Author's POV

All's well that ends well...

Nope, our story doesn't end just yet, there is too much more to see in our dear Singh Brothers and our girls' lives.

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The pricking of cut grass on her open toes and the shuffling of senescent leaves under her sandals make Paakhi known of her surroundings.

Swiping the dead leaves off the grave, she gently caresses the headstone.

"I miss you Rags..." Words choke out of her mouth.

Tears tumble down her face as she sits there crying.

A gentle tap on her shoulder brought her to seize her crying.
She takes hold of Viren's hand and makes him crouch beside her.

"Rags, This is Viren, the man I love. I know if you would have been here you would have told him to take care of me but you don't have to worry Rags, he respects and cares for me. He even agrees with me without questioning, he just makes me happy." She smiles through tears.

Viren doesn't say anything just keeps an eye on his wife. He let Paakhi talk her heart out to the man who saved his girl.

"I'm starting a new phase of my life today, I'm a wife now, a daughter-in-law." She chuckles at the end as if she can't believe herself.

"Aditi and Maanu got married too, and Aditi is even pregnant, we are going to welcome a baby in a few months." She explains everything that happened in her life after her last visit.

Viren sits there patiently waiting.

"Now I have to go, but I miss you every day, and keep me in your blessings." She brushes her hand for the last time at the headstone and stands up with Viren's support.

Walking away, Viren turn back for a second and whispers, "I will always protect her,"

A sudden gust of wind and rustling of leaves seemed like an indication of the blessings coming from heaven.

How can a father not be there for his little girl's important day?

"You okay?" Viren asks Paakhi when they both settle back in the car.

Paakhi wipes away her tears and tries to smile.

Viren understands her effort and holds her hand for support.

On the other hand, everyone at Singh Mansion is waiting in the gardens.

Tea is served and snacks are devoured. Melody of delighted laughter and joyous conversations flow around masking everyone's face with a smile.

"Where are you from?" Dev Singh asks Prithvi. Everyone quiets down their chatter and looks at Prithvi.

Abruptly being the center of attraction, Prithvi nervously put down the cookie and smile at everyone.

"When I was around 17 we shifted to Bangalore, before that I lived near Paakhi. We use to visit Rag's cafe often and there Paakhi and I became friends. But when we moved to Bangalore, I forgot about her and everything when I made a new life there." His cheerful tone turns to remorseful. To this day he regrets his action, if he would have not forgotten about Paakhi she would have lived a better life.

Arhaan pats him on the back and Prithvi comes out of his thoughts.

"We often make mistakes in life but what matters is what we do to rectify them." Our wise and caring, Mrs.Tanvi Singh assures.

Prithvi smiles in understanding and makes a promise to always be there for these girls who turned to be more home to him.

His gaze falls on the pretty brunette who happened to have agitated him in a way he can't decipher.

Sana meets Prithvi's gaze but instead of blushing, she feels nervousness spike through her.

Before anything else could happen, the honking of a car at the front gains everyone's attention.

Tanvi Singh is the first one to rush off followed by her family.

"For the love of the lord, where were you both?" She gently chides them.

Viren dismisses his mother's gentle remark and helps Paakhi out of the car.

"Now all six of you, stand side by side but keep a distance between each pair." Tanvi Singh instructs the newlyweds while her staff carries an aarti plate beside her.

She places Kalash full of rice at the entry door frame in front of Paakhi, Maanya, and Aditi.

She then takes the Aarti plate from the maid and stands in front of Paakhi and Viren and performs aarti by circulating the plate in a clockwise direction in front of them.

She then does a similar process with Maanya, Arhaan, and Aditi, Shaurya.

"Now Paakhi, Aditi, and Maanya, gently push the Kalash and enter the house." Mrs.Singh instructs.

Paakhi, Maanya, and Aditi look at each other, and with a gentle smile resting on their faces, they take a step forwards and push the Kalash with rice grains.

(It is from the doorstep that Goddess Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity) enters the house. So when a newlywed bride enters the house, she gently kicks a Kalash full of rice grains to push wealth and prosperity inside the house. Thus with her entry, she symbolizes the entry of good luck, wealth and prosperity.)

Everyone cheer and blessings were endorsed to the newlyweds.

"Now now, I'm famished, let's eat please," Aditi calls out after her stomach growl for the third time.

