*Viraj*

Aslesha Aslesha Aslesha.. kitni innocent ho tum.

I smirk when I see her arranging the props on the stage. Aise lag raha hai jaise war ke liye tayyar ho rahi hai.

Paglu.

Waise famous hone ke apne hi faayde hai. Maine bass Preeti ko promise kiya ke mai usse social media pe follow back karunga aur vo fatak se plan ke liye maan gayi. She's an aspiring model, publicity jaruri hai. Mere ek follow se uske hazaaro followers badh jaayenge. Bass media wale jyada natak na kare.

Waise unko isse bhi badi headline milne wali hai mere life ki. In fact sabse badi. Sab planning ho gayi hai. Isliye toh mehendi ke time mai gayab tha. Bass Aslesha khush ho jaaye.

"Abeyy oye! Aankhe khol ke so raha hai kya?" Joel snaps his fingers before me. "Chal performances shuru hone wali hai".

I shake away my thoughts and sit beside Rudra. Pari sits on the other side of him while Aslesha sits beside her. I can feel her eyes on me the whole time as the host, Rahul, starts with the announcements and stuff.

I remove my phone and text her.

*Stage saamne hai Aslesha. Pure teen minute ho gaye tum mujhe aise ghur rahi ho*

I hit send and her phone immediately pings. I suppress my smile and fix my eyes on the stage. She murmurs something under her breath but I can't quite hear her.

The host comes back on the stage after the kids' and the elders' performances.

"Ab baari hai dulhan aur uske sakheeyon ki. Come on girls. Show us what you got!" Rahul announces and I internally start jumping in my seat.

Aslesha ka dance! Aslesha ka dance!

Their song is London Thumakda and Bole chudiyan. They all are amazing. But Aslesha is standing at the back and I can't even see her properly.

I feel like getting up and pushing aside the girl in front of her.

Pura view block kar diya!

Koi baat nahi.. solo performance baaki hai Aslesha ka. Kab tak chhupogi tum mujhse Aslesha?

~•~•~•~•~•~•

*Aslesha*

Rudra, Viraj, Neel, Joel, Sid and Tej get on stage and I grin widely. Yess my boys!

Their performance is absolutely amazing on the song badtameez dil and Dil chori sadda ho gaya. Kuch jyada hi amazing! Humse bhi amazing.

Ugh! I want to be angry but I can't. All my favourite men dancing together.. I would prefer their dance over world class dancers any day.

Also, Viraj dance bhi mast karta hai. One more achievement in the long list.

There's a round of applause when the performance ends. Mujhe agar seeti bajaane aati toh jarur bajaati.

There's a little break for dinner when Viraj comes and hugs me from behind while I'm picking a glass of juice.

"Viraj!" I scold without looking back. I can feel all eyes on us. "Log dekh rahe hai".

"Ha toh?"

"Ha toh kya?" I say turning to look at him.

"Tum meri girlfriend ho" he states.

"Biwi nahi" Pari says, appearing suddenly beside me and Viraj rolls his eyes while I glare at her.

I told Pari this morning about Viraj's views on marriage. She was not too happy and promised ke vo Viraj ke saamne baar baar ye baat nikaalegi. Pari ka solution.

Bahot hi stupid solution hai.

"Shadi stupid log karte hai" Viraj scoffs earning a slap on both his arms from Pari and me.

I suddenly have an idea. I have the perfect song for this Sangeet dedicated to my one and only.

Pari leaves and I smile at Viraj.

"Ok tum bahot hi creepy lag rahi ho" he says when he sees me.

"But you love this creepy girl right?" I smile wider.

"Yes" he says slowly, carefully.

"You're gonna love the performance too. Dedicated to you" I say and kiss him on his cheek and leave him standing there all confused.

I talk to Rahul telling him about the change in song and also tell the DJ about it.

After sometime everyone is back on their seats.

"I'm so happy you're performing Aashi! Tu meri jaan hai" Paro says hugging me when Rahul announces about my performance.

