raghavxarora

[raghavxarora]

Raghav watched the couple trail in behind Ria and wondered who had left them alone. He had to stop himself from getting annoyed. That's not what tonight was about. He himself had given them the green light. There was no reason to act out now. "Oh you thought I was bad? Just wait." It was true. If Rahul wasn't let in on the gossip and what was happening with them, he was thoroughly offended which meant if anything, he would be an asshole on Raghav's behalf. At the same time, he also knew that he would be facing the producer's wrath as well. "Beta? Beta kisko chahiye. Mujhe toh beti chahiye," he added with a wink to his fiancée.

Gurnaz sat next to Viraj and began piling some noodles onto her own plate as she listened. "Is he really going to be mad?" Ria shook her head, "No no... He's going to be pissy. There's a difference, but Zaara's right. Give him something shiny and special to focus on and he'll be distracted enough with it... But he probably will be at the ready with uncomfortable questions so... just be prepared for anything really."

"Stubborn...is an understatement," Viraj managed to say with a quick laugh before he nodded at her words. She was right. This was the biggest hurdle in their way and now that they had technically passed it--it meant only good things from this moment on. He did quickly peek around them to ensure no one was there when he kissed her back, loving just how he could feel the extent of her love in that one action, truly just pouring in his own love for her and relishing that moment.

The sound came suddenly and he pulled away, almost ready to be throttled when he caught sight of Ria with an amused look on her face. That was much better than the alternative. They stood along with her and walked into the kitchen, Viraj only chuckling at her declaration before shaking his head. "Mildly? That means he's going to be very whiny tonight," Viraj sighed before taking a seat next to Sahej and hoping Gurnaz sat with him.

Zaara had taken a seat near Raghav as she continued to serve some of the food around the table before shaking her head. "It's fine--we'll tell him that we'll name our first born after him or something, phir theek ho jayega," she rolled her eyes before looking back at the man she'd have those kids with. "It's a decent enough name at least...Raghav ka beta Rahul, it's cute no?"

[raghavxarora]

Gurnaz shook her head and wrapped her arms around his middle. "Bilkul nahin. In fact, it made me proud to see you sticking up for me. Bhaiya is great and all, but he can be stubborn at times. Main bahot khush hoon. The way everything turned out... I just know things can only get better from here." She had to hope that there would be no more hurdles or obstacles for them to get over. Convincing her eldest brother that Viraj was worthy of a second chance was nothing short of a miracle. She had high hopes for their future now that this was over and done with. Gurnaz made sure her brother wasn't close enough to stumble upon them engaging in PDA before leaning in for a kiss and making sure she took her time with it.

A clearing of a throat made her jump if only because she wasn't used to other people being in such close proximity when they were together like this. Thankfully, it wasn't either of her brothers, but a very amused looking Ria. "Agar tum dono ka ho gaya ho toh... Dinner kare?" The petite woman looked at her boyfriend and then at Ria before nodding, her ears burning up as let them lead the way into the kitchen. "I've invited Rahul, by the way," Ria announced upon her entrance. "Needless to say, he's on his way. Fair warning though. He did say he was mildly pissed that he wasn't really let in on all the juicy drama."

Sahej clearly got the message that the couple in question were trying to send and if he was in a more teasing mood—he’d have argued and tried to make them come out and say it but right now he just stood and rolled his eyes before asking the ladies in the kitchen loudly if they needed any help. Which left Viraj alone with Gurnaz and while he was very aware of Raghav being in the same house, he still took her hand and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I'm so glad that went well...tum...naraaz nahi ho na? With anything I said?” He knew he hadn't spoken anything too crazy but the main person he wanted to ensure was alright would always be Gurnaz Arora.

“That’s true—you're not the greatest at that, weren't you the one that wanted to tell everyone you and Zaara were dating too? You'd blurt it out in a heartbeat,” he chuckled before taking a sip from the drink before nodding and getting up to lead Raghav towards the kitchen. “Nah we wanted to do it, and it's more just--we knew how important this was for the family and so we figured if it went well--it'd be a nice dinner together and if not--then it would be food we'd send home with everyone. Either way, waste nahi hota.” 

[raghavxarora]

Gurnaz was just happy that it was all working out for the better. She was well aware that her brother hadn't completely let go of his hang ups, but this was still a huge step forward. Ria's voice brought her out of her reverie as she led Zaara towards the kitchen. "We ordered dinner, but if you want to help me heat it up that'd be amazing." She let the two actresses disappear into the kitchen before turning back to her other brother that was still very much with them. "Don't you think you should go help them?" she suggested pointedly, hoping Sahej understood that she just needed a moment alone with her man before they returned to the loud boisterous group.

