“We are blessed,” she said softly, her gaze drifting across the room, at the familiar faces, the laughter, the lives and stories that had intertwined over the years.
“Our story began so long ago…” he murmured, looking into the crowd with quiet wonder. “And somewhere along the way, it became part of something so much bigger than just us.”
Her fingers curled around his arms. “Look at where we’ve arrived… after everything.”
“Look at where we’re beginning now,” he said, giving her that jaw-dropping smile she loved so much. “Come on, it’s our reception. Let’s drink some champagne, dance, and celebrate.”
Akash threaded his fingers through hers, her hand fitting into his as if it had always belonged there.
And it had.
She was finally where she’d always belonged.
With him. Always him.
Janak Sehgal stoodto the side, his gaze resting on Akash and Shauna as they moved across the floor, lost in each other. A quiet, deep satisfaction surged within him to see them like that.
All his grandchildren were happily married to the ones they loved. Just as he had always hoped. Just as he had always wanted for them.
“You’re looking rather pleased with yourself,” Suveer Malhotra’s voice came from beside him.
“I am.” Janak allowed himself a small smile.
His gaze drifted across the room, over the couples laughing, the stolen glances, the hands held tight. And beyond that, the friendships, the bonds that had formed just as deeply as the love between them all. What a beautiful, unexpected family they had all become.
“I think,” he said slowly, a note of quiet pride in his voice, “I’ve done well by them. If I die tomorrow, then I will die a happy old man.”
“Let’s not talk of dying tonight,” Suveer said, gazing into the crowd as well.
Janak smiled as he watched Vir pull his sister Amara into a playful twirl. On the other end of the hall, Dheer was in quiet conversation with VJ’s cousin, Zorawar Randhawa. Dheer always looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Vir reached them, and soon the three of them were moving toward the bar.
“Dheer and Vir are my pride and joy,” Suveer said with a contended sigh. He searched the crowd. “And so is she.” He tipped his head toward Amara, who was chatting with Akash and Shauna now.
“They are good kids,” Janak agreed. “You’ve brought them up well.”
“I wish they’d find someone to fall in love with and settle down,” Suveer said. “They have each other, and they have good friends, but I know they are lonely.”
“They will,” Janak replied. “There will come a time, hopefully soon, when we will be attending one of their weddings.”
Suveer touched his shoulder. “Promise me that if something happens to me, you will take care of my grandchildren and help them find love and happiness, just as you did for yours.”
Janak frowned. “Why are you talking like that? Is something wrong?”
“You know I have a heart ailment,” Suveer replied. “With such things, one learns not to take time for granted.”
“You know I’d do anything for you,” Janak said. “Just don’t die, okay?”
Suveer chuckled. “We all will, one day.”
Janak clapped his back. “Well, tonight is not that night, and tonight we are celebrating. Come on, let’s go show the youngsters how it’s really done.”
Suveer hesitated, eyeing the dance floor. “What is this music these youngsters are listening to? Sounds African, or is it Arabic?” He shook his head faintly. “Bam Bam, is it? You think we can dance to that?”
Janak scoffed. “You think we can’t?”
Before Suveer could protest, Janak had already taken his arm, pulling him toward the center of the floor. Around them, everyone started taking notice. After all they were two eighty-year-olds dancing to an energetic song.
A wide circle opened around them, laughter and cheers rising as hands began clapping in rhythm. Janak moved, his shoulders swaying, a playful rhythm in his steps. Suveer followed, a grin breaking across his face as he gave in and let loose.
The crowd erupted. Clapping louder. Cheering harder.
Such was life, Janak thought. His gaze moved across the room, over his grandchildren, their spouses, their friends, the laughter, the love, the lives that had intertwined in ways even he hadn’t fully predicted.
He had guided them, in his own way. Shown them the path. A quiet sense of fulfillment settled within him. Perhaps one day, they would carry forward this legacy of love, of friendship, of family, of finding the right person despite everything. And perhaps, when their time came, they would do the same for their own children.
Janak smiled.
Because in the end, all that truly mattered were the bonds of love, family, and friendship—the only legacy worth leaving behind.
THE END
