The college days. The memories of two-three years ago. Filled with mischief, fun and obliviousness.

A corner of Pihu's heart was brutally wounded that had healed all these years. But looking at an old friend, whom she knew was the most intelligent and passionate person she had ever met, that corner had started to ache. Because the person wasn't a friend anymore.

As a little play by fate had ruined their beautiful friendship.

Pihu's eyes turned glossy and throat filled up. She remembered his face when he had told her about his newfound feelings. She remembered his expressions when she had rejected his love for Raghav whom she didn't even love that time.

The glimpses of the cruel night when he had helped her in finding Sakshi. How he had fought those goons keeping aside his grudge! She remembered how she wasn't allowed to thank him for such selflessness. She remembered the last time, she had seen him outside the hospital.

She had seen defeat in his eyes at last when she had told him about her pregnancy. He looked broken and anyhow, cared to apologise to her for his behavior.

But going home, seeing those photographs of theirs in Raghav's hands had stunned her. It had broken her heart and she had exclaimed that she was wrong in thinking good of him.

For once, she had thought the moment she saw defeat in his eyes, he regretted sending photographs to Raghav. But the deed was done and Raghav and her had to suffer the consequences.

She didn't know now. If the man standing at their door was just Shrey's cousin brother or the friend she had lost four years ago.

"What are you doing here?" The fury on Shrey's face had scared everyone. "How dare you step inside?"

Rishabh's nostrils flared as he ignored Shrey and looked around, his gaze turning blank when his dark brown eyes met Raghav's dark ones.

Raghav had gotten up along with Shrey and they were standing side by side. Sakshi stood near the table while Pihu couldn't help but witness everything in numbness.

"It's not your home. Is it?" Rishabh mocked Shrey, as if they weren't going through rough phases in their relation.

Shrey's jaws clenched as the sight of Rishabh was boiling his blood.

Looking tall and handsome in the three-piece suit, Aarush observed the man who had not just ruined Sakshi's picture with Shrey but had dared to poke Raghav's life. His short hair were making him look clean but it was the twitch in his eyebrows that was matching with the description he had heard about his nature all this time.

"Hello there, Uday Uncle." Rishabh nodded in greeting, meeting his eyes.

Uday Singh Rathore could feel the tension around. It was more intense than before and now, he didn't want the repeat of last night. This day had arrived to be sorted, not to become a mess.

"Rishabh, how have you been? How is your father?" Uday Singh asked, nodding with a small smile.

"Well enough to raise his chin and order me to bring his nephew back to him," replied Rishabh while glancing at Shrey.

"You told him?" Shrey gritted his teeth, his fists tightening. "Couldn't keep your wicked mouth from barking about me?"

Sakshi stiffened at his hard tone. A face off between the brothers— that was the last thing she wanted to witness.

"Shrey, calm down." Uday Singh looked at Rishabh. "We were just talking about something important that needed a great discussion with your family."

"Decisions are taken," Raghav interrupted, with his eyes blank as Rishabh as if challenging him to play his tricks this time. He would be asking for his death.

Rishabh's eyebrows raised and an amused smirk curved his thin lips. "And what is the decision if I may ask?"

Shrey gritted his teeth that he felt they would break anytime. He could feel the anxiety kicking in as he imagined Rishabh saying a one word against Sakshi, his cousin brother would be attacked brutally. Not that he cared, he himself would be one of the attackers.

Raghav tilted his head, stepping ahead. "My sister goes to a happy family or your brother's out of the picture," he said each word slowly.

Sakshi's eyes turned blank as she looked at her brother's back in nervousness. This was not good. Her brother's tone had changed from calm to the dangerous calm.

Pihu bit her tongue, when she saw Rishabh's jaw twitching. Though, he smiled at her husband. Both the men's height mirroring each other.

"No one's asking for your sister," said Rishabh, making Aarush give Shrey a troubled look.

