Rishi POV:
Hi everyone, you all missed me, right? I know after the Women's Day chapter, I gained a lot of followers. I also saw some comments saying I am a green forest. Sorry to ruin your imagination, but no, girls and boys, I am human. Sorry, a fictional human.
I know I will always have a small place in all of your hearts, so don't worry that I am fictional. I will be within you all when you feel lonely or single. Just think of me; I will be there. Okay, we are off-topic now. Let's get back to my Di's wedding, shall we?
The sangeet is going on so well, and everyone danced until their legs were worn out. Jiju scolded every one of us for making Di dance so much, but we all didn't care since Di was laughing behind him.
We all have dispersed to our rooms for the wedding tomorrow morning. We have to wake up very early in the morning since the muhurtham is at 4:45 am.
I sat in my room, and suddenly I was sad. Sad that she is going to get married officially and this will be her home from now on. And I have to leave tomorrow after her wedding.
There is no reception since Jiju said she cannot stand that much time. We just arranged all other events except that. After tomorrow morning, she will become a member of this family, and eventually, I have to go back. I can't forever stay here, can I?
That is going to be selfish on my part, doesn't it? Sure, this family treats me like their own, but that doesn't give me any right to stay here, right? At the end of the day, I am an outsider. I sighed as my heart filled with heavy emotions.
I just walked out of my room and roamed randomly and ended up in front of their room. I looked at the door to knock, but I didn't want to disturb their time, so I turned to leave. But Jiju opened the door, and I looked at him.
He just simply said, "Oh kiddo, come, come inside." I followed him and saw Di sitting on the balcony couch. Jiju said, "I will be right back kiddo, your sister is craving for ice cream." I nodded and sat beside my sister.
She looked at me and asked, "What is wrong, kiddo? You look so down." I shook my head and gave a fake smile, saying, "No Di, I am perfectly fine." She cupped my face and asked, "Come on, tell me what is going on? Did someone scold you?" I sighed again.
Wait, how many times did I sigh today? How can she always know that something is wrong with me just by a glance? I kept my head on her lap and closed my eyes. She caressed my hair. "I am worried now, kiddo. Just say what is going on?" I said, still with my eyes closed, "I am just going to miss you so much, Di."
She asked, "Why?" I sat up and said, "I am going to the penthouse tomorrow evening, Di." Her eyes widened as she asked, "No, why? Did anyone in this house scold you?"
I shook my head, "No Di, no one did anything. It's just that I don't have any right to stay here, Di. Yes, I am your brother, but that doesn't give me a right to stay here with all of you, right? Eventually, I have to go back. But I promise I will visit you frequently."
She said, "No, I will talk to Vihaan, kiddo. Everyone here loves you as their own kiddo. You can stay here with me." I said, "No Di, don't tell any of this to Jiju, promise me."
She looked into my eyes for some time and finally said, "Okay fine, promise. But can you consider this once again, kiddo, please? I want you here with me." I said, "Even I want to be by your side, Di, but you are married, and I have to accept the fact that I am grown up." I wiped her tears as she asked more like a whisper, "Can't you stay any longer?"
I was frustrated, no, annoyed, no, angry. Arghh! I don't know what this emotion is, but for the first time in my life, I raised my voice at her, "HOW LONG, Di? Every minute I stay here, I feel like I am a burden to everyone. I know you want me with you because you are scared that I will run into some trouble, but Di, I'M GROWN UP NOW, so I have to leave, don't I?"
I heard a growl, and I knew who was there. I didn't want to turn around and look. He said in a very scary voice which sent shivers down my spine, "Nobody is leaving anywhere. I also hired someone to redecorate your room after this marriage. You are staying here, and that's final, Also NEVER RAISE YOUR VOICE AT HER, Kiddo."
I didn't say anything; I didn't have the courage. Di said, "Aan, don't force him. Also, don't raise your voice at him. You know I don't like it."
He said, "But he shouted at you." She said, "Yes, he shouted at me, not you." She cupped my cheek with her hand, and I leaned into it, tears rolling down my eyes. I said, "Sorry Di, I didn't mean to shout. I was just frustrated that I want to leave you. I hate that you now have a family of yours without me in it."
She cupped both my cheeks now and raised my head to look at her as she said, "You're my first priority, Rishi. You are always my kiddo, and for a mother, her kids are always number one, right? This family is your family as well, Rishi. Don't overthink anything and just follow your heart. If you want to stay, stay, and if you want to leave, I will make all the arrangements, okay?"
