The day I spent was filled with a lot of hustling. Though I prefer silence most of the time, the day was completely opposite. Later, I had to go on a date-or rather, I was forced to go.
My eyes widened in shock when I saw Miss Saranya Oberoi, but no matter who it was, I was going to ask her to cancel the plans before they even started.
Right now, I was sitting in the club, trying to calm myself down. I took a sip from the glass. I don't usually drink, but sometimes I have to; it helps me to calm my mind. Abhimaan was sitting opposite me.
"What's the matter with you, Veer?" he asked, catching my attention.
I sighed deeply, placing the glass back on the table.
"I was forced to go on a date today," I replied.
"What? You went on a date?" he asked, his shock was justified because it was the first time I had ever gone on a date.
I nodded. "And you know who was there? A student of mine. But the date was arranged for her elder sister."
He laughed. "Then what happened?" he asked, engaging more in the conversation like it was some kind of interesting gossip.
I shook my head. "I just told her to end it there and to tell her sister about it too."
Abhimaan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "That's classic Veer. Always so straightforward."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't have time for these things, Abhimaan. I never wanted to get involved in this kind of mess."
He nodded, "But it's interesting, isn't it? Life throws these unexpected moments at us. Who knows? Maybe it was meant to be."
He took a sip of his drink before continuing with his words, his eyes twinkling. "Sometimes, fate has a strange way of showing us what we need, not what we want. You never know, Veer."
I looked at him skeptically. "You're reading too much into this."
He shrugged. "Perhaps. But life is unpredictable."
I sighed again, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "I doubt it. But for now, I just want to focus on my work and keep things uncomplicated."
He nodded understandingly. "Fair enough, my friend. But don't close yourself off completely. Sometimes, the most unexpected encounters can lead to the most beautiful stories."
"We'll see. But for now, I think I'll stick to my books and lectures."
Time passed as I finally arrived home. As expected, my grandmother and aunt were both waiting for me, sitting in the living room. I just hoped she had made things clear so that I wouldn't have to explain anything or argue with them.
"Veer, you're late," my grandmother said, her tone a mix of concern and mild reproach.
"I know, Dadi. It was a long day," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm.
My aunt, ever the inquisitive one, leaned forward. "So, how was the date?"
Before I could say anything, Dadi interrupted, "You know what, Veer, I am so happy. Vanya liked you a lot."
I blinked, taken aback. "Wait, what? Vanya?"
"Who is this Vanya now?" I thought, bewildered.
Dadi continued, "She said that she might need a little time to get to know you better, and then we can think about the wedding."
I was stunned, too stunned to speak. When did this happen?
"Vanya is a very sweet girl. She would be a good match for you," my aunt said.
"I don't want to play matchmaker," I replied, my tone growing angrier. "I just don't want to marry. I don't know what you've heard or what that girl told you, but I like nobody, and that's my final decision."
My grandmother looked hurt, and my aunt sighed deeply. "Veer, we're just trying to look out for you."
"I understand that, but forcing me into something I'm not ready for is not the way," I said firmly. "Please respect my decision."
"I have been respecting your decision for all these years. What about my decision? Have you respected my decision? I just want to see your happiness, to see you growing a family with someone who cares for you. I was not able to see my son's happiness, and now you are depriving me too," Dadi shouted, getting up from the couch.
I was taken aback by her outburst. I sighed, closing my eyes and clenching my fists to control my anger. Glancing back at them, I said, "Fine, do anything you want. You want to arrange my marriage? Fine, then do it. But remember one thing, Dadi: don't think that I will change after marriage. I will not. You are just ruining a girl's life by marrying her off to me."
I said these words before heading back to my room, my heart pounding with frustration and a sense of defeat. The silence in my room was a stark contrast to the heated exchange that had just taken place. I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering how everything had spiraled out of control. My thoughts were a jumble of anger, guilt, and confusion. I knew I needed to find a way to navigate this situation, but for now, all I could do was try to calm my racing mind.
◇◇
Di and I were sitting opposite each other, stealing glances while eating. I had just arrived a while ago and found out that Mr. Khadoos's grandmother came here with Rekha Aunty, and they are thinking of fixing this alliance. I was taken aback by my mother's words when she told me about it.
I have to talk to Di, but I haven't gotten any time because Mumma was here too.
I need to talk to her personally and find out in detail about what just happened. Why didn't she refuse?
I watched Di carefully, trying to gauge her feelings from her expressions. She looked calm, but I knew her too well; there was something beneath that composed exterior.
After dinner, I asked Mom to rest, and she nodded, heading inside her bedroom. Now, it was just Di and me in the kitchen, washing the utensils.
"Di, what just happened?" I asked, my voice filled with worry and disbelief.
"First, you tell me, Chiku, what happened there?" Di replied, her tone calm yet curious.
I explained her everything from beginning to the end. She was shocked.
"He is your professor, the one you told me about before," Di said, clearly stunned. I nodded quietly.
"And I think he was arrogant only in the classroom, but he is the same outside too. He told me to cancel the proposal for whoever was going to show up here," I continued, recounting the conversation.
"But what did you say to them, Di?" I asked, trying to understand.
"I told them that I liked his nature and we will get to know each other in the future," Di replied, catching me off guard.
