It was a bright, humid and sunny day, quite normal for a city like Mumbai. There was just a day left before the main event. Ishwari Dixit was up and out early, yelling her head off at her daughter, Nikki, who was wasting her time clicking selfies, instead of helping her mother or Neha.

"Bhola, ise aise banana hai, gol-gol." (Have to make it in a circular shape) Ishwari told Bhola bhaiyya, showing him the way to make a proper Laddu. He was the newbie so Neha and Ishwari had to teach him first. Usually newbies weren't taken, especially not in such a situation but Bhola desperately needed money. Oh the things one can do for money.

Meanwhile, Dev Dixit was just getting ready for his first date with his fiancée, Sanjana Arora. They were going to spend some time together to get to know each other better before getting married and to also ask her father for a job which he had promised.

"Should I wear a red t-shirt or a blue one?" Dev asked himself, trying to decide, as he saw his mother hyperventilating.

"Maa, calm down. Everything will be fine tomorrow. Did Sanjana arrive yet? Finally, you will be able to talk with her in peace. I'm sure you'll like her." Dev told his mother.

"Haan (yes), Dev, finally I get to meet the future Mrs. Dev Dixit. Oh! There I can see her coming in her car!" Ishwari exclaimed, walking and pointing towards the window to see her car.

"Hmm, let me go and welcome her in!" Dev exclaimed.

•••

Sanjana Arora, also known as Sanju, or spoilt-brat, was looking towards her new home with a face full of disgust. She was sneering to herself, "Such a typical low-class flat, no proper parking for my car. Besides, the society is so dirty, ugh...what was Papa thinking of getting me married to this slob. He's just like the scum beneath my feet."

She used the elevator to go to the third floor where Dev and his family resided, rang the doorbell and waited outside their home.

"O-oh, hey Sanjana, finally you're here. Welcome to my humble abode, Maa was waiting for you, she wants to talk to you. I'm sure she'll love you." Dev told her, showing her inside and around the home.

The Dixit's only had two bedrooms, Sanjana was wondering how she would be able to manage. But then she realised that she wouldn't actually live here, Dev and her would buy a new home and they would live separately. As for his mother liking her, she had the perfect plan.

"Hiiii Devvv! O-M-G I missed you sooo much baby!" Sanjana replied with an overly sweet voice, batting her eyelashes.

"Hi Sanjana Bhabhi or should we call you Sanju?" Nikki and Riya asked her simultaneously, popping out of nowhere.

"Hey, Nikki and Riya right? I've heard alot about you both from Dev. You're so sweet, just call me Sanju, we'll be family soon." Sanjana muttered.

"This must be Sanjana beta. Have a seat here. Would you like anything? Juice or coffee?" Ishwari asked her softly, welcoming her and pointing towards the sofa.

After settling on the sofa, she replied, "No need aunty, I'm good. Anyways Dev and I are getting late, Papa will also meet us on the way, at Springold Cafe, at the mall."

Ishwari felt hurt from within, but didn't express her feelings out loud. She would tell Dev later on. "Uh..no problem beta, I understand. If you could just come with me for five minutes, I just wanted to know some things about my future daughter in-law. Hope you don't mind? It won't take much time."

"Sure, Aunty."

Dev being oblivious to all this happening, asked his sisters whether they liked Sanjana bhabhi or not. "Of course bhaiyya (brother), she's so cool and smart."

They assured him that they liked her and so would Maa and Neha and would soon be comfortable around her too. Speaking of Neha, she had to urgently rush to the market to get some groceries. Dev wanted Neha to meet Sanjana the most, he was sure the both would get along great. Ten minutes later, Sanjana came out of the room with an annoyed expression on her face which she quickly hid. Following her, Ishwari came and said with a blank face,"Dev, I think you both should leave. Aren't you getting late? It was nice meeting you Sanajana and it's sad that you can't wait, or else you could have met Neha."

"Yes Maa, bye and take care. Riya make sure she doesn't over exert herself, and you, Nikki, finish your homework on time." Dev said hugging his mother.

"Come again, Sanjana bhabhi. We'll miss you," Nikki said, waving her bye.

"It was nice meeting you three, see you next time," she drawled out.

Just as they were about to set off for the mall, Dev saw Neha passing through the building gate. Dev called out to her and Sanjana got to meet the third sister. Sanjana liked Neha the most out of all the sisters, she was well-mannered, so sweet and innocent looking. Neha also felt that she had finally found someone who could understand her. They both exchanged numbers, while Dev and Sanjana set off for the mall.

