Soul serenade।18+

Chapter 1: The Proposal

The sun was setting over the village of Rajpur, casting a golden glow over the fields and houses. The Chauhan household was a flurry of activity as they prepared for the wedding of Meera's elder sister, Priya. Meera, a shy and modest 19-year-old, was busy helping her mother and aunts with the final arrangements. Her delicate features were softened by a sense of calm, even amidst the chaos, and her simple attire only enhanced her natural beauty.

In another part of the village, Ashok Singh, the elder son of Rudra Singh, the respected sarpanch of the village, was attending the wedding with his family. Ashok was known for his reserved nature and strong sense of duty. As the festivities continued, Ashok found himself wandering around the courtyard, observing the celebrations.

It was then that he saw her. Meera was adjusting the flowers in a garland, her movements graceful and her face serene. She was unaware of the attention she was drawing, engrossed in her task. Ashok was captivated by her beauty and her quiet presence. She seemed to glow with an inner light, a stark contrast to the bustling scene around her. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

Throughout the evening, Ashok found himself glancing in her direction repeatedly. Each time, he noticed something new—her gentle smile, the way she interacted with her family, her diligence in helping without drawing attention to herself. By the end of the night, he knew he wanted to marry her.

After the wedding ceremonies concluded, Ashok returned home but couldn't shake the image of Meera from his mind. He decided to speak to his parents.

"Father, Mother, I have something important to discuss," Ashok said, gathering his courage as he entered the family sitting room. Rudra Singh, a stern but fair man, looked up from his evening paper, and his wife, Savitri, gave Ashok her full attention.

"What is it, son?" Rudra asked.

"I attended Priya Chauhan's wedding today," Ashok began, his voice steady. "There, I saw her younger sister, Meera. She is the one I wish to marry."

There was a moment of silence. Rudra exchanged a glance with Savitri, who nodded subtly. They had always trusted Ashok's judgment and knew he wouldn't make such a request lightly.

"Very well," Rudra said finally. "If you are sure about this, we will visit the Chauhan family tomorrow with a proposal."

The next day, Rudra and Savitri Singh, accompanied by Ashok, visited the Chauhan household. Meera's father, Ram Singh Chauhan, was a respected farmer in the village, known for his honesty and hard work. When the Singh family arrived, Ram Singh welcomed them warmly, though curiosity tinged his demeanor.

After the initial pleasantries, Rudra Singh spoke. "We are here with a proposal," he said. "Our son Ashok has seen your daughter Meera, and he wishes to marry her. We believe this union will be beneficial for both our families."

Ram Singh was taken aback but pleased. He had heard of Ashok's reputation and knew the Singh family was held in high regard. He called his wife, Shanti, to join the discussion. They exchanged looks of astonishment and joy.

"It is an honor for us," Ram Singh said. "We have no objections". He added.

Meera was called into the room, her head bowed in modesty. She had heard snippets of the conversation and felt a mixture of nerves and excitement.

The room filled with smiles and congratulations. The proposal was accepted, and both families felt a sense of satisfaction at the agreement. Meera's quiet demeanor and Ashok's reserved but firm conviction had brought them together, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

As the Singh family left the Chauhan household, Meera's mother took her aside. "Meera," she began gently, "your marriage has been fixed."

Meera felt a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving her family, but she did not complain. Instead, she asked quietly, "kon hai wo?"

(Who is the groom?)

Her mother smiled. "Apne sarpanch ji ka ladka hai. Sabse badehai aur sabki izzat bhi karte hai, padhe likhe hai jada tar sehar me rehte, khush rahegi tu" savitri said while caressing her cheek.

(His name is Ashok Singh. He is the elder son of Rudra Singh, the sarpanch. He is a good man, respected by everyone in the village. You will be happy with him.)

Meera nodded, absorbing the information. She had not seen Ashok closely at the wedding and did not know what he looked like.

Later that evening, after everyone had retired for the night, Meera sat by her window, lost in thought. Suddenly, she heard a rustling noise and turned to see a figure climbing through her window. Her eyes widened in shock, and she was about to scream when the man quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Shh, it's me, Ashok," he whispered. Meera's eyes widened even more. She had not recognized him in the dim light.

He slowly removed his hand from her mouth. "Maaf karna agar tujhe dara diya to", he said softly "bas tujhe dekhna chahta tha, aur batana chahta tha ki tu humesha kush rahegi mere sath".

(I am sorry to frighten you," he said softly. "I just had to see you. I wanted to talk to you, to assure you that I will take care of you.)

Meera's heart was pounding, but she nodded, unable to find her voice. Ashok's presence was overwhelming, yet his words were gentle and reassuring.

"I know this is sudden and unexpected," he continued. "But I promise to be a good husband to you, Meera. I will respect you and make sure you are happy." He said softly

Meera finally found her voice. "Thank you," she whispered, her shyness making her voice barely audible.

Ashok smiled at her, a warm, genuine smile that made her feel slightly more at ease. "I should go before anyone notices," he said, moving back towards the window. Before leaving, he leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Good night, Meera," he whispered, then disappeared into the night.

Meera touched her cheek where his lips had brushed, feeling a mix of emotions—surprise, nervousness, and a tiny spark of excitement. She sat back down, her heart still racing, trying to process the night's events. For the first time, she allowed herself to hope that this marriage might bring her happiness.

To kaisa laga ye pehela chapter hope sabko pasand aaya hoga

Ashok jitna pyara dekhne aur sunne me aa raha hai utna hi deangerrr hai baba!!

Take care of yourself
Lots of love
~jhilmil✨