My Ambitious Bride (EDITED VERSION)

5. I'm Not That Guy

Meera woke up early and took some time to clean her room. On the other hand her parents were making necessary arrangements like putting garlands on doors, preparing snacks. Her mother was next level excited and nervous at the same time.

Mrs. Rashi Sharma made sure each and every little corner of the house is clean and arranged in a presentable manner. She wanted them to like her daughter as well as respect her and never see her as an ill-mannered girl.

After some time, everything was set and Mrs. Sharma got a call from Arora's that they would be arriving in one hour. Even though they lived in the same city Mumbai's traffic made it impossible to arrive in less than one hour.

On the other hand Mrs. Arora was getting impatient to meet her future daughter in law. Due to some business reasons, Akshad could not travel with them so he told his father that he will try to arrive as soon as possible.

Hence Mr. Arora, His wife and their elder son Manik took another car and left for Sharma residence. Mr. Vimal Arora saw Meera last time when she had just passed out of school as by that time he used to visit her house frequently to meet her father, hence he was also wondering how that little polite girl turned out after all these years!

AT SHARMA RESIDENCE,

Meera was getting ready to meet her in-laws when her mother presented a beautiful bottle green net sari. Meera without any argument wore it as she knew her mother can never be wrong. Along with the sari she wore a beautiful pendant with flower design and stone earrings, simple kaada (gold bangle) in her hand and tied her hair into a high bun. She was looking pretty and gorgeous once she wore some light mascara, kajal & passionate pink lipstick.

Her mother then asked her to wait in the kitchen and bring tea and snacks when her name is called. Meera hated this ritual but didn't want to argue with her mother as today was the day where the fate of Sharma family will be decided along with Meera's life.

Soon the Arora's arrived and both families greeted each other. Mrs. Sharma praised how good looking Manik was, then asked about Akshad. Mrs. Arora informed that he will arrive later due to some work.

Mr. Raghuvansh Sharma thought this type of behavior is unacceptable as he was taught by his mother about men and women equality. He thought if his daughter is expected to doll up for that man, then it is the responsibility of that man to give preference to his daughter instead of work.

Noticing his foul mood, Mrs. Sharma changed the subject to Manik and where is his bride? On which Mr. Arora informed them that she is from a different city 'Bangalore' hence she could not tag along for now. His fiancé [Sakshi] will visit once everything is confirmed. Everyone nodded their head in yes on this.

Getting impatient, Mrs. Sheetal Arora asked about Meera, Rashi went into the kitchen to bring Meera out, till now Meera was listening to "Taylor swift" album to calm her nerves down.

Soon Meera served everyone tea and put the snacks plate down on the table for everyone to pick snacks. Mr. Arora was watching her every move which was making her nervous. She shyly stood beside her mother, and after a few seconds of awkwardness she said "Namaste '' [Hello]. Finally Arora snapped out of what they were doing... they were noticing her from head to toe analyzing her character which was making her feel weird.

"Hello Meera ji, you are very beautiful. I am Manik the elder son of Arora's" Manik replied first with a smile. Meera smiles back at him and tells him she is happy to meet him.

Soon everyone was chatting about common marriage topics and Meera shared her interests in career and in general. Mrs. Arora told her that the career decision lies in her husband's hands so she has to ask him.

Stupid Meera assumed that Manik is the one who will be her husband as Akshad was not there and since she arrived no one even talked about him. She asked Manik if he would love to see her garden. To which he agreed as he was getting bored of these elderly people talking politics.

After some time both of them realized how similar their likings were, then Meera asked him, "Manik ji, will you allow me to work after marriage?" Shocked by her question Manik replied "Ask this to your soon to be husband when he arrives, I have no say in this 'bhabhi'[sister-in-law]".

Meera got super confused, noticing her expression Manik realized why she asked him such a question. He realized his mistake, he assumed she would know she is going to marry Akshad. He told her what he understood. Meera also realized due to being nervous she forgot that her mother told her name of her husband to be "Akshad".

She started laughing at her mistake then suddenly got nervous thinking about Akshad. Manik, realizing her mood swing, tried to comfort her, he told her basics about how good natured his brother is and is always taking care of the ones he loves.

Manik also confessed how due to his love for Sakshi, Akshad agreed to marry in his place. Hearing this Meera's anxiety reduced and once again she started smiling and they started talking about their lifestyles and what adjustments she will have to make if this arrangement is finalized.

Meera felt happy that already she found herself a good friend in that stranger's family. Just then *Tring Tring* was heard, Manik received the call and after some time of talking his face turned angry and he cut the call snapping at another person.

Angry Manik stood up from the garden chair and went inside, Meera followed him like a puppy not knowing what happened.

"Father, I got call from Akshad he cannot come here. He is on his flight to Canada"

Everyone including Meera's father started asking questions to Manik to which he responded, "He went last week there for some building project, and the in-charge there wants to meet him again due to some flaws"

Mr Arora made an apology on their son's behalf to Sharma's, on which Mrs. Sharma told it's okay we are happy that you liked our daughter we are ready to marry her to Akshad.

Meera gave her mother a look telling 'let me at least meet him first', but Rashi ignored her and gave her husband a look which meant 'stop getting angry and say yes'.

Mr Sharma knew the situation was delicate so he said to Mr. Arora

"I will ask pandit ji to fix the engagement date if you agree with Vimal!"

On this everyone agreed and called pandit ji to fix a date, which was after one month. Hearing this, tears started to flow from Meera's eyes and she went running to her room.

"She is being shy," her mother told Akshad's family on which they agreed.

Manik sensed something was off but kept quiet.

After some more time of congratulations, Arora went to their home.

Rashi went to make her daughter understand the seriousness of the situation but she found her door locked.

'I will give her some time to think and talk to her tomorrow' Rashi told her husband who nodded his head and went to take a walk.

Meera cried herself to sleep that night as she was going to be stuck forever with a stranger. He didn't have the decency to meet her once. What kind of man is he? 

HELLO READERS, 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter in next chapters there will be a surprise meet of Akshad and Meera and also you will hear what excuse he has not to meet Meera today.

Also tell what do you think about Manik? I am already in love with him[*kissy emoji*]

XOXO, SEYU