Saavi

******

"Muffin, are you fine?" Dhruv was rubbing my back. He must have known that something was troubling me. Sometimes I wondered was he a magician?

Every time he calms me down so effortlessly, but even if he is, he is only my magician. Even his voice is like magic to me.

"Muffin," he called irritatedly as I was not replying and I was certain he must be getting worried.

Moving back I looked up at him, but before I could answer he asked, "What's wrong, love?"

"And before you say nothing, it's evident on your face that something is bothering you, so you better tell me what is it." his tone was stern and I huffed thinking that there was no way out.

Making both of us sit on the couch he said, "Now, tell me, what's bothering you."

"Me."

"You?" he raised his eyebrows not getting what I meant. To clear his confusion, I opened all my insecurities in front of him and he was listening to it with concentration.

"Did you meet, Aditi?" I nodded in response to his question.

"You liked her?" I was thinking what's the context of this talk, nonetheless, I replied honestly to him.

"A lot."

"If you liked her then trust me you are going to like the ones you will meet tonight and no one will ask these stupid questions from you." He replied confidently, still, I was not sure, I meant there were about to be a lot of people and how could he say that not even one would enquire about my background.

"I can't delete these what-ifs from my mind."

"I know, it's difficult but I will be there with you and if anyone even dares to raise a question your Dhruv will deal with the person," he replied kissing my palm.

"Trust me all your insecurities will vanish tonight only." Assuring me he kissed my hair.

I looked into his eyes and all they were screaming was honesty. He was not making up things to make me feel comfortable. Even though his words were very simple but still I felt relieved hearing them from his mouth. Smiling, I hugged him again.

"How am I going to survive without you till our wedding?" he asked wrapping his arms around me.

"It's just a matter of three days," I mumbled over his chest.

"For me, it is 72 hours, 4320 minutes, and 259200 seconds." I smiled hearing him and commented, "You are quite good at calculations and stuff."

"Oh, yeah. My teacher was very good, you know, cute and shy and the best I could ever have," he replied smugly.

"I am jealous of her." I was jealous of myself, isn't it weird. Something was wrong with me

"You should be, she is the best you know." I thought he would compose me saying that I shouldn't but he wanted me to be jealous.

"Go to her only." I moved further being pissed off.

"I can't, she is getting married." He became upset all of a sudden and that only annoyed me.

"You must be feeling sad."

******

Dhruv

******

"You must be feeling sad," she commented. Though she knew I was talking about her, still, she was feeling indignant now and it was so fun to tease her.

"Very sad. But, what to do? It's our fate I guess."

Her expression had changed completely and deciding not to pull this prank further I pulled her in my arms again though she was wiggling.

"Why are you being sad?"

"I am not sad."

"Then smile."

"I don't want to."

"Oh, God! Why are you so cute?" I asked placing a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"I am not cute."

"You know, I was talking about you only, right?" she had stopped wiggling now.

"Hmmm." she hummed in response.

"And you are feeling jealous of yourself?"

"I am not."

"Yes, you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No," she mumbled.

"Yes."

"Yes." Finally, she agreed and hid her face in the crook of my neck.

"Muffin, I have always loved you only. There is no one else besides you in my life."

"I know and I love you too."

"Let's go. Some people must be waiting for you." I got off the couch and helped her too.

"For me?"

"Yes," I replied kissing her nose and I took her to my room.

******

Kiaan

******

"How do I look?" Arjun asked while I was busy playing a game on my phone.

"Good," I replied still playing the game and without even sparing a glance at him.

"You did not even look at me."

Keeping my phone aside I looked at him. He was looking handsome no doubt, but he looked more like a groom. I wanted to laugh so bad, but controlling myself I replied, "You look fine."

"Only fine," he mumbled.

"Why are you so keen on looking good today? Are you going on a date or something?"

"No, it's my friend's wedding so I should look presentable that's why." I nodded hearing the lame explanation he just gave to me.

He tried another attire and then another. Though he was looking good in all of them, I didn't tell him. Stifling my laugh while looking at his condition was tough. Watching him doing a fashion show in front of me seemed more interesting to me than the video game I was playing. After half an hour I finally told him that he was looking good. Grinning he wore that kurta and both of us decided to go out to check the arrangements for the night.

"How do I look?" Arjun asked Hredhaan when we met him in the garden.

'Oh, God! I will die compressing my laugh.' I mused.

I knew I shouldn't enjoy my friend's miseries but what to do he was the one who had kept a secret from us, he deserved that. Arjun asked almost every person he met, how exactly he was looking.

