Note: Before we dive into the next chapter, I want to share a bit about the journey ahead. This story is rooted in a middle-class setting, so I’ll be keeping the family dynamics and situations as grounded and realistic as possible.
Of course, our protagonists will handle things with their own unique flair. I’ve got some exciting turns planned, so keep an open mind. I promise not to disappoint you. Just a little patience and we will be moving swiftly into a cute, sizzling and romantic love story.
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Early in the morning, Aakash woke up and got ready quickly to drop Lavanya at her college since the students had been instructed to assemble by 5:30 a.m.and the house was already awake with hurried movements.
As he stepped out of his room, he saw Lavanya standing near the door with her luggage, while Padma fussed over her, repeating the same instructions about food, safety and calling home regularly.
“I’ll drop you at college. It’s not safe to travel alone in an auto or cab at this hour.” Aakash said, moving forward to pick up her bag.
Lavanya stopped him with a smile. “It’s okay, brother. You should rest. Rajesh has agreed to drop me, he is already waiting outside.”
Aakash hesitated for a moment, his heart felt heavy yet but he nodded and smiled at her. He carried the luggage outside anyway and handed it over.
Rajesh kick-started the bike while Lavanya hopped on behind him and she waved cheerfully as they rode off, finally leaving for the excursion she had been waiting for so eagerly.
As Aakash turned back, he noticed Balaram stopping Padma mid-step. He already knew what was coming.
“Tomorrow, we shall visit the girl’s house and meet her family. We shall discuss the wedding.” Balaram said calmly.
Padma snapped instantly. “Have you lost your mind? Did you even look at her and then look at our Aakash? She looks like a small elephant. And you expect my son to marry her? Not even in my dreams. Stop torturing me like this in the morning. We will find someone better…someone beautiful for him.” she almost thundered and turned to leave, but Balaram’s firm voice stopped her.
“Aakash has agreed to this marriage. And my decision is final. Either Aakash marries her or I will leave this house and never return.” he said sharply which made Padma freeze in her spot.
“And don’t you dare manipulate Aakash with your emotional drama. This is his life and I want him settled for good. Look at our other son and daughter. Look at the way they treat Aakash. Do you want me to wait forever to bring some peace into his life?” Balaram said and paused, his voice was heavy with resolve.
“It’s decided. We are meeting them tomorrow. By God’s grace, I hope everything goes smoothly.” he said finally calmly.
“Please… don’t do this,” Padma pleaded him but Balaram ignored her and walked away for his morning walk, leaving silence behind.
Later that day, Radha received a call from Balaram confirming that he would be visiting with his family the next day. Overwhelmed with relief and excitement, she immediately informed Madhavan and messaged Meenakshi to apply for leave.
At school, Meenakshi sat with Hema during lunch and told her about the proposal.
“Everything else sounds fine just like your father said. But why quit your job? That should be your decision, Meenu.”, Hema said thoughtfully.
Meenakshi let out a long, exaggerated breath and repeated the same explanation she had given her father about compromise, timing and doing what felt right for now.
Hema listened quietly and then smiled softly, “I hope he’s the one and I hope this change brings only good things into your life.”
Meenakshi smiled back, holding on to that hope.
At the same time, Aakash sat at his office desk, focused on his laptop screen. The steady rhythm of work was the only thing keeping his thoughts in check.
Suddenly, his mobile started ringing. He glanced at the screen and saw the name Varun, his best friend, now settled in another state and answered the call.
“What a surprise you were thinking about me?” Aakash said with a smile as he stepped out of the office for his break.
“No hello, no how are you, is this how you greet your friend?” Varun asked, amused and Aakash chuckled softly.
“Your mother called me. She told me about the proposal you agreed to. Why would you do that, Aakash? Why marry someone like her?” Varun said and Aakash stilled for a moment.
“What do you mean by someone like her? Since when did you start judging people, Varun? Does that mean you judge me too?” he asked, his voice turned firm.
“That’s not what I meant. I just want to know, why her? Do you actually like her?” Varun said quickly.
“This isn’t about who or what I like. I’m not interested in marriage. I tried my best to stop this, but I can’t fight Appa anymore. He’s getting old, Varun. I can’t watch him risk another heart attack because of me.” Aakash replied, sighing and he paused before continuing.
“I’m planning to meet the girl and maybe request her to reject this alliance. I have no intention of ruining her life. No one deserves that.” Aakash said shocking Varun.
