by P. G. Van
“Really, were you planning to share every detail of our encounter last night with Meggie?” he retorted.
“No, don’t be silly. We have rules to keep, you know.”
“Meggie and Anurag met because I put my best friend next to my little cousin on a sixteen-hour flight to Australia,” Nirvan stated.
“What? You knew Anurag before he met Meggie?” She was in shock.
“Anurag is my best buddy, and I knew he would take good care of our little Meggie, and that’s why I set them up.”
“I don’t believe this.” Kushi was taken back.
He shook his head smiling. “Your little third-grade minds were still driving your adult life, and I couldn’t let her wait forever to meet the right guy, and that’s what I realized about the two of you when you canceled our date.”
“Wait… that’s not the reason.”
“What was the reason? You knew everything about me, where I lived, what I did, from what Meggie told you, and I did, too… everything seemed to match, so why did you cancel?”
“I… I… don’t remember.” She was being truthful because one of the reasons she never came close to a serious relationship or getting close to any other man was because she canceled every date she had been set up on and only went on dates if she met a guy when she least expected to meet someone.
“That’s because you have an expectation, and you don’t even realize it. I figured that out about you and Meggie. I had to make sure my little cousin didn’t fall for the wrong guy because the moment felt right.”
“This is crazy and wrong.”
“I believe in making my own destiny, and I did what it took to make you my destiny.” He kissed her forehead.
“This is crazy!” She laughed hugging him, overjoyed by how much Nirvan understood her.
“Beautiful, baby… Beautiful love.”
“Crazy, too.” She laughed pulling back to look at him.
“You know what would be crazy… if we got married in a few days.” He chuckled, running his thumb on the corner of her mouth, his eyes looking at her endearingly.
Kushi’s breath got trapped in her throat as she looked up at him. “Nirvan…”
“Marry me, sweetheart… make my life beautiful, our life.”
She cried nodding her head as a yes, unable to speak, happy tears rolling down her cheek as he pulled her into his arms.
“Baby, this is unbelievable!” Nirvan tightened his hold on her, never wanting to let her go.
“I so badly wanted to get married the same day as Meggie, and I was sad I was breaking my promise and…” She cried into his chest.
He hushed her and planted a kiss on her before pulling them both into a sitting position. He wrapped the sheet around her as he stood up to reach for his boxers and jeans and reached for something in his pocket before going down on his knee in front of her.
She sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped in the soft sheets staring at a vintage diamond ring.
“Marry me, sweetheart, and let me love you… forever.”
Kushi let out a gasp as he took her hand and slid the ring on her finger. She was staring at the vintage ring and how perfectly it fit on her finger as he stood up and pulled her into his arms. She let out a yelp when he swept her off her feet and into his arms with the sheets wrapped around her.
“Can I give my bride-to-be a shower before she goes running to her best friend to tell her the good news?”
She smiled, leaning up to kiss me. “It’s scary how much you know me.”
“You have no idea, but you know quite a bit about me as well, we just don’t know it.”
“You’re right, it’s almost like I know everything… Meggie talks to me about you so much…” Her voice trailed off when he chuckled and completed her sentence. “She told you so much about me… enough to make you feel like you’ve known me for years, and I bet you know most everything she knows.”
“I don’t believe it… could she be tirelessly working on setting us up all this time?”
“What do you think? Why do you think I returned the favor? She may be my cousin, but she is like my own sister… sister from another mother.” He smiled, placing her on the bathroom floor.
“Nirvan, marry me… give me the fairy-tale wedding that I dreamed of as a little girl. You are my prince… the man I’ve waited for all of my life.”
Chapter 9
“Meggie, open up!” Kushi banged on the door of the room she and Megha shared.
“Kushi, seriously?” Megha’s voice was muffled as Kushi stood outside holding Nirvan’s hand. She was wearing his t-shirt and shorts that were long enough to be like crop pants.
“You ready for this, love?” Nirvan squeezed her hand.
“Yes, and I am going to call my mom and dad and let Megha hear it all. I promised not to keep any secrets, and I won’t even if…” The door swung open, and Anurag stood in front of them wrapped in a towel and another draped over his shoulder.
“Dude, put on some clothes,” Nirvan teased.
“You guys didn’t give us much notice.” Anurag grumbled letting them in, and Kushi stopped after taking a few steps. The room looked like a tornado went through it, not that the room they slept in was any better, but she just wasn’t expecting it.
She turned on her heels and looked at Nirvan. “This is beyond best-friend zone. We should have them meet us in your room.”
“Good idea. Anurag, get decent and see us in our room in ten or else you will miss a huge announcement.” Nirvan nodded at his friend who looked dumbfounded as Kushi grabbed an outfit to change into for the big announcement.
“Nirvan… what’s going on?” Anurag asked, and just then Megha showed up from the bathroom.
“Kushi, Nirvan… you guys okay?”
“Meggie, meet us in Anurag’s room… good and bad news.”
