Arranged In Love

A Proposal For Marriage!

        Anant and Janhvi had retired to their room after that returning from the Malhotras'. Janhvi was merrily humming to herself, which did not go unnoticed by Anant. He had observed her being a little extra cheerful throughout the dinner. Not being able to hold onto his curiosity anymore, he asked his wife," Janhvi, aren't you being a bit extra cheerful this evening? Not that I mind but, what is it that has uplifted your mood so much?" Sitting in front of him on the bed, Janhvi said, "Yes, something or rather someone who has this impact on me! Ummm...I have chosen a girl for our Sid...for his marriage!" Anant who more than trusted his wife's judgments, more so when it was related to any of their kids, said, "Tell me about her!" Janhvi smiled at him and then narrated everything that had happened ever since she had met Neha, earlier that day. He intently listened to her joyous description of Neha, with a content smile plastered on her face. 'This girl must be something to have won over Janhvi, in the time of just a few hours.', thought Anant. Janhvi also informed him about asking Anjali to have a word with Neha's parents before talking to their respective kids about the same and taking things further. Anant gave his consent, which made Janhvi even happier. They talked for a while, where Anant informed Janhvi about his happenings of the day. He also told her of Sid's rapid progress in training and that it would be just a matter of a few weeks that he would be thoroughly acquainted with his work and start managing things all by himself. Janhvi's face beamed with pride, an expression that mirrored Anant's. Soon the duo drifted off to sleep.

        The next morning, Vishakha was alone at home, sipping on her second cup of tea for the morning, with Naren off to work, and Neha had gone shopping with her friends and was to return by the evening. That is when she received a call from her best friend, Anjali Malhotra. After exchanging the usual pleasantries of 'How are you-s' and 'What's up-s,' Anjali came to the point for which she had called Vishakha. "Vishakha, come over to my place for lunch. I need to talk to you about something important, but I need to do it in person! And yeah, don't tell Neha about it!" Anjali said, or instead ordered Vishakha. Vishakha found it rather strange that Anjali had refused to let her inform Neha about visiting the Malhotra's, as Anjali had always been the one to insist Neha to visit them whenever she could. Vishakha panicked thinking about her health and inquired about the same, to which Anjali replied informing Vishakha that she was in pink of her health and ordered her to get to her house as soon as she could, without questioning further. After changing into her clothes, she zoomed off to Anjali's.

        "What happened, Anjali, that you called me here so urgently? Is everything, isn't it?" asked Vishakha, even before greeting Anjali, as soon as she entered the Mansion and saw Anjali working on her laptop. "Well, hello to you too, Vishakha! I'm fine! Thank you!" Anjali remarked sarcastically to which Vishakha rolled her eyes and said, "Would you please do me the honor of telling me the reason for which I was called here urgently?" in a deadpanned tone. Anjali replied, "Yes, I will! But first, I will ask Kaka to serve us some juice!" She did so and continued, "Before coming to the point, I want you to know that whatever happens, I always have and always will think of Neha's welfare! If I would do anything for her, then that would have been done, keeping in mind her best interests, okay?" said Anjali to Vishakha. Vishakha nodded smilingly as she was cognizant of the fact that Anjali meant every word she had uttered and gestured her to continue further. Anjali inhaled audibly and said, "There's a proposal for marriage for our Neha.", and chuckled, seeing her best friend's wide-eyed, dumbstruck expressions! Confusion was etched on Vishakha's face, and she asked, "But who proposed for the alliance?"

        "My younger sister, Janhvi, has asked for Neha's hand in marriage for her son, Sid!" replied an elated Anjali. She then went on to narrate the happenings of the previous day to Vishakha, how Janhvi met Neha, how they grew fond of one another, how Janhvi had been impressed with Neha, and lastly the proposal for marriage. Anjali also informed Vishakha, that how Janhvi wanted to have their (Neha's parents') consent before taking things further. She told Vishakha every detail, not missing out on a single thing. After listening to Anjali, Vishakha felt proud of her daughter and said, "I have no issues with this alliance! I already feel blessed! I also know that you would never suggest a thing that does not hold Neha's best interest. But before confirming, I will have to speak to Naren first. Wait...I will call him right away; he must be having a lunch break!" Vishakha dialed Naren, who received the call, and then she told him everything that Anjali had told her. He, too, gave his approval for the alliance. As soon as he hung up on the call, Anjali called up Janhvi to provide her with the good news, who was equally happy, and she, too, gave her Anjali the excellent news of Anant's approval! Anjali told the same to Vishakha, who was seated right next to her, and the two best friends hugged each other tightly, in joy. Now came the most important and somewhat scary/difficult task of talking to Sid and Neha and convincing them for the marriage.

