Siddhant's POV :

THE ugly weather dropped my face. Yes, that's what happens when it rains endlessly with paddles of water everywhere. Guwahati is a place with the most unpredictable weather. I go out and smile looking at the clear sky above and ten minutes later when I step on the balcony, I see clouds gathering in the sky. Wow!

My phone beeped.

"Siddd....where are you???" Shibani literally screamed over the phone.

I wriggled over her loud voice.

"I'm at home..."

"WHAT???" She yelled."What are you waiting for? Should I send a helicopter at your place, Sir?"

Her sarcastic remarked made me giggle.

"No need for that Madam. I shall reach ASAP."

They had basically arranged a farewell party for me which was rather too early. But when you have got a friend like Shibani who keeps hunting for a party occasion even at the cost of her friend leaving the city, you have got no choice.
Her insanity is beyond words.

As dusk set in, I once again dazed at the distant refinery lights. I am going to carry so many memories from this place. I lost Sana here, I broke down completely here, I spend nights crying myself to sleep, and I rediscovered myself here. Sooner than I realised, it was time to wrap up picking both the good and bad memories from here.

I dressed up in a formal shirt and tie, nothing too heavy for a party with friends. I drove to Greenwood Resort, rejuvenating my usually foul mood with my favourite Anupam Roy's music.

There was no trace of my friends in the resort. Did they set me up in a prank or something?

I reached the swimming pool area lite up with fancy lights. The place was serene and solitary. Shibani said they would be waiting near the pool.

Reaching out to my phone, I dialed Anuraag's number. No answer. I was about to turn back hearing some footsteps.

SPLASH

The water entered my nostrils, as I started kicking my hands and legs like a fish. For a second, I felt like I was gonna drown in the water. Everything was so unexpected. As I took my head out of the water, I saw Shibani laughing out like a joker while Anuraag, Ruhi and Jaaiz had a serious look on their face. But soon they joined Shibani.

"What the fuck Bani?????" I screamed out at her in fury. I call her with her nickname every time this girl gets on my nerves with her pranks.

"Water splash" She raised her hands like a kid as if we were in an amusement park.

I got up from the pool completely wet. I saw a black object drowning in the pool.

"Bloody hell....my phone!!!!" I cried out.

They stopped laughing. I looked at Shibani. She clutched Ruhi's arm as her hand flew to cover her mouth frightened at the consequences now.

"I can lose my job for your one fucking prank...." I shouted at them and dived in the pool.

I stepped on the shore with my phone which did not look in a good condition.

"I-i am sorry Sid....I didn't mean to...." Shibani begged.

"This has got all the official contacts and important numbers. Have you got any idea???" I yelled at her in fury.

Ruhi, Jaaiz and Anuraag stood there, none of them daring to interrupt me.

"Ssiiddd....s-sorry.....I shall buy you a new phone." Shibani squeaked, almost in tears.

I was afraid my another harsh look would make her cry like a baby. I immediately laughed out looking at her sorrowful face. They were completely baffled.

"Bani Bani don't cry now... this is a waterproof phone.." I laughed sprinkling water on Shibani's face.

"Really?." Shibani asked, wiping her face.

"See its completely fine. I was kidding, girl!" I switched on the phone for her.

"I hate you." She made a angry puffy face.

"C'mon even I can play some pranks with you." I winked as they all laughed.

"Am I the only one who feels that Siddhant is not in an officer mood tonight?" Anuraag asked skeptically.

"Soon I will be in a fever mood." I said looking at my wet clothes.

"We are notorious but caring friends." Shibani said proudly and signalled Ruhi.

Jaaiz stood beside me as I was waiting for Ruhi.

"Thanks." I whispered.

Jaaiz turned his eyes at me confused.

"For what?"

"Saving my life." I said, patting his back and saw Ruhi return with a gift. His jaws dropped as he stared at me deadpanned. I passed him a half smile when Ruhi approached.

"Gift for me huh? What is this?" I asked turning the gift.

"Don't open it here wet cat." Shibani warned. "That's a gift from Ruhi. Go to the dressing room right now."

Shibani is one hell of a commanding lady. I went to the dressing room and unpacked the gift. It was a Blackberry's orange coloured shirt and a pair black formal pant. I never wore a orange coloured shirt in my entire life. It was a colour for orange and I was not one of them. I was pretty sure I would look like a orange juice mixer in that shirt but the outcome was very unexpected. As I tucked the shirt and looked at myself in the mirror there was no doubt that I looked handsome. Damn I actually look good in orange!

I entered the cottage. All of them were sat in a round table talking and laughing away. Jaaiz saw me enter the room and nudged Ruhi. Her eyes glittered as she looked at me. She didn't need to mention that I looked good. Her smile was enough.

"Aha...someone is killing it in orange." Shibani commented as I pulled a chair to sit near Ruhi.

"Orange is the new Black." Jaaiz grinned.

I simply smiled.

"Man you don't look like an Orange." Anuraag laughed. He remembered how weary I was of the orange colour. Even if all the colours went on a holiday, it was the last colour I would choose on earth.

