Rai mansion, Sunday afternoon.
In the living room, Tej Rai was leaning on the sofa watching the recent news. Sia Rai was peeling an apple sitting next to him.
Handing him a fork with an apple she said: "Eat."
He glanced at her. "You are the master of the house, why are you personally cutting the apple? We have so many servants. Let them do something."
Sia didn't agree with him. "It's just cutting an apple. Besides, I can do these small jobs."
"What do I even pay them for if you do all the work? Do you need more servants." Tej Rai said self-righteously yet he knew that she wouldn't agree. He saw her toiling all day even when it was Sunday.
Sia Rai shook her head "It is my home. And I don't need more servants just a little appreciation. Eat!" she snorted.
He opened his mouth biting a piece. "You have cut those with your beautiful hands, of course, I will taste it."
"Mmm...It's delicious."
With a mischievous grin, he Turned the fork in her mouth. "Eat!" The remaining piece of apple was forced fed to Sia Rai.
"The older you get, the more childish you act!"
she mumbled chewing the apple still in her mouth.
"..."
Ira walked towards her parents and smiled seeing their love. "Mom. Dad!"
Sia Rai kept the plate down, got up and walked over. "You are so busy every day. Did you come to meet me?"
Dad also went to them and asked eagerly: "Where is Vivian? Didn't he come with you?"
"Oh! He has an important appointment. " she just saw Viv rushing after a call and decided to visit her parents.
"What important appointment does the kid have? Is it more important than your wedding anniversary? I will teach him a lesson you see."
"Yes, scold him when he comes to pick me up." Ira agreed, nodding her head.
They talked for a while when Ira asked: "Dad, Why did you decide to choose Viv as my husband?"
"Why are you asking it now? Did you bully my gentle son in law?" Dad asked eagerly.
Ira glanced at her dad who was talking about teaching his son in law a lesson a moment ago, now accusing his own daughter of bullying him.
"Dad, I am serious!" she grunted.
Taking a deep breath, dad replied thoughtfully: "I saw love and respect in his eyes, but the most important reason we chose him as we thought you liked him too," Dad replied.
"What?" she was confused.
Sia Rai explained.....
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2 years ago.
In the Rai Mansion, 10 pm.
Sia Rai was waiting in the courtyard for Tej Rai.
"How are you a good father? You fixed her engagement without her consent." She yelled at Tej.
She got a call from Tara, Viv's mom for discussing the engagement. Sia Rai was dumbfounded for a minute and could not respond. Tej Rai has already agreed for it. She somehow replied calmly to explain it later.
"You, This woman. You need to calm down. I haven't fixed it. I am considering it though." he raised his eyebrows.
He had just met Vivian in the evening and was impressed with the kid.
"You are not worried? Even if they marry, it is against her wishes." Sia Rai cannot believe that her husband who spoiled their daughter would one day force Ira for marriage.
"Reassured, Vivian is a good kid. With him as her partner, I can guarantee Ira's well being." He looked at her, taking her palms in his hands.
"I am scared that Ira won't agree."
"I will convince her." Tej Rai declared righteously.
"What if she doesn't like him? We should give them some time to know each other better" She rolled her eyes. She was still not convinced with his decision.
"That's impossible! The kid is honest hardworking and most important I can see love in his eyes for Ira. He will make a place in her heart soon." He looked confident. and added, " He is best among all the young men I met."
Hearing the word 'Love,' Tej Rai repressed her concern but she was still unsure asked: "Are you certain? I have never seen our daughter attached to someone."
"You don't need to bother. I will handle this." he snorted.
"Well I will listen to you, just don't let my daughter suffer." All that mattered, in the end, was her daughters well being.
"Your daughter? She is my daughter too."
Su Shan nodded.
While they were discussing, Ira's car entered the gates. She pushed the door and went straight to them.
"Dad, Why did you suddenly stopped talking. Is it about me? Are you back bitching about me?"
"It's okay! Nothing." Dad looked flustered but immediately regained his composure.
"Well!" Su Shan wanted to speak a few more words, but Tej Rai grabbed her hand. Looking in her direction and gestured her to stop talking with his eyes.
Ira saw that, but she even cared less. Her conference was a success, and with her dad's attitude, he probably had no idea of her lousy date. She chuckled and went straight to her room.
'What a loser. He didn't even complain. My rebellion wasn't showcased well enough.' She cursed her lousy date. She had no idea that her simple smile made havoc downstairs.
"Why didn't you let me tell Ira about it? Did you saw that perfect smile on her face? I have never seen her so cheerful. Now that I think she may like him." Sia smiled.
"Anyway, Ira is not willing for marriage. She is too invested in her career. If I don't interfere, I suspect she would forever remain single I will talk to Tara then." Tej Tai was adamant.
"Hmm..." She nodded. No one knew Ira better than her. Someone entering her eyes is hard enough. Now she saw her smile she was a little comforted and agreed.
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'What about our horoscopes?" Ira questioned.
"Well, They matched too." Dad smiled, hiding his guilt. It was only after their marriage that they came to know the object of her smile. They thought her resistance was just because of her unwillingness to marry anyone.
"All's well that ends well..." Su shan added in a low voice to ease the tension.