Okay Aslesha! Let's do it!

The song starts and I just make up my own random steps. I see Viraj frown but then a smile grows on his face when the lyrics start.

Yeh ishq ishq chilaatein hai
Yeh gali gali mandraatein hai
Shaadi ki dagar na jaaye magar
Ye gore gore se chhore..

Viraj starts laughing and I can't help but grin too.

Shaadi ki jo baat karo toh
Buri yeh haalat karte hai
Bin shaadi sang rehne ki yeh
Badi waqalat karte hai..

Har ladki pyaari...
Bin zimevari...
Laila ke bina yeh Majnu bane!

I feel exhilarated once the performance is done. Pari is whistling standing on her chair and everyone gives me a applause. I grin and say a thank you as I get down from the stage.

Viraj's face is amused and his eyes are full of awe. I feel all mushy gooshy inside. While I'm walking past him I purposely flip my hair like the heroines in movies do.

It's an epic fail because they get stuck in my bracelet.

Yay me!

I take my place beside Pari. "Wah wah tu toh mujhse bahot jyada aage hai Aashu. Mai toh bass baato se pareshaan karne wali thi aur tune toh seedha muh pe performance fek ke maara! What a song" she laughs.

"Ab baari hai ladko walo ki and the performance jiske liye sab bahot desperately wait kar rahe hai. Put your hands together for Viraj Sachdev!" the host announces.

He gets on stage and takes the mic from the host. "First of all, meri girlfriend ka performance amazing tha hai na? So ek aur baar sab zara taaliyaan bajaaye" he says and my mouth falls open as everyone starts clapping and hooting and Pari nudges me.

"Aur dusri baat.. this performance is for you, my love" he says pointing towards me and giving me a wink.

I raise my eyebrow and sit back comfortably in my seat.

Really now?

The lights go off and immediately when the song starts, I know it.

Hiriye sehra bandh ke mai toh aaya re
Doli baaraat bhi saath me mai toh laaya re
Ab toh na hota hai ek roz intezaar
Soni aaj nahi toh kal hai tujhko toh bass meri honi re...

Really? Aisa gaana jisme ye mujhe promise kar raha hai ke he's gonna marry me chaahe kuch bhi ho jaaye.

Really?

Lekin mai shaadi karne ke liye ready hi toh hu. Okay I'm not dieing to marry him or anything, nor am I desperate. But if he proposed I wouldn't say no.

I just enjoy the performance leaving my thoughts aside. What does he mean that this is dedicated to me?

There's a thunderous applause after his performance. I smile when he comes and stands next to me.

"My bed tonight" he whispers in my ear.

"Results baaki hai" I inform him.

Rudra and Pari's is the last performance and it's the best one too.

"Winner bataao winner bataao!" I say rubbing my hands together.

"Ha ha. Ab bataa hi do" Viraj smirks.

Rahul and the whole crowd looks at us weirdly. "Winner? Kis chiz ka?"

"Competition ka!" Viraj and I say together.

"Konsa competition? Ye competition thodi tha.. ye toh bass Sangeet tha. Sab ke performances best the" Rahul shrugs and our friends start snickering that we've made a fool of ourselves.

Toh results hai hi nahi? Koi loser nahi koi winner nahi..

Viraj and I both look at each other. It's like kisi ne bakra banaa diya hume.

"Fir bhi hum hi jeete hai" Viraj states.

"Nahi!"

"Arre tum dono chup bhi ho jaao ab" Rudra says.

Viraj takes my arm and pulls me away from the crowd. "Aslesha please" he says making a puppy dog face.

"Itni mehnat saath me raat guzarne ke liye. Warna kabhi nahi ki" I fold my hands and smile.

But my words have the opposite effect and his face drops. Shit!

"Okay fine" he says and walks away.

Wow Aslesha! Good job!

