16. aaya mausam shaadi ka (the season of weddings has arrived)

•°•

Witnessing the sight of nervous Priya has to be my favourite thing. When I first met her, and after hearing the judgements about her from the people around us, I was afraid of getting into a relationship with a person who's rarely emotionally available. But when it comes to moments like this, all my insecurities wash away. To watch her fiddle with her wristwatch, unnecessarily tug at the seatbelt, and look out of the window to constantly check if we are there yet is endearing and cute.

"Calm down. My Dadi is not a monster who'll eat you up the moment she sets her eyes on you." I spoke softly, breaching the silence in the car.

She sighed helplessly. "What if she doesn't like me?"

"Then she doesn't like you," I shrugged, purposefully holding back the insignificant piece of information that my Dadi has already accepted her.

"Aditya," she looked at me disappointedly, judging my lack of concern towards her worries.

"Relax, Miss. Worrywart," I chuckled, turning the wheel of the car to the extreme right before releasing it slowly once we made the sharp turn. "Just be yourself," I looked at her, frowning when I found her eyes locked on my arms. Did she space out due to overthinking? So like me. "Priya?"

She looked up in startle. "Huh?"

"Stop worrying so much," I said in a gentle voice.

She swallowed and nodded, looking back to the front instantly.

"Dadi has already seen your photo and I think she likes you," I informed her to relieve the stress off her stiff shoulders.

Her head whipped towards me. "Really?"

I hummed. "So, now just relax. But be ready to face two disasters of humans."

"What?"

"Reshma Bua and Mala Bua. But the main culprit is Reshma Bua, Mala Bua is more like a puppy following her steps." I grimaced just at the thought of the two women. I hope Neelam bua is already home by the time we reach. Only she can shut up their trash of a mouth. "Reshma Bua will pass some insensitive comments on you, targetting your age and skin color. You know how these people are. I want you to ignore them and if not, give them a befitted reply but don't take their words to heart. They are merely tolerated in our family. No one takes them seriously."

"I can talk back to them?" She asked me innocently.

I chortled noticing her befuddled expressions. "Yes, Miss. Mathur, as long as you don't use swear words, feel free to put them in their place."

"I don't use swear words." She defended.

"Don't lie," I snorted.

"I don't!"

I nodded, pretending to believe her.

"I really don't!" She persisted.

"Okay, baba, I trust you." I smiled fondly at her.

"You don't!" She frowned. "You think I'm lying!"

"Aisa kuch nahi hai, (It's nothing like that,)" I gave her my whole attention when we stopped at the red light.

"Aisa hi hai! (It is!)" She insisted stubbornly. "Aap ko kyun lagta mein bad words use karti hoon? (Why do you think I use bad words?)"

"Because everyone does!" I chuckled. "Even kids nowadays use words like fuck and shit on daily basis."

"I don't, na!"

I laughed. "Accha baba, mein galat, tum sahi. (Okay, I'm wrong, and you're right.)"

She gaped at me. "Now where did the right and wrong come from?"

"Hey bhagwan, (Oh God,)" I looked heavenwards. "Tumse behes karna hi galat hai. (Arguing with you is a mistake in itself.)" I shook my head, restarting the car and gaining back the lost speed.

"I wasn't even arguing with you. I was just telling you the truth. I don't use swear words."

"Okay," I agreed.

"Now you're just agreeing for the sake of it." She crossed her arms on her chest.

"Tum chahti kya ho mujhse!? (What do you want from me!?)" I asked in disbelief.

"Aap gussa kyun ho rahe ho? (Why are you getting angry?)" She asked softly.

"Ab maine gussa kab kiya? (Now when did I get angry?)" I asked tiredly.

"Abhi aap gussa ho! (You're angry right now.)" She pointed to signify her words.

"Fine. I'm sorry!"

"There's no need to say sorry," she threw in casually.

I clenched the wheel tighter, my jaw clicking in annoyance. I just want this drive to end as soon as possible. Never did I think I'll have such thoughts about our moments together.

"I'm sorry," she broke the silence that had prevailed between us post the argument.

