Emma's POV:

"Welcome to the family", I and Vanathi squealed in delight hugging Riddhi Manni(Sister-in-law) tightly. She giggled seeing us excited and reciprocated the hug with pleasure. To be honest, I was scared looking at her firmness initially, but as people say, looks deceive. It would be fun when she is around and the place would be filled with laughter. I love her so much!! When Abhi Anna left for London, we came to know each other. We shared tales of our pasts and when I told her about the fight I and Abhi Anna had initially, she burst out laughing and said the same as Abhi Anna, "You look cute and dumb at the same time." Do I?

We just had a meeting with her parents. Initially, they were not convinced, hearing his past but accepted with delight after hearing him speak. He said how his relationship with his mother mended but the one thing impressed everyone including us was his promise he made to them.

He said, "I got to meet my mother yesterday after thirteen long years, so you could have a guess now about the way I grew up. I've been on my own since my fifteen with my self-made principles in my world. This family is my world. But I can assure you one thing, your daughter will be happy in this small world of mine. She would never feel outcast and would be safe in my world. I, with my family, would cherish her with all our hearts. With this assurance, I'm asking your daughter's hand in marriage."

"We can live our lives in peace with an assurance that our daughter is in good and safe hands, where her self-respect will not be at stake and her presence would be dignified. Welcome home son", her dad said and we screamed joyfully. I glanced at Abhi Anna[Brother] who looked at her with all the love in the world and she in return blushed, gazing at the floor. Wasn't that romantic?!

"So officially you're my sister-in-law right?! Welcome home bhabhishri [Sister-in-law]", Vandhit said to her dramatically, bowing down and jerking me out of my thoughts. "I swear, I will kill you Vandhit. I said you not to call me bhabhi[Sister-in-law]. For god damn sake I'm just 26, two years younger than you, so shut your crap up", she gritted out. "Ouch!! That hurts", said Vandhit faking hurt, making her facepalm and we all burst out laughing. Right from their confession, he's getting on her nerves and though she shouts, she enjoys bantering with him. 

"Being a single child, I always wanted to be a part of a big family and when I was a kid, I used to pray for the same. Guess what?! God heard me and now I'm a part of this beautiful family. I'm so excited", she squealed.

Time flew, teasing them. The atrocities of Jay Anna and Vandhit were remarkable. Jay Anna didn't leave a chance to flirt with Riddhi Manni[Sister-in-law] and Vandhit being his crime partner was kept on nagging Abhi Anna by saying Jay Anna's trying to woo her. And as they expected, Abhi Anna ended up being annoyed and irritated and these two laughed like maniacs. Boys you know!! But my eyes caught Vanathi. She was restless and was fidgeting with her top.

Once the elders took their leave calling for a nap, I saw Vani moving to her room and I followed her. "What's wrong?", I asked her as we stepped inside the room and she was startled hearing me. "Nah! Nothing", she shrugged off. "Vani, what happened?", came a voice from the door. It was Riddhi Manni[Sister-in-law]. She nodded her head at me and I understood that she too caught Vani being restless. "What's bothering you?", she asked Vani, entering inside the room. And when Vani tried to defend, "No, don't lie. We can see something's bothering you", she said stopping her.

Vanathi slumped on the bed sighing loudly. "I'm feeling nervous", she said, closing her eyes. "Vani, you can't be serious", I said, rolling my eyes. "I am", she whispered. God! Won't she stop being an idiot? "Vanathi, you are just going to meet him and have a friendly conversation. You're not gonna marry him then and there for god sake!", I ranted.

"Em...hold on dear", Manni[Sister-in-law] said, placing a hand over my shoulder to which I nodded. "Kannama[Dearest], this is your day. Wedding day is not the only day for girls. Every new step you take is yours and you have to experience by yourself. Just like Emma said, you are gonna meet him for a friendly talk. Listen, don't look for a partner who'll listen to you in the first place. Look for a partner, who'll not only listen to you but also makes you listen to him. Look for a partner who'll be your best friend and enemy too", she said and our eyes gaped in shock.

"Yes, he should be your best enemy too. The best enemy is someone who'll always have ways to find your faults and the best friend is someone who'll always help you to correct yourself by giving their everything they have. If you don't have an enemy you can't improvise the best version of yourself and if you don't have a friend you can't achieve the best version of yourself. Find the one who points both your fortes and flaws without any hesitation and at the same time, preserving your self-respect. If you find someone with these qualities then trust me, life can't be more beautiful. So you just go, have a heart to heart conversation but don't be the same Vani who was half-hearted in conversations like this. Be yourself, let your mouth, reflect your heart. Then everything would fall in its place", she said patting her head lovingly and Vani hugged her tightly, muttering 'thank you'. And with that, she left the room.

