"I fall short of words to tell you how much you mean to me.All I can say is that my life revolves around you and nothing else matters."

---Unknown

"Tell me about your friends.." Aadhya asked.

"You already know Raju, they owns Royal chain hotels and restaurants across India."

"Karthik is a doctor and his wife Kavya is pediatrician." They leds KR health which is a chain of multi-speciality hospitals, heart centres, pharmacies, diagnostic centres and primary care facilities across India with its headquarters in Bengaluru. KR Hospitals group is one of the leading health care service providers having a widespread presence in the health care ecosystem.

"Ravi was my junior in college, his elder brother was my classmate and a good friend. He is the second child in his family after his elder brother who spoils him rotten."

Their family led the textile industry and his older brother Rajesh, was the CEO of RR textiles which has branches across India. Despite their successful business Ravi chose not to enter the family business, and instead chose to follow Abhinav to the company after graduating and had been working as Abhi's personal assistant. Since Ravi likes to play around, Rajesh allowed his brother to follow Abhinav so Abhi can keep an eye on him.Rajesh's wife Anjali is an illustrator for children picture books and they have a cute 5 years old boy, Ram.

"Kiran's family is in entertainment industry.He is a very jovial and friendly guy who likes to have fun. They owns production house studio KK films and music studios.

Aaditya.. my closest friend, is a DGP and have a games developing company with the partnership of our company.

All of our families have good relationship from last generations and are partners in business.

Anjali and Kavya are easy to get along with,you can chat with them later."

Aadhya quietly listened to Abhi talking about his friends,always giving him her full attention.

Seeing the shopping mall passing by, "Abhi, this is my first time meeting your friends. Isn't it bad for me to show up empty-handed?How about we stop here and look for presents first?" Aadhya tilted her head towards Abhi as she asked.

"Alright.."

The car was finally parked at a hotel's parking lot,where they usually meet which is under the umbrella of Royal hotels.

At the entrance,the hotel manager seemed to have already known they were arriving as he was waiting for them. After seeing them, he quickly went ahead to welcome them respectfully, "Mr. and Mrs. Abhinav."

Aaradhya smiled at the manager and gave him a nod.

The manager continued,"Sir,CEO and the rest are already here."

Abhinav nodded and waved the waiter who was prepared to direct them away."We'll head over by ourselves.Call someone to help us with the things in car."

The waiter respectfully nodded then called someone to help them and went away to help with the other customers. Abhinav held on to Aaradhya's palm as they headed in.

Abhi opened the door without knocking before, as Abhinav and his friends had never treated each other as outsiders.

As the door opened, the laughter inside was subsided.The others were seated around the round table,leaving two empty chairs.The meal was not served, which probably meant that they were all waiting for Abhi and Aadhya.

All of them turned to look at Abhi. Abhi gave them a slight smile and his fingers are intertwined with Aadhya's.

Their initial gaze fell on Abhinav,then on Aaradhya beside him,and finally to the linked hands between them.

Disbelief crossed their faces.. 'They say it's an arranged marriage?Did they like each other already that they're holding hands now?' Arjun and Raju were the only ones without any expression.

As the initial shock faded, their expressions turned into enjoyment. Finally their brother got a wife.

Abhi take her to sit, and Aadhya took seat between Abhi and Arjun.

Abhi looked at his friends with a smile,"My fiancee, Aaradhya. All of you would need to take care of her the next time you meet her."

"Little sister" all of them called out right away as if not wanting to lose out. Aadhya smiled and greeted them politely.

Abhi introduced all of them to Aadhya and pointed the pilled up presents on the couch, " Your sister bought them for you."

They all thanked her and teased Abhi."Sure thing, little sister is more likable then you."

"You're too complimentary." Abhi said with a smile. His face had a "Of course my wife is the best" expression.

Aadhya blushed and looked at Abhi, she could see the corners of his mouth tugging into a proud smile as if showing off his wife,his eyes gazing at her with fondness.

While giving presents, Aadhya got a glimpse of bracelet on Aaditya's wrist. She called out "Big brother.." in astonishment.

Aaditya looked at her with a faint smile on his lips and nodded his head.

"Big brother, you here ???"

"We moved to Bangalore the next day I met you, so I didn't have a chance to tell you, sorry ma." Aadi said.

"No, no ..it's alright..how is Aunty?" Aadhya asked.

"She is doing pretty good ma." Aadi replied and thought that she was still the same as when she was child,kind and likable.

"Did you know little sister before?" Ravi asked.

Aaditya nodded and told them about how he met the little Aadhya...

Aaditya recalled that summer when he met the six years old Aaradhya.Although she just spoke few words with him, it saved his soul.At that time his heart was dark and overflowed with resentment.He resented the people that killed his father, he resented the relatives who tried to avoid him while he was down, he resented even more those who looked on with cold indifferent eyes when he was at his low.He hated that he and his mother were left behind. He hated that they had to struggle so hard to live because of those relatives who were waiting for the opportunity when he was down.

He had been spiraling into a black abyss, but when he met Aaradhya it was like a ray of sunshine finally reached him.It made him know not everyone was bad and feel like it was ok to discard his pent up resentment.It made him want to live a good life and keep moving forward.

" After so many years of bachelorhood,finally someone wants Abhi, it must have been difficult,"Kiran poke fun.

"After all these years, I finally know how my sister-in-law looks like," Raju joined in the fun.

"Take good care of my sister, if you make her sad you have to face me," Aaditya said to Abhi.

"Then come on, call me brother in law," Abhi said playfully.

Although all these prestigeous figures shows cold stance at outside, when they are with this friends circle they will show their relaxed and playful side.

They ordered a feast on this happy occasion. Aaradhya chatted with Anjali and Kavya, thought they were easy to warm up with and coincidentally have similar interests. Ram got attached with her in short time, unwilling to part with her, sitting on her lap and playing with pallu of her dupatta.

"Let's exchange numbers. You can give us a call if you bump into any trouble or you want any help." Rajesh said.

This was everyone's way of showing her their kindness, so Aadhya did not reject them and gave her phone to Abhi. Abhinav logged into WhatsApp, adding Aadhya into their WhatsApp group.

"Welcome sister to our family" they all send the messages in group welcoming her. Aadhya thanked them.

After meal, Aadhya played with Ram for a little more, before leaving. Before they left, Raju asked Abhi, " Abhi, how about you come to my place, my mom and dad wants to meet sister in law."

Abhi agreed and Arjun tagged along with them to Ravi's family Villa.

02/06/21

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Heyy my lovely readers,

I hope all of you're fine and safe.

So how's the chapter? I hope you all liked it. Tell me your views about it..

Keep reading..Stay safe..love you all..♥️

See you all in next update..

Thank you all...💕

___To be continued 🥀