Next morning,

I wake up early today because of  sound of hustling and bustling. After doing my morning chores. I came downstairs to find mummy is shouting and roaming here and there.

"Maa why are you shouting in morning itself  your bp will become high maa. Why are you stressing yourself .

"Because their is so much of work is remaining. I ask them to complete this work. They didn't do this also. What will i do with this  people."

" Maa hold on everything will happen they are coming to see me not the house maa  stop stressing yourself "

" You don't understand anii they are Oberoi's and i don't want any mistake."

" Nothing will happen maa . Tell me what is remaining i will help you "

" But you have to get ready ani"

" Mom see the time first i will get ready later now tell me "

Then i help mom in kitchen for snacks and lunch. She is freaking out for nothing. I ask  radha didi to clean and change the curtains in living room.

It's already 11:30 am dad and rudra  come back as they are out to get some groceries . After completing my work i make my way to room. I take out light crimson colour kurta it's has embroidery and white palazzo with white stall. I think this is appropriate for today.

Before I go my phone start ringing. I see the caller ID none other than Bhavya.

" Hello"

" Yes Anika get ready in one hour we are going out"

" I am not coming"

" No today is Sunday don't be mood spoiler "

" Bhavya atleast listen to me first"

" Say"

" Today some guest are coming home "

"So ur presence doesn't matter pls come na anika "

" They are coming to see me Bhavya"

" Wait what did you just say "

" They are coming to see me Bhavya"

" And you are telling me now. How can you do this to me "

" Bhavya last night mom and dad inform me "

" Atlast your marriage gonna happen. O my god i am super happy tell me who is the boy. Did you see his picture."

" Bhavy for God sake stop talking. They are only coming to see me my marriage not going to happen right now so why are behaving like this "

" Why are you so pissed off "

" I am nervous"

" You don't have to Anika you know that na aunty and uncle never force you in anything.  Everything will go  well. If you like the boy than its good.
If you not then also it is.

" Now tell me what are you going to wear"

" No Bhavya i am not gonna listen  you in this matter"

" Why  my choices are always good i just want to supervise your dress."

" Bhavya"

"Fine but tell me who is boy ? What is his name ??"

" Shivaay Singh Oberoi"

I know she got a little heart attack. She is very big  fan of him. I don't why. I  have seen  his pic in newspapers. He look good means handsome .  Okay anika stop it what are you thinking.

" You are joking right Anika "

" And why i will Bhavya "

" O my god the freaking Shivaay Singh Oberoi is coming to meet you. Pls take his autograph pls anika "

" I will now Stop fan girling. Now i have to get ready i will call you later "

I cut the call. I hurriedly go to take shower and i also washed my hairs. After changing i dry my hairs. And keep them open. I just apply kajal with a stroke of liner. And nude lip shade. I love nude lip shades. I wear the simple earrings that complementing my dress.

My maa and papa are open minded but it's come to traditions  and rituals they were very strict. Like they allow me to wear dress but decent one.

But i don't know why i am nervous. It's not that i scared or shy. Maybe because of previous horrible experience. This is the second boy who is coming to see . First one was horrible.

I don't  know why people always judge a girl like this. I wasn't ready to face the embarassment because of  clothes i wear, my choice of career,my independence or anything related to me. Means why always girl. It's not that like girl is only going to marry. Boys also have to be on same page.
A boy and girl both are going to marry then why always a girl. Keeping aside the thoughts. I go downstairs because it's better to be here.

I go in kitchen my maa is doing last min work.

" Anika it's good you come pls take out the plates which were in last cupboard"

"Ohk maa "

I am taking out the plates when i hear the sound of  parked car. 

" Like they come . Anika i am going out . "

Saying maa go outside to welcome them. I take out the plates and kept them on counter. Then i hear the sound of numerous footsteps entering the living room.

Taking the deep breath I made my way outside after maa called me from living room.

