Author's Pov
Tanishka slowly opened her eyes as the sunlight reached her face. She sat up on the bed and yawned, saying, "Good morning mahadev ji and happy Mahashivratri." She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes as she wished Lord Shiva good morning.
Tanishka slowly got out of bed, her feet coming into contact with the cold floor. She made her way out of Tanya's bedroom and towards her own room. On the way, she saw Prema performing Aarti in the house. Tanishka smiled and rushed towards Prema, greeting her energetically,
"Good morning badi maa and happy Mahashivratri." Prema smiled at Tanishka and gestured for her to take the aarti. "Good morning Tanishu and happy Mahashivratri to you too, bacha" Prema replied with a warm smile.
Prema then instructed her, "Go and get ready; we will begin the puja afterward." Tanishka nodded and started walking towards her room, but she abruptly stopped and turned back to Prema. "Badi Maa," she inquired,
"Where is Tanya?" She was concerned because Tanya wasn't in bed beside her or in the room or she wasn't in bathroom when Tanishka woke up. Prema looked at her, concerned by Tanishka's sudden stopped. She then answered, "She is in living room with Kashiv."
Tanishka nodded and went towards her room, still curious why Tanya and kashiv was in the living room. Tanishka was aware that Kashiv was trying to impose a marriage on Tanya, and she knew that the Singhania family was well-off and influential in the entire city. However, if Tanya herself did not want to get married, it was wrong for Kashiv to force her into marriage.
Tanishka quickly washed up in the bathroom and then moved towards her closet, where only traditional clothing was hanging. She enjoyed choosing her attire, as it was one of her favorite hobbies. As she looked at the dresses, she asked herself, "Which one should I wear? Which one?" Finally, her eyes landed on a beautiful white anarkali kurti.
Tanishka picked up the anarkali kurti and held it against her body, admiring it in the mirror. The white fabric contrasted beautifully with her skin tone, and she loved the delicate embellishments on the dupatta. Tanishka knew this dress was perfect choice for Mahashivratri celebration.
After getting dressed, Tanishka looked at herself once again in the mirror. She felt beautiful and confident in the white anarkali kurti. With a smile, she walked out of the room and headed to the living room.
She entered the living room and saw that Kashiv, Prema and Tanya were already there. The atmosphere was peaceful and serene, and Tanishka could sense the aura of the special occasion. Then men of house also join them.
Tanishka greeted everyone with a warm smile and settled down on the sofa next to Tanya. She noticed that Tanya was unusually quiet today, which made Tanishka feel a bit concerned.
Throughout the puja ceremony, Tanishka couldn't help but sneak a few glances at Tanya. She knew something was bothering her sister, but decided to wait for a private moment to talk to her about it.
Prema handed the aarti tray to Tanishka and motioned for her to perform aarti for Lord Shiva. Tanishka looked at her with a puzzled expression but then accepted the tray and began performing the aarti in a clockwise direction. As she did so, she sang the words "Karpur Gauram Karunavtaram" with a lovely, melodious voice.
After performing the aarti, Tanishka placed the aarti plate on the table and looked around. She noticed that Kashiv was watching her, but she quickly averted her gaze when their eyes met. Tanishka felt a little uneasy but then turned her attention back to the ongoing celebration.
After performing the aarti, all the family members sat down at the dining table to eat breakfast. Then Kashiv spoke up, "There is a marriage proposal for Tanya from the Singhania family, and she is going to meet Veer in a week." Everyone smiled warmly at Tanya, saying, "Ghar ki phlei shaadi hone wali h."
(It'll be our first wedding in the family.)
Abhimanyu then teased Tanya "waha tumhare nakhre kon sambhalega di?" Tanya slap his arm. Tanishka looked at Tanya intently, thinking, "Why did she lie to me yesterday, saying she didn't want to get married and now she's going to meet that guy."
(Who will handle your tantrums there?)
She continued staring at her food, feeling a mix of confusion and hurt at Tanya's sudden change in decision. Tanishka wondered why her sister hadn't discussed this with her earlier. However, she decided not to make a scene at the table and continued eating quietly.
After eating her breakfast, Tanishka helped Prema to clean the table. She tried not to think much about Tanya's decision, but a small part of her felt a bit hurt. Later, Tanishka went to her room, feeling slightly disappointed, and closed the door behind her.
She walked over to her study table, grabbed a pen and her diary. Then she lay down on the bed with her stomach down and started writing poetry. She was passionate about poetry, books, and letters. Her diary was filled with various writings, including poetry and letters intended for her future partner. She became deeply engrossed in her writing, forgetting about the external world and reality.
