Mumbai
In February, one pleasant evening in a bustling city of Mumbai. In RAUT'S mansion, Mythili was pacing in her room restlessly. She just came from Patna this afternoon. She went to attend a wedding in Patna. Since then, she has been like this. That's when she heard her daughter Zaara shouting "uncle".
When she looked into the window, she saw a car driving slowly on the green trail. Both sides of the trail were full of parasol trees, while the sculpture fountain located in the centre of the circular square was faintly visible, and behind the sculpture fountain, a European-style mansion that looked like an ancient castle stood in the middle of the courtyard, giving off an outstanding grandeur.
Slowly, the car stopped outside the door.
A tall and well-built man who was dressed in his royal blue tailored suit stepped out of the car. He had the features of a Greek god, a well-built body, chocolate-brown eyes, well-gelled hair, a smirk which dominated. His face was highly dangerous for any girl. His aura felt exorbitant, lathered with class and elegance.
He entered the mansion in the mansion of the huge white lobby and adopted a duplex layout.
There was also a luxurious and retro crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the hall. As expected, her brother "Arshad Sinha Raut" came inside and hugged her.
Mythili: I miss you.
Arshad: Sis, it's just for four days you went to Patna. He teased.
Mythili: Not just four days, Chinni, Fouuuur days. She said, feeling sad.
Arshad understood by seeing his Sis's face that she was not totally fine.
Arshad: Sis, are you ok?
Mythili (nodded no): I'm not ok Chinni.
Arshad (worriedly): What happen Sis?
Mythili: Leave it Chinni. You can do nothing with that.
Wasn't it a matter of touching his EGO?
Arshad: Tell me what the matter is.
Mythili: I'm feeling sad about missing something.
Arshad: Missing? What's that, Sis?
Mythili: The very first time, I felt very helpless Chinni. I want it but I know I can't get it.
Arshad: Sis, whatever it is, I will bring it for you.
Mythili: You can't Chinni. And I don't want to pressurize you for anything.
Arshad: Stop it Sis. Don't you dare say that. I promise. Whatever it is, I will bring it for you.
Mythili: Chinni please, don't give your word without knowing what I want.
Arshad: I told you know? I will.
Mythili: what if I want a girl as my SISTER IN LAW?
Arshad was stuck. He understood that he got trapped by Mythili brilliantly. But that was not totally Mythili's mistake. He is the one who promised, seeing her sadness.
Arshad: Sis, didn't I say, I'm not even ready to think about my marriage for the next three years?
Mythili: No problem Chinni. You can take your time. You just marry her now and you can start a family after three years.
Arshad(frowning): What rubbish Sis.
Mythili: Because she also wants time to accept you as her husband, that's why.
Arshad(sarcastically): What!! A girl wants time to accept me? Who is that so special girl? He asked, becoming amazed.
Mythili: She is not like what you are thinking. She looks so innocent, so childish. I like her very much, Chinni. That's why I don't want to miss her, because I don't think we can get such a girl ever.
Arshad: Sis, don't fall for anyone easily…
Mythili(cutting him): No Chinni, I can say it confidently. Aanandhi is a nice girl.
That's when they heard Mythili's daughter…
Zaara (excitedly): What? Is Aanandhi Sister going to be my Aunty? Wow, that's really great. I got someone to play Hide and seek then. She hopped happily.
Arshad (frowning): Hide and Seek?
Zaara: Haa Uncle, We played hide and seek in Patna. She has a very huge follower. Everyone is my age. She giggled.
Arshad looked at Mythili like what the….
Mythili: didn't I say she looked so childish and innocent?
Zaara: True Uncle. She was so more childish than me. (she chuckled) But she looked so beautiful. Right Mom?
Mythili( nodded yes): You go and study.
Zaara (murmuring): But what will uncle do by marrying her? Will they play hide and seek or what? But he doesn't play hide and seek...
Arshad glared at Mythili.
Mythili: didn't you ask me, "What's there in marriage? It's just the worst set up. Get marry someone, get children, bring them up, send them to school, get them married, and die". These are your dialogues, right? If you marry Aanandhi, then your life will not be like that. It will be interesting for sure. She won't flaunt like your AR staff and won't be so haughty like your models. She is so simple and cute, you know?
Arshad: Are you planning for a child marriage?
Mythili (chuckled): No. she is not a child but childish. (she searched her mobile here and there) don't know where did I keep my mobile. I will send her pic. I won't force you if you don't like her.
Arshad: From where did you get her pic?
Mythili (feeling proud): I captured it without her knowledge….
Arshad(cutting her): When she played hide and seek? He asked with his lopsided smile.
