Bela's POV:

My eyes literally popped out the minute Sumi aunty said that.
I wanted to use an ear bud and clean my ears.
For once I shook my head to confirm if Im awake.

'Stop behaving like a monkey Bela. Sumi is right. We and Sehgal's thought this to be a good plan'

I swallowed my saliva nervously.

These parents don't have any other ambition in life or what? Yet another time they want me to get married and this time to this ...?? 😟😒🙄😤🤢🥴😵

Oh god!!!

And before I could say anything...

'Mr Rolling eyes' jumped into the conversation!!!

'Its a No Ma....it's a BIG NO!!! Have you seen her??? Is she my type??? Forget ...is she normal??? I mean she literally behaves like a monkey... '

And my cooker whistled real loud 🤬

'Oh Hellooooo...how dare you call me a monkey... You...you... You....blob fish!!!'

'Whattttttt' he shouted

I smirked at his irritation 😏
'Yes blob fish!!! That's what you are!!! Always sulking!!! You really must try to get a role in TV serials. Tv ki bahurani (daughter in law)'

'And what are you tv ki Naagrani (Anake Queen) all the time spitting venom!!!' he yelled coming closer to my face...

'Oh Hello... That's atleast entertaining unlike your regular cry baby face..go hide your self in your momma's veil...'  I quickly looked at Sumi aunty and said 'No offense aunty...but he is a cry baby...guess you had a lot of mood swings na when he was in your womb!!!' I said laughing... To which Sumi aunty burst out laughing too hiding it behind her palms...

'And when you were in your mom's tummy I guess Achala aunty got food poisoning... After all it's not normal for a sweet and kind woman like her to give birth to a venomous snake like you! Naagin kahi ki!!! (Snake types)...' he spit out...

To which my mom burst out laughing loudly...
Our parents were enjoying this stupid banter!!!

I was getting pissed off!!!

'Just like you age old blob fish!!! I wondered why Ruhi left you on the night before your wedding...come on who wants to marry a cry baby like you' I said and next second I realised what I blabbered.

I bit my tongue.

While I could see angry tears surface in his eyes. He breathed deeply and next second started walking towards his room.

While my mom hit my shoulders hard...
'How insensitive was that Bela... Fine you don't want to marry him...but who gave you rights to pin point his past. You and I ...no one knows what happened... and you stupid girl...just that you wanted to score a point in this stupid debate you blurted out shit like this!!! I'm disappointed with you Bela. It's extremely shameful. I never gave you this upbringing.' mom said while I lowered my gaze and my head was hanging low.

Indeed I crossed my line.

While Sumi aunty patted my shoulder...
'Its ok Bela...I know child...you didn't mean it...it's....it's just that even after 3 big years Mahir is unable to get out of that phase. He hates the mention of Ruhi but is still not over her. First love...first heartbreak is always tough na Beta...' after listening to Sumi aunty I felt even worse...

I'm never the kind who hurts people although I fight with them.

'Aunty I was just... I got angry at the mention of an engagement with him... and it's just he called me names and I... It's no justification aunty...I'm sorry' I said and she nodded and patted my cheeks lightly.

My immature behaviour!!! Damn!!!

***

At the dinner table too, mom looked very upset. Dad tried to console her...
'No Mohan ji... Don't... This girl is so insensitive ...I mean there is a difference in arguing and insulting and poking someone's emotional nerve. I'm very upset with her' she said..

'Ma I'll apologize to him... please...I'm sorry' I said softly.

She looked elsewhere.  Threw an envelope infront of me. I looked at her face.

'These are some pictures... I always liked Mahir... I had seen him first time at your cousin's wedding and I was impressed with his helpful nature. When I got to know he is Sumi and Anand bhai sahab's son...I reached out Sumi personally. Sumi liked you in the very first look. She felt you are perfect for Mahir... Surprisingly Yuvi liked Vish and asked his mom to approach us...so we planned this meet and greet. Although there was a lot of confusions in career and who likes whom. I and Sumi were quite clear about you and Mahir. But looks like all that we plan and dream never comes true.

And may it what happens you will get married before Vish.

Vish is getting married this month end which means you will get married within 2-3 weeks from now.

This is the envelope... pick a guy. Meet him and finalize.'

And that minute I felt like mom kept a stone on my head.

