RATHORE HAVELI

All the elder Rathores were sitting in the lawn enjoying there morning tea.

Amrita voiced out her thoughts looking at her husband "kaal party mein Meera naam ki ek ladki ayi thi apko yaad hai?" (Do you remember a girl named Meera in yesterday's party?)

Suryavansh Rathore replied "Hmm" and gestured his wife to continue.

"Mujhe lagta hai ki Meera humare Abhimaan k liye sahi rahegi" Amrita Devi said. (I think Meera will be perfect for our Abhimaan, as in life partner)

"Haaan maa, mein bhi kaal se yehi soch rahi thi" Ahana Rathore added. (Yes ma, i too was thinking the same since yesterday)

"Bhai what's your opinion about this matter?" Rudra asked Shivansh

To this he replied "Aap sabki pasand meri pasand par last decision Abhimaan ka hi rahega" (i have no objection with yours' choice but the last and final decision would be of Abhimaan's)

"Thik hai phir mein Abhimaan se baat karta hu" Suryavansh Singh Rathore responded. ( Fine then, let me talk to Abhimaan regarding the same)

AT BREAKFAST TABLE

Amrita was constantly chanting in mind, bribing God with coconuts 'prabhu mein 51 nariyal chadhaungi baas Abhimaan rishtey ke liye haan karde'. (God i will come with 51 coconuts for the religious offering, just please do some miracle that Abhimaan will agree for the alliance)

Ahana was too nervous and was praying for Abhimaan's demeanor to remain calm.

When everyone settled down on their respective chairs Suryavansh Rathore cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention.

"Abhimaan"

"Ji dadu" (yes grand pa)

"Kal party mein ek ladki ayi thi Abhimanyu Rajput k saath, tum mile usse?" ( Yesterday in the party, there was a girl with Abhimanyu Rajput......did you by any chance meet her?)

"Ji dadu" (yes grand pa)

"Uska naam Meera Rajput hai" (by the way her name is Meera Rajput)

"Ji dadu" ( yes grand pa)

"Hum sabko Meera pasand hai" ( we all have already developed a soft spot for Meera)

"Ji dadu" (yes dadu)

"Agar tumhe koi aitraaz na ho toh Abhimanyu se Meera ke rishtey ke liye baat agey badhaye?" (If you don't have any valid objection, then shall we talk to Abhimanyu regarding your and Meera's marital alliance)

"Ji dadu" (yes dadu)

After this Abhimaan left for his office leaving everyone astonished.

"Itni asani se mann gya aur koi gussa bhi nhi kiya" Ahana responded still in dazed. (He really agreed this easily even without a pinch of agression)

"Dadi hum bhabi maa se milne kaab jaa rahe?" Sanyukta asked excitedly (when will we go to meet Bhabi ma?)

"Mein Abhimanyu se baat karta hun" Rudra said and left for his study. (I will talk to Abhimanyu about this matter, right away)

ABHIMANYU'S OFFICE

Tina his secretary knocked on the door and informed him about the arrival of Suryavansh Rathore and Shivansh Rathore.

"Bring them in" Abhimanyu ordered his secretary. He was pondering, what could be the urgent matter that Rudra Pratap Singh Rathore was talking about in the morning via phone.

There was a knock on the door to which Abhimanyu replied "come in" . With this the Rathores entered his cabin Abhimanyu smiled politely and gestured them saying "please have a seat"

Shivansh Singh Rathore said "Rudra had informed you about our arrival right?"

Abhimanyu replied "Yes Mr. Rathore your brother informed me but didn't tell me the reason, he only said there is an urgent matter to discuss, what is it?"

"Abhimanyu, without beating around the bush let me straightly come to the topic. We like Meera a lot and we would like to propose a relationship between Meera and Abhimaan" Suryavansh Singh Rathore said.

Abhimanyu was shocked he couldn't understand how to respond to this. He thought it will be better to remain silent.

"Abhimanyu, you can frankly tell us your worries regarding the same. If you are worried for Meera than don't be we too have a daughter and will treat both equally." Shivansh Singh Rathore assured Abhimanyu.

"Abhimanyu let's be practical. You know one day Meera will get married for starting a new family of her own. I think this is the right time she can begin her journey. Moreover when it comes to her in-laws I promise you she will never face any trouble" Suryavansh Singh Rathore smiled and assured Abhimanyu.

Finally Abhimanyu said clearing his thought "Meera, always longed for parental love. I think she will be fortunate to get you all as her family. I have no objection for this marriage but I can't give my final words without consulting Meera. Let me ask her then I will inform you about this".

" Abhimanyu trust me Meera is my responsibility from now onwards" Shivansh said patting Abhimanyu's back. Rathores left after this.

The whole day Abhimanyu thought about the proposal. Rathore family is known for their morals. They are everything a girl would look for in her in-laws.

In the evening he went to his home. Meera came running downstairs with a smiling face and hugged Abhimanyu "welcome home bhai, how was your day?"

Abhimanyu smiled lovingly and said "it was a bit hectic but overall good".

Meera said "Okay! Bhai you freshen up, I will arrange dinner" and went inside the kitchen.

Through out the dinner Abhimanyu was thinking how to tell Meera about the proposal. "Bhai out with it, now" Meera said

"What?"

"Kya what bhai, do you think I can't see that you are lost somewhere. Tell me, what's bothering you?"

"Meera, I want you to think about it with a cool and calm mind and do not panic or rush, okay?"

" Yes bhai, abhi bolo kya hua" (okay bhai, now please tell me what is the matter? )

"Meera aaj Rathores mujhse milne aye thay with a marriage proposal. Woh chahte hai, Abhimaan and you to get married" (Today the Rathores gave a surprise visit to my office.... actually they wanted to ask for your and Abhimaan's marital alliance)

"Par unki first love ka kya?" (But what about his first love?)

