1800+ Words

Na Jane kaisi Nazar thi unki
Jab se unki Nazar ne iss nazar ko jiss nazar se tha dekha
Tab se iss nazar ne kisi aur nazar ko uss nazar se ek nazar tak naa dekha...
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Author's pov:



As Ashwin went out of his for a walk after a long and stressed day. The busy streets of the city were bathed in the soft glow of evening lights as Ashwin stormed down the sidewalk, frustration etched on his face. In the midst of a heated argument with a reckless driver, little did he know that his life was about to take a sudden turn.

That very evening, Ashwin received a stern summons from his grandfather, Abhiraj, a man of traditional values and a firm believer in the importance of family.

The 26-year-old Ashwin found himself facing the prospect of marriage, a notion that seemed absurd to him at the moment.

His brother, Viyaan, received a mysterious text at the office, causing him to raise an intrigued eyebrow. Abhiraj had sent a picture of a woman with the message, "Meet your soon-to-be sister-in-law, Anshika." Viyaan, always the mischievous one, couldn't contain his excitement.

"Bro, you won't believe what Grandpa just dropped on us," Viyaan grinned, flaunting his phone.

Ashwin's eyes narrowed in confusion as he glanced at the image. "Anshika? Who's that?"

Viyaan chuckled, "Our mysterious bride-to-be, my friend. Grandpa says she's the one."

Curiosity mingled with disbelief on Ashwin's face as he stared at the picture. And then, the realization struck. Anshika, the woman from the road. The memory of their heated argument echoed in his mind.

Ashwin's expression morphed from confusion to shock and then disdain. "Anshika? Seriously? How am I supposed to spend my life with her after that road disaster?"

Viyaan burst into laughter, "Well, she's not just any Anshika, brother. She's a successful businesswoman and a beauty to boot. You've hit the jackpot!"

Ashwin's eyes widened, his thoughts a jumble. He couldn't fathom being tied to someone he'd clashed with so fiercely. "Viyaan, to mazak kr rha hai, She is going to be my why?"(You are kidding me)

Viyaan, still grinning, teased, "Well, brother, you've got yourself a feisty one. Congratulations! Imagine waking up to that every day."
Ashwin, however, was lost in contemplation. The image of Anshika, successful and beautiful, clashed with the memory of their argument. He sighed, realizing the irony of fate. Little did he know, his life was about to be entwined with Anshika's in ways he never anticipated.

"I am going  home You wanna join me viyaan"? said Ashwin worried enough.

Viyaan nodded. He ran to his mercedes and Viyaan took his car and drove to home again.

At home.

The atmosphere at Ashwin's home was tense as he mustered the courage to confront his grandfather, Abhiraj, about the unexpected turn of events. The old clock on the wall seemed to tick louder, echoing the impending clash between tradition and Ashwin's desires.

"Ashwin, my boy, I hope you've had some time to consider the proposal," Abhiraj said with a warm smile, attempting to diffuse the tension.

Ashwin, however, couldn't hide the unease in his eyes. "Grandpa, we need to talk. About
Anshika."

Abhiraj raised an eyebrow, sensing that this conversation might not go as smoothly as he had hoped. "What's on your mind, Ashwin?"

Taking a deep breath, Ashwin hesitated for a moment before uttering, "I can't marry Anshika."
Abhiraj's smile faded, replaced by a stern expression. "And why is that? You've never even met the girl. What could possibly be the issue?"

Ashwin hesitated, choosing not to disclose the real reason behind his reluctance. "It's just... I have my reasons, Grandpa. I can't go through with this."

The old man's eyes narrowed, a mixture of disappointment and frustration crossing his face. "Ashwin, do you realize the importance of family and tradition? This decision is not just about you. It's about our legacy."

Ashwin's frustration bubbled to the surface. "Grandpa, I understand tradition, but this is my life. I can't just marry someone I barely know, especially after the way we met. Please, I'm begging you, change the bride."

Abhiraj's patience wore thin, and his voice rose. "Ashwin, you're being unreasonable and change the bride? This thing is not a game. This is for the family. You can't let a petty disagreement ruin your future."

A fiery exchange of words ensued as Ashwin and his grandfather clashed over values, tradition, and personal freedom. The echoes of their argument reverberated through the house, leaving a strained silence in its wake. In the end, Ashwin stood firm, his decision made, though the emotional toll was evident on both him and his grandfather. 

The living room was charged with tension as Ashwin and his grandfather, Abhiraj, faced each other in a battle of wills. The air seemed to crackle with unspoken words, each moment intensifying the conflict between tradition and individual desires.

Abhiraj's stern expression mirrored the weight of his words. "Ashwin, you are letting your personal whims overshadow the values that have held this family together for generations. You cannot simply dismiss the importance of this union for the sake of a fleeting disagreement."

Ashwin, fueled by frustration and a sense of injustice, retorted, "Grandpa, I respect our traditions, but this is not about whims. It's about my life, my happiness. I can't marry someone I barely know, especially after the chaos I-I mean... I don't want to marry her that's it."

