PART 19 Meethi continued reading with extra interest. She wanted to know what Sid's next move was. She adjusted her blanket, sat up in the bed more comfortably and started reading. OCTOBER 20, 2011 As decided already, I started from my home taking blessings of elders. Actually Ma had disclosed my interest to my family. Like any other time, they were in support of my choice, except for my selfish bhabhis who wanted their sisters to be the daughter in law of our house. Mathaji blessed me and I started off. I went in my car for a change and picked my friends too. All of us were decently dressed and even Nimisha who found pleasure in Jeans and shirt managed to wear a salwar. And finally we reached our destination. Roli's house. We slowly entered the sit out of that small yet beautifully maintained house. I really felt a chill over my body, but I somehow rang the calling bell. Within few seconds, the door was flung open. And there stood the angel of my life, Roli in a simple and very simple cotton salwar with her long hair tied up in a bunch. Her eyes which lacked kajal rolled in shock as she spotted us. "You...Here...now??? Why???" she asked in extreme shock. I told you I'll come in sometime...thought I was joking?" I asked her very naughtily. She was visibly tensed. She looked in and out and rubbed her hands in tension. Her look and that tension made me to fall for her even more. A particular serenity adorned her simplicity. Suddenly I heard a voice from inside. "Roli beta...Who's out?" it was confirmed that it's her dad and so without asking her, we got in or literally broke in. Roli followed us trying to control us but to no avail. I saw her father, a pleasant man in late fifties. "Beta...Who are you?' asked him to me. "Uncle...I got to talk something to you...Serious..." I said in a polite tone. He smiled and asked Roli to bring coffee for us. She reluctantly went in gesturing me not to spill the beans. I smiled very naughtily at her with my eyes telling her I'll make everything perfect. Uncle asked us to occupy seats and we diod. As heasked about the reason of our arrival, I started in a low tone. "Uncle...I'm Siddhant Bharadwaj...you must be knowing Nirmala devi Bhardwaj...I'm her grandson..." "Nirmalaji's grandson...Ya of course... I know your grandma...long time relationship...But why are you here beta???" he asked me. "Actually uncle...I study in the same college where Roli studies and...I would like to marry her...I told her my wish, but she wasn't interested without your consent..I know this stuff is not something which should be spoken likewise...But I thought of knowing your opinion before I bring my parents here...I promise you uncle, I'll look after Roli very well...you'll never be in need of regretting for giving her to me...' I said. Uncle looked rather dim at the moment. I was afraid if uncle won't agree for the alliance uncle's disproval meant Roli's disapproval. I had loved her so deeply and losing her was not possible. "Well..Beta..i would have happily married off her to you if things were all right...you see the conditions here right? My business is a sinking ship...I'm already in debt...in that condition I don't have the financial stability to marry my daughter off to such a well off family..." uncle finished in a very reluctant tone. I was relieved. After all he had no problem with me. I smiled and said Uncle...I wish to marry Roli and not your business or wealth. And my family needs a daughter in law not wealth...I promise you, this marriage won't cause any problem for you...All I need is my Roli...I'll be really happy if you give her to me..." Uncle seemed to be impressed. Suddenly Rithi came from inside."Bhaiyya...you came...I'm so happy..." she said all excited. "Rithi beta..you know him?" uncle asked doubtfully. "Ya papa...Yesterday Di had extra work in college...So Bhaiyya only left Di home...You know he's so good.." Rithi supported me to the core and winked at me. I did the same. Thank you my sweet sister, I said in my mind. Now that really helped to improve uncle's impression about me. He smiled. "You are very good beta...You are polite too...Otherwise, you won't have come near me to talk about this matter..And your family is one of the best ones in Delhi...You understood my condition too...I'm happy with this relation if at all..." he stopped. "If at all...' we six including Rithi asked. "If at all Roli is okay with it..." I sighed. I didn't really know her mindset. After her smiles and reaction, somewhere I have a belief that she'll accept me, but the final decision, only she can tell. Call it timing or whatever, Roli entered the scene with a coffee tray and snacks. She kept them over the desk. "Serve it to them beta..." he rather said. She obeyed him and started serving the coffee to us. When it came to me, her hands slightly shivered and I didn't forget to touch her hands in pretense of taking the coffee from her. She looked at me rolling her eyes and I winked at her. She suddenly moved back and stood at the back of Rithi. Uncle started speaking "Roli..beta..He told me everything..." Roli looked at her father in a very frightened way because she didn't know what I said. "So beta...He told me he wish to marry you...in my view he's very good and I know his Maathaji since long...Very good family...he understands our present financial condition too... So I personally appeal to the alliance...All I need to know now is your opinion... So tell me beta, do you like him?" My heartbeats became high as Roli looked at me. I pleaded with my eyes to say a yes. She looked down, closed her eyes and then after 2 minutes, begun in a low voice "Papa...if you're ok with it...I don't have any objection" And my heart leapt in joy. I looked at her in a very contented manner and she smiled. Uncle and Rithi smiled whilst my friends hugged me and congratulated me. "Okay then...I promise you Siddhant Beta..My daughter will be yours..." I was so happy. I took blessings from uncle and Rithi hugged me. We did hi fi and I gave her a big bar of chocolate. Uncle and Roli smiled as they saw our bond "thank you uncle..Thank you so much...I promise, I'll keep your Roli like a diamond...". Uncle smiled at me. Roli was still not looking me. But I was happy, finally ewe are going to get a lifetime to look each other. Now it was time to leave. Pakka, I was not in a mood to leave my Roli and go, but I had to. I again took blessings from uncle and waved bye to Rithi. My friends did the same. I looked in to Roli's eyes asking consent to go, and she smiled and went in. It was enough, more than enough for me. As I entered the car I looked at the window of her room. There she was smiling at me. I winked at her mischievously and she blushed. I waved her bye and drove back. The day was particularly good for my friends who got endless treats in the happiness,. My family was also happy. Mathaji promised our marriage after I complete my course. Ky mom was also very happy that she was going to get the bahu whom her son wished. Today I'll sleep properly, because I'm sure, I'll get Roli in my life to enlighten it... Meethi looked deeply at the pages. She couldn't understand what went wrong. If Roli was so much loved by everyone in this family, then how did she go out of Sid's life? She was determined to find it, for the key was still with her.