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The first thing I heard as soon as our car pulled up in front of Viren's home was a bark that started off softly and intensified as we got down. Boxer. His thought made me smile and forget the argument I had with mom in the morning. She wanted me to wear a saree and I was against it. She won and I am standing here wearing a bright blue saree. She braided my hair and got me dressed like I was a kid. I gave up and let her do all that she wanted to. The result was that I was looking more traditional than I would like.

The watchman picked Boxer up to let us enter. My parents took the opportunity and ran into the house while I stood until he was put down. "Hello Boxer", I said kneeling down to his level. He growled at me and dashed in the opposite direction. I turned and laughed at his antics. " He will take time", Viren said as I turned back. I did not notice him coming. He smiled at me ," So your plan to come here was for boxer?", he asked. I grinned making him shake his head from left to right, "You are crazy!", he lead me into the house.

" Are you nervous?", he asked as we walked. " Hmm a little bit", I lied. My heart was threatening to jump out. I was that nervous." What about you?", I asked him. "I am shivering", he said and that made me laugh. " What do you think will happen if we ask them for some time?", he continued."They will probably kill us", I replied chuckling."Bad idea then", he sighed. "So?", I asked him, he turned to face me," so?", he repeated and we kept staring at each other as thousands of things ran through our mind.

"What is taking you so-", a voice snapped us out of our moment.I noticed a lady who would be few years older to me, walking towards us holding a baby. As she came close, " This is my sister Swetha",Viren introduced. "Hello", I smiled at her. The kid held up his hands towards Viren asking  to pick him up. " This is my little nephew Aarav", he said taking him from his sister. "Hi Aarav", I said holding his tiny palm.He looked at me and the first thing he noticed was my huge ear ring. Before I could react, he flung his hand at it and pulled with all might making me gasp in pain. His mother and uncle who were silently observing all this, started to laugh. Something in the whole situation amused the little rascal and he  giggled. I released myself from his hold and decided to stay far from him." Let's go, they are waiting for you", his sister smiled at me and took us along.

We walked into what I thought was a living room. Their house was beautiful and huge. It was a duplex that was very artistically built.  The colors on the walls were sober and the furniture was simple yet elegant. There was a beautiful staircase from the middle of the living area that probably lead to the top floor. There were huge french windows overlooking a vast area covered in lawn. I could see Boxer lazing around under the shade of a tree. I wondered where Viren's room was. I wanted to see how it looked. Along with my parents there was another couple who looked almost of my parent's age. They had their eyes fixed on me as I entered. I understood who they could be. I walked to my parents and took a seat beside them."Payal, this is Mr &Mrs Jain", my father introduced. " Namaste", I joined my hands to both of them as they smiled wide at me. "She is my daughter Swetha and her son Aarav.They came yesterday from New York. This guy,Viren you have already met", Mr Jain said and I smiled at them.There was a strange warmth around them and I was actually liking it.

For some time both wife and husband asked me various questions on my work , hobbies etc after which they got busy .Mr.Jain and Dad were discussing the current political scenario in the country and how our country is deteriorating by the day.All they were doing was criticize. I hate it when people criticize something when they themselves don't work to make it any better. I controlled myself not to comment on anything they said no matter how outrageous it was. So, I ignored their discussion and tried to participate in the other one where my mom and his mom where gossiping about some random relatives, I have never heard off so, no where was I interested in it. On the other side, little Aarav was keeping Swetha busy and she did not seem like she could entertain me. Added to that, to my surprise, Mr.Viren was no where to be seen.

I was bored to death sitting there and was about to go find Boxer or atleast his master when my mom stopped me and gave a look to my dad. He nodded , "Where is Viren?", he asked Mr.Jain who called someone and mumbled into the phone. After around five minutes Viren walked in and took a seat in front of me. So he left me here with these people and was busy with something. Idiot!

