••|••|••

"Bhabhiii," Rudra exclaimed, his excitement palpable as Mr. Oberoi and I stepped out of the room.

Grinning from ear to ear, he enveloped me in a bear hug, his muscular frame almost taking my breath away. I patted his back, signaling for some breathing space. Thankfully, Om intervened, reminding Rudra to give me room to breathe.

"Idiot, you're suffocating her! Let her catch her breath," Om chided, coming to my rescue.

As Rudra released me, a playful pout on his face, I couldn't help but chuckle, playfully patting his cheek. His infectious grin returned instantly. Meanwhile, my eyes drifted to Mr. Oberoi and Om, engrossed in a heartfelt embrace.

"I'm genuinely happy for you, man," Om said, patting Mr. Oberoi's back, their brotherly bond evident.

Mr. Oberoi responded with a nod, seemingly grappling with the reality of the situation. Rudra's playful whine interrupted their moment, "O Bro moment without me? Seriously?"

With a roll of his eyes, Mr. Oberoi opened his arm, beckoning Rudra into their embrace. "It's not complete without you, Ru," he mumbled, evoking another round of jubilant squeals from Rudra.

The trio held onto each other, sharing a moment that tugged at my heartstrings. However, as they tried to disengage, Rudra's formidable grip kept them locked in.

"Rudy moment's over. It was touching, but now—" Om began.

Both Mr. Oberoi and Om chimed in unison, "It's awkward."

Their synchronized response had me laughing, while Rudra, still clinging on, voiced his playful disappointment, "Why do these moments end so quickly?"

Amid their shared laughter, Mr. Oberoi playfully tousled Rudra's hair, while Om gave Rudra's cheek a gentle slap, both echoing in sync, "Shut up, Rudra."

Rudra's pouted response only amplified the laughter around, and he quickly joined in, pulling Mr. Oberoi into another heartfelt embrace. "I can't express how thrilled I am, bhaiya. Having Anika didi as my bhabhi is a wish come true. Thank you!"

While their joyousness was infectious, the reality of becoming their bhabhi, a daughter-in-law, and eventually a wife still felt surreal to me. I will be having a connection with them, not just some friend, but a namely relation. Much more than just friend.

 As I watched their brotherliness, a blend of awe and amusement washed over me. Before I could fully immerse myself in the moment, Priyanku swooped in, embracing me in a whirlwind of excitement.

"Bhabhi, bhabhi, bhabhi!" Priyanku's joy was palpable.

Chuckling, I steadied myself, cautioning her, "Prinku, slow down! We might topple over."

Yet, her enthusiasm was uncontainable. Gone was the nervous girl from moments ago; she was now a beacon of joy, having witnessed her wish materialize.

As Priyanku released me, her gaze shifted to Mr. Oberoi, making a beeline for him, effectively sidelining Rudy. The sight of her jubilant dance with Mr. Oberoi had me laughing, contrasting with Rudy's mock pout as he fussed about his siblings' playful antics.

With her arms tightly wrapped around Mr. Oberoi, Priyanku gushed, "You've made my dream come true, bhaiya! Having Anika bhabhi in our lives is beyond words. Thankyou so much!"

Mr. Oberoi's stern demeanor melted, his fingers gently caressing Priyanku's hair as he replied, "Your happiness means everything to me."

Breaking away from the embrace, Priyanku exchanged a knowing glance with Om and Rudra. Together, they turned to us, declaring in unison, their voices resonating with pure joy, "WE ARE HAPPY."

Mr. Oberoi and I shared a brief yet profound glance, our eyes connecting for a fleeting moment. In those seconds, I sensed a lightness in him, mirrored by the happiness radiating from his siblings. Similarly, when I glimpsed Maa approaching with Dadi, her excitement was contagious, and I felt a deep satisfaction, a contentment that stemmed from her happiness.

As they reached us, Mr. Oberoi and I sought their blessings as per our sacrament. Witnessing my mom's overflowing joy, I hadn't seen her smile like this in ages. The enthusiasm and emotion in her eyes moved me deeply. A frown creased my forehead, but before I could wipe away her tears, I noticed Mr. Oberoi gently doing so, his reassurance calming her. In that moment, my earlier fear about his treatment of my mom dissolved, and my heart swelled with gratitude.

