Vakratund mahakay, suryakoti samaprabha,

Nirvighnam kurumedeva, sarvakaryeshu sarvada.

The chanting of the mantras could be heard from a distance of the Lord Shiva temple in Delhi.

"Arre bhai, ye phool teri shaadi me nahi, meri bhai ki shaadi me lgane hai. Jaldi jaldi haath chala. Aur ha, ye phoolo ki ladiyan sahi se lga dena mandir ke upar, aur do gulab ki malayein andar Mahadev aur Parvati ji pr chada aana. Ab kya muhurat nikalu kaam krane ka, jaldi ja!" An over excited yet over confused voice of Pushkar could be heard. Why not, when his childhood inspirational pair are gonna tie in a sacred bond today. He was instructing the whole clan who had arrived to decorate the temple, yet getting confused everytime he was assigned an additional task.

"Pushkar! Mera makeup zyada loud to nahi lag raha na?" Vandy's chirpy voice made him smack his head.

"Bhabhs, aapki awaz se km loud hai. Ab please mujhe zara decorations dekhne dijiye." He, without waiting for response, went towards the worker to direct him his work leaving Vandy with her mouth wide-opened.

"Pushkar puttar, ye bta, wo khane me kachori aur samose to rkhwa diye na, aur ha paneer me aur dal me variety bhi, aur sun wo gajar ka halwa zara.." Yes, guessed it right. It was our ever- foodie Lalaji asking Pushkar for the food menu as if he was to marry.

"Papa, yaha mandap ka kaam krana hai aur aapko khane ki padi hai? Acha ek kaam kro, aap na yaha ye mandap me panditji ko jo saman chaiye wo lake do, main zara bhaiya ko dekh aau" Again, without waiting for a response, Pushkar tried to go to Shravan's room which was in the guest house near the temple. The keyword being  tried.

"Pushkar puttar, ye meri sari ka rang sahi hai na? Wo main soch rahi thi, thoda normal hi rahu, theek hai na?" Asked Kamini who was already loaded with tons of makeup.

"Arre mumma, Sumo bhi aapke saamne feeki lagegi. Ab zara main bhai ke paas hoke aata hu." Pushkar said hurriedly and went towards the guest house.

"Pushkar! Wo andar Nirmala ne gifts taiyar kiye hain, zara tum unhe mandir me rkhwa do. Main zara pandit ji se puch ke aata hu kitne bje ka muhurat hai." Can Pushkar deny his sir for anything? Hell No! He went to Nirmala with tired steps and kept all the gifts in the temple, finally going towards Shravan's room.

"Pushkar..zara" Varun tried to say something.

"BASSS!! Pushkar na ho gya, bandar ka bachha ho gya. Ek kartab dikha, kbhi dusra kartab dikha. Koi robot nahi hu. Tabse Shravan bhaiya ke kmre me jane ki koshish kr rha hu pr aap log jane hi nhi de rhe. Arre bhai smjho, mujhe untk pahochna padega, warna agar wo ache ni lge to Sumo mujhe sach ka bandar bnake chhodegi." Without listening anymore, he went towards Shravan's room.

"Kamaal hai! M bhi to Shravan ke room me jane ki hi bol rha tha. Lgta hai shaadi ke kaam kra kra ke ise khud bhi shaadi ka mann ho chala h. Hmm.." Varun murmured, shrugged his shoulders and then went outside.

Finally Pushkar was in Shravan's room but not for helping, for the purpose of resting. Here Shravan was murmuring in nervousness, searching for one thing or the other, and Pushkar was lying on bed with a sweet smile, hands behind the head.

Shravan kicked him due to which he fell on the floor screaming "Ouuuu"

"Kya bhaiya, ek to aapke shaadi ki itni taiyariyan krwa raha hu, aur aap ho ki mujhe maar rhe ho. Kuch to sharam kro, warna pura badla liya jaega."

"Acha? Kya krega tu? Sumo ko bhagake le jaega?" Shravan asked irritatingly.

"Nahi nahi, uss defective piece ko to aap hi sambhalo. Mujhe usko bhagake apni zindagi barbad krne ka koi shauk nahi hai." Pushkar said with hands joined and Shravan stifled a laugh asking "K..Kyu?"