Everyone chuckles but nod their heads and proceed to the dining area.

"Baby I'm sorry for not knowing you are hungry," Shaurya mumble in Aditi's ear.

She scrunches up her face and scrutinizes him.

Shaurya look appalled by it but doesn't comment as everyone is present at the table.

"Are you okay now?" Viren asks Paakhi.

She passes him a big smile compelling him to return it.

"Finally, I have my wife with me," Arhaan mumbles causing Maanya to chuckle at him.

Conversation flow around, dishes were passed around, the jovial stories were shared. This scene was out of a movie, everyone in that house can feel the happiness around.

Until...

"It all started with Riya and Abhi's wedding," Shaurya recalls with a smile.

"No! It was Pari's Birthday Party." Both Arhaan and Viren interject.

"Good to know when your love stories started," Maira quips causing everyone to laugh.

Paakhi blush and to change the focus from her she asks Riya,

"When is Abhi returning?"

Everyone looks at Riya for an answer when she instantly stands up and looks at Paakhi with hate and declares, "NEVER!" And rush off.

Everyone sits there stunned. No one knew what just happened.

"I-I..." Paakhi stutter appalled.

Viren holds onto her hand and looks at his brothers.

"Umm...we are-" Palak Singh apologizes to the guest and stands up to follow her daughter. Sana follows her.

"We think we should leave now, it's already evening and I would like to rest," Nana Harsh announces.

Abhay, Savita, and Nona stand up to follow him.

"We'll talk later, take care," Nona whispers to Paakhi before leaving.

Viren, Arhaan, and Shaurya take the gifts to the car and depart them.

Walking in brothers see their wives waiting in the lounge room.

Paakhi is on the verge of tears.

"It's okay love," Viren whispers to his wife.

Paakhi looks at him but still worries for Riya.

Seconds pass when multiple footsteps descending the stairs are heard.

Paakhi instantly pulls away from Viren and looks expectantly at the foyer.

Mrs.Tanvi Singh followed by the others enter the room.

Riya looks sadly at Paakhi and rushes over to her.

Seeing Riya rushing forward, Paakhi instinctively opens her arms.

"I'm so sorry Paakhi, I should have never shouted at you," she cries out.

Paakhi gently caresses the back of Riya's head.

"Riya," hearing the authority in Viren's voice she pull back and stare at him.

"We have been patient enough, now tell us what's going on?" Viren inquires.

Riya looks at her brothers and then towards her adjoined hands.

"Bhai-" she takes a deep breath.

Everyone can feel her nervousness.

"When Abhi went to America for his business, we were coy ting days for his return but soon things changed, he stopped returning my calls and then messages. I went to his father and heard that Abhi -" she hold back a sob.

Paakhi and Maanya each hold her hand and Aditi smile encouragingly.

Riya feels a strength seeing her sisters-in-laws with her.

"Abhi married another girl there," she let out those words with a sob. All hell breaks loose when Dev Singh breaks a flower vase.

Everyone turns shocked to see him and Manav Singh standing at the other entrance to the lounge room.

"That Bastard!" Shaurya and Arhaan rush to hold back their furious uncle.

"He dares hurt my daughter!" Dev Singh shouts.

Palak Singh is crying profusely in Sana's arms.

Paakhi feels helplessness and sadness overcome her seeing her family upset.

She gently tugs Riya to the couch, Mrs.Tanvi tugs Palak Singh to the couch.

Paakhi looks around and when spots a maid behind the foyer pillar, she asks her to bring water.

Rushing back to Riya's side, she kneels in front of her and says, "You didn't talk to him?"

Maanya lightly Paakhi and eye her for asking this question.

Paakhi ignores her and focuses on Riya.

"I couldn't reach him," Riya mumble.

"Did you try enough?" She counter asks.

Mrs.Palak Singh seizes her crying and looks at Paakhi.

"Of course!" Riya replies appalled.

"For your information, my daughter is upset right now! She doesn't need your meaningless questions." Dev Singh yells at Paakhi.

Paakhi feels a stab in her heart but doesn't waver from her position.

"Did you guys love each other?" She asks again.

Dev Singh glare at her.

"I did, but -" Riya halt.

"But? He didn't?" Paakhi says.

"He did! I knew he did!" Riya cry out.