Moving to the living room, the atmosphere was filled with hugs and excitement. Bade Papa, as he insisted I now address him, exuded joy for Mr. Oberoi, treating him not as a nephew but as his own eldest son. Badi Maa overflowed with happiness, her eyes teary. Bade Papa lovingly consoled her, a tender moment that resulted in a playful exchange and left her blushing deep red. Their adorable interaction reminded me of my parents, the epitome of love. This is how my papa used to do, when Maa will get emotional.

Amidst the exchanged glances and soft murmurs, the family seemed to be navigating through an unspoken consensus. I found myself sandwiched between Rudra and Priyanku, while Mr. Oberoi sat nestled between Om and Rudra.

Dadi's voice cut through the air, "Why don't we conduct the Roka ceremony right now?"

The room seemed to echo with collective anticipation, awaiting our response.

"Maaji, you've voiced my heart's deepest wish," my mother chimed in, her excitement palpable.

As Bade Papa and Badi Mummy nodded in agreement, all eyes turned to Mr. Oberoi and me. Their collective anticipation hung in the air, waiting for our affirmation. After sharing a fleeting glance, both of us nodded in agreement almost simultaneously.

"As you wish, Maa," I said. "Jaise aapki marzi, Dadi," Mr. Oberoi echoed.

Our synchronized responses were met with playful teasing from Rudra, who was quick to sense the moment's awkwardness. However, Mr. Oberoi's stern glance silenced him instantly, evoking a subtle smile from me.

In what felt like mere moments, preparations sprang into action, revealing my mother's foresight. As I recognized the brand-new items she had purchased earlier in the day, it became clear just how convinced she was about this alliance.

Amidst the bustling preparations, everyone quickly arranged for the ceremony. Mr. Oberoi and I were made to sit closely beside each other, and the rituals commenced. Maa performed the tilak for Mr. Oberoi, presenting him with a set of clothes and some money, which he initially declined but accepted when Dadi insisted. Then, it was my turn. Maa covered my head with the auspicious red chunri, and Dadi performed the tilak for me.

"Why does this ritual happen, Dadi?" asked Rudra, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Dadi handed me a pair of clothes, jewelry, and money while explaining the significance to him, and we all listened attentively.

"Puttar, Roka signifies that our search has ended, and these two are reserved for each other, reserved for marriage. Now, we don't need to search for any other alliance," Dadi explained, smiling at Rudra and the rest of us.

Reserved.

The word echoed in my mind as I glanced at Shivaay Singh Oberoi, my to-be-husband. The idea was something I needed time to absorb. Just five hours ago, I was single, carefree, and happy. Now, within the span of an hour, I found myself committed to this relationship.

It was all overwhelming. For now, it felt like my external self was going with the flow. I needed time to process all of this. As much as I appreciated this family, I longed for some alone time and wished to call it a day soon.

"Anika, Shivaay, now you two have to feed each other this mithai," Dadi suggested, offering a piece of kajukatli to Shivaay.

"Aakhir jhoota khane se pyaar badta hai," Maa remarked, and I suppressed the lump in my throat.

As I felt the kaju katli near my lips, I saw him. When I didn't eat immediately, his eyebrow twiched, which seemed to say, 'Eat fast, what are you waiting for?' 

 I opened my mouth, ate it, and smiled extra sweetly at him.

As he made me eat, I heard Rudra and Om cheering, and Prinku clicked our photos with her phone. I smiled forcefully at them and then took the remaining piece from his hand. I offered it to him, and for a moment, he hesitated. Holding my hand, he pulled it closer to his mouth and ate the remaining piece.

His action felt oddly intimate—the intimidating touch, the way he ate my 'jhoota.' My gaze instinctively averted from him. It was overwhelming.

As our families enjoyed, danced, sang, and reveled in the celebratory atmosphere, I tried to maintain a smile. For an hour, almost everyone danced, pulling Mr. Oberoi and me along with them. I noticed him excusing himself and heading towards the garden. Rudra felt disappointed, but he took my hand, and I couldn't refuse, even if I wanted to. So, I danced. I danced till the melodies of celebration drowned out the tumult of my thoughts.

••|••|••

It was 9 PM when everyone finally realized the exhaustion that came with three hours of non-stop dancing. We all settled down on the sofa with sighs of relief, our joints screaming for much needed rest. 

