As the beats of dhols disturbed the peace. All of them rushed outside to find Prashant, Siddhant and Rohan with their better halves and kids dancing along.

Prashant dragged Aarav and Janhavi's father Prasad to dance along. While Sanaya and Anaya pulled Naina, Madhura and even maa chirping happily.

"Abe yaar! Bina dhol, bhangra, beer ke bhi koi shadi hoti hai? Humne socha hum hi shuruwat kare. To chale aaye dhol le kar."

Prashant urged taking a swig of chilled beer from his bottle while dancing, throwing his left hand up shrugging his shoulders.

Papa patted his back smiling broadly as everyone agreed joining in the dance. Maa and papa too danced a little. The kids loved dancing on dhol. Prashant made a video call to Manasvi and Aneesh. Siddhant spoke amidst the ear deafening noise of the dhol beats.

"When are you guys coming? Yaar yaha shadi ki preps start ho gayi hain. Manu ka to samajh aata hai as she is flying from London. Aneesh-Asmi, tum log kab pahuch rahe ho?"

"Two hours me!" Aneesh replied as he was just boarding his flight to Mumbai.

While all others were still enjoying the dance and dhols, the bride and groom to be had arrived.

"Whoa! You'll are already enjoying without us? Not fair daddy-mumma!"

Agastya complaint with a smile. And before anyone could say anything, he was pulled to dance by Rohan and Hridaan. In turn he made Janhavi dance too.

It was a happy, merry time with family and friends rejoicing the union to be. Soon after they all joined for drinks and sumptuous spread of food. Vihaan was on call with Siya as she was upset with him not being there.

"Babe! When are you gonna be here? M already missing ya. Please come soonest."

Vihaan smiled. "Hey prettiness! Stop being upset. M gonna come soon. M too missing yaa and the kisses and cuddles too."

He winked and Siya almost chocked on her momo as Janhavi was standing just next to her. Siya disconnect the call soon and found Janhavi laughing as she nudged her with a wink.

"Aww! My love birds. How cute of Vi. Missing the Kiss and kissing the miss. Ahem ahem! Well, Siya! Do you really feel for him? It's love, right? Not affair or fling?"

Janhavi just thought to check with Siya the seriousness of their relationship, just as any older sister would. She cared for Siya, Aarna, Hridaan just like her own siblings. Siya had tears as she was emotional after talking to Vihaan. Janhavi hugged her.

"I love him Jaanu di! It's not fling for sure. I guess it always was more than friendship but we didn't realise it earlier. I miss him!"

Siya whimpered sharing her heartfelt with Janhavi. Janhavi lovingly consoled her patting her back and wiping her tears with a smile, hugging her.

"Aww! You're so in love my darling. Now stop crying. See, your kajal is smudging." Janhavi wiped the corner of her eyes.

It was almost the evening, Aneesh, Asmi had already arrived. Arjun too had come some time back. They were just chatting when the door bell brought everyone's attention at the entrance. Agastya almost sprinted towards the door finding Kshitij, Riddhi, Amanda, David and Freddie with their bags in hand and smiles on their faces.

"Group hug!" Amanda squeezed everyone squealing with happiness.

Agastya had a broad, bright grin. "Whatta surprise guys! Am I dreaming? Kay, Dave, freddie, Amanda, Rids it's so so so damn good to see you guys. Oh! Please come on in all of you."

Agastya brought all of them inside the living area and introduced all of his friends with his entire framily. It was Janhavi's turn to meet his friends. Agastya introduced Janhavi with pride in his eyes.

Amanda hugged Janhavi as she said with a wink. "Oh! So this is the unfinished business for whom you have declined such a hot and lucrative offer?"

Agastya felt embarrassed. He just chuckled rubbing his nape. Janhavi of course knew about Amanda's liking for Agastya. She was blushing looking at Agastya's reaction. How could Kay not butt in?

"Ya! Just like you had turned down me. Not once but so many times!" And  he rightfully received a punch on his bicep from his darling wife Riddhi. They had been married just three months ago. Agastya was invited but couldn't make it owing to one of his unavoidable business trips to Singapore.

Just then Dave raised a toast opening a bottle of an expensive champagne that Kay had picked up from the airport duty free to announce a surprise.

"So everyone! Please put your hands together for my fiancé, my darling Fred!"

They both showed their ring fingers that had gold bands. It was a pleasant surprise. Fred was little shy as Agastya and Amanda jumped to hug them both.

"Whoa! Another surprise. We are so happy for you guys. Well! How did this happen but?"

