A/N

Hey guys!

So here's the next update! And a long one!

Happy reading!

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Swayam's POV

I can't say what I am feeling right now. I am the happiest person when I think about the marriage but also the most tensed when I think about feelings of my Sharon. What to do!? I quickly went into my room and looked for my mobile. Finding it on the bedside table, I dialled Rey's number and he picked up at the last ring...

"Hello? Who is it? What is it!? Why are you calling so late at night?" Rey replied from the other end, he sounded irritated and sleepy. I saw time and it was just 12:40 in the night. He slept so early? That's a news.

"I want to meet you right now" I said him, exiting my room and going downstairs.

"What!? Bro it's 12:40 in the night, please no jokes and let me sleep" saying so, he cut the call not allowing me to reply. Shaking my head, I took my car keys and left for his house. After reaching there, I again called him but he didn't pic up. I tried once again and he answered on the fifth ring. God this man...

"Who the hell is this!? Calling again and again in the middle of the night!" He shouted irritated at the other end.

"Open the door, I am in front of your house" I said him calmly, walking towards the door of his bungalow

"What!?" He asked, still sleepy. God! This man and his sleep. He should marry his sleep only, for lifelong undisturbed rest.

"Come open the door right now, I am not joking..." I said him raising my voice a bit and I heard a groan and shuffling sounds from the other side. Finally he got up! After whole 2 minutes of standing in front of his door, I heard the click sound and the door opened. I didn't wanted to ring the bell because his parents might get disturbed. He stood there in his track pants, his mouth half open yawning, hair completely messed up and his one hand rubbing his eye. He looked like a total baby who was forced to get up!

"So you are really here" he said after he looked at me completely and stifled a yawn. How much does this creature sleep? Without saying him anything, I walked past him into his house and sat on the the couch in the living room. He went to the kitchen, poured a glass of water for himself, drank it and took a seat in front of me.

"What is the reason that you have disturbed my beauty sleep so passionately?" Rey asked raising his eyebrows but his eyes looked red. I contemplated on the idea of chatting with him right now. Is he in his complete senses? Should I talk to him or not?

"I swear if this is not important or is one of your self-made problems of life, then I..." He started irritated, seeing no reply from my side but I cut him off saying,

"I am marrying Pia" he immediately stopped his rant and looked at me shocked.

"Come again?" He asked, not believing what I said.

"Pia and me are marrying" I said looking at him this time.

"But why and how?" He asked me frowning and I took a deep breath. I said him everything that happened yesterday and today. I looked up at him after telling everything only to see him smiling at me and frowning at the same time.

"What is that look of?" I asked him.

"I don't understand! You must be the happiest person but here, you are sitting in front of me as if you are about to go to jail for a crime you commited earlier. Why so serious bro?" He asked me and I closed my eyes to control my frustration. Sometimes he understands me when I didn't even utter a word and sometimes, he acts so dumb! Actually I learnt a lesson today, that to never wake this sloth up at night to talk anything serious. His brain doesn't work at all.

"I felt as if I am cheating by marrying her as Pia especially when she isn't aware of her past, but I talked with mom and my doubt cleared... The main thing bothering me is, she rejected me Rey. She rejected me as soon as she got to know that I was the one who came to see her. That's a whole different thing that her mom and Sid will make her accept this proposal and that's another guilt of mine, but she doesn't like me. She rejected me. I am afraid she will be forced into this marriage and she might not be happy... I... I don't know what to do" I said him all my thoughts and buried my face into my palms, my hands resting on my knees. The thought of her rejecting me hurts like hell. I felt his presence beside me a hand rubbing my back. I rubbed my face and looked up at him.

"I understand what you are feeling... But I know for a fact that she likes you" he said smiling at me.

"How are you so confident?" I asked him, my voice hoarse. He smacked my head with his hand making me Yelp. I rubbed that place where he slapped.

"Remove the blinds from your eyes dude. Say me which girl in the world will not slap you if you kissed her and behaved shitty after that unless and until she likes you and you have a special place in her heart?" Rey replied and my mouth hung open. I am shocked. Did he actually see us or he is just bluffing?

