FF: Rishtey (Completed) - Page 17

Four years later...

The Ranawat Haveli was decorated beautifully with lights and flowers. Fabric was being draped over pillars and snaked around columns, bringing a plethora of colors into the home. People were running around, carrying items and yelling directions at one another. Piles of sweets were being brought through the house, and food appeared to be being cooked in the kitchen. What was the reason behind this? The answer is simple: a wedding.

This wasn't just any wedding however. This was Gaurav's wedding. After his return to Chandangarh, Gaurav met a beautiful young woman named Aarti. She was a distant relative of Maithili's. It was through her that the two of them met and instantly hit it off. The family approved of her, which was very important to Gaurav. It was especially important that Pia liked her because her opinion mattered most to him. Gaurav and Aarti were seeing each other for two years when the question of marriage popped up. He made a promise in front of the entire Ranawat family that he would get married after Pia does. He wanted her to settle down and be in a stable marital life before he gets married.

Gaurav, and the rest of the Ranawats, were in for the surprise of their life when Aman showed up on their doorstep asking for Pia's hand in marriage. It had taken three years since Pia and Gaurav's return, but the proposal was finally given. They weren't surprised about the relationship because it was visible for everyone to see. What shocked them was the way he went up to Rudra and Gaurav and asked them directly, stating he wasn't ashamed for asking for something that was practically already his. After receiving some very dangerous and deadly threats from both brothers, it was decided that Pia and Aman would wed that very year, and they were.

Now, there was nothing stopping Gaurav from getting married. Today, on his wedding day, he wasn't allowed to do anything except look after his niece and nephew. He managed to get Rukmini and Karthik, now almost five and six, to sit down and separate flowers in piles. Gaurav took this time to watch as everyone in the haveli ran around, yelling and asking where someone else was. Parvati was instructing Rudra on how to properly hang the strings of flowers from the ceiling. He stared at her adoringly while she tried, but failed, to give him proper direction.

"Major saab that one is about to fall," Parvati said pointing at the loose string of flowers.

"I don't understand why this is all necessary," Rudra gruffed. "Why do we need all these decorations?"

"You won't understand."

"You're right. I won't."

"Then stop arguing and place this properly. It's Guarav bhai-sa's wedding. You weren't acting this way when it was Pia's wedding."

"That's because I was too busy threatening Aman," Rudra murmured under his breath.

"Just place the flowers properly."

"Or what?"

"Or I will be upset and not speak to you."

"Fine."

They began putting the finishing touches on. Dilsher and Danveer were outside, arguing about how the lights on the exterior should be placed. Maithili was inside, guiding some workers to the kitchen, where the sweets should be. Samrat was put on cleaning duty, as everyone made a mess while trying to get their specific tasks done. Mohini and Sumer lounged around, trying their best not to partake in the celebration that they really didn't care for. Aman helped Mala set up the mandap, which was set directly in the center of the haveli. A red carpet was laid out straight to it from the entryway. Pia was standing on the red carpet talking to a man who Gaurav had seen putting up lights.

He smiled looking at his sister. It was still difficult for him to believe that she had been married for almost a year now. But she was, and the red sindoor and mangalsuthra were proof. She was no longer the girl who wore the beautiful salwar kameezes. She was now the woman in the beautiful saris, just like the navy blue one she was in now. However, some things would never change. Even from his distance, Gaurav could hear Pia arguing with the man. The hustle and bustle around the haveli didn't deter her voice.

"Ma'am saab you're not listening," the man said. "I can't put up any more lights. We ran out, and I'd have to go back to my shop and get more, but we don't have the time."

"What do you mean you don't have the time?" Pia retorted with her hands on her hips. "You have time. Stop talking to me and go get more lights. If you leave now, you'll be back in time to finish decorating before guests arrive."

"We won't have time. I'm telling you."

"You listen and you listen well. This isn't just any wedding. This my Gaurav bhaiya's wedding. It needs to be nothing less than perfection. Understood?"

Gaurav sighed and shook his head. This man was seriously upsetting Pia, and if he didn't stop, Pia was going to give it to him good. She was going to use every weapon in her arsenal, and she had enough to make the light decorator grovel on his knees. Knowing this, Gaurav remained on the sidelines, silently watching and continuing to help his niece and nephew.

