Chapter 4

Part 4

Virat looked up at the 22 story high building, then with a deep breath and taking his Mom/Dad's name, he stepped into the V.Vadera Empire office. With his Chachu on one side and his DadaJi on the other, he stepped into the reception area, where he was greeted by the entire staff. The reception area was decorated with a big banner saying "Welcome VIRAT!", and balloons covered all the walls. As they came to a stop in the middle of the hall, Virat felt DadaJi's hand pat him on the back reassuringly, turning to him Virat smiled at him warmly.

"Welcome Virat Sir..!", everyone said, as two girls walked upto him.

 One was 30 years old, and married, the other looked to be around 25 and single.

"Hi Sir, i am Nisha, your secretary…", the younger looking girl said to him as she handed him flowers.

"Thank you, nice to meet you..", he said to her.

"And i am Rupa, the new receptionist..", the older looking one said as she too handed him flowers.

Saying thank you to her as well, Virat handed both bouquets to Nisha as he told her to place them in his cabin while he took a tour of the office. With both his DadaJi and Chachu beside him, Virat took a look at the whole office again, true he had been here many times before just to visit, but this time, he was here as the new MD and felt that this was important. 

 Two hours later, Virat exited the elevator on to the eighth floor, this was the floor on which all the big people had their cabins, including his DadaJi, Chachu, and even his Dads old cabin was on this floor. As DadaJi stopped in front of the door, which led to his Dad's cabin, Virat looked at him surprised. He had always wished that when he eventually joined the office he would get his Dad's cabin, but thinking that his DadaJi wouldn't approve he had never asked, and had told him to get any cabin ready, now as he stood there his heart filled with joy. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath before taking a step and felt his parents presence engulf him as he opened the door and stepped into his Dads cabin…His cabin.

Seeing his new cabin, Virats heart sunk. He had not wanted just the same cabin as his Dad, he wanted his Dads exact cabin, with the same furniture and other small things he had seen his Dad work around. But he hid his feelings well, knowing how hard his DadaJi himself had worked to get the cabin ready for him. 

"Thank You so much Dadaji, Chachu, its great..", he said to them with a smile as he ran his eyes over the office again.

 The back wall was complete glass and faced out to the beautiful scene of buildings and a small lake towards the right. Infront of the window there was a big black wood desk with a big brown leather chair behind it and two smaller leather chairs in front of it, placed in the middle of the room and facing the door. With a black leather sofa and cherry colored coffee table, set on the left side next to a mini-bar and a black bookshelf stacked with resourceful books on the right side. As he took a seat behind the desk for the first time as the official MD, Virat made a silent prayer to Khanna-Ji and his parents, to help him succeed in this phase of his life, just as he did every time he started something new. Then at the insistence of his Chachu and DadaJi he was made to study old project files from the past, both successful and unsuccessful projects, at first he was a little mad for being made to study these, instead of real new projects, but as he studied them he understood why they had done so, it was for him to learn about different projects and what each type needed. But what they didn't know was that Virat had already studied these… many years back, when he used to spend his time here in his Dads cabin, as he felt closer to him here, having spent many of his childhood days here accompanying his Dad while he had worked.

 He had been 18, and in this very room when he had suddenly come across a box at the bottom of the shelf filled with files. Curious he had opened the box and pulled out a file. As he had scanned it his eyes caught small notes on the sides in a handwriting that was vaguely familiar to him, concentrating on it he realized that the handwriting belonged to his Dad. This fact had amazed him and he quickly made his way back to the desk, sat on his fathers big black leather chair, placed the file on the desk, put on his reading glasses, and began reading the file from beginning to end. At first it all seemed gibberish to him, but as he went through the other files, slowly some things began to make sense to him and later as he began taking business classes at university and now restudied the files, he was finally able to understand everything and how it worked. 

A few hours later as he continued going through his Dads old files, Virat called in Nisha, and asked her to fetch both his DadaJi's and Chachu's files as well. He wanted to study the difference in each of their handling of the projects and learn from all of them, not just one. 

