...Preet...
I got up lazily for the day ahead I was still in my shorts and tank top and headed down. Once I reached down I saw my brother sitting on the table for breakfast. As soon as he saw me he gave me a smile and I ignored it.
"Good morning Princess!"
He regarded me.

"Mom, breakfast!" I ignored him again.
He was well aware that I was angry because he was rude last night but didn't dare to bring that topic up.
Soon my mom bought our breakfast.
Once the table was set even my dad came down.

"So, Preet have you got your dress for tonight and even "
My mom asked but before she could complete the sentence I started coughing or more like fake coughing deliberately to stop her from saying the very next words.

Aryan and Dad quickly came up to me and soothed my back and made me drink water.
The topic was diverted.

After the breakfast was done Aryan again tried to talk to me but ignoring him I walked to my room.
I quickly removed an aqua blue fit and flare one piece that reached my knees for myself and went to the washroom.
After getting ready the moment I stepped out of the bathroom I saw a huge teddy bear on my bed, I looked around and found Aryan standing on the door holding his ears.
People will find a 26 year old boy standing holding his ears absurd but I found it adorable. I walked up to him and made him release his ears.

"Last time, and I am warning you, the next time you try and be rude to me I will never I repeat never talk to you." I warned him. He nodded and then took me in a bear hug.
"You look cute." He commented.

"Tell me something I don't know."

After a bit of talking Aryan left.
I quickly clipped my sandals and walked down to my car.
I had my hair in a fishtail braid and I refrained make up.
I quickly drove of to Kabir's office to pick Kavya, but the moment I entered his office something struck me and I decided to take a detour.
Reaching outside Kabir's cabin, I knocked.

After hearing a come in I walked in.
He was a messy worker was my first observation after walking in.

"Please get me the Coffee on my table Richa." He said.

I don't know why but I feel he didn't notice me.
Because he did NOT.

Smiling I picked the coffee and handed it over to him.

"Shortcake." He whispered as soon as his hand touched me while taking the mug even before looking up.

"Impressive." I commented taking a seat partially on his table.

"There is a chair for a reason" he commented.

"Naah, I am comfortable." I answered and he looked at me amusingly.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"Well I thought of having a tour of my soon to be husbands office." I faked.

"Lie, now tell me why are you here." He said.

"To pick Kavya up." I answered truthfully.

"Next room." He answered getting back to his work.

"Are you busy?" I asked him genuinely and he looked up.

"You had some work?" He asked and I nodded. He immediately shut the file and looked at me.

"Give me your phone." I told him and for once he did as asked.

I looked at the names in his phonebook and asked him to call one certain person.

"Call him"

"Karan?" He worded out.

"Yes, call him and invite them for tonight's party." I ordered.

"No." He dead panned.

"Okay, then delete his number."

"No." He replied again.

"What the hell Kabir you are neither ready to move ahead  nor to move away." I almost shouted.

"You know you want to talk to them, every moment you keep looking on this screensaver on your bloody phone and smile and if for once I ask you to bring your smile back all you answer is No." I continued.

"Preet why are you doing this?" He asked.

"You asked me yesterday night whether I was happy, you knew you didn't had to but you still did why? Because you cared. The same." I answered not ready to lower my volume.

"Preet. It ain't that easy." He pointed out at the same tone.

"Fine then do what you want. I am leaving."
With that said I stomped out of his cabin getting weird looks from his staff.

"What?" I asked to a group of boys looking at me from head to toe.
I stormed in Kavya's Cabin.

"Let me guess, you again met Kabir and then had a fight." She guessed even before I opened my mouth.

"Are you ready?" I asked totally diverting the topic.

"Yes you did." She answered her own question, getting up.

"Let me give this to Kabir and then we can leave." She said as we walked to his cabin again.
This time I decided to stand out and I was sure he noticed this.

After the whole office fiasco I and Kavya went out for shopping.

We decided not to inform Tara about my Parent's acceptance too as this would be a surprise for her too.

We picked Anya on the way and drove back home.
Once home, I could hear my mom shouting in the lawn, she was very particular when it came to organizing something.

Wishing my mom all the girls went to my room it was already 6 and so we decided to get ready.

I quickly freshened up and got dressed in a heavy golden kurta and red pants.

I turned to find both my friends almost ready.

Seems like I take a lot of time in the shower.
Kavya looked beautiful in a green and white lehenga while Anya dazzled in a Black anarkali.

We had to get ready appropriately since SAXENA'S Diwali Party was a huge occasion.

After around one hour all of us were dressed and clicking pictures.

We descended downstairs once the party was in full swing.
All of us were enjoying when I noticed something or more like someone. I quickly checked up with my mom.

"How is she here?" My mom asked.

"Did you invite her?" I asked my mom and she nodded negatively.

"Mom I will go inform Kabir and Aryan about this, till then make sure you are with Meera Maa." I told my mom and looked out for Aryan and Kabir but the same time my dad went on to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention.
Today is an immensely special day for me.
Today here standing in front of everyone I wish to announce something really important. My dearest Princess, my baby doll was just a tiny infant the day I bought her in to this house in my arms, this house has seen everything her laughter, her cries, her craziness, her fights. It seems like she is the only life to this huge mansion but  sadly every father has to let go of her Princess, likewise my best friend here is taking my daughter away " my dad announced pointing out to Papa. I could feel tears and then suddenly a strong pair of arms encircled my shoulders.
I smiled when I looked up to my elder brother.
I walked up with him on the stage next to my father and Papa.

