Reawakening

Part 22 - Persuasion

Lucknow being a small town, the ride wasn't too long, and when they came home, both stood rooted to the door when they heard Buaji consoling Payal "Payaliya, don't you worry, I will sort out every thing for you.."

Buaji continued "So what if they have all the money and status? We will not give our daughter if she cannot be happy there. Hai re Nandkishore. I don't know why they are behind my girls, first my parameshwari was tortured, now..."

Knowing what might follow if Buaji is left to continue, Khushi was about to knock the door, when Arnav held her hand to stop. He gave her a pleaded look and very quietly whispered "please". And they listened to the conversation..

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Payal: "Buaji what are you talking about now? What happened?" (Though she could not see, Khushi could sense her sisters confusion)

Buaji: "We have got a rishta (alliance) for you. And you will not believe it, it is from the big Raizada"

Payal: "But Buaji, How is it possible Arnav ji ...." (While Arnav stood with eyes wide open, he saw Khushi nodding her head negatively...)

Payal was was cut off by Garima

Garima: "Devyani, Anjali and Manorama came today to ask for your hands for Akash."

Buaji: "It was a good thing you were not home, we got away telling them we will speak to you and get back. Otherwise it is hard to straight away refuse on their face.. Hey Nand kishore, please show us how to deal with this situation.."

Garima: "Bitiya, Our world and their world is completely different. You may have all the riches there, but we don't want to put you in a golden cage. I will not like it if you are taunted for your money and status for the rest of your lives. You may find it hard to get adjusted to their standards. They are rich people. We have to carefully think and answer them. We did the right thing isn't it? " concerned she asked Payal.

Buaji: "Array, why do you ask her? How will she know? Payal, we may not be rich, but I will look for a family where you will be happy. See if those boys had come this would not have happened. We could have got both of you married into the same household. Bitiya I don't have anything against the Raizada's or Akash, they are very good people. But you know how that Manorama is? She weighs the value of everything with her eyes. We cannot push you into fire, can we? Nothing to say about Deviyani and Anjali, but having a mother in law like that, our daughter will not be happy. I still cannot forget all the insults Khushi had to go through. Remember the police,.."

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With the conversation inside getting too hot and equally embarrassing for Khushi with Arnav stood next to her, she knocked the door with all her courage, to stop their conversation. She looked hesitatingly at Arnav with a sorry face, But hey, what could she do? This is her family and she will stand by it..

Arnav stood there stupefied. He could not believe what he was hearing. "Was this even real? Were they trying to look for reasons to defer this marriage when far away there was Akash who had silently suffered to get his mom to agree"

But Arnav had other thoughts running in his head already. He remembered his Nani's words to get this marriage settled without any hurdles.. This was new territory to him. He could strike business deals very easily by just throwing money, but he had to give his thoughts a slight twist now.

Seeing Arnav and Khushi, the rest of the family gave reluctant smiles. Having mixed feelings, Payal was not sure how to react. She was happy with the recent developments, yet worried with what Buaji just mentioned. Asking Arnav to be seated, she took Khushi in to give a brief of the recent developments. Payal explained what Buaji mentioned but was soon followed by Buaji and Garima.