Everybody at the Goenka house was running left and right trying to arrange everything so that the name and prestige is maintained in front of the boy's family.

The family that is coming over to see the youngest girl of the Goenka family…

Akshara Goenka.

Akshara's parents Kartik and Naira Goenka were chilled out parents, but they were not strong enough to stand in front of the head Manish Goenka, Kartik's father.

A miracle happened when Kartik mustered up courage to talk to his father about allowing Akshara to study further, Manish agreed only on one condition that after her graduation is complete she will be married off.

Kartik had no other option but to agree. Akshara was not aware of this fact, she was happy that her grandfather gave permission to her to study further.

Akshara has just finished her graduation in Architecture and now her family want her to settle down, she comes from a very orthodox family, girls were taken away from education from the tender age of sixteen and were taught how to do household jobs, and by the age of eighteen they were married off.

Love did not exist for them, they only believed in arranged marriages.

The same happened with Aarohi, Akshara's elder sister. Luckily Aarohi's husband Neil was a down to earth person; his family were more chilled out compared to the Goenka family. Aarohi was very happy with her married life and her in-laws.

Now that Akshara has completed her graduation, Manish did not delay in finding a suitable, rich family for his grand-daughter, not that he wanted his grand-daughter married off in a wealthy family, he just wanted to get rid of them, as he believed that girls are a waste, they are useless and should be out of the house as soon as possible.

In Akshara's room:

Akshara was sitting in front of the dressing table all gloomy and sad, happiness was miles away from her, Aarohi was getting her ready.

Aarohi: Akshara, what is this…why are you so sad?

Akshara: Di, I don't want to get married to a person whom I have never met, to someone I don't know, I mean how can one marry a person whom they know nothing about?

Aarohi: look you know this family really well, this tradition has been running in the family since...gosh I have no clue, and on top of that you know our grandpa right…he won't hesitate to kill you and the rest of us if this family tradition is broken.

Akshara: I know Di, I know this family only believes in arranged marriages…you and mum were lucky, you all got gems, and what is the guarantee that this person who is coming to see me will be the same, or his family will be like your in-laws.. And most importantly, I don't want to get married because I love someone else.

Aarohi: Akshara..WHAT…??? come again..!!!!!!!!

Akshara: yes Di, I love someone, I met him at whilst I was at University and we both love each other a lot. In fact I was even going to introduce him to you and Neil bro but before I could say or do anything, Mr Hitler announced and forced his decision on me…once again..!!!

Aarohi: Oh my god..!!! What are we going to do now, those people are coming today and your telling me that you're in love with someone else...(panicking)

Just then Neil walks into Akshara's room to inform that the boy's family are here and that they are waiting to see Akshara.

Aarohi: What are we going to do now?

Neil: What happened?

Aarohi: Akshara loves someone else and Grandpa is hell bent on making sure that her alliance is fixed with this particular boy, as he said they initiated this proposal.

Neil: Oh no…!!! And we know that once Grandpa has made his decision that means no turning back.

Naira comes hurriedly…

Naira: What are you three doing here hurry up…. They are waiting downstairs…

They all leave from Akshara's room, Aarohi and Neil join everyone in the hall, whilst Naira takes Akshara into the kitchen with her.

In Kitchen:

Naira: Beta, I know that you are not happy with this alliance.

Akshara: (shocked) Ma...I am actually...

Naira: I know Akshu, that you have your own dreams but beta in this house a girls dreams are limited, I'm really sorry beta but me and your father did not tell you that your grandfather only allowed you to complete your graduation with this condition that you will marry the guy who came with the first proposal.

Kartik came into the kitchen, as he also has the feeling that his princess was not happy with this proposal, but he just did not have the chance to talk to her privately.

Kartik: yes dear, your mother is absolutely right, I know you had dreamt to complete your graduation in Architecture since you were a child and I had to fulfil this dream of yours but on the other hand I may have also spoiled another dream of yours…the dream of your wedding…I know that you have always wanted to marry a person who understands you, who will stand by your side forever, whose family is more modern yet traditional unlike ours.. but…

Akshara: Ma, Papa... the thing is that..I..

Before Akshara could complete they heard the voice of Manish.

Manish: Naira….Bring Akshara downstairs…

Naira: Yes father, we are coming.

She places the tray filled with tea cups and other savouries in Akshara's hand and takes her along with her to the hall.

In the Hall:

Everyone was seated down, Akshara did not have the courage to look up, her eyes were casted down throughout the process of giving the tea cups to everyone seated in the room. Akshara was standing near Naira and Aarohi.

Manish: Akshara child...this is Harish and his wife Avantika and their son...

Akshara greeted the couple with a smile but did not look at the boy, Harish and Avantika looked towards the son who was gaping at Akshara non-stop, it was like Akshara had some magnetic pull which was pulling this guy towards her, he was simply smiling looking at her.

Harish and Avantika understood that their son was taken by Akshara's beauty so without delaying any further, Avantika insisted with her eyes that Harish should speak to Manish.

Harish: Umm Uncle, I think these two should be given some time alone to speak and get to know one another... What do you think?