"Then why would he do that? Don't you want to know?" Paakhi asks.

"Sitting here, crying and blaming yourself or him won't make anything better. Get up, get your answers and if that man did wrong to you, don't let yourself suffer because he lost a jewel-like you and not You! You deserve better than him," She states.

Everyone stays silent, Singh brothers like Maanya and Aditi have learned that when the understanding Paakhi becomes criticizing one then the person in front needs that.

Mrs.Tanvi and Manav Singh exchange a look, they know that their son has done great, someone like Paakhi will always keep their family together.

"But I-" Riya stutter.

"We are with you!" Aditi smiled encouragingly and whisper in Riya's ear, "You know I will cut his balls for hurting you!"

Riya muffle a laugh,

"We will always support you!" Maanya motivates.

Palak Singh smile gratefully, these girls did more for their daughters than they as parents could ever do.

"Should I go to America?" Riya asks aloud.

"When you are ready," Paakhi smile and pats her hand.

Riya smiles and gathers Paakhi in her embrace. Paakhi smiles and soon they are joined by Aditi, Maanya, and surprisingly Sana.

Everyone smile seeing how these girls worked out the situation.

Dev Singh on the other hand zoom past everyone.

Palak Singh follows her husband to their room.

"Dev? What is this?" She scolds her husband.

Dev ignores his wife and pours himself a glass of whiskey and gulp it down.

Palak lay a comforting hand on his shoulder and feel them tremble.

"I'm a disappointment," he cries.

Palak looks helplessly at her sobbing husband.

"No Dev," she tries to console.

"I failed both my daughters, I failed everyone, I failed you!" He yells standing up.

Palak takes a step back.

"That girl kept speaking bullshit and no one stopped her!" He proclaims angrily.

"Everyone is crazy about her when in reality Reshma Di was right about her. She is manipulating." He exclaims.

Palak Singh instantly realizes that Reshma has talked to Dev and being his sister's dear brother he agrees with whatever she says.

"Dev! If you forgot, that crazy girl saved our Sana! She even helped Riya today, she did what we as parents should have done!" She exclaims angrily and leaves the room.

On the way out she finds Tanvi Singh.

"I was coming to see if everything is okay?" Tanvi Singh smiles portraying that she just arrived, even though she heard everything.

"Yes, He's just a bit upset," Palak says thanking God that Tanvi Singh didn't hear anything.

"So I was coming to wish you night, everyone just departed to their rooms, it was a long day..." Tanvi Singh informs.

They both smile at each other and part ways.

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MAANYA POV

"I remember the first time I set foot in this room," I smile while remembering the day when I visited their house for the Janamashti celebration.

"Yeah, as always I was thinking about you!" Arhaan mumbles taking me in his embrace from behind.

I feel his hot breath on the crook of my neck.

"Do you remember we couldn't finish what we started that day?" He mumbles.

"What?" I ask curiously.

"Something..." He replies nipping the flesh of my neck.

I feel goosebumps as his words strike me.

"You don't remember yet?" He asks biting into my skin.

"Arhaan..."

"I love it when you moan my name," he says resuming his torture.

I hold onto his arms because my legs feel like jello.

"I have waited way too long," he says gently taking my hair and pushing them to one side.

His butterfly kisses ignite a fire within me.

He slowly unhooks my necklace and throws it away and trails kisses to my left ear, he removes my earing and nips at my earlobe.

"Mmm..." The feelings he touches incites excite me.

"Do you like it?" He asks trailing kisses to my right ear and removing my other earring too.

"I need an answer!" He bites into my skin.

"Yess..." I shakily reply and feel him smile.

"Now tell me, my dear wife, what do you want?" He backs away and turns me around.

Looking at the ferocity in his eyes and a smirk resting on his lips.

"You!" I declare.

His smirk morphed into a full-blown smile and he pulls me to himself and slam his lips into mine.

His hands are everywhere all at once, tracing the outline of my body from top to bottom.

Unable to resist the intoxicating pull of him, I wind my arms around his neck and return the embrace.

My legs turn to liquid as he opens his mouth to let me in.

I don't know what happens next but I know one thing that this is going to be a long night.

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ADITI POV

"Okay, now will you tell me why are you being so annoyed with me today?" Shaurya twirl me around just as we reach his room.

I roll my eyes at him and try walking away.

