AUTHOR’S POV:
After Two Weeks…
It’s a Sunday morning and the entire Arora family is together. The elders are sipping their morning tea while the younger lot is goofing around with coffee in hand. Everyone’s present — including Nishant, Sankalp, and Ahaan (Chahat’s brother) — along with their wives: Kirti (Nishant’s wife), Sneha (Sankalp’s wife), and their little bundle of joy, 4-year-old Ayush (Nishant and Kirti’s son).
Ayush is busy playing with his Chahat bua (aunt), while Pihu and Ahaan are engaged in one of their usual arguments, entertaining everyone with their banter. Just then, Gautam calls Sanjay and Mahak aside, saying he wants to talk to them. So all the elders — Gautam, Sakshi, Mahak, Sanjay, and Radha (grandma) — head to Gautam’s room.
“You know Sanjay, Chahat is like my own daughter. I hope you won’t mind if I say something about her,” Gautam began.
“Why are you saying this, bhai? Of course, she’s your daughter even before ours,” Sanjay replied with a knowing smile.
“Actually, a friend of mine — someone you know too — saw Chahat at a function and liked her very much. They’ve asked me about considering her for their son. We're not rushing into marriage, just considering. If she likes him and everything goes well, only then we’ll move forward,” Gautam explained.
“Bhaiya, I have no issue at all. I know you’d never want anything bad for Chahat. But we’ll need to speak with her first — you know her consent matters the most,” Sanjay replied respectfully.
“You’re absolutely right. Everything we’re doing is for Chahat, and if she agrees, only then we’ll take any step forward,” Gautam said, and the family continued discussing the Mehra family — Gautam’s friends — and their son, Ansh Mehra.
In the Evening…
Radha Arora gathered everyone in the house — from youngest to oldest — in the living room. The elders were quiet, already aware of the reason, while the younger ones were curious.
“Dadi, everything’s okay, right?” Nishant asked Radha.
“Yes, my child. Actually, we’ve received a wedding proposal for…” Radha began, but Ahaan interrupted.
“Dadi, you’re getting married? At this age?! We’re open-minded, it’s fine, we’ll accept a new dadu (grandpa)!” Ahaan joked, making everyone laugh.
“Shut up, Ahaan! Let her complete,” Sakshi scolded playfully, and Ahaan dramatically placed a finger on his lips.
Seeing him like that, little Ayu — sitting on Mahak’s lap — asked innocently,
“Dadi, why Ahaan chachu is mum?” (Dadi, why is Ahaan uncle quiet?)
“Because badi dadi scolded him. If you misbehave like him, even dadi will punish you,” Mahak warned sweetly.
“No dadi… I’m a gul boy,” Ayu said adorably. (No dadi… I’m a good boy.)
“So what I was saying,” Radha resumed, “we’ve received a marriage proposal for Chahat. But we haven’t responded yet because her consent matters the most.”
There was a pin-drop silence. Then Nishant said emotionally, “Please say no to them, Dad. Our Chahat is still so young. My baby can’t get married this soon.”
“Yeah Dad, I agree with Bhai,” Sankalp and Ahaan said together.
“Listen, I understand your love for Chahat — even we love her just as much. But she’s 25 now. If not now, then when? One day, she’ll have to leave this home,” Radha reasoned with them.
CHAHAT’S POV:
I don’t know what’s happening — a wedding proposal? For me?
I’m not ready for this. But when I heard what Nishant bhai, Sankalp bhai, and Ahaan said — how they stood up for me — I can’t explain how happy it made me. Their love felt so pure.
“Look, we’re not saying she needs to get married tomorrow. But Chahat and Ansh can meet. If she doesn’t like him, we won’t proceed,” Tauji (uncle) said.
Agreeing with Tauji, Papa finally asked me, “What do you say, beta? Whatever you want will be done.”
I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t sure if this was right. But when Tauji clarified there’s no pressure and I can make my own decision, I gathered myself.
“Papa, can I say something?” I asked softly.
“Ha beta, bolo.” (Yes, dear, go ahead.) he replied.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to say — whether I’m ready or not. But I trust you all. So whatever you say, I’m okay with it. I’ll meet Ansh… but no one will force me, right?”
Everyone smiled hearing that.
“No beta, it’ll be completely your decision,” Taiji assured me.
“So I’ll talk to them and ask when we can arrange a meeting between the families,” Tauji said.
Two Days Later…
Today they’re coming to meet me. When Tauji called them that night, Mahesh uncle (Ansh’s father) was so happy that I agreed. So they’re visiting today — officially, to meet me.
I’m nervous, not sure if I’m ready. But I feel like everything will go fine.
