Shivaay

It's the weekend and we are supposed to go meet the girl and her family for which Biji made me postpone the very important client meeting.

The trinity is over the moon.

"Biji aap bhaiya ke liye ladki dekhne jaa rahe hai ya apne liye ladka. You look more nervous that bhaiyaa" Rudra teased Biji only to get hit.

"Everyone ready? We need to leave." Biji questions

"Yeah Biji just waiting for Ishana." Om informed.

"Alright let's do this. We'll get going while you kids join." Bade Papa suggested.

"Better. Let's get going. Don't be late." Maa gave stern look before settling in the car.

"Sorry sorry sorry I am late." Ishana rushed out as soon as the elders left.

"It's okay bhabhi you're not too late just a bit." Rudra showed how late she was by the fingers.

"Ohh thank god. Okay let's get going." Ishana huffed.

"Bade bhaiyaa" I heard Ishana call out of me.

"Are you nervous?"

"No." Why would I be?

"Not at all?" She asked again to confirm. "Not at all." I replied loved the reaction on her face.

"How long is it gonna take?" Rudra asked.

"I don't know considering the traffic atleast 2 hours." Om replied checking on the GPS map.

"Really. Then wake me up when we reach. Mom woke me up so early." Rudra yawned. Shaking our head we continued.

~~~

"Sara, are you ready?" Shipra came to check on her daughter.

"Almost." Annika repiled pasting a small round Bindi on Sara's forehead. "And here our princess is ready." Annika smiled.

Sarangi wore a white Anarkali suit with peach and ornage coloured flower printed on it. Her hairs let loose with little curl from front. Small golden earings dangling with bare neck and minimal touch of makeup just to make sure the dark circles are covered. The one she drew by watching Asian drama late night.

"Indeed you look like a princess." Shipra pecked Sarangi's forehead and turned to look at Annika wearing just a simple kurti with a pair of leggings her hair tied in a messy bun.

"What is this you are wearing Annika?" Shipra frowned. Annika looked herself and back to Shipra "What's wrong with this? I wore it last week too." Annika passed an confused look.

"Are you really gonna come looking like this Annika? Please get ready." Shipra walk passed her to find some suitable cloths for her.

"Why me Chachi? Meri kya zarror hai wahan pe? Don't you want Sara to get married?" She let out a dry laugh.

"Don't be stupid di. You are coming warna mujhe bhi nahi milna kisise." Sarangi folds her hand before her chest turning away.

"Sara~~"

"No excuses"

"But~"

"I can't hear you. Just go and get ready" Sara pushed her in the wash room to change.

~~~

Shivaay

After driving for 2 long hours we are finally here, at Kapadia house. It's Biji's friend's house whom she met in a Tirth Yaatra. She said she bonded really well then.

"Namaste. Aayien na." We were greeted by a young handsome man. He had worn a simple kurta pyjamas with his hairs perfectly gelled you, he seems like the brother of the girl I am supposed to see.

"Namaste Kalindi Ji."

"Namaste Shashi Ji"

With all the Namastes, Hellos and Introduction we finally settled.

"Shashi Ji this is my grandson Shivaay now where is you Granddaughter?" Biji asked gleefully.

With a smile she called out a name. "Annika~~"

"Ji Daadi" came from the other side. This voices sounds familiar.

Surprisingly much, two ladies came from the kitchen with trays of snacks and tea.

But one amongst them had her face covered only her eyes were visible but I couldn't properly have a look. The lady had worn a white Salwar Suit with a beautifully embroidered dupatta, as they call it. Her long dark hairs were half tied with a single clip few of her hairs strand escaping out from the clip. I really had an urge to tuck them behind her ears.

What the heck Shivaay!!

But why did she cover her face? Aren't we supposed to see her?

The thought hault as she immediately left the room. Maybe to bring something esle.

"This is Sarangi. My granddaughter." Shashi ji introduced the other lady.

Is she the one? Not her?

"She's really pretty." I saw Maa compliment her.

Yeah she was pretty but where's the masked one?

"Bhaiyaa~~ bhaiyaa~~" Rudy whispered into my ears. "What?"

"Don't you think Bhabhi is pretty?" He wiggled his eyebrow to tease me.

"Shut up Rudy. She's not our Bhabhi yet." Om smacked him.

The elders went on this the random conversation. But the other one didn't arrive yet.

"Shashi Ji who was the other girl? And where is she?" Finally Biji came to something genuine.

"She was Annika. Daughter of my elder son, Shashank. He and his wife Meera had an accident so they are no more." Shashi ji said with a sad smile.

The weather turned dull.

"Oh I am so sorry."

"It's okay Kalindi ji."

"Umm ~ mom according to the arrange marriage manual shouldn't Bhaiyaa and Sara be left alone to talk?" Rudra breathed. Just to recieve a glare from me and Mom.

"What? I was just trying to change the topic." He whispered

"That's right. According to the manual that should be the next step. Sara beta go you guys have a word with each other." Sudhir uncle supported.

I smiled at her as she stood up. We went on the balcony. The house really is beautiful, the garden was very well maintained.

There was an awkward silence that crept us. My tongue was itching to ask why Annika had her face covered and why was she so familiar. I can't ask that. But the ice is needed to be broken or we'll just freeze.

"Your house's really beautiful. I love the garden area."

Well start Shivaay. To which she smiled huge.

"Really? It's Annika di's hobby she love greenery and gardening."

"You're a photographer right?" She asked.

"Yeah." We did some random introductory talks. Most of her talks were about some K-pop boy band, K-dramas and her Annika di.

She really seems to love the three. But only the later seem to catch my attention. I really want to meet her. Where is she?

"Ohh meet Annika di."

Annika came with a tray of refreshments. Sarangi placed the tray on the table and pulled Annika who was about to leave. 

"Sara mujhe kaam hai niche~"

"Mr. Oberoi meet my di. Di meet Mr. Oberoi." Sarangi ignored her protest.

"Hello Ms. Kapdia."

"Hello Mr. Oberoi."  She immediately left the handshake. I can still not look into her eyes. Please look up.

"You guys talk I'll take your leave."

"Oh ho di. Why are rushing just~~" as Sarangi pulled her, the cloth that was covering her face fell off.

Now I can see the face.

~~~

Annika

The dupatta fell and now he can see my face. I looked at him.

Those eyes~~ I hate those eyes. Those ones that held disgusted after they see my face.

I really hate it to the core. I feel so disgusted with the look he gave me. I hate it, I loathe it. I could not stand even for second.

"Di~~ Di wait. I am sorry Mr. Oberoi. I need to leave." I heard Sarangi's faint voice as I left.

~~~

Shivaay

"What happened Shivaay? Why did you leave like that?" I heard Papa ask me. I could not hold that and had left from that place immediately.

"Ya Shivaay what was wrong?" It was Bade Papa this time.

"Biji I got a call from studio. The client had to leave this evening due to some emergency and they are asking for me. I'll just leave." I don't feel like talking to anybody.

"Shivaay~~ Shivaay~~ what's wrong with this boy?" That's the last thing I heard before I was gone.

So what do you think about the first meet? Why did Shivaay leave?

What do you think will happen next?

Please do leave your comments.

Stay safe take care of yourself and your loved ones

Love Love ❤

M. S.