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In late January, Arundhati and her family were invited to attend her distant relative, Radhika's wedding in Mumbai in March. Their grandmothers were close friends, so Aru and Sahil spent a lot of time with Radhika during their holidays when they were young.
They kept in touch even when Aru and her family moved to Boston and basically were like cousins. Naturally, she called them at her wedding, wanting them to participate in her happiness.
Radhika's fiance, Nikhil, knew Ethan since their work in the Amazon and had bonded well with him and became his good friend, who was still in contact with Ethan. As a result, Nikhil invited him to his wedding.
"Ethan, I wanted to let you know that I won't be able to come into the hospital for the first week of March. I have to go to Mumbai to attend my relative Radhika's wedding", Aru told him.
"That's fine, but make sure to submit an application. Just so I can note it down officially so that no one reprimands you later."
"Got it. I will mail you the application in a day or two."
"Great. By the way, you know Nikhil, right? He's also getting married in Mumbai during the first week of March."
"That's great, maybe we could go together if it is around Radhika's wedding. Who is he getting married to?"
"His fiancee," Ethan looked at the e-invite on his phone before continuing, "Radhika Deshpande, who is a statistician."
"Wait, what?" questioned a shell-shocked Aru.
"Aru, what's wrong?" Ethan asked when he saw her too stunned to speak.
"Aru, come sit down and have some water. Whatever it is, we will face it together," Ethan said while helping her sit down and bringing her a glass of water.
"Thanks. Can I see the e-invite, please?" She asked, after managing to recover her speech.
"Sure, here you go", he said, handing her the phone but not understanding why.
Aru quickly took out her phone to compare the e-invites.
To her surprise, the e-invite she received was the same one that Ethan had gotten. She spent enough time staring at the phones in her hands that Ethan got worried.
"What's wrong, Aru? Can you tell me what's going on in your mind?"
"Ethan, I think we have been invited to the same wedding."
"What do you mean?"
"Here, look at these two invites, and tell me if there is anything different about them", she said, handing him the devices.
Ethan treated the images like a diagnostic case and inspected every pixel of them for any difference.
After about 15 minutes of peering at the screen, he grunted.
"So, my conclusion was right," Aru responded.
"Yeah. We are going to the same events", Ethan sighed.
"Ethan, you haven't told Nikhil about us, have you?"
"No, not at all."
"No matter what, we can't reveal our relationship to them", Aru mentioned.
"Why not, love?"
"Because everyone who knows Radhika and Nikhil will be present there. I don't want to be judged for dating you and neither do I want anyone to judge you or make snide comments about us."
"Okay, I do get your point now", Ethan nodded.
"So, just for a week, we will have to pretend that we aren't dating. I'll go there with my family and you by yourself.
"Yeah, okay. We don't have any other option, do we? It's a shame because I would have loved to introduce you as my girlfriend."
Before Aru could reply, her phone started ringing and displayed Sahil's call.
"Hi Kiddo, how did you get reminded of me suddenly?"
"Did you get Radhika's invitation?"
"Yes, I did. But there is a huge issue, bud."
"What is it?" Sahil asked, not knowing what would be coming next.
"Radhika's fiance is a good friend of Ethan's."
"And they don't know you both are dating."
"Exactly. I don't want to give anyone a chance to gossip about us."
"Yeah, I get it. Some people can be downright nasty and disgusting. But are you sure that Ethan's friend is marrying our relative, Radhika? Because both Radhika and Nikhil are extremely popular names."
"Yes, Sahil. I compared the invites we both received. We both have been invited to the same wedding."
"Well, if that's the case, you both will have to stay at different places."
"Why should we do that?" asked Ethan.
"Because there is a huge chance that Nikhil will invite you to stay near him, and if you refuse, it will look weird. Also, Radhika and her relatives might visit us and question about you", Sahil explained.
"Shit, we didn't think about this."
"You are completely right. We can't show that we are together. Only then they will buy the lie."
"Didi, we have been asked to attend all the pre-wedding and post-wedding events. Has Ethan been asked as well?"
"Yup, all the events," responded Ethan.
"Well then, it is settled. We'll stay away from each other for a week."
"Let's see how long that lasts," teased Sahil.
Aru was interrupted by her pager.
"Sahil, I gotta go. There is a 911 call I have to attend to. Talk to ya later, bud."
