Last Part
A week has passed in whirl and turmoil. Many times thought of calling Aastha came to Samyak’s mind. Suddenly an urge of meeting her, seeing her coming into his mind but then he suppressed it all. He knew if he will see or meet her once, he will become weak. The way he was holding himself strong is so difficult for him. Just hearing Mumbai making him so restless. He tried to calm himself down and decided not to call. He will go there with his family and come back as soon as he can.
Samyak and his family reached Mumbai on the decided date. They all went to Aditya’s house. Aditya and Saloni welcomed everyone. They all were sitting and talking, discussing how to plan the meeting with Girl’s family. Samyak was physically present there but his mind was not there at all. He was looking at his cellphone again and again. Suddenly the doorbell rang and Aditya went to open the door.
“Surprise…” Kavya was at the door.
Samyak was totally shocked to see her. He had no idea that she will be in Mumbai.
Kavya greeted everyone and told that she and Mohit have also come here 2 days back.
“Hey, Kavya, where is Mohit?” Aditya asked looking at the door.
“Bhaiya… He is at his Uncle’s house. You know his mother’s sister’s house is also in Mumbai. We are staying there only. He will come later to meet you all. I couldn’t wait and came right away after I got to know you all are here.” She explained and looked at Samyak.
Samyak understood that they are staying at Aastha’s house and he badly wanted to ask her about Aastha but everyone is present there so he kept mum.
“Hey Samyak… How are you?” She went to him and asked softly. She knew what Samyak wants to know.
“I am fine. How about you? How is Mohit?” Samyak asked.
“Everyone is fine… I mean everyone.” Kavya said giving him a hint.
He nodded understanding who is she talking about. He felt a little relieved but he is nervous at the same time if Kavya said anything to his parents about them.
“Ohh wow… I am so happy we all are here together. We will have fun.” Vedant said excitedly.
“Yes, sure we will… After all, we are going to meet “Mere brother ki Dulhan (Bride of my brother).” Kavya said and they all laughed. Samyak also smiled looking everyone happy.
“Kavya you stay here tonight. We all cousins will spend some time and then tomorrow you come with us for the meeting. Ask Mohit to join us tomorrow morning.” Aditya suggested to her.
“Ok… I will talk to Mohit.” Kavya agreed and informed Mohit.
“Mohit said he will meet us there directly.” Kavya told everyone.
They all had dinner, chatted for a long time, and then slept. Kavya went to Samyak after a while. She knew he must be awake.
“Hey, you haven’t slept” Samyak said looking at her.
“You haven’t slept either.” She smiled looking at him.
“So how is everything going?” She continued.
“All good.” Samyak knew what she is going to talk about.
“Really…?? I don’t think so. Why did you guys take such a step? Don’t you think it’s a harsh decision? It’s all about your lives. Can you guys live like this forever?” Kavya couldn’t control herself and showered her queries on him.
“Shhh… slowly…” Samyak gestured her with his hands.
“Ohh yes… I am sorry. You guys don’t want to tell anyone and not letting us tell anything. This is not right.” Kavya said angrily.
“Please don’t get angry. You know everything. You also know we took this decision in what situation. I think that’s what destiny has planned for us.” Samyak said calmly.
“No… you guys have planned this, not destiny. You have not given chance to destiny to decide anything and gave up. I know you two are meant to be together but don’t know why this suffering. I think you two should…” Kavya tried to convince him but he interrupted her.
“Leave it Kavya. There is nothing to talk about. Just tell me one thing how is she?” Samyak asked eagerly and worriedly.
“Don’t you know how she would be? She is just like you. Showing herself happy and strong but from inside… you must know better. What could I say?” Kavya said with disappointment.
Samyak sadly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Kavya looked at him and understood that they made up their mind. She got up and said, “Good night. Sleep then. Anyways, tomorrow is going to be a big day.”
Samyak looked at her and nodded, “Good night.”
The next morning there is excitement and chaos in the house. Everyone is getting ready one after another. Someone is calling others for something. Samyak also got ready and went to see Vedant.
“So man… all set. Ready for the meeting.” Samyak patted on his shoulder.
“Yes bhaiya… look.” Vedant excitedly showed himself.
“Dashing as always.” Samyak cheered him.
