"Manish is missing-"

Sindhu let out a loud sigh out of shock.None of us could believe what we just heard. I mean, it's been a year since we knew Manish and he was a gem of a man. 

Many questions popped into our heads, but even before we could search for answers, I felt I need to take the side of my sister.

"Sindhu-?", I whispered.

Tears pooled in her eyes. She hugged me tightly and had a free fall of her feelings.

As I tried consoling Sindhu, I turned to look at my husband. I was mad! I was really really mad!

I mean, it's my sister's life here and Manish didn't have the rights to screw it all up.

"Raj ji-", I almost yelled.

But he cut me off in between and spoke, "Pavi, now is not the time to feel angry or let out our assumed reasons as legit ones and screw this up. We've gotta take this slow. I'll first try to find him, okay?"

My husband did make a lot of sense. I tried to calm myself down as my sister deeply looked at me.

"It's going to be okay-"

"Hmm-", she whimpered.

When Raj ji was about to leave, we heard a slight knock on the door.

With a lot of scepticism pouring in our hearts, Dhrithi slowly stood up to meekly open the door.

Alas, there stood Manish, shabby, sweaty and almost catching for his breath.

Raj ji immediately pulled him in and I rushed to give him a glass of water. Sindhu however stared at him for an explanation. As he slowly gulped the cool refreshing liquid, he cleared his throat as if he knew what he was going to speak next.

He looked around the room to see the audience to his speech and then smiled. He did look relived and that puzzled me even more.

" I can't believe I am doing this in front of family-", he said.

"But I would want it in no other way", he continued.

Sindhu just threw daggers through her glares. She was angry and really couldn't wait for what Manish was upto.

However she chose to remain silent.

Manish then suddenly had a feeling of  nervousness and shyness. But there was also a manly spirit that binded it all very beautifully.

"Sindhu- you are the love of my life. You are the very core around which my whole life rotates and revolves. To spend everyday with you is like a boon and a blessing. We have always taken things slow and with maturity between us.

It was God's will to put us in the same college during our Bachelor's but WE made a decision to do master's together. We are truly two bodies and yet one soul kind of people. The added cherry on the cake is to know that you are my best friend's sister in law.

I love you with all my heart and for all the patience I showcased throughout our time together, I really cannot wait for even a minute to live away and apart from you in the name of an Engagement.

And so, I went to meet a couple of people:

-The priest
-Your mother
-My parents

I met them to find out whether today is a good day to MARRY you. I had a long private conversation with our parents and after a lot of explanations, they seemed to get convinced.

When I then realised that I donot have a mangalsutra to put around your neck, I stepped out of the hall to actually buy one.

I am madly in love with you Sindhu. Will you please do me the ultimate honour of marrying me?"

Manish had legit left the ladies in the room with tears. Sindhu was just trying to absorb whatever her gem hearted boyfriend had just said. She reached out to give him a tight hug and whispered a yes in his ears. He pulled her close and kissed her cheeks. There were ooh's and aah's filling the room.

My little sister is going to make a beautiful bride. There was another knock on the door only to find Ma waiting for Manish to drop the news. She immediately shooed him and Raj ji away, instructed them to get ready and be near the mandap in 10 minutes and in the meantime helped Dhrithi and me to dress up my beautiful sister.

It was time for us to bring the bride and all eyes were on her. She smile gracefully and did not let her eyes leave Manish's sight. She sat next to him feeling composed and loved. The priest instructed Manish to chant the words,

|| Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna: kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam ||

There was a rain of flower petals blessing the bride and the groom.

My sister is now officially Mrs. Sindhu Patel.

All was well.

***

A/N:

Thank you so much for all the love you've given to me and this book. It really means a lot.

To notice that my ameture writing has attracted 70k+ reads, is a huge deal for me. Please continue sharing your support through your votes and comments.

On that note, I've some good news.

With three more chapters, I will be winding up with this book. The journey has been truly emotional and it's time to give Rajeev and Pavithra their happily ever after!

To all my lovely readers who love romance, I have a surprise!

I have already started drafting my 3rd Romance story, "Skies and Storybook Love". Will publish it once I have completed this book.

Please extend your support to that book as well.

Thanks and loads of love,
Rashmi ❤️