stop it, Silly Billy!” Ananya rebuked. “Ab tum Nana bann gaye ho toh Nana ki tarah behave karo. Aise kisi schoolboy ki tarah nahi!”

The occupants of the room laughed at that while Billy sulked. Abhi stepped in to introduce Billy and Ananya to his parents. “Mom, Dad,” he said. “Yeh hain Billy Uncle aur Annie Aunty… Nikki ka best friend haina, Armaan… uske parents. And these are my parents, Vivek Modi and Alka Modi.”

The two sets of parents exchanged greetings. In the meantime, Armaan stepped inside the room with Vani and Muskaan, the three of them engaged in an intense discussion.

“Vani!” Ananya cried on seeing her. “Congratulations! Dono bachche bohot pyaare hain!” She exclaimed, hugging the woman tight. In the time that Armaan & Nikki had been friends, Vani and Ananya had gotten close too. They had seen each other through some of the toughest times of the other’s lives. To be able to share such joy after sharing so much pain was a thing of beauty.

“And congratulations to you!” Vani returned her felicitations. “Riddhima se achchi ladki na… tujhe kahin nahi milti!”

“Don’t I know it!” Billy agreed.

“Right?” Nikki added. “Mujhe toh ab tak samajh nahi aata ki Ridzy iss jaise idiot ke chakkar mein kaise pad gayi!” She exclaimed cheekily, making Armaan sulk.

“Shut up!” He cried. “Aap sab kya hamesha aise bolte rehte ho? I’m awesome!”

“Sure!” Nikki scoffed.

“Oyyeeee! Nikki ki bachchi! Zyada smart mat ban!” Armaan threatened.

“Nibha… dekho Armaan Mamu aapse kya keh rahe hain!” Nikki exclaimed, talking to her daughter.

“Main Nibha ki baat nahi kar raha tha and you know it!” Armaan cried. “My Nibha is perfect. Tu usse kuch mat keh!” He immediately marched forward and plucked Nibha from Nikki’s arms, holding her close to his chest. She was so tiny that he could fit her in one arm.

“Abhi se teri planning shuru ho gayi na?” Nikki asked rhetorically. “I’m telling you, Armaan… tu mere bachchon ko kidnap karne ke kitne bhi plans bana le… you’re not going to be successful.”

“Main koi kidnap nahi karne wala! I’m going to be their favourite toh obviously, woh khud hi mere paas aa jaayenge,” he scoffed. Turning to the bundle of joy in his arms, he added, “Right, Nibha?”

“Hero! Tu zyada overconfident mat ban!” Muskaan protested. “Bachchon ki favourite toh unki Muskaan Masi hogi, haina? Ab main unko hamesha itna achcha khana khilaungi toh obviously woh log mere paas hi aayenge na!”

“Bhukkad kahin ki!” Armaan cried. “Tu abhi bhi bas khane ke baare mein soch… aur tujhe kya lagta hai? Sirf tu hi achcha khana khila sakti hai? Main bhi khilaunga! Aur hum movies dekhne jayenge… park jayenge, beach jayenge… sab kuch karenge! Toh obviously, main hi favourite rahoonga!”

“Tum log please mere bachchon ko abhi se bigaadna band karo!” Abhi butt in. “Abhi ek din ke yeh hue nahi hai lekin tumne saara intezaam kar rakha haina inko bigaadne ka?”

Armaan & Muskaan looked at each other and shrugged. “Of course,” Armaan said. “Ab humaara toh yehi kaam haina?”

Abhi shook his head. “Tum mujhe baksh do! Nikki hi handle karegi tum logon ko. Mere bas ki nahi hai.”

“Very smart, Dr. Moody!” Armaan replied sagely.

“Waise… ab tum log toh mera introduction kara nahi rahe ho… toh main khud hi kar dete hoon,” Armaan stated. Turning to Abhi’s parents, he greeted them. “Hello, Uncle! Hello, Aunty! Main… Armaan. Nikki ka best friend!”

“Namaste, beta!” Alka replied. “Armaan…” she murmured, trying to place him. “Tum… tumhaari toh kal shaadi thi na?” She asked, once she finally remembered that Armaan was Nikki and Abhi’s friend who was getting married to their other friend, who also happened to be Nikki’s doctor, Riddhima.

“Jee, Aunty!” Armaan exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Congratulations!” The couple said. “Aur… shaadi ke hi din tumhe sab chodke yahaan aana pada, uske liye sorry,” Alka added.

“Arre… aunty yeh aap kya keh rahi hain!” Armaan cried. “Isme sorry ki kya baat hai? Nikki meri aur Riddhima ki best friend hai. Uske saath toh humein rehna hi tha!”

