Nidhi's POV:

"Nidhi, they will be coming anytime now. Hurry up fast!" shouted my maa after banging the door hard. 

"Maa, give me some time, don't hurry me," I  retorted as I adjusted the pleats of my saree again checking myself in the mirror. Not bad, I wondered and sat down on my bed checking my phone for any message from Darsh. 

Well, today he is coming to my home with his family for the official get-together of families to finalize the engagement, and wedding date and to discuss other important details. I have never seen their photos either and it would be my first time meeting them. Hope everything goes well.

Two days have passed since I agreed to marry Darsh and things between us and around us started to change very rapidly. My parents are happy, especially my grandma. It's like her wish of seeing me getting married before she passes away has been achieved and now that wish is transferred to my brother's marriage.

But I couldn't understand Nithin's feelings about this change. He just said congrats to me and smiled along with all but I felt somewhere he was a bit hesitant about expressing his true feelings. I thought he would be happy as now he could proceed without fear regarding his partner.  

Anyway, I am both nervous and excited at the moment. Even a bit weirded out. Like how fast things changed in my life. A month ago I hated meeting these men and talking to them and now I am meeting the Man's family to successfully start a new life with new people. 

I laughed to myself and again looked at my phone to find a reply from Darsh.

'Will be at your home in 5 minutes 🙂.'

The smiley at the end made me smile. In these two days more than talking on the phone he always preferred chatting and after every message he adds one emoji no matter whether it was relevant or irrelevant. When I asked why he adds an emoji every time he added another smiley and avoided the chat. 

Heaving out a sigh I went out of my room. Everyone is present in the main hall with all the arrangements done for the meeting. Don't expect loads of sweets and eatery it's just sufficient for both family members.

We didn't call any relatives for this casual meet and it didn't feel important either to invite them. Their presence is more than a burden for me which I have to face during the next few months. 

I informed Ravali and Varun about this news and they were both shocked and too happy, especially Ravali. She just couldn't believe this news when I told her this. Her main issue is that I am getting married before her while she is still waiting for her parent's approval, even from Varun's parents which is delaying their marriage. 

But destiny has other plans and my turn came before her. However, I know how happy she became and how excited she is for the wedding and to meet Darsh. I promised her and Varun that we would go on a double date as soon as possible though I doubt if Darsh would agree to that as I decided without asking him. 

Still, that has more time than the impending event right now. As I made my presence aware to my family everyone looked in awe at me as it is a rare sight for me to be in a saree and that to a pattu saree. 

"My Granddaughter! How beautiful you are looking! My goodness I have waited for this day all my life," she went on and on and applied a black tika on the back of my ear to avoid any kind of bad eye. 

"Granny, it's not even my wedding day yet. Wait for that day as well!" I winked at her and looked around to see my father gazing at me quietly but his eyes had a sparkle of pride. Maa stood just behind Granny and she was also gazing at me full of love and at the same time arranging my jewellery and saree. 

Just when they completed analyzing me properly a car horn echoed from outside indicating the groom's arrival. Nithin immediately went out to receive them and Dad followed by.

Even I wanted to go out but Granny stopped me saying, "Where are you going? Go inside the room"

"What? Why should I go inside the room?" I asked her bewildered. Ain't I supposed to be present here when they come?

"You will come when we will call you. At the moment you should not be here. Now go, Go!"

She stressed the last part enough not leaving space for further argument. I looked at Maa hoping she would support me but she also said the same thing. With no option left, I went to Granny's room. As though that was not enough she closed the door with a bang and left me all alone. 

I sulked as a few minutes passed by and still now I was not called out and no sound was coming from the other side. Tiptoeing slowly I reached to the door placing my ear close to the door trying to hear any words or whispers at least.

That's when the sound of footsteps increased and the door flung open. Thankfully I backed off at the right time avoiding getting hit by the door. 

There stood Maa who came to bring me. I nodded and followed her taking a deep breath. My eyes were instantly directed towards Darsh. He is wearing a half-white shirt with contrasting black jeans. There is a plate of sweets in his hands and his mouth seems to be filled with the food only which makes him difficult to smile. 

My smile widened seeing his weird smile I sat down beside grandma. That's when I observed the lady beside him. His Mother, my Future Mother in law. I folded my hands together to do Namasthe to her as a sign of respect. 

To my surprise even she did the same act and smiled at me. She looked very lean and older than her age maybe. Or maybe it is because of the way she draped her saree around her shoulder which didn't reveal her full frame. 

I remember he mentioned his brother as well, but there is no sign of him around. Maybe he didn't come to this gathering for now. 

"Our daughter, Nidhi. You didn't meet her before. Now she will be like your daughter," said my mother to his mother. Sweet words, I thought. 

Darsh's mother smiled more and said, "Of course. I don't have a daughter but now I do."

Saying so she stood up, picked a big bag from her side and walked towards me. Opening the bag she showed me a saree with a turmeric shade with a green border highlighting it. A beautiful saree I must say. 

She placed the saree in my hand as a gift and blessing I guess. But that's when I observed how cold her hands were. They are even shivering. I looked at her to see if she was having any difficult moments but her face revealed nothing. 

"Hope you liked this saree, dear," she said and placed her hand on my head and blessed me looking at me lovingly and I thanked her. 

My gaze went to Darsh. Our eyes met instantly as he was staring at me now with a proper smile and gaze as our parents continued discussing stuff. 

"So we suggest the wedding to happen at the earliest possible. The astrologer we know told us next month have auspicious dates to arrange both engagement and marriage. What do you have to say?" questioned my father.

Both son and mom looked at each other before responding. 

"We don't have any issue with the dates. But can we confirm after our new flat opening because we plan to send the newlyweds to a new home?"  came the response from his mother. 

"Ohh. That's ok for us as well. We discuss that at engagement time then. For now, we can proceed with the engagement date and arrangements," came a reply from Dad to which they gave their consent straight away. Dad even looked at me gesturing if I had anything to add but I just nodded my head in acceptance of his wish.

"Excuse me?" Our conversation broke by a sudden intrusion from outside. I looked at the door to find a boy, just peeping his head out from the door as though he was waiting for permission to come inside. 

Looking at him I felt like I had seen him or met him before.

"Oh. He is my brother, Vihas," replied Darsh as he got up from his place and went towards the door. 

And as the boy came closer his face became more visible and the memory struck me right away. He is the same boy whom I had fought with that day in the cafe and forgot to pay the bill and he paid it on my behalf. 

Goodness! How small the world is!                   

Hello Everyone.

Firstly, I wish you a Happy New Year. Hope all those who are reading have no negative or bad things in your life this year.

And I hope I can complete this book this year. Hope so.

Anyways it took me another month to write another chapter and here is the update. So the next few chapters, till 30 may be about wedding and in between their meetings. 

After which the plot will shift to their married life and Darsh's family. So please hang on with the work even if it going at a slow pace. I assure you will not be disappointed.

And I also want a little help from you, any of you. I want to have a good cover page for my book. If anyone is interested in making a good cover for me please message me here.

Hope to hear from you soon. Also do share your feedback about the chapter. 

Please do VOTE, COMMENT and FOLLOW.

Share the story to your friends who might like it.

Thank you.

Stay Safe.