Published on:- 26/2/25 [Wednesday]
....

"I gave him".

A familiar voice suddenly caught her attention as Sunaina's already beasting fast heart skipped a beat at the unexpected sound.

She quickly turned to see who it was.

And There, sitting together, were Neil and Aashmaan, Her parents' in-law. Their calm but strong presence filled the room and was a sharp reminder of reality and the memories of that party night.

Sunaina looked around and found that Beside her parents in-law, her brother sat quietly as his sharp gaze moved from Sunaina to Nilay.

Behind them stood the Scorpion Satan members who were alert and ready as their eyes were scanning the room like they expected danger at any moment.

The atmosphere shifted instantly and the warmth between Sunaina and Nilay was replaced by a cold sense of control and power of Neil Khanna.

"Naina! Mom and Dad are here for you, for us. They come to take you back home", Nilay said softly.

Sunaina’s heart pounded as she blinked and was trying to steady herself while giving a small nod to Nilay.

"And right now, they are excited to take a part in your brother's wedding matter", Nilay said and Sunaina's eyes shifted from Neil to Aashmaan.

Nilay's words melted her heart and a wave of ocean escalate in her heart.

Without a word, Aashmaan opened her arms in a silent but strong invitation. The warmth in her gaze broke through the storm swirled inside Sunaina.

In an instant, Sunaina rushed into her arms as she clung to Aashmaan tightly and her face pressed against her shoulder, seeking the comfort and stability only family could offer.

Aashmaan held Sunaina close, her hand was gently stroking her back, a silent promise of protection and love.

"Mom", Sunaina whispered softly.

Aashmaan responded with a gentle "Hmm?".

There was a brief silence before Aashmaan spoke and her voice was laced with guilt. "I am sorry, Sunaina. I… I should have supported you, but…".

Before she could finish, Sunaina pulled back slightly and shook her head firmly.

"No, Mom. Please don’t talk like this. You’ve always supported me",  she said in a gentle voice.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a soft smile tugging at her lips, not one of happiness, but of reassurance.

In that moment, the weight of unspoken words between them melted away, replaced by the silent understanding of a Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law whose bond had weathered every storm.

"Neil has something to tell you as well", Aashmaan said softly, eyeing Neil.

Sunaina blinked and then she slowly turned her gaze toward Neil, her father-in-law who sat there and his expression was calm yet serious.

"What is it?", she asked quietly.

"Welcome to the family", Neil said in a straight tone but his words were deep, meaningful that struck Sunaina’s heart.

She composed herself and processed his words and then her lips twitched and a small, almost hesitant smile tried to break free.

It wasn’t just Neil's words that moved her, but the quiet acceptance behind them.

Neil accepted her.

For a woman like Sunaina, who had always fought her battles alone, those four words felt heavier than they should.

She lowered her gaze for a second, swallowing the lump rising in her throat, before looking back at Neil.

"Thank you, Dad", she whispered and her words sincere.

There was no hint of taunt, mock or fighting spirit.

Neil gave a curt nod and looked at his wife, Aashmaan who had a soft smile dancing on her lips.

Because in that unspoken moment, a new bond was formed, not by blood, but by something just as strong.

Neil pinched his nose awkwardly as a rare crack appeared in his usually composed demeanor.

Nilay who leaning casually against the wall, glanced at his father with an amused smirk dancing on his lips. The sight of the ever-serious, Devil was looking so uncomfortable was a moment to savor.

"Let’s go, otherwise my brother-in-law will go alone to see his future bride", Nilay said in a light, teasing tone. 

Neil and Aashmaan exchanged a surprised glance, clearly caught off guard by Nilay’s unexpected words. Their son was silent, calm, shy and composed man who never expressed himself, talk in a few words but they could see that exterior was already broken by Sunaina.

On the other hand, Avyaan who had been quietly observing everything, blinked and was startled because of Nilay's words.

And then there was Sunaina who laughed loudly and her bright and genuine, shattered all the tension in the room like a warm breeze after a storm.

For a brief moment, all the unspoken emotions, the heavy conversations, and the lingering touches faded away and was replaced by the lightness Nilay had so effortlessly brought into the room.

....

At Tarana's parents' home:-

Seated together on the plush sofa were Avyaan, Sunaina, Nilay, and his parents, Neil and Aashmaan.

Across from them sat Tarana and her parents and their expressions had a mixture of anticipation and curiosity.

Tarana sat quietly beside her parents, dressed in a simple yet elegant salwar suit, her hair neatly braided. A faint blush painted her cheeks, whether from shyness or the weight of everyone’s gaze, no one could tell.

She peeked at Avyaan now and then, only to quickly lower her eyes whenever he caught her staring.

Nilay leaned back casually, watched the scene unfold with a small smirk. Breaking the silence, he whispered to Sunaina, "It feels like we’re the judges at a reality show".

Sunaina shot him a warning look, though the corner of her lips twitched.

Neil and Aashmaan exchanged polite smiles with Tarana’s parents.

Finally, Aashmaan, ever the calm presence, spoke first. "It’s a pleasure meeting you all", she said softly as her voice broke the tension like a gentle breeze.

Tarana’s mother smiled warmly, nodding. "The pleasure is ours".

Sunaina cleared her throat and said in a clear and direct voice, "Uncle! Aunty! You know me. So, I’m coming straight to the point. Let’s not waste time with small talk. Tara and my brother love each other, and the next step is their marriage. So I was thinking… the day after tomorrow would be perfect for their wedding".