"Arre bhaiya kabhi dekha hai use? Normal ladkiyon se moti, lambi aur pta hai kitna khaati hai? Mujhe to darr lgta hai uska PCT ka dhanda na band ho jae, jitna khana bnati hai, aadhe se zyada to khud hi kha jati hai! Aapke liye karwa chauth ka vrat rkhne se pehle subha uthke agar usne pehlwano jitna khana nahi khaya na to bolna! Aur ladkiyon wale to koi gun h hi nhi usme, mtlb hr waqt apna tomboy avatar lake kaam krati rehti hai mujhse, ab btao kya m use bhaga..Aaaaaaa" He stopped and hissed when felt his ear twisted.

"Pushkar ke bache, tujhe shaadi ni krni shayad. To pehle hi bol deta, m tera muh todne me itna waqt ni lgati." Our Sumo was back in her Sumo style.

"Yaar Sumo! Bache tb honge jb tu meri shaadi hone degi, aur ek kaan wale insan se shaadi koun krega? aur tu yaha kya kr rhi h, shaadi se pehle dulha-dulhan ka milna not allowed." Pushkar tried to save himself.

"Ek kaan wale se kre na kre, koi ladki agar andhi hogi na to bhi tujh jese bandar se shaadi na kre, aaya bda meri buraiyan krne wala!" Sumo said gritting her teeth.

"Sumo chhod yrr, tujhe apne hone wale pati ki kasam." Pushkar played his bramhastra.

"Oye! M kaha se beech me aaya! Aur Sumo, chhod to yaar ise, faltu me meri kasam khilake mujhe hi marwaega ye." Shravan pleaded.

"Hmm, theek hai. Aage se ye emotional drama kiya na tune, to tujhe bandar bnane se pehle sochungi nahi." Sumo said, removing the imaginary dust from her shoulders.

"Ha ha meri ma, ab jake taiyar bhi ho ja." Pushkar said.

"U...mmm Pushkar, tu ja na sari taiyariyan dekh, mujhe bhi taiyar hona hai" Shravan said stuttering.

"Oh ho! Seedha kaho na, shaadi se pehle hi romance krna h aapko." Pushkar teased.

"Ab jata hai ya.." Suman showed her punch to which Pushkar became invisible like Mr. India.

Shravan hugged her from back and asked: "Hmm, to Ms. Suman Tiwari, are you ready to become Mrs. Suman Shravan Malhotra?"

Suman shyly looked down and then kissed his cheeks and hugged him while he hugged her back chuckling.

"Var vadhu ko bulaiye." Pandit ji announced. Both the Tiwari clan and Malhotra clan were already here with smiled plastered on their face.

Pushkar was elated as he was seeing himself in place of Shravan.

Shravan entered the mandap with a royal vibe which made Ramnath smile and Nirmala do the vaari jawan pose. He sat there, not before displaying a smile at both of his families and taking blessings from nanu. He looked at the idol of God and joined his hands praying for nothing more than a simple and sweet life with his Sumo.

Further mantra uccharan was started and Shravan was doing everything panditji told him, very seriously.

"Vadhu ko bulaiye." Panditji announced making Shravan beam up with a smile. Preeti went and came with Suman. Two pair of eyes were looking with love in that direction: Shravan watching his Sumo clad in a red lehanga and Pushkar watching Preeti who was looking very cute in pink sharara and blue embroided kurti. They both walked in with smiles on their faces. Preeti made her sit in the mandap.

"Itne handsome dikhne ki kya zarurat thi? Ab rasmo me dhyaan kese lgau?" Suman murmured.

"Actually maamla equal-equal krna tha, tum bhi to utni hi sundar lg rhi ho." Shravan murmured back. 

Panditji scolded them and they obliged like a child, not before blaming each other for this.

"Tiwari ji, lagta hai bacho ki kilkariyan sunne me hume abhi bahot waqt hai, abhi to yahi dono bache bane bethe hain." Ramnath said making Tiwariji chuckling.

Preeti handed over flowers to everyone. At last she came near Pushkar who was standing in a corner.

"Itne dhyaan se kya dekh rhe ho mandap me?" Preeti enquired.

"Tumhe aur mujhe." Pushkar grinned, being lost.

"Kyaaa?" preeti said, blushing.

"Mera matlab, tumhari shaadi hogi, meri shaadi hogi, aur shaadi hogi.. shaadiyan to hoti rehti hain, wahi dekh raha tha." Pushkar saying, touching the back of his neck.

"Waise zyada shaadi hone se bacha skte h, aapas me shaadi krke." Preeti whispered and went away giggling making Pushkar wide-eyed and smiling like a fool.