Raghav sighed, "I'll have to think about it. I just want to be married so bad, but I don't know that I'd do a good job of keeping that a secret. It's only six months. The wait will just make that day that much more special." The eldest Arora sibling nodded in agreement to his best friend's words. Viraj knew what he was up against and now everyone knew and was involved in this. If he fucked up, there was frankly no going back. "You're right. Let's go see if the girl's need any help with food. You guys really didn't have to organize a whole thing for tonight. It kind of scares me how important tonight felt... like a lot was at stake for a lot of people."

Zaara couldn’t help the slight eyeroll at Ria’s agreement to what Gurnaz had said. Both of these lovely ladies were just saying these things but a small part of her certainly hoped that was exactly what happened. She wanted him to see her and just—be absolutely mesmerized because she knew for a fact that as soon as she saw him there—she’d completely forget about everyone else. “Alright well there’s still a while to see who ends up being right…Ria, can we help with anything for dinner?” Viraj for his part was more focused on Gurnaz and just staring at her. Only a fool wouldn’t see how happy she was amidst these people and he wanted nothing more than to ensure that smile remained on her face for all of eternity—something he’d absolutely strive for every single day he was able to.

Vicky chuckled at the other’s words before nodding. “I can’t even imagine how heartbroken they’ll be if you do it, but you could just—do it for yourselves and not even tell anyone. That’s some new fad—isn’t it with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did? Get married for themselves and then did it for everyone else?” He took another sip form his drink before nodding at his friend’s agreement to stay for dinner. “Yes exactly, I think—that’s what won everyone over. The way she is with him, and even how she talks about him…clearly she knows him in a way that the rest of us don’t,” he mused before giving his friend a smile. “I think we just have to remember that he knows he’s got a lot of people to watch out for if he does anything to hurt her in any way,” Vicky said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone.

[raghavxarora]

Ria sighed happily, loving to see Gurnaz so happy with the man she loved. Looking back now, she was glad that she and Viraj got stranded in the car that night and that she was forced to hear him out. She didn't make it all happen on her own nor was she looking for such credit, but she was happy to know that she played whatever little part in bringing them back together. "No, she's right," Ria laughed, "Raghav's going to be so mesmerized by you the entire time that he won't know what to do with himself."

Raghav set his glass back down on the bar counter and shrugged at the thought of eloping. "It's not the worst idea in the world, but my parents would kill me." His mother spent at least 20 minutes on the phone with either him or Zaara discussing some aspect of the wedding planning on the daily. If she missed out on any part of it, she would get on the first flight to Mumbai to beat her son with her jutti. "We'll stay. I think at this point there's no avoiding him. I just have to get used to seeing them together. She looks happy though... I would have been able to tell if it was something she was forcing or if it was a pretense, but she looks genuinely over the moon. I wish it was literally anyone else, but there's nothing much I can do about that at this point."

For a second Viraj had definitely froze up at the thought of Gurnaz doing that while Raghav was around but luckily the other man wasn't around yet. And Sahej for his part--only laughed at the way his younger sister reacted which was reassuring for sure. “Now that I know I'm invited, we're definitely going to have the best time,” he grinned at her, unable to hide the look of pure love in his gaze. He was so thankful to have found someone like Gurnaz who truly just changed the way he was living life as a whole. He couldn't help the chuckle that fell from his lips when Zaara playfully smacked her sister-in-law. “Stop it you, he focuses just fine--but haan uss time pe agar woh kisi aur ke baare mein soch raha hoga na...toh uski khari nahi," she said with a grin until their conversation shifted at the mention of Vaibhav. 

It was nice to hear those words from Gurnaz and Sahej nodded a long with his sister, praying that she was right and that sooner or later his best friend would be back. Life just wasn't the same without him around. “Thank Gurnaz," he gave her a small smile before nodding along with her words yet again. “We've just got to remain positive. That's the main thing.”

Vicky gasped out loud at the way his friend told him to stop. “Kya rehen doon? Line toh achi thi," he grinned as they clinked their glasses together before he mentioned what he'd been thinking the last time they'd been in this very house. A chuckle left the other man's lips before he shook his head. “You're so eager…tera bas chale toh tu abhi ke abhi vyaah kar lega uske naal." He took another sip of his drink before glancing back at Raghav. “Toh—ab kya? Ria and I were thinking of hosting a dinner tonight here, you’ll stick around right? We're going to have to get used to him around sooner or later."

[raghavxarora]

Gurnaz let out the tiniest of squeals and turned to give her boyfriend a quick peck. She made sure that Raghav wasn't around to spot them because she knew he'd have a hard time seeing their PDA so quickly after he decided to give them this chance to prove that this was real. "I was already excited for this wedding, but now I can't wait." All those cheesy, romantic moments that couples shared at weddings would be something she'd finally get to experience with a man she loved. "Oh uska tum fikar mat karo. I'll be sure to keep him preoccupied. Though I have a feeling Zaara bhabi's going to be taking care of that just fine. Raghav bhaiya has a hard time focusing on anything or anyone else when he's around her, but this is especially true when she looks drop dead gorgeous."

