Epilogue

The graduation hall was buzzing with excitement. Laughter, camera flashes, and the hum of countless conversations filled the air as graduates in their caps and gowns embraced each other, took photos, and celebrated the moment they had all been waiting for.

Tara adjusted her cap for what felt like the hundredth time, nerves and excitement swirling inside her. She glanced around the sea of students, searching for a familiar face.

And then she spotted him.

Aryan was standing a few feet away, talking animatedly with Aakash and Rohan, his cap slightly askew like he hadn't bothered to fix it. The second he saw her, his face lit up with a smile. Without hesitation, he wove through the crowd and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Hi, my love." he murmured, his arms around her warm and familiar.

She smiled against his chest. "Hi."

Before they could say anything more, a shriek interrupted them.

"There you are!" Aisha's voice rang out as she and Aria rushed over, dragging Karan behind them. "Come on, we need pictures! This is a historic moment!"

Aryan groaned but let Tara pull him along to join their friends. They huddled together, making silly faces, throwing their caps in the air for the perfect shot, and laughing until their stomachs hurt. It felt like the last three years had gone by in a blink, and now here they were—on the edge of something new.

A familiar voice called out, making Tara turn.

"Tara!"

Her heart warmed at the sight of her family—her parents beaming with pride, her younger brother Harsh grinning as he held up his phone, already taking photos. Her mother rushed forward, wrapping her in a hug that was all warmth and love. "We are so proud of you, beta."

Her father nodded, his smile softer but just as full of pride. "You've worked so hard for this day."

Tara felt a lump rise in her throat, but before she could get too emotional, Harsh snorted. "Okay, okay, can I get a picture with the graduate before Mom cries?"

She laughed, ruffling his hair before pulling him in for a side hug.

A few steps away, Aryan was caught in a similar moment with his parents. Rajeev clapped a firm hand on his son's shoulder, pride evident in his eyes. "Well done, beta. You've made us proud."

Meeta, on the other hand, was wiping at her eyes, despite Aryan's playful groan. "Mom, come on. You promised no crying."

"I did no such thing," she sniffed, cupping his face for a quick kiss on the forehead. "My son is a graduate. Let me have my moment."

Tara smiled at the sight, her heart swelling. She met Aryan's gaze, and for a second, the world around them blurred. They didn't need words—there was an unspoken understanding between them.

As the ceremony wrapped up and the sun began to set, their group gathered one last time. There was a bittersweet feeling in the air. They all knew things were about to change—new jobs, different cities, different paths. But tonight, none of that mattered.

"Promise me," Aakash said suddenly, his tone serious. "That no matter where we go, we'll always come back to this. To us."

They all exchanged glances before Aisha spoke, grinning. "Pinky promise."

And just like that, seven hands linked together in the middle, sealing a silent vow.

The grand auditorium buzzed with excitement as the air was thick with the sound of chatter, laughter, and the occasional nervous sigh. Graduates sat in their seats, wearing their caps and gowns, ready to finally close one chapter and begin another. Tara sat near the center of the sea of students, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and disbelief. This was it—the end of four years of hard work, late nights, and unforgettable memories.

Beside her, Aryan leaned over, his voice low and teasing. "I swear, you look like you're about to throw up."

Tara rolled her eyes, nudging him with her elbow. "I'm fine."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Because you've got that look—the one where you're pretending to be calm but your insides are in knots."

"I'm not pretending," she said with a smile, though her heart was racing. "I'm just excited."

Aryan grinned, leaning back in his seat. "I'll be the loudest cheerleader when you walk across that stage, just you wait."

Tara snorted. "I'll be lucky if you don't embarrass me."

As the ceremony progressed, the sense of excitement grew, and then, finally, the moment arrived. Tara's name was called.

"Tara Raikar."

Her heart skipped a beat. This was it. She stood up, adjusting her cap, and walked toward the stage. As she made her way to the podium, she could feel all eyes on her, and for the briefest moment, her knees wobbled, but she steadied herself. This was the culmination of everything she had worked for.

The moment she reached the stage, she shook the dean's hand and was handed her degree with a smile. The applause from the audience filled her ears, but it was the cheers from one particular section that stood out.

Her father was clapping with pride, a broad smile on his face. Her mother was wiping her eyes, clearly overwhelmed with emotion. And there was Harsh, standing on the edge of his seat, shouting, "TARA DI, YOU DID IT!" with the enthusiasm only a 17-year-old could muster.

But the loudest cheers came from the side, where Aryan's family sat.

Meeta, who had once treated Tara with a distant, almost cold politeness, was standing up with tears in her eyes, clapping with an expression that radiated pride and warmth. Rajeev, Aryan's father, stood beside her, cheering loudly with approval. Tara couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, not just for herself but for the way their families had come together over the months.

