Hey May,
I somehow lost track of my previous 'reserved' comment. Hence, putting up a new one here.
First things first, a big, warm hug and many congratulations to you on completing your first FF. The only thing is- I wish you'd taken it to 50 Chapters. I see an Epilogue being demanded, and I'm keen on it too, if you do plan to write! 😳
Completing a story, well this is almost like a novel right is no mean feat. I can really understand the elation, the contentment that one gets one is able to bring the story in their minds on paper and to drive it to the end we'd thought of.
I remember, you'd once told me- during our initial interactions that you too wanted to write a full fledged story, and I'm so happy that Minu motivated you and finally you shared the tale here.
RGAB is and will always be a gem of this forum, and of course, a story which is very close to our hearts.
When we used to watch the show, it was all on screen. We could decipher the moods, the situations, the sparkling chemistry that their eyelocks conjured, but you May, you drafted another vivid version that was so close to the characters I love, yet so different. Despite your Samaina being adults, even during their honeymoon phase, never once did I feel disconnected to the core traits or the innocence of their love.
For me the school time episodes were the best, and to be really frank, I would say, I prefer the married version you gave over the one we saw in the serial.
Your very idea of closing the loop- with the anniversary was special. Yes, Samaina deserved their own moment here and nothing better than a surprise party.
Wo kehte hai na, koi kisi se kuch bhi cheen le, par kisi ki qismat nahi cheen sakta. Wo qismat hi tha- ki Taiji ke hazaar taanon ke bavjud, Sameer raazi nahi tha...families mein itna difference tha....fir bhi, Naina aur Sameer ki qismat judi huyi thi.
As I've said multiple times before, whenever I read this story of yours May, the song that echoes in my ear is:
"Rishta nahi hai...dono ko fir bhi baandhe koi dor hai...is dosti ko kya naam dein hum, yeh baat kuch aur hai!"
I seriously got those 90s ke feels...Samaina ke feels...the anticipation about when Sameer will finally fall for her.
The starting days were a bit tumultous for them both- Sameer stuck in his insecurities, Naina amidst the pressures of her family. Yet, Sameer had been irked to see her talk to another guy, had hid the kangans on purpose just so she'd be more careful of them in future. He hardly realized that he cared deep down.
The fasting during teej, Sameer being rude later on, the fight on the topic of bidai- all these phases got me sad and heartbroken along with Naina.
But Naina's true love overpowered everything. Nanaji knew Sameer in and out and began to understand and appreciate Naina. Deep down, he knew Naina might just give him the love he'd ached for all his life.
"Wo Jab We Met ka dialogue hai na Nanu style wala...hamari umar mein waqt nahi lagta, ek jhalak kaafi hoti hai yeh batane ke liye ki ladka aur ladki ke beech kya chal raha hai.." :P
Another thing I really liked about this story was- there were hints of grey, lows and ups, but no character was really negative here. Not Vishakha, not Vivek. Infact, I really giggled whenever Vivek opened his mouth- especially the day after their "supposed" first night had me in splits.
I really appreciated the way you broached intimacy in this entire story- be it the mayaan and talvaar analogy (had a good laughs there too when Naina asked if Sameer owned a sword and later on when Sameer laughed at it during their honeymoon), or the way the honeymooning couples talked or stood close, or the way Naina find out all about it through books was very innovative! That was also so much in line with the brainy Naina. It was obvious she would look for answers in books.
Naina being the quintessential housewife, the loved bahu, the ideal student, a hardworking intern and a businesswoman with acumen- at times, I was actually comparing myself to her and felt I really needed to buckle up as the lady-in-charge.
Munna, Pandit were as adorable as they'd been in the show and Preeti too. Swati aur Munna ki love story ka angle bahot cute tha- unka confession, unke rishte ki baat and Munna ka rukna for his sister.
Preeti ki bhi shaadi fix ho gayi matlab. Ek beti itne ameer khandaan mein, dusri videsh mein- Taiji to jal bhun ke raakh :P Sameer jo Taiji ki insult krta hai waah!
The entire anniversary surprise idea was lovely- even the cake cutting at night. I loved all their romance sequences, the fake dating phase- the making of gulkand from roses (that was epic matlab :P), the ice-cream treats, the heart-to-heart talks in that guest room over the 'khidki band karo' abhiyaan, the sleeping and cuddling together, the movie dates- everything made me smile!
All in all, I'd say, 'The Reluctant Groom and the Accidental Bride' has been cast under my bucket of feel good stories, with its impeccable writing (tonnes better than some of the so-called bestsellers in market), the wit and the blossoming of love between the characters I've come to admire.
The most important thing in a story is for a writer to make its reader feel for the protagonists- smile with them, cry with them. Everything else, I guess, just falls in place. And you did exactly that!
I know I've been pretty lax with my comments here. In fact, I kept waiting to draft out a review, and until then a next update was posted and I'd think, maybe I'll write for that one too and so on. I'd thought of messaging you my comments over our personal chats too (I think most of us find that more convenient) as we've lost touch with the forum now. Thank you for being so understanding and patient with me May. I'm really sorry for all the delays.
Since this is the final part, I figured out I'd try to give a review on the update and the story as a whole. I know I've blabbered for most part, but I hope you know that your story has been one of my favorites on the forum!
I love you for writing it. I'm sad that it's ended, but happy that you completed the story the way you wanted to. I've said it before and I'll say it again- I would wait for more works from you May, irrespective of whether they are on Samaina or not.
Loads of love,
Sur