Chapter -7
In the grand dining room of the Rathore Palace, the family sat eating breakfast in silence.
The clinking of cutlery was the only sound until Sumitra Ji broke the quiet.
With a bright smile, she announced, "Aarav is ready for marriage.
" Her voice was filled with excitement, and her eyes sparkled with joy.
The family members looked up, surprised. Before Arjun and Anaya could start teasing Aarav, he said firmly, "I'm done here. I have an early meeting today." Turning to Arjun, he added in a cold voice, "Make sure you're at the office on time. I won't tolerate you being even a second late."
"Ji, Bhaisa," Arjun replied respectfully. Aarav left the table without another word.
After he left, Neelam, Aarav's mother, turned to Sumitra ji, unable to hide her curiosity. "Maa, are you telling the truth? Did Aarav really agree to marriage?"
Sumitra ji nodded confidently. "Yes, Aarav himself told me that he will marry whoever I choose."
Meera, Aarav's chachi, spoke up excitedly,"Maa, we shouldn't waste any time. Let's start looking for a suitable girl!"
Sumitra Ji chuckled and raised her hand to calm them. "Relax, everyone. Let me tell you—I've already found the girl."
The room erupted with excitement as everyone began asking questions at once.
"When did you find her?"
"Who is the girl?"
"What's her name?"
"Where is her family from?"
"What does she do?"
Sumitra ji frowned slightly. "If you all behave like this, I won't tell you anything," she warned.
Neelam quickly assured her, "No, Maa. We'll stay calm. Please tell us."
Satisfied, Sumitra Ji began to explain. "I met the girl at the temple. I was so impressed by her that I asked someone for her family's address. Today, I will inform her family, and tomorrow, we'll visit their house."
The excitement in the room grew as everyone started planning. Neelam and Meera discussed what gifts to take, while Rajveer and Vijay began making a guest list for the wedding. Arjun and Anaya talked about how they would welcome their new bhabhi.
Sumitra Ji interrupted their chatter. "We haven't even met the girl properly, and you all are busy planning the wedding. What if you don't like her?"
Rajveer, Aarav's father, smiled and said, "Maa, we trust your choice. The girl you've chosen for Aarav will be perfect as the daughter-in-law of this house."
The family quickly divided responsibilities. Arjun and Vijay left for the office, Neelam, Meera, and Anaya went shopping for gifts, and Rajveer headed to his study to handle some paperwork. Sumitra ji, on the other hand, went to her room.
Once alone, Sumitra Ji picked up her phone and made a call. She spoke calmly, "Inform the Rajput family that we'll be visiting their house tomorrow for lunch. Let them know we're coming to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage." She discussed a few more details and then ended the call.
Afterward, Sumitra ji stood before a framed photo of her late husband. She placed her hand gently on the frame and said softly, "Finally, I am fulfilling your last wish. After this, you may no longer feel guilty. I hope this brings peace to your soul."
Her eyes glistened with a mix of emotions—relief, nostalgia, and hope—as she silently prayed for the decision to bring happiness to both families.
After locking Siya in the storeroom, Meenakshi went to her room to rest. She had just started drifting off to sleep when she heard the main door open. Suresh, her husband, had come home unexpectedly early. Meenakshi sat up, surprised.
"You're home early?" she asked, trying to hide her shock. "What happened? Is everything alright?"
Suresh nodded, his face calm but his tone carrying a hint of excitement. "Yes, everything is fine. And even if it wasn't, it will be now."
Meenakshi furrowed her brows in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Suresh smirked slightly. "I got a call today from Rajmata's PA. He informed me that the Rathore family is coming tomorrow to ask for our daughter's hand in marriage—for their elder grandson."
For a moment, Meenakshi was stunned. Then, a wide smile spread across her face. "Are you serious? Do you mean the Aarav Singh Rathore's marriage proposal has come for Natasha?"
Suresh nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Meenakshi clapped her hands in delight. "We need to start preparing immediately! I don't want anything to go wrong."
Suresh agreed and began listing tasks. "Here's what we'll do. You tell Siya to prepare the food and snacks since they're coming for lunch. I'll handle the gifts. You take care of the rest and make sure Natasha stays home tomorrow."
At the mention of Siya's name, Meenakshi's smile faltered. Her face tensed, and she hesitated to reply.
Suresh noticed her hesitation. "What's wrong now?" he asked impatiently.
Meenakshi sighed and confessed, "It's about Siya..."
"What about Siya?" Suresh asked, narrowing his eyes.
