Walking inside my house, I glanced at my wrist watch.

Thank god. I'm back before 6. Otherwise, she would have eaten me alive.

My mother's picture came into my vision. She came towards me and cupped my face and said, "Mera baccha, aa gya. Go and freshen up and get ready. I have kept your dress in the bed. Wear that."

I made a weird face and quickly put my palms on her forehead to check if she's okay. She removed my hands and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Are you okay? Why are you being so nice, today?"

"Kiara, go and get ready. I have a lot of work to do." Came her stern voice.

Oh mom, I'm so scared. I scoffed mentally.

"Why are you getting angry? I'm going na." I ran towards my room.

I noticed a kurti lying in my bed. It's quite pretty.

But what's the special ocassion?

Why I'm needed so urgently?

Why they want to meet me?

Something is fishy.

I put my fingers in my chin seeming to be in a deep thought.

Detective Verma, what do you think can be wrong? What they are planning?

If you don't get ready. Then surely things can be wrong.

The vision of my mother's glare came in front of my eyes and I snapped out of my thought. I went inside the washroom and got freshen up.

Wearing the kurti, I took a look at the mirror.

Wow! you look pretty, Kia.

I laughed at my inner thought. We people don't have others to compliment us, so we do it ourseleves.

I put a basic and simple makeup and quickly ran down.

I noticed my father and brother talking to my mom in the living room.

When they noticed me, my mother said, "You are looking really pretty, beta."

"I know." I said. "Dad, why they are coming? What's the occasion and why they wanted to meet me?"

He was going to reply but the bell rang.

My mother grabbed my arms and said, "Be on your best behaviour and dont talk unneccessarily." and walked towards the door followed by my father. I narrowed my eyes at this.

Something is definitely wrong.

I noticed a couple around my parent's age. The man hugged my father and the two women did the same. They started laughing at something.

Old people habits.

I elbowed my brother and said, "Bhai, something is wrong. I can feel it my sixth sense, you know."

He gave two tap at my head and said, "Stop using your non-existing brain dear sister."

I scoffed and returned my gaze at our dear so-important guest and noticed them coming. Behind them followed a younger girl around my age and a elderly woman in a wheelchair. My eyes softened at this.

"This is our son, Aditya. And she's our daughter, Kiara." Our father introduced us to them.

"And they are Vineet Agarwal and Reena Agarwal. She's Riya, their daughter. And she is Vineet's mother."

"Namste Uncle, Aunty." We said to the couple and the elderly woman. I warmly smiled at Riya and she did the same.

"Come and sit na." My dad gestured to the sofa and they all took the seat.

"You are so pretty, beta." Reena aunty said to me. I smiled at this and said, "Thank you, aunty."

Wah, Kiara. Too much compliments. This kurti is surely magical.

I noticed the elderly aunty is staring at me with soft gaze. I smiled at her.

My mother stood up and gestured me to come. I pointed at myself and asked, "Me?" She again glared at me. I gulped and followed her to the kitchen.

She took the two trays of tea and foods and handed one to me.

"You should have done this by yourself. Its daughter-in-law who should do this."

"Do I look like I have two pairs of hands. And yes it's the daughter-in-law work." She walked out and I followed.

I put the tray at the table and went to sit at the sofa. But Reena aunty caught my wrist and spoke, "Come and sit beside me."

I sat beside and her and she said, "You mother, Isha said you are a doctor."

"Practically yes, but I'm still an intern."

"There's too much studying in medical, right?" Riya asked me and I turned my face to hers and said, "Indeed, there is." I chuckled at this reminding myself how much I have studied.

"But all is worth in the end, right." Vineet uncle said and I nodded smiling.

My parents and they continued with their talk while they kept asking me some things. While I also had small talks with Riya.

I got to know that she also works in her father's company which is now run by her older brother. He took over the company after graduating. I didn't paid attention to his name. She's also 25 years old, same as mine.

I glanced at my brother and mouthed, 'What's happening.'

He again shrugged. Such a useless brother he is.

"I like her." The elderly woman said. I internally smirked.

Haye aunty, everyone likes me.

"Thank you, aunty."

