AAHANA'S POV

"What are you talking!? " I shouted so loud that our maid threw her broom mid way and ran out of my room.

" It should take place some day.  Why not today? " my mom spoke very calmly.

" Seriously mom? " I asked her.

" I am serious" she replied.

" Mom!  I am much interested in first night why don't you propose them for that since today is auspisious day" I smirked making her eyes go wide.

" What is wrong with you Aahu! " she shouted which caused my dad to run into our home. 

" What?!  It is also going to take place some day " I spoke casually lying on bed.

" Get ready ! They will come at six in the evening " mom shouted walking out of my room with my dad trailing behind her. 

" I need rest . Wake me up at five thirty" I shouted. Mom came in within seconds with angry face. 

" How can you be like this?  You wanted to get married to him then why are you not so interested?!  Half an hour will be sufficient for you to get ready?  It's your engagement ceremony for godsake! " she said.

" Mom,  for my engagement I need my fingers free so that he can slip ring on to them.  Just chill.  I will get ready.  Really tired with exams in college.  Don't disturb " With that said I closed my eyes zoning out from the world.

Such a bad idea. 

They are here! 

" I don't understand how they can be punctual. A girl needs time to dress up, " I mumbled as I applied whatever make-up I had to apply. 

Do I look presentable? 

There you go Aahu! 

Who was the person who said they only need your fingers for engagement to take place!? 

" Are you ready?  " Mom barged in making me nervous. 

" Aahu!  You forgot to comb your hair!" she yelled

Shit! 

" Mom just five minutes " I said pushing her out of my room. 

I should have called Kusum but my lazy ass did not think that Mom would arrange for my engagement so early.  Having no other friends who would love to help me,  I cursed myself for declining their offer to join the girly girls for their window shopping. 

" Where is my clip?! Oh God!  " I sighed now I can feel the weight of the situation.  I want to look beautiful,  presentable,  most importantly tidy. Not being able to clip my hair properly,  I combed it into a ponytail neatly arranging my hair. 

" I don't think it's my engagement!  Don't even look like that! " I talked to myself walking out of my room. 

There he sat looking as handsome as ever with his light peach color shirt not tucked in his jeans.  He looked at me and smiled widely.  Mom being overly excited made me sit beside him which increased the awkwardness between us. 

"  So Soham,  we have decided to get your engagement done today itself " my mom announced making his eyes go wide.

" But we have not prepared much,  I mean there will be rituals done right? " he asked his dad.

" Don't worry Soham,  Aahana's mom explained to me.  She asked if we could carry on with your engagement.  I was fine with it.  Since we don't have any extended family close to us,  I have agreed for it.  Do you want this to be postponed? " he asked Soham.

He was quiet.  Quiet as the weather before the storm.  I couldn't understand his expression.  Is he happy about it Or not?

" Can I talk with Aahana alone? " he asked my dad to which he nodded.

We both got up silently and walked into our dining area. He moved the chair back asking me to sit down.  We were silent.  I was not worried about him rejecting our proposal but indeed curious about what made him so silent. 

" Aahana,  you are understanding it right? " he questioned which made me confused. 

What?! 

" We don't have any presence of women in our house after my mom's death.  Dad and  I always felt that void in our family.  We both don't trust others much,  we didn't close off but our minds are not prepared to accept anyone.  Although our behavior towards others is kind, we just don't trust people like before.  But it's God's wish or should I say mom's blessing,  Dad too likes you and your family" he spoke with tears in his eyes.

" Soham... What happened??" I asked him placing my hand over his.

" Aahana,  if you marry me.  Dad will be with us wherever we go, he will be with us.  I know your profession, Dad's ill health, and looking after the house will be a bit burden for you.  I will help you in everything,  just like how I am doing now,  I will be helping you, Aahana. I never asked you if this is ok with you or not so I wanted to now.  Is it ok if my dad stays with us?  I mean he has no one except us.  If you feel you cannot manage him,  please let me know.  Because after marriage I can't choose between you two!" he said with tears in his eyes.

