A/N : Hey loves! How have you been doing? Stay healthy and hold up. Do not overthink and do not hate yourself. Trust me there are alot of people out there ready to hold your back. Trust them and trust yourself.

1870 words it is! Enjoy.❤️

Anah's POV

The morning rays hit my face as I shift and snuggle into Riya. She groans and turns away. Covering my eyes with a cushion I try getting back to sleep again and completing a nonchalant dream that  for sure I won't remember moments later.

My struggle came to an end when I heard knocking on the door. Nudging Riya seemed hopeless as she already snatched the cushion and covered her ears. Giving her an annoyed look I got up and carelessly drapping a scarf around my neck went for the door.

"Coming" my voice felt soar and heavy as the sleep slowly shakes off my body. Opening the wooden door with half opened eyes I saw aunt Nafisa standing in front with a smile. "Good morning beta. It's already past nine and you girls haven't woke up yet. Seems like you had a good gossip night".

She entered the room as I mindlessly followed her. To be honest I was barely out of my sleep. Aunt Nafisa reached for the curtains and my eyes on there own went for the third person all covered with cushions and blankets, in the room.

I felt myself grinning, even in my own half awaken state my mind was devil enough to think of it. As soon as Aunt Nafisa opened the curtains I snatched the cushions from Riya and pushed her on the other side facing the window where the sun hit her harshly.

She woke up instantly still covering her face with her hands. Laughing at her state I heard aunt Nafisa chuckling beside me.  "Anah! That's so not fair. It's so rude of you to wake me up from my precious sleep so harshly. Don't you have any emotions? I am your best friend for god sakes. You are terrible". She groaned while getting up and directly headed towards the washroom.

"Anah! Poor Riya. You shouldn't do that. She was sleeping so peacefully", my aunt repremended. "Comeon khala! Don't be so naive, you were laughing yourself, afterall Riya with a morning grumpy face is no less of a sight than a joker's". She shook her head as I intentionally said the last line loud enough for her to hear from the washroom.

"I can hear you, you know. You have dug your own grave. I am up for a revenge". She screamed in response as my lips coveted in a sly smile. I know she can't see but she knows. " Game on then".

I felt eyes on me as aunt Nafisa looked at me affectionately. I am just going to  assume it was affection. Today seems a good day after so long, I won't let my mind make it otherwise. "Anah?" She called. "Yes khala?" I started making my bed and cleaning the room as she talked, " Shourya called an hour ago".

Too early for promises it seems.

"Okay!" My monotonous reply hung a tension in the room. " You both get ready and come down for breakfast. We will talk over there" she softly brushed my hair before leaving as I gave her a small smile. Do not over think it Anah, it still can be a good day.

Soon Riya came out with a narrowed gaze and a silent treatment both solemnly directed towards me. I tried to smile. She noticed the tension as she soon reached for me as I told her about the sudden information.

Her assurance was surely comforting but just not comforting enough, its just I thought he might won't call. I literally wished for him to bail out but it seems he was quite in a haste to make me his bride. My words felt bitter in my mind itself.

Soon we both got ready and went down. We could hear chattering as we gave each other a look and joined the others. Everybody was already there as Riya left my side and went to hug her mother. I followed her suite and Anuradha Aunty hugged me with equal warmth.

I greeted everybody and the normal chattering filled the space. For a moment it felt like all that in my room earlier was a dream but like every too good to be true dream has an end this one ended way too soon. " Anah?" My eyes drifted towards my father as he continued " Khala must have told you that Shourya called this morning to inform us about his family situation on the matter".

Right! Thank god atleast they know it's more of a situation then a marriage prospective.

I nodded. "His family wants to meet us, meet you. He said his family wasn't fascinated by the idea but they surely respect Asad's wish like we do and they don't mind in discussing over it in person. They feel it's equal responsibility from both sides to take a wise decision"

I nodded. Silence surrounded for a moment  which was later filler by uncle sheikh. "Beti, they are coming to see us in the evening today. The sooner we discuss the better. Your father did agree on this but if you aren't ready then.." he trailed off.