The melancholy shadow fell over their conversation at the mention of Vaibhav. This wasn't the first they were hearing of the soldier's disappearance. Gurnaz made sure to mention his safe return in her prayers whenever she could. He might have been her brother's best friend, but he was practically family for them. "It's okay bhaiya... He'll be okay. I'm sure of it. He's not one to give up so easily and wherever he is, I know he's staying safe." If only she knew how right she was. Vaibhav was toiling day and night to get back to his country safely.

Raghav sighed, feeling relieved that Vicky wasn't angry with him for the way he acted. That feeling of relief was quickly replaced with a look of cringe laughter at his friend's attempt at the famous movie line. "Oye, tu rehen de..." he chuckled, but still, he clinked his glass against the other's and took the first sip of the expensive liquor. "It's going to be okay now. Nothing's getting postponed. I refuse to let anyone postpone or delay this wedding any longer."

“Oh no, I absolutely do need to thank you guys. Tum log agar humara saath nahi dete, toh shayad Raghav kabhi meri side sun ne ke liye raazi nahi hota," he said with a smile before looking back at Gurnaz, still hardly able to believe this was real and they were amongst friends and family together like this. But most importantly, it had been thanks to Ria who had been willing to listen. If she hadn't, then Zaara wouldn't have been able to hear him out and then neither would Vicky have either. 

The topic of the wedding came up, one that he knew had been postponed almost due to the tensions between Raghav and the rest of his crew but it was nice to hear it being back on. "Of course I want to be your plus one, in fact--I can't think of a better way to announce to the world that you're taken. Plus--I have a sneaking suspicion your brother will be too busy to pay attention to that stuff so it's a win win situation," he chuckled with a quick glance at the rest of the people sitting around.

Sahej smiled at both Viraj and Gurnaz before nodding, "haan woh bilkul theek hai, bas unke family wale shayad itni asaani se usse doosri Mumbai trip ke liye aane na de. We'll try to plan something to get her here for the wedding though for sure. Plus uh—wahaan pe thoda tanaav hai, woh mera dost hai na? Vabhav? Woh—he's missing right now aur woh sab it’s a lot to take so…while I obviously want to be here celebrating with you guys, it’s hard not to think about him.” Sahej didn't mean to bring the mood down and was thankful when he felt Zaara’s hand on his own, squeezing it gently before smiling at him. "I'm sure ke woh theek honge,” she nodded at him with a reassuring look on her face.

“I doubt anything here is going to calm you down, but let’s start with some whiskey—sound good?" He didn’t wait for the other's agreement as he poured out two glasses for the two of them and pushed one of them over to Raghav before lifting his own. He'd been ready to chug it down when the other spoke up and he grinned at his best friend. “Pata hai yaar, koi gal nahi—woh kya line thi—bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai—senor,” he laughed at his own improvised line before grinning at his friend. “I was just trying to help but—I also didn’t understand why you guys postponed the wedding, aur woh bhi uski wajah se…but kher--woh sab purani baatein hain, now we have a lot to look forward to.” He held his glass and waited for his friend to do the same. 

[raghavxarora]

"You don't have to thank us," Ria said, "I'm just glad to see he came to his senses." Ria wasn't expecting this to go as quickly and smoothly as it did and had it been someone less trustworthy, she would have wondered it there was some ulterior motive behind the move. This was Raghav they were talking about though. There was no way he had anything else up his sleeve. If he said he was going to give Viraj a shot at proving him wrong then he meant it. "I guess this means he's going to be your plus one, huh?" Gurnaz smiled brightly at the comment and nodded. They didn't have to hide nor did she have to sit through her brother's wedding alone and missing Viraj. "That is... if he wants to be my plus one," she followed up, knowing that it all hinged on whether or not Viraj was okay with their relationship (or "alleged" relationship) being public news.

"Arre haan," Gurnaz looked at her brother at the realization that Simmi wasn't here. "Woh theek hai? Aayi nahin iss baar tumhare saath?" As far as she knew, things were still going okay between the pair. She hoped that was still the case.

Raghav looked around at the collection of bottles and shrugged, "Kuch bhi deh... As long as it'll calm me down." The man may have seemed like he had things under control back there, but the whole thing still left him rattled. It was surreal to think he was breathing the same air as Viraj and was somehow not at the ready to throw punches. "Listen... Whatever happens with him... I'm sorry for snapping at you and for ditching you the way I did the other day. It wasn't cool. You were just trying to help." It took Raghav spending a couple days away and his anger fading to realize he was the one ruining things with the people he cared about.

It was enough for Viraj now to know that the other shook his hand at least was able to accept their relationship, at least as much as he would be willing to. He knew it wasn’t the best outcome but it certainly wasn't the worst either with all things considered. He could visibly feel his shoulders drop as Raghav headed towards the bar with Vicky while he remained there with Gurnaz, Sahej, Zaara and Ria.

