Abhirohi ff: Roohdaariyan | ✔️

Chapter 29: Alliance

The sky thundered in the night sky, rain hit the windowpane. Even the sky was emulating my fear. Badi Maa would tell Bade Papa about our relationship. A week had passed since Bhai and Bhabhi got married. I didn't even realize how fast the time passed.

I was lying on the bed, listening to the rain. The pitter-patter synchronized with my heartbeat. Sleep had fallen down on the floor. And Abhimanyu Birla wasn't even replying to my message.

Ugh.

He's at work, my conscience chided.

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My heart beat out of my rib cage as I walked down the stairs and into the living hall.

Bade Papa had a frown on his face. He was pacing back and forth.

"Manish ji, please calm down," Badi Maa said, looking worried.

"How can I calm down? Aarohi wants to marry Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu. Out of all the people in the world. And wasn't she the one who rejected him? Then why now? Pehle Akshara, phir Kairav, and now Aarohi. Hum bado ki value nahi hai iss ghar mein."

(First, Akshara, then Kairav, and now Aarohi. Elders don't have any value in this house.)

"Aisa mat kaho, Bade Papa. We value you. And hum apna jeevan saathi nahi chun sakte? Haan, maine Abhimanyu ko reject kiya tha. But that was because we didn't know each other. Now we do, and we genuinely love each other."

(Please don't say that. We value you. And can't we choose our life partner? Yes, I rejected Abhimanyu.)

"Mujhe Abhimanyu se koi problem nahi hai, uski family se hai." Bade Papa beckoned me to come sit on the sofa beside him, where he had just sat.

(I don't have any problem with Abhimanyu, it's with his family.)

I sat beside him. He cupped my face and said, "Beta, tumne dekha tha na, unka behaviour. Taane dena nahi chhoda."

(Dear, you saw their behaviour, no? They didn't leave a chance to taunt us.)

He was right.

"Hum sab ne Kairav ki khushi ke liye bardasht kar liya. But if you marry Abhimanyu, you would be interacting with that toxic family all the time. And I don't want that for you."

(We tolerated their behaviour for Kairav's happiness.)

"But we won't be interacting with them on a regular basis. And won't we be doing it now since Bhai and Bhabhi are married?"

"You are right. Mujhe kuch din do. Then I'll decide. And remember, beta, we love you so much. All of you."

(Give me a few days.)

I hummed.

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It was 3 p.m. when Badi Maa called me downstairs. As soon as I entered the living room, I was greeted by the Birlas, except for the youngsters.

I looked at Badi Maa for answers.

"They are here for your and Abhimanyu's rishta," Badi Maa said. After a long pause, her eyes glinted with mischief. "And we are okay with your relationship. You guys can get married when you want to."

"Really?" I was so happy. "And does Abhimanyu know?"

"No, beta ji. You surprise him."

I hugged Badi Maa and Bade Papa, and then went to touch the elders' feet. That's when Kairav Bhai and Bhabhi entered the house.

They looked surprised.

Bhabhi went to her mother and kissed her on the cheek.

Mahima aunty squeaked, pushing Bhabhi away. "Sharam karo. Sasural hai tumhara."

(Have some shame. This is your husband's house.)

Bhabhi didn't care and kissed her again, which made us giggle.

"This is her house as much as Kairav's. Aap tension mat lo. It's chill here," Bade Papa said with swag.

(Don't worry about it.)

You never noticed the swag before, my subconscious mocked.

Shut up.

"Waise, what are you guys talking about?" Bhai asked.

"Aarohi and Abhimanyu's rishta. I'm sure you both know," Manjari aunty answered.

Bhai touched the back of his head and chuckled. "Sort of."

"Mujhe pata tha," Bade Papa said.

I was fiddling with my phone, excitement bubbling in me, wanting to tell Abhimanyu everything. He'll be as excited as I am. I shouldn't call him now. He must be sleeping.

Along with sharing the news with him, I want to ask him about marriage. We did talk about it. But when will we get married? Are we ready?

So many thoughts clouded my mind.

I continued chatting with the guests and having tea.

At night, I called Abhimanyu and told him the news.

"That's great."

"Maan," I said.

"Yes, Rooh."

"When are we getting married? I mean, you haven't proposed yet."

"Aren't our parents talking enough? Or do we need a ring? If you want, I can get one soon."

"It's not like that."

"Rooh. I'm old school in that way. Our parents talking about our rishta is enough. I don't feel like proposing in the typical way matters."

"Oh, Maan. It's not like that. It's just that we have talked about marriage but haven't decided on the date or when we want to get married. I was asking because I was confused."

"Are you ready to marry me? Because I am."

Was I? Are we ever sure about our decisions? I asked myself deep within. Do you want to live with Abhimanyu?

My heart replied with a "yes" immediately. Without a second thought.

"Yes, Maan. I do."

"Great. I'll talk to our parents. And then we can decide on the date."

"Yep."

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The pandit ji had come over to decide the date of our wedding. Both the families had come over to our house to finalize the wedding.

Vatsal and Vansh Bhai were mad at me for hiding the fact that I was in a relationship.

But both of them forgave me when I told them I'd help them convince Gayu bhua to fix their alliance with their respective girlfriends. Unlike me, they had told me right away when they started their respective relationships.

I feel like a horrible sister.

"Agle mahine ki nau tareekh shubh hai, Abhimanyu putra aur Aarohi putri ke liye," Pandit ji announced.

(Next month's ninth day is good for Abhimanyu and Aarohi's wedding.)

The alliance was fixed, and Abhimanyu and I were fed sweets by everyone. I glanced at Abhimanyu, mumbling, "I love you."

He, too, mumbled, "I love you," while he kissed my hand.

A/N:

I'm not sure what I wrote. Not proud of it. I might delete it later.

The last chapter and an epilogue is left. Then this story will end.