𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 - 𝟒 (𝐁𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐟𝐢 𝐲𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭?)

𝐄𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

My phone buzzed just as I was setting my sketches aside. Arsh.

I answered immediately. "Hey..."

"Hey, love," his deep voice came through smoothly. "I saw your missed call. Sorry, I was in an important meeting earlier. I asked my secretary to take the call-I hope she wasn't rude?"

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "No, she wasn't. I just... wanted to talk to you."

There was a slight pause before he spoke again, his voice soft but firm. "Is everything okay?"

I hesitated, not knowing how to bring it up over the phone. "Can we meet? I need to talk to you about something."

Another pause. Then, he chuckled lightly. "You sound serious. Should I be worried?"

I forced a small smile. "No, I just... I want to see you."

"Then meet me at our usual place in evening," he said smoothly. "I'll be waiting."

I murmured an agreement before hanging up, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Why do I feel like something is off?

In evening at restaurant,

I hesitated outside the restaurant, smoothing the pleats of my saree. Was I overthinking? Maybe. But I couldn't shake off the unease from my conversation with Papa and Dadu this morning.

I had told myself that Arsh loved me, that my family just didn't see what I saw in him. Yet, something about their concern had lodged itself deep in my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. Arsh was already waiting, seated at our usual corner table. He looked up, flashing me his signature charming smile.

"There's my beautiful fiancée," he said smoothly, standing up to pull out my chair.

I sat down, trying to return his smile, but the words were already pressing against my lips. "Arsh... can I ask you something?"

His eyebrows lifted slightly, but he reached for my hand across the table. "Of course, love. What's wrong?"

I looked down at the napkin in my hand. How do I say this without sounding like I don't trust him?

"Arsh, actually... Papa and Dadu... they think we're rushing into this," I finally said. "They feel I should take more time to understand you, to be sure of your intentions before making such a big decision. Like why are you in such a rush about marriage. They think we should take more time in understanding each other more."

For the briefest second-so quick that I almost missed it-something flickered in Arsh's expression. Annoyance? Discomfort? But it was gone just as fast, replaced by a soft, understanding smile.

He squeezed my hand. "Ekanshika, I get it. They're your family. They love you, and they're just being protective." His voice was warm, patient, as if he wasn't even slightly bothered. Too patient. Too perfect.

I swallowed. "You're not upset?"

"Upset? Why would I be?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "If I were in their place, I'd feel the same way. You're smart, successful, and beautiful-I'd be worried too if my daughter was with a man who didn't deserve her."

His words melted some of my tension, but the doubt remained. "So... how do I convince them?"

Arsh exhaled, leaning back in his chair. He looked thoughtful, calculating. Then, he spoke carefully, choosing each word like he was placing chess pieces.

"I don't want to force anything, Ekanshika. I want you to come to this decision on your own." He sighed, feigning reluctance. "If you need time, take it. If you want to wait, I'll wait. But..." He paused, as if debating whether to say it.

I leaned in slightly. "But?"

He gave me a small, sad smile. "I just don't want to lose you because of someone else's doubts."

My heart clenched. Lose me?

Arsh continued, looking down at our joined hands. "Your parents love you, but they don't see our relationship the way we do. No one does. This is about us, not them. You trust me, don't you?"

I nodded immediately. "Of course, I do."

He exhaled, as if relieved. "That's all that matters."

His words should have reassured me completely. And maybe they did. But for some reason, even as I smiled and let him change the subject, a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispered that something still wasn't right.

I ignored it.

Because Arsh loved me. Didn't he?

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𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕 :-

The next morning, Ekanshika sat in the living room with her parents, Keshav and Vanita, along with her grandparents, Harsh and Parul. The conversation was inevitable, and she was determined to convince them.

"I want to marry Arsh," she stated firmly, looking at her father.

Keshav exchanged a glance with Harsh before sighing. "Ekanshika, you know we don't object to your relationship. But marriage... isn't this too soon?"

Ekanshika straightened. "Papa, we've been together for years. We know each other well. What's the problem now?"

Harsh, who had been quiet, finally spoke, his deep voice filled with wisdom. "Beta, a relationship and a marriage are two different things. Have you truly seen Arsh beyond what he shows you?"

She frowned. "Dadu, I know him better than anyone. He loves me, respects me. What else matters?"

Her grandmother, Parul, sighed, placing a gentle hand on Ekanshika's. "It's not just about love, beta. It's about understanding a person's true nature. Marriage is not something you can take lightly."

Ekanshika's gaze softened at her grandmother's concern, but she remained firm. "I understand that, Dadi. But I trust Arsh. I know he's the one for me."

Keshav leaned back, looking unconvinced. "Trust is important, but so is patience. You're young, Ekanshika. Why the rush?"

Ekanshika took a deep breath. "Because I don't see the point in waiting if we already know we want to be together. Arsh is ready. I'm ready."

There was silence in the room. Harsh studied his granddaughter carefully before sighing. "If this is truly what you want, beta, we won't stop you. But remember, once you step into this marriage, there's no turning back."

Ekanshika nodded, her heart swelling with relief. "I know, Dadu. And I won't regret it."

Her parents shared one last hesitant look before Keshav finally nodded. "Fine. If this is your decision, we'll support you."

A smile broke out on Ekanshika's face. "Thank you, Papa. I promise, you won't regret this."

But as she hugged her parents, she failed to notice the lingering doubt in her father's and grandfather's eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After convincing her family, Ekanshika rushed to her room, excitement bubbling inside her. Without hesitation, she dialed Arsh's number. He picked up within seconds.

"Hey, love," he greeted smoothly. "I was just about to call you."

A wide smile spread across Ekanshika's face. "I have good news! Papa and Dadu finally agreed to our engagement."

Arsh exhaled dramatically, chuckling. "That's a relief. I knew they'd come around, but I'm proud of you for standing your ground."

She felt warmth spread through her chest. "I told you they'd listen. I just had to make them see how much I love you."

Arsh's voice was soft but firm. "And I love you, Ekanshika. You've made me the happiest man today."

She blushed. "I'll see you soon?"

"Of course. We need to celebrate," he said smoothly.

After exchanging a few more sweet words, she hung up, feeling lighter than she had in days.

But on the other end of the line, as Arsh set his phone down, the warmth in his voice vanished. His smirk deepened, his fingers drumming against the table.

"Step one, complete," he murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Now, the real game begins."

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𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃...