This Chapter is dedicated to @sukhmaniiiii  your comment was very relatable to me *Hearts* Thanks for commenting. 

A new term was about to start, and so Anahita frequently visited the library. She would always be drawn towards the mathematics section and Nausheen to the magazines. As Anahita skimmed through the aisle, she spotted a familiar person. He held one of the thick books in his hand. She kept staring at the stranger, rummaging through her memory, until the man looked at her. She gulped, dropping all the books from her arm. The man in an English suit looked away. He seemed old to be a student. Why was he here?

As Anahita collected her books, he kneeled in front of her. She looked up and their gaze met. Then it flashed. He was at the Maharaja's party. What was his name again?

"You are the same—Meera's cousin?"

The guy's expressions changed, - "Abhaiveer Singhaniya."

Anahita slapped her forehead lightly, - "Oh! I am sorry, I forgot your name."

He grinned, - "It is okay, I am not that important to remember by name." He passed the books he collected. Anahita flushed, feeling embarrassed.

Together they stood up, - "If you don't mind, may I ask you something? What are you doing here in this section?"

"Why?" Abhaiveer shrugged, - "Is there any restriction I don't know of?" He turned back and pretended to look around. Anahita let out a chuckle but covered her mouth with her hand.

"Oops! Don't drop these again." He pointed at the books. She nodded, gathering the books properly and firmly in her arms.

"I am not a student anymore, Miss. Agarwal."

It surprised Anahita that he remembered her name, but she didn't interrupt him.

"I am fond of mathematics. Even though I am venturing into real estate, my first love has always been this subject. In my free time, I enjoy solving equations and all, so I come here. To get some problem-solving exercises, read theories. That sort of stuff. I know it is quite nerdish."

Anahita's eyes shone with light, she smiled ear to ear, - "No, of course not, Abhaiveer. I love mathematics too. I am hoping to complete my BSc in it and do a Ph.D., if not work as a Professor."

"Work?" He raised his eyebrow.

Anahita clenched the books against her chest, - "Yes! I want to work." She sounded dejected.

Abhaiveer took a moment and nodded, - "Of course, you should. And I hope you do."

She sighed, rolling her eyes, - "Only if my future husband allows me to. Unfortunately."

He looked puzzled, - "Husband? Aren't you too young to be married?"

Anahita shot him a glare, - "I am seventeen. And many girls my age have their own family."

Abhaiveer nodded, - "Okay, all the best." And after a pause, he added, - "if we meet again you can call me Abhay." He placed his hand over his chest.

Anahita smiled politely, - "And you can call me Anahita."

They exchanged their goodbyes, Abhay picked up a book and walked off. Anahita too turned her attention towards lengthy and tall bookshelves containing hardcover and thick books.

Nausheen caught them and kept pestering Anahita throughout their car journey for details of the handsome man. She doesn't believe it when Anahita tells her - he was just an acquaintance.

Back in the Khan Haveli, the girls settled down with their books. They sorted the books in accordance with their syllabus in hand. After a while, Nausheen excused herself for the loo. Anahita felt bored and decided to randomly chat with Asif.

She stopped at the entrance to his and watched him pray. Her sister's words resonated in her mind. For some strange reason, she could not kick it out of her head.

Anahita recollected how many times, in absence of Nausheen, the girls at their college fantasized over him. Sometimes, passing borderline problematic comments; sexualizing him even. She hated that.

Asif raised his hands, cupping them, and a moment later, ran his palms over his face. Having seen Nausheen pray, Anahita knew what was next. She straightened and turned to her side. He raised and looked up as he folded his prayer mat, - "Hey, Anahita."

Indeed, he was gorgeous.

She turned to look at him. He smiled, raising his hand in salaam. Anahita reciprocated, joining her palms together.

She had hardly ever paid attention to his looks though, and now she was finding herself drawn to him. It was more than his handsome face and body. To her, it was his sweet talks and understanding of her. Everything else was secondary.

"What brings you here?" Asif removed his skull cap, placing it in the top drawer of the bedside table.

"New session. And your sister is taking forever in the bathroom." She snickered.

"Oh! By the way, have to meet your Didi again? Or exchanged letters?" He sounded concerned.

There! This concern for her and care about her equation with her family, is what kept pulling her closer to him.

Anahita gently shook her head, her lips drooping in a sad line.

"No problem, I am sure something must have come up to keep her busy." He said with a soothing tone.