"Did you... Did you see us?" I asked him gulping and he chuckled seeing me.

"Ofcourse dude, what do you think? Who called you due to which you broke the kiss? It was me right? And I had purposely called you out loudly so that you won't regret later because at that time, you love someone else and I didn't know that that someone is Pia herself... I thought you will regret it later and stopped it before it was late" he explained further and I looked at him in disbelief!

"No privacy" I mumbled under my breath, looking away.

"No, no dude... There's no word called privacy between two best friends! Especially when the best friend knows when the other wants some privacy and space" he said making me look at him and he winked at me. I couldn't help but smile at him. He is the best one could ever get!

"But don't you dare say anything about this to anyone!" I warned him and he made a action of zipping his mouth and throwing away the key.

"Believe me, I can see that she likes you. I don't know why she rejected you today. You must ask her once I feel? Then she might tell you the reason behind it" Rey said after sometime and I nodded.

"As far as her being forced into this marriage is concerned, she is not a kid to be manipulated. It must be her own decision and this is the right thing for her even if she is not happy in the beginning. You are the one who has to make this work. You can make this marriage work and clear her doubts. Make her believe that this isn't a forced one for her and she can actually be happy with you. Talk it out with her and sort everything between you guys" Rey added.

"Yeah, you do have a point there..." I replied, thinking about his words. We sat there for a while in the silence but it struck me that it is midnight already and I am at Rey's house, disturbing him. I stood up and eased my shirt, turning to him.

"Okay then, I will take a leave. It's late and you must get back to you sleep I guess" I said to him and he cursed me something, inaudible making me chuckle and he too stood up. I know he is mad at me for disturbing his sleep. I hugged him tightly, taking him by surprise.

"You know you are the best? Thank you so much for being there for me..." I said him, pating his back.

"Err... Dude? As much as I loved the appreciation, you know I am not your wife right? So please, leave me and let me breathe!" He replied choking trying to push me and I pulled out glaring at him.

"Idiot!"

"I heard that" Rey said and I realised I had said it loudly.

"It was meant to!" I replied back and turned to leave but he held my shoulder. I turned back facing him.

"I want to say you something..." He dragged and sighed. This is something serious.

"Look Swayam, I already said that you have to make this work and win her trust but I will say you one more thing. Please don't freak her out suddenly" Rey said meeting my eyes and I frowned.

"Say clearly what do you mean" I said to him.

"Listen, Pia, who is your Sharon is already used to your cold side and is aware about your past love, though she doesn't know anything in details. She might find something fishy if you immediately become a Romeo forgetting your past love in front of her right? Talk to her but don't freak her out. Let go of this cold and tough masked Swayam, but gradually in front of her. I hope you are understanding what I am trying to say..." Rey explained and I nodded. He is right. I can't freak her out suddenly with my love. Seems like a lot of acting is lined up from now on!

"Understood! Thanks bro and bye now!" I said after sometime and left for my house. Seems like a talk due from a long time with her is to be done at the earliest! Think Swayam, think of something that you can say her and that won't be lying and you can even change in her eyes...

Third person's POV

There was a lot of hustle bustle in Mehra's house right now and the reason? The reason is that today the family priest is coming to their home to decide and fix a date of Pia's and Swayam's marriage. Well, this still isn't digested with Pia, but she is trying her best to go with the flow and keep her poking thoughts at a bay. Trying to be as normal as possible.

Pia also felt a little bad that he didn't feel important enough to contact her once, atleast when he too agreed to marry but she also understood that he might need sometime alone. And moreover, she has to talk with him today anyhow, she thought.

"Pia! Why are you standing idle there? Come help me out" her mom called out from the kitchen and she strode there, rolling her eyes.

"Pia check it's taste and say me what to add or its good" Avantika said removing a morsel size of the sweet dish into a small bowl and forwarding it to Pia. As soon as she put that in her mouth, she moaned closing her eyes.

"It's perfect mum!" Pia replied licking the spoon off its remains which made her mother glare at her.

"What?" She asked putting the spoon into the sink and her mom just shook her head knowing it will be waste of time telling her how to behave.