•••

Meanwhile, at Arora Mansion...

Rakesh Arora was fuming after his daughter had shouted at him. How dare she talk to him in such a rude way! She needed to be controlled, good thing that he had found that young man. That was what Rakesh was thinking about. What was his name again? Oh yes, Dev Dixit. Middle-class and jobless. Perfect match. So easy it was to fool him into thinking that-

His thoughts were broken due to an argument taking place downstairs, "Rohit, kyu nahi samajh aata tumhe, Sonakshi tumhare liye barabar ladki hai?" (Why can't you understand that Sonakshi is the proper girl for you?) Rohini Arora neé Sharma, yelled at her son.

Rohini was the ex-wife of Mr. Sharma, who divorced her five years back, due to her greedy and boastful nature. She was also Rakesh's elder sister. She wanted her son, Rohit, to marry Sonakshi Bose.

"What's the matter Rohini? What's all this about?" Mr. Arora asked his sister walking into the dining room.

"Mamaji (Uncle) it's about Mom wanting me to marry, 'The Sonakshi Bose,' like who wants to marry that power-hungry bitch? Remember what she did with Neel-" Rohit tried explaining as Mr. Arora cut him off.

"Yes, I remember very well, no need to remind me. So why in the world would you want your son married to that Bose? As far as I know, you also loathe her, so what's this change of heart?" He asked Rohini scathingly.

"Didn't you hear? She's the leading Nutritionist in India. Who doesn't want to marry her? Besides, it would help our situation too, and who cares for her, we could keep her in our control!" Rohini Arora bellowed angrily.

"Really, keep her in control, Ruhi? As if that's possible, but it's not such a bad idea. Perhaps I could try it out." Mr. Arora replied to his sister with a sigh.

"Well, well, dearest brother, you do see the merits in it don't you? You think just like me. I'll tell you what you need to tell the Boses of. And you Rohit, go to your room. We'll have to formulate a plan, for those Boses to believe us."

Rohit huffed and left the dining room. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Why would his uncle and mother want to set him up with Sonakshi Bose? And control her? She was an uncontrollable woman. She thought she was so great, Rohit always hated women of her kind who thought they could do anything. Women were supposed to stay at home, like his mother and take care of their family.

"Not now Ruhi, I've to go, have an important meeting. You remember that Dixit boy, don't you? Have to meet up with him. I shall see you later then, for dinner. Take care. I'll definitely listen to your plan then." He assured his sister, calmly.

"Acha theek hai, phir, baadme milte hai chotu!" (Fine, I will meet you later, little brother!) She said, handing him his office bag and waving him through the window.

"Bye Ruhi," he said, as he took off.

Finally I can get back at that bitch for hurting my son, Rohini is really brilliant, what a plan. Perfect to trap the Boses.

Oh, how wrong he really was, if he thought that.

•••

"Devv babyyy, look at that Lehenga, so gorgeous. Isn't it?" Sanjana Arora asked Dev, innocently.

"Y-yes, very beautiful. How about that peach coloured ghagra?" He said, shaking his head towards it.

Dev and Sanjana were at the mall, window shopping, chit-chatting, whilst waiting for Mr. Arora to arrive. Sanjana walked closer to the dress to see the difference and inspect it's quality.

"That's better isn't it? It would suit you better," Dev added.

"Really? I don't think so, my choice is better than your middle class one." She said harshly.

Clearly hurt and angry by her answer, Dev questions her,"So you think like that of me? Middle class have poor choices do they? Wouldn't that mean that you are also a wrong choice? I thought we came here to get to know each other rather than starting an argument or berating me. Do you think this of me? What's-"

Sanjana's mobile phone started ringing as she held up a hand to Dev and quickly picked it up,"Hello Papa, yes, okay, we'll come to the café."

She grabbed Dev's hand and dragged him over to the table where her father was sitting at,"Hello, Uncle. How are you today?" Dev asked him, a bit shaken up with Sanjana's change of tone.

"I'm very much fine, Dev beta, but tell me how are you doing?"

"I'm great, Maa was really glad to meet Sanjana and so were Neha, Nikki and Riya! I wanted to enquire about the job which you were going to offer to me? I don't have any problems waiting, but it's just that, I do need to have a proper job to take care of Sanjana, right?" Dev explained to him, speaking very quickly. He didn't want Mr. Arora to think that he was that desperate for money.

"Uh..yes, I seem to have forgotten about your job, don't worry, Sunday evening I'll call you and inform you of your new job. It's just I'm a bit busy with some other work, hope you don't mind?" Mr. Arora grumbled.

