Yeh Tune Kya Kiya

**Chapter 6: The Proposal**

**Chapter 6: The Proposal**

The air was thick with anticipation as the warm afternoon sun bathed the Singh haveli in a golden glow. Inside, the family was gathered for their weekly meeting, a long-standing tradition that allowed them to catch up on the affairs of both business and personal matters. But today, something felt different. There was a quiet excitement in the air, an unspoken tension that lingered at the edges of every conversation.

Avni, sitting at the edge of the room, could feel the weight of it as she glanced at her grandfather, Pratap Singh, who sat at the head of the table. His face, though marked with the wisdom of his years, had a certain gleam in his eyes, one that made Avni pause. It was as if he were on the verge of something important, something that would shift the dynamics of the family.

As always, the Singh family was gathered in the grand dining room, surrounded by plush velvet curtains and golden-framed paintings. The soft murmur of voices and the clinking of tea cups created a comfortable hum. But today, the usual sense of warmth and familiarity felt overshadowed by an undeniable sense of expectation.

**Avni** (thinking to herself): 
"Yeh kya ho raha hai? Kya baat hai aaj? Sab thode se tense kyun lag rahe hain?"

Her eyes scanned the room, landing briefly on Arjun, who, as usual, was seated at the opposite end of the table. He was dressed in a sharp suit, his posture as rigid as ever. His gaze was fixed ahead, his expression unreadable. Arjun had been quieter than usual today, almost as though he, too, sensed that something significant was about to unfold.

The door to the room creaked open, and a soft hush fell over the gathering. Pratap Singh, the patriarch of the family, slowly rose from his chair. He was an imposing figure, with a tall frame and a presence that commanded attention. His deep-set eyes, though age-worn, still held a sharpness that made anyone who stood before him think twice.

**Pratap Singh** (in a measured tone): 
"Sab ko thoda dhyaan dena hoga. Aaj hum ek zaroori faisla lene wale hain. Is faisle ka asar humare ghar aur humare business par hoga."

Avni sat up straighter, a sudden knot forming in her stomach. She had never seen her grandfather speak with such gravity. Normally, he was the one who lightened the mood, cracking jokes and keeping things in balance. But today, his voice was calm and serious, and it sent a ripple of unease through the room.

**Pratap Singh** (continuing, with emphasis): 
"Arjun aur Avni ke beech mein jo rishta hai, usse aaj hum ek nayi raah dikhayenge. Main samajhta hoon ki yeh waqt hai, jab hum apni purani dosti ko ek naye mod par le jaayein. Humare doston aur parivar ke beech mein ek nayi dosti ka samarthan zaroori hai."

Avni blinked in confusion. She glanced at her parents, who exchanged uncertain glances, and then at Arjun, whose eyes had now shifted to Pratap Singh. There was a flicker of surprise in Arjun’s gaze, followed by a swift mask of indifference. But it was the weight of her grandfather's words that truly began to settle in Avni’s heart.

**Avni** (whispering to herself): 
"Yeh kya keh rahe hain? Arjun aur mera rishta? Kya yeh sach hai?"

Pratap Singh paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. He could see the confusion on his granddaughter’s face, the uncertainty that gripped her. But he had made his decision. This wasn’t just a personal matter; it was a strategic one, one that would shape the future of their family and their business.

**Pratap Singh** (softly, but with an air of authority): 
"Avni, Arjun ki shaadi ki baat humare parivar mein pehle se chal rahi thi. Ab samay aa gaya hai ki hum ise aage badhaayein. Humari dosti aur business partnership ko ek naye level par le jaane ke liye, yeh rishta zaroori hai. Main Arjun se is faisle ki baat kar chuka hoon."

Avni’s heart raced. She looked over at Arjun, his face unreadable, his lips set in a firm line. He didn’t seem shocked, but there was something almost guarded in his expression. She felt a sudden sense of unease flood her chest.