“Tum jao, I’ll join you guys in a few minutes," she told him with a proud smile. Because honestly she was extremely proud of how well he'd handled this given how angry he was at pretty much all of them. But as soon as Vicky and him were out of earshot, she chuckled at Ria's words before shaking her head. “I can't believe it either.”

Viraj however was still a bit subdued and glanced at Sahej with a grin, “I’m glad you’re here as well bhai, knowing that at least one of her brother’s doesn’t despise me…helps a lot. And hey how's Simrat? Iss baar usse nahi laaya?” He frowned before glancing between them all unsure of why the other’s girlfriend wasn't there with him. “And you girls too—thank you for everything you've done for us--it means so much.”

On the other hand, Vicky had given Ria a quick kiss as well before moving behind Raghav towards the bar. As soon as they were there, he slapped one arm around the other's shoulders and drew him in. “You did great, all things considered…” he grinned at him before moving behind the bar and looking up at Raghav. “So tell me, what are you in the mood for tonight?” Of course there was a part of Vicky that felt almost...hurt at how things had been between the two of them the last time they'd been in this very house but he wasn't going to hold grudges anymore, especially not with the man who was the closest thing to a brother he had.

[raghavxarora]

He hated admitting it, but maybe he was a tad bit relieved to hear the finality in Viraj's voice and the way he was so sure that this was it for him. It would become apparent with time how truthful he was being, but they would cross that bridge when they got to it. Right now, Raghav was okay with offering the most tentative of olive branches for his sister's sake. She seemed to trust Viraj and right now that was all he had to go on. That and the goo-goo ga-ga eyes the couple made toward one another near constantly.

Raghav shook his hand rather firmly and sighed as he looked at the others. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I need a fucking drink." He nodded toward Vicky and headed in the direction of the immaculate bar that housed some of the best liquor he'd ever had. "Babe?" he asked, giving his attention to Zaara if she was going to join him or if he should proceed without her. That was about as much cordial behavior as he could stomach for one evening. They would just have to take it one day at a time.

Ria gave Vicky a kiss on the cheek and nudged him forward, not wanting to chance it that Raghav might hulk out if he didn't get a drink in him. That was one of the most awkward and tense meetings she'd ever sat in on. "Oh my god, did that actually just happen?" she joked once Raghav was well out of earshot.

“You're right, I'm sorry,” he said softly as the other defended his behaviour. He knew they had a close relationship and so he needed to technically know his limits but he didn't like the way the other had almost…quieted her. It didn't seem right and so he had to say something. But Viraj knew at the same time he was on paper-thin ice here and if he said anything wrong, his chance to live a happy life with the greatest woman in the world would be gone. It was reassuring that Gurnaz hadn’t been upset with his confession and instead agreed with him. Yet another reason they were both made for one another because they both just understood the other and their point of views so easily. 

“I love her more than I can say Raghav," he admitted with a small smile before looking back at Gurnaz. “I never thought I’d fall in love like this, it feels like…the movie type of love but I just can't imagine my life without her and I really hope you don’t make us go through that again because we both might’ve tried it once but I don't think either of us can do it again,” he admitted as he glanced back at the other man. He didn't miss the way Raghav clutched Zaara’s hand and wondered if mentioning their relationship would help but decided against it for now. 

Zaara for her part was glad to hear Raghav’s words because honestly she knew with time the other actor would reassure Raghav that he was in this for life and when that day came—they'd all be rather relieved. Viraj though could almost feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears as the other said he would try not to be an asshole. That was honestly enough for him. “I can take that," he said with a grin before nodding before he was about to take the other's hand. The warning wasn't unexpected and he knew very well that Raghav meant each and every word he was saying. “I promise you—all of you,” he glanced around at everyone in the room, "she will never be crying because of me." Of course his mind did go to other situations where she might be crying from extreme pleasure because of him but he didn't think saying that would help right now….at all. 

[raghavxarora]

A tiny part of him was mildly impressed that he stood up for Gurnaz, but when the other man looked at his sister with that smile and she took his hand, Raghav felt his irritation begin to bubble up again. "Meri behen hai. She knows I don't mean any harm." Viraj was saying all the things that he should be saying, but Raghav was holding on so tightly to his anger and the grudge from the past that it was difficult to fathom ever giving him a second chance. At the same time, he couldn't help, but soften a bit every time he looked at his baby sister and spotted her looking at Viraj was such devout affection. She turned to face her eldest sibling with a nod, agreeing with Viraj's statement. "Haan bhaiya, if we were aware at the time then I don't think this would have gone anywhere, but we didn't and it did. We love each other. Living without him isn't even an option for me. I tried. I couldn't do it. Please try to understand..."

