Arranged

15.

The sun filtered gently through the half-closed curtains of Ishita's room. She sat on the edge of her bed, still in her night suit, holding a warm cup of chai that had already gone cold. Her eyes were distant, fixed at nothing in particular. Aryan's words echoed in her mind like a soft hum—"I want to marry you, Ishita... only if you're ready."

She sighed, placing the cup on the windowsill. Her heart felt heavy—not because she was unhappy, but because she was unsure. Aryan hadn't forced anything, but his words were sincere, honest, and terrifyingly clear. Why didn’t I feel scared when he said that? she thought. Why do I keep playing that moment in my head again and again?

---

Later that morning, Ishita found Ayush in the kitchen, stirring sugar into his coffee with a lazy rhythm. She quietly entered and sat at the dining table.

"Tu theek hai na?" he asked without looking up.

"Haan... bas soch rahi thi," she replied, avoiding eye contact.

He sat down across from her. "Aryan ne tujhe kuch bola kya?"

She looked at him, startled. "Apko kaise pata?"

Ayush chuckled, "Bacchi nahi hai tu. Main usse jaanta hoon. Uske chehre pe likha tha."

She hesitated for a moment. "Bhai... mujhe samajh nahi aa raha. Sab log keh rahe hain Aryan accha hai. Main bhi maanti hoon... but..."

"But you're scared," he finished for her.

She nodded.

"Ishu, tu kisi se shaadi tabhi karna jab tu chahti ho. Na ki kisi ke kehne pe. Even if it's me. Lekin... Aryan mera boht acha dost hai. Mujhe pata hai wo tujhe kabhi hurt nahi karega."

His voice softened. "Par decision tera hai. And whatever it is, I got your back."

She gave him a faint smile, feeling a small burden lift off her chest.

---

After lunch, her mother called her into the living room. Mr. Mehta was reading the newspaper, glasses perched on his nose.

"Beta, baitho zara," Mrs. Mehta said gently.

Ishita sat beside her, clutching the edge of her kurti.

"Kal ka din kaafi sudden tha. Tumhare chehre pe nervousness bhi thi, thoda confusion bhi," her mother began.

"Haan Ma... main confuse hoon," she admitted honestly.

Her father looked up. "Aur hona bhi chahiye. Shaadi badi baat hai. Hum sirf yeh chahte hain ki tu khush ho."

"Aryan accha ladka hai, humein pata hai. Lekin agar tera mann mana kare, toh humein pehle batana," her mother added, gently holding her hand.

Ishita took a deep breath. "Main mana nahi kar rahi... bas thoda waqt chahiye tha. Par ab lagta hai... main haan kehna chahti hoon."

Her parents exchanged a glance—relief mixed with pride. Her father smiled, "Phir toh tay hai. Teri khushi mein hi humari khushi hai."

---

That evening, Ishita FaceTimed Meera from her room.

"YOU HAD ONE JOB, ISHU! Ek chhoti si video call bhi nahi ki?" Meera almost shouted, her voice filled with mock anger.

"Tu thi nahi... main kaise karti?"

Meera crossed her arms dramatically. "Tell me everything. What did Aryan say? Did he give a full filmy speech?"

Ishita laughed, for the first time that day. "He said he wants to marry me. Only if I’m ready."

Meera blinked. "Oof. Smooth."

Then her tone softened. "And you?"

"I said yes. Today... to myself, and then to Mom and Dad."

Meera squealed, "Ahhh! Our Ishu is going to be someone’s bride!"

Then she added softly, "You know... I’m relieved that you took your time. For deciding only when you were sure."

"Thanks, Meeru," Ishita said, with a soft smile.

"Waise," Meera asked meekly, "Ayush ka kya reaction tha."

Ishita smirked, "Kyu batao."

"Khud toh set ho Rahi hai.....or mere sath harami dhande karne hai" Meera said annoyingly .

---

Aryan sat in his room, tossing a stress ball in the air. His phone lay untouched, although he’d checked it at least thirty times in the last hour.
He skipped office today... which was very rare....his overthinking took best of him.

Did I say too much? Maybe I scared her off.

Ayush had told him to wait. That she needed time.

But every second feels like a day, he thought.

He stood by the window, hands in his pockets. He remembered yesterday's scene where she was peeking through the corner of her window.

" main pagal ho Raha hu ab" he muttered to himself.

Just then, his heard a knock on his door.

There his mother stand with a wide smile.

"Bhai sahab ka phone aaya tha tere papa ko...they are ready for this alliance".

A blush spread on his cheeks...He looked at her mother and said.
"Achaa".

"Haaye mera beta blush kar Raha hai", his nother teases him.

"Mum yaarrr.....Ap jo baaki sab ko batao....I've some work", he pushed her out of his room.

---

To be continued...

Chapter is small but...I showed up🥹🤧.

I'll try to  be regular more now.

Btw how was the chapter?