CHAPTER 3: Begin Again

"I really need to go shopping." I said.

"Perfect timing. Since Shru is coming back from Mumbai today, we can all go together!"

Bhavna was really trying to cheer me up after what happened last week. I hadn't spoken to him since, and he hadn't made any effort either.

Even thinking about Aarav and how he has become this new person I cannot even relate to made my blood boil.

Call me old fashioned, but I am the type of girl who doesn't drink, smoke or any of that. And, I'd prefer if the guy I'll be spending the rest of my life with doesn't either. Aarav never used to drink before. I don't know when he started.

Or has he been lying to me about it? I can never tell.

I went downstairs for breakfast, and found Ma, Pa and Ajji huddled together, in a serious heated discussion.

"But Anand, I don't think we should wait any longer. Let's do this." my mother whispered.

"Asha! Are you living in the 18th century? Get it together!" Ajji snapped.

"Asha, she's only 24. Let's wait for a few years. What's the hurry?" Pa asked.

"He is Siddharth's work friend. I have seen his photos. He is so perfect for Avnu!"

"Show me, show me!" Ajji whispered excitedly.

Ma whipped out her phone and showed it to Ajji, whose eyes lit up.

"Wah! He looks like a Rajakumara! Super choice, Asha!" Ajji chortled.

"What's going on here?" I asked.

On hearing my voice, the three of them jumped a foot away from each other and refused to make eye contact with me.

"Avni! Good morning!" Ajji said hastily.

"Uh, what's going on you guys?" I asked raising one eyebrow.

"Avnu! Nothing! Nothing at all! Er, you come, have breakfast." Pa said.

I have never seen him so nervous before.

I looked at them with suspicion. They merely blinked back at me with no expression whatsoever.

"Ma, can I get some coffee?"

"24 year old grown-ass girl, asking for coffee. When will you ever learn? Especially since-"

She was interrupted by Pa, who cleared his throat loudly.

"Asha, why are you pouncing on her in the morning itself? Look at her, she looks so tired!" Ajji said caressing my cheek.

"Ma, you always take her side! I'm just trying to teach her how to be independent and also maintain a house!" my mother shouted. I caught her giving Ajji a look.

Something was definitely fishy.

"What nonsense! I remember very clearly making you coffee till you were 30!" Ajji said. I tried to control my laughter.

"She's become so modern-vodern! She's losing her Indian values!" Ma said.

"Asha, enough of all this drama! Saaku please! Avni is nothing like that and you know it. Let's quickly find her a nice husband and get her also settled like her sisters and brother, okay na?" Ajji suggested.

Meanwhile, Pa and I were watching them like a tennis match.

"Ah! Not this again. No Madhve for me so soon!" I whined. This conversation had become a daily topic ever since I had turned 24.

"Oh, hush Avnu. You'll know when you are ready." Ajji countered.

My mum made a noise and stormed out of the kitchen.

An hour later, Shruthi, Dhyaan and her two babies arrived from Bombay. Once the hugging and pampering was done, Bhavna, Shru and I headed to Commercial Street to do some serious shopping.

At 2:30, we drove back home, fully satisfied with the day's purchase.

The day was perfect. It was just like old times. My sisters made me feel so much better. I had completely forgotten about all the bullshit for those few hours.

We weaved through traffic and managed to reach home just in time for lunch.

As soon as we entered into our home, my mother ran towards me and blocked my way.

"Avni, you need to go and get ready right this second. We must leave." she said panting.

"What? Where are we going?"

"Er... Wedding! No time for questions! Just go! And where something traditional!" she said, emphasizing the last word.

Within ten minutes, I wore a purple Anarkali suit and let my curls lose.

I took my own sweet time in walking downstairs, where I was tackled and blocked by my mother again.

"Avni, listen very carefully. There are a few guests at home and I will be introducing you to them. Please, for God's sake, be civil and behave yourself." she said, desperately.

I made a face at her, to which she glared back.

"What did I just say?" she hissed.

*****

The house I was sitting in was huge. Being an architect, I notice every tiny detail, and this house was very detailed indeed.

"Child, how old are you?" the grandmother asked.

"Uh, Aunty, I am 26."

"No! Don't call my aunty! Call me Ajji!" She said, smiling at me.

"Er, right."

"Oho! She's here!" the father exclaimed.

I was busy looking at my phone and when I raised my head, I saw her.

Woah.

If this was a movie, I swear, Yeno Yeno Agide would have started playing in the background.

She was gorgeous. Long curly hair cascading till her waist, twinkling eyes and the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, she was definitely a stunner.

"Mr and Mrs. Rao, this is my daughter." her dad said proudly.

"Avni, this is Naveen Rao, Harsha Rao and their sons Vihaan and Dev."