Mythili: Exactly. The picture won't be so clear.
Arshad: It's ok Sis. He said without interest.
Arshad went to his room thinking about the childish girl. Mythili removed her mobile from under the bedspread. She purposely hid it. She knew her brother wouldn't show anything in his expression less face in front of her. She just wanted to see his expression when he saw Aanandhi's picture. She silently followed him while sending the picture. Arshad entered inside his room and sat on the recliner while opening the picture, unaware that Mythili was watching him from outside.
Mythili's face lit up as Arshad freezes seeing the picture which she didn't expect. Arshad's gaze rooted in the picture. She looks indeed an innocent. He couldn't take his eyes off of the picture. She looked simple but she had the potential to make him gulp. Mythili left the place smilingly.
Arshad was lying on the bed thinking about the unique proposal. He slowly closed his eyes and opened them, jerking as Aanandhi's image flashed inside his closed eyes. He wondered about his own state. He didn't know anything about that girl clearly.
He doesn't know what he should do. But denying the proposal was absolutely not in his mind. He smiled about the condition that he should wait for three years until Aanandhi gets ready for the relationship. He thought about talking with Mythili about it.
Next Moring
Mythili saw Arshad was getting inside her room. She prepared herself that she should not give up easily.
Arshad: Sis… I want to talk to you.
Mythili knows what he wants to say. She panicked as she knew how egoistic her brother was. But she has to face it anyway.
Mythili: Tell me Chinni. What do you want to talk about?
Arshad caught hold of her hand and made her sit on the bed and he got seated beside her.
Arshad: About my marriage.
Mythili: Take some time to think about Chinni. Please don't make a decision in haste.
Arshad: You told me Aanandhi wants time to fix herself in this relationship. Then why not wait for three years? Why so urgent? Why don't we have an engagement now?
Mythili's face brightened. This is the first time her brother has been speaking positively about his marriage.
Mythili: Yes we can. But why should we waste three years? She is from a small village, Chinni. She knew nothing about our society and modern culture. If Aanandhi is with us, then we can make her understand our lifestyle and she will also learn something from us, right? And she lost her father a few years before. Her mother and Arunita are her only relatives. They brought her up controlling her in every simple thing. It seems like they are so fond of society. I heard them talk about Aanandhi's marriage. They are searching for Groom. Why should we bother them? They will be relaxed seeing Aanandhi settling into her life.
Arshad (with concern): What about their income? How do they manage?
Mythili: By house rent. They have their own house. They get house rent every month. That's their income. Aanandhi's Arunita also has her own house in Mumbai. She went to Patna to support Aanandhi's mother after Aanandhi's father's demise. They already struggled a lot, Chinni. That's why I don't want to trouble them anymore.
Arshad: OK tell me, what's Aanandhi's main problem that you are planning to this extent?
Mythili: Not anything in particular. Seeing her childishness, I understood that she was not ready for a "husband and wife relationship". That's why. Do you understand what I'm saying? (Arshad nodded yes) Poor girl, she should not go to the wrong person, Chinni. And I know, there can't be a more understanding person than you. You also asked me for three years for marriage and Aanandhi's condition also suits it. Everything is falling in the right place.
Arshad nodded contently. He smiled at Mythili.
Arshad: Do you really think a childish girl would fit to be Mrs.ASR?
Mythili: obviously Chinni. I have seen her advising children about respecting their elders. I'm impressed. What else other than that needs to be Mrs. ASR? She will learn Chinni.
Arshad(sighing): Ok fine. Go ahead.
Mythili(widening her eyes in excitement): Really? I can't believe this. Chinni are you….
Arshad(cutting her): Don't overreact Sis.
Mythili hugged him happily.
Mythili: Thank God.
Arshad: I agree because you said that I could take three years to start a family.
Mythili (controlling her smile): Sure Chinni. Maybe more than that. It depends upon your relationship progress. Who knows? She may fall for you soon. Then it's your problem to handle her. She chuckled.
Mythili could feel Arshad was trying hard to control his smile. She was so delighted to see her brother like this. She believed if he liked her then there was nothing to be worried about. He will take care of everything.
Arshad left Mythili's room thinking about what she said about Aanandhi. Is it possible for him to make a childish girl fall for him? Could he keep his distance from her until then? Why will he not try to bring her into the relationship? What a mess?
There are girls who are longing for his one look. Here, he is planning to make his would-be wife fall for him? A chuckle escaped from his throat. If his condition just seeing her photo is like this, then what about after marriage? Mythili is right.
His married life is going to be different than others and definitely so interesting.