Since it was Saturday, Ashwin and Aanandita went in for a half day of work, and Harshita and Pranali had college for. They all arrived home at about the same time and both families enjoyed a lively lunch. Exchanging college and work gossip, while tayi-ji and tau-ji, Ramya and Akhil, shared wedding details.  Finally, as the family settled out on the patio with their desserts, the parents smiled widely at the children while sharing a knowing look. “Ok you guys, spill!” Harshita broke the silence.

“Haan, hume pata hain ki aap log kuch toh chupa rahe hain,” Pranali added.

(Yes, we know that you guys are hiding something.)

“Thoda shaant raho sab, hum bata rahe hain. Ravi, bataiye na,” Shivani calmed them and requested her husband.

(Calm down a little, we’re going to tell you everything. Ravi, please tell them.)

He cleared his throat dramatically. “Toh baat yeh hain, ki…”

(So, the thing is…)

“Ki kya papa?!”

(Is what, papa?!)

“Sunna hain?”

(Do you want to know?)

“Issiliye toh pucha!”

(That’s why I asked!)

“Phir chup! Baat yeh hi ki aaj hume Rathore’s se call aaya…aur unke taraf se haan hain.”

(Then quiet! The thing is that we got a call from the Rathores today…and it’s a yes from them.)

Aanandita’s expression went slack in surprise. She hadn’t expected that she would convince him to change his mind, but now that she had succeeded, she didn’t know what to think. She began doubting herself and her decision, and all the crazy arguments she had put against him. She was shocked out of her reverie but two pairs of arms hugging her tight and squealing so loudly in her ears that she was afraid her eardrums might burst. “Jiji, aapne karke dikhaya! You convinced him to change his mind!”

(Jiji, you did it! You convinced him to change his mind!)

It was Ashwin who pried out of their sisters’ grasp and turned her towards him. “Hey, don’t get influenced by their excitement. Just because tumne pehle hi haan bole, iska matlab yeh nahi hain ki tum apna faisla badal nahi sakthi. Soch ke batao, kya tumhara abhi bhi haan hain?”

(Hey, don’t get influence by their excitement. Just because you said yes first, it doesn’t mean you can’t change your decision. Think about it, is your answer still yes?)

Aanandita left silently. The parents exchanged worried glances. Shivani and Ravi had complete trust in their daughter’s ability to make decisions about her life, though they would offer their point of view and advice. However, now they were wondering if they made a mistake in not being more involved. By trusting her entirely, were they putting too much pressure on her? 

After giving her some time to herself, Shivani and Ravi entered their daughter’s room to find her sitting on her swing, deep in thought. “Baccha, kya hum kuch baat kar sakthe hain?”

(Child, can we say something?)

“Ji Mumma, Papa, bataiye.”

(Of course, Mumma, Papa, tell me.)

“Anu, kya hum tumpe zyaada pressure daal rahe shaadi ke lekar? We thought we were trusting you to make the best decision for your life, but did you want us to be more involved, to give you more of our opinions and advice?”

(Anu, are we putting too much pressure on you about marriage? We thought we were trusting you to make the best decision for your life, but did you want us to be more involved, to give you more of our opinions and advice?)

Aanandita smiled comfortingly at them. She was lucky to have such considerate parents. Yes, it did sometimes feel overwhelming to be trusted to handle everything. But knowing her personality, she didn’t think she could have it any other way. “Nahi, aap pressure nahi daal rahe hain. Lekin aap mujh par jitna bhi bharosa kariye, I will always welcome and want your advice. Just like you trust me, I trust you to always guide me on the right path. Please, I would like to hear what you have to say about this rishta. Pehle, bina kisi se baat kiye, bina soche samjhe, uss pal mein haan keh diya. Ab main aapke rai sunna chahthi hoon.”

(No, you’re not putting pressure on me. But no matter how much you trust me, I will always welcome and want your advice. Just like you trust me, I trust you to always guide me on the right path. Please, I would like to hear what you have to say about this rishta. Before, I said yes in the moment, without discussing with anyone. Now, I want to hear your opinion.)

Shivani and Ravi smiled. “Hume yeh rishta accha lagta hain beta. Humne pura pata kiya hain unke family ke baare mein...”