“Thank you bhaiya for coming with me.” Vedant hugged him.
“Come on… don’t be senti.” Samyak tried to light the mood.
“So everyone ready. Shall we leave now?” Aditya came and asked.
“Yes, everything is ready” Anita said looking at her sons as they were standing together.
“Ok then… let’s go” Vivek announced and they all started.
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“Didi Didi… Are you ready?” Jiya called Aastha and asked.
“Yes yes, I am coming.” Aastha came out of her room. She was wearing a light blue suit with churidar and net dupatta on it. She is looking beautiful but her eyes are sad. It lost the sparkles, which used to be there and lighted Samyak’s life.
“What Jiya… Suddenly you have planned the temple visit. At least give me some time to get ready.” Aastha said arranging her dupatta.
“It is been so many days we went out. Today is Sunday and you also don’t have any meetings so I thought we will go there. And Mohit bhaiya has also come.” Jiya explained and looked at Mohit who was smiling.
“Yes dear… you are working all day. Some break is also needed. And I also want to spend some time with my daughters.” Her father came out of the room dressed properly and looking fresh and happy.
Aastha looked at him surprisingly as she saw her father like this after so many days. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She ran to her father and hugged him. Her eyes got wet.
“Yes didi… Actually, it was Papa’s idea only.” Jiya came near and told her.
“Papa, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you like this.” Aastha said emotionally.
The doorbell rang and they all looked at the door.
“Who must have come this time?” Aastha said.
“I will get it.” Jiya ran excitedly towards the door and Mohit followed her.
She opened the door and her eyes startled to see her guests.
Samyak shockingly looked at Mohit and Jiya. He hasn’t realized that it is the same area where Aastha lives. He has seen Jiya in pics and seeing Mohit standing there made him realized that he is standing at Aastha’s house. He couldn’t understand anything. His throat got dry and he looked at Kavya. Everyone is smiling except for him. Jiya and Mohit greeted everyone and invited them inside. Samyak slowly entered the house as he still couldn’t believe and understand what is happening.
Aastha called from inside and coming towards the door.
“Who is it Jiya?” She came out and her eyes looked at so many people. She was shocked as she saw Samyak standing in between them. She realized that they are Samyak’s parents and Kavya is also with them. Aastha and Samyak looked at each other in astonishment. They were puzzled. Aastha’s father came out and greeted everyone. He took everyone inside and asked them to sit.
“Come na didi.” Jiya took Aastha’s hand and take her inside. Aastha looked at her questioningly.
“Let’s go bhaiya.” Vedant came to Samyak and patted his shoulder. Its when Samyak realized it is reality and not a dream.
“What is this happening Vedant?” Samyak asked him.
“You come inside. You will get to know.” Mohit asked Samyak.
They all went inside. Aastha’s father looked at her and started,
“Aastha this is Vivek ji and Anita ji. Take their blessing beta.”
Aastha still puzzled followed her father’s instructions. She greeted them with folding hands and touching their feet.
They blessed her with love and Samyak looked at them unbelievingly.
“Bhaisahab, this is our son Samyak.” Vivek introduced Samyak to Aastha’s father. Samyak also greeted him and he asked Samyak to sit with him.
Samyak couldn’t control and asked, “Papa, what is all this happening?”
“Samyak we told you we are here to meet girl’s family.” Vivek said in a serious tone.
“But Papa…” Samyak was interrupted by her mother.
“And we really like her.” Anita said keeping her hands on Aastha’s head. Aastha looked at her and them Samyak.
“Ok Ok fine… enough of suspense. Look at their faces…” Kavya said and they all started smiling.
“Aastha, we are here to make you our daughter-in-law.” Vivek told Aastha softly.
“Papa…” Samyak stood from his place.
“Yes Bhaiya… You both hide such a big thing from all of us so we also thought of hiding a few things.” Vedant chuckled.
Aastha and Samyak looked at Mohit and Kavya but they moved their head saying no.
“Aastha… Jiya told us.” Aastha’s father said. They both looked at Jiya in surprise.
“Jiya… How do you come to know?” Aastha asked.
“You both told.” Jiya said smilingly.
“We??” Samyak questioned.
