Author's POV

It's been three months since Abhishree and Samrat's wedding, and everything is going pretty smoothly. Abhimanyu had to visit Singapore for a Rathore Corporations matter just after his sister's wedding. He requested his mother to discuss the marriage proposal with the Chauhans upon his return. He came back a week before Holi.

Meanwhile, Samyukta focused on preparing for her semester exams in mid-February, studying alongside Abhishree at the Chauhan's mansion, where Shree now resides. Their exams concluded a couple of weeks before Holi.

To celebrate their son and daughter-in-law's first Holi after marriage, the Chauhans arranged a festive party at their mansion, extending invitations to the Rathores as well.

HOLI

Abhimanyu's POV

Today is Holi, and the entire family is heading towards the Chauhan's mansion to celebrate. I guess today mother might talk about the marriage proposal to the Chauhans. I am kind of nervous.

What if they deny?

What if Samyukta denies? We didn't really interact much, so why would she get married to a stranger?

Agh!!! I shouldn't overthink and wait patiently to see what happens.

We reached the Chauhan's mansion. It was decorated beautifully with colorful fabrics, yellow and orange marigold flowers. Colorful umbrellas were hanging upside down in the air. The mansion looked pretty.

We entered the lawn and found Shree and my other friends playing around.

Where is she? Don't be so much into her. She didn't even say yes to the marriage till now.

Then I noticed her coming out of the mansion with a plate of desserts. She placed it on the table where other refreshments were kept and walked towards us. She was wearing a white anarkali with a sky blue bandhani print chunni. Her long, thick hair was open and bouncing all the while she walked towards us. She had marks of gulaal on her cheeks.

How much I wish to paint them red. Stop it, Abhi!

Suddenly, Khushi and Suyash went to her and applied yellow gulaal on her feet and then to her cheeks. She also applied some blue gulaal on the kids' cheeks. Khushi said something to her and she laughed with them.

As she approached the group, she joyfully wished everyone a 'Happy Holi,' playfully smearing colorful gulaal on their cheeks. When it was my turn, she softly wished me and I wished her the same. Upon coming closer I saw she wore no makeup today. Some of her face skin was visible where gulaal was not present. She had such a beautiful glowing skin. Her big eyes, long lashes, lightly blushed cheeks, and rosy lips were captivating. 

"May I?" She asked.

"Yes." I replied.

She applied blue gulaal on both my cheeks. The touch of her soft palms sent a delightful shiver through me. I resisted the urge to press my cheeks into her hands. After that, she left, leaving behind a sweet smile that lingered in my thoughts.

Suddenly, Samrat grabbed my hands and said, "Let's go to my office." I agreed, knowing what his intentions are. He signaled other boys to join us and left towards the corridor. I followed him to his office.

Upon entering his office, he began arranging whiskey glasses on the table. I went to his bar to fetch a bottle. Soon, the boys joined us. We settled ourselves on the couch and enjoyed the drinks. Our conversation shifted between business discussions and casual banter, leading to shared laughter.

While we were engrossed in conversation, the others scattered across different parts of the office room—some attending calls, others heading to the washroom. Samrat and I remained on the couch, still relaxing. Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted us. Samyukta entered with a tray of snacks. Her face adorned with vibrant hues looked stunning.

"Maa ne bheja hai." She mentioned, placing the tray on the coffee table.

(Mom sent it.)

"Okay." Samrat replied.

"Subah subah peena acha lagta hai?" She asked, making a quirky face.

(Do you like to drink in the morning?)

"Peene ka koi time nhi hota hai." Samrat responded.

(There's no specific time to drink.)

She placed her hands on her waist and asked, "Shree ko pata hai?"

(Does Shree know?)

"Nhi, please mat batana!" Samrat pleaded. 

(No, please don't tell her.)

Samyukta shook her head, sighed, and left the room.

"Tujhe pasand hai na?" Samrat suddenly threw a question at me.

(You like her, don't you?)

"Kya?" I asked.

(What?)

"Samyukta?"

