The grandeur of the dining room felt oddly stifling as Amartya sat at the long mahogany table. The house was filled with the rich aroma of his mother's cooking—dal and chawal, a comfort food that never failed to evoke a sense of home. His parents had insisted on this family dinner, hoping to lift his spirits after a rough week.
His mother, ever the attentive hostess, was bustling around the kitchen, while his father was seated at the head of the table, leafing through a business report.
"Amartya, you're hardly touching your food," his mother commented, her voice filled with concern. "Is everything alright?"
He forced a smile and pushed his food around his plate. "Just a lot on my mind, Mom."
His father looked up from his papers, his brow furrowed. "Still thinking about Sakshi?"
The mention of her name made Amartya's heart sink. He'd been trying to avoid thinking about her, but it was impossible when she seemed to creep into every conversation.
"Yeah," Amartya said, trying to keep his tone neutral. "I've been thinking about it."
His mother set down her serving spoon and took a seat next to him. "Have you heard anything about her lately?"
Amartya sighed. "I heard she's engaged again."
His father looked surprised. "Engaged? To who?"
"Some new guy," Amartya said, frustration creeping into his voice. "She's been seeing him for a few months now."
His mother's face softened with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, dear. It must be hard to hear that."
"Hard doesn't even begin to cover it," Amartya muttered. "Turns out, she cheated on me with him. And now she's moving on like it was nothing."
His father's expression hardened. "It's her loss, Amartya. You deserve someone who values you, not someone who betrays you."
Amartya nodded, his gaze fixed on his plate. "I know. It's just… it still stings, you know?"
His mother reached over and patted his hand. "It's okay to feel hurt. You've been through a lot. But remember, this is about your future, not hers."
Amartya appreciated the support, even if he wasn't sure how to move past the lingering bitterness. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
The conversation drifted to other topics, but the shadow of Sakshi's betrayal hung heavy in the air. As Amartya ate, he tried to focus on the present—on the loving support of his family and the opportunities ahead of him. But even as he pushed the remnants of his meal around his plate, he couldn't help but feel that the echoes of the past were still reverberating through his life.
The dinner continued with small talk, and Amartya did his best to engage with his parents about mundane things—the new market trends, upcoming family events, and the latest in the world of business. But the shadow of Sakshi still loomed large in his mind.
As his mother cleared the dishes and his father began to discuss some recent developments in the family business, Amartya's father casually broached a new subject.
"You know," his father said, setting down his glass and looking over at Amartya with a contemplative expression, "you're not getting any younger. Have you thought about what's next for you? I mean, marriage is still a possibility."
Amartya looked up, surprised. "Marriage? Dad, we've just talked about how Sakshi..."
His father waved a hand dismissively. "I'm not talking about Sakshi. I'm talking about moving on. There are many respectable families who would be happy to have someone like you in their family. It might be time to start thinking about settling down again."
Amartya's fork clattered onto his plate as he stared at his father, unsure if he should laugh or be offended. "You're suggesting I just... get over it and marry someone new?"
His father leaned back, his tone casual and matter-of-fact. "Not just someone new, Amartya. Someone who is a good match for you—someone you can build a future with. You've got a lot to offer. It's not about replacing Sakshi; it's about finding someone who's right for you."
Amartya's mother nodded in agreement, though she looked a bit hesitant. "Your father makes a good point. You've been through a lot, but it's important to think about your future happiness. We know you're hurting, but there are wonderful women out there who would appreciate and value you."
Amartya sighed, pushing his plate away. "I get what you're saying, but it's not that simple. I'm not just looking for someone to fill a void. I want to make sure I'm ready for it, and that I meet the right person."
His father's gaze softened, though his tone remained practical. "I understand. It's just something to think about. We have connections, and if you ever feel like exploring that path, we'd be more than happy to help."
Amartya took a deep breath, trying to process the idea. "I'll think about it. Right now, I'm still trying to get my head straight."
His father gave him a supportive nod. "Fair enough. Just remember, we're here for you, and we want what's best for you."
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Amartya's mind was still wrestling with the idea. The prospect of remarriage seemed both daunting and oddly intriguing, but for now, he decided to focus on the present and see where his life took him.
