Chapter 78: Chapter 78

Mithran opened the door with a grin. Shravan could already feel his cheeks heating up. This guy leaves no chances to embarrass him.

“Why were you late, Shravan?” Mithran asked cheekily, earning a glare in return.

“We were talking out our differences and it took time.” Shravan said, biting his teeth.

“Talking out? Really?” Mithran teased again.

“What the hell is your problem anyways? It’s been six years since I got married. Leave me at least now.” Shravan begged, making Mithran and Drishti laugh.

“He will stop teasing when you stop reacting to all his comments, Shravan. Your reactions are only encouraging him.” Drishti said with a chuckle, before walking into the apartment, leaving the two friends together.

“It’s high time you stopped it. I am no longer a newly married groom.” Shravan said.

Mithran leaned against the doorframe, his grin widening. "Oh, come on, Shravan. Where's the fun in that? Besides, if I stop teasing you, who will keep you on your toes?"

Shravan rolled his eyes, trying to suppress his smile.

"I have a feeling I'd still manage just fine without your constant jabs, thank you very much."

Mithran feigned offence, clutching his heart dramatically. "Oh, the betrayal! After all these years, you think you can handle life without my witty banter? I'm hurt, Shravan. Deeply hurt."

Shravan let out a laugh, unable to resist the playful banter any longer.

"You know what, Mithran? Maybe I've grown immune to your teasing. Maybe I've developed an iron shield around my ego." Shravan lied without any remorse.

Mithran raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Oh, really? That's a bold claim, my friend. Are you challenging me?"

Shravan grinned, stepping forward to meet Mithran's challenge. "I'm more than ready. Bring it on, oh master of sarcasm."

The two friends exchanged a knowing glance before bursting into laughter. Drishti and Chaahat who had been observing their exchange from the living room, joined in with a chuckle. She shook her head affectionately at their antics.

"Alright, you two. Enough with the teasing," Chaahat said, playfully scolding them.

“Is Dhruv awake?” Drishti asked.

“No. He fell asleep after a bottle of milk, half an hour ago.” Chaahat said.

“So? All problems solved?” Mithran asked, as they walked in towards the living room.

“Of course. He can never remain angry with me. He will be too lost without me.” Drishti said smugly and Shravan rolled his eyes, though he knew whatever she said was true.

He is so damn lost without her.

“Thank god!” Shreya muttered from behind them.

That’s when Shravan saw her. He simply stared at his little sister, without any expression on his face.

She lunged at him and tackled him in a bear hug on the couch.

“I am sorry bhai. Sorry for keeping this a secret from you. But trust me, we were about to say this to everyone. I love him a lot, bhai. I cannot live without him.” Shreya cried, still hugging Shravan, without looking him in the eye.

“And if we do not agree to it? What will you do? Will you elope with him?” Shravan asked and Drishti glared at him. Shravan ignored Drishti’s glare and focused on his sister Shreya, to know what she said.

“Never bhai. I will never bring shame upon our family like that. Even if any one of our family members says no, I will break all relations with Siddhu. Even Siddhu knows that. He will understand me. He also thinks the same way, bhai. We don’t want to build a relationship upon the elder’s pain. But I will never be able to love anybody other than Siddhu. I will always live as your sister in our home. Please don’t force me to marry anyone else.” Shreya cried.

Shravan's heart sank as he listened to his sister's heartfelt plea. He had always been protective of Shreya, and the thought of her being unhappy tore at his core. He loosened his grip on her and held her at arm's length, looking into her tear-filled eyes.

"Shreya, you know I want nothing but your happiness," Shravan said softly, his voice filled with concern.

"But marriage is a lifelong commitment. You must be absolutely sure about this before you dive into it. Decisions once taken, will be the root of your future life. Impulsive feelings might fizzle out in the course of life.” Shravan said and he saw Mithran raising an eyebrow at that dialogue.

He could clearly read what was running in Mithran’s head now.

He had gotten married to Drishti without even knowing whom he was marrying. But everyone doesn’t have to be as lucky as them..

Abhay’s case…. Well, that’s a story for another day..

“Our feelings are not impulsive, bhai. Five years ago, when we first met each other, what we felt might have been impulsive bhai. But now, it is not. It has grown along with us. Without uttering a word to each other, we have loved each other for the past five years. We opened up only when we were absolutely sure.” Shreya said, wiping her tears.

“Your happiness is what matters to us, Shreya. If you are happy, then we all are happy. And, it seems, the key to your happiness is Siddhu.” Shravan said with a soft smile.

Shreya smiled in relief, as her brother accepted her love wholeheartedly.

“Now, don’t go and say all this to Siddhu. You too, Drishti. Let me assess him first, before proceeding this to our family.” Shravan warned, both his wife and sister.

They nodded quickly, too happy that Shravan had accepted the relationship.

Shravan sat back on the couch, deep in thought. He couldn't help but wonder how his parents would react to Shreya's revelation. It was a conservative family, and such matters were often met with resistance. But he also knew that his parents loved Shreya dearly and would want her happiness above all else.

As he contemplated his next steps, a determination set in. He would speak to Siddhu, , and assess the depth of his commitment to Shreya. Only then would he decide how to approach their parents.