Everyone is busy talking and it seems that both families have taken a liking towards each other. I don't know how I am feeling because I don't want to get married so soon but if my family like Mr. Bajaj and his family then I don't know what I will do. I have noticed Mr. Bajaj gaze on me sometimes but he is not saying much to anyone, only answering when someone asks him something.

His parents are very humble and the way they have talked to me, I haven't felt any nervousness or anything while responding to them. Especially his mother who is a very cheerful woman and I really like her. But his father has a completely different level, he is not letting a chance to go without pulling his son's leg. After seeing everything till now I have a feeling of the outcome of this gathering but I don't want to assume anything at this moment.

"We are very happy to have a chance to meet you guys. It's very rare to see a joint family nowadays but seeing the love and respect you have for each other is enough for us to know that we are not going to regret our decision." Sachin uncle, Mr. Bajaj's father says looking very much happy.

"Ummm what decision Sachin Ji?" Papa asks looking confused.

"Vinod Ji, we really like your daughter and your family. So we want Ishita to become our daughter-in-law, but we are not forcing our decision on you. The last decision will be yours and whatever you decide we will definitely accept that." Rachna auntie, Mr. bajaj's mother replies gently. I can see the happiness on everyone's faces around me but I don't want to rush anything. I look at Mr. Bajaj to see that he is already looking at me with his calculating gaze. He is looking angry for some reason, can it be the decision that his parents have taken?

"Wow, that's great. I am sure every one of our family is also very pleased with your decision. But before agreeing on anything I think we should let Rudra and Ishita talk among them. They are both adults and it's their lives we are talking about. So they should have a chance to discuss this marriage, to decide if they are okay or not with it." Papa answers after a few seconds. I smile listening to Papa's statement because like always he has put my want before everything.

"We are glad that you mentioned about their talk because we were hesitating to ask you to let them talk freely with each other." Rachna auntie says with a smile.

"I will take them to the Ishita's room. They can talk there without any problem." Kuhu announces suddenly before abruptly standing up from her seat.

"Okay, I think that will be great. Then take them to Ishita's room Kuhu." Phui replies. Mr. Bajaj stands up before following us to my room. When we get in front of my room, Kuhu opens the door before getting out of there with a wink. Silly girl.

I get first and then Mr. Bajaj follows me inside the room. I notice that he is looking at my room thoroughly before taking a place in the chair in front of my study table while I sit on the bed.

"Do you want to get married?" Shit. This guy is so straight forward but what will I answer him that I don't want to get married? No, you can't say like that Ishu. Think about your family, they are looking happy with this relation and Mr. Bajaj's parents, they are really nice persons so how will I object to their decision?

"Will you answer or not?" Mr. Bajaj says with annoyance.

"Ummm sorry I was thinking about something." I reply.

"I am not interested in knowing what you are thinking about so kindly reply correctly to my question. Do you want to get married to me?" I gulp in fear because he is sounding very scary now.

"I don't know. Whatever my family decides, I will follow." I answer nervously. He stands up from his place before starting to pace in the room.

"Look Ishita, I don't like to brag about anything so I will be straight forward with you. I am not ready for marriage and I can tell that you too are not. I come here today just because my mom wants me to get married so if you don't want to get married then please tell me and I will go away from here with my family." He says coming in front of me.

"What if I say I want to get married?" I ask looking at him. Although I am scared of his reaction but I have to confirm somethings before taking any decision.

"Then you have to accept the consequences of the marriage." Consequences? What is he talking about?

"I don't believe in love or any emotions related to this word, so never expect any love in our marriage if we get married in the future. But I can guarantee one thing that I will be faithful to this marriage and if at any moment you think that we should end this marriage then I will accept your decision without any question." He is saying the things I want from a marriage but why am I feeling a dull ache in my heart? I avert my eyes from him before taking a deep breath to calm down my nerves.

"Whatever you have just said is the exact things I want from a marriage. I also don't believe in love so it will be no problem from my side too. I just hope that we can pretend as a perfect married couple in front of our families because their concepts of this marriage will be completely different than ours." I try to sound confident without him finding out my uneasiness.