It's about midnight Amartya flopped onto his bed, the day's events swirling around in his mind. Reaching out to Yatharth felt like the only sane thing to do right now.
"Hey, Yatharth," Amartya said, trying to sound casual despite the storm in his head. "Got a minute to hear about my evening from hell?"
"Sure," Yatharth replied, sounding like he'd been yanked out of a deep sleep. "What's up?"
"So, dinner with the folks was a blast," Amartya started, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "They've decided that moving on from Sakshi should be a breeze, and Dad's solution? Get me hitched again—just like that."
"Seriously?" Yatharth exclaimed. "So now they're playing matchmaker?"
"Yep," Amartya said. "It's like they're auditioning girls for the role of Amartya's New Girlfriend. Apparently, my feelings about Sakshi cheating and remarrying are just minor plot details."
"That's insane," Yatharth said. "I didn't realize they were running a dating show over there."
"Right?" Amartya said. "And the best part? They're acting like I should be thrilled about this. Like, 'Hey, here are some girls we picked out for you, no questions asked.' It's like my personal life is a game show now."
"Man, that's harsh," Yatharth said. "So, how did you handle the 'Let's Pick Your Next Partner' pitch?"
"I was speechless," Amartya admitted. "I mean, what do you even say to that? 'Sure, Dad, let's pick a girl based on your 'expert' taste and completely forget the last disaster'?"
"That's wild," Yatharth said, chuckling. "Sounds like you've got a real family talent show going on."
"Totally," Amartya said, his voice filled with sarcastic amusement. "And here I was thinking I'd just chill for a bit. But nope, apparently, my dating life is a public service announcement."
"Have you thought about having a serious talk with them?" Yatharth asked, trying to sound practical amid the sarcasm.
"I tried," Amartya said. "But it's like speaking to a wall. They've got this master plan, and my emotional well-being is nowhere on the map."
"Damn, that's rough," Yatharth said. "I'm here if you need to vent, though. You don't have to face this alone."
"Thanks, man," Amartya said, feeling a bit lighter. "I needed that. Maybe I'll just pretend I'm in a soap opera and they're the out-of-touch producers."
"Sounds about right," Yatharth said with a laugh.
"Yeah" Amartya replied in a weak tone.
"So," Yatharth said, dragging out the word with a yawn. "Have you considered any of the girls they picked for you? Maybe one of them is a hidden gem or something."
"Seriously?" Amartya said, rolling his eyes. "You mean like the ones who probably think 'modern family' means watching Netflix together?"
"Exactly," Yatharth said, laughing. "Or maybe you could find someone who actually understands you. You know, like Maya—Aarohi's best friend."
Amartya snorted. "Oh yeah, because nothing says 'perfect match' like getting tangled up with my best friend's girlfriend's bestie. You should see how that'd go: 'Hey Maya, how about we ditch the corporate drama for some wedding planning?'"
"Hey, it's not a terrible idea," Yatharth said, clearly enjoying himself. "Maya's smart, driven, and she's definitely got a personality that'll keep things interesting. I can't see her being into boring dinners and matching outfits."
Amartya raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting I ask out the woman who's basically a whirlwind in a designer suit? That's... actually not the worst idea I've heard."
"Right?" Yatharth said. "Besides, you two seem to have a lot of fun together. Maybe you should give it a shot. Who knows? You might end up with a story that rivals your parents' matchmaking scheme."
"Ha," Amartya said, chuckling despite himself. "That'd be a plot twist. I could see it now: 'Amartya's Ex-Fiancée is Remarrying, and He's Settling Down with His Best Friend's Girlfriend's Bestie.' Sounds like a bestseller."
Yatharth laughed. "Hey, if it gets you out of this mess with your parents, why not?"
"I'll consider it," Amartya said, shaking his head. "But don't expect me to make any grand gestures. I'm still reeling from tonight's dinner."
"Fair enough," Yatharth said. "But keep it in the back of your mind. Maya might just be the breath of fresh air you need."
As Amartya hung up, he couldn't help but think about Yatharth's suggestion. Maya—Aarohi's best friend, his occasional partner-in-crime, and now apparently a potential escape from his matchmaking nightmare. It was a crazy idea, but given the circumstances, maybe it was worth a thought.