I glanced at her for a split second.

"You're right. I'm being a worrywart. I'm just nervous about meeting the rest of your family." She added, restlessly fiddling with her watch. "I didn't even get the time to prepare myself. What if I ruin it for both of us?"

"And what exactly are you afraid of ruining?" I spared her a fleeting glance.

"This," she elaborated. "Us."

"Priya," I spoke, parking the car at the side of the road to pay attention to her. She looked outside the window before meeting my eyes in confusion. "I love my Dadi, okay? So her opinion matters. But her opinion doesn't ultimately means my decision. You've no idea how badly I want to marry you." She blushed under my gaze. "So nothing's stopping me from making you my wife. Nothing." I stated firmly.

She bit her lower lip, looking at me from underneath my eyelashes. "Bataiye na, kitni movies dekhte hai aap din mein? (Tell me, how many movies do you watch in a day?)"

I chuckled. "Ek bar meri biwi ban jao, pata chal jayega. (Become my wife first, you'll find out eventually.)" I sat back straight and turned the ignition on, pulling the car back on the road.

Thankfully, we reached my apartment complex before the peace hanging between us could blow up into another silly argument. I opened the door to my side and walked out, doing the same for her.

"I could have done it. I was just getting my-"

"It's okay. I don't mind opening doors for you." I said softly.

She stepped aside to let me close the door.

"Take my hand," I requested, holding out my hand towards her. "I need everyone to see how serious I'm about you."

She coyly placed her hand in mine.

"No matter what happens, don't leave my side. I don't want my buas to corner you when I'm not around." I explained.

"Aur agar aapko washroom jaana ho toh? (And if you need to use the washroom?)" She questioned curiously.

"Toh dad ki side pakad lena. (Then stay by my father's side.) He'll keep the flies away." I winked.

She chuckled, following me with her gentle footfalls after I took the lead. We reached my apartment in less than five minutes. I rang the doorbell, to which dad opened the door and looked relieved upon spotting us. He ushered us inside, stating Dadi hasn't even eaten dinner yet because she was waiting for us. I took a step towards the living room, held back unwillingly as Priya's hand instinctively wrapped around my forearm. "What?" I looked over my shoulder.

She shook her head timidly.

"C'mon. It's not a test you need to pass. Just be yourself." I whispered, cupping her hand that was holding my arm. She clenched my arm tighter. "C'mon now, let's not make her wait more," I added.

She nodded and let me guide both of us towards the living room where Dadi waited for us. My old woman looked up, brightening at the sight of us. A smile bloomed on her face and she beckoned us closer. Priya and I reached out to touch her feet.

"Khush raho, (Always stay happy.)" She patted our heads gently.

"Tum Priya ho? (You're Priya?)" Dadi placed a hand on Priya's shoulder just as she attempted to stand straight. Priya stayed bent awkwardly, nodding in response at the older woman. "Come here," she patted her back, calling her to sit beside the wheelchair. Priya hesitantly left my hand and crouched to my Dadi's level. "Tu bhi aa, (You also come,)" Dadi invited me. I joined her on the right. "You look so lovely together," she cupped our cheeks with a fond smile. I grinned back. "Pasand hai tumhe humara Adi? (Do you like our Adi?)" She asked in a whisper.

Priya, as expected, was flustered.

"Uh,"

"Dadi," I complained, shaking my head at her as a way to tell her not to tease my would-be wife.

Dadi chuckled. "Accha chal, nahi chidhati. (Alright, no more teasing.)"

"Tum photo mein itni savli nahi thi. (You weren't this brown in photo.)" And ladies and gentlemen, there comes the unnecessary addition of alive atrocity to human rights.

Priya looked up, frowning at the woman. "My mother was from South India." She justified, although there was no reason for her to explain why she has more melanin than others. People here are roaming with less than average IQ, but you don't see them justifying that.

"Oh, woh nichle hisse ke log? (Oh, the people from down there?)" Badi bua scrunched her nose for a fleeting second.

"Excuse me?" Priya glared, visibly offended.

