Passion & Dilemma

23. Reluctant Care

Prerna's POV

"Fuck this shit." I snapped under my breath and hit the steering wheel in frustration.

The Ahuja family was waiting for me at my house. The families have gathered again for a dinner. Today, they will decide the engagement and wedding dates.

It was eight in the night, and I should've been home by now but instead I was stuck in traffic. I was on my way to home from work. Yes, I went to work. Just to avoid being with my parent.

My mother did not talk to me much even when she stayed with me in the hospital and my father verbally abused me after finding out that I have been giving cuts to myself. He said the scars would look ugly to my future husband, AKA Sarthak.

The traffic cleared after waiting for half an hour. I drove as fast as I could. I was meeting them first time after they agreed for my and Sarthak's alliance. It was just so wrong to keep them waiting.

I parked the car and jogged to the door. I used the keys and opened the main door only to find both the families settled in the living room.

Their turned their heads together, in my direction. The movement looked very robotic. I passed an awkward smile and stepped forward, joining my hands in a greeting.

"Namaste." I muttered. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my parents staring at me.

I struggled under the gaze of so many people. I looked at Ahujas, and they smiled warmly at me. They stood up and I wondered what I should do.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." I apologised and felt an urge to explain myself. "I was stuck in traffic."

"It's okay." Jyotsna Ahuja, Sarthak's grandmother, said and I nodded, playing with my fingers.

Is 'namaste' enough or shall I also touch their feet?

Choosing the latter, I moved further to touch the feet of elders. I touched the feet of the women and the men did not let me bow down. Instead they placed their hand on my head to give blessings.

I greeted Dipti, Naina and Shobhit jiju with a side hug. Then I stopped in front of Sarthak.

I got nervous as to how am I supposed to greet him. It is awkward to stand with him in front of everyone after the finalized alliance. They were looking at us like we were the most interesting creatures in the world.

"H-hi." I awkwardly stretched my heand out for a handshake and mentally hit my head for doing it.

Who greets their to be husband with a handshake?

He stared at my hand before a small smile graced his lips. He accepted my hand and then, to my utter surprise, he pulled me in a hug. He wrapped his arms aorund me firmly and I froze.

"Ohhhhhhhhh." His family cheered and I felt blood rush up to my face.

I felt some unexplainable things in my stomach. My lips twitched to smile shyly but instead I patted his back twice and he pulled back. "How are you?"

My head snapped up at his question. "I'm...okay." I licked my lips in hesitation.

"Really?" He asked casually as if all the attention was not affecting him. His voice was low but I was sure everyone could hear it. "You look worn out. Why did you go to work? It was literally yesterday when you got discharged from hospital. Doctor has asked you to not overwork yourself. You should focus on your health. Work can wait."

I squinted my eyes at him. Was he really giving me a lecture on health? And that too in front of everyone? What am I? A child?

I slowly nodded my head from side to side. "Okay."