Badi maa and Bade papa graced the living room  with a beautiful couple's dance, and witnessing their love bloom after so many years of marriage brought a smile to my tired face.

Rudra danced as if there were no consequences, his energy infectious. Meanwhile, Om struggled with his usual two or three dance steps, and Prinku, initially hesitant, eventually joined in after some encouragement from Rudy and me. She, too, danced with carefree joy.

Surprisingly, even Dadi joined our dance festivities, bringing an unexpected burst of energy that defied her age. Her presence added an extra layer of excitement to the already energetic atmosphere. Meanwhile, my maa remained busy in the kitchen, occasionally taking breaks to join us. I assisted her in sharing the load, and although I wanted to revel in the dance, my responsibilities kept me busy.

Amidst the celebration, one person was notably missing – Mr. Oberoi. He had disappeared since he excused himself from Rudy's company. Not that I cared about his whereabouts, but our newfound connection made me wonder. However, I quickly reminded myself of our agreement to not care about each other and brushed off the thought every time it surfaced.

As I was lost in my thoughts, my mother's voice interrupted, "Aniii, dinner's ready. Please call everyone; it's getting late."

"Jii Maa"

As I stepped out of the kitchen, I noticed Dadi, badi maa, and bade papa engrossed in conversation. 

"Dadi, badi maa, bade papa," I called them, gaining their attention. "Dinner is ready. I request you all to have it before it gets cold."

"Theek hai, puttar."

"Dadi, where are the others? Weren't they in the hall?" I asked Dadi, looking around for Om, Rudra, and Prinku.

Dadi gestured towards the garden, suggesting they might be there. I headed in that direction, only to find the trio returning, laughing among themselves.

"Where were you guys? Dinner's served," I relayed, exchanging smiles with them.

While Om and Prinku proceeded inside, Rudra lingered, wearing a wide grin. "We were in the garden, bhabhi," he teased, emphasizing the 'bhabhi' title that reminded me of Mr. Oberoi. Where could he be?

Trying to sound nonchalant, I asked, "So, where's your Shivaay bhaiya? Haven't seen him around since evening."

His smirk was enough of an answer, and he clearly enjoyed my slight apprehension. "Getting concerned about bhaiya, are we?" he quipped, prompting me to give his arm a playful smack.

"Shut up, Rudy" I said, shooting him a mock-annoyed look.

His grin widened, but he reassured me he'd refrain from further teasing. Rudra finally revealed, "Shivaay Bhaiya's in the gazebo."

I nodded. "Okay, so you call him. I'll go and help others."

Waving a hand dramatically, Rudy complained, "Ah, bhabhi, my muscles, my legs, everything's aching from all that dancing. You might have to go outside and call bhaiya yourself."

"Rudy, you—"

"See you, Bhabhi!" With that cheeky grin and a wink, he gestured toward the gazebo and darted inside.

"Rudy ke bache, I know you have no pain."

With a resigned sigh, I approached the sliding door, ready to step outside and summon Mr. Oberoi.

••|••|••

I underestimated.

Being outside was a terrible decision. Why?

Because, damn, it's freezing out here.

The moment I stepped outside, the cold hit me like a ton of bricks, or maybe it was just the sudden transition from a warm room to the chilly outdoors. I couldn't fathom how he could sit there so nonchalantly in this dropping temperature.

It's freezing, and here he is, sitting unbothered in the gazebo. As I approached, I was surprised to find him working on his presentations. Now, in this bone-chilling weather, he was engrossed in a call with one of his office staff. I patiently waited for him to finish the call, although my version of patience was just a yearning to escape this cold and retreat to the warmth of my bed.

Observing him, I took in the messy state of his dark hair, a result of running his fingers through them all day. His jaw was clenched, perhaps in anger at someone on the call. His eyes were narrowed on the laptop screen, fingers typing away, and he held the phone between his toned shoulder and reddened ear, likely from the biting cold. Seated on the gazebo bench with one leg crossed, he seemed completely absorbed in his work.

"Done admiring the view?" His voice sliced through my observation, but his gaze still rooted on laptop screen. Is he talking to me?

After a moment, when his scrutinizing gaze directly landed on mine, I realized he had been aware of my presence all along.

"I wasn't 'admiring' anything," I retorted, attempting to maintain an air of indifference. However, the flush on my face betrayed my effort.