While he went to the gate as it was three in the afternoon and he was sure that Khannas were going to reach anytime now and so was his precious.

Looking at him acting weird a relative of mine came towards me and asked, "What's wrong with your friend?"

"Mental Problem, Uncle."

He gasped hearing it and asked, "Like your sister?"

"Yes."

"God can be cruel sometimes. Don't lose hope. They will be fine." He patted my back and left.

I smiled sadly, went to the secluded area of the lawn, and laughed my heart out.

******

Arjun

******

It was 3:30 but no one came.

'What's wrong, where are they? Shouldn't they reach till now?' I mumbled glancing at my watch and then on the road.

I was checking the time frequently. Getting upset I sat down on a chair kept near the gate and waited till 4:30 still no sign of them.

'Why have they not come till yet?' I muttered.

I was bothered as my hopes of at least having a glimpse of her was crushing down, but I guess I deserved that. I had been a jerk to her and a jerk like me deserved all this pain.

"What are you doing here?" I heard Dhriti.

Looking up at the bright sun I replied, "Taking Vitamin D"

"What?"

"Yeah, my heart needs it."

"Are you fine?"

Smiling brightly I replied, "Yes."

I didn't want Dhriti to know yet, not at least till I ask for my precious's forgiveness. Though she didn't buy my lie, still didn't say anything,

"Could you help me?"

"Yes."

"I need to tell the staff to prepare the rooms for the guests who are arriving in the evening and I also have to help Maasi and the rest with their outfits."

"You handle the outfits, I will manage the rooms," I said as I thought I should stop pondering over her thoughts and what's a better solution than keeping myself busy as hell.

"Thanks." she beamed.

"Here is the list. I have written everything from the time of arrival of the guests to the number of rooms and who will be getting which room everything."

"You are so organized," I commented.

As my eyes fell on the list I was shocked.

"Riddhi, Rohit, and the rest are coming at 5:30?" I asked still in shock.

"Yes."

"I thought they will arrive at 3."

"3? Who told you that? They were coming at 5:30 only. Didn't Kiaan tell you?" she asked confused and that's when I realized what had happened to me.

"He did. I guess, I forgot."

'Kiaan Chauhan, so it was all your plan. Don't think I will go easy on you buddy.' I said in my mind. Thankfully, God listened to my prayer instantly.

"I don't know what's wrong with everyone. Why is everyone here looking at me with pity?" Dhriti asked no one in particular but I heard her.

"I know the reason."

"You do?" I nodded and told her what little prank Kiaan had played with her.

It was payback time for my dear friend.

******

Saavi

******

We got up and made our way to Dhruv's room. His room was very spacious and beautiful and I was mesmerized with its beauty. All of our rooms were the same except the one Dhruv was staying in and not to mention the bed, it was big enough to occupy five people at once. The room had a door that opened to another small and alluring room.

"You liked the room?"

"Yes, it's beautiful."

"I am glad you liked it," he replied smirking.

What's with the smirk, I thought? I was about to ask when we heard the knock.

"They are here," Dhruv replied grinning and I was wondering who were 'they' he was talking about. Dhruv asked me to stay in the small room attached to his and went to open the door.

"Dhruv." I heard some familiar voices.

"I thought, you are never going to marry." I heard the voice of the one who was none other than my best friend.

"Nah, I found someone," Dhruv replied.

"We are really happy for you." It was a girl's voice but different from the first and was vaguely familiar too.

I was about to meet them after seven long years. I pondered over whether they changed or were they the same as Dhruv, Namit, and Arjun?

'Do they remember me?' was the utmost important question to think of.

"Where is she, bro? The girl you finally decided to get hitched with." Now I was sure it was them only because that voice was of the person who had considered me his sister seven years ago.

"Come with me." I heard Dhruv and in a few seconds, they all were in front of me.

Riddhi and Nitya gasped while Rohit's eyes were wide opened in shock.

"Hi," I said smiling. They look the same just a little grown-up.

"Am I dreaming?" Riddhi asked.

"No, you aren't," I replied chuckling while my eyes were filled with tears.

Riddhi came running and hugged me tightly. She started sobbing while hugging me. Though I was crying too but had a constant smile on my face. I met my best friend after so long and it was the best feeling in the world.

Pulling back I wiped her tears, "Where the hell were you? I thought I will never get to see you again."

Feeling Guilty I apologized, "I am sorry."

"Don't be. I am so glad that you are back."

Rohit cleared his throat to gain our attention and when we looked at him he clicked our picture.

