Abhiraj’s mother smiled wide as stood up, her eyes fixed on Abhiraj.

“I have fixed Abhiraj’s engagement with a girl” Abhiraj’s mother announced, happiness dripping in her voice.

The gasps of the younger ones were clear and audible to everyone. Their eyes turned towards Abhiraj and Maanvi, and curiosity and tension buzzed inside them. Maanvi’s parents immediately shook their hands with them, offering their wishes and blessings to Abhiraj and his family. At the same time, Varun and Vidhi were too stunned even to exchange glances at each other.

While here Abhiraj’s blood ran cold. His grip on the phone was tight enough to break its screen. His jaw clenched, chest heaving with the weight of his mother’s words. Marriage? Without his knowledge? A sense of betrayal ran through his veins.

His eyes snapped towards Maanvi in an instant. Her face paled, her hand trembling to even contain herself. A tension building inside her was reflected in her expression. Her eyes met his, clearly showing the hurt and shock she was feeling. A single drop of tear left her eyes, twisting his heart painfully.

“And the engagement date is finalised after 2 weeks,” Nandani added further.

Abhiraj’s anger boiled over the limit. He shot up from his place, storming towards Nandani.

“Maa, what is this? You can't just fix my marriage with someone without my knowledge.” Abhiraj's voice was filled with anger yet respect, and he did not want to hurt his mother.

Every eye in the room turned towards Abhiraj. The younger ones were still looking at Maanvi, who was silently sobbing in the corner, hiding her tears from everyone.

“Abhiraj I know you are not ready for this, but she is the best girl for you. I don’t want to delay anything now.” Nandani gazed at her son, remaining calm.

The hall was already tense after Abhiraj’s sudden retreat, and Nandani’s answer added fuel to the fire. Abhiraj clenched his jaw as his eyes drifted towards Maanvi, who was now weeping in the corner, trying hard to hide her tears.

“What’s the issue, Abhiraj? It’s not like Nandani said something bad.” Vikrant resorted to supporting his wife, knowing what she was trying to do.

“Yes, Abhiraj, bhabhi has not done something wrong. Did she?” Arjun added smirking at his nephew’s helplessness to contain the secret.

Abhiraj clutched his jaw as he heard everyone say something. His gaze darkened, and he felt disappointment building inside him. Were they his family?

“But maa, you should ask bhaiya before fixing anything. What if he is not ready?” Sid added somehow controlling his urge to comfort Maanvi.

“Yes badi maa ” Adi and Anu jumped in support, not wanting to see their favourite person losing herself.

Abhiraj looked up at his mother, his eyes filled with unshed tears. A sudden fear of losing her covered his senses.

“Maa, I want to tell you something” his voice crackling with each word.

“Not now aAbhiraj We will talk once we are home. for now, let's celebrate your engagement news.” Nandani interrupted with a smile washing over her face.

Abhiraj looked at her, baffled by his mother’s behaviour. In no minute Nandani pulled out the sweet box from the bag, moving towards Abhiraj to feed him first. But even before her hands could reach out to feed him, Abhiraj’s hand shot up, grabbing the box and slamming it back on the table.

“Engagement? Hell with your engagement” he shouted.

“Abhiraj behave.” Vikrant’s sharp voice cut through the room. His face was masked with concern and frustration.

He knew his son was now frustrated with engagement talks, but at the same time, he too wanted to know about the girl his son had chosen. Not for keeping his track, but to make sure that the girl is good for him.

“Dad, this is not the way you should tell someone that he is getting engaged to some random girl.” Abhiraj’s chest tightened with each word.

The tension in the room thickened.

“And this not the way to behave with your mother Abhiraj. It’s not like we haven’t asked you about your likes. You denied having any girlfriend all these 3 years, so what’s a problem if your mother is fixing your marriage with someone.”

Arjun shot back, completely aware of his nephew's anger level. His eyes curiously observed Abhiraj’s helpless state and smirked at the thought of finally knowing the girl’s name his nephew had chosen for himself.

“I never denied it, I just avoided that conversation.” Abhiraj’s voice is quiet. While his lips curled up into a bitter smile.

His eyes travelled around the room finally settling on his mother.

“And yes, for your information. I do have a girlfriend.” his voice now hard.

A sudden silence spread across the room, with each eye looking at him with curiosity. Abhiraj’s steps turned towards Maanvi, now frozen with his words, her cheeks stained with tears.

