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As soon as I entered my parent's room, I started getting ready, it took me almost thirty minutes to wear, the dress of the day, which is a baby pink-colored saree.

After draping the extremely lengthy attire of mine, I shifted my focus towards makeup. I don't apply too many chemical-based products and prefer staying simple, and love to flaunt my, God gifted, natural beauty, as I believe that humans outer look has its timeline and after that period, beauty remains a tale, nothing else. So, why to bothered about something, which is not even permanent, and why not work on something, which is going to reside with us, till we are alive, our inner beauty.

After completing the required hard work on my appearance, I stared at myself, through the full-length mirror, and I must say, I did an impressive job, it's been so long since I wore any other sarees, apart from my school uniform, and I swear on God, I am looking damn pretty in this lovely color.

The moment of my self-appraisal broke with the crackling sound, which indicates that someone is opening the door, I turn around abruptly, as an instinct, and found Maa entering, she reduces our distance while observing me from head to toe in amusement.

"You are looking extremely gorgeous, I bet Raj is gonna smitten by your looks."

Her comment made me blush, through the mirror, I saw, my cheeks are reflecting the darker shade of pink, as along with my natural blush, the color of artificial blush's also lingering over there.

Like every other Indian mom's, she also took some kohl (kajal) from her eyes, using one of her fingers, and rubbed it behind my ears, to protect me from all the evil forces.

She grabbed my hand and took me to the living area, where everyone is eagerly waiting for my appearance.

Meanwhile, proceeding towards the living room, she came closer to my ears and whispered,

"Don't be nervous, stay confident and make your decision wisely."

I smiled assuringly and nodded my head in approval. See, that's why I said, I am lucky to get these people like my parents.

•••

I wandered my head all around the living room and analyzed all the unknown faces present there.

First I saw an old man, he is being seated between two beautiful ladies, he is wearing a decent gentleman type suit, I think he is Mr. Tandel, on his left, is an old lady, she might be his wife, she is wearing an elegant red color saree, on his right, is a young girl, I think she is his daughter, as her facial features resemble Mr. Tandel's and she is wearing a casual blue color salwar suit.

On their opposite is being seated my Paa, Kailash Singhania, he is also wearing a black color suit, similar to Mr. Tandel, beside him is my younger brother, Karan Singhania, he is as usual in his casual wear.

Out of the blue, as if sensing my presence, they all turned their heads, together, in my direction.

'Oh, God! Now I am getting much more nervous.' I mumbled scaredly and bend down my head instantly, out of nervousness.

I tightened my grip over Maa's hand and to assure me, she kept her arm over my shoulder, her gesture genuinely helped me to relax a bit, I inhaled and exhaled deeply to calm down my racing heart.

Maa made me sit on the single sofa like, I am the head here, or as if, I am going to get interviewed, well, it's true, I am actually going to get interviewed, If I passed this round successfully, I will be appointed as their daughter in law, huh! The main point behind my argument is, I don't want to sit alone, I want someone beside me, but I guess, I don't have any other option, I will have to tackle this situation on my own.

Suddenly, I realized that the very important person of today's arrangement is missing, Where is Raj?

I think he didn't come today, but Maa said that he's gonna die on my looks, if he hadn't come, then why did she say that?

I was wondering about his absence, when suddenly my eyes captured a hunk, walking through the front door.

'Oh, God! It's him.' I gasped, as his entry increases the temperature of the atmosphere, this man is nothing compared to his photographs, instead, he looks much more breathtaking in reality, he is in a white color tuxedo and has paired the same with a black shirt inside.

"Hey, Raj is back.", Paa announces being enthusiastic.

"I am impressed with your punctuality, my son. You are on time." Mr. Tandel appreciated him.

"What do you mean Dad?"

His voice, it's so bold, as if they hold some authority and power, he has no idea, his mere voice is enough for giving anybody goosebumps, and I am not an exemption.

"Because beta, just now, Karuna has also joined us." His mother said cheerfully and he smiled shyly after hearing her words.

Wait! Did he just blush? Yes, he did. Aww! He looks so cute, while blushing, my fingers are already itching to pull his pinkish cheeks.

"Why are you still standing, Raj Babu, Please sit down." Said Paa.

'Babu' is an endearment used by Indians, after the names of their respective sons-in-law, in order to give them respect, I am glad, Paa didn't call him 'Jamai babu' because I feel, Mr. Raj had already passed the interview, which I am yet to give.

He nodded his head and sat down on the single sofa, placed exactly opposite of mine.

Great! Now I am feeling more restless. Why did he choose to sit in front of me?

