The preparations for Mitali and Rishi's engagement seemed to be on full scale as the entire Gupta house chirped with people's voices.

When Mitali and Rishi had told Dadi and Rajiv about their decision to tie the knot,  they were beyond ecstatic. Dadi had almost passed out of excitement.

Since then , she had immersed herself and everyone around her in the preparations for the engagement of her dearest granddaughter. The engagement was to take place in the span of a week,but nevertheless she wasn't ready to sit down and breathe even for a second.

Mitali watched as her dadi commanded the helpers to pick up the things carefully so as to not break anything. A small laugh escaped her lips. She shook her head.

Just then, the phone in her hand buzzed loudly, indicating an incoming call. The caller id flashed with Shanu's name. Mitali's lips threatened to tug downwards.

She excused herself and finding an isolated corner, she picked up the call.

Mitali: Shanu,hi.

Shanu: Hi kya? Kitne din ho gaye, na phone na message? Vaha jake hum sab ko bhul gayi?

Mitali: Sorry, Shanu. My grandmother kinda takes up most of my time.

Shanu: Acha anyways, how are you?

Mitali's eyes surfed through her surroundings and taking a deep breath, she said,

Mitali: I'm fine, I guess.

Shanu: I guess matlab? Everything okay?

Mitali: Um...yeah...yeah. Everything's fine. How are you guys? Is Sahil okay? Did you guys make up?

Shanu: Actually we did. We talked it all out and promised to never keep anything from each other. We're good now.

Mitali: Uh huh...

Shanu sensed the absenteeism in her voice. Her brows creased,

Shanu: Mitu, are you sure everything's fine?

Mitali: Huh? Yeah... yeah. It is. Why do you ask?

Shanu: I don't know, you seem off.

Mitali: It's probably the network or something....

The remainder of Mitali's sentence fell deaf to Shanu's ears as a loud voice ricocheted on the other end of the call.

' Mitali di, Dadi aapko bahar bula rahi hai! Voh engagement ki ring choose karne ke liye!'

Engagement?

' Tu ja, mai abhi aai!'

' Oho kisse baatein chal rahi hai? Rishi bhaiya se na?'

' Nahi Payal. Tu ja yaha se mai tujhe bahar milti hu- '

' Zara mai bhi to baat karu!'

There was a hiss heard on the other end. Shanu listened as the girl said,

' O Rishi bhaiya! Mitu didi ke bina do minute nahi raha jaata? Ab phone rakhiye! Vaise bhi ab to zindagi bhar baatein hi baatein hongi kyu?'

' Payal!'

' Ab kuch bolo bhi. Aapki dulhan to mere paas khare khare sharma rahi hai!'

A giggle was heard on the other end, followed by a scold, telling the girl to leave.

Once she was gone, Mitali immediately muttered,

Mitali: Shanu....I...

Shanu: You're getting engaged?

There was a pregnant pause on the other end. Shanu waited for a reply.

Mitali: Yes.

Shanu: But why? And to whom?

Mitali: I can explain. But you've got to promise me that you wouldn't utter a word about this to anyone. Promise me , Shanu.

Shanu: I promise. Now tell me why the hell are you getting married ?

In brief, Mitali explained the whole situation to her best friend. She wasn't sure if Shanu was mad at her for keeping the Adi thing a secret from her for so long.

Once she was done, a soft sob was heard from the other end.

Mitali: Shanu , are you crying?

Shanu: You had to go through so much all alone and..... I wasn't even there for you. I'm such a bad friend.

Mitali: No, don't say that Shanu. You are not a bad friend. You just had your own stuff going on with Sahil and everything, that's why I didn't wanna tell you. I didn't wanna make you more miserable than you already were by dumping my stupid boy problems on you.

Shanu: It isn't a stupid boy problem, Mitu. You faced a heartbreak.....all by yourself. I wasn't even there for you,... to comfort you when you cried tears for him....I didn't pay attention to the fact that my friend was literally facing a hard time. God! I feel so selfish right now.

Mitali: Hey, Shanu.... don't be like that. Like I said, it isn't your fault. Stop blaming yourself. You were facing problems yourself too.

Shanu: God, I'm gonna kill that son of a Bitch! He fucking made my bestfriend cry! I swear to God-

Mitali: No, Shanu. Leave him out of this. It isn't his fault that he fell out of love with me. I just wished he was more subtle and direct about it rather than moving on to a new chick the very next day.

Shanu furrowed her brows with empathy.

Shanu: But Mitu,.... engagement? Isn't that an extreme step? I mean you're just 21. Aren't you too young to get married?

Mitali: Shanu, I'm not getting married right now. It's just the engagement.

Shanu: Yeah, but that's the first step.

Mitali: I know. But it's not like I'm getting married right now. Dadi and Rishi's dad had said that we'll only get married once we are settled in our lives.

Shanu: I don't know, Mitu.....is it the right decision to make?

Mitali: Yes, it is, Shanu. I thought about this a lot. There is no one I can think of more better than Rishi as a life partner. We've known each other since we were kids. He's a great person. And that's why I'm so sure of my decision.

Shanu:  And your feelings for Adi? Are they gone?

The pause on the other end proved the opposite. Shanu sighed and said,

Shanu: Mitu, it's not fair...not to you or that guy.

Mitali: Shanu,.....my mom once told me that if people are not bothered about my absence,then my presence probably never mattered to them.

She paused before continuing,

Mitali: He doesn't care about me, then why should I waste my time being concerned about him?

Shanu's lips tugged downwards.

Mitali: And as for the gut wrenching feelings that my heart still bears for him, I'm sure they'll go away. Just like he fell out of love, I'll too.

A silent spell lasted for about a solid minute before Shanu said,

Shanu: If marrying this guy....is gonna make you happy......then ..... well..... I guess I don't have anything to say.

Mitali smiled weakly.

Shanu: And don't you worry, cause I'm gonna be there by your side throughout this whole thing. I wasn't there for you earlier but I'm not going to miss my bestie's wedding on any cost.

Mitali smiled through her tears.

Mitali: Engagement!

Shanu: Ha ha vahi vahi!

The girls giggled. It was after so long that Mitali had laughed with her friend. She felt a huge pressure lifted from her head.

Shanu: Acha anyways, what colour should I buy my lehenga ?

                    ~~~~~~~~

The countdown to the end begins! Whoohooo!!!!!

Okay, so the next 9 chapters including this one will be short, precise and to the point without the unnecessary details. Though this chapter was boring as heck , just know that I've planned something amazing for you guys at the end and thus I need to build up the plot a little. So yeet!

Anyways, as I have already said earlier, the first person to vote on the upcoming chapters will get the opportunity to send in their questions to the respective characters in the end book Q/A session. So do vote and comment!

Love you loads,
Bosedisha