Meenakshi hesitated but finally told him everything—how she had locked Siya in the storeroom and punished her harshly earlier that day.
Suresh's face darkened with anger. "You had to pick today of all days to pull something like this?" he scolded. "I don't care what you've done to her. Give her painkillers, or do whatever you need to, but I want her cooking lunch tomorrow. Do you understand?"
Meenakshi nodded quickly, trying to calm him down. "Alright, alright. I'll handle it."
In the evening, the garden area of the Rathore Palace was serene, with a cool breeze swaying the plants. Sumitra ji, Neelam, and Meera sat together, sipping their tea and enjoying the quiet moment.
Neelam took a sip of her tea before speaking. "Maa, everything has been arranged for tomorrow. The gifts, the preparations—everything is ready."
Sumitra ji nodded approvingly. "Good. Everything should go smoothly tomorrow."
After a brief pause, Neelam hesitated before asking, "But Maa, will Aarav go with us tomorrow? If he does, both he and the girl can meet and talk to each other before deciding."
Sumitra ji shook her head knowingly. "Aarav has already made it clear that he won't attend any unnecessary gatherings.
He's too busy with work and doesn't like such formalities.
So no, he won't be coming with us. If they say yes to the proposal, then we will give the engagement ring and other things to the girl. "
Meera, curious, leaned forward. "But Maa, if Aarav isn't there, how can we give the engagement ring to the girl? Shouldn't Aarav be there for such an important moment?"
Sumitra ji smiled, recalling her own past. "When I got engaged to your father-in-law, neither he nor I were present at the same time when the rings were exchanged.
My mother-in-law gave me the ring, and my family gave the ring to your father-in-law.
Back then, it was common for family members to take care of these formalities.
So we can do the same. There's no harm in following tradition. "
Neelam and Meera exchanged glances. They knew Aarav's temperament too well to argue further. If he had decided not to come, there was no convincing him otherwise.
"Alright, Maa," Neelam said softly, "we'll make sure everything is perfect. Tomorrow should be memorable for the family."
Sumitra ji gave a firm nod. "That's all that matters. When we meet the family, we'll assure them that Aarav will keep their daughter happy. Just focus on ensuring there are no mistakes tomorrow."
With that, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. The three women began discussing minor details about the arrangements, enjoying the serene evening while making plans to represent the Rathore family with pride and dignity the next day.
Meenakshi, after discussing things with her husband, went to the storeroom and saw that Siya was unconscious.
In her mind, she thought, This queen had to faint now, of all times.
Meenakshi quickly went to get water and splashed it on Siya's face.
Siya regained consciousness, and upon seeing her Taiji, fear gripped her.
She feared that her Taiji would punish her even more, as she had in the past. With great difficulty, Siya folded her hands and said, "Sorry, Taiji.
Please forgive me. I will do as you say. Please forgive me."
Meenakshi, in a surprisingly cheerful mood, replied, "Ok, ok, I forgive you. Now get up and rest in your room. I've put painkillers and food in your room. Take rest." Meenakshi left, and Siya felt a wave of relief. She went to her room, ate a little, took the painkiller, and soon fell asleep.
Two hours later, Meenakshi returned and said, "You've rested enough.
Now, do some work." Siya quietly replied, "Ji, Taiji.
" Meenakshi told her, "Clean the house properly.
Change the cushion covers. I want the house to be neat and clean.
" Siya nodded in silence. Meenakshi then explained the tasks for tomorrow morning, telling her, "Prepare everything for tomorrow.
Natasha and I are going out and will be back in the evening.
I want everything done by the time we return. "
After Meenakshi and Natasha left, Siya began working.
Her body ached from the pain, but she pushed through, feeling only a little relief from the painkiller.
She worked hard, completing the chores. Just when she thought she could rest, Meenakshi came back to check if the work was done.
Satisfied, she told Siya, "Make tea and coffee for us, and then start preparing for dinner.
" Siya nodded and began the tasks her Taiji had assigned.
Once everything was done and the table was set, Siya sat down to eat her own dinner.
She noticed that everyone seemed happy about something, but no one said anything to her.
She couldn't bring herself to ask, either.
After finishing her meal, she cleaned the kitchen and got ready for bed.
Meenakshi reminded her to wake up early.
Siya changed into her night clothes and went to the balcony. Looking up at the stars, she whispered, "Why? Why is everything happening to me, to Mom and Dad? No one takes pity on me. Why did you leave me alone? Why didn't you take me with you? Please call me to you. I can't bear this anymore."
After pouring out her pain, she returned inside and went to sleep, her heart heavy with longing and sorrow.