It was evening and almost time for both Sid and Nehakshi to return to their respective homes. Both the mothers had decided to speak to their children post-dinner. The conditions of both the Moms were quite alike - both of them had been pacing to and fro in the living rooms of their respective houses, punching their fists on their palms, tapping their phones on their foreheads, and what not!

        Soumya, who had been sitting on the couch and trying to read the novel in her hand (with very little success), was not able to do so as her Mom's constant pacing kept distracting her! "Mom! What happened? Why are you so restless?" Soumya asked Janhvi in a somewhat annoyed tone. "I just hope that Sid says yes for this alliance!", Janhvi mumbled absent-mindedly. Thankfully for her, Soumya did not catch up with whatever she had said. Soumya raised her eyebrows in confusion, and Janhvi feigned absent-mindedness and replied, "Ermmm...what? Nothing!" Soumya shook her head in disbelief and decided to confine to her room if she intended to read the book further, without any distractions, and left!

At dinner, both Sid and Neha had observed their Moms' restless and anxiety to talk to them, but didn't question them about it as they knew that they (Janhvi and Vishakha, respectively), would themselves come around and speak to them (Sid and Neha) when they thought would be the right time to do so!

Sid and Soumya were in Sid's room, chit-chatting and making up for the lost time when Sid was not able to spend an ample amount of time with her (nor his parents) because of his training. A knock on the door halted their conversation, and in came their parents. "Mom, Dad! How many times have I told you all, that neither of you three needs to knock on my door before entering in!?" Sid said in a grumpy tone. Without giving him a reply, his parents sat down next to him and Soumya. "Sid, your father and I need to speak to you about something important. Whatever I am going to say, please hear it out first and then put forth your views, okay??" Janhvi asked Sid nervously to which he just nodded and blinked his eyes in assurance! "Sid, I have chosen a girl for you...for marriage. She is sweet, caring, lovable! Di and Jiju have known her, and they trust her, and love her equally as any of their kids! You also know her son...Neha, Neha Bose?" said Janhvi raising her eyebrows and giving him 'Does the name ring a bell?' look. His scrunched brows, on learning that he knew the girl his Mom seemed to be talking about, that relaxed into their normal position upon hearing the name. He did know her! The had met a couple of times at the Malhotras', when they had planned to visit Anjali, together.

        "Mom, I don't know! Marriage and all? Isn't it a bit early for marriage?" asked Sid! Instead of Janhvi, it was Anant who replied, "Son, you are 27 already! I think its high time you settle down. Looking at the pace your training is going, I am sure that you will be able to get a foothold in the business in the matter of a couple of years! As per your Mom's description of her, Neha seems to be a pretty decent and sweet girl...and suitable for you. Yeah, but if you have someone else in your life already - a girlfriend I meant, then you know you can share that with us, right?" Sid's eyes widened at the mention of the word girlfriend and shook his head vigorously in negation! His parents constricted the laughter due to his expressions, but not his sister. Soumya, who had been silently listening to the conversation between her parents and Bhai, laughed out loud - rather guffawed - partly at her brother's expressions and partly because of the possibility as mentioned earlier of her brother dearest having a girlfriend was a sure impossibility! "Dad! How did you even think that Bhai would be capable of having a girlfriend? He is so boring that no girl would want to be with him!" Soumya explained in between her laughs. "Choti!!" Sid glared at her, and she stuck out her tongue at him. Janhvi cleared her throat to get their attention and said, "Dekh Sid, there is a no rush, okay? Nobody is asking you to get married right away! All we are saying is that give whatever your Dad and I said some thought. You can meet her up if you want to. Take your time, but think about it, alright?" "Alright, Mom!" Sid replied, nervously! After some more of chit-chatting, everyone left for their rooms, leaving Sid to himself (and his thoughts).

        Meanwhile, at the Bose residence, things were nothing different. Vishakha, along with Naren, were seated in Neha's room. After some small talk, holding Neha's hand, Vishakha said, "Neha, your father and I need to talk to you regarding something important!" Neha just hmm-ed in response, and Vishakha continued, "There is a marriage proposal for you!" "What!?" exclaimed Neha! "Listen, darling, hear me out first?" Vishakha requested politely, and Neha nervously nodded in affirmation! "It's a perfect match, Baccha! The guy belongs to a respectable family. You know Siddhant, right? Siddhant Dixit? Anjali's nephew? It is him." saying so, Vishakha again narrated whatever Anjali had told her! Neha simply kept hmm-ing and nodding in between! "See Neha; we won't impose our decisions on you! But at least think about it once! Meet him if you want to, talk to him! And then decide, okay? Whatever your decision would be, we will respect it and support you in it! Okay?" said Naren. "Hmm...okay!" Neha said in a meek voice and gave her parents a nervous smile!

        Neither of them had a peaceful sleep that night as both of them had been tossing and turning on their beds, yet unsure of what to regarding the marriage proposal and how to approach the other for a meet! With these thoughts dwelling on their minds, they dozed off!