I looked at him. I doubted myself.  Am I the right person for him?

" Soham,  do you trust me? " I questioned him to which he nodded his head as yes.

" Soham,  you said he has only us.  How can you expect that I will want to get rid of him?  For me, he's as important as you are.  I would never want him to stay away from me.  Because Soham,  it's difficult for me to choose between you two.  Do you know why? " I asked winking at him.

"  Why?? " he asked with an innocent look.

" Because I love him too " I replied making him smile a bit.

" By the way once we get engaged,  I am going to give you a list of things which you will doing to help me after our marriage" I stuck my tongue out making him shake his head.

Peaceful

That's how he looked now. 

" Is this the 'talk' you wanted to have?" I asked him.

" No Aahana" he said looking serious.

" After our engagement,  I want this to be kept as low as possible,  in fact until dad announces to media about our marriage I don't want anyone to know about this" he spoke.

" But you know our relatives,  they will know although none of them are popular among media but they will talk right?  I can't keep it under wrap Soham " I said with confusion lacing my thoughts.

Why does he want to do this?

It's not like we are eloping! 

" I am worried about your safety " he said. 

" Is someone going to kill me?  " I joked to which his expression changed immediately.

" Is that true??? " I asked him.

" Let's get married as soon as possible Aahu,  I can't wait " with that said he stood in his place.  Ready to leave.

" Soham? " I called out. 

" If there is a threat to my life,  you can ask the police for protection.  Not everyone is corrupted right? Some or others can help you.  Isn't it?  I questioned him.

" Law always doesn't protect you from getting killed Aahana,  but since you requested I will ask.  " he said.

Well, my situation might be the weirdest one,  instead of having a romantic talk,  we are discussing my probable death threats. 

" Are you both done with your romantic talk?? " my mom interrupted breaking our thoughts.

" Offo mom!  You just have to spoil it right? We are coming just go now " I said making her glare at me. 

" Aahana! " Soham called out

" You look beautiful " he complimented bringing a smile onto my face. 

" I like your ponytail " he said flicking it playfully.

" Disaster management I see.  Good " he said winking at me. 

We soon joined our families,  and not having any kind of demands we both got engaged in a very closed ceremony.  Soham and his dad had dinner with us, I felt complete all of a sudden.  He could talk with my dad on some or other topic.  As far as my mom is concerned,  Soham knew his way to make her blush with his compliments.  I am happy. because I got engaged or because Soham spoke his heart out today maybe not completely but enough to let me know that my choice, wishes, and comfort point are important to him.  He cares for me just like how he cares for his dad. 

" See you soon Aahana,  we are very eager to have a cheerful person at our house.  I am waiting for your wedding day " his dad spoke with tears in his eyes.

Both father and son are very emotional!

" Soham driver came?  I will be waiting near the car " he said leaving us alone. 

There was an awkward silence.  He was smiling so much looking at his feet.

" Well,   I never knew you loved your shoes so much" I spoke sarcastically.

"Don't worry not more than you" he replied.  Silence fell on us again.

" So..  After five weeks Huh? " he broke the silence. 

" Why?  Our engagement will be expired after that?  " I questioned him.

" Yes because we will be marrying each other and that has a much deeper connection than this ceremony Aahu " he said smiling a bit.

I wanted to ask.  As happy as I am,  I want to know why someone wants to kill me?

" Soham?  Who is that?  Why do I feel you know the person who's coming after me yet you are not able to do anything to stop it? " I said making him tense.

" Aahu,  I am doing my best.  You will know everything soon.  This is the best day of our lives and I already spoiled it by giving away this information.  I trust you with my life Aahu. Do you?"  he asked me.

" Yes, I do " I replied. 

" That's all I needed to know " he said stepping forward,  giving a slight peck on my forehead.

" Take care dear.  We are waiting for you" With that said he retreated back leaving me alone.

I liked it. 

We

He doesn't fail to let me know each time that I have value in his life.  His dad too gives me importance.  For me people I live with after marriage accept, love, and respect me the same way, the person I get married to must do.

Soham has assured me.

________________________

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