I stand at a distance from the beautifully decorated Mandap. I decorated it with my own hands, planned the whole wedding enthusiastically, showing how happy I am with the wedding but I am not. I do not like it at all, I did it all just for her, for my best friend or should I say the girl I love but she loves someone else and that almost kills me but I can't show it to her for she would be upset and may call off the wedding because she doesn't like to see me sad after all I'm her childhood friend.

I, Ruhaan Randhawa! A wedding planner, I run an empire that has branches in several states and also internationally. I make people's weddings memorable and this wedding would be the most memorable for me.

I let out a deep sigh and cleared my tears as I heard aunty calling me. I turn to her and smile.

''Ruhaan, beta tu yahan khada ye sab dekh raha hai wahan teri dost ne saara ghar sar pe utha liya hai. Chal, tujhe bula rahi hai.'' Ragini aunty told me and I shook my head.

I pulled me to her room where she was getting ready.

We approach to her room, she was shouting over Varsha, our common friend.

''Kya ho gaya? Itna gussa kyun ho rahi ho?" I questions as I enter the room.

She turned and pouted.

''Ruhaan, kahan the tum? Dekho iss Varsha ne kya kiya, meri heels hi naa laai ye!" She complained.

''Dekha, itne saare sandal hai par iss madam ko dusra chahiye. Aab tum hi samjhao isse, wahan baraat aane ko hai aur iske nakhre khatam na ho rahe.'' Ragini aunty says a little frustrated.

Even though I was looking after all the preparations the lady didn't sit ideally, she was running around the house rechecking everything.

I side hug her and tell her to relax, she rolls her eyes but agrees and takes her leave. I headed to the girl, she seemed worried as being a fashion designer she's serious about her looks and the way she gets ready and today being her special day she wants everything to be perfect but now Varsha had forgotten to get the heels.

''Ruhana relax, abhi baarat aane ko thoda time hai. Tum mujhe address do main leke aata hoon tumhara heel!" I said but she denied and sat down on the chair.

''Iss raat ko wo showroom kahan khula hoga yaar. Itni mehnat se design kiya sab aur iss sandal ke chakkar mei sab barbad.'' She makes a sour face.

''Toh ek kaam karte hai, hum tumhare itne saare sandals ki collection mei dhoondhte hai. I'm sure kuch toh mil hi jaayega!" I told her in a convincing tone.

She wasn't sacrificed but agreed. I smiled and began to search with Varsha's help as obviously Ruhana can't help us all draped up in her wedding attire.

The make up artist helped Ruhana while I and Varsha had a hard time searching for a matching sandal for her but found one which matches her lehenga.

''Hash!! Finally kuch toh milla!! Yaar kitne bolte chapal rakh ke baithi ho tum!! Tumhara pati kho sakta hai yahan!" I joked receiving a fierce glare from her.

She doesn't make any statement against him. She loves that guy immensely. Well, he's lucky enough. The guy is actually my best friend, he's Vineet Shergill. She met him at my birthday party and I don't know when they fell for each other or how it happened but when I found out I didn't like it because I love Ruhana and was planning to propose to her but Vineet already did it and she accepted his proposal. I was left with no choice than to back off from their way and I did for her, for him - for them!!

''Arey mazak tha!" I clarified.

Ruhana makes a face,'' bas jokes maaro tum. Ruhaan tum na bahut annoying ho gaye ho aaj kal. Kabhi bhi kuch bhi bolte ho, baithe baithe kho jaate ho aur kuch batate bhi nai. Huhh!!" She says meaningfully as she makes a face.

Well, ever since she announced her marriage with Vineet I was left with nothing, not even a single thought or word. I am still convincing myself to come over this and for that I have already taken a decision for myself, i badly needed it. Obviously, I haven't shared or discussed it with anyone. Ruhana would be really angry but It's for her good as well.

I came out of my trance with the sound of crackers. Vineet is here, loud music and screams of joy are clearly audible. Ruhana jumped on her toes.

Ragini aunty walked in the room.

''Ruhaan beta chalo aab mujhe tumhari help chahiye. Tumhare uncle aur papa toh gayab hi ho gaye hai aur tumhari mummy gusse se laal hui jaa rahi hai, jaldi chalo!" Ragini aunty dragged me out while my eyes were fixated on Ruhana's happy face, probably this is the last time i'm seeing her beautiful face.

I headed down and welcomed the groom. I help Vi eet in descending down the car and take him inside. His face has a different kind of satisfaction and happiness.

''Ruhana kahan hai?" He questions me.

''Hogi kahin, tum intezaar karo! Dulhan hai sajne mei time toh legi hi!" I tease him, he smiles shyly.

''Main uss se ek baar milna chahta hoon!" He expresses, I gave him a naughty grin.

''Sabra dulhe raja!! Aapki dulhaniye aapke saath hi jaayengi, itna impatient na ho jao ki log baatein banaye yahan!" I tease him more, he makes a grumpy face but obeys.

In no time the priest called the bride and groom for exchange of garland's. Vineet had a hard time as Ruhana's brother was full on teasing mode while in Ruhana's turn Vineet sweetly submitted himself. I adore them, they are perfect for each other.

