CHAPTER 26 - THE MATCHMAKING

दुनिया को हर वक्त खुशी चाहिए,

लेकिन मुझे हर खुशी में सिर्फ़ एक तू चाहिए।

After a few days

~•DHRUV's POV•~

At Jaipur

Time - 4pm

"Dhruv, we have our final sem next month. Do you know that? " Garv asked, turning the pages of his book and writing notes as well.

"Hm. But your exams will be over soon, have you seen my time table? The study holidays for each exam are around 10 days. "I replied, with frustration , what am I going to do in those days? In my point of view  ,the more days you get,  the more you procrastinate.

"For us, it's just 2 days ,like don't know what they ate before framing the schedule! "Garv , as usual with these words and I responded with a laugh.

I was on my bed typing my book in the laptop and he was studying on his study table.

"Garv,  what's your plan after M. Sc?"I asked as he never told me about it.

"ahh.. Maybe a PhD and I will work in a research institute as a biotechnologist. Apart from that, I don't  know what I am gonna do!! " He replied with a little confusion because he is not someone who preplans beforehand apart from marrying Avantika.

"Dhruv, say yours what's your plan?" He asked, closing his study materials and leaving his study table.  He came and sat on my bed.

"I got an offer to work as a Professor from our college like last week ,they asked me to join after my sem. For the time being, I will work here and prepare for a PHD ENTRANCE to gain a doctorate degree. Then I might shift to Delhi. You know  I have better scope over there." I started mentioning the things which were kept in my mind.

"Sounds interesting! And what about this book? " He asked, pointing towards the laptop and looking into my eyes.

" this book? I am publishing after 3 to 4 months. It's just part 1." I replied by saving the document in my laptop and switching it off.

"Is this your real love story which you are writing?" He questioned and I got stuck. What should I reply?

"No. I mean you might find the theme the same but I made major changes. You know the name of the person and place etc" I answered, giving him a smile.

"Ohhhhhhh. I seeeeeee.  Can't wait to see you as a rising star of the Indian books authors community" He hugged and I reciprocated the same.

"Trust me, Kakosa will be proud of you after seeing you achieve this. Don't worry I am with you " He cheered me on and then we decided to go outside to relax.

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~•GEET's POV•~

Hyderabad

Time 7pm

Seema bhuasa is coming today from Delhi. She lives with her family ( her husband and her two sons. One who is engaged) . Mumma, Avantika and I were busy with dinner preparations. Aapsa has gone to the airport to pick her up.  Both of my bhuasas are sweet and not typical ones which are shown in books and dramas.

"Avantika, chawal chadha diye na? " Mumma asked,chopping  the vegetables. I was busy making roti.  I don't feel any shame in doing these chores because being self dependent is better than depending on others to do these basic things.

(Avantika, have you kept the rice to cook?)

"Yes mumma. Don't worry." Avantika replied, taking a water bottle from the fridge.

"Avantika, I think you should go and study . Kavya is doing the same. I am there to help mumma " I ordered as her medical entrance was just a week ago.

"Fine. Going. But any help! Just call me "Saying this she walked out and we both mumma - daughter duo got busy with remaining .

After 1 hour

"bhuaasaaaaaaaa, I missed you so much"Kavya  screamed as soon as she came out of her room and hugged Seema bhuasa.

"Meri Kavya, I missed you too my nautanki" She said, removing the hug and squeezing her cheeks.

"Nautanki? Ye nautanki ka boards hai!! Pata bhi hai mai kitna padhti hu? Sabka record todungi. Wait and watch" Kavya proudly announced, how she can forget her mandatory hair flip. BTW she was the last to meet bhuasa as she was in an online tuition class and we met her already.

(Drama queen? This drama queen has exams! Do you know how much I have to study? I will break all records)

"Seema jija, dinner kar lijiye .Aur Shaktawat sisters ke aapsa aap bhi aaiye" Mumma asked and we all sat at the dining table.

(Have your dinner. And Dad of Shaktawat sisters, please join us )

Aapsa sat on the main chair. On his right as usual, Kavya sat and followed by Avantika. On his left was Seema bhuasa and mumma

I sat on the chair opposite to the aapsa.

We started having our dinner and the brother and sister were recalling the memories of their childhood.

"You know what Aapsa, aap hai na mujpr gaye ho? "Kavya said,  while her hand was busy with the spoon collecting rice.

(You have been on me)

"Mai aap par gaya hu ya aap mujh par Kavya Priya?" Aapsa teased and we laughed hearing it.

(I have been to you or you have been to me?)

"Jo bhi hai! Aap samajh gaye na" She replied.

(Whatever it is!  You have understood!)

"Wese Avantika, what's your plan?"Seema bhuasa asked Avantika who was in a hurry  to have her dinner.

" Next week medical entrance hai. Pass hokr MBBS and then apply for PG to be a cardiologist"  She answered and with this she completed her dinner.

"Good to hear. Wese Nandini Geet ki shaadi ka kya vichaar hai? " That Question  from her and I choked the water which I was drinking.

(What are your thoughts on Geet's marriage?)

"Geet jija, kya hua aap thik ho na? " Avantika came and started patting my back. Everyone grew  tense.