(We like this rishta, beta. We’ve investigated about their family…)

Aanandita nearly snorted at that – if only the Rathores knew of the team of aunties and personal investigator behind them.

“…aur bohot acche log hain. Milne ke baad bhi laga ki unke parivaar bohot accha hain. Aur unke beta, Vikram, woh bhi accha ladka hain. Haan, jaisa humne dekha kal, thoda nok-jhok hoga tum donon ke beech. Lekin jis tarah se tum donon baat kar rahe the, aur jis tara se woh apna faisla badal diya, hume lagta hain ki tum donon ka rishta baraabari aur bharosa ka hoga.”

(…and they’re very good people. Even after meeting them, we felt that their family was good. And their son, Vikram, he’s a good lad, too. Yes, just like you saw yesterday, there will be a bit of banter between you two. But the way you both were talking, and the way he changed his decision, we think the relationship will be one of equality and trust.)

“Ek aur baat, beta,” Shivani added. “Hum unka chehra dekh rahe the pure waqt jab baatein ho rahe the, aur unka pura dhyaan tum par hi tha. Kuch toh tha unke aankhon mein tumhare liye, aur mujhe lagta hain ki woh pasand tha.”

(And one more thing, dear. I was watching his face the entire time you were talking, and his complete focus was on you. There was something in his eyes, some feeling for you, and I think it might have been a liking for you.)

“Maine nahi dekha unke chehre par kya tha, lekin mujhe bhi kuch aisa hi laga. As if woh mujhe jaan puch kar challenge kar rahe the. Kam se kam itna toh keh sakthi hoon ki woh mujhe na pasand toh nahi karte. Aur jab unke parivaar ko dekha, toh mann mein bohot accha laga, humare parivaar ka yaad aaya. Par ab, dhimaak beech mein ghus gayi.”

(I didn’t notice what was in his eyes, but I had the same feeling. As if he was challenging me on purpose. At the very least, I can say that he didn’t not like me. And I just had a good feeling in my heart observing his family; they reminded me of us. But I don’t know, now my mind is interfering with my heart.)

Ravi chuckled at that. “Hum samajh sakte hain, kyunki main bhi tumhari hi thara logon ko padh kar mann se faisle leta hoon. Abhi tak toh theek tha, lekin kabhi kabhi ghalat ho jata hain. Tumhe jitne time chahiye lelo. Main kya kehtha hoon, tum donon ko aur milna chahiye, aur baatein karna chahiye. Aise zindagi ke sabse important faisla mein thoda sa bhi doubt nahi hona chahiye.”

(We can understand, because I am the same. I read people and take decisions from the heart. It’s been fine until now, but mistakes do happen. Take how much ever time you need. In fact, I say that you guys should meet more, talk more. When you’re taking the most important decision of your life, you shouldn’t have any doubt.)

Aanandita closed her eyes as she considered what her parents said. Suddenly, she was greeted by an image of her grandmother, her Nandu, smiling excitedly. She chuckled to herself and thought, Ok Nandu, I got the message, I only hope I can keep up with your choice. “Aur waqt nahi chahiye mujhe. Meri taraf se abhi bhi haan hain.”

(I don’t need more time. My answer is still yes.)

“Pakka?”

(Are you sure?)

“Sau takka.”

(100%)

“Theek hain. Par tum kabhi bhi mann badal sakti ho. Hmm?” Shivani smiled teasingly while Ravi kissed her forehead, and they both left to inform the Rathores.

(Alright. But you can change your mind at any time. Ok?)

Aanandita bit her lip as she smiled self-consciously to herself. Yaar Nandu, kaha fasa diya mujhe. Khair, joh bhi faisla liya, apni marzi se liya. Let’s enjoy this adventure to the fullest.

(Yaar Nandu, where did you get me stuck? Well, whatever decision I made, I made of my own free will. Let’s enjoy this adventure to the fullest.)

After dinner, as Aanandita was relaxing in bed with a new novel, her sisters disturbed her intense reading by jumping down onto the bed next to her. “Arey, uchal kood karke kyun disturb kar rahe hain donon?”

(Arey, why are you jumping around and disturbing me?)

“Jiji, aapko aadat dalni padegi abse. Kyunki kuch din baad aap akele nahi soyenge.”

