"Hi!" Devi grins as Shree opens her bedroom door. Devi was wearing a yellow kurta with a pair of blue leggings.

"Come in." Shree says and Devi walks in. She waves at Madhav who was seated cross legged on the bed, busily typing something on his laptop.

"Hey kiddo! What brings you here?" He asks looking up at her.

 "Amma made some biriyani and she sent me to give it to you. I gave it to Yasho Aunty. I came upstairs to see folks."

"Cool cool!" Shree says. "So, Amma said a family visited seeking a marriage alliance. How did that go?" Shree asks as Devi sits on the Barcalounger. "I couldn't be there because I had to take Madhu caught a cold. The doctor gave her an injection."

 "Amma said won't pain." Adds Madhu, blowing her nose on her pink cotton frock as she played on the bed with her toys. "It pained. I cried. Bad Amma."

"Devi laughs. "It went well. They're a wealthy Tamil family from Sri Lanka and they were really interested. They have a big jewelry shop in the city, and they wanted to get me married to their only son. He's a doctor who's working in Chennai, he doesn't smoke or drink, no ex-girlfriends and he's okay with me working after the wedding."

"Oh my god, what did you say?" Shree asks.

"She would have probably said yes." Madhav says looking up from his laptop.

Devi laughs nervously. "I said no."

"What?" Shree asks crossing her arms. "You said NO? But why?"

"Because I'm not interested!" Devi says rolling her eyes.

"He's well educated, he's okay with you working after you'll get married, he has no previous lovers, doesn't smoke nor drink and he's from a wealthy family!" Shree exclaims.

"If you're so interested, why don't you marry him?" Devi says.

"I give you full permission, Shree!" Madhav says smiling and Devi giggles. Shree glares at Madhav and he gets up.

"I'm going to let you two sisters have the room. I'm going to my office room, next door." He says and walks out with his laptop.

"Devi, why are you rejecting really good proposals? What's wrong? You are finally get good prosopals and I dont know why you are rejecting them all. Is there something-?"

"OMG leave me alone!" Devi exclaims. "Stop lecturing me! I came here because I couldn't tolerate Amma's nonstop sermons about this, and now you continue from exactly where she left off! Leave me alone, woman!"

"Fine, do whatever you want!" Shree says sighing and walks to the balcony to collect the dried clothes. Devi rolls her eyes and pulls out her phone from her handbag.

Her face brightens up as she sees a message from Shyaam, whom she saved in her contacts as "Monkey 💕"

Shree gasps from behind Devi as she reads the last message.

"OMG who is this you are texting?" Shree asks.

"That's that's no one, akka." Devi fumbles.

"A no one who says 'I swear I won't stop until the bed breaks'? Are you kidding me?" Shree asks angrily. "Who is that person texting you?"

"I told you right, it's no one!" She exclaims.

"That's it, I'm taking you to Madhav!" She says and grabs Devi's arm. "Come!"

* * * * *

"Mr. Oberoi, I told you that Dew Drop Heels's objectives, goals and their vision are drascitally different from RKGOC's. Dew Drop's vision is to be a profitable venture, but our's is to be a business that satisfies our customers and give them superior value for the money they pay. I don't care what Mr. RK proposed, but you and I know this is going to be a bad venture. That's why I am suggesting an alliance with House of Stilettos. They may not be the leaders of the footwear industry but they-" Madhav stops for a while as he sees Shree pulling Devi into his office room.

"Mr. Oberoi I'll call you later." He says and switches off his laptop.

"What's happening?" He asks as Shree makes Devi stand in front of Madhav. Shree walks towards Madhav.

"Are you going to tell him or should I?" Shree asks.

"Akka saw my texts to a guy."

Madhav maintained a composed face. "Devi, is he a friend or-"

"He's my boyfriend." Devi says. "I was hoping to tell you'll soon but he wanted to tell both the families after he got a stable job and some more money."

"He doesn't even have a stable job?" Shree asks in disbelief. "You are going after a guy who doesn't even have a proper job when you get marriage proposals from well settled men?"

"Bhaiya, I need to talk something-" Shyaam says as he runs into Madhav's office room.

"It can wait, Shyaam!" Madhav says and turns to Devi, and asks her calmly. "Devi, is this is why you have been rejecting all these marriage proposals?"

"Yes, baava! I love him so much, I can't imagine a life without him!" Devi exclaims. "I really want to marry him."

Shyaam comes forward until he's standing beside Devi. "Bhaiya can you hear me out for-"

"Shyaam, not now!" Madhav says and turns to Devi. "Devi, you have all the freedom to marry whomever you wish to. But before that be a good girl and ask him to meet me and Shree. We need to talk with him before we proceed with this any further. Ask him to join us for dinner tonight and we can talk afterwards."

