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“Although your offer is tempting, I’m afraid I can’t leave just yet,” Grandpa smiled tenderly. “I need to stay here and see my granddaughter’s glowing married life begin.”

His eyes filled with tears again as he remembered the quiet moment a few nights ago when Shaurya had come up with this idea. Neither Nandini nor Shaurya had said it aloud, but Grandpa knew it in his heart. The choice of London for their honeymoon wasn’t a coincidence. They had chosen it intentionally as they didn’t want to leave him behind, not even for a couple of weeks. So they chose a place where he could come along, stay with Nandini’s parents, and still be part of their happiness. That unspoken gesture alone told him everything.That just how much his granddaughter, and the grandson he had found in Shaurya, loved him.

Ritesh cleared his throat, reminding them, “Well, if not for the priest, then at least have some mercy on the groom. He’s dying to get a glimpse of his bride. Let’s go.”

The family burst into laughter. Before they could all move, Nandini’s mother stepped forward, her eyes glistening with motherly love. With practiced hands, she performed thenazar utarnaof the new bride, moving her hands in a circular motion in front of her radiant daughter, warding off any evil with a quiet murmur of blessings. Grandpa took her hand with pride and led her towards the staircase. Nandini’s parents and the rest of her friends followed closely behind, their faces glowing with excitement for the upcoming ceremony.

*****************

Shaurya stood in the garden surrounded by Mrs. Mehra, Mrs. Bhalla, Mr. Awasthi, and a few other enthusiastic aunties and uncles from Serene Meadows, clearly a little uneasy at being the centre of attention. Dressed impeccably in a rich cream sherwani embroidered with golden floral motifs, he looked every bit the regal groom, except for the sheepish smile that tugged at his lips as the teasing barrage hit him from all directions.

“Who would’ve thought,” Mrs. Mehra said, fanning herself with her sequined clutch, “the man who once threatened to sue the Raichands over a fallen mango leaf would now be marrying into the very same family!”

“Shaurya beta, come on now, admit it,” Mrs. Bhalla chimed in, wagging a finger at him. “It was you who fell for Nandini first, right?”

Even Mr. Awasthi, who was busy sipping his mango mocktail, chuckled, “I always said, na? When two neighbours fight over mango trees, there’s bound to be sparks. But whoknew this time, the sparks would lead straight to the wedding mandap!”

“Exactly,” Mrs. Mehra added, clapping her hands. “Now look at you. From‘Get that tree trimmed, it’s ruining my pool!’to‘Let me trim it myself, Daadu.’What a transformation!”

Shaurya shook his head, chuckling. The entire Serene Meadows community had declared themselves a part of the groom’s side, without him ever asking. They knew he didn’t have a family of his own, and without a second thought, they stepped in—not as neighbours, but as his own. Loud, nosy, overenthusiastic, and yet, the best cheerleaders he could ever hope for.

As laughter erupted again, Shaurya finally gave in. For someone who had always kept the world at arm’s length, it felt overwhelming but also comforting—this warmth, this banter, this chaotic, beautiful mess that came with being loved not just by one person but by an entire community that now called him their own.

This wasn’t Shaurya’s first time standing beneath a wedding mandap, but everything about today felt different. From the wholehearted blessings of Nandini’s parents to Grandpa’s insistence of having the wedding ceremony in the garden between their two villas to the rush of devotion rising in his chest as he prepared to welcome Nandini as his wife… none about it resembled his previous marriage. There were no ghosts of yesterday here. Only the promise of a future filled with love and trust.

As the women moved on, Shaurya scanned the crowd and spotted Varun at the drinks counter, animatedly chatting with Priya, sipping on a mango cooler. Varun was practically floating in mango heaven today, all thanks to Grandpa. He was adamant that the wedding, though held at the tail end of the mango season, include as many mango-themed delicacies as possible.From mango ice creams to spiced chutneys and delicious curries, the fruit was everywhere. The mango tree itself was decorated with fairy lights and garlands, standing as the silent centrepiece of the celebration. Grandpa was proudly telling everyone about the tales rooted in that tree—how Shaurya and Nandini first crossed paths beneath its shade, how he’d secretly overheard Shaurya confess his love there, and how he’d asked the tree to send him a sign about whether to give them his blessing. In short, everything. And he wasn’t even bored or tired of repeating those stories to each one of them.

Varun eventually joined Shaurya, still clutching his mango drink. Shaurya arched an eyebrow. “Look who finally found time for best friend duties?”

Varun gave him a mock scowl. “I’m sulking.”

“Oh, really?” Shaurya frowned. “Care to tell why you’re sulking at your best friend’s wedding?”

“My relationship with Priya began way before yours with Nandini. And yet, here you are, minutes away from getting married, while I’m still waiting for an engagement date.”

Shaurya chuckled. “Be glad Priya’s parents didn’t show you the door. These days, closing business deals is easier than winning your future in-laws’ approval.”

“That’s true.” Varun burst out laughing.

But just then, Shaurya’s smile froze as his gaze drifted towards the French doors of Raichand Villa, and there she was.

Nandini stepped out in her full bridal glory. Her lehenga was a breathtaking combination of red and gold that caught the evening light like fire meeting silk. Grandpa walked proudly beside her as the two approached the mandap.

Time slowed down.

Shaurya couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. She looked ethereal as his bride. Their eyes met across the lawn: hersshimmering with tears and joy, his steady and overflowing with love.

His chest clenched, and he knew that this was what happiness felt like. Not the loud, over-the-top kind. But the steady, real kind.

He knew, without a doubt, that life with Nandini would never be boring. She brought chaos, clarity, and joy to his life. And somehow, an overwhelming sense of peace too. His world had changed the day she’d walked into it, and now, their bond was moments away from becoming permanent. The forever kind.

His home was no longer just a villa in Serene Meadows.

She was his home.

And at last, she was walking towards him.

He reached out and took her hand, guiding her to sit beside him at the mandap. Varun and Priya slipped into their places behind the bride and groom, ready to assist their best friends with anything the ceremony required.