The man sighed, "I don't care whose wedding this is. I'm telling you it can't be done."

Pia huffed, "And I'm telling you it can."

"Who do you think you are?"

"I am Gaurav's little sister, Pia Singh. Wife of BSD Officer Amandeep Singh. So I suggest you not pick a fight with me, or you will regret it."

"Look madam ji I-."

The light decorator stopped mid-sentence as he felt a strong hand grasp his shoulder. He turned and saw Rudra standing there, with a devilish smirk on his face. The man then turned back to Pia, who was now smiling with her arms crossed. Gaurav was now fully focused on them. In the last four years, Pia and Rudra became a dynamic duo. The more he was there to shield her, the more fearless Pia got. If one argued, then the other stood by ready to fight. Thankfully, Rudra was there for that because Gaurav didn't have the strength to fight the people Pia got into fights with. He had to usually break it up, but the Major was right in the fight with her. The sibling similarities were clearly visible as the two constantly retorted Mohini's taunts. Gaurav smiled as the light decorator was nervously trying to smile in front of the notorious BSD Major. He knew he was in trouble now.

Rudra looked at Pia, "Is there a problem here?"

"No, no sir," the man stuttered.

"Don't lie to my bhai-sa," Pia outburst.

"He is your bhai-sa? But I thought Gaurav was-."

"Why? Can a woman not have two brothers? Is there a limit to the amount of siblings someone can have? No right? I have two brothers. Gaurav bhaiya is getting married. This is my other brother, BSD Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat."

"Sorry ma'am I didn't know."

Pia looked at Rudra, ""Bhai-sa, he is saying there are no more lights, and look at the haveli. It's only half done! I told him he can go back to his shop, get more lights, and finish before the wedding takes place, but he says it's not possible!"

Rudra raised an eyebrow to the man, "Is that so?"

The man tried to save himself, "No no no. What I meant to say was I can't go...alone. I will need to take a man or two with me...yes that's it. I will need help."

"Very good. You have two hours to get this work done."

"Two hours? But that's not much time."

"I suggest you stop arguing and get to work. Two hours...starting now."

The man quivered and dashed away quickly. Pia smiled and turned to Rudra, "Thank you bhai-sa."

Rudra patted Pia's head, "No problem."

As Rudra went back to working, Pia turned her attention towards Gaurav, who was sitting with Rukmini and Karthik. Since she practically was a child at heart, she adored her niece and nephew. Before she was married, Pia would spend most of her time with them, and in that time the children formed an attachment to her. So as she came and sat down with them, they were all too eager to show her what they were working on. Gaurav's phone suddenly rang and he rushed to pick it up, only to have Pia snatch it out of his hands.

"Pia what are you doing?" he asked. "I need to answer that."

"No working today bhaiya," she replied. "It's your wedding day! I'm sure you can take one day off."

"It's not work it's..."

Pia looked at the phone and saw Aarti's name written on the screen. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips as she answered the phone. Gaurav could only hear his sister's side of the conversation.

"Hello soon-to-be bhabhi. Couldn't wait to talk to your soon-to-be husband now could you?...He's a bit tied up at the moment...oh he's just counting the minutes until you come...okay I will see you soon...bye bhabhi!"

Pia hung up and tossed the phone back to a stunned Gaurav. She raised her eyebrow questioningly, "What?"

"Why didn't you let me talk to her?" he asked.

"You have your entire life to be with her. You can wait a few more hours without speaking to her."

"Why did you make me sound so filmy? Counting the minutes until you come'...really?"

"It's not filmy if it's the truth."

Gaurav remained silent. It was true. He was completely and irrevocably in love with Aarti. He couldn't wait to be with her Mala, who had finished her work, found her children sitting and conversing cooly. She came up to them and asked, "What are you two doing?"

"Helping the children," they answered in unison.

"The work is almost complete. Come along. We have to start getting ready before the guests arrive."