Everything about this feel like it was out of one of their movies. What was that line from Vicky's movie? 'Bande perfect nahin hote, rishte perfect hote hain.' His heart wasn't completely warmed up to the idea of these two particular individuals wanting to be together for what seemed like forever. Still, Raghav knew that voicing any sort of disdain for the thought would only alienate his sister further. "And you really love her?" he asked, wanting to make absolutely positively sure that what he was saying was real. His grip of Zaara's hand tightened momentarily as his body once again repulsed at the idea of Viraj with his sister.

"Everyone says I need to give you a chance. I think what I need to do is give your... feelings a chance. I'll try not to be an asshole, lekin koi guarantee nahin hai. I can't promise that something rude won't just slip out. Consider it your penance... You can all breathe now." That latter statement was aimed at everyone else in their presence. He knew they were all tense and holding their breath in anticipation of whatever brawl they thought was going to erupt today. He stood and extended his hand, but pulled back before Viraj could take it. "Lekin ek baar bhi meri behen ki aankhon mein aansoon aaye na... We're done here. No more second chances."

Viraj had been ready to tell Raghav about the wedding they'd run into each other at and how they’d simply just exchanged contact information not wanting to mention the flirting at all but Gurnaz had jumped in and he simply nodded along as she explained how they met. When the other then asked how they proceeded to this point, he was sighing softly, wondering how likely Raghav would be to understand that no he didn't even know the other woman was remotely related to the man but Gurnaz jumped in with that answer yet again which had Raghav react in a way that genuinely made Viraj want to jump to defend her. He knew this man was her brother and so perhaps he could speak to her in whichever way he deemed fit but Viraj was going to say something.

“Raghav, c'mon--you don't need to get mad at her for jumping in to answer your questions. But Gurnaz, I’ll—I'll handle it," he told her with what he hoped was a reassuring smile at this point. Because truthfully he was losing hope with each passing minute. “Basically we uh exchanged instagram handles, and just got to talking in the DM’s, made plans to meet whenever she was in Mumbai aur dekhte hi dekhte, we got pretty close..”

Viraj took a deep breath before saying something he felt the need to admit. “I don’t know that I would’ve…pursued her if I had known she was your little sister,” he looked back at Gurnaz, not wanting her to be upset with him by his confession. “I mean—don’t get me wrong, I don't regret it at all and now I know I’d do it 100 times over, but…at that point when we first met, if I had known you were Raghav's sister, I don't know that I would’ve let it…get this far. I know how he feels about me and so I wouldn’t have wanted to put you through what ultimately happened between us,” he said with a soft smile, ensuring he squeezed her hand gently, wanting her to know still that he loved her and would stand by her side as long as he was able to. 

“Raghav, I—I love your sister, I really do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect you or how you feel about us. If you can’t forgive me or ever look past what happened, I respect that and I…I’ll do what needs to be done but I hope with time you realize that I’m being genuine aur mujhse zyaada shayad hi koi aur Gurnaz ko itna pyaar kar sakhte hai iss duniya mein." He wouldn't be Viraj Adani if he didn't have one filmy line in there after all. 

[raghavxarora]

Raghav gritted his teeth together as he listened. It all sounded like exactly the kind of thing Viraj thought he would want to hear. Maybe that's why it all felt so false to him. What about this was he not seeing that everyone else seemed to see right away? "How did you two meet exactly?" he asked suddenly, wanting to gauge just how "fated" their union was. He hated being that guy in the room, but Raghav would be lying if he said he didn't think Viraj tracked his sister down somehow. Gurnaz jumped in to explain their first meeting at a socialite's wedding she had organized. Dammit. So them meeting might have actually been totally by chance.

"And then what? You just pursued my sister? Jab isne tumhe apna naam bataiya aur tumhe pata chala then what? You didn't feel like maybe you should back off?" His sister piped up again, "Bhaiya, I didn't actually tell him that we're related... I didn't want him to know me as your sister." Raghav tsk'ed and looked at his baby sister, "Do you mind letting him answer my questions?" It was direct and perhaps a touch confrontational, but Gurnaz quieted for the moment.

Zaara could see the look on Raghav’s face and knew that he was upset about how everyone was greeting the other actor but how was she supposed to explain to him that everyone had tried to look past the problems from before. He would ultimately need to see it for himself, there was no other way this would get fixed and they all knew that here. 

Viraj shook the other’s hand with a proper grip, only releasing it when the other spoke about getting this show on the road. Not exactly the terminology he’d have gone with but he nodded anyways. He took a seat and watched as Gurnaz spoke directly to Raghav, maybe hoping to soften the other’s defences and if it worked--well he’d be thankful for it. 

“I know you’re reluctant to believe me and I get it—Vicky was the same way and for that matter, even Ria and Zaara.” He gave them a small smile, as if thanking them for seeing him differently now before he looked back at Raghav, “but I know what happened in the past was wrong. I was being an idiot…trying to use your bond to almost—push myself ahead by messing it up. I know it was fucked up and I had no right and no amount of apologizing is going to make that easier but I really have learnt from that mistake Raghav, and I truly wish it had never happened and I hadn’t been that…consumed by the idea of getting ahead of my competition.” There was so much more he could say of course, begging the man for his forgiveness but he didn't feel the need to it that way, he wanted to show Raghav truly that he had matured from that time.  

