A to Z

Chapter 5

During their way to home , they started talking about the marriage proposal but she was lost in his smile. There was something in that smile , maybe he was trying to say something. Might be she was overthinking. That night she fell asleep soon after having dinner. Next day was a big day for her. So many questions started floating in her mind since morning. How would that person be, would he be tall, what would his complexion be like, what about the profession, beard or clean shave, tattoo... OMG still it was Arjun.

She got ready in that lemon and yellow colored suit, with a little mascara, nude lipstick and Punjabi jutti type sandals- by 10 am as they had to reach by 11 am to the GrandView Hotel to meet the groom's family. They reached by 10:45 am. Now Zoya was all nervous. Would I be able to tell him about Aniket, how would he react about my tattoo, which was almost covered by a concealer now, so that nobody could see it. She was sitting opposite to her parents who were facing the entrance, stressfully playing with her dupatta and then they said the groom's family have arrived. A beautiful couple arrived . She touched their feet and they also sat opposite to her. She was relieved that the guy hasn't come. While the couples were talking she poured water in a glass for herself.

Zoya's Father: "Where is your son?" Groom's Father : "He is parking the car, will come in couple of minutes."

Zoya was again petrified. She excused herself and went to the restroom . She tried to calm down , tried that "All is well" chant from 3 idiots as well.. but nothing seemed to work. Then her phone rang. Her mother was calling. She cut the call. She got a text that the groom has come. She didn't even know his name. She gathered herself together and reminded herself that this time would not be a failure like Aniket.

She stepped out and was able to see the back of the guy who was sitting next to her seat. He was wearing a black suit. The couples were looking at her and talking amongst themselves. She silently sat down, held her glass of water and didn't even look at the boy. "Stunning", she heard a recognizable voice but in whisper. She looked at the boy and and the water in her mouth remained at the same position and she stopped breathing for a second. It was him- Arjun. He clicked her picture in that pose such that nobody noticed. She gulped the water and sat properly thinking what if somebody had seen him doing the mischievous act. The couples introduced their children and ordered some snacks. Zoya was more involved in recalling the previous day's activities and mocking at herself that Arjun knew who she was the whole time. "Airport, Yes she is pretty!" Arjun whispered again. "What?" Zoya confusingly replied. "Answer to your last question from yesterday" he reverted.

Then the main course was ordered. It would take 15 minutes to serve , that's what the waiter said. The couples asked them to go in the garden area and have a little conversation. The moment they stepped out and were out of their parents side-

Zoya: "You made a fool of me yesterday, you knew who I was but you didn't tell me. What were you trying to do, Am I stupid, oh of course I am stupid.. I somehow knew while getting out of the plane that you are the guy whom I will meet today, thanks to some of your comments, but still I wasn't sure... how was that even possible.." she uttered all in one go, not out of anger but for an explanation.

Arjun sat down on a chair while she was standing. Listened to her and signed her to sat down with his eyes. She nodded and sat. He started: "Yes, I had seen your photograph. But coming to Mumbai and finding your boarding pass was really a coincidence. I thought to tell you but then through our conversation came to know that you were not interested. I liked you somehow, then thought anyways we are going to meet tomorrow, so let you enjoy the suspense. Also you had left everything on your fate... oops ... your parents.. so thought let it be in that way only."

Zoya was a little satisfied with his answer but she tried to look serious.

Arjun: "Thank you"

Zoya : "For what?"

Arjun : "For wearing this today". He pointed out at her dress."I was hoping you will wear this one today." She smiled and looked on the other side. He cleared his throat "You want to ask me anything? The house is open"

Zoya : "Not at the moment. I somehow like you as a person and I am comfortable with you. But are you comfortable with my "A" ?"

Arjun : "Zoya , that is the fate.. this A is for me. I don't know about to whom it was entitled to initially but honestly I don't care."

Zoya : "Okay.. I appreciate that.. ummhhh... did you have any girlfriends."

Arjun : "No"

Zoya : "Liar"

Arjun: "I am not lying. Really, I didn't have any. But why do you think that I am lying"

Zoya : "Because you seem smart and have good physique and looks...."

Arjun : "Continue , I am listening actually enjoying", he said while giving that glittering smile.

She stopped to adjust her hair that were undone a bit because of the wind. He stood up and adjusted the strands of her hair behind her ear.

Arjun : " I guess I was waiting for my heart to witness for someone like you and it has confirmed me yesterday". Then his phone rang and he answered while looking at her "Yes father, we are coming inside and yes..... it's a yes from my side."

Zoya took her hands over her mouth "Are you sure?"

Arjun : "Pretty Sure."

The moment they stepped inside both the couples looked very happy. Zoya's mother asked her through eyes about her verdict. Zoya nodded in a positive way.

Arjun noticed that. They sat down. Zoya and Arjun's father were talking on a corner for a while, when they returned.

Zoya's father: "We would like you to meet more often and then decide about your future. There is no hurry. It is an important decision of your life." Everybody nodded at this statement. Then they enjoyed their lunch.

Carefully Zoya whispered in Arjun's ear : "I am really happy that this "A" is mine". She pressed Arjun's hand under the table and also removed the concealer from the tattoo .

Arjun pressed her hand in return and whispered : "This A to Z is forever."