Aarohi

5

The panditji along with Mehra's and Vishwas were sitting in the living room of Anand Ajmera. They waited for the panditji to speak and finally he looked up from his calendar and spoke,

"Anandji, I think we can get them engaged this Thurday but I don't see any good mahurat for the wedding in near future. It's either this weekend right after the engagement or else after 2 years" 

Everybody looked shocked when Anand said "Engagement is fine on Thurday but wedding, just not possible. How can we do the preparations and also waiting for 2 long years. Isn't there any other possiblility panditji?"

Panditji looked at him and nodded dismissively.

"Waiting for 2 years is out of question, can we get them married this Sunday? Anandji?" asked Nandini looking at everyone.

"Ma, we have just met yesterday and you want us to marry in less than a week's time?" Akash said looking at his Ma and dadi.

"What's the harm Akash? You have your entire life to know each other." Dadi tried explaining to Akash but Akash nodded saying "No, it's not possible. And anyways I don't believe in Mahurat and stuff"

Panditji looked up at Akash and sighed when Vishwas intervened saying "Arre, panditji don't mind him, he is educated and stayed out of country way too long to respect our culture"

Akash heard Vishwas and got furious saying "It's not the culture uncle, it's the mentality" He was about to argue with Vishwas when Nandini spoke looking at him "No Akash, please calm down. I would like to consult the panditji for your marriage. No arguments" 

"It's MY marriage ma, I need to decide when I want to marry" saying he left the room.

"Please excuse my son, Anandji It's just that he doesn't believe in such things."

Dadi looked at everyone's tense face and said "I think we should get them married this Sunday like Nandini suggested"

Anand was about to interrupt when dadi put a hand on his arm and continued "We will have a simple ceremony so no need to prepare anything Anandji. We don't ask for anything, we just want our daughter. And any case visa processing will take some time so Aarohi will be with you for some time even after the marriage."

Everybody nodded at dadi's suggestion but, Nandini looked at dadi and said "Akash?"

Dadi gestured her saying don't worry I will take care of him.

Preparations started in full fledge and Anand started making phone calls as they didn't have time to print the invites. 

Vani informed Aarohi about the date and she was shocked. Veena started arranging for Aarohi's wedding dress and accompanied both the girls for shopping.

Anand saw Aarohi and called her aside and asked "Are you okay, beta I know it's too fast but beta, we are helpless. It's either this weekend or else after 2 years. And you know your mama" he was in tears when Aarohi held his hands and said "It's okay papa, I understand. Whatever you do will be for my best. I am ready." Said Aarohi with a smile. 

Anand blessed her and thanked god for really blessing him with such a daughter.

Dadi was trying to explain to Akash who was adamant about the wedding when she finally played her trump card saying "Beta, please it's my last wish. Won't you even fulfill that. I am aging you know, never know when my call would come" she tried to dramatize when Akash interrupted her saying "Please dadi, let's not get into emotional blackmailing thing"

Dadi smiled at her grandson and got up from her place and went near Akash who was pacing in his room.

"Akash, please listen to us this last time. I am really pleading you. I know you are right we shouldn't be following these mahurats but beta you are our life and we don't want to take any chances. Please Akash, just a simple ceremony and like I told them visa processing will take time so anyways Aarohi will join you after a few months."

"Dadi simple ceremony but, still I will be married, Aarohi will be my legal wedded wife." Said Akash and left.

It took a lot of convincing from both Nandini and dadi for Akash to finally agree but he wanted to meet Aarohi before the wedding.

"Oh, yes I will call Anandji and ask his permission" agreed Nandini.

Nandini called Anand and he agreed saying Vani would accompany Aarohi to the coffee shop as suggested by Akash and they could talk.

Akash was waiting in the coffee shop for Aarohi when he saw Vani and Aarohi entering. He failed to understand why couldn't he meet Aarohi alone when he was about to get married to her. But again, dadi explained the mentality of people here and he didn't argue.

Vani greeted Akash and Aarohi gave a silent smile. Akash ordered Mocha for them and asked Vani about her college and stuff. 

Vani saw her friends around and excused herself and joined them to give some privacy to the couple.

Akash smiled at her planned technique.

He finally cleared his throat and asked Aarohi "Are you okay? Aarohi. I mean getting married this early and stuff. We hardly know each other."

Aarohi looked at him and said "It had to happen someday or the other, than why not now" Akash was surprised at Aarohi's answer.

"Wow, you're ready. I didn't expect that" he smiled

"One is never ready Akash, it's something one experiences only when one is tied to it" Akash smiled thinking this is a different face of Aarohi, not the naïve Aarohi he met the other day.

"Okay. I am glad you think that way."

"Why, you don't want to get married?" Aarohi blabbered and later realizing she was too direct. She poked her tongue out and looked away.

Akash laughed at her and answered "I want to, as much as you, my lady"

Aarohi blushed at his last words and Akash chuckled thinking he really was going to enjoy his blushing bride.

They were about to leave the coffee shop when Akash asked Aarohi for her mobile number. She was a little apprehensive but Vani was quick to give away to which Akash grinned and said Thanks.

Nandini and dadi were sitting in the garden near the house talking about the formalities when they saw Akash entering with a happy grin. They were relieved seeing Akash happy and called him.

"Akash, call Riya immediately. She sounded upset that she would be missing your wedding." Said Nandini

"Yes, I will, all thanks to both of you, my sis wouldn't be present in my own wedding." He said with a tight smile to which both his favorite ladies made a puppy face making him laugh.

He called Riya and she immediately answered "Not fair bhai. You can't do this"

"I know I can't and I shouldn't but try explaining that to Ma and dadi"

"Oh, come on bhai, I want to be there, please try and understand. I want you to marry" she was about to say when Akash interrupted her saying "Not again her, Riya. I have told you many times I was never interested in her, please get that once and for all. She is just my colleague and nothing else."

"Okay, sorry bhai. Atleast, send me her pic"

"I will Riya. We will miss you sis, but will keep you posted with pics. Take care and study well." Akash hung up and thought he should ask Aarohi for her pic.

In London, Riya was in an awful mood as she had promised Malka that she would convince bhai to get married to her and only her. And here she had to break a promise for some small-town girl who would soon be her Bhabhi. She hated her already.