"Can't they leave us alone for a few minutes?" I mumbled to myself, but then my girl pinched my arms and said, "Behave, baby. You already kissed me enough to let everyone know what we did." I chuckled at her and said 'okay' Then gave a small kiss on her cheeks."

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When we heard people approaching us I tried to get off his lap. Keywords 'tried' but no use. Gosh, sometimes he makes me so happy and so mad with him. I gave him my best glare but he didn't give a damn about a thing I say.

" Are you guys decent or do we have to wait till you both are decent?" Tarun asked us while covering his eyes. I scoffed at his actions.

" Cut it, man. I won't ever let my girl half-naked in front of anyone." Mrithun said and everyone laughed at his possessiveness.

That's one of the things I like about him. We heard our parents voice, this made me get off his lap and in return, he glared at me and gave me 'what the fuck' look while I simply shrugged and dismissed him away.

" Children? Let's eat first and then we can do other things. Come on!" Mrithun's mom said to us and we all followed her. 'Food comes first' period.

They had a huge dining hall which was comfortable enough to occupy every one of us. Few of the maids came over to help and serve us. When Mrithun made his way to sit next to me his mom grabbed him by his ears and made him sit opposite to me.

He was giving faces and sulking all the while eating our lunch while our siblings were taunting us except Nethra, Mrithun's cousin. She and her family joined us once we started to eat.

I tried to avoid her at all cost and savour my delicious Briyani, chicken tandoori and mutton gravy. God, these were awesome and I mentally noted that I need to learn how to cook before I come over here. I need to be good.

" I don't know for which my brother is sooo hungry?" Harish teased Mrithun and I was blushing.

While that shameless idiot looked over to me and smirked. Then he took a leg piece and started to eat them like a starved man. This made everyone to tease us more as if they weren't already pulling our leg and this idiot just added this to their flames.

I tried to avoid all of them. Soon we all finished our lunch and made our way to the main hall so that we could talk with Pandit Ji ( Hindu priests ) about our horoscope. I know Mrithun doesn't believe in that thing neither do I but we will do this for our parent's sake.

My grandma was sitting beside Pandit Ji and our parents at their side. He asked myself and Mrithun to sit opposite to each other with our parents by our side. The rest of us sat with the available space.

By their looks, I know that they are as eager as we are. I looked over to Mrithun and he gave me a reassuring smile that tells me ' everything will be alright '

" Pandit Ji this my Granddaughter Shristi and that is my soon to be my Grandson, Mrithun. I hope that Yamuna discussed certain things. We want you to select a date for their engagement as well as their marriage. And also check for their horoscope match between them." My grandma asked the Pandit Ji.

" Yes, of course, I will give you guys the perfect match for your grandchildren. You don't have worry amma." Pandit Ji assured her and my grandmother nodded her head at him.

" Can you give me their birth details?" He asked our moms and they filled in the details.

He started to do his work. He took some paper and started to draw something and after a while, he frowned his eyebrow.

Then he took another paper and did the same. Then he took some seashells and rolled a few of them and again frowned his eyebrows. By the look our elders were giving the Pandit Ji was not a good one.

I started to think about the worst scenarios. I looked towards Mrithun and there he was as usual calm and composed. How the hell could he look so calm in this type of situation. The curiosity is eating me alive.

After what it feels like years the pandit Ji opened his mouth to finally speak.

" I have both good and bad news. Which one do you want to know, First?" Pandit Ji asked us and Mrithun was the first one to reply.

" You can tell the good news first and later the bad news." He said it in a monotonous tone.

" The good news is the coming month we have an auspicious for their engagement and marriage. We don't have another auspicious day for the next 5 months." Pandit Ji said to us and looked around us for a minute and continued,

" The bad news is this marriage can't happen." He said and it was like my whole life shattered into pieces in front of me.

Everyone had the same reaction as me. What does he mean that our marriage can't happen?

" Pandit Ji, can you explain why we can't marry these people?" Mrithun's father asked him.

