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Riya's Pov

My heart plummeted and my hands clammed in an eccentric nervousness as I held this shiny-black electronic device which has become the infamous medium to exchange biodatas and pictures.

My eyes fell upon the two WhatsApp messages sent by Paa, one of the biodata and another of his picture.

I plopped myself on my stomach, my attention solely focused on the phone screen that displayed the details.

Aditya Kansal

26 years

Freelancer Software Developer

Delhi

Siblings: One younger brother, and a younger sister.

There were other additional details as well, such as his qualifications, past work experience, family details, time, date and place of birth which didn't concern me.

A swell of curiosity burst into the pit of my stomach when I scrolled to the next message, to his picture. I blew air out of my mouth to calm my frenzied senses. Biodatas have been sent to me earlier as well, but my reaction has always turned out to be the same.

Nervous to curious traversing to a state of confusion and finally settling on indifference.

Tossing all the mystifying thoughts out of my head, I gently tapped upon the screen with my palms shaking in both anticipation and curiosity.

In contrast to all the romance novels I've read and all the male protagonists I've swooned and gushed giddily over, his looks reflected absolute simplicity. Something that is extremely underappreciated in today's world.

He was the polar opposite of a dream man, the type of man whose image the illusionary world of social media convinces us to believe.

The picture of him sitting on a wooden bench in a park, wearing a plain black collared t-shirt and blue denim glanced back at me. His stance was slightly pulled forward, with his fingers wrung together and supported on his thighs.

My gaze remained on his pictures for a few beats, closely observing his features.

Olive Skin.

Ordinary body build, not a gym-fit body, but well-maintained.

Black hair as that of a midnight sky.

A subtle smile that made his eyes crinkle, with a dimple on his left cheek.

Light stubble on his cheeks and a slightly crooked nose.

Black orbs, like a polished onyx jewel that glistened under the sunbeam.

His eyes. 

They were the most beautiful part of his appearance. Contrary to the darkness its hue carried, it reflected a wave of warmth and a sparkle of positivity.

A sudden gust of anticipation hammered within my cores after eyeing his picture. Being the silly-bean I am, my mind brewed a faint picture of us together.

Perhaps this is how we humans are, envisioning our future with even the smallest transition in our lives.

I rolled over the bed, now lying on my back before flickering my gaze onto his picture again, settling on the enchanting depths and his simple persona.

Not all men in real life have chiseled jaws, ocean-blue orbs, smooth chestnut skin, dark aura, and a swoon-worthy smile. Neither he was some Nick Bateman nor any Chris Hemsworth, he was just an ordinary-looking man.

Aditya.

This man peering right back at me with a laid-back posture, radiant smile, and warm eyes carried an inexplicable charm that I struggled to put up in a few words or sentences.

The posture and the eyes, the smile and the appearance can reveal if not everything but a little about a person and his personality.

However, I firmly believe a mere assumption about someone's personality should not be used as the criterion for making such life-changing decisions.

Believe it or not, marriages are a gamble, and arranged marriages surely are. A gamble that can either make your life a living hell or heaven on earth just with a mere yes.

And, regardless of how hard you try, you will have to take a plunge and take this risk sooner or later.

Because aren't present risks also future opportunities?

Aren't risks often followed by returns?

Who knows, this uncertain chance could turn out to be the most significant investment in your life.

I believe that we are captives of our own decisions. We may not have control over our fate, but we do have command over our choices and decisions. Ultimately, it is only because of the decisions we take and the choices we make that determine our fate and destiny.

Perhaps it was not his features or his profession, but an inclination to take a chance, a leap of faith to believe the optimism his picture reflected.

Hence, the hope of experiencing affinity in the future made me agree with my parents to take this alliance ahead.

I don't know what the future holds, but I was willing to take this one chance.

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

Aditya's Pov

The past week I was swarmed with several client interactions and a pile of unfinished projects that had been delayed due to Rishabh's wedding.

Hence, despite being a Sunday today, the day had been spent compensating for the lost productivity.

As much as self-employment offered liberty, it was equally taxing because you never stick to a schedule but rather go with the flow of events.

After six long hours of uninterrupted hustle, I rested my head against the headrest and closed my eyes. My fingers navigated through my locks before massaging my temples in a circular motion to quieten the congestion of futile thoughts squashing in my mind.

A loud knock on the door jerked me from my somnolent state. Flexing my arms, I got up from the chair and stepped in the direction of the door.

However, before I could unfasten the bolt, the whole Kansal family presented themselves at my room door carrying a diverse set of expressions and comical movements.

Mom was seen fiddling with her fingers. Isha shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Dad struggled to match his gaze with mine. The only odd reaction was from my younger brother, who peered at me with a sly smirk perked upon his lips.

Suspicious.

"All well?" I raised my eyebrows at their actions to which they all constipatedly peered at one another, "Anadr aa jao sab. It's quite rare to see you all knocking at my door." Safeguarding myself from an unwanted wrath, I resorted to muttering the last part under my breath.

They all were quick to follow as Mom and Dad took no time to perch themselves on my bed. Isha seized the opportunity to take hold of my phone while Kunal haughtily sat on my office chair as if not only the chair but this whole room belonged to him.

My gaze wandered to my family in anticipation patiently waiting for them to disclose the reason for their arrival at three in the afternoon.

Clearing his throat twice, Dad initiated,

"Adi beta, there is a gir..."