“What? What’s wrong?” Megha stuck her head out of the room and saw Nirvan and Kushi walk away. “Come back, don’t leave me hanging.” Kushi turned to look at her best friend and showed Meggie her left hand.
“What? Come back… Nirvan, is that Grandma’s ring?” Megha asked laughing.
“Ten minutes, Meggie,” Nirvan called out, planting a kiss on Kushi’s cheek.
“Oh my God… I’m coming,” Megha shouted and shut the door.
“Bet you a hundred dollars she’ll be in our room in five, and Anurag two minutes later.” Nirvan laughed.
“I say five, but my best friend will show up with her fiancée… she loves him.”
“I know, crazy little girl, and my buddy is crazy about her.”
“Not so little any more… she is getting married,” Kushi teased.
“Not to me. She will always be the little girl I held in my hands when I was three. She was so small, I almost ran away with her into my room.”
“You are such a sweet man… how did I get so lucky.” Kushi walked past him as he held the door open for her.
“You think I’m a sweet man after last night?”
“Yes, you are…”
“You ready, sweetheart?”
“I need to do this, I cannot worry about this… not even for another minute.” Nirvan had talked to her about clearing up the tension with her parents. Kushi’s voice was grim as she punched in a phone number and placed the phone on the table.
“Kushi, what was that message about?” Her father asked as soon as he saw his daughter’s face.
“I’m fine, Papa. How are you doing?” she retorted.
“What is going on?” She heard her mother’s voice in the background, her tone making Kushi cringe. She looked at Nirvan to gain some strength. She still couldn’t believe how a man who she had met less than two days ago was giving her more comfort than her parents.
“Hello, Ma. I wanted you to be online, so you can hear the news I have to share with you.” Kushi maintained a calm tone.
“Are you planning to stay back with your darling friend and watch her get married and have kids?” her mother sneered.
“Ma, just so I am clear, I am very happy for my friend, and I’ll be the happiest person when I become an aunt,” Kushi fired back just as Megha and Anurag scrambled in adjusting each other’s clothes.
“Kushi… is everything okay?”
“Meggie, I broke a promise, so I am going to try and make it up to you,” Kushi said fighting back tears.
“Kushi, you are scaring me right now.” Megha looked at her and then at Nirvan.
Nirvan smiled and tapped his hand on his heart, and that seemed to calm Megha.
“Ma and Papa, I want you guys to listen and not talk when I am talking. If you guys interrupt me or start fighting, I will end the call.” Kushi paused fighting back a sob.
“Meggie, I kept something from you and have been dealing with it by myself. I didn’t want to ruin the best time of your life but,” she paused to look at Nirvan before continuing, “You’re right, I should tell her, no matter what.”
Megha looked at Kushi and mouthed, “Breathe.”
Kushi blew a kiss to her best friend and looked at the screen once again, her parents awfully quiet.
“Ma and Papa, whatever differences you have, you need to sort it out. If you want to file for a divorce, do it. Don’t ever expect me to take a side. Papa, how can I ever say anything against Ma? For that matter, I will never say anything against you, either, and you two want me to say bad things about each of you, so you can get a divorce. I told both of you I needed time, but I’m telling you now, I will not testify against anyone. I want you guys to sort it out, amicably… whatever the case.”
“Kushi…” her mother started to say, but she held her hand up.
“You guys named me Kushi, and when I asked you why you picked that name, you said I was your happiness, and that’s why you chose that name. I will love you both equally no matter what you decide to do with your relationship…” She let out an uncontrollable sob, and Nirvan was next to her comforting her. She sobbed into his chest unable to comprehend the thought of her parents not being together.
She wiped her eyes on his t-shirt and looked at the screen. “This is Nirvan, and I’m getting married to him on Friday.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell us? How long have you known him?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she barked into the phone, her eyes tearing up. “I love him, and I know he won’t break my heart.”
“This is utter stupidity… did you just pick up someone in a drunken state?” her father growled.
“Mr. Agarwal, I suggest you keep your voice down.” Nirvan’s anger resonated in his words. “I will not tolerate anyone, including you, to speak to my fiancée in this manner.”
“Who the heck are you to tell us how to speak to our daughter?” her mother chimed in.
“Great, you guys go ahead and gang up on the man I am about to marry when he was the one who told me I should talk to you and tell you about my marriage. I was going to go back to San Francisco, start a new life, have kids, and live my life and never contact you. I didn’t want anything to do with you two… you should be thanking him.”
“Sweetie, how could you think of doing that to us? We want to be part of your life… please.”
“Depends on how you sort things out, Ma and Papa. I need to go now and prep for my wedding.” Kushi waved and ended the call before they could respond and looked at Megha who had her hand on her mouth.
“Is that for our marriage announcement or about my parents’ separation?” Kushi asked smiling at her friend.
Megha removed the hand from her mouth. “Are you really getting married on Friday?”
“Yes,” she said, hugging her best friend.
