Destined to be Arranged

34. A Night of Laughter, Bonding, and the Weight of the Unknown ✨

Author's Note – Hello Butterflies🦋,

I'm excited to share the latest chapter with you! I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback💞.

Enjoy the read, and thank you for your support! ✨💖

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Rajveer's POV

We were on our way to drop Tara off at her place. It was almost 10 P.M. when we arrived. "Tara, can I ask you something?" I asked.

"You don't need to be formal," she replied with that warm, inviting smile of hers.

"I want to take you out on one date, before the wedding rituals begin," I said, glancing at her as we approached the main door.

"Well, I'd love that, but you'll need permission from my family first," she said.

"Family?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, only if they agree, I will come with you," she said. I couldn't help but feel like she was teasing me, but her eyes were serious.

"Oh... okay," I said, as we reached the entrance.

I greeted everyone and touched their feet. The whole family was gathered in the main hall, waiting for us.

"I'd like to ask for something," I said, drawing everyone's attention as we all settled down.

"Yes, Beta, please ask," Meera Maa Sa said with her sweet voice. Now I knew where Tara got her warmth from.

I looked toward Baba Sa and said, "Baba Sa, I'd like to take Tara out for a dat.. dinner," I said, correcting myself at the last moment.

"So? And Why?" Baba Sa asked in a stern voice. The tone made me gulp a little. He could be intimidating at times.

"I wanted to ask for your permission, and it is going to be a hangout before all rituals start" I said a bit hesitantly.

"Not me, ask her Dada Sa," he said, still speaking in his crisp voice.

"Umm... Dada Sa, may I?" I asked, but Dada Sa was giving me weird and disapproving looks.

"Kyu Pareshaan kar rahe ho bacche ko?" Dadi Sa scolded Dada Sa, Baba Sa, and Tara all at once. (Why are you harassing the poor boy?)

Tara giggled, hi-fiving Lakshay and Baba Sa. Oh my God, this woman is going to be the death of me one day.

"Sorry, Bacche," Baba Sa said, still laughing at my expense.

"You can take her, Son. She'll soon be yours," Dada Sa said, affectionately patting my head.

"And I'm not scary, so don't be afraid of me. I'm just like your father, unless you do something wrong to my daughter," Baba Sa added, smiling softly and pulling me into a hug.

I just nodded sheepishly and shot a mischievous look at Tara. As Lakshay and I were about to leave, Maa Sa said, "Why don't you both stay here tonight? It's getting late."

"No, no, it's okay. We'll leave," I said, and Lakshay nodded in agreement.

"Nahi, Bete, it's very late, and the road passes through a forest. It's not safe, now that winter's here," Dada Sa said, and everyone agreed.

"I'll call Digvijay Bhai Sahab and let him know," Baba Sa said.

We agreed, and Tara led us to the guest rooms. We first dropped Lakshay off at his room, then headed to mine.

"You know, soon I won't have to stay in the guest room," I said, winking at her.

"Haan, you're not coming to stay here, I'm coming to stay there," Tara said, clearly missing my point.