Chapter 2: Marriage Talk

Bella turned to Gayatri and smiled at her. 

“That is why you came here today, right, Maasi?”

“Yes,” Gayatri replied. 

“Mom asked you to speak with me?” Bella asked again. 

Gayatri nodded her head again. “She thought a new perspective might help convince you.”

“Hmm okay, Maasi. I will hear you out without any argument,” Bella sighed. 

“I am not here to lecture you, Bella. Nor am I here to preach you why you should get married. I just want to understand why are you not ready,” Gayatri assured her. 

“Okay, Maasi.” Bella’s tone made Gayatri curious. 

“You don’t believe me?” Gayatri guessed.

“No,” Bella hastened to assure her. “I do believe it when you say that you are not here to lecture me. It’s just that I am so confused...”

“That’s why I am here. Let’s talk like friends. Tell me what is weighing you down?” Gayatri asked her. 

Bella hesitated a bit. 

“Shall we go somewhere else?” Gayatri questioned her. 

Bella nodded her head gratefully. Gayatri quickly finished her coffee and they both declared that they were going out for dinner. Bella hastily put on her jeans and top and they left. Pratham’s cafe was just a few minuted walk from their building. Bella led the way to Cafe Moonlight. Pratham and Suhani were already sitting there having an ice cream. Bella waved to them as she and Gayatri entered the party area which was not booked for that night. Their staff quickly set up a table for them and they sat down. 

Once everyone had left the room, Gayatri turned to Bella. 

“Tell me, Bella, why are you on a rejection spree?”

“None of them clicks, maasi,” Bella complained. 

“What exactly are you looking for in a guy? I really thought Mayur would be the one for you. I was very disappointed when you rejected him,” Gayatri informed him. 

Bella looked guilty at that. Mayur was Gayatri’s friend’s son. Her rejection may have embarrassed Gayatri. 

“Look, I am not here to guilt trip or something. I just want to know why have you rejected every guy you have met so far?” Gayatri asked her gently. 

“As I said, none of them...”

“Clicked. Yeah, I have heard this thrice in last fifteen minutes,” Gayatri told her patiently. “But what do you mean by that? Have you given this a thought? Or you are saying this just because you want to say something? Tell me, what kind of a guy are you looking for?”

“I have given it some thought...” Bella said uncertainly. 

“You are nearly thirty now Bella. You must have some idea about what kind of guy you are looking for, right? You just said that Mayur and the ones before him didn’t click. So, why did you feel that they didn’t click?” Gayatri’s questions were making Bella feel dizzy.

“ I know that they didn’t feel right. Sometimes the conversations didn’t flow. Sometimes the thoughts didn’t match. Some times, something they said offended me. It's not like I am going to find someone in the first attempt itself.” Bella rattled off some of the reasons why she had rejected guys. 

“True, you won’t find someone in the first attempt itself, but then Bella, do you know how many guys you have met in the last seven months or so? It’s okay to reject a few because they didn’t click but your count stands at twenty-three right now. A couple more and you will complete a quarter of a century. It’s one thing to be choosy or particular but this is not a sign of a picky person. This is a sign of a very confused person,” Gayatri explained to her. 

“Honestly, Maasi? I don’t have the faintest idea of what exactly I am looking for. I go into each meeting thoroughly unprepared with some vague ideas of how it should go and when things don’t go that way, I end up rejecting the guy,” Bella confessed with a sigh. 

“I don’t get it,” she burst out. “Why do I have to select a groom right now when I am so busy?”

“Because Bella you have been busy for the last five years since you joined. Whenever we tried to talk to you about your marriage, you would brush us aside because you were busy. First, it was your thirst to prove yourself in the office. Then it was mentoring Yuvi and now this for the last six months. You haven’t had time for this conversation for the last five years and now you are nearly thirty. There is an age where you get married and you are fast running out of time,” Gayatri told her. 

“And I am not talking about your biological clock although that is a factor to be considered,” Gayatri continued before Bella could protest. “I am talking about your ability to adjust to another person and his ways. By the time you enter your thirties, you are too set in your own ways to be able to adjust to your partner’s quirks. Look at it this way, you can shape soft mud but you can’t shape dried mud. The longer you wait, tougher it will get for you to compromise and adjust.”

“I don’t want to compromise,” Bella muttered. 

“Now you are just being silly, dear.” Gayatri laughed at her naivety. 

“What?” Bella said defensively. 

“No relationship succeeds without a little compromise from all the parties involved,” Gayatri asserted. 

“But how can anyone be happy if they have compromised?” Bella asked her. 

“Who says all compromises are bad? Some bring you untold joys... Like when your mother decided to leave her high paying job to look after you kids. Your father had to compromise on his dreams and take up a steady job to support the family. They don’t regret that.”