"Go get ready soon. Swayam's parents will be here in sometime and the priest too" Avantika ordered Pia, pushing her out of the kitchen.

"The person who's marriage is going to be fixed, he himself isn't coming" Pia mumbled but her mom heard it, making her smile.

"Already missing someone?" Avantika asked wiggling her eyebrows and Pia frowned. Then it dawned upon her what she is talking about.

"What? No! I... I am not! Why will I? I just said it like that..." Pia replied stuttering a bit.

"Leave it. You won't understand it now, but as time will pass, you will know it" her mom said, getting back into the kitchen and Pia went to her room.

After sometime, Pia came downstairs to see that Sadhna and Rishi were already there, along with his sister Taani but he was missing. Even the family priest was already present there. She wished them and sat there with everyone.

All were discussing things about the marriage and it's date while the priest was busy doing his calculations to find the appropriate dates. Just then, Swayam entered smiling happily. His entry wasn't missed by Pia who had a part of her attention completely on the main doors. She looked up as soon as she felt someone come and she smiled unknowingly seeing him smile.

Swayam stopped in his tracks, quickly fixing his expressions seeing that Pia was looking at him. Swayam tried to hide his smile for her but ended up smiling at her which made her heart flutter. The other family members by now, we completely enjoying this wordless communication between these two. Taani cleared her throat breaking their staring competition and both looked here and there, embarrassed.

"Well, we didn't know you were coming Swayam" Sadhna remarked smirking slightly.

"Uhh... But you said you will be happy if I come right? My mother would say something and I wouldn't follow it? How's that possible?" Swayam said pleading his mom through his eyes to just accept this fake reason and rest the matter here. Sadhna understood her son like always but wanted to tease and trouble him a little.

"Oh really? I didn't know that actually... From when did you start caring about what I wish for?" She asked further folding her hands and trying to put up a serious questioning expression.

"Looks like my presence was not at all needed here. Fine! I have work and I will leave now" Swayam said coldly and turned around to leave. As soon as he took few steps, everyone burst out laughing. Swayam smirked thinking his trick worked and turned around only for his gaze to be stuck on one person. Pia was laughing so heartily there that he forgot to say them about his trick. If her happy laugh is what he would get in return, he would always be ready to be so dumb and foolish. Suddenly out of nowhere Sid came in front of him and hugged him.

"Welcome bro! So happy to see you like this. You scared me yesterday!" Sid whispered in his ears while hugging.

"Even I was scared too. But now I am not" Swayam mumbled back and pulled out. Swayam wished everyone present there and took a seat across Pia. The priest reached to a conclusion and demanded everyone's attention.

"I have seen their horoscopes and according to them, they are made for each other" the priest said in a serious tone making both of them, Pia and Swayam look at each other at the same time. Swayam could read that Pia's happy today but hesitant too. Their trance was broken by the priest again.

"And the best auspicious day for the marriage would be this Saturday i.e. 5 days from now. Or else no dates are available for future until a year" he said making Swayam very restless thinking what if Pia would ask for the later date? How would he survive so many days?

"It's okay then, we are fine with any date" Pia's mom said, mentally pating her back to come up such a great idea to speak to the priest to give the nearest date possible and to create a scene like it is now.

"Even fine with any date, what the kids say?" Rishi said and asked Pia and Swayam. Swayam was so happy hearing the nearest date and was about to say his approval of the date but before he could say a word, Pia interrupted.

"I would like to talk to Swayam, alone" Pia said looking at Swayam.

"Ofcourse you should" Avantika said. Swayam took a deep breath getting up. Though he was happy, he was nervous too. He remembered each and every word that Rey had said to him yesterday and he didn't know what to talk. The talk he had been running from had come to him from the front this time.

He followed Pia to the backyard and they both sat on the huge wooden swing in silence. Here, Swayam was hell nervous on how to start a talk whereas Pia was cursing herself about what was she thinking before saying she wanted to talk? Ofcourse she wanted to talk, but this felt so weird to her...

" Swayam...?" Pia called him out but looking in ahead in the front.

"Hmm...?" Swayam replied in a questioning tone, turning to her.

