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In the morning Ashutosh was due to arrive because right after arriving at the station his father Anil sent him to the nearest town to do some work in company though after graduation Ashutosh wanted to gain some outside experience of the business world and Anil give him permission too, but whenever he's free he'll help his father in family business. Avinash was also coming by evening,he too had started some business with his grandfather's help and was doing great and had already gained so much wealth, day by day his family is getting rich but compared to Ashutosh's family they are still a step behind.
Riya awoke with the sunrise.
She had barely slept the night before — her dreams had been full of blurred faces and wedding mandaps, of Ashutosh's smile from a photo she had kept on her phone for years, though no one knew. She pressed her palms together in silent prayer before her mirror.
Riya's thoughts:
Today, everything changes. I've waited. I've behaved. I've done everything right. Now it's my turn.
She chose the pale green saree with delicate silver borders. It matched the necklace Kamla Devi had kept aside for "that special day." Riya dabbed rose water behind her ears, fixed her braid, and added just a hint of kajal — understated, perfect.
Downstairs, Kamla Devi fussed over a tray of sweets.
"The boondi ladoos must be warm when he arrives. Not too sweet — he was always fussy about sugar," she instructed the cook, then turned toward Riya with a satisfied hum.
"You look like Lakshmi herself," she said, pressing a bindi to her daughter's forehead. "Don't speak too loudly. And smile — just enough."
Kamla Devi's thoughts:
I knew it. Riya was born to be a wife in a rich home. She's soft-spoken, obedient. Not like that storm of a girl — Nalina.
At the Sharma household, Nalina stood by the washing line, pegging up the wet bedsheets. Her hands were red from detergent, her mind far from sarees and jewelry.
Sumitra emerged with a cloth bag. "Here, beti — take these to the temple later."
Nalina glanced toward the Mehra residence. "He arrives today, doesn't he?"
Sumitra nodded. "Yes. Kamla is acting like the Queen of England is visiting."
Nalina smirked. "I suppose, to them, he's royalty."
Sumitra hesitated. "You'll join us at the temple later?"
"Of course," Nalina replied, smiling cheekily. "Let's see if this 'prince' remembers the rest of us peasants."
Sumitra softly knocks her head . "Focus on your matter too, Avinash is also coming in the evening so wear something nice."
Nalina frowns. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing now ?"
Sumitra said angrily. " Come to your senses girl, your fiance is coming and you want to wear this old suit, you have worn it so many times in front of his mother, change into something appropriate before coming to temple otherwise your father will be angry."
Nalina says with a scowl. "Oh , don't bring my papa into this, he never says anything."
Sumitra says. " Just do as I say , your father has spoiled you too much " "Both father and daughter are the same , always taking each other's side" mumbling as she goes out.
Nalina's thoughts:
What's the meaning of all this, for someone who will be my life partner he should see me the way I naturally am, not in a salwar suit but in jeans and tops that I like, not with an artificial cover. She sighed lightly hoping he's as kind as her parents believe, now that his business is flourishing and hopes he won't change like his mother.
But beneath her casual exterior, something buzzed. Curiosity? Caution? She didn't know.
______
That afternoon, Avinash's car turned into the lane — a sleek black vehicle with tinted windows and chrome so polished, even the hawker boys paused mid-shout to stare.
Avinash stepped out — tall, broad-shouldered, his shirt crisp despite the heat. He removed his sunglasses, and the world paused for a beat. Beside him Ashutosh comes out equally handsome but wearing casual clothes and Avinash in his dashing style steals the show.
Rekha Devi stepped forward, arms wide. " Ashutosh ! Finally."
She embraced him tightly, then gave a quick glance around. Riya and Kamla stood nearby, trays of sweets and incense ready. Riya smiled — heart pounding — as he approached.
"Namaste, Ashutosh," she said softly.
He blinked and nodded towards her. "Riya, right? You've grown up."
Her heart fluttered and then her gaze fell on Avinash and stopped right there without moving once ,her heart pounding looking at his handsome face she never knew that Avinash is more good-looking compared to Ashutosh and his car, even his car is way more expensive than Ashutosh .
Ashutosh's thoughts:
She's... graceful. Pretty, even. But her smile trembles. Like she's trying too hard, but why is she looking at Avinash like this?
Then, from behind the gate of the Sharma home, a loud metallic clatter rang out — Nalina had dropped a steel jug while chasing a street dog away from the gate.
Ashutosh turned instinctively.
There she stood — hair loosely braided, sleeves rolled up, barefoot, her dupatta tied at her waist like a belt. Her forehead was damp with sweat, but her eyes were fierce. She didn't look like a bride-to-be — she looked like a warrior.
She glanced around. "Don't just stand there. Shoo the dog away before it eats the flowers," she called toward no one in particular, then disappeared inside.
The women nearby gasped.
Beside the car Avinash takes his time observing Nalina from afar, then turns towards Rekha " Namaste aunty."
"Aah, Namaste beta, look at you , look like a totally different person from before."Rekha exclaimed happily. "Come in quickly boys".
" Umm, no aunty, it's already very late, I have a deal to settle, and my parents are probably waiting for me."
" Maa, don't stop him, he wants to buy the house on the corner. The dealers are already waiting for an hour and because of papa he's already very late ." Ashutosh added.
"Ohh that's a great news beta, congratulations.
I see your new business is doing well."Rekh Devi smiled gently.
"Ha, aunty aap sabka aashirwad hai.(it's blessing of you all.)
Acha, it's getting late I'll be going." Avinash goes back to the car just to quickly return with some bags and run towards the Sharma house.