Nidhi POV:

4 Months later.

"Nidhi, get ready. We are getting delayed," shouted my brother, knocking on the door of my room. Though I have gotten ready I remained still in my room looking at my reflection in the mirror.

Wearing a royal blue Anarkali with matching earrings and bangles and minimal makeup adorning my face. These adornments have become a routine to me lately as I keep on visiting one Man after another in the name of Match Making.

Yeah, the Matchmaking tradition has begun and till now I met 3 families in 4 weeks. And my duty is the same, representing myself as a happy and cheerful bride who is awaiting for the perfect life partner where in reality only I know how annoyed and frustrated I get acting that way.

Well, whom can I blame for this situation of mine apart from myself? Nithin did said that I don't have to think about the marriage, I went to Dad and Mom and confessed that I am ready to marry.

Shock and Surprise were quite evident on their faces when I uttered these words. They both looked at each other and asked me what changed my mind so suddenly.

My reply was, 'It should happen one day or the other. And you all want that for me so I even felt alike now.'

'Ok. Let's wait till the time Grandma recovers after some time will start searching for your groom. But remember you have given your word and I hope you will not back off,' came a stern reply from my dad. I just nodded.

After he left the place my Maa questioned me, 'Are you sure, Nidhi?' I didn't answer her because I myself don't know that.

Even I questioned myself too. Am I ready for this huge change in my life? And for whom am I doing this? For myself or my family?

And even if I marry someone will I be able to love him? Accept him wholeheartedly? And his family? A whole lot of responsibilities will stand knocking on the door like my brother is doing.

Groaning I took my sling back put all my belongings in it and went out. Nithin was still standing there and checked me from top to bottom.

"Still not ready?" Nithin questioned. Understanding his stupid sarcasm, I just ignored him and walked down the stairs to the hall. My parents and grandma are waiting for me.

"How beautiful my granddaughter looks!" exclaimed my grandma looking at me. I hugged her and threw an evil smirk at my brother who rolled his eyes. "This time the boy will definitely accept you. You see."

Grandma is getting better with each day. For the last two months, I have been taking care of all her needs and that has become my priority task.

"Grandma, our princess should like the boy. It doesn't matter even if the boy is ready to marry this princess this instant," replied my 'caring' brother. Saying so he went out, picked up the car keys and motioned me to come out soon.

I mumbled a bye to all and went after him and sat in the passenger seat. There is no use in asking them to let me drive. Had they let me drive I would have gone alone but I must be dropped and picked up too.

Even after starting the car, Maa kept telling me to behave and be polite to the to-be groom and not say anything offending to them. But who will believe me if I say I didn't offend anyone, it's just I had to reply to their every question either it was sane or dumb and they couldn't take my retort.

I fell deaf to her words until Dad approached and said, "Hope you will like him. He is a good match for you."

"You said the same thing 4 times before too," I couldn't stop myself from saying that.

"I can only hope for it and not force you for it to happen," he replied and went back as Nithin started the car to the destination.

I couldn't help my mood spoil even more. I wonder how this meeting will proceed now. But at least it is better than holding a meeting at home with both families meeting and questioning each other.

I won't say these are bad or cringe, but what pissed me off is my father's ultimatum. That my Husband would be a Doctor. And I have no say in it.

That's where I lost half of my interest and the remaining was lost in our boring talks. Neither did they try to have an informal conversation and nor did I try to involve myself in their thoughts. The awkward silence was heard more than our talks.

And the main issue with all of them is they are meeting me because of my father and his name not for me. They are not interested in knowing about me. Heck, two people don't even know what my profession is. And when I ask them some questions about this bluntly they take it as an offence. That's how I reached token number 5 now.

Soon we reached a café where I am supposed to meet the new groom-to-be. My parents thought maybe meetings at home are not my way of liking and have set up a new meeting this way. New meeting with Dr Sushant.

"I will come back in 30 mins, though I don't have any hope you will talk till that time," Nithin said as I got down from the car.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Don't behave so uninterested. You have given your acceptance even after I said don't do that."

"And Am I blaming you? No, right?" I raised my voice feeling annoyed.

"But your attitude says different. Cut it down, it won't be of any help to you."

Before I could have a full-fledged war with him, he sped out. Attitude he says. My foot. It is not attitude; it is my personality. A strong and up-front one. And everyone has a problem with it.

'And you don't see your flaws dear,' mocked my subconscious.

'Shut up,' I whisper yelled at myself and moved forward.

As soon as I entered in I saw Dr Sushant sitting at the table sipping his coffee. He saw me and smiled at me. I also put on a smile and kept telling myself that be positive, be positive.

"Hi," I greeted him and sat across from him.

"Hi, Nidhi."