1:30pm

"Virat… lunch time?..", Chachu said as he came in.

"Haan Chachu, just this last file please..", Virat said not looking up from the file.

"Nahin Virat, you can complete the file later, for now come and do lunch…", Inder ordered him.

As Inder stood watching his nephew he was over whelmed, for he had stood in this very spot many times years back, only then he would come to remind his Bhaiya about lunch, and would wait for him just like he was now waiting on Virat.

"Chachu..please..", Virat whined.

"No ways, if your Chachi gets to know by chance she going to kill me..", Inder said to him sternly.

"Uff…okk..", Virat said as he finally put the file down and got up to join him so that they both could go have lunch, since DadaJi had already gone home after seeing Virat settle in.

An hour later, they both returned to their perspective cabins after a light-hearted lunch, and Virat once again immersed himself into the files. Later, Nisha finally brought him to his present and reminded him about the time, when he realized that the whole office was now empty.

"Sir.. its 8pm..everyone else has left..app kab?", she asked him a little hesitantly.

"Eight, already?",Virat asked confused, as he finally looked up at the big digital clock placed on top of the door frame directly across from him.

"Yes sir..", she replied.

"Chachu?..", Virat asked her now.

"Inder Sir, left for a meeting out of town around 3pm Sir..after letting you know..", she replied.

"Oh yea…i remember now…looks like i went a little too deep into these files..", he chuckled as he got up and took his coat off the chair placed it over his left arm and grabbed his bag with his right hand as he headed out for the night with Nisha beside him.

"Thank you for staying…and don't be scared, i won't scream at you for no reason…haha…next time if i repeat this, just remind me sooner, so we both get out of here quicker and i don't have to hear Ma's scolding..", he laughed as Nisha smiled at him.

Thirty minutes later, he entered his house, and walked right into his Ma, the very person he had been trying to avoid.

"Hi Ma..", he said sheepishly.

"Ma ka baacha!… is this the way to act on your very first day! you scared me.. i called the receptionist, Inder, you…everyone! and not a single reply!", Kadambhari scolded him as she twisted his ear.

"Sorry Ma… please.. i just got lost while going over files and completely lost track of time na..", he tried to reason with her giving her a puppy face.

"Accha.. iss bar I'm letting you go, but next time!..", she warned him as she let go of his ear and let him stand up straight again.

"Next time? There won't be a next time!", he said to her with a wink.

"We'll see!, for now go change, ill get your dinner warmed and brought to your room…teek hai?", she asked him now.

"Teek hai…", he said as he started walking towards his room, and then remembering something, turned back towards her.

"Ma?? Bhai ki shahdi ki movie hai apple pass? i still haven't seen it!!", he called out to her as she was about to enter the kitchen.

"Haan hai… ill bring it to you with your dinner!", she called back towards him.

Smiling to himself, Virat stepped into his room and was washed up by the time Choti Ma joined him, with his food and the wedding movie. As she took a seat by the foot of the bed, Virat placed the movie into the dvd player, grabbed the remote, hit play and took a seat on the ground to Ma's left side. He looked up at her and smiled, knowing she would understand, and sure enough, she quickly broke a piece of the chapati, dipped it in curry and began feeding him his dinner. Together they laughed as they watched the engagement ceremony, but to his disappointment the person whom he had been most eager to see, was no where to be seen around the bride or groom,  although it was her sisters engagement. Unfortunately with Ma beside him, he couldn't simply forward and stop at her scenes now, could he? 

"Virat…abb son ja.. watch the rest of it later…", Ma said to him, as the cd gliched and froze, she then got up and placed the food tray on the table that sat on a side.

"Par Ma..", he started whining.

"Virat… yeh kya hai? ever since you've come back, all you've done is whine..?", she scolded him for his behavior.

"Sorry Ma, actually udar appko chirhane ka moka nahin tha na mila..tho ab uski kasar poori kar raha hoon!..", he laughed as he kissed her sweetly on the cheeck, chuckling.

