The best arrangement: Between us...

Chapter 40 - Our happiness....

Hey, guess what, I'm alive!

First of all, Sorry, dear reader, for my prolonged absence....

That is, if any of you are still sticking around....

My friend, who was one of the best people, a kind soul, my inspiration, passed away suddenly... I have been grieving, and I was not able to write anything satisfactory..

So, I'm not confident about this update. But as they say, grief can be dealt with, only after it has been acknowledged.

One year later.....

Well, it was that time of the year, when almost all Hindu couples put their differences and beliefs aside, and celebrated love, marital bond and family - The Karwa Chauth.

Abhishek, Siddharth and their friends were all sitting in the balcony, overlooking the snowing Alps, and sipping tea. Winter was approaching, and the night atmosphere was already chilling. Quite the mood for some cuddles! Arjith and Neha were sitting next to each other, sharing one big blanket. Both of them were relaxed and content, and Arjith was surprisingly in a very pleasant mood.

"Oh! I think I've lost my sister to a princess!!" Arjun clutched his chest, and sighed. Arjith- still smiling- grabbed a shoe and threw it at Arjun, who dodged.

"Shut up, Saale Saab! "( wife's brother ) He said. Neha rolled her eyes, and said "I am surrounded by dramatic dorks! 

Soon, Siddhi, Sam and Abhinav joined them. On the who, it was a happy time. They were currently in New Zealand, and Abhishek and Siddharth were soon tying the knot!

A lot of changes had happened in the past year. Sam had permanently shifted to their apartment and restarted school, Siddhi - Prateek and Neha - Arjith couples had got engaged. The friends, along with Siddhi and Abhinav, had planned the overseas wedding. new Zealand was one of the few countries, where practical anyone could marry anyone. Siddharth's and Abhishek's marriage would be officially registered, and would be considered valid, internationally as well, but not in India. 

Siddhi, with her pragmatic approach, had taken over almost half of the company. Raghav was training her to replace him, soon. Prateek's family had their reservations about a future CEO becoming their daughter in law, but Siddhi managed to charm them as well. And, she was the one who was arranging her brother's marriage! Siddharth was proud. 

Sam ran to his parents, and settled down between them. Seeing that everyone had settled down, Siddhi asked 

"Sid, Abhi, do you wish to inform 'the parents'? About your marriage?"

Abhishek and Siddharth stared at each other.

After almost an hour of debate, Abhishek gathered the courage to video-call his mother. Siddharth was sitting beside him. They were very much a couple, and they wanted to break this news as one...

"Abhi beta, what happened?" Mekhla sounded a bit worried. It was still noon in India, and Abhishek used to call her in the evenings- that did not change even during this trip. After that fateful day, neither did she mention his and Siddharth's relationship, when they talked, nor did he. And Siddharth, who was secretly feeling guilty, always stayed away when Abhishek called Mekhla. 

Well, today they were going to cross that bridge.

"Oh, Siddharth...." She noticed him, and her face went blank.

"Uh, hello Kaki......?" Siddharth smiled apologetically, sounding unsure. He was not sure whether the older woman hated him, for all that had transpired.