Walking down the altar, I see Rishabh standing in front of me. I see my whole world. I have Aafia in my arms. Today, we are officially and legally going to be a family. This day is too precious.
"Friends, family. We are gathered here today, to join these two men in their bonds of holy matrimony.
Now, we shalll proceed to the vows. Rishabh, you begin."
"Growing up, I've been a part of a wonderful family and have made friends with great people who have accepted me and loved me as I am. The fact that I am interested in guys has never changed anything between us. Over all these years, from teenage to adulthood, I've looked for someone who would be my partner in sadness and celebration, my friend for life, my diary my personal genie and my human home. When I started dating you, I never knew we'd come this far. But here we are, vowing to live together until eternity. I am very happy to have you. I love you."
"Arjun."
"I have always idolized my parents' marriage and their bond with each other. Like every other parent, they would care for each other. There were days when they fought and argued but their love always overpowered the anger. The love I know, is their legacy to me. Today, if there's someone I miss the most, it's them. Ahana, my childhood crush, is another person I fell in love with. But as fate could have it, we got separated. But 13 years later today, I thank her for coming into my life and blessing us with Aafia. These three people have taught me how pure and selfless love could be. And I owe my today to them.
Rishabh, my love, 3 months back, I had no idea that I would meet someone like you. Someone who supports me in everything, someone who is my partner in all literal ways, someone I love more than myself. I am truly blessed to have found you. You are mature, smart man. But I have also seen that kid inside you. I have seen the guy who clings to my chest when there are thunderstorms outside. I have seen that guy who sends me chocolates and icecreams. I've seen the guy who loves me even on the days when I myself don't. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you so much, Rishabh."
"Do you, Rishabh Chawla, take Arjun Sehgal to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Do you, Arjun Sehgal, take Rishabh Chawla to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"Please exchange your rings."
"By the powers vested in me by the State of Newcastle, I now pronounce you husbands.
"You may now kiss the groom."
Dad and mom hug us. "We are so happy for you kids. I love you. Take care of each other, always. You are not just husbands but also parents now. Take care of my granddaughter. And if you ever feel lost or helpless, come to me. Your mother will always be there for you."
"Arjun bro, welcome to the family!" Says Shibani as she hugs me.
Everyone congratulated us. There's happiness everywhere. We are posing for pictures with each other, remembering old days. My friends are telling Rishabh embarrassing stories of me.
I may have lost almost all my blood relations, but the family that I chose for myself, is a decision I will always be proud of. Life is a mosaic of tears and smiles, tragedy and comedy.
Ever since things started to make sense to me, I've been told stories ending with "...and they lived happily ever after." My curious mind always searched for the happily ever after everyone chases. I am looking for it since then. Today, if you think I finally found it, you are probably wrong. Because happily ever after is not something that got lost and now I am looking for it. It is a sense of belonging, a sense of comfort.
Years after searching for it, today I've come to realise that happily ever after is both a journey and destination. It is a journey of a lifetime. There come and go innumerable people, there are several situations you're faced with and you have to steer through all of it.
Today, I have realised that life is Happily Ever After.
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