"Uhm-uhm about that-" Devi says and realizes she was at a loss for words.

"Bhaiya, please hear me out!" Shyaam says and holds Devi's hand. "There's no need for that. I am the guy whom Devi loves."

"What? Is it true Devi?" Madhav asks and looks at Devi who nods. He sighs in relief. "Well then there's nothing to think of! You both have blessing and support of Shree and me. We'll talk with both the families and try to fix a date for the wedding."

"No!" Shree exclaims. "Devi, I won't let you marry Shyaam. You can't marry him! No!"

"But why?" Devi asks.

"Please don't Devi!" Shree says. "We'll find someone else for you."

"Are you saying Shyaam isn't good enough for me?" Devi asks.

"I never said that! Shyaam is a great guy, but you know what's wrong. It's the same problem Madhav had- the caste. Devi, you must not marry him, atleast one of us needs to have a proper marriage so that our relatives won't-"

"So you want me to marry someone from a more 'fancy and privileged' caste when you yourself failed to do so, huh?" Devi asks. "Why are you being such a hypocritical bitch?"

Shree gasps and Madhav looks surprised.

"That's right! I said it! You are a hypocrite! When you told me and Amma that you wanted to marry baava, I was so thrilled, and I didn't behave the way you are behaving right now! You can marry the man you love without giving a damn about what the others have to say, but I have to be the good sanskari daughter who must marry a man from an honorable caste just to please chaar log who I barely know and to restore the family's 'honour'!" She takes a deep breath. "I won't marry someone for the sake of the family and settle for some random fellow who isn't Shyaam!"

"Devi, you have my full support!" Madhav declares. Shree turns to Madhav. "I will not tolerate such prejudice and biasing in our family. If Shree can marry someone irrespective of caste and other, then Devi too should be allowed the same."

"Madhav please, you can't-" Shree pleads.

Madhav gestures her to stop. He clears his throat and add solemnly. "Chellam, if you say Shyaam and Devi shouldn't marry, then we shouldn't stay married too."

"W-what?" Shree asks softly in disbelief and Madhav nods. Shree shakes her head and walks out, wiping the tears off her face.

* * * * *

Devi found Shree in her bedroom. She was seated on the bed watching Madhu play with the new toys Madhav brought.

Devi sits beside Shree and holds her hand. They sat together in silence for a long time. It was Shree who decided to break the silence.

"Seventy three. That's the number of phone calls I got from our relatives when I was pregnant and living in Lewisham. They lashed out and cursed me; called me in the most awful names. They said my baby would be born diseased and crippled because of my sin. I had to hear all this because of my marriage to Madhav."

Shree turns to Devi. "Devi, you are my dearest little sister. It would kill me if I get to know that someone told the same horrific things to you. I don't want you to go through all that cursing and name-calling. I don't want you to go through all those mental trauma I went through."

"I understand." Devi says. "But once again, do you really think I will give ear to all this? I know you want only what's best for me. I've been seeing you make sacrifices for me and work hard for me. You probably want me to be married to a genuine man from a good family because you want me to have a good life, but I'll have a better life if I marry Shyaam. I'll be happier with him. He makes me feel so happy and so loved, Akka."

"Also, if I married Shyaam, we'd be living under the same roof. Like those two sisters from Ek Hazaroon Mein something serial."

Shree smiles.

"Plus, some relatives are dead scared of me ever since I told them I'm training to be a criminal law barrister." Devi says. She leans closer to Shree's ear and whispers. "I also lied to them that I personally know a lot of A Graded criminals. So we don't have to worry about them threatening me, since the only person to do the threatening would be me."

Shree giggles.

"You know, while growing up I always dreaded that we have to part ways after either of us gets married. The most heart wrenching moment for any daughter on her wedding day is to say farewell to her parents, her beloved siblings and her home—to be separated from them forever!" Shree says. "Fate has conspired so wonderfully that we shall be living together!"

"Wait- wait, does that mean you are okay if I marry Shyaam?" Devi asks and shrieks as Shree nods. Devi hugs Shree. "Oh my mata! Oh my mata! We'll always be together—as sisters and sisters-in-law. And did you realize, our babies will be double cousins! Thank you so much Akka!"

"Ah what a heartwarming sight!" Shyaam says as he and Madhav walk into the room. "Your wife and my wife-"

Madhav looks at him, quizzically raising an eyebrow.

"Your wife and my fiancée." Shyaam corrects and Madhav smiles.