(Jiji, you’re going to need to get used to it. Because after a few days, you won’t be sleeping alone.)

“Chup ho jaiye donon! Pata nahi kaha se aate hain dhimaak mein yeh fizool ki baatein.”

(Be quiet, both of you! I don’t know from where you get these useless thoughts in your brain.)

“Jiji, lekin kuch ghalat thoda na keh rahe hain hum!”

(But jiji, we’re not saying anything wrong!)

“Issiliye keh rahi hoon meri maa, ab mere paas aise kuch hi din hain, toh mujhe apna time enjoy karne dijiye.”

(That’s why I’m saying, you guys, I only have a few days of solitary peace, so let me enjoy my time.)

They both pouted identically. “Iska matlab aap hume baahar nikaal rahe hain? Aap hume aaj se hi pariah kar rahe ho?”

(Does that mean you’re throwing us out? You’re making us strangers from today?)

Aanandita shook her head at their silliness. “Donon ke donon buddhu hain! Main aisa kuch nahi keh rahi hoon, drama band karo ab!”

(Both of you are so silly! I’m not saying anything of the sort, stop your drama!)

“Waise jiji, Vikram jiju ne haan kar diya, lekin kuch ghalat waje toh nahi hain uske piche? I mean, he didn’t get offended by what you said to him and he’s not just marrying you to take revenge on you and make your life a living hell?”

(By the way jiji, Vikram jiju said yes, but do you think he has some hidden evil intentions? I mean, he didn’t get offended by what you said to him and he’s not just marrying you to take revenge on you and make your life a living hell?)

That earned Pranali a smack on her head. “Band kar tu woh bekaar ke TV dramas dekhne. Bas tumhara dhimaak mein ulti seedhi conspiracies daal rahe hain.”

(Stop watching those stupid TV dramas. They’re just putting nonsensical conspiracies in your mind.)

Pranali pouted and rubbed the back of her head, though it didn’t really hurt at all. “Jiji, yeh aap bina maare bhi keh sakthe the!”

(Jiji, you could have said this without hitting me!)

Aanandita pulled her close and kissed her on the temple, making Harshita snuggle closer, too. “But in all honesty, you two, aise situations bhi hote hain. Mujhe nahi lagta ki unke parivaar aise hain, ya Vikram aisa hain, lekin kisi bhi baat ki kabhi guarantee nahi hoti. Let’s just hope and pray that they are not two-faced like you said.”

(But in all honesty, you two, situations like that happen, too. I don’t think Vikram, or his family, are like that, but there’s never any guarantee for anything. Let’s just hope and pray that they are not two-faced like you said.)

As the three were about to fall asleep in their spots, Harshita suddenly sat up, startling Aanandita and Pranali. “Jiji, joh baat kehne aaye the, woh baat batana bhool gaye hum. Chachi-ji keh rahi thi ki parso subhe pandit-ji aayenge muhurat nikalne.”

(Jiji, we forgot to tell you the thing we came into your room for. Chachi-ji was saying that the priest will come the day after tomorrow to find an auspicious date.)

“Parso? Lekin parso mujhe ek bohot important meeting hain client ke saath. Mahine pehle decide kiya, aur woh client bhi bohot insist kari thi woh mujhse hi milkar sab discuss karna chahegi. Theek hain, koi na, main Mumma se baat karungi kal. Ab so jao tum dono.”

(Day after tomorrow? But I have a really important meeting with a client. It was decided months ago, and that client was very insistent that she wanted to meet and discuss everything with me. It’s fine, no problem. I’ll talk to Maa tomorrow. Now you both go to sleep.)

As if she gave an order to robots, they fell asleep immediately. Aanandita’s sleep flew away, so she picked up her novel again, and read until she fell asleep with it covering her face.

Vikram came home just in time for dinner that night, which pleased his mother very much. She was used to him grabbing something to eat at work, or coming home to a late dinner, and had lost hope that he might become less of a workaholic. “Kya baat hain, janaab jaldi aagaye hain aaj?” Vidyut teased his son.

(Wow, the master came home early today?)

