Ask me a Question: A Marriage Guide's love story

Sample

Prologue

“Rithik, you are almost thirty when are you going to get married?”

“Rithik, if you want I can find you a suitable bride”

“Rithik, you are so handsome you just say the word I will line up girls in your house”

“Rithik, how do you treat those patients when you don't even know what married life is?”

Rithik Dhananjay Kashyap has heard it all in the past five years of his career. He was fed up with people constantly telling him to get married. Indian parents really needed to grow out of their obsession with marriage. It was tiring now. He wanted to give a befitting reply to all of them but before he could utter a word his mother called him out.

He joined his mother who introduced him to a man named Kadam Karamsheel. Rithik folded his hands and greeted the man.

“He is your father's friend”, explained Kusum Kashyap. Suddenly they were joined by a very timid girl. She whispered something in the ears of Kadam Karamsheel and walked away. It was odd. The girl almost had a frightened look on her face. Who was she?

“That was my daughter, Avni. She is very shy, rarely talks. We are looking for a groom for her”, said Kadam Karamsheel eyeing Rithik.

Rithik wanted to tell Mr. Karamsheel that he wasn't looking for a bride but a gentle nudge from his mother stopped him. After not getting a response from the Kashyap's Mr. Karamsheel excused himself and walked towards the direction where his daughter had earlier gone.

“Ma, you know I don't like this. Why did you stop me from correcting him?”, asked an angry Rithik

“Rithik sometimes we need to maintain the dignity of the place. This is someone's wedding day and place. I don't think you would want to cause a scene here”, remarked Kusum.

Rithik knew his mother was right but still, it bothered him that people couldn't mind their own businesses. He nodded and asked his mother, “Are we leaving any time soon?”

Rithik mentally patted his father for successfully escaping this event. He feigned an ankle injury earlier and was now resting at home. While Rithik was playing the designated driver and companion to his mother at this wedding.

“Come on, let's go in”, urged Kusum to his son.

After leaving his Mom in the hall where the functions were taking place Rithik excused himself and went in search of some quiet place. He finally found some peace out in the balcony on the third floor. The moon was shining brightly but then something else caught his attention. It was the girl, Mr. Karamsheel's daughter, Avni.

Avni walked on to the balcony seeking some peace and solace. She was tired of her relatives. She needed a break before she went back in for the second dose of nagging. 

“It's beautiful, isn't it?”, came a voice behind her.

“The moon”, the voice prompted.

Avni didn't say anything.

“Oh! You are the silent types. I like those kinds of people. The one who is observant. It has been said that they have the loudest minds. So, I am honoured to be in your presence”, said the stranger.

The stranger was making Avni curious. She wanted to turn towards him, see him, talk to him, but she merely bobbed her head.