▪︎ | epilogue

key:

ishita/jai

hey

yes, asshole?

i love you

good lord

jaiiiiii

shit are you drunk?

nooooooooo

i just wanted to say something to you

where is keerthy? she was supposed to not get you drunk. i specifically told her

she's lying on the table next to me, singing a remix of taylor swift's paper rings

fuck i'll call vikrant

noooooo he'll be so mad, he's on duty so he'll get so so worried

what about veer?

sahana thinks she is talking to him but her phone died long back

the three of you are giving me a headache, i can't handle you lot alone. i'm calling veer

i'm sober. i can take care of them

no you're not, astronaut

i know you are not a lightweight like both of them but you are drunk

i'll come get all of you

noooooooooooo

no

no

no

i have something to ask

you can say it to me when i get there

no i don't want to look at you when i tell you

you want me to call you?

no no

i don't want to hear your voice when i ask you

you're scaring me astronaut

what is it?

why aren't you asking me to marry you yet?

what?

why are you making me wait for so long?

veer asked sahana to marry less than year of knowing each other. vikrant and keerthy also did the same

but it's been more than a year for us, jai. i've already moved in with you. we work so well together. are you having doubts?

can i call you?

no

i'm calling you

"Hello."

"Hey, astronaut. Can you hear me?"

"Yeah."

"Are you crying? Baby. Fuck, why are you crying? I'm so sorry. I never knew you were so upset about it. You never brought it up or spoke about it. Where is all this coming from?"

"I don't know. I've been thinking about a lot of things."

"Listen to me. I want to marry you. I'll marry no one other than you. It's always been you. That I've known since the day you came to work for me. Nothing will ever make me doubt that, got it?"

"But I want to marry you so bad! I want to have your babies. I want to do it soon before I don't get the chance to because of what the doctor said. I want to have people call me Mrs Jai. I want to be called your wife. I want to be able to settle down, take care of you and our kids and worry about groceries and what cute things to embroider on my baby's dress."

"Astronaut. Will you stop crying, please? Listen, I want all those things with you too. So badly I dream about it everyday. I wasn't sure you wanted it too. You always talk about learning something new, working on new projects and you are so excited about it. I thought you wanted to focus on yourself and your career and that's why I never asked you, in case it might force you to compromise on your learning in any way. You never talk about settling down with me at all. And I didn't force that conversation on you because I know we are forever. There's nothing wrong in taking our time. But you've kept all this from me for so long. Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Because I thought you weren't interested. Because you were talking about expanding abroad and going there for a few months to see it through."

"Ishita, you always come first for me. Fuck my career, fuck my business, fuck money. It's you I want. You are my happiness. I'd do anything for you. If I had known you were ready for marriage, I would have put a stop to everything else. You are my dream, astronaut. Don't you remember?"

"I do. But things change."

"Yes, they do. But that doesn't apply when it comes to you."

"So, will you marry me?"

"Right now? Because I will. Without a second thought."

"No way. I want a beautiful beach wedding. I have it all planned out."

"Then it's time you shared that Pinterest board with me, astronaut."

"I did save you a grand gesture, didn't I?"

"Kind of. I don't know how romantic it is when your girlfriend asks you to marry her over call, half-drunk. But I'll take it."

"I'm sober now. I swear."

"I could tell. I'm glad because I don't want you to forget what I said. Because I meant every word of it."

"I know, asshole. I know. Now, come and take me home."

A re-casting of an old cricket match played on the TV as Jai sat on the couch and absent-mindedly massaged his wife's legs that lay stretched on his lap. Ishita scrolled on her phone, a tub of ice cream nestled on a pillow over her thigh. She held the spoon in her mouth as she typed out something on her phone furiously. Then she placed the phone down and nudged her husband with her foot.

"Hey, Jai. Look at me," she said, kicking him this time. It worked because Jai turned towards her. "I want to tell you something but will you promise me you will give your honest opinion on it?"

Jai's forehead creased like it did whenever something grabbed his attention. "When I have I not been honest?"

Ishita rolled her eyes. "Every morning. When you tell me I am the most beautiful woman on this planet even though I have drool on my face and my hair resembles a nest."