**Avni** (softly, to herself): 
"Yeh sab itna jaldi? Arjun ji… yeh kya ho raha hai?"

She felt the eyes of her family members on her, each person waiting for her reaction, each person holding their breath. For a moment, everything seemed to stop. It was as though the world outside the room had faded, and all that was left was this single moment.

**Avni** (hesitant, but speaking up): 
"Grandfather… aap kya keh rahe hain? Yeh shaadi? Arjun ji aur meri shaadi?"

Her voice trembled slightly, but she didn’t shy away from the question. She had to understand what was happening, why this decision had been made without her knowledge.

Pratap Singh met her gaze, his eyes softening just slightly. He could see the hesitation in her, the confusion, and the questions that filled her mind. But he knew she was strong, and he had faith in her understanding.

**Pratap Singh** (gently): 
"Avni beta, humne kabhi socha tha ki humari dosti sirf ek formal rishta banake na rahe, par ek aise rishte mein badal jaaye jo humare dono parivar ko ek saath laye. Tum dono ke beech ki jodi ek misaal ban sakti hai, ek misaal jo humare business aur humare rishte ko majbooti de sakti hai."

Avni could barely process his words. She turned her head to Arjun once more, hoping for some sign from him, some acknowledgment. But Arjun didn’t speak. He simply sat there, silent, his expression as stoic as ever.

**Avni** (softly, almost pleading): 
"Arjun ji, aap… aap is faisle ke baare mein kya soch rahe hain?"

Arjun’s eyes met hers for a brief second, and then quickly darted away, focusing once more on the table in front of him. There was no smile, no words of comfort or reassurance. His silence spoke volumes.

**Arjun** (finally, in a calm but firm voice): 
"Avni, humari shaadi koi jaldi ki baat nahi hai. Is faisle ka jo maqsad hai, woh humein samajhna hoga. Mere liye, business ki stability aur humari parivarik dosti zaroori hai."

The words stung, but Avni didn’t let them show. She had expected nothing more from him—he was the man of few words, and even fewer feelings. But it still hurt to hear him speak about their future together so clinically, so detachedly.

**Avni** (whispering, her voice barely audible): 
"Agar yeh sab sirf business ke liye hai, toh kya humari apni feelings ka koi mahatva nahi hai?"

Her words hung in the air, but no one answered her. Pratap Singh, however, seemed to understand the weight of her question. He stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Avni’s shoulder.

**Pratap Singh** (kindly, but with authority): 
"Beta, humari parivarik dosti aur business kaafi gehri hai. Is shaadi se hum dono ko fayda hoga. Tum dono ka saath humare liye ek naya daur hoga, ek aisa daur jo humari zindagi ko aur behtar bana dega. Tum dono ki shaadi sirf ek rishta nahi, ek zimmedari hai."

Avni swallowed hard, trying to hold back the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She had always been the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, but today, she had to be strong. She knew her grandfather’s intentions were good, that he was only looking out for her and the family. But the idea of marrying Arjun, someone who remained so distant, so unapproachable, was difficult to accept.

Arjun, on the other hand, remained quiet, his gaze fixed ahead. He hadn’t said much, and his silence spoke more than any words could. His presence was imposing, and though his emotions were locked away behind his usual calm demeanor, there was something unsettling in the way he refused to acknowledge her.

**Avni** (after a long pause, her voice steady but soft): 
"Main samajhti hoon, dadaji… par yeh rishta sirf business ke liye na ho, main yeh chahti hoon. Hum dono ke beech ka samajh bhi zaroori hai. Isse kuch aise ho na chahiye jo dono ki marzi se ho."

Her words, though gentle, carried a strength that was hard to ignore. Avni was asking for more than just an alliance. She wanted a partnership, a bond that went beyond the business, something rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

Arjun shifted in his seat, finally looking at her. His eyes softened just a fraction. For a moment

Author note - if anybody is reading then vote and comment, so I know to continue or not .