Chapter 2

Rishi was in his room with his laptop and few files placed on the teapoy but his thoughts were on the scene he had witnessed that noon. He moved to the balcony and watched the calm night which was exactly opposite to his mind which was worried for his sister. He heard a knock on the door and saw Manjari standing at the threshold. He returned to the room and gestured her to enter inside and sit next to him on the couch.

Manjari: Brother, you called me ? Is everything ok ? You never call me to your room unless it is some emergency.

Rishi: Who was that guy you met today at the hotel ?

Manjari choked on her saliva and rose to her feet gulping in fear. She couldn’t form any word in response and stood with her gaze fixed on her beautiful flipflops.

Rishi: I don’t wish to repeat Manjari. Who was that guy ?

Manjari: Brother, he is Vimal. We love each other for the past 2 years. He works in father’s company and they own a business just like us. Bro, please. I really love him and he loves me too.

Rishi watched her face and the tears from the corner of her eyes.

Rishi: Get back to your room.

Manjari: Brother, please

Rishi raised his head and looked at her which was enough for Manjari to walk out controlling her sobs. Rishi picked the file about Vimal which he gathered after he walked away from the hotel.

Manjari entered her room and called Vimal who was busy writing his sister’s assignment. Aadhira was playing games in her mobile sitting on his bed. On hearing Manjari’s sobs Vimal stopped writing and looking at his worried expression Aadhira too stopped playing and turned his attention on his completely.

Vimal: Manju, what happened love ?

Aadhira: Awww, how sweet bro

Vimal glared at her and Aadhira placed her finger on her lips gesturing him to continue. He heard Manjari say about Rishi’s enquiry and heard her crying.

Vimal: Manju, stop crying. I will do something. Trust me, I will not give upon you. I will talk to my parents about us.

Manjari: I trust you Vimal. Please do something. I don’t want to miss you. My family is orthodox unlike yours.

Vimal gulped and Aadhira who also heard her words, choked and placed a pillow on her face to cover it up.

Vimal: Don’t worry Manju. I will do something. Give me time till tomorrow. Please

Manjari hummed and they cut the call. Aadhira stood with her hands on her hip. Vimal sat on the couch and pleaded her with his eyes.

Aadhira: Why did you lie to her that we are so modern family ? God, I just can’t imagine our father’s reaction when he will get to know your love. Oh my god, you don’t have time bro.

Vimal: Do you really have to remind me this now duckling ?

Aadhira: I have an idea. Run away and marry her. You have a degree so find a job and have a happy life.

Vimal: Stop kidding Aadhira. That will affect your life, our family’s reputation and our business too. Her brother is too inhuman to support us so I will have to do something and convince our parents. Idiot, how did he find about us ? He can’t expect everyone to be a robot like him.

Aadhira: Is he so scary and hates love ?

Vimal: Avan manushane illa Aadhira. ( He is not at all a human Aadhira )

Aadhira: So what ? You have me to support you. Lets talk to our parents in the morning and sure there will be a ruckus but we will think of some way to convince them and we have one positive thing in your love and that is they are orthodox too.

Vimal bobed his head and sat looking at his mobile but Aadhira cleared her throat and pointed to her assignments.

Vimal: Do you know what state I m now ?

Aadhira: Very well brother and that is why I want you to complete my assignment. You being hurt and sad will not get me marks in college and don’t you think you will need my help tomorrow when you will open about your love to our beloved father.

Vimal pushed her on the couch and started writing her assigments still worried about his life and Manjari who was crying in her room scared of her parents reaction. She had no hope that either of them will support her.

In the morning Aadhira woke up and got ready for real and entered the pooja room. She closed her eyes and made prayers for her brother. Feeling someone’s presence she looked to her side and saw Vimal too praying for the first time ever in his life. She smiled at him and the siblings completed the prayer.

Vimal: I will help you cook today and you will help me when I open the news to father and mother. And you will not speak unless I look at you. That is the cue you should do something. Understood ?

