APARTMENT HALLWAY
Sanchi's parents, Swati and Saurabh, stand at the door, smiling warmly after Atharv touched their feet. Their faces glow with recognition.
SWATI
Bless you, Atharv beta. You've grown up just like your father-same eyes.
ATHARV
M..my father? Did you meet him somewhere?
SAURABH
We knew your parents. We were college friends, best ones, actually.
SWATI
We kept in touch for years-until they moved, and we lost contact.
SAURABH
We even tried finding them... but they vanished on us.
SWATI
And then... a month and a half ago, your older brother came to our house.
Atharv and Sanchi both blink.
SANCHI
Avyansh bhaiya... came to our house?
SAURABH
Oh yes. He introduced himself, sat with us for chai, and very politely... asked for your hand in marriage.
SANCHI
(disbelief)
What?!
ATHARV
(stunned)
He came to you people?
SWATI
(nods)
We thought it was a little sudden, but after watching how you two looked at each other today... we just assumed you were already in love.
SANCHI
(she was remembering how she blamed him for the marriage proposal thing and then she heard her mother so after a beat she steps forward, hands raised.)
Wait, wait-no, that's not true! We're not in-!
ATHARV
(interrupting gently, but with a calm smile)
Uncle, Aunty... we're really sorry for not telling you earlier.
A beat of silence.
SANCHI
(turns to him, horrified)
SWATI
(grinning, to Saurabh)
Classic Sanchi. Always the one to keep secrets. Probably told him, "No drama in front of Mumma - Papa!"
SAURABH
(laughing)
Or "Let's tell them after six months and ten confirmations."
SANCHI
(utterly flustered)
Maa! Papa!
SWATI
(ignoring her protests)
Look at her blush. She always used to do that when caught. You could have told us after your proposal meeting.
SAURABH
Remember when she broke that vase and blamed the wind?
SWATI
Same look now. Guilty, but glowing.
Atharv bites back a grin while Sanchi stands in the middle of the storm, helpless.
SANCHI
You both are impossible. And you!
(pointing at Atharv)
ATHARV
(smiling innocently)
I was just... seizing the moment.
SAURABH
(supportively)
Smart boy. That's how your father was too.
SWATI
And you've made our job easier. We thought she was not going to marry at all but now we are at ease.
Sanchi groans, pressing her palms to her temples.
SANCHI
This is not how this was supposed to go.
ATHARV
(leaning in only for her to hear, playful)
I think it went beautifully.
Sanchi shoots him a death glare, but her lips twitch at the edges-she can't help it.
SWATI
Come on now, enough of this hallway drama. Let's all go inside before the neighbors think we're shooting a serial here.
YOU ARE READING
Waited For You
General FictionSanchi and Atharv met in Banaras when they were 17, sharing a memorable month with each other and enjoying the places of Banaras. He was there to calm himself, to receive peace and forgiveness from the almighty for the actions and gestures he unknow...
