Author POV
The dining table at the Taneja Mansion was set beautifully with silverware, crystal bowls, and a chaos level that only one person in the house could trigger.
"Saanvi, this is the forty-fifth time you've worn mismatched socks," Devashi said, her voice stern as she placed a hot bowl of paneer butter masala on the table with a gentle thud-just enough to hint she was running low on patience.
Saanvi stood next to her chair, rubbing the back of her neck with a sheepish smile. " hehehe.....I didn't notice," she mumbled, shifting from foot to foot-one in a lemon yellow sock, the other in a grey with black stripes one.
"Yeah, like every single time. I still can't figure out how can you not see two different colors?" Devashi scoffed, shooting her a sharp look before wiping her hands on her apron.
" Pata nahi kon tujhse shaadi Karega." Sje muttered making Saanvi pout as she hiss, " yeh kya har baar shaadi-shaadi Karti rehte ho?"
(Don't know who will even Marry you.)
(Why everytime talking about wedding?)
Just then-
"Papa, vardaan ji...khana lag gaya hai. Ajaiye."
(Dad, vardaan ji... Dinner is ready. Come.)
Called Ishita, her voice rang out from the kitchen as she walked in, balancing a tray full of hot rotis like a pro. She wore her soft green cotton suit and that signature sweet smile that never faded ,was still there
" Aloo puri?" Saanvi's eyes lighten up as she licked her lips Seeing the delicious food placed infront of her.
( aloo puri- it's an Indian dish)
Ishita and devashi chuckled at her madness for simple food like aloo puri.
From the right, vardaan and hriday walked, talking strategies About some business deals, investors and next meeting. Both of them settled on the chairs.
Ishita was about to serve everyone but halted as a hand gripped her wrist gently. She paused and glanced at vardaan who was holding her wrist.
" Servents are there to serve." He made her sit on the chair beside him and turned her plate to face the ceiling. His voice cutting throughthe air, clear and cold,"sit quietly and eat." Ishita blinked, stunned seeing this rare side of Vardaan and shyly looked down.
Devashi and hriday exchanged looks, smiling.
While Saanvi, who stopped mid bite seeing her brother's rare side she wasn't aware of and gulped," Waahh. Bossy CEO se sidha romantic husband? Impressive!" She exclaimed, teasingly.
(Woahh. From bossy CEO to a Romantic husband? Impressive!)
Ishita bite her lower lip, cheeks pink.
Vardaan was about to speak but stopped seeing saanvi's mismatched socks and scoffed,"Ek pair kharidne ke liye paisa chahiye toh maang lo. Taneja's ke pass kami nahi hai paiso ki." he said, mocking saanvi.
(If you want money to buy a pair of socks then ask. We taneja's have enough money.)
Saanvi blinked then realised what he was talking about and rolled her eyes," I earn Enough to get thousands of these mere socks, bhai." Said proudly.
Then flipped her hairs dramatically," aur vaise bhi main fashion protest kar rahi hun." She replied with pride, holding her glass like it was wine. "Socks don't define me. My vibe does."
[Moreover I'm doing a fashion protest.]
Devashi sighed," yeh ladki pata nahi kab Badi hogi."
[Don't know when this girl will grow up.]
Others chuckled except Vardaan. He smiled faintly.
As the family settled, Saanvi reached for the bowl of salad and accidentally knocked over her water glass. It toppled instantly, water rushing across the table like a mini tsunami.
Everyone blinked.
"Bas yahi reh gaya tha" Hriday muttered, pushing his chair back.
[Only this was left.]
"kya Karun mai is ladki kaa??" Devashi uttered, worriedly.
[What should I do with this girl??]
" arrey yaar yeh sab mere saath hi kyu hota hai??" Saanvi groaned, trying to wipe the water away.
[Why this happens always to me??]
Ishita calmly cleaned the mess with her and said softly, "Saanvi, relax. At least it's not hot tea this time.
"Why the hell you are so clumsy saanvi?" Vardaan muttered, taking more of the tissues and helping her with the mess.
Saanvi silently grinned, showing her teeth smile," Pata nahi, bhaiya." others to shook their head, done with this.
(I don't know, brother.)
.
.
.
Agnihotri Mansion
The dinning area screamed silence except for two creatures- Charvi and Ishaan, who were fighting over a mere peice of Shahi paneer.
Nisarg and shaurya were talking about few business deals and investors While Ritika and Vedika were discussing the plans for upcoming day.