" When I checked for their horoscope match, it states that both of them will face a lot of struggles before and after marriage. It does not only affect their lives only but also their family members. There is a high chance of probability that if these two marry each other... Hmm... They... That is one might die or maybe both of them or they will lose the person they love. I'm not sure if...." Pandit Ji said but startled when Mrithun yelled at him.

" Stop! I said stop. I can't hear another fucking word coming out his mouth. Dad! I had enough. Please... " Before he could complete his sentence Mrithun's father politely asked the pandit Ji and escorted him outside and assured him that we would contact him soon.

There was complete silence in the living room and I couldn't look up to meet anyone's eyes. My sisters came beside me and sat down along with me assuring that everything will be alright. But deep down I know that whatever I had and shared with Mrithun is long gone.

I felt like all the air has knocked out of me and I controlled the tears that might spill any second now. I felt someone lift my chin and I looked to the owner. He cupped my face in his large hands and wiped my cheeks. I placed my hands on top of his. This might be the last time his hands will be on mine and I won't miss any moments with him.

When Mrithun's father entered the room and cleared his throat to get our attention. I gently removed my hands from him. He let out a sigh and stood up facing his dad.

" I think we need to talk about this..." Mrithun's dad voice trailed but I couldn't focus anything but stare at Mrithun. I came out of my stance when Shruthi shook my shoulder. If any other situation it would have been awkward and our siblings would have eaten our ears with their constant teasing.

I looked over my dad and he signed me to come to him. I nodded my head and stood up. My mom embraced inside hug and gave me a reassuring smile while dad patted my head.

" What do you think about what pandit Ji said? " Mrithun's dad asked mine. I looked between him and dad. He looked in deep thought and after a while, he cleared his throat and said,

" Deep down my heart says to accept the marriage proposal and bless our children. I also know for a fact that Mrithun will take care of my daughter and even give his life for her but... I don't want to lose either of them or any of you for that matter. I know that death is inevitable but I want to be selfish and believe whatever the Pandit Ji said to us. I know its been only a couple of weeks they have known each other and I hope these two haven't gotten attached." Dad said and I can't help but stay silent. I know that he took his decision.

Dad cleared his throat again and looked at me with guilt, sad clearly expressed on his face. " I think its best that we remain friends and maybe save ourself from the misery we might get into before we get into it." He finished and everyone in the room was silent.

There goes nothing...

I had so many emotions stirred inside me. I don't know whether to curse at everyone or accept their decision. Why the fuck he has to enter into my life and God, you did this and now you take him away from me? Is it wrong for me to imagine a life with him along my side? All my thoughts were thrown aside when Mrithun's dad started to speak.

" I could understand you. I also think its best that... that we, I mean I was really happy that Shristi will be my second daughter but I think fate has other ideas. I want both of them to lead a peaceful life and not an unhappy one. It is for the best... that we drop this here and be family friends."

I looked at him and everyone had the same reaction, 'Sadness'. But then Mrithun slow clapped and let out a humourless laugh. I could feel his emotion and pain, that's when I knew that I'm in deep shit. whatever I feel towards him is not just an attraction or likeness. It's more than that and I just realized that ' I LOVE HIM ' no matter what. 

I LOVE HIM and my eyes let out silent tears that no one could understand. I felt Mrithun stare at me. If you see closely his eyes were glossy and that clenched my heart. My baby has been through a lot. Baby... I don't even know if is it right to call him my baby?

" Well, please give me a minute. Tell me that, whatever you said was a joke? " Mrithun asked them and let out another humourless laugh.

" Mrithun... Kanna..." Mrithun's dad started my he raised his hands to stop whatever he has to tell.

" Best for what? Us! I know that you guys gave us the best only but this... this decision what you have taken is not 'best' as you say. " He looked at them and continued,

" I know all of you wanted to me and her to be happy but how do you expect us to be happy when we are not together." He snapped at all.