After the seven vows, sindoor and mangalsutra rasam, Shraman were finally done with the wedding and tied in the sacred bond of marriage. They went near their family and took blessings of everyone and then proceeded towards the bidai. Suman couldn't control herself and cried while hugging her nanu.

"Arre meri bachi, tu to ek ghar se dusre ghar hi ja rahi hai." Nanu said and turned towards Shravan, "Shravan, meri Suman ab tumhari zimmedari. Iska khayal rkhna."

"Chinta mt kijiye nanu, ab Sumo meri zimmedari hai." Shravan assured.

To lighten the environment, Pushkar jumped in.

"Arre nanu, chinta mt kijiye. M aapke dil ki baat samajhta hu, ab jb finally aapko Suman se chutkara mil rha h to aap apne aansu rok ni pa rhe haina?" Everyone laughed.

Suman lightly hit his arm and further hugged the Tiwari clan one by one.

She then sat with Shravan. The car departed towards the Malhotra mansion.

"Don't worry Sumo, main hoon na." Shravan said dramatically to which she hugged him.

After all the rasams, Suman was now sitting in his room, now theirs.

She was looking around and then went near the window, seeing the stars.

"Ma-papa, aaj main bahot khush hun. Ye sb aapke hi aashirvaad se hua hai ki itni mushkilo ke baad bhi mujhe Shravan mila. Please apna aashirvad mujhpe aur mere dono parivaro pr ese hi bnaye rkhiyega." She said, getting emotional when she was engulfed in a back hug.

"Aur ma-papa, apne aashirvaad ke saath saath thodi samajh bhi apni beti ko de dijiye. Itne ache din pr ye ro roke apna makeup khrab kr rhi h. Meri pyaari si Sumo mujhe hmesha hasti hui, aur dhamki dete hue hi achi lgti hai."

Suman smiled and looked at Shravan who was already looking at her.

They sat in the balcony with Suman in his lap.

"Shravan, hm iss rishte ko nibha payenge na?"

"Arre kyu nahi, bas tum ek achi patni banna."

"Kaise?" She asked questioningly.

"Umm, subah 5 bje uthna, taiyar hona ache se pura sringar krke, sari pehnke, phir pyaar se apne pati dev ko uthana, phir thoda romance krna, phir breakfast taiyar krna, mujhe apne haatho se khilana, phir dopahar me mera khana taiyar krke office aana aur mujhe khilana. Phir office me thoda romance krke ghr jana, hmare ghar ki ladies ke saath bethke meri buraiyan krna. Phir shaam ko mere aane ka intzar krna, mere saath bethke khana khana, phir mujhse wapis PCT jane ko kehna, phir mere haan kehne pe mujhe as a reward kiss dena, phir kyunki m thaka hounga to mere pair dabana. Phir pair dabate hue m ekdum se tumhara haath pakad ke tumhe kheench lunga aur tum phir se romance krke meri bahon me sona."

Suman shook her head and pushed his forehead with two of her fingers.

"Kya hua?" Shravan asked.

"Don't tell me ye pura scenario tumne ek TV soap se copy kia h?"

"Ha, ab purane zamane me to ese hi krti thi ladies, mene tv pe dekha tha."

Suman laughed and got up from his lap and went in the room.

"Acha ye batao, ab finally shaadi ho gyi h, to kya kya krna pasand krogi tum mere saath?" Shravan asked teasingly.

"Umm, india gate ki kulfi khaungi, tom uncle ki chai piyungi, aur long drives pe jaungi, garden ghumungi.."

"Par ye sb to shaadi se pehle bhi krte the hm."

"To kya hua? Sirf hmara rishte ka naam hi to badla hai. Hain to hum abhi bhi sabse pehle, dost."

"Right!"

Like this, they talked the whole night, planning their lives ahead.

*****

"Sir, madam ke kandhe pr haath rkhiye."

The Malhotras had decided to throw a reception party for the couple to let them introduce to all the relatives. They had met everyone and now were stuck in this stupid photo session which seemed like never ending.

"Smile kijiye."

"Yaar Shravan, ye to meri battisi hi bahar nikal kr maanega yr." Suman murmured, forcing a smile on her face.

"Main to kasam se itna thak gaya hu ki yaha ek gadda bhi mile to sone se pehle ek pal na sochu." Shravan murmured back.

"Acha sir, ab titanic pose."

"What? Ye kounsa pose hai?" Both shouted together.

"Arre sir, madam, wo titanic movie me nahi tha, jisme hero heroine ese jahaj pe khade hote hain, wo wala."

