The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city as Shubman and his family drove toward their destination. The air inside the car was tense, with Shubman lost in his thoughts, staring out of the window. He knew they were going to see a girl, but the idea of marriage still felt foreign and unsettling to him.

Shubman (thinking to himself)
Kaise mana karun? Mera toh waise bhi koi irada nahi hai shaadi karne ka.

As he was lost in his thoughts, his father’s voice broke the silence.

Baba gently
Beta, humein pata hai ki hum tum par thoda pressure daal rahe hain, lekin yeh ladki tumhare liye best hai. Hum sab chaahte hain ki tumhari shaadi isi se ho.

Shubman looked at his father and then at his mother and sister, who were both watching him with hopeful eyes. He didn’t have the heart to argue with them now, but his resolve remained firm.

Shubman sighing internally
Yeh sab mere liye nahi hai. Pyaar aur shaadi sirf dikhawa hai.

As they approached the destination, Shubman was jolted out of his thoughts by the sight of the mansion they were arriving at. His eyes widened in surprise.

Shubman confused, to himself
Yeh toh... yeh toh Rohit bhai ka ghar hai. Hum yahan kyun aaye hai?

Before he could voice his confusion, his mother turned to him with a gentle smile.

Maa smiling
Shubman, hum yahan tumhari rishta ki baat karne aaye hain... Rohit bhai ki behen ke saath.

Shubman felt a shockwave run through him.
Rohit bhai ki behen? Usne toh kabhi uske baare mein bataya bhi nahi tha!

Shubman internally shocked
Rohit bhai ki... behen? Uski behen se meri shaadi? Yeh sab itna achanak kaise ho gaya?

---

**Arrival at Rohit’s Mansion**

As they stepped out of the car, Shubman’s mind was racing. He was still trying to process the revelation when the door opened, and they were greeted by Rohit Sharma himself, accompanied by his mother.

Rohit with a broad smile, hugging Shubman
Shubman, bhai! Welcome! Aao, andar aao. Tumhare aane ka intezaar ho raha tha.

Shubman tried to put on a polite smile, but his mind was still reeling. They entered the mansion, where everyone was warmly welcomed. Shubman’s parents and sister were engaged in conversation with Rohit, Ritika and his mother, while Shubman remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.

Shubman to himself, anxious
Rohit bhai ki behen? Maine usse kabhi dekha kyu nahi?

Just as Shubman was trying to calm his nerves, Rohit’s voice pulled him back to reality.

Rohit cheerfully
Main apni bachi Reet ko le aata hoon. Tum sab baitho, main abhi aaya.

The name 'Reet' sent a jolt through Shubman. His heart started beating faster, and he didn’t understand why.

---

**Reet’s Room**

Upstairs, in her room, Reet was sitting in front of the mirror, dressed in a pastel-colored salwar suit. Her hands were trembling slightly as she adjusted her dupatta. She had made up her mind to say yes to whoever her family had chosen, but her heart wasn’t in it. She could barely recognize herself in the mirror.

Reet talking to herself, with a heavy heart
Yeh faisla maa ke liye le rahi hoon. Unki khushi ke liye apni zindagi ko nayi mod par la rahi hoon. Bhagwan, yeh sab asaan ho jaye.

Just then, Rohit entered the room. He could see the worry etched on her face. He walked over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Rohit softly
Bacha, sab theek ho jayega. Main hoon na tere saath. Chal, neeche chaltein hain.

Reet looked up at her brother and forced a smile. His reassurance meant the world to her, and despite her inner turmoil, she nodded.

Reet with a weak smile
Haan bhai, chalo.

---

As Reet and Rohit descended the stairs, the sound of their footsteps echoed in the quiet room. The moment Reet stepped into the living room, she felt all eyes on her. She kept her gaze low, not wanting to meet anyone’s eyes just yet. But as she took a deep breath and finally looked up, her heart nearly stopped.

Sitting on the sofa, with an expression that mirrored her own shock, was none other than Shubman Gill.

Reet internally panicking
Yeh... yeh kaise ho sakta hai? Shubman Gill? Bhagwan, yeh hi ladka mila tha?

On the other side, Shubman was equally stunned. The girl Rohit had mentioned, the one they had come to see, was Reet—*that* Reet, the same girl he had clashed with at the hospital.