"Ok leave all this now, into bed you get..", she said to him, as she stood with both hands on her hips.

Obediently he got into bed, and she came to tuck him in, placing a motherly kiss on his forehead, she walked out after turning the tv and lights off. 

The next four days passed for them all in the same routine, except Virat was able to make it home earlier. As he awoke to the sunlight beaming in his room on Friday, he felt so refreshed and calm although he had done nothing different from the previous four days he had spent. Yet he felt more relaxed, and even his mood was brighter, as the thought crossed his mind, he realized that he had also felt like this since yesterday evening, maybe his body was getting used to all the work? thinking this he got up and went to go get ready for the office. 

10am

Kadambhari was in her room folding Inders shirts and putting them away when her phone rang. Quickly placing the last shirt into the cupboard she walked over to the bed and picked up her phone.

"Kadambhari? Where are you? Ithna sara kaam baki hai, or tum abhi thak ayi nahin?", Swamini asked her.

"Kounsa Kaam, DiDi?", she asked, confused.

"Ajj Shaam Sigaai hai Kadambhari! Sagaai!", Swamini reminded her.

"Ajj??..Oh no Di.. ghar kai kamon mein main bhool hi gayi, mein bas abhi nakalthi hoon..", Kadambhari said as she called the driver to take out the car after notifying BauJi and Shlok to quickly get ready so they could go over and help.

An hour later, they stood outside Chopra Mansion, awaiting for someone to come and open the door for them. As the door opened just then, Kadambhari was surprised to see Manvi beaming at them, her smile filled with warmth and happiness.

"Namaste!…", Manvi said as she walked into BauJi's open arms and gave him a hug.

"Manvi..tu kab ayi?", Kadambhari asked, also giving her a loving hug as they entered the hall.

"Ji, Kaal sham koh..actually Jiju had some work in Rhishikesh, and on his way back asked if i wanted to come back with him, since today was the sigaai anyways, and so here I am..", she replied as the Chopra's greeted them as well.

"Mami, Virat nahin ayya?", Viren asked her as they were all standing in the hall, ready to divide up the chores.

"Nahin.. he went to office with your MamaJi.. 'll try calling him and asking him to come and help, but I'm not sure if he'll agree…appne kaam kai mamleh main who bilkul appne Papa pay gaiya hai..", she replied.

"Its ok…app kaam karo, mein Virat koh phone karke bhulatha hoon..", Viren said to her as they all began their chores.

Viren stood watching as Manvi and Jeevika started assisting a few servants in putting up the decorations, Kadambhari Mami stepped into the kitchen to monitor all the food preparations, DadaJi and Shlok were sent off to Papa's study as they weren't able to do much and Ma monitored everything from the side. His little sister had been forbidden to come downstairs and so was now locked upstairs in her room until the ceremony took place, at the orders of both Manvi and Jeevika. 

"Jiju! Come help us please!", Manvi called out to him, as her and Jeevika picked up ribbons of flowers to hang around the hall.

"Coming, just two minutes!", he called to her as he dialed Virats number.

 The bell kept ringing, but no one picked up after trying two more times, Viren gave up with a sigh as he went to go help his wife and saali-sahiba in hanging up the flower ribbons. It was 1 in the afternoon, when Viren felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, he had been holding the ladder as Manvi hung the ribbons that Jeevika handed her. Moving away from the ladder after asking Manvi to wait patiently, Viren moved to the window towards the left, as he fished his phone out of his pocket and answering it.

"Hello?", he said.

"Hi Bhai…appne phone kiya tha?…Sorry actually i was busy in the files and didn't realize it was ringing..", Virat said to him, even before he could ask him anything.

"Sorry tu mujhse nahin, Khushi se key… for now thank god that she's locked away in her room, when she finds out your at the office instead of here helping with the preparations for her engagement tonight…woh tho tujhe maar hi dehgi!", Viren said to him, as he turned towards Manvi and Jeevika again.

