Tied in an unwanted marriage

13. Is that my BFF??

Ruhanika's POV

We went downstairs, and I was ready for everything, though I still hid behind Reyansh. No matter how prepared I was, some awkwardness lingered.

"Aree Reyansh, tum akele ho? Kahan hai tumhari biwi? Kal aana tha usne. Hume toh dikhi nahi kahin," his dadi taunted.

(Reyansh, you are alone? Where is your wife? She was coming back yesterday, right? I didn't see her.)

"Yahi hai. Mere peeche," he said, glancing back at me.

(She's here, dadi. Behind me.)

"Ab aap hai hi itni darawani," he mumbled under his breath.

(Well, you are that scary.)

I was nervous, but he held my arm and brought me forward. "Namaste," I greeted, feeling like a deer in headlights. Probably the only thing I could think of to say.

His maa came over and hugged me tightly. It was a comforting gesture. Next, I went to dadu and took his blessing. I greeted his dad with a polite "Good morning."

Kriti, his sister, came and hugged me warmly. "Bhabhi, aapne kitna kuchh miss kar diya," she said, her tone playful.

(Bhabhi, you missed so many things.)

"I know, par kaam tha na, isliye," I replied with a small smile.

(I know, but I had work, so...)

She smiled back, understanding. Then a young man, whom I guessed was Kartik, approached with a mischievous grin. "Aree, ab meri baari," he said dramatically.

(Now it's my turn.)

"Hi, bhabhi. Main Kartik, aapka devar," he introduced himself with a flourish.

(Hi, sister-in-law. I'm Kartik, your brother-in-law.)

"Hi, Kartik. I'm Ruhanika. Congratulations on your wedding," I said, returning his smile.

"Thank you," he replied, eyes twinkling.

The room crackled with anticipation as I stared at the man before me. 

He seemed familiar but the context felt like a half-forgotten dream. 

"Kya hua bhabhi? Aap mujhe aise kyun dekh rhe ho?" His voice cut through my thoughts, and I blinked, realizing I'd been staring. 

(What happened, sister-in-law? Why are you looking at me like that?)

I cleared my throat, trying to regain composure. "Maine tumhe kahin dekha hai. Bas yaad nahi aa raha kahan." I confessed. 

(I've seen you somewhere, but I can't quite place it.)

And then, a familiar voice came in. "Photos mein dekha hai." I turned, and there she was—Myra, my partner-in-mischief. 

She'd always been the yin to my yang, the laughter to my seriousness.

"Myra?" The word escaped my lips, and suddenly, the room felt warmer. She enveloped me in a hug, and it was as if the years melted away. "I missed you so much," she whispered.

"I missed you too." And we suddenly started laughing.

Around us, gazes of Reyansh and Kartik only added to our laughter. "You know each other?" they asked in unison.

"Know each other?" Myra scoffed. "We're best friends from the last seven years. She's the one I was waiting for to do the rest of the functions."

Their jaws dropped. "Wait a minute," I interjected, "so you already knew that I was your jethani?" Myra's eyes twinkled mischievously.