Padmanabh placed his cup and crossed his legs as he waited for Hridyanshu to show up. He had come early and wouldn't mind waiting for his son. Vrishali is at the palace busy with her photoshoot. He decided to spend some time with Hridyanshu and he had some important to discuss with him.

Time passed before he watched Hridyanshu walking towards the table. He smiled when Hridyanshu didn't take his seat before giving him a hug. "Hey, Pa. I'm sorry if I made you wait." Padmanabh chuckled. "No, Yashu. I just wanted to be early. You are on time." Hridyanshu smiled, pushing his hair back. Padmanabh took his time observing the younger version of himself. It clearly amuses him whenever he watches his kids. He cannot believe he and Vrishali created them.

"Have you ordered yet, Pa?" Padmanabh shook his. "No, I was waiting for you." Hridyanshu smiled handing the menu to Padmanabh. "Please do the honours, I will have whatever you will have." Padmanabh rolled his eyes, playfully slapping his hand. "I'm not good at this and you don't have to be polite with me. I'm not one of your clients."

Hridyanshu laughed, "Pa, you are more important than a client. You are my biggest investor." Hridyanshu winked at Padmanabh. "Oh, no. Don't let your mum hear that. She claims she is the biggest investor and she doesn't like it if someone claims the position." They laughed, nodding their heads.

Hridyanshu ordered food for both of them, while Padmanabh thought of how he was going to bring up the topic. He is awkward and wanted Vrishali beside him, but Vrishali made him talk with Hridyanshu alone. Because she believes the kids fear him and would never take his word lightly. 

*

Padmanabh finished the glass of water and leaned back in his seat. He might get comfortable before he spoke with Hridyanshu. "Yash." Hridyanshu looked at his father. He knew there was something important. "Yes, Pa."

"I do want to go around the bush. Your mum and I only wish happiness to you all." Hridyanshu nodded his head. "Have you found someone?"

Hridyanshu blinked his eyes. "No, Pa." Padmanabh nodded his head. "Are you seeing someone? You do not have to hide anything from us. It is completely fine with us if you are seeing someone or in love."

Hridyanshu smiled. "Pa, I know. But to be honest, I'm not seeing anyone and I'm busy with my work at the firm." Padmanabh stayed silent, searching for the words.

"Hmm, your mum and I believe that it is time for you to see someone and get settled. I know the past has been hard on you and it was hard for us to see you at that stage." Padmanabh sighed. "We have been patient and given you space, but you need to understand that you are not getting any younger. We― We want you to be happy and find someone." Hridyanshu stayed quiet, not wanting to cut in.

"We do not want to force you into settling down. If we ignore things like you have been doing, it will only make things worse. It will only make you end up being alone. We do not want to see you locking yourself up with hectic work. This is not the life we want you to feel." Padmanabh brought his hands together. "Things hurt, hearts broke but that isn't the end. Everyone goes through a phase and there is so much after that. If we do not step out, then we won't ever be able to help ourselves."

"You kids aren't young anymore. If you are not taking up with the matter, we have decided to search for one for you." Hridyanshu was surprised. "I believe you would respect my word, but if it is what you don't want. You can tell me now. We will not force anything."

Hridyanshu opened and closed his mouth. "Is it going to be an arranged marriage?" Padmanabh smiled. "Well, if you put it like that. Yes, we will be searching for an understanding maiden for you. If there is someone you love, you can tell us or invite her to lunch. We would love to meet her."

Hridyanshu shook his head. "There is no one. I― I'm okay with it." A sigh left Padmanabh. "You sure about it?"

"Yes, Pa. I'm okay with it. Ma has been speaking about it but― thinking of it, I'm fine with the decision."

"Well, your grandparents and Ma have already come up with a list of suitors." Hridyanshu's eyes widened in horror. "Huh?" Padmanabh chuckled. "You have to know, they have been waiting for your wedding more than anything. They have come up with a list. Vrishali will be sending you the list soon and you have to meet them."

Hridyanshu snorted, massaging his face. "It is going to be hectic, isn't it?"

"It would be fun." Hridyanshu rolled his eyes. "Good for you, you didn't have to go through the phase. Your lucky."

Padmanaabh smiled, thinking of the past. "That I'm, but your mum wasn't exactly friendly in the beginning. And oh, she didn't want to be my bride."  Hridyanshu and Padmanabh laughed, remembering the stories. Hridyanshu and his siblings grew up listening to their parents' arranged marriage story but they didn't exactly know deeply.