Veer's Pov
As I was performing the aarti for the Mahashivratri puja, Dadi Sa approached me with a tray of prasad and handed it to me. Ananya and Anirudh eagerly rushed towards her and began taking prasad. "Laddo chor do Ananya yeh mai khauga" Ananya pouted, as she grabbed the ladoo from Anirudh's hand. "No, I'm having it," both of them started fighting over the ladoo.Chachu intervened and snatched the ladoo from them, immediately putting it into his mouth.
(Leave the laddo Ananya I'll eat it)
Both Ananya and Anirudh's faces displayed shock, meanwhile Dadi Sa and I stood there, chuckling at the comical exchange. I watched as Ananya and Anirudh, still upset about the loss of their ladoo, protested to Chachu while he just laughed and walked away. Dadi Sa gave me a knowing smile, and we chuckled together at the ongoing cousins banter.
Then Maa approached me and said, "That girl wants to meet you." Anirudh and Ananya overheard and exchanged confused glances. "Kon ladki bahi sa?" Anirudh teased me with a smirk."Haan bhai sa Haan bhai Sa, kon ladki?" Ananya also joined in, standing by my side. Unable to help myself, I chuckled a little. "Ask her," I gestured to Maa."I've sent a marriage proposal to Veer," she revealed to them about the marriage proposal.
(Which girl, brother?)
(Yes, brother, which girl?)
Anirudh and Ananya's faces reflected surprise and curiosity as they heard Maa's explanation. They both look at me, awaiting an explanation or confirmation from my side. I nodded in affirmation and said, "Yes, I have agreed to this marriage proposal." Ananya's eyes lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "So Veer bhai sa is getting married. I'm so excited!"
However, my next words made her serious again. "But right now, that girl hasn't agreed or said anything yet." Anirudh sighed and asked me, "So, are you going to meet with her? When?"
I glanced at Maa and replied, "She'll tell." Maa looked at us and said, "You'll meet with her after a week." Anirudh and Ananya nodded in acknowledgment. Dadi Sa chimed in, saying, "Mai phele hi baata rhi hu ladki nakhre wali nhi honi chahiye warna mai nhi sambhal lungi usske nakhre"
(I'm telling you already, the girl shouldn't be stubborn or have a headstrong nature. Otherwise, I won't be able to handle her stubbornness.)
Everyone chuckled, and then I replied, "Aapko zarurat bhi nahi h kyuki mai hoon, mai sambhal lunga usske nakhre"
At my response, everyone stopped chuckling and looked at me with expressions of satisfied approval.
(You don't need to worry, because I'm here. I'll handle her stubbornness.)
The silence was deafening as everyone processed my words. Anirudh and Ananya exchanged a look, both amused and surprised at my confidence. Dadi Sa, too, raised an eyebrow, studying me intently. But I stood my ground, unwavering in my resolve to handle whatever challenges may come my way.
I could sense a mixture of emotions in the room - surprise, curiosity, doubt, and a hint of admiration. I could hear my own heartbeat, the only thing breaking the silence. Everyone seemed to be waiting to see if I indeed had that much confidence and determination within me.
Just as the tension in the room thickened, my father's voice broke through, calling out my name. "Veer, I need your help with something," he said from the other room. "Excuse me." I excused myself and go to his room.
Author's Pov
Days passed by and the day of her meeting with Veer approached. Tanya spent the time mentally preparing herself for the encounter, knowing her life would change irreversibly after the marriage. Although she had resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn't find true love or someone who would love her, she had decided to accept this arranged marriage and agreed to meet with Veer.
Tanya sat anxiously in the café, waiting for Veer to appear. Having arrived early at Kashiv's insistence, she kept checking her watch and the entrance door, anticipating Veer's arrival.
She fidgeted with her fingers, her mind racing with thoughts and nerves. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and gather her composure. She hoped Veer would arrive soon to break the silence and ease her nerves.
As she looked up, the café door opened and Veer walked in. His tall figure, confident stride, and friendly smile immediately captured Tanya's attention. He looked around, scanning the area before his gaze landed on her.
He made his way towards her table, and Tanya couldn't help but take in his appearance. He was well-dressed in a smart casual outfit that accentuated his athletic build. His little beard face and neatly groomed hair added to his attractive features.
Both Tanya and Veer exchanged polite greetings, their voices carrying a hint of nervousness. Veer took a seat opposite her, setting down his belongings. An awkward silence hung in the air momentarily as they sat there, observing each other.
Veer asked, "So, you are Tanya Verma?" His piercing gaze made her feel nervous, but she didn't show it and confidently replied, "Yes, I am Dr. Tanya Verma, and you are Veer Singhania, the king of Jaipur." She smiled nervously and glanced down at her lap. Then Veer crossed his legs and inquired, "So, why did you agree to this marriage?" This question made her even more anxious, as she couldn't simply explain that she had given up on finding true love and saw this wedding as her last option.
