Meera Raghav and Abhiraaj Singh Chauhan. What happens when these two opposite personalities are tied together into a sacred bond of marriage?
Will this marriage survive?
Will they fall in love with each other?
...
Finally, comes the day I dreaded the most. Today I am going to meet my would-be-fiance and his family. To say I am not nervous would be a complete lie. But I also feel peaceful in my heart. I don't know what this feeling is, but it's quite beautiful and new to me. Maybe I should trust my heart as the heart knows better.
While thinking about all this in my mind, I started to get ready. Wearing a full-length red colored anarkali suit pairing it with oxidized jewelry and of course my favorite watch. I tied my hair in a bun tieing it with a gajra. The gajra, gifted by my sister. My di and jiju came yesterday. I had a full heart-to-heart conversation with my di and jiju and they assured me that the family is really good so thought why not give it a try? I opted for a simple makeup look adorning my eyes with kajal and mascara, and a nude lip shade on my lips. Wearing transparent heels, I looked good to go.
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Seated in my room on the sofa, I gaze out of the window, drawing solace from nature's beauty. The plants on my balcony sway in harmony with the gentle breeze as if empathizing with my emotions. Lost in my thoughts about what questions to pose during our meeting, my sister interrupts my overthinking, inviting me to join her.
Taking deep breaths, I approach the living room, carrying a tray of tea. An older lady occupies the space, accompanied by three more women who I assume are her mother and chachis. Two men-likely his grandfather and father-also sit there. My hands tremble slightly as I serve them tea, and I bend to touch their feet, seeking their blessings. But they stop me, their words infused with warmth, saying "Betiyan pair nahi chhuti, dil mein raaj karti hai!" and hugged me.
("Daughters, don't touch feet, they reign in the heart".)
I sat there beside his dadi sa and maa sa. I answered all their answers politely and honestly and that was when his mother asked to let us meet alone.
We went to the garden, walking silently when suddenly he introduced himself as "Abhiraaj Singh Chauhan" making me also introduce myself as "Meera Rajput". With that, we both sat on the table sipping our tea, enjoying the gentle breeze and the birds chirping behind us and with thousands of what ifs and a racing heart.
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"Are you comfortable with this, I mean you are not forced, right?" He asked."No, I am not forced. What about you?"
"I am also not forced".
Wow! What a great way of starting a conversation. Ahh! Meera, ask him something!
"I wholeheartedly accept you as my life partner. I promise to cherish you for all of my life, whether or not you agree to this proposal. Your decision holds my respect, and regardless of its outcome, I'd still like to maintain a connection with you." He said.
"Mr. Chauhan," I begin, "we've barely exchanged words and this meeting is our first real conversation. Is it not early to make such a decision?"
He responds, "Ms. Meera, I can read you like an open book. Right now, you're nervous, your mind a whirlwind of thoughts, hesitant about exposing yourself. But I assure you, Ms. Meera, you can ask me anything and my answers will be sincere."Now, coming to your question Ms.Meera, even though I am confused as to how can I trust you so easily but there is something in you that makes me want to trust you blindly. And in relationships, I like to listen to my heart and my heart says you are the one for me."
His gaze penetrates, leaving me slightly unsettled yet oddly comforted. "Mr. Chauhan, I can't help but wonder-do you possess the gift of mind-reading?"
"Only when it comes to you," he replies with a smile.
"Mr.Chauhan, I don't have many questions. I just want you to listen to me with an open mind. Mr.Chauhan, since my childhood, I had dreamt of being independent and successful in my life. I am a very money-minded and career-oriented girl. I want to work even after getting married. Can I work after marriage?"
"Sunshine, I don't mind. Why are you asking for my permission? Who am I to allow you to work? You decide to work or not and I respect that. And I promise you that You'll have my unwavering backing in whatever path you choose."
"If everyone held such views, the world would be a far better place. By the way, why did you call me 'sunshine'?"
"Because, my lady, just like sunshine, you brighten my days. I find it hard to articulate how special you are to me. All I can say is that you make my days beautiful. My answer is already a resounding yes, and I await your response."
His words create a storm of butterflies in my stomach as he leaves to contemplate his thoughts. I realize that I, too, must heed the gentle guidance of my heart. Nodding at my mother with a resolute yes, I accept the proposal. My decision initiates a cascade of embraces from his family, crowned with a tender forehead kiss from his dadi sa and maa sa. Embarrassed by the intensity of his gaze, I divert my eyes to the floor.
As they prepare to depart, we promise to meet soon to discuss engagement and wedding details. With a farewell, he exits, our eyes locking one last time.
Abhiraaj's POV-:
Feeling extremely happy with her acceptance, I thought of how beautiful she looked in that red anarkali suit of hers. Her brownish complexion intertwines with her beauty. I can't help but stare at her. Her long jhumkas, her shining eyes adorned with kajal and mascara, and her lips make me want to never take my eyes off her.
The melodious voice of hers is like music to my ears. The more I hear, the more I want to get lost in them. The politeness in her voice when she answered my parents' questions. The respect she showed by taking their blessing strikes a chord within me.
Obvilious of the red hue covering her cheeks, I stared at her. She is like an open book to me. I don't know why I feel like I have met her somewhere even when I am meeting her for the first time. Those eyes make my heart beat faster and at the same time make my heart at peace. I feel like I can confide myself in her, trust her, and she will never betray me.
She's like a missing puzzle piece, a part of my soul that I've been searching for. Her acceptance feels like destiny's confirmation. With her in mind, I look forward to our next meeting, eager to explore the connection that fate has orchestrated.
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