“Really?” Bella asked in wonder. 

“Yes, Omkar always wanted to start his own art studio. Janvi’s salary used to support the family while Omkar tried to find his footing as a full-time artist. But after Pratham’s birth, Janvi felt it was unfair to make Omkar’s mother look after both the kids, so she decided to become a full-time mother. With that, Omkar had to look for a steady job to support the family. That was his compromise and he doesn’t regret it,” Gayatri narrated. 

“Wow! I didn’t know that. I always thought painting and sculpting was a hobby for dad,” Bella said. 

“Now you know that not all compromises are bad. It’s unhealthy when only one person does it. But if both make sacrifices, it’s all worth it in the end.” Gayatri smiled at Bella’s amazed expressions. 

“Maasi, can I be honest with you?” Bella asked. 

“Of course, dear. That’s why we are here,” Gayatri encouraged her. 

“I haven’t really given marriage a lot of thought but whenever I did, I always knew that I wanted a perfect relationship like the one you share with Uncle or like one mom shares with dad,” Bella confessed. 

Gayatri smiled at her naivety. “No relationship is perfect, dear. It takes years and years of continuous efforts to get where we are as a couple. It’s like making a halwa.”

“Halwa?” Bella laughed. 

“Yes, halwa. You need the right ingredients, to begin with, but having the right ingredients does not guarantee success. You also need to follow the right procedure for the same. If you give up halfway through the process, will you get halwa to eat? Similarly, if you get distracted even for a bit, your halwa may get burnt. You have to work on it continuously to make sure that is perfect. In the same way, you have to work on your marriage on a daily basis to keep it working,” Gayatri explained. 

“Hmm, I will think about this, Maasi,” Bella promised. “Let this project get over, I will really consider the next proposal that you guys will bring.”

“One thing that you will have to master is multitasking. Another thing that you will have to learn is to prioritize,” Gayatri instructed her. 

“But I can multitask,” Bella protested. 

“Then, put it to use. Next guy, that you go to meet, you will give a fair thought. No matter how busy, you are, you will do this, understood?” Gayatri asked her sternly. 

“Yes, Maasi.” Bella mock saluted her. 

“And one more thing, Bella,” Gayatri began. “You don’t have to pay any attention to Anu. She is born for creating trouble. Vyankatesh doesn’t mind defending you. Get that?”

Bella nodded her head. 

“Now come on, finish your pasta quickly. We need to get you home soon.”

Bella giggled at that and turned her attention to her pasta. After they were done with their dinner, they walked back home. Suhani and Pratham had left long back. Bella reached home and barely managed to change into her night-dress before she collapsed on her bed. Before long, she was snoring. 

Next morning she woke up early to prepare for her big day. Janvi got her breakfast ready while she sat and went through the presentation one last time. Once that was done, she sat down for breakfast. Omkar and Pratham joined her. They had their breakfast in near-complete silence. After breakfast, Bella went to get ready while Pratham helped Janvi clear the table. Omkar had retired just last month and had taken up his passion again. He went to his canvas. 

Bella stepped out of her room in a dark green raw silk saree with light jewellery. Every Monday was a traditional day at Sehgal Industries. She had kept her make-up minimal as always. She went and collected her bag and shouted, “Mom! I am leaving.”

Janvi came running out with a bowl of dahi chini and fed her some. Bella bent down and touched her feet and sought her blessings. 

“May you achieve a lot of success,” Janvi blessed her. 

Bella went to Omkar and touched his feet as well. Even he blessed her. Pratham was observing all of this with a smirk. He now came forward and pulled her into a tight hug, careful enough not to mess her well-brushed hair.

“All the best, di,” he teased her. 

“Thanks, chotey,” she teased back. 

Bella grabbed her car keys and set off for the office. She reached there with a lot of time to spare. She went to her cabin and told the reception to send in Yuvi as soon as he came. She then ordered her usual morning coffee and waited for Yuvi to show up. After about ten minutes, there was a knock on her cabin’s door. 

“Come in,” she said. 

“Your coffee, ma’am!” came a voice. 

She looked up sharply to see Yuvi standing there with a sheepish expression on his face, carrying a coffee tray. She glared at him as he placed the coffee tray in front of her. Yuvi maybe her friend outside the office but within its premises she was his mentor and he was terrified of her. Vish had accompanied Yuvi and she gave him an encouraging nod. A huge rock glittered on her ring finger. Bella’s face twitched a bit at that but she controlled her expression. 

“Well, Yuvraj Sehgal? Why weren’t you present for the meeting yesterday?” she asked sternly. 

“I am sorry, Bella,” he apologised. 

“You can keep your apologies to yourself. I need to know why weren’t you there?” she repeated. 

“Bella, actually I proposed Vish last night and she said yes. I was planning for the proposal,” Yuvi explained. 

