"Raju sit..we want to talk to you. Its about you. Today I'm going to take an important decision in your life. I want you to listen to me carefully"kumari said

Jai sat on the couch. Next to Shruthi. His mind was a little lost. But he wondered what his mother was about to say.

"It's been so long we're asking you this but..today we really want to know what is in your mind"

"What are you talking about ma?"jai asked.

"We want you to get married soon. And today I've liked a girl. I want to know what do you feel about her"she said making jai shocked. It took him few seconds to calm himself down.

"Maa please. Not again. I told you I'm not ready yet. For gods sake I do not want to discuss this topic. Atleast not now"jai frowned.

"Raju you can't keep running away from marriage forever. Some day or the other you have to get married. Do you have any idea how many proposals you have rejected till now?"his uncle asked.

"Pedananna. I know I'm dragging it so much. But I don't have marriage in my mind right now. I just want to focus on my career and do good films"Jai said.

"You're doing that already. See I won't be alive for so long. And before I die I just want to see you get married and nothing else"his grandmother said dramatically. Making everyone giggle.

"Okay everyone I've told you my decision. So can we leave the topic now? I have an ad shoot tomorrow and I need sleep. Good night"Jai got up and everyone started opposing him making him sigh.

"What do you want me to do now?"he asked.

"Nothing much. We are just asking you to consider the girl we like. Not to marry her right now. You can try to get to know her. Atleast meet her once"Kumari said

"Who is the girl?"Shalini asked.

"Yeah we want to know"the kids chanted.

"I would say. But I want Jai to know about her first"Kumari said. Looking at him.

"Maa please. I don't want to know. And neither I want to get married now. Please leave me alone for some time"he got up and walked upstairs. Before anyone could oppose.

"Raju listen.."Kumari called him from behind.

"Don't worry ma. Annaya is just tensed. Just give him some time"Shruthi said. Once Jai was gone.

"I'm worried about him"Kumari said.

"Shruthi is right. We have to give him some more time instead of forcing him like this. He's doing well in his career. May that's what important to him right now"Krishna said.

"I know annaya. Let me see if I can convince him about this one"Kumari sighed.

Jai walked inside his room. And sat on the bed. Stretching his arms and legs. He had a good day. He'd met srishti even though he had no idea that he was going to meet her again. But the marriage topic always left him devasted. He didn't wanted to think about that. May be one day he could find someone. Whom he wants to spend his life with. He had no idea with whom.

He checked his phone and went through some appointments. A little later Kumari walked inside the room. Jai looked upto her and sighed.

"Maa if you're coming back to talk about the marriage again. I'm really not interested in that"he said.

"Raju..just calm down. See I don't want to force you for anything"she said.

"I'm fine ma. And I'm sorry that I'm making you all wait. I know you guys want to see me getting married. But...I just haven't met the right girl. See it's a lot to process for me"he said.

"Fine. I understand. But I'm not asking you to get married to the girl we like. It's completely your choice. As your mother I have some responsibility. Don't you think I should look after that?"she asked. And he just nodded. Kumari sat next to him and caressed his hairs.

"I've met a girl and I think she's perfect for you. I'm not asking you to get married to her or to meet her. I'm just asking you to consider her"she said and he shrugged.

"What do you want me to do now ma?"he asked.

"I've sent her photo to your WhatsApp. Just check it and let me know what do you think about her. And the girl is someone you already knows. If your answer is no then I'm completely okay with it. I just want you to look at the pic and let me know what do think. Can you do that for me?"she asked. He paused for few seconds and then nodded

"Fine. But you won't force me. I'll let you know whenever I want to"he said and she smiled.

"Your wish"she said. Ruffling his hairs.

"Now freshen up and sleep before it's too late. You have work tomorrow right?"she asked.

"Yes ma"

Kumari got up to leave.

"Ma wait"Jai called her from behind. She turned to look at him.

"Why didn't you tell me that you'd invited srishti for the Pooja?"he asked. Kumari chuckled inwardly.

"Superstar Jai prakash Raj. You're not supposed to know everything your mother is planning for you"she said making him frown.

"Sleep well Raju"

"Good night ma"

"Good night"

Kumari left the room. Jai got up from the bed and walked inside the washroom. After taking a warm shower he felt better. When he returned back. Ganesh called him to inform about his shoot in the morning. Jai enquired about srishti. Ganesh told him that he'd dropped her back home safe. After talking for fifteen minutes he dropped the call and lay on the bed.

His mind was blank. He felt bad for disappointing his family about his marriage. At the same time he was barely prepared for it. He took his phone from the night stand and opened his WhatsApp. He saw a photo recieved from his mother.

A deep sigh left his lips. What is wrong in seeing the picture once? His mind screamed. On the other side he didn't wanted to. It was bothering him so much. After five minutes he decided to go for it.

He opened his mom's chat and the girls pic popped up in his phone screen. Making him freeze in shock..
.
.
Two hours before

Srishti was excited like a kid. She had one more memorable day with him and she had no idea she would be meeting him again. She recalled the way he spoke. And smiled at her. Goosebumps arosed in her skin. Giving her a hard time.

Suddenly she think about her family. Making her bit her lips in nervousness.

"Shit. I didn't even inform bhoomi that I'm on my way. I think I should call her now"srishti said to herself. Searching her phone in her purse. It wasn't there. She searched over the seat. Then it struck her. She'd kept her phone in Shruthis room when she was taken to her room. She hit her forehead and sighed.

"You okay madam?"Ganesh asked. Seeing srishti all tensed.

"Um. No....actually I think I forgot my phone. I have to call my family and inform them that I'm on my way"she said.

"Oh do you want me to go and get it right now or may be I'll get you your phone by tomorrow morning?"Ganesh asked.

"No sir I need it right now. They'll be tensed and I don't want to cause any trouble for you either"srishti said.

"So let's go back and get it then. Besides we haven't come that far"ganesh said. Srishti nodded.

Ganesh asked the driver to turn the car. In few minutes they were in front of jais house again. Srishti sighed. Nervously. She was happy she could meet him again. But also very tensed.

"I'll go and get it for you madam"ganesh said.

"No sir. Its okay. I will go"srishti said. As she came out of the car. Pumping her fists in nervousness. She walked towards the door quietly. On reaching the door she saw all his family members gathered in the living room. No one noticed her. She hesitated to go inside. Not wanting to spoil family moments.

She saw jai sitting along with Shruthi. And smiled at him. Admiring him deep inside her.

"It's been so long we're asking you this but..today we really want to know what is in your mind"she heard Kumari saying. She wondered what was going on.

"What are you talking about ma?"jai asked. She keenly listened. She wanted to go away from there. But didn't wanted to interfere either.

"We want you to get married soon. And today I've liked a girl. I want to know what do you feel about her"srishti heard Kumari saying. Her heart felt so heavy. She stood there for a second and came back to the car without hearing anything further.

"Did you get it?"Ganesh asked. Surprised to see srishti coming back so quickly. She nodded without saying anything and slipped into the seat.

The car was started and once again it exited the compound. Srishti stared outside at the night. Realising that he would be getting married to some other girl. It made her sink. She knew she would be his fan always. But nothing won't be the same ever. He would belong to someone else. And he would love her with all his heart. It made her feel heavy and suffocated.

And she didn't knew what fate had in store for her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Jai's concerns

♡ Nila ♡