Slowly he reached up, wiping off her tears before taking her hand in his. Maanvi’s breath hicked with his action, her eyes shot up, meeting his.

“I am here, I am not going anywhere, don’t worry jaana” his words came out a lot like a whisper, filled with assurance and love.

Her breath flattered, her eyes shimmering with hope. I hope of him handling everything. Abhiraj gently held her hand, pulling her onto her feet, and slowly held her by her shoulders.

“We have been dating for years, and I am never letting her go” He announced, his eyes still fixed on hers.

The room erupted into shock mummers. Maanvi’s family smiled knowingly, while Rajat was speechless. Vikrant and Arjun were utterly shocked and exchanged glances. The younger ones sighed with relief, Anu and Adi almost breaking into tears.

Maanvi instantly burst into tears, her hands slowly embracing Abhiraj, clutching his waist as if afraid to let him go.

“From how many years Abhiraj?” Vikrant finally asked, his voice carrying an unknown softness.

“Way before she came to our house on Dhanteras,” Abhiraj replied, his hands busy wiping Maanvi’s tears.

“But why did you hide this from us?” Rajat questioned.

“Because I told her to. I wanted us to be stable with our career first,” Abhiraj admitted, his hands slowly wrapping around her shoulder.

Everyone smiled at his thoughtfulness. Maanvi’s family felt a wave of relief, now fully confident in their daughter’s choice.

“Maa, won’t you say anything?” Abhiraj asked, his heart still restless about her reaction.

Nandani who was quiet till now, slowly looked towards them. Her eyes travelled from their intervening hands to their face. Her steps slowly halted towards them, stopping just before Maanvi, her head bowed nervously.

“Aunty, I swear we never wanted to hide this thing with you all. I know your friend will be very angry with you for breaking off engagement, I am sorry” Maanvi wept, her hand folding into a gentle apology.

“Sarita won’t be angry bacche, see how happy she is” Nandani’s voice softened. Her hands gripping over Maanvi’s slowing stopped her from apologising.

Her words stunned everyone. Loud gasps echoed across the room as everyone turned towards Sarita, who grinned mischievously.

“Wait what?” Abhiraj's brow furrowed.

“Yes Maanvi, it was you all along. I can never find a perfect girl like you for my Abhiraj. You are a pure soul, and it’s very difficult to find a gem like you.” Nandani smiled, slowly embracing Maanvi.

Maanvi burst into tears, hugging her tightly.

“Don’t cry bacche. It was just a plan, to make you both confess it.” Nandani assured, her tone gentle yet filled with guilt for making her daughter-in-law cry.

Sarita, Vidhi and Meera quickly went towards her, cooing her. While the younger ones went towards Abhiraj, embracing him in an instant.

“Bhai, bhabhi maa is crying too much. Please do something” Sid said, his voice now choking seeing Maanvi crying continuously.

Ahiraj broke the hug with the trio and went towards the ladies. His eyes silently conveyed them to leave her and held her by her shoulder.

“Maanvi?” he called, his voice gentle.

She collapsed into his chest, her fingers curling up his well-ironed shirt. Her sobs lowered slowly.

“Calm down bacche see everyone is tensed.” he gently cooed her.

Hearing his voice she slowly opened her eyes looking around her. Everyone’s eyes were on her, a tense expression covering their faces. Rajat not able to control himself anymore, quickly went towards his daughter and creased her hair, before wiping off her tears.

“It was just a prank beta, to make you confess. Don’t cry my princess, we are not separating you both.” Rajat cooed, his voice heavy seeing his daughter cry.

“Yes beta, and about the prank, I am sorry, it was my idea.” Nandani apologised feeling guilty about the stunt.

Maanvi who was hearing all this, quickly broke the hug with Abhiraj and went towards Nandani, embracing her.

“No Aunty, you are older. Don’t apologise like that. I am not angry at anyone, it was just I was afraid to lose him.” Maanvi resorted, her sobs subsidising and voice low as a whisper.

The room swelled with Warmth and relief. Nandani kissed Maanvi’s forehead, creasing her face like she was her daughter. Abhiraj’s face finally relaxed, but his heart was still not at peace, as he knew there would be lots of questions which he had to answer now. A sense of calm and peace spread across the room. The moment which felt like a storm a minute ago, turned into peaceful rain. Maanvi’s heart was finally at rest, as everyone muttered sweet words to her. But her mind was ready for the upcoming things. Her eyes fixed on Abhiraj all way long, if it was asking him - is this how we wanted everything?