“I see. In that case,” Bella’s face broke into a wide smile, “Congratulation!”

“Wait... What?” Yuvi asked her confused. 

“Congratulations, you idiot,” Bella nearly shouted. She got up from her seat and gave him a rib-cracking hug.

“Thanks, Bella. I thought I was done for today,” Yuvi breathed. 

“Of course you are done for...” Bella said sternly and Yuvi stiffened, “... if you don’t perform well.”

She looked past Yuvi at Vish, “ I hope you kept your promise.”

“Of course, Bella. Yuvi is ready for anything,” Vish assured her. 

“So, you will allow me to present today?” Yuvi asked her eagerly. 

She nodded her head. “Provided that Big Boss approves,” she added. 

“He will approve,” Vish said. “ I can just feel it.”

“He will approve... Only if Bella gives a favourable report...” came a snide voice. 

Vish whipped around to see who was speaking. There was no need to even see. Only one person was capable of spewing so much venom in such a sickly sweet voice. 

“What do you want, Anu?” Yuvi asked her coldly. 

“Easy there,” she cautioned him. “I have come here only to deliver a message.” She looked at Bella, “Vyankatesh sir, is calling you to his cabin.”

“I will be there shortly,” Bella dismissed her with a wave. She walked away with a huff. 

“You two, get to work. I will join you shortly,” Bella instructed Yuvi and Vish. 

Bella walked to Vyankatesh’s cabin and knocked on the door. 

“Come in, Bella,” he greeted her. 

“You wanted to talk, Uncle?” she asked him. 

“Yes, Gayatri told me about yesterday,” he began. “ And I am very upset that you are still holding onto something that I solved many months ago.”

“Sorry, Uncle,” Bella apologised.

“You will forget all about it, get it?” he told her. 

Bella nodded her head. Just then there was knock on the cabin’s door. Turning around she saw, Big Boss, Andy Sehgal was standing at the door, smiling. 

“Scolding my star employee, Vyankatesh?” he asked with a smile. 

Anu, who was standing right behind him, scowled when he called Bella a star employee. Vyankatesh smiled and replied, “Of course not. Just giving her some valuable life lessons.”

“I see,” Andy laughed. He turned to Bella and said, “ Come to my cabin right now.”

“Yes, Sir,” Bella replied. 

She followed Andy and Anu to his cabin and waited at the door.

“Why are you waiting there? Come, take a seat,” Andy invited her with a smile. 

“Thank you, big boss.” Bella took a seat. 

“So, then... There are a few things I want to discuss with you,” Andy said seriously. 

Bella nodded respectfully and Anu muttered something nasty under her breath. 

“Is there something you want to say, Anu?” Andy asked her annoyed. 

“No, Uncle,” she replied hastily. 

“I thought so.” Andy once again turned his attention to Bella. “I wanted to talk to you about your mentee, Yuvi. What do you think of his progress? Anything you want to report?”

“Yes, Sir. Yuvi is doing very well. In fact, I wanted to talk to you regarding this. I wanted Yuvi to present a sizable chunk of today’s presentation in front of the clients. If you approve of it, of course,” Bella requested. 

“You think he is ready for it?” Andy asked her. 

“Yes, Sir. I know he is ready for this and he is eagerly waiting for an opportunity to prove himself,” Bella told him. 

“I see.” Andy was quiet for a minute. “How soon can he be ready?” he asked her after a pause. 

“As soon as you say the word, sir,” Bella said eagerly. “He is ready, we are just waiting for a green signal from you.”

“Hmm, if you are sure about it...” he said uncertainly. 

“I am very sure, Sir,” Bella said confidently. 

“In that case, you have my permission,” Andy allowed. 

“Thank you, Sir! We won’t let you down,” Bella promised. 

“I know that. In fact, this was a test for you. I wanted to see how confident you are in your abilities. And you proved me right. Well done,” Andy praised her. 

“Thank you, Sir,” Bella said humbly. 

 “Okay then, see you in the conference room in a few minutes,” Andy told her. 

Bella took the hint and left the cabin. Once she was out of the cabin, Anu who was also Andy’s secretary whenever he was in the office turned to him.

“I don’t believe you, Uncle. You asked for a stranger’s opinion regarding your own son.”

“Shut up, Anu. She is his mentor. She knows his working abilities the best,” Andy snapped. 

With that, he strode out of his cabin. His phone rang and he picked it up. It was his wife, Sumitra Sehgal

“Yes, Sumi? What? But... okay fine, tell him to take care... Okay bye,”

He stood for a moment and then barked at Anu to go and get Bella. Bella came hurrying to him. He led her back to the cabin and closed the door firmly on Anu’s face. 