I'm about to follow him when a gang of aunties attack me. I mean surround me. Ab toh kam se kam ek ghante tak kaan se khool nikaalegi ye sab.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

It's midnight when I knock on Viraj's door. I haven't changed yet. I can't hear any sound inside. So gaya?

Just when I'm about to leave he opens the door. His face shows that he didn't expect me here.

"Hi" I whisper. He doesn't reply, just opens the door wider for me to come in.

"Sorry thoda time lag gaya. Vo aunties- chhodo. I'm sorry" I say.

"Arre sorry mat bolo Aslesha. Tumne koi galti thodi ki hai. I wanted to spend the night with you but not for that. I mean yes I would love to do that but I just wanted to spend the night with you. Plain and simple" he says and I'm taken aback by his answer.

I don't know what to say.

The lights in his rooms are dim and I walk towards him and stand in front of him. I don't know why but his mood seems off.

"Viraj?"

"Hmm?"

"You said that song was dedicated to me? Uska kya matlab tha" I ask.

I just had to. Mere dimaag me ye baat bass ghum rahi hai.

Please say that it was not a joke. Please tell me that you want to marry me.

"Konsa matlab? I'm gonna marry you one day Aslesha. That's it" he says and looks out the window, turning away from me.

"One day" I mutter under my breath.

"Kuch kaha?" He asks turning back.

"Nahi" I say quickly.

Why is this marriage thing bothering me so much. He has a huge career ahead of him. Just because teri best friend ne shaadi ki, tujhe bhi karni hai Aslesha? How stupid are you!

"Aslesha, ek baat batani hai" he says and stands in front of me.

"Bolo na"

"Mai kal shadi ke baad parso early morning Mumbai wapas ja raha hu" his voice, low but clear, echoes in the room.

I don't know what to say. What should I even say? I can't ask him to stay. Uske liye uska career jyada important hai. Mere saath din raat wakt thodi guzaar sakta hai vo.

"Aslesha?"

"Ha? Ha.. maine sunaa" I say and sit on his bed. "So how is this" I point the space between us "going to work?" I ask.

"Tum Mumbai-"

"Nahi Viraj. Meri life yaha hai Goa me. I can't" I state gulping down the emotions that are ready to burst.

"Long distance relationship bilkul nahi Aslesha. They never work. You come to Mumbai. Waha achhi job aasaani se milegi tumhe. Waha opportunities bhi jyada hai" he says.

"Mere papa yaha hai. Mere sab dost yaha hai" I say as my voice gets a little higher. "Tum reh jaao na Goa me agar itni hi nafrat hai long distance se toh".

"If I could, I would" he says running his hand over his face.

"Why can't you? Tumhe toh Goa bahot pasand tha na. Sirf matches ke time jaaya karo aur fir wapas yaha. Itna achha ghar bhi hai tumhara yaha" I say with my voice thick with emotions.

Sach me ja raha hai vo parso? Kal actually, because it's past midnight.

"I can't Aslesha. Meri life waha hai" he says.

"Tum hamesha aate ho bass jaane ke liye" I say as a tear rolls off my eye. He takes a step towards me and I take a step back.

"I'm fine. Tumhe jo sahi lage karo. I'll wait for you. Aadat hai" I say and leave his room.

And the worst part is that he doesn't stop me.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

I look at myself in the mirror and smile. I've done a good job.

I am wearing a beautiful lehenga choli which is quite heavy with it's detailed work.

"Wow Aashi you look amazing" Shabnam says when she enters the room. She's wearing a beautiful green saree. She looks breathtaking.

"And you look beautiful too. Extremely beautiful" I say and she comes to help me pin up my dupatta.

"Mai tumhe hi bulaane aayi thi. Ceremony start hone wali hai" she says.

"Ha vo Pari ko ready hone me help kar rahi thi toh mujhe time lag gaya. Chalo chalte hai" I say taking my clutch.

We go downstairs to Pari's room as the sound of the baaraat gets louder and louder.

