-AVOID TYPOS AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS -

The evening was serene. The decorated party lights all around were glowing just like the mood and attires of everyone present. With a glass of imported, exquisite, wine in hand, some of the guests were occupied in cerebral business and worldly conversations, while the other had intrigued themselves with the bar-counter and the dancefloor. The guests consisted of the obvious close family members and friends, and colleagues clad in expensive business suits, every one of whom had preoccupied themselves with something or the other. It was one of those sophisticated and urbane south-Delhi parties - rich and blingy.

Arjun walked up to the centre of the stage, followed by his beautiful wife, Vasundhara, and raised the empty wine-glass in his hand, clanking it with a spoon to receive the attention of the guests to himself for he was going to make an announcement.

"Excuse me, Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?"

Arjun spoke, taking the microphone that was handed over to him. His voice echoed loudly through the speakers, making his words reach unambiguously to each and every ear around. He received everyone's undivided attention as soon as he spoke.

"First of all, thank you so much that you all came here this evening to share our little happiness with us. As you know this is a special occasion for us as my wife and I have completed twenty six years of our marriage, and we thought what could be better than this day to make an equally happy announcement before you all know. So, as most of you know my best-friend, Ramesh Gangwal, well, ladies and gentlemen, he's not only a friend anymore to us, as we have decided to turn this friendship into something even better - a family. So, yes, dear people, we have decided to give our elder son, Kabir's hand in marriage to My dear friend, Ramesh's beautiful daughter, Nisha --,"

Arjun continued to speak, but was interrupted by Vasu who took the mic from her husband and started speaking, as she called a gorgeous looking Nisha to herself and wrapped her hand across her shoulder. Nisha was clad in a shimmery mauve long-gown, matching it with a nude makeup and light jewellery. She looked absolutely like a princess.

"Not only beautiful, but she's the sweetest daughter anyone could have and we are lucky that we are bringing her home soon. In fact, even my idiot son would agree that it's his luck that he has got her in his life."

Nisha blushed as Vasu praised her. It's true that Kabir was an absolute idiot, but she was lucky too. That idiot was the best-friend and life-partner that she needed in her life. He was a person who made her life a thousand times better.

"And it also happens to be a fact that they've chosen each other way before we could do that, and when everything was brought together so beautifully by fate, who are we to deny this match made in heaven?"

Arjun chuckled, as he took the mic from Vasu and continued to speak.

"So, in your gracious presence, we wish for Nisha and Kabir to get engaged today, before they could soon start a new life together, when they settle down in their careers."

Everyone gave a huge round of applause as Arjun finished making the announcement. Arjun smiled and thanked them wholeheartedly, while the rest of the family prepared for the engagement ceremony to begin. Vasu brought the rings while Nisha's family made the rest of the arrangements, and when everything was ready, Arjun called Nisha and Kabir over to the stage. Nisha was already present there, blushing because of the teasing her cousins did standing behind her. But, Kabir was still not here, and no one seemed to notice it yet. And while Nisha walked over to the centre of the stage, Kabir didn't.

"Kabir, son, wherever you are, please join us on the stage!"

Arjun called him, looking all around to find his elder son in the party, and then his eyes fell upon his wife, Vasundhara, who looked all tense as she talked something with their younger son secretively. He gave away the mic and excused himself, as he walked over to Vasu and Abir, while Nisha waited at the centre stage, unaware of the tension that had brewed in the atmosphere all of a sudden.

"Where is your son?"

Arjun asked Vasu, who rather looked tense as a reaction.

"Abir is saying that he left the party a while ago."

Vasu spoke, massaging her temples worriedly.

"What do you mean? didn't he know that he was supposed to be here, right now?"

Arjun asked, almost losing his mind over his son's behaviour. Ramesh walked over to them seeing them worry and talk almost secretively.

"Call him, Abir, what are you waiting for?"

Arjun scolded Abir seeing him appear heedless about the situation.

"What has happened? Is something wrong? Where's Kabir?"

Ramesh enquired but none of them had an answer to it.