"Na to hm hero heroine hain, na yaha jahaj hain. Aap jaldi se normal pics leke ye photo session over kyu nhi krte?" Shravan glared at the photographer.

He came near Shravan and whispered: "Sir, m jaanta hu ki aap logo ki nayi nayi shaadi hui hai, aapko bhi apna private time enjoy krna h pr sir atleast reception end hone tk to control kr lijiye."

Suman heard him and said: "Oye chuse hue aam, tujhse photo khichane ki jaga hm selfie leke diwar pe na tangwale? Aaya bada sadhu, hme gyaan dene wala!"

"Sir, ye aapko ghr pe bolne deti hain?"

"Oye, tu koun hota hai meri biwi ke baare me esa bolne wala? Chup chaap photos le aur dafa ho." This time Shravan replied.

The photographer went by fast and Shraman huffed seeing each other but then chuckled.

******

"Shravan utho, meeting ke liye late hona h kya?"

"Umm...Sumo! Sone do yaar."

"Shravan! Jaldi utho. Ek to sb shaadi me gye h, mujhe breakfast bhi bnana h jaldi kro."

"Okay, but after a peck."

"Shravan, are you for real? 2 saal hone ko aaye hain shaadi ko hmari, hr roz subah iss dialogue ke bina tum uth nhi skte kya?"

"Sumo, shaadi ko chahe 2 saal ho ya 20, ye dialogue to fixed rhega hmesha."

"Aur mera dialogue bhi fixed rhega, jaldi utho!!!"

"Offo Sumo, you are so unromantic."

"Whatever I am. Just wake up before you get a bath here in bed itself.'

Shravan huffed and quickly dropped a kiss on her cheek and went to washroom making Suman smile.

******

"Sumo, kya hua? Tumhara mood off lg rha h?"

Shraman had shifted to a flat because his private office and her PCT was a little away from the Malhotra mansion. The clan hadn't seen them off without getting the promise to meet every weekend. 

"Wo--I am on my periods." She replied meekly.

"Ohh god! To pehle kyu nhi btaya? Aur ye khana bnana chhodo. Hm bahar se order kr lenge kuch. Tum chlo room me, medicine lo and then rest kro."

"Mene li medicine, pr phir bhi kuch krne ka mann nhi kr rha."

Shravan lifted her in bridal style and said: "Acha, tum rest kro. M tumhare liye chocolate lata hu aur laptop bhi le aata hu, phir dono saath me movie marathon krenge."

"Jab we met!" Both squealed together and started watching the train journey of Geet and Aditya.

Suman, in between the movie, kissed his cheeks and murmured "thank you" to which Shravan grinned.

******

"Sorry na Sumo!"

Shravan had an urgent case hearing today and so, he shouted at her in the morning in the pressure of getting late and without confronting, went to the court. In the evening, when he came, he realised the atmosphere and realised his mistake and was following Sumo like a lost puppy.

"Ye to subah chillane se pehle sochna chaiye tha na. Mene to tumhe subah uthaya tha, pr tumhe apne romance se fursat mile tb to tum time se taiyar ho pao na."

"I said na, I am sorry baby."

"Chup kro. Ye babu, shona, dhaniya, pudina na apne paas rkho. Alag se flat kya liya, maharaj ko ab ghar ka hr ek kona mil gya h romance ke liye. Huh!"

He finally held her by waist, made her turn towards him and kissed her nose.

"Acha sorry. Sachi, agli baar no chillana, no late hona. Pr ha, morning romance to hoga. Tum mujhe thoda jldi utha dia krna."

Suman's mouth wide-opened.

"Teen saal ho gye h shaadi ko, pr abhi bhi romance krne ka bhoot nhi utra na?"

"Arre wo to kbhi nhi utrega, ye bhi promise."

They continued their bickering.

****

"Shravan, utho! Mujhe chocolate ice cream khani hai."

"Sumo! For god's sake its 2 at night, iss time kaha milegi ice cream?"

"Mujhe nhi pta. Mujhe khaani h."

"Lekin Sumo.."

"Mujhe pta tha, maine tumse pyaar kia, aur tumne mujhe kya diya, ye mota pet?"

"Sumo baby, ye pyaar hi kia hai mene."

"Oh shut up. Aage se mere paas aa mt jana tum."

"Arre.. acha fine. Chalo dekhte h koi ice cream parlour khula hoga shayad."

"Huh! bache ke liye kr rha h ye sb, mujhe pta h." She murmured.

"I got you!"

"Darti nahi tumse, jaldi leke chlo ab."