"Are you okay with this marriage?" She asked taking him by surprise. He didn't expect her to question that.

"Before that, first I would like to know why did you reject me yesterday as soon as you saw me? Looks like you are not happy with this?" Swayam questioned her back.

"No it's not like that... It's just..." Pia turned to him and started to say but stopped when she realised what she said. She indirectly said she is happy for what's happening. She mentally face-palmed herself. What will he think of her?

"It's just... What?" Swayam asked trying hard to hide his smile, already understanding what she was saying. Pia looked away immediately, biting her lips and she stood up suddenly.

"I know you already love someone else and you aren't marrying me by your own wish" Pia said it in one go and took a deep breath realising finally she said it. Here Swayam didn't know what to say. She was the very same girl he loves but how can he say that to her?

"Is this why you rejected me?" Swayam asked lowly and Pia nodded slightly. Swayam felt his heart will explode with happiness thinking she thought of him all the time ignoring her own wish. Pia was nervous, thinking what should she say next so both remained quite for sometime and strolled to the flower bushes along the boundary. They walked in silence, side by side but not looking at each other. They didn't understand how to break the silence since Swayam recalled Rey's words of not freaking her out and Pia didn't know how to break it.

"Look Swayam..." Pia initiated and stopped in her track, turning to face him. Swayam too turned towards her, putting up a serious face but couldn't help the twinkle in his eyes. He just hummed in response, indicating her to go ahead.

"I know you won't love me like you already do Sharon, ever! You don't have to do this..." Pia said looking here and there. It was hurting her much more than she expected, by speaking those words in front of him. 'You are my Sharon, Pia' Swayam said it in his heart, helpless about not being able to speak that out loud.

"Pia listen..." He started but Pia cut him off saying,

"No you listen. I know you agreed to this because of your mom. You need not do this for her. You will not be happy in here..." Her rambling was cut off by Swayam again.

"Wait... Listen to me Pia..." Swayam was again cut in between by her.

"No! This is not right. I know it's a business deal for you, nothing else but still, it's not right. But even I can't reject you now. I don't want you to be bounded with me without love and with no chance of any love either... I will say to everyone inside that..." Pia was ranting, not even realising that her eyes are moist already but Swayam couldn't take it anymore and he quietened her by placing his finger on her lips. She immediately froze at the contact and feeling his presence so close by.

"Sshhhh... Will you let me speak atleast once?" Swayam asked looking into her eyes this time and she nodded vigorously. She was eyeing the finger kept on her lips which was creating a havoc inside her and she silently prayed that he would remove that soon. He immediately retreated his hand, looking at her eyeing it every now and then. He took a step back and Pia let out a breath she didn't know she was holding till now.

"Pia it's true that I love Sharon and I won't lie in that matter to you. Not atleast now" he said and Pia nodded, controlling her emotions from scattering everywhere. It broke her heart even more if that was possible by hearing those words from him.

"It's okay. I understand" she said and was about to move away from him when Swayam held her hand and stopped her. He took two steps closer to her, still holding her hand.

"But you must also know something else" Swayam added making her frown.

"She is not going to return Pia. She left me alone long ago and let's accept the fact that I was living in an unreal world till now" Swayam said further, measuring each and every word he spoke. He can't freak her out, but atleast he can take a step closer right? Pia was speechless, not believing what she was hearing.

"I thought about this whole day yesterday and I... I... I don't know how to say this" Swayam stuttered and looked away. It was tough to lie for him about the person he loves, in front of the very person he loves. Pia squeezed his hand, holding it back silently saying that she is there to hear. He immediately looked back at her and then their hands and then back at her.

"I want to move on from her" Swayam said and sighed deeply, looking sideways. He cursed himself in his mind for saying those words, even if was a lie.

"You sure?" Pia asked after a few seconds of eyeing him. She was completely shocked by his new revelation. Swayam just nodded and looked down, at their intertwined hands.

"Help me, will you?" Swayam asked her looking up at her. Pia stood there numb after hearing what he said.

