The Adopted baby

My Engagement

Anshuman's POV:

Of course I couldn't help but wonder how did he got to know. But I was too much happy to ask the details. I am just happy that my engagement is now fixed with her tomorrow. And now she won't have the chance to avoid me anymore. Infact  she'll come to me on her own, as I don't think she would like to get married to a stranger. 

At Home:

Everyone were too happy to know about the news. My father is her father's friend and know him too well so it was all good for them. And for me, well my plan got succeeded without even saying anything. So I was extremely happy. 

I then had dinner, while talking to all, and went to my room, and slept while thinking about her reaction tomorrow. She's going to get double shock tomorrow.

The Next Day:

Vandana's POV:

I got up late as usual, I ran to the washroom, quickly did my business, picked up my bag and ran to the dining room for breakfast. Dad was sitting on the chair, reading newspaper, I greeted him while sitting beside him on the next chair. 

He folded back his newspaper and replied to me," Good morning beta, aaj bhi late hogyi hai tu, jaldi nashta kar aur ja, kahi bus na chhut jaye teri. ( Good morning beta, you're late today too, eat your breakfast quickly and run, or you might miss your bus)

I said, "Yes dad, you're right."

And then my mom came bringing sandwiches, I got up and picked up a sandwich, greeted her, and said," Chalti hu maa, kahi der na hojaye. (I'm going maa, don't want to be late)

Mom said, "Thora jaldi tayyar hua kar, aaram se baith ke nashta karke jaya kar, ye acchi aadat nahi hai ."(you should get ready before time, and should eat your breakfast properly, this is not a good habit)

I smiled at her, hugged her and said, " yes mom, will try to do so from tomorrow."

Then dad said while preparing the table, "And yes, come directly to home after your classes, some guests are coming today."

I got happy, I thought probably some cousin, or relatives must be coming, and asked him, "Who's coming dad?". 

He smiled and replied, "you"ll get to know when they will come, now go, or you"ll be late".

I shouted a okay while running towards outside. I caught the bus and reached my college.

At College:

I just want to avoid that jerk today, don't know why but I am getting some bad vibes. I feel like something terrible is going to happen today, because of the letter he slipped towards me yesterday. 

I shrugged off the feeling and walked to my class, feeling lucky that I didn't saw him yet, I met Ayesha in the class, and sat beside her, I started the conversation, "Hey girl, how are you today?."

She replied, "Oh hii, you came, I am good. But looks like someone here is very excited today. What happened did you got someone?" and quirked her brows upwards, while smiling and laughing. I rolled my eyes back and said, "No yaar, you know I am not interested in relationships and all these. So not a chance, I am excited because some guests are going to come home today. It's been long since I met my cousins, I hope the guests be them."

She gave me a are-you-for-real look and said, "Who gets excited to meet cousins, aghh they are so annoying, by the way it's not necessary that the guests will be your cousins, who knows, you'll get to meet you someone special and sent a proposal for your marriage." with a teasing smirk at last.

I made a annoyed face and replied, "Don't you ever get tired thinking about all these all day.?"

She laughed and said, "No, I like to annoy you." Then suddenly she got on a serious mood and asked, "well, have you seen the students board?, Who is your partner for the assignments this semester?, I prayed so much to god hoping I would get you as my partner this sem too, but looks like god have someone else planned for you. I was in a hurry so I couldn't check for your partner. "

It totally had slipped my mind, I quickly made a mental reminder to check it after this class. Hope I would get a hardworking student like me, who would complete there assignments on time, and not be a burden on me. 

I was about to say her thanks for reminding me but stopped when I felt someone tapping on my shoulder, looked around to see him. Ahh I so wanted to avoid this person, and he's here again, why is he bothering me?. I folded my arms across the table, and asked him in a super sweet voice, "Yes, How may I help you Mr- ?." Then I realized I don't even know his name. 

He raised his eyebrows, then smirked and said, "What happened? Don't know my name? Don't worry You'll get to know me and my name very soon, angel." and winked at me, while sitting beside me. I made a 'O' shape from my mouth, surprised at his open flirting. What does he think he is? jerk. I replied questionably, "I don't need to know you, Sorry but I am not interested in your type of boys, and why did you sit beside me? go sit somewhere else, I don't like you sitting beside me."

He made a teasing face and said, "Well, you'll be singing a different tune at the end of this month, angel. And I sat beside you, because I don't want anyone else sitting beside you, of course except for me and your best-friend here."

I made a questioning look and said, "Oh really, and why is it so?. And who are you to tell who will sit beside me and who will not. Lis-t-tten, I a-am t-tell-telling y-you to g-get a-away f-fr-from m-me or I-I, I will ...." I started stammering when he suddenly started coming dangerously close to me. The proximity bothering me, And the smell of his intense cologne was blocking the flow of rational thoughts. It was like I got lost somewhere, I thought the world stopped moving.

 But his voice got me back to the reality, "you what?. What will you do if I get close to you?".

