Next Morning...
Aryan and Karan got down on the station at the Capital City.
"Ahh.....Home Sweet Home.", said Karan stretching. Both of them proceeded towards the exit. After travelling via train for about twenty four hours both of them were dead tired. Neither of them had informed anyone about their arrival but for completely different reasons. Karan wanted to surprise his sweetheart to whom he was engaged to while Aryan simply didn't want to bother anyone that too early in the morning.
"Ahhh I miss Neha so much. I am going to have breakfast with her today."Karan's sigh turned into a smile towards the end. Aryan observed the bounce in Karan's steps as they moved out of the railway station, towards the taxi stand. He chuckled lowly and flagged down a taxi.
"Won't you go to your house. If your parents get to know about this, you will get another round of beating and no one can you then." said Aryan keeping his luggage in the back, raising his eyebrows.
"HaHaHa, I forgot about it...... Still I will go to my Darling first. My parents will understand. In order to get a daughter-in- law, the entire family needs to contribute their part as well. And in case situation becomes bad my mother-in-law will save me from her best friend. Hmphhhh.", Karan's expression changed from scared to that of determination and then to self-righteousness within fraction of seconds. Aryan, being his best friend was used to seeing Karan's melodrama.
"Fine. Are you coming or will you take a seperate taxi ? ",asked Aryan.
"No way. I am coming with you. Either way Neha's place lies on you way. Drop me there.", saying this Karan got into the taxi.
...........................................................
Reaching Neha's place, Karan jumped out of the taxi. Saying bye to Karan he went inside the main gate. The security did not stop him as he was a frequent visitor of the Singhs. He ran inside and pressed the bell.
Avantika opened the door and the moment she saw Karan, a big smile bloomed on her face.
"Karan bro, You?? Here?", said Avantika in shock. Avantika looked like an angel decked in a light blue full sleeved churidar kurta with dupatta.
"Avi won't you let me in.", said Karan dotingly. Avantika wrapped her hands around Karan's waist for a quick hug.
"Mumma, Papa look who is here!!!", shouted Avantika. Smita and Adarsh came to the receiving room, seeing her pulling someone inside and making him sit on the sofa. Avantika turned around noticing their presence.
"Karan Bhai(bro) is here.", Avantika answered their unspoken questions. For Avantika, she had two brothers - Varun and Karan. Both of them stood in front of her, protecting her when she came to stay with them, bringing her out of her fear and timid shell. Avantika was more than thankful to not only them but her entire family for taking her in, caring for her when she was completely lost. But well that's a story for another time.
Karan immediately got up and touched both their feet, asking for their blessings. Smita helped him up and at the same time Adarsh patted his shoulder.
"Karan, I am so happy to see you. How are you? When did you come back? How come you are here alone? Don't tell me Sheetal does not know you are back, again." at this Karan had the decency to look sheepish. Avantika passed him a glass of water. She sat beside her dad with an expectant expression as if waiting for drama to unfold, the only thing missing would be a bowl of popcorn, thought Karan.
"I am fine Smita maa(mom). I came back this morning, in fact I came here directly from the railway station. What can I do? I was miss you so much that I couldn't wait to see you.",Karan went and gave Smita a side hug.
"Papa,my observation says he is clearly buttering Maa. Everyone knows he came here for someone special, whose name starts with N and ends with A.", mock whispered Avantika to Adarsh. This left Karan flabbergasted on being left by his team-mate. He started chasing her all around the room with a super wronged expression.
Knowing what Karan was thinking, Avantika replied - "Hey dont doubt me. I am your best wing girl, Okay, the number one fan Neha and you. You wont be getting married without me so soon. You would have taken your entire life only to propose her."
" Oh please I have Varun you know."
"Hmmm that Varun who could not even give you one idea about your proposal. Don't forget you both are completely hopeless in case of romance. Varun Bhai(bro) got married to Varsha Bhabhi(sister-in-law) because of us only, specifically me and Neha and you are gettig married because of Varsha Bhabhi and me.", smirked Avantika. Meanwhile, the doorbell rang again. Avantika immediately ran to the door leaving a completely horrified Karan behind.
"How could you??", shouted Karan when he realised what was happening,Avantika had called his parents, making even Adarsh and Smita laugh.
"What?? You miss Maa similarly I missed Sheetal Maa. So why can't I call her.", pouted Avantika with cute puppy eyes making it impossible for anyone to be angry on her. She opened the door and welcomed Karan's parents - Sheetal and Alok, inside.
Sheetal came and twisted his ear making Karan jump on his feet. His mom may be shorter than him but underestimating her would be the biggest mistake after all she was a MOM.
"I heard that daughter in laws leave their parent's home and come with husband that too after marriage but here everything is reverse. My son does not even remember his parents anymore.", Sheetal fake complained making everyone laugh.
Karan being a single child always felt lonely but this feeling went away after meeting Varun and Neha and later Avantika. Even he didn't realise when Avantika became more than a friend, he became protective of her, just like he would do for his younger sister. The Singhs treated him as if he was one of their own and same goes for his family. They dote on the girls the most. But soon he left for Army when he was eighteen and lost contact with them except for Varun. He and Neha were childhood friends before their feelings developed. He again met the grown up Neha when he came home last year and it marked the beginning of their fairytale, as Neha loves to call it.
Karan noticed everyone laughing and chatting among themselves. This was the kind of home he loves coming home to - where is together.
"By the way where is Neha? Still sleeping? Well let her sleep, she must have been busy during her exams. Now that she is free, she should take ample amount of rest.", asked Sheetal sitting on the sofa with Alok on one side opposite to Smita and Adarsh.
"Yes Sheetal Maa, she is sleeping. Yesterday was her last exam, so she is taking care of her beauty sleep so that she won't have any dark circles whenever she meets someone.", saying this Avantika winked at Karan making everyone laugh.