(Are you alright?)

"I am fine" I replied and she returned to her seat .Everyone  sighed with relief.

Shaadi? I am just 23?. How can I  marry someone else when I love Dhruv? I can't imagine any other man apart from him. I can't betray him. What if she is asking simply like maybe she wants to know my parents plan when they are getting me married.

"Career banane do. Shaadi ka chance 3 years toh nahi hai hamare side se" Aapsa replied,  continuing with his dinner.

(Let her start her career. There is no chance from our side for the next three years)

" I know it but meri nazar mein ek ladka hai. Sagai abhi kar lete hai. Shaadi 3 years ke baad! " She mentioned and I was feeling my heart in my mouth. If she talked more about this topic, I would end up having a panic attack.

(I know but I have a match for her.  We can do the engagement now. And after 3 years we can think about marriage)

I stopped eating and didn't look up. I closed my eyes and started praying to stop this. I can't tell my family about him unless he gets settled in his career. Geet, stop before she says something.

"Bhuasa Woh shadi …" Before I could complete it , mumma glared at me, making me stop.

"Geet, tu uss ladke ko jaanti hogi. Jodhpur mili toh hai. " She stated.

(You know that guy. You have met him in Jodhpur)

Jodhpur,whom do  I meet?  She doesn't have any connection with Dhruv. Maybe she can. Thank God, she knows him.

"Kon? "Avantika asked curiously.

(Who?)

"Jaipur hi padta hai. St Stephens mai.  Woh tumhe bhi jaanta hai. Bataya uske parents ne"

These words were rays of hope. I was so scared whenever the thought striked my mind how I was going to convince my parents for him.

(He studies in Jaipur. In St. Stephens. He knows you as well. His parents informed me)

"Seema jija, aap kiska keh rahe ho? Saf saf Btaiye"Aapsa asked her and my family including me were eager to know who he is. Please bhagwan. Please, it's Dhruv.  My heartbeat was racing and my body was numb.i crossed my fingers.

(About whom are you talking about?  Tell it clearly)

"Garv aur kon! Hamara family connection hai

Bada acha ladka hai. " She announced and I tried controlling my tears . How could I marry him?  I know Garv won't marry me as he already knows everything. But what if aapsa agrees to it?

(It's Garv. We have a family connection.  He is such a nice guy)

"Woh toh aap nahi bhi kehti toh mere mind me Garv hi tha. Abhi ki shaadi mai mila tha. Acha ladka hai '' Aapsa replied and I was shocked to know that he wanted to get me married with his best friend whom I call my jethsa.

(Even if you haven't talked about it,  I had Garv in my mind. I met him at Abhi's wedding. He is good)

My family was talking about it and I was so involved in my own thoughts that I didn't pay attention  to it.  Geet say you don't want to get engaged not with him,  not with anyone else.  You can't break his trust. He is working hard to make his career and I can't betray him.

"Muje Garv nahi pasand." These words, which came out of my mouth all of a sudden. Everyone stopped talking and looked at me as if I was not supposed to say this.

(I don't like Garv)

I stood and took my plate to escape their questions. I went to the kitchen and put on my earpods to not hear anything which was going on in my house, my shaadi talks.

I could feel the tears in my eyes and I tried to not look at everyone whoever enters the kitchen. I was done with my work and headed towards my room and texted him.

"Need to talk about something important. Please be active at 10.45pm"

I entered my room and the first thing I did was wash my face. I came out and checked the time it was just five minutes away to be 10.45

I opened the notification tab and his text was already waiting  for me.

"I hope all is good. I will be waiting for you and your call"

I heard a knock on my door which was actually closed.  I checked my face in the mirror, especially my eyes.  It was normal but to avoid any issues I wore my specs which I used for my laptop.

I opened the door and Avantika was waiting for me to open.

Without saying a word, she entered the room and closed it.

"Do you need something?I mean pen paper etc" I asked, turning towards my study table and opening my laptop. OK, I was hiding my face and tried not to maintain eye contact.

"I don't need it. But tell me why you don't want to marry Garv? I mean he is a good match for you. Introvert you,  extrovert he!" She put forward her words and I could feel her coming closer but I acted as if I didn't feel it.

"I am 23.I have my career. I am not interested in getting married. " I replied, switching on the laptop.

"Not interested in anyone or not interested in marriage?" She questioned.

"Avanti you are preparing for a medical seat ,don't act like a detective" I mentioned and stared at her.

"Forget about me. Geet jija, I know there is something between you and Dhruv"

That last sentence felt as if I heard it mistakenly.  I took a gulp and my hands stopped working . I turned and stood looking at her. I tried my best to not look for any sign of nervousness on my face.

"Sorry. What did you say? "I asked, pretending to unheard it before.

"I know you love Dhruv and Dhruv loves you. But there is no chance for you to be together because in our family,  nobody has ever had this kind of marriage. If you don't know, let me remind you Aapsa doesn't like Dhruv. "

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VOTE TARGET  -230?

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Hope you enjoy reading it and don't forget to vote and comment down below.

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Take care and lots of love ❤

See you soon in the next chapter

Avina,

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THANK-YOU FOR READING 🌼🎊🐣