I could see her squinting at me. Yup, she figured out that we had met once before. But today, for some reason, I just couldn't take my eyes off her.

I got up and said, "Hi! I'm Vihaan." and shook her hand.

"Hi Vihaan, I'm Avni." she said, smiling.

Vihaan, get a grip man!

"Vihaan is so handsome no, Avnu?" her grandma said, bouncing up and down in her seat.

"Er..." Avni said nervously looking at me. "Would you let go of my hand?" she whispered.

"Oh shit! Sorry!" I said and quickly retracted my hand.

I could hear Dev loudly clearing his throat, and used the opportunity to throw him a dirty look.

"Mr. Rao-"

"Please, Anand. Call me Naveen!" Dad said.

"Naveen, let's all go out to our garden! We have arranged lunch there."

Wow, these people were really nice! Except maybe Ajji, who honestly was creeping me out, and was slowly closing the distance between us.

I uncomfortably shifted and got up, all set to belt some food.

"No no no! Vihaan, you stay right here with Avni! Get to know each other!" her mum suggested.

Why would I do that? I sat down, nevertheless.

I could see Avni sticking her tongue out at her pretty sister, who winked in return.

"Uncle, you want to play Hotwheels with me?" A cute kid came up to me and asked, holding his car in his tiny hand.

"Only if you tell me your name, Champ!" I said

"My name iz Ishaaaaaaaan!" he said proudly.

"Hi Ishaaaaaaaan!! My name is Vihaaaaaan! How old are you?"

I could feel her gaze on me.

"This many!" he said, holding up 5 fingers.

"Ishaan, Uncle will play with you if you have lunch! No, uncle?" The pretty sister, who must have been his mother asked.

"Correct! I need my man to be strong when we race!" I said.

This made Avni laugh. I slowly looked at her through the corner of my eye and caught her smiling at me.

Everyone got up and shuffled out of the living room. Then, there were just the two of us, awkwardly looking our respective hands.

"What do you do Vihaan?" she asked me, finally breaking the silence after what felt like an eternity.

"I'm an architect." I said. "And what do you do?"

"I'm a fashion designer." She said.

"Oh wow! That's great! Er, Avni, your grandma," I said motioning towards her grandmother who was sticking her ears at the glass door.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry. She's like that." She said giggling.

"Is there somewhere else we can go?"

"Definitely!" She said and took me to her terrace.

"Wow, this view is fantastic." I said.

"So what were we talking about?"

"Er... right! Are you seeing someone at the moment?" I immediately regretted asking that question, because I dreaded what her reply may be.

"Uh, yes I am, actually." She said. Her mind was elsewhere, I could tell.

"Avni, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. It's just that I am kind of working things out with him at the moment."

"Avni, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure,"

"Why is it that you keep apologising all the time?"

"I'm sorry," She said, and immediately realising that she said it again, she laughed. "It's just a force of habit."

Her laugh, I noted to myself, sounded like bells ringing.

"You shouldn't apologise for being yourself." I said.

What I didn't seem to understand was why I was subconsciously trying to impress this woman.

"I'll keep that in mind." She smiled. "What about you? Any fans? Girlfriends?"

"No. I haven't been in a relationship in a long time."

"My parents told me that we had to go for a wedding." She said, changing the topic.

I leaned over the parapet which overlooked the garden, and saw both are families comfortably belting food.

"I don't think they ever remember the wedding, looking at the way they are eating!"

"Oh my God!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. "We've been set up! I knew it!"

"But how can you be-" I stopped mid-sentence when I realized what masterminds my parents were.

"That's what they were gossiping about in the morning!" She whispered. "Look, you seem to be a really nice guy. But now I realize that my parents have been scheming to get me married. And if that's what you have come here for, then I am really sorry, but it's a no from me." She said. I liked how she was so honest with me, and didn't lead me on.

She really liked this guy, didn't she?

"Yeah, I completely understand, Avni. I have no intention of coming in between you and your guy. If I knew what my parents were up to, I would have never agreed in the first place."

"You're nice. Thank you for understanding."

"Nevertheless, I think we'd be really good friends, don't you think?"

"Yes, definitely! One can never have too many friends. Knowing my mother, she would definitely want me to see more of you. So, let's meet up sometime. What do you think?" she asked.

"That sounds great!" I agreed.

As we went downstairs, Avni told me all about her siblings. Eight siblings! I had one and I had enough!

Reading Avni was pretty easy. I could see that she loved her family very dearly (even her grandma).

Why was I feeling so bad that things were never going to happen between us? Feels like rejection all over again.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey guys! How did you'll like my plot twist, huh huh? ;)

Please leave your suggestions as to what you are looking for in the next chapter. I will definitely read it and use it, if I like it!

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Until next time, A.