Mere Piya

CHAPTER-TWO

THE PROPOSAL

The sun had barely risen over Mumbai, casting a soft golden glow on the city's bustling streets. Inside the modest Mehra household, Aarohi was already awake and moving swiftly through the kitchen. The aroma of frying parathas filled the air as she hurriedly prepared breakfast, her delicate hands expertly rolling dough and flipping it on the skillet. Her caramel hair was tied back in a loose bun, and she wore a simple salwar kameez, her attire reflecting her unassuming nature. She glanced at the clock and sighed, realising she was running late for college.

Just as Aarohi was setting the table, Pallavi entered the kitchen, yawning and rubbing her eyes. She looked around with a critical eye and then zeroed in on Aarohi.

"Ab jake table laga rahi hain, itni dair? Matlab time dekhi hain?" Pallavi said, her voice sharp with disapproval.

"Areh, tujhe to sukar karna chahiye hamara jo tujhe rehne ke liye ek chad di, khana dia, parne ka mauqa diya aur tu hain ki maharani, ek nasta waqt par bana na saki!"

Aarohi kept her gaze down, not wanting to provoke her chachi further. She knew better than to argue; it would only lead to more taunts and possibly missing her classes. Instead, she quietly served the food and quickly grabbed a biscuit from the jar.

Pallavi continued, her voice dripping with condescension, "Abe o maharahi, kisko puchke wo biscuit ki dabbe ko haat lagaye tune"

"chachi woh-" Aarohi was cut off as Pallavi snatched the piece of biscuit from her hand

"Yeh, na mehnat ke paiso sey kharid te hain hum, isliye nahi tera dil chahe aur tune chura liya!"

Tear filled up in Aarohi's eyes, and she kept her head down, then Pallavi said,

"Ab yeh rone dhone ki natak band kar, aur woh purane wale dabbe mein kuch biscuits hain unhe kha"

"Chachi woh to kharab ho gaye hain," Aarohi said, a very low voice

"Ab tu mujhe sikhayegi, kya kharap hua kya nahi? Khana hain to kha nahi to esey reh! Lekin ainda mujhse puche bagair agar tune koyi cheez chuha na matarani ki kasam haat katke rakh dungi!"

Without a word, Aarohi nodded, took a piece of biscuit from the old box, and rushed out of the kitchen. She slipped on her sandals and bolted out of the door, clutching her books and bag. As she hurried down the street, the biscuit became her quick breakfast. She barely caught the bus, finding a seat and taking a deep breath as she headed to college.

Meanwhile, in the luxurious confines of Rajvansh Group of Industries, Vedant Rajvansh sat at his desk, surrounded by neatly arranged files and reports. His hazel eyes scanned through a contract that his PA gave him in the morning, and his expressions are unreadable.

The room was stark and minimalist, much like its owner. Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message. It was from his sister, Vedika.

Vedika: "Bhai, ma isn't well. You should come home soon."

Vedant's brow furrowed in concern. He immediately closed the files, deciding to postpone all his meetings. He grabbed his suit jacket and headed out, instructing his assistant to clear his schedule for the day.

Arriving at KASHISH, the Rajvansh family's palatial home, Vedant felt a wave of nostalgia and apprehension. He took the private lift to the fifth floor, which opened directly into the living area of his parents' floor. Awasthi, his mother, was resting on a chaise lounge, looking pale but composed around her stood all the family members.

"Ved," Awasthi greeted him weakly, a soft smile gracing her lips despite her apparent fatigue. Her voice was frail but carried a note of maternal authority. "Come sit, beta."