One month later, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the campus as the group gathered on the sprawling lawn. The last month had been an unforgettable journey, filled with laughter, embarrassment, bonding, and countless challenges. But tonight, they had all agreed, was for celebration—a proper farewell to the antics that had drawn them all closer.

Amar, of course, had been the master of ceremonies for this whole ordeal, and he looked especially smug as he watched Zahir and Zian reluctantly serve drinks, their expressions caught somewhere between exasperation and amusement.

"You know, I think I am going to miss this," Amar said, taking a glass from Zahir and winking. "Seeing you two bow down to me—it's been... enlightening."

"Trust me," Zahir shot back with a grin, "you have enjoyed this way more than anybody did. But don't get too used to it, Amar. As soon as today ends, we are going back to normal."

"Oh, really?" Amar laughed, leaning back in his chair. "I don't think normal will ever be the same. Besides, I think I might have inspired you both to be better men. Admit it!"

"Maybe you should think of this as your new calling, Amar. Helping helpless souls find true love. You know, you have got a real knack for tormenting people into sincerity." Zada chuckled, sidling up to Amar with a mock-serious look.

Neha clinked glasses with Khushi, who had been watching Zahir as he served drinks to everyone, her expression softening with affection as he passed by.

"I have to say," Neha whispered to Khushi, "they have really tried. Zian even learned how to dance just so he wouldn't step on my feet anymore. And that was no easy feat!"

"I know. And Zahir's kept up with everything dished out at him by Amar on behalf of Vansh. It's funny... I never thought I would see him act so humbly, even if it's just for a month." Khushi laughed, her gaze meeting Zahir's across the circle.

Zahir caught her words and rolled his eyes, though a faint blush crept over his cheeks. He strode over to Vansh, who was quietly observing the group with a satisfied smirk.

"Alright, admit it," Zahir said, nudging him. "You have had way too much fun playing the overprotective brother."

"Maybe. But hey, it was worth it. And you have proved yourself. Mostly." Vansh shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Khushi caught the end of Vansh's words, stepping forward to join them. She slipped her hand into Zahir's, smiling up at him with a mix of pride and tenderness. "I think he has more than proved himself."

"Yeah, yeah, don't get too sappy on us now," Vansh muttered, though the warmth in his gaze betrayed his affection for both of them. He clapped Zahir on the back. "Alright, I admit it—you have earned my respect."

"Who knew it would take a month of humiliation for us to get Vansh's approval?" Zian, who had just joined them with Neha by his side, grinned.

"Speak for yourself," Amar piped up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I think they both should thank me for my contribution to their love lives. Without me, this whole 'prove your love' scheme would have been way less memorable."

"Trust me, we'll remember this forever, Amar," Zian laughed, shaking his head. "Not that we will ever forgive you for it."

Everyone laughed, raising their glasses of soft drinks and clinking them together as the sun dipped lower, casting a soft, rose-tinted glow over the group. It was a rare moment of complete peace and joy, each of them bound together by the crazy month they'd just endured.

As the evening wore on, Khushi and Zahir drifted off to the edge of the lawn, the laughter and banter fading into the background. Zahir wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

"You know," he murmured, "for all the ridiculous things I had to do, I wouldn't change a thing. You're worth every second of it."

Khushi's eyes softened, her fingers trailing over his hand as she looked up at him.

"And you are not what I expected, Zahir. You have shown me a side of you I didn't think existed."

"I am full of surprises, remember?" He chuckled, his gaze dropping to her lips.

Before she could respond, he leaned down, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss that spoke of everything they'd gone through, of how far they'd come together. When they finally pulled apart, the warmth of the kiss lingering between them, they noticed the others watching them from afar, grinning and cheering.

"Alright, lovebirds," Amar called out, a mock-annoyed look on his face. "No kissing unless it's sanctioned by the group!"

Khushi laughed, rolling her eyes, while Zahir just shook his head, exasperated.

Back in the circle, Vansh, with a rare smile, raised his glass once more.

"Here's to a crazy month, to friendships that last, and to making each other better people. And to the poor souls who dared to love our sisters."

Everyone clinked glasses again, the laughter and warmth echoing through the night as the stars came out above them. It was a perfect ending to their wild journey, a memory they would all carry with them for the rest of their lives.

A/N

After years of irregular updates, this book comes to an end! It was such a joy writing this story in the beginning and halfway through, I lost the inspiration to write this, even though I used to get votes and a lot many comments on this book. I have no idea why. This was the only book in which I was stuck. I had started and completed nearly ten books after this, but this one remained stuck where it was. 

But I am proud of myself that I didn't abandon it completely. It took some effort to bring up the will to write it again. Since I hadn't updated for months on, I had lost readers for this book and yet I managed to finish this up. My biggest achievement...lol. There will be three epilogues following. Each one dedicated to each of our favourite couples.

And last but not the least, I sincerely apologise if Zahir's and Khushi's story didn't come up to the mark. There was too much pressure and expectations on this couple and working under pressure is too tough. With the other two couples, I just wrote with a flow and it was easier. But for this couple, I couldn't do proper justice. But as I didn't want to drag this story anymore, I am finishing this off like this..

Stay tuned for the epilogues that will be posted soon..

Lots of Love,

SF❤️