Congratulations

He removed the tile and started looking around for something sharp, when Manya handed him a  locket with a small pendant. Turning it around, he gazed at her with a puzzled look. She bent down and pressed a small lever to the side, due to which the pendant converted into a small but sharp knife, making Arjun shocked.

He blurted out, “Why do you have something like this?”

“Because, I used to travel alone!” Manya shrugged.

“But still, it can be dangerous to you as well. What if somebody used it against you?” 

“Are you here to lecture me?”

“No, but-”

“Then change it and hide the tile back. And hurry, I want to go back and rest, as I am extremely tired.” She urged him.

“Okay ma'am, as you wish.” Arjun replied, and sat down to rectify the engraving on the tile that said, "Minnie and Juno, will be best friends forever".

Manya was assuming that he was going to scratch off what was already written and write over it, marking the beginning of an entirely new era of her story. Her heart was feeling uneasy, but she was unable to forbid it either, so she looked on as he proceeded to write.

“Minnie and Juno, will be best friends forever...And they will love each other for eternity, because they are made for each other ♡”

Arjun stood up after writing it, to find Manya lost in her emotions. 

Thinking that it would bring her some ease, he decided to tease her, and also because he loved to see her flustered.

“You must be thinking about how my writing has become so good, aren't you? If you are, then let me tell you that I now possess the title for the owner of the world's best handwriting!”

“Ohh! Is that so? Then where did that title come from, the dream lands of your imagination?” She commented.

“Hey! That was mean!” He pouted.

“Really? Did it hurt the baby boy!? Or do you need some water for your burn!?" She asked, trying to hide her laughter behind a serious expression.

"You!" He growled, trying to catch her, but she was fast enough to run away on tune. *He grinned while running behind her, thanking his angels that his prayers were finally being answered. He had gotten the love of his life- his only wish, and he won't let her go now, at any cost or under any circumstances. Even if he had to wait for her for a lifetime, he wasn't willing to wait without her, even for a second.*

He paused when she came back, and stayed frozen in place as she walked towards him. Pushing him lightly, she spoke, "Hello? Mr. Lost from the world! Let's go, or else our parents would send the entire police force and the guards in our search, assuming someone might have kidnapped us!"

"Huh! Okay...I mean, what did you just say?" Arjun had barely been paying attention to the present, lost in the memories of their childhood. 

*After she pushed him to bring him back to reality, he realised how she used to push him to remind him of her presence, but was always careful that he must not get hurt. Both of them were well aware that her strength was not manageable by her at times, due several practices of self defense.*

"Seriously!?" Manya raised her brows, and then sighed as if to resignedly accept the fact that the boy in front of her could never change, and she would always have to take care of him.

*But all pretense aside, she was willing for it, despite being unsure about whether or not he needed her. He had already become perfect, and she was still the same old Manya- but she wanted to give it a try. One chance, for the sake of her happiness, for the sake of his happiness-  for the sake of their happiness.*

She stepped towards him and wound her hands through his elbow, pulling him along as she moved forward.

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

The moment they entered Manya's house, they were surprised to find everyone still sitting there! For some reason, the house was decorated in a festive manner, in spite of the fact that there was no festival around the corner. 

Before either of them could ask anything, Meenal stood up and walked towards them as soon as she spotted the duo. She pulled Manya in a hug and then proceeded to take a step back as she cupped her face into her hands. With adoring eyes, she spoke, "I can't believe this, Minnie, you are finally going to be my daughter, legally- you know, since I have never thought of you as my daughter-in-law, but as my own daughter!" 

The others had also noticed their arrival by now, and Arnav joined Meenal in greeting Manya. He placed his hand on her head affectionately, and said, "I can't wait to take you to my home, you know your mother has already kept you with her for long enough!"

Manya was completely confused about what they were talking about, and how they came to know about the pact she had made with Arjun on the roof. Meanwhile, Arjun was busy thinking that whatever happened next, the blame was definitely going to drop on his head, and the girl in front of his eyes was going to kill him without wasting a single second in demanding any explanation.

Arjun was busy in his thoughts when Manav stepped forward and addressed him, after placing a hand on his shoulder. "Son! If I say that I have never differentiated between you and Manu, then it would be a lie. Unlike your parents, I never wanted my princess to marry you and leave me behind. But this is the doing of something known as destiny, that you both have fallen for each other; and most importantly, she is willing to be with you. Hence I can't do anything now, apart from giving you both my best wishes and blessings. But you still need to be careful, as I won't tolerate it if a single tear comes to her eyes, I am telling you this in advance."

Sagrika was seeing the gleeful faces of everyone as she gave a satisfied smile from afar. Finally, she stepped up and said, "I think we should leave now, as we have plenty of things to do. And keep in mind, we don't even have more than three days!"

Manya couldn't hold it any longer, and she leaped at the chance. "Mom! Three days for what?" 

"For your engagement, kiddo, what else?" Sagrika giggled as if Manya had made a particularly funny joke and kissed her forehead. Without letting her say anything else, she turned towards Meenal and indicated her to come with her.

Within a minute, everyone had left the room, leaving the blessed couple behind.

As soon as Manya found Arjun and herself alone in the room, she reached out towards the nearest flower vase and grabbed the flowers.

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