Raghav chuckled briefly, anger tainting his nose. "Your brother is here, two hundred and forty five kilo metres away from home, to ask for my sister's hand in marriage. The wounds last time didn't heal properly, I reckon, Malhotra."

Rishabh took a long breathe, moving his eyes around and placing them on his brother who was giving him a dead look. "My baby brother has always been naive."

"Naive enough to be fooled by you in breaking people's trust?" Raghav asked tauntingly.

Rishabh smiled mockingly. "You haven't changed, Rathore. Have you? You stole away my best friend from me. Now, my brother. What's your deal?"

Pihu felt her heart swelling in her chest when Rishabh finally gave her the attention. "How are you, Pihu? No greetings?" He said, sadness glinting in his eyes.

Raghav fisted his hands, waiting for Pihu to say a single word and he would punch this guy. Instead, he heard a thick silence to his utter satisfaction.

Rishabh's smile faded and a longing appeared on his face. "Has your husband not even allowed to say hi to an old friend?"

"You were a great friend. Weren't you?" Raghav asked protectively, glaring at him.

Rishabh keeping his calm, clutched his car keys tight in his hand, staring in his eyes. "People do wrong things in love. I am sure, you know it very well, Raghav. I was more upset with my fate than any of you. I did wrong and accept it. It was you who didn't let me apologise to your wife. Guess what, my anger increased and I had gone crazy."

Pihu widened her eyes at Raghav, remembering all the times when she had asked him for one meet with Rishabh to thank him.

"Those pics had ruined her days and nights. That's what friends do. Spoil lives?" Raghav asked bitterly.

Rishabh glanced at Pihu, gulping hard when he saw her lips parting and eyes lowering.

"I didn't know that she has started to love you, Raghav."

Pihu closed her eyes, feeling her heart writhing.

"I had seen the helplessness in her eyes and it gave me hope," Rishabh explained quietly, his face going numb. "That was a false hope, I realized later."

Shrey stared at his brother in shock when he heard him saying, "I have been wanting to apologise from years. All this time I thought, if I am not showing my face, it's better. But now look where the fate has brought me. Again, in front of you."

Rishabh released a breathe while looking at Raghav. "I am here to make sure that this time, Malhotra's will take the girl with them."

Aarush gasped while looking at Shrey who too was numb.

"I am talking about Sakshi."

Sakshi pressed her lips tight, not meeting Rishabh's eyes who was looking at her only.

Raghav flared his nostrils when Rishabh confessed, "I have done wrong. And I added to it by doing worse. By talking disrespectfully with your sister. I said things that shouldn't have left an educated man's mouth."

"It's not Sakshi's fault that Pihu was my friend and you are her husband. It's not her fault that I brought Shrey into her life to break her heart. It was all extremely stupid and vengeful of me."

Rishabh gulped while saying, "My father's not well. He says, he wants me to turn things right. Because from a long time, things have been going wrong. The problems started when I did wrong to someone who trusted me," he looked at Pihu who lowered her eyes.

"I am sorry, Pihu. For what I did. For not being a good friend by understanding you. Instead of helping you, I became an ill wisher. I am not the man I displayed myself as those times. I apologise, deeply."

Raghav kept his mouth shut, not liking the fact that this guy was trying to melt his Pihu's heart. Rivalry was fine when he wouldn't talk to her but now he was talking things right. But what could he do? As a man, he appreciated amends because he knew how important it was to keep relation intact.

"Sakshi, I am sorry." Rishabh said quietly, feeling Shrey's intense gaze on his face. "I am not doing this because my brother loves you. I am not doing because I admit any kind of helplessness. I am doing this because I feel that it is the right thing to do."

Sakshi gave him an angered look and shook her head. "You were right."

Rishabh gave her a sad smile. "No. I am ashamed of targeting you, being vengeful to you. I had moved on but realizing how I insulted you, proved how behind I was than the time. I made you cry. The girl who had managed to keep my brother sane, to keep him alive when I couldn't. To make him feel like a winner when the world called him loser."