"I know Bhai…lekin main kya karta office anna bhi zaroori the…", Virat replied, well aware of his sisters reaction.

"Tu aise kar, tu abhi ahh jaw…before she comes to know..", Viren said to Virat, as he continued watching the sisters interaction, as Jeevika playfully hit Manvi on the legs as she was still on the ladder.

"Mein try karta hoon, lekin mushkil hoga..", Virat said to him.

"Viratt…ache tu try tho kar, then tell me what you figured out..ok?", Viren asked him.

"Ji Bha-..", Virat was cut off by Viren.

"MANVI!, Jeevika…sambhal kai…rukko I'm coming..", Viren called to the sisters as Jeevika again hit Manvi playfully on the legs making her jerk to the left and almost lose her balance on the ladder.

"Manvi?..Bhai Manvi ayi hai?", Virat asked Viren Bhaiya, unable to stop himself from sounding excited about it.

"Huh?...haan she came with me yesterday to help with todays preparations..", Viren answered, his attention still on the sisters thus he was unable to catch his brother excited voice.

"Oh ok..", Virat said, trying to sound normal.

"Ok Virat i have to go…you try to come early…ok?", Viren Bhaiya said to him.

"Haan Bhai..i've worked it out, ill be their in an hour..", Virat said as he quickly put his file down and grabbed his keys.

"Acha?…chal teek hai..", Bhaiya replied, sounding a little confused at his response.

Hanging up, Virat headed out of the cabin, he peeked into Nisha's small cabin outside and to the right of his office before heading to Chachu's cabin.

"Nisha…cancel everything i have for the rest of the day…I'm heading home..", he said to her, as he walked away towards Chachu's cabin.

"But?..", she called behind him, except Virats mind was too far away to hear it and so he continued down the hall.

Reaching his Chachu's cabin, Virat knocked before entering the big CEO cabin.

"Chachu…is it ok if i leave? Actually you know na, ajj sham Khushi ki sigaai hai..if i don't go help with the preparations, she will kill me..", Virat said to him, after all he couldn't tell the world the truth now could he? and this wasn't a lie either, his sister would torture him, if she found out he handn't helped with the preparations.

"Haan Virat, koy baat nahin, tell your Chachi main bhi jaldi annai ki koshish karonga..", Chachu said to him with a smile.

"Ji..", saying this and bidding him a bye..Virat quickly headed down to the parking lot then jumping into his car, drove off towards Chopra Mansion.

At exactly 2pm he entered Chopra Mansion, and was immediately ordered to wash-up and then come to the table for lunch by his Choti Ma. Doing as she asked, he headed towards the guest room, to freshen up and searched the house for her as he did so. Unluckily he didn't see her on his way there or back to the kitchen, he was dejected as he took a seat at the table as Ma began to serve him. Just then he heard laughter coming from his right side, turning he sat watching her mesmerized, as she was being chased by Jeevika Bhabhi around the hall, laughing as she also dodged cushions that were being thrown at her.

Kadambhari stood confused, looking at her sons smile, turning to her left she tried to figure out what he was smiling about, and her eyes stopped as she noticed Manvi running away from Jeevika as she chased her. Seeing the two sisters interaction, she also smiled lovingly and watched as Bauji stepped down the stairs into the sisters path.

"DadaJi!…Di koh dekho na!", Manvi said as she hid herself behind him, and as she looked up her eyes locked with Virats, but she quickly tore them away leaving him a little upset.

"Nanu…iss ki galthi hai..app kahein isse, app meri side par hain!..", Jeevika whined on the other side.

"Manvi…", BauJi started to say lovingly in a persuading voice, but she cut him off.

"Appki pothi tho main hoon na…tho app meri side par ho na? Haina DadaJi?", Manvi said in her sweet voice, and he nodded in agreement.

"Lekin Naati tho mein hoon na …Nanu..?", Jeevika said on the other hand, to which he also nodded.

