The air in my office was heavy with the familiar hum of the AC as I flipped through yet another uninspired research proposal. My head throbbed lightlyâa mix of exhaustion and annoyance.
Just as I was about to put down my pen, my phone buzzed on the desk, vibrating insistently. The screen lit up with a single word: Dadi.
I stared at it for a moment, debating whether to answer. She didn't call often, but when she did, it usually meant troubleâher version of trouble, which was usually something about me.
Reluctantly, I swiped to answer. "Yes, Maa? Did the vegetable vendor charge you for the price of haveli?"
"Where are you?" she demanded, her tone leaving no room for pleasantries.
"At work," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "Where else would I be?"
"That's the problem with you," she said. "Always at work, always busy. You need to start thinking about your future."
I groaned inwardly. Not this again. "Dadi, if this is about my future, I already have it planned out. Work, eat, sleep, repeat."
"Don't be cheeky, Devansh," she said sharply. "I'm serious. You're twenty-eight, and it's time you got married."
I blinked, stunned by her abruptness. "Married? I'm just 28â"
"That's what I'm saying! You're 28! Old!"
"Maa..." I groaned. "I'm not ready for marriage!"
"You know what? When I was your age, I had a family of 12 to feed," she said firmly.
"That was decades before. This isn't the same."
"I've found a girl for you," she announced, as if she were talking about picking vegetables at the market.
"Wait, what?" I sat up straight, my heart sinking. "Maa, you can't justâ"
"I've already made the arrangements," she continued, completely ignoring me. "You'll meet her tomorrow in Udaipur. Pack your bags and come home tonight."
"You're not picking a girl for me like you're in a shop, bargaining!"
Her voice turned steely. "I'm not asking, Devansh. You're coming to Jodhpur today. Be here by night. We leave for Udaipur tomorrow morning at seven."
"Maa, this is ridiculousâ"
"It's already decided."
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone, a mix of disbelief and frustration bubbling inside me. Marriage? To someone I'd never met?
Dadi was many thingsâ stubborn, traditional, and controllingâ but this was a new level of audacity, even for her.
Slamming the phone onto my desk, I stood and paced the room. The idea was absurd. I wasn't ready for marriage. Heck, I wasn't sure I even believed in the concept.
Still, I knew better than to argue with Dadi. Once she made up her mind, there was no changing it.
Hours later, I was on a plane to Jodhpur, the city where I'd grown up but hadn't visited in months. The flight felt interminable, my mind racing the entire time.
Who was this girl? Why was Dadi so insistent? And more importantly, how could I get out of this mess?
When the plane finally landed, I grabbed my bag and made my way outside. The familiar dry heat of Jodhpur hit me like a wall, a stark contrast to Mumbai's humidity.
"Bhaiyyaaa," someone sang.
"What theâ" I found kiara standing beside the SUV along with aakash and ekanksh.
(SPOILER: they're just cousins by name. Otherwise, they're the true example of devils in disguise)
"What are you all doing here?" I asked.
"Ohâ just came to pick you up!" Kiara said, giving me a soft, innocent smile that I can never trust.
"We missed you, bhaiya!" Aakash exclaimed, throwing himself on me for a hug.
"fuck!" I groaned.
"I thought you were dead," ekanksh snickered.
"Too bad. I'm not."
"Should we get going?" Kiara added.
"Sure. I just want to sleep after all." I signed.
The driveâ wasn't like the best. Of course it was kiara who was driving the car.
"Didi! Slow down!" Aakash cried.
"I don't want to die today, kiara!" said ekanksh, who was barely holding himself.
"Come on! It's just a little drift! Nothing will happen!" exclaimed kiara.
"MUMMY! I DON'T WANNA DIE!" yelped aakash.
I truly regretted letting her drive though i knew how she drives without a care in the world.
The streets of Jodhpur were as lively as ever, with vendors shouting about their wares and kids running barefoot in the dust.
Despite my irritation, a small part of me felt a pang of nostalgia.
The haveli came into view, its grand gates illuminated by soft, golden lights. Even after all these years, the sight of it never failed to impress me.
The sprawling sandstone structure, with its intricate carvings and towering arches, was a testament to our family's history.
As the car pulled to a stop, I stepped out, slinging my bag over my shoulder. The front doors were already open, and a servant greeted me with a slight bow.
"Dadi is waiting for you in the sitting room," he said.
I nodded and made my way inside. The air was cool and carried the faint scent of rosesâ Dadi's favorite.
"Devansh!"
Her voice rang out as I entered the sitting room. There she was, seated on a plush couch, draped in a crimson saree, her silver hair pulled back into a neat bun. Despite her small frame, she exuded authority.
I walked over, setting my bag down near the entrance. "I'm here, as ordered," I said, folding my arms. "Now, do you want to tell me what this is all about?"
She gestured for me to sit, a small smile playing on her lips. "Sit, beta. You must be tired from your journey."
"I'm fine," I replied, staying on my feet. "First of all... don't you dare ever let these three come to pick me!"
"Why not?" She smiled.
"Have you seen these devils in disguise?! They'll be the death of me one day!"
"I didn't do anything!" Exclaimed kiara.
"Shut up, chudail."
"Hmph. That not so fair..." she whined.
Her smile widened slightly, as if she found my irritation amusing. "Tomorrow morning, we're going to Udaipur to meet the Thakurs."
I raised an eyebrow. "The Thakurs?"
"They're a respected family," she explained. "Their daughter, Krutika, is the perfect match for you."
I let out a humorless laugh. "Perfect match? You've never even mentioned them before today."
"Sometimes, the best things happen unexpectedly," she said, her tone maddeningly calm.
"Maa, you can't seriously expect me to agree to this," I said, running a hand through my hair. "I don't even know her!"
"That's why we're going to meet her," she said simply.
"And what if I don't like her?"
"Then you'll learn to like her," she replied. "Marriage isn't about love at first sight, Devansh. It's about commitment and compromise."
I stared at her, incredulous. "This is insane."
She stood and walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Beta, I know you think I'm being unreasonable, but I'm doing this for your own good. You've spent too much time alone, and it's not healthy."
"I'm not alone," I argued. "I have work."
"That's not the same," she said, shaking her head. "You need someone to share your life with, someone who will stand by you no matter what."
I sighed, my frustration simmering just below the surface. "Maa, I'm not ready for this."
"You're never ready for anything until you're forced to be," she said, her tone firm. "That's why I'm making this decision for you."
I clenched my jaw, knowing there was no point in arguing. Dadi was nothing if not persistent.
"What time are we leaving tomorrow?" I asked reluctantly.
"Seven sharp," she said, patting my shoulder. "Now, go upstairs and get some rest. You'll need it."
I nodded stiffly, grabbing my bag and heading up to my old room. The air inside was cool and smelled faintly of sandalwood, a scent I associated with home.
Throwing my bag onto the bed, I sank into the chair by the window, staring out at the darkened streets below.
The thought of meeting Krutika tomorrow filled me with unease.
Who was she? Would she be as traditional as Dadi hoped or as insufferable as I feared?
One thing was certainâthis wasn't going to be simple.