1980+ Words

Kaun Kehta hai ki dil
sirf lafzo se dukhaya jata hai 
Teri khamoshi bhi 
kabhi kabhi... 
Aankhein nam krdeti hai.

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Ashwin's pov:

As I stood outside the Antil family mansion, watching the light spill from the windows and hearing the faint sounds of laughter and conversation from within, a whirlwind of emotions churned within him.

I couldn't shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty that gnawed at his insides. What would Anshika think of me? Would she be like the others, charmed by her beauty and oblivious to the complexities beneath the surface?

Ashwin's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, I felt a pang of guilt for what he Fought for. I hadn't wanted this arranged marriage, and the thought of deceiving her weighed heavily on my conscience.

Yet, a voice within me whispered that it didn't matter. After all, love wasn't a consideration in arranged marriages, was it? I reminded himself that I would make it clear to Anshika from the start—there would be no love, no expectations, no illusions of a fairy-tale romance. It would be a pragmatic union, nothing more.

But even as I tried to convince myself of my resolve, a flicker of doubt danced at the edges of my consciousness. What if Anshika will reject me? after all that drama on road?

"Why the heck am I thinking bout all this... come to your senses Ashwin! you don't have to do anything of course after all I don't trust anyone right! it's just a marriage. Zayada se zayada kya hoga? kuch bhi toh nahi bss mere room or ghar mein ek member add hoga.(what will happen at the worst. Nothing but a member will be added in my room and mansion)" I whispered to myself still nervous .

My inner turmoil reached a crescendo as I grappled with my conflicting emotions. On one hand, I longed for acceptance, for the assurance that Anshika would understand and respect my boundaries. Yet, on the other hand, he feared the vulnerability that came with opening himself up to the possibility of rejection or disappointment.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and steeled himself for what lay ahead. "tu kar sakta hai(You can do this), Ashwin," I muttered to myself, a mantra of determination amidst the chaos of my thoughts. "Bss andar jaa baith, or formalities kar (Just go inside, sit through the formalities), and then it'll be done. No expectations, no complications."

With a final resolve, Ashwin pushed open the door and stepped into the warmth of the Antil family home, ready to face whatever awaited him, even as the uncertainty of the future loomed large in his mind.

Author's pov:

As Ashwin stepped into the Antil family home with a demeanor of quiet confidence, his presence seemed to electrify the air. Anaya and Anshika, frozen in shock, exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Anaya's voice broke through the stunned silence, her words tinged with astonishment. "You... Are you... the groom?" she managed to utter, her voice trailing off as she struggled to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.

Ashwin remained silent, his gaze meeting Anshika's for a fleeting moment before turning towards his grandpa, who had observed the exchange with a furrowed brow. Sensing the tension in the air, he intervened with a question that hung heavy with implication. "tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho (You both know each other)?"

Anaya, caught off guard by the probing inquiry, was about to respond when Anshika, her mind racing with conflicting emotions, interjected with a hurried denial. "No!" she blurted out, her voice betraying a hint of panic as she attempted to conceal the truth behind a forced smile.

Anshika's heart pounded with a mixture of apprehension and embarrassment as she struggled to maintain her composure. The memory of their heated exchange on the road loomed large in her mind, a stark reminder of the animosity that had once existed between them. And now, faced with the prospect of pretending as though they were strangers. Of course they fought but didn't knew each other names! She didn't wanted to tell her family about fight for the sake of the friendship between two old mans

Ashwin, too, grappled with a surge of conflicting emotions as he met Anshika's gaze. The memory of their encounter on the road flashed before his eyes, and he felt a twinge of regret for the harsh words he had spoken in the heat of the moment. Yet, beneath the veneer of indifference he had cultivated, there lingered a flicker of something else—a spark of recognition, perhaps, or a trace of curiosity about the woman who stood before him now, her facade of indifference barely concealing the vulnerability beneath.

As the tense moment stretched on, Ashwin's grandpa broke the silence with a gentle yet pointed inquiry. "Anshika, dear, are you sure you don't know Ashwin?"

Anshika's heart raced as she struggled to find the right words. "Yes, Dadu," she replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. "I'm sure."

Her response hung in the air, laden with unspoken tension and the weight of deception. And as Ashwin and Anshika exchanged a fleeting glance, each unable to shake the echoes of their past encounter, they both knew that the facade they were about to construct would be built upon a foundation of half-truths and hidden emotions, a fragile edifice poised on the brink of collapse.

Ansh, sensing the palpable tension in the room, cast a puzzled glance between Ashwin and Anshika, his brow furrowed in confusion. "But I don't understand," he began, his voice trembling slightly with disbelief. "You both seemed so... familiar with each other."

Anshika's heart sank at the realization that their thinly veiled facade was beginning to unravel. She bit her lip nervously, her mind racing for a plausible explanation that would satisfy Ansh's curiosity without revealing the truth.

Ashwin, too, felt a surge of panic at the prospect of their deception being exposed. He cleared his throat awkwardly, his mind racing for a response that would deflect Anaya's suspicions without betraying the truth.

"It's just a... coincidence," he offered lamely, his voice betraying a hint of unease. "We must have... crossed paths somewhere before."