Pari is duniya ki sabse khoobsurat dulhan hai. She's surrounded by all her loved ones and I feel overjoyed looking at her. She's so happy. I've never seen her this happy.

"Chalo chalo dulha mandap me aa gaya hai" someone says.

Pari gets up and her eyes meet mine. She nods at me to come towards her. I go and stand beside her as she holds my hand tightly.

"Aashu, meri shaadi ho rahi hai" she giggles and I gently kiss her forehead.

"Bichara Rudra" I say and everyone laughs.

We walk towards the hall and when the door opens, everything goes silent. I walk beside Pari and I feel someone's eyes bore into mine. I look up and see Viraj, looking handsome as ever, beside Rudra.

He steps aside and so do I as Rudra takes her hand. Rudra's eyes become watery and I feel so happy that my best friend found a guy like him.

Agar mere hone wale pati ki aankhe mujhe dulhan ke jode me dekh ke bhar na aaye toh mai shaadi hi nahi karungi.

My eyes instantly go towards Viraj and he's already staring at me. I go and stand beside him.

He's going tomorrow. In just a few hours. Mai usse gussa reh ke toh nahi bhej sakti. Aur uska bhi toh jaana jaruri hai. Jo bhi ho we'll work it out.

"I'm sorry" he says once I'm beside him. "I'm sorry too" I say and just like I know that we're okay. Although I feel like the clock is ticking way too fast and soon enough, he'll be gone.

I meet his mom and he meets my dad during the ceremony. Aunty has not changed at all and I'm glad she's not angry for whatever I did.

I see papa giving Viraj a piece of mind when they're talking and Viraj looks like he's going to pee in his pants. But then he charms him as always and they're okay.

The wedding ceremony is over and the reception is going to start in an hour.

"Tumhare liye ek surprise hai" Viraj says and I frown at him.

"Kya?"

"Apne room me jaao" he says and I look at him sceptically. "Jaao na" he says again.

"Ok fine fine" I say and go upstairs.

I open the door and a beautiful gift wrapped box is sitting on my bed. I open it and gasp.

Ye toh vo saree hai jo mai Rudra aur Pari ke shopping ke time dekhi thi. Mujhe bahot pasand aayi thi but price ke wajah se le nahi paayi.

Viraj ko yaad tha. Usne mujhe dekha tha ye saree dekhte hue. Utna hi nahi but he bought it for me.

My heart swells with joy. Baat price ki nahi hai. Baat ye hai ke he took the efforts and bought it for me. I drape the saree and squeal in joy.

I love you Viraj.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

*Viraj*

I instantly feel her presence in the room and my eyes find hers. But when I look at her, the room lights a little bit more at how magnificent she looks.

It's not the saree. It's just her.

"You look exquisite Aslesha" I say and she instantly hugs me tightly. So she liked the gift.

"Thank you Viraj. I'm in love with this saree" she says doing a little twirl for me and I chuckle.

"And I'm in love with you" I say touching her cheek lightly.

I clear my throat and she frowns. "Kya hua?" she asks sensing how I'm tensed up suddenly.

Now that the moment is near, my palms have suddenly become clammy. Kya hoga? How will she react? Jesus!

"Waise ye Pari ko vo flower bouquet throw kyu karna hai? That normally happens in Christian weddings right?" I ask.

"Usse vo hamesha se karna tha" she chuckles.

I clear my throat again. "Sab kehte hai ke jo bhi vo bouquet pakadta hai uske friends me se, next shaadi ka number unka hota hai" I ask.

"Ha kehte toh hai" she says looking at the happily married couple.

Deep breaths Viraj, deep breaths. Pari sab sambhal legi. Tu khud ko sambhal.

After a while Pari calls her and I seriously start sweating in this heavily air conditioned room.

Tu Viraj hai! You can do it!

Pari looks at me discreetly and I give her a thumbs up. Rudra gives me an encouraging nod.

All of Pari's unmarried sisters and friends stand behind her in a group, all excited for the bouquet.

