At Aryan's house, everyone was having breakfast.
Aryan? Devika called.
Aryan looked at her. Yes, Mom?
"Can you come home early today?" she asked.
Why? Aryan questioned.
Devika replied, "I was thinking that we should all go to Aahil's house today."
Hearing this, Nandini became shocked, while Prerna looked happy.
Devika continued, "I mean, their rituals are different from ours, right? So we should discuss everything properly."
Aryan stayed silent for a moment.
Nandini thought to herself, Aryan will definitely refuse.
Devika looked at him expectantly.
But Aryan calmly replied, As you wish, Mom.
Prerna and Devika immediately smiled happily.
Nandini, however, was stunned.
What? she thought. How could Aryan agree so easily? I thought he would deny it immediately.
Later, at Aanya's house, Aanya received a call from Kunal.
She answered it.
"Hey, hi Aanya," Kunal said cheerfully.
"Hi," Aanya replied seriously.
Kunal immediately noticed her tone. "What happened? Is everything okay?"
Aanya stayed silent.
I mean… from your voice, it sounds like you're upset, Kunal said softly.
Aanya suddenly remembered how uncomfortable she had felt when he came close to her that day.
"Why aren't you talking?" Kunal asked. Then after a pause, he said carefully, "Wait… is it because I came close to you that day without your permission?"
Aanya became slightly shocked.
After a brief silence, she quietly replied, "Yes."
Kunal sighed. "Aanya, I'm really sorry. I was just trying to tease you, that's all."
Aanya found it strange hearing Kunal apologize so sincerely.
Kunal continued, "Look, from now on, I'll never do anything that makes you uncomfortable or hurts you."
Aanya didn't know what to say.
"Hello? Aanya?" Kunal called again.
"Yeah…"
"Are you still upset with me?" he asked carefully.
"No… not like that," Aanya replied softly.
"Thank God," Kunal said dramatically. Actually, I was thinking… why don't we go to the mall this evening? Just you and me. We can spend some time together.
Aanya hesitated. Today won't be possible.
Kunal sounded confused. "Why?"
"Actually, we're going for jewelry shopping today," Aanya explained.
Oh yeah! Sorry, I totally forgot. Mom told me about it, Kunal replied.
Then after a pause, he asked, "What about tomorrow? Because after that, both of us will get busy."
Aanya thought for a moment. "Okay."
"Great," Kunal said happily. Then tomorrow it is. Bye.
He cut the call.
Aanya stared at her phone for a few seconds.
Then she thought to herself,
Maybe Kunal is actually a nice guy…
Maybe I'm just overthinking too much.
That evening, Aryan came home early, just as he had promised.
After getting ready, Devika noticed that Nandini still hadn't changed.
"Sister-in-law, why aren't you ready yet?" Devika asked.
Nandini replied coldly, Devika, I don't want to go to their house.
Devika looked surprised. "What are you saying, Sister-in-law? Aahil's family is nice. And in the future, they will become Prerna's in-laws."
Nandini frowned. Why are you so happy to make relations with them? They're not even from our religion.
Devika became serious. Sister-in-law, have you thought about how Prerna would feel hearing your words?
Before Nandini could reply, Aryan stepped in.
"Let it be, Mom."
Both Devika and Nandini looked at him.
If Aunt doesn't want to come, then let it be, Aryan said calmly. "Don't force her."
Nandini felt hurt and angry hearing his tone.
Without saying anything else, she turned and went back to her room.
Just then, Prerna came downstairs.
"Where's Aunt?" she asked.
Devika looked at Aryan for a moment.
Aryan answered calmly, She's not feeling well, so let her rest. The three of us will go.
---
Later, they reached Aahil's house.
Aahil and his family warmly welcomed them inside.
After everyone sat down together, Salima smiled happily.
"I'm so happy that all of you came," she said.
Devika smiled back politely.
How are you feeling now, Prerna beta? Salima asked warmly.
"Much better, Aunty," Prerna replied with a smile.
Then Salima asked, "By the way, why didn't Nandini ji come?"
Devika answered, "She wasn't feeling well, so she decided to rest."
Oh, okay, Salima replied kindly. "I hope she gets well soon."
A few minutes later, Asma brought snacks along with tea and coffee.
