Aarohi

4

Vishwas along with the Mehra's entered the old bungalow which had a verandah and old wooden furniture in the living room. Attached was the dining area and Akash saw a middle-aged lady along with a young girl peeping through the kitchen window. He was amused looking at that girl who looked at him with popping eyes.

"Welcome, welcome please come" greeted Anand Ajmera, shaking hands with Akash and nodding towards the Mehra women.

"She is Nandini, Akash's ma and Sumitra Devi, Akash's dadi" Vishwas introduced them and were made to sit in the living room. 

Veena entered greeting with her hands folded and said "Namaste" She kept the tray on the center table and sat next to her husband.

Anand formally introduced his family and so did Nandini. Akash looked around and saw few hand painted art facts and the minimum furniture and thought they were really simple people though he had no issues with that.

"Veena, call Aarohi" Anand told his wife who nodded and walked towards Aarohi's room.

"Di, he looks gorgeous. Seriously right out of those magazines you know, tall and handsome kind. I was stunned seeing him di, he doesn't look like any doctor from any angle" said Vani with a curious smile.

"Huh, but I am nervous Vani. I don't know what to talk and" Aarohi was about to complete her sentence when her mama walked in and urged her to come along with her.

Aarohi walked behind her nervously and heard a lady talking to her papa. Very soft and polite tone which touched her even without her seeing that lady.

"We want a daughter bhaisaab, we are not looking for a daughter-in-law. Though I know it's a very standard dialogue but I mean it in true sense" said dadi with a smile.

Just then Aarohi entered and touched the elders feet. She greeted them and was aksed to sit between Nandini and dadi. They spoke to her about her interest and hobbies and loved her at the first sight.

Akash quietly observed Aarohi who was speaking to his maa and dadi, the way she spoke to them and her smiling face. He liked her simplicity and observed her nervousness. 

Just then Vishwas spoke looking towards Anand "We should let Akash and Aarohi talk to each other"

"Yes, yes sure. Vani beta, please take your di and Akash to your room" Vani nodded and led them towards her room. Aarohi sat on her bed and Akash pulled a chair and sat. Vani closed the door and went down in the kitchen to help her mama.

"I hope this girl doesn't goof up" Said Veena in a sardonic way.

"Please mama, why do you say that. Di knows what to talk and stuff. She is a smart girl" defended Vani

"Yeah yeah, god know what jaadu she has on you and her father. Look at that boy, he is so handsome and educated and your di. I doubt they will agree." She said and walked out.

Inside Vani's room:

Akash and Arohi were quiet for some time neither knowing how to break the silence when finally, Akash took the initiative.

"So, you are teaching in a school, is it?"

"Yes" Arohi said nervous tone

"And what is it that you teach?" Akash asked though he knew as he had read her bio-data but he wanted Aarohi to speak.

"Dance"

"Okay" said Akash giving out a sigh "You don't want to know anything about me Aarohi?"

Aarohi looked up and was surprised hearing her name from him. It sounded nice, she thought and was amused at herself.

Akash looked at her and smiled thinking she really is naïve. 

"Look Aarohi, if we intend to take this further we need to know each other. Right?" 

He asked and Aarohi nodded which amused Akash and he felt as if he was talking to a kid.

"Well, in that case to know each other we need to communicate, you know, talk to each other" he said with a grin.

Aarohi gave a shy smile and finally said, "I know but it's just that it's all new to me. I don't know what to ask and how to go about it"

"You don't need to follow any protocol Aarohi, just ask whatever you want to. You can even share whatever you want." Akash said with a smile.

Aarohi liked the genuineness with which Akash spoke.

"So, you are a doctor, right? Papa told me" Aarohi asked

"Yes, I am. I work as a surgeon in a hospital." Akash answered

"Why do you want to marry me?" Aarohi blurted out all of a sudden which took him by surprise. He was amused at this girl and her innocence

"Well, Ms. Aarohi, I have not said a yes for this marriage nor have you." He said teasing her to which Aarohi looked up and stared at him. 

He chuckled, when Vani knocked asking them to come down. Akash looked at Aarohi and said "But, I think I will say a yes now. I seem to like you" 

He said and walked out with Aarohi walking behind him. She was blank as she didn't understand what was happening though she knew she liked him.

They joined their family in their living room when Akash looked at his ma and dadi and said "Ma, dadi, I like Aarohi and it's a yes from my side" 

Everyone was shocked seeing Akash being so upfront about it when his dadi laughed and said "See our Rampur girls are such, they have their our unique charishma" everyone laughed hearing her speak and finally Nandini walked towards Aarohi and took her hands in hers and asked 

"Are you ready for this wedding? Aarohi. Please if you have any doubts or need any more time to decide you can speak out beta"

Aarohi looked at Nandini and the love with which she spoke to her and she smiled shyly at her saying "I am ready"

Anand got up and hugged Aarohi and had tears in his eyes. He didn't imagine things would work out this fast. 

Akash and Arohi kept stealing gazes at each other when everyone congratulated each other and Vishwas promised to come with a panditji the next day and they dispersed.

The atmosphere at the Ajmera's was a happy one as well and Veena still couldn't believe that Akash agreed for this marriage. 

Vani teased Aarohi and Aarohi excused herself saying she was tired and was drown in a pool of thousand emotions. She didn't know what she felt at the moment.