[raghavxarora]

It was so strange to see them all greeting Viraj like all the bad deeds that he'd done in the past were silly mistakes. His stomach turned at the normalcy of it all, but he held his tongue. Raghav was here to give him a chance because his sister was somehow smitten with the man. Once again, of all the women in this country... "Hi," he barely said with a nod, forcing his hand forward to take Viraj's. Even his own body was refusing to cooperate. "Let's get this show on the road, yeah?" Raghav wasn't really interested in hearing them gush about one another. He was afraid he really might actually vomit if that happened. "Bhaiya, can I just say how grateful I am for this? I know it wasn't easy for you to agree to this, but it means the world to me." Raghav's stern demeanor cracked and melted under the warmth and appreciation in his sister's tone. "Of course. I adore you, but we all know why I'm so reluctant to believe him... in this particular scenario especially." His judging gaze fell on Viraj as he waiting for the other actor to start explaining himself.

When Viraj had been told by Gurnaz that Raghav was wanting to meet. He was. a bit apprehensive. It was a natural human emotion especially when he realized now how badly the other man felt about what had happened. Except it wasn't that Raghav felt bad it was more that he was furious--something Viraj understood now that he reflected a bit more on what had happened and how it had all gone down. He'd been a fool and rather naive which didn't excuse what he'd done with Vikram and Raghav but he hoped the other man could find it in himself to forgive Viraj.

The drive to Vikram's parents bungalow had been alright, he'd been glancing at his girl every few moments especially when he'd realized just how many people he'd be facing this afternoon. It was like in a sense he was walking into a lion's den and honestly it was more intimidating than the thought of meeting her parents. Still he took her hand and began the walk into the home, appraising it as they did. He knew a lot of the people there today were on his side but that didn't make it any easier to see the look in Raghav's eyes.

He greeted Sahej along with Vikram and Ria before turning to face Raghav, his hand stretched out to shake the other's as he smiled at Zaara before greeting her as well.

"Hi Raghav, thanks for uh--agreeing to meet me," he was awkward and he was well aware of this.

[raghavxarora]

Raghav Arora finally felt like he'd reached the peak of melodrama. He was begrudgingly waiting for Gurnaz and Viraj (yuck) to join them so they could "talk it out". He didn't know how far they were going to get with the conversation, but he had promised his loved ones that he'd give the peace talks a shot. His hand was grasping his fiancée's for moral support as his knee bopped up and down anxiously. His eyes glanced up at Vicky and Ria. The couple had somehow defected and offered their support for his sister and her... whatever Viraj was to her. Lover? Good god, he was about to barf. "Are you sure woh aa raha hai? It wouldn't be the first time he went back on his word." He received a warning look from his younger brother who'd joined them from Amritsar for the occasion.

As if on cue, the sound of a car pulling up to Vikram's parents bungalow. A few moments later, Gurnaz and Viraj appeared. Raghav was almost shocked to see his sister looking so... happy? She certainly wasn't looking as drained or forlorn as she did in weeks prior. "Hi bhaiya," she greeted with a smile, the youngest Arora sibling letting go of her boyfriend's hand to greet both her brothers and her soon-to-be bhabi with hugs first before greeting Vikram and Ria. Her eyes shone with joy and hope that this was even happening and a silent thanks to the other couple in question for bringing her big brother around.

[raghavxarora]

Fighting with Zaara was never the plan. Fighting with anyone wasn't really part of the plan either, but Viraj somehow weaseled his way back into Raghav's life. Now he was faced with the task of talking to him... like a normal person. The thought almost made him gag the more he thought about it, but he'd do it because too many people he cared about were tied up in this. He frowned slightly as he thought back to the way he yelled at and derated his baby sister for getting involved with the other man. He owed her an apology as well. Zaara drew him out of his downer thoughts as she hugged him tight, the action pushing him back on the mattress. "She's not going to murder me. Not if she wants a successful wedding at least." Raghav snorted, "If he hurts her, a punch from me is the least of his problems." He just hoped for Gurnaz's sake that Viraj was actually telling the truth this time.

She loved him. She loved him more than she'd ever loved anyone and Raghav had to know that. He had so easily become her person that a part of Zaara didn't know who she was without him. Sure she was still a top heroine in the industry and one who had millions of fans but the girl inside, she only wanted this man by her side--nothing else materialistic even mattered. "Good," she told him with a smile as she leaned forward and hugged him with enough force that even he fell back onto the bed. "Nahi, sorry mat kaho...jo bhi tha, woh past mein tha, ab hum theek hai," she heard his question and let out a soft laugh before shaking her head and giggling. "Gurnaz will murder you but maybe you could say like--if he ever hurts her you can punch him?"