Aru and Ethan didn't realise how quickly the time flew. They were on their way to Mumbai with her family. Ethan was sitting a few rows behind them so that they could leave separately, just in case Radhika or Nikhil came to escort them to their places.
Before they parted ways, Ethan and Aru promised they would stay somewhat around the other. "During all the events, stay in my line of vision, don't stray away."
"Yes, ma'am. Understood," he said, with a huge grin on his face.
"I love you, babe. See you later. Message me when you get time."
"Of course, love. Don't need to tell me twice. Love you too, sweetheart."
The wedding took place smoothly, and the couple had a great time, enjoying all the rituals they had to perform.
Meanwhile, Ethan and Aru enjoyed themselves even though they were apart for a long time.
After the wedding, the married couple hosted a reception event which had a DJ playing some hit Hindi, Marathi and English songs. Meanwhile. Aru and Sahil were having some snacks in a corner.
"Didi, you should go dance with Ethan."
"Sahil, no one here knows about us."
"Didi, look around you. Everyone is enjoying themselves. Go and have some fun with Ethan."
"Are you sure? What if someone sees us?"
"They will not, I can fully assure you that."
A few minutes later, Ethan and Aru met in a dark part of the room.
"Why did you call me here, darling? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to dance with you."
"Are you sure, love?"
"Yes, Ethan. Please? We haven't seen each other in a week."
"Alright, then. Anything to make you happy."
At that moment, the DJ started playing a song that made Aru swoon because it was perfect for them, and they started dancing.
Dekha hazaron dafaa aapko, phir bekarari kaisi hai
I've seen you a thousand times, then why this restlessness.
Even though Aru's eyes were fixed on Ethan's, her mind was elsewhere.
She was busy thinking about how her life had changed for the better ever since she met him. She had transformed into a completely new person ever since she met him.
Sambhale sambhal ta nahi yeh dil, kuch aap me baat aisi hai
I'm not able to control my heart, there's something special about you.
She never knew when she fell head over heels for him despite everything. She felt they were destined to be together, no matter what happened.
Lekar ijazat ab aapse, saanse ye aati jaati hai
Now after taking your permission, my breaths come and go.
She couldn't imagine how her life would have been without Ethan. He constantly pushed her to be better and supported her always.
Dhunde se nahi milte hai hum, bas aap hi aap baaki hai
When I search for myself, I can’t find myself, as it's only you who remain.
He had a way of making her feel better just by being near her, which she always appreciated and enjoyed, especially when she had bad days.
Pal bhar na duuri sahe aapse, betabiyaan ye kuch aur hai
Even for a moment, I can't bear your separation, this eagerness is something different.
He made her feel like everything was possible and made her life more colourful and wonderful by just being in it.
Hum duur hoke bhi paas hai, nazdikiyan ye kuch aur hai
Even being far, we're close to each other, this closeness is something different.
Aru was very sure about her feelings for Ethan since the day she took care of little Ethan. So much so that she was ready to take the risk to be with him, circumstances be damned.
Dekha hazaron dafaa aapko, phir bekarari kaisi hai
I've seen you a thousand times, then why this restlessness.
Everything seemed beautiful when she was with him. Aru missed him all the time when he wasn't next to her.
Sambhale sambhal ta nahi yeh dil, kuch pyaar me baat aisi hai
I'm not able to control my heart, there's something special about our love.
Aru felt she could trust and rely on Ethan to be there through thick and thin. She knew he would support her through all her worries.
Aagosh me hai jo aapke, aisa sukoon aur paaye kahan
Now that I am in your arms, where shall I find such peace.
Being with him made her feel safe and protected. He made her feel warm and contented. She remembered once telling him that he was her true home.
Aankhen hame yeh raas aa gayi, ab hum yahan se jaaye kahan
I'm hooked on your eyes, now where should I go leaving this place.
Ever since they had started dating, her joy knew no bounds. She felt like she was on cloud nine all the time. She started finding happiness in everything around her, something she thought was impossible before.
Dekha hazaron dafaa aapko, phir bekarari kaisi hai
I've seen you a thousand times, then why this restlessness.
Every new day with Ethan was like an exciting adventure that she wanted to participate in, and she didn't know what to expect.
Sambhale sambhal ta nahi yeh dil, kuch pyaar me baat aisi hai
I'm not able to control my heart, there's something special about our love.
She knew they would be together, always and forever, ready to face whatever life would throw their way.
