♡Roshni's POV♡

And he fulfilled his commitment.

My parents agreed for a meeting with Gaurav's family.

How? Well, Harsh was the key to his plan.

But first, Harsh called me in the morning to know if I am happy with the alliance. I gave him a positive and assuring answer because he doesn't know either mine or Gaurav's past and our little "arrangement." So, I didn't want him to feel suspiciously.

Then Harsh reached at my father's office by afternoon for lunch and informed him that his "friend" has taken a liking in me. It was Harsh's idea to convince my father first because Papa has a soft corner for him as well.

Sometimes I think, Papa has a soft corner for everyone, except me.

Anyways coming back to Harsh's idea, he praised Gaurav by telling about his achievements and progresses in life. It unsurprisingly worked because Papa has a soft corner for even self-made people. It reminds him of his own struggles as he is a self-made man too.

Thus, Papa agreed and asked Harsh to call them today evening for dinner. But convincing Mummy was a task because of the caste difference. Still Harsh managed by reminding her of Ruchi, who is next in line for the marriage. So, she also agreed.

My parents love me so much, right?

I sigh at my own sarcastic remark and recall my three Musketeers reaction. They were supportive and asked me to not worry. The two angels filled me with positive and encouraging words, suggesting me to enter this relation with a positive approach.

Whereas my evil twin informed that her neighbor has got a new baseball bat and her hands are aching to try them in case of problems. I swear, this girl will end up in the prison one day. Then call me for bail from the police officer's mobile and yell at him to buy a better phone.

I push away that dangerous thought and open my wardrobe to select the Indian outfit for the dinner.

Suddenly, I am feeling nervous.

Maybe because his parents might assume that I am a gold digger like Tanushree and reject me.

Yes, we need their approval. Gaurav had called in the morning to brief me about his parents, siblings and sister-in-law. He said his parents' approval is most important because he doesn't want to disappoint them again. It took 2 months to normalize things between him and his parents after he realised his mistake.

He assured his siblings and sister-in-law are very supportive and friendly. Even if they don't approve of a thing, they won't oppose his decision to marry me.

But I NEED to impress his parents or else Gaurav will call off this "arrangement."

Damn! I have never been so scared to meet anyone's parents before even though the guy has already decided to marry me.

An idea enters my mind and I go to open that drawer of my wardrobe, which I hate the most. But in this situation, I think, it will work. Because in India, "Saree" helps to win any elder's heart.

Yup, I will wear a saree. I have a light grey and navy blue Georgette saree. It's simple and elegant. Perfect for a casual dinner. 

I quickly start to get ready. I skip the accessories and pin half of my hair with a clip, completing the simple look.

It better work or else I will inaugurate Jerry's neighbor's bat by using on Gaurav for not warning me about her parents yesterday.

#

I shiver on hearing the doorbell and my mother smiles at me before leaving the kitchen as I stay back.

Yup, she smiled at me. A real one.

Didn't I say, saree helps in winning any elder's heart in India. This 5 meter of cloth wrapped around my body made her happy as well. Though she added a small pearl bindi (sticker) to my forehead, saying it's an important part of an ideal girl's look. I didn't object because I am too nervous to speak much and even feared to ruin her mood.

Now I have to remain seated in the kitchen until I am called. Trust me, the waiting period is the deadliest period on the God's green, but slowly polluting planet earth.

After nearly 25 minutes, Ruchi comes to fetch me and my heart starts racing faster. Hands begin to sweat and feet feels heavy. I am so nervous.

Calm Roshni, calm. They are just humans, they won't eat you up. If Gaurav has a friendly and cheerful nature then his parents might be the same. After all you inherit many things from your parents. So, stay calm, cool, relax and composed.

I make my way to the living room after taking a deep breath and keeping my eyes on the floor. I didn't dare to face anyone, but I know, everyone's eyes are fixed on me. Mamma comes to hold my hand and take me to the couch. I sit and my father introduces me then Harsh takes the initiative to introduce his family to me.

Harsh even met his parents in the morning before meeting my father. He proposed mine and Gaurav's alliance, acting as a intermediary match-maker.

It was again Gaurav's idea to involve Harsh from his family's side as well. Because he feared of his parents' negative opinion towards me because Tanushree was his choice as well.

So, according to his parents, I and Gaurav are complete strangers, meeting for the first time now.

I really need to pray that none of my parents or sister mention about his visit during the meeting with Lakeet or else we will invite more problems to our problematic life.

Then Harsh, Gaurav and I will have to commit suicide as there will be no escape route.

I push those thoughts away and lift my eyes to find his parents smiling at me as Harsh introduces us. Their names are Yuvraaj and Pakhi. I smile back and shift my gaze to the man next to his father, who owns similar facial features as Gaurav.