"DadaJi, app ho kiski side pe?", Manvi asked him, placing both hands on her hips.

"Mein?..Dono ki side pe!..", Bauji replied, torn between the two sisters.

"Nanu not fair!", Jeevika said, as Manvi nodded in agreement to her, making  them all laugh.

"Mein nahin choose karonga…kisi  or se karwalo!..", he said as he left them to handle their own argument, for he had once been stuck in between one before and it had lasted for a good hour at the least!

As the two sisters ran upstairs to go pester Khushi on the matter, Kadambhari shook Virat  to get his attention and told him to "eat-up". As Virat quickly devoured the food, he couldn't stop smiling at the scene he had just watched. He had loved and adored the way she had interacted with his DadaJi, with so much love and affection. Done with his late lunch, Virat helped Viren Bhaiya finish the rest of the preparations, as he kept trying to catch a glimpse of her, but unfortunately she didn't step down for the rest of the afternoon. Around 5, the Chaudhry's arrived, they were quickly settled in and given rooms to get freshened up and changed before the guests showed up around 6pm.

It was 6:30, when he finally saw her again..and what a sight she looked. Dressed in a simple white and baby-pink lehnga, she looked absolutely beautiful as she helped his sweet little sister down the stairs. Dragging his eyes away from her, he turned them towards his little sister, Khushi, she looked gorgeous dressed in a green and golden lehngha with elaborate embroidery on it…seeing her thus he was overwhelmed, for this moment was such, his baby sister had finally grown into a woman and he now had to hand her over to someone else to protect, and cherish. Together with Viren Bhaiya, he stepped upto the last step as Khushi stepped onto the second to last step, and together they both held out a hand for her to take, with  Viren Bhaiya on her right and him to the left, together they walked their little sister upto Arnav, and placed her right hand into his, handing her over to him, forever.

"Thank You all, for coming and being a part of this joyous occasion..", Ram uncle called out to everyone.

"We will now begin the engagement with the exchanging of rings.. Arnav?Khushi? ready?..", Madan Uncle called making everyone laugh.

Virat watched as Manvi, took a tray with the rings upto them and stood beside Arnav, as first Pincky Aunty and his Bua both did the couples aarti. Once the aarti was done and Pinky Aunty placed a red dupatta on Khushi's head, Manvi handed them each a ring, and as the crowd cheered they placed the ring on each others ring finger. As everyone cheered, she looked up at him, and for a minute their eyes locked… his  heart stood still as he drank in her beauty and simplicity, she in response blushed and quickly tore her eyes away from his and continued to ignore him as she had done all day so far. After they exchanged rings, Manvi and Jeevika Bhabhi escorted them to the throne-like chairs set for them on a platform. Seeing that she was on stage, Virat also went up and stood by Khushi, as guests came forward to congratulate them. He watched Manv,i become a little conscious of herself and adjust her dupatta as she watched him from the corner of her eye… as she realized he was watching her, she quickly got up and went to go stand behind Viren Bhaiya, who stood by Arnav's side. As he saw her watch him, from behind Viren Bhaiya, Virat smirked, she realized she had been caught, and blushed making his heart race at the effect he had on her.

"Jiju…yeh kya baat huyi..", Manvi said to Viren Bhaiya, acting as if she hand't been watching him at all.

"Kya?..", Viren Bhaiya asked her, confused at what she was talking about.

"Appki behan ki sagai haan…or app dance nahin kar reh?", Manvi complained to him.

"Nahin year…tim dance karloh na..", Viren Bhaiya said to her.

"Haan Viren Ji…Manvi sahib key rahin hai..Virat tim bhi!", Jeevika Bhaibhi said to both of them.

"Nahin Bhabhi…please..", Virat said, not really in the mood to dance.

"Kya yaar Jeevika..", Viren Bhaiya also complained.

"Reh nai dho Di…yeh nahin mane gai..", Manvi said giving them both a weird look and walking off the stage.