“Don’t get me wrong. Your mother wanted me to talk to you, so I did for her sake. But I think it’s time you come out of whatever is holding you back. You deserve a life and a family of your own, Aakash. If your father believes she could be the one, I won’t stop you. But don’t stop living without even trying. And don’t marry her just because your father asked you to.” Varun said gently and there was a brief pause.
Aakash was silent hearing the words of his friend.
“Call me after you meet her. I only want good things to happen in your life. I would really like to see you happy with your wife, whoever she may be.” Varun added and the call ended.
That evening, Meenakshi returned home to find her father busy arranging fruits and snacks into neat boxes, while her mother was already in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
“Appa, what’s happening? And why is Amma cooking?” she asked, confused and Madhavan chuckled softly.
“She is getting ready to take over the kitchen duties. Once you leave after the wedding, she will have to handle everything herself, so she’s preparing in advance,” he said with a light laugh. He then picked up a shopping bag and handed it to her.
Meenakshi opened it and found a new silk saree inside.
“Appa, did you buy this for me to wear tomorrow? I could have worn one of my sarees. What was the need for this?” she asked softly, running her fingers over the smooth blue fabric.
“I don’t know and I’m not sure whether I’m right or wrong. But it feels like he might be the one and that you are already beginning to leave this home.” Madhavan admitted and smiled gently.
“They say the eyes are the doorway to the heart. His eyes felt kind… just like yours. Let’s hope for the best.” he said and blessed her.
Just then, Keerthy walked into the hall and froze at the sight of her mother cooking and dramatically pretended to stumble.
“This is a medical miracle, sissy. Now I’m sure good things have started happening in your life.” she exclaimed and noticed Radha glaring at them and fell silent.
“Finish your dinner and go to your room. Wake up early tomorrow. I’ve booked a beautician for you.” Radha said as she placed the plates on the table, an unspoken command to sit.
“Amma, when was the last time Akka slept past four in the morning?” Keerthy muttered, rolling her eyes and Radha knocked her lightly on the head.
Meenakshi retreated to her room and unfolded the beautiful blue silk saree and stared at it for a long moment.
” The saree is beautiful, And I’m beautiful too. But I can’t change the way people look at me” she thought and her chest tightened.
” How will I look in his eyes? Let it be anything but disgust. I will cling to the hope that this life might finally mean something to me ” she mumbled to herself and lay down, but sleep stayed far away as thoughts crowded her mind.
At dawn, she woke early and drew a colorful rangoli at the entrance, choosing shades that matched her fragile optimism. She wanted to believe she stood on the same page as her parents and her sister.
After a quick bath, she stepped out of her room only to freeze in shock at the sight of her mother already in the kitchen.
“You look tired so no need to help today. Go back to your room.” Radha said curtly and Meenakshi returned without a word.
” She is so eager to send me away that she has already taken over all the chores. I hope they say yes after seeing me… or Amma will turn completely alpha on me ” Meenakshi thought bitterly and shook her head as she sat on the edge of the bed.
By ten, Meenakshi was ready in the blue silk saree. The beautician added the final touches to her makeup and for a moment, Meenakshi couldn’t believe the woman staring back at her from the mirror.
” I look… so good ” she thought and a shy giggle escaped her lips. She quickly masked it with a cough as the beautician packed up and left.
Keerthy walked into the room and froze mid-step.
“OMG, Akka, You look like an absolute bomb. Oh my God… oh my God….you are gorgeous ” she exclaimed.
Radha followed her in and shut the door with a loud thud.
“So much money for this outcome. We aren’t any millionaires or billionaires to spend every day just to make her look presentable ” she snapped and Meenakshi’s smile vanished instantly, the confidence she had carefully built crumbled within seconds.
Keerthy scoffed but before she could say a word, Radha lifted her forefinger in warning.
” Mariyadhaiya solradha kelu. Avanga inga irundhu kilambura vara room vitu veliya vara koodaadhu” (Now listen carefully. You will not step out of this room until they leave),” Radha said firmly.
Keerthy stared at her in shock.
“Don’t look so surprised. Don’t you want your sister to get married? What if they choose you instead of her? I don’t want any drama. Either stay here or go to your friend’s place and come back only when I call you.” Radha said coldly and with that, she walked out.
Meenakshi hurriedly wiped away her tears before Keerthy could notice. Keerthy pulled her into a tight hug and whispered a soft apology before leaving the house.
Moments later, a cab stopped outside. Balaram, Padma, Aakash and Rajesh stepped out and Madhavan and Radha welcomed them into the house with practiced warmth.
Padma looked around the home and sat on the sofa with Balaram and Rajesh on either side of her. Aakash sat on a single chair that was placed beside the sofa next to his father.