Anshika nodded in agreement, her heart hammering in her chest as she forced a reassuring smile. "Yes, that must be it," she chimed in, her voice trembling slightly with nervousness. "Just a coincidence."

As the tension in the room reached a fever pitch, Ashwin's grandpa stepped forward with a gentle yet authoritative demeanor. "Well, regardless of how you know each other, I think it's high time we move forward with the introductions," he declared, his voice carrying a note of finality.

Anshika breathed a sigh of relief at the reprieve, grateful for the opportunity to steer the conversation away from their shared past. She cast a grateful glance towards Ashwin, silently thanking him for his quick thinking in diffusing the tension.

Ashwin returned her gaze with a faint smile, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. And as they prepared to embark on this journey of deception together, they both knew that their newfound alliance would be tested by the secrets they held and the emotions they dared not reveal. But for now, they would play their parts.

All accepted the words of anshika and Ashwin. And started their talks again. 

As the evening progressed, the initial tension and uncertainty that had lingered in the air gradually dissipated, giving way to an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. The Anshika's family and Ashwin's Family found themselves engaging in animated conversation, sharing anecdotes and laughter as they began to forge bonds that transcended the formalities of an arranged marriage.

Viyaan and Noha, ever the life of the party, regaled the gathering with their infectious energy and quick wit, eliciting peals of laughter from both sides of the family. Anaya, with her vivacious charm, effortlessly bridged the gap between the two families, her infectious enthusiasm serving as a catalyst for newfound connections.

Ansh, Anshika's brother, joined in the festivities with a playful jest, adding his own brand of humor to the mix. His easygoing nature and genuine warmth endeared him to Ashwin's family, fostering a sense of kinship that belied the circumstances of their initial introduction.

Anshika's grandfather, a venerable figure whose wisdom was revered by all, leaned forward with a twinkle in his eye as he addressed Ashwin's parents. "Tell me, what qualities do you believe Ashwin possesses that make him an ideal match for our Anshika?"

Ashwin's parents exchanged a knowing glance before responding, their voices suffused with genuine warmth. "Ashwin is a man of integrity and honor," Ashwin's mother began, her words echoing with conviction. "He possesses a quiet strength and a deep sense of responsibility, qualities that we believe will complement Anshika's own determination and resilience."

Anshika's grandfather nodded in approval, his eyes crinkling with affection. "Indeed, it seems that fate has brought together two souls whose strengths and virtues are perfectly matched. May their union be blessed with prosperity and happiness."

As the conversation continued, Anshika's parents couldn't resist sharing stories from Anshika's childhood, painting a vivid picture of the woman she had grown to become. They spoke of her unwavering determination and her insatiable curiosity, recounting tales of her adventurous spirit and her penchant for pushing boundaries.

Ansh, ever the protective older brother, interjected with a laugh. "I remember when Anshika decided to climb that tree in our backyard, despite my protests. She was always fearless, always eager to explore the world around her."

The room erupted into laughter as Anshika blushed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the memories of her childhood antics. But beneath the playful banter, there was a sense of genuine affection and admiration—a recognition of the woman she had become and the journey that had shaped her into the person she was today.

Meanwhile, Ashwin's parents, buoyed by the prospect of welcoming Anshika into their family, extended gestures of hospitality and warmth, assuring her of their love and support. Their genuine enthusiasm and kindness served as a balm to Anshika's apprehensions, easing her doubts and uncertainties as she navigated the complexities of the impending union.

Throughout the conversation of both the families Ashwin's gaze were on Anshika!.

Viyaan couldn't resist the opportunity to tease Ashwin as he observed his brother's attempts to discreetly steal glances at Anshika, despite her attempts to maintain a composed facade. With a mischievous grin, Viyaan leaned in closer to Ashwin, his voice laced with playful mockery. "Ah, I see you've taken an interest in our soon-to-be sister-in-law, haven't you, Ashwin?"

Ashwin's cheeks flushed slightly at the teasing remark, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He shot Viyaan a half-hearted glare, attempting to play off his brother's jest with a dismissive shrug. "Oh, please, Viyaan. Don't be ridiculous. I'm simply... observing, that's all."

Viyaan chuckled knowingly, his eyes dancing with amusement as he continued to playfully prod at his brother's obvious discomfort. "Observing, huh? Well, you certainly seem to be doing a lot of it. I must say, I've never seen you so... attentive."

Anshika, despite her own internal turmoil, couldn't help but stifle a small chuckle at the exchange between the brothers. She found herself strangely drawn to the dynamic unfolding before her—the banter, the teasing, the underlying tension that hung in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Sensing an opportunity to alleviate some of the tension, she decided to play along, offering Ashwin a subtle yet pointed gesture of support. "Don't worry, Ashwin. I won't tell anyone about your... keen observation skills," she remarked, a playful twinkle in her eye as she cast him a knowing glance.

Ashwin's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red at Anshika's remark, his attempt at nonchalance crumbling beneath the weight of her teasing. He couldn't help but admire her ability to navigate the situation with ease, to diffuse the tension with a well-timed jest. But then he tried to be cold and sakt londa(Gigachad) Lol.