Twists Twirls Perils & Pearls

16. Best Antiques: old friends

Everyone was still in awe of the beautiful video made by Abhedya. They loved his thoughtfulness and effort.
Abhedya just wanted to talk to Swarnima. How did she even get the video he once created. But how could Swarnima know of it? It then struck him that he had mailed it to himself.
'Did she? Oh, man!! Seriously?? She hacked my mail account ?? How could she? My phone and laptop are secured. Damn! She is a genius. But she should have told me. I wanted to make edits. Oh! Please, Abhey at least she saved you. The 'I love you' son from dad was so, so overwhelming.' Abhedya's heart explained to him.

Abhedya's mind and heart were still fighting with each other when Maan hugged him and expressed, " I missed you brother." He broke the hug and continued, "it was so tough to keep away from you knowing you were just a few steps away. What?!! Don't look at me like that... I have always been looking out for my little brother. Just that he was way too busy to notice me."

"You guys think I have some superpower that I will figure out that you after the huge fight between dad and bhui will ever come near me? Since I was strictly instructed to not mention you all. Also, I should figure out Nim returned from the dead? Talk practically Maan." Abhedya lost his cool.

"Hey! Relax Abhey. I was just joking. I know you are annoyed with us. But when you know about the complete truth I think you will forgive us. At least I hope you do." Maan said the last part with immense hope in his eyes.

"Maan!! I... Ummm... I am happy to have you guys back in my life but how do I digest the fact that you were in front of me and ignored me? Anyways, how is ARYA? What is he doing? When do you plan to tell him?" Abhedya questioned.

"Where's the anniversary cake?" Pri asked scanning the room.

"That also we should arrange now?" Rudra remarked.

"Ummm.. it should have come by now. This boy is a total waste." Maan called someone from his phone.

The lights went off and a whistle was heard.
"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MAMU MAMI!!" Came a voice and lights were turned on. A boy around 20-21 with chiselled features and a lean body appeared.

"Hello, family!! How are we?? Sorry for the delay. What can I say 'Duty comes first'. But I haven't forgotten your gift Mamu, here." The boy gave a pen tie to his mamu and a bear hug to his mami.

He then hugged Abhedya. "I missed you Abhey. Dude, you have no idea how much I fought with these guys to let me come to you. but... we meet now!!"

Abhedya hugged him and said, "I missed you too ARYA... I didn't fight with anyone though coz I didn't know about anything, you see."

Swarnima knew Abhedya will be further distressed now. After knowing that he was the last person to know that their families were united and Swarnima was alive.

"Let's cut the cake," Pri suggested and everyone came to the centre. Rudra and Nandini cut the cake and fed each other and then everyone.

"Time for some dancing now. Where is my partner?" Arya grabbed Swarnima's hand and brought her to the dance floor.

Abhedya fisted his palm. Never has he liked his 'girl' dancing with anyone else but him.

"Don't you think it's ' the couple' who should be dancing and not us?" Swarnima suggested.

Arya went on his knees put his hand out for Swarnima to hold and defended, "I know, but let's set an example for the oldies."

"Heyyyy" came four voices together and the married couples danced like they owned the floor. While the younger lot stood on a side and cheered for them.

Abhedya's mind was drifted in several directions. He was enjoying the love-filled dance of his parents but he kept glancing at Swarnima and Arya again and again.