Aadhira: Yes Captain. Don’t worry today we shall fix the date for your marriage.

Vimal made a crying face and she pat his shoulder to gain his attention.

Aadhira: I m a lucky charm and my words will come true for sure. Promise me that you will gift me a scooty for your marriage if my words come true.

Aadhira showed her palm and Vimal slapped his palm promising her a scooty which her father had denied. Kavitha entered the kitchen and saw the siblings busy in cooking.

Kavitha: What is happening here ? Vimal, are you alright ? How come you are here in the kitchen so early morning ?

Aadhira: Maa, you have been working for years in this kitchen because father doesn’t like food cooked by maid so we thought we would cook and let you rest for a day.

Kavitha: Your father won’t like bland food Aadhi so better both of you get out and I will cook.

Aadhira: Mom, I m here to help brother so don’t worry the food will be tasty.

Kavitha: Every time you cooked something all alone I had to correct the taste before serving to your father Aadhi.

Aadhira pouted and Kavita walked out and sat on a chair watching the siblings bicker on everything they picked for cooking.

By 8 they placed all the casseroles and waited for Hariprasad who entered the dining room in his business attire and got seated in the head seat. Kavita served the food and Hari made a face on the first morsel.

Hari: Why does the food taste different today ?

Aadhi: Daddy, Vimal brother cooked the food for you. He said you are the best father and wanted to do something for you so he decided to cook breakfast for you. Do you like it ?

Hari: Not bad but I appreciate your efforts Vimal. Need to improve a lot. Learn from your sister. The gheer she prepared last week was the best gheer ever I tasted.

Aadhi looked at her mother who was glaring at her. Vimal cleared his throat to start the conversation but before he could do one of the maid informed about a guest. Hari informed her to let them wait in the living room while he wiped his hands and proceeded to check on the guest followed by his family.

Just as they arrived in the living Vimal halted in his steps and gasped on seeing the guest. Aadhi raised her brows questioning him.

Vimal: They are Manjari’s parents and grandfather, Aadhi.

Aadhira too gasped and stood next to her mother while Vimal stood next to his father who was now seated opposite to Raghavan and Vaani.

Raghavan: I m Raghavan and she is my wife Vaani and my father Prithivirajan. We are here with a marriage proposal for our daughter Manjari with your son Vimal.

Everyone was shocked and looked at the couple to ensure they heard it right. Hari called Kavitha to be seated next to him and she did as he asked for.

Hari: I m just surprised that you are here all of sudden. I don’t remember us being acquaintance so how did you know about my son ?

Raghavan: No we are not acquaintance but your son and our daughter are.

Hari shot a look at Vimal and he bobed his head giving all the information he needed.

Raghavan: My daughter completed her college six months back and my son also got the details of your son and your family. He thinks its best to get them married and I trust the decisions of my son. He will never make any mistake so we are fine with proceeding with this wedding. Rest in your hands.

Hari: My family is not modern and I believe in every custom and tradition.

Just then Aadhira arrived holding a tray in her hand and passed it to Raghavan and Vaani. She stepped back with her gaze fixed on the floor and spoke in a voice hardly anyone could hear.

Aadhi: I m sorry daddy, I disturbed your conversation.

Hari smiled at his daughter as she stepped back to stand beside Vimal.

Hari: She is my daughter Aadhira. Very disciplined and she is my pride. She follows every custom and tradition of our home.

Prithivirajan, Raghavan and Vaani saw Aadhira standing fidgeting with her shawl that was covering her full arm. Just as they finished the coffee she carried the cups back to the kitchen and stood day dreaming and smiling when Vimal entered and knocked on her head.

Vimal: What are you dreaming duckling ?

Aadhi: Bro, I m dreaming about your Manjari’s brother. Why did you bad mouth him when he is actually a sweet heart ? God, how sweet of him. He spoke to his parents and sent them to fix your marriage. I m already liking him but not more than my crush.