"Sure," he replied, a hint of amusement coloring his voice. His gaze shifted to my visibly shivering form. "So, why are you out here?"

Sensing the chill and the awkwardness of the moment, I replied, "Everyone's waiting for us to have dinner. Mumma sent me to fetch you, so let's go."

He acknowledged with a nod, shutting his laptop and collecting his charger. As I turned to lead the way, I felt a tug on my wrist. Meeting his gaze, I wondered about the sudden gesture. His touch, surprisingly warm against the chill, held a peculiar intensity.

Retracting his hand, his words came out in a low murmur, "Keep this between us. Dadi doesn't need to know I was buried in work; it'll only stress her."

The chill began to seep into my bones, and I nodded briskly while rubbing my arms in a futile attempt to generate warmth. I regretted not opting for something warmer. The thin sleeves of my suit offered little coverage against the cold.

A soft clearing of the throat interrupted my distraction, and there he stood, holding out a black shawl—presumably Prinku's. His face remained its usual stern mask, but the depth of his eyes hinted that I should wear it.

For a heartbeat, I hesitated, caught in the unexpected moment. Then, accepting the shawl, I whispered a quiet, "Thank you." As the fabric settled around me, it wasn't just the physical warmth that I felt but an unfamiliar, fleeting connection, hinting at layers beneath his usual icy exterior.

Once I covered, I nodded toward him, signaling to move forward. Together, we approached the house. But as we neared, I noticed the trio—Om, Rudy, and Prinku—grinning mischievously. Their eyes darted between the two of us, clearly having caught our little exchange. I could feel my cheeks flush, knowing Mr. Oberoi was right behind me. Ignoring their silent jests, I continued inside, though I was certain they'd not spare Mr. Oberoi.

Their teasing banter echoed behind me, with Mr. Oberoi attempting to maintain his stern facade. But they were his brothers; fear wasn't part of their dynamic.

Upon entering the living room, we were immediately met with a sea of expectant faces. "Where have you both been? We've already finished dinner waiting for you."

Before I could respond, Rudra and Om chimed in, their voices dripping with mischief. "Aunty, they seemed lost in deep conversation out in the garden. Looked like they lost track of time," Om said, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

"And let's not forget, in the gazebo," added Rudra, winking for added effect.

Their laughter filled the room, insinuations hanging in the air. My cheeks flushed with a so much heat that was impossible to naturally have in these 5 degrees.

Dadi, with her uncanny ability to cut through the noise, turned her gaze to Mr. Oberoi. "Where were you all this while?"

"Nowhere Dadi, I was just sitting in the garden." Mr. Oberoi said partially lying to Dadi about doing the work.

But Dadi's sharp eyes didn't waver. Turning to me, she sought confirmation. "Anika puttar, was he engrossed in work?"

Caught in the crossfire, I weighed my words carefully, recalling the nuances of our shared moments. "Not for long dadi."Instantly, I felt the intense heated attention of a particular someone directed at me, warning me not to speak against him.  To alleviate dadi's tension and to showcase a good couple, I added, "I'm sorry, Dadi. We didn't realize how quickly time flew while we were talking."

As expected, a gleam of approval sparked in Dadi's eyes. She seemed content that, at the very least, we were putting effort into our new relationship. It was a moment of relief as she set aside her probing questions, perhaps secretly wishing we had spent more time together.

Maa, ever supportive, was genuinely pleased as she heard me. She smiled warmly before instructing me, "Anii bache, the food is on the dining table. It must be cold by now, so reheat it for you and Shivaay."

Reheating the food, I made my way to the dining table, where Mr. Oberoi was sitting. To my surprise, he stood up upon seeing the array of cutlery in my hands. In a gesture that caught me off guard, he gently took the utensils from me and arranged them on the table. I looked around, half-expecting him to reveal this as a mere display for the family, but there was no audience.

Breaking the silence, I couldn't help but express my discomfort. "I didn't like lying to Dadi." Taking a seat opposite him, I began serving dinner for him.

His response was calm and indifferent as he accepted his plate and forwarded another plate, for me. "Your lie made Dadi and Avantika aunty happy. I don't see anything wrong with that."