That's when footsteps echoed and Rishank appeared wearing a White tees and a Black trouser. His fingers inbetween his curls as he pushes them back. His eyes cold, face expressionless as he took a seat beside Ishaan who watched his every movement like he appeared from sky.
All eyes were on him as he look around. He cleared his throat," let's start?" His voice steady and indifferent. Everyone started eating quietly but Ishaan and charvi muttered something to eachother inbetween.
" Why Rishank bhai is eating like he is in some five star restaurant?" Ishaan asked whispering to charvi. Charvi answered, giggling under her breathe," I know right. It's as if someone will throw him out if he didn't eat like this."
Rishank Heard them and drop his spoon lightly before tilting his head," talking while eating is bad manners." His tone cold and strict.
Charvi and Ishaan panicked after realising Rishank heard them and focused on eating.
Suddenly, Ritika cleared her throat, placing her spoon against the plate gently before lifting her chin up.
All eyes turned to her except Rishank's.
Rishank sat unfazed, having his dinner calmly yet elegantly. His each move flawless and calm.
" What are your plans for future, Rishank?" Ritika asked, taking Rishank's attention.
Rishank's hand paused mid-air as he lower the spoon and glanced at Ritika.
"A business conference with Mr Singhania and finalising the next meeting date." He spoke smoothly like it was the only thing left in his life.
Everyone looked at him like he spoke in alien language.
Ritika leave a shaky breathe, keeping herself calm and composed. She try hard to not burst out at him.
" I am not talking about your business plans, Rishi."
Rishank raised his eyebrow," then what?"
" I am talking About your marriage plans. When are you planning to get married, son?"
Rishank's body stiffened as his mother's words settle in the air. His face blank, eyes expressionless yet something cross in them before he mask it.
He stare his mother blankly," there are no plans, mom. I am not planning to get married." Hearing him Ritika ji's face turned slight red from frustration as she hit the table lightly.
All gasped except Rishank who remained unbothered and ignored everything but his mother was not in the mood to ignore it.
" Do you even realise what are you speaking? Huh?" She spat furiously while nisarg try calming her but she shut him up," stop right there, nisarg. Don't you dare interrupt me when I am talking to my son!" Nisarg blinked, stunned by his wife's sudden outburst.
Vedika whispered to Shaurya lowly," aaj bhabhi Khatarnak mood mein hai." Shaurya silently nodded," Agnihotri mansion mein WW3 hone ki sambhavan---
[Today sister-in-law is in dangerous mood.]
[There is possibility of WW3 in Agnihotri mans---]
He couldn't complete the sentence as Ritika ji spat once again, Taking everyone's eyes back between her and Rishank.
" And you!...Tu shaadi karega and that's my final Decision." Rishank leave a breathe, trying to speak,"listen to me---
[And you!...you are getting married and that's my final decision.]
" No... I'll not listen to you." She pointed a finger at Him," do you even realise you're a 30 year old now?....you should have been married till 25 but I didn't said anything at that Time cause I thought you were not ready then....but now?... Now I'll not hear even a single word from you. You will marry and that's final."
Everyone silenced as Ritika ji finished speaking. Nisarg leaned near Ritika ji, saying the unexpected thing in a serious conversation," are you on your periods, honey?" His tone gentle and caring. His eyes held the warmth, the calm as he glanced Ritika ji's side profile.
Ritika ji tilt her Head towards Nisarg blankly and asked lowly," seriously nisarg? Is this the Time to ask these stupid questions?" She shook her head in disbelief.
" I thought you are angry because of your hormones... that's why I....asked...." He Said in tiny, looking at Ritika ji. Ritika ji closed her eyes, frustration growing.
" Dono ke dono ek jaise hain" she muttered, cursing.
[Both are same]
Meanwhile rishank was too stunned to speak anything. His lips slightly parted, mind foggy as he try processing his mother's sudden outburst on him.
"Rishank." Ritika ji asked, her tone shifting a little as she sighed," I am just worried about you. You're thirty now. Atleast realise what you are leaving behind." She paused, softly," I want to see you getting married, settling with your family."
Rishank stare at Ritika ji, eyes held the warmth that's only reserved for his mother.
Everyone patiently waited for his answer.
He thought for a while before standing up from his place, hands against the table as he looked around, exhaling," Ok....I will marry."
Hearing her, a smile broke on Ritika's lips as she stood up and walk towards Rishank.
She cupped his cheeks and slightly pulled him down. Placing her lips on his forehead, she caressed his cheeks, saying," I'm Happy that you took the right Descision, son." Rishank slowly nod his head and walk upstairs.