Within minutes we heard Vandhit's scream. We ran out and saw Vandhit shutting his eyes with his hands and shouted, "My virgin eyes!" I saw Abhi Anna shaking his head and Manni[Sister-in-law] facepalming herself. "Why in the hell you shouted?", Vani asked him, resting her hands on her waist. "Get these two a room!! They were hugging", said Vandhit making faces and I felt an urge to beat the shit out of him. "So, what's the big deal?", Abhi Anna asked, smirking and pulling her close to him. "What!! Ridhhi how could you do it for me? You broke my pretty small heart. But I'm happy if you are happy with him", Jay Anna said dramatically, faking hurt. Won't these guys stop their banter?

"Aww...sorry sweetheart", Manni[Sister-in-law] said without missing the beat and Jay Anna smirked in return. "So can this beauty come with me, so that we could have fun?", he asked, winking at her and extending his hand. She grabbed it delightfully and they left the place not before waving at Abhi Anna. He rolled his eyes frowning, seeing them waving at him but soon it changed to a smile once they left. "These two and their ways to make me jealous", he said shaking his head, smiling. "You are not irritated", Vandhit asked amused. "Why would I when I'm enjoying your banter?", he said, shrugging his shoulder but suddenly glared at him.

"You dare to peep inside my room?!" he asked him with a glare and now it was Vandhit's turn to smirk. "Needed privacy to proceed haan?", he asked. "Vandhit, get ready for a ride to hell", Abhi Anna yelled, partially blushing and started to chase him. "Would they ever grow?", I asked Vani, witnessing their catch the mouse game. "You think they would?!", she asked me and I sighed, shaking my head at them.

Soon the dusk arrived and it's time for Vani to meet him. She wore a burgundy colour Kurti, paired with black leggings. Her hair braided neatly with few strands framing her face. She looked beautiful with a maroon colour bindi adorning her forehead and a pair of small jhumkas hanging on her ears. "My bud is looking beautiful", said aunty kissing her forehead and she smiled at her. Aunty left the room, leaving me and Manni[Sister-in-law] with her. "Everything will be fine", Manni[Sister-in-law] assured her, squeezing her hand. I hugged her as I don't know what to say. "Can someone come with me to meet him?", she asked, breaking the hug and we looked at her shocked. "It won't be appropriate Vani. Relax", Manni[Sister-in-law] said but she shook her head.

"What happened?", came Jay Anna's voice. I turned around and saw it was the boys at the door. "Your darling sister needs someone to accompany her", I said rolling my eyes. "Why Kannama[Dearest]?", asked Abhi Anna. "Don't ask me for reasons. I want someone to come with me", she said crossing her arms and jutting her lips. "Vani, how can we be there? It's your day. It's for you, for you to know him", he said, stroking her hair lovingly. 

"I.DON'T.CARE", she said firmly and sat on the bed. "Okay", both the brothers said in unison, sighing. "Vandhit would be coming with you", declared Abhi Anna and we all gasped hearing him, except Vani. Won't it be awkward? He was her ex-husband and partner for Vikas's company.

"It would be hell awkward Abhi", ranted Vandhit. "No, Anna is right. You are coming with me and that's final. No arguments in this", Vani concluded and moved out of the room. "Vandhit, you are her best friend, and you are the one who wishes for her well-being more than us. So it would be better if you go with her. Get ready", Jay Anna said and he left the room, nodding his head. "You guys sure about this?", I asked them, seeing his retreating figure.

"We don't know that", Jay Anna said calmly. "What?!", Manni shrieked. "Though both got rid of their fears, still there is some nervousness in their hearts. They are each other's support system. So, it would be better if he accompanies her. Moreover, we need to make sure about Vikas too. If he and Vani agree to get married, it doesn't mean Vandhit and she would break all their ties. Even after marriage, they would remain the same. So we have to see Vikas's reaction when he meets Vandhit and Vani together. Let's hope for the best", Abhi Anna said looking at the door and I nodded at him. He's right! Marrying Vikas shouldn't affect their relationship.

Within minutes, both left for the restaurant. I saw their retreating car and sighed. This would be her fifth meet regarding the alliance and may this be her LAST ONE.

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Hello family!! Here comes the next chapter of our book. What do you think? Will this be the last time Vani goes for an alliance? Will she face criticism again? Do you think Vani and Vandhit going together will do good for them?

Hehehe...Don't look for our Mr X aka Vikas. He's not coming here today. He is preparing to meet her. You know rehearsals!! 

So let's meet at the next update. Till then...I'm missing that intruder now. 

Anyways, till then, be safe. Bye. Wid love,

Harshini ❤❤