Threads of Fate: Weaving Destiny

4. Surprises

Author's POV:

At the Sharma household, the atmosphere during dinner was warm and lively, the usual chatter filling the room. As everyone settled in, Nandani suddenly made an unexpected announcement that caught the attention of the entire family. "Kushal has chosen a girl for marriage," she declared, her voice filled with excitement. "The process will proceed further."

Dhriti, who had been quietly enjoying her meal, was taken aback. Just a few days ago, she knew for a fact that her cousin Kushal hadn't even bothered to review the emails from their family regarding potential matches. He had been stalling, making excuses to delay the process. But now, to hear that he had not only reviewed the profiles but had also selected someone, it was hard for her to believe.

Confusion and curiosity swirled in her mind. She caught Kushal's eye across the table and subtly signed to him, "What's going on?"

Kushal caught her eye and responded with a small, reassuring gesture, indicating that he would explain everything later.

Meanwhile, the rest of the family, unaware of the silent exchange between the cousins, erupted in joy. The news filled the room with laughter and excitement, as everyone began discussing the next steps and potential wedding plans. Dinner, which had already been a lively affair, now turned into a celebration, with everyone expressing their happiness and showering Kushal with well-wishes.

After the meal, as the family dispersed into their evening routines, Dhriti and Kushal found a quiet corner to talk. Sensing her curiosity, Kushal sighed and began to explain, "Laado, mujhe Maa se jhoot bolna achcha nahi lag raha tha. Har baar, mai unka dil todta rehta hu. So, I finally decided to take a look at the emails." (Laado, I didn't feel good about lying to Mom. Every time, I was hurting her feelings. So, I finally decided to review the emails.)

He paused, reflecting on the decision he had made. "I genuinely liked one girl's picture and bio. So much so that I thought there was no harm in moving forward."

Dhriti listened intently, her initial surprise giving way to understanding. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, and she knew how much it meant to him to make his mother happy. With a soft smile, she reached out and patted his shoulder, "I understand, Bhai. I know, if you've made a decision, you've thought it through. I'm also sure you won't disappoint us or your future partner. Congratulations! I'm really happy for you, and I hope everything works out for the best," she added, her voice full of genuine happiness.

Kushal smiled back, visibly relieved. He was grateful that Dhriti understood his decision and didn't think he had made it merely to please his mother. The reassurance in her words eased his concerns. They shared a brief, companionable silence, allowing the weight of the conversation to settle into a comfortable acceptance. What had begun as a discussion filled with unexpected revelations concluded on a note of quiet contentment. The evening, which had started with surprising news, ended with a sense of peace and mutual understanding, as the two cousins embraced their shared moment of connection.

•••

The next day unfolded in a whirlwind of routine activities, each moment filled with the usual tasks and responsibilities. As the evening approached, Arnav decided to give Paarthiv a call to catch up on each other's whereabouts and update him on his own plans. After discussing a few details, Arnav inquired, "Anna, have you already informed everyone that I'm coming tomorrow?"

Paarthiv responded thoughtfully, "Illaaa... (No...), what if, at the last moment, you can't come? They'd be really disappointed."

Arnav let out a sigh of relief, "Good thing you didn't tell anyone. Na yellaryum suprise panunom. (I want to surprise everyone.)"