Advika's POV

I saw him take two or three long strides towards me and take a seat next to me, completing the circle on the table.

He looked at me, gave a half smile and with a mischievous look in his eyes, he said, "Hi,"

"Hi," I meekly replied and quickly broke the eye contact.

I was not weak in my knees or something - please.
As I had mentioned before, I was not used to seeing a family as good looking and regal as them in my entire existence.
It's like the cheer leader effect - except, people in this house are actually pretty and not like a bunch of above average looking friend group from the neighbouring college.

By that time, my big ass stomach had ten percent of appetite left.

"Advika, are you a vegetarian or a non vegetarian?" She enquired.

"Anything works," I replied.

"But what do you like?" And everyone was just staring at me for an answer.

"I am okay with non vegetarian food," I quickly replied just to get rid of those stares.

Rajmata signaled the butler to start serving and the food was then presented in front of each one of us. The butler explained briefly what all were presented to us for lunch.

For starters we were served a glass of Saffron-Sandalwood Sherbet and a platter of Beetroot and Peas Kabab, Kalmi Vada, Oats and Bajra Pancake, and Shami Kebab. It was accompanied with green chutney, chickpea hummus and almond chutney.

This is enough for my ten percent appetite.

Everyone dived right into their lunch and I followed.

After a few minutes of silent eating and clatters of cutlery, the server came and picked our plates, cleared the table and just when I thought, 'yeah that was a nice lunch,' I was taken aback with a full thaali of food.

I can NEVER finish that.

So, that wasn't the actual lunch?

The actual lunch had Laal Maas, which I absolutely freaking love, Gatte pulao, Bajre ki Roti, Khatto Murgh, Ker sangri ki sabji, Tawa Mirchi and a serving of tamarind chutney.

My remaining ninety percent of appetite just made a grand entry after looking at the food.

Who spoils people like that?
Plus, there are so many varieties.
This is literally the best fucking vacation of my existence.

I am getting to have all the 'traditional' food in this platter and I know there's so much more to explore but God, thank you. I am grateful to you.

I understand the serving size is small and only enough to make you feel full but that's still a lot of preparation and effort and I am not complaining.

Ten on ten.

If you want to win over me, give me food.

In the middle of me struggling to cut my through the meat elegantly, because that's how everyone was eating, I noticed Ved eating like he had not had this food since ages.

It was still very regal, the way he was eating, but there was something that made me want to watch him eat and see him get satisfied.

Bad idea.

Why?

Because he caught me.

Oh fuck.

I quickly averted my gaze and concentrated on eating. I was actually enjoying the meal and forgot that an awkward moment even happened when in the middle of me devouring the chicken, I felt someone's eyes on me.

I turned to fish for the intruder and saw Ved looking at me.
And the audacity, he wouldn't budge.

He gave me another half smile and went right back into eating.

The silence wasn't at all awkward until I noticed Mrs Shekhawat staring at me with a weird look on her face. A face that screamed 'I don't like you, why the fuck are you in my house?'

It took me a few seconds to register that energy radiating through her and no matter how much I tried to ignore it, I couldn't.

When she noticed I was looking back at her, she smiled and went straight into her food.

This is one unusual family.

Once we were done with this lunch, it was time for desserts.

We had Ghevar and Moong Dal Halwa.

Halfway through Ghevar, I gave up.

My eyes just automatically shifted towards Ved who finished it all, leaned back and wiped his mouth with the white cloth napkin and rested it in the table.

Everyone was done, our plates were cleared and that's when Rajmata cleared her throat and gained everyone's attention.

"How was the food Advika?" She asked.

And again, everyone was looking at me.

"Good," I replied with a tight lipped smile.

"Just good?" She enquired while she signalled someone at the door for something that the person understood.

"Excellent is what I meant," I said.

She has a small smile plastered on her face which widened as she heard my reply.

"Hmm,"

"We are pleased that you joined us for lunch," she said. "Right Maya?"

Mrs Shekhawat, who was evidently not happy with my presence, forcefully nodded.

"Don't you think she's absolutely gorgeous?" She asked Mrs Shekhawat and it seemed like she was deliberately doing it to get some reaction out of her.

"She is," an uncomfortable expression stamped her face as she replied.

Wow, I want to leave.

"So, you want to hear the offer Advika?" She asked.

Oh yes, the offer.
That's what I was here for!

The offer. The damn offer

Okay,

Let's hear it out. I can leave right after.

"Yes, yes absolutely," I think I sounded a little too eager.

She passed one look at Mr Shekhawat, another one at Ved and finally at me.

"The offer that this family is going to make right now is like a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.

Well, I'm sure that's the case.

"Give her the file," she asked the person she had signalled before for something.

I was given a brown leather file but before I could open it, Mrs Shekhawat intervened.

"I really don't think we should do this," she voiced.

"Did anyone ask for your opinion?" She was shut off almost instantly by the Rajmata.

Brutal is the word.

"This is like repeating the history itself," she said.

"Samar, will you ask her to not embarrass me like that?" She tried to suppress her anger while saying this.

"Maya, we'll talk about this later. Please," he calmed her down. "Please," he whispered again and held her hand.

She managed to not say a word after that but I could look at her and tell she was not having it.

"I'm sorry for this, please don't mind," Rajmata apologized but in a way that seemed like she was covering up for the alleged embarrassment.

At that point, I wasn't just uncomfortable but skeptical of the offer.

What the hell is going on?

I looked at Ved and he was typing something on his phone.

"So, now the offer," she said and gained my full attention.

"Advika, will you consider marrying my grandson, Vedant?"

What - the - actual - fuck?

_______________________________________________

Hey!

Here's the new update.

What do you think is going to happen now?
Will Advika accept the offer?

I mean, it sure is a once in a lifetime kinda offer but given Vedant's behaviour in front of the world, Mrs Shekhawat's questionable interventions and every single action of the family since the beginning - especially Rajmata making the offer within a day of meeting her!

What do you think Advika's reaction will be?

Let me know what do you think through your comments and votes.

Thank you