Shit!!! Escaping a wedding was easier but escaping this pre-planned murder ! I was screwed!!!

I kept hand on my head and sat looking down.

Mahir's POV:

I heard the door bell ring. I opened the door. I saw Achala aunty and Vish standing infront of me...

Vish chirped 'Hi Mahir Bhai... Sumi ma is at home???'

'Oh yes yes ofcourse... please come in...' I asked them to come in. It's the first time Vish and Achala aunty were coming home...

I called out loudly ...'Maaa... Achala aunty and Vish are here' ...

While behind them I saw someone holding a tower full of boxes...

I felt bad for the lady. Probably their maid I thought and said...
'Let me help you mam...' and picked a few boxes from her to only notice her face.

Believe me I wanted to put those boxes on her head now! I so wish I could drown her in those boxes and maybe some more!!!

She looked at me for a few minutes while suddenly her high bun clip released releasing her long beautiful hair... For a minute I was lost 😳

Her brown long locks were tickling her earings and landing on her shoulders and kissing her cheeks...

She probably wasn't that ugly...

She is... Pretty...

She is beautiful ❤️

Her eyes are really beautiful ❤️

While I was still gawking her shamelessly her crow like voice hit my ears...

'I know you hate me Mahir... But don't kill me under the weight of these gifts...helllllllp' she shouted.

I was about to help her while Achala aunty stopped me...
'No Mahir don't!!! It's her punishment for behaving like an idiot with you...until and unless she apologizes for her insensitivity she is carrying all these gifts boxes and shopping bags' Achala aunty said...

While Vish chuckled.

'Yaaa....I'm sorry... please spare me Maaaa...sorry Mahirrr aaa this is heavy' she mumbled behind the gift boxes.

'Its ...it's fine aunty... And please I'm not expecting anything from her.. she is not that important!...' I said..

'Mahir now that's rude... she's apologizing... come on now!!! Burn the hatchet' my mom said while serving Vish and Achala aunty juice and snacks.

'Im not angry on anyone Ma... It's fine' I said rolling my eyes..

I somehow hate this Bela girl. She is anything I approve off.. my family wanted me to marry her. Annoying!!! 😏

'Thats better... and anyways they are all here to share their joy and happiness...Bela is also getting engaged na this weekend' mom said...

And I lost my cool...

'Maa I already denied of this engagement... why are you forcing me...she is not my type! Please!!!' I shouted a bit more loudly.

'Mahir .. relax... and don't use that voice with me...I'm not your junior or teammate! Behave!' mom gave me back...

'Sorry ma...but you know na I already'

'Yes...I know...and don't worry...Have I ever forced anything upon you??? Bela is getting engaged this weekend but not to you...'

And I was shocked 😳

'Means???' I asked...

'Well...it means... Achala aunty has fixed Bela's proposal with another guy.' Ma said...

While I looked at Bela's face. She looked sad. I felt bad for her. I mean this was too early. I was going through the same torture for years now. I don't understand why every Indian parent starts getting paranoid once their kid reaches a certain age. I felt they were hurrying.

'But Achala aunty...I mean so fast??' I asked her mom while she said...

'Mahir....Bela must marry before Vish...I hope you know how society operates na... and anyways Rehaan is a good man. He is also a doctor. They will understand each other's profession too. You know yesterday he did a succesful delivery too..his photo came in local newspaper' Achala aunty praised him...

To which Bela shouted ' Maa...he is a vet!!! There is a difference between doing a delivery of a human baby and a hippopotamus! For god's sake ma...it's not the same. And he lives in forest outskirts..my life will be a jungle book! Pleeease'
she tried a chance while somehow I pursed my lips hard to control my laughter.

'Shutup Bela...Rehaan is a good man..and there is no crime in marrying a vet. He loves animals. You are also one monkey. I'm sure he'll handle you well' Achala aunty said and now I burst out laughing while she stomped her feet and walked away.

I was holding my stomach and laughing.

Achala aunty, Vish and that monkey girl was having lunch with us. But today I felt bad looking at this monkey girl. All the time blabbering nonsense...today she was quiet low. I felt sad for her but then what can we do...it's her fate. I hope she finds a way out of this mess. After all everyone must marry the partner of their choice right.

And here forget choice a guy was shoved into her face directly to get engaged this weekend and marry next weekend. That was terrible.

Poor girl.