There was some awkward silence after which Mr.Jain cleared his throat and started speaking," You guys have been talking to each other for quite some time now", he said looking straight at both of us and it looked like we were school children being chided at. "I think it is high time you both tell us your decision. If you want to talk once more, you can do it today.But before this day ends we need an answer", he declared. Was he in military or something because there was a command in his tone. All the eyes were fixed on both of us and I squirmed uncomfortably. I expected Viren to open his mouth and say something so that this moment would pass but he was exceptionally silent. I tried to look at him from the corner and he looked transfixed. I waited for a few seconds and decided to speak out. The silence was getting unbearable. " Yes uncle. We will tell you today. We want to talk first. Can we?", I asked faking confidence. "Yeah sure. Viren go show her the house", his father said and he like a shy girl got up and walked.

When we were in his room, away from the others I almost yelled, " What is wrong with you?Why did you not open your mouth?". "I am sorry Payal. I was not able to take this tension so-", he contemplated. " So what?", I hissed at him. " I went to take a puff.", he said showing me an astray on the table. That was when I realized there was a faint smell in the room."My dad was too close. Had I said anything he would have known for sure", he added.What? He smokes? . "You smoke?", I asked him with a very serious expression and slowly walked to the table. " No no, not regularly. Just in times like these",he said scratching the back of his head. The cigarette was still burning, smoke exuding from it."You have a problem with that?", he asked with concern in his voice. I picked the cigarette and did something that he would not have expected.I took a puff turning towards him."Not really", I said grinning. He looked surprised, " You don't stop amazing me", he said walking to me and taking it from my hand. " Hey! just occasionally. Its bad for health", I said sitting in the chair."Yes ofcourse", he said killing it.

His room was colored in black yet it looked bright. It was considerably neat for a bachelor. There were books on one corner stacked neatly in a rack. They ranged from classics to philosophy. Some of them I have already read and there were some that I always wanted to read. He loved playing video games I realized as I saw a huge gaming console on another corner. There might be other personal stuff if I dig into the room, I thought. As I was busy observing his room, he sat across on his bed ,"So?", he said. I looked at him trying not to blush,"What do we do?", I asked."You tell me", he pushed the responsibility on my head and I was not going to own it."Your call", I said and my heart beat raised." Don't do this",he whined while I shrugged trying to keep a straight face. "Fine!", he huffed and took a deep breath ," It has been good till now.Isn't it?", he asked looking for his answer in my eyes, but I knew he would not get it.I nodded and asked him to continue."We both agreed on most of the things we discussed yesterday. Including the time part", my heart fluttered and a voice inside me said Not really! but I snubbed it. "So I don't think it would be a bad decision to marry. Let us start as friends", he finished and extended his hand.

Should I be happy he said yes or should I be sad that we will just be friends? Wait! What? I will be married? I, Payal, will be married! Oh my God! My life will be reduced to cook, clean & work? Hell! Why did I so badly want this to work?Did I go mad! I will come and live in this alien place and leave my den? I can't fight with my mom and can't run to my dad for rescue! Kids! Oh no! I will have kids and what if they turn out to be monstrous like that Aarav. Will I even be a good mother? Will I have enough time to do all that I want to do in my life.Oh my! I am doomed.

" So ,is that a no?", I heard some voice distantly. "Huh?", I asked looking into the black eyes that stared back with anticipation. His hand was still held out waiting for me. " You don't want this?", he asked withdrawing his hand. I moved quickly and grabbed it. "Yeah let's start as friends", I mumbled. A small smile crept his lips and I felt myself smile at him.'You are mad Payal' I groaned internally at my stupidity.

There was a sudden knock at the door that made us withdraw hands " Are you guys done yet?", Swetha called out. I rushed to open the door when Viren pushed me to the wall and placed his palm on my mouth stopping me from talking. "Di, we will be there in five minutes", he yelled at the door. What he did not realize was how close we were and how my heart hammered against my chest. We could hear foot steps fading away with Swetha leaving. He moved closer to me until our lips were just inches apart, I closed my eyes preparing myself for what was to come. He touched my bare arm and moved his hand down towards my palm sending tingles all over my body. He held my hand with his and raised it putting something into it. I jerked my eyes open to see what he was doing. " You will get us caught! Use that mouth freshener he said pointing to the spray in my hand". My poor poor heart!

We walked into the living area where the elders were seated. Taking a deep breath we nodded to each other and announced "It's a yes!".

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So how is it? :D

By the way, smoking is injurious to health. So stay away and keep healthy :)