" Does he listen to me?  I know what best for him, " Sujatha Maheshwari lamented to her sister-in-law when her son refused to listen to her.

" That was why we should have given birth to a daughter, imagine Sujatha how much adorable she would have been, and planning her wedding would have been much easier. " Annapurna Maheshwari joined in as she realizes with her son, marriage is more like a dream that will never happen.

" And I have told Ram that it is not right to let Sanskar over work himself to the bone, but does he listen, all he cares about is how much the profits increased after Sanskar began working in Karma " Sujatha lamented about her husband lack of understanding next, it was routine between the sisters to talk once the other members left for work .

"And DurgaPrasadji is only concerned that Laksh had shown no interest in the company and basically fails to see our son's lifestyle will only make it difficult for him to find a suitable bride later and what if he accidentally married one of them ?" Annapurna answered back, she would have accepted any bride her son choose if she trusted in his judgment, sadly she didn't think her son is grown up to choose a partner yet .

" They think just because we are stuck at home, we know less than them. I can't see Sanskar like this anymore " Sujatha spoke up, even though Annapurna knew her sister in law was exaggerating certain aspects like how their sons think less of them ,she have to agree with regards to her nephew who is literally giving up on living every single day .

" Then we will do what we do best , meddle. You are right Sujatha, we have to do something. Our sons may have grown up but they still need us to help them. And you know what Sanskar needs is to learn that his life doesn't have to stop because Kavitha died. I loved that girl from the moment he introduced her to us and was happy for them but we can't lose Sanskar as well " Annapurna answered back

Annapurna Maheshwari knew just what to do to make her nephew liven up again and she had the perfect person in mind who would became his wife in the future ,her best friend's daughter Ragini Gadodia .

After Janki death, Annapurna lost touch with the Gadodia's until recently she learned that her daughter is grown up and her family is searching for a groom . If Ragini was anything like Janki, then she would fit Sanskar perfectly.

Annapurna decided to act soon and went the very next day to meet the Gadodias with her sister-in-law.

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

Parvati Gadodia hardly ever come to a point where she was shocked by something, even when her son brought home that girl. She was only mildly irritated but now she was shocked.

Who knew Janki's best friend would happen to be Annapurna Maheshwari, and the friendship would lead to such a marvelous match for her Laddoo, even then she wasn't fully on board with the plan yet.

" Look Annapurnaji, I raised my granddaughter perfectly well to never have a rumor or blemish fall under her name and I am not so well versed in this dating nonsense " Parvati answered back, if they came asking for Ragini hand she would have agreed, as no one could deny that Ragini won't have a better match then the bahu of Maheshwari Family.

" I totally understand but nowadays the young people wants to get to know each other better before marriage. You can trust our word that the date will be happen in a respectable place and our son will behave in an appropriate manner. " Annapurnaji answered back still Parvathi wasn't sold to the idea but just before she was about to reject them, that girl walked inside leaving her stunned .

She had no idea if the Maheshwari heard about her, but now that they have seen her. She had to explain it to them. A fact she wouldn't have to do if that girl accepted any of the grooms she found and left the house.

"So you must be Ragini, come here and sit beside us for a moment will you " Annapurnaji greeted her and Parvati got out of her chair in a flash as she gripped Swara's hands tighter in a silent word to ask her not to accept the request.

" She isn't Ragini, a friend of hers . Why don't you go back to Ragini's room and wait " Parvati answered back, she didn't know why she lied but she couldn't let that girl ruin her Ladoo's chance.

But did she listen to her warning, no she shook of her hand as she went to sit beside Annapurnaji and began to introduce herself all over again .

" Yes Ragini is indeed my best friend, also my sweet sister. Since you couldn't find a better friend than your siblings " that girl spoke leaving Parvati with no other option but tell them the truth about her illegitimacy.

And she waited for them to walk away because no one on their right mind would be willing to associate with them after that girl interference, while Parvati knew she would mourn the loss of the alliance, she was hopeful that once her Ladoo hear of it, she will truly understand that girl nature and jealousy.

"Are you seeing someone?, you did say you were a few months older than Ragini right ?" Annapurnaji asked and for a moment Parvati felt close to faint as that girl answered back, she didn't seem to be offended by that girl but rather taken to her instead.