“I wanted your opinion on one more thing. Mahir was personally going to talk to you but he won’t be able to come today. He banged his head in the bathroom and Sumitra is afraid to let him drive just now. Since he is not around. I will ask you. We were thinking of giving Yuvi a post. We wanted him to join the Board of Directors as a director. Do you think he is ready for that?” Andy asked her. 

“Yes, he is,” Bella replied without missing a beat. 

“Are you sure?” Andy repeated.

“Yes, I am very sure,” she said confidently. “He has worked really hard over the last two years and he deserves this.”

“You wouldn’t mind it, right? I mean, he was your mentee for the last two years and now he will suddenly be your boss,” Andy questioned her. 

“Not a bit, Sir. This is what we were preparing him for right? When you handed me the responsibility for his training, you wanted him to be ready enough to take on the responsibility of the company at some point. It is a proud moment for me to see that my efforts paid off,” Bella told him her face was alight with genuine happiness. 

“Okay, thanks for the genuine feedback. You may leave now.” Andy smiled at her and she left the cabin happily. 

He was just leaving the cabin when Tanvi approached him and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and headed towards the conference room. 

“Okay, people, I have good news and bad news,” he announced. 

 “Dad, tell us the good news first,” Yuvi said. 

“The good news is that Mr Sanghvi has arrived downstairs. Suhani you will go and greet him and welcome him. And the bad news is that Mahir won’t be able to make it to the meeting. He took a nasty fall in the bathroom and Sumitra won’t allow him to drive in that case. So he will be listening in through a con-call,” Andy told them. 

“Bhai is okay, right?” Vish asked with concern. 

“Yes, but Sumitra is worried that he might get dizzy while driving. His driver is on a holiday and it’s too late for mine to go and pick him up,” Andy assured her. 

Yuvi was a little disappointed that Mahir was not going to be there for his first presentation. Mahir and Yuvi were very close and Yuvi respected his brother a lot. His opinion meant a lot to him. He wanted him to witness his succeed firsthand. He immediately wanted to call him up but refrained from doing so. Suhani had already gone downstairs to welcome Mr Sanghvi. Vish gave his hand a squeeze. 

“He will be alright,” she comforted him. “We will rush home as soon as the meeting gets over.”

Yuvi nodded. Bella came to him. 

“This is it, Yuvi. This is the moment we have been preparing for. I know you are worried about your brother, but try to push that out of your mind. I am sure he is fine if he is going to attend the conference via con-call. Head in the game, my friend,” she encouraged him. 

Yuvi took a deep breath and focused his attention on the meeting. Vish patched Mahir to the meeting. Once they were clear that Mahir could hear everything clearly, Bella signed Andy to bring in Mr Sanghvi. Anu also followed them inside the room. Vish made a face at the sight of her as she knew that Anu would do her best to distract Bella during the meeting but Bella assured her with a look. 

The meeting began with Suhani and Vish jointly presenting the previous achievements of the company and the previous successful collaborations to Mr Sanghvi. He was a new collaborator and had no previous history with the Sehgal Group. As they both got him familiarized with the Sehgal Group’s set up, Bella and Yuvi carefully observed Mr Sanghvi. After a short presentation that lasted about fifteen minutes, Bella stood up to give the main presentation. Just then Vyankatesh joined them in the room. He greeted Mr Sanghvi and motioned Bella to continue. 

As Bella spoke, Yuvi became more and more nervous. Vish, who had taken Bella’s place beside him, silently took his hand in hers and comforted him. After Bella was done with her bit she announced that the next part will be presented by Yuvi. Yuvi got up with a smile but to his surprise found that he was shaking out of excitement and nerves. As he took the podium, Bella gave him a comforting smile and went back to her seat. 

Yuvi fumbled a little as he began but soon found his footing and continued smoothly. He knew that his part would make or break the deal. Bella had deliberately left the most crucial part for him to present. Andy was a little shocked and very pleased that Bella presented the initial part and set the tone of the meeting. Mahir, who was listening through the call was taken aback to see that Yuvi was presenting the most crucial part of the presentation. He had expected that Bella will let Yuvi start and conclude the presentation and present the key part herself. He was mighty impressed by her confidence in Yuvi and her own mentoring abilities. 

Bella once again stood up to conclude the meeting. As she passed Yuvi, she gave him a rare smile and he heaved a sigh of relief. Both Vish and Andy were looking at him with pride. Soon the meeting was over and Andy, Vyankatesh and Mr Sanghvi retreated to Andy’s cabin to discuss the details of of the deal. 

Everyone waited outside with bated breath to see if their hard work of the last six months paid off or no. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Andy and Vyankatesh emerged from the former’s cabin with Mr Sanghvi in tow. They shook hands with him and Mr Sanghvi left in his car. Andy turned to his anxious employees and smiled. They had clinched the deal.