Harsh introduces him as Gaurav's brother, Sourav. I smile at him, but he seems to observe me for a moment before smiling. I don't blame him, he has seen his younger brother suffer because of a girl. So, being cautious is his right.

Then I shift my gaze to the right and find Gaurav sitting with two ladies, his sister, Alia and sister-in-law, Mahek. I also notice a six month old baby on his lap, who I assume is Ayaan. Aww, he is so adorably cute.

His family seem cheerful and friendly for which I am grateful.

I notice Gaurav taking a glimpse of his family and secretly gives me a short nod of assurance, causing me to sigh in relief.

My sister brings beverages, causing everyone to fall in silence. I fight the urge to roll my eyes as Ruchi glares at me for making her work. Basically, she hates to work and when I am available. I ignore her and look at Ayaan, who is eyeing me continuously. The innocent kid seems to comprehend the reason of coming to an unknown place and meeting unfamiliar people. Poor kid.

I smile at him with a wave and he giggles with his big grey eyes, sparkling with happiness before moving his hand for me to hold him.

Awwww cutie.

I look at Mahek and she nods in approval as I take her son in my arms. I love kids, they are innocent and pure soul, completely oblivious of the cruel world. I wish everyone remains a kid because after growing up, they turn into monsters.

I hear a throat being cleared, pulling me out of my thoughts and notice his father, staring at my father.

"Before we allow Roshni and Gaurav to talk in private, can we have a word with your daughter?"

I panic and look at Gaurav, who seem equally panicked and raises his eyebrows at his elder brother in questioning manner. But Sourav shrugs his shoulder and gestures Mahek to take Ayaan back from my lap.

Why do I get negative vibes from this question?

If his parents compared me to Tanushree then I swear, I will trace that witch down and leave her alone with a furious Jerry in a locked room for days.

My mother gestures me to take his parents to my room. I reluctantly obey and keep my gaze down after sensing their eyes on me.

Once we enter the room, I take my seat on the chair from the study table and they sit on the bed. We remain silent for a minute, me playing with the edge of my saree and them observing me.

Talk people, silent treatment is making me nervous. Have some mercy on the nervous girl.

"Harsh was telling us that you work for your father."

I nod after facing her and his mother asks again, "So, would you like to continue with him?"

"Yes, I would like to continue working with him, but I don't work as a professional. I neither take any salary nor have a fixed time of work. He deals with overseas market, so I have to help him even at midnight or early in the morning."

They face each other for a moment, having a silent conversation through eyes and his father faces me to ask, "Gaurav will be living with us after marriage and the flat, he owns will be given to his sister to convert into a studio. She is a wildlife photographer. Do you mind living with a big family?"

"That's actually better in my opinion."

"How?"

"When we live with a big family, the chances of fights or them to increase are minimal. Coming from different background, couples have difference in opinion, which sometimes leads to arguments. But having other members, the bedroom problems will remain locked in the room itself and we get elders or senior couples to guide us. And I think, a discipline is maintained when we have elders in the family. A wave of cheerfulness lingers in the atmosphere thanks to the kids."

Thanks to my writing skills, I am good with words or else I would have ruined the image of an idea daughter-in-law.

But I feel sad to trick them, I am acting like a selfish opportunist.

"Do you know to cook and manage a home?"

I almost laugh at her typical question and nod my head in positive then his father asks, "If anytime in the future, you find Gaurav disturbed or distracted from his goal, professionally or personally, will you stay by his side to correct him even if his actions hurt you?"

For some reason, I can sense fear in his words and I lift my gaze to face him, confirming my assumption in both their eyes. They were worried for their son and who won't be after seeing him suffer.

But how do I assure them when my relation with their son is merely an arrangement.

See, even if I am trying to use my brain more, someone or something makes me use my heart.

They need a partner for their son to keep him happy. But here I am still doubtful if our friendship will sustain after living under same roof and obtaining the desired benefits.

Why is life so complicated?

I force a natural smile as best as I can and answer them, "People hurt their loved ones unintentionally when they are angry or disturbed. It's natural because it only shows that they are close to each other and can rely when needed. Whereas life brings ups and downs, even we have faced many problems and managed to cope up. I cannot promise how helpful I can be, but I can assure you, he will have my undivided attention and support."

Undivided attention and support. This is what I am good at giving because this is what I constantly gave, only to get excuses and false hopes in return.

I lower my gaze, pushing away the painful memories and not allow my eyes to moisten.

This is not the time for becoming emotional, Roshni.

I meet their gaze to find them again having a silent conversation through eyes. Then they face me and smile, making me smile as well. They stand, while informing me to stay here and wait for Gaurav.

So, I obeyed as they left the room and a shocked Gaurav enters the room after 5 minutes.

What happened to him?

"What did you do to my parents? They are smiling as if they have won a lottery of 10 billion rupees."

Oh! I guess my words work.

I chuckle, making him frown in confusion and ask him to sit on the bed then narrate the entire conversation with his parents.