I took a moment, considering his words, the room filled with the soft clinks of silverware and the faint aroma of reheated food. "Still--"

Before I could complete my thought, he began to hiccup, and the reddening of his eyes' betrayed Mr. Oberoi, he wasn't immune to spicy food. Immediately I filled a glass with water and passed it to him. Without hesitation, he accepted it, downing the whole glass in one go.

Taking the glass back, I refilled it, noting that his mouth seemed to be aflame. "You, okay?" I inquired, offering him the jaggery placed by my side. I'm not sure he'll accept it. As I saw every time, he was offered anything sweet today he declined it.

But this time, he picked up a relatively large piece from the corner of his plate. Looking up, he nodded at me—a subtle acknowledgment and a sign of gratitude.

Returning the nod, we finished the rest of our dinner in silence. 

After swiftly finishing our dinner, we made our way to the living room, where the family eagerly awaited us. Dadi appeared fatigued, and it seemed the weariness was contagious among the others. My mother, sensing their exhaustion, suggested they retire at our house for the night. However, they declined and proceeded toward the main entrance.

"How was the food, Shivaay beta?" My mother inquired, anticipation evident in her voice. She had, after all, meticulously prepared the dinner, especially for her prospective son-in-law.

To preempt any unintended criticism that might upset her, I quickly intervened, "It was delicious, Maa."

Mr. Oberoi concurred, "Aunty, the meal was indeed delightful." His praise caught me off guard, especially since I had observed him reaching for water after nearly every bite.

Hearing him, Maa had a satisfactory smile as she turned around to greet Prinku.

"Didn't you just lie to maa?" I whispered to him from behind, ensuring only he could hear. Meanwhile our families were busy among themselves.

He glanced at me before directing his attention back to his family. "So? Her happiness matters."

A comforting warmth enveloped my heart. His consideration for my mother's happiness spoke volumes.

"Moreover," he added, just audible enough for my ears. "That wasn't a lie."

I controlled my chuckled, recalling his flushed face and slightly disheveled state caused by spices. "Sure, Mr. Oberoi."

Rather than responding, he maintained silence, a subtle furrow appearing between his brows. He walked to his car and took the driver's seat, and I proceeded to bid farewell to rest of the Oberoi family. After the farewells and discussions of forthcoming meeting with our family priest, everyone settled down in the SUV, and Mr. Oberoi sped away in the foggy night. Once their silhouettes faded into the distance, my mother and I retreated indoors.

As we entered Maa's room, her eyes—filled with a mix of concern, fatigue, and unmistakable excitement—locked onto mine. "Tell me honestly, Anii, how do you truly feel about Shivaay and his family?"

Gently guiding her to her bed, ensuring her comfort, I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before answering. "Maa, it's been a whirlwind, to put it mildly."

A hopeful smile began to grace her lips, but it faltered as I continued, "However, I need some time to digest everything." A weary chuckle escaped me, and as I tenderly held her hands within mine, I added, "This whirlwind of events was unexpected, and I'm still grappling with it."

Her nod was filled with empathy and memories. "I felt much the same when I first encountered your father," she reminisced, her fingers gently brushing through my hair. "Time has a way of bringing clarity, bacha."

Her gaze wandered momentarily to a framed photo of Papa, and her eyes shimmered with nostalgia. "He would have been elated to see you with such a suitable match," she murmured, a hint of sorrow lacing her words.

Squeezing her hand reassuringly, I whispered, "Your joy and well-being are paramount to me." Her arms enveloped me in a comforting embrace, radiating warmth and love.

Drawing back slightly, she advised, her voice tinged with concern, "You should rest now. You appear quite drained."

A wave of exhaustion swept over me, and I nodded silently in agreement. "You rest well too, Maa," I whispered, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. After ensuring she was comfortably settled in her bed, I switched off the lights and headed to my room.

Lying in bed, I stared at the starlit sky through my window, reflecting on the significant change my life had undergone in just one day. From a single woman to an impending member of the prestigious Oberoi family, the magnitude of the change was both thrilling and overwhelming.

Drawing a deep breath, I murmured to myself, "I am going to marry Shivaay Singh Oberoi... Mrs. Anika Shivaay Singh Oberoi."

The weight of the realization settled in, a blend of intimidation and exhilaration. Eventually, sleep embraced me, and as I slipped into unconsciousness, I could only speculate about the dreams that awaited me in this new phase of my life.

••|••|••

EXTRA