"Correction," he said, lifting his index finger. "Most beautiful woman in this galaxy. And I'm not lying. To me, you are. End of conversation. Now what did you need my opinion on? I am very curious because you never ask me at all."

Ishita narrowed her eyes at the hidden jibe. She was a person who played by her own rules, own wants, own opinions. After falling in love with Jai, she had always forgotten to discuss things with him. Jai didn't mind it or make it a big problem. He understood the way she worked. But she had consciously started making the effort to consider his opinions and wants before doing something. It was a slow progress but nevertheless, it was one. Enough that Jai had noticed it each time.

This snide remark was him trying to pull her leg and bait her into an argument, which usually led to sex — hate sex or makeup sex. Whatever it was turned out to be mindblowing so she usually had no qualms.

Not this time. She would not give in.

She ignored him and began, "So, I've been toying with an idea for a while now."

"Tell me." Jai knew when to get serious and when to joke around. It was one of the million things she liked about him.

"What do you think of an online platform which connected artists and learners? These artists are trainers in this sense and they would be selling their knowledge. The platform can be exclusively for workshops where crafts and skills can be learned and certified. It's like a booking app but here, learners can apply for a seat to participate in the workshop. We can maybe get a small commission from the trainers who want to use this platform and with that we can run nice offers for people who can't afford to learn but are really interested. Something like scholarships."

Jai listened patiently as she rambled on.

"I am not sure about it. I've thought a lot about it but my understanding of a business is limited to what I've overheard you and Sahana talk about it. If it's stupid, just tell me. You know I don't mind," she said. Ishita was actually nervous, not because she was a newbie pitching an idea to a know-it-all. It was because this was the first time she was actually discussing her ideas aloud.

"You know I won't miss an opportunity to call you stupid," Jai said. Even though there was an affectionate undertone to it, Ishita kicked him. He caught her ankle with a laugh. "But this is not one."

"What do you mean?" Ishita sat up straight.

"I like it. I think it's a great idea but it's all over the place. Answer questions like what your business exactly provides, the outcomes, the profit you plan on obtaining, how different is it from other platforms and things like that. It'll help you get a clearer perspective. It's not as easy as you put it. Especially if you want to give the learners certifications. Then you have to verify the authenticity of the trainer and so on," Jai said, still massaging her legs.

Ishita paid attention. She swore she did but whenever Jai talked fancy, her mind drifted to other things, other inappropriate things. It was just so hot hearing him talk like the professional he was.

"It is a good idea. I see potential and and I also can see you are passionate about it. If you are willing to get into it, you can keep brainstorming and design it. You can get a lot of help from Sahana, since she started a business from scratch. She will guide you through the process of creating and establishing one because in my case, I just took over the firm and strengthened it. You understand?"

"Yeah, I get it."

"Also, talk to Veer. He is a software engineer. He can help you with the app and website. You have a lot of connections, astronaut. So, if you are serious about it, then I'm all in with you. I'll have your back. Emotionally, professionally and financially," he said. Her heart melted. In moments like this, it hit her how precious his man was. She would have had a life equal to trash if she hadn't met him.

Ishita sobered up and barked a laugh. "Your money is now my money. Of course, I'm going to use it to fund this thing if I decide to do it. It's a non-negotiable. Why do you think I married you?"

Jai chuckled.

"Why are you laughing? I am serious." Ishita schooled her expression to portray sincerity. "I married you for money, Jai. I thought you knew."

Jai switched off the TV with the remote. "Sure, astronaut. Whatever makes you float in space."

"Okay, I admit the sex sends me to the planet of pleasure and earth-shattering orgasms but other than that... hmmm." Ishita shook her head.

Jai didn't say a word. He simply caught her by the ankle and pulled her towards the arm rest, making her squeal. He hauled her on his shoulders and moved to the bedroom. Ishita tucked in her smile and shivered with anticipation.

"You do know that lying is a sin, right?" Jai asked.

"Yeah," she breathed out when his fingers traced the insides of her thighs.

"So, what does that make you?"

"I don't know. You tell me," she said, trying not to let him know his touch was driving her insane.

