The final step

Ishaan didn't say anything in reply to her question. Instead, he stepped forward and hugged her and after a pause, he spoke up. 

"Congratulations, my first love, you are finally going to start a new journey.*

Pulling away from the hug, he looked at her face when she didn't reply and just kept staring mutely. 

He stepped a little backwards and said, "I know you must be shocked after seeing me, but Arjun was the one who invited me here on this occasion. Now tell me, when is the wedding?"

Manya was in a daze, she didn't know how to react at all. All this time she had thought that she really hated him after what he had done, but when he was standing in front of her, the only thing she knew was that she had never hated him, instead she had missed him. There was a friendship that had existed between them- even though it was fake from his side, her friendship was true even though she had mistook him for someone else, she had never wished for anything bad for him.

It was true that she could never forget what he had done but she had forgiven him long ago. Around the time when she was going through the treatment, she had realised that life was too short to hold grudges against anyone in your heart, it is better to realise it and leave it to the law, to choose a punishment for them.

Manya blinked, dismissing her thoughts and replied, "Af-after 3 days...and in between, there are ceremonies which will be taking place."

"Oh really, the one you used to tell me about?" Ishaan was asking everything with enthusiasm.

She was happy after seeing him happy and excited, and wanted to ask about his life when Arjun's voice echoed from the hallway.

"Why are you taking so much time that me and baby got bored, so we also arrived here, isn't it, baby?" Arjun asked the girl he was holding in his hands.

Manya looked at the child and she could recognise the face as well as remember that girl, she had really grown into an active and beautiful toddler.

The baby looked at Ishaan and screamed, "Dadda!" as she opened her arms and leaned towards Ishaan.

Ishaan pulled her into his lap and spoke,

"I am really sorry Manu. You know, if Stella had never arrived in my life and you hadn't left me with those harsh words at the time, I probably wouldn't have been able to change myself!"

He paused for a moment and continued, "Thank you so much, Manya, for making me the person I am today. You have a huge role in changing me from the person who thinks he deserves everything because he has money, to making him understand that he deserves the things he has because he has worked for them, cared for them and cherished them."

"Stop, now you are embarrassing me!" Manya spoke up, cutting him off from gushing about her further.

"Oh my God! Arjun, look what have you done to our boss lady Manya, she now knows how to blush as well!" Ishaan teased her.

Arjun stepped forward and hugged her from the side, replying "And you think about yourself mister, I don't fear you anymore!"

"Ouch! That hurts…" Ishaan placed a hand on his heart, still holding the girl with his other hand and dramatically exaggerating  his reaction.

He must have continued further, when the girl spoke up. "Dadda- who is she?" 

"She is your Godmother, Stella...and he is your Godfather." Saying this, he placed Stella in front of Manya.

Manya understood and picked the girl up in her hands and bounced her up and down as she giggled. She smiled and asked, "Hello Stella, how are you, baby?"

"You are pretty!" The little girl kissed her on the cheek, totally ignoring her question.

"Hey, that's not fair Stella! Even your Godfather hasn't gotten the chance to kiss her yet…" Arjun spoke, only to get smacked on his head by Manya.

"Ouch! Minnie stop, it's our engagement today, at least don't hit me on this day."

"Then act like it's our engagement, and let's go!" She spoke, smiling forcefully.

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"It is time to bring the bride to the altar." The priest announced, and Arjun turned to look at Manya coming towards him, walking slowly.

A smile appeared on his face- finally, he was on cloud 9 as the wish of his lifetime was granted. He couldn't think of anything more to ask for.

He had grown up observing and hearing many love stories, but he had written his own- the most precious, the most beautiful one, one that only belonged to him- to them. It was their story, the story about the meeting of Arjun and Manya- the story of Minnie and Juno growing up, the story of the establishment of ARMA, the story of their love. The story was proof not only of the long period of separation they had to go through, but also the fact that they were reunited because of their trust- a story worth narrating. 

He snapped back to reality after Manav placed Manya's hand in his hands, saying, "Arjun, I am giving you the hand of my most precious treasure in this world, please don't let her fall." He choked on his tears while saying the last words, and the tears ultimately fell from his eyes.

Arjun was quick to reply. "Don't worry uncle, I will always be there for her and won't let her fall. Even though she is capable enough,  I will make sure that we will spend our marriage as a team, and not see it as our individual work."

Manya smiled at Arjun's statement and hugged her father. Stepping up to the altar, she spoke, "I will always be your Manu, dad and nothing can change it. This is just a new chapter of my story, the story which has shown me the flavour of almost everything at a really small age. And now, there will be no room for tears- so smile!"

This was the first time in her life when she was not just putting up a show for the world that she was confident, but she actually was feeling the confidence from within. She was confident about the beauty of the journey ahead- the journey where everything would be based on truth, trust, love and respect for eachother. It was indeed a fairytale, one that was written just for her, and which was written by them. It was the story of Manya and Arjun, who were made for each other, and were going to be spending their forever with each other.

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 A/N - HELLOOOOO, my lovelies, yay we have finally come to the end of this journey, I am really grateful for your love and support ❤️. The book and you all will always be the number 1 for me because it's the first book, I have written and you guys are my first readers!!!! Love you all ❤️❤️❤️