"Will you Pia?" Swayam asked taking a step closer to her, bringing her out of her trance. Pia nodded her head vigorously, not trusting her words at this moment. She felt wetness on her cheeks and she realised that some of her traitor tears have flown down. She wiped them off with her free hand and nodded again, a million dollar smile playing on her lips. She looked at Swayam and saw that he was also smiling along with her.

"Thank you" Swayam replied, widening his already wide smile making her chuckle.

"Let this marriage be as it is for now. Let's start with being friends? I will eventually try my best from my side and give this marriage a chance" Swayam said further, making sure she wasn't freaked out by his sudden change of feelings. He tried his best to make it look as normal as possible.

Pia simply hugged him, taking him by surprise. She rested her head on his shoulder and just hugged him with everything she was feeling at that moment. Joy, happiness, blessed, she couldn't name any particular feeling. Swayam hugged her back after recovering from the shock. He felt at home in that moment. He felt happy. He felt complete! Swayam too wiped a happy tear that escaped his eyes. He couldn't say how emotional and happy he was feeling right now. They eventually pulled out after sometime.

"Let's go inside? Everyone must be waiting" Swayam asked her, though he never wanted this moment to end. Everything seemed like a dream. He couldn't believe he was going to marry his Sharon again. Pia too couldn't believe this was happening in real with her. She just thought of going with the flow for now.

"Yes, we must go" Pia said and they both went inside. Back in the hall, everyone were tensed as to what they would be talking so long and whether their plan would work or not. Seeing them walk back, they all looked at both of them with eyes full of hope.

"We are ready" both said at a time, amusing each other, making them look at each other and smile. Seeing this, everyone burst into happiness and started congratulating each other, hugging with each other.

"So when is the wedding?" Avantika asked the priest once everyone were settled down, for a final decision.

"This Saturday is fixed then?" Priest asked.

"Great!" Taani replied clasping her hands in excitement. She was so happy for her brother. He was finally going to get his happiness back. They sat there discussing about the dates of various rituals to be performed before the wedding since they had a very less time now.

Just then, Rey entered the room, whistling. He stopped in his tracks seeing everyone there and especially Pia and Swayam sitting side by side and talking with others. Simmi bumped him from behind since he stopped abruptly and hit him hard for that.

"Where do you see and walk idiot!?" Simmi scolded him and looked up at everyone. Soon one after the other, everyone from the team came there.

"What's going on here without us?" Vicky asked gaining the attention of all. Pia and Swayam were confused as to what they are doing here since they didn't call them. Rest of the family were happy and relaxed because now the work could be divided easily.

"I called them all" Sid clarified coming towards them and hugging Rey and others.

"That's the only good thing you did I must say" Avantika remarked making everyone chuckle lightly and Sid glared at her. All the group members were confused except Rey because he knew what is going on here.

"What's up guys and why are both the families here? Simmi asked next eyeing everyone curiously.

"We are getting married" both Pia and Swayam said at the same time again and looked at each other and smiled again! Thinking don't know what's up with them today. The whole group gasped hearing this, bringing them out of their trance and look at everyone. All stood there, some with 'you got to be kidding' faces, some with 'are you serious?' faces and some with 'really?' faces!

"Oh my god! When did this happen!?" Rinni was the first one to freak out and she came in front and strode towards them, hugging Pia. Pia was awkward as she didn't know how to react but hugged her back.

"Someone say me this is a joke" Kriya exclaimed folding her hands and putting up a I am serious look.

"Can somebody please explain?" Amar asked out of confusion.

"We want to know everything!" Nil demanded, making a angry face. Everyone in the family except Pia and Swayam looked at each other thinking of what to say to them. They wanted to include them in their plan, but couldn't risk it getting to the ears of Pia and Swayam. Sid cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention and he explained to them everything that happened yesterday and what was happening now.

The group was shocked except Rey. They didn't expect this to happen ever. More than Pia agreeing to marry, it shocked them on how did Swayam agree to this marriage given his love for some girl who left him. They were speechless and some settled down quietly in the living room, at wherever they got place to sit. Rey, Simmi and Kriya were standing behind the couch of where Pia and Swayam were seated.

