INNOCENCE : An Innocent Lovestory

Chapter : 3

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Ananya Sharma sat before her dressing table, dressed in a resplendent anarkali dress that her mother had practically shoved into her hands earlier that evening. Her thoughts were in turmoil, conflicted over a decision that loomed over her like a shadow-whether to accept the marriage proposal from a man who, despite being kind-hearted and wealthy, had a mental disability that rendered him childlike in many ways. Yet, inexplicably, she felt a strange pull towards him, something she couldn't quite comprehend or rationalize.

Lost in her contemplation, Ananya was abruptly jolted back to reality by her mother's sharp voice from downstairs, calling her impatiently.

Her mother's sharp voice broke through her reverie, "Ananya! Come downstairs now. They've arrived."

Ananya took a deep breath, steeling herself for the gathering downstairs. Adjusting the dupatta of her dress, she descended gracefully to meet the guests.

In the grand hall, her parents greeted the Mehra family with customary warmth. Mrs. Sharma's forced smile masked her apprehensions about the match, evident in the way she scrutinized Mrs. Mehra-a poised woman whose beauty spoke of elegance and years of experience.

Behind Mrs. Mehra stood Mr. Mehra, a tall man with a perpetual small smile, and Priya Mehra, a woman a few years older than Ananya, whose serene demeanor immediately caught Ananya's attention.

Mrs. Mehra's eyes lit up as they fell upon Ananya, and she moved forward with an air of familiarity that both surprised and pleased Ananya. Before Ananya could fully register what was happening, Mrs. Mehra enveloped her in a warm hug. Ananya, taken aback by the sudden affection from a stranger, managed to maintain her composure though her heart raced with uncertainty.

"You're even more beautiful in person, Ananya!" Mrs. Mehra exclaimed, causing Ananya to blush slightly at the unexpected compliment. No one had ever praised her beauty so openly before.

As they all settled on the plush couches, Mrs. Sharma and Mrs. Mehra engaged in polite conversation, while the men delved into discussions of business and politics. Ananya sat slightly apart, feeling a mix of curiosity and unease.

Priya, observing Ananya's quiet demeanor, slid over to sit beside her. With a gentle smile, she asked, "Are you okay, Ananya?"

Ananya looked at Priya, her eyes reflecting a mix of uncertainty and gratitude. She nodded slowly, unsure of what else to say. Priya, sensing her hesitation, continued to engage her in conversation, making sure she didn't feel left out amidst the familial chatter that buzzed around them.

Their attention, however, was drawn to a sudden shift in the atmosphere. The elderly women, Mrs. Sharma and Mrs. Mehra, exchanged a look that crackled with unspoken tension. Their husbands, oblivious to the silent communication, continued discussing business matters until the weight of their wives' gazes settled upon them like an impending storm.

Mr. Sharma cleared his throat nervously and stood up abruptly. "Let's have dinner, shall we, Mehra?"

Mr. Mehra nodded quickly, a nervous smile twitching on his lips. He followed Mr. Sharma towards the dining table, eager to escape the intense scrutiny of their wives. Ananya and Priya exchanged a bemused glance before rising to join the others at the table.

As the evening progressed, Ananya found herself seated at the dining table with the Mehra and Sharma families. The atmosphere was jovial, filled with light banter and laughter that Ananya rarely experienced in her solitary routines. She sat amidst the warmth of family interactions, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and unease-it was a feeling she hadn't known she craved until now.

"The food smells absolutely divine! Who cooked everything?" Mrs. Mehra exclaimed with genuine delight, breaking the lively chatter around the table.

Ananya's mother, Mrs. Sharma, replied with a touch of pride in her voice, "Ananya cooked everything today."

Ananya, who had learned to cook during her hostel days, blushed slightly at the unexpected praise. Her roommates had often praised her culinary skills, but she was not accustomed to such adoration from family. She felt a flutter of anxiety as three pairs of eyes-Mrs. Mehra's, Mr. Mehra's, and Priya's-all looked at her with warmth and admiration.

Dinner progressed with Mr. Mehra charmingly flirting with his wife, Mrs. Mehra, earning chuckles and teasing remarks from everyone at the table. Ananya managed to eat only a little, her appetite subdued by the whirlwind of emotions stirring within her.

She silently thanked whatever higher power might be listening when dinner finally came to an end. The Mehra family began to prepare to leave, but before they departed, Mrs. Mehra turned to Mrs. Sharma with a request.

"Mrs. Sharma, could I speak to Ananya alone for a moment?" Mrs. Mehra asked politely, her voice tinged with earnestness.

Mrs. Sharma, using a fake sweet tone that only Ananya could discern as insincere, replied, "Of course, please take your time."

Mrs. Mehra took Ananya by the arm and led her to the spacious balcony overlooking the shimmering swimming pool beside the hall. The cool night air brushed against their faces as Mrs. Mehra spoke softly, her eyes filled with concern and hope.

"Ananya, child, are you okay with this marriage? Are you aware of Rihaan's special nature?" Mrs. Mehra's words were gentle yet direct, searching Ananya's face for any sign of doubt.

Ananya met Mrs. Mehra's gaze with sincerity, her heart clear in its resolve. "Yes, Mrs. Mehra," Ananya affirmed quietly, "I am okay with this marriage if Rihaan is happy with it."

A visible weight lifted off Mrs. Mehra's shoulders as she pulled Ananya into a heartfelt embrace, whispering a series of thank-yous in her ear. Ananya returned the embrace, feeling a bond forming between them-a shared commitment to Rihaan's happiness.

Mrs. Mehra stepped back, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Do you want to see how he looks?" she asked eagerly, reaching into her purse and producing an envelope.

Before Ananya could respond, Mrs. Mehra pressed the envelope into her hands. "Here you go," she said with a smile that radiated reassurance. "I promise you, child, you won't regret your decision."

With those words of encouragement, Mrs. Mehra left Ananya alone on the balcony, her heart fluttering with a mixture of emotions. She clutched the envelope tightly to her chest as she retreated to her room, closing the door behind her.

Alone in the quiet sanctuary of her room, Ananya carefully opened the envelope and took out the photograph inside. Her breath caught in her throat as she studied the image-Rihaan with a disarming smile, sitting on a bench at what seemed like an amusement park. Ice cream adorned his lips, and his eyes sparkled with innocent joy.

"He looks..." Ananya murmured softly, her voice tinged with tenderness. "He looks too innocent. Too good for this dark world."

Ananya felt a surge of protectiveness wash over her-a fierce determination to shield this pure heart from harm, to cherish and uphold his happiness above all else. She knew then, with unwavering certainty, that she would marry Rihaan.

Closing her eyes, Ananya held the photograph close to her heart, a silent promise echoing in her thoughts. "I will do anything to keep him happy," she vowed, her resolve firm and resolute.

And in that moment, amidst the quiet solitude of her room, Ananya Sharma embraced the future that awaited her-a future intertwined with Rihaan Mehra, where love would blossom in unexpected ways, and where their journey together would be filled with hope, compassion, and unwavering devotion.

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