So, you are getting married tomorrow," Rheya spoke.

"I am." I smiled faintly.

"You know, I am happy that you got Advik Jiju. You were always there for me, even when I was wrong, you never left my hand but guided me. Now that you are getting married to him, my heart feels at ease- like finally you got someone to whom you could depend on."

"Rheya-" I spoke, my eyes turning a little teary.

"Lemme speak.  You remember in childhood, one time I mistakenly burned myself?"

"How could I forget that?" I muttered.

"Everyone in the room was against me- shouting at me, scolding me, but they never saw the pain. Except you. You didn't scold me but held me. And from that day, I knew you were everything to me, but now that you are getting married, I feel I won't have you. You will be Jiju's. You won't be at home anymore, scolding me, baking something for me. I am scared. Scared that maybe I will lose you. One part is happy that you finally got him, but one is aching, maybe I will lose you." And with that, she broke down, and along with her tears fell from my eyes.

"Rheya, stop," I spoke in between my tears. And my heart ached. for her. For my little Rheya, who has always been my best friend.

"You are never losing me. I am always there for you. And always will be. Distance never mattered between us. You already know, remember the time when I first left our house for college, how we both were crying, but we got used to it. We were always together, no matter the distance. And now, too, you don't have to be scared. I am always there for you. And I will still bake for you. And will come to meet you in the college." I spoke with my eyes teary but a faint smile on my face as I remember my time with her- bickering, love, crying.

"Understand?"

She nodded and engulfed me in a long hug. I patted her back- feeling her closer to me.

"Vaise bhi tujhe bhi uss hi ghar aana hai." She slapped on my back, and laughter echoed in the room.

✧˖°✧˖°  

"What excuse should I give?" I looked at Rheya.

"Say, it's a work-related thing."

"Rheya, it's 8 at night."

"So, what about your friend calling you?"

"Rheya, say something sensible."

"Just shut up and let's go."

With that, she dragged me out of the room, and we both went to ma.

"Ma, it's an emergency, my friend is in hospital, we are going to her."

"Beta, what happened?"

"Ma, she is expecting a child." My eyes widened at how easily the lie spilt from her mouth.

"Go with Ritik." 

"No, mom. He is busy. We both will manage."

"Rheya, tomorrow is your sister's wedding."

"Mom, understand. It's an emergency."

"Rheya-"

"Ma, we will manage." And with that, we both made our way outside, ignoring her voice.

"Why are you coming?" I frowned at her, though a smile was already on my face, as I knew the reason.

"Wait- I will go back and tell Mom everything." I rolled my eyes.

"Blackmail karne ki adat gyi ni hai?"

"Jayegi bhi ni." She showed her tongue.

I chuckled.

"Now, you go to your pati." With that, she moved to a different path.

✧˖°

I moved outside the auto and paid him the fare. My heels clicked on the pavement as I wandered around the Amusement park. It was shining. 

I looked around until a cute little child came in Infront of me and handed me a chit.

I opened it.

"Behind the carousel."

A smile formed on my face as I read it and made my way towards that area. I will be lying if i said my heart wasn't beating fast. Nervousness, excitement all emotions settled inside me. 

And then my heart stopped. I took in the place, which was shining, my favourite purple surrounded the place- lighting, the cloth table.

I started moving around, my steps slow, looking for him. 

And soon I heard footsteps behind me, my heart raced. Too fast.

I turned around and saw the most handsome sight. Him in a black suit, his brown eyes shone, a wide smile on his face.

"Advik?"

"Ritika." He breathed. 

I stared at him; I had nothing to say, my breath was heavy, my heart was racing.

He closed the distance between us.

"Ritika." He spoke as he interlocked our hands. 

"Haan?" I spoke my voice almost a whisper.

"When I first saw your purple top, I was hitched. By your appearance and your faint smile on your face. I was speechless on our first date, but now that we have spent time together, I am still. I have no words to describe the warmth you have brought to my heart.  It feels like my heart has finally found a home." He whispered as he took my hands to his heart- that was beating fast just like mine.

"Remember, on the first date I told you I want to be your friend and husband, but as days passed, as I kept thinking of you, I just don't want to be your husband. I want to be someone to you to whom you could tell anything, yap about how much you love panipuri, to tell me how you sometimes hate your family, I am always here for you, to listen to you and treat you like you deserve to be warmly and gently." He stared directly into my eyes, and my eyes turned teary.

"Advik."

"Shh." He put his fingers on my lips.

"Hear me, baby. I know you have been that independent girl from childhood, the one who was for everyone, but no one was there for you. I want to tell no show you that I am always there for you. You can soften your walls around me, because not for once will I judge you."

My heart raced, and a warmth inside me settled. And I had no words- maybe cause for once I felt I was being loved.

And I hugged him.

Strongly.

Fearing maybe he will disappear like those early morning dreams.

He encircled his hands around me, pulling me closer to him. His one hand is patting my head while the other is around my waist.

"Baby, please don't cry. My heart aches."

"Stupid, these are happy tears." I snuggled into his neck.

We hugged for a long and then I pulled away. I stared directly into his eyes. His brown ones's now covered with tears.

"Why are you crying?"

"I am not." He spoke as he rubbed his eyes.

"Advik."

"I am not, baby."

"Ritika?" He whispered my name as he bent down.

"Haan," I replied.

"I want to hold your hands forever, want to be there for you and with you every second." He spoke as he was on his knees.

"Will you marry me?" The words echoed, making my heart race.

And with that, firecrackers erupted in the sky. I looked up, and there it was written.

"Will you be my Mrs Bansal?"

My eyes turned teary, and now I was on my knees, hugging him.

"Thousands of times, yes, Advik. To you. A thousand times, yes." I cried, and he held me in his arms.

Everything was nice, my heart was at ease. He was there. Holding me.

And we kept hugging each other for minutes until I pulled out. I stared directly at his brown eyes. And my gaze dropped to his lips. 

And I pressed my lips to his.

We didn't kiss. We kept our lips on each other, feeling the softness.

I pulled out, my cheeks heated up. 

"Ritika, you make my heart go crazy." And with that, he sealed his lips to mine. Kissing me.

His mouth tastes like the warmest home, where you could just feel the ease. The chocolate and mint taste flooded inside me.

And

I encircled my hands around his waist, pulling him closer.

It was the most beautiful feeling to be in his arms, and his lips sealed to mine.

Was it a dream? If yes, I wish to be here forever.

Under his warmth.

We broke the kiss, breathing heavily. Our eyes met each other. And I looked down, feeling shy under his gaze.

"Fuck, Ritika, don't kill me."

I smiled.

Before we could speak, rheya's phone came.

"Come, fast.  I got mom's call." 

"Yes yes." I declined the call and looked at him with his puppy eyes.

I don't wanna go. I want to be with him.

He smiled. "It's okay. From tomorrow, no one will be able to disturb us." He said and pulled me into a hug.

I nodded.

"So, ready for married life, Mr Bansal?" I asked as I pulled out of the hug.

"From the start, Mrs Bansal."

I grinned.

"Let's go. I will drop you, no arguments."

"Okay." I chuckled.

"Wait-"

I stopped and turned towards him, "What happened?"

"I forgot to give you these."My eyes widened as I looked at my favourite flowers, chocolates and my favourite biscuits.

"Omg- advikk? This much."

"It's not that, baby." I smiled.

"Where did you find snacks biscuit? They are not available here. I tried to find them."

"I have my ways, Mrs Bansal." He smiled.

And with that, he dropped me off at my house and went away after pecking my whole face.

A/N

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