Knotted Destiny

04

Purvi opened the door to her room and motioned him to get inside, she went inside afterwards.

She closed the door and took a deep breath before folding her hands, she turned back to see Aarav standing looking at her with his arms folded near his chest.

"You"
"You"

They glared at each other, again.

"Mr., did you know-"

"No! I had no idea that my family was arranging my marriage with an ill-mannered woman!" Aarav interrupted her.

"Did you just call ill-mannered, huh?!" she snapped, her voice laced with rage.

"Areh! Tum to andhi ke saath saath behri nikli!" he retorted with mock amusement. [Oh! You're not just blind, but deaf too!]

"Uff!!" Purvi exclaimed with frustration "Listen let's leave yesterday's incident for now because we have to face our parents once we go out"

"Uh- yeah so what-" he started only to get interrupted by her.

"I'm marrying because... because my father wants me to give myself a second chance, and-" she paused, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. "And I h-hope you a-and your f-family know about my past, about my mi..."

"Yeah, we know and I hope you know about me being a widower" he spoke in between after watching her struggling to speak.

She nodded before continuing, "I know you must have certain expectations from your wife, but I cannot promise to be the ideal wife-one who is wholly devoted to her husband, who loves him unconditionally. But I... I'll try my best. I'll try to be a good wife, and I'll strive to be a good daughter-in-law to your parents. If you have any issues with that, you're free to say no.

And don't think I'm saying this just because we met under unpleasant circumstances. I would have said the same thing to anyone in your place. I simply don't want to give anyone false expectations."

She spoke in one breath, as if delivering a rehearsed speech.

"Same, I will try to be a good husband and a good son-in-law to your parents they can marry their daughter off without being distressed about their daughter's well-being, but I can't give you any assurance of loving you like a wife, but ofcourse you will have all the respects of being my wife" Aarav spoke, sincerely.

"Seems like we're on the same boat" Purvi uttered.

"Just like you, I'm here because of my mother. She wants me to get married, and after listening to you, I don't think it will be a problem. It seems we're on the same page, and there's no point in saying no-because if not you, my mom will just bring more rishtas."

Purvi's mouth formed an 'O' as she nodded.

"Ok..."

Aarav noticed how her whole face and tone changed while speaking; he couldn't believe she was the same girl who was arguing with him yesterday. He looked at her the entire time she spoke, he noticed her beautiful eyes becoming watery but she blinked it away.

"Her eyes are beautiful but....something is missing in them," he thought to himself.

"Chaley?" Purvi asked. [Let's go?]