"It's alright Uncle. As you said the sooner we get done with this matter the better for me. I have so many other things in life then just to see a stranger as a proposed husband. If I may, I am done with breakfast. Khala if you need me I am in the garden". I got up and went straight to the backyard which was also a small garden.

As soon as I was out of the sight I slumped on the grass under the old neem tree. Hugging my legs my gaze settled on specifically nothing as the wheels in my brain churned.

Finally deciding to be productive and diverted from the unwanted thoughts I began working with the plants who needs my attention. After a couple of hours of isolation in the garden for some reason my heart felt lighter.

Soon I heard Riya calling me to come inside. I dropped the garden scissors on the side and went back in. My eyes fell on the wall clock as it was already lunch time. We all sat for lunch and it went well. Nobody brought up that topic this time and I was grateful.

As Riya and I entered my room, I heard a knock. We turned around and khala was standing there along wit Anuradha Aunty with some clothes and accessories in there hand.

They came in and settled everything on the edge of the bed. " Anah, we know what you are going through. I won't say much but we are there for you and just want you to know that. Please don't think otherwise of us".

Her words brought back some assurance that I surely needed. " Anah, this is your mother's saree. She loved wearing it.  Infact  this is what she wore when your father came to ask her hand officially. I am leaving this in your care. It's yours. Wear it if you want to not because we offered it to you."

She told Riya to get ready as well and help me out as the so called groom's family would be visiting. Groom my foot.

Without uttering any of my negative thoughts I barely nodded as they went out to look out for other preparations. My eyes fell on the royal blue silk and I couldn't help but caress it softly.

It's my maa's blessing for me. Shourya Singh Rajput doesn't deserve this.

I took the saree and carefully hung it in the cupboard while taking  out another rather simple chiffon saree in peachy pink shade.

Riya was looking but didnt comment. She softly pushed me towards the bathroom to take a shower as according to her I was too sweaty by working in the garden. I can't differ though. As soon as I stepped out she was already dressed in a white suit looking gorgeous as ever.

"Oh! Looks like someone is more excited than the soon to be bride. Who are u trying to kill with your looks. I have a plan. You can actually marry him if you like him. At least one daughter of this family would be waved off". I was ranting and she was pushing me towards the dressing area and started helping me with the saree

"I am serious Riya". She hushed. "Anah! Enough now. You better get ready or shall I call khala to give you another lecture about how you should be responsible".

I rolled my eyes at her and looked at my reflection in the mirror. To be honest I have imagined this scene multiple times as a little girl, all cladded in a saree with beautiful jewels enhancing my features but now all grown up couldn't feel more stressed about both at the situation of this marriage and the thought of being married.

As little girls we all dream at some point or the other that a prince would come on our conditions and choices and swipe us away in a world full of happiness and love.

Yeah sure. Mine is coming today In a car to lock some sort of deal he made with his friend in his mind. How exciting!

I was too lost in my thoughts as I heard Riya clapping in front of my eyes. "Back on earth madam! It's time for makeup". She was about to put the foundation brush on my face when I stopped her. "Riya I.." I looked into her eyes as she nodded after sometime and left me alone.

With a sigh I softly applied some lotion, a hint of lip and cheek tint and with a thin eyeliner with a coat of mascara, I was done. Wearing my diamond studs and mom's watch I was all set to be presented.

I sat on the window side bench lost in my thoughts till I heard the door open. "They are here Anah" Khala and Riya stood by the door to escort me downstairs. " I know the way to my living room khala. I'd be there in a minute." They tried to protest but gladly chose not to and went away.

After sometime of pep talk I finally gave a final look at my brother's picture and went out.

As I was climbing down the stairs I could hear faint chattering. There backs were facing me while my father and the elders of my family sat in front. I was so focussed Infront that I bumped into something. "Oh I am sorry.." before I could complete that thing screamed.

"Anah auntyyy", she hugged my leg and tried to sway in the hug. I was too shocked to see Ananya to even reciprocate. Before I could say anything I heard another familiar voice " Anah? Is that you? Oh god what a coincidence. You are Asad's sister " Sandhya's words filled the room and all I could think was.

What the hell Bhai?