ᴛ ʜ ɪ ʀ ᴅ     ᴘ ᴇ ʀ s ᴏ ɴ

While Zivah was busy calming herself down, strolling in the garden on farmhouse at the sudden request of her Dad, Arjun was busy waiting for Avinash to start his explanation. Amara had already been asked to retire to the guestroom as they didn't want her to indulge in a discussion like this.

"Baba..." Arjun voiced out noticing Avinash sitting on the couch with his head dipped down between his hands that were resting on the support of his elbows.

"Arjun, you know right you always ask me about how you can repay me?" Avinash questioned all of a sudden making Arjun nod his head a little.

"And my reply-"

"That seeing Amara and I doing so great in our lives is enough for you. No other thing can be equal to this." Arjun butted in completing his sentence, because that's what he has been listening since years.

"Yes. And now I think I've finally found something that'll be equal to this." Avinash voiced out making Arjun release a breath of satisfaction.

"I always thought now that you've reached such heights, it won't take you long to marry someone and settle in your life. But it never happened. I don't know what the reason is, but now I think I am glad it didn't happen." He said making Arjun shocked for a moment, but he as always masked his expression.

"You must be thinking that what I said earlier, about your and Zivah's marriage was in a casual way or that I wasn't serious about it. Well part of me wasn't completely serious, but at this point I think it's serious." Avinash continued, nodding his head a little.

"You are a great person Arjun. I have no words to say about how you've managed yourself and Amara since her childhood, all alone." Avinash said, but this time Arjun cut him right there.

"Baba, it wasn't me alone. If I would've been alone at that time, then I don't think we would be here at this point. It was all b-because of you. You were-" And even Avinash didn't let him complete.

"It was one of the best part of my life Arjun. And because of all these factors about you, I cannot help, but to think that I want such a life partner for my Zivah as well. Someone who I can trust, is responsible enough to take care of her no matter what type of situation comes and someone who'll love her immensely."

"She doesn't says this nor let us feel like it, but she feels alone. Her sudden demand of having a pet dog and other factors made me think this. Anyways, how long will she stay happy with a old man like me. She needs changes. She needs more people in her life."

"And I don't think there's anyone better than you for her. Arjun, you're just perfect for her. With your marriage, I'll be contented that my daughter is in safe hands and I'll be the happiest knowing my son has someone in his life who'll care for her." He continued and all the while Arjun was looking at him intently, without blinking his eyes.

And yet again, he had a blank face. No one could decipher what's going on in his mind. Not even Avinash Rai.

"I am not forcing anything on you. And most importantly, it's not your repayment towards me. It'll never be. This is only a small request from my side to you just so two pieces of my heart as happy and contented in their lives. You can take as much time as you want, but remember one thing, I'll be grateful for you like anything. Even more than you've ever been to me." He said with a small smile at the end.

"Baba- I- I will do whatever you want. You don't have to request me for anything. The only thing you should be doing to me is to order. If you want me to marry Zivah, I'll do that. Not because of any repayment or something, but because my Baba has asked me for anything for the first time in my life." Arjun said, taking Avinash's hand in his.

"I will marry Zivah. For you, for her and for me." He said in a determined tone, making Avinash's eyes glisten with fresh tears.

"Arjun, please talk to Zivah. Do whatever you think will make her agree to this because I know she won't easily give in. It'll be only you who will talk with her. Not even Amara and I being anywhere near you two in this."

And with that, he immediately engulfed him in a tight hug while there in the corner was standing Amara, her eyes glistening with tears at the thought of her brother finally agreeing to what she'd been planning and wanting since long. Her brother will finally get someone for him who will love and care for him like a life partner and that her bestfriend, Zivah will be the happiest with him, knowing what type of person is Arjun with his family members.

With a big smile plastered on her face, she turned back on her heels, wondering about the talk she had with Avinash in the early morning that only brought another round of tears of happiness in her eyes.

Flashback:

"Baba!" A very excited Amara shouted, entering Avinash's farmhouse.

