Darsh POV:

I reached home sooner than usual and just stayed silent in my room. I still couldn't believe the fact that I was asked to marry Nidhi. No No, I was offered to marry her. Those words of my boss were still resounding in my ears. 

Nidhi.

The girl that disturbed me the most lately. Made me feel so many emotions. And at last made me feel like all lost again. I still don't know why I was so attracted to her. It's not just beauty but something more about her that made me go much and much closer to her. 

But from the time I came to know that she is going on dates, will get married soon enough and will start a new life, I have put an end to this crush of mine. I started calling it crush because I didn't want to accept it as Love as it would become even more difficult to move on. 

Though moving away from her thoughts was quite difficult I have involved myself in my personal work and that has helped provide me some sense of peace and diversion from her thoughts. And eventually, that has been helpful for my boss to notice me and ask me for his daughter's hand.

Well, I am not so dumb as to not understand the hidden intentions between his lines. His congratulatory wishes for a new home and new car were quite overdoing and it became clear that he has resorted to me or 'Least Considered' me after seeing the sudden increase in my wealth.

He must have also run a background check as well and must have found out the reason for these sudden changes in my life. Fortunately, I have my background details set and none will dig deeper than it is. Even if they try, they can't find anything. 

But I haven't taken any decision yet. When my boss questioned me I just couldn't answer him back anything. No words came out from my mouth. And what could come out? Only my eyeballs.

The silence that grew in the room after his question made me hear my own heartbeat as though I was experiencing a cardiac arrest. Or a brain stroke!

Shut up! I cursed myself and brought out myself from all my medical terms and swallowed deeply, "I will discuss it with my family, Sir." 

Though he agreed he kept on talking about his daughter's virtues, family details and many more questions about me and indirectly my money till I finished my lunch as if I and Nidhi agreed. 

Now my biggest concerns are two.

1. Nidhi. Will she accept me? Will she be interested in me? If my boss has resorted to me as a final option that means she must have rejected the previous proposals. Then will she even look at me? But this is my second concern though I mentioned it first. 

2. My main concern is my family. It's not like they will object to my choice or opinion. Honestly, my mother will be overjoyed learning the fact that I like a girl and I am interested in marrying. And it would be very happy news after so much time in our lives. 

But... 

But if it ever happens, if I eventually marry Nidhi or even someday another girl that relationship would build on lies. We can't reveal our darkest secrets to anyone, not even to a girl who will come to our home, share the same surname and become a family member. We just can't risk our peace which we achieved and expose our hidden scars as well. 

"Anna! Anna!" 

I jerked from my place as Vihas shook me violently. I zoned out again as all the activities of today are taking a toll on me. It's about time I tell them what happened today and must learn their opinion about my decision and even the future proceedings.

"What happened to you, Anna? All good?" Vihas asked me again. Maybe because of his psychology study, he could sense all my emotions and feelings most accurately. He must have sensed something was off with me. I moved my glance to Maa who was also looking worried.

"Nothing. You tell me how your day is?" I asked him to change the topic. 

"Well, as usual meeting another different personality. We went to a cafe in the morning and there I met a girl who was giving a warning to a boy indirectly, but efficiently enough to make him sweat profusely and runoff from the place."

Vihas stopped to laugh and continued, "When I praised her for being strong, she shouted at me and left the place without paying the bill. Eventually, I paid it."

"Why did you pay for others? Why do you care so much about others?" Maa chided him for his behaviour. He was always like that always caring about others. Despite all the hardships he has been through, he is still a person with full positivity and a heart of innocence he can't bear seeing people worried and in agony and that's the reason why he took psychology course as well so that he can help other people. 

"Maa, what would a good word and deed do? Nothing for me but something for them."

He replied winking at Maa which made me smile. He is so unlike me and I really do hope there comes no day when he must be deprived of his goodness ever. 

"What about you Anna?" came a question from him and I knew there was a long explanation I had to be giving.

"I have something important to tell you."

Silence grew in the atmosphere as Vihas and Maa stopped eating as well and kept waiting for me to talk. Inhaling my breath I started

"My Boss, I mean my Senior doctor at work.... has asked me... asked me if I want to marry his daughter."

Completing this one sentence was more frightening than doing hours of surgery. I let out my breath which I held on to all the while and waited for them to respond. Shock was quite evident on their faces especially that of Maa's face. 

Silence again grew around us and as the remaining two were not intended to break it anytime soon I broke it myself, "Her name is Nidhi... A journalist. Maybe a few years younger than me and .... I have met her a few times and..... even I am interested in her. 

But I haven't assured him of anything yet and I said I will discuss it with you both and tell him. If you have any issue then....."

"No, Anna. We are happy. Finally, a happy thing after a long time. Right, Maa?" Vihas intervened and tried to lighten the mood and accept the newly revealed fact. 

"Do .... Do they know everything about us?.... About me?" Maa whispered. Panic is rushing through her nerves which we both brothers can feel even being a bit far from her.

"They know nothing and I don't intend to say anything. At least not now. Not immediately."

"But... that would be cheating, Darsh?" Maa expressed her vulnerability. 

"If we lie that would be cheating. Hiding won't be cheating."

My voice came hard and heavy as desperation was dripping through. And they must have understood it and that's why they are not opposed to anything, but not convinced yet. 

What all Maa is saying is true but I just don't want this chance to slip off from me. The chance of being with Nidhi, the girl to whom I am drawn like a moth to fire. At least to understand this feeling I must get close to her and spend some more time with her. 

"And who knows whether she will accept me or not. It's just a meeting and that too after you meet her father for some formal talks."

I completed, revealing the remaining part to her about the meet-greet. This would keep Maa in more tension as she doesn't like meeting new people. 

"What! This is so... sudden. Lord..." she kept on whispering to herself and started shaking. Vihas was the first to move out of the place and brought her water to drink while I held her hand, pressing between mine. 

"Maa, calm down. Please calm down. It's not urgent to meet anyone. Ok. Calm down please," I persuaded her. I have prepared for this reaction from her but it is even worse than my imagination. 

After a few moments she became better and sat still, so we both relaxed. Again my mind was consumed by many thoughts. Am I being selfish and hurting Maa?

"Do you like that girl?" questioned Maa. I looked at her to find her staring at me. I smiled a little and nodded my head in acceptance to which Maa smiled a little and touched my face. 

"Should I call your boss or will he reach out to me?" 

And that was the thing that made my happiness multiplied for the day.

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