Megha squealed in Kushi’s ear. “I can’t believe this. Oh my God, this is a dream come true. I never… While we are confessing, I have a confession to make.”
“What?”
“I tried to set you guys up so many times, and as soon as I give up, you literally land in his lap.” Megha laughed.
Nirvan coughed up a snort. “And bedroom stuff stays with us?”
“Hey, I told her before we were a thing when we were on the balcony,” Kushi reasoned, laughing.
“I am so happy, and we will be moving to San Francisco. We can send our kids to the same school.” Megha cried happily.
“Yes, and while we are all confessing, someone else might have a confession.” Kushi, poked Nirvan with her elbow.
Anurag looked at Nirvan and knew what Kushi was talking about.
“She knows, Nirvan. I couldn’t keep a secret. I told her what you did for us the night I asked her to marry me.” Anurag’s voice was soft.
“Traitor.” Nirvan laughed running his fist into his buddy’s arm.
Megha hugged her cousin and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you… thank you for everything. How can I ever…”
Nirvan hushed her. “You gave me the love of my life. We are even, sista!”
“So, let’s plan these weddings ourselves because I just fired the wedding planner.” Megha laughed.
“Get married at the same time?” Nirvan said, and both women objected at the same time.
“Kushi gets married first on Friday morning, and then we will get married in the evening during our reception.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Nirvan and Anurag agreed, and the women talked about what to do next. Kushi stole a glance at the man who had her heart thudding in her chest and knew this would be the case forever… her heart would always beat for him.
Epilogue
One year and two days later…
“Baby, let’s go… we’re late,” Nirvan called out to Kushi from the bedroom of the suite they were in for their trip. It had been a year since they got married, and they were back in Nirvan’s family resort to celebrate two anniversaries, Megha and Anurag’s along with theirs.
“Almost done,” a weak voice came from the bathroom.
“Sweetheart, your dad just texted me. Everyone is here,” Nirvan urged.
Kushi smiled in the bathroom, happy that Nirvan and her marriage in a way saved her parents’ marriage. They flew in for their wedding and made it on time to attend their only child’s special day.
For Kushi, it was a dream come true, her prince and her fairy-tale love story. A friend and new promises every day. She looked at the two strong lines on the display and knew she was going to break another promise but will make the man she loves extremely happy.
“Nirvan… come here.”
“Sweetheart, not now. You know everyone is waiting for us. You can’t keep little Meggie waiting.” He laughed stepping into the bathroom and let out a low gasp. “You look stunning, love.”
“Text Anurag and Megha to cover for us… we are going to need some time.” Kushi smiled.
“Okay.” He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text before putting his phone away in his suit jacket.
Kushi walked over to her husband and looked up at him. “You’ve given me everything I’ve only thought about… I finally have something to give you.” She took his hand and placed it on her belly. “Baby, you are going to be a father.”
Nirvan let out a laugh pulling her close to him. “I love you, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, and I’m so happy, but you are the one who made me break a promise to Megha.”
“You know she will be happy.”
“She’ll go nuts.” Kushi laughed.
“Everyone out there will totally get a kick out of it.” Nirvan seemed to be getting ready to announce the news to everyone who was attending their anniversary party.
“I need to tell Megha first,” Kushi whispered.
“You told me first,” he teased.
“Seriously?” She rolled her eyes at her husband.
He cupped her face in his hands. “Baby, I’ll love you and our child and will protect you with everything I have.”
“I know you will. You’ll be a good father.”
“You’ll be a terrific mom, baby.”
“Our
child will have the best aunt anyone can have and…”
“One crazy aunt.” He laughed, leading her out of their suite.
“She’ll spoil our child rotten.” Kushi laughed.
“You just have to return the favor, sweetheart.” Nirvan winked.
“I will… I’m always the one to break a promise, I keep telling you to pull out,” Kushi grumbled.
“Sweetheart, I don’t think when I’m buried deep inside you. I’m lost in you.”
She laughed. “You’re the one who is going to tell Megha about the baby.”
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’ll tell her that we will name our child Meghan if we have a girl. And if she and Anurag could continue to plan to have a child soon, our children will still go to school together, or if they choose to have a child next year, we can work on giving that child company… can’t we?”
She laughed, sinking her teeth into his arm over his suit jacket. “I love you.”
He stopped and held her to him. “I promise you the world for our children. Yes, I want more than one and promise me you will let me love you… let me love you…forever.”
She nodded, fighting back tears as he brought his lips to hers, caressing hers, showing her how much he loved her. Beautiful love!
The End
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you for reading Beautiful Love. I hope you enjoyed reading Kushi and Nirvan’s story. Thank you for being part of their cute journey.
I would like to ask you to rate/review this book on Amazon and Goodreads as it will help me know what you, our readers, would like to see in future stories.
Thank you,
P.G. Van
Email: [email protected]
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15061141.P_G_Van
BOOKS BY P.G. VAN
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