It had been so long since she met him because of her college and constant interviews.

"Kiddo! What a pleasant surprise." He exclaimed looking at the cheerful Amara.

"How is my oldie?" She questioned sitting beside him on the chair in the garden.

The fresh breeze of morning elated their happiness. The wafts of cold air was dancing in front of them, making her glee while Avinash had this broad smile seeing his little princess, his kiddo, Amara in such a mood.

"Your oldie is having the best time of his life. What about my kiddo? And are you taking care of my son?" He questioned playfully.

"He doesn't lets me no matter how much I try. A week ago, I did so much efforts to learn the whole recipe from Zivah to make his favourite red velvet cake. And what was the outcome? He scolded me about how I shouldn't focus on caring about him and so on so on." Amara huffed looking at Avinash with a big pout.

It's not a secret from anyone that Amara is everyone's cute, little brat. She's everyone little princess, even Zivah's and that's why they try their best not to let her face any situation with trouble.

Maybe they'd decided when they'd seen her 7 month, delicate premature self in the incubator, which hasn't changed till now.

"Well, it isn't a new thing is it? And you people have cooks right? Then why do you bother to do such things? Kiddo, focus on your career and studies. You know right, Arjun never appreciates when you waste your time on these things rather than studying?" Avinash reasoned.

"The cooks don't make the particular red velvet cake now, do they? They're for regular meals. And the fact how much Arjun Bro bears that food is not hidden from me. He literally skips meals and I know it's only because he doesn't likes the food prepared by them." Amara put up her point, which she never misses to.

"Kiddo, you know your brother right? He doesn't listens to anyone. No matter how much I try to explain him about what all he does and plans to do in future with himself, he never listens. Even yesterday, just as I started the topic of his marriage, he cut the call saying he has an important meeting." Avinash huffed, now back to his dramatic mode which Amara has learnt from him only.

"You're so right Baba. Even I talked to bro about his marriage plans-"

And he didn't let her complete.

"Oh my dear god. What did he say at this kiddo?" He asked looking all bewildered.

"If you'll let me speak, then only I'll reply right?" Amara scrunched up her nose.

"Oops, sorry. Continue." He said sheepishly making her coo at him.

"Aren't you cutie patootie?" She said adorably, pinching his cheeks.

"Duh, of course." He deadpanned.

"Baba, when someone compliments you, you gotta compliment back." Amara huffed.

"But I don't have any such compliment for you. What should I even say? That- uhhh- you're my little princess?" He questioned, scratching the back of his head.

"What the hell Baba? I thought you're going to give me a top class compliment." She breathed out tiredly.

"Even if I'll give you a top class compliment, it won't be the best for you. After all you're used to the compliments from Arjun." He shook his head.

"It will be. You know why? The only compliment Arjun Bro gives to me is 'My sister has grown up so beautiful'. It feels more like he's mourning about the fact that I've grown up." She reasoned and this time it wasn't a look of dramatics on his face. It was her genuine sadness.

"Kiddo, every parent is sad about the fact that their children have grown up and they'll now leave-"

"But he's not my parent right? He's my big bro." Amara butted in.

"A brother who has raised you like a daughter just from the day when you were born." Avinash explained with a sad smile.

"B-But this is now costing him his own happiness and life right, Baba?" Amara said helplessly, her eyes that had by now glistened with fresh tears.

This was Avinash and Amara's bond. One moment they'll be having their happy times, and the very next moment they'll be sharing their sorrows. And yet they understood the state of mind of each other very well. It never took them long to come to a conclusion because Amara was almost like Avinash. Her behaviour was like as if they're real father-daughter where in reality they aren't even blood related.

"What are you trying to say kiddo? I am not able to understand." Avinash said looking at her with a confused look, yet a small smile on his face because he was shocked at what she was leading to.

"Baba, how can I not think about the fact that Bro isn't marrying or focusing on building a family for himself because of me? He says I shouldn't care about him because he'll take care of both him and me. But he doesn't. He never take cares of himself and constantly worries about me. Doesn't that concludes I am in a way ruining his life when he's trying to do the best for me?" She explained, tears running down her cheeks.