Abhiraj's eyes flashed with a mix of disappointment and anger. "This marriage is not just about you. It's about the legacy of our family. You are the torchbearer of our heritage, and you cannot let personal grievances tarnish that responsibility."

As the argument escalated, emotions surged like a tempest. Ashwin, feeling cornered, shot back, "Grandpa, I won't sacrifice my happiness for the sake of tradition. Times have changed, and so should we. I can't believe you're forcing me into this."

Abhiraj's voice grew sterner, resonating with the weight of tradition. "You are being selfish, Ashwin. Our family's honor is at stake. You must put aside your petty disputes and fulfill your duty."

Ashwin, however, stood firm, his eyes reflecting defiance. "I won't allow myself to be shackled to a decision that goes against everything I believe in. If you force me into this, you'll lose me, Grandpa."

The words hung in the air, a declaration of rebellion against the constraints of tradition. The clash of generations had reached its zenith, leaving the room echoing with the unresolved tension between a grandfather's expectations and a grandson's pursuit of individual freedom. 

.....

Ashwin's footsteps echoed through the hallway as he stormed into his room, slamming the door shut behind him. The weight of the argument still hung heavy in the air, and his frustration lingered like an unresolved storm. Viyaan, sensing the turmoil, cautiously approached his brother's closed door.

"Ashwin, open up, man. We need to talk," Viyaan called through the door, his voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

Inside, Ashwin paced back and forth, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The clash with his grandfather had left him drained and resolute in his decision. He wasn't ready to surrender his principles for the sake of tradition.

Ignoring Viyaan's request, Ashwin continued to pace until the door creaked open, revealing Viyaan's concerned face. "Bro, seriously, what's going on? Why are you risking the wrath of Grandpa over this?"

Ashwin stopped abruptly, locking eyes with his brother. "Viyaan, I can't go through with this marriage. Not after the way we met, not after that argument. It's just not right."

Viyaan, ever the mediator, sighed and stepped further into the room. "I get it, Ash. But think about Grandpa. He's old-fashioned, and family means everything to him. This isn't just about you."

Ashwin shot back, frustration evident in his voice, "Viyaan, it is about me! It's my life, my happiness. I can't let someone else dictate my future."

Viyaan ran a hand through his hair, a sign of exasperation. "Look, I know it's not ideal, but sometimes we have to compromise for the sake of family. Grandpa isn't getting any younger, and this marriage means a lot to him. Can't you find some middle ground?"

Ashwin's eyes flashed with defiance. "I can't compromise on this, Viyaan. I won't let my life be dictated by tradition. If that means upsetting Grandpa, so be it."

Viyaan sighed again, realizing the depth of Ashwin's resolve. "Just be careful, okay? You're playing with fire here. Grandpa won't take this lightly."

As Viyaan left the room, the door closed behind him, leaving Ashwin alone with his thoughts. The battle within the family raged on, each member holding onto their convictions, uncertain of the ultimate outcome.

Next Morning

The next morning dawned with a sense of anticipation lingering in the air. Ashwin, reluctantly donned in formal attire, descended the staircase to join the family at the breakfast table. The atmosphere was strangely calm, a deceptive peace masking the storm that had brewed the night before.

His grandfather, father, Viyaan, and Noha sat around the table, exchanging glances that spoke volumes about the tension in the room. The clinking of cutlery against plates echoed through the quiet morning as Ashwin took his seat, eyeing the untouched plate before him.

His grandfather, Abhiraj, cleared his throat, breaking the uneasy silence. "Ashwin, my boy, we need to talk."

Ashwin sighed inwardly, already bracing himself for another round of discussion. "Grandpa, I—"
Abhiraj raised a hand, silencing him momentarily. "Let me speak, Ashwin beta. Last night, we had a heated exchange, and I realized that perhaps I have been too adamant. But, there's something you need to understand."

Ashwin nodded, his expression a mix of resignation and curiosity.

Abhiraj continued, "Anshika is not just a stranger. She is the daughter of my childhood friend. Her family has been an integral part of our lives, and I trust that she will be a good addition to our family. It's not just about tradition; it's about our history and bonds that go beyond a single generation."

The room held its breath as Abhiraj's words hung in the air. Ashwin glanced at each family member, sensing their silent support or anticipation.

Finally, Abhiraj fixed his gaze on Ashwin, his eyes softened. "I know this is a lot to take in, and I don't want you to feel forced. But, consider the bigger picture. Will you, for the sake of family, reconsider?"

Ashwin met his grandfather's gaze, feeling the weight of responsibility and tradition pressing down on him. After a pause that seemed to stretch for eternity, he sighed and nodded.

"Yes, Grandpa. For the sake of family and our history, I'll do it. I'll marry Anshika," Ashwin conceded, the words heavy on his tongue.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the room, and the tension seemed to dissipate, at least for the moment. The family, though relieved, knew that this decision was just the beginning of a journey filled with challenges and adjustments. The table returned to its quiet morning routine, but the echoes of the previous night's turmoil lingered, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Ashwin and his family.