I wore an anarkali suit. Pihu did my hair, and Kirti Bhabhi and Sneha Bhabhi helped with my makeup — light and simple, just how I like it.
Sneha Bhabhi came upstairs to take me down. As I walked, I saw 4–5 people sitting, all looking at me — making my heart race. I touched their feet and took blessings like a proper ‘sanskari baccha’ (cultured child).
Maa introduced everyone — Mahesh uncle, Sunaina aunty, their son Ansh, daughter Kripa, and a lady who was his bua (aunt). Uncle and aunty were smiling. Ansh was just quietly looking at me, making me nervous. His bua, though, seemed different — scanning me from head to toe like she was judging me.
Everyone began asking me about my hobbies, job, and likes/dislikes — I answered honestly. Then came the shock.
His bua suddenly asked, “How many boyfriends did you have till date? You know, you’re going to marry our son, so we should know everything.”
It wasn’t a question — it felt like an interrogation. Everyone stared at her like she was a ghost — even Ansh looked uncomfortable.
I saw Sankalp bhai about to speak, but Sneha Bhabhi stopped him.
So I finally answered, “Ek bhi nahi aunty, kabhi ye sab karne ki need nahi lagi.” (Not even one, aunty. I never felt the need for all this.)
But even while saying it, I felt strange — like I was cheating on someone. Am I? No… right?
Just then, Mahesh uncle broke the awkwardness. “It doesn’t matter. That’s her past. All we want now is to make Chahat our daughter-in-law.”
Sunaina aunty interrupted, “Bahu nahi, beti.” (Not daughter-in-law, daughter.)
“Yeah, right,” uncle agreed.
My family seemed happy… but I wasn’t sure what I wanted.
Then Ansh spoke up, noticing my unease. “Dad, uncle, if you don’t mind — I don’t think we should rush this. I’m not ready yet, and I believe the same goes for Chahat. We don’t even know each other.”
His words calmed my nervousness. He had the one quality I wanted in a partner — someone who understands without being told.
“Yes, beta. You’re right. If Chahat doesn’t mind, you two can go on a few dates and get to know each other,” Papa said.
We both agreed silently. After some more family talk, the Mehra’s left.
I went to my room, changed into comfy clothes, and lay down, staring at the ceiling. Did I do the right thing? Maybe Ansh is the right person? My family chose him, so he must be good.
I ended the day with one thought — I need to move on from my past. It’s not easy, but I will.
NEXT DAY…
I returned from school and started getting ready for the meeting with Ansh. But I was still unsure. Just then, my phone rang — an unknown number.
It was Jay uncle. He wanted to talk to Tauji, who wasn’t picking up his phone. I went downstairs and saw Tauji playing with Ayu — such a beautiful dada–pota (grandpa–grandson) moment. I handed him the phone and came back upstairs to finish getting ready.
Sneha Bhabhi came in with her makeup box. As I sat down, Ayu came in with my phone, holding it tightly in his tiny hands.
“Dadu said to give you this phone,” he said sweetly. I hugged him, and he kissed my cheek and nose.
“Dadu… sai.. to giu this phon…” (Dadu said to give this phone to you.)
Sneha Bhabhi started doing my makeup, and Ayu kept watching.
“My bui is beauty… why are you doing this paint?” (My bui is beautiful… why are you doing this paint?)
We both burst out laughing.
Sneha Bhabhi playfully pinched his cheeks, “Oye chotu packet, you're just like your chachu — always making fun of my makeup.”
“I’ll complan u tu cha…” (I’ll complain to your chachu!) Ayu shouted as he ran out.
After some convincing, Bhabhi made me change into an Indo-western outfit — not party-like, not too revealing — just perfect and comfortable for the date.
At the Café…
I met Ansh, and we had a pleasant conversation. He tried everything to make me feel at ease.
But then I saw him… Vihaan.
What was he doing at this small café?
Maybe it was just my imagination. But no, he was there. Sitting in his car, watching.
Ansh’s voice broke my thoughts. I focused back on him.
We finished dessert, and as we were about to leave, Ansh asked, “So… what’s your final decision?”
“About what?” I asked, confused.
“About the marriage,” he clarified.
I honestly replied, “I don’t know. I never thought about it before.”
He smiled and said I could take my time. If I felt comfortable, only then we could move ahead. I appreciated his clarity and patience.
He dropped me home and asked for another meeting — to get to know each other better. I agreed.
.
.
.
AUTHOR’S POV:
That’s it for today. Sorry for the late update — I had a fever, so couldn’t write earlier.
Hope you liked the chapter.
What do you think — will Chahat actually get married?
And what will Vihaan do when he finds out?
Stay tuned to find out!
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