“But still,” Nikki added. “Kal saari rasmein bhi theek tarah se poori nahi hui thi… aur teri first night pe tu Riddhima ke saath hone ke badle yahaan Abhi ko sambhaal raha tha aur Ridzy mujhe. I feel really bad. I’m so sorry, Mr. Supercool!”

“Nikki!” Armaan reprimanded. “Shut up! Kya bakwaas kar rahi hai tu? Ab tu yeh sab sochegi? As if we would have been anywhere else but here when you were in labour! Tu meri jagah hoti toh bhi yehi karti na?”

Nikki nodded immediately. “Toh bas phir,” Armaan ordered. “Yeh sab mat soch. Aur mere saamne keh diya… Riddhima ke saamne toh bilkul mat kehna. Tujhe pata haina woh kaisi hai… gussa ekdum naak pe chadha rehta hai madam ke. Tu yeh sab usse bolegi toh pata nahi tujhse kitna gussa ho jaayegi!”

Nikki chuckled at that. “Uske liye tu haina!” She said. “Usse kaise manate hain yeh tujhe achche se pata hai!”

“Haan, bhai,” Abhi agreed. “Itna experience jo hai tumhe Riddhima ko manane mein!”

“Oyye, Moody! Mind your own business!” Armaan lectured.

They joked around for a while before Armaan stated he had to go to the Gupta House for the pooja. “Can’t believe I’m missing all this!” Nikki lamented. “Itna kaha maine Ridzy se ki mujhe discharge karde lekin woh meri sunti hi nahi haina!”

“Nikki, Riddhima ne kaha haina agar sab normal raha toh she will discharge you tomorrow morning!” Abhi consoled. “Bas thode ghante aur!”

“Tu tension mat le,” Armaan added when Abhi’s words did nothing to pull her out of her funk. “Wahaan se tujhe Skype karenge hum, okay? It’ll be like you’re there with us!” He promised.

Nikki gave a half-hearted smile at his words, happy that he was trying so hard. But nothing would compare to her actually being there. She would not trade her kids for the world, but in that moment, she wished they’d been born just a couple of days later so that she could have attended every ceremony for her best friends’ wedding. It made her feel like a bad mother, thinking what she had, and she immediately said, “Nahi, nahi. It’s okay! Waise bhi kal toh main discharge ho hi jaungi na!”

She had to remember that her kids were her first priority now and no one else. Armaan looked at her intently, knowing immediately that something was troubling her. But, not wanting to disturb him, she waved him off. “Actually, I’m very tired. Subah se itne visitors aur bachchon ko sambhaalna… I think I’ll take a nap now.”

Maybe things would seem better after she’d had some sleep. Armaan acquiesced, not wanting to push her when she wasn’t ready to talk. “Fine,” he agreed. “But… halwa kha lena tu, okay? Riddhima ne banaya tha. It doesn’t make up for not being able to attend the ceremony, but this is the best I can do right now.”

“Thank you!” Nikki replied, hugging him. Armaan hugged her tight and dropped a kiss to her forehead, before pulling away to do the same for the babies.

“Ghar aane ki koi jaldi mat karna,” Billy instructed him. “Riddhi ko jitna time apne parents ke saath spend karna hai, usse karne dena. Okay?”

Armaan rolled his eyes at that. “Yes, Billy!” He replied. Tugging Muskaan out of the room, the two of them shouted their goodbyes before leaving.

The car ride to the Guptas’ was filled with Muskaan’s incessant chatter, with Armaan entertaining her theatrics. They reached in seemingly no time at all and were greeted by an enthusiastic Ishaan. “Hey, Jeeju!” He cried, the second he opened the door, launching himself to hug Armaan.

“Hi!” Armaan replied, happy to be greeted so warmly. Ishaan gave Muskaan a quick hug in greeting as well and pulled them both inside, where Armaan was welcomed with more hugs and well wishes.

“Aap sab kya kar rahe the?” He asked them once they’d settled down.

“Woh… Riddhima ki pehli rasoi ka halwa kha rahe the,” Padma told him. “Tune taste kiya? Kaisa laga tujhe?”

“Nahi na, Mumma!” Armaan exclaimed dramatically. “Yeh Basket… isne jaan boojhke gajar ka halwa banaya! Mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai woh! Bas kyuki Billy ko pasand hai…”

“Riddhima! Beta, yeh galat baat haina,” Padma said. “Armaan ki pasand ka bhi banana chahiye tha tujhe!”

