"Someday, someone will walk into your life and make you realise why it never worked out with anyone else."

~Shon Mehta, A Tale of a Fairy Tale and other stories~

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It was a couple of months later when Aabha had finally accepted that she was falling in love with Shaurya but still refused to admit it to anybody, that she sparked the start of her sister's love story. It was during a conversation that would again be profoundly etched into Aabha's mind, for though it had that started had off on an innocuous note, it had given a deep insight into the psyche of Shaurya. 

She must have been thinking aloud for she just blurted, "Shaurya, would it bother you if the woman you want to marry has more educational qualifications than you do?"

He had looked a little puzzled, as if trying to make out what exactly she wanted to know and then shook his head, "No, never thought about it much, but I guess..., no, I would not be bothered."

"Most men are," she sighed, knowing that she would have to clarify as to how her thoughts had led her to ask that question, "My Baba has again started searching out for alliances for both of us and at times he says that my qualifications make it difficult to get suitable matches. Even Reyansh seemed to be a trifle intimidated by my degrees."

Shaurya was not happy to hear that her father was actively seeking out proposals for his daughters but let it slide, "Rey would be intimidated even if you were a village belle who could not read a single letter, it was not your qualifications, it is your straightforwardness and no-nonsense attitude. Also, in my opinion, it is pure baloney that educated women are proud and irresponsible while uneducated or less educated women are malleable and respectful of their elders. I know of cases that disprove both notions."

Aabha closed her books, she realised that it was going to be a long conversation and decided to hear him out, his outright dismissal of her doubts had her curious to learn why he thought the way he did.

"My colleague, who is a very good friend of mine, stays with her husband's family and her in-laws adore her. She has never ever shirked her filial duties, there are days when she even cooks elaborate meals before she comes to work. I admire her, Aabha, she can balance both the family engagements and work demands with consummate ease, as a man it is easy for me to go home very late because there is work to be completed, there would never be any questions asked, rather men are appreciated for staying late. My friend, being a woman, does not have that advantage and yet she is the most hardworking and conscientious professional I have ever seen. She never cribs, either about work commitments or family pressures. 

And there is our gardener's daughter in law, a perfect ignoramus if you know one; she kicked out both her in-laws within a week of her marriage."

Shaurya paused, watching the changing emotions on her face as she tried to understand what  he was saying, then continued, "Educational qualifications do not determine one's nature; it is mutual respect and love that make or break relationships."

Aabha sighed, she should have known that anything he said would end up in an attempt to prove the theory of true love, "You will not give up, will you, in trying to convince me to believe in love?" 

He smiled and shook his head, "I never will. However, I will give you a new couple to serve as proof that love exists."

Aabha groaned, "Please, Shaurya, can you not just give up on me?"

Shaurya said, "Give up on you, never! But then this couple is one you are interested in too. Do you not think that we should do something about Ishaani and Rey? I am sure you agree that their moping around is tiring to watch and the stance they have taken is quite ridiculous."

Aabha concurred with him immediately; Ishaani's misery was even more pronounced to her, ever since she had admitted to herself that she was falling in love with Shaurya and she agreed that their siblings would be able to sort out their feelings in a couple of meetings after which the respective families could be brought around.

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The first meeting was a damp squib.

Shaurya was silent, Reyansh squirmed in absolute visible discomfort, unable to talk to anyone, while Ishaani glared at everyone in turns and Aabha felt the awkwardness that had descended on all of them. None had spoken much and after an hour of the unpalatable silence, Ishaani declared that she wanted to go home and demanded that Aabha accompany her.

Ishaani had spent the past few months in a hell of her own making; she had not been able to stop herself from falling in love with Reyansh and had resented herself for that weakness. Having been an only child and deprived of a mother's love for most of her life, she had hungrily soaked up the love and affection that Aabha and her mother showered on her and was ashamed of falling in love with the man who had been chosen as her sister's husband. If matters had ended there, she might have overcome her failing, she thought, but when Reyansh had broken off with Aabha saying that he had fallen in love with Ishaani, she had been dumbfounded. She had never considered herself as a girl whom any person could like, let alone fall in love with, convinced that her inherent shyness and sheltered upbringing had shrouded her in invisibility. 