They had a tough time finding an ice cream parlour open at that hour but till the time, they found it, Sumo had slept in the car itself. Shravan parked the car and picked her in his arms, shaking his head at her behaviour before sometime.

****

"Ahhhhhh!!!!!"

It was finally the day for Shraman to bring their child in this world. Suman was feeling disturbed since morning but when suddenly her water broke, Shravan got nervous and started pacing from one place to another.

"Shravann!!!!"

Shravan was outside the hospital room whereas Suman was screaming in pain inside.

"Doctor, pls mujhe jane dijiye Sumo ke paas."

"Okay, come with me."

"Ahh! Shravan" Sumo was in tears.

"Shush!! Sumo, calm down! Distract yourself.. Just.. just think something else" Shravan was nervous himself.

"She needs to push" The doctor informed.

"Sumo, sumo listen to me. Tumhe yaad hai jb tumhe pta chla tha that we are pregnant, to tumne mujhse kaha tha ki tum humare baby ko bournvita nahi pilaogi warna wo meri tarah qutub minar bann jaega." Shravan smiled saying this and Suman too smiled between her tears.

"To hume usi baby ke liye thoda sa effort krna padega. Just push!" Shravan held her hand and put his other hand on her forehead.

Suman pushed and finally laid back on the bed with a sigh of relief hearing the cries of the baby.

"It's a girl." Doctor said, smiling.

Shravan looked at the exhausted Suman and went forward to hold his little bundle of happiness. When the baby settled in his hand, he got frightened.

"Arre, ye to kitna hil rahi hai. Gir gyi to? Doctor aap wapis pakad lijiye ise.. Sumo tum lelo na ise.."

Suman smiled seeing his-already-protective behaviour.

*****

"Dad, aaj aapko mere school ke award function me aana padega."

"Zarur aayenge. Humari princess bole aur hum na aaye, esa kese ho skta hai!" Shravan said, kissing her cheeks.

"Papa!!! Aapki beard chub rhi hai mujhe, pehle shave kro phir kissie dena."

"Ab kya kre, aapki mumma ko hm ese hi pasand hain." Shravan said teasingly sparing a glance at the now-fuming-Suman.

"Zindagi, chalo lunch box dalo bag me. Hum aa jaenge baby." Suman said making her pony.

"Bye papa, Bye mumma, Bye everyone. muahhh" She said and left.

"Ab ek kiss Zindagi ke papa ko bhi."

"Tumhare liye hai na, par kiss nahi thappad. Kaisi baate krte ho uske saamne? Ek bacchi h phir bhi sharam nahi h janab me."

"Uff! Apki yahi ada to hume pasand h" Shravan said while nuzzling on her neck.

"Isshhh!! jao, office jao. Aur dopahar me aana jaldi, phir jana bhi hai hme school." Suman literally pushed him out of the house, giggling along.

"Suman beta, tum ye sb kaam chhodo, ye m kar lungi. Tum Adhya (Varun+Vandana's daughter) ko zara market lejao, usne Preekar (Preeti+Pushkar) ki shaadi ke liye jo lehanga alter ke liye diya tha wo ho gya h."

"Ji ma, aajao Adhya."

Preekar finally were gonna get married after a lot of problems. They were caught kissing in the kitchen after which Manju created a fiasco but later, everyone agreed.

"Suman, meri dress se matching lipstick bhi le aana pls." Vandy showed her puppy eyes.

"Sure vandy bhabhi"

*****

"And the 1st prize for Non fire cooking competition goes to: Zindagi Malhotra."

The hall echoed with cheers and claps for the little girl. She beamingly went on the stage and grabbed her trophy. She smiled and then shouted happily: "This one's for you Mumma!"

Suman and Shravan were standing clapping for their girl. Both happily said like K3G: Humari beti!" and sighed in happiness.

After all, Mil hi gaye the wo jo bane, ek duje ke vaaste aur ab unke paas thi apni Zindagi! ❤️ ❤️

A/n: So guys, finally! This book got completed with this cute epilogue. (3390 words!)

Every reader who was involved during this journey, thanks to you for your constant support.

Shraman has always been a sweetheart for an EDKVian and specially for me, who discovered Wattpad to read their fanfictions.

This part is specially dedicated to AdhyaAzad who actually DMed me about the idea of the epilogue and also stayed during this whole journey. I hope I have been able to stand out on your expectations Di! ❤️

After this, I am gonna continue Jab We Met (Shraman ff). So if anyone of you hasn't read it yet, go for it!

Stay safe!❤️