“Main banane wali thi, Mumma,” Riddhima defended herself. “Lekin Armaan ne mujhse kaha ki gajar ka halwa bana do!”

“Maine kaha aur tumne maan liya?” Armaan fired back. “Aise toh tum meri koi baat nahi maanti!”

“Armaan!” Riddhima warned.

“Riddhima!” Armaan replied in the same tone.

“Armaan!”

“Riddhima!”

“Tum dono Armaan Riddhima karna band karo!” Nani stepped in. “Chal… aaja, Armaan. Main bana deti hoon tere liye kuch.”

“Arree… nahi, Nani!” Armaan protested. “Aap kyu itni takleef utha rahi hain. Aap kuch mat kijiye! Main banake khilaata hoon aapko?”

“Tum? Tum kyu banaoge, beta? Maa aur Padma haina… aur Anjali bhi,” Shashank said. “Tum aaraam karo.”

“Aise kaise?” Armaan argued. “Nahi, nahi. Main toh banaunga. Sirf Riddhima ki hi pehli rasoi kyu? Aaj toh meri bhi hogi!” He declared stubbornly.

“Armaan, beta… ladko ki pehli rasoi nahi hoti,” Padma tried to explain, but he staunchly disagreed. “Nahi, nahi. Mujhe kuch nahi pata. Main toh aaj sabko shahi kheer khilaunga hi khilaunga!”

“Shahi kheer!” The gang cried, aghast, alongwith Nani and Padma. They had not yet forgotten Armaan’s previous debacle with the kheer.

“Haan!” Armaan stated. “Pichli baar toh bohot buri bani thi na! But… don’t worry. Ab maine banani seekh li hai! Iss baar bohot achchi kheer banaunga… I promise!”

“Armaan… rehne de na,” Rahul tried to derail him. “Hum sabne abhi hi gajar ka halwa khaya hai.”

“Toh kya hua?” Armaan argued. “Ab shahi kheer khana!”

“Armaan…” Nani tried to stop him but he shook his head, pouting adorably. “Please, Nani! Banane dijiye na!” He exclaimed.

Nani, who was powerless against his puppy dog face, ended up giving in. “Theek hai. Jaa, bana le!”

“Thank you!” Armaan cried exuberantly. He gave Nani a quick hug and rushed to the kitchen to cook.

“Paagal,” Padma commented after him. “Log kitchen mein naa kaam karne ke liye ladte hain, aur yeh hum sabse kitchen mein kaam karne ladke chala gaya!”

Riddhima excused herself and went to check on Armaan. He was picking out all the ingredients he’d need for the kheer, deep in thought. Riddhima smiled and hugged his back, her arms travelling around his chest. “Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi!” He grinned, turning around and wrapping his arms around her as well.

“Nikki theek haina?” She asked.

Armaan nodded. “More or less. But, I guess it will take her some time to adjust. Plus, postpartum mood swings… she was a little worked up when we went to see her.”

Riddhima sighed. “I’ll talk to her,” she said.

“Hmmmm,” Armaan hummed in agreement.

“Armaan…” she said after a few moments. “Are you sure? I mean… pichli baar…”

“Basketttttt!” Armaan whined. “Tumhe bhi mujhpe confidence nahi hai kya?! I swear, maine sach mein kheer banana seekh liya hai!”

“Fine, fine,” she relented. “If you say so!”

“I do!” He asserted. “Chalo ab… jao tum. Yahaan rahogi toh mujhe distract karti rahogi… but ab meri baari hai sasurjee ko impress karne ki! Don’t try to steal my limelight!”

“Tum bilkul paagal ho!” She laughed. “I’m going!”

“Thank you!” Armaan cried. As Riddhima turned to leave, he held her hand and pulled her to him. She crashed into his chest at the sudden movement. Armaan lifted her head, pushing her hair out of her face. He smiled and kissed her chastely. Once, twice, thrice, before finally letting her go. Riddhima blushed and ran away from the kitchen, extremely happy.

While Armaan whiled away in the kitchen, everyone had a gala time in the living room, laughing and joking. Padma did check in on Armaan a few times and offered to help, but he was adamant on cooking by himself. She stayed and gave him company for some time, both of them settling into their regular patterns. Once Armaan was done, he invited everyone to try his kheer.

“Ruk jaa, Armaan,” Nani said. “Pehle pooja kar lete hain. Aur kheer bhagwaan ko bhog mein laga denge. Phir hum sab khayenge.”

“Okay, Nani,” Armaan acquiesced. “Jaisa aap theek samjhe.”

Nani led the pooja after that, explaining all the rituals to Armaan & Riddhima as she went. Once they were done, everyone gathered at the dining table to eat Armaan’s kheer.