"I was a foolish to ignore the fact that you were the only one keeping him happy when it was impossible. I was a terrible brother for ignoring the fact that Shrey has fallen for you hard this time," Rishabh spoke slowly, noticing Sakshi's gaze meeting his. "I hope you can forgive me."

Aarush nudged Sakshi while Raghav crossed his arms across his broad chest.

Sakshi looked at Shrey, asking for some sign of agreement when he gave her a light nod of support. She gulped hard and looked back at his brother.

Rishabh smiled apologetically at her. "I give you my words. That I will be the most supporting brother-in-law you could ever ask for."

Aarush smiled goofily at Shrey whose eyes started filling up with tears.

"I forgive you," Sakshi choked out while giving Rishabh a small smile. "As long as you don't hate me for loving your brother."

Rishabh's lips parted. He felt extremely ashamed of his own behavior. "You both have my blessings, my heart. Shrey is lucky to have you. How can I hate you for loving my brother?"

Sakshi exchanged a look with Shrey who nodded quietly at her with glossy eyes glinting longing for her. She smiled back at Rishabh.

"Thank you, bhai." She whispered out, making him smile.

"Well, the matter is solved then." Uday Singh laughed along with his wife.

Raghav wanted to roll his eyes but he refrained and finally looked back at Sakshi, to see her giving him a light nod. "Is that fake ass apology fine with you?"

Sakshi blushed hard as Aarush had started to chuckle and was pushing Shrey gently to make him stand beside her.

Raghav sighed in relief and shook his head at Rishabh. "Well then, looks like you will be my new unwanted relative, Malhotra."

Rishabh gave him an amused smile.

"Not until you all come to my wedding in Delhi, at my home. The date is not fixed yet but it will surely be next to next month," said Rishabh while glancing at Shrey. "Shrey will help me decide all the dates and more things."

Shrey breathed in astonishment, feeling loved.

"Just as my wedding is done, we can all start discussing about you guys," Rishabh said, lightening the mood further.

Sakshi smiled widely when Shrey looked back at Rishabh in surprise. "My Uncle and Aunt will arrive here whenever you ask us to. We want to make Sakshi ours as soon as possible," Rishabh told them.

Shrey turned his back to all while covering his eyes, making Rishabh laugh loudly. He walked towards his brother, patting his back only to get a surprise hug from him.

Pihu and Sakshi smiled when Rishabh patted his back more. "Those punches did give me some wisdom," he joked, making Shrey put his head down on his shoulder.

Raghav smirked at the scene all his smile vanished by surprise when a familiar voice came and the fact that it sounded chirpy.

"You are getting married?" Pihu asked with a big smile on her face, making Rishabh nod lightly. "Who is she?"

Raghav's mouth opened in disbelief as Rishabh pulled out the phone from his pocket and gave it to her, showing the wallpaper.

"That's her, Alisha."

Pihu smiled at the phone screen while showing it to her mother-in-law who too was interested.

"She is so pretty," said Pihu, looking at her old friend. "I am happy for you, Rishabh."

Rishabh gave her a small smile while pulling away from Shrey who wiped his tears, feeling nostalgia all around. This felt similar like the good old days when he barely knew his feelings. Now, he had accepted the fact that Pihu was made for Raghav and he couldn't change it. The best thing he could do was change the fact that he was the most villainous person in her life.

Yes, he could change that.

Rishabh bit his lip and smiled. "We have been dating for a while. She is amazing. She would love it if you all come to the wedding. So will be my father. I will come again with the wedding card or even Shrey can use the round. As he can bring Sakshi, she can stay even twenty days before the wedding, help us around and get to know her in-laws more."

Sakshi glanced at Pihu who smiled at her excitedly.

Uday Singh chuckled and nodded. "Isn't it great? Now, that everything is solved. Why don't we all sit down and have breakfast?"