Shubman in disbelief, to himself Yeh... yeh wahi ladki hai? Yahi woh ladki hai jisse hum shaadi ki baat kar rahe hain? Kya yeh Rohit bhai ki behen hai?

Reet hesitated for a moment, but then she walked over to Shubman’s parents and touched their feet, seeking their blessings. They smiled warmly at her, clearly pleased with her humility. Shubman, however, was in no mood to be polite. His eyes were fixed on Reet, his mind swirling with thoughts.

Shubman thinking, irritated
Mujhe toh yeh ladki pehle hi annoying lagti thi, aur ab yeh meri hone wali biwi banne ja rahi hai? Yeh toh badi nakchadi larki hai.

Rohit noticed the tension and decided to step in, guiding Reet to sit beside Shubman. As she sat down, Shubman continued to glare at her, making his discomfort obvious. Reet, on the other hand, kept her expression neutral, though inside she was fuming.

Reet thinking, frustrated
Mujhe yeh hi ladka mila tha? Yeh Shubman Gill! Ajeeb hai... itna attitude hai isme.

Rohit gestured towards Shubman and said with a warm smile to Reet
Bacha, yeh hai woh ladka jo maine tere liye choose kiya hai. Yeh bhi cricketer hai aur India ke liye khelta hai.

Reet just smiled politely, though her mind was still racing with thoughts

Before the awkwardness could stretch further, Shubman’s sister, Shaneel, jumped in excitedly.
Waise, Reet, tum photographer ho na?

Reet nodded, trying to maintain her composure.

Shaneel said, looking at Shubman with excitement
Wow, so cool, right bhai?
But Shubman just gave her a blank stare, clearly not in the mood for small talk.

Ritika, sensing the tension, decided to intervene.
Reet, tum Shubman ko garden mein walk pe le jao. Thoda achhe se jaan lo ek dusre ko.

Reet nodded, though internally she was dreading the idea."Ji bhabhi," she replied with a forced smile.Reet turned towards Shubman and said, "Chaliye." Shubman gave a fake smile and said, "After you."

Reet and Shubman stood in the backyard garden, a tension-filled silence between them. The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves, but neither of them seemed to notice as they sized each other up.

Shubman, with his signature smirk, finally broke the silence.
Waise, tumhara naam kya hai? Pura naam.

Reet, her eyes narrowing at his tone, replied,
Reet Sharma. Tumhare saath waise bhi zyada formalities karne ka mann nahi hai.

Shubman chuckled, sensing the irritation in her voice.
Arre, waise bhi tumse aur shaddi? NEVER

Reet, rolling her eyes, shot back,
Toh main bhi tumse shaddi karne ke liye maar nahi rahi hu! Mujhe toh bas apni maa aur bhai ke liye haan kehna hai. Varna main toh bilkul bhi interested nahi hoon.

Shubman raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
Sach mein?

Reet let out a sarcastic laugh.
Aur nahi toh kya. Waise why are you getting married....oh haa tumhara toh age hogaya hai shaddi karne ki.

Shubman annoyed.
Oh hello iam just 29 aur waise bhi
main yaha bas apne parents aur behen ke liye hoon. Mujhe bilkul koi shauk nahi hai shaddi waddhi main!

Reet crossed her arms, giving him a pointed look.
Toh phir dono shaddi karna bhi nahi chateh par parents ke liye kare rahe hai. Waah! 

Shubman leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
Waise Miss Sharma mere pass ek idea hai.  Tumhe bhi shaadi nahi karni, mujhe bhi nahi karni. Lekin hamare parents humse shadi karwa ke hi rahenge. Toh kyun na hum dono mil ke yeh kar lein? Tum apni zindagi jeeyo, main apni jee loon. Sab khush.

Reet stared at him, taken aback by his suggestion.
Kyaaaaa? Pagal ho gaye ho kya? Tum seriously yeh keh rahe ho?

Shubman kept a straight face.
Haan, main serious hoon. Waise bhi, tumhe mere jaisa hot aur handsome husband kabhi nahi milega.

Reet couldn’t help but scoff at his arrogance.
Handsome aur hot tum? Tumse zyada hot toh meri chappal hai. Lekin......

Shubman looked intrigued.
Lekin kya?....

