When Our Stars Aligned.

Prologue

Why is it that when you're already late, everything conspires to make you even later? I swear I was on time until I left my house. Then my neighbours, a couple on my floor stopped me to say goodbye because they were moving. After that, someone had parked their car towards the exit of the parking lot which made it impossible for me to remove mine. By the time the owner showed up, I was already twenty minutes late. And now, this traffic! I love Mumbai, but two things I desperately despise about it are the traffic and the unpredictable weather.

As I park my car in my parents' mansion, I can already imagine my dad's disappointed face. Despite functioning at jet speed, I'm still almost an hour late from when I was supposed to arrive.

I rush inside the house and head towards the dining room, where I see that dinner is already served. My whole family, along with my sister's boyfriend's family, is here because the purpose of this dinner is to fix their wedding date.

Just as I enter, all eyes turn to me. I can see the disappointment on my father's face. My eyes scan the room; all the adults are looking at me with curiosity, while my siblings, cousins, my sister's boyfriend Ayush Bhai, and his brother Agastya are giving me shit-eating grins. Ignoring them, I move inside.

"I am so sorry, I got stuck in traffic," I apologise. Everyone nods in understanding, except for my father, who looks me in the eye and says, "You should leave earlier if you know there's going to be traffic", sarcasm dripping in his tone. I don't reply to him and instead greet my sister's future in-laws first. Then, I wrap my arms around my mother from behind her chair. I greet my Chachu and Chachi and take my seat next to my brother.

Everyone proceeds with dinner, and the discussion about my sister's wedding continues. By the end of dinner, the wedding date is set for the end of this month, with functions and ceremonies starting in two weeks.

After Ayush Bhai's family leaves, everyone heads to their rooms. I'm spending the night here, so I start going upstairs. I’ve only climbed four steps when I hear my father's voice, "Ishani." I halt and look over my shoulder. Meeting his eyes, he commands, "In my study."

I descend the steps and raise my eyebrows in question. My mother shrugs, mouthing, "I don't know." Nodding, I head towards his study.

As I walk down the hallway, I can't help but think, "Great,now I'm going to get a lecture on 'How to Be Punctual,' 'The Importance of Traffic Apps,' and 'Why You Shouldn't Disappoint Your Father.' Smirking at the thought, I take a deep breath and knock on the study door, ready for whatever lecture is about to come my way.

As I step in I see him sitting on his chair, he is on a call, he motions me to sit in front of him. This feels weird every time I am here for a lecture he had never asked me to sit. 

He ends the call and proceeds to take his seat, both hands coming to rest on his desk in front of him, his fingers intertwining. He just looks at me for a second without saying anything which makes me more nervous and questioning myself, What have I possibly done now?

“Are you dating someone?” 

What? Why is he suddenly asking this? 

My shock must have been evident on my face, his eyes softens as he patiently waits for my answer.

“ No”.

“Is there someone you like with whom you want to get married?”

I am internally screaming, Where is this conversation heading to?

I shake my head in reply, he hums in response. 

“Mr and Mrs. Poddar has sent a proposal for you.” 

What?Why?and How can this man deliver such news with a straight face? 

“I am not accepting it”. I say with a confident voice.

He chuckles at my response before continuing, “I already know that”. 

Then why am I summoned here? I want to ask him but I sit there quietly waiting for him to continue. Then he opens his mouth again and drops the bomb, “I am giving you next six months to find someone to marry, whom I approve of, if you are not able to then you will give Rajat Poddar a fair chance and if not him, then to someone I introduce you to.”

"What why Di is getting married at 28, why do you want to get married at 25?, I question him.
"I am not asking you to get married tomorrow", I frown at his words.

Seeing my confusion he continues,  "Marriage is a big commitment, you should know the person you are getting married to. It takes time to completely know someone, that's why I am asking you to court someone with a prospect of marriage in your mind."

I don't know what to say or do. I am still sitting there and looking at him when he speaks again, “Good Night”. Yeah sure good night after introducing me to my worst nightmare, “Marriage”.

“Good Night”, I curtly respond and leave from there.

I am screwed. Terribly Screwed.