"Amara-"

"And Baba, it is wrong of him to think about that. I am at a stage where I might do something in my life for which I have to stay away from Bro, even my internship or a job. Then what will Bro do? He'll be all alone right? How will he take care of himself all alone and tha load of his company? I won't be there right, but he says he'll continue caring about me. Now, where is 'he' in this?" She didn't let his speak and continued her rambling.

Her words only made Avinash's mouth drop open in shock. Yet he somewhere knew that this time it wasn't the usual Amara. She was being mature. Highly mature which no one takes her and that's why even Arjun didn't listen to her reasoning at that day.

Was what she saying right? Avinash only had confusion in his mind regarding what was going in the lives of his children.

"Then what are you planning to do because of this Amara?" Avinash finally asked in a very soft voice.

"B-Baba, why don't you ask Bro to marry someone?" Amara questioned, looking at him hopefully.

"Kiddo! What are you saying? You know that's not the right thing to do, right? We cannot force someone to do something just because we want that." Avinash reasoned.

"Not even if it'll secure and benefit the lives of your two out of three children?" She asked with a small smile.

"What are you trying to say kiddo?" Avinash questioned looking all confused.

"Baba, I am thinking we should hitch Bro and Z-Zivah together." And as soon she completed her sentence, a ball landed on her head.

"Oww Baba. What was that for? This ball is for your hand exercises, not hitting delicate flowers." She yelped rubbing the back of her head because of the ball that was thrown there.

"Don't you dare call yourself a delicate flower! Do you even know what you just said?" He said in a playful manner.

"Is it? Okay, now speak yourself that what I just said didn't make any sense. Like as if you don't agree with it." Amara nodded her head encouragingly for him to speak.

And no words came out of Avinash's mouth.

"Exactly Baba. You aren't able to say anything, right? That's because you know it yourself that somewhere you'd imagined a man like Bro for your daughter, Zivah. He's perfect for her right?" She asked and he nodded his head solemnly, not getting any benefit of hiding the fact anymore.

"And it's the same for Bro, Baba. Zivah is perfect for him. Just imagine how satisfied you will be knowing that two most important people in your life are secured with each other. I know you didn't ever think about voicing your feelings about them, but Baba it's the best time right now to do this." Amara said, looking at him hopefully.

"Zivah is like my elder sister first rather than being my bestfriend. I know she'll be safe with Bro. You know she'll be safe with Bro. Don't you want the best for your daughter, the same way I want it for my Brother?" She questioned.

"I do want. I know Arjun is the best option for Zivah. I know he's the only one I can trust for my daughter. I'll be glad to know that my daughter is in the arms of best man she could ever get. But I never knew how to put this idea up kiddo. It'll be unfair to them." For the first time, Avinash put his words into this matter.

"Unfair? How will it be unfair Baba? When this marriage will benefit both of them in the best of ways which we know and they don't, then let them think this. Because at the end we know they're the best for each other and this decision is the best. And I am sure that at one point, they'll be glad of us to do this." Amara said smiling at him.

"You're right Amara. You're absolutely right." He nodded his head with the biggest of smile, looking into space.

"But there's one problem." He said the very next moment with a sour look.

"What now?" Amara huffed.

"How are we going to make them agree to this? I mean, I can get Arjun on track at a point, but Zivah? She's not someone to be played with." He explained, now a look of worry on his face.

"Don't worry Baba. I have everything planned out." Amara winked at him, giving him a high-five which he gladly returned, a big laugh escaping from his mouth.

And that's how ladies and gentlemen, Amara Raichand and Avinash Rai had a chat to bring the best plan of the century into action.

Flashback ends.

******

Hey everyone!

How was the chapter?

It seems Arjun has agreed to Amara's masterplan to unite him and Zivah that too with Zivah's Dad at every step. Let's see now that how Arjun will make Zivah agree to this as well.