"So mum didn't say yes to you?" Padmanabh shook his head. "No, she straightforwardly rejected me in front of our whole families. I was stunned and taken aback. I had never heard of your mum before. I have known her cousins but your mum was a stranger in my mind. I learned her name on the same day."

"I believed that they would be asking for your mum's elder cousin's hand but it was your mum." Padmanabh smiled. "I'm grateful that it is your mum. I wouldn't know where I would be and how I would be if it wasn't for your mum."

Hridyanshu wondered if he would ever be able to find someone like that. If he will ever be able to have something like his parents. Someone who would understand him and wait for him at every end. Someone who would come to his office and surprise him with her presence. Someone who would complain about him being a workaholic and someone who would be able to drag him out of his office.

"Yashu, you listening?" Hridyanshu snapped out of his thoughts. Padmanabh placed his hand on Hridyanshu's and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Everything will be alright. You will find the one." Hridyanshu smiled, nodding his head.

*

Nalani sipped her coffee while looking out of the balcony. She could hear Amma's laugh in the background as her Achhan shared a joke. She had returned last night and decided to rest at home rather than go to dance school. There was peace within her and she had met Aditya in the morning.

Aditya is an IAS officer and her mum's junior. The meeting went well. Nalani didn't feel any awkwardness between them. They easily fell into a comfortable phase and had coffee while speaking about their interests. Aditya knew how to keep the conversation flowing and he was talkative.

She didn't know how an hour passed before he had to leave. She came home with a smile on her face. She told her parents that the date went well and she might go on another date to see how things might go. She cannot decide anything based on one date. Her phone started ringing, she looked at the caller ID before a smile played on her face.

She answered Facetime. "Hey!"

"Hey, babe. How was the officer? Is he hot and cool?" Vidha asked the question. Nalani laughed, shaking her head. "Hmm, he is good. It went well but I cannot decide on anything."

"Oh... oh... So is my girl going to meet the man again?" Nalani smiled. "Yes, we are meeting on Friday night." Vidha raised her brow. "Tell me you guys are going to a pub, getting wasted and then dancing." Nalani rolled her eyes. "We might go to the pub but getting wasted and dancing? I don't think so, he is a government official and if someone caught him getting wasted, it would be a problem for both of us."

Vidha snorted. "Babe, he is a normal person after hours of duty. He can do anything when he isn't on duty." Nalani nodded her head. "Yeah, but he mentioned he cannot get drunk like ever."

"Pfft, okay." Vidha's phone shook as she went to another room. "Anyway, mum and dad called to give us some shocking information."

"What is that?"

Vidha smiled. "Hridyanshu bhaiyya is on a date." Nalani's eyes widened in surprise. "He is?"

"Apparently, Pa spoke with bhaiyya and made him agree to the bride hunt. Now he is meeting the first selected lady. She is an advocate from Jodhpur. But right now, she lives in Jaipur."

"Wow, that's good news. He didn't tell me about this when I was leaving for Hyderabad." A sad, unknown feeling hit Nalani. "He didn't tell us either. I mean he isn't sure about it, but Ma couldn't contain her happiness. She informed us in the morning. He will be meeting three others this week."

"Oh."

"Yeah, any way you are bringing a date for the ball party next month, right?" Vidha asked. Nalani rolled her eyes "Can't I come without a date?"

"Not happening, you can bring Aditya." Nalani snorted, "If things go well." Vidha winked. "Please, bring a date or else Vedant is planning to ask you and I don't want that happening. You two have to get your own dates." Nalani chuckled at the warning. "Will see... Will see..."

Nalani spoke for a while before ending the call. She leaned back in her chair and thought about it. Why was she feeling sad and uneasy? Unknowingly, she opened the photo gallery and looked at the photo Srida had sent. It was a photo of her and Hridyanshu. Sure, they had pictures together, but only group pictures. They never clicked a personal picture. It never clicked in their minds, she had many pictures with Vedant and Atulya.

*

Hey, everyone! Before working on this project, I was working on a different project. I was so excited as it is kind of close to me. Right now, I'm working on both projects. Would love it if you give that story a chance.

Book Name: Finding Us.

You can read the book on my profile. It is an ongoing story like this one.