Entering the living , I saw a elder couple same age of my parents sitting. And on other side young couple with a cute child sitting and on one rudra is sitting with a man. Maybe he is Shivaay. His back was facing me.

Firstly I greeted Shivaay parents they give blessings to me. Then i got to know the the younger couple was his brother with his wife. And the child was their son. I smiled to them to which they smiled fondly at me.

Taking the seat beside to maa,  I tried my best to ignore him. I am damn nervous at  this moment to even have a glance at him.

After the customary snacks and tea a little bit of questioning from both side. They decided to make shivaay and me to talk in private.

Standing from my seat , I finally lifted my head for the first time in the past 40 min only to witness pair of oceanic blue eyes. Sharp jaw, beard is perfectly trim. I saw his pictures but in real he is looking more handsome in sky blue coat with baby pink shirt beneath. Hairs are perfectly gelled.

We gazed each other for a second after which he smile politely. I sign him to come. Before he come.

Ishaan start crying. I must say he is very cute. I played  with him he is such a cubby child.

" Bale papa i aana goo  Bale papa" in his childish voice.

"Ishaan bade papa is not going anywhere he is going in garden he will come in some time." Gauri said to him.

" No no bale papa "

Shivaay go to him take him in his arms. To which Ishaan threw his hand around his neck and sob.

" Champ stop crying. I am not going anywhere  i am just outside i will come in some min after than we will go to eat icecream and ishaan like icecream"

" really"

To which Shivaay nodded. He give his full blown smile.

" Now  go to papa "

" Yes Ishaan come " Om said to him.

To which he go to him. Everyone look them in awe.

"He always stick to his bade papa"
Pinky aunty said. To which everyone smile.

We make our way out to garden where chairs are arrange with table.

We take our seat. Their is silence between us.  I am thinking how to initiate. Like god listen to me.

" Hiii how are you"

" Good and you"

" Good as well"

" So in which company do you work"

" I work in Capgemini as Software developer "

" You love coding "

" I do"  smiling gently i love my profession.

" You don't wanna ask about my "

" Everyone knows about you " i said grinning.

To which  he shake his head.

I start playing with my ring in nervousness . Like he sensed it.

" Anika " he said my name first time. I feel something in stomach. What the hell is happening to me.

" Yes "

" Don't be nervous, make yourself comfortable ask what ever you want without any hesitation." My heart warm after listening him.

" Okay"

" Any past relationships ?? "

" Yes but nothing was serious. We were in college at that time. Because at that time we don't know what relationship meant or demand. But you get in as around you all were in
relationship. Non serious relationship and feelings. " I said him truth.

" Your parents know about this."

" Yes means i tell this to my mom. Because dad is strict in this type of matter"

" Yours ??"

" Same like you in school time or College we don't know about anything . And thought a mare attraction to something else. But that's all the past " the  sincerity in  his voice
Make me believe  that he is saying truth was all i wanted.

" What are your expectations from your  life partner ??"

Their are some qualities that i want in my partner. I didn't think deep about this.

"As a life partner i want someone who priorities  values over modernity, respect over ego, accept flaws over excuses. Someone  who choose we over me.  Someone who believes in equality of both the spouses. Someone who believes in me  to take stand for myself whenever needed and stand beside me. Someone who may be not perfect  but make consistent efforts to maintain a relationship. Someone who share his views and opinions but also consider my opinion,beliefs and perspective. Respect my family as his own. Some one who give me my freedom ." I said looking straight in his eyes. To which he frown.

" I said something wrong " i ask him.

" No "

" What are your expectations from your life partner??"

" I want my life partner to be at home. Cook for me. Do all my work and maintain all households work. She make breakfast and dinner for me.
She ate dinner after me. Do whatever i say. The one who listen whatever i say her to do. Always keep her voice low  infront of me. "  He take pause for a min. He spare a glance at me.

I look him with my wide eyes. I never expect this from him.