[raghavxarora]

The more they talked, the more relaxed Raghav felt. He didn't know what he would be coming home to after a stressful trip, but this was probably the best case scenario of how he thought this evening would go. Worst case scenario was him coming back to an empty flat and a note from her saying she'd left. "You're never going to hear that from me because I'm never going 'not feel this', that I can promise you right now." He pressed a kiss against her temple and sighed, "Sorry yaar... Itna stress diya tumhe... Are you sure I can't punch Viraj in the face one last time before we talk to them?" He was joking. He hoped she caught that and didn't think he was trying to stir up any more drama. He'd had his fill of it.

It took a lot for her to willingly tell him about her fears and her insecurities in their relationship. She had been in a very public relationship and then dealt with a very public break up which had caused a lot of irreparable damage to her psych. But meeting him and lowering her guard around him had felt like the most natural thing in the world. And she wanted to keep doing it. She knew he’d never actively try to hurt her. That had been the thought she'd clung to as soon as he’d walked out of their home that day. “I know, tumne kaha bhi tha," she told him softly before shaking her head and reaching for him to look her way, her hand on his cheek. “I trust you and I know you’d never do that to me." She gave him a small smile before she spoke up again. “If you were somehow not feeling this between us anymore, I know you have the courage to tell me right away, as opposed to being like that, so please I do trust you and I believe you,” she told him again before leaning her head against his shoulder. “I think with the tension between us, it seeped into how I reacted to things and that was my fault and I am really sorry that I let my feelings get the best of me.” 

[raghavxarora]

He hoped she didn't take his blunt honesty as him suggesting that she actually leave him. Raghav knew he'd fucked up, but he desperately wanted the chance to show to her that he was different from her ex and that he would only strive to keep her happy in their relationship. The arguments and tensions that came with life's ups and downs would be dealt with much better than this. He had to learn from his mistakes and prove to her that he was worthy of staying by her side. "I wasn't... I didn't grab her hand for any other reason than to guide her through the crowd. They were getting up in her space. It wasn't right." Closed doors. Ouch. Those two words somehow made that entire moment seem so dirty now when he was just trying to be helpful. "I'm sorry if it came off looking that way." If she saw it that way then who knew how many other people read too much into his actions that day.

“I know,” she shook her head quickly, her hands reaching for him as she held him close. She didn’t want him to sit there and blame himself. She just wanted him to know that deep down, this was how his actions had made her feel. If they were going to be married soon, she felt like there couldn’t be things they kept from one another, especially things like this. Admitting that the way he'd acted during the promotions reminded her of her ex…that had been hard. Raghav was nothing like him and that was perhaps why this familiar behaviour was so jarring and painful for Zaara to go through. She looked up at him, his words making her frown instantly as he told her to leave him if he ever did that again. It was confusing to her, he wanted to be with her, he was upset they postponed their wedding and yet he was saying this. With a sigh she was going to continue her words telling him to stop talking like that but before she could, he told her that he’d spent all of eternity reminding her of how he felt about her and for her—that was enough. “I trust you, I know you’d never…actually hurt me like that, but it wasn’t even you lifting her or dancing with her…because woh sab stage pe tha,” she admitted quietly. “But the way you grasped her hand when no audience members were around…it felt intimate, like we’d seen something that was meant to be behind closed doors…” Zaara Siddiqui felt like a fool, she should not be thinking this way and yet here she was, admitting her worst fears out loud to the man who’d put a ring on her finger as a symbol of his fidelity and devotion to her. 

[raghavxarora]

It gutted him hearing her talk about the way he treated her. What was worse was that there was really nothing he could do to defend himself because she was right. He'd unfairly taken his anger out on her and it wasn't right. Raghav couldn't say he loved her and then treat her like she was a punching bag. Perhaps, he'd gotten so comfortable that he thought it was okay to let her see him so upset, but somewhere along the way he'd gone too far with his frustrations. "I'm sorry... That wasn't my intention... God..." Raghav didn't know what to say that didn't sound like a bunch of excuses. Somehow, it wasn't making him very eager to talk things out with Viraj either. Still, if he wanted things to change for the better then he had to fight the urge to let anger get the best of him work shit out. What made his jaw clench though was hearing about the way her ex made her feel and how Raghav treating her this way reminded her of that. "Zaara, I say this in all honesty... if I ever do that again, leave me." It wasn't him trying to scare her or threaten. If anything, it was a promise he was making right now that he'd treat her right. "Listen, the jealousy... I can deal with it. You know you're the one I want by my side. I am happy to keep reminding you that you're the woman I love. It's kind of the best part of my day. But please, I hope you know that I'm never going act like that with you again."

