PAAKHI POV
After a fun night, waking up with a sore throat is the worst that can happen to anyone.
I can only blame one person for feeding me several scoops of ice cream.
"Will you stop it!" The blamed person throws a pillow at me and stops me from clearing my throat.
With a huff, I get up from the floor and walk to the kitchen to prepare myself some lemon and honey tea.
Taking it to the balcony, I settle on the swing and sigh in relief as the warm liquid ease my discomfort.
A sparkle catches my attention. I look at my hand and the ring that sparkles with the sunray reflecting from it masks a big smile on my face. I'm engaged!
"It's beautiful," I abruptly glance at the intruder.
"Thank you," I smile when I notice it's Sana.
She walks around me and settles on the day bed.
"Sana..."
She glances at me curiously.
"Sorry, sore throat," I tell her and she nods.
"Tell me, did you try talking to Viren?" I ask gently what I intended to ask before my hoarse voice disturbs me.
She wavers her gaze before again looking at me.
"I'm afraid," she confesses.
I stand up from the swing and take a seat beside her with her hand in mine.
"I'm afraid that he would not want to talk to me and I'll lose the only excuse I have." She confides.
I see desperation and yearning for her brother's love in her eyes.
"Take the chance, talk to him, you know better than me that he might seem adamant but he is an understanding person." I try assuring.
"I don't know if he'll look at me," she whispers.
I squeeze her hand and we both sit in silence.
"I shall better get ready, I still need to look for a job." She abruptly stands up and walks away.
My gaze follows her till she disappears from my sight.
"Hey! Your phone is ringing for a while now," she returns not even a minute later with my phone in her hand.
I take it from her and see 3 missed calls from Viren.
I redial and wait for him to pick it up,
"Were you sleeping?" I hear an apology in his voice.
"No, I was in the balcony," I chuckle or something like that, with a blocked nose and sore throat I don't know what it sounded like.
"You okay?" His voice shows concern.
"Ya, just sore throat and blocked nose," I inform him.
"You should go to a doctor," he persists.
I roll my eyes and say, "Us people don't go to the doctor for cold, because doctor fees are more than the medicine."
"You don't need to pay-"
"Sorry?!" I interfere him abruptly.
"Umm... I was saying, I can come with you?" His tone changes instantly. I smile knowing this arrogant man takes my words.
"No thank you, I will take some pills," I tell him.
"Okay, get well soon," he sounds upset.
"What is it Viren?" I pry.
"Nothing..." He replies nonchalantly.
"Tell me," I pursue.
I hear him sigh, " I wanted to take you out today. Let everyone know I'm engaged." He whines cutely.
"But it's okay, take some rest, and I will complete some work in the office." He announces and hangs up.
I know he's upset right now. He's a kid sometimes, gets angry when things don't go his way.
With a light chuckle, I get up and walk inside. Sana is nowhere to be seen but I find our new bride and baby mama still snoozing.
Ignoring them, I walk to my room and see Sana looking outside the window. She's in deep thoughts.
Getting an idea, I make my way inside and say, " I have to be somewhere, if you have time can you come with me?"
"Where?" She asks walking towards me.
"Will you come with me?" I ask again.
"I don't think-"
"Please," I plead.
She sigh and nod.
I smile and leap towards her.
"First we have to do some cooking," I scramble toward the kitchen and Sana join me.
After a long cooking session. Sana and I walk out of the kitchen.
"Are they even alive?" I frown at still slumbering figures.
Sana laugh and reply, " let's find out,"
I look at her excitement and watch her rummaging something from the side drawers.
Moments later she finds something, holding that she walks over to Maanu and gently stoop near her ears.
One, two, three...
"Ahhhh!!!!!" Maanu gets up with a shriek.
Sana and I laugh simultaneously.
"What the hell!" Aditi shriek shutting her ears. Sana blows the whistle one more time, earning a pillow to her face.
She looks at Aditi dumbstruck.
But that doesn't last a second because Sana starts blowing the whistle.
Aditi gets up and rushes after her. I enjoy the banter from aside.
"Aren't you having too much fun?" Maanu scowl at me.
I just shrug and look over to Aditi and Sana.
"Aditi!" I shriek when she wobbles. My throat now ache. Both of them stop and Aditi comes sits on the sofa.
"Be careful," I scold lightly. She nods her head and caresses her stomach. Something she has grown accustomed to.
"I'm sorry," Sana walk over to her and hugs her. Aditi smiled at her and hugs her back.
