Secret Admirer

Chapter 3 💕 Sister's sister-in-law

"Because I don't want you to marry her without your consent. And maybe after meeting her, you'll refuse."

"Why should I refuse now? If I'm ready to marry her without meeting, what's the problem? Whether she's mute, deaf, or lame, I'm ready for marriage." Kabir was starting to get irritated.

"Her name is Amaira," Sumitra ji said, stealing glances at Kabir.

"What? Amaira? Are you kidding me? You... you can't be serious, Mom?" Kabir asked incredulously.

"I am absolutely serious, Kabir," Sumitra ji replied.

"Amaira? Ishita's sister Amaira? Amaira, her younger sister?" Kabir still couldn't believe it.

"You and I only know one Amaira, Kabir. Ishita's sister, Amaira. Manmeet and Namita's daughter, Amaira," Sumitra ji said easily.

"Oh, so all of you together made her a sacrificial lamb, Mom. She's still a child. How could you even think I'd marry her?"

"She's twenty four years old. She's not a child anymore."

"And I'm thirty one. How did it even occur to you that we're a match?" Kabir was still in shock.

"Your grandfather was twelve years older than your grandmother, and your father is eight years older than me. So, a seven-year age gap is not a big deal."

"Here... it's not just about age, Mom. It's just... she's a child. I mean, I saw her when she was a child. I can't erase that image from my mind. I saw her when she was thirteen or fourteen when her father passed away. Since then, I haven't seen her at all."

"Yes, I agree, the last time you saw her she was a child, but that's a ten-year-old story. She's grown up now and has become a beautiful young lady."

"Mom, please, stop it," Kabir was starting to get scared listening to his mother's words.

"Okay. You said you were ready to marry any girl for Ishan's sake. So, what difference does it make whether it's Amaira or someone else?"

"She... she's family, Mom. I can't be unfair to her. I haven't met her much, but I know she often comes here, and you all love her very much. And then this... marriage... ugh."

"Kabir, she hasn't said yes yet either. We've matched both of your horoscopes, and the astrologer says it's a perfect match. We just want you both to meet once. If even then you refuse to marry her, then tell me the girl of your choice within two days, so I can arrange your and Ishan's wedding together. And if you can't find a girl in two days, then Namita will fix Ishita's wedding with Ishita's father's friend's son. I have only two days left."

"Where do I have to meet Amaira?" Kabir asked, feeling downhearted.

*****

On the other hand, at Namita's house:

"I know there's quite an age difference between you and Kabir. But I think he'll become a good husband. He's a good boy and will always keep you happy," Namita ji said.

"I know, Mom. I know he's a very good boy. He's Sumitra aunty's son. He can't be bad. And please stop convincing me like this. I've said I'll meet her. I've met her many times before."

"I know you've said so. But when you met her before, you were still a child. I just... I just... ugh..."

"I'm not misunderstanding you, Mom. I know you want to arrange Di's marriage with Ishan. And I also know that you're not the one who proposed this to me. I also know that you always want the best for me."

"I just want to say that it's not necessary for you to say yes to him after meeting him. While I do want to arrange Ishita's marriage with Ishan, it doesn't mean that in return, I'll arrange your marriage with someone you don't want to marry. I know that once you marry him, Ishita's marriage with Ishan will also easily happen, but don't pressure yourself for that. Guru ji said that your horoscopes match very well, and if you two stay together, you'll always be happy, that's why I..."

"Stop relying so much on your Guru ji, Mom. I know you love me and Di very much. I want to meet him because I want to give him a fair chance. Sumitra aunty wants me to meet him, she thinks, maybe I'll start liking him." Amaira said, trying to calm her mom's anxiety.

"Yes, maybe. But if you don't like him, you'll straight away refuse him. It would hurt me a lot, and I might even start hating myself if you say yes to marriage because of responsibilities."

"But maybe I'll fall in love with him at first sight, and we'll also have a classic love story like yours and dad's," Amaira teased her mom, and they both started laughing heartily, Namita remembering her husband and Amaira remembering her dad.

"Well, technically, it can't be love at first sight because you've already met each other in childhood," Ishita said, entering the room.

"But I was a child back then. How would I know that one day I'd have to see him as my husband," Amaira joked, but Ishita's eyes welled up upon hearing her words.

"I know you're doing all this just for me. Please don't say yes if you don't really like him. Don't sacrifice yourself for me. If destiny meant for me and Ishan to meet, we'll definitely meet. So please don't say yes if you don't want to."

"By the way, I'm thinking of saying yes. Yes, because of you, but not only so that you and Jiju can get married, but also so that I can become my elder sister's sister-in-law and then assert my authority by giving orders, just like you've been giving me since childhood." Amaira's eyes sparkled mischievously, and Ishita hugged her emotionally.

******

Hey Readers, that's it for today. Hope you all like it. Please vote for my efforts. Thank you and love you all.
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