"Where is Kabir?" Papa whispered once I and Aryan were next to him.

"He hasn't come yet." Aryan informed.
" I am doubtful he will." I murmured under my breath. I actually hope Kabir is not holding the morning fight yet.

The Mic was then passed on to Papa.

"Preet has always been a darling to me and there is nothing more beautiful than bringing a daughter to your place for lifetime and that's just what I am doing.
I am taking Preet with me as my daughter in Law. We proudly announce the beginning of a new journey of my beautiful daughter Preet and my useless son Kabir Malhotra." Papa announced and the crowd erupted in cheers.

"This guy is dead once I get a hold of him" Papa whispered in my ears and I let out a chuckle.
We were about to descend down when my dad gave me mic and went down with Papa since I stopped Aryan along with me.

"Hello people, every girl is her Daddy's princess but I was lucky enough to have two fathers, my dad and my elder brother." I said looking up to Aryan while he stood there completely shocked.

"Aryan has never let me cry, he always fought for my dreams. If I ever wanted something I just had to name it and Aryan would get that for me.I wasn't ever his little sister but his daughter majorly. He has attended all my functions, my graduation everything. Even when my parents were busy I knew I had Aryan and he has stood by me everytime, but just this once I want to give him something. I knew this could be done by my dad too but I wanted to do this. I wanted to present you Soon-to-be Mrs. Aryan Saxena." I said pointing out to the stairs through which Tara descended down along with my Mom. My dad took her hand once she was on the floor and bought her to the stage. Aryan gasped seeing this and I smirked.

My dad kissed Tara's forehead in a fatherly manner and welcomed her.
The cheers were deafening.

All of us got down the stage.
My brother still in shock.

"Aryan respond!" I said once we reached our parents and Tara, rest of the guests got busy again.

"How?" Aryan asked my parent's.

"Your Princess." My parents answered sincerely.
Aryan hugged me right at that moment. His response was similiar to Tara's. She reacted the same way when we broke the news to her in the afternoon when my parents went to her house to give her the ancestral jewellery as a token of a new beginning.

We were busy in our own family world when we heard noises.

As expected it was non other than Namitha Oberoi.

"God!" Aryan exclaimed.

"Where is Kabir? Only he can handle her." Tara asked.

"How dare you fix my son's wedding without my consent." She shouted on Meera maa.

"Excuse me I am sorry to interrupt but Kabir is Meera Maa's son." I interrupted.

"Kavya, take Meera maa inside." Abhi said coming next to me right that moment along with Aryan.

"You do not become a mother just by giving birth.".Abhi regarded her.

Yes Namitha Oberoi was Papa's ex wife and Kabir's biological mother.

(Namitha Oberoi; selfish, spoilt and a total bitch. Married Mr. Malhotra only for his money, gave birth to Kabir but was never his mother.)

"And you think she is a perfect mother?" She pointed out to Meera maa.

"She who doesn't even know where her own daughter is and you are talking about Kabir right? Where is he? I can't see him? Isn't he happy? Of course he isn't who would like to marry a bi**h like you who has been in London for 3 years alone. God alone knows what you have done there." She said but was answered by a tight slap by Papa.

"You dare not talk about my daughter from the dirty mouth of yours." He shouted.

I moved ahead and spoke again.

"Look who is talking about being a mother, do you even know what a Mother is? You want to be Kabir Malhotra's mother then where were you when he needed you the most, where were you when he was sick or when he was hurt. Let me tell you, you were busy with your high class social gatherings. And you have no audacity to talk about Meera maa like this when your own son does not regard you as a mother. He still needs Meera Maa, You know why because she has made him laugh, she has dried his tears. She has hugged him comfortably, she has seen him triumph, she has seen him fall, she gave him courage when he was low, made him realise his worth and sometimes driven him crazy but she is a promise that no matter what Kabir, Kavya or Kashish will always have a shoulder to cry on." I shouted on top of my voice.

Everything went silent at that moment.

"And about Kashish and Kabir then let me tell you all these years Kashish was with me in London studying."

"That is not possible." She challenged and then there was something in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed.

"And what about Kabir?" She asked diverting the subject.

"He had something important and not all of us think as small as you so we do understand he had some work." Aryan piped in.

"Now if you are done then I am warning you never ever try and get close to my family or else I will make your life hell." I challenged her.

"Are you waiting to be insulted any further?" Abhi asked.

She was about to walk out when I called her again.

"Namitha Auntie, now that you are here even when you weren't invited, let's spare you from further insult." I picked up a card and handed it over to her roughly.

"Here this is mine and Kabir's Roka and engagement invitation. You are most welcome if you wish to bless us but if you have further plans than I am sure we can arrange some female bouncers to throw you out." I said and left turning around.
I was hell irritated and was over this Diwali party.

Mine and Kabir's Roka and Engagement were fixed after three days after Diwali.

I decided to call it a night but before going up to my room I made sure I informed Aryan about it.

"Aryan, make sure Kabir is coming for the Engagement." I told him and left.

As soon as I reached my room I felt tears strolling down my cheeks. Yes I was hurt by her words because somewhere they were true, Kabir had missed a very important thing that was the beginning to our journey.