Nisarg exhaled deeply, his brows slightly furrowed as he said, "Do you really think he means it? Marriage... it's not just a word, Ritika. It's a lifelong commitment. And you know how Rishank is - buried in work all the time. How will he ever make time for a wife?"
Ritika smiled gently, her eyes not leaving his face as she spoke, her voice calm and full of quiet conviction. "Do you remember someone else who was just like that once? A man who lived for work, who thought responsibilities came before emotions?"
She paused meaningfully, and Nisarg's gaze dropped, a smile forming at the corner of his lips.
"And yet," she continued softly,"that same man still made time for his wife and children. For me, for Rishank, for Charvi. You changed with time and circumstances, Nisarg... because love teaches you that. Life teaches you that."
Nisarg chuckled under his breath, a touch of nostalgia in his eyes. "Maybe I did."
Ritika reached out, placing her hand gently over his. "Then trust your son the same way. He may not show it, but he listens. He learns. And he loves in his own way. I know him, Nisarg. He'll figure it out. He always does."
" Bhabhi is right, bhai." Shaurya said, walking to them with vedika beside him. He place a hand on nisarg's shoulder," Rishank is intelligent. He's your and ritika bhabhi's son. Everything will go well." Vedika agree with shaurya," Yes bhaiya. Don't worry much. He'll handle everything." Nisarg sighed, giving a gentle nod.
"Now let's sleep?" Ritika smiled as evryone went to their rooms except Ishaan and charvi who has their jaw dropped.
"Yeh Maine kya dekha. kya Suna?" Ishaan gulped," wohi Jo Maine Suna. Bhai ab Shaadi karlenge aur paraya dhan ho jayege." He sniffed dramatically, dropping his Head on charvi's shoulder.
[What did I just saw. Just Heard?]
[Only what I heard. Now brother will get married and Will become someone else's.]
Charvi pushed him away," shut up Ishaan. It's something unusual of bhaiya. He was never into marriages and all but suddenly he said he'll marry?"
Ishaan rolled his eyes," stop overthinking. Shaadi ke liye haan boli hai. Konsa ladki select kar li Hai!" And stood up, walking to his room. Charvi cursed him under her breathe and she too move to her room.
[ Stop overthinking. He said yes to marry yet. It's not like the girl is selected?]
.
.
.
Meanwhile, Rishank stood silently on the balcony, his eyes fixed on the night sky where stars shimmered like scattered diamonds and the moon cast a soft, silver glow. A quiet stillness surrounded him, but his mind was far from still.
Ritika's words recalled in his head repeatedly and his answer to her words.
"I'll Marry."
That was all he had said.
Just two simple words. But now, as they replayed in his mind, they didn't feel simple at all.
They felt heavy - like a promise he wasn't sure he was ready to keep.
At that moment, the silence around him grew deafening.
He had uttered those words with such ease, almost instinctively. As if agreeing to a deal, not a life.
But now, as he stood alone under the open sky, they gripped him like chains around his chest.
Marriage is a lifetime commitment.
Not a meeting. Not a merger. Not a deadline to chase and complete.
It was a shared life. A shared rhythm.
And for a man like him - who knew how to lead companies, negotiate billion-dollar deals, and command boardrooms - the idea of navigating emotions, building a home, or making space for someone else's presence in his routine felt... foreign.
His heart thudded in his chest, louder with every breath.
He wasn't scared of responsibilities.
He was scared of failing at something he didn't know how to handle.
What if I'm not enough?
The thought hit him, raw and uninvited.
His fingers curled slightly over the balcony railing, gripping it as if grounding himself. He wasn't someone who admitted his fears. Not even to himself. But tonight, under this star-lit..... honestly, he couldn't hide.
The sky remained quiet, as if waiting - like everyone else in his life - for him to decide, to rise, to become the man they believed him to be.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
And then, his phone buzzed.
He blinked, pulled it from his pocket, and saw the name glowing on the screen-
Rehan Mehra.
His bestfriend.
A Sigh escaped his lips as he picked the call and hummed.
"ABBEY! Kaha gayab ho gaya hai tu? Zinda bhi hai ya mar gaya??" Rehan's dramatic voice echoed through the speaker like thunder.
[HEYY! Where are you lost? Alive or dead?]
Rishank pulled the phone slightly away from his ear, sighing. "Can you not scream like a lunatic? I'm not deaf."
"Arey tu toh genuinely zinda hai! I was about to file a missing person's report. CEO of the year, but no time for his only friend? Wah bhai, kya dosti hai."
