A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Is love needed in Marriage

Dadi's eyes widened in surprise when she spotted Shivay at the priest's house. His tense demeanor sent a flicker of concern through her, but years of experience told her to tread carefully. "Khanna will be here in a few minutes, then we'll head home," Shivay mumbled, reaching for a glass of water offered by the priest's wife.

"But Billu," Dadi began, using his childhood nickname, "I told you I'd come to the temple myself. Why are you here, and where's Khanna? Why is he arriving late?" A knot of unease tightened in her stomach. Something wasn't right, and the temple seemed to be at the center of it.

Shivay struggled for an answer. He couldn't reveal the events that transpired, the way that infuriating girl had bruised his pride. Schooling his expression, he offered a vague explanation. "Car trouble, Dadi. Khanna went to get another car. He'll be here soon." With that, he retreated back into his phone, leaving a bewildered Dadi stewing in her suspicions.

Khanna hopped into a different car. He needed to pick up Shivay and Daadi from the priest's house. Before leaving, he instructed the new driver to park the car that was damaged (the one they arrived in) at Rudra's garage. The driver was surprised to see the car in such a state, but being new, didn't ask any questions.

The car pulled away from the priest's house, Khanna behind the wheel with Shivay glued to his phone in the backseat.

Dadi, beside him, couldn't shake the thought of the damaged car. She'd pressed Shivay about it earlier, but his explanation of "engine trouble" felt hollow.

Dadi knew her grandson. He treated his car like an extension of himself, meticulous about maintenance and prideful of its flawless condition. Engine problems? Unlikely. A nagging suspicion took root. She decided to wait until they were alone to pry a little more out of Khanna. The silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the rhythmic hum of the engine and the occasional tap-tap-tap of Shivay's thumbs on the phone screen. The mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur momentarily eclipsed by the mystery of the damaged car. Dadi tightened her grip on her shawl, determined to unravel the truth.

The Oberoi mansion settled into a tense silence. Shivay, seeking refuge in his room, took a cold shower to cool his simmering anger. Every fiber of his being throbbed with the desire to confront that infuriating girl - to finally teach her a lesson. Meanwhile, Dadi, exhausted from the day's events, retired to her chambers. The mystery of the damaged car gnawed at her, and she decided to extract the truth from Khanna come morning.

Across town, in their humble abode, a different kind of tension simmered. Annika, her voice laced with anger, interrogated Rohan about the source of his new gaming equipment. "Rohan, for the last time, where did you get the money? Did you steal it?" she demanded. Rohan, a boy wiser than his years, stood his ground. He couldn't reveal the truth - the temple encounter would only upset his sister further. Sensing a wall, Annika decided to postpone her investigation until the next day. However, a new resolve flickered within her. She would find this mysterious friend who showered Rohan with gifts.

Nightfall finally descended, cloaking the city in darkness. Annika, with a final glare at the pile of dirty laundry that awaited her, decided to tackle the task. As she sorted through the clothes, her mind drifted back to the blue-eyed stranger. Fury surged within her, and she vowed a silent oath. If fate ever crossed their paths again, she'd make him regret the day he messed with her. With a final prayer that their paths wouldn't collide, she hung the washed clothes to dry and drifted off to sleep.

The first rays of dawn painted the sky, heralding a new day. Yet, for Shivay and Annika, the sunrise held vastly different meanings.

Shivay, an early riser, was already tackling his morning routine. Each chore, each familiar task, was a silent attempt to banish the memory of yesterday's encounter. He yearned for a fresh start, a chance to erase the sting of his bruised ego.

Across town, Annika slumbered peacefully. For her, the new day was a canvas yet unmarred, a promise of uninterrupted sleep. When she finally awoke, it would be time to face her own challenges, her own mysteries to unravel. For both Shivay and Annika, the dawn held the potential for new beginnings, but the paths they would walk were as different as the sun and the moon.

The Oberoi mansion buzzed with a tense anticipation as the family gathered for breakfast. Pinky, Shivay's mother, practically vibrated with excitement. "Kanika's parents are coming today to finalize the wedding date! After the puja, they'll announce the reunion of the Ahujas and Oberois!" she declared, beaming.

All eyes turned to Shivay, gauging his reaction. But his face remained unreadable. Jahanvi, his aunt, broke the silence. "Shivay, are you certain about this marriage? Love shouldn't be a factor in such a decision, but..."

Pinky bristled. "Jethani ji, you shouldn't be giving marital advice when your own love marriage is on the rocks!"

A bickering war ignited between Pinky and Jahanvi, their voices escalating. Om, tired of the drama, intervened. "Enough! Why fight? It's Shivay's life, his choice."

Shivay, his voice laced with annoyance, confirmed, "Exactly. Marrying Kanika will benefit both companies, boost our stock. That's the deciding factor."

Om pressed on, "But what about your happiness, Shivay? Will you be content with Kanika?"

"Love? Marriage? Those are mere concepts," Shivay scoffed. "I'm doing this for Mom."

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Sensing the awkwardness, Rudra tried to lighten the mood. "Dadi, have you chosen an event manager for the Maha Aarti?"

Dadi, ever the diplomat, smiled. "Yes, puttar. I'm planning to visit her today. Prinku, why don't you join me? You know how busy your brothers are, and your mother's got her hands full with guest preparations."

Prinku, just back from a night at her friend's, groaned playfully. "Dadi, what would I do there?"

"Just keep me company, dear. And besides, you know your brothers are hopeless. Come along, it'll be fun," Dadi insisted.

Prinku, unable to resist her grandmother's charm, finally relented with a polite, "Okay, Dadi."

The breakfast chatter dwindled as the Oberoi family dispersed to their various duties. Shivay and his uncle disappeared into the work world, the hum of the car engines a fading echo. Om retreated to his studio, seeking solace in the quiet focus of his art. Rudra, facing the consequences of yesterday's truancy, reluctantly headed for college. Dadi and Prinku retreated to their chambers, a brief respite before their meeting with the event manager. Pinky, armed with a team of maids, descended upon the kitchen to orchestrate a feast for their guests. Jahanvi, her own marital troubles simmering beneath the surface, retreated to the solitude of her room. The Oberoi mansion, once abuzz with activity, settled into a peaceful silence, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions that had just brewed within its walls.