Chapter 1 - Unexpected Proposal (1/2)

|Innaya|

The sweat beads of perspiration on my forehead threatened to roll down, yet I made no move to wipe them away. Walking my way back home never felt so dreadful. The scorching heat of the sun was making it impossible to stay in its presence. Briskly finding the shadows to dodge myself from being directly in contact with blazing sunrays, I walked alongside them, even though I could easily hail the taxi to avoid the current discomfort.

I pushed back some hair strands that escaped from the messy bun I have tied them in before leaving the college. When they kept denying being in the place, with one angry sweep I pulled the blue hair clutch clip and let the waist length black hair fall freely on my back. At this point, I did not care how uncomfortable they would be, rather I focussed on the main issue because of which I was so agitated.

”Anger is never a solution to any problem. So always, understand the situation first before reacting, Innu.”

Grandpa's words floated in my mind and before I could realize I was slowing down my steps. Few deep breaths with closed eyes, helped me cool down the bubbling anger but more than anger, it was the frustration of sudden arrival of the unexpected alliance.

I was in the college, enjoying the break we got after extremely long lecture of Prof. Verma. Mom had called, asking me to return as soon as possible, saying the person chosen by my late Grandpa and my to-be-in-laws were visiting us to decide the marriage date. Moreover adding that, they wanted the engagement of us to be done as soon as possible and marriage within the span of a month. Something along the line of not having any auspicious date for next two years, was the reason they gave.

I had my own reasons. I never wanted to get married. To start with, I just couldn't get it how my family, who supported me in every step, had stood with me always could agree to this. Somewhere they had an idea about my opinions on this topic still how could they want me to get married to him?

On top of everything, that person without meeting me for once, not knowing me personally, agreed to this alliance, only because he knew my Grandpa. 'God! In this 21st century people like 'Eshan Singhaniya' even exists, seriously.'

I increased my pace as the familiar mansion with the cream and maroon colour, came into line of sight.

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”Mom... How could you do this?” I asked in a rage, entering my home. Even though I tried calming myself but it did not help as I witnessed all the preparation going on outside, and from my peripheral vision, I saw same was going inside the kitchen.

”I have every right to do this Innaya. He is best for you. Moreover, your Grandpa wanted this,” Mom answered giving me a glass of water. She must have noticed me visibly fuming. My eyes locked with the very same chocolate one from which I have inherited mine.

”You are aware that I don't believe in all of this, aren't you?” I questioned, getting frustrated with the sudden shocking news of my marriage with the chosen groom.

”Innaya, come here,” Granny called me while extending her hand towards me.

Taking the hold of her outstretched hand, I settled beside granny on the couch with the gloomy face.

”Sweetie, do you trust me?” asked Granny making me look at her. I stared at her face, she was in her late sixties, and she looked super cute with her spectacles riding down on her nose.

Without a doubt, I nodded positively.

”Then, do you think, I will take any wrong decision for you? I know him, Innaya your Grandpa knew him, and he is perfect for you. I only want to see you settled before I die,” Granny confessed, cupping my face to one side, getting emotional.

”Granny... please,” I admonished, hugging her immediately.

”It's not like that. It is just... just that it is too early. I... I don't know him and don't you think, I'm too young for this? I am just 21,” I fumbled after some moment of silence, still hugging her. I could never hurt her voicing my reasons even if she was aware of them.

Granny smiled at me, as if she could read my thoughts at the moment and was certain, only Eshan would be able to solve them.

Caressing my hair softly, she continued in tone, depicting her motherly warmth, ”Sweetie, I knew, you will be thinking this, that's why I have called him so that you both could talk without any third person and decide. I want this marriage to happen, however, with your consent Sweetie. Just give one chance to him for me, for your Grandpa and I know he won't let me down.”

”Mother, but-” Mom interrupted granny, her anxiety visible about the new turn of event when everything was about to be decided.

”Naina. It is Innaya's life. Let her decide,” Granny dismissed in the final tone.

”Go, Innaya, he is waiting upstairs in your room,” Granny smiled while pushing me from my place.

'What, he is in my room?' I stared at both the women with an are-you-serious look.

Both of them just shrugged, and sent me in the room but not before warning me, to not do something inappropriate, knowing me very well, if wanted I could try to break this alliance.

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