I said, "I don't want to leave you both, Di, but I am scared that I am becoming a burden to everyone in the family." Jiju bent down and said, "Look at me, Rishi." I was scared, but still, I tried to look at him as he hugged me. Relief is what I felt now.
He said, "I already told you, didn't I? If you're Saanvi's first child, you are my kiddo as well, and you have every right to stay here because you are never a burden to us, kiddo. You are our blessing, and we both love you equally with the coming baby." I cried onto his shoulders as they both held me.
After some time, I asked, "So I can stay here?" They both nodded. "I am not a burden then?" They shook their heads. A smile spread through my face. I was relieved that I can stay with my sister, sorry, my mother.
Jiju gave her the ice cream, but that already melted, so Di whined, "Aannnnn," and I laughed. We all laughed. That night I slept in between them. Though jiju complained that "You are a grown man, kiddo, yet you want to sleep here," he is the one who held me while sleeping like I was his kid. I couldn't ask for a better man for my sister. He is perfect for her in all ways.
The next morning, I woke up quickly and went downstairs. They were both still sleeping. Rahul bhai, and I agreed to finish the decorations quickly, so we had been busy since then.
After some time, jiju came down wearing traditionals and sat in the mandap. The priest started the chants. Soon, I saw my sister also coming down with a white saree. She looked beautiful; it was like I was watching an angel walking with a coconut in her hand. She also sat opposite to jiju as the cloth was placed between them.
As the rice grains offered by elders and the blessings sent by the divine, my sister's wedding shines like a radiant moonbeam in the night sky. This joyous occasion has brought together a couple whose love glows brightly, illuminating the hearts of all who witness it.
The air is filled with the sounds of celebrations and joyous dances, echoing the laughter and conversations of loved ones. Unseen moments of happiness are bestowed upon all who have gathered, creating memories that will be cherished forever.
Soon, jiju tied the sacred thread to her, and both of their eyes were filled with tears. I am so happy to witness this. I know how much this wedding means to them, after everything they have gone through.
This is a happy time for them. And I know you all will be wishing for their point of view now, but as you all have already seen their views of marriage in the first book, the author decided to give me a chance and trust me I am trying my best.
After all the events, it was finally done. They are married for the second time as well. I am happy to be the only person who witnessed both their weddings, and trust me, both were magical.
And it's garland exchange time. They both walked towards each other with a garland in their hand. Fireworks blasted all the sides. Rahul bhai looked at me mischievously, and I immediately understood what he meant as we both ran to di and lifted her so that jiju wouldn't reach her.
She laughed as jiju said, "This is not fair," she stuck her tongue out at him. Rahul said, "Bow for her bhai, then you can reach her." He shook his head and sat on his knees for her and said, "I will always be at your service, my queen. So, will you please let me put this on you?"
She nodded and said, "Okay, you both can put me down now." With that, jiju exchanged his garland, and when it was her turn, jiju was already taller than her, and now he stood on his tiptoes and purposely avoided the garland.
Di pouted, asking, "Aan, what do you want?" He smiled and poked his cheek. Di shook her head, but she granted his wish by kissing him on his cheek, which earned a lot of "awws" from us as they both finally exchanged the garlands. Soon, they took the blessings from everyone.
It was her gruhapravesh as the daughter-in-law of the family, but before that, we all sat in the garden after all the guests had taken their leave. We ate our breakfast, looking at everyone in the family having the biggest smile on their faces. I was glad. I was glad that I am part of this family.
Jiju cleared his throat and said, "From today onwards, Rishi is also going to stay with us. If anyone has a problem with that, please say." No one said anything.
Instead, aunty said, "It is great to have you with us, Rishi. Don't forget we are your family as well, not only your sister's. So if you have anything going on in your mind, come talk to us as well."
Ah my heart is filled, that is why I love this family so much. They have given the warmth of family for me and my sister, and I couldn't thank them more. I simply nodded, and everyone went back to their casual chatting and Rahul & Shri bickering.
I guess now I will take my leave. I know everyone is sad that this book is going to end soon. I know all stories must come to an end, but I'm sure theirs will live on forever.
Maybe this will be the last chapter I steal from the author. So, everyone, please take care of yourselves, think of me sometimes, and don't forget to live in the moment rather than just existing. With that as my last note, I am signing off.
Yours, Rishi.
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Rishi is one character that I'm 100% sure I can never create again. He is that one of a kind.
okay now It really is hitting me hard that this is all coming to an end. Brace yourselves for the last chapter.