" This all are the expectations that i don't want from my life partner"

He started laughing. My breath come back to normal after listening this.

" You really think i want this you look yourself how horrified you are looking. "

" Anyone can give this type of expression after what you said."

" I am just the making the  environment  light don't take seriously"

" But this is not a good way to make environment light"

" But on a serious note i want my life partner equal to me in every expect. I want some one who share her views and tell me where i am wrong instead of agreeing in everything. I want my wife how is able to take stand for herself as i am always not present with her. Someone who do not depend me on everything. I want companion in my wife. Not someone who do my work"

" Relationship is kind of investment you know.  We cannot get in return without investing. If  I expect loyalty i have to invest my  in the relation.
If i expect care  i need to show same.
If i want respect form you i have to respect you and your opinions and views. If i want you to respect my family  i have to respect your family as mine. No relationship can survive with only one person constantly making efforts for it. And nobody is perfect everyone has it's own flaws. "

I listen each and every word carefully.  The thoughtfulness he has. His eyes are speaking truth.

" Like i have my flaws. I have very bad temper. I occasionally drink like  in parties or sometimes if i want it for distraction . I hope you don't have problem with that "

" And last question form my side " he said .

" Yes "

" I hope you don't have problem to live with family after marriage if we proceed in this alliance  because i love my family very much and i can't think to live without my family. "

" I don't have any problem. Like you i also  love my  family."

" You wanna ask anything"

" Yes after marriage i want to continue my work "

" Definitely why will i have problem with this in family everyone is doing job so their is no restriction whatever you want to do you can."

" And Anika this alliance will not be Just for me or you it's about both of us and our families and i don't want you to regret saying yes or no in future because  it will affect both of us lives and  families. "

Unable to say anything i nodded at him.

" Let's go "  i said to him.

We make our way to living room.
As we come Ishaan come to shivaay hold his hand in his tiny hand.

I go in room. Means who can say the Shivaay Singh Oberoi whole India is like this. So honest down to earth person.

My thoughts break as mom dad and rudra come to room.

" Anika you asked whatever you want to "

" Yes maa "

" Anika what did you think if not tell us no one going to force you " dad asked me.

" It's yes from me papa"

To which maa smile and rudra hug me tightly.

" You are sure " dad ask me again.

" I am sure papa he is like you "

" I am so happy  for you atlast you will go " Rudra said to which i hit him.

" I will go and inform everyone downstairs"

Saying they left.

I came after sometime downstairs as papa call me.

I look at Shivaay  he give me smile.

" It's yes from our side also Harsh "
Shakti  uncle said.

Then everyone congrats me and Shivaay. We both take blessings from  parents. Gauri hug me tightly. Then Ishaan come to me.

" Ishaan meet your badi maa " gauri said.

" Balii maa " he asked looking confused.

" Yes she will soon live with us you can play with her "

" You will play with me like bale papa play " he asked innocently.

O my he is looking so cute . I take him in arms.

" Yes i will play with you " to which he clap his tiny hand. Give kiss on my cheek.

" Ishaan want to eat chocolates" to which he grin.

" Come i will give you"

I come to my room with Ishaan i give him  chocolates he is running here and there eating looking so happy.

After playing with him we came downstairs. Pandit ji was present their. Shivaay and me stole some glances.

As per Oberoi's they want to do roka and engagement as soon as possible because they have to go back to Mumbai. According to that tomorrow date is auspicious .  They ask me Shivaay this we both don't have problem. They decide to do roka and engagement tomorrow in their farmhouse.

All of them make us eat sweets. Om and gauri ask shivaay and me to feed eachother.

I make him eat and he make me. Rudra click our pictures together and with family.

Later they all leave as all have to make arrangements for tomorrow.
We are standing at the door Shivaay go and sit at driver seat. He give last look to me  which i smile looking at him. When car reached out of our sight we came inside.

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