"These were made by Ammi," she said proudly. Please try them.
Devika and Prerna tasted the snacks and immediately smiled.
"Wow, this is really good," Devika praised.
Meanwhile, Aahil noticed that Aryan wasn't eating anything.
"Aryan ji, you're not taking anything," Aahil said politely. "Please at least try one."
Salima also smiled. Yes beta, please try.
Aryan gave a small smile and finally took some snacks.
After some casual conversation, Devika finally spoke seriously.
"Salima ji, as we all know, Aahil and Prerna like each other… so we were thinking about their marriage."
Aahil, Ahad, Asma, and Salima immediately looked happy.
Salima smiled emotionally. "Even we were thinking about Aahil and Prerna's nikah."
Devika nodded warmly.
"Well, our cultures are different," she said gently, but along with our culture, we will also respect your traditions and rituals.
Salima smiled. "And we will also respect your culture and rituals, Devika ji."
Devika looked relieved and happy hearing that.
Then Salima excitedly said, "So let's fix the date."
Devika smiled awkwardly. "Well… usually in our culture, we call a priest and choose an auspicious date for the wedding."
"Oh, I understand," Salima replied.
"So within the next two days, I'll call the priest and ask him to fix a wedding date,"
Devika explained.
"Okay, Devika ji," Salima agreed happily.
Prerna and Aahil secretly looked at each other and smiled.
Later, while everyone inside continued talking, Aryan stepped outside to attend a call.
After ending the call, he suddenly noticed Aahil standing nearby.
"Aryan ji," Aahil spoke hesitantly, "I wanted to apologize for what happened at the hospital. I hope you forgive me."
Aryan looked at him calmly.
"Aahil, I'm not angry with you. So there's nothing to forgive."
Aahil listened quietly.
Aryan continued, I just want my sister to stay happy. At first, I thought you weren't serious about her…
Aahil became nervous.
"But the way you reacted at the hospital showed me how serious you are about Prerna."
Aahil smiled softly.
Aryan then said sincerely, "Please always keep her happy."
Aahil nodded firmly. "I will."
After some time, Devika stood up.
"Salima ji, we should leave now."
Salima looked surprised. "But you haven't had dinner yet."
"Next time, for sure," Devika replied with a smile.
Salima smiled back warmly.
After they left, Asma immediately teased Aahil.
"Ahad Bhai Jaan, did you see how much Aahil Bhai Jaan was blushing after hearing about the nikah?"
Aahil instantly protested, "No, I wasn't!"
Asma and Ahad burst out laughing.
The next day, at Aryan's house, everyone was having breakfast together.
Prerna suddenly said, "Mom, last night I called Aanya."
The moment Aryan heard Aanya's name, he immediately looked at Prerna.
Prerna continued, "But she didn't pick up."
Maybe she was busy, Devika replied casually.
Aryan quietly looked away and continued eating.
Meanwhile, Nandini added coldly, Now she probably won't lift our calls anymore. What's the need for her to talk to us now?
Aryan's expression darkened after hearing that.
Nandini continued, Please, Sister-in-law.
Suddenly, Aryan stood up from his chair.
Devika looked surprised. Aryan, you haven't even eaten properly.
"I'm full, Mom," he replied shortly before leaving.
Meanwhile, Aanya's house was filled with relatives.
Everyone was busy talking and laughing.
At the same time, Aanya was running behind her cousins.
"Give me my phone back!" she shouted.
"Dheeraj, please give it!"
"If you want it, then take it!" Dheeraj teased before throwing the phone to another cousin.
"Hey! Be careful!" Aanya yelled nervously. "The phone will fall and break!"
The cousins continued teasing her and laughing loudly.
Just then, her grandmother arrived.
Hey! What are all of you doing? Dadi scolded them. "Give her phone back immediately!"
The children instantly became scared and returned the phone to Aanya before running away.
Aanya sighed and checked her phone.
Then she noticed that she had several missed calls from Prerna.
"Why did Prerna call me?" she wondered.
She immediately called her back.
Meanwhile, Prerna saw Aanya's call and quickly answered it.
"Hello, Aanya!"
"How are you, Prerna?" Aanya asked warmly.
I'm fine. What about you?