"Bhai's phone is switched off."

Abir hesitantly spoke, almost not wanting to give the note to anyone that he had hidden in his hand, knowing that it could have consequences. Specially, if their father knows. He kept hiding that note behind himself until Arjun realised that he had been hiding something and snatched the note from his hand. He quickly opened the note and started reading it.

"I am sorry, I can't get engaged to Nisha. We're not meant to be. - Kabir"

The few words were written on a yellow sticky note. A grim expression crawled upon Arjun's face a he read the note, and noticing the same, Ramesh snatched the note from his hand and read it too.

"What does he mean by he doesn't want to get engaged? We have made the announcement, Arjun. How can this happen, now?"

Ramesh felt provoked all of a sudden. He didn't know how to react. The only thing that had occupied his mind was that his daughter would have to go through a lot of shame and heartbreak if this engagement wouldn't happen, today. It was about his daughter's dignity.

"Ramesh, don't worry, I'll find him out."

Arjun reassured Ramesh, but in vain. Ramesh was angry and seeing it appear over his face, Nisha walked to them, unaware about what was happening.

"Dad, Uncle, what happened? Aunty, where's Jojo?"

Nisha asked nervously.

"Don't worry, beta. He's coming."

Vasu spoke but Nisha wasn't sure.

"What is this, dad?"

Nisha asked, as she took the note out of Ramesh's hand, before he could do anything, and she read it. She froze as soon as she did. She couldn't understand whether it was some kind of a joke. 'Kabir isn't coming', if that was true, then what was she supposed to do without him. She knew that he won't break his heart like this and that this is some kind of a misunderstanding, because why in the world would Jojo abandon his best-friend and girlfriend like this? He loves her, truly, and she has felt that love and she has seen it in his eyes. They did joke about this in the morning, but that was just a joke, right, because it is a truth that Jojo will never do this to his Cheekoo.

#

Kabir knocked on the door of his parents' room and walked in as Vasu smiled and nodded. He walked towards the couch and sat down leisurely, as his mother strolled into her walk-in closet and returned a minute later holding a few bags in her hands. Kabir helped her keep the bags on the table before him, and she sat down opposite to him and called and gestured something to Arjun who was reading the newspaper on the bed. And folding the newspaper and keeping it back on the bed, he nodded, walking over to the wardrobe and back to her with two small velvety boxes in his hands. Vasu smiled taking them from Arjun and laid them down before Kabir on the table. She picked up them up one by one and opening them, she forwarded them to her son. The boxes contained two diamond studded platinum rings.

"Dad and you are getting engaged, today, maa? That's a nice way to celebrate your anniversary! That's a great idea."

Kabir teased his parents and Vasu chuckled, smacking him on his shoulder, while Arjun laughed it away and sat down beside his wife on the couch.

"Jokes apart, they're for you and Nisha. I was suggesting gold, but your maa wanted something trendy for you two, so here they are."

Arjun commented and Kabir shook his head, gazing at the rings.

"Do you think Cheekoo will like it?"

Vasu asked her son and a beautiful smile adorned his face.

"I trust your choice, maa. Don't worry, she'll love it."

Kabir reassured her and she smiled.

"Jojo, although we talked it out already, I am asking you once again, you are ready, right?"

Vasu asked, taking his hand in hers, and he lowered his head, contemplating. He was going to get engaged to Nisha, today, and he still couldn't wrap his head around the fact.

"I mean, you are twenty-five and you are over with your college, but you both are still young. You don't have to do this, if you don't want to. I hope you are understanding that once you get engaged, you both will not only be responsible for yourselves but each other, as well. Your responsibilities are going to increase."

Vasu spoke and Kabir nodded.

"I know, maa. But, I've already made her a part of my life. This engagement, it will only be a formality. I know I want her and she knows, she wants me. And if she's in my life, trust me, I'll only become a better person."

Kabir said and his mother smiled, caressing his cheek.

"But beta, you are sure, right? I mean -,"

Vasu began and paused as Kabir held her by her shoulders and calmed his panicking mother.