"Shouldn't you apologize to me for blowing off my ears?" Maanu reprimands.
Sana chuckles and walks over to her.
She stoops low and hugs her too.
"Sana and I, we are going somewhere, we'll be back soon, but you-" I point at Maanu and continue, "you, be ready for our meeting with Payal and her family."
"I'll take a bath first." Sana walks away and I take a seat beside Aditi.
"Where are you going?" She asks taking my hand and playing with my ring.
"To Viren's office, " I reply.
"Why?" Maanu asks curiously.
"To make something right," I answer.
"I hope you know what you doing.." Aditi mumble and Maanya nods.
"We don't want anything bad to happen after you just got engaged," Maanu advises.
"She's trying and I think one thing that is holding her back is him, so if I can solve that, then why not?" I assure.
They look at me skeptically.
I just hope he doesn't get angry with me.
"What happened to your voice though?" Aditi asks changing the subject.
"A certain someone forced me to eat an ice cream tub," I frown looking at her.
"Well...you should have been more responsible," she grins at me.
A contagious smile adorns my face and I kiss her on her head before getting up.
"I will get your breakfast, " I say walking to the kitchen.
"Perks of being pregnant" she blissfully murmurs. I laugh at her and fetch her some fruits, an omelet, and orange juice.
"Do you need something?" I ask Maanu, helping her in folding the bedding.
"Nope, I will do my yoga first and then prepare my breakfast." She replies. I nod and grab the folded blankets to the respective rooms.
After putting the blanket on my bed, I walk over to my closet and take out some clothes.
Exiting the room, I smile at Sana and pass her to enter the washroom.
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VIREN POV
"Take these and get them corrected now!" I slam the files on the table and the employee nervously takes them.
"I was not here for two days, and everything is a mess." I huff leaning back in my chair, he scrambles off my office and I get back to my work.
"Come in," I yell.
"Sir, there is a call for you from one of the executives from New York," My secretary informs me from the door.
"Connect me," I ask her.
She nods and walks away.
A hiss leaves my mouth when I stretch to grab a pen from the stand.
This pain is not leaving me. Today I thought about taking my fiancee for a breakfast but when I called her, she is down with a cold.
My mood is off since then and I haven't eaten anything.
The incoming call on my desktop draws away my attention.
With a deep inhalation, I prepare for the long meeting ahead.
Just as my meeting comes to an end, I hear a commotion outside my door.
Irritation spike through me and I bolt towards the door. Ready to yell at the crowd disturbing my office environment.
But when I see my brothers, hugging and gushing at my fiance. My anger dissipates.
Is she here for me?
Her gaze lands on mine and she walks towards me.
I take her hand and shut the door behind us.
Turning around I pull her in my arms and wrap my arms around her slender waist. She tugs under my chin and places a hand on my heart.
"You came for me?" I ask her.
"Yes, I knew you must be brooding because I canceled your plan." She replies swatting me lightly. I notice her voice is a little hoarse.
"Brooding?" I scowl.
"Yup, weren't you?" She inches back and stares at me with her enchanting big eyes.
I sigh and tug her to the couch in my office.
She sits down and I call my secretary for two ginger teas.
"Make them three!" She interferes. I stare at her but order three cups.
"Is your throat paining too much?" I ask concerned.
"Uff, not for me..." She stands up and walks over to the door and pulls it open.
Seconds later she pulls in-
"Sana?"
"She accompanied me here," Paakhi smile and tugs her to the couch.
"Bhai," she greets me.
I keep staring at her but when Paakhi pushes my leg with her own, I nod back.
"We got you some sandwiches and cookies," Paakhi exclaims in her hoarse voice and pulls out some containers from the bag Sana just carried in.
A knock at the door pulls me out of my thoughts and I look expectantly for my secretary.
"Hola my sister and my lovely soon to be sister in law, I got all of us some tea." Shaurya barge in with Arhaan in toes.
"Great..." I scoff.
"Hello, brother!" Arhaan perch beside me.
"Mom just called and she's not happy that you are at work." He mumbles to me.
I shrug and look towards Paakhi who is laughing at something Shaurya is saying.
"Don't you guys have work?" I inquire scowling at Shaurya.
He ignores me and puts a hand around Paakhi.
"I know the feeling," Arhaan pat me on my thigh. I stare at him to elaborate on his statement.
"I'm a married man for god's sake and still my wife lives in another house. We didn't spend a second alone after our marriage. I mean it was better before I married," he grumbles.