He threw her on the bed and unbuttoned his shirt. "A very bad astronaut who's going to learn a few things about honesty."

Ishita wet her lips and looked at him with a devilish grin. She hooked her finger through his platinum chain and brought him closer. "Well, hurry up then. You know how much of a good student I am."

why did you get involved in it? gaurav plays dirty and he'll drag you into it

you can't just expect me to watch when i know a woman is being abused

you don't know what's really happening, ishita.

i know. I've talked to akansha many times and i know that she is being abused by gaurav and that's all i need to know

since when have you known?

since the second family dinner we had

why didn't you tell me?

it wasn't my secret. and i think akansha wouldn't have shared it with me if she had known i'd become family one day.

but we are supposed to tell each other these things! what if i hadn't found out now? what if gaurav tries to flip the tables on you and i am not given the chance to protect you

i don't need you to protect me. i can take care of myself thanks

ishita, for fucks sake, i know you can take care of yourself. but you're my fucking wife, you understand? my sole job is to keep you safe and happy

are you mad that i got involved or are you mad that i didn't tell you about it?

i'm mad that you didn't tell me about it. we could have helped her together. i don't like you doing these dangerous things alone. at least should have consulted with me

why do i need to consult with you

because we are a team! we have our own lives, yes, but like it or not, gaurav is my family. you are my family. i don't want both destroying each other without me knowing about it

i was just trying to help her!

and i wish you'd told me that

okay fine, now you know! leave me alone

astronaut

don't be mad

you got mad first! come home late tonight! i need some time alone

i can't do that

why the fuck not?

because i'm already on my way to you

fuck you, asshole

with love, i hope?

Jai shut his laptop and leaned back against the couch. Next to him, Ishita was knitting a pair socks for Sahana's son.

He grabbed her by the hips and pulled her onto his lap. Ishita continued to knit, only smiling and leaning back against his chest, as Jai placed his head on her shoulders and wrapped his arm around her waist. "You smell so good."

"I always do," Ishita hummed, pausing her knitting and placing a kiss on his cheek. Jai closed his eyes and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Ishita knit in his arms, as the warm breath of Jai that caressed her skin slowed into a steady rhythm and evened out as he dozed off.

loser

psycho

wearer of the stinkiest socks

hoarder of the most horrendous things

king of losing the remote

queen of complaining about non-existent problems

child who doesn't know how to empty

pockets before putting clothes for wash

a dumbass who can't remove hair from the drain after shower

infuriating asshole

but yours?

yes

only mine. don't you even dare look at that new woman in your office. i have spies all around.

calm down, astronaut. it's not my fault i should work with her for the project.

keep it strictly business or i swear i'll do something vicious. you're telling me if she makes a move on you, okay?

okay. okay. can i go back to work now?

yes, you may. i love you.

Every other month, Sahana invited her friends to stay at her beach house in Pondicherry for a weekend. It had become a tradition since Veer had lavishly gifted her that house for her birthday when she really hadn't needed it.

Ishita loved that house. It was calm, peaceful and serene blue like the waves caressing the white pebbles lining the sandy coast. Sahana had chosen to keep the interiors minimalistic, like a modern painting — a splash of blue and black on a white canvas. It gave Ishita an illusion of staying in a beach cottage far away from her country, somewhere where magic potions of happiness and calmness were laced in the water.

Maybe it was the place but it was also having to spend time with the people she loved without a care in the world, devoid of the daily chaos of the mundane world. In this house only laughter and smiles prevailed. Memories were made.

Ishita felt a warm presence behind her and smiled when arms snaked around her waist. "Morning, sleepyhead," she said, sipping the coffee that Veer had made for her.

Jai dug his face in her neck and breathed her in. "I love waking up to this," he muttered. "You and this view."

He balanced his chin on her shoulders and watched the waves frolic back and forth as people lived their quiet lives in their company. "What's our plan today?"

Ishita grinned and turned around in his arms. Jai was shirtless and had hot sexy bed hair. Ishita had a thing for when Jai looked like he had walked through a tornado. He was always so well put-together in front of others that no one would believe he had this side to him — this messy lethargic side of him that was her favourite.

"Guess?" she said, keeping her grin on.

