*Forever : Love Or Friendship* [Part-20]

~"If you are strong enough to pass through all the tests life puts you through, then surely you are meant to be, you do deserve the best."~

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The ceremony was over. Rings were exchanged. Now my sister belonged to someone else. Everyone had become a bit emotional, because soon she was gonna be married.
After everything was over, a different kind of excitement was running through me. I was gonna get my answers now.

I went to the terrace waiting for her. After some time, I heard the sound of footsteps with something clicking by the steps on the way. That clicking sound must be of her payal. That suddenly made me smile. She was coming, and this time I won't let her go until she was mine.

And my beautiful lady was here. She was wearing that beautiful red and golden lehnga which made her look even prettier.
One look from her was enough to calm the disastrous oceans of emotions flowing inside me.

And I held her hand. She didn't even oppose this action of mine.
I didn't say anything. But I noticed her eyes were full of tears and she hugged me tight.
She said, " I'm so sorry Aryan. Please forgive me someday if u can. I know I'm asking for too much, but please someday."
She had buried her head into my chest.

I couldn't let her break down. She had always been the stronger one out of both of us, but today it wasn't so.

I cupped her face into my hands.
"Ssshh. Saanvi. No. You haven't done anything. So just keep quiet. Don't cry and listen to me."

"No, I don't deserve your goodness Aryan. Even you know that.", she was still crying.

I looked straight into her eyes.
"Now keep quite and just listen to me. It was a bad time, and it passed. Life does that. These are just tests. And we actually came out from all of them. I've known you since forever. Before love, our friendship stands tall. For the sake of it and our memories, just listen to me. Everything is okay now.
Just relax. Together we can make it. All you need to is believe. What happened, happened, there was no control over it but what happens ahead, we can change it.
We promised each other, what was it ? To last till forever? And before your lover, I'm your best friend Saanvi. I would respect your decision if you walk away today. But I won't let my best friend walk away, for her happiness I might let my love walk away, but my best friend, hell no. Me and my best friend are meant to be, forever. Now I leave the decision upto you.
Which relationship you want me in? But I swear this time I won't let you walk away. I love you Saanvi."

She spoke softly, "i love you Aryan. I'm sorry. No one is walking away. You have both your love and your best friend, forever."

Tears started trickling down my cheeks too. And I kissed her forehead. All the sacrifices now stood true. This was what I was fighting for.
And suddenly an Idea popped up into my mind, I took out the ring from my finger and bent down on my knees.
I took her hand and said, "Saanvi, our forever has just begun. Will you marry me? I know it's a stupid idea of proposing you with my own ring, but I'm sure it's different, just like our love story."

"Of course, yes. How can I not agree?", she said. And I slid the ring into her finger.
I got up and hugged her tight. Finally, after so long she was mine again.

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And our forever had just begun. I was lucky enough that my forever had both friendship and love.
And I finally understood that these sacrifices are what made us stand together today. And I'm glad to have her as a part of my life, forever.

THE END.