"Rohit, don't do that. I don't look good right now."

"You always look good." He commented.

"Now, let me meet my long-lost sister," he said before pulling me in his embrace.

"I missed you, my sister."

"I missed you too."

"Guys, include me too." I heard Nitya who was standing there pouting at us.

I had met her when I stayed at Dhruv's house when I was ill. She was very bubbly and sweet at heart. I extended my arms towards her and grinning she hugged me.

"Thanks for coming back, Di," she said making me confused.

When she pulled back she looked at Dhruv and said, "Otherwise Dhruv Bhaiya wouldn't have decided to settle down. I am so happy."

"By, the way where are the rest?" Dhruv asked.

"They went to meet Dhriti Bhabhi first," Nitya replied.

"All of them are going to bombard me from their questions." Dhruv was horrified.

"Yes, for sure," Riddhi replied beaming.

"Dhruv. Where are you?" We heard Dhriti.

"Adjacent room, little one."

"Oh, here you all are."

"Congratulations Dhruv Bhaiya." I heard the squealing of two girls. They looked younger than us and I recognized them instantly.

Dhriti had told me a little about her foster family. She had informed that she had two younger sisters Simran and Sonia and a brother Ishaan who had married her college friend Adya.

"Where is our soon-to-be sister-in-law?" the girls asked.

"Here," Riddhi replied pointing at me.

Both of them came rushing and hugged me making me chuckle at their adorable behaviour. Pulling back one of them commented, "Bhai, you have hit a jackpot" and winked at Dhruv.

"I agree." the other one said.

"Shit! Introduction."

"Hi Bhabhi, I am Simran." The chirpy one said who had winked at Dhruv.

"And I am Sonia." the other one said.

"Where are Ishaan Bhai and Adya?" Dhriti asked.

"Bickering over a glass of juice," replied Simran.

"Oh No! Not again," said Dhriti dejectedly. I didn't understand what they meant until I heard two people arguing.

"Please."

"No, Ishaan. I am not drinking it."

A couple entered the room, the guy was holding a bottle of juice and the girl had a frown on her face. I recognized them as Aditi had shown some pictures a few hours ago of Adya and Ishaan Bhai.

"Sammy, tell your brother, I am not drinking this shitty juice."

"You guys are again fighting over a juice. The last I remember is you both were doing the same on my reception." Dhriti seemed a bit annoyed.

"Sammy, make her agree, it's good for her and the baby." Ishaan Bhai said and that's when my gaze fell upon the baby bump of Adya.

She was pregnant and was glowing. Adya was about to say something when her eyes landed on me. Smiling she came towards me and said, "You are Saavi, right?"

I nodded and she hugged me.

"Adya, take care of the baby." I heard Ishaan Bhai.

Pulling back she glared at him making everyone chuckle and then introduced herself. After her Ishaan Bhai introduced himself and congratulated me and Dhruv.

"Finally, you are settling down, otherwise I had thought you will be single and trust me I was having doubts about you being gay," Adya commented looking at Dhruv.

Shaking his head in disbelief he pulled her into a hug. "Sometimes I wonder how does Ishaan handles you?" Dhruv's remark made her frown.

"At least someone agrees that it's not easy to handle this fierce lady."

"What did you say?" Adya glared at Ishaan Bhai and he raised his hand in surrender.

"Guys, guys, guys, did you forget we are here for Dhruv Bhaiya's marriage?" Simran intervened to calm them down.

"No, I didn't. Simran help me please," Adya said pouting and she looked so cute.

Someone tapped me from behind and I found Dhruv. He held my hand and whispered, "Let's go."

"Where?" I asked in a hushed tone.

"Just come with me."

He gestured something to Dhriti and took me back to my room.

"Why did we leave?"

"Because I needed some us time?" I have heard me time but didn't know what was 'us time' now he mentioned.

"Us time?" I asked but he pulled me to bed. Half laying down he made me lay my head on his chest.

"In a few minutes, everyone will start pestering us to get ready for the engagement, and then we will not be able to meet." He said caressing my hair.

I also didn't want to leave Dhruv's side even for a single day but I was an ardent believer of rituals and traditions so I had agreed to Maasi when she had told me that I would have to stay away from Dhruv after engagement till our marriage.

He had intertwined our hands and closed his eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to take some of your energy with me."

"What?"

"Hmmm. I will miss you."

"I will miss you too," I mumbled decreasing the gap between us.

I had no idea how was I going to survive these three days without him but one thing was sure it won't be any facile, for either of us. The three days of separation was going to cause a lot of trouble for us.