Pari turns around, facing the wall, with the bouquet in her hand and I see Aslesha stepping backward to let the other girls catch it.

I feel like I'm about to faint. My mom comes beside me and pats my back lightly.

"Everybody ready?" Pari asks and the girls scream a yes.

"Ok.. One.. Two.. Three!"

~•~•~•~•~•~•

*Aslesha*

Instead of throwing the bouquet behind on the count of three, Pari turns around and her eyes catch mine.

She smiles and walks towards me and directly hands me the bouquet as gasps erupt all around me.

It takes a moment for me to understand what's going on and when I look beside me Viraj is already down on one knee.

'Sab kehte hai ke jo bhi vo bouquet pakadta hai uske friends me se, next shaadi ka number unka hota hai'.

My jaw, and all the other jaws in this hall, touch the floor in shock.

Holy mother of Jesus!

"Viraj?"

He takes a long breath and looks straight into my eyes and gulps.

"Aslesha.." he takes my hand and grasps it tightly. "Tum soch rahi hogi ke kitna pagal hu mai. Kal tak mujhe shadi nahi karni thi aur aaj mai aise... Obviously mai tumhe surprise karna chahta tha".

He takes a pause and I give his hand a gentle squeeze.

"You're beautiful, you're kind, you're intelligent and you are wonderful. There is no one like you. You are so so so soo patient because you deal with me and my bullshit and my insecurities every day. And even when I push you away, you come back to me. You have made me laugh countless times and you have cried with me on several dark nights. Tum mujhe har ek way me jaanti ho, aur jaan ke bhi mujhse pyaar karti ho. Yahi ek bahot badi achievement hai and it proves that you're the strongest woman. I feel like the luckiest guy because you love me. And because you are so wonderful, so amazing, so unfailing in your love for me, I promise you this-
Mai hamesha tumhare saath romantic movies dekhunga, hamesha tumhe bike rides pe le jaaunga, hamesha tumhe Chinese khilaaunga, hamesha tumhara khayal rakhunga, hamesha tumhe support karunga aur... hamesha tumse pyaar karunga. Hamesha. I want to take this next step in life with you because mai ab aur tumse dur nahi reh sakta. I want you to be mine completely. I'm already yours".

My eyes completely fill with tears. This is really happening!

"Mujhe cricket me Clean Bowled karna bahot mushkil hai. Lekin Aslesha Mathur, tumne mere dil ko Clean Bowled kar diya hai. And I'm happy ke meri wicket tumne li".

He produces a ring from his pocket as everyone does oohs and aahs. I on the other hand can't stop crying and sniff like a ugly cow.

I don't care. He loves this ugly cow.

"Mujhse shaadi karogi?"

My tears don't seem to stop. And my voice is not ready to come out. "Yes" I squeak somehow.

"Yes?" He seems shocked.

"Of course dummy. I'll marry the shit out of you! Ab pehnaao bhi ring!" I scold him as everyone laughs.

He slides the ring on my finger and it's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. It's perfect, just like him.

I squeal and jump on him as he lifts me up and twirls me around. I hug papa and everyone else as they congratulate us.

"Aapko pata tha?" I ask papa and he nods.

I touch Viraj's mom's feet and she hugs me tightly. "I'm so so happy" she says and wipes the tears from her eyes.

"Finally ab ye meri zimmedaari nahi hai. Jhelo ab tum. Mujhe chhutkara mila" she says and Viraj glares at her. I love their relationship.

Then we focus on the real couple and the rest of the evening undoubtedly becomes the best evening of my life.

"Clean bowled? Seriously?" I tease Viraj and he kisses my cheek.

"Seriously" he confesses.

I look into his clear blue eyes and I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at them.

"I love you dummy" I whisper.

"I love you too paglu".

~•~•~•THE END~•~•~•

I'm crying.... Long author's note coming up in the next chapter.. ily *sobs uncontrollably*