However, when she realised that it was these two precise traits that had caused Reyansh to fall in love with her, she started despising herself. Her Maa's insistence, backed by Aabha, that Ishaani should give Reyansh a chance had only served to increase her self-condemnation and she had withdrawn even further into her shell.

Ishaani had been upset at meeting Reyansh and angry with Aabha for setting her up. But somewhere, in between all the dirty looks she had been casting on them and in spite of the icy silence that had shrouded them, she could not but help notice the warmth between Aabha and Shaurya. As they walked home, Ishaani, pushing all thoughts of Reyansh and herself aside, focussed on Aabha. She knew that Aabha had never met Shaurya during the time they had known Reyansh and yet both of them, together, had set up the meeting and seemed very eager to have her and Reyansh patch up. 'It does present a very interesting premise,' she thought and suddenly confronted her sister, "Tell me Aabha, what is it between you and Shaurya?" 

Aabha floundered in her steps; she had been lost in her own thoughts, worried as to how to convince Ishaani and wondering if she had any chance with Shaurya. She had no answer to Ishaani's unexpected question and blinked as she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. However, before she could say a word, Ishaani smiled, "it is alright, I think I got my answer, do not both bother thinking up one." 

Both the sisters continued their journey, in silence again, this time Aabha was troubled while Ishaani appeared to be contemplative. 

Aabha was hopeful about the next meeting since Ishaani herself had requested for it, though she still was a bit unsure as to what exactly had caused Ishaani to change her mind. But to be spared the agony of sitting in uncomfortable silence, she insisted that Ishaani and Reyansh sit at another table, stating that it would give them privacy to discuss things. She busied herself with her books till she felt Shaurya nudge her and turning her attention towards where their siblings sat, tightly holding their hands, he said, "I think you have to admit that I win. See, there is another example that love exists"

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Gautam Bansal, Aabha and Ishani's father had found himself outnumbered when the entire Rathore clan descended to his house, requesting Ishaani's hand for Reyansh. He had been unable to hold to his stand when he found that Ishaani herself had capitulated. He, however, did put up a token resistance before graciously giving his blessings.

The engagement of Ishaani and Reyansh was an elaborate affair, held at the Rathore Mansion.

 Shaurya was unable to take his eyes off Aabha throughout the proceedings and often found his eyes travelling towards where she would be, cheerfully greeting all the guests, a picture of beauty and grace, glowing with joy at Ishaani's happiness. He realised that he had been right about her hair, it was indeed long and thick, cascading till her waist in dark ebony waves. And when he recognised that the dress she was wearing was the one he had helped her select, he felt a slight pride fill his entire being. 

Aabha was dressed in a beige ghaghra with all over golden pita work, the cropped blouse was also beige net though the silk bodice had gold thread embroidery done as embellishment. The entire gold ensemble had a contrast of red shiny tassels tied to red braid swinging from her waist that swung enticingly when she moved. She had draped a plain red dupatta with a gold border on one shoulder and whenever she caught him looking at her, she could not help blush which simply enhanced her lovely features.

From the time Aabha had first seen Shaurya she was aware of him and could never deny the physical attraction she felt for him, and now when she saw him, in his neatly fitted red and creamy gold sherwani suit, which only served to highlight his broad shoulders and lean physique, she could feel her pulse race and her heart flutter to a staccato beat. She tried her best to avoid looking at him, knowing that there was no way she could stop her face from flaming, but it was turning out to be a futile attempt. Though she could make up excuses to herself for not being with him, her eyes kept searching for him.

Aabha and Shaurya spent the entire engagement, ostensibly being present for their siblings, though most of the time they kept seeking each other out. In spite of having numerous guests to meet and greet, both were always aware of the other's gaze on them, which at times did make them oblivious to  the rest of the world; Shaurya made no overt moves to be near her and Aabha tried her best to avoid being close to him. 

Hence, it was just a little while after the engagement proceedings that Shaurya noticed Aabha was missing from the hall.

And one more chapter to wind up this Act 1 - which will *spoiler alert* end with a confession. I hope that makes up for the shortness of this chapter. Thank you, all those who read, voted and commented. And as usual, do let know your thoughts on this chapter, all feedback, good or bad is welcome.

love,
Nyna