“Aisa kuch nhi hai. Trust me?”

(It’s nothing like that.)

She nodded and he smiled.

“They really love you. And I do too. You have nothing to worry about. Hmm?”

She nodded and relaxed a little when he pulled her into a hug. He held her hand and they entered his home. His family was already waiting for their arrival.

Contrary to Anvi’s assumptions, she was welcomed warmly. It did not feel like she was meeting them for the first time. 

“Mai Anvi ko house tour deta hu.”

(I will give Anvi a house tour.)

Aahan said and got up holding her hand. He didn’t wait for another second before dragging her away. 

“Arre! Hum itni jaldi mai kyu uth kr aaye hai. Sab baat kr rhe the na, Aahan. Aise achha thodi na lagta hai. Kaha lekar jaa rhe hai aap mujhe itni jaldi mai. Aahan mai kuch-”

(Why did we come here in such hurt. Everyone was talking, Aahan. It doesn’t look good. Where are you taking me in such hurt. Aahan I am-)

Anvi gasped when he shut the door and pinned her to it. She was caged between him and the door. Her heart beat wildly in her chest and she gulped when he leaned closer to her face.

“You speak too much. I know a way to make you speechless. Want me to try?”

And suddenly, she did feel speechless. Her lips parted in anticipation and face flushed due to his proximity.

Aahan’s gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips and then back again. He smirked and leaned in, making her breath hitch and her eyes flutter shut. He caressed her cheeks and stopped just a breath away from her lips.

“Kr du?”

(May I?)

He whispered teasingly and she involuntarily pulled him in by clutching his t-shirt. He smiled and slowly brought his lips over hers.

Both of them released a wavered sigh and did not move for a few seconds. It was Anvi who started pecking his lips. After that, he was unstoppable. One of his hands held the back of her head to angle her face and the other went around her waist, pulling her body flush against his.

He kissed her deeply and passionately. He kissed her until she couldn’t feel her legs and he kissed her until all she remembered was him.

He pulled back when he felt her push his chest. She took a greedy amount of oxygen and looked at him with a heaving chest, swollen lips and mussed hair. He kissed her head and pulled her into his chest making him sigh in the hug.

The final reveal day was here. Everyone was buzzing around with a newfound energy and excitement.

The set was made and the cameras were set. Mics were attached and spotlights were fixed. The projectors were in place and the crew members took their place.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Bhaiyon aur unki beheno! We welcome you all to the Big Reveal! Aaj hum finally milne waale hai unn 5 logo se jinko SouLink mai hamare 5 selected ones ke liye select kia hai. Are you guys excited?”

(Brothers and their sisters!...Today we are finally going to meet those 5 whom SouLink has selected for our selected 5.)

Kriyansh started the episode and the audience in the stands went crazy. Even the response online was overwhelming. Ahaan felt like his dream was coming true.

He was standing backstage and Anvi held his hand, gazing at him with a soft, proud look. He kissed the side of her head and excused himself to check the rest of the arrangements.

Back on stage, Kriyansh continued.

“Toh sabse pehle welcome krte hai hamare first wearer, Aarav ka. Welcome on stage, Aarav Ahuja!”

(So first of all, let’s welcome our first wearer, Aarav.)

Everyone clapped as Aarav stepped on stage with a small, polite smile. He nodded at everyone and took his designated seat. 

“Aarav never believed in love. His only passion has always been his work. Aarav yaha aaye the iss intention se ki wo SouLink ko galat prove krenge and will prove that love and forever was not for everyone.”

(Aarav came here with the intention to prove SouLink wrong and prove that love and forever was not for everyone.)

Kriyansh continued and then turned to Aarav with a mischievous glint.

“So, let’s ask Aarav…did your perception change or did you manage to prove yourself right?”

This time Aarav’s smile was a little bit wider. 

“I was proven wrong. There is in fact someone for each one of us out there. We just have to wait for the right time for them to arrive.”

“That’s amazing to hear! And now! Without any further delay…let’s call on stage, Aarav’s forever. His soulmate…Meera Iyer.”

A woman of about 5”3 stepped on the stage with a soft smile. She had dusky skin and long hair tied back loosely. A few strands escaped and fell freely on her face enhancing the beauty of her. She had deep, expressive eyes and was dressed in a simple cotton shirt and long skirt. 

Aarav’s eyes followed each move of hers until she came and settled beside him. She gave him a small smile. It might have seemed like a little movement but for the two of them, it was an exchange of thousands of unspoken words.

“Aarav…how did you realize Meera is the one for you?”

Kriyansh asked and Aarav gazed at Meera with love filled eyes.

“Meera had never chased love but she did not deny its presence too. I moved through life with a restless need to prove that love isn’t for everyone, while Meera moved slowly, with a kind of peace that made me question my own urgency. She didn’t argue with my disbelief, she listened to it, and in doing so, she made me feel heard in a way I’m not used to. She didn’t ask me to believe in love. She simply showed me what it feels like when someone sees you, even when you’re trying not to be seen. And that, for me, was the beginning of something I never thought was possible.”

The audience hooted and clapped for the couple. Some more questions were asked. From the audience and by the host. Half an hour later, the stage was empty again with only Kriyansh present. 

“It’s time for our second wearer. Let’s call on stage, Tara Rao!”

Tara stepped on the stage with an unwavering grin. She waved at the audience with a buzzing excitement. She took her seat and waited eagerly for her partner to be called.

“Tara has always believed in soulmates. And now, she finally has hers. Thanks to SouLink!”

Kriyansh commented with a wink and laughed followed.

“Toh bina koi aur der kiye bulate hai Tara ji ke aankhon ke tare ko…let’s welcome, Dev Singh!”

(So without any further delay let’s call Tara’s star….let’s welcome, Dev Singh!)