 " huh, I-I will complain to the principal that you are stalking me, and trying to harass me, you will get a severe punishment from him then."I said it in threatening voice  sounding dead serious. He burst out laughing after listening me, huh, did I just crack a joke?, why is laughing?.

He said, "you look so cute when you glare at me angrily. You're such a kid, baby. Really you think complaining to the principal will keep you away from me." He paused for a second before continuing, " Well, go ahead then." He said smirking. I was surprised, is he underestimating me?, doesn't he get scared with the principal, he might even get rusticated for harassing a girl.

My chain of thoughts got break when the teacher entered, and I started concentrating on the lecture leaving all my thoughts behind. After the lecture, I just got up and got out of the classroom pulling Ayesha with me, without glancing at him again. I need to stop thinking about him, I have to concentrate on my studies not his words or him.

We went to the students board to check about my partner for the projects. I searched for my name on the board and found my partner's name is 'Anshuman soni'. I don't think I have heard this name before, is the name correct?. Ayesha beside me suddenly started yelling and shouting, "Oh my,,,, oh my girl, you got him as your partner, I mean really him, damn girl. How can you be so lucky?. A whole semester talking, sharing things, spending time, with the guy who became the most popular guy of the college in just 4 days. I can't believe this girl. I want to switch my place with you."

I raised my brows in confusion, "What are you saying Ayesha? Who is he? And how do YOU know him but not ME?". She looked at me as if I have grown horns on my head and replied, "Girl, you very well know there is no point in lying with me, then why do you even try it. I saw haa..you guys were acting so close back in the class. I couldn't hear you because of the shouting and all. I so damn wanted to eavesdrop your conversation." Then said, "Alright babe, will meet you tomorrow, time for my next class, and as you know my whole schedule is packed up for today, probably won't be able to catch up with you. Well, you can now search for your partner if you need company." And hit my back with her shoulder slightly and left laughing, leaving me with my thoughts.

I thought 'no, it can't be him, he is Anshuman, my partner for the whole semester? Ah god!, no. But I don't even have any good reason to complain to the professor as to why I don't want him to be my partner. Don't know how will I spend this six months with him. 

With the thoughts, I rushed back to the classroom to attend my next classes. Thankfully, he didn't disturb me anymore the whole day, it was so much peaceful without him. I like this peace so much. Then the bell rang, my classes got over and I ran for my house. Getting excited to meet the guests s***h my cousins,  or atleast that's what I thought.

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I ran inside the door, shouting, "Maa, when are they coming?. And tell me why didn't you guys told me before, that they were coming, I would've planned something special for them. Now I didn't got the time to prepare any surprise for them."

Mom came from the kitchen, holding a spatula in her hands, smiling brightly at me, "Beta calm down, here have some water. Sit, relax and take a breath. I am quite busy preparing snacks for them. They must be on their way, you go get ready and haa don't forget to wear your best casuals, they are coming to see you, then come to the kitchen to help me."

I got confused, 'they are coming here to see me' what does that mean?, best casuals, getting ready?, why do I feel so uneasy, am I thinking on the wrong direction, my cousins are here to see me 'specially' why?. One second, are the guests really my cousins.? Oh my god, Don't tell me the supposed guests are here to see me,, as in to see me for-for marriage?, I am suddenly feeling anxious, don't know what to do, what to think?' There is only one way to find out, waiting patiently and following my parent's words for now.

I went towards my room,  with my mind occupying the thoughts, 'What if they are really here to see me for marriage. Oh god, I don't want to get married this early, I have my dreams, my career to fulfill, I want to do job, marriage comes with so much responsibilities, hopes, expectations. It's a bond with which needs full dedication, I don't want to hurt anyone but I want to accomplish my career first before entering this phase of my life, so that I can enjoy both to the fullest. I can't settle down right now.'

I got ready with a simple yet beautiful salwar-suit, and a little make-up, and ran towards the kitchen to help my mom. I couldn't help but ask to confirm my thoughts, "Maa, I got ready and came,  now tell me who is going to come. I thought Shreya di, Amit bhaiya, Samayra, and Komal di are coming. But it looks like something else by the preparations. And-And what did you meant by they are coming to see me?."

She looked at me from top to bottom, smiled at me, went to the other side of the kitchen and replied while arranging the snacks on the plate, "Hm, you look beautiful dear, they are your father's friend's family, they came to ask your hand for their only son" She paused looked at me with the look which says 'I-understand-what-you-must-be-thinking' before continuing "they are very nice people dear, I am telling it's such a good proposal, and the guy have same dreams, and on the same field as you. And if I am not wrong, then he even enrolled in the same college as you after coming back from abroad. You guys will be a great match, would be able to help each other in every field of your life, and I am sure he will support you with your dreams, and career too, so, So um,..." She stammered. 

I gulped thinking don't know what's gonna happen to me today, and waited for her reply. 

"So, we fixed your marriage, and today is your engagement." She said in one go. I felt like my world collapsed, how can they? I mean did I heard anything wrong? Did she really said they fixed my marriage with a stranger and moreover, moreover today is my engagement?? This is a joke right? This must be..

