PROLOGUE
Banner Credit- Maria aka MariaArHiholic 😳
"Be strict to her this time, Garima. She has already rejected some really nice proposals... But this time we've got one of the best proposals and that too without any knowledge... We cannot afford to reject it..."
"I'll try my best Jiji... Hopefully she'll agree..."
"No, you don't have to try. You have to make up her mind to meet this boy at least... You are her mother after all, she will listen to you..."
"Okay Jiji... She's back from school... I'll talk to her and let you know shortly.."
***
A nervous and at the same time furious Garima warmed up the lunch for her daughter who had just returned from her work, and remembered her sister-in-law's words on phone, who asked her to talk to her seriously about the marriage proposal they got this time. Being a mother, Garima was way too happy about it and she obviously didn't want this to be rejected by her adamant and a little nave daughter. The moment she saw her coming out of her room after freshening up, she arranged the lunch on dining table and sat there.
Khushi, elder daughter of Garima and sweet-shop owner Shashi Gupta, was about 26-year old pretty school-teacher, and ever since she finished her studies, her parents secretly started hunting a groom for her. But their search was stopped by Khushi herself when she came to know about it, and even argued with her Aunt and mother on this matter. No, she wasn't a typical girl who had a boyfriend so she didn't wish to get married to someone else. Like most of the girls, Khushi simply felt that she was just not ready to start a married life, not at least till she settled down in her career. But she was relieved with the fact that her father understood and supported her.
"Seems like you're tensed about something..."
Came a comment from Khushi, as she saw her mother sitting silently, while both ate their food. Garima let out a nervous smile, and taking a deep breathe, she decided to talk about the matter as quick as possible. After all, she too couldn't wait any longer!
"Khushi... There is a marriage proposal for you..." Garima managed to speak in a single breathe, keeping away her hesitant attitude.
"Amma please... I told you not to..."
"First listen to what I'm saying bitiya... Then speak whatever you want to... This time, we didn't do anything... This lady... Himani Raizada was present in the same reception party where you had gone a month ago... And... She wants to meet you..."
"See, this is one other reason why I don't go to weddings!" Khushi exclaimed in a bit irritating tone, gobbling the morsel of food in the same way, "And... Is it a big issue that I'm 26 and yet I'm not married?"
"It's not about your age you silly girl... And no one is saying you to marry now... But at least meet the boy, know him properly and then the decision is yours, whether to marry him or not..."
"I don't know Amma... I'm just... Not ready for all this..."
"What's there to be ready? You simply have to meet him and talk to him, that's it. Why are you being so hesitant?" Garima questioned worriedly.
"Your Amma is right Khushi!"
Hearing a strong manly voice from behind, both Khushi and Garima turned behind, only to see Shashi walking towards the dining area. While Garima was happy that at least this time he was supporting her, Khushi looked at her father with a strange sadness in her eyes. Shashi grabbed a chair and sat beside her, caressing her head lovingly.
"Babuji... At least you can understand me.."
"I'm your father... I understand you very well, but I can't compromise with your betterment... Yes, I supported you when you rejected previous proposals because you had a genuine reason... But now, I don't think you'll find any reason to reject this proposal..."
"And how can you say this so confidently?" Khushi questioned, looking innocently at him.
"Because I feel so!" Shashi replied with a slight smile, "Look bitiya, no one is forcing you for anything.. But yes, we want you to meet this family first... And if you like the boy, only then we'll take the next step... It's going to be completely your decision... I know my Khushi is mature enough to understand what's right and what's wrong, isn't it?"
A slight smile curved on Khushi's face as she listened to her father's words carefully, wondering how he always managed to understand her state of mind and had instant solutions to all her problems. Maybe that's why fathers are so special for daughters, she thought. Sensing that her daughter indeed had no issues in meeting the would-be groom's family, Garima happily stood up and kissed her forehead, giving her assurance that she would like the family and boy too.
"By the way, Jiji had couriered me that boy's photo... Do you wish to see that?"
Garima asked, trying to make her tone as normal as she could, while secretly looking at Khushi to see the eagerness in her eyes. She deliberately took out the envelope which had the photo and placed safely in a drawer in front of Khushi, while the girl tried not to show her curiosity to see the photo due to the presence of her father.
"N-No... I don't want... I'll... Meet the family.."
Saying this in a normal tone, Khushi immediately walked out of the room, leaving behind her parents who seemed happy at her reaction, and exchanging smiles to each other, they both silently prayed that whatever they assured their daughter would actually be true, and she would find a better life partner in the boy whom she would meet shortly.
A couple of seconds later, when Khushi saw her parents dismissed to their respective works, she returned back to the room with little steps, and reached near the drawer in which Garima kept the photo. Taking the envelope from there, she quickly ran back towards her room, and sitting nervously on the edge of the bed, she took out the photo from envelope with slightly trembling hands, while her heartbeats increased with each passing second.
***
"Are you sure about whatever you've said to me?"
"I'm more than 100% sure Mrs. Raizada... Trust me, you're not going to find any other girl better than her..."
"And I had figured out this in the first meeting itself... Though we didn't interact much, but the way she was behaving with other guests present in the reception party, was really very sweet and appealing... And there isn't anything wrong in at least meeting her and her family officially, right?"
"Of course!"
This well-known match-maker, Rekha, sat happily in Raizada Mansion, proudly speaking about how she made efforts to collect proper information about the girl whom Himani saw at a wedding function in Delhi, and in the first sight itself she was impressed by her. And it was since then that she requested Himani to collect information about her and her family.
"By the way, isn't your son at home now?" Rekha asked reluctantly, looking around everywhere to search for him.
"No, he has an important meeting so he'd be late today... And thank God he isn't home yet... I don't want him to know about all this now... Let him meet the girl first, and then I'll tell him everything..."
Himani replied with oblivion, when she remembered along with Rekha about how last time she tried cajoling her son to agree for marriage, but he was too adamant to do so, and denied meeting any girl for the reason of marriage. Being his mother, Himani was worried each moment as she knew her son's nature and so she wanted such a wife for him who could understand him better.
Being wealthy and reputed, Raizada Family was no less than a dream family for any girl. It is always said that nothing in this world is perfect, but this family was totally perfect for any stranger. Well, whatever appears is not always true! And moreover, Himani knew that she could easily find a girl for her son, but what she actually wanted was a girl who could easily impress other just by her simplicity and politeness. And all these qualities were found by her in Khushi, whom she wished to bring in her family as her daughter-in-law.
"So, once I talk to Madhumati ji and confirm from her family, I'll let you know.." Rekha said, "I should leave now... It's getting late..."
"Arre, you didn't even drink the juice... Or wait, I shall get you another glass of fresh juice.."
"You don't need to do that Mrs. Raizada..." Rekha smiled widely, "Once you meet this girl's family and get everything fixed, I'll wait for the invitation card and then eat enough at your son's wedding!"
"Oh sure, why not!" Himani laughed out, "Infact, why waiting for the wedding card? I'll personally invite you... After all you helped me to find out about this family, isn't it?"
"What the hell is going on..?"
The ladies' lovely conversation was disturbed in between by a strong familiar voice, as they both stood perplexed, wondering who else was present in the hall. Himani and Rekha confusingly turned behind, only to see Arnav standing at the entrance door, wearing a flabbergasted expression on his face, while Rekha looked fearfully at him, wondering if he would scold her in the same manner as he did the last time, and Himani was nonplussed at the current situation. After all, she made so many efforts to keep this matter hidden from him, and now he was the only one who overheard their conversation accidentally.
Edited by whiterose29 - 11 years ago
Members Lounge
CID
271