Yeah, I'm fine too.
Prerna smiled slightly. Last night I called you. Looks like you were busy with your wedding preparations.
"No, no, not like that," Aanya quickly explained. Actually, since yesterday my cousins had my phone. They just gave it back now, and then I saw your calls.
Prerna laughed softly. "I was just joking, Aanya."
Aanya smiled slightly.
By the way, Prerna suddenly said excitedly, "I need to tell you something very important."
Aanya became curious. About What?
Yesterday night, we went to Aahil's house.
Aanya looked shocked. "What? But why?"
"To talk about our marriage."
Aanya's eyes widened happily.
"Marriage? Really?"
"Yeah."
"Wow! Congratulations, Prerna!" Aanya said excitedly.
"Thank you," Prerna replied happily. And within the next two days, the priest will come to fix the wedding date.
Aanya smiled genuinely. Prerna… I'm really happy for you.
Then after a pause, she asked curiously, "But how did Mr. Aryan agree?"
Prerna paused for a second.
"After that incident, Bhai just accepted it."
Aanya became confused. "What incident?"
Prerna suddenly remembered that Aanya didn't know about her suicide attempt.
She quickly changed the topic.
No, I mean… we just had a discussion.
Then she asked, By the way, what about you? You're getting married so early.
Aanya's expression dimmed slightly.
"Yeah…" she replied softly.
Just then, Devika walked into the room and heard Prerna talking on the phone.
Whom are you talking to? she asked.
Even Aanya heard Devika's voice through the call.
Mom, it's Aanya, Prerna replied.
Devika immediately looked surprised.
"Wait… Aanya?"
She quickly took the phone from Prerna.
Aanya beta, how are you?
"I'm fine, Aunty. How are you?"
"I'm fine too. What about your mom and dad?"
"They're fine too."
Then Devika smiled softly and asked, "So… you're really getting married?"
Aanya lowered her gaze slightly.
"Yes, Aunty."
By the way, Devika continued casually, "why didn't you tell me you were coming that day?"
Aanya became confused. "Coming? Where, Aunty?"
That day when you came here without informing your parents to meet Aryan.
Aanya immediately became shocked.
No, Aunty! I didn't come to meet Mr. Aryan. I just came to take my luggage.
"You could've told me earlier that you were coming,"
Well, Aunty… even I didn't think I would come. I just…
"Oh okay, okay beta. No problem."
Then after a pause, Devika casually asked, By the way… have you talked to Aryan these days?
Aanya frowned slightly. "What do you mean, Aunty?"
"I mean… you and Aryan are close, right?"
Aanya paused for a moment before replying softly,
"We're not that close, Aunty."
"Oh…"
Then Devika sighed dramatically.
I don't know what happened to Aryan these days. He's not even eating properly.
Aanya instantly looked concerned.
"What? Mr. Aryan isn't eating properly?"
Devika and Prerna secretly exchanged smiles.
Devika continued acting worriedly.
"Even this morning, he didn't eat anything at all. He just left for the office without eating."
Aanya immediately became worried.
"But Aunty… why isn't he eating?"
Devika sighed softly. "Even we don't know the reason, Aanya."
Hearing that, Aanya became tense.
I'm really worried about him, Devika added sadly.
Aanya stayed silent, lost in thought.
Then Devika quickly said, "Okay Aanya, you must be busy. I'll talk to you later. Bye."
But Aunty—
Before Aanya could finish, Devika cuts the call.
The moment the call ended, Devika and Prerna burst out laughing.
"Mom!" Prerna laughed. "What have you done?"
Devika grinned proudly.
"Now definitely she'll call Aryan now."
Prerna nodded excitedly.
"Did you hear how worried she sounded when I said Aryan wasn't eating?" Devika asked.
Prerna smiled knowingly.
"Yes, Mom. You're right."
Then both of them exchanged meaningful looks.
"There's definitely something between them."
Prerna smiled slightly. "I just hope your plan works… and Aanya and Bhai can talk again."
Meanwhile Aanya stared at her phone silently.
Wait… is Mr. Aryan okay? she thought worriedly.
Is he really upset because of my marriage? Is that why he's not eating or sleeping properly…?
---
End Of Chapter 76.