"Oh, no problem at all uncle. Are you alright?"

"Yeah Papa, you seem a bit down today. Did something happen?" Sanjana asked her father.

Her father was worried as to how he would be able to convince the Bose's, they were quite smart people unlike this oblivious boy, Dev. He was anxious, pondering about how he would be able to solve this matter. It certainly wasn't a bad idea to ask for Dr. Sonakshi's hand for marriage, but he doubted the Bose's could be trusted in the first place.

Not wanting to show the worry on his face, he bid Dev and Sanjana goodbye, "no problem at all. So I'll just be leaving now, don't want to break up your cosy meeting. Have fun, both of you, don't be late for dinner Sanju!"

"No worries Uncle, I'll drop her off!" Dev replied back.

As soon as Mr. Arora left, Sanjana started with her rant,"Really? Drop me off? As if! You don't even have a car for that and neither can you afford a cab, and don't bother taking me in an auto, I don't travel in such filth! And couldn't you wait a day or two for a job or even try to find one yourself? Well I know why you can't get one, due to your less qualifications. And since you'll soon be married to me, you don't want another job! You and your family are so useless! Just gold-diggers!" She exploded.

"Enough! Enough is enough Natasha! You say anything against me, I'm okay with it, but not a word against my family!" Dev said, gritting his teeth.

Dev tried defending his family, however Sanjana seemed adamant about her views and went on ranting. Their so-called date or meet up ended up in a disaster.

•••

Meanwhile, at the same time...

Two sleek black and white expensive cars came to a halt in front of each other with a loud screech. A man and a woman in a business suit climbed out of the white car and came face to face with their business rival. Their looks screamed of 'power' and 'wealth'.

"Ahh..Mr. and Mrs. Roy, what a pleasant surprise. Just the people I wanted to meet," Rakesh Arora greeted them with a fake smile plastered on his face.

"Rakesh, it's been such a long time since we last had a conversation. How is your company doing? Arora Industries?" The Roys asked him together with a smirk.

"Ahem, it's going a-all good, why wouldn't it? Business is top-class. Can't say the same about Roy Enterprises, can we? Where is your son, Jatin?"

"I am right here, Arora. If you really thought you could fool us with your fake smile and sweet words, you're truly an idiot. And how dare you show your face to us now!" Jatin Roy got out of the car, standing besides his parents as he narrowed his eyes at him.

"Calm down, Jatin. Still the hyper one, I see. How is your best friend Sonakshi Bose?" Rakesh spat out the name with disgust.

"Don't you ever speak of her in front of us like that, in that tone! And don't talk to us as if everything is fine between us. We don't even know why we trusted you back then, but not anymore." Mrs. Roy replied back before Jatin could.

"What did I ever do, weren't you the ones who left the partnership deal, I had to undergo so many losses and you people were enjoying your lives!" Arora exclaimed angrily.

"You looted our money, our combined profits for your own self, when we were supposed to share them as partners! And you ask us what you did, oh and don't act we know the real you!" Mr. Roy pointed out sharply.

"Besides, because of you, your bastard son escaped police custody and punishment!" Jatin argued.

"But that was five years back, all of it. Surely you've forgiven an old man for his mistakes? And even Neel apologized, I am sure Sonakshi would also accept it." Arora said calmly.

"Five years back or not, it still haunts Sona, because of you she is suffering instead of your son!" Jatin shot back.

"Ah, but let's let bygones be bygones. I came here today, with a proposal to improve and end all enmity within our relationships for the future. Rohini, my sister's son, Rohit would like to marry your good friend's daughter, Sonakshi." Arora explained with a smirk.

"Old man, can't you get it? Sonakshi is still suffering because of your illegitimate son and she would never marry anyone related to you! After all that happened five years back, you still haven't learnt your lesson?" Jatin exploded, shouting profanities before his parents calmed him down.

"Get out of here, Rakesh. And don't even think of bothering the Boses with one of your new schemes, it won't work." Mr. Roy said quietly.

The Roys sat in their white car and stormed off. Rakesh Arora also went home, to tell off his sister. Because of her this mess took place. He knew it was wrong to argue with the Roys and open old wounds. 

•••

So my dear readers, did you like the chapter? Are you enjoying the story so far? Why do you think Mr. Arora is delaying the job for Dev?
And what about the rivalry between the Roys and the Aroras?

Please share your feedback by voting, commenting and sharing the story!

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