Year: 1931

Country: British India/Pre-Independent India

West Bengal, Chatterjee House

"I will kill Anirban once he returns," Subhankar gritted his teeth and muttered, while adjusting the collar of his shirt, "That chap doesn't know that there is literally sorrow written in his fate." He breathed out, pressing the teeth of the comb against his hairs. 

"Really, he had to leave for work for just today? Just today?"

"Whoa, are you really freaking out that much?" Tripti tried to purse her lips tightly from erupting into a chuckle. She began to align the collar of the brown coat against his chest, and smoothening in.

The kick of a marriage proposal was intense enough to allow Mr. Subhankar Das to take pains and open the cup-board to drag out the designer coats which he had literally stuffed inside for months. The result was the weird smell that was emitted from it, but the heat from the Sun did it's magic and it was fresh and dandy for use again. 

"Don't laugh," Subhankar deadpanned.

And with that Tripti burst out of laughing, in her signature high pitched voice.

"To whom even I am saying," He tried to hold himself from smiling, as he fastened the top button of his shirt.

"But seriously Subho, is this how you are chopping my nose off?" Tripti sighed, "I had better expectations from you! You seriously couldn't find a girl for yourself? Like, like really?" 

"As if it is so easy to find a nice girl," His lips twitched in a not-so-serious manner. It wasn't that he could attract girls, no. Subhankar and Anirban were the duo girls would die for; the way marriage proposals came in for them were insane. But both of them had their unique ways to dodge them, with Anirban making an excuse and slipping away from his home everytime potential families brought their girls to their house, and Subhankar giving assuring his father that he was already finding 'matches' by himself. 

And that he did not need to worry. Somnath gave his son a glaring look, while Subhankar had looked away.

"Fine, if you can't find a girl by twenty three, you aren't going to say no to any marriage proposals I shall be bringing!" Was his statement.

Subhankar had nodded obediently that time, and all the time he was busy in doing loads of his work apart from 'looking for a girl.' And now that his deadline was near, he was just staring at his father talking on telephone happily with a man; he heard something like, she was good looking and all-

It did not need a Sherlock to crack what was happening over the phone. 

Subhankar tried a lot to argue back, but it wasn't some school homework that he could cram up in the last moment. 

It seemed like after Anirban had got married to Saudamini, the entire family was hell bent upon getting Subhankar married now. And he was sulking and giving his friend glares whenever there were talks like, "Now get married, Subhankar! Look, your friend also got married!" 

"Bloody excuses." Tripti mumbled, making a face. 

"Your's is the best, you know. No previous preparations, no sweet smiling and attending families and all," He groaned, "I wish my father had betrothed me similarly to some woman since my birth. There would've been no extra worries to think about." 

"How amusing that you started liking Indranil because of just a marriage proposal," Tripti chuckled, staring at the reflection of herself and Subhankar. Manikant, Anirban and Tripti's father, had seen visions. The Bhoumik family was rich and prosperous, and being their close family friend only advanced them. Both the Chatterjees and Bhoumiks had decided to wed their children once they were of age. And with that, a newborn Tripti was betrothed to a five year old Indranil. 

"I still don't like him, I tolerate him because of your sake, okay?" Subhankar smugly breathed out, applying ittar on the sides of his neck and cuffs. 

"Again you started?" Tripti whined, "Look, I ain't going to face your cold wars after my marriage, do you get it?" 

"I can't guarantee that,"

"Uff, why do you always trouble the poor him?" She deadpanned, even though she had to admit that she enjoy how Anirban and Subhankar always used to pull his leg whenever the Bhoumiks came to pay them a visit. And he used to get irritated and always complain to his father about them. Tripti had to hold his laughter and try to pacify him. 

"Because he is an idiot." He calmly answered, keeping the comb inside the drawer and shutting it.

"Hey! Don't call him that!" She smacked his arm playfully. Well, whatever may be, Tripti had tried to indulge himself into the belief that Indranil was going to be her husband. When someone is groomed into believing it, they don't try to admit things that easily. 

"But that is what he is!" 

"He is going to be my husband okay?" She pouted, "Now you and Ani Dada have to stop being mean to him."

"Awww, how sweet! Too much love is overflowing for him, am I right?" He sang in a puerile tone, causing Tripti to smack his arm again, intensifying her pout. 

"Hayee, Prince Charming only for Miss Tripti Chatterjee." He dramatically folded his palms, "So much love that my dearest friend is ignoring how idiot he is!" 

"Uff! You look into your business no!"

"Again so much love-" 

Tripti picked up a pillow and aimed at him, but he caught that within a jiffy, snickering. He had to admit, both the brother and sister used to display same traits at times. 

"A person blind in love is also an idiot!"

"A person blind in love is also an idiot," She imitated him playfully, making a face, "Just say your jealous that I am going to get married and you're going to die as an idiotic bachelor."

"Atleast it is better than dying beside an idiot-"

Before Tripti could retaliate, they heard a miffed voice downstairs.

"Uff Subho! Come fast! How much time you're going to take?" 

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

Hayeeee 🤣✨

Btw, don't you guys dare brother-zone Subhankar, otherwise ya'll will regret in future ;p 

Also, this book is going to be a different kind of slow burn, a bit different from the enemies to lover's books we all have seen! :)

Signing off for today!

Nushkie