“Yes you… That day when you guys were talking on Marine Drive, I was also there with my friends. When I saw didi there, I came near to meet. You two were so involved in discussing things that you didn’t realize my presence. First I thought you were some client or friend but as I approached near I heard the word marriage and I stopped there. I heard all the conversation and was taken aback. I felt so sad, miserable, and helpless that you two were sacrificing your love for the family and going through all this alone and none of us were aware of it. I came back home directly and waited for didi.” Jiya took a pause.
“But you didn’t say anything when I got back.” Aastha asked.
“I asked you are you okay but you didn’t say anything about it. Then I understood talking to you will not going to work. I thought for a few days and then I called Mohit bhaiya and Kavya bhabhi. I promised them to tell me everything. After knowing everything, we were not sure how to tell Papa and uncle and aunty. Then Kavya bhabhi called Vedant and see our team is right in front of you.” All four of them stood together and smiled.
“Thank god, Jiya heard everything otherwise we would never get to know and you both will sacrifice your love without uttering a single word.” Vedant said.
Aastha couldn’t control and she burst into tears. Her father got up and came to her. He held her hand and hugged her, “My little girl has grown up so big. You haven’t told anything to me. If your mother would be here, you would not have faced all this. I know because of me, you took this decision. I am sorry dear.”
“No Papa… please don’t say that. I will not go anywhere leaving you. I did it for myself. It gives me peace of mind.” Aastha said with a heavy voice.
“You need not go anywhere Aastha. You will stay with your Papa but we want you to stay with us as well.” Vivek put his hand on her head and she looked at him in surprise.
“Yes, he is right. Getting such a daughter-in-law who not only thought about her family but also took care of our expectations and emotions will be difficult to find and I don’t want to lose you.” Anita said lovingly.
“Papa mummy…” Samyak interrupted.
“Yes Samyak, we want you to shift here with Aastha after marriage. And we are also thinking that at some time we will also move here. Vedant can also look for opportunities here itself so we all can stay together and there will be nothing to worry about.” Anita said to Samyak who still can’t believe his ears.
“I know son you would not have expected me saying this but we want your happiness and your happiness lies in staying with each other. If you two will be together, you will manage your duties and responsibilities perfectly.” Anita said with assurance.
“And being your parents we want you both to be happy forever and for that, we can do anything. And in fact, here we need not do anything. Staying together will solve all worries and will bring happiness into our lives forever.” Aastha’s father said.
Aastha and Samyak looked at each other with surprise and happiness. They are filled with so many emotions right now.
“Uncle, Aunty I always felt that I am so lucky that Samyak came to my life who always understands me and stands with me in every situation but right now I am feeling blessed to have you in my life. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Thank you so much.” Aastha said to Vivek and Anita after listening to them.
Anita hugged her lovingly and thought if she would not have agreed for this alliance, it would be her biggest mistake. Earlier when Vedant and Kavya told them about Aastha, she was not comfortable. She made up many assumptions in her mind about her but as she got to know about Aastha, her thought process, her qualities, and a little push from Vivek and Vedant, she agreed. And today looking at her son’s glowing face and his sparkling eyes, now she is sure that Aastha is the perfect partner for him.
Samyak moved towards Aastha’s father and said, “Uncle thank you for letting me a part of your lives.”
“I am lucky that my daughter is finally getting happiness in her life and it is all because of you.” Aastha’s father said with relief.
“Actually, we are very proud parents for having such kids in our family who thought about their elders and do anything for their happiness.” Vivek said looking at all of them and Anita and Aastha’s father also agreed with him.
All of them have a group hug and everyone cheered for Samyak and Aastha.
Samyak knelt down in front of Aastha and gently hold her hand. She looked at him with surprise and excitement.
“Aastha… the whole room is lighted but my heart is lighted with your smile. I want you to smile forever and I want to see you smiling for the rest of my life. So will you marry me?”
She remembered these words he said to her in Paris and again she felt butterflies. She looked right into his eyes and felt the love and warmth. Kavya, Mohit, Vedant, and Jiya all shouted together “Say yes…”
She bent down and sat in front of him and spoke softly, “Yes… I will.” Their faces lighted up and everyone congratulates them and each other.
Aastha and Samyak looked at their families and felt contented and happy.
--- And they lived happily ever after---