"Hope I haven't made you wait much,"

"No. No. And these are for you," saying so he handed over a bunch of roses to me.

"Thank you so much." I took the flowers with a huge smile on my face. When boys come with families, even to maintain eye contact they will look at their mother first, seek approval and then look at me. And now I am getting flowers too. May this be filled with positivity?

We conversed for a few more minutes and things were better, at least better than last time. Though I am not fully convinced that he is the one at this point but maybe I could meet him again over lunch or dinner.

"So you won't work, right?" Out of the blue, he asked me this.

"Well, I don't work for now but will certainly work in future," All of a sudden I felt all the positivity that I felt evaporating around me.

"You don't have to work. I earn enough for us," Now things are getting sour. Why does he have to object to my lifestyle? I thought maybe he will understand if I explain my perspective but what he uttered next changed everything,

"Besides your father said he also doesn't like you to work when I said this to him."

That was it. I became blank. I couldn't help but show a visibly betrayed face. My face fell, my smile fell and everything fell. I leaned into my hand and rubbed my face.

I badly wish everything around me disappears, especially this man. I don't know whether he is still staring at me or not. Just a few moments ago I felt maybe he might be different but guess he is no better.

Maybe, it is his preference for his wife to not, but he can't force his choices on another human. It is the worse feeling. I have faced the experience twice and I can't face it again.

I removed my hand from my face and before I could talk my phone rang with Ravali's call. Her call gave me an idea to show what my real attitude is.

Telling an excuse, I answered her call, "Hi Ravali."

"Hey. Did I disturb you?"

"Ohh, wife killed her husband. What a news yaar. Tell me in more detail," I started talking whatever I want and with the intention of terrifying him.

"What killed? What are you talking about?" asked a confused Ravali.

"She killed because he didn't allow her to go to the workplace? Wow. She is an inspiration to many, right?" My gaze for once didn't waver from the man before him. He became visibly uncomfortable with my conversation and that gave me immense satisfaction and I continued my own gibberish.

"I understood. Someone must be ahead of you. Bless that person, I will call later. Bye." Saying so she dismissed the call.

"Ok. Tell me if you need any help, I have experience in such cases. Bye."

After my overacting, I turned my attention towards him. I hope he isn't that dumb to not understand that my words were directed towards him. That's why I remained silent and expected him to start the conversation first.

"Guess... you have work. We will talk later. Bye," he replied and stood up to leave and didn't even wait for me to say anything else.

"Hope we won't meet again," I murmured within and completed my drink. I checked my time and Nithin was right, only 20 minutes passed, out of which 5 minutes goes to my acting only.

I messaged Nithin to come and pick me up and was about to call Ravali to explain my action when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Hi, beautiful." A boy wished me that to using such an endearment. I called him a boy as he looks younger than me.

"Sorry?"

"Well, I happen to follow your conversation since the time you started and I couldn't stop myself from saying, your personality is awesome. I mean instead of showing your aggression verbally you handled the situation perfectly. My compliments for you."

Bewilderment covered my face. I mean after such antics the last thing I anticipated is people to think I am crazy but here a boy is complimenting me. What else is left for me to see today?

"Well..... thanks. But you shouldn't have listened to other people's conversations. You know, right?"

"I know, but sometimes it is an instinct for me. I am a psychology student so examining different behaviours of humans is a very fascinating thing for me and learning...."

"Excuse me! I am not your patient or some rat in an experiment. And who are you to talk this way," Why all weird things happen to me only and this crazy fellow is saying he is examining me.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have used those terms. My bad. Just wanted to say you haven't done anything wrong if you are feeling bad. That's it."

"And I don't need your validation." I stood up and left the place. The last thing I want is some teenager judging my actions. I heard someone calling from behind, but I ignored them and went out.

Nithin is already waiting for me and kept staring at me as I walked nearer to the car. The frown on my face is enough for him to imagine what might have happened so he didn't question anything further and we rode back in silence.

I know this silence is short-lived as I have a huge explanation to give at home and a big fight to happen.

So let me enjoy these few peaceful moments.

Hello All.

Hope you all are doing good.

After one month I have updated new chapter. A big chapter too.

But before anything I would like to tell you, Nidhi is not an innocent girl and can't hurt anyone type. 

She is headstrong girl, with a bossy attitude and hot-tempered personality but not a bad or rude person. So don't misunderstand her please. You will get to know more and more about her in future chapters.

So updates will be like this only. Monthly once or twice or if luck favors me even more times. Please wait for Nidhi and Darsh.

And what do you think about this young fellow. Can you guess his character? Do you want a second hero in the book?

Tell me what all you felt reading this chapter.

Please do VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE the book if you enjoy my work.

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Thank you for reading.

Stay Safe.