Manish: hmm…, Akshara... Take Abhimanyu to your room and talk….

Akshara nodded, then she stood still for a bit and looked up, and she was shocked to see the person standing in front of her..!!!!

**************

Akshara: Youu… here??

Manish: (angrily)Akshara, where are your manners???

Akshara: sorry (to Abhimanyu) please come…

In Akshara's room:

Akshara: Oh my god Abhimanyu, what are you doing here? How did you manage to get here? What did you to say to Grandpa? Are they are your parents? How did you get into my house? Didn't anyone say anything to you? But how is that possible?

Abhimanyu: (holds Akshara's shoulder) Akshara calm down, so many questions, I'll answer them all one by one, here sit down.

****************************

Akshara: Oh I see, so my Papa helped you impress Grandpa…

Abhimanyu: Yes this was possible only because of Uncle, if he was not with me, I don't think I would have been able to impress that Hitler… Abhi said frustrated…Akshara giggles.

Akshara: (happily) Ahhh you don't understand how happy I am…

She jumps and puts her arms around Abhimanyu's neck...and he also pulls her closer by wrapping his arms around her waist.

Akshara: I was really scared about today, I really thought this was the end of us, if you turned out to be someone else, I swear I would have killed m...

Abhimanyu: (silencing her by placing his hand over her mouth) Akshara, what are you saying??!! How can you even say that? You know me right…How could i let my love get married to someone else???

Akshara: (teary) sorry

Abhimanyu: I want a better sorry than that...

Akshara leans up and kisses him on the cheek and hugs him tightly as possible, and says:

Abhimanyu tightens his grip on her and pulls her even closer and replies:

Abhimanyu:

Akshara: You did all this just for me?

Abhimanyu: Only for You..!!!

They both come out of the hug as they hear a knock on the door; Akshara straightens herself and goes to open the door. There stood Kartik smiling at her.

Akshara: Papa

Kartik: so how did you like my surprise?

Akshara: (hugs her father) thank you so much Papa, you have given me the best gift of my life.. I love you

Kartik: love you too Princess, (kissing her lovingly on her head) now come downstairs; everyone's waiting for your decision.

Everyone was silently waiting and looking towards Akshara and Abhimanyu waiting for their decision, Aarohi and Neil looked very worried, Naira looked scared and Kartik was smiling from within, Akshara had her eyes casted down as she did not want to give anything away, especially when her father Kartik and the love her life Abhimanyu had worked so hard to impress the Hitler Manish.

Manish: So…What decision have both of you taken huhh…

Abhimanyu: Grandpa, We are okay with this alliance…

Manish, Kartik, Harish and Avantika were happy, whereas on the other hand Aarohi and Neil were confused and little shocked…all were thinking how come Akshara say yes??

After agreeing on the dates and other things, it was decided that the following week Abhimanyu and Akshara will get engaged and in two months will be the wedding.

Whilst the elders were discussing these points, Aarohi and Neil were observing Akshara who was smiling throughout the whole discussion and was also blushing when Abhimanyu smiled at her. Both were really confused at Akshara's behaviour.

Only this morning she said she did not want to marry a guy whom she does not know, and now she is blushing whilst the others are discussing about her marriage. Something is definitely fishy here.

Abhimanyu left with his parents and Manish went to bed, whilst everyone else gathered up in Akshara's room.

Without further ado, Aarohi bombarded Akshara with her questions, which she had been storing in her mind since she saw the change in Akshara’s behaviour.

Aarohi: Akshara have you gone mad? Only this morning you were saying you did not want to marry that guy as you don't know him and now you're happy, your marriage has been fixed with him and you're smiling...what about that person whom you love?

Naira: What!!! You love someone?? Akshara how could you do that? I did not expect this from you…

Akshara: Ma listen please…

Naira: No you have broken my trust, I...

Kartik: Naira, listen we both have always wanted the best for our girls, it was our luck that we found Neil for Aarohi, his family is more than what we can ask for... Now what was the possibility that father will choose the right person and family for our Akshara? Look Naira, falling in love is no crime, Abhimanyu and Akshara have not done any crime for loving one another.

Naira, Aarohi and Neil: WHATTT??!!!!!

Kartik: yes, the boy Akshara likes is none other than Abhimanyu, the boy we met today.

Kartik then explains to them all that one day when he went to pick Akshara from university he saw Abhimanyu and Akshara together, he had full faith in his daughter that is why he did not question her, but he found out full details about Abhimanyu and family and then personally met Abhimanyu and made the plan which they executed today.

Naira hugs Akshara and says sorry, both mother and daughter have emotional reunion and Aarohi joins them.

**************************

It was the day that Abhimanyu and Akshara's engagement…the engagement party was held at the Birla’s place so one can imagine the arrangements.

Akshara was dressed in a light pink lehenga and Abhimanyu wore a white sherwani with a light pink scarf around the neck to match his lady love Akshara.

They looked like a couple made in heaven, after the rings were exchanged, they were called to the dance floor where they danced, forgetting their surroundings, getting lost in the other's eyes, just being so close to the other made them feel happy, and today they took one step further to a lifetime of togetherness…