I was taken aback.

"Nhi to!" I responded.

(Not at all!)

"Bhai tere ankhon me dikhta hai. I noticed you in the entire wedding; you had eyes on her." He explained.

(Man, it's evident in your eyes. I noticed you throughout the wedding; your eyes were on her.)

With the other boys away, we continued our conversation safely. I looked everywhere except his eyes upon hearing his revelation.

"Was it obvious?" I asked.

"Not too much, but I know you well, so I could easily find out. Remember, you had inquired too?" he said.

"Hmm..."

"Use bolta kyu nhi?" He asked.

(Why don't you tell her?)

"Sochna padega."

(I need to think.)

"Abey! Itna kya sochna hai? Batade..." 

(Hey! What's there to think so much? Just tell her.)

"Hmm..."

There's a high probability that Mom will talk to Sarla kaki sa today. Let's see what kaki sa and kaka sa have to say, and then I'll decide.

After sometimes, we went back to the lawn. Everyone was immersed into laughter and were playing with colours. It was a beautiful sight to look at.

Later, we had lunch and returned home. In the evening, my mom visited my office with a cup of black coffee. She placed it on my desk and took a seat in front of me.

"Thanks maa." I said to maa for the coffee.

"Busy hai kya?" She inquired.

I closed my laptop and said, "Nahi."

'Acha, maine aaj Sarla bhabhi or Ranvijay bhaisaab se baat kiya hai tumhare or Samyukta k rishte ke baare me."

"Unhone kya kaha?"

"Wo khush hain. Wo Samyukta se confirm karke phone karenge bole."

"Acha..."

"Tera mann haina? Tujhe mai pressurize nhi karungi..."

"Nhi maa. App kuch soch rhi hain to acha hi sonchengi."

She smiled, came over, and embraced me in a hug. After a while, she left, and I resumed my work.

Samyukta's POV

Today, we had so much fun at the Holi party. Our exams were just over, so we are comparatively less stressed right now. The Rathore family joined us in the celebration along with other friends. 

When I was coming to the lawn with a plate of desserts, Khushi and Suyash came running to me. They smeared gulaal on my feet and then on my cheeks turn by turn. I also applied gulaal on their cheeks. 

"Maasi, bina makeup ke kitna sundar lagte ho aap...mai to bina makeup k Khushi lagti hi nhi..." Khushi said. I laughed at her statement.

(Maasi, without makeup you look so beautiful...I don't even look like myself without makeup.)

I noticed Abhimanyu had come from his business trip since he also came to the party. I came to know about his trip from my brother when he was casually mentioning him. After Nandini Maa and I had that talk, I didn't have any more such talks with anybody else. Neither did Maa talk about it, nor did Nandini Maa say anything anymore. I guess Abhimanyu denied the proposal, so Nandini Maa didn't talk about it to my parents...

I feel a little sad. I shouldn't feel so since I don't have any feelings for him. He did nothing wrong in denying me. If someone doesn't have feelings for another, why should he or she begin a relationship with that individual? I need to chill.

I went to the group already indulged in playing with colours and water. I wished everyone 'Happy Holi' and smudged gulaal on their place playfully turn by turn. When I reached Abhimanyu I notice he didn't have any colour on his face. Should I apply gulaal on his face too? What if he doesn't like it? Should I ignore him and go away? No, no! Its so rude. I'll ask him...NORMALLY. Okay Samyukta, be normal. Be normal. 

I asked him if I can apply some on his face. He nodded with a small smile. I applied little blue gulaal on both of his cheeks. He is so tall that I had to stand on my toes to reach his cheeks. After that, I left quickly before I do anything embarrassing. 

Uff!!! Khatron ka khiladi wala feel aaya mujhe.

Later, I went to my brother's office with a tray full of snacks. Mom asked me to take them to his office for him and his friends. Upon entering, I found them indulging in drinks. My eyes met his as I noticed him sitting across from my brother on the couch. Attempting to deflect his gaze, I engaged in playful banter with my brother, teasing him about morning drinking to stay normal and calm under his attention.