"Arey bapre, (Ah, alright)" Bua chuckled. "Tum toh choti choti baaton pe bura maan jaati ho. (You take offense to even the littlest things.)"

Priya clenched her jaw, then her eyes locked with mine and she heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry," she apologized. I frowned. Did she do that because of me!? I don't want her to bend infront of my relatives for my sake. Even I'm not a big fan of them.

I leaned forward and grabbed her hand that was on Dadi's wheelchair, shaking my head subtly at her. She inhaled a deep breath. "I'm sorry that people from down there are keeping the literacy rate high and offering jobs to people from the upper side," she looked up at my Bua. "Must feel derogatory."

"Kya!? (What!?)"

"Arey Reshma Di, aapka beta toh Bangalore mein posted hai na?" A new voice popped in innocently from the direction of the main door.

"Neelam Bua!" I beamed, leaving Dadi's side to envelope my second favourite person in a bone-crushing hug.

Neelam bua laughed, patting my back firmly. When we pulled away, it was to share broad smiles before hugging each other fiercely once again.

"Neelam Bua!" Meghna screeched the moment she stepped out of her room. Miss. Queen avoided the family drama royally for the whole day and is now showing her face to everyone in the house. I chuckled, stepping aside and letting her have her moment with Neelam Bua.

Once the reunion moment ended, Neelam bua approached Badi bua who stood seething on her spot. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Splendid!" Neelam bua grinned. "Aur tum, Mala? (And you, Mala?)" She popped her head to the side.

Mala bua hummed. "Thoda late nahi ho gayi tum? (Aren't you a little late?) At least give time to your family. Pati ko toh pehle hi chod chuki ho. (You've already left your husband.)" She jabbed shamelessly. Look who's talking, the one who looks down on women for walking out of abusive relationships.

Neelam Bua chuckled. "I had to take a flight from the states, Mala. Reshma didi ki gaadi mein seat available dekh kar bas saaman leke chadhna nahi tha. (Not pack my stuff and occupy an available seat in Reshma Di's car.)"

Mala bua's condescending eyes transformed into a furious glare. "Kabhi kuch accha bol sakti hoon tum? (Do you ever speak anything good!?)"

"Aap se hi sikha hai, (Learnt from you.)" Neelam bua smiled sweetly.

Meghna and I chuckled.

My eyes shifted to Priya who stood awkwardly watching our family politics. I quickly walked up to her and held her hand. She met my eyes in relief.

"Le, mein bhi kaha logo ke mu lag rahi hoon. Jinse khas milne aayi hoon saat samundar paar, woh toh sehem ke apne hone waale pati ke pichi khadi hai. (Why am I even wasting my time on other people? The one I'm here for after crossing seven seas is busy hiding herself behind her soon to be husband.)" She spoke with a teasing lilt in her tone, amusement dancing in her dark brown eyes.

Priya stepped out from beside me, presenting herself to my beautiful Bua.

Neelam bua chuckled in a heavy voice. "Tune toh sixer mar diya, Adi. (You hit the sixer, Adi.)" She smiled up at me, sounding more than impressed by my choice. "Where did you find such a beautiful girl?"

Priya bent to touch her feet. Neelam bua chortled, holding her shoulders and straightening her spine. "Bacchon ko toh kandhon pe khilwaya jaata hai, pair padhwake unki kamar nahi tudwayi jaati. (Kids are meant to play on your shoulders, not break their backs by bending constantly to touch your feet.)" She chuckled. "You're too old to play on my shoulders, so let me just hug you." She added playfully, pulling Priya in a tight hug.

"Meghna, bring my purse here." She requested upon pulling away from the hug. Meghna obliged, handing the bag to the brunette woman. "I was in New York for a meeting when I came across this store," she fished out a Swarovski paper bag, and removed a rectangular blue case from inside.

Priya gasped in a low voice when Bua clicked open the case, revealing an elegant, diamond-studded swan pendant inside. "Adi had sent me your engagement pictures. The moment I saw this on display, I knew I had to get it for you." She smiled at Priya.