He peeked at me beneath his eyelids and I immediately bend my head down, feeling awkward.

I kept on staring at my hands, which were busy playing with the end of my saree, I am very much confused, I don't know, what to do? How to react? I don't know, Is he staring at me? If yes, then, Should I stare him back? Arrrr! I desperately want to run away from this situation. God, please help your child.

Mr. Tandel interrupted my thoughts and said,

"Let me introduce my family to you, Karuna. I am Sunil Tandel, and this pretty lady is my wife, Sunita Tandel, and this gorgeous young woman is my daughter, Riya Tandel, and this man, who is gonna be the backbone of my older days, is my only son Raj Tandel."

I gave each one a decent smile after their introduction, but then came the turn to react after Raj's introduction, I can't even gather the courage to, at least, look at him, and did what I guess any girl would have done if they were in my place, I smiled shyly, without even looking at him.

"As far as I know, and have heard from your parents, you are a teacher. What subjects do you teach?" Mr. Tandel enquired.

"Accountancy."

"Do you know how to cook?" This question was quoted by Mrs. Tandel.

"I am not an expert in cooking, I only know the basics, because of my job and busy schedule, I didn't get much time to cook," I replied honestly.

"What is your habit?" Riya blurted out excitedly.

"I like reading novels."

After hearing my answer, her expression flipped from exciting, to sad. I guess, she is not very much impressed with my hobby. So, to change her mood, I decided to ask her the same question.

"What is yours?"

Again her expression filled with excitement as before and she immediately replied,

"I love to pull Raj Bhaiya's leg."

The moment those words came out of her mouth everyone started laughing, and I tried hard to suppress my giggles.

Poor Raj, he glares at his sister angrily and I got a moment to stare at him. I noticed that he looks hotter when his jaw is clenched.

As if sensing my eyes on him, he turned his head and looked at me, for the very first time, finally, we have eye contact, and the moment our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat. His lips curled up forming one of his sweetest smiles and I can't stop myself from blushing.

I can guarantee my cheeks must be looking red as cherries, and he might be craving to eat them.

'What! Eat them! Oh, God! From where I am getting such thoughts. Don't be his fangirl Karuna. Get a grip over yourself.' I mentally scolded myself.

A few more questions came on my way, by Mr & Mrs. Tandel, and I answered them with all my honesty.

"Who is your favorite writer?" Asked Riya interrupting her parent's

"Durjoy Dutta, Ajay Kumar Pandey, Ravinder Singh."

"Are you interested in any sports?" Again Mr. Tandel began with his questionnaires.

"I play badminton sometimes for fun."

"Great! Raj Bhaiya also likes to play badminton, even I also like to play badminton, we both will play against Bhai, what say?" Said Riya teasing her brother, and I blushed at her tactics.

"Did you wear this saree by yourself?" Asked Mrs. Tandel.

"Yes, Aunty."

Again Riya interrupted and said,

"You're looking marvelous in this attire. I wanted to compliment, you the moment I saw you."

"Yes, she is telling truth, she had whispered into my ear, just after watching you, you are gorgeous." Mr. Tandel supported his daughter.

"Thank you.", I said shyly and tugged some loose strand of hairs behind my ear.

"We already got to know enough about your daughter, Mr. Singhania. Now, I think, we should give both of them, the opportunity, to know each other, right?" Said Mr. Tandel, and Paa nodded his head in approval before saying,

"Both of you can ask each other anything if you want to?" He said specifically pointing at me and Raj.

I panicked, I don't know, from where to begin, there are a lot of things, I want to know about him, but how will I be able to ask everything, and that too in front of everyone.

Once again Riya interrupted and said,

"Come on Dad! How will they be able to talk in front of us? I think, we should give them some privacy, so that, they can converse more comfortably with each other."

'Thank you Riya, Thank you so much for being my savior.' I mentally thanked her. I feel like, she is going to be a very good friend of mine in the future if everything goes well.

Everyone agreed with her opinion except her mother. She said,

"Why they can't be comfortable here? We are not some stranger to them."

Thanks to Mr. Tandel, he convinced her and said,

"Riya is absolutely right, try to understand, Sunita, they might have some personal questions to ask. How will they ask it in front of us? So, it's better to give them some privacy."

She didn't say anything, simply nodded her head in approval. It seems, she is now convinced by her husband's opinion, but I can still sense, something is going inside her brain. I don't know what is it?

I hope, everything is fine with her, and it's just my overthinking, nothing else. God, I don't want a cruel mother-in-law for myself.

"Karuna you can show your balcony to Raj." Said Paa.

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