"Viren?" I glance at Paakhi.
"You didn't have anything in the morning? And you skipped your medicines?" She asks disappointed.
I glare at Shaurya and he just shrugs.
"Now have this," she prepares a plate for me and hands it to me.
I take a bite of the sandwich and smile in content when flavors burst in my mouth. My stomach sigh in content.
"These cookies are delicious love," I enjoy my second cookie.
"Thank you, but Sana made them, I don't bake," she chuckles and puts an arm around Sana.
I stop mid-bite and put the cookie back on the plate.
Everyone seizes their conversation.
I'm aware of the shift in the environment because of me but I don't comment.
Sana abruptly stands up but Paakhi holds her hand.
"Shaurya? You told me that you have Viren's medicines?" She questions him but is still staring at me.
"Yes, I will-"
"Ya let's get it," she stands up and walks to the doors.
Before walking out, I see a flicker in her eyes. Taking a deep breath I glance away.
When I hear the door shutting my gaze waver around the room, and I see only Sana is left in the room.
I sigh and stand up from my seat to walk towards the window.
"What do you want Sana?" I ask watching the passers-by downstairs.
For a minute there is a deafening silence but the quiet sobbing reveals her presence in the room.
"If you don't have anything to say, then I must-"
"I'm sorry bhai..." A faint whisper halts me in between.
"I'm sorry for everything, I'm sorry -" she sob.
I shut my eyes tightly and curl my fist.
"I should have listened to you and never married Saurav, I hurt you, and our family, I'm sorry," she admits.
I turn around and gaze at her disheveled sobbing state.
I feel bad for her, but whenever I try to forgive her, the mental image of my suffering haunts me.
She was the only one who I needed at that time, but she chose that bastard over me. She left me to suffer.
How can I forgive her? I'm no saint, I'm selfish. I'm not like Paakhi, I don't see good in every situation.
"You hurt me, Sana, I needed you and you chose that man over me, can you blame me for not talking to you or even looking at you? You remind me of my suffering, I thought you were my best friend, my support, my comfort but one man changed that." I admit.
She wails and falls on the couch with her head in her hands.
"But one thing I learned from Paakhi is to forgive. Because one thing that holds us back from embracing new beginnings is the grip we have on those people and situations that have hurt us. Without totally forgiving others, we cannot live fully in that new world. And I'm embarking journey of new beginnings with Paakhi. So I forgive you, Sana. However, the bond we shared is severed beyond repair." I acknowledge.
She looks at me and nods, "The same Paakhi once told me that in a family, we argue, we fight, we even stop talking to each other at times, but in the end, family is family...
The love will always be there...
And I'll find that love."
A smile threatens to mask my face but I control it.
"I'm willing for that may be..." I acknowledge.
She smiles and wipes away her tears.
I walk over to the door and open it for her.
But something absurd occurs, Shaurya, Arhaan, and Paakhi tumble over.
Instinctively I assist Paakhi and look at the groaning faces of my brothers.
"It was her plan!" Shaurya pokes a finger at Paakhi.
I glance at her to see her smiling foolishly. I shake my head and tug her in my arms. She is a blessing to me. She's helping mend my bond with my sister when she doesn't have to.
"A little help here too," Arhaan frown at Shaurya who just stood up.
"Here are your medicines," Paakhi dangle the bag in front of my face.
I chuckle at her and unwrap my arms from around her.
She walks over to the table and fetches me a glass of water.
I notice confusion on her face while she's accessing the medicines and walk over to her and take the medicines from her hand and take the pills.
She smiles at me naively.
"Did everything go okay?" She whispers asks.
I look around to see, Shaurya and Arhaan walking out with Sana.
"We talked, but you can't expect everything to go back to normal. The bond is broken, so is the friendship." I tell her.
"Seeing a smile on her face, I guess there is hope." She smiles at me.
"Maybe..." I sigh.
"The thought that you are trying is enough to make me happy." She hugs me and I instantly wrap my arms around her and relish the moment.
We stay in each other's embrace for a while when Paakhi's phone buzzes.
She leans back and retrieves it from her pocket and answer.
"Yup?" She glees.
"Really?" She hastily grabs my hand and notices the time.
"I'm coming, meet me at the cafe." She apologizes and cuts the call.
"What happened?" I pull her back in my arms and ask.
"We have this meeting with a client and I'm running late," she pouts.
I steal a kiss and she giggles.
"My driver will take you both," I follow her to the door.
