SEAL THE DEAL

chapter 11

What Manisha couldn't miss, however, was how there was a gaping hole where Abhishek's mother was supposed to be.

Abhishek had cleanly dodged the topic of his mother during her first meeting, avoiding even an allusion to her, and Manisha weren't tactless enough to ask him about it. She'd figured that he'd tell her himself someday, if and when he was ready to. She was also getting the impression that despite the fact that both of them was sitting here together, Abhishek wasn't fully okay with everything that was happening...and Manisha didn't like
the thought of that. Her father nodded in agreement, "Yes, there is nothing more important to us than you both and your happiness," he said, looking at both Manisha and abhishek as he spoke.

Abhishek felt sort of touched at how her father was kind enough to include him in that sentiment, and he sensed much more genuineness from him. He had taken a liking to her father instantly because he seemed like a highly intelligent businessman but also an incredibly caring head of the family. He wasn't like any of the second generation business heirs that Abhishek had encountered before, no, her father didn't seem like those pretentious Dads he'd come across who enjoyed flaunting their wealth or basking in outrageous excess. Her parents seemed to be just as humble and grounded as she is and abhishek could literally feel the love flowing between the three of them.

When neither Manisha or Abhishek spoke, her father took her silence as his cue to continue,

M/D:-"manu, is my one and only daughter, and she is very precious to me, abhishek," he said and She internally groaned at what looked like the beginning of a sentimental dad speech, "We've raised her with a lot of love, and she means the world to us. I hope you'll be able to appreciate and respect that...and treat her the same," he carried on and although she is rather
embarrassed about this situation, she couldn't stop the tears filling her eyes.
Her mother sniffled, picking up her napkin and dabbing it gently at her eyes. Abhishek was caught off-guard by the swift change in mood and he suddenly felt a little burdened by the reality of the responsibility he was taking on here. He stole a glance at her and he didn't have to think much about his reply when he saw the unshed tears swimming in her pretty eyes. For the first time since he'd met Manisha, the calm and composed manner had cracked and she
looked vulnerable as she gazed at her parents. Abhishek wasn't normally a person driven by impulse, but a lot of things hadn't been normal for him in the past week, "I'll try my best. I...I won't give your daughter a chance to complain," he responded, surprising even himself with his words, but the most suprising thing was that they were sincere and heartfelt.

While Abhishek's father looked on proudly, she swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling Her heart skip a beat when she saw the gentle smile on abhishek's face.
Her parents' hearts felt much lighter after the verbal confirmation and the older adults delved into a conversation about the specifics of the marriage and how it was all going to pan out. The decision was reached that her engagement would be announced next weekend after the deal had been signed and finalised, along with the information that Manisha and Abhishek had
quietly been dating for a year before he proposed. Abhishek wasn't sure how he felt about the  lie, but all three of the parents had agreed that it would be the best and safest choice for everyone involved. It would protect both of them a little more from the scrutinising eyes of the
press and the business world, and would take both of them away from the whole arranged marriage angle that could garner some criticism from the public.

As she listened to the conversation, everything felt more and more real to her...and it was daunting. It was also decided that the wedding would take place three and a half months from
now, at the end of December. After the wedding, the two of them would live in a penthouse that Abhishek's father had already purchased, which happened to be conveniently located equally close to both of their homes. Although it was an obvious part of the deal, it suddenly hit Manisha that she'd actually have to uproot her life and sense of stability and live with Abhishek - who was effectively a stranger
- and it was one very, very nervewrecking thought. The waiters began picking up the empty plates and Manisha and Abhishek had little, if any, input in the things being discussed, so she rose from seat.

Mani:-"Is it okay if abhishek and I step out for a breather?"
Abhishek looked up in confusion when he heard his own name thrown into the mix.
Abhishek's father smiled, giving a nod of approval, "Of course, by all means,"
Her gaze shifted towards her own parents, who signalled their approval as well. Her
mother even shot her a quick wink, and she almost rolled her eyes at how her mother's
strong reluctance had drastically transformed into encouragement.

"I'm really glad they're getting on well," Abhishek's father remarked after the two of them had left the table, a satisfied smile on his face.

Her mother nodded in agreement, "I thought this was a horrible idea at first, but suddenly, it doesn't seem so horrible anymore."

She stepped out of the restaurant, relishing the feeling of the cool summer night air nipping at her skin. She spotted an empty playground a few metres away, her face immediately lighting up. Abhishek followed her line of sight and wordlessly nodded when she turned to him... Manisha didn't even need to speak for him to know what she wanted to say. She made a
beeline for the swingset once she reached the playground, perching herself on one of them and looking at Abhishek expectantly when he caught up with her.

His lips curved into a small smile as he complied and took a seat on the swing next to her. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd sat on one. The two of them sat there in silence for a few moments, swinging gently, the faint creaking of the chains the only sound that could be heard.

Mani:-"Listen..." She began, breaking the silence as she always did. There was one thing that had been weighing on her mind all evening and she really needed to get it off her chest.

Abhishek looked at her curiously when she spoke up. She played with her fingers, trying to figure out how to voice out everything that you were thinking in the best way possible.

"My dad...he's treated me like a princess all my life. He's given me everything I've ever
wanted, and everything I didn't even know that I wanted. He listens to everything I say, and he's never said no to me before, not even once," she said with the fondest smile, and Abhishek didn't really know where she was going with this or what to take away from her words other than the fact that she was super lucky, "What I'm trying to say is...I know we both agreed to this and we're here today and all these decisions have been made, but it's still not too late. If you're not happy, or if you're being pressured into agreeing or something, it'll
take just one word from me and my dad will call this whole thing off. From our side,"

Manisha knew she'd rambled a bit, but throughout dinner, she'd sensed some kind of tension between Abhishek and his father and she'd also gotten the feeling that he didn't actually want to agree...and that had really, really bothered her. She didn't want him to be a part of this against his will. She didn't want him to be forced by anyone. She didn't want him to feel like he didn't have a choice.

Abhishek didn't respond immediately. He was slowly swinging next her, looking like he was deep in thought.

"You don't need to do that," he said finally, gently kicking at the small rocks on the ground in front of him.
The answer took her breath away a little. She really hadn't known what to expect but she didn't think it was going to be this.
She leaned her head against the chain so that she could face him, "There's really no going back after today. Are you sure?" Manisha asked, watching him with a heart that was beating loudly in anticipation.
He looked up and met her gaze, "Are you sure?" he returned the question and that look was back in his eyes, the intense one that made her feel like she was going to melt under it. She looked away first, her heart beating loudly in something other than anticipation now.

She remained quiet for a little while, biting her bottom lip as all of the implications started to sink in, "So this is really happening then, huh?" She sighed, steering clear of what she was asked but answering it anyway. When Manisha turned to Abhishek, he was staring up at the night sky and she followed his gaze.

The stars weren't visible, but the moon was peeking out from behind the clouds, full and round and shining bright.