[Hey you are genuinely alive!]
"I've been working," Rishank replied coolly, his voice composed, bordering on disinterested. "Not everyone spends their day being loud and useless."
Rehan let out a mock gasp. "Oho, someone's grumpier? So unusual of you. Well....Kya baat hai? Board meeting flop hui ya mummy ne daanta?"
[What's the matter? Board meeting flop or mom scolded?]
Rishank stayed silent.
Too silent.
Rehan's tone immediately shifted, mock-suspicious. "Wait... mummy wali line hit hui kya? Kya hua? She said something, didn't she?"
[Wait... Mom's line hit hard? What happen?]
"Nothing," Rishank replied curtly.
Rehan's eyes narrowed on the other end. "Ruko zara. You're dodging. Which means... something has happened. And you're hiding it. Spill. Now."
"There's nothing to spill."
"Main tere chehre ke expressions padh sakta hoon....bina dekhe. Don't lie to me, Rishank Agnihotri. Bata warna main tujhe stalk karne aa jaunga."
[I can read your face expressions without seeing. Don't lie to me, Rishank Agnihotri. Tell me or else I'll stalk you.]
Rishank massaged the bridge of his nose, clearly running out of patience. "You're overreacting."
Rehan smirked. "Toh overreact karne do na mujhe! Mujhe bas itna bata de - kya bola aunty ne?"
[Then let me overreact! Just tell me-what aunty said?]
There was a long pause on Rishank's end. A moment where he almost didn't say anything.
But Rehan knew how to wait.
Finally, with a calmness that barely concealed his inner turmoil, Rishank muttered, "She wants me to Marry."
Rehan blinked. "Kya?"
"She said I'm thirty," Rishank continued, voice low. "That it's time I settle down."
"Ruko. Hold on. Timeout." Rehan held up his hands as if Rishank could see him," you are getting married and dropping this News like it's some monday morning memo??"
" I'm not marrying now. Moreover.....I didn't want to talk about it."
"And yet I dragged it out of you. You're welcome." Rehan grinned before suddenly freezing again. "Wait... wait. Don't tell me... Did you agree?"
Silence.
"Rishank. Tell me you didn't."
"I did."
"TU PAGAL HAI KYA?" Rehan nearly screamed. "Are you out of your mind?! Just like that?" Rishank sighed," i didn't have any option. She was pressuring me from 2 years."
[ARE YOU MAD?]
" who's the girl?"
" They haven't found a girl yet."
Rehan groaned," toh matlab ab tu shaadi karega? Ladki se?"
[So it mean you'll marry now? With a girl?]
"Nahi ladke se. Mai secretly ek gay hun." Rishank spoke sarcastically having enough of rehan's nonsense talks.
[No with a boy. I'm secretly a gay.]
Rehan blinked," bhai?.....kabhi bataya nahi tu kisi aur gender ka hai? Ohh----Tabhi mai sochu tu kisi ladki ko bhao kyu nahi deta." He teased.
[Bro? You never told me that you're of another gender? Ohh---- That's why I was wondering why you never give attention to any girl.]
Rishank took a deep breath," shut up, idiot. I'm already so frustrated."
" Oh my my, latest news -The calm and coldest Rishank agnihotri is frustrated after knowing he is ga-----
" Rehan Mehra!"
Rehan laughed under his breathe," ok ok serious mode on." He continued," now tell me, tu sachmein Shaadi karne ke liye ready hai?"
[Now tell me, are you really ready for marriage?]
" Mere ready hone ya na hone se kya hota hai jab meri mom ready hain toh?"
[What's the point of me being ready or not when my mom's already made up her mind?]
He said coldly.
" Abe oh gadhe!... Shaadi tujhe karni hai. Teri mom ko nahi."
[Hey you idiot!... You're the one getting married, not your mom.]
Rishank sighed, staring at the sky," koi option hai mere pas? Kabhi na kabhi toh karni hi thi, so......why not?"
[Do I have any option? "It had to happen sooner or later, so... why not?]
Rehan gasped dramatically," yeh tu bol raha hai? No...no you are not my Rishank!...Mera dost mujhe vapas kar behrupiya!" Rehan said dramatically, fake crying.
[Are you saying this?]
[Give me my friend back, doppelganger!]
Rishank rubbed his forehead, reaching at peak frustration but composed himself and spat," byee!" Saying this, he didn't wasted a second and cut the call on Rehan's face.
"nonsense." He exhaled sharply, griping the railing tightly.
To be continued.......
Write a comment ...