Agastya asked Fred, especially as his family was orthodox and he had always feared it. He told the story of how David's mother met and convinced his parents and they finally had agreed to their union just a couple of days before they were to fly to India. How David had been on his knees to propose Fred promising his family to always be there for their darling son, Fred. Fred had tears in his eyes and dramatically sobbed making everyone chuckle.

Although dadi- dadu were not narrow minded, but they had never encountered a same sex love story personally. They had heard and read but never witnessed it personally. They blessed the couple with smiles. Dadi was a little hesitant as she asked mummy in whispers.

"Preeti! Inme ladki wale aur ladke wale kaise decide karte honge? Mata rani! Kalesh hi kalesh matlab?"

She had a valid doubt and Naina could listen to maa asking something genuinely. She nudged maa.

"Maa! Aap bhi. Wo Americans hain. Unka culture alag hai humse. Ab aap kuch mat puchiye. Kisi ne sun liya to awkward ho jayega."

The wedding festivities had begun. The functions had already been decided. The venue had been booked. Janhavi had always dreamt of being a typical maharashtrian bride. She wanted to honour her culture and hence a maharashtrian wedding was decided. Agastya was fine with anything as far as he was getting to live his life with his Jaanu. Having lived in Mumbai, they had been a part of few Maharashtrian weddings but never get to see all the customs. Poorvi was expected to reach the next day.

It was the night time and all the youngsters were making merry on the terrace that was decorated with marigold flowers and sparkling yellow lights. They all were enjoying traditional snacks and drinks. Madhura explained all of them about the snacks and their names, especially to Amanda, Fred and David.

"Ye hai chiwda, tempered beaten rice, this is chakli. Umm! Ab chakli kaise samjhau? Its like spicy coils. Try it. Its very tasty. They are made with pulses and rice mixed with special spices and deep fried. And this is kali-miri sev means gram flour noodles spiced with black pepper."

"Wow! It's all is so damn yum!" Amanda expressed gleefully while chewing and just then, Sanaya almost spilled her wine listening to the 'yum' word. All the others laughed. She was confused looking at the parents laughing and the ladies being shy.

"Did I say something I shouldn't have? Sorry, but why is everyone laughing?" Amanda asked being confused and eager.

Janhavi told her that Sanaya used that particular word for copulation and hence the giggles. Amanda immediately said casually.

"Oh! It's referenced for sex?" And it was time for dadi dadu and other elders to spill their drinks and teas. They were awkward listening to Amanda commenting so casually. They dispersed making excuse. Everyone laughed and Agastya squeezed Janhavi's hand softly.

They all were back at tasting the Indian sweets and snacks with their glasses being refilled. Janhavi's hair were flying with the cool breeze and were coming on her face that she tried to remove a few times while eating. Agastya had been noticing it. He softly removed the tresses away tucking them behind her left ear. His gaze was fixed at her face and especially at her petal soft, plump lips. His fingers gently touched her cheek and the corner of her lower lip.
She smiled and loved how he showed his love in those warm gestures.

She passed him his glass of wine. Agastya held her hand softly while taking the glass making her breath hitch with his intense gaze. He couldn't resist and kissed Janhavi softly pecking on her rosy lips. Kay and Arjun whistled as everyone clapped. Amanda was in aww of them both. She saw how deeply Agastya loved Janhavi. His eyes sparkled and spoke. They needed no words. Their gazes were enough to express. Agastya whispered with a husk in her left ear holding her hand, filling the gap of her fingers.

"Up for a wild, love filled night jaan?"

She was shy but smiled accepting such a lucrative offer. It was 1.30 in the night when all of them dispersed being tired. Janhavi's parents were heading back home but Agastya asked them to let Janhavi stay.

Her parents smiled, patting her cheek and left to the home. Agastya and Janhavi had a romantic night, pleasuring each other and taking each other to the peaks of ecstasy. Their night culminated in each other arms, cuddling to sleep. They were ready, rejuvenated and excited for the hectic wedding days ahead. The wedding festivities were to begin from the next day.

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I know...i know...i am extremely late... unacceptably late...but please maaf kar do yaar... writing needs flow of thoughts. And having a super active toddler...naa takat bach pati hai naa dimag me thoughts ka flow.

Lekin khushi manao ki likh hi diya finally. We are almost in the last lag of our journey. We will wind up this story with a couple of more chapters. Thank you for waiting patiently. And thank you for understanding.

PS: next part won't take this long. I am trying to wrap it up soonest.

HAPPY READING!!
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Love
Shefali 🤩