" Uncle, don't mind my tone... but what did you say? its been just a couple of weeks and they are not attached? I will tell all one thing and please everyone be clear. You don't know what her and I share. For you people, it might be a couple of weeks but for us its like years and as cheesy as its sound but that is the fucking truth." He yelled at them.

" Son, Mind that language and tone you are using in front of us. Whatever we take it's for good and a few years from now everything would be happy and fine." My grandmother said to him.

Mrithun raised his eyebrows at her and focused his attention on her. 

" I apologies for that tone but the thing is... you said a few years from now, we all will be happy and fine. Okay, I agree that time will make changes. But do you really think it will make me and her happy? "  He asked her and continued,

" Look around us grandma, What about now? We were all happy and had a great time before Pandit Ji came in dropped that huge bomb. We all had so many thoughts about our marriage but right now, It's hanging in a death thread. Tell me one thing... will you be happy knowing that your granddaughter is not happy?" Mrithun asked her and my grandma and nothing to tell. 

' Nothing!' came out of her mouth and looked down at her lap.

" The thing is, you said your opinion. But the only thing matter is mine and her decision. Who said life is fair? I had gone through enough problems than you can only imagine. I once ' struggled' to survive but with her, in my life, it is like I'm breathing fresh air after a long time and... and it's like I had gotten back my angle back." He said in a small voice and I know he means his unborn child. 

Suddenly, He took a step away from her and came towards me. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from everyone and stood us in the middle. He held my hands tightly and looked into my eyes and I melted at his sight and touch.

" Shristi, I want you to answer me honestly. This is about us and not others. Don't think about anything but you. What do you want? and only what you think is right. Understood? " He asked me and I gave him a simple nod. 

" Words,  baby girl. I need you to speak." He cupped my face and whispered those words that only I can hear. I gave what he needs and assured him with a strong and confident ' yes'.

" Do you think that whatever our parents decided is the best for us?" he asked me and I already know the answer to that.

" NO! " I replied and he said,

 " Same here. I think If I accept their saying, I will lose the most precious thing that  happens in my life." I smiled at him and placed my hands on top his again. He gave a reassuring squeeze and held my hands in his. 

" I know for a fact that I can't live without you and at the same time I want to be with you even if it cost my life. I want to spend my life with you and no one else. Even if it's for a day that I live with you, I'm happy that I have you and ready to die and go through the struggles along with you. Will you be with me or not? The choice is your baby, I will respect and take whatever your answer is." He said to me.

I stared at him. I know for a fact that I won't be spending my life with anyone other than him and even if I die I will gladly die on his lap. I know my parents will be mad at me but it's my choice and I have face the consequence. Fuck this shit.

" I would rather happily die on your lap than I'm with another man, whatever and wherever the life takes us I'm with you by your side. I'm with you and I trust you." I said it loud and clear and everyone heard it clear.

Mrithun had the biggest grin I had ever seen and pulled me to him not caring that elders are in front of us.

" I know that baby, I trust you and I love you." He said to me and my eyes widened at this.

 He loves me before I could comprehend what's going on, he smashed his lips on mine and captured them into his. His arms tightened against my waist and pulled me closer to him and I can't help but Hold on to him.

The moment his lips found me we both shared all our emotions and things happened last few hours and it was just us. He kissed me like the world is going to end and breathing in me life his last breath and I did the same not caring about anything.

Once we had enough and when I needed air to breathe in he stopped and looked into my eyes and I looked into his. That moment is all I need to confess to him and so I did.

" I love you, Mrithun." And that was the moment we both were in deep shit and there is no going back. He gave me another loving kiss and turned us towards our parents. We both are in this together. Let's face this. 

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Authors note

And that's a wrap for this chapter. I'm sorry guys have been busy and caught up with a viral fever.

I promise to upload regularly from now on. I hope you enjoyed this chapter where they confess their feelings.

Too soon but I know for a fact they are it for each other.

See you soon again. Take care and stay safe.

#loveyourself😎

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