Heartbeats And Halos

Chapter 23

• P a l a k •

"Hello there!" Exclaimed an excited voice filled with enthusiasm. All our eyes turned towards the front door to see Sarmila Aunty, Nirmala Aunty, and Atharv standing there grinning ear to ear. When Sarmila Aunty didn't get a response she spoke.

"What happened in here? Why all the sad faces?" She asked dramatically and suddenly Mumma smiled going up to her.

"Oh, nothing Sarmila ji please welcome." Mumma chipped in a happy voice and everyone started smiling. I too smiled when Atharv made a joker face. He always knew how to cheer me up. Little Abhinav woke up and whined. So Diya and Ragini took him inside to feed him something. Chachi and Bhabhi also came to the living room. Thank God they had missed the drama. Sarmila Aunty and others entered our living room. Roshan's mother hugged Sarmila aunty.

"It's so good to see you Sarmila but you here so suddenly?" She asked completely unaware of the fact that I had said yes. Sarmila Aunty smiled as she motioned for Bhabi to take the plate filled with sweets near her. She grabbed a kaju barfi and put it in Roshan's mother's mouth who was filled with surprise.

"Bete ki shadi Mubarakho" Sarmila Aunty laughed and Ankita Aunty's eyes widened as an excited smile made its way to her face. Everyone in the room looked towards me while I lowered my head shyly. I could also feel a certain someone's eyes on me. The man who was standing beside me but I didn't dare look up at him. Ankita Aunty came forward and engulfed me in a warm hug.

"May god bless you beta." She said and kissed my forehead while I closed my eyes. "You have no idea how happy I am. Roshan couldn't have gotten a better wife than you." She told me while I kept my head down and smiled timidly.

It felt surreal how the Atmosphere in the room had transformed from gloomy and sad to happy and bustling with joy. Everyone in the room was congratulating one another and us (me and the man beside me who hadn't said a word since Masi left).

Ragini and Diya came back and hugged me. Atharv too hugged me and also became a bit emotional.

"I don't want you going to Bangalore. It's too far" he had whined like the baby he was. We all laughed and pulled his cheeks.

"Ohh Come on. It's not even that far. We will still stay within one country. Plus I am also leaving a certain someone with you so you are definitely not alone." I whispered the last part to him secretly, he looked towards Diya and smiled. Diya was talking to Ragini completely oblivious to the fact that she is being admired by her crush.

"Aww, don't tell me you are in love already!!" I squealed and he slapped my shoulder to silence me.

"Shut up Palu," he said before going away. I just put my hand over my mouth and laughed silently.

"Ahem ahem" I heard a familiar clearing of throat and I didn't need to see his face to know who it was. I didn't look towards him as I felt timid so I kept looking at everyone else talking, laughing and having sweets. These were moments that I wanted to capture in my fondest of memories and never let go. This was what I always wanted, a beautiful sunny morning with the people I love beside me to share everything with.

"So" Roshan began, his voice as soothing as ever.

"Thank you" I whispered without looking at him.

"Why?" He asked the most ridiculous question. As if he had not just defended me a few moments ago.

"For standing up for me."