She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to answer his question without making her true feelings apparent. She finally spoke up, her voice slightly betraying her nerves. "Well, I... I realized that arranged marriages are quite a common practice in our society, and I've seen many successful ones. So, I thought, why not give it a chance?"
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, hoping her answer would be enough to satisfy Veer's curiosity without revealing too much.
Veer listened intently as Tanya spoke, his eyes never leaving her face. Her response seemed sincere, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her decision than she was letting on. He leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to consider her words. When he spoke again, his tone was almost casual, but there was a subtle undercurrent of skepticism
"I see. So it was mostly a practical decision?" he asked, his eyes still fixed on her. He leaned forward slightly, as if trying to better read her facial expressions. Tanya fidgeted with her fingers, feeling the weight of his gaze. She hesitated for a moment before finally replying."Well, yes. I mean, finding true love is not something that everyone is fortunate enough to experience in life. So, sometimes practical thinking is necessary."
****
Ananya was studying for an upcoming test in Constitutional Law and was repeating a particular sentence to herself, "Constitutional law plays a critical role in promoting social justice." Suddenly, the car came to a halt in traffic. Ananya decided to take a break, closing her books since she had already studied enough.
As she looked out of the window, her eyes caught sight of a group of school students. Few students were talking amongst themselves, while a girl and boy in the group were walking a few steps behind the others.
This scene reminded Ananya of something from her own school days. Ananya mumbled the name "Vishal" under her breath, her heart clenching at the memory of her former classmate. She had been in love with him since the very first day she had seen him in class.
Despite her best efforts to move on, she was still hopelessly in love with him, having spent five long years pining for him. Deep down, she knew she would never cross paths with him again, but it did nothing to diminish her feelings for him - she loved him, loves him, and always will.
Ananya clenched her hands tightly together in prayer, silently pleading to the god, "Bhagwan ji please bas ek mujhe usse milwa dijiye phir mujhe kuch bhi nhi chahiye." She glanced at the driver to make sure he wasn't observing her, feeling a sense of relief upon seeing that he wasn't.
(God, please just give me a chance to see Vishal one more time, and I won't ask for anything else.)
Then, as the traffic started moving again, she opened her books once more. However, just as she had gotten settled, the car jerked suddenly, causing her to realize that the driver had accidentally hit someone's bike.
Ananya's heart leaped in her chest, the unexpected jolt interrupting her thoughts. She immediately peered out the car window to assess the situation. Thankfully, the bike and its owner were both okay, but the incident shook her up a little. She sank back into her seat, her mind swirling with emotions and thoughts.
Bit then next moment she realized that he was vishal. Ananya couldn't believe her eyes as she looked out the car window again. There, picking up his bike, was Vishal himself. Time seemed to stand still as she stared at him, her heart racing in her chest.
Her mind was filled with a maelstrom of thoughts and feelings, but one thing was clear - after all these years, fate had once again brought them together. She watched him, her heart torn between joy and trepidation, wondering what would happen next.
With a mixture of shock and excitement, Ananya looked on as Vishal approached the car, knocking on the driver's side window. He was still unaware of her presence inside. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, every beat echoing loudly in her ears.
As Vishal continued knocking, Ananya tried to collect herself. She took a few deep breaths, her mind racing to decide what to do next. Should she reveal herself to him? Or should she hide and pretend she wasn't there? A million thoughts swirled in her head, but before she could make a decision, the driver started to wind down the window.
Vishal continued shouting at the driver, expressing his frustration at the collision with his bike. However, then his gaze shifted towards the back seat, locking eyes with Ananya. His voice softened as he spoke her name, a hint of surprise in his tone, "Ananya?" Ananya was shocked that he had recognized her after all this time, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.
Vishal stood there for a moment, his eyes fixed on hers. His anger seemed to evaporate as he looked at her. Ananya felt a mixture of relief and anxiety seeing him again after all these years. She was about to say something when the driver spoke up, "Is everything alright?" This broke the spell, reminding both of them of their surroundings, and they looked away from each other.
Vishal turned his attention back to the driver, his voice returning to its previous anger. "Everything is not alright, you hit my bike!" He yelled, gesturing towards his damaged vehicle.
Ananya sat quietly in the back, watching the scene unfold before her. She fidgeted nervously with her fingers, unsure of what to do or say. She could feel the tension in the air, the driver and Vishal's voices rising in volume as they exchanged heated words.
As the argument between the driver and Vishal continued, Ananya remained silent, her thoughts racing. Finally, after some time, Vishal got back on his bike and drove away, leaving Ananya still sitting in the back seat, her mind filled with a swirl of emotions and unanswered questions.
Her question was swirling in her mind "Did she really saw Vishal after 5years? He still remembered her name? Did she heard his voice again? Did she really made eyes contact with his pretty eyes?
Did she really saw him?"
