Tying The Knot With Ex's Brother

ECHOES OF A HOMECOMING

The airport buzzed with noise, but Sush barely noticed. She stood outside Gate 6, eyes on the arrival screen—Singapore to Delhi: LANDED. Her heart skipped a beat.

Two years. That's how long it had been since she'd seen Ragini in person. Not on video calls. Not in photos. But standing right in front of her.

Her eyes scanned the crowd. And then—she saw her. Wearing blue jeans, a black crop top, and an open white shirt. Her hair was tied back in a neat bun. She looked slimmer, more composed. Her walk was calm. Her expression unreadable.

Sush took a breath and stepped forward.

Ragini saw her, and for a second—just a second—the stoic calm on her face cracked. A smile curled slowly at the edges. 

Sush didn't wait. She closed the distance in quick strides and threw her arms around Ragini, holding her tightly. Ragini stood stiffly for a moment—then melted into the embrace.

"I can't believe you're actually here," Sush whispered.

"I know," Ragini said into her shoulder. "Neither can I."

They stood like that, the airport noise melting around them.

Sush finally pulled back, brushing a stray strand of hair from Ragini's face.

"Don't tell me you were dating a Chinese guy in Singapore," Sush teased, nudging her as they walked toward the parking lot. "Your skin's glowing. Sparsh jiju won't like it."

Ragini laughed, rolling her eyes. "Relax. It's just good skincare and peace of mind."

Sush grinned. "Peace of mind, huh? Must be some very handsome peace."

Ragini shook her head, smiling. "You haven't changed."

"And you have," Sush said warmly. "But in a good way."

As the car pulled into the driveway, Ragini felt her heart race. The house looked just the same—quiet, warm, and waiting. She and Sush walked up to the front door, suitcases rolling behind them.

Ragini hesitated for a second, then knocked.

A moment later, the door opened. Her mother stood there, wiping her hands on the edge of her dupatta, expecting just another delivery or neighbor. But when she saw who it was, she froze.

"Ragini?" she breathed, eyes wide with shock.

Before she could react further, Ragini dropped her bag and hugged her tightly. "Surprise, Ma."

Tears filled her mother's eyes as she held her daughter close. "I can't believe this... you didn't even tell us!"

Her father appeared behind her, eyebrows raised. "What's going on—" He stopped mid-sentence. "Ragini?"

She stepped back and smiled. "Hi, Papa."

He stepped forward, pulling her into a hug. "Now this... this is the kind of surprise I don't mind at all."

Her mother turned to Sush, smiling through tears. "And you... you knew?"

Sush laughed. "Guilty. She made me promise."

They all laughed, the air thick with joy and emotion, as Ragini finally walked back into the home she had missed for so long.

After a quick shower, Ragini stepped out dressed in a short, flowy pink dress that swayed just above her knees. Her hair was damp and loosely tied, and a light freshness clung to her, like the comfort of starting over.

In the kitchen, Sush was busy helping Ma with the last of the chapatis, flipping them expertly while chatting about something that made Ma laugh softly.

"Are you hungry, beta?" Ma asked, brushing flour from her hands.

Ragini nodded with a grin. "Starving."

"Come then," Ma said, motioning toward the table. "Lunch is ready."

They all gathered around the table, and as Ma served her lovingly, Ragini felt the kind of fullness that came not just from food—but from being home again.

Later that afternoon, Ragini and Sush sat in her room—the same room that had once held pieces of her old life.

The curtains swayed gently in the breeze, sunlight spilling across the bed where they sat cross-legged, chatting like old times.

Ragini looked at Sush, her voice soft but curious. "So... You and Sid. How serious is it?"

Sush blinked. "Very."

Ragini raised an eyebrow. "Marriage serious?"

Sush smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Maybe. We've been taking it slow. For good reason. But yes. We're talking about it."

Ragini smiled—genuinely this time. "I'm glad. If there's anyone who could bring out the best in him, it's you."

Sush leaned back against the headboard, watching Ragini quietly. Then, with a gentle voice, she said, "I want you to see how much he's changed."

Ragini looked at her, listening intently.

"Not because I want you to forgive him—not yet, not if you're not ready," Sush added quickly. "But because it's real now. He's not the same Sid. He's slower, softer... honest. He tries, every day. And I just—" she paused, choosing her words— "I want you to see it for yourself."

Ragini gave a small nod. "I believe you. And I'm really glad he found someone like you."

Sush smiled, her eyes warming. "Thank you. For that. And... for supporting us. Even when you didn't have to. I know it couldn't have been easy."

Ragini looked away for a second, then back at her friend. "It wasn't. But if you're happy, Sush, then it was worth it."

Sush reached out and squeezed her hand. "I really am."

After a few quiet moments, Sush glanced at Ragini and asked softly, "You're not going to ask about Sparsh jiju?"

Ragini paused, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor.

Sush gave a small smile. "He's doing okay. But still carrying a lot."

Ragini didn't respond. Her fingers absentmindedly tugging at a loose thread on the bedsheet. The quiet stretched between them—not heavy, but filled with the weight of memories and what-ifs.

Sush watched her for a moment, then spoke gently.

"Ma, Papa, Jeevika di... everyone missed you," she said. "They know you're back. And I'm sure they all hope to see you soon."

Still, Ragini said nothing.

Sush leaned in a little, her tone lightening just a bit. "By the way... do you know what's next week?"

Ragini finally looked up, her brows drawing slightly. "No. What?"

Sush smiled, her voice teasing now. "Sparsh jiju's birthday."

Ragini blinked, surprised. She had lost track of dates. Of time.

Sush tilted her head. "You remembered, didn't you?"

Ragini nodded slowly. "Of course I did. I just... didn't realise it was so soon."

Ragini's phone buzzed.

She glanced at it, casually at first—then froze.

A message from Sparsh: Welcome back.

Her face remained composed, unreadable. But her grip on the phone tightened slightly.

Sush, watching her closely, didn't say anything. She didn't need to.

Because in that one message, a thousand unsaid things came rushing back.