Vidyut and Deepthi were a team, so of course she had to add to what her father said. “Papa, it’s obvious! Bhai naye aadat daal rahe hain, agar time se khana khayenge, toh Bhabhi ke daant nahi khane padenge! Ya phir zyaada waqt bitana chahthe hain biwi ke saath?”

(Papa, it’s obvious! Bhai’s making new habits. If he comes home and eats on time, then Bhabhi won’t scold him (in hindi, it’s said as ‘eating scolds’ when someone scolds you)! Or do you just want to spend more time with your wife?)

Deepthi and Vidyut laughed as Vikram obviously ignored them and headed to change. As they ate dinner, Ranjani informed everyone that the day after tomorrow they would be meeting the pandit at the Chauhans’ home to decide the dates. Vikram frowned, “Parso main nahi aa saktha, kuch important meetings hain. Lekin aap tareek nikaliye, main baad mein bataunga ki kaunsa theek rahega.”

(I can’t come the day after tomorrow, I have some important meetings. But you can figure out the dates, I will let you know later which one would be best.)

“Acha ji, toh aap bhabhi se pooch kar hume batayenge?”

(Ohhh, so you’ll check with Bhabhi fist and then tell us?)

When Vikram didn’t respond to her teasing again, Deepthi sulked. She grumbled to her father, “Papa, mazaa nahi aa raha, bhai kuch reaction hi nahi de rahe hain.”

(Papa, this isn’t fun. Bhai isn’t reacting at all.)

Vikram lay his head in Ranjani’s lap, letting her run her hand through his hair, while Deepthi had her legs stretched across Vidyut’s lap and the two were snuggled close while playing a game on her phone. “Vikram beta, ek baat batao.”

(Vikram beta, tell me one thing.)

“Hmm, Maa?”

(Yeah, Maa?)

“Tumhara naa haan mein kaisa badla?”

(How did you change your answer from no to yes?)

Vikram looked at her with a bored look, he really didn’t want to answer.

“Mujhe toh woh bohot pasand aayi, aur tumhe balance karne ko har quality hain usme. Mujhe laga woh tumhare liye perfect hain. Lekin tum batao, tumhara mann kaisa badla?”

(I liked her a lot, and she had every quality to balance you. I thought she was perfect for you. But you tell me, how did you change your mind?)

Sighing, he crossed an arm over his eyes. How was he to tell her the truth that he was scared to acknowledge himself?  “Main khud nahi jaanta, Maa. No girl has ever left such an impression on me. Takkar ki hain woh meri. So, I said yes.”

(I don’t know, Maa. No girl has ever left such an impression on me. She’s my equal, so I said yes.)

“Really bhai? Takkar? Aap sirf issiliye aisa keh rahe hain kyunki aap bhabhi ko theek se nahi jaante. Aapko uska kaam dekhna chahiye, kamaal ki hain woh.”

(Really bhai? Equal? You’re just saying that because you don’t know Bhabhi properly. You should see her work, she’s amazing.)

Vikram lifted his head to look at his sister, then flopped back down. “Woh kaam bhi karti hain?”

(She works?)

“Arey haan,” Ranjani interrupted. “Tumne uske details nahi dekha na. Waise meri hi ghalthi hain. Rukh ab dikhati hoon.”

(Oh, yes! You haven’t seen her details. Anyways, that’s my fault. Wait, I’ll show you now.)

“Nahi Maa, maine haan toh bol diya na. Mujhe kuch nahi jaanna.”

(No, Maa. I said yes, right? I don’t want to know anything else.)

“Lekin, aise kaise?”

(But, why?)

“Maa please, I’m tired.” Ranjani sighed and began caressing his hair again. Deepthi smirked. Just wait until bhai finds out who bhabhi really is, she thought. A few months ago, for their company’s anniversary party, it was Aanandita who designed Ranjani and Deepthi’s outfits. They had only met her once, when the final designs were handed over, although they communicated a lot through phone and email while the designs were being made. Both Ranjani and Deepthi had a great impression of her, and as soon as Deepthi saw Aanandita’s picture amongst the profiles of possible rishtas, she recognized her. After a moment Ranjani recalled as well, and it was confirmed when her details mentioned that she worked as a fashion designer. Of course, neither still knew that Aanandita was not only the head designer, but the owner and founder of Athidhi.