"So when do you want me and Shree to talk to both the families?" Madhav asks.

"I'm okay whenever, but it's Shyaam who needs time." Devi says standing.

"My three year contract with Acuity Law will be finishing soon and I have to find another job elsewhere, with a good salary." Shyaam says ruffling his hair. "And then perhaps we can-"

"Take all the time you need, Shyaam." Shree says. "But don't take too long since I can't wait to welcome my baby sister into this family."

"She's my sister as well and by all means that makes her a member of this family too." Madhav says making Devi rush over to hug him.

"Wait, then this becomes incest, right?" Shyaam says, and gets his head whacked by Madhav.

"Don't ruin the mood, you dummy!" Madhav says.

"But if you give it a thought-"

"Say one more word and this wedding will not happen." Madhav adds caressing Devi's hair and smiles.

* * * * *

"So, Madhav, what's the progress of that joint venture with Dew Drop Heels?" RK asks Madhav during dinner that night.

"Uhm, actually." He says feeding Madhu with the vegetable khichidi. "We aren't going to be partnering with them. This joint venture is between RKGOC and House of Stilettos. We have sent the proposal and they have accept. We would be meeting at the RKGOC HQ on Friday for the first JV meeting."

"But I specifically asked you to proceed with Dew-"

"I know!" Madhav exclaims. "But our short term goals and long term goals drastically differ from that of Dew Drop. They are focused on reaping profits whereas we are focused on customer satisfaction and providing high quality products. We need to partner up with a company that has the same goals andtv vision as ours. That's why I chose and finalised with House of Stilettos. And I believe this JV can be a success by partnering with them. We can provide our customers with high quality ethnic wear and the best shoes in town."

"Madhav, this JV with Dew Drop Heels is not only focusing on the business aspect." RK declares as he rests his fork and spoon in his plate. "You see the owner of Dew Drop Heels, Mr. Gopal has a really beautiful and young daughter. He is looking for a suitable groom -"

"Whoa, whoa, dad!" Laughs out Shyaam. "Aren't you too old to have another wife?"

Madhav tries to hide his laughter and RK sits up straight.

"Laugh all you want, Shyaam. But the daughter is not for me, but you." RK says and Shyaam's face goes gray. "This JV will not only bring together two companies but also two families. And that is why I insist on partnering with Dew Drop Heels."

"I-I-I'm not interested in a marriage right now dad." Shyaam tells him nervously. "I want to focus on my career, find a better job and earn some money."

"Why not? You are in the right age to be married! Are you suggesting you want to drag it till you mid thirties like you brother?" RK tells him. "Why do you want to find a job when you can join the company as a legal associate? Also I have earned enough money for you and your children. You nor your children will never have to think of working ever again."

"I'm sorry, appa, but this is not going to happen." Madhav declares firmly. "It's always best to draw the line between family and business. First rule of a joint venture is to ensure that both partners have a-"

"Are you teaching me how to do business, young man?" RK asks loudly. "Don't try to be pompous and wiggle your tail to my face just because you have a degree and a masters from top ranking campuses. My experience is greater than your age, remember that! I have been in this company ever since its initiation!"

"I am not showing off or anything!" Madhav exclaims irritated. "I am simply stating that the partnering companies must have common goals and a similar vision. And of course we are not going to have a JV with a company just because they have a beautiful young girl to offer on a silver platter as exchange."

"He's right, Radha." Yashoda tells him softly.

"I agree too." Shree says.

"This conversation is between the shareholders of the company. Anyone who doesn't own shares of the company cannot express their opinions!" RK replies curtly looking at Shree and Yashoda.

"I've given Shree and Yashoda Ma both 15% from the 80% of the company shares I own." Madhav tells. "They too are legible shareholders and they can express their concerns about key decisions regarding the company."

RK looks on baffled. "When did this happen? You can't add shareholders without my-"

"I sent you an official email a month ago." Madhav says. "It said if you don't respond in less than 10 working days it would mean that you have given your full consent."

Madhav sits straight.

"So since all the shareholders are here we should consider this a shareholders meeting." Madhav says solemnly. "All those in favour of the joint venture between House of Stilettos and Ramakrishna Group of Companies, please raise your right hand. All those in favour of the joint venture between Dew Drop Heels and Ramakrishna Group of Companies, please raise you left hand."

Madhav smirks as Shree and Yashoda raise their right hand.

"And since three of the four shareholders are in favour of the joint venture between House of Stilettos and Ramakrishna Group of Companies, that shall be final. We will be partnering with them for this new business venture."

RK stands up and walks away from the dining table.

"Madhav Ramakrishna, you will regret this."

To be continued....

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