As every body got busy in discussing the beers and food on the menu, Ruhi leaned on my shoulder, and whispered, "You look handsome."

My eyes widened quiet astounded, "Uhh...thank you."

Holding her glass of Champagne, Shibani stood up and gave a toss for me. Her charismatic personality and the loud voice grabbed the attention of the few people who were having dinner in the cottage.

Jaaiz was the last person to give a toss. Though he did not stand up, his toss was my favourite.

"I forward my apologies for spilling the beans, but Siddhant I know you worked night shifts at restaurants to pay my coaching fees. We are step brothers. But I still don't believe in that. He has done for me things which even real brothers fail to do. He stood by me as the strongest pillar of my life. I have done many wrongs to him, but today I want him to know that I appreciate his presence in my life more than anything. Kudos Brother!"

Everybody awed after the speech. Nothing ever made me so emotional at the moment as his speech. This is the most honest confession I ever heard from my brother. Not quite sure whether my heart felt the pain of the past bitterness or the essence of this new start-over. In that moment, I understood what my mother always said, "A fight for your family is worth every battle."

"I'm gonna cry now." Shibani sniffed.

"You worked at restaurants? All those rumours were true?" Anuraag asked.

"I was embarrassed to tell you guys."

"Embarrassed of us?" Shibani frowned, "Look at us Sid! We are a band of shameless human gorillas."

"Not me." Ruhi raised her hand.

"Neither me." Anuraag added.

Shibani shot them murderous glances as she gulped down her champagne.

"Human Gorilla....honestly that suits you." Jaaiz opined looking at Shibani.

"Haha....so funny right?" She hissed.

Very soon, mouth watering food occupied the entire table. We savoured every last morsel of food. The finger licking biriyani was my favourite. Well, biriyani's always topped my favourites list.

"Today is really a happy day." Anuraag babbled, eating the ice cream.

"Cause I won't be there to stand his stupidity everyday." I smirked.

"Plus he is going to be a father very soon. So I guess no more stupidity huh?" Ruhi wiggled her brows looking at Anuraag.

"What? Akangsha is expecting and you didn't tell me???" I battered him. He was the kind of person who informed me even when he was bitten by an ant yet he didn't tell me this.

"Surprise." He shrugged.

"I am so happy for you guys." I said.

"It is actually a happy day. Ruhi got her new job, I am starting my own line of boutique, Anuraag is going to be a daddy, Jaaiz and Sid are sitting together without fighting." Shibani winked at Jaaiz.

"We do not fight." Jaaiz rebelled.

"Yeah yeah....history has enough of that as a proof." She rolled her eyes.

"Too much information from a human gorilla." I said, drinking the beer.

"Sidddhhaant!!!" Shibani grumbled throwing the napkin on my face.

They all laughed out.

How terribly I am going to miss these people! I remember how they always supported me. These people are the reason I hadn't lost my mind after Sana's death. Otherwise, I would be still lying in the corner of my house as a depressed soul sinking in his own guilt.

When I felt I can't laugh anymore, Shibani was always there to cheer me up. At times when I forgot how to enjoy my short life, Anuraag dragged me over at his place and we would spend the weekends watching movies, football and series. Most of all when I forgot how to fall in love and feel the rhythm of my heartbeat, Ruhi recreated the broken side of my soul. And Jaaiz...well, until today I never knew he even had a heart.

Before walking to the parking lot, we clicked a lot of pictures which I would take as sweet memories to Delhi. Shibani and Ruhi went in Anuraag's car as their route was the same. They already left while I tried my best to start Jaaiz's car but to no avail. And since no mechanic was available at night, I suggested him to leave his car under the supervision of the resort manager.

"Did you get any proof against Tanmay?" Jaaiz asked.

"No. Still on the way." I said looking straight on the road.

"I have got something which can help you."

My eyes turned to him.

"The fake legal land documents. Plus some audio recordings."

"Why will you turn against him?" I asked.

"Because he is not my family. But you are."

I nodded for I didn't know what to say actually.

"And Bhai..." He sighed, "How did you know I saved your life? I did not confess that to anybody!!!."

"Well, I'm always one step ahead of you little brother." I chuckled ruffling his hair.

"I ain't little anymore." He argued.

"For me you are."

"Alright Sir..." He rested his head on the window pane and dazed outside the window, softly smiling.

I looked at the screen of my beeping phone.

"Who is it?" Jaaiz asked, turning his eyes.

"Ruhanna." I replied and picked up her call.

She sounded worried. Her voice cracked as she took my name.

"Ruhi....what's wrong?"

"Dhristi....I can't find her in the house." She whimpered.

"Did you check the entire house?" I asked as Jaaiz looked at me worriedly.

"Yes. I asked my neighbours. She is nowhere to be found."

"Alright. I am reaching there."

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A/N :

The story is wrapping up and it's 10K. This would not have been possible without you lovely readers.

My target is to wind up the story before my vacation ends. To all of you who have been with Ruhi and Sid in this this journey I love each one of you.

Stay tuned till the next update.
Lots of love.