Vimal spit the water he was drinking and looked at her with a shocked reaction.

Vimal: Aadhi ? Who is your crush ?

Aadhi: A man, I saw him in our college. Actually he was like a dream, tall and fit. He was wearing a tux and from my friends I heard he was there for a guest lecture for a different department. If I had known earlier then I would have chose that department. My cutie pie, my crushy baby.

Vimal: Aadhi, I will talk to you later.

He walked out and Aadhi was thinking of the man who stole her heart at first sight.

Aadhi: Hey crushy baby, when do I get to meet you again ? Wish you are like the brother of my future sister in law and believe in love.

She fixed her dress and once again walked in slow steps as if the floor would break with her heavy steps. Raghavan and Vaani smiled looking at Aadhi. She stood next to Vimal and saw her father discussing something with Kavitha.

Aadhi Mv: What are they cooking now ? Hope they agree to bro’s love.

Her train of thoughts came to a halt on hearing Hari clearing his throat.

Hari: Its not like we are against this alliance but in our family we marry our daughter first. So how about you wait until we marry our daughter ?

Raghvan: I don’t like to beat around the bush and we too follow that and that is the reason our son isn’t married yet. We like your daughter Aadhira a lot. She will be the perfect girl for our son Rishi. He is the CEO of our business and very smart to manage both family and business.

Vimal was shocked but immediately anger coursed through his veins. He stepped forward and Aadhira knew he would reject the idea which would in turn spoil the discussion of his wedding so she held his wrist and pulled him back. Vimal glared at her to let go of his hand but she shook her head and watched her father who was deep in thoughts.

Hari: We would like to meet your son before we decide this and we haven’t seen your daughter too so do you mind meeting as a family at any convenient time ?

Raghavan: Tomorrow morning Rishi will be flying to Mumbai for a week or two so either we shall meet today evening or after his return from Mumbai. Choice is yours but we prefer meeting and finish of this discussion today.

Hari sighed and looked at Vimal who was standing without a word and Aadhira bobed her head as if answering his unasked question about her wedding. Later she watched Raghavan and Vaani bid bye and walk out not before Prithirajan passing a smile towards her.

Vimal held her elbow and stared at her gritting his teeth.

Vimal: Do you even know what have you done Aadhi ? Do you think they are here because they are truly ok with this marriage ? They are not what they seem to be Aadhi ? I m sure something would have happened that brought them early morning to discuss about the wedding. You are too naive to look behind their facade Aadhi.

They were interuppted when Hari and Kavitha returned after sending off Raghavan and Vaani.

Vimal: Dad, I m so sorry. I was about to talk to you about Manjari but I didn’t expect her parents at our home at this early hours. Please dad, don’t accept the proposal for Aadhira. She is young and yet to know this world.

Hari: You should have thought about this before you decided to find a girl for you Vimal and I m here to decide for Aadhi’s life. Actually they don’t seem to be bad and I will decide upon seeing their son. Now don’t interfere in your sister’s life because its not just about her life anymore. You dragged another girl into your life and everything is complicated now. They won’t let their daughter marry unless their son is married and our scenerio is the same. Don’t be late to office.

Hari walked away and Vimal looked at Aadhira who was munching on the snacks from the teapoy.

Vimal: Aren’t you worried Aadhi ? He is not the right one for you.

Aadhi: We haven’t met him yet bro and destiny has its own plan for everyone. We can’t keep worrying over everything happening in our life. Just be happy that you will marry your love. I m just upset that I will not be able to see my crush anymore. Unlucky fellow, he will miss me if my marriage is fixed with your brother in law.

Aadhi Mv: I m sorry crushy baby. I really wanted to find you but I promised to help my brother and if that needs to marry that man then I will do. He has been a good brother and helped his sister and now I have to be a good sister and help my brother. Wish we could meet in next life and fall in love. I will try to get over you but that is extremely difficult. Wish me good luck. Please.