"What?" I exclaimed in shock.
"I thought Rekha Aunty had set up this proposal, so the guy must be good."
I sighed in frustration. "But Di, why didn't you just refuse? Why didn't you tell the truth?"
"How could I, Sara?" Di responded, her voice filled with frustration. "How would it look if I told them that I sent my sister to meet my date? His grandmother is an old lady, and you know the kind of thoughts they have. Mom would have been embarrassed, and you would have been scolded for no reason."
I understood her dilemma now, feeling a mix of sympathy and concern for Di's predicament. The expectations and judgments of others weighed heavily on her decision-making, making it difficult for her to act freely.
"So what should we do now?" I asked, feeling uncertain.
"No need to do anything. Based on what you've told me, he will likely refuse the marriage himself," Di reassured me.
I nodded in response, but concern still lingered.
There was a silence between us for a while when suddenly my sister turned her attention towards me again.
"But what if he tells his family that you went in my place? We might both get scolded," Vani Di said anxiously.
I shook my head, trying to ease her worry. "Based on what I have observed about him, he doesn't talk much. He simply told me he would cancel the arrangement regardless of who showed up. It doesn't seem like he cares who the date was, and even if he does mention it, maybe Rekha Aunty won't tell Mom."
"Let's wait and see what happens," Di said, trying to remain calm despite the uncertainty.
I nodded.
Later that night, we were both resting in her room, and now I found myself being a bit of a stalker, trying to find Mr. Khadoos's social media accounts to show my sister how much arrogant he looks with his cold face.
But to my surprise, either he didn't have any social media presence, or I was unable to find it.
"He doesn't seem to have any social media account, or maybe he prefers to keep a low profile."
Di nodded in response. "Maybe."
I closed the laptop and set it aside. We both lay down on the bed. "Di, what will you do if this alliance accidentally gets fixed?"
"What can I do, Chiku? I've already messed up," Di replied despondently.
"No, you haven't. Maybe we have a way out," I insisted.
"What way?" Di asked, sounding curious.
"Maybe we could kidnap him if he agrees to the marriage, and then we can dress up as ghosts and scare him into refusing," I suggested with a mischievous grin.
Di burst out laughing at the absurdity of my idea. "Chiku, that's the craziest plan I've ever heard!"
I chuckled along with her, feeling a bit lighter despite the seriousness of the situation. "Well, it's good to keep our options open, right?"
"Right," Di agreed, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "But let's hope it doesn't come to that. I think we'll figure something out."
As we lay there, laughing together, the tension of the evening seemed to ease. It was moments like these that reminded us of the bond we shared, no matter what challenges we faced.
The next morning, we both got ready and left for our respective places. As I walked onto the campus, a sense of embarrassment washed over me as I thought about how to face him after the stunts I pulled yesterday evening.
But who cares? Anyway, I don't have a good image in front of his eyes, and I don't want to have one. I don't need to be fake just to please others. I am better the way I am.
Time skipped, and his lecture arrived. Today, I attended his lecture instead of preparing for the fest as I didn't want to risk getting scolded again. I knew he would cut my grace marks if I stayed absent from his lectures. Throughout the class, he alternated between teaching and glaring at me. I hadn't done anything wrong-why was he glaring at me like that?
After the lecture ended, the other students left one by one until only the two of us remained in the hall. I was about to step outside when he called me, "Miss Oberoi, we need to talk."
I turned back and followed his order. He approached me, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What did you say to my grandmother? Why did she agree to fix the alliance with your sister?" he asked, his tone angry.
"Fix the alliance?" I asked slowly, confused by his accusation. He shot me a glare again.
Why is he scaring me like this?
"Don't pretend like you don't know anything," he said sharply.
"What do you mean by 'fix the alliance'? Haven't you told your grandmother to break it?" I asked.
"Don't change the question," he continued, his voice tinged with anger. "Just tell me, what made my grandmother agree to fix the alliance? Didn't you say that you would not let this alliance happen? And now, how come your sister agreed to this?" His words were accusatory, his frustration evident.
"That was just a complicated situation," I retorted, feeling defensive. "First, you tell me, why didn't you refuse your grandmother to break it? Why are you putting the whole blame on me and my sister? You were adamant about breaking it too, and now you're saying your grandmother has fixed the alliance. You could have simply told her that you've never met my sister. That would have ended things right there. Why create such complications?" I let out my frustration, my voice edged with annoyance.
"So now you're going to tell me what to do or not?" he countered sharply. "What was the need for your sister to say that she likes my nature and wants to get to know me more?"
I was about to say something when his phone rang. He left abruptly, shooting me one last glare before walking away. The tension between us lingered in the air as he hurried off, leaving me to ponder our unresolved conversation.
I scoffed to myself. "He must be hiding a girlfriend. That's why he doesn't want to fix an alliance with someone. Why can't he just tell his grandmother about it, if he likes someone else? Maybe his grandmother doesn't approve of her. Oh gosh, why are these strange thoughts coming into my mind? It seems like I've watched too many serials with my mother," I thought, shaking my head at my own imagination.
I sighed, letting go of the thoughts, and in the next moment, Kritika arrived. We both left together, moving on from the unsettling encounter with Mr. Khadoos for now.
☆☆