Vows Of Serenity

2.

"Kisiki majal hai ki Moksh Mehrotra ki Maa ko kuch khe sake", I said looking at her and making her smile

[Translation: Who dares to say something to Moksh Mehrotra's mother?]

She took hold of my face and planted a tender kiss on my forehead making me close my eyes. She made me wear all the pieces of jewellery and helped me in getting ready. She pinned the family heirloom's broach on my sherwani's pocket and then patted my broad square shoulders.

"Ayo ladies and gentlemen", the door burst open and walked in the sole cause of my constant headache and mood swings from the last 28 years of my existence

"Oh Nevan beta you came, now come on help your best friend, I'll just go down and check the arrangements", Mom said and walked out of the room before passing me a look with read BEHAVE

"Aur Bhai? Kya haal chaal?, sunne meh aaya hai shaadi kar raha hai", Nevan joked and slumped on my bed making me look at him in disgust

[Translation: and bro? How are you? I heard you are getting married]

"Nhi khud ko barbaad kar raha hu, wanna join?", my voice was filled with irritation. Nevan sensing my foul mood sat straight and looked at me attentively

[Translation: No, I'm ruining myself, wanna join?]

"You okay bro?", his voice was laced with concern. I just nodded and sat on the bed beside him.

"I just don't know yaar, she's 6 years younger than me, you see the age gap? It makes me feel like an uncle-"

"You are one bro!", I glared at him with my murderous gaze when he butted in the middle to which he made a zipping of his lips expression

"Above all, everything's happening on short notice. It was only a week ago that I landed back in Delhi from my work tour and Dadaji announced the alliance. Everything was fixed without my consent and they want me to be happy with all the happenings", I put front my miseries to which he listened carefully

Nevan was my best friend since diapers. Our parents were business associates but we became friends the moment we came to our senses. We would always stick around no matter what. We went to the same playschool, same high school, same college and even graduated the same year from the same University.

We travelled, went clubbing, and partying and mostly did everything together. We had been inseparable ever since then and even if Nevan would behave as an ass, I would stick together with him.

Nevan and I had an easygoing aura around us. We were only serious during work and in the office. Or else at home, hamse bada joker koi ho hi nhi sakta. In the corporate world I'd a reputation to keep so I'd my cold emotionless facade pulled on because it teaches us that your worst enemy can be your closest friend.

So we refrained from showing our emotions since trust issues were at stake. At work, I was the strict, heartless, cold, short-tempered cocky boss.

But in the four walls of our abode, I was always smiley and fun to be with. Ziya and I would team up and prank everyone. Mom, Dad, Chacha, Chachi, dadi, dadu, Vivaan and Vihaan Chacha-chachi's twins and even the helping staff.

The whole house was a victim of our shenanigans, we spared none. Even Nevan would join us ganging up against everyone. haste khelte aur chill raha karo na yaar, yeh kya gandi si sadi hui shakal banakar manhusiyat failani hai