"I- How can I take-"

"You can and you will," Bua stated, leaving no room for argument. "I know this is nothing in front of what you can afford to buy for yourself -"

"Please don't say that. As long they are diamonds, they are my favourites." Priya placed a hand on her chest.

Diamonds. Noted.

Bua chuckled and removed the pendant from the holder. "Here," she held out the hanging chain towards me. I frowned. "Pehnao usse, (Put it on her)" she deadpanned.

"Iski koi jarurat nahi. Mein pehen- (That's not necessary. I'll wear it-)"

"No. He'll put it on you." Bua interrupted. "Le pakad, (C'mon take it.)" She shook her hand at me.

I reluctantly took the pendant and turned to Priya.

"Yaha kya sabke saamne pehna raha hai, budbak? Family show hai kya. Ja apne kamre mein lekar Priya ko. Mujhe mummy se bhi milna hai. Mera moment mat kharab kar. (Why are you putting it on here, dimwit? It's not a family show. Take her to your room. I need to meet my mother also. Don't ruin my moment.)" She snapped, her tone was serious but her eyes gleamed playfully.

"Bua!" I almost whined.

"Kya, bua? (What, bua?)" She shot back. "Now stop staring at my face and take her to your room." She commanded.

I opened my mouth to retaliate.

"Jao bhai, meri beti se milne do mujhe. (Go, let me meet my daughter in peace.)" Dadi spoke up out of the blue.

"Dadi, even you?"

"What?" She smiled mischievously.

"Dad," I looked at my father expecting an out from the sticky situation.

He shrugged.

"Mummy, yar," I shook my head at my mother, not willing to fall for my family's trap.

"Jao (Go)" she waved me off.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Somebody, please help me. How am I supposed to face Priya now? Of course, she'll be uncomfortable with the stupid stunt everyone was playing just to embarrass us.

"Let's just get over it." She whispered to my side.

I looked down at her and apologised through my eyes.

She shrugged, just as helpless as me.

"Sabko dekh lunga mein (I'll see everyone else later.)" I warned, taking the lead while Priya followed me with rushed footsteps.

"Aur kitna dekhega? (How much more are you going to see?)" Neelam bua chuckled.

"Besharmi ki bhi hadh hoti hai, Neelam. (There's a limit to shamelessness, Neelam)" Reshma Bua commented.

The rest of the conversation faded when Priya and I made it to my room. I closed the door shut, gesturing for her to stand in front of the full-length mirror. She went to follow wordlessly. I stepped behind her, our eyes unwilling to hold any contact. "Uh, you- your hair,"

"Ah, sorry," she whispered, twisting her arm back to collect her locks on the right side of her shoulder. My gaze gravitated towards her neckline and I heaved a troubled sigh. Placing the pendant between her collarbones, I slid it upwards until the ends met. My fingers tingled every time they grazed her skin, igniting some weird sensations my virgin body was not prepared to handle so early in our relationship. I hooked the ends and she tossed her hair back, already mesmerized by the pendant. She leaned in a little, smiling at the diamond-studded swan. "It's so beautiful," she sighed. "I loved it!" She turned around, whimpering upon realising her locks had entangled into the button of my shirt. I yanked her to my chest, a miserable attempt to dull the pain. "Why do we always end up in such situations!?" She hissed, trying to tug her hair out of the knot.

I watched her struggle, my eyes sliding from the pendant to her collarbones, following the curve of her neck and settling on her face. "Tsk!" She voiced out, stomping her right leg and accidentally rubbing her knee against my forbidden zone.

"Stop!"

She flinched, freezing right away.

"Just stop!" I snapped. "You're going to be the death of me someday!" I gritted out and cupped her nape, surprising her with my actions. I located where the problem was and snapped my button apart, stepping back from her hurriedly. "Jao, (Go,)"

She frowned. "Aap phirse gussa ho rahe ho. (You're getting angry again.)" She muttered softly.

