Rewrite the Stars | A Ruturaj Gaikwad Fanfiction

Changing the world to be ours

A/N: I want to laugh and cry both. I can't believe this journey is over.

***

"I have an unpleasant truth," said Rakesh. "You can choose not to hear it...but I think it will be better if you do...in the long run."

Aditi frowned.

"Of course I choose to hear it. What is it?"

"ADITI! COME HERE TO LIGHT THE CANDLES, DEAR!" Aditi's father shouted from somewhere.

"Oh, shit," said Aditi. "Tell me quickly, what's your unpleasant truth?"

Rakesh took Aditi's arm and guided her to a raised stone seat behind. When standing there, the whole crowd was visible, staring avidly at the fountains flashing vibrant shades of light.

"Rakesh-what?"

"Look," said Rakesh, pointing towards Mahati, far away.

It took Aditi a while to spot her. "Is she crying? Why is she crying?"

Rakesh was already looking at the other side for Rutu; both his mother and Aditi's were making their way up to him, holding unlit candles. Rakesh remembered he bride and groom were supposed to light it together, and abruptly had a bad feeling about the timing.

"Rakesh, why is Mahati crying?" shouted Aditi in his ear.

"Look at him, too-" Rakesh pointed Rutu out to Aditi.

Aditi looked at both of them and turned back at Rakesh, her eyes huge and apprehensive.

"I had happened to listen in to a conversation of theirs, Adi," he said. 

"And?"

"They love each other," said Rakesh.

"ADI, THE CANDLES!" shouted Mr Ahuja.

"One-one second, dad," Aditi called back. "What did you say, Raku?"

It was too late to backtrack now anyway, so Rakesh continued.

"Mahati and Rutu love each other. Have loved each other for quite some time now, I gathered, but neither knew of the other. Now they appear to have discovered, but they won't act on it. They've got all sorts of reasons why they won't act on it-but the main reason is you. They don't want to hurt you."

Aditi was still staring through the crowd at Rutu. Their mothers had caught up with him now, and he'd stopped crying quite so badly. He was shaking his head at the profferred candles, trying to explain something to them.

"Say something, Adi," said Rakesh, double guessing his action again.

"Give me a second."

"I thought you should know," said Rakesh, voice growing desperate. "I mean, it was not really in my place to say anything, but I thought..."

"As best friends with all three of us, it was definitely in your place to tell me this," said Aditi firmly. "Even if it is rather unpleasant."

"I'm so sorry, Adi."

"Don't be. I guess I always kind of knew," said Aditi. "Like he was forcing himself to stay in love with me. Like...like he had to put in an effort, which I never had to. Loving him was second nature to me, I don't think the reverse was...anyway. I had no idea he loved Mahati, though."

"Neither did I," said Rakesh, suddenly dizzy with relief at Aditi's tone, which was much more practical and understanding than angry or broken. "Dark horses, both of them."

Aditi gave a shaky sort of laugh before burying her head in her arms.

"Aditi?" said Rakesh anxiously.