"Iss baar, sabse pehle Papa taste karenge!" Armaan announced. "Warna tum sab leke bhaag jaoge aur unhe phir se nahi milegi!"

The gang looked at each other, worried, but were powerless when Shashank agreed. "Yes! Iss baar toh sabse pehle main hi taste karunga!"

Happily, Armaan served a bowl full of kheer to Shashank. The gang waited with bated breath as Shashank lifted the bowl and smelt it thoroughly before taking a bite. "Mmmm," Shashank hummed in appreciation around a mouthful. "This is so good, Armaan! Ab mujhe samajh aa raha hai ki last time kheer itni jaldi kyu khatam ho gayi thi!" He joked.

There was a collective sigh of relief from everyone present. "Thank you, Papa!" Armaan beamed.

"Shashank, kheer sach mein achchi hai?" Nani enquired. "Tu Armaan ka dil rakhne jhooth nahi bol raha na?"

"Maa!" Shashank rebuked. "Yeh aap kaisi baatein kar rahi hain? Main jhooth kyu bolunga? Kheer sach mein bohot achchi hai!"

"Nani," Armaan said. "Aap Papa se kyu pooch rahi hain? Khud taste karke dekhiye na!"

He passed her a bowl and she gingerly lifted it in her hands. She looked around to see everyone staring at her intently, waiting for her reaction. Sighing, she spooned some of the dessert and put it in her mouth. And… Was pleasantly surprised. The kheer really did taste delicious.

"Waah, Armaan!" She exclaimed. "Aaj ki kheer toh bohot zyada achchi bani hai, beta! Pichli baar se toh bohot zyada achchi. Sach mein!"

Armaan's eyes crinkled with his wide smile. "Thank you!"

Satisfied that nothing was wrong this time, everyone else tasted the kheer too, and were all praises for Armaan, who soaked up the compliments with a flourish. It took a while for anyone to notice that Riddhima had not been eating.

"Arre, Riddhima! Tum toh kha hi nahi rahi!" Shubhankar cried. "Aise kaise? Taste toh karo. Itni achchi kheer banayi hai tumhaare husband ne!"

Riddhima got a little conscious of all the sudden attention on her and looked away, blushing. "Haan, Ridzy!" Anjali agreed. "Shubhankar Sir bilkul theek keh rahe hain! Bhai… Mere Jeeju ne itni achchi kheer banayi hai aur tu taste bhi nahi karegi kya?"

"Armaan, aaj toh tu isse apne haathon se khila," Muskaan egged the heat on.

"Main kyu khau?" Riddhima finally burst out. "Maine jo halwa banaya tha woh thodi khaya Armaan ne! Toh mujhe bhi uski kheer nahi khani."

She turned her nose in vanity. "Isse mere haath ka nahi khana toh main bhi koi desperate nahi hoon iske haath ka khane!"

"Basketttt!" Armaan whined. "Tumhe pata haina mujhe gajar ka halwa nahi pasand!"

"Toh kya hua? Thoda sa taste toh kar sakte the na?" Riddhima questioned.

"Baat toh sahi hai," Atul commented. "Taste toh tu kar hi sakta tha!"

"Toh… Abhi kuch bigda thodi hai? Abhi taste kar lega!" Rahul exclaimed. "Annie Aunty ne diya haina itna saara pack karke. Abhi bhi bacha hai."

"Main lekar aati hoon!" Tara exclaimed, shooting up from her seat immediately. "Di ne sach mein bohot achcha halwa banaya hai, Jeeju!"

She came back a few minutes later with a bowl full of halwa that Armaan eyed with suspicion. "Yaar! Mujhe toh laga tha ki ab shaadi ho gayi hai toh papad belna band," he muttered to himself. "Lekin yahaan toh doosri hi story shuru ho gayi!"

Tara placed the halwa in front of him and beseeched him to eat some. "Please, Jeeju! Thoda sa bas!"

"Riddhima me haathon se toh mana nahi karoge na?" Keerti added to the discussion. "Come on, Armaan!"

Sighing, Armaan gave in with a nod. Still miffed, Riddhima spooned some halwa and fed it to him as everyone clapped. "Hmmm," Armaan muttered. "Not bad. Matlab… Theek hi hai," he said, scrunching his nose.

"Chal, Hero! Ab tu bhi khila de!" Muskaan ordered.

"Khila du?" Armaan asked Riddhima. She clicked her tongue but nodded. "Fine!"

