Anaisha

"I won't marry him. If you both will keep on fighting like this." I said between the sobs. 

"It is your mom she hid my bottles." Said Dad and a feel of disgust took over me.

"Baba it is my engagement atleast not today." I said gathering myself up and getting back on my feet.

He left from there without any word and I too made my way up to my room leaving my mom's hand.

 How could they still fight today also? Don't they care about their only daughter who is getting married in a week? What if I don't get his love too? What if he treats me bad? What if his family will not like my presence in their house? I am so scared to get married now seeing my parents' broken relationship. I don't know if I will be able to fulfill his expectations or not.

 I was so engrossed in my thoughts when I felt a jerk on my shoulder.

"Where are you lost?" Said Bhabhi.

"Nothing Bhabhi. I am just a bit nervous about everything. My life is going to change." I said hugging her.

"Relax Anuu. It is all a part of life that everyone has to go through. I know you are very strong and you will be the best wife as well as daughter-in-law." She said caressing my hair. 

She asked me to get ready in engagement saree that Vyan's mom sent me saying it was there family's traditional ancestral saree that his Mom and Chachi wore on their respective engagement days. Ofcourse bhabhi helped me drape it and did my hair. It is a small gathering on our terrace with a few close ones.

She too got ready with me. Soon my best friend Shikha joined us in the room and they were teasing me but I was still in the turmoil of my never ending thoughts. I wanted to talk to him but I don't know what will I say. What if he misjudges me? Or he breaks the alliance?  

Ufff!! It is so complicated. I gathered courage to call him but he didn't pick. He might be on his way. My hands were sweaty by now and I was shivering with fear. The fear of expectations, the fear of responsibilities, the fear of being a good wife, the fear of my past everything was hitting me that I begin to sob.

Shikha and Bhabhi saw me and they quickly hugged me. They started questioning me but I was not in a state to say anything to them. I just wanted him.

I heard the creaks of the car stopping in front of our house. He is here. 

"Bhabhi I want to talk to him before getting engaged. Please do something." I said wiping my tears away.

"Don't cry Anuu. I will call him. Shikha you stay here with her." Saying she went downstairs.

Divyansh

As we reached her home which was covered in all sorts of decorations be it lights or flowers her parents and brother welcomed us. Today her younger brother was also there surprisingly. I was meeting him for the first time. He shook hands with me and I touched her parents' feet.

As we approached the terrace, Rishika Bhabhi called my name from behind. I saw her stressed look.

"What happened Bhabhi? Is everything all right?" I questioned her in desperation. 

"It's... It's just Anu... She is crying and wants you to be there." She said in trembling voice. 

Without any second thoughts I barged into her room and saw her all red with tear marks. Shikha excused us and went out.

She begin to cry again seeing me. I quickly reached out to her and embraced her in my arms.

"Shhh.. Shhh.. Don't cry Ish. Tell me what happened? What's wrong?" I asked her calmly. 

But she instead of responding, she clutched my kurta tightly. I caressed her back a few times and let her cry. Sometimes it is important to let out your emotions. Maybe she is sad to leave her family? Or is it something else? 

As she stopped her crying sesh and separated from my chest. I looked into her eyes to find a different kind of fear, a longing, a sort of unsurety. 

"What is it just say Ish. I am sacred now."

"Vyaan... Vyaan I am not sure of this. I mean I want you but I don't know if I will be able to handle all the responsibilities, the pressure of marriage is not easy right?"

"Ish, you trust your Vyaan right? I am here for you always. There is no pressure on you and about responsibilities, they are just part of your life. You are a professor don't you have responsibilities towards your students? You are just getting a promotion in your life. You don't have to be scared of anything. I will never put any kind of pressure on you. You can have your sweet time to understand me and my family. I know it will not be easy for us especially for you to start a new life together. We will have our own share of fights as well as happiness but together we will face all sorts of hurdles of our life. I will always stand by you in every situation Ish."

 As I completed my words, she hugged me so hard that we fell on her bed. Her on top of me. Her face dipped in my neck and feet tangled with mine. My hands held her petite waist and her hair smeared on my face. It was a magical moment.

"Thank You Vyaan for understanding me." She said getting up only to fall back on my hard chest. Her cute nose touched my nose, we were inches apart when we heard a knock on the door.

I helped her out of the bed and she went to see the door and I stood there awkwardly. Bhaiya and Bhabhi came in.

"Is everything all right?" Said Bhaiya.

"Yes Bhaiya. I just wanted to clear my doubts before getting engaged." She said in her broken voice.

"Divyansh you go upstairs. Your family is searching for you desperately. I gave an excuse to them of an important call." Said Bhaiya again.

I left the room giving an awkward smile.

Anaisha

I was on my way to the terrace after redoing my makeup. Bhabhi questioned me about our conversation and I promised her to tell later. I walked to the stage with both my brothers on my side. I felt a sense of protectiveness around them. That's what brothers are for. 

As further I walked they left my hand to give in Vyan's hand. It was so emotional but somehow I suppressed my tears and gave a smile to all the people present out there. 

He went on his knees and asked me in his husky voice "Will you be my bacho ki amma?"

(Will You be mother to my kids?)

Everyone burst into laughter and I was red like a tomato. This man knows how to make me smile.

I readily nodded my head and he slid the ring in my finger followed by a peck on my knuckles. 

It was my turn now. I was nervous. Should I also go on my knees? Or is it fine like this? But men also deserve princess treatment right?

I went on my knees, held his hand and asked, "Will you be my bacho ke baba?"

This time everyone awed at us and clapped as I slid the ring in his finger. With no time he picked me up in his arms and made me twirl. I was so shy as everyone of our family was present there. I hid my face in his chest and heard some voices.

"Wohoo Bhaiya! So romantic," Said Piya.

"Kisiki nazar na lage mere bacho ko." Said Vyan's Mom.

Everyone Hooted at his gesture and showered us with flower petals. As he placed me back on my feet, I saw maa baba emotional. I couldn't stand my emotions and ran to them and hugging them tight. Afterall they are my parents.

After the emotional session, everyone had dinner followed by a little dance. I didn't do, I was not so comfortable dancing again. I am trying my best to heal from my past and it will take some time. 

Suddenly he pulled me on the other side of the terrace and handed me a small gift box.

"What is it Vyan?"

"Open it yourself." He said in a sweet tone.

It was blue jewellery box. I opened it to find a pendent of his name VYAN that I call him.

"But you already gave me a pendent on our first date and I haven't removed it since then."  I showed him the previous one hidden inside my necklace. 

"So what you can layer it."

"How do know about this layering fashion?"

"Oh you forgot? I am a jeweller myself."

"Oh yaa. But how will I mange 3 chains in my neck?"

"How three?"

"Mangalsutra?"

"Oh you already excited about wedding huh?" He said pulling my waist as I crashed in his chest. My chest collided with his well built chest and he pecked a small kiss on my forehead. It was first time he did something like that and I was a blushing mess.

I pushed him a little and ran back towards all others. Some people left and only our families were left, they were chatting about all the upcoming functions. Soon Vyan and his family also left and I realized that next time I will meet him just to get married.

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