His eyes widen in surprise and he claps, while commenting with a smile, "You are amazing with words, Your Majesty. And don't worry, my flat will not be converted into a studio for Alia. My parents use that excuse to know the girl's intentions."

"I assumed."

Then his eyes roam on my attire before meeting mine and he asks, "What made you wear a saree because last time you wore a dress?"

I tell him my theory of impressing Indian elders, which makes him chuckle then we fall into complete silence. His eyes observe the details of my room, while I try to become comfortable on the chair. But my back still aches because of tossing on the bed due to lack of sleep from past two nights and now sitting upright since Gaurav and his family has arrived.

"Why don't you lay down for a few minutes till we are here?"

I face him and he explains, "Because I think, we should stay here for at least 15 minutes to convince our family, we are confident enough for marriage. So, lay down and rest."

I shake my head with a forced smile, but he rolls his eyes and grabs my hand to pull me towards the bed. Then pushes me to lay on the back and leans back himself on his elbow, facing me.

"If you remain so uptight with me then how will we stay under the same roof after marriage? Relax Roshni."

I obey as he is right. We will be staying under same roof within a couple of months then I need to be comfortable around him. I grab the pillow to place under my head and sigh in relaxation before turning to face him, only to find his intense eyes fixed on me.

"Where would you like to go for honeymoon? I think, Mauritius will be a perfect romantic destination."

I immediately sit up and widen my eyes in shock before shifting back, "You said, you are not a hormonal teen and can live without any physical relationship."

He continues to stare at me before bursting out laughing, while turning to lay on his back straight. I frown on his reaction as his face turns red with muffled laugh because he covered his mouth to not make loud noise for our families to hear.

"You...you shou..should see your fa..face....It's frame...frame worthy."

I realize that he fooled me and go to pinch his arm, making him laugh harder. This makes me glare at him and slap his arm a few times, before he grabs my hands to stop me and composes himself.

"Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to see your reaction in that topic and I must say, you didn't disappoint me."

He laughs AGAIN and this time, I use my nails to pinch his arm, causing his eyes to wide in pain. All the humour left his system in a second.

Yes, that's the power of the long sharp nails.

Never underestimate a woman.

I go to pinch his arm again, but he grabs my wrist in a strong grip and twist my arm behind my back. He pushes me back on the bed with my one arm behind my back and hovers me, while pinning my other hand on the bed.

"Are those nails or knife?"

"Why Mr. BIG FAT Joker got scared of my tiny nails?"

He glares at me, but soon smirks and before I can comprehend to his change of expression. I feel his hands at my waist, tickling me, but I kick hard at his thigh, almost near to his precious part. It makes him move away from me with a horror look and I smirk in victory.

"I need to rethink my decision to marry you."

#

After having a little more fun in my room, we compose ourselves and move back to the living room. Our families seem to happily mingle, which is beneficial for us.

Then we had dinner, where Sourav, Mahek and Alia asked me a few casual questions. Gaurav was right, they would never oppose his decision to marry me because none of them ever judged me or my words. Though Sourav did observe me silently each time I answered a question or informed about my life. Gaurav noticed the same, but gave me a reassuring smile, calming my nervousness.

Poor Harsh had to sit closer to our parents for sharing stories of each other's family, business or life, just to keep them entertained and happy with each other.

Post dinner, his family left with a promise to call us tomorrow morning with their answer. Mahek and Alia hugged me before leaving. Then I hugged Ayaan and kissed his cheek. The kid is so cute. And when Gaurav passed me to leave, he winked.

Yes, that idiot WINKED, while I was saying my bye to his parents and he was taking Ayaan from Mahek.

This man is really crazy.

#

I open my eyes after a peaceful slumber, only to have a mini heart attack as my super happy mother was grinning at me, exactly a foot away from my face.

What the hell happened on the God's green, but slowly polluting planet earth while I was sleeping?

"Gaurav's father called 15 minutes back, they are coming tonight for the Roka ceremony. They didn't reject you."

Wow Mummy, what an amazing selection of words!

I still smile, more in relief then happiness that Gaurav kept his words to convince his family, despite the caste difference.

Actually mine as well with Harsh's help.

These boys deserve a treat from me.

Then shockingly my mother gives me a quick hug before leaving the room. I fail to understand if the reason of her happiness concerns my marriage or the fact that I will be away from their life soon.

I shake my head, pushing away those thoughts and grab my phone to share the news with my three Musketeers, only to find a notification from Gaurav.

Him - Good Morning, soon to be Mrs. R. G. Khanna ;)

I stare at his message for a few minutes before the last ounce of slumber leaves my body, making me completely conscious.

Sooooooooo it's happening, I am soon to be Mrs. Khanna.

************

That's all for now.....will update next part as soon as possible.....hope you liked this part, do give your reviews...till then Keep Smiling and Take Care

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