Pihu was about to go to the kitchen when Sakshi took the initiative to stop her and go by herself.

Raghav was amazed and almost smiled when saw Aarush following her to the kitchen, probably discussing with her about things like an aggressive best friend. On Sakshi's part, at least it was a progress.

Rishabh sat on the safe, looking around the house while smiling softly. Within the chit-chats, Pihu couldn't say much as she felt overwhelmed.

Sakshi put more snacks on the table while glancing at Rishabh who gave her a small smile. "We don't have any doubts left. Right? We both can, together protect that chicken from this world." He asked, giving her a hopeful look.

"If you make friends with my brother, Yes." Sakshi replied, for the first time sounding active, making a fit of laughter spread around the room.

Raghav was almost feeling stupid at the idea when a small voice interrupted the session.

"Mommy. . ."

Pihu gasped and looked back at the dining table. Rian was struggling to get off the chair and had bread crumbs all over his face. She bit her tongue, cursing herself at almost forgetting about her only son.

She walked towards him and picked him up, wiping his face with the tissues. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she turned around and walked near Rishabh's sofa. She made her son stand so he could walk towards Rishabh while pointing at him.

"You see this uncle, baby? He is my old friend just like Ayaan uncle."

Rishabh couldn't stop from smiling as the little version of Raghav, gave him a curious look. "Hey there, bud."

He looked back at his mother that made her explain more. "Just like Nihaar is your classmate, this uncle is my classmate."

Rian looked back at Rishabh, offering a little hand for shake. "Hello. . ."

Rishabh grinned that made everyone smile, even Sakshi and Shrey but when glanced at each other, looked away.

Raghav smirked when the thought of announcing Pihu's pregnancy crossed his mind. His cheeky self felt that it would have more effect on Rishabh's redemption. But Pihu would surely mind it. So, he refrained from saying anything. The feeling of seeing Rishabh's face would have been amazing, though.

The closure was finalized with exchange of sweets and a healthy breakfast. Aarush cracked some jokes that had everyone's attention and laughter. Raghav was trying to get used to being civil with Rishabh and so was him. Pihu couldn't feel much better than seeing them cooperating for the sake of their siblings.

While unnoticeable, Shrey followed Sakshi up to the terrace when she gave him a look of deep longing.

The stone railing came in sight along with the beautiful view of their garden, Sakshi smiled when Shrey snaked his arms around her waist from behind.

"You have a beautiful home. But mine will be your true one from now on," he whispered in her ear, making her look at him sideways.

"Will you forgive me for saying those bitter things last night?" Sakshi asked him worriedly.

Shrey released a breathe while turning her around in his arms, bringing her closer to him as much as he could.

"If you seal this day with a kiss, Yes."

Sakshi chuckled and felt her heartbeats fastening while putting her arms around his neck, only to press her lips against his, getting lost in the ecstacy.

Shrey smiled in between the kiss, moving his hands all over her waist, pulling away to smile widely.

"Rishabh brought me in your life and-"

"He brought us together again," said Sakshi, looking in his brown orbs. "It is all unbelievable to me. You are my first love, Shrey. I have spent years slowly losing hope that you were just gone like a wind passing and I was damned. But you came back."

"You came back to my life," he corrected her. "I wish I had known those years ago, that you were written for me only. I wouldn't have been stupid-"

She covered his mouth, whispering, "Leave the past. We have our present and future. God has blessed me with your love. My heart still won't believe it."

"Your heart lies."

Sakshi chuckled at his words, pecking his lips. "Now, you own it. You will control it."

Shrey gave her an amused smile and with a serious gaze, he said the truth of his heart.

"Gladly, with all my love."

_______

"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.

This is the last chapter, guys. Which is why, it took me days to finalise a version. I hope, this one was good enough. I will publish Epilogue very soon.

Can't believe, it's over.