Virat looked at Viren Bhaiya, as Bhaiya also looked at him, shrugging at Manvi's antics they moved their attention towards their Sister and soon-to-be-Jiju.

A few minutes later, the lights dimmed, as music started playing the spotlight fell on a girl who stood in the middle of the with her back to them.  Virat recognized her immediately and stood stunned watching her, once again lost in her grace and beauty as she twirled around to face them.

Manvi: 

Aaj Hai Sagaai Sun Ladki Ke Bhai, Aaj Hai Sagaai Sun Ladki Ke Bhai, (Manvi sang as she held up her left hand and ran over it with her right and moved to the music, and then pointed towards Viren Bhaiya..)

Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikaa, Aaj Hai Sagaai

Manvi and Jeevika: 

Sun Ladki Ke Bhai, Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa (Jeevika Joined Manvi on the floor, and together they cupped their ears, and then moved their arms and shoulders in bhangra style)

Kudi Ki Tarhan Na Sharmaa, Hai Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja (They fake blushed as they hid their face in running their arms over it.. and then circled each other)

Haan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Viren:

Sabh Ko Nachaoon, Nach Nach Ke Dikhoon (Smiling, Viren jumped off the stage, and doing bhangra, stepped in between the sisters)

Aa Mujh Ko Gale Se Lagaa (He tried to hug Jeevika, but she ran to the other side and stood behind Manvi..)

Viren and Virat:

Sabh Ko Nachaoon, Nach Nach Ke Dikhoon (Seeing the dance, Virat also decided to give in and came to join his Bhaiya, as they both did Bhangra…)

Aa Mujh Ko Gale Se Lagaa, Munde Se Zara Aankh Lada (They turned towards the sisters, were now Manvi was hiding behind Jeevika…Virat quickly winked at her as him and Viren danced around them)

Munde Se Zara Aankh Lada, Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Hai, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja, O Soniyee... (From behind, Viren hit Jeevikas shoulder teasingly, and Virat did the same to Manvi, and grinned seeing her expression)

Sar Pe Sajaa Ke Sehraa, Baarat Le Ke Aaon (Virat pretended to tie a sehra on Viren head, and together they walked upto the sisters acting as they were holding a Doli over their left shoulders..)

Dulhan Tujhe Bana Ke, Doli Mein Le Ke Jaoon

M & J:

Bholi Samajh Ke Mujhpe, Na Daal Aise Daane (Making an innocent face they M & J put their finger on their chins, and then waved their hands as if to say go away as they stepped back from the brothers.)

Shaadi Nahin Karoongi, Ja Maan Ja Deewane

V &V:

Sun Albeli, Meri Tanha Akeli, Abh Kat Ti Nahin Ratiyaan (They pointed towards the sky, referring to the night..)

M & J:

Jaa Re Harjayee, Chal Chod Kalayee

Sabh Dekhti Hain Sakhiyaan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja 

Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja (Circling each other, they spun)

V & V:

Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja 

O Maan Ja... (The brothers also circled them, as they fixed their scarfs with attitude)

M & J:

Kehti Hain Meri Sakhiyaan, Dil Mein Hai Chor Tere

Kyoon Haath Dho Ke Aise, Peeche Pada Hai Mere (They stepped away from the guys, waving their hands behind their backs at them as they slightly jumped to the right..)

V & V:

Sakhiyoon Se Apni Keh Do, Ke Beech Mein Na Aaye

Ban Jayein Meri Saali, Jija Mujhe Banaayein (Stepping to them, Viren took Jeevika's hand in his and pulled her towards him, Virat also held Manvi's hand, and pulled her towards him, making her hit his chest, and she looked up at him, locking her eyes with his.. as his own heart raced, he felt hers do the same..)

 J:

Main Na Aaon Tere Sang, Tere Ache Nahin Dhang

Na Aise Baat Badha (As Jeevika sang, they came out of their eye lock, and Manvi pushed him away, blushing as she joined her Di again..)

