The Friendzoned Husband

Chapter 53 - You are my king

Amar grinned like an idiot. Prakash arrived because Amar invited him and he couldn't decline. He greeted everyone. Surya arrived. Prakash and Surya looked at each other for a second. He turned away before Surya could greet him.

"Come on. Have a drink" Praveen pulled them.

Prakash took the glass and drank. "You don't drink?" He asked Surya.

"No. As you all know I am into social service during my free time. A person like me should set an example. In fact Lasya quit drinking because of me" said Surya.

"You forced her?" asked Prakash.

"I didn't. It was her decision" said Surya. "I asked her to join me in a campaign to educate teenagers about ill effects of drinking. I prepared a speech for her and sent her the material. She didn't talk to me for two days. She called me the third day and told me that she felt guilty. She doesn't have a right to speak on stage when she herself drinks. So she decided to quit drinking after reading the material I sent her. That is exactly when I.."

"Fell in love?" Amar asked him. He nodded.

Prakash didn't speak. He emptied his glass and asked for more. "You know, you are a good boy" He said abruptly.

Surya was shocked. He looked at Amar, who was looking at Prakash, who in turn was looking at Surya. Then Amar looked at Surya, who looked at Praveen, who said, "It's the alcohol talking."

"A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts" said Amar.

"Amar is right. Everyone here is good. Surya, Anirudh, Praveen...everyone. And the best one is--"

"Me?" asked Rishi.

"No. The best kid among you is Amar" Prakash patted Amar. "I like your collection of bikes" He added.

Amar's friends started arriving. Together, they had lot of fun dancing to ear splitting music. Amar, the groom, was lifted up by his friends and passed over the heads of everyone present in the hall. Fifteen minutes later he was thrown into the swimming pool. He immediately took his watch off and held it above water to prevent it from getting damaged.

After hours of celebration, his friends started to leave. Amar made sure that those who got drunk don't drive. He sent his security guards with them.

"Amar, I need your help. We need to take these two to the Dhanunjaya mansion without anyone noticing. The girls are hosting a party in the ground floor. It won't look good if the bride's uncles come home drunk. Will you come with me?" Surya asked Amar.

"Bava you don't need to ask. He is dying to come" said Raj.

Amar agreed. They reached the house and went inside through the backdoor to take Prakash and Praveen directly to their rooms. They could hear music coming from the ground floor. Vennela's party was still going on. Nanditha dragged Prakash away.

"Hi Divya, I mean Vidya" Praveen waved at Vidya.

"Rishi, get me a knife from the kitchen" Vidya ordered.

"Amma, it's okay. He drank out of courtesy. He didn't drink in years" said Rishi.

"He called me Divya" Vidya glared at Praveen.

"Just a slip of tongue" said Raj.

"Slip of tongue? Divya was his first crush." Vidya looked at Praveen with murderous rage. She took her husband to their room. 

Amar started to leave. He almost stepped out of the door when two on Vennela's friends spotted him. "Girls, Vennu baby's fiance is here" One of them yelled. Soon Amar found himself surrounded by fifteen girls.

"Hello" He waved at them awkwardly. His hair was all messed up. He tried to flatten it.

"Trust me you look ten times more handsome than your pictures" One of them squealed. "Vennu you are lucky."

Vennela and Amar blushed at the same time. "Look at their coordination. They are so cute" The girls were excited. They didn't let Amar leave. He turned towards  Archana as if requesting her for help.

"Girls, how can we let Amar Pratap leave without dancing. Come on. To the dance floor." Archana yelled.

Amar was shocked. Before he could say something, he was being led to the dance floor. 

"Come on. Dance" They asked Amar and Vennela.

"I'm not a good dancer" said Vennela.

"We won't leave you until you dance" said the girls.

"I will teach you." Amar taught her a simple step. She imitated him. Lasya recorded it in her phone.

Everyone else joined them. Vennela held Amar's hand and helped him sneak out. They reached his car.

"So, we are getting married in five days" said Vennela.

"I know" Amar answered.

"The rituals will start tomorrow" said Vennela.

"I know" 

"We won't be allowed to meet until the wedding" said Vennela. She was unbuttoning and buttoning his shirt repeatedly.

"I know that too. I fail to understand why you are telling me what I already know" Amar teased her. 

"How am I suppose to live for five days without seeing you?" She hugged him.

"Same here. But, the prospect of our reunion in five days will give me strength to stay away now." Amar caressed her hair.

"Do you know what the best thing about you is?" Vennela asked him.

"You never told me" 

"Your name" said Vennela.

"Hey! Copycat. That's my answer." Amar complained.

Vennela smiled. "Your name suits you perfectly. Amar Pratap means immortal bravery and vigor. You have shown undying vigor and strength since the day we met. No matter how difficult the circumstances are, you never lost faith. When I looked at you during our wedding, I forgot all my worries for a while. You looked like a king. Now, I can proudly say that my husband doesn't just look like a king. He is a true king."

"Am I?" Amar was delighted. "Who is my queen? Am I allowed to choose one of your friends?" He asked pointed at the house.

"No" Vennela smacked his head. 

"This is not fair. What good is a king with no queen? I want a queen. Tell me. Who is my queen to be? Where is--"

Vennela covered his mouth with her palm to stop him from speaking. "You already have a queen. It's me." She paused and moved closer. "You are my king. I am your queen." Amar grinned. 

"Do you have a spare shirt in your car?" She asked Amar. 

"No. But I have a blazer."

"Good. Take your shirt off and give it to me. I'll sleep by hugging it" said Vennela.

"Great idea" Amar gave her his shirt and put on the blazer. "Sleep peacefully for the coming five days. Take afternoon and evening naps too if necessary."

"Why?"

"Because so many sleepless nights ahead, once we get married." He winked at her and left.

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Last chapter and epilogue are left.