I rubbed a hand over my face, desperately hoping she doesn't look down. Damnit, I need to adjust my trousers. "Let's take another look at your pendant," I stepped closer and placed my hands on her shoulders, forcing her around. She was startled but was easily distracted by the pendant in the reflection. I took that as an opportunity to adjust my trousers.

"I should thank her. I think I didn't." She mumbled under her breath. "Aditya, let's go and thank her." She turned around to face me.

"Ha, sure. Go ahead."

Her brows pinched together. "You said not to leave your side no matter what."

"And you asked me what if I need to use the washroom?" I reminded her.

"Ah, right!" She exclaimed. "No problem, take your time." She smiled and left the room.

I breathed out a sigh of relief and plopped down on the bed, cupping my face with my elbows planted on my parted knees. I've rarely had a boner because of a real woman. But this lady just had to flip her hair aside and reveal her neckline, and I was all hot and bothered like a blood-sucking vampire. What the fuck is wrong with me!? What if she had realised it? What if she had felt it!?

I groaned into my hands. This could have ended up so horribly.

The door to the bathroom clicked open causing me to look up. Bhai stepped out with a towel draped over his shoulders, clothed in black sweatpants and a black t-shirt.

I looked away instantly.

"I hate this as much as you." He began, although I have no idea what he was explaining himself for. "I even told mom that I'll adjust in the living room but you know how she is." He added.

Oh, so that is what he is talking about.

I nodded in response, barely disturbed by the fact that I'll have to share a room with him for the next few days. As long as he doesn't bring up Priya in any of our future conversations, I'm all good.

"Did you talk to her?"

Right. How can anything ever go according to my will?

Pahad tut padega na agar bhagwan ne ek baar bhi meri sun li. (It'll be a disaster if God ever tried to hear me.)

"Talk to whom?" I lifted my head to meet his eyes.

"Who else? Priya." He tossed the towel on the couch.

"Oh, my fiance?" He blanched at my way of referring her "What do you want me to say to her? Priya, my brother loves you. But I also like you. I know we're engaged but please choose one of us."

"Stop mocking me, Adi. Why can't you understand how much I love her?"

"What do you want me to do about it!?" I asked tiredly.

"I don't know. But can you imagine how awkward it'll get after you two are married? Won't you get furious just by the thought of your brother also being in love with your wife!? Because I'll be furious knowing the woman I love so fucking much is now my younger brother's wife!"

"Stop!" I growled, getting up and leveling him with a glare. "Stop with your 'I love her' mantra! That's my fiance you're talking about."

He swallowed. "I know. I'm sorry. But I can't help it." His eyes brimmed with tears. "I love her," he choked back on a sob. "And it hurts every time I see her with you. Don't do this to me, Adi."

I raked a hand through my hair. Every time we confront each other, it either ends up with him confessing his feelings for her or me on the verge of losing my calm. I just wanted to be selfish for once. Why is the universe so against my happiness!?

"Go and tell her," I told him.

He looked up at me in surprise.

"Tell her everything. Tell her since when you've been in love with her. Tell her why you fell in love with her. Let her know I'm aware of your feelings too. Tell her and let her make the decision."

"Really?" He smiled hopefully.

I hummed.

"Thank you!" He hugged me fiercely. "Thank you so much, Adi. Thank you so so much. You've no idea how much this means to me."

I nodded.

He grinned, spacing out in his own world. "I hope she says yes!" He whispered under his breath, forgetting I'm still in the same room. He grabbed his phone and left the room.

I chuckled humorlessly. Not because I'm afraid she is going to say yes to him but because she is going to say no to both of us now. From what I understand about her, she plays hard on the exterior. But she is sorted, sensitive, and simple from the inside. Once she gets the gist that two brothers are in love with her, she'll step back from both of our lives. I just hope her feelings are deep enough to dive into this with me despite the complexities. If not, maybe we weren't meant to be together.

I felt my eyes fill up with tears at the last thought and heaved a sigh. God, I'm so unlucky. I looked heavenwards, closing my eyes as the tears rolled down my eyes. I was tired of seeing my brother look at me with such vulnerability. There's only so much I can ignore. His pain is not one of them.

I fished out my phone to call Vikram.