"Don't tell me we're going shopping!" he said, almost a groan.

She patted his chest twice. "We leave in two hours. Get ready," she said, moving past him to leave the room. "Don't be too sad. I'll get you ice cream."

Jai growled. But before he could tackle her back onto the bed and change her mind, she slipped out of the room.

Forget Jai with bed hair. Catching Vikrant wearing beach clothes was the strangest thing ever. Ishita had seen him like this before on their previous stays but each time, it managed to make her stare for too long. "You're doing it again," Sahana nudged her as she moved around her to wipe her son's lips with a tissue.

"I can't help it," she said, turning around and facing her and Veer sitting on the dining chair. "He is a policeman in khaki shorts and a pink shirt with printed watermelons on it. It feels like I am in an alternate universe."

Veer chuckled. "I get it. It's weird for me too. But man does he rock every outfit. I am jealous."

Vikrant sauntered up to them with his daughter, Isha, in his arms. She was dressed in a sunset orange frock. "Don't let Jai hear you say that. He thinks he is the most fashionable one," he said. Vikrant walked like a policeman — shoulders stiff, back erect, eyes sharp. The only thing that denoted that he wasn't on duty was the measured carelessness in the way he leaned against the wall.

"I heard that," Jai said, plating french toast on Sahana's plate. "I still think I am the most fashionable one."

"Yes, that apron looks fancy. Which designer brand is that from?" Veer joked, earning a glare from Jai.

"I don't think you'll get breakfast today, Veer," Ishita said, fetching a plate and walking towards her husband to get a toast for herself.

"Hey, man, don't take out your grudges on food!" Veer protested. "Share yours, firecracker?"

"No. Who told you to piss people off?"

"It's who I am. I can't change it," he said, making Sahana roll her eyes.

"I really hope Krish isn't like that."

"Oh! I wanted to show you something," Veer said, picking up Krish from his high-rise chair and onto the table in front of him. Veer pulled Sahana close to him and kissed her. "I love you, firecracker," he mumbled, nuzzling his forehead into her cheek. Instantly, Krish's hands began to claw his father's hands away from his mother's face. There was a cute little crease on his forehead as he glared at Veer and inched closer and wedged himself between them. Veer didn't give in easily. He dug his face into Sahana's neck and Krish let out a disgruntled whine and slapped his father away.

"Look! I've got competition. I don't like it!" Veer announced. Unlike Keerthy and Vikrant or Jai and Ishita, Veer and Sahana did not cut down on the PDA on account of anyone. Both of them didn't mind it and slowly the others had gotten used to it.

"You can't be surprised. He is your spawn. Of course, he's going to be obsessed with Sahana," Ishita said.

Sahana cradled Krish against her chest and kissed his head. Veer looked at them with mock distaste. "I bred my own enemy. Can't believe it."

Ishita nudged Jai. "And you say I am dramatic."

"Please, you are a saint when compared to him," he said, as if in prayer. "Everyday I am grateful for you." Ishita chuckled.

Keerthy walked out of her room, making the entire house smell like smoked lillies. She was wearing a simple floral dress. Isha, her daughter, trotted towards her mother. She picked her up into her arms and made her sit next to Krish. "Are you guys ready to go?"

"Jai needs to take a shower. Then, we are ready to go."

Vikrant slipped behind everyone seated at the table and went towards Jai to whisper something.

"Vikky, if you are there to tell him to take the longest shower possible to make us late, you'll have to walk under the afternoon sun with us," Keerthy said, pouring herself a cup of lemonade. "Suit yourself!"

"I didn't say anything!" he lied. Ishita loved to see Vikrant submit to Keerthy. It was so fun. Jai thought so too as he snickered while bringing out plates of food for Vikrant and Keerthy.

"Yes, if we go during this time in the morning, we will be able to go to some good place for lunch and return back home to take a nap. We can take the kids to the beach in the evening. Otherwise, the whole schedule will be messed up," Ishita said.

"Since when did you become Jai?" Veer asked.

"Shut up."

As they went street shopping, the ladies were busy scavenging for good finds in the stalls while the men held the bags and the children while they stood afar.