Happily, Armaan fed her some of the kheer. "Very nice!" Riddhima praised. "I never expected ki tum itni achchi kheer bana loge!" She exclaimed loftily, making everyone laugh. Armaan did a fake curtsy at her words. He turned to see some kheer stuck on her lips and lifted his finger, gently wiping it away. When he saw that everyone was busy eating again, he quickly licked his finger off, making Riddhima blush a deep red.

They all spent the rest of the day at the Gupta House, leaving only late in the evening. As Armaan helped Riddhima get into the car, he turned back to look at the house, where his family was standing at the threshold, waving them off. No one had done that for him before, apart from Riddhima. The gesture sent a thrill down his spine, warming his heart deliriously. It was great to have a loving family, he thought to himself as he finally drove off, knowing that there would be a family waiting at home to welcome him back as well. Life was good. No, scratch that. It was f*cking beautiful, so long as his wife was by his side.

_____________________

And, that's a wrap! Happy 15 years, DMG fam! <3

On this very momentous occasion of the AR wedding finally happening, I want to thank each and every single one of you for reading this fic. I know it hasn't been an easy journey. I first started uploading this fic in November 2014 and it has taken us August 2022 to actually have the wedding. You've all been such a patient audience and I am forever grateful for that!

This journey has not been without it's ups and downs. There have been times when I've been so demotivated I didn't think I'd write one more word on this fic, but I've somehow powered through and reached here. I am really proud of myself for it. It hasn't been easy for me to stick to this fic for so many years either, but the love I have for this show and it's characters, and of course, all my readers, kept me going.

Thank you so much for sticking by me with my very erratic update schedules where I've not uploaded a single word for months on end. I think there was this one year where I uploaded a grand total of just three chapters in the entire 365 days, and yet, you kept coming back. So, thank you!

I know that there have been times when I might have come across as rude and I am really sorry for that. I know we all say constructive criticism is a good thing but Armaan, Riddhima, and this story are so close to my heart that I haven't taken well to that. I have also not taken well to your please update comments and messages and idk if I wanna apologize for that cause yk... I do have a life. But despite me being this way, you still did not stop reading, and for that, thank you so much. From the very bottom of my heart. I don't think I can express just how much it means to me that you've reached here.

For all of you who've been there for years, and even the ones who have joined us in this journey only recently, thank you for your wonderful comments. But mostly, thank you for not giving up on me and this story. Pako & Sanju, you two are my shining stars and this story exists only because of you. We've come here because you kept encouraging me and pushing me to do better.

ILYLTF has been a wonderful journey that has introduced me to so many friends. I'm not in touch with most of them now, but at some point, they were a huge part of my life and made it so much better. To all of you, thank you so much. I know you're probably not going to read this, but still, thank you. Thank you for believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself. You've been instrumental in bringing this fic here as well.

But mostly, thank you to the entire cast and crew of Dill Mill Gayye for making such a beautiful show that has stuck with so many of us despite the years in between. DMG has seen all of us through some very tough times, has been the sole reason for our smiles, and has given us so much that I don't think I can put into words just what it means to me. Thank you is not enough, but it's the only word I have. Dill Mill Gayye truly is an emotion, and every viewer knows just what I mean when I say that. So, thank you, DMG for being the love of my life. <3

Now that the senti stuff is out of the way, some housekeeping :

The reception chapter should be up soon, hopefully. I wanted to upload it today itself but didn't finish writing it so it's not here. But, I have some free time this week so I'll try to finish it ASAP.

I cannot guarantee a TDBU update today, sadly. I have 3k words written on the new chapter but it's nowhere near finished so I might not upload it. Or, I might upload just one part of it because it's 20 August and I'm a sentimental fool like that. No promises, but the chances of an update today are minimal. I'm sorry!

A quick question to you all : the next leg on ILYLTF is going to be the honeymoon. Do you want me to upload all chapters in bulk like I did it for the wedding or would you rather I upload them as I write? Please let me know what works better! :D

If you stuck with this gigantic note till here, thank you! You're awesome. I love you. Happy Anniversary!

Though i am still to read today's part but i was afraid u will wrap it up on wedding not so i skipped reading on parts and read the foot note.

And as much fun this is to get all the parts busy at us i still want the regular one as u write. To have something to read on after some intervals. This is great but we kind finish it in a day or two and then nothing to read. So give it as u write.

Baki update padh ke i will come back to eat ur brain.

I had that little feeling..niki's gonna deliver in and around the wedding..

Cutie names❤️

Loved it...

The convo ridzi had with arman in car was must.

I adore relation of billy annie and ridzi...shes lucky to have them as in laws..soemtiems I feel more lucky than armaan considering he too has amazing rltn with padma n shanky.

Tysm for update...