And then, of course, there was Aryan. He was out of his seat, both hands cupped around his mouth, shouting, "THAT'S MY GIRL!" as if the entire auditorium needed to know.

Tara couldn't help but laugh despite herself, feeling both embarrassed and incredibly touched. As she walked off the stage, she was met with a wide grin from Aryan.

"I told you," he said smugly. "Loudest cheerleader."

"You're unbelievable," she said, shaking her head.

But her smile betrayed her, and the warmth in her chest couldn't be ignored.

Minutes later, Aryan's name was called. Tara leaned forward, her voice loud and clear as she shouted, "Go, Aryan!"

He shot her a wink, walking confidently to the stage. As he received his degree, the applause erupted again, and the cheers from the crowd were just as loud as his. When he returned to his seat beside her, he gave her a teasing glance.

"See? I told you I'd outdo you," he said.

Tara rolled her eyes, but her heart swelled with pride for him. "You really did, didn't you?"

After the ceremony, the graduates were ushered out of the auditorium, and the air was thick with the buzz of excitement, with friends hugging and parents congratulating their children. But amidst the chaos, Tara's parents had already found her, their faces glowing with pride.

Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, her voice choked with emotion. "We're so proud of you, Tara."

Her father smiled warmly, placing his hand on her shoulder. "We always knew you'd make us proud."

Harsh, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward with a grin. "You did awesome, Di. I've already told all my friends. You're the best."

Tara laughed, pulling her brother into a hug. "You're embarrassing me, Harsh."

Nearby, Meeta and Rajeev had found their way over, and Tara was surprised by how easily they had become part of this moment. Meeta, standing beside her, gave her an encouraging smile.

"You did so well today, Tara," Meeta said softly, her eyes filled with admiration. "You've worked so hard, and I'm proud of you."

Tara blinked, the words sinking in. It was strange—Meeta had never been this warm to her, and to hear such kind words felt like a moment of true acceptance. But the last few months had changed everything, from endless phone calls, to always calling Meeta for cooking and saree advice—the two women had come a long way.

"Thank you, Maushi," Tara said, her voice thick with emotion.

Meeta smiled and placed a hand on Tara's arm. "You're part of our family. Always will be."

Tara felt a lump form in her throat, but she couldn't say anything. Instead, she just nodded, her heart full of gratitude.

"Congratulations champ!" Rajeev said as he gave Tara a warm side hug. He was always her cheerleader—her friend, rather than an uncle.

"Thank you!" She exclaimed as she hugged him.

Behind them, Aryan was teasing Harsh, joking about how the younger boy would never live up to his "cool older sister." Harsh rolled his eyes but laughed, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Alright, everyone! Let's get a group photo!" Meeta said, her voice full of excitement.

Everyone shifted into position, with Tara and Aryan at the center, flanked by their families. The photographer, one of their classmates, adjusted the camera and asked them to squeeze in just a little more. Everyone laughed and jockeyed for position, making sure no one was left out of the shot.

As they were getting ready for the photo, Meeta's voice rang out again, teasing and lighthearted.

"You know," she said, her eyes shifting between Tara and Aryan, "I'm only waiting for about three or four more years, and I'll be asking for another picture like this—at Tara and Aryan's wedding."

The group froze for a split second, and then a ripple of laughter filled the air. Tara's face immediately turned red, and she shot Meeta a playful, mock-annoyed look.

Her mother, standing beside Meeta, grinned and said, "I think that's a wonderful idea!"

Tara's father, always the easygoing one, chuckled. "Well, that's a bit ahead of the game, don't you think?"

Meeta raised her eyebrows and gave a mischievous smile. "Why wait? If they're ready for the next step after graduation, we should start planning early!"

At this, Aryan couldn't resist joining in. With a playful grin, he turned to his mom. "Well, if we're planning early, maybe I should go ahead and start looking for a ring. Gotta stay ahead of the game, right?"

Laughter erupted from everyone. Tara's face flushed even deeper as she shot Aryan a wide-eyed, exaggerated glare.

"You are not helping," she muttered under her breath, but her smile betrayed her embarrassment.

"Hey, I'm just getting us ready for the future," Aryan teased, his grin never fading.

Tara rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. Her mom leaned over and whispered, "Looks like we're already planning the wedding, huh?"

"I'm not planning anything," Tara replied, shaking her head with a smile.

Meeta, enjoying the playful teasing, added, "I'm just saying... we're all here, together, and it feels like we should get one more photo in a few years, with a few extra guests!"

Her mom nodded, still grinning. "I wouldn't mind that at all."

The photographer, catching the moment, quickly snapped the picture, and the group burst into laughter once again.

As everyone was shifting around for the final photo, Meeta suddenly looked at Tara and her mother with a soft smile.

"Wait, I need a picture with just you two," Meeta said, her tone warm. "We need a picture of the ladies."

