While I was having my food, my eyes kept searching for her across the hall. But little did I know... she had already left.

I was lost in thought when I suddenly heard Chachu calling,
"Shivu beta, come here! Your dad is calling!!"

I blinked, shaking my head to clear my mind. "Yeah, coming Chachu!!"

As I approached, I noticed the Goenkas, Singhanias, and the Sharmas sitting together, engaged in conversation. I overheard them discussing Shashi uncle's daughter's marriage, apparently looking for a good boy for her.

Dad noticed me coming and signaled them to stop, the discussion halting immediately. Nikhil and I joined, and Dad introduced us politely.
"Shivansh, bete, meet Mr. Sharma, his wife Mrs. Rekha, and their son, Mr. Kunal Sharma."

I bowed slightly, touching their feet. "Namaste, uncle and aunty!!"

Shaking hands with Kunal, I said, "Hello, Mr. Sharma."

"Hello, Mr. Singhania! It's nice meeting you," Kunal replied warmly.

I smiled, "Same here, Mr. Sharma!!"

We spent some time talking casually when Goenka uncle turned to Shashi uncle.
"Mr. Sharma, where is Kavyashree? I think I met her at the beginning of the party!!"

Shashi uncle hesitated for a moment. "Actually... she got an emergency call from the hospital, so she went there... you know her, right?"

Goenka uncle nodded approvingly. "Yes... yes, she is a very responsible doctor!! I'm proud of her!!"

Shashi uncle smiled appreciatively. "Thank you so much, sir!!"

After a while, Dad turned to Goenka uncle. "I think we should take our leave now."

"Why so early?? We met after so long!!" Goenka uncle replied, surprised.

I smiled politely. "Uncle, we'll come for the whole week during Abhi's marriage, don't worry!! I have to go to the office tomorrow!!"

Nikhil added, "Yes... he's right!! I have office tomorrow too!"

As we drove back, Dad glanced at me from the passenger seat. "Hey young man... did you like someone?? There were many girls."

I ruffled my hair lightly and said, "Mmm... No, Dad!!"

But how could I tell him that I had liked a girl, yet didn't want to move forward without her consent? I stayed silent, not wanting to complicate matters further. Somewhere, I also felt that Dad's words hinted at something—he had received a proposal for me.

Clearing his throat, Dad finally said, "But... you have got a proposal!!"

I froze. "What?! Marriage proposal!! For me?!"

Maa smiled warmly. "Yes, beta... for you only!!"

Still confused, I looked at Dad. "You don't want to know who the girl is, han?"

I asked nervously, "W... who is the girl, Dad?"

Dad smiled. "Her name is Kavyashree Sharma!! She is Mr. Sharma's elder daughter."

Nervously, I whispered, "What?! Mr. Sharma's daughter... b... but... I've not even met her!!"

Consoling me, Dad said, "Yes, that's why we have fixed your meeting with her on Tuesday!!"

I panicked slightly. "B... but Tuesday... I have office!!"

Dad chuckled softly. "That's why we have fixed it at 6 P.M. Okay!!"

Still confused, I said, "Dad! Let me think about it... I'll tell you by tomorrow."

A wave of relief washed over me, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the girl I saw at the party. I'm in a dilemma.

We reached the Singhania Mansion, and I went straight to my room, calling Nikhil immediately.

After a few rings, he picked up. "So... you got her, right!!"

I answered nervously, "No!! B... but..."

His voice grew anxious hearing my hesitation. "But... what? You're giving me tension right now. Tell me what happened??"

I took a shaky breath. "But... I got a marriage proposal from the Sharma family—to marry their elder daughter, Kavyashree!!"

Nikhil froze, shocked. "But why?? See, that's why I had told you to tell your family members."

I spoke softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "But... without the girl's consent, I can't make the decision myself. Right?!"

Nikhil nodded, understanding completely. "Yes!! So, what are you planning to do now??"

Exactly... that's why I called him. "That's what I called you for. Show me a way out of this. Please!"

After thinking for a moment, Nikhil said, "Bro, you do one thing..."

I clutched the phone, hope flickering. "Yes! Please tell me..."

"You go and meet her..."

I cut him off, shocked. "What??"

He raised his voice, firm and insistent. "Yes!! You go meet her, come back, and tell everyone that you didn't like her. And... one more thing... find that party girl and take her consent first, so you can explain why you rejected this girl."

I swallowed hard. "Will this plan work!??"

Nikhil snapped, slightly frustrated. "Do you have any other plan, Sir!!"

I whispered, "No... my brain has stopped working after all this."

He took a deep breath. "So, do as I told you... Got it!!"

I exhaled slowly, a mix of nervousness and resolve settling in my chest. "Okay... I'll do as you said. Good night!!"

"Good night and take care. Don't stress too much," Nikhil replied warmly.

We hung up, and I lay back on my bed, thoughts swirling. Tomorrow... everything will begin. Slowly, sleep claimed me.

💞💞💞💞💞💞

I returned home after a long night shift, my body craving rest more than anything. Today, Papa and Mummy were waiting for me, seated together with steaming cups of tea.

As I stepped inside, the faint aroma of chai filled the air. I started heading towards my room when Papa called out,
"Kavyashree! Come here!!"

I paused, surprised, and walked over. "Yes, Papa!! What happened??"

Papa gestured for me to sit, and Mummy handed me a cup of tea, her eyes soft with affection. Then Papa spoke, his tone calm yet carrying weight.
"Beta... see, there is a marriage proposal for you!!"

I wasn't entirely surprised. After all, I had already been rejected by three boys. Still, I asked, curiosity tinged with apprehension,
"Who is the boy, Papa??"

Papa smiled gently. "You met the Singhania family yesterday, right?!"

I forced a polite smile. "Yes... Papa!!"

Papa patted my head affectionately. "So, their son, Shivansh Singhania, is the boy."

I nodded with a faint, practiced smile. "So... I have to meet him, right?!"

"Yes!! On Tuesday evening, at the coffee shop near your hospital," Papa replied, his eyes crinkling with reassurance.

I didn't have much choice, so I agreed. "Okay, Papa!! I'll meet him tomorrow at the coffee shop."

Though I agreed outwardly, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts... Will he like me? Will I be rejected again? Or... will Shivansh accept me?

Tuesday seemed so far away, yet my heart couldn't stop racing at the thought of meeting him.

💞💞💞💞💞💞

Author's Note

And just like that, tomorrow promises a meeting that could change everything — two hearts unknowingly stepping closer to a path destiny has already begun to write. 💫

Tell me, my dewdrops — what would you do if the future started knocking at your door in the form of a stranger? Could one meeting decide the course of your life... or your heart? 💭

If this chapter made your heart race even a little, don't forget to leave a vote and share your thoughts in the comments. Your words light up this story and keep it alive for me. 💌

With love always,
– Your Author 🌼
Lavenderwrites