I was shocked when Mr. Bajaj told the little boy that he would help him because he didn't seem like a person who could help anyone without any reason. However, he proved me wrong when he not only admitted the poor lady to the hospital but also paid for her treatment. He also ordered someone to rent a nice place for the lady and her son, also asked to give her work in his factory in Delhi. When I asked about the expenses, he said that he would be the one to take care of everything. I got to know that the little boy's name is Krishna so I gave him my number to contact me whenever he wants.

It's already one week since that incident and today is our engagement. Everyone is busy getting ready as we have to leave for the venue in one hour. I have worn my mom's saree and jewelry for the occasion which brings tears to my eyes because I am terribly missing her. But I know that my mom's blessing is always with me.

"You are looking like your mother Ishu." Kaki comments while putting a black tika behind my right ear. I smile at her and hug her.

"Come on let's go. Everyone is waiting for you." Roshni bhabhi says and we start to walk downstairs where other family members are waiting. Everyone has big smiles on their faces showing their happiness but my Papa's eyes are a little teary so I go to him and hug him. He kisses my forehead and hugs me tightly.

"My gudiya has gotten so big that she is going to start her new life, haa? I am happy for you beta. You are going to a very nice family who knows your value." He tells me with confidence.

"But no one will ever love me like you do Papa. You are my everything." I reply.

"We will be late if we don't go now Bhaiya." Phui says from behind making me look at her with a pout.

"You know, I can still spank you right?" Phui asks while arching a brow at me. Everyone laughs except me because she is the only one whom I scare of.

Soon enough we are on the way to the venue where the engagement will be held. Dada and Dadi wanted to do the ritual at home but Papa said that we don't have much room to invite so many people. That's why Gautam bhaiya has booked a five-star hotel for the engagement ceremony. I am mesmerized by all the decorations that have been done in the hall where the ceremony will be done.

"Ishita beta you are looking so ethereal." Archana Auntie comments while caressing my cheeks with her palms. I smile and take her blessing by touching her feet.

"Ishita someone is very eager to meet you as he didn't get to come with us the last time when we came to your house. Here, meet your brother-in-law and our younger son Lakshya." Sachin uncle says while pointing at a guy who has a soft smile on his face. He has a gentle vibe around him so his presence doesn't make me feel uncomfortable.

"It's nice to meet you." I say to him.

"Same here Bhabhi. Umm, you don't mind me calling you bhabhi, right?" He asks shyly.

"Not at all, but I think you're older than me so I don't think I can call you by your name." He laughs hearing my reply so do others around us.

"You can call him whatever you want dear. I am pretty sure he will like it." Archana Auntie says in which Lakshya nods his head in answer.

"Then I will call you bhaiya as you are kind of my Gautam Bhaiya's age." I answer.

"That's work for me. I don't have any sister so I will be glad to have a younger sister like you." He replies with a wink making me chuckle.

"But where is Rudra Sachin Ji? We haven't seen him since we came here." Kaka asks.

"He is talking to his friend over there, wait I will call him." Sachin uncle replies but he doesn't need to ask for Mr. Bajaj because he is already walking towards us.

"He is looking so damn handsome Ishu." Kuhu whispers in my ears earning a shove from me.

I have to admit that he is looking different than the other times I have seen him, maybe because he is wearing a sherwani not his suit. He stops in front of us before greeting my family. Then turn toward me and smiles at me but doesn't say anything. I know I have accepted his offer of friendship but I am still not very comfortable to talk to him freely. He is a very intimidating man with sharp features. He hasn't done anything to scare me but somehow his presence is still something I am not very used to.

Archana Auntie takes my hand and Mr. Bajaj's hands before taking us to the beautifully decorated stage. She orders us to sit down because the guests want to meet us.

A lot of people come to greet us and congrats us for the engagement. I also get to meet Mr. Bajaj's best friend Aarav Verma, who is one of the best lawyers in India. He has come with his wife Soniya who is very beautiful. I really like talking to her as she is very easy to be with, she is also very independent in her thoughts that's what attracts me the most. When the time comes for the ceremony Kaki and Archana Aunties do the rituals before telling us to put the engagement rings on each other's fingers.

Everyone starts clapping hands when the engagement is done. I look at my ring finger and heave a sigh because it's the reminder that I am finally engaged to someone who is nothing more than an unknown person to me. I am just marrying him because my family is happy about this marriage. I just hope that I can live seeing the happiness on their faces. After what they had to suffer for me this is the least I can do for them.

"Hey, why are you crying Ishita?" Mr. Bajaj asks from beside me. I haven't realized that I am crying till he mentions it. I touch my cheeks and yes, there are tears. I wipe my tears before looking at him with a smile.

"Nothing Mr. Bajaj. I am just overwhelmed with everything, that's all." I reply in which he shakes his head.

"I know you are lying so please tell me what happened? We are friends, right?" He is such a persistent man. I huff before looking at him to see that he is already looking at me.

"I just think that we are deceiving our family, they think that we are getting married because we want to but we both know that this is not the truth. We are only getting married because of the happiness of our family." I reply.

"I am also feeling guilty but we can't do anything. Neither of us wants to get married but this will make both families happy. By the way, I am not a bad friend you know?" He answers back teasingly.

"Very funny Mr. Bajaj." I reply mockingly.

"Why do you call me Mr. Bajaj? It sounds weird to hear from you. So please call me Rudra from now on. Also, friends need to be comfortable with each other." He says with a grin making me chuckle.

"Okay, I will remember it, my dear friend." Both of us start laughing afterward.

••••••••••••

One by one all the rituals are done by both families. Since we are Gujrati and my in-laws are Punjabi, there are a lot of rituals to perform. But it is really fun to do all the rituals. The most important ritual in a Gujrati marriage is Mangal Mahurat which is Ganpati Pujan and the ritual is done in our house where Rudra and his family have come to attend. We also have gone to the Gurudwara to take blessing for the marriage.

I am spending all the time with my family and of course Kuhu. I want to hold the time in my hand but it is impossible. I don't know how I will live without these people who are always beside me, who always has my back. I can see the pain in everyone's eyes although they are always smiling or laughing with each other.

Rudra has assured me that I can visit my family whenever I want but I know it will not be so easy to travel leaving my study and my duty as a daughter-in-law. Oh yes, Rudra has already transferred me to a prestigious college in Mumbai and promised my family that my study will not stop before I achieve my goal. This makes my family very happy to know that my new family is already so caring towards me.

"What are you thinking idiot?" Gautam bhaiya says standing beside me on the balcony.

"That you are a zombie." I retort.

"Then you are a zombie too as you are my silly little sister." He replies while wrapping his left arm around my shoulder. I smack his chest before snuggling closer to him.

"I don't want to admit it but I will miss your annoying self." He says after a few minutes of silence. I look up to see that he is looking at the sky.

"Then why are you sending me away?" I ask making him chuckle.

"Because I want you to become happy Ishu. I was a little skeptical about this marriage but when I met the family, I know they are the best person who will take care of you like us." He replies.

"Bhaiya you will come to meet me there, right?" I know we always fight like cat and mouse but he is my big brother who loves me dearly.

"I will be there every weekend to meet you silly. Also, I am working on a new case with Aarav and for that, I need to live in Mumbai for some time till the case is solved. So your bhabhi and I have decided to rent an apartment there for those months." I look at him with wide eyes because this is something I didn't see coming.

"Thank you bhaiya." I tell him in which he smiles because he knows well why I am thanking him. It doesn't matter how much he likes my new family, he will make sure I am well settled in my new house that's when he will leave Mumbai.

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