"No! You aren't going anywhere without telling me what did I do wrong?" He inquires.

He snakes an arm around me and pulls me towards him.

I look into his big beautiful eyes and awe.

"Answer me and don't look at me like that!" He declares.

"Like what?" I pry stuffing a smile.

"Like you want to fuck me!" He announces with a smile and rolling of his eyes.

"That I do!" I pull him forward by the collar of his shirt and kiss him.

He kisses me back and I blindly undo the button of his shirt, needing to feel his skin against yours.

I run my fingers over the smooth planes of his stomach, drifting to the waistband of his pants.

Shaurya's hand snakes between my thighs, teasing me just enough to bring a heady flush to my cheeks.

"Love, if you need me to continue this, tell me what's wrong?" He whispers in my ear.

"Now?" I ask annoyed.

He smirks and lightly nods his head, his hand still resting between my thighs.

I glare at him and try to pull him forward but he resists and moves his fingers inciting a spike of pleasure.

"Shuarya!" I warn.

"Just tell me..." He pursues touching me again.

"Okay," I huff.

" I don't want you to change Shaurya, I don't want the relationship we had to change. It was special, it was different from others." I confess.

"What changes?" He asks appalled.

"You don't have to become a cheesy partner. You just be yourself and love us." I say stroking my stomach.

"I thought you might think I'm not caring compared to my brothers." He mumbles sadly.

"If I wanted your brothers I would have chosen one of them but I like you, idiot!" I kiss him.

He pouts but kisses me back.

"Now show me the hot jerk I fell in love with!" I chuckle.

"Aye, Aye captain!" Just as he utters those words I feel my panties shift.

"Shaurya!" A moan leaves my mouth as his fingers wander.

He slowly and gently lay me on the bed and say, "I love fucking you!"

I chuckle remembering the first time we said I love you to each other, "I love fucking you too!"

With a gleam in his eyes, he stares at me with a sly smirk.

"Let the fun begins..."

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PAAKHI POV

"Here," I turn to see Viren offering me a cup.

"Thanks," I smile gratefully.

He places a kiss on my forehead and settles beside me.

I cuddle into his side and take a sip of my coffee.

"I'm glad you liked something in my room," Viren chuckle as we both look at the starry sky from his balcony.

"I love your extravagant bedroom," I say.

"But?" He pries and I chuckle.

"But, it looks so expensive, I'm even afraid to sit on the bed knowing that bedsheet costs more than any dress in my wardrobe," I confess.

"Love, I don't know what I can do to make you comfortable about my rich life, but I can tell you again and again, that all this is yours as much as it's mine." He says holding my hand.

"And about the bedroom, you can change it the way you like it, but please no red or pink or green or yellow!" He negotiates.

I chuckle and look up at him, "I was thinking about baby blue?"

His eyes go wide but he nods slowly as if it's paining him to agree with me.

"As you like..." I burst into laughter at his expression.

He stares at me as I get up and stand in front of him and pull his cheeks.

He instantly grabs my hand and pulls me forward.

I land into his lap and our faces an inch away.

Our breathing blends as we inhale and exhale simultaneously.

"Paakhi..."

"Viren..."

We mumble each other's names and inch closer.

I feel something fluttering in my stomach, a feeling so unknown yet so familiar excites me.

As our lips connect, everything booms. That fluttering intensifies and I feel the heat rising within me.

I wrap my arms around his neck as he settles his hands at my waist. Unexpectedly, he stands up and lifts me.

I pause my kissing because of surprise but Viren doesn't halt.

He takes me to the bed and lays me down.

Just as he crawled over me, there is a knock at the door.

He groans at the crook of my neck but gets up.

I sit up and smooth my hair and clothes.

He opens the door and comes back with a plate of cookies.

He glares at the plates with such intensity that if looks could kill, they would burn in flames.

I get up and take one from the plate he's holding and say, "thanks for the dessert,"

His head jerks up and he moves forward to grab my hand but I jump away with a laugh.

"Good night love," I announce walking towards my side of the bed and laying down.

"Bloody cookies!" I hear him mumble and hear the clanking of a plate as he put it down and joins me in the bed.

Seconds later, I feel a hand drape over me, and I inch back till my back curves into Viren's front.

With a smile on my face and butterflies still in my stomach, my eyes slowly droop and I fall into slumber.

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