V & V:

Mujhe Karna Tu Tung, Abh Band Kar Jung

Aa Ban Ke Dulhan Ghar Aa, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja (They circled each other, and then walked towards Jeevika and Manvi with attitude..)

M & J:

Haan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja, Haan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja (Manvi and Jeevika stepped back as Virat and Viren walked towards them..)

Aaj Hai Sagaai, Sun Ladki Ke Bhai

Aaj Hai Sagaai, Sun Ladki Ke Bhai

Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa, Aaj Hai Sagaai (As the guys stopped, together they circled the brothers as they clapped around them..)

Sun Ladki Ke Bhai, Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa

V & V:

Sabh Ko Nachaoon, Nach Nach Ke Dikhoon

Aa Mujh Ko Gale Se Lagaa ( In a bhangra move they first moved their arms to the left, then right, and then waved them over, as if saying to come and hug me…)

M & J:

Kudi Ki Tarhan Na Sharmaa (They spun around each other, and away from the brothers..)

V & V:

Munde Se Zara Aankh Ladaa (Viren and Virat also joined Manvi and Jeevika forming a circle, as they all danced spinning around…and pulled their parents, Chachu, Chachi, Badi Ma, Badai Papa, Bua, Ram Uncle, Shlok all in..)

Together:

Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja…. (They all danced in a circle clapping as the song came to an end..)

 The crowd cheered and applauded for them all, including Arnav and Khushi as well, who were so happy to see their families dance for them.

At the bequest of her Di, still laughing and smiling Manvi quickly moved to go upstairs and grab the gifts that Swamini Bua had set aside to give the guests for coming. Walking to the room where the gifts sat, Manvi blushed as she picked up the box, remembering the eye lock she had shared with her Di's Devar… she didn't understand what was happening or why..she just knew that it was somewhat changing her.

Downstairs, Virat was laughing with his friends as they joked about the cute antics during the dance. Seeing something pink and white flash on the stairs, he turned to see Manvi, lightly skipping down the stairs smiling.

As she walked alone towards the table set to a side on the left, across from where he was standing, Virat excused himself and went behind her. He watched her carefully organize the items onto the table, and stepped upto her from behind, once again only leaving about an inch between them.

"Thank you..", Manvi heard and felt his whisper, and immediately all her concentration and attention went to him.

"For..For what?", she asked him, in a small breathless voice.

"For making my sister look like a princess..", he whispered into her ear, making her skin crawl.

"Oh th-that…you-your welcome…", she forced herself to reply.

"Waise..tum bhi, khafi khoobsurat lag rahin ho…and your dance was amazing..", he whispered, leaving her stunned as he once again walked away, leaving her shaken, she turned around to watch him walk off..unsure if what she had heard was real...

Kadambhari stood to a side, in a group of friends chatting to them, seeing Virat pass by, she turned her attention to him for a minute to make sure he was alright. Sure enough he was smirking to himself as he kept glancing back. Curious Kadambhari looked behind him to see what he was smiling about, and saw Manvi standing frozen facing them with a unbelievable expression on her face, looking back at Virat, she caught him turning and winking at Manvi, the poor girls eyes seemed to pop out as he then gave his attention to Viren and Jeevika. Seeing the scene play before her eyes, Kadambhari remembered her sons smile earlier during the day as he had watched Manvi and Jeevika play, and she had also caught the eye lock when they had been dancing, putting the two together she realized what was happening here, and her heart filled with joy at the thought. "Lekin Kadambhari, tu abhi kissi koh bhi nahin bathaigi… give them time…", she said to herself, as she turned back to her friends with a smile.

The night continued, and the wedding date was fixed for three weeks later, as the shush mohraat was only for then or else not until for another year or so. Guests began to leave soon after, and after a while only the Chopra's, Vadera's and Chaudhry's were left. The Chaudhry's went to spend the night with the Vadera's except for Manvi who stayed behind to spend more time with Khushi and her Di, they were all going to stay in Chandighar for two days before heading back to Rhishikesh to began preparations for the wedding.