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Now, I am enjoying my masala chai and the night sky on the balcony. Suddenly, Mom came to my room and asked me to meet her in her room. Finishing my chai, I headed to my parents' room. Upon entering, I found both of them present there.

"Samyukta bacche, hume kuch zaroori baat karni hain." Maa said.

(Samyukta, dear, we need to talk about something important.)

"Beta aap pehle yehan aakar baitho." Papa said, patting the couch. I settled myself in that spot.

(Dear, come and sit here first.)

"Aaj Nandini bhabhi ne humse tumhare or Abhimanyu ke rishte ki baat ki hai..." maa began.

(Today, Nandini bhabhi talked to us about your and Abhimanyu's marriage.)

"Acha..."

(Okay...)

"Unhone kaha ki wo aapse Smarat k shaadi me baat kiya tha to aapne unhe humse baat karne ke liye bola?" My father enquired.

(She said that she talked to you in Samrat's wedding, and then you asked her to talk to us?)

"Ji papa."

(Yes, dad.)

"Hume ladka pasand hai, Samyukta." Papa continued.

(We like the boy, Samyukta.)

"Abhimanyu ji ne kya kaha hai?"

(What did Abhimanyu say?)

"Unhe rishta manzoor hai. Isliye Nandini bhabhi aaj rishta lekar ayi thi..." Mother replied.

(He has accepted the proposal. That's why Nandini bhabhi came today with the alliance.)

"Hmm..."

"Beta, aapko kya chahiye" Papa asked me while caressing my head.

(Dear, what do you want?)

"Aap ko jo thik lagta hai wohi kijiye mujhe koi aitraaz nhi hai."

(Go ahead with whatever you think is right. I have no objections.)

"Hum rishta sweekarna chahate hain." papa said.

(We would like to accept the proposal.)

"Thik hai."

(Okay.)

"Tu khush hain na? Thik se bol." Maa said.

(Are you happy with it? Say it properly.)

"Haan beta, koi pressure nhi. Aap batao." Papa added.

(Yes, dear, no pressure. You tell us.)

"Mujhe aap don ke nirnay par bharosa hai. Agar aap kehte hain to mai shaadi kar lungi unse. Lekin hume ekbaar akele me milna chahiye na..."

(I trust your decision, Dad. If you think it's right, I'll marry him. But, I thinkwe should meet alone once.)

"Thik hai. Hum Rathore saab se baat karenge." Papa said while hugging me.

(Okay. We will talk to Mr. Rathore.)

"Nandini bhabhi se mai baat karungi, Abhimanyu k saath milne k bare me." Maa said.

(I will talk to Nandini bhabhi about meeting Abhimanyu.)

They look so happy with the proposal. They both hugged me and thanked me for accepting the proposal. Maa left to call Nandini Maa and inform her about our decision. Papa called Shree and Samrat to fill them in on the matter. Shree was jumping around in happiness. She tightly hugged me. Her eyes glistened with tears. I understand the emotion behind her eyes, the same I felt a few months ago. My brother also hugged me and whispered that I'll be happy with him. I don't know; I guess only time will say more. We decided to break the news to everyone else during dinner.

Abhimanyu's POV

Before dinner, Mom came to my room, bubbling with excitement.

"They accepted the proposal!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug me.

"Okay," I responded and hugged her back.

"They want you both to meet in private first."

"Okay, I'll meet her."

"Can you have lunch with her this Saturday?"

"I have a meeting scheduled at that time. How about coffee in the evening?"

"Okay. I'll ask them and let you know," Mom replied.

"Okay."

"I'm going to prepare dinner. We'll let the family know today at dinner, okay? I've already informed your father. He's very happy."

"Okay..."

She left closing the door.

So, we'll get married. I didn't think this far, honestly. Will she be able to adjust to my nature? She is so outgoing while I'm kind of reserved. Won't she get bored of me? Let's meet this Saturday and see what destiny has for us...

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