That evening, in front of dozens of guests, Gaurav married Aarti. Every member was in their best clothes. Somehow they all coordinated in clothes, wearing various shades of red, white, and gold. The family cheered and threw flower petals as the couple began taking their pheres. Everyone was clapping and smiling. Afterwards, the entire family was pulled into the main hall for photos. Pia jumped at the chance to take pictures with her new bhabhi, shoving Gaurav out of the shot the second she walked to them. Everyone laughed seeing the shocked look on his face as Pia had practically decided she loved her new bhabhi over her brother. All the women took a photo together, along with all of the men. Each couple took a picture with the newlyweds. Dilsher made the suggestion that since the siblings didn't have a picture together that this was their chance. The three of them sat on the staircase steps. Pia sat in between Rudra and Gaurav, linking her arms in theirs. That picture was definitely a favorite amongst the siblings.

The final picture of the day was a family photo, consisting of everyone, including the newest member of the family. The photographer was trying to get everyone's attention, but there were just too many things going on that he wasn't able to get a still shot. Gaurav and Aarti were in the center, sitting on two chairs. Dilsher and Mala stood on either side of the bride and groom. Danveer and Mohini stood behind the newlyweds. Sumer stood next to his mother, adjusting the collar to his kurta. Rudra and Paro were sitting next to Dilsher, and Rudra was tenderly holding his daughter in his arms, while Paro adjusted Rukmini's clothes. Next to Mala were Samrat and Maithili holding onto Karthik, who was now itching to run around and play. Sitting on the ground in front of Gaurav and Aarti were Aman and Pia. Every member of the family was impatiently trying to get one another to focus.

"At this rate the photo will be taken after Gaurav's 25th wedding anniversary," Mohini chided.

"Everyone is doing too many things at once," Maithili commented. "And the children are getting fussy."

"I can't handle this," Pia said. "Rukmini. Karthik. Come here for a second."

The two children came and sat down next to Aman and Pia.

"I wanted to tell you two a secret, but you have to behave first. And you'll have to stand still and smile for the picture okay?"

"Okay!" the children chimed. "What's the secret?"

Aman smiled at Pia as they both whispered something in each child's ear. The adults were now curious as they leaned in to try and hear the secret. It was obviously something very exciting because the children's eyes widened and a million dollar smile appeared on their faces.

"Really fua?" Rukmini asked as she clapped her hands.

Aman nodded, "Yes. It's true. Now, are you ready to take this photo?"

Karthik nodded, "Can we tell everyone else? Please?"

Aman looked at Pia and asked, "Should we?"

Before Pia could respond, Dilsher interrupted, "At least tell us what this big secret is? The little ones seem to be quite happy after hearing it."

Pia looked at the anticipating eyes of her family members. Then she looked over to Aman, who placed his arm around Pia's shoulder and smiled like a goofball. She blushed and looked at Rukimini and Karthik.

"Okay, you can tell everyone," Pia said.

Rukmini and Karthik stood on either side of Aman and Pia and jumped with glee as they yelled in unison, "Fua said we're going to have another cousin soon!"

"Another cousin...meaning-," Aarti began.

Aman laughed and clarified, "Pia is pregnant."

The sudden flash of the photographer's camera captured the priceless moment. The children were smiling with their hands put together, as if clapping. The elders were grinning from ear to ear. Even Mohini's smile, which was obviously fake, was captured just in the knick of time. Sumer was was running his fingers through his hair like a film hero, watching the rest of the family in front of him, laughing at his crazy family. Aarti was leaning forward and hugging Pia, who held on to her new bhabhi's arms happily. Maithili was holding onto Samrat as there eyes were directed towards Rudra, who was kneeling down towards Aman with a firm hand on his shoulder. The other shoulder was occupied by Gaurav's hand. The two brothers were smiling, congratulating their brother-in-law. Parvati was hugging Dilsher and holding Mala's hand; they were just as excited as her about the news. That photo, that moment in time, hung in the Ranawat Haveli for all to see. It may not have been a typical, perfect wedding photo, but it displayed each relationship perfectly. It was a reminder of all the good and bad times they had gone through to get to that point. It was a symbol of newfound happiness. It was a sign of the good times that were yet to come. It showed that the Ranawat family...was now complete.

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