"Really? Thank you," she cheers as if I gave her a gift.
Sometimes she forgets that she's now mine and everything that's mine is ours.
"You go back and rest," she chides when she see me following her.
I'm about to object but one glare from her and I pull back.
"She has you wrapped brother," Arhaan pat me on the back as we both glimpse at the now closing elevator doors.
"Look who's talking," I scowl at him while returning to my cabin.
"I know man, I miss her," he pouts walking in and taking a seat at my desk.
"Talk to mom, explain to her that you yearn for your wife," I smirk calling help to clean the table.
"And tell her what?" He rolls his eyes and leans back in the chair.
"I need to hold her in my arms now!" He sits up and exclaims.
"Do it then, who's stopping you?" I ask reading a file.
"Nana took a promise from Maanya that she'll not meet me alone before her Vidai!" He rebukes.
I look at my sad brother and think of helping him.
"I have an idea," I exclaim.
He perks up and gazes at me expectantly.
"Call her with Paakhi and Aditi," I suggest.
"I love it! It can be a triple date!" Shaurya yells walking in.
"You have to stop walking in between conversations." I scowl at him.
"I don't! I mean only when they are entertaining," he shrugs and takes the other seat at my desk.
"So where will be going?" Arhaan inquires.
"I don't think Paakhi will like facing paparazzi so soon and that too before the official announcement, so I think Den is the better place?" I advise.
They both nod thoughtfully.
"But what will we do in Den?" Shaurya asks dissatisfied.
"Something cozy and casual! I know girls will like that!" Arhaan cheers up.
"I know what!" I exclaim pleased.
They both smile at me and lean forward.
"This is best!" Shaurya exclaims after listening to my plan.
"They would have never expected that..." Arhaan announces with a smile.
I nod and wait for everything to come around perfectly...
_______________________________
MAANYA POV
"Didn't I tell you guys they both are perfect for this job?" Payal exclaims staring at her parents.
They take another bite of the curry and nod.
Paakhi glance at me and I nod happily.
"Mr. Kapoor and Mrs.Singh, we think we would like you to organize the engagement party for our daughter." Payal's parents announce. Hearing someone call me Mrs.Singh feels surreal.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. And Mr.Verma, it will be a pleasure working for you," I reply.
"And about the expense of the venue, we would have to see them all first before giving an account of a fixed amount." Paakhi answer in her hoarse voice.
They nod in understanding and get up from their seats.
"We'll see you soon then," Mr.Verma commits following his wife and daughter out the cafe doors.
"It went well," Paakhi murmur accompanied by an exhausted sigh.
"You should rest," I tell her concerned.
"I don't have time to rest, I need to gi to work," she jumps up from her perched position.
"I think Abby and Savy would understand that you are tired," I suggest.
"It's not them, I have to work at Prithvi's club," she utters nonchalantly picking up plates.
"Club? Why?" I jerk her towards me and ask.
She looks apologetically at the patrons and frowns at me.
I ignore them and tug her to Nana's office.
Closing the door behind me, I look at her inquisitively.
"Paakhi? Tell me everything!" I demand.
She sighs and walks to the chair she plops down tiredly.
"We needed money, I was looking for some jobs when I accidentally met Prithvi in one of my quests." She tells.
"And on my second day, I borrowed money from him. So now I have to pay back by working in the club." She further entails.
"Why did you need money?" I ask, somewhere I'm getting this feeling that I may not like her reply.
She glance at me and then away, but at the mere second, our gaze met, I saw that she did for me.
"My wedding shopping?!" I ask but my time is affirmative.
"You did this because of me, oh Paakhi," tears brim my eyes.
She stands up and scrambles towards me.
"Nope for us," she takes me in her arms and whisper.
I hug her back and thank God, one more time, for giving me a caring, nurturing sister like her.
"I'm so sorry," I mumble.
"It was for the good, I met my childhood friend because of it. " and here it is, she always finds good in everything.
"So is the loan too much?" I ask anxiously.
"Don't worry, I don't have to work a lifetime to pay it off, if we continue getting the events then soon I'll pay back Prithvi." She lean back and quip.
I nod with a tiny smile.
"Now cheer up and let's tell everyone that we got the event!" She hollers talking my hand and tugging me out of the office.
I follow her with a chuckle but stop when I get a call from Arhaan.
Stepping back, I move to the corner and pick up his call.
"Hi," I answer excitedly.
"Hi beautiful, what are you up to? " he asks.