She said it all in one breath and her words were rushing out like a tidal wave, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Tarana’s parents blinked, clearly caught off guard. Avyaan’s eyes widened slightly, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, "That's like my sister".

Tarana’s cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, her mouth opening slightly but no words coming out.

Neil and Aashmaan just stared at Sunaina and the way she was handling her brother's wedding matter.

In the middle of it all, Nilay slowly ran a hand down his face as he was clearly exasperated.

He leaned closer to Sunaina and whispered in disbelief and amusement, "Really, Wife?".

But Sunaina as bold as ever, simply crossed her arms, tilting her chin up, as if daring anyone to argue with her.

The silence stretched a second too long and turned awkward, until Aashmaan cleared her throat softly and offered a calm smile to Tarana's parents.

"What Sunaina means is that we are all here because we want what’s best for Avyaan and Tarana. Their happiness is what matters most", Aashmaan said gently.

Neil gave a slight nod as his usual serious expression was betraying the smallest hint of amusement at Sunaina’s bluntness.

Tarana’s father finally found his voice and said in his polite but cautious tone, "Marriage is a big step… the day after tomorrow seems a bit sudden.

Before anyone else could respond, Avyaan spoke in a straight tone, "Papa, Mummy! I love Tara. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Marriage means nothing to me… but I know it means everything to you and Tara. That’s why I’m here, sitting in front of you, talking about wedding dates and traditions".

His steady gaze was fixed on Tarana’s parents.

His jaw tightened slightly as his tone was growing even more directly as he said, "But let me be clear, if this drags on, I’ll take Tara to the temple and marry her within an hour".

A stunned silence followed.

Tarana’s mother’s hand froze on her lap, and her father blinked, clearly taken aback by Avyaan’s bluntness.

Tarana’s eyes went wide, her cheeks burning, but she said nothing as she was torn between shock and the tiniest flicker of something… like excitement.

Neil arched a brow but remained composed, while Aashmaan’s lips parted slightly, unsure whether to scold Avyaan or smile at his fierce determination.

"Now, I get it why Sunaina is like this. Both siblings are....", Aashmaan muttered amusingly under her breath and before she could finish, Neil cut her off, "Cracked", Neil finished whispering.

And then there was Sunaina who was fighting hard to suppress a smirk as she leaned toward Nilay and, whispered, "I told you, we Khadka siblings don't waste time".

Nilay didn’t respond as his gaze was fixed on Tarana’s parents and was waiting for their reaction.

Finally, Tarana’s mother smiled softly. "If Tarana is happy… then we are happy".

"But it will be a traditional wedding," Tarana's father finally said and his words hung in the air for a moment.

Avyaan didn’t respond immediately as he simply sat there while his expression was unreadable and his jaw tightened.

Sunaina’s brows furrowed slightly at the unexpected turn. She wasn’t someone who liked complications, and this felt like one.

Breaking the silence, Sunaina spoke first, "We are Nepali by our roots and have different traditions… and honestly, I’m not familiar with all of them".

Her gaze shifted from Tarana's father to her mother-in-law, Aashmaan.

Aashmaan nodded gently and was understanding Sunaina's concern. She remembered that Sunaina told her that she was a foreigner.

"Nepali?", Neil's brows furrowed as he glanced at his wife and son who were sitted calmly without any shocking expression.

'So both my son-in-law and daughter-in-law are not from this nation', Neil thought while imagining Chase and Sunaina teamed up together and dancing on his head. He shivered and immediately shook his head.

Meanwhile, Tarana’s eyes softened as she looked between Avyaan and Sunaina. She knew their story, their struggles, their love, the family they had built through bonds stronger than blood.

She also knew how fiercely Avyaan loved her and how deeply Sunaina protected those she cared about.

Tarana finally spoke, "Papa, Mummy! I want a simple wedding, at a temple, with just a close family, following our common Hindu traditions"

Her words landed like a quiet storm.

Her mother blinked and she was clearly surprised, while her father’s jaw tightened ever so slightly. It wasn’t anger. It was more like an internal struggle between his own expectations and his daughter’s sudden request.

Avyaan’s eyes softened, a spark of pride flickering in his gaze as he looked at Tarana.

Sunaina raised an eyebrow, both surprised and impressed. She hadn’t expected Tarana to take such a bold stand, but there was a quiet strength in her voice that couldn’t be ignored.

"Tara…" her mother started, but Tarana shook her head gently.

"This is what I want. It’s not about the grandeur, it’s about Avyaan and me starting our life together, blessed by our traditions but without unnecessary extravagance", Tarana said, leaving now room for argument.

"Okay, day after tomorrow it is," Sunaina declared in a final tone as if the matter was already settled.

"Let them decide, wife," Nilay said.

Sunaina’s head snapped toward him and her brows were arching, "They just did".

Avyaan suppressed a smile, while Tarana lowered her gaze, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.

Tarana's father cleared his throat, his stern gaze shifting between his daughter and Avyaan. Finally, he gave a small nod. "If this is what Tarana wants… then so be it."

Aashmaan smiled warmly, and Neil gave a subtle nod of acceptance.

Nilay leaned in and whispered to Sunaina, "Remind me again… whose wedding is this?"

Sunaina elbowed him lightly, but a small, satisfied smile tugged. Her gaze fell on Avyaan and Tarana, the way their gaze locked together and had the unspoken promises in their eyes.

And then, a sudden ache bloomed in her chest.

"My brother is getting married… to the woman he loves, will you be happy?"

The thought echoed in her mind like a whisper, a question not meant for anyone in the room but for someone… far away.

....

How's chapter readers?
Thank you
ShineeSunshine ❤️