Abhimanyu laughed at Meera's question and replied "First love, Abhimaan ki first love uska business hai koi bae nhi" (first love, Abhimaan's first love is his business not any bae)

Being embarrassed Meera shyly asked "Apne kya bola unhe?"

(What was your reply to their marriage offer?)

"Meine kaha ki mein Meera se puch kar bataunga"

(i told them to wait and i will let them know your decision, only after i have a talk with you )

"Bhai, what is your opinion about this marriage proposal?"

"To be very frank Rathores dil k bohot ache hai. Mein 3-4 baar mila hoon unse, they are kind of warm and homely"

( to be very frank they are great by heart. I have met them 3-4 times and every single time I got the warm and homely feeling radiating from them )

"Hmm, aur umm wo jo matlab..."

(Hmm, and umm him, i mean he......)

"Abhimaan is mysterious. Log wahi dekhte hai jo Abhimaan unhe dikhta hai. Tumhe usse janna padega samajh na padega and let me be very honest yeh asaan nhi hoga par ........ I don't know mujhe ek esa feel aa raha ki Abhimaan ke upar mein bharosa kar sakta hu ki woh tumhe mujhse zyada khush rakhega, he will protect you, care for you , will love you...... aur usse acha mein dhundh nhi paunga tere liye"

(Abhimaan is mysterious. People are able to see only that much, how much he wants them to witness. You have to know him genuinely, understand him deeply and let me be very honest these things gonna be very difficult....... But i don't know why I am getting the vibe that i can trust Abhimaan with you, he will keep you happy, will protect you, care for you, will love you perhaps more than me...... and frankly speaking perhaps I won't be able to find a better match for you than Abhimaan)

"Bhai, aap ko jaisa thik lage I trust you with my life"

(I am fine with whatever decision you take, i trust you with my life)

"Mein unhe haan kardu"

(So shall I say yes from our side?)

Meera just nodded and continued eating her dinner. While Abhimanyu called and informed the Rathores with a positive response towards the marriage proposal. Both the families agreed to meet tomorrow and discuss about the further proceedings.

EVENING AT RATHORE HAVELI

Abhimaan arrived in his Range Rover and entered into the Rathore Haveli.

"Hukum, bade hukum is asking for your presence in the lawn" Abhimaan was informed by one of his house staff.

He went towards the lawn and all eyes were focused at him. He raised his perfect eyebrows silently asking them 'what's the matter?'

"Abhimaan beta, Abhimanyu ka phone aya tha unki taraf se haan hai toh hum soch rahe ki kal jake Meera se mil lenge aur dates bhi discuss kar lenge" Ahana said. (Abhimaan beta, we got a call from Abhimanyu and it's a yes from their side so we are thinking to meet Meera and discuss the wedding dates too)

"Choti ma jaise apko thik lage mujhe koi dikat nhi hai" Abhimaan said (choti ma, whatever seems right to you, accordingly you proceed with these things )

"Beta toh tu chalega na humare saath?" Amrita Devi asked her grandson (won't you accompany us to their place?)

"Dadi ma I have no interest in all these meet ups, aap baas mujhe date bata dena" (grand ma i have least interest in these stuffs, you all carry on and just let me know the dates that it) Abhimaan said and left

"Shaadi iski hai ya kisi aur ki mujhe sirf date bata dena bhala yeh k si baat hui" Amrita Devi exclaimed (it is his wedding or of a distant relative of his.... what is this behaviour of just let me know the dates)

"Yeh The Arrogant Abhimaan Singh Rathore wali baat hai" Aviral said and his siblings giggled .

(This is The-Arrogant-Abhimaan-Singh-Rathore behaviour)

Abhimaan reached his room and his eyes fell upon the portrait he painted last night. He went near the portrait and while caressing the portrait he whispered 'Meera devil's angel'.

NEXT MORNING AT ABHIMANYU'S HOUSE

Rathores except Abhimaan went to Abhimanyu's house to meet Meera. Abhimanyu heartily welcomed everyone.

"Abhimanyu, where is Meera?" Ahana asked

"Ji mein bulata hu usse" saying this Abhimanyu went to call Meera.

(Just a minute i will call her downstairs)

Meera and Abhimanyu came downstairs and every Rathore started adoring Meera .

"Bhabi ma let's have a deal, I will obey your every command but in return please save me from bhai's wrath" Aviral requested Meera hearing which everyone chuckled.

"Meera can we talk for a moment" Shivansh Singh Rathore asked Meera

Meera responded sweetly "ji" (yes, sure)

And both went to the garden.

"Meera, I know these talks should have been done by your mother-in-law but I would like to request something" Shivansh looked at Meera and continued

"Abhimaan is short tempered and dominating as well, I know it will be difficult for you to handle him but beta I request you to give him a chance. Abhimaan has kind of locked his emotions, he has been distant from everyone, he behaves like a robot and it pains me as a father when I realise that I failed my son, I lost him emotionally.

I request you to remove every barrier he created for staying aloof from the wordly sentiments"

Meera can see Shivansh Singh Rathore's moist eyes as well as sense the pain in his voice.

"I will Mr.Rathore" Meera replied.

"Meera, there is one more request if you don't mind"

"Yes Mr. Rathore"

"Can you please call me papa instead of Mr. Rathore?"

Hearing this Meera felt like crying, remembering how much she has longed to call someone papa.

With a broad smile Meera positively nodded saying "ji papa", (yes dad) with this both Meera and Shivansh Singh Rathore entered into the hall where everyone was sitting.

Pandit ji said that the date after 15 days quite auspicious orelse another date comes after 3 months.

When it comes to Rathores 15 days are more than enough for arranging a luxurious wedding so everyone agreed with the first date.