His voice touches me deep down. It is as of I'm hearing the tune of my favorite song.
"Winding up at the cafe, you tell? How was your day?" I ask fumbling with a loose thread on my top.
"Oh, it was okay." He answers nonchalantly.
"Why?" I pry.
"All day long I kept missing you, I'm hating your family right now seriously." He huff.
"I missed you too, but don't condemn my family." I implore.
"Ya, sorry," he whispers apologetically.
"Did you eat something?" I ask changing the solemn mood.
"Ya, some sandwiches that Paakhi brought," he tells.
"That was 5 hours ago?!" Is mumble concerned.
"Does no one offer you food at lunchtime?" I ask distressed.
"Umm...with all the work, we often forget to eat lunch," his voice sounded dubious.
"But that's so unhealthy! " I rebuke.
"It is what it is..." He answers.
"Which has to change," I replied adamantly.
"How?!" He challenges.
"By calling you every day at lunchtime to remind you about lunch!" I admit.
"Really?! I would love that, I will be eagerly waiting for my lunchtime from now on..." He exclaims.
I chuckle at his outburst.
"I have a better idea, why not come meet me at lunchtime. This way we can meet each other every day!" I laugh at his bizarre idea.
"Ya sure..." I quip.
"Hey! I'm serious." He accuses.
I laugh harder.
"Okay, listen..." His voice changes its tone from gullible to serious.
"Hmm..." I answer.
"Can you and girls come to the den? Please..." He asks.
"When?" I inquire.
"Within an hour?" He replies consciously.
"But you know what Nana said-"
"He said don't meet me alone, and you are coming with girls so practically we are not..." He pursues.
I take a long pause to ponder.
When his voice comes out gruff, "And Maanya we're fucking married for almost a week now. I need my wife. I think I have waited enough for these social norms to affect me."
I sigh losing control of not giving in. I miss him too.
"Please, I'll be waiting for you..." He whispers and hangs up.
I take a deep breath and tug the phone close to my heart.
"Hey! Where did you go?" Paakhi exclaim standing in front of me.
"Are you okay?" She asks concerned.
"Tell me," she encourages.
"Arhaan called," she nod her head for me to continue, "He's calling us to their penthouse today," I explain.
"So why are you upset about it?" She asks confused.
"I don't know if you understand, but if we meet tonight, we'll break all the promises and..." I pause hoping she'll understand further.
"Promises?" Now she's more confused.
I sigh and answer my dumb best friend, " Ya the one I made to Nana to wait till my vidai."
"What Maanu?" She cry out frustrated.
I look at her irked and instantly blurt, "Sex P, sex! Whenever I see him, I get the instant urge to feel him."
Her stunned expression uplifts my previously distraught mood.
"You look so flushed! Did you and Viren-"
"Maanu!" She shrieks my name, embarrassingly gaping around.
"You still a virgin?" I tease her.
She swats me lightly and blushes.
"Aww...our little wallflower." I gush and she glares at me.
"Don't call me that..." She huff.
"What? Our little wallflower?" I reply.
She scowls at me once again and lifts her hand to swat me but I step aside and scramble towards the counter.
She follows me and we run around in circles.
"Oh, sweet lord! What are you girls doing?" We stop when we hear Nona shriek.
We both glance at her and the patrons staring at us. With flush faces, we fetch our bags from the counter and run out of the cafe.
"You embarrassed us," Paakhi nudge me.
"Me?" I frown and nudge her back.
She stumbles over and I chuckle.
She huff and charge towards me.
I increase my pace and speedwalk towards the apartment.
A few minutes later and a complete round of weird stares later, we fall at the same pace with ragged breathing.
"So before we started this nuisance, I got a call from the club, and apparently after my accident Prithvi has asked for me to rest today." She tells me.
"Oh?" Blurt out of my mouth.
"You seem too happy!" She mock.
"Now it's more difficult to cancel the plan." I huff thinking I could tell Arhaan that Paakhi has to work and I can't come without her.
She nods thoughtfully and adjoins our hands.
We walk in complete silence to the apartment.
Just as we step out of the elevator, our apartment door burst open, and a weeping girl trots towards us.
Paakhi rushes forward and takes her in her arms.
"Aditi?!!" Paakhi asks.
But Aditi is sobbing uncontrollably.
"You are scaring us, Aditi?!" I rub her back gently.
"Tell us please..." Paakhi plea.
Aditi lean back from Paakhi's embrace and what she murmured next stunned us.
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