Aggravation filled me, "Dad. Please not again." I intervened before he could complete the sentence.

"A new month has just started and you all are set again to make me meet a dozen girls a month." I shook my head in disapproval, threading my fingers recklessly through my hair.

Kunal snickered and Mom sighed deeply at my vexation.

"Arey bhai at least have a look at the biodata and Bhabhi's picture." Ish puckered her lips in annoyance and raised her head from my phone to peer at me.

"She is not your bhabhi." I corrected with a glare.

Isha being Isha gladly ignored my stare before ducking her head down to order useless stuff through my phone.

This girl needs some serious berating. With each day passing, she is turning into a more advanced and dangerous form of a grenade.

She hardly fears me.

I am her elder brother for God's Sake.

Angling my neck towards my parents, I voiced genially.

"I am least interested in looking into any more biodatas, Mom, Dad. The past eleven experiences were downright horrible and I seriously don't want an addition to add to that list."

Mom scooted closer, her ebony eyes filled with warmth, "This girl is different from all the previous ones, Adi."

"You say this every time." I mumbled exasperated.

She shook her head disappointedly, the warmth long gone and now replaced by threat. My lips pressed in a thin line, silencing myself.

Taking a deep breath she resumed,

"I noticed her during Rishabh's wedding, beta. She is well-behaved, independent, and soft-spoken. Anu has also talked with Rishabh's mother-in-law, who has further reached out to the girl's family on our behalf. We just got a call from Anu that they have agreed to take this alliance ahead by meeting all of us, if you agree, of course." She reasoned, adding the last bit when I regarded her with a look of displeasure.

The mention of Rishabh's wedding unknowingly allowed my thoughts to sail back to a certain woman in blue. All attempts had turned futile to get her face off my mind since I saw her.

My quietude and reluctance made Dad voice out,

"Okay let's make a deal." All eyes switched to him in expectation, "On our request go through her biodata and her picture which I'll send you over the phone. If you feel convinced, then we can arrange a meeting for both families and if not, we will drop this matter entirely and will not bother you about your wedding until and unless you ask for it. Okay?"

The deal seemed tempting. All I have to do is pass a random glance at the picture and announce my refusal to my parents the other day. Contended at the thought, I nodded in affirmation.

"You promise you all won't pester me if I say no?" I confirmed, squinting my eyes toward Mom specifically.

"Promise." He blinked his eyes. Mom snorted yet nodded half-heartedly.

A sigh of relief left my throat inaudibly when my younger brother reminded me of his unwanted presence in the room,

"By the way Dad, there will be no chance that Bhai will refuse to meet this girl. Just let him see the bio-data once." Kunal razzed, passing a wink.

"That's for me to decide and you all to abide." I grumbled, tossing a pillow in his direction.

"Sure Sure." He smirked effortlessly dodging the hit. Mischief glimmered in his ash-brown eyes as he encircled his arms against the pillow.

"Adi." Mom spoke this time, her palm enclosing my arm in a gentle grip.

My attention shifted to her as she put forward,

"Beta, before reaching any conclusion, take your time and think wisely. Sometimes we fail to look into deeper aspects and offer rejection simply because of our preconceived notions. Your previous eleven experiences may not have been the best, but don't let it influence your present decision."

She left the room after ruffling my hair while Dad followed the trail, gently patting my head. Kunal left the room too but not before passing a suggestive smile.

What the hell is with his smirking and smiling today?

Stupid.

Isha, ignorant of the happening around, glanced at me rather firmly.

"I've ordered two T-shirts for you, maroon and forest green. With your office address for the cash on delivery." She enunciated with a tinge of command lacing her tone.

"Paagal hai ky..." She raised her palm, signaling me to remain silent,

"I am tired of seeing you in the same black-blue T-shirts every day, Adi Bhai." She scrunched her nose, "You hardly buy anything for yourself and if you do, you don't consider any color except black and blue. So I had to take this task in my hand." She blabbered animatedly before bowing her head.

"How much money did you spend?" I frowned, nabbing my phone from her hands.

"Ohho, you are seriously turning into a miser bhai, a typical Baniya trait." She spoke in one breath, snatching the phone back.

"Stop overspending." I chastised, ruffling her hair.

"Not my hair!" She let out a shrill shriek, squirming to get away from my hold.

She blew air from her mouth, breathing theatrically when I loosened my grip on her.

Draamebaaz.

"Bhai?" Her whisper made me look down at her as she wrapped her arms around my waist, peering at me through the curtain of her long eyelashes.

"Think about what Mom-Dad said, okay?" Innocence filled her tone, prompting a smile to bubble upon my lips.

"Okay," I affirmed and pressed a tender kiss on her head.

"Now go, let me finish my work now." I withdrew my hold on her.

"Your practicals are just a month away, so start preparing, hmm?" I caressed her hair.

"Okey dokey!" She asserted before sprinting outside at a lightening pace. It was astounding how did she manage to be on a high dopamine all the time. Not only Grenade, but she is a Tsunami as well.

Shutting the door after she left, I trudged towards my bed and grabbed my phone unwillingly.

Apart from other messages, the screen flickered with two messages on the top, both from Dad.

I half-heartedly tapped on the picture only to have a shiver run down my spine. My heartbeat dropped, and my mouth parted at the sight before me.

Long gone was the disinterest and my rescue strategy. Rather, it was now overpowered by a drizzle of hope blooming inside my chest.

It was the picture of the woman I least expected.

It was her.

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

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