I started laughing, "Mom, I am telling you, you can't joke properly.This joke was terrible. I almost believed your words."

"No beta, this is not a joke. You will meet the guy today and I bet you'll like him. He's such a sweetheart." She replied, breaking my chain of laughter with her serious face. My jaw dropped, anger and hurt filling my heart. 

" Mom, I thought you guys know me very well, very well to know that I am not interested in getting married now. Moreover marring a stranger, How can you guys even think about it. I am not even re-?"

I was about to reply when she shrugged her shoulders and said, "beta it's already settled. I am very satisfied with the groom and his family. I believe you won't get anyone better than him. Not now, not ever. So I am not going to help you if you're against this alliance. You can ask your dad about it."

What?My mom, My own mom can't understand my feelings, Oh god please help me. My mom is so whipped by my so-called fiance-to-be, I am suddenly feeling jealous of him, jealous that how can he influence my mom this much that she can't even understand what her own daughter wants. I feel like crying, but I won't, now is not the time, I need to talk to dad about this. I hope he stands by me. But first I want to see who this guy is.

I then suddenly felt something on my hands, I looked to see my mom handling me the tray of tea, she adjusted my dupatta and gestured me to go to the hall. I am feeling nervous, nervous to go meet them. But I need to do this, I need to get this over quickly so I can talk to my dad. With these thoughts I went towards the hall.

I am bowing my head down, walking carefully as to not spill the tea. I kept the tray at the table and started serving the tea with a small smile on my face. I don't want to smile but I don't mean to be rude, so couldn't help but smile. I gave the tea cup to a lady probably in her late-thirties, I am guessing she is his mother. I touched her feet and she held my hand from touching her feet and cupped my cheeks, a soft smile crept on her face and said, "you look beautiful beta, God bless you my child."

I smiled at her compliment and went ahead to serve the tea to the person sitting beside her in his early forties, guessing he's his father. I bowed down to touch his feet, but he stopped me too, cupped my cheeks and said

"Always be happy beta, We are so happy so see you after such a long time. You haven't changed a bit. We can't wait to have you as our daughter. His grandparents are so happy to hear this news. They went to temple to pray for you both, must be on their way." I felt over-whelmed, he said daughter, and not daughter-in-law. They really seem to be nice people. I smiled back at him. How can I let these people down, they have just seen me and ready to accept me as in their family. I was very happy to know that he lives with his grandparents. I never got my grandparents love. They expired when I was 1 year old. I rolled back my eyes to prevent tears from falling, smiled at him and went ahead to serve tea to my soon to be fiance. I didn't wanted to see him, say I was nervous was an understatement. 

I bowed down my  head and extended the tea towards him, he held the tea plate along with my hands, this led me to look straight at him in his eyes. I felt my world slipping from under my feet. I was shocked to see him. It was him. The guy from the class, the guy who is now my assignments partner for the whole sem. This day sure is the worst of all, I got double shocks, first he became my assignment partner and now... Now my fi-fiance? I didn't know what to feel. He saw my expressions and started grinning at me. I was confused, How can he be here?. Is it a prank he was pulling on me? Is he playing with me, just because I acted rude doesn't mean he can do this to me?Marriage is a sensitive topic. I never knew he could do something like this.

I remembered his slipped from yesterday. I knew he was into something but this? Oh god why did I even met him? what does this man wants from me? And why is he doing this? 

'Hold on Vandana, maybe even he didn't knew that the girl he is going to get engaged is me?' my innerself said. I thought for a while as it may be the case, But by the way he is grinning at me clearly tells that he was totally aware of all this. I tried to smile awkwardly at him coz everyone was seeing us. I don't want them to know that I know him.I need to talk to him about it. I stepped back after handling him the tea. 

My father was smiling, looking pleased and satisfied with my behaviour.

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Alas, it's over now. I got engaged to him. Don't know what will happen in my life now. It all happened so fast that I couldn't get to talk to him or my father.

 The moment I stepped back after giving him tea. His grandparents arrived. His grandma was looking at me with a warm smile. I felt warm, I wished why if my grandma were alive today, she would've a good time with her. An unknown tear escaped from my eyes thinking about her but I wiped it before anyone could notice. 

Grandpa was looking a bit serious. I felt like he is gonna eat me alive. I greeted them with a smile and was surprised that he kept his hand on my head and giving me blessings. I stepped back feeling content after meeting them it was as if I got my grandparents back.

His grandmother then gave the puja plate to me before picking up two boxes from it. I kept it near the worship place and came back. When I came back I saw everything prepared, the sweets and snacks at the table, the first gifts from the groom's side for me, the and a similar one for him from my parents side. He was standing at a corner, looking so happy for an unknown reason. My mom and his mom holding the ring boxes and they were talking, or probably waiting for me. I didn't know what to do. I don't want to get engaged to him. But I can't let all these people down. So i just decided to get along with the flow and will talk later on this topic.