Dil wala DuLhA Le jayenge 🤵🤵‍♂️

3

On the other hand, across the bustling city of London, Kunj hurried towards the familiar warmth of his favorite cafe. Inside, nestled in a corner booth, his friends awaited him – a motley crew just as dear to him as Abhimanyu's were to him. There was Zara, the aspiring writer with a head full of dreams; Rohan, the quiet artist with a gentle soul; Maya, the firecracker with a passion for social justice; and Dev, the tech whiz with an infectious optimism.

Kunj slid into the booth, a tired smile gracing his lips. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized, his voice slightly breathless. "Professor Patel seemed determined to keep us in class for an extra hour today."

A chorus of laughter greeted him. Rohan, ever the prankster, mimicked Professor Patel's voice in a nasally whine, causing everyone to erupt in fresh fits of giggles. Even Kunj, usually the picture of composure, couldn't help but chuckle.

As the laughter subsided, Zara, her eyes sparkling with excitement, leaned forward. "Alright, spill it, Kunj! Did you manage to talk to your parents about Switzerland?"

Kunj's smile faltered slightly. The trip to Switzerland, a dream they'd all nurtured for months, had hit a roadblock – his parents' unwavering conservatism. He sighed, fiddling with his worn backpack strap.

"Not yet," he admitted sheepishly. "There wasn't really a good opportunity today. Maybe tonight after dinner?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Maya's face. "But Kunj, we promised each other we'd all go together. Remember, it's Dev's birthday while we're there, and we can't miss that!"

Dev, ever the optimist, placed a hand on Maya's shoulder. "Don't worry, guys. Kunj will convince his parents. He always does." His words held a hint of nervous hope.

Kunj, ever the mediator, forced a smile. "He's right. I'll talk to them tonight. Besides," he added, a playful glint in his eyes, "who can resist their son's charming pleas?"

His friends exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They knew Kunj's optimism was a facade, a shield to mask his underlying worry. But they also knew him well enough to understand his unwavering dedication to his family.

The conversation shifted, filled with lighthearted chatter and plans for the upcoming trip, if it came to fruition. Little did they know, fate had a different plan in store for Kunj. His path to Switzerland, just like Abhimanyu's, was set, but with a twist neither of them could have anticipated. The seeds of their chance encounter were being sown, miles apart, yet destined to bloom in the heart of the breathtaking Swiss landscape.
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The warm glow of the overhead lamp cast a soft light over the dinner table in Kunj's family's apartment. The aroma of his mother's delicious curry filled the air, a comforting scent that usually soothed Kunj's worries. Tonight, however, it did little to quell the knot of anxiety twisting in his stomach.

Dinner was a quiet affair. His father, his face etched with the lines of a life spent working hard, ate with slow, deliberate movements. His mother, ever watchful, kept the conversation flowing with gentle questions about Priya's day at school. Kunj's elder brother, usually more supportive, remained silent, his gaze fixed on his plate. Even Priya, usually a chatterbox, seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and picked at her food quietly.

Kunj took a deep breath, finally deciding to take the plunge. He cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the sudden stillness. "Maa, Papa," he began, his voice soft but determined, "there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

His mother, ever perceptive, looked up, concern etched on her face. "What is it, beta?"

"It's about the trip to Switzerland," Kunj blurted out, the words tumbling over each other. "My friends and I… we've been planning it for a while, and…"

He trailed off, unsure how to proceed. The air crackled with anticipation. Before he could continue, his bhabi, his brother's wife, let out a derisive snort.

"Switzerland, huh?" she drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Another unnecessary distraction. Shouldn't you be focusing on your studies instead of gallivanting around Europe?"

Kunj felt a surge of anger rise in his chest, but he quickly quelled it. He knew arguing with his bhabi would lead nowhere. Instead, he turned to his parents, his voice filled with an earnestness that surprised even himself.

"It's not just a distraction, Bhabhi. It's a chance to experience a different culture, to see new places. And it's important to me, to all of us. We've been saving up for months."

His father finally spoke, his voice low and rumbling. "Switzerland is a long way away, beta. And expensive."

Kunj knew this would be the biggest hurdle. "I understand, Papa. We've planned everything on a budget. We'll stay in hostels, cook some meals ourselves…" He launched into a detailed explanation of their itinerary, his passion for the trip evident in his voice.

His mother listened patiently, a flicker of understanding softening her eyes. His brother, for the first time, met his gaze, a silent support shining through. Even bhabi, though still unconvinced, seemed slightly less hostile.

As Kunj finished his impassioned plea, a heavy silence descended upon the table. No one spoke, the weight of his request hanging in the air. Kunj's heart pounded in his chest, his future seemingly suspended in that moment. Would his parents understand? Would they grant him this chance to experience the world beyond their small London flat? Only time would tell.