"It looks like you all are not happy?" Avantika asked frowning.

"No, no, aunty. It's nothing like that. It's just that this news shocked us" Simmi replied to her on behalf of all.

"So come out of shock now! Help us decide things and all. We are left with very short time for all the preparations and we ourselves have an event managing team here. I expect great quality of work" Sadhna ordered them playfully and everyone got busy, happily deciding what and when and where of the wedding. The whole group was so engrossed in the discussion of the grand wedding they themselves decided that they didn't find it important or rather say, didn't remember to ask the couple themselves of their preferences.

Here, Pia and Swayam were sitting them, without a word seeing how a completely silent room few moments earlier has now been converted into a fish market with everyone speaking up. They both looked at each other and understood that they are thinking the same thing. Swayam gestured her to go ahead and Pia cleared her throat. Noticing no one noticed her, she cleared her throat loudly. Yet, no one heard that. She coughed slightly to which, Sid turned towards her and said,

"Pia drink water if you are feeling irritation in your throat" and by handing a glass of water kept on the table to her, he turned back into the discussion.

"Everyone listen!" Pia shouted making everyone go silent. They were looking at her questioningly and Pia was happy that finally their attention was on her.

"Both, we and Swayam don't want a grand big fat wedding. We just want a simple wedding with necessary rituals with just the close friends and families involved" Pia said and Swayam nodded beside her in agreement.

"Here we go! You guys are not even engaged, being married is far away and you started talking on behalf of him already?" Rey asked smirking to Pia, teasing her, earning a glare from both, Pia and Swayam making him look here and there as if he didn't just made the comment and made the atmosphere awkward for both of them.

"Yes, we want just a simple wedding, without anything over the top. Do you have any problem with that?" Swayam said and asked Rey, looking towards him raising his eyebrows.

"No. Not at all! Why will I have problem? I am the most happy person here!" Rey quickly defended himself afraid of Swayam, making everyone chuckle at him. Rey immediately huffed in anger for making fun of him but he too smiled seeing both, Pia and Swayam laughing together.

"Okay. We will keep it a low scale if you both wish so..." Avantika said but her voice was laced with a bit of sadness. She had huge dreams for her daughter's wedding.

"Mom, please understand? We have a lot of work at office with the new contract in hand. We both don't want a grand wedding..." Pia tried to explain.

"Yes aunty. Also, I don't want any media attention on our wedding. If we make it a grand event, many reporters will try to cover it and it will result in a mess of everything. Let's keep it a private affair? Just close families and friends?" Swayam too explained and Avantika seems to understand both their points. She nodded smiling and stood up.

"But there will be no compromise on the rituals and functions to be done. Even if we have to do three rituals in a day, you both will have to do, agree?" Avantika asked folding her hands and looking down at them.

"But mom..." Pia started but Swayam cut her off saying,

"Ofcourse aunty. We will" he smiled in the end shocking everyone but they were happy on the whole.

"Okay. I will bring snacks to eat. You guys continue" saying so, Avantika walked towards the kitchen. Soon she returned with two maids with plate full of delicacies and everyone just jumped on it.

After lot of discussions on the wedding should be as per Rajput culture or Punjabi, it was decided that the wedding would be as per the Punjabi rituals as Mehra's were Punjabis and Swayam's family agreed too. Eating, laughing, teasing and discussing, they finally decided what's to be done when.

So everything was decided. Roka and engagement would be tomorrow and the day after would be a day gap for shopping and arranging everything. The third day, i.e. Thursday would be Mehndi and the day next would be Sangeet jointly. The haldi would be on the day of wedding with all the other wedding day rituals and wedding would be in the evening.

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A/N

So, did you guys like it?

I am not satisfied with what I have written here. I don't know what I wrote! It was a more filler kind of chapter with nothing interesting.

But, are you guys excited for the wedding? I am!!! I am not a Punjabi, but a South Indian. Honestly I love the Punjabi rituals and culture of a wedding so basically, I will write no details of the rituals here.

I am writing only what Google fed me with! If anyone of my reader feels that a particular thing is wrong in here, feel free to correct me.

Please do comment your views on this chapter...

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