Destiny

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Siddarth stopped the car in front of his driveway. They were last to arrive from looks of things. This was making Gauri fidget nervously. He placed his hand on hers. “Hey sweetheart, don’t be nervous, everyone inside that house is familiar to you. If it gets to be too much, just picture our time together in Orlando, most especially that last night.” He grinned when she flushed at his reminder.

He ran his finger over her pink cheek. “There that brought back some color on your face.” He gave her hand one last reassuring squeeze before getting out of the car. He walked around to her side to open the door and offer her his hand. She smiled and placed her hand in his. He did not let go of her hand even as they walked into the house.

Gauri tightened her hand around Siddarth’s when everyone turned to greet them. She relaxed when she felt him run his thumb over her hand soothingly. Sanya jumped up to break the sudden tension in the room and ran to Gauri and Siddarth to hug them. “Finally you are here. I have been waiting for you two forever. Did you guys miss us?” The whole family laughed at Sanya’s excitement.

Gauri hugged her back with one arm because Siddarth refuse to relinquish his hold on her hand. Everyone noticed this but no one dared to say anything. Gauri finally turned to him and mouthed him to let go, he frowned so she gestured towards the family and he finally loosened his hold on her. Gauri went to her brother and hugged him and then to her aunt, who pulled Gauri down to sit next to her.

Sheetal looked at her niece and sighed, she knew that Gauri has not yet accepted Siddarth’s proposal. She looked scared to death, “Why are you so nervous baby? Don’t hesitate, reach out and grab your happiness and forget everything else.” The words were spoken softly so no one can hear what was being said. Gauri shook her head at her aunt.

On the other side of the room Sunita and Hetal both noticed Gauri’s fear but decided to serve dinner first. “Now that everyone is here lets have dinner first rest can be discussed later.” Hetal announced.

Gauri felt awkward and didn’t know what to do. Should she offer to help? The choice was taken out of her hand when Sanya and Kruti pulled her to her feet and took her back to the kitchen with all the ladies. Gauri relaxed when no one questioned her and treated her same as they did in the past.

It was later when they were cleaning up when Sunita and Hetal pulled Gauri to the side to speak to her. They sat her down between them at the kitchen table while Kruti and Sanya finished up with rest of the cleaning up. Sanya’s mom and Sheetal aunty had gone for a walk in the garden.

Sunita took Gauri’s hands in hers and made her look at her. “Gauri, I can understand your apprehension at agreeing to this marriage after knowing we made Siddarth give you up in the past. I wish I could go back and change things but I can’t. I hope you can forgive us and accept Siddarth’s proposal of marriage.”

Gauri stopped her from saying anything else. “Please don’t say anything Sunita aunty. I understand why you wanted Siddarth to marry someone of your choice. You didn’t know anything about the girl he chose for himself. At the time it was the best solution. I don’t blame you or Siddarth for what happened in the past; some things are just not meant to be.”