Reet leaned forward, her tone challenging.
Shaadi toh main tumse karungi, lekin sirf ek sharat par. Mere family ke saamne hum ek happy couple banenge, lekin asli zindagi mein... bas door-door rehna.

Shubman pretended to think it over, then extended his hand.
Manzoor hai Miss Sharma.

Reet raised her hand to shake his.
Done Mr Gill

As their hands met, Shubman gave her a sly smile.
Deal. Lekin yaad rakhna, tumne ye sirf ek compromise wala shaddi hai

Reet smirked, pulling her hand back. Haan haan...of course

They both turned to head back inside, but not before Reet threw a final jab.
Aur haan, Mr. Gill, apni attitude ko zara control mein rakhna. Mujhe tumhari baatein bilkul pasand nahi aati.

Shubman chuckled.
Same to you, Miss Sharma. Tum mujhe pura zeher lagti ho.

Reet chuckled and annoyed
Jaise tum mujhe bahut shah ruk khan lagte ho....toh chale andar

Shubman
Haa haa chalo jaldi

Reet and Shubman re-entered the house, both wearing forced smiles that masked their true feelings. They had barely stepped into the living room when Rohit and Shubman's parents noticed their seemingly cheerful expressions.

Shubman's father, Mr. Lakhwinder Gill, cleared his throat, looking at his son expectantly.
Beta, kya faisla kiya tumne?

Shubman took a deep breath, still wearing that fake smile.
It's a yes from my side, Dad.

The room erupted in cheers, a mix of shock and happiness from Shubman's family. Rohit, with a wide grin, turned towards Reet.
Reet bacha, tumhara kya faisla hai?

Reet, her heart pounding, glanced at her mother before nodding slowly. Haan hai mere side se, bhai.

Rohit practically jumped in joy, pulling Shubman's father into a celebratory hug.
Mubarak ho, mubarak ho! Ab toh yeh rishta pakka samjho!

Reet’s mother, tears of joy in her eyes, rushed to hug Reet, planting a kiss on her forehead.
Meri pyari beti, tu kitni samajhdaar hai!

Shubman's mother, approached Reet with a warm smile, her eyes glistening with happiness. She gently held Reet's hands and kissed her forehead lovingly.
Welcome to the family, beta,
she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

Before Reet could respond, Mrs. Gill removed an ancient pair of gold bangles from her wrist and handed them to Reet.
Yeh hamare khandaan ki nishani hai. Aaj se yeh tumhari hain.

Reet was taken aback, shaking her head quickly.
Nahi, nahi, aunty, yeh theek nahi hai. Aap rakh lijiye.

Mrs. Gill shook her head firmly.
Nahi, beta. Ab se mujhe maa kehna, aur yeh bangles tumhari hain.

Reet hesitated for a moment but then smiled softly.
Thank you, maa
she said, her voice barely above a whisper, before embracing her future mother-in-law.

As they hugged, Reet caught Shubman's gaze across the room. He was staring at her intently, a smirk playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, Shubman's father quickly called a pandit to finalize the wedding dates. The pandit suggested three dates—one after two weeks, another after four months, and the last one after seven months.

Ritika, with her usual enthusiasm, immediately jumped at the first option.
Mujhe lagta hai, yeh do hafte wala date best rahega. Aakhir itna intezaar kyun?

Shubman's mom nodded in agreement.
Bilkul sahi keh rahi ho, Ritika. Jaldi karna hi behtar hai.

Reet's mother, still slightly weak but overjoyed, smiled and added,
Haan, yeh din toh sabse shubh hai. Yeh hi theek rahega.

As the family rejoiced, sweets were brought out, and everyone began feeding each other. Shaneel, Shubman’s sister, couldn’t resist teasing her brother.
Bhai, ab tumhari baari. Reet ko mithai khilao.

Shubman, hiding his irritation, picked up a piece of sweet and offered it to Reet. Their eyes met, and as Reet took a bite, everyone around them cheered for them.

But as Reet chewed on the sweet, she shot a sideways glare at Shubman, who was smirking at her.

The celebrations continued, but beneath the surface, both Reet and Shubman were grappling with the reality of their situation. This wasn’t the life either of them had imagined, but now, they were in it together—whether they liked it or not.

Thank you for reading
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