"I know that, but you have your family and friends all around you Raghav, rallying behind you with support. We...we know most of the things now in detail and we all just want peace, the best way we can get it." She didn't want to go into detail of how much they all knew and everything they thought, knowing it would just upset him especially since tonight was about them reconnecting after a very estranged last few weeks. "I know but it felt like...main bas easy target ban gayi thi, you know? Because I was right here.." she hated admitting that because it allowed him to know how she had truly felt when their relationship had felt strained too. But she turned around to look at him as he shut the door, this time once more easily sliding up against his body, eager for that contact she'd craved so much lately. "You will though," she murmured as he spoke about how their wedding was going to be a joy-fest, his words making her smile as he spoke about her fanboys who she really didn't care to think about in this moment. "They'll be fine--they know I picked the best man out there, in the entire world." Zaara took a soft breath before pulling him to the bed where she sat and pulled him down as well to sit with her. "I got jealous...I got really jealous this time during your promotions. I don't know if it's because you were acting different, or because of everything going on with us. But...it took me back to how things were with him. When he'd...lash out at me during our arguments by flirting or sleeping with--I don't know what he did and I don't care but it just..took me to that dark place and I hated that I felt that way but I need you to just...know." He knew why she was telling him right? Because she wanted to be open and communicative with the man she was meant to marry. She knew he'd never hurt her the way the other had before.

[raghavxarora]

He nodded, listening to her intently as she led him away from the living room to their bedroom. "I know, I know... I'm going to do my best. Seeing him just tends to naturally piss me off though. I don't know. If things end up not working out between me and him and we can't be buddy-buddy then that's just something my sister is going to have to live with." He shook his head in response, "Tum bilkul galat nahin ho. Main bas... I was being dumb. I didn't mean to take my frustrations out on you or the wedding or anything. It wasn't fair to you or us to do that." Raghav shut the door gently behind them so that Nawab couldn't disturb them with his midnight zoomies in case he randomly woke up. He pulled her back to him, "Listen, whether or not Viraj and I can come to an understanding, our wedding is going to be a full on joy-fest, okay? You and I are going to celebrate with all the people in our lives that matter. I promise you, koi nahin upset hone wala... other than your legions of fanboys who are going to cry at the fact that you're officially my wife." Was he trying to lighten the mood? Sure, but he mostly just wanted Zaara to know that things would work out somehow, but regardless, he was going to make her his bride come what may.

When Zaara asked him if he knew why she'd postponed everything, she hadn't expected this response from him. He was willing to talk to his sister? And to Viraj? Would wonders never cease? She continued looking at him in surprise and even as he spoke about Sahej, she found herself silently cheering. The Arora clan was doing what was necessary and yes that also included her honewala husband too. This was a big step for him and she was eager to see how it played out. "Thank you," she whispered softly before nodding as he expressed how he knew what she needed for right now. "I won't hold it against you, but that's because you're willing to at least hear them out," she told him softly before pulling him along to their bedroom, eager to be closer to him. "Raghav, I just want that everyone's happy while we're planning our wedding, if Gurnaz is upset, or you're upset...I don't want that negative energy being around our marriage. I want our special day to be...perfect. Isme main ghalat hoon?" Here they were talking about their marriage and she still needed to vocalize her jealousy. Yes--they'd briefly touched on it through texting but she needed him to know how bad she felt and why it had occurred so that they could work through it as well.

[raghavxarora]

Raghav sighed at her question because he knew that the only way she was going to move forward with the planning was if he worked things out with his sister. It seemed like everyone else was on the same page which made it harder for him to fight as hard as he was against the couple being together. As much as he hated admitting it, his sister was a grown woman and if she wanted to... date Viraj then he just had to let her make her own decisions and deal with the outcome, good or bad. "Main baat karunga un dono se," he relented, "I spoke to Sahej this past week and he seems to have a different opinion of whatever is going on between Gurnaz and... him. I'll talk to them, but that's the best I can do. Is that okay for you? I know you want everything to be perfect and happy and light, but if things don't work out, I just hope you won't hold that against me when I'm doing my best with all this."

She'd tried so hard to keep the peace between Gurnaz and Raghav but he had been getting unreasonable with every single day that passed and that's when it had all come out where she asked him to postpone their wedding. She didn't like the idea of all this negative energy being around the planning of their special day. It hadn't been said with anger towards him, or Gurnaz but just of frustration. She wanted a happy environment leading up to her nuptials with the man who had truly swept her off her feet and instead she'd gotten all of that animosity which she'd struggled with. "I--" she'd been ready to say it again when he apologized instead and pulled back before he leaned in with a kiss that made her toes curl. She'd missed this too. She missed their intimacy and if she was honest--after seeing his close proximity to his very pretty co-star, she'd felt an unwilling jealousy and had made it obvious to him too. "It is important to me though Raghav, tumhe pata hai ke main kyun postpone karne ki baat ki thi?" She asked softly before kissing him again, "but I love that you said that...I really do."