Tara's mom chuckled and nodded. "I like the sound of that!"

The photographer quickly snapped a shot of the two mothers standing beside Tara, with Tara sandwiched between them, both of them grinning.

Tara looked at the photo and then up at them, her heart full. "My two mothers," she said, her voice playful and full of affection.

Both Meeta and Tara's mother smiled even wider, exchanging a fond glance. "Your two mothers," Meeta echoed, her voice gentle. "And we're both so proud of you."

Tara beamed, feeling more loved and supported than ever before as she smiled and walked towards Aryan.

As Aryan leaned in, he placed his hand on Tara's shoulder. "So... we did it." His voice was soft, almost in disbelief.

Tara looked up at him, the weight of everything settling in. "Yeah. We did."

"Ready for the next step?" he asked, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Tara looked at their friends laughing together, her parents and his talking excitedly in the background, and for the first time, she wasn't worried about the future.

"Definitely," she said, a smile spreading across her face. "With you by my side? Always."

~•~

As the group gathered at the airport to head back to Mumbai, the mood was light and full of warmth, with everyone laughing and reminiscing about the ceremony. The families, who had grown so close over the months, were already deep in conversation, catching up on the latest news, while the younger group—Aisha, Aria, Aakash, Rohan, Harsh and Karan—were busy joking around, with Rohan trying to sneakily steal Karan's snacks.

Tara and Aryan walked together, hand in hand, their steps in sync as they approached the check-in counters. Tara could feel the buzz of energy in the air, the thrill of the future mingling with the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones.

As they approached the gate, Aryan nudged her playfully. "So... after all this, what's next for you, huh?"

Tara smiled, squeezing his hand. "I'm thinking about taking a nice, long break before deciding anything."

"You mean not deciding anything for a while," he teased. "I don't blame you. You've worked hard."

Tara nodded, her thoughts already drifting to the month ahead—a chance to relax, to breathe, to enjoy the freedom she hadn't had in so long. "I need some time to just... not think about work. I haven't had that in three years."

Meeta, who had been walking behind them, overheard and smiled. "That sounds like a good idea. Take some time for yourself, Tara. You've earned it."

Tara smiled back, her heart warm with the sense of family that surrounded her.

Just then, Rajeev approached, clapping Aryan on the back. "So, son. You ready to step into the family business?"

Aryan grinned, a mix of excitement and responsibility in his eyes. "I guess so. It's time."

Rajeev looked at Tara with a knowing smile. "Hey champ, we'd love to have you join us too, Tara. There's always a place for you at the business. We need someone with your head for numbers and your work ethic."

Tara paused, her mind racing for a moment. The thought of diving right into work after graduation felt daunting. But the idea of contributing to something with Aryan, something so important to his family, was tempting.

Tara's dad immediately joined in, "I agree. Tara, you and Arjun did so well for that restaurant. Why don't you make it a full time thing? You two can do so good!"

"Exactly." Rajeev added, "I'm keeping a space in our Operations Management section open for you."

She raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Hmm... Fine. But—I'll do it after a month of no work. A little break sounds much more appealing right now."

Rajeev chuckled, nodding. "Fair enough. You've earned that, at least."

Tara winked. "Exactly. I'm going to take my time to relax, maybe catch up on some reading, watch a ton of Netflix, and then maybe I'll think about the future."

Everyone laughed, the mood light and easy. Harsh, who had been listening to the conversation, piped up from the back. "So you're telling me you're going to sit at home for a month? Do nothing? I need some of that energy."

Tara grinned, elbowing him gently. "You'll get your turn when you graduate, little man."

Harsh rolled his eyes dramatically. "Ugh, I have to wait until then?"

Aryan chuckled, ruffling Harsh's hair. "Hey, you've got to do your time too, buddy."

As the group made their way through security and toward the gate, Tara couldn't help but glance around at everyone. Her parents were walking beside Meeta and Rajeev, talking about future family dinners and plans for the holidays. Aisha and Aria were joking around with Rohan, and Karan was showing Aakash something on his phone, making everyone laugh.

It was strange, but Tara realized that she felt at peace. Aryan was taking his place in the family business, and while Tara wasn't quite sure what the future held for her, the idea of working with him—of joining forces in something they both cared about—was starting to feel less like a distant thought and more like the upcoming future, upcoming outcome.

As the group boarded the plane and settled into their seats, Aryan turned to her with a grin. "So, after our month of doing nothing, we'll figure it out, right?"

Tara smiled back, leaning into his shoulder. "Yeah. One step at a time."

The flight was filled with easy conversation, laughter, and a sense of togetherness that made Tara feel more at home than ever before. She didn't have all the answers, but she knew one thing for sure—whatever came next, she wasn't facing it alone.

And that, in itself, was the best feeling of all.

T H E  •  E N D