"Maa, calm down, I am ready, okay? I am ready."

He assuaged her, himself also being sure of it. It was definitely something he wanted to happen, whether now or later. His best-friend was a person he wanted to hold onto forever.

"I am so happy that my son has grown up so much. You're going to get engaged today. It's really so overwhelming, you know? Never thought that this day would come so soon."

The moisture in her eyes as she talked brought about a smile on her son's face.

"Maa?"

He howled, making his mother chuckle, as she wiped the tears off before they could even begin their voyage. Arjun was elated seeing the little mother-son moment.

"Come on, your son is just getting engaged."

Arjun smiled and shook his head in disbelief.

"Achha, has anyone talked to Nisha about this? Any word from the Gangwals'?"

He asked and Vasu nodded.

"Aunty talked to her last evening. Cheekoo said yes."

A smile grew upon his face as he heard that. Vasu patted his cheek looking at her son blush. She had awaited this day for so long, though she had almost given up on her expectations that her arrogant son could ever find a love, a relationship that could change him for better. And perhaps as she could see, he had changed. He had become capable of holding feelings for someone.

"Why don't you go and give this dress to her?"

Vasu picked up a bag lying over the couch beside her and gave it to him, knowing her son could use a few minutes to talk things out with Nisha. They wouldn't be getting married so soon, but every minute of this bachelorhood romance is special. Kabir nodded and taking the bag, he stood up, and made his way out of the room.

The door of the Gangwal house was open as he stood there and looked around. Generally, he didn't need a permission to enter the house, but now that the things were changing and his relationship with this household was going to undergo a much respectable change, he chose to change his ways. Ramesh's eyes fell on the figure standing at the door when he walked into the living room. He chuckled to himself seeing Kabir stand there and ringing the bell.

"What happened, Kabir beta? You had to use the bell today?"

Ramesh asked as he walked towards the door, which had made Kabir awkward.

"Uncle, can I meet Cheekoo?"

Kabir asked, which was hard to digest for Ramesh. The confused father giggled and nodded, letting him in. Never did Kabir ever took Ramesh's permission to either enter his house or barge into his daughter's room at even odd timings of day or even a night.

"You are asking me?"

Ramesh asked, arching his brows, unsure of what his daughter's best-friend, and now, "would-be" was really up to. Kabir smiled sheepishly, nodding, understanding the reaction that he got from Ramesh. However, he didn't want to explain. He naturally wanted it to be the new thing, and this "new thing" astonished Kabir, because basically, it wasn't the way Kabir behaved.

"Actually, maa sent her a dress for the engagement. I came to drop it off."

Kabir spoke further, breaking the prolonged awkward silence between them.

"Oh!"

Escaped Ramesh's mouth, and he nodded.

"She's upstairs with her grandmother."

He continued and moved out of the way, letting Kabir into the house, and he moved back into the living room, grabbing the newspaper from the table and took his seat, also frequently eyeing at the workers making the arrangements in the house and the combined lawns of the Rathores' and Gangwals'. The relatives were yet to arrive.

"Nani, aap samajh kyun nahi rahe ho, mujhe choreography karni hai. Mujhe Mumbai jaana hai. It's important for me. You know mujhe dance kitna pasand hai."

Kabir heard Nisha speak as he was about to knock over the door of her room. He stayed calm, focussing on the conversation that was taking place in the room.

"Itna time hogaya hai us baat ko. Mujhe laga tha ab tak tera pagalpan bhi utar gaya hoga."

Nisha's Nani spoke, giggling a bit.

"Nani tab I had to leave dance. Papa nahi maan rahe the."

Nisha cried, hoping her grandmother would understand.

"Ab maan gaya hai Ramesh?"

Nisha's grandmother asked jokingly, making her granddaughter frown, getting exasperated.

"Nahi na, wahi to problem hai."

Nisha howled. She was getting tensed, and so was Kabir, outside. He wanted to help her with this, but perhaps he was the last person that Ramesh would listen to about this.

