Chapter 38: chapter 38

Six months laterA finest winter day. The wind was humming with the tree lines and making the surrounding more romantic. It was Rakshita's restaurant inauguration day. All were gathered to celebrate Rakshita's dream come true day. Rakesh has invited elite members of the city, Raghav was in white coat suit and was greeting and mingling with everyone. Rakshita's family has come, her father, mother and brother Neil. Sachin and Shally are now happily engaged. Shally has successfully completed her contract for landscaping with JDS. It was an excellent work and as she wished she was offered to take up another project at France. But the love birds are not willing to be separated and very soon they gonna have their marriage fixed. Nikita is been offered a position, as designer in the New York City. As she has settled her brothers life, now she is willing to fly out and spread her wings and explore the world. Her father and brothers are quiet unwilling, but finally her determination has won. It's one of the leading costume designer company, run by an Indian. All were gathered. Rakshita presented different cuisines. She had cleverly chosen the finest chefs in the city and her restaurant apart from ambience, also presented most unique dishes. Rakesh was full of joy, as if he has accomplished the most important thing in his life. It is true in way, as he had gained all the love of Rakshita. The restaurant was filled with guests, chit chats, mild music and so on. Rakesh pulled Rakshita to the middle and swayed slowly with her for the music. Others applauded and joined them in the celebration. Expect one person.Shreya was seated in a corner table, witnessing the celebration. Her wound was long gone. She is not even in a healing stage now. She has moved on with her work and life. She has the right not to be here, but she chose to. As Rakshita had personally went and invited her. They don't have any feud between them. And she doesn't want to be looked so little. More than anything, she liked Rakshita in a way and appreciated the spark in her. She even gifted Rakshita with different chef collection sets for her to use at restaurant. Rakshita hugged and thanked her, for her thoughtfulness. Then she excused herself and had some little chat with Nikita before settling on the corner table. As the floor started to fill with couples. She silently moved out and went for a slow walk. She could hear the sound of the river flowing and the views of mountain peaks were awesome. She lost herself in the beauty of nature until someone cleared their throat. She turned to see and saw the most handsome person, Jash. Jash looked even more hot in his casuals. She tried to avert her eyes, but his deep gaze held hers. Then, he gave a boyish grin and asked why she was out. She told that she wanted to look around. Jash, nodded his sideways and said can he tell the truth. She glared at him, but he raised his hands upwards, as if surrendering. Then he put his hands I side his pockets and started to walk to along with her. For a few minutes both were silence. Then Jash spoke up, "Actually, do you ever realise, that you never wanted Rakesh?", Shreya halted and looked at his face curiously. He repeated, "I am saying the fact, " Have you ever realised that you never wanted Rakesh? But you surely want something like, what Rakesh has with Rakshita", she was astound at his statement, because it was true in a way. Her feeling for Rakesh has long gone. She had no interest in him now. But still, she left the restaurant because she couldn't tolerate the intimacy, those couples have. Whenever she see them, she feels a void, a partial emptiness in her life. But now the fact being declared in the open air, she couldn't digest it. She felt embarrassed. Tears welled up in her eyes, so she looked away from Jash and turned around to walk away. But Jash held her wrist and stopped her from walking further. She looked at him furiously, he nodded at her said, "Not this time, surely not. I am not going to let you walk away from me another time.", Shreya looked at him with confusion. He continued, "I gave you enough time to think about me, feel about me and realise yourself what we are. But you didn't. I had never in my life, waited for someone, for f*****g six months. and I lost my patience now. Still don't you feel anything about us?", Shreya pulled her hand away from him. She was really getting annoyed about where this is leading, but Jash didn't stop. He turned her around with her shoulders and looked straight in her eyes. His eyes were also welling up, "I like you Shreya, from the moment I saw you walking toward the bar on the pub, your amusing talk, you appearance, your anger, your stubbornness, your ethics, your hurt, everything. I want the all of you to myself. I never want to stay away from you. I had never loved anyone in my life. All I knew was business. But you changed the way I look my life. These days I wake up only wondering about you. I end my day only with your thoughts. You have consumed my heart and soul. My mind is constantly occupied with your thoughts. I had never even spoke this much to anyone. I had never explained or wanted anyone to know this much about me. But I need you Shreya. I love you!!!!", He closed the gap and kept his forehead on hers. All her anger, frustration, sadness, hurt, everything vapourised in his confession. His tears fell on her cheeks, he whispered, " I love you Shreya, please marry me and I will prove my love to you everyday of my life.", Her arguments disappeared like a bubble, she couldn't find any words. So she hugged him tightly. He hugged her back, happy tears wetted eachother's shoulders. A loud clapping sound, distracted them from their little bubble. They both turned around to see, Rakesh, Rakshita, Sachin, Shally and Nikita were standing. Nikita was the one clapping with joy. Shreya's face turned pink. She blushed but Jash held her hands and twinned their fingers. All were smiling at them happily. Rakesh felt very happy for her, as he told, she too had find the love of her life. This day can't be more blissful.Rakshita, was already floating on cloud nine. Everything is perfect in her life. All her dreams are achieved. Her family is happy including Shreya. Her best is going to get married to her brother-in-law and would soon join her family. But, she had a tiny unsolved, unturned stone that she wanted to turn it right up. So, to make the day even more divinity and most memorable, Rakshita consummated her marriage with Rakesh. Their relationship was already way too romantic and consummation made it ethereal. Their bond became whole and everlasting. The marriage that just started as an arrangement by the family, has now became the most beautiful love bond. As the famous quotes says, "Marriage ultimately is the practice of becoming passionate friends!". End of the story---------------------------------------------------------Author's Note:Hello everyone!!!Hope you all enjoyed reading the story, the way I enjoyed writing it.  I apologise, as I couldn't upload chapters regularly. But still, thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, rated and supported the story. I am planning to write a spin-off for Nikita, the most caring daughter and sister, yet the most pampered and protected little princess of the elite family. But before that, I am planning to upload my new story, "Prince's contractual wife", hope you all will read and support me the way you did for Love Arranged. Thank you!!!