"Whatever it is, let me know if I need to grab a seat." He blew up upon answering.

"I told him to confess his feelings to her."

Vikram fell.

"God, just kill me already!" He hissed, probably stumbling around for a while before I heard him sit down. "Why would you do that!?"

"He looked hurt."

"And what about you, buddy?"

"I'm fine." I sniffed.

"I know you are not." He stated. "God, why do you do this!?"

"It's for the better. Priya will get to decide on her own."

"Are you afraid she'll choose him?"

"No, I'm afraid she'll reject us both."

"One time I asked you to be selfish, Adi. One time."

"I like her so much. What am I going to do?" I sat on the couch with a light thud.

"Do you need me to come there? We can go out for drinks," he suggested.

"Yeah, I'd love that. I'll text you after dinner. Bring your car. I'm not taking a cab."

"Ji Maharaj, (Yes, my lord.)" He mocked.

I hung up and shoved the phone back into my pocket. Getting up, I fixed the creases on my trousers and made my way outside the room. I searched around the room, locating Bhai and Priya on the balcony. My stomach dropped. He is already asking her!?

"Aise kya dekh raha hai? (Why are you looking like that?)" Meghna approached me with a frown. "Bhoot dekh liya kya? (As if you saw a ghost)" she looked in the same direction as me. "Arey ha, Bhai said they have to talk something about work." She notified me. I know what they are talking about and it's not anything work-related. "Ghabra mat, tere koi secrets nahi bata raha woh usse. (Don't worry, he isn't revealing any of your secrets to her.)" She chuckled. For the first time, I was thankful that Meghna is dumb.

Both of them turned and walked back inside. I analysed the expression on Priya's face. She didn't look uncomfortable or shocked or even mildly surprised. My eyes drifted towards Bhai, who had schooled his face to appear blank.

He left her side, making his way towards where I stood.

"Tujhe maa bula rahi hai, (Mom is calling you.)" He said to Meghna.

She nodded and left.

"I did not tell her anything. Neither am I planning to. I realised it'll be of no use. I'll just end up complicating things for you." He said, walking past me back inside the room with a gentle pat on my shoulder.

I frowned.

Is he for real? He was so hopeful just a moment ago. And now he says it'll be of no use?

"Aditya," Priya walked up to me.

"What were you and Bhai talking about?" I asked.

She blinked, appearing slightly taken aback. "Uhm, work? And he asked me some weird questions." She shrugged.

"Like?"

"Like, why-"

"Adi, Priya," Dadi called, beckoning us closer.

"It was nothing important right?" I asked her.

She shook her head.

"Let's go, then," I held her hand, surprising her a little. We both walked up to my grandmother and knelt at her level.

"I wanted to give you these," Dadi smiled, holding out a pair of thin gold bangles to Priya in her trembling hands.

Priya gasped softly.

"These are my mother-in-law's. She had them made for me when I first entered the Shrivastava family as their daughter-in-law. Now, these belong to you."

Although I was ecstatic about Priya receiving them, Mom's reaction to Dadi's decision was nothing sort of happy. I sighed. I don't understand why people in my family find it so hard to be happy for others.

Priya smiled, putting them on immediately. "Thank you."

Dadi patted her head. "Ab shaadi ki tayyariya shuru karo. (Now start the preparation for marriage.)" She declared.

Almost every one of us looked at her in shock.

"Maa?" Dad asked, trying to gauge whether she was kidding or not.

"Kya? Aise kya dekh rahe ho? (What? What are you looking at?)" She countered. "I did not come this far only to give my granddaughter-in-law these bangles. I'm here for the wedding."

"Me too!" Neelam bua chimed in. "Ab shehnaiyan bajane ka wakt aa gaya hai! (Now it's time to play the trumpets!)"

Gotta love Dadi and Neelam bua lol. They know how to shut up the unnecessary mouths.

And did our Adi and Priya have their first argument? It started so sweetly and ended so sweetly. I'm so in love with them. Like I feel so fucking protective about them. Gosh, I'm getting obsessed.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.