“Hello, Have you reached?” Adhyayan questioned as he received the call from his father. He had instructed his employees to conduct the event flawlessly as it was a business lunch at his restaurant. A flair of anxiety, fear and uncertainty crept on his face as his heart began to thump really fast. It was a Saturday morning and his parents were arriving at his place with an agenda to talk with Anvesha’s parents and finalize the engagement of the couple.

“Yes, we are at the airport”, Mr. Hariprakash Joshi answered back as soon as he heard his son’s voice. He sighed as he realized today he was going to meet The Chatterjee family to fix his son’s engagement with Anvesha. He mentally prayed that the things should end up desirably because he knew he would have to face his son’s wrath in case of any unforeseen circumstance.

Adhyayan picked up his car’s keys and said, “Wait, I am just coming to pick you up. Don’t hail the cab. I am on my way. I will be there in twenty minutes.” Having said this, he disconnected the call and dashed out of his restaurant to receive his parents.

As he drove to the airport, he remembered his last dinner date with Anvesha on her birthday. It had been two months since then. He had asked her to talk with her parents so they could get engaged and Anvesha had agreed immediately. He grinned as he realized convincing Mr. Chatterjee was indeed, an easy task as the old professor had welcomed Anvesha’s decision.

Anvesha’s parents had already arrived and he was pretty excited for the meeting, after all, he was looking forward to get engaged with the love of his life as soon as possible.

Greeting his parents, he enthusiastically took them to his home, the elegant penthouse at one of the posh localities of South Delhi. He was indeed, proud of himself as he reached to the zenith of his career and achieved enough to purchase his abode. He wondered if his parents would like residence or not.

Owing to traffic, it took thirty-five minutes for Adhyayan to reach his house. He was elated when he opened the lock of his apartment and ushered his parents who beamed with pride admiring their son’s success.

“I never knew my son had a sense of interior décor too”, his mother remarked with a smile as she patted his back while his father nodded in satisfaction looking at him. Adhyayan smiled humbly as he sat and chit-chatted with his parents. The Chatterjees were coming to his place in the afternoon and he was pretty excited for the meeting.

The Joshis had their lunch and patiently waited for the guests as Adhyayan shared the anecdotes of his life entertaining his parents. While Anvesha, along with her parents, began her journey to Adhyayan’s residence. She was pretty anxious as she was going to begin a new chapter of her life.

Clad in an olive colored kurti with hand-painted Kalamkari design, Anvesha smiled as she remembered her conversation with her father when she had gone to her home at her brother’s engagement last week. She had expected the worst but was surprised when her father hailed her choice. Apparently, her elder brother had told their father about her relationship with Adhyayan. After that, it was easy as her father talked with Mr. Hariprakash Joshi and fixed a meeting so the families would get to know each other.

Mr. Debraj Chatterjee squeezed his daughter’s hand and said, “Trust the Almighty, Anu. He will ensure the best.” The physics professor by profession, the old man believed in spirituality and power of The Supreme. Anvesha nodded as her mother too, gave her a reassuring smile.

The journey to Adhyayan’s residence seemed to be never-ending for Anvesha as she kept fidgeting with her fingers to combat her anxiety. Her mother, Madhu could understand the reason for her daughter’s nervousness but she trusted Hruday who had approved of Adhyayan.

After a terrible ride of one and half hour owing to Delhi traffic, Anvesha was standing at the door of Adhyayan’s penthouse. She rang the doorbell and within seconds, she was greeted with a smiling face of her boyfriend who was trying to mask his apprehensions which certainly did not go unnoticed by her.

Mr. Debraj Chatterjee was amazed when Adhyayan greeted him and his wife respectfully touching their feet to add the effect. Exchanging pleasantries, Adhyayan’s parents interacted with those of Anvesha while Adhyayan went inside his kitchen to bring the snacks and beverages for the guests.

Anvesha, on the other hand, was sitting nervously on the sofa occasionally glancing at her father who blended with Adhyayan’s father. She scoffed as she looked at the old ladies who chit-chatted with each other like old friends. She truly felt that she was left out.

As soon as Adhyayan served everyone with the delicacies, the conversation progressed. Anvesha’s mother appreciated Adhyayan’s celebrity chef status while Mr. Debraj Chatterjee started his questionnaire with Adhyayan like a typical father who wanted the best for her daughter. The old man was a professor and had dealt with different kinds of people, usually students. With his experience, he could analyze that Adhyayan was indeed, a gem.

Mr. Hariprakash Joshi, on the other hand, could not look into the eyes of Anvesha. In a very low voice, he mumbled, “Thank you, child. I cannot express my gratitude in words for whatever you have done for us.” Lakshmi, on the other hand, was keeping an eye at her husband.

“That was the least I could do, uncle”, Anvesha said nervously. Being a keen observer, the old man realized the elegant girl sitting before him was getting anxious. Without the need of saying anything else, he smiled at his wife as he said, “Welcome to our family, Anvesha”.

Anvesha just smiled coyly and looked at Adhyayan from the corner of her eye who was being interrogated by her father. Lakshmi chit-chatted with her making sure that the young girl did not feel out of place.

After a long interview session, Adhyayan took a deep breath as Anvesha’s father gave him a knowing smile of approval. It was then, Mr. Chatterjee spoke, “So, Hariprakash ji, how shall we plan further?”

The retired army officer said calmly, “Debraj ji, let’s ask the kids.”

Adhyayan took the cue to speak and said, “Uncle, how about we get engaged in the presence of our families?”

Anvesha’s father nodded in affirmation but was not satisfied yet. Hariprakash Joshi could sense the turmoil going inside Debraj Chatterjee. Having a daughter and ensuring her happiness was the most difficult task; the retired army officer could surely comprehend this fact.

Debraj Chatterjee voiced his thoughts as he said, “Adhyayan, I was talking about your wedding.”

Adhyayan was indeed, elated. He was ready to marry Anvesha even the same day but he remembered Anvesha’s request that she needed time. He glanced at Anvesha who was looking at him pleadingly. Scratching the back of his neck, he spoke, “Uncle, we would be delighted to marry but we need a bit of time.”

“We need time or you need time, my boy”, the old man spoke angrily. Debraj Chatterjee was shattered for once, as he presumed that Adhyayan was a confused fellow who hated all sorts of commitments. He was certainly not at fault because he had seen young lads running away from the idea of marriage but little did he know that his daughter was apparently not ready for a commitment.

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