” She is my wife Padma, my elder son Aakash, my second son Rajesh and my daughter Lavanya has gone for a college excursion ” Balaram said introducing his family.
Madhavan smiled and greeted them and introduced his wife and informed that his daughter Keerthy had gone for an interview. Radha served snacks and water to everyone and Madhavan watched Aakash who sat quitely not looking at anyone or anything, his focus fixed on his interlaced fingers.
Balaram touched his son’s shoulder and Aakash looked up startled and passed a smile at his father before looking around the home.
“Meenakshi is a gem and I’m not just saying that because she is my daughter. She is like a second mother to her younger sister and the backbone of this family,” Madhavan said, his voice brimming with pride.
“She never gets tired of her responsibilities. She wakes up by 4:00 AM every day, manage everything on her own.” Radha stated and it was a calculated remark, ensuring the guests knew the household chores would be in capable hands.
At Madhavan’s request, Meenakshi stepped out of her room a minute later. Her gaze was fixed firmly on the floor. She raised her head only for a fleeting second to greet the guests. While Aakash kept his eyes averted, Padma and Rajesh sat there, their frustration palpable as they scanned the girl.
Balaram cleared his throat with a smile and subtly nudged Aakash’s thigh as a signal to look up.
When Aakash finally raised his eyes, he momentarily froze. Meenakshi was beautiful, graceful and healthy with a gentle aura that caught him off guard. However, he quickly looked away, retreating back into his shell.
“I think we should let Meenakshi and Aakash talk in private before they give us their decision,” Madhavan suggested but Radha’s heart skipped a beat. She was terrified that a private conversation might derail her carefully laid plans.
Surprisingly, Padma agreed. She suspected that if Aakash spoke to Meenakshi alone, he might find a reason to reject the proposal. “He’s right. Let them talk. It’s their life, after all,” she said with a forced smile. Balaram saw through his wife’s intentions but he trusted his son and nodded in agreement.
The two walked outand stood opposite each other while the family watched like hawks from the hall.
Meenakshi didn’t believe in wasting time. “Do you actually want this marriage?” she asked him directly.
Before Aakash could find his voice, the sound of gentle coughing erupted from inside. It was Balaram and panic flared in Aakash’s eyes. He abandoned the conversation and rushed inside, he crouched at his father’s feet.
“Appa, what happened? Are you okay? Let’s go to the doctor,” he pleaded, his face etched with genuine worry.
Balaram smiled and waved off the concern. “I’m perfectly fine, Aakash. It’s just my excitement. I realized I forgot to take my tablets. Now, don’t keep us waiting. Tell us, are you okay with this alliance?”
Aakash stole a one-second glance at Meenakshi. Then, looking back at his father’s hopeful face, he slowly nodded as yes.
Padma and Rajesh bit their tongues in silent rage. Madhavan and Radha, however, looked as if they had won the lottery. When they turned to Meenakshi, she too gave a quiet nod.
“I am so happy. Meenakshi will not be just a daughter-in-law, she will be our daughter now. We will take care of her.” Balaram beamed.
As Radha served sweets to celebrate, Madhavan turned to his future son-in-law, “Aakash, is there a specific reason you don’t want a grand wedding?”
Aakash cleared his throat, his words momentarily stuck in his chest. “It’s not easy for middle-class families like ours to save money. I don’t see the point in draining those savings just so people have something to gossip about for a day. I would rather use the money for our future and actual needs.” he replied.
Madhavan found the reasoning incredibly mature and nodded in approval. “We shall keep the guest list small, just close relatives and hold the ceremony at a temple,” Balaram suggested.
“Since it’s a simple wedding, let’s not delay. Within the month would be ideal.” Radha added, desperate to marry off her daughter.
Meenakshi felt a sharp sting at her mother’s haste to send her away. However, she had seen the raw, selfless way Aakash cared for his father. He didn’t seem like a bad man. She decided to trust her fate, she knew that if she refused, her mother would become a vampire and suck the peace out of her life anyway.
Madhavan turned to Meenakshi one last time for confirmation. She looked at Aakash, but his gaze was fixed intensely on his own trembling fingers. She nodded again.
Madhavan rose and placed a heavy, trusting hand on Aakash’s shoulder. The young man stood up immediately, as if jolted.
“Arranged marriages have a unique beauty. They have a miraculous way of binding hearts through duty and time. I am trusting you with my daughter, Aakash.” Madhavan said softly.
As those words settled, Aakash felt the ground beneath him begin to slip away.
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A/N:
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