****
Tanya returned to the hospital after her meeting with Veer, her mind still preoccupied with their conversation. She had to admit that Veer was a good-looking man, sensible, and a fine person. However, she also knew that he didn't appeal to her personal preferences.
She craved a man with some flirting skills and a hint of madness, something she hadn't seen in Veer. Despite her thoughts, she set her professional side aside and began checking on each patient, one by one.
As she walked down the hospital hallway, Tanya's ears were tuned to the sound of the contec multipara machines echoing through the rooms. It was a habit she'd developed over time. Finally, she reached Advik's room and entered it, finding him sitting on the bed.
Tanya moved towards Advik, checking his contec multipara machine and asked, "How are you feeling, Advik?" Advik pouted slightly and remarked, "You're later than usual today." Tanya chuckled and replied, "That's because I had a date in the morning for marriage." Advik's face darkened with a mixture of seriousness and jealousy upon hearing this. He inquired coldly, "Really?"
Tanya could sense a hint of possessiveness in his tone, but she ignored it, engrossed in checking the contec multipara machine. She continued to work silently, pretending not to notice his reaction.
"Toh aap ne shaadi ke liye haan kardiya kya?" Advik's question caught Tanya off guard. Still not looking directly at him, she replied gently, "haan." Her answer was simple and to the point, but there was a sense of finality in her tone, as if hinting that she had already made up her mind.
(Did you said yes to marriage?)
(Yes)
"Kyu?" Advik's persistent questioning made Tanya glance at him briefly before returning her gaze to the contec multipara machine. She let out a soft sigh before answering, "Kyuki mujhe pata hai yeh best option hai."
(Why?)
(Because I know this is best option.)
Advik didn't respond immediately, but the look on his face spoke volumes. His forehead creased as he clenched his jaw tightly, clearly displeased with the answer. For a few moments, an uncomfortable silence hung between them, only broken by the continuous beeping of the contec multipara machine.
Tanya felt a twinge of regret and guilt upon noticing Advik's cold response. She watched him silently as he lay down on the bed, turning his back to her. When he spoke up in a frosty tone, asking her to leave, "You can go now, I'm fine." she felt a pang of disappointment. She wanted to say something, to reach out to him, but hesitated. After a moment's pause, she reluctantly gathered her things and started to leave the room.
****
Vidyut couldn't get the hazel-eyed woman out of his mind. Every night, he found himself drawn to the same club, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. However, his attempts to find her always proved futile, leaving him with a growing obsession and infatuation. Night after night, he arrived at the club, pushing aside his disappointment and entering with the hope of finding her again.
Vidyut made his way through the crowded club, his gaze shifting from one face to another, searching, hoping, desperate. The dancefloor was alive with music, lights, and writhing bodies, but he barely registered any of it. Every muscle in his body tensed as he scanned the room for a glimpse of those unique hazel eyes, refusing to give up on the search just yet.
Karnika observed Vidyut through the CCTV camera in her room, taking a drag from her cigarette and exhaling the smoke. One of her dancer friends commented, "Hamesha iss ladke ko dekhti ho par milti nhi ho, Kyu?"
(You always watch this boy but never get to meet him, why?)
Karnika let out an evil chuckle and smirked, replying, "Tadap ne do isko waise bhi Karnika kisko aasani se nhi milti h, meri yaad mein tadap tadap ke mar chuke h log." The friend chuckled and suggested, "Should I call him over then?"
(Let him yearn for me. After all, I don't give in easily. Many have suffered in their longing for me.)
Karnika looked at her friend with seductive eyes and a smirk,"Of course," She replied, her slender fingers applying lipstick with great care and precision. "It will be my pleasure to have him yearn for me some more."
Karnika continued to watch Vidyut's agitated and desperate movements through the CCTV camera, her lips curving into a sly smile. She was enjoying his torment, the power she held over him, knowing that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get close to her. "Chal gya na mera jaadu tum pe Vidyut Verma." She mumbled while smirking.
Karnika leaned back against the chair, her body exuding a seductive aura. She took another drag of her cigarette, the smoke swirling around her like a veil, as she observed Vidyut's increasingly restless movements on the CCTV screen, feeding off of his frustration and desire.
As the knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, Karnika asked in a firm tone, "Who's there?"
"Mai vidyut Verma." When Vidyut responded with his name, a knowing smirk played on Karnika's lips. She had been expecting him and now, finally, he was here. With deliberate slowness, she rose from her chair and walked towards the door, her hips swaying enticingly, as if she was already performing for an audience.
As Karnika opened the door, her hazel eyes met with Vidyut's brown eyes. His world once again came to a standstill as he laid eyes on her again. Every other thought, every other person, vanished from his mind, leaving only her and the intense emotions bubbling up inside him. "Meri yaad tadapa rhi thi?" She asked.
_____________________________
To be continued...
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