Parvati will never let that girl snatch away her Ladoo's suitor, she was about to protest against the idea when Annapurnaji spoke up again .         

"We came to ask for Ragini's hand in marriage and your grandmother was hesitant to send her alone with our son for a date,  how about we make it a double date so your sister won't be alone, what do you say Sujatha ?" Annapurnaji turned to ask her sister-in-law while Parvati glared at her to say no which was why she did the exact opposite by accepting their offer .           

" Sure, then can we have your mobile number beta. We will tell  our sons and fix the date then send you the details, aren't we different and modern in-laws. Tell Ragini that she has nothing to fear from us as well, we will treat you as our daughters " Annapurnaji answered back as she left leaving Parvati deal with that girl .

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

Ragini walked home after her music class to find her sister in tears , she never seen her sister moved to tears and she didn't have to know what could be possibly the reason as she saw the red marks  in her face .        

She was tired of staying out as Swara wanted, not tonight as she went to the kitchen to see her Dadi cooking as if nothing happened.

"Dadi, why do you keep hurting Swara? " She asked her grandmother hoping to change her mind and hatred against her sister. But it was all in vain as she learned that her grandmother practically fixed her marriage because she was more excited to tell her about that than why she hurt Swara .            

By the time she returned back home, Swara was no longer in tears but looking at her with a vacant expression that made her worry more .          

" Why did you interfere Shona? , if you didn't cross Dadi then she wouldn't keep hurting you " Ragini asked her sister as she sat beside her, it was fortunate they shared a room otherwise Ragini would have never been able to make her sister accept her .         

" It because you will never say no to her, Ragini. When I entered the room it looked like they already set the wedding date for you without letting you see the groom once, while I know your grandmother won't make your marry someone thrice your age like me, she won't look for someone who makes you happy either .         

I had to interfere to learn more about the groom and their family, I didn't expect them to offer up his cousin to me either. I didn't intend that to happen though " Swara answered back .           

" What do you think about them? , Dadi only cared that they were from a well-known family, what is your impression about them? Did they leave us their pictures? " Ragini asked her sister overtaken by curiosity now.            
"I think they were good people given the fact they didn't even take offense to my illegitimacy. But you should have seen how decked up they were obviously it means they are rich  and I have to wonder why they choose us. I can even understand you but asking me to date his cousin that where I wonder if there was anything wrong with our blind dates " Swara answered back  making Ragini wonder the same, it was too good to be true from her Dadi description as well .            

" That why we are going on the date right, to see for ourselves. Don't you think it would be wonderful if we married into the same family " Ragini answered back trying to hold on to the positivity before it slips away .           
" And believe me Ragini , you may not be able to say no to your Dadi but I will not let you marry anyone who isn't worthy of you . And since I have no interest in marriage, I will use the date to check your groom as well  "her sister answered back .          

" You would fight for my happiness even if it means you would risk Dadi's wrath, " Ragini asked deeply touched by her sister fiery sprit that would do anything for her        

" I am used to it Ragini, it doesn't matter, your happiness counts " Swara answered back as she continued to tell about their supposed groom, while Ragini made the same vow to make sure Swara finds happiness as well .  

            ***********************

" Look, I liked Swara but what made you suddenly want to match make her for Laksh," Sujatha asked her sister by marriage after dinner.     

" Well I liked the girl but that wasn't the only reason, did you see how she went against her Dadi silent commend to tell us the truth. The girl had streak of honesty in her that Laksh needs, I am pretty sure she will say no to him when they met, I love my son but I know his faults .         

So the real reason, I arranged for the date was to give Sanskar another reason not to say no to us. We could present it to him as if Laksh was the original son we want to get married and Sanskar just needs to go with him, for  Swara who would want her sister with her .         

Because trust me Sujatha, we won't have him agree with us if we proposed it as a date for him. " Annapurna spoke up , she didn't get the idea until she met Swara but from the moment she met Ragini's sister, she realized it was the better way to deal with her nephew .

      
 P S :"That it for now. Let me know your thoughts and feedbacks, hit the votes if you liked it "

Juanita Reid