“Sarthak mere bhai! Tujhe yaad hai na mai ek matrimonial site pr tha.”

(Sarthak my brother! You remember I was on a matrimonial site.)

He started and Sarthak narrowed his eyes, immediately catching on what was happening.

“Haan.”

(Yes.)

His tone was threatening. As if daring Abhishek to continue what he was about to say.

“Praunuti is the person I met there. I love her and we’re going to get married soon.”

Sarthak got up very calmly. Abhishek did too. Anticipating and carefully analyzing each of his moves. He walked towards Abhishek and Abhishek walked backwards.

“Saale haramkhor! Ladki pasand krli! Shaadi ki baat krne jaa raha hai! Aur best friend ko khabar tak nhi hai!”

(Bloody bastard! You liked a girl! You’re going to talk about marriage! And your best friend isn’t even aware!)

“Dimaag se nikal gaya yaar. Ho jaata hai.”

(I forgot. It happens.)

“Dimaag se nikal gaya? Dimaag se nikal gaya, aise hi mujhe zindagi se bhi nikaal de tu. Jaa! Mai bhi nhi bataunga tujhe shaadi krke.”

(Forgot? Just like you forgot this, forget me also. Go! I will also not tell you before getting married.)

“Abbe gussa kyu ho raha hai yaar? Sorry na! Tu bhi ready rahio kl. Tujhe milwata hu Praunuti se.”

(Why are you getting angry? Sorry! You also be ready. I will introduce Praunuti to you.)

Sarthak calmed at the prospect of meeting his would be bhabhi and nodded, still a little upset with Abhishek.

“Waise uski ek best friend hai.”

(She has a best friend.)

Sarthak snapped his head towards him. A wide grin on his face.

“Ab kri hai na tune meri matlab ki baat. Single hai?”

(Now you spoke for me. Is she single?)

“As far as I know. Haan.”

(Yes.)

“Perfect!”

“Par….Praunuti ki best friend hai and Praunuti is very close to her. If she gets sad, Praunuti gets sad and I don’t want her to be sad. So beware!”

(But…she is Praunuti’s best friend and Praunuti is very close to her.)

Sarthak mock saluted like a soldier.

“Aye aye captain!”

Abhishek was waiting for Sunday like a man in the desert searching for water. Desperately. And finally, the day came.

Praunuti was really nervous. Anwesha was doing her hair and could feel her nervousness. 

“Praunuti! Breath meri jaan. Sab thik hoga. He is a nice man and I’m sure uncle aunty will love him.”

(Breathe my life. Everything will be fine.)

“I’m not worried about mumma papa liking him. I’m nervous about his parents liking me.”

Anwesha sighed and held her chin, making her look into her eyes.

“Just be yourself. They will not be able to stop themselves from loving you if they see the real you. Aur waise bhi jiju ne bola toh, ki wo log bhut excited hai tujhse milne ke liye. So chill! Everything will be fine.”

(And moreover jiju has told you, they are very excited to meet you.)

It was easier said than done. But things went pretty nice. Both the sets of families met each other so well as if they had known each other since ages. 

What amused Praunuti was how Anwesha was glaring at Abhishek’s best friend while the latter grinned and flirted shamelessly with her. Praunuti knew Anwesha well and she knew that she did like his flirting and was just trying to look irritated.

She could clearly see the mischievous glint her best friend had in her eyes when she gave Sarthak that intense glare and gave him sassy replies.

The preparation was in full swing. The shopping lists were made, invitations were printed and guests were met. 

Praunuti felt giddy seeing everything happen and Abhishek was beaming with happiness. Anyone looking at him could easily say that the boy was whipped.

Although he felt betrayed when he was told that he couldn’t meet Praunuti till marriage, he was assured by the fact that after marriage, she’ll be with him, as his wife. His life.

It is said that the most difficult night for a girl is the night before her wedding. The night when she realises that this will be the last time she would be in the house she grew up in as a member, because the next time she comes here, would be as a guest. As a member of another family. 

Praunuti felt really emotional and was snuggled between her parents with tears flowing from her eyes.

“M-mujhe nhi jaana aap dono ko chhodke. Mai Abhishek ko boldu yaha aane ko. Wo maan jaayenge.”

(I-I don’t want to leave you two. I will ask Abhishek to come here. He will agree.)

She sniffed and her mother smacked her head lovingly. She smiled through her tears and said.

“Pagli! Aise thodi na hota hai. Aur phir tu hume chhodke thodi na jaa rhi hai. Bas humse thoda dur rahegi. Par uss insaan ke saath rahegi jisse pyaar krti hai. Jo tujhe pyaar krta hai.”

(Stupid! It doesn’t happen like this. And you are not leaving us. You’ll just stay a little away from us. But with that person who you love. Who loves you)

Her father also kissed her head and spoke.

“Aur kabhi bhi khudko akela mat samajhio. Tera baap hamesha hai tere saath. Koi baat pareshaan kre toh mujhe bataio…papa hai na…sambhal lenge.”

(Never consider yourself alone. Your father is always with you. Tell me if something troubles you…papa is here…he will handle everything.)

She burst out crying and hugged her father tightly. The next day, she walked down the aisle. Towards the man who had been dying to be hers. Announcing it to the world that they belonged to each other. 

Abhishek had tears in his eyes when he saw her walk towards him with a soft teary smile in the attire he had imagined her in a million times already.

Within the next few hours, the two were bound together legally, religiously and forever. Abhishek looked into her eyes, promising a forever, as he filled the vermillion into her hairline. Praunuti closed her eyes letting a tear of happiness fall from her eye. She felt complete. 

Praunuti waited nervously in her new room. Abhishek’s. The room was tastefully decorated for her wedding night. They had returned from her home after her pag phera ritual and Praunuti was taken to his room while he was stopped by his cousins who were still staying at their place.

Her gaze was fixed at one place. Her heart thudded in her chest and she felt giddy. Nervous and a little scared about the impending night. She had never been close to any man before. She knew that Abhishek also never had any girlfriends before.

It wasn’t like she wasn’t ready. She was. But she was scared about doing it for the first time. Not having any experience or knowledge of how to do it right. But she also trusted Abhishek.

She heard a sudden knock on the door and was startled. She sat straighter and cleared her throat before allowing the person in.

Abhishek entered with a soft smile and walked towards her. He sat in front of her and lifted her viel. He held her chin and made her look at him. Their eyes met and he rested his forehead against her. A content sigh released from both their mouths.