Soon, the main ceremony starts. As planned, dance programs go hand by hand as Ragini aunty does not want to waste extra time in dance performances while Ruhana wanted to add them so we planned it this way. 

I walked over the stage after Vineet's sister's performance. Ruhana seemed excited for my performance as I had kept it a secret.

Accha chalta hoon
Duaaon mein yaad rakhna
Mere zikr ka zubaan pe swaad rakhna
[x2]

Ruhana and Vineet smile as I sing the song fir they take it as a performance.

Dil ke sandookon mein
Mere acche kaam rakhna
Chitthi taaron mein bhi
Mera tu salaam rakhna

I headed to Ragini aunty and Nachiket uncle and hugged them. They were surprised and so were my parents when I hugged them too. My mother gets emotional knowing the reason for my words.

Andhera tera maine le liya
Mera ujla sitaara tere naam kiya

I pointed to Ruhana and Vineet who smiled at me but seemed confused because of my mother's act.

Channa mereya mereya
Channa mereya mereya
Channa mereya mereya Beliya
O piya…
[x2]

I moved to the Mandap and held their hand.

Mmm… mehfil mein teri
Hum naa rahe jo
Gham toh nahi hai
Gham toh nahi hai
Qisse humaare nazdeeqiyon ke
Kam toh nahi hai
Kam toh nahi hai

I place her hand on his palm. Vineet smiles at my act knowing what I'm asking him for.

Kitni dafaa, subah ko meri
Tere aangan me baithe
Maine shaam kiya

Channa mereya mereya
Channa mereya mereya
Channa mereya mereya Beliya
O piya…
[x2]

I patted Ruhana's head, my eyes began to fill with tears.

Tere rukh se apna raasta
Mod ke chalaa
Chandan hoon main
Apni khushboo chhod ke chala

I peck her head for the last time and move back. Ruhana was suspicious now, my mother was still crying and my father was nowhere to be seen.

Mann ki maaya rakh ke
Tere takiye tale
Bairagi, bairagi ka sooti chaula
Odh ke chalaa

Channa mereya mereya
Channa mereya mereya
Channa mereya mereya Beliya
O piya…

I rushed to my room and locked the door. My tears refuse to obey me, it begins to roll down my cheeks. Harder i try to control them, it refuses with double force.

But I had no time to sit and cry. I have to go before it is too late and things get out of control.

I picked up my bag and left the building without coming in anyone's sight but unfortunately Vineet saw me while taking the blessings from the elders.

He shouted my name grabbing everyone's attention. I stopped at my track.

They rushed to me, I turned to them.

''Kahan jaa rahe ho tum? Ruhaan kya baat hai? Iss tarah sabse chup ke kyun jaa rahe ho?" Vineet questions me.

''Arey chup ke kahan yaar. Actually bahut important kaam hai mujhe, wo toh tum dono ki shadi thi toh ruk gaya nahi toh pehle hi chala jata.'' I said convincingly.

Thanks to my tears no one believed me.

''Ruhaan, jhooth maat bolo!! Batao kya baat hai? Tum ro rahe ho saaf dikhta hai,batao mujhe kya baat hai!!" Ruhana demanded an answer.

I feel bad about ruining their big day and tried to convince them about my statement but they refused. Vineet was smart enough to know the reason, he always doubted me with the same but I refuse to accept the reality.

He took me aside and assured others to convince me.

''Ruhaan, sach batao mujhe. Dekho, aab bhi kuch nahi bigad hai. Tumhare kehne se sab sahi ho sakta hai par tum aise jao maat, please!'' He's humbled to say such things but I'm not selfish to accept it.

''Nahi Vineet tum galat samajh rahe ho, aisa kuch nahi hai trust me!! Ruhana tumse bahut pyar karti hai!" I tried to sound normal.

''Aur tum uss se!!" He stated, I straightly denied. Accepting it at the moment would cost their marriage and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for it.

''Fir maat jao!! Kya kaam doston se bada hai?" He said convincingly.

''Nahi!! Par jana jaruri hai mera aaj nahi gaya toh sab khatam ho jaayega!! Main nahi ruk sakta!" I exclaim and take his leave.

Ruhana again stopped me. She tried to emotionally blackmail me, she asked several questions and I had only one reply that I had to go and I did leave them behind.

Vineet accompanied me, I was guilty as I can see my reality in his eyes. Still, he accepted my lies and like a good friend accompanied me.

''Galat kar rahe ho Ruhaan!! Main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar payunga!!" He says meaningfully.

I immediately held his hand,''aisa maat karna Vineet!! Agar aisa kuch hua toh main khudko maaf nahi kar payunga, waise bhi kai dil dikha ke jaa raha hoon ek aur bojh nahi saha jaayega!" I cried, he pulled me in a warm hug asking me to stay.

I parted and bid him goodbye. I can't stay nor give justification as I don't have any.

Vineet watches me until I disappear from his sight while I cry endlessly for my endless love which I may never get!!!

I was leaving behind my mother and her love, a friend like Ruhana whom he loves immensely and Vineet who's disappointed and guilty now for something he's not at fault!

That's life and it must go on!!

…

The end..