LOVERS FOREVER

Chapter 26 - The Unexpected Outburst

With just a few days left for the engagement, the Malhotra house was buzzing with preparations. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Raj arrived, his face lit up with a warm smile. As he and Ahaan caught up, Raj casually said, "Thank you so much, bhaiyya."

Ahaan, taken aback by the sudden gratitude, asked, "Thanks kyun? Kisliye?"

Raj chuckled and revealed something that surprised Ahaan. "Wo actually..  bhaiyya.. I have never told this to anyone.. mom ko bhi nahi.. aap pehle insaan ho jinse mai ye share kar raha hu.. infact karna chahta hu.. mai Sonu ko pasand karta tha... since a very long time. Par kabhi himmat hi nahi hui... use approach karne ki ya confess karni ki. And then I got to know about Rohan, toh I let it be. Aur jab mom ne rishte ki baat ki tab bhi I didn't know ki it was for Sonu. Mujhe laga ki I should move on toh maine haa kar di. Rishte ki baat karne jab yaha aaya tab pata chala ki ladki koi aur nahi balki Sonu hai... so thank you."

Ahaan was speechless for a moment. "Kamaal hai," he chuckled, "2 din mein engagement hai aur ye baat tum ab bataa rahe ho? "

Raj just smiled, "Nothing like that wo mai..."

"Koi nahi, I understand," Ahaan replied, "aur thank you toh mujhe bolna chahiye.. for trusting me enough to share this with me.. and I know ki tum Sonu ka boht achhe se khayaal rakhoge."

Raj nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, of course."

Ahaan patted Raj's back and smiled, "Chalo tum aa hi gaye ho ye sab ek baar dekh lo kuch apne hisaab se change karaana hai toh karaa lo. Mujhe thoda kaam hai toh office jaa raha hu. Tum dekh lena."

Unbeknownst to them, Sonu had overheard their entire conversation. The realization that her engagement was actually happening hit her like a ton of bricks. Without a second thought, she stormed into Ahaan's room, her eyes filled with anger and disbelief.

"Toh aapne sab decide kar liya... huh? Meri engagement bhi fix kar di... wo bhi mujhese puche binaa? Wow..."

Ahaan, taken aback by her outburst, tried to remain calm. "Maine jo bhi kiya... tere liye kiya... aur wahi sahi tha Sonu." He picked up his shirt and started getting ready to leave for the office.

"Aur mai keh rahi hu ki mere liye Rohan ke alaawa koi aur sahi nahi ho sakta... achhe se jaanti bhi use and I love him" Sonu retorted, her voice rising.

Ahaan was beginning to lose his patience but he tried to remain composed. "chillao mat.. aur zyaada bakwas mat kar" he said sternly. "2 din baad engagement hai teri... Raj ke saath... So accept it aur use Rohan ko bhul jaa. Abhi mere paas tera drama ke liye time nahi hai... office jaana hai mujhe... Toh jitni jaldi tu meri baat samjhegi utna achha hai tere liye." With that, he walked into the closet to get changed.

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The evening had settled over the Malhotra household, but the tension was far from over. Sonu, adamant about marrying Rohan, was once again at the center of a heated argument.

"Aap sab ko bas meri shaadi ki padi hai na... toh ready hu Rohan se shaadi karne... problem kya hai aap sabki..?" Sonu's voice was filled with defiance.

"Chhaddo na us Rohan ko!" Daadi's high-pitched voice echoed through the hall. She had been quiet until now but Sonu's repeated insistence on marrying Rohan had finally pushed her over the edge. "Tujhe ek hi baat kitni baar bolna padega ab...?"

Ahaan, who had just entered, immediately sensed the brewing storm. "Ye sab kya ho raha hai...?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

Daadi turned towards Ahaan, her finger pointing at Sonu. "Puch... puch isi se ki kya ho raha hai...?"