TANGLED SOULS

To your eternity - epilogue -2

The backyard of the Radisson ressort was dazzling in color with aesthetic decorations of flowers, garlands, tinsels and mosaics. However, anyone who entered the venue would be more captivated by the beautiful bride herself, who graced the center of the outdoor venue, sitting on the main seat, surrounded by her family, her face beaming with a happiness too contagious to resist.

Yes, Akshara Goenka, was literally glowing in her elegant lehenga outfit, henna covered arms and an ethereal smile on her face as she admired the design of the freshly drawn patterns.

"Beautiful naa?"

The sudden voice beside her snapped her out of her reverie as she looked up, smiling at her Shefali Bhabhi.

"Very very very beautiful!" She said with a huge smile, "I can't take my eyes off the patterns."

"Off the patterns or off a certain spot?" Her Bhabhi teased as she sat beside her, her own Mehndi covered hands resting on her lap.

Akshara blushed as Shefali wiggled her eyes brows to the center of her right palm. There, in the middle of the multitude of detailed patterns, was an A. A for Abhi. She wouldn't lie, her eyes ended up staring at the letter no matter how much she wandered them all over her palms and arms.

Shefali Birla, laughed at blushing girl who was almost a younger sister for her. Wrapping her arms around her carefully to not ruin her Mehndi, she pulled her into a side hug.

"I'm so happy for you both, Akshara. Abhi's the sweetest guy I've ever met and you're the perfect match for him. He instantly lights up whenever you're by his side..."

Akshara's heart welled in happiness as she leaned against Sehfali, eyes closing in emotion.

"I'm the luckiest one, Bhabhi." She whispered back with a sincere smile as they pulled away. Shefali placed a hand on her face, "You both are lucky, be lovesick idiots forever."

Akshu laughed throwing her head back. "Always."

"What's cooking here? Is Akshara Bhabhi spilling some interesting things about her love life?" Neil appeared from nowhere. The said girl rolled her eyes at her Devar and her childhood friend.

"In your dreams, Devar ji." She told with a sweet smile. Neil pouted.

"Hey, it's not fair. I'm your friend before being your Devar. We need some details." He demanded.

"I agree! You and Abhi have always been besties but we need to know the transition phase from besties to lovers." Shefali added and joined her hand with Neil in a high five. Akshara openly gasped at the newly formed team against her.

"Are you guys troubling my Akshu?" Their head snapped up to see Manjiri standing before them, BadiMumma and Mimi on her tows while the men of the family stood together, talking animatedly about something. A frown edged on her forehead when she didn't see the one person she was looking for. Her Abhi.

Now that she thought, it's been a while she's seen him. When the henna artist was applying Mehndi on her hands, he was right by her side trying to peak but was chided by their Maa who asked him to leave her alone for sometime so that she can get her henna done. So he sulked and stood leaning on the nearest pillar, admiring her all the time, while she stole some glances at him, communicating with their eyes. But after her mehndi was done, that was fifteen minutes ago, he was nowhere found.

She was about to ask Neil about it when she saw a hand extended towards her mouth, nose catching the smell of food. Her eyes recognized the familiar hand, lips parted in surprise as Abhi was sitting at her right, a plate full of food on his lap.