Once in a while, Ishita would call to Jai with pieces of clothing in her hand. "This or this?" she asked.

"The blue one," Jai said, holding Isha in his arms. She had pried his sunglasses and worn it, making her small round face look even smaller with the glass struggling to stay on her nose. Jai pushed them up so she could wear it like a headband and kissed her head when she giggled.

Ishita's heart melted. Everytime Jai interacted with kids, her heart spewed hot goo like a volcano. It didn't help that Isha was especially attached to him and immediately calmed down from a tantrum in his arms. He was already her favourite uncle. Even Veer agreed, begrudgingly.

"When are you planning to have kids?" Keerthy asked, catching the love-drugged look in her eye.

"Soon. We are just waiting for things to settle down since Jai expanded globally. He is expecting his visits abroad to become less frequent after three months," Ishita said.

"Contrary to his impression that he maintains, Jai is so good with kids. Even Krish, who doesn't let anyone else carry him unless it's a woman, tolerates Jai to a level. Kids like him. He'll make a great dad. Not to say that Veer isn't but you know what I mean," Sahana said.

"I know," she sighed. "I can't wait till then. Every time he is with a baby in his arms, I just want to jump him. He is so fucking hot," Ishita cursed.

"Uh oh, if this goes on, you will have made your very own cricket team. Trust me, it's not recommended. That's why baby number two is on the way," Keerthy said, placing a hand on her belly. Sahana laughed.

The three ladies watched the men from afar, clothing abandoned. "Let's just... take a moment to appreciate these men," Ishita breathed out.

Vikrant was the tallest among the men and he stood with his shades on, his arms crossed with shopping bags dangling from his wrist. He was in conversation with Veer who had Krish sitting on his shoulders, his tiny arms around his father's neck. Veer held Krish's boot-clad legs that dangled on either side of his neck, Veer's translucent yellow shirt already sticking to his skin because of the heat. Jai was making Isha giggle, tickling her belly and pulling fun at her in beige trousers and an oversized brown shirt.

"Man, we really won in life, didn't we?" Sahana asked, noticing the smile of affection on her husband's face when Krish pulled his hair and made a sheepish face upon confrontation.

"Yeah. Even though they are annoying idiots—"

"and overprotective possessive men—"

"—and infuriating assholes at times, they are kinda sweet. The imperfect but perfect pieces to our puzzles."

"Yeah." The ladies sighed and indulged in that perfect moment for a bit longer. But of course, it was too perfect to exist.

"Are you done staring at us or what?"

All three of them rolled their eyes but there was a soft smile on their faces. "We're done. Let's go get ice cream," Keerthy said.

"Finally!"

Sahana wrapped an arm around Veer's waist. "Strawberry, right?"

"What else?" He bent down to kiss her lips and Krish slapped his head. "Ow, man, you wouldn't have been born if it weren't for these kisses, mind you!"

"Veer!"

Vikrant removed his cap and put it on Keerthy's head. "You think there will be a midnight Horlicks spot here?"

"Wanna find out tonight?" he asked, adjusting her cap and tucking back the hair around her face. "We'll sneak out."

"Let's go," she smiled like his favourite devil, pressing herself to him.

Jai reached out a hand towards Ishita but she ignored it and wrapped her palm around his elbow. "Stop making me fall in love with you again and again, asshole. I am tired of it."

He grinned and put an arm around her shoulder to bring her in closer. He pressed a long searing kiss to her temple. "I'll stop when you stop," he whispered.

"Never," she said, a grin forming on her lips.

"Hey, astronaut?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you happy?"

She smiled, a full real smile. "I love life, I'm rich enough, and surrounded by so much love. Of course, I am happy."

"I'll make sure you'll always be."

"I know. I know."

a/n: this is the longest epilogue i've ever written (about 4500 words) but since i took forever to write it, it was only fair i give you all the details without any filter. in my head, i knew jai and ishita weren't ordinary. they never did anything by the textbook but they managed to steal our hearts the same. i'm going to miss writing them so much. sadly, this is where this universe comes to an end. goodbye to sahana, veer, ishita, jai, keerthy and vikrant.

thank you for all the love you have showered on their stories. stay magical x