Asif smiled again, walking towards her, - "I have great news for you. Your father's action disturbed you, right? But you needn't worry about your future. I guarantee your future husband will not take another wife, and if he keeps a mistress, you will have something to do about it. Other than sulk and accept the fate."

"What?" Anahita tilted her head to her side, looking curiously at him.

Asif lowered his head and then looked up again. The smile just grew bigger, deepening the dimples on his cheeks.

"The government is bringing changes to the Hindu marriage act. Now, polygamy for Hindu men will be illegal and they can land up in prison."

"Really?" Anahita straightened. Her voice rang and her eyes twinkled. The happiness and relief she felt. Now, they can't be any more Iravatis. Certainly, she won't be one.

Asif nodded animatedly, - "Yes. They are also adding options for women to get out of abusive marriages and for men to get out of loveless marriages. They are also introducing divorce into the act as well."

Anahita's smile fell- Divorce?

"But—how is divorce possible? Our marriage is for seven births. This is wrong."

Asif joggled his head, - "I don't have the expertise on this. But from the point of view of the law, I can put it this way, if a marriage lands up in divorce, then it wasn't meant for seven births. But the marriage that lasts forever is what will be for seven lives. Soulmates."

Anahita looked away, leaning against the door, - "This is marriage, Asif. I don't think it is right."

Asif walked towards her and stood a few distances from her, - "Think of the women who could finally be free from clutches of abusive marriages."

Anahita looked sharply at him, - "And who will accept her? Even without "divorce", there are many women who are abandoned by their husbands. Have you seen their miserable lives?"

"That is why women need to be educated so that they can work and be independent."

Anahita scoffed, - "You amuse me, Asif. It is just a far fetch dream. I want to study, I want to work, but you know what my mother says. She says no self-respecting man will let their wives work outside. Women of loose morals do that."

Asif smiled now, - "They were men who were not letting their daughters study in co-ed colleges, but now things are changing. And I am sure financially independent women will be normalized and encouraged."

She sighed in a small voice, - "I hope." She didn't have any hopes, though.

Slowly, she looked up, and their gaze met. Asif nodded, looking at her with a comforting gaze, and her lips curved into a small smile. They kept fondly admiring each other until a clueless Nausheen interrupted them.

"Bhaijaan, Husna is here."

Asif frowned at her, - "How many times I have said, call her Baji. She is your elder sister, talk with respect." He told her off sternly and passed in between the girls. Anahita threw her friend a questioning gaze.

"Husna and Bhaijaan are same age. Whenever we visit them in Lucknow, these two stick with each other like glue."

Anahita looked away. She wasn't liking the sound of this. Nausheen continued,

"Our phoupi, paternal aunt, she pampers Asif a lot. She always does. When they were born, just months apart, our grandmother had decided that the two will wed one day."

Anahita choked on her own salvia. She straightened, adjusting her organza dupatta. The breaking of her heart rang in her ears. Asif was betrothed. Why didn't he tell her? But then, why should he? He might have felt it was too personal to share.

"Bhaijaan is going to Lucknow in a few weeks. I told you, remember? He will stay at their place. Maybe they might be engaged, at least."

Anahita gulped softly, - "Does Asif like her?"

"He likes her, but I don't know if he considers her marriage material." Nausheen shrugged.

The girls made their way to the living room. As they approached the room, laughter echoed from inside. Anahita kept twirling the end of her dupatta, trying to calm her heart. They walked in and Asif looked at them. But Anahita glanced at the girl next to him. She was truly like her name, beautiful.

Husna was dressed in a modern blouse tugged inside a high waist knee-length skirt. Similar to the American actresses. Her black tresses were just a few inches below her shoulders, creating waves. A matching hairband tugged on her head. Few accessories, only a watch, ear-studs, and a few rings. She wore kitten heels, matching the color of her blouse.

"Hello!" She waved at Anahita.

Asif cleared his throat, - "She is Anahita, Nausheen's best friend."

Anahita kept looking at Husna, feeling challenged. But the lady was polite with her words and kept a warm smile on her face. Asif noticed the tension but to not make things awkward, he kept silent.

Dare I say, Anahita is lucky *Hides face* Both men are beautiful and feminists *_* Tough choice *nervous laugh*

Also, we found out from where Anaisha's interest in mathematics stems from *whispers- it's in her genes, winks*

Uh-oh, who's this? Husna Baji! Is she trouble? What do you all think, my lovelies?

How was the Chapter? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please and don't forget to vote.

Stay Tuned for the next update *Lots of Love* *Hugs, and Kisses*