"Call me dadi. I'm too old to be aunty." She said

I laughed and said, "Okay, dadi."

"It's yes from our side." She said and I looked at my mother confusingly.

Oh god. Is this going there where I'm thinking. Oh, Hell na.

"Yes for what?" I nervously laughed and innocently asked.

So innocent ha.

"Yes for the marriage, Kiara. They have came to ask your hands for marriage." My mother explained to me with pleading eyes.

"With whom? I don't see anyone here."

"With my brother Vihaan Agarwal, I told you about." Riya said.

Wah. Marriage for brother but the brother is absent. Now will I marry to that man seeing his family.

She took out her phone and showed me the picture of her brother. I took a look.

Wow. He's really handsome. Muscular, built, mature looking , manly and hot. Totally my type.

Got the bag, ha Kiara.

But, hey. So what if he's my type. I ain't marrying a stranger.

Dekh lo. We don't come across such handsome men everyday.

Shut up. No means no.

"He had a very important meeting today. That's why he couldn't come." Aunty said.

"Dad, what is this? I can't marry now. I'm only 25. I haven't even completed my intership. How can you all do that?" I stood up abruptly fuming with anger while everyone followed.

My dad came to me and softly grabbed my shoulder with one hand and put his other in my cheeks and said, "Beta, please listen to me. He's a very good man. Please say yes to this marriage. He'll keep you happy. I have never asked anything from you. But today I'm asking something from you. Please say yes."

"Dad, please stop. You cannot force her." My brother said and came to my side.

"We are not forcing her. We are just telling you to consider. If you say no, we won't procced. The choice is yours, beta. We would never force you." My mother said with a very soft voice.

Wow, now she's using her soft tone.

Marriage. I never really thought about that. I mean it's not like I don't want to marry. Obviously, I do. But isn't it is too fast.

Some or other day. You have to. Then why not now.

That's also true.

You would also get glare-free life.

The elderly woman, oh I mean Dadi came wheeling towards me and held my hands. I kneeled down to her level.

"Beta, I really want to see my grandson well settled with his own family. I don't really have much time. I would love to see his marriage. You are the perfect one. He's a very nice guy. Respects everyone, especially woman. You will be happy with him. Pleae say yes." I can see the love of her for her grandson in her eyes.

My brother looked into my eyes and said, "If you want to say no, just say no. Nobody will force you." He patted my cheeks.

Riya came to my side and leaned to my ears and said, "He lives in his own apartment. So after marriage you don't have to work that much because there will be only you and your husband. And he's also very handsome. Double package." She winked towards me and I stiffled a laugh.

•Handsome & hot husband.✔

•Staying alone.✔

•Not too much work.✔

•Glare-free life.✔

•Nice in-laws.✔

•Respect. Well, if he doesn't, I'll kill him.

What else do you need.

It's marriage only, Kia. Do it and just get over it. We'll handle the husband.

"Okay. I'm ready for the marriage."

A smiled graced upon everyone's lips. My brother put his hands in my hair and asked, " Are you sure?"

I nodded and smiled towards him. He hugged me and kissed my forehead. My parents also hugged me.

"You've grown up. I'm proud of you." My mother said patting my cheeks. "You should be." I said and she kissed my cheeks.

Dadi also kissed my hands and said, "Thank you, beta."

Then she took out a box and opened it. There was a beautiful butterfly-design pendant in there.

She gave the pendant to me, "It's for you."

"What was the need of it?" I was overwhelmed.

"There was. You're going to be our daughter-in-law." I took it and smiled at her.

Riya came and hugged me tightly and said, "You know, I really like you. We would team up and irritate your soon-to-be husband." I pulled my thumbs up and smiled.

She gave me his number and said that I can call and talk to him.

The hell I'm going to do that.

"We want the marriage in a month. Is that okay with you all?" Vineet uncle asked us.

My mother looked towards me for my confirmation.

Today or next month, I have to. Let's quickly get over with it.

I nodded.

"So the engagement will be next week." Reena aunty said.

Whoever the man is, I don't care. I'll have my dream wedding.

Everyone hugged each other.

Get ready Kiara. For a new life.

♡♡♡