Kshitij got Kritika [Completed✓]

CHAPTER ~ 1

Author's POV.

As Kshitij parked his car outside his house, he paused for a moment to take in the familiar sight of the sprawling mansion that had been his family home for generations. The golden rays of the setting sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn, dappling the ivy-covered walls with patches of light and shadow.

With a weary sigh, Kshitij stepped out of the car and closed the door behind him, the sound echoing in the quiet of the evening. He took a moment to straighten his suit jacket, running a hand through his hair to smooth down any stray strands. The day had been long and exhausting, filled with the hustle and bustle of managing the family-owned hotel that had recently become his responsibility.

He made his way up the gravel driveway towards the imposing front door. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Kshitij stepped into the welcoming warmth of the foyer, the scent of home enveloping him like a comforting embrace. The polished marble floors gleamed in the soft light filtering in through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the walls. He kicked off his shoes and hung up his jacket, the weight of the day lifting from his shoulders with each step he took further into the house, the voice of his family chatting about him became more clear.

It was normal for him. He knew that they would stop talking as soon as he will enter the hall, and it happened exactly the same. As soon as he entered inside the hall, everyone went silent as if he didn't knew what actually they were discussing about. It wasn't new for him to know that he was the hot discussion of his family since last few months.

Sighing, he took his steps towards his room. After a refreshing shower and a change into comfortable attire, Kshitij descended the stairs to join his family for dinner. The aroma of home-cooked meals wafted through the air, mingling with the chatter and laughter that filled the dining room.

As he took his seat at the table, he felt the weight of his family's expectations pressing down on him once again. His parents, uncle, and aunt exchanged knowing glances, their eyes silently urging him to fulfill his duty as the eldest son by settling down and starting a family of his own.

The topic of his marriage hung in the air like an unspoken decree, a conversation he had grown accustomed to over the past few months. Despite their well-meaning intentions, Kshitij couldn't shake the feeling of suffocation that gripped him whenever the subject arose. He understood their concerns – after all, he was the eldest son, and in their eyes, it was only natural for him to take on the responsibilities of family life.

But for Kshitij, marriage was more than just a societal obligation. It was a commitment he wasn't sure he was ready to make, especially when his heart longed for something more – something he couldn't quite put into words. Something he can never do, maybe because of his feelings for someone else, which was also actually messed up.

As soon as the food got served into everyone's plate, the conversation on the dining table started again.

His father cleared his throat, "Kshitij, today, a marriage proposal has come for you, beta."

He chose to stay silent, this wasn't the first time he was getting to hear that someone has sent a marriage proposal for him.

"The girl is really very beautiful and well-educated, beta, you should really consider this proposal," his mother spoke. Nothing new, his mother found every other girl well-educated and beautiful.

"I'm not interested, Maa." He replied in a cold voice.

"No excuses this time, Kshitij. Everyone likes this girl, she is a good girl and moreover she is my friend's daughter, I'm not letting her go anyway," she replied back, and he realized that this time her voice was quite different from other times.