Mohabbatein only love

Part 31

Author POV:

"Look, Annaya has arrived," Akshara announced, and everyone turned towards the door to see her entering, smiles spreading across their faces.

"Sorry, sorry, I just got delayed at the boutique," Annaya explained. "Araa, it's okay, Bacha," Esha's mother reassured her, and Annaya approached them, embracing them both warmly. "I really missed you both," Annaya confessed as they ended the hug. "We missed you too, bacha," Esha's mother responded, kissing her forehead affectionately. "Aunty, you've become even more beautiful and slim," Annaya complimented, playfully pinching her cheeks. "Araa, you're just flattering me. Look, I've gained weight," Esha's mother replied, looking downcast. "Araa, no, Aunty. Look at your slim waist. I bet Uncle is falling for you even more," Annaya teased, nudging Esha's mother playfully. "Haat, it's not like that," she protested, gently hitting Annaya's shoulder as everyone laughed. 

"It seems like someone has forgotten me," Esha's father interjected, arms crossed. "Araa, my handsome," Annaya greeted, hugging Esha's father from the side. "Uncle, you seem to be getting younger by the day. What's the secret?" she inquired. "Yes, I don't age, especially when I have such a beautiful wife. How can I possibly grow old?" Esha's father boasted with a mischievous grin, winking at Esha's mother, whose eyes widened in surprise. "You too," she said with a shy smile. "Hayee, my aunty," Annaya exclaimed, pulling her into a side hug as everyone watched them with smiles.

"Alright, let's go for dinner, now" Akshara said, and everyone nodded. They headed towards the table and settled down. Ananya went to freshen up and returned after ten minutes, dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans.

 "Ananya, come and sit here, bacha," Esha's father said. She smiled and sat beside him. They all started having dinner amidst laughter and conversation. Then, Ananya gestured to Gautam and Manish, who understood and nodded. "So, what are your thoughts on Esha's marriage?" Gautam asked, taking a bite of his food. "Ah, in all this commotion, I forgot to mention that a friend of mine has asked for Esha's hand, and his son is now in India. So, tomorrow Esha and he will meet at dinner to talk," Esha's father replied. "But why go searching far and wide when there are good boys right here?" Manish interjected. "Bhai Sahab, I've looked around here before considering this proposal. If you have someone in mind, let us know; we'll consider them too," Esha's father said. "Yes," Esha's mother added, nodding in agreement.

"We have a boy in mind who is very good, both inside and out, especially the way he respects everyone; it touched my heart," Akshara said. "And we know he will keep Esha very happy," Surekha added. "He is very good with everyone," Nisha mentioned. "And he also earns well," Naksh contributed. "Moreover, he is handsome," Rohit pointed out. "And above all, he is a good human being," Shraddha declared. "It seems you all know him very well," Esha's father said. "With the way you all are praising him, it seems like the boy is indeed good. So then, tell us, we will definitely meet him," Esha's mother added. Suddenly, everyone went silent. "What happened? You all were speaking, and now you're totally silent," Esha's father asked. "Tell us, who is the boy?" Esha's mother urged. Ananya glanced towards Esha, who was getting nervous. Ananya blinked, and she also nodded. Ananya passed her phone to Esha's parents, which displayed Varun's photo. With a confused expression, Esha's father took the phone, and they both looked at it, their confusion turning into a speechless expression, while Esha started biting her nails in nervousness.

"Uncle, before you say or do anything, just listen to me once," Ananya said, taking Esha's father's hand in hers. "Okay, bacha, I will listen to you, as you are like my daughter, and I can't say no to you," Esha's father replied, and everyone sighed in relief. "Uncle, Varun is a very good person, and he has never treated Esha badly. I have known him for so long that I can guarantee you he will keep Esha happy," Ananya assured. "And moreover, he loves her a lot, and in today's world, true love is not easy to find," Shraddha added. "Uncle, just for once, put aside your fight and everything else, and just think about Esha's happiness," Pooja suggested, and everyone nodded in agreement.