Aru was pulled out of her thoughts by her phone vibrating and ringing frantically, which was quite noticeable in the quiet area.
"Beta, where are you? Nikhil and Radhika have started making their rounds to meet everyone."
"Aai, I'm with Ethan."
"Come and join us quickly before they notice your absence."
"Ho, aai."
Ethan slipped out of the dark into the light after bidding goodbye to Arundhati but she felt like she had plunged into darkness. She couldn't even get a few minutes with her beloved without someone troubling them.
Meanwhile, the married couple joined Ethan to have a chat.
"Hey, Ethan, my friend! How are you? I hope you enjoyed all the events today."
"Yes, I enjoyed it to my heart's content, Nikhil. It was fun learning about new traditions that you follow."
"That's great. I bet Arundhati had already taught them to you."
"What.. what are you talking about?"
"We know you are with Aru. We saw you dancing with her just a few moments ago", Radhika said monotonously.
"How...how did you know it was us?"
At this, both Nikhil and Radhika burst into a fit of laughter.
"Look at his scared face, Radhika. Relax, my dear friend. We figured it out from the looks you have been giving each other all week. And the fact that whenever she had her phone out, your phone would start pinging. Also, you came up to take your photograph with Aru's family. It didn't take me long to figure that you are more than colleagues."
"As for the dance, doctor, I saw you go to a random spot and then Aru joined you exactly 2 minutes later. I think it's pretty obvious, right?" remarked Radhika.
"Yeah, you are right. We tried to be secretive the entire week, but you can't hide from everyone."
"Yeah, you definitely can't hide it from everyone. Well, I hope you are happy and content with Aru, and so is she. She's like a sister to us, and so we want what's best for her, Ethan", said Nikhil.
"I understand. You don't need to worry about Aru. I promise I'll take good care of her."
"Now, we are going to meet Aru to tell her the same thing."
"Let me know how she reacts, please. I can already imagine how much fun you both had. Also, do make sure to ask her in front of her family. They know about us, so you will have triple the fun."
"Sounds good. Talk to you later, Ethan!" saying so, the newly married couple made their way to Aru's family.
"Hi, everyone. Tumhi sagle kashe aahat?"
"Aamhi ekdum majet, enjoying all of your events", Sahil replied.
"Mmhm. I'm sure Ethan must have enjoyed it as well right, Aru?"
"I...I don't know what you are talking about," stammered Aru.
Meanwhile, the Kulkarni family looked as if they had seen a ghost.
"Tumhala kasa kalala?"
"Ethan ne sagitla aamhala."
"Nahi..you both must have scared him in the same way. Radhika, mi tula barya peki olakhte."
"Ho...."
"You are absolutely correct, Aru. These pulled the same thing on me."
"Ethan!" Aru exclaimed as she walked towards him.
"Beta, don't scream so loudly..."
"Sorry, aai! I just got excited."
"How did you get this excited even though you met almost...", Radhika said as she checked the time, "ten minutes ago?"
"Radhe, jau de tyana. Almost every couple is like that in their honeymoon phase."
"Aru, why didn't you tell me about Ethan?"
"As if you told me about you and Nikhil? At first, I thought you were set up by your parents."
"No, that's not how it was. It was quite a difficult task to convince our parents about each other. If I tell everyone here that we were together for five years before getting hitched, they'll go crazy, start gossiping and bashing us."
"Yeah, I know. We didn't reveal our relationship for the same reason", replied Aru.
"Well, I hope we hear your wedding bells next", Nikhil mentioned to Aru and Ethan.
"Well...," Aru said as she blushed.
"Ho, aata tujhya lagnachi tayari karayla pahije, didi."
"Sahil! Kay ugach kahi boltos. Amchya lagnala ajun khup vel aahe."
"Ho, ho. Apan baghu."
"Aata ghari jauya, kiddo. Parva flight aahe amchya doghancha."
"Aru.. were you dodging questions on our wedding?" asked Ethan.
"Yeah. You figured it out pretty quickly. But they were joking around."
"Don't sweat it, love. I know that was nothing serious and in good fun. As for our impending wedding, we can discuss that later. For now, I want to spend all my time with you. I've missed you dearly this last week. We are going out on a date tomorrow, so start preparing."
"Ethan, I have missed you a lot and don't want to leave your side until we get to work. I love you, honey."
"I love you too, Arundhati", he said as they walked towards her dad's rented car.