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Aditya's Pov

Ecstasy consumed my senses, prompting a grin to brighten up my face after tapping the picture. For reasons unknown, it was the first time in the past few months that my heart pulsated in a positive light after seeing a bio-data.

The faint image of a future weaved with her appeared in front of my eyes. With the same thought, I plopped on my stomach, eager to unravel more about her.

Riya Gupta

Masters in Commerce.

Assistant Professor

Hoshiarpur

Riya

I know I am stupid but I couldn't resist testing her name on my mouth. Truth be told, it felt peaceful because finally, I could name the ethereal woman in blue, the one with a tiny mole and a mellifluous voice.

My mind whirred comprehending the reason behind the sly looks and silly smiles my brother was regarding me with.

Damn him.

He knew it was her. He knew how would I react after seeing her on the phone.

And this moron also knows about my probable answer.

I exhaled deeply, skimming through the words to know more about her education and family background. However, my traitor eyes flickered time and across to her name, lightening my spirits.

Dressed in the same deep-blue lehenga, standing across a fountain with a bashful smile, her picture glanced back at me.

Her education and profession seemed promising and so did her family background. Her appearance was never under question for I have seen her way earlier than today. Hence, without second thoughts, I decided upon my answer.

Yes.

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

Throughout the day, I remained swarmed in my work and with the thoughts of a certain someone gracing her presence before my eyes. Fortunately, nobody in the family bothered me to gauge my reaction to the bio-data.

I was currently at the final stage of execution of the software development life cycle which I was supposed to deliver to my client in two days when my eyes flickered to the front wall the moment it chimed eight.

Dinner time.

Shutting the laptop, I braced myself for all the curious and hopeful glances I'd be receiving from my family and one amused person who'd be heartily enjoying my flustered state.

I was pretty certain of my answer, however, the only dilemma was,

How would I act all casual and indifferent while saying Yes to my parents when I have a younger brother who was well aware of the flutters in my stomach?

Tossing all the perturbing thoughts away, I beelined to the dining table, where everyone was already seated.

Except for the steel cutlery clanking against each other and the screeches of chairs, silence was presumed throughout the dinner. However, their furtive glances now and then revealed their undying curiosity to ask the impending.

After wrapping up the dinner, everyone remained seated with their expectant gazes fixated upon yours truly.

Mom and Isha peered at me in hope while Dad raised his eyebrow in question. I didn't dare to pass a glance at my brother. I knew his reaction would be a hindrance in maintaining my stiff stance.

Taking a sip of water to clear my parched throat, I initiated,

"Umm. Mom, Dad..." Before I could speak any further, Kunal interrupted causing all eyes to fall on him. Lunging his hand on my shoulder, he sympathized,

"It's okay bhai, if your answer is No." What the heck!

I gaped at him astounded,

"Mom and Dad will understand." He clicked his tongue, "We promised you that we'll not force you, isn't it, Mom, Dad." His gaze scurried to our parents, "So don't worry, your decision is our decision."

I angled my head with a jerk, horrified at the probability. He sat there with innocence gleaming in his eyes, his lips pursed in dismay.

Only if I could tell the reason behind his pursed lips was not disappointment but an attempt to stifle his laughter.

"When the hell did I say No?" I clenched my teeth, glaring at him

"Matlab teri haan hai?" Mom gasped, getting up from her seat to round my chair.

I blinked my eyes in stupefaction, chastising myself for not maintaining my nonchalant composure while answering.

"Umm, Hanji." I shrugged dismissively, "I just thought If you all are so sure about her then why not give this alliance a chance."

"Ohho, Adi Bhai." I am a step nearer to sealing his mouth and hurling him somewhere obscure until my marriage.

"You don't have to say Yes just because of us Bhai. Even, I have a gut feeling that you are not saying yes from the heart, just agreeing for our sake. So let's just drop this plan." Kunal declared, patting my shoulder in empathy.

Regarding a saccharine smile, I scooted closer and grittily whispered in his ear "If you don't want Mom and Dad to know that you were not with Mohit yesterday then shut up this instant." He gasped inaudibly, screeching his chair a few inches away. The blaze in my heart was tranquilized witnessing his face contorted into horror.

Focusing my attention on Dad, I blinked my eyes positively, "I am okay with this alliance Dad."

"You sure beta?" Mom and Dad asked in unison.

"Hanji." I replied casually, miserably failing to resist the traiter smile slipping on my face.

Mom ruffled my hair, smiling with ease while Dad scrolled through his phone, probably to let massi know of our answer.

"Ahem, Ahem." Isha let out a fabricated cough into her fist, smiling suggestively, "Toh fir, Shaadi hmm?" She teased, encircling my shoulder.

"Chup Kar." I berated, though my smile told otherwise.

She giggled at my response, "I am just excited that I will have a shopping partner now."

This girl and her shopping.

"Don't you ever get bored thinking about shopping all the time?" Kunal grumbled, slapping the back of her head. Isha shrieked, messing with his locks in his locks as a retribution. Kunal gasped, running after her for ruining his gel-styled hair. The entertainment continued for a minute or so, leaving a whining Isha and haughty Kunal on the table.

"Let Bhabhi come home, only she will rescue me from the wrath of you two. You are of no use." Isha groaned, scowling in my direction.

"Oye, she has not become your bhabhi just yet." I corrected.

