The Kishan house was anticipating the arrival of some special guests very soon.

Mayank was there to help them in the preparations, but importantly for giving his 'best friend' some piece of mind.

"Ishan I'm sorry for lashing out at you yesterday." Mayank spoke in English so that the family doesn't understand.

"It's alright bhai. I thought about your words and...maybe you are right. It would be wrong to force him like that."

"Thank goodness. Finally you got some sense. So when are you thinking of talking to the family?"

"Not now. Or else it would be a great issue, like yours. I should talk to Shubman ji first."

"Oho Shubman ji ki baatein kari ja rahi hai. Aa rahe hain thodi der mein tab seedhe unse hi baat kar lena." Ishan's father smiled at him.

"Ji baba!" Ishan smiled. "Baat to karni hi padegi." It was more of a whisper.

After an hour or so, the awaited guests arrived.

* knock knock *

Shubman entered with his father, mother, grandfather and best friend, Abhishek.

The elder males met with embrace whereas the 'supposed to be' grooms touched the feet of each other's family members.

The shagun kundal were given from Shubman's side in a plate covered with a red silk cloth.

About 15 minutes later, the moment came which was awaited by both Ishan and Shubman.

"Tum dono upar jao aur akele mein baatein kar lo." Ishan's mother nudged him.

Both the boys stood awkwardly and made their way towards the second floor of the house, in Ishan's room.

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"Ishan ji jo baat maine kal kahi thi wo-" Shubman started but was interrupted by Ishan.

"I understand."

"Huh? You do? Matlab me not wanting to marry you, aapko koi problem nahi hai?" Ishan was really convinced!

"Ofcourse not. But please speak lightly. People eavesdrop on future couples."

"Oh right! Sorry! But really?" Shubman practically whispered this time.

"Haan baba really. But....I have two conditions." Ishan sounded serious.

"Conditions?"

"Yeah! The first one: aapko mera dost banna padega. Aur aise hi nahi, forever wala."

"Oh dost? Done." Shubman took a sigh of relief. "Lekin friends spend time with each other."

"Spending time na? College mein we all could be together in breaks. Me, you, Mayank, and you could bring in Abhishek as well, if its alright for you."

"Cool!! Aur doosri condition?"

"You can't break this alliance. Ye shaadi nahi toot sakti."

"I mean, WHAT!? Playing with my emotions, are you?"Shubman got up and started making his way downstairs.

"Listen to me once. Shubman ji just hear me out." Ishan ran after Shubman and caught him in time. "It's not what you're thinking. Dost bola na, to baat bhi nahi sunenge aap?"

"Boliye!" Shubman said while getting into the room again.

"I do care about my friend, matlab aap. Lekin I have to care for my family as well. Unko kaise lagega jab unke bete ki pehli fixed shaadi aise hi toot jayegi, socha aapne? Haan mujhe pata hai bura nahi lagna chahiye, but they are very orthodox."

"Orthodox? Like what?"

"You've met my friend Mayank right? Actually uski shaadi meri sister Ishita ke sath pakki hui hai."

"Shaadi? Mayank ji ki? Ishita se? Isn't she too young?"

"Their marriage was fixed when he was 15 and Ishita, 13."

Shubman could not believe what he was hearing. So he kept quiet.

Ishan continued.

"This is not all. They didn't support Ishita's education. At the end, Mayank had to intervene which Maa doesn't know about. And you know, meri family Mayank ke graduate hote hi unki shaadi karana chahti hai. In just an year."

"Sirf ek saal? And they both are okay with it?"

"Nahi! Unko nahi karni ye shaadi lekin family pressure ke aage kahan kuch bol payenge. That's why I'm telling you ki jo chal raha hai waise hi chalne dete hain."

"Par mujhe nahi karni aapse shaadi.I am in love with someone else."

"I know. Lekin aap mere dost ho na? To bas trust me. In these two years, I'll make sure that our families themselves break this alliance."

"Aur Mayank ji aur Ishita ka kya hoga? Unki bhi shaadi rokni padegi. It won't be right for them."

"Why are you so invested in them? Wait a minute! The person you like is.....is.....Ishita?"

"Arey nahi nahi. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Mujhe bas bura lag raha hai ki unki life unke according nahi chal rahi."

"I believe if you're saying so. To ab jaisa ki hamare Shubman ji ka aadesh hai, dono shaadi rokni hi padegi." Ishan smiled.

"Really! You are the best." Shubman jumped onto Ishan and hugged him. "In this case I might fall for you soon."

"Huh?" A tomato would look less redder than Ishan's cheeks.

"Uh...I didn't say anything." Shubman rubbed his nape.

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"Kya! Wo sachme maan gaye shaadi rokne ke liye?" Abhishek asked Shubman back home.

"Haan! Even I couldn't believe at first. Lekin Ishan ji na kaha ki meri happiness zyada zaroori hai. He's really so sweet you know. Jo bhi unse shaadi karega would be so lucky. Unhone ye bhi kaha ki we all could hang out together in breaks. Aur tujhe to pata hi hai what does it mean!" Shubman was elated.

"What?"

"Sahi mein how dumb you are Abhi. It means ki ab mere paas mauka rahega Mayank ji ke bare mei zyada se zyada pata lagane ka. Aur shayad he starts liking me too."

"Oh. Hm good for you." Abhishek cared for his friend but yeah. "Lekin Mayank ji ki marriage with Ishan ji ki sister?"

"We would try our best to stop that. Ishan ji ne khud kaha." Shubman was smiling like a lovesick puppy.

Is this love for Ishan or Mayank, he will soon know.

"Aur wo aisa kyu karenge?" Abhishek asked, rather innocently.

"Kyuki unhone mujhe apna dost banaya hai aur dosti mein itna to kar hi sakte hain na!"

"Haan right. Congrats to you in advance jaani. Kal college hai, so I have to go. Milte hai kal."

"Haan bye yaar. Kal Mayank ji se bhi to milna hai."

"Uff ye pyaar mein paagal aadmi. He's cute though." Abhishek took a glimpse at Shubman and left for his house.

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The next morning was going to commence a change in the lives of everyone. With the secret crushes and hidden motives, will they be able to navigate through the things meant for them, things destiny has planned out for them or be puzzled while trying to find their answers?

But there is one thing for sure. Amidst all this mess, something good would too knock on their doors very soon.