"Okay, then I think we should go downstairs and tell everyone about our decision." He tells me.

"You go first, I am coming in five minutes." I reply in which he nods his head before going out of my room. I slump down on the bed while tears start to fall from my eyes.

••••••••••

"Congratulations Vinod Ji. From now on your daughter is ours." Dad says before hugging Ishita's father.

"You too Sachin Ji. I am really happy that my daughter is going to be married in such a great family." Vinod uncle replies.

Everyone has big smiles on their faces and they seem to be very happy with our decision. However, I am feeling a little guilty about the lies we will be telling them in the future. Clearly, Ishita's family is similar to my family and their values about marriage are also the same. But neither Ishita nor I have any interest in marriage, we are just going to get married because of both families happiness.

When I came here and met this family I felt like I had a connection with them. They didn't seem like nosey persons who only wanted to talk about my business or money. But I got the biggest surprise when Ishita came in front of me. I have never thought in my wildest dream that the innocent beauty who has successfully captured my attention in the college program would be the one whom my parents have chosen for me.

I think it's a good thing that we have already cleared everything between us. None of us are believers of love so it will be a win-win situation in this marriage. Then why am I feeling unpleasant about the things I have said to her?

"Ishita come here dear." Mom calls out to Ishita who just enter the living room. Wait, her eyes and nose are slightly red. Did she cry before coming here? But if I remember correctly she was okay when I got out of her room then why she is looking so tense.

"I was not sure if this relationship would be fixed or not today so I haven't brought any gift for you. However, while everything has been fixed finally I want to give you something of mine." Mom says before taking off her favorite Emerald studded diamond bangles from her hands and put them around Ishita's hands.

I get shocked because these bangles are her favorite as it is the last piece of jewelry of my Naani maa. She has never given anyone this set of bangles not even for some function because she doesn't want anyone to lose them. But now she is so freely giving away them to a person whom she has just met.

"But auntie I can't take them. They are looking very expensive and also they are your so please take them back." Ishita replies before trying to take off the bangles but Mom holds her hand while shaking her head with a smile.

"This bangle set is my mother's and she has told me to give them to someone whom I love dearly. I don't have any daughter of my own but now I can proudly say that I have a daughter which is you. So as my daughter these bangles belong to you from now on." Mom answers with a smile and hugs Ishita who has tears in her eyes. Unknowingly a smile make its way on my face seeing my mother and Ishita embracing each other.

"Rudra beta can I have ten minutes of chat with you?" Vinod uncle says coming in front of me in which I nod in response. He takes me what I can assume as his room before he stands in front of a lady's picture. I think that's Ishita's mother because the lady in the picture and Ishita has a lot of the same features.

"Son I want to ask you something." Vinod uncle says without turning around.

"Sure uncle." I reply.

"Will you be able to take care of our Ishu?" His question doesn't shock me but the quivering in his voice surprise me.

"Are you okay uncle?" I ask before getting near him. That's when I notice he has tears in his eyes, not only that his eyes are showing how vulnerable he is feeling now.

"Why are you crying, uncle? Is everything alright?" I ask worriedly because he doesn't seem like a person to me who shows emotions very often.

"My Ishu is my world Rudra. She is still very young and innocent. Please promise me that you will take care of her and keep her safe from any harm. I am not asking more from you, I just want to see my daughter happy. So please promise me that you will make her happy. Please." Uncle says while folding his palms in front of me. I feel a lump in my throat because of the emotions I am feeling but I take a deep breath before nodding my head.

"Don't worry uncle. Your Ishita will be safe and happy with me. I will make sure that no one can harm her at any cost." I tell him confidently but deep down I have a fear that if I can keep my promise or not.

•••••••••••••••••••••|||•••••••••••••••••••••

I know I am writing short chapters but I will try to write bigger chapters from now on. Now tell me how was the chapter sweethearts?

See you guys in the next update which will be on Friday.

Love you all💗