Sanjana,

I rubbed my palms nervously as I stood outside Rishi's lavish house , nervous about  meeting his parents and his girlfriend. ''Hey!''

''I am nervous!'' I confessed. Rishi looped an arm around me squeezing it a bit. ''I am here Sanajna, and I will always be here.''

I smiled staring at his extended palm, placing mine into his, I took a deep breath as we walked in together to meet my future family.

''Dad, meet the love of my life and my would be wife.'' Rishi said giving me an arm hug. I stared at him as his words filled with love started sinking in. ''Wife!''  The word made my heart do a somersault. He was sure he wanted this and so was I but will my family accept him. In that beautiful moment, I still dreaded the reaction of my family, especially my grandfather.

''Hi Sanajna!'' Rishi father stepped forward pulling me into a gentle hug. ''Welcome home child.''

I don't why but I broke down, his and my families were different. His was so welcoming and accepting.  I have missed my family for so long but they never reached out. Its just my brother and my dad. Chachu calls sometime''Sanajna!''  Rishi's worried voice called out but his dad's raised palm halted his steps. He held me like a father still I stopped.

''I am so sorry.''

''For being real. I am honoured that you trusted me to be you.'' the elder Mehera said. ''Sanajna, you are fighting for what you believed  in and I respect that. He wiped my cheeks, ''Now, tell me what's your favourite food.''

''Anything sweet, spicey...and Indian .'' I said with a sniff. He nodded. ''Sure!''

The conversation with Rishi's dad went effortless and I forgot that my boyfriend stood at a distance, his arms crossed staring at both of us. ''I am still here.''

''Good, we were intentionally trying to ignore you.'' His dad replied tongue in cheek. We were sill in discussion when Rishi's mother joined us. I had met her before, read about her but meeting her in her home as my future mother in law is something else. Roma Mehra is still a sight  to behold. It seems angles had blessed her with eternal youth ad beauty. 

''You can close you mouth now.'' She said, pushing my jaw up with a finger. I suddenly felt nervous, recalling the time I was little cold towards her. Swallowing the dryness I said, ''I am sorry....for before.''

She smiled. ''That was the girl ready to sacrifice all for her family and this is the girl who loves my son and is sacrificing a lot for him. We are even.'' I smiled. She wrapped an arm around me. ''Let me show you your future home.'' Rishi's mother gave me a personal tour of her house. If words could describe, I would write a whole essay  about it. Roma Mehra loves her house and every corner of the house represents her soul. And its just like her, beautiful. She pushed open the door of huge room. ''This is going to be your future room. Let me know if you would like any change here.''

''Its perfect.'' I whispered. I took all in. I knew Rishi was a minimalist. The room was painted while with a single wall held the contrast of grey. The wall on the left  held pictures of his life. He was there is all some with his parents and many with Jai . I smiled, Jai was an important part of his life. There were so many pictures of of his big and small achievements.

As if my fingers had their own mind, they caressed his face in the pictures. I jumped when a pair of arms went around me. ''Rishi!'' I looked horrified but his mother was nowhere

''She left long ago while you were imagining what are we will do when alone in room.'' I slapped him. ''Stop talking nonsense.''

Rishi kissed my forehead,  ''Sanajna, I want to marry you and start or life as us. Pls say yes.''

In that moment I felt like he luckiest girl alive. But Just like his family was happy to welcome me, I wanted same for Rishi.

Taking his hand in mine. ''Rishi, Give me 3 months, If I fail to convince mt family. I will do as you say.'' He said nothing but I felt his jaw suddenly went tight. After a moment, he caressed my face and hugged me close as I let out a a soft breath.

***

Rishi dropped me home late in the night. And it turned out to be an amazing day. His family treated me like I was already a Mehra. What I liked the most was that His mother enquired a lot about Pooja, and she looked really concerned about her,and I felt happy that my darling friend had an amazing mentor.

Rishi

After dropping Sanjana home, I kept thinking of her words. She was still bothered about the family who didn't  even check on her for an year. The ones who didn't bother where her happiness lies. Dad too stressed on winning her family.

Honestly I felt frustrated with all this. What if they refuse? What if they insult her or trap her emotionally like before?

I am no longer that young boy, I am a man who would do anything to get the woman he loves.

***

''What's up Rishi? Why do you looked as if some one has sucked your blood.'' My mother asked pouring her tea.

''What if her family refuses? Specially that grumpy old man. He should be spending his life praying to all mighty then being a villain in my love-life.''

Mom and dad shared a look. ''Rishi, before doing anything, consult us.'' hat came for dad.

''Yeah, like you will let me do.'' I was really frustrated.

Mom moved nest to me. ''Rishi, we are here to sloe if for you.''

''What of they insult you?''

''Just don't imagine things. Let me and your dad handle this.'' Mom assured. I watched as she dropped a message to someone.

''What if you fail mom.''

''I won't!' She said. I believed them, I truly do. But I just won't sit around for anything to go wrong. ''Mom, I am off to work. Planning to to meet Jai in evening.''

''And no Sanajna?'' She teased

I shook my head walking off.

***

''Hey Buddy.'' Jai hugged me tight. We had decided to meet at favorite pub. ''Tell me Rishi!'' He said understanding my silence.

''I can't leave all on Mom and dad. I have to do something on my own, but how.''

''You should reach out to her brother, Karan. She is very close to him and he has been the first black sheep of the family.''

''How do you know?''

''Well, when you were sulking like a teenage girl farm away from here, I made sure I kept all the boys away from your girl. And we are very good friends. Sanjana misses her family. Just don't do anything stupid.''

I stared at Jai.'' Do I look like a fool? why is everyone telling me the same thing.''

Jai laughed. ''Rishi, you eyes, they hold the desperation and anger. We know you, but we love you. Rishi, we all are here for you. While your parents might have asked you no to mess, I am going to say, if you mess, let me know, I will clean it for you.'' I stared at my best friend and he winked. I smiled, I know he will do anything for me and so will I. A girl appeared from nowhere pouting as if her lips were dying to fall out of her face. Jai gave me smile following the lead.

I took sip of my drink. Karan Khanna, time to meet you.  I messaged Pooja and the response was quick. I smiled at the number. 

***

The first thing I did after reaching home was call  Karan. ''Karan Khanna, I am Rishi Mehra.''

 There was a silence, and then he spoke. ''Hi Rishi, just to remind you I am Sanajna's elder brother and I expect respect from her would be husband.'' I smiled. I am arrogant, he is no less. And why not, we both come from powerful back ground.

''tell me!''

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------