© Nirvana | ✔️

Chapter 28

"I am very excited to announce something that may shock everyone here. Maybe not a few of us because their mom's already broke the news to them," said Neelima adding a taunt in as she looked at Supriya with a glare.

Supriya rolled her eyes and simply looked over at Radhika apprehensively.

"My youngest son Shivaay Malhotra is now the fiancee of Radhika Arora."

Excitement flooded throughout the hall and the two people who were related to that specific announcement had varied reactions.

Radhika looked at her mom and gave a weak smile to her and just excused herself as her friends had escorted her to a private room so they could ask what was going on.

Krish felt like something had been snatched from his hands. He felt as if last night was a complete joke and was just some type of a fever dream.

Nisha looked panicked as she embraced an awkward Akaash and Shravan as well as Ashok and Neelima. She scanned the crowd to speak to Krish but couldn't find him.

Shivaay confessed to Radhika this morning on a Sunday. Since today was supposed to be their date.

Sundays!

•••

"Listen Radhika. I had to talk to you about something. And why are your clothes all dirty with food on them?" asked Supriya as Radhika walked inside the room.

Radhika struggled to explain, "Uh.. well. I'll explain later! You go first."

"You know Neelima Malhotra right? You work with Krish so I'm guessing you know his mom?"

"Yes. I know her," said Radhika grimacing as she thought of what happened in the hotel during Shanaya's wedding with her.

"She came by a few days earlier and came with a proposal for you and her youngest son Shivaay?"

Radhika's stopped dusting off the flour from her clothes and snapped out of her dreamland from the kiss that had happened with Krish.

"WHAT?!" yelled Radhika, shocked.

"Listen Radhika. I don't like Neelima personally. I've known her for some time. There is a huge backstory but please don't let the bitterness of the past cloud your decision. I really think you should give it a shot."

"I thought you liked Krish?" asked Radhika confusedly.

"I do!" said Supriya. "But I heard about what happened to you and Krish at Shanaya's wedding. Hence, I don't think she would be too fond of you getting married to him. She's going to hate you a lot less if you perhaps consider getting married to Shivaay?"

"I'll marry Shivaay mom. If it makes your relations with someone less bitter. Then I'll do it for you!" said Radhika sadly. 

Radhika never wanted someone to have a grudge against her mom because at this point, Neelima Malhotra could do anything to hurt Supriya.

"Okay.. I'll call Neelima and let her know," said Supriya. She patted Radhika's head and left the room.

•••

The party was wrapping up and Krish frustratedly tried to dial Radhika's number over and over again but it wasn't working. He threw his phone down on the floor and suddenly burst out of his room angrily yelling.

"FAMILY MEETING IN THE LIVING ROOM RIGHT NOW!" Krish yelled at the top of his lungs.

Shanaya came outside of the kitchen with Shravan trailing behind her.

Akaash and Shivaay stopped playing videogames and also came with Ashok and Neelima behind them.

"What happened Krish?" asked Ashok.

"As a family, isn't highly strange that our mother over here decides to just finalize our brother's alliance without letting us know?" asked Krish.

Everyone remained silent but Neelima finally spoke up.

"Krish, there is a side of the story you don't know," said Neelima.

Krish combed in his hands through his hair angrily and suddenly burst out again, "Radhika NEVER came up to me and admitted her feelings for Shivaay. I don't understand. How do you exactly know that she likes him?"

"Because you were always too busy with Radhika at work to see how much that and Shivaay were close. She always wished for the best when it came to you but maybe she felt something for Shivaay and you didn't know," said Neelima.

"Okay fine! Let's leave that aside. Exactly how the hell did you arrange Shivaay and Radhika's alliance?"

Neelima looked at the floor silently and then looked at her husband.

"Are you going to tell him or will I?"

Ashok looked from Shivaay to Neelima and then back to Krish.

"Shivaay says it," said Shravan.

"What do you two know about that I don't?" asked Akaash.

Shanaya was also as confused as Krish was.

"Me and Radhika well.." said Shivaay trailing off.

"Spit it out Shivaay," asked Krish irritatedly.

"Me and Radhika were meeting each other behind your back! Nisha assisted me in this plan," said Shivaay, as he burst out of nowhere.