"Beta, it's your engagement, today, and soon you'll be married. Is it necessary to talk about all this now?"

Nisha's grandmother asked.

"Nani, you talk to dad. Maybe, he'll listen to you?"

Nisha requested, and her Nani took a deep, frustrated breath.

"Nishu, once you get married, do whatever you want, no one would be able to say anything. Not even your father."

Her grandmother affirmed.

"Nani, meri shaadi meri life decide nahi karegi. Dance mere liye shaadi se bhi zyada important hai aur ye baat Kabir bhi jaanta hai."

Nisha stated, and her grandmother shook her head mockingly.

"To main bhi to wahi bol rahi hu. Kaun hai wo tera ... haan, boyfriend - karle tu apne us boyfriend se shaadi, wo mana nahi karega tujhe kahin bhi jaane se."

Nisha's grandmother declared with a smile, patting Nisha's cheeks.

"Wo hota bhi kaun hai mujhe mana karne waala? Main uski taange na todh dun?"

Kabir gulped at her words, but a smile lingered up his face. His girl was a wild vixen. She managed to amuse him most of the time.

"Ek to tu itni nakchadi hai, pata nahi kaise jhelega wo tujhe."

Kabir broke into a fit of laughter hearing Nisha whine as a reaction to her Nani's words. It was true, after all. How will he possibly stand a cranky woman like her. Oh, he surely will!

Kabir's laughter had alarmed Nisha of his presence. While he uncontrollably laughed behind the closed door, Nisha opened the door with a swoosh, and stood there peering at him irately with her hands resting on her hips. He pursed his lips, trying to bring his laughter ride to a halt, just so not to piss her anymore, but only in vain. He laughed again, and she crossed her arm against her chest now, staring him down, giving him a silent treatment, until he realised his mistake. But he continued to laugh. But a moment later, when it did not seem funny anymore, he stopped.

"Are you done?"

She asked, seriously, with her hands still crossed against her chest, and anger still bubbling inside her. Kabir gave a tight-lipped smile and nodded like a bull, then to dig his own grave, he raised his index finger, and tapped it at the tip of her nose.

"Nakchadi."

Kabir remarked, and Nisha narrowed her eyes, fuming. She shot a punch towards him, but he was able to shield himself with the bag that he brought with himself to give her, and when the punch didn't attack him, he lowered the bag a little and peeked from behind it.

"Why are you here?"

She asked, eyeing at the bag in his hands. She seemed to have sobered up a little. He lowered the bag further and stood straight and confident before her.

"To give you the engagement dress."

He said and she snatched the bag from his hands.

"What engagement?"

She asked, scowling.

"Our engagement?"

He asked, thinking if he was supposed to be curious.

"Who said it's happening?"

She asked, raising her eyebrows and crossing her arms again, glaring him down.

"Umm-, you were the one who asked me out?"

He asked, crossing his arms across his chest and staring at her with an equal disposition as hers.

"You remember, right - that night in the hospital?"

He continued, as she peered at him like an owl.

"Jojo, will you be my fiancé?"

He asked in a feminine tone, trying to mock her.

"You remember what happened between us after that? should I also tell your Nani?"

He teased her and she frowned deeper, almost giving him a warning to shut his mouth, seeing which he started moving towards the room, where her Nani was setting up Nisha's cupboard.

"Nani-, wo na us din -,"

Kabir only opened his mouth a parted a few words from it, before she clamped shut his mouth and dragged him out of there and into the nearest balcony on the first floor, and pushed him against the wall. The workers fixing the decorative lights peered at them and laughed secretively.

"What are you doing, babe? People are watching. Ye bhi koyi romance karne ke jagah aur time hai? Bhaiyya dekh rahe ho na, ladki ko shaadi karne ki kitni jaldi hai?"

He annoyed her more while she groaned in irritation, and turned to leave from there when he caught her hand and pulled her back with a jolt, making her collide into his body. He smiled looking down while she tried to not get irritated and blush simultaneously.

"I'm kidding."

He mumbled