Finishing off the meeting Ishika headed to her home and Naman offered to drop her which she readily agreed to

"Ishu tumhe coffee peeni hai? Ya kuch aur? Yahan thodi aage hi ek cafe hai, wahan chale?" Naman asks excitedly.

Ishika shook her head, "nahi nahi! Main late ho gayi toh mumma naraz ho jaayegi. Aur fir aaj raat ko humein nikalna bhi toh hai, late ho gaye toh bhuchal aa jaayega." She states, making a face to which Naman pouts.

"Come on yaar Ishu! Ek toh kitne din se mil nahi paa rahe hum. Wo toh aaj ye meeting thi toh mil liye otherwise no change." He complains to which Ishika laughs.

Naman glares at him, "I'm serious Ishu! Tum be andaza bhi hai how hurt I am? Mom toh mere sar pe hi jaise baith gayi ho. Tumhe pata bhi hai kitni yaad aati hai mujhe tumhari aur tum ho ki ek call tak nahi karti, huhh! You are so mean!" He mocked angeranger to which she only laughed again receiving another deadly glare from him.

Ishika composes herself, "okay baba sorry! But you're being so cute, I can't help it! And about the meetup toh Mr. Naman aaj sham ko aap bhi nikal hi rahe hai na aur agle 15 days hum saath hi honge for our destination wedding. And uske badh, hum humesha ke liye saath honge!!" She explains ruffling his hair.

Naman sniffed, "haan haan! Sab itna hi gyan dete firte hai mujhe, huhh!" He made a face and applied the brake as they reached her place.

Ishika descends down the car, and shuts the door behind.

"I can't invite you in kyunki fir hum dono ko das hazar baatein sunni padengi tumhari mom se! And yes, learn some patience mister!!" She winked and headed towards her bungalow, waving at him.

Naman's mother is an orthodox lady who led her life with belief and values. For her everything has, to be done by certain norms and custom and she expects everyone related to her to abide by that and so, Ishika respecting her is trying to go according that after all what's the harm in accepting unharmful rituals and over that if it is making someone happy, then why not?

Naman let out a sigh but smiled as the lady moved away with a smirk. After she entered her house, he too took the turn to his home.

....

Ishika enters her house only to find her parents selecting some jewelry for her in the hall, while a man named Mr. Hiten Bhardwaj, the jeweler, is briefing them with the same.

When her father noticed her, he called her to show the designs.

"Papa, iski kya jarurat hai? Aap dono itna kharcha kyun kar rahe hai? Aur aapko pata hai na, Naman ki mumma ne aisa kuch karne se mana kiya hai, unhe kuch nahi chahiye hum se!" Ishika reasoned, reminding her parents.

At first, Naman's mother doesn't want marriage to even take place as she wanted to find a girl of her choice but when her son fell head over heel for the girl she was left with no choice as she doesn't want to break her son's heart just because he chose someone to spend his life but she also made it clear that they doesn't want anything other than Ishika. But Ishika's parents know they can't see off their only daughter empty handed.

Sumit, her father, patted her head, "unhone bhale hi kuch na manga ho betu par hum apni beti ko aise hi toh vida nahi kar denge na." He reasoned, a smile playing on his lips.

"Aur kya! Wo kuch kahe par unko bhi toh pata chale, hamari beti sirf laakon mei ek nahi hai balki lakhon mei khelti bhi hai!" Her mother, Anita exclaims as for God knows what reason she had stepped in competition with Naman's mother, trying to prove she has enough money to do things on her own the moment the lady said they can split the bill of their destination wedding. Anita finds it insulting, as if she was trying to prove them down she is surely not going to take.

"Mumma, aap fir suru ho gayi. Unhone genuinely bola tha split ka kyunki wo nahi chahti thi hum pe koi burden aaye Naman ki wajah se kyunki destination wedding ka idea uska tha na. Aap yunhi itna soch rahi ho!" Ishika tried to make her mother understand but she sushed her.

"I know well unka matlab, tu abhi se unki na le, abhi tu meri beti hai samjhi aur hamesha rahega toh you should take my side. Aab chal, select karwa kuch sets!" She ordered, to which Ishika bowed before her, making her father laugh.

The family of three get busy in selecting jewelry for the wedding, which they all want to make memorable, after all it's a one time celebration and they can't miss the chance to enjoy it.

....

On the other hand, Naman entered his house to find his mother waiting for him. He makes a face sensing the danger over him.

"Naman!!" Shakshi takes his name, her voice thundering.

" Maa main bas babar tak hi chorne gaya tha!" He clarifies reaching her and takes his seat beside her.

"Naman, beta isn't that enough ki hum tumhari shadi uss se karwa rahe hai jiss se tum chahte ho jo tum aab mana karne ke badh bhi aise kar rahe ho? I'm really disappointed with you!" Shakshi sighs, stating her dismay.

"Maa!! What's a big deal in it? Main bas chorne gaya tha usse aur bhai ko bata ke gaya tha!!" He exclaims, finding Vineet approaching them but as soon as he hears his name, he glares at his brother and their mother eyed him.

"Don't drag me in all this mess!" He mutters, under his breath.

Naman makes a puppy face, asking for help which Vineet can't resist. He can't let his baby brother suffer.

"Haan maa, he told me. Aur fir, a drive doesn't harm na!" He exclaimed, taking his seat beside Naman, who smiled wide.

"Vineet, tum isse seh de rahe ho aur ye apni maan maani karta firta hai. Pehle khud se apne liye ladki dhundh li aur aab he's acting like a romeo. You guys are not supposed to do that, we are Singhania's, we need to maintain our legacy. Par Naman saare norms ko tod ke aage jaa raha hai, shadi tak thik hai par I'm not going to tolerate this." Shakshi stated firm and stern that she's not going to compromise her status.

"Maa, it wouldn't happen again, I assure you. And Naman knows his limits, he wouldn't repeat again. Let it be!!" Vineet pacifies her calmly, he holds her hand, promising her to abide by the words but Naman wasn't sure if he could hold on himself to see or love his lady. He's ready to face circumstances but he can't leave his lady un-love!

Shakshi let out a sigh, she knows she can trust Vineet who has always abided by his words, never disappointed her other than not marrying, he's done everything she had asked for.

Shakshi stares at him, "it's high time we find a girl for you too! I mean, socho log kya kahenge? Chhote bete ki shadi ho rahi hai aur bade bete ki nahi, I really don't have any reason to shut their mouths. Please beta, you need to get married!" The lady asserts.

Vineet chuckled and shook his head, "Maa i can do anything for you but marriage? No, sorry I can't. I have told you I don't want to get involved with someone who doesn't have a vision. I want a woman who dares to dream and has the potential to achieve them at any cost and sorry to say aaj tak aap jisko bhi lai hai they are ready to sit at home just being my wife and I can't handle that so, for me it's no marriage!! I don't want to destroy my peace of mind." He very clearly put down the offer.

"Haan bhai, you can stay single status wise and can hook up for one night stands you know!!" Naman winked at him.

" Naman!!" Shakshi shouted, she can't tolerate such words but before she could say anything Naman ran to his room, not wanting to get in trouble.

.....

To be continued...