Agreed, I did like her since the moment I heard her voice. But that's not and will never be enough to make such a lifelong decision. I am inclined to know about her, and how her thoughts align with mine. Her perspectives towards life and the morals she was bestowed with. Most importantly, her willingness towards this alliance.

Just because I feel positively different about her, doesn't mean I'll agree to this alliance blindly assuming we'll be the perfect match, with a perfect compatibility.

There are several aspects in play before progressing into a relationship and a mere couldn't be deemed sufficient for the same.

Moreover, it's not just about me, it's about her as well, and how positively she'll take me and my family once we meet.

A mere attraction is not going to influence my decision. Neither I am a man with a dark-dangerous aura nor any over-possessive freak who'll bring hell and heaven together to marry someone just because was ensnared by her presence.

I might be positively hopeful of this alliance, but not unreasonably sure.

"Ohho Adi Bhai, I'm sure she'll become my bhabhi. You know the gut feeling." She proclaimed, picking up her utensils.

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

The honeyed rays of the morning sun peeped through the curtains, messing with my sleep. Rubbing my blearing eyes, I fetched my phone from the nightstand to see the time. relief washed over me realizing I still had three more hours to sleep before kickstarting my routine. Smiling in satiety, I shut my eyes to let slumber consume me.

Three hours passed in three minutes, compelling my alarm to blare into my ears. Mindlessly reaching for my phone, I swiped the alarm and seated myself on the bed. Failing to adjust my eyes to the sunshine in my room, I sank to the right, closing them the very next moment.

Yesterday's events flashed in front of my eyes, and restlessness surged through me at the thought of Riya's and her family's decision.

Sleep was long gone and was now replaced by an eccentric nervousness. With conflicting thoughts trampolining in my head, I strutted to the washroom and freshened up as soon as I could. Heading downstairs, I heard the distant voices of Mom and Dad.

Stepping closer to the living room, I saw everyone seated on the sofa except Isha who I was certain would be hibernating in her cave.

Mom giddily conversed with someone while Dad shook his head at her chatter.

The moment her eyes found me, she smiled broadly and patted the seat next to her. Nodding, I careened closer trying to make sense of the conversation. After what felt like hours, she finally concluded the call.

"Anu called." She let out, "Riya's family is okay with us meeting this weekend." She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

A wave of relief coursed through me and only then did I release the bated breath I was holding for the past ten minutes.

Dad and Kunal's eyes twinkled with satisfaction, passing a delightful smile.

"Is Saturday fine with you Adi?" Dad inquired, "We have to go to Hoshiarpur to meet Riya's family and it will consume a full day for the same. Will you be able to manage your work accordingly?"

"Hanji." I hummed, "I'll try to cover up the pending work during the weekdays." I smiled in assurance.

"Waah, this calls for something sweet then." Dad or if I say, his sweet-tooth exclaimed, "Kunal beta, ja fridge se vo jo kal Pranav ke ghar se aayi thi na, Kaju katli, vo lekar aa." The drool was evident on his lips, a chance stolen by him to gobble up his favorite-sweet.

Before Kunal could abide, Mom's voice boomed, "Don't you dare move an inch." I shuddered at her piercing gaze. Trust me, women are scary when triggered.

"Have you forgotten your Dad is diabetic?" She frowned, directing her glare at him.

Without giving a chance to Kunal to utter a word in defense, she let her threatening glower settle on Dad,

"Aur aap."Dad was tongue-tied by her fury "If you want me to keep taking my Blood Pressure medicines regularly and on time, then stop dreaming about sweets." Three gasps resonated,

"And yes, yeh to sochna hi mat that I won't not know anything and you'll befool me into sneaking a piece of barfi here and there in my absence". Dad blinked in stupefaction, struggling to construct a response. He finally resorted to a half-hearted nod.

Though, a few minutes passed and he might have practiced the lines in his mind when he grumbled under his breath, "Yeh achi baat hai." he scowled at her, "You always emotionally blackmail me by involving your BP medicines." He puffed a strangled sigh,

"Kuch to reham karo, I am tired of eating that boiled ladyfinger, bitter gourds, and all that bitter stuff you make me eat every morning." He scrunched his nose in distaste." Kunal and I matched our amused gazes at the duo. Cute.

"She is the twelfth girl your son had said yes to the meeting. Besides, this alliance is not fixed yet, only the date of the meeting is. Ek baar rishta pakka hojaye, fir kha lena. Ek piece." Mom negotiated.

"Sirf ek?" Dad gaped, offended.

"Nahi chahiye?" Mom confirmed, raising her eyebrow.

"Chahiye. Bilkul chahiye." Dad corrected his slip-up, nodding his head vigorously before she started contemplating her decision.

"Hmm," She ressited her smile.

"Chalo ab sab, have your breakfast now." She made her way to the kitchen, with two young men trailing behind her.

Senior Kansal sat there sulkily, at his yet another failed attempt to satiate his sugary cravings.

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

After having breakfast, I left for my office, satisfied with the sudden turn of events in my life and newfound hope for a bright future.

I know nothing about her nature, but I do know that I was drawn toward her even before I saw her. I may not be sure of our yes, but my gut reflected positivity.

I believe that sometimes there are no justifications as to what and why your inner instinct hints you. Thus, no rationales, no justifications, no logic, and no reasonings could make you decide otherwise.

I could only hope that maybe, just maybe, our decision to meet each other may entwine our fates for a lifetime.

***********

Heya Dear Ones!

Ahem, so who are meeting in the next chapter?

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