Heartbeats And Halos

Chapter 2

• P a l a k •

"So as you know Sarmila ji was here with a marriage proposal." Mumma began and I nodded meanwhile Ragini just faked a yawn to show how uninterested she was.

"Hmm. So as I was saying there is a proposal for you Palak." Mumma spoke and my eyes widened. I thought Ragini would be married first because she was fifteen minutes older than me.

I guess the fifteen minutes don't count, do they?

"My goodness," Ragini muttered under her breath but I heard it anyway.

Not knowing what to say, do, or even how to react I just lowered my head and started playing with my fingers.

"That's nice badi maa. What does the guy do?" Bhabi was the first one to speak.

"He's a big business tycoon. Owns his own software company. The family has a lot of name and respect in the society. You might have heard the name Roshan Kumar Maheshwari." Mumma said.

"Wait, Roshan Kumar Maheshwari as in the Roshan Kumar Maheshwari. He's like the biggest name in the business world. His company comes at the fifth rank in the entire Asia." Srikant bhaiya said.

"Yes. That's him" Maa replied. I had no idea who that was. I didn't know a thing about businesses and all. Papa had wanted me to take up business studies in graduation so I could help with the family business but I took up law because I wanted to be a lawyer. My parents did support me of course.

"I can't believe they chose our Palak. She is very lucky." Bhabi squealed as she side-hugged me.

"Nobody could choose her Alka. Only Palak has the right to decide if she wants to get married to him or not." Bhaiya said giving me the support I needed. I was relieved at his statement. I knew nobody in my family would force me against my will but still, it was soothing to hear him say that.

"Yes, of course, that's for her to decide only." Chachi agreed and so did everyone else.

I looked at Ragini and she was frowning at the situation.

"It just sounds too good to be true, and why do I feel there's a 'but' coming up? What's the catch?" She asked no one in particular but had a point.

If he was that big of a businessman why would he want to marry a simple girl like me? Wasn't I way too out of his league? Shouldn't he prefer another billionaire's daughter or an actress or something?

"Palak beta you do know that our family business was facing a lot of losses a few years ago..." Papa asked me.

"Yes, Papa I remember." I nodded.

"Well, he was the one who helped us during that time without asking for anything in return." Papa's words surprised me. I knew someone had helped us because the way the business was going we would have lost our house also to pay off the debt. He helped my family moreover without asking anything in return.

"He's a very good man, palak," Chacha said as he came to me and put his hand on my head stroking it lovingly.

"Even with his big business empire and all the fame he's got, he is very down to earth. The generosity, empathy, and sincerity he has is very rare." Papa said and I lowered my head further as a small smile took over my lips. Why did I feel butterflies all of the sudden I don't even know the guy.

"What's his age?" Chachi asked clearly curious.

"Fifty two only," Bhaiya said and Ragini, bhabi, Chachi and I gave him horrified looks, mumma put her hand on her head and Papa and ChaCha simply looked disgusted. I was almost going to have a panic attack when Bhaiya burst into laughter. "Ha ha just kidding.".