SURBHI RAGHUVANSHI

NOVEMBER 2023

"NAHI MAA! AAPNE MUJHSE BINA PUCHE SHAADI KE LIYE HAAN KEH DIYA!" ( NO MAA, YOU AGREED FOR THIS MARRIAGE WITHOUT EVEN ASKING ME!) I was literally sounding crazy. I told her to look for guys, not literally agree to this.

"Surbhi, they liked you. They wanted you to be their daughter- in- law and moreover Ranasa and Ranisa think that you are the best bride for their son. " Naa said and she gently placed her hand on my shoulder.

"You can meet him if you want to, they won't object." Maa said and made me look at her. "Meine yeh sab tumhare acche ke liye kiya hai, ab naraz na hona bss." (I have done this all for your own good, now please don't be upset.) She said and I looked away.

"You want me to say no?" Maa asked and I immediately looked at her.

She is the woman who lived her life alone, without a husband. She knows me, she knows all the things I've gone through ever since I was a child. She knew very well that a man has destroyed her life but she still wanted to see me happy with someone. According to her, not all men are same but according to me all men are like Karthik Raghuwanshi.

"Nhi Maa, I'd like to have a talk with him." (No Maa) I asked and she shook her head. "But Ranisa gave me her phone number, do you want-" I knew what she was going to say so I cut her off. "No Maa, I don't need his number." I said.

"They're coming tomorrow." She said and I nodded. "I know Maa, I'll meet him tomorrow don't worry." I said and Maa smiled. "Should I take it as a yes?" She said and I shook my head. "No Maa, I'll first talk to him and observe him, only then can you take it as a yes or a no." I said and Maa nodded. She pecked my forehead. "Goodnight, meri gudiya." (Goodnight, my doll) Maa said with a smile and I replied with a goodnight.

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It was 1:34 am and I still couldn't sleep. Flashbacks of how Karthik Raghuwanshi left us were coming in front of my eyes. Tears started flowing out from my eyes. I absolutely hate you Karthik Raghuwanshi. Children in school used to laugh at me because I'd bring Maa for all the parent teacher meetings, annual function, or any other celebration even for father's day. Parents day was the worst because I only had one parent and all the people laughed at me.

Sometimes Maa could not attend the functions because she was a doctor and the children of my school got an opportunity to tease me but I made sure none of that happened with Arana.

I remember bunking my class for attending her annual day because Maa told her that she could not attend her annual day. I sat in the front row and recorded little Arana. I hated Karthik Raghuwanshi but Maa never let any bad feelings develop in Arana's heart. She always told her how he was good but over time Arana realised that Maa was just trying to create a good image of that man in her head.

I heard a knock on my door and I got up. I opened the door and I saw Arana holding her pillow in her hand. "What is this all?" I asked while see was rubbing her eyes. "Can I sleep with you?" She said in her baby voice and I smiled. I hummed and she entered my room.

"Mujhe kal jaldi uthna hai, jab uthaungi toh uth jaaiyo." (I have to get up early tomorrow. When I'll call you then you'll have to get up.) I said and she hummed. "Goodnight " I muttered and hugged her tightly.

She has been my bestfriend. We fight but we sought it out too. We've shared all our secrets with each other. I remember how I told her about my highschool boyfriend when she was just 12. We had our first drink together and our experience was so bad that we decided to never drink again. We've sneaked out of our house multiple times without Maa knowing. I've known all her boyfriends and she would randomly bring them home and I had to help her hide them. I don't even know how she found Abhishek.

I was an introvert but in order to protect Arana, I had to be bold and brave and I did all I could to change me. I remember breaking someone's teeth just because he was trying to hit on Arana even though she said no multiple times.

While I was thinking about us, I don't even know when did my lashes started feeling heavier and I fell asleep under her warm embrace.

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REYANSH KAPOOR

NOVEMBER 2023

"She is pretty, isn't she Maa?" I was all excited to know that Papa loved his daughter-in-law. "Ji, vo bohot hi pyaari lag rhi thi." (Yes, she looked lovely.) Papa replied and Maa nodded. "I could see young Raksha in her." Papa said and Maa blushed. Maa and Papa had an arranged marriage and they fell in love slowly and steadily.

"Ab aap jaaiye aur so jaaiye, subha jaldi jaana hai aapki ardhangini aapka intezaar kar rhi hogi."( Now you should and sleep because we have to go early tomorrow , you wife will be waiting for you.) Maa said and I nodded.

All this while I completely forgot how I really was. This is all because of Surbhi, I was never this happy, I hated showing my emotions but I couldn't hide my love for her. Maybe once I meet her, I'll have to show that this is an arranged marriage but deep down I want to bring her to Raigarh. I want her to step into this home of mine. I was to pick her up in bridal style and bring her to my room. I want to hold her close to me. I want her so close to me that we are no one two but one. I want us to be a perfect definition of two bodies and one soul. I want her to be my soul, my mind, my heart and the oxygen I breathe.

She is the one I was fated to. I waited my whole life for her. I believe in God and Mahadev has given me the fruit of the wait and devotion. I've spend my life without her, but now I cannot wait anymore. The sooner it'll be, the better it'll be for me. The day my eyes fell on her my whole world started to shake. The woman of my dreams was her and I could keep looking at her for the rest of my life, infact for the rest of all my lives.

I lay down on my bed and stare up at the ceiling. I want you beside me Surbhi, I want you to be my strength because you're already my weakness and I believe in converting those weaknesses into strength. This world would look more beautiful to me when you're near me.

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SURBHI RAGHUVANSHI

NOVEMBER 2023

"Le ye try kar." (Try this) Maa said. There were so many beautiful jewellery boxes scattered all over my bed but I did not like any because they were too fancy. "Maa kuch simple hai?" (Maa is there anything which is simple?) I asked and she looked around. "Ye nhi chahiye?" (You don't want this?) She asked and I shook my head.

I found a perfect choker and held it near my neck. Perfect! "Maa I want this." I said and she looked at me. "This is good too." She said. "Chal jaldi tayar ho ja, mein ye sab saaf karne ko kehti hoon." (Now get ready quickly while I tell them to clean your room.) She said and left my room.

I went towards the bathroom and came out after a while. "Didi, ye wali saree acchi hai." (Didi, this saree is good) Arana said and I hummed. My hair was wet and wet hair meant tangled hair so I slowly started to untangle them with my fingers.

The saree which I was wearing was not too fancy. It was a simple saree with a pista green blouse and pastel pink saree. Arana helped me to dress up and till the time of breakfast I was ready.

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REYANSH KAPOOR

NOVEMBER 2023

I was trying to control my emotions. Driving was a thing I enjoyed a lot. "Do you want to eat something Maa?" I asked while I looked at them through the front mirror. "Nahi ." (No.) Maa said and I nodded. While driving I could feel my heartbeat slightly increasing. This was the time I wanted to drive at an insane speed and be there as soon as possible. I wanted her to stand at the door and as soon as I reach she would welcome me with a hug and some kisses but this is not going to happen yet.

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SURBHI RAGHUVANSHI

NOVEMBER 2023

"Didi woh aa gye, oh my god." (They have arrived.) Arana said and started jumping. This girl was more excited than me. I was in the kitchen because Maa had told me to cook. She said that they all are going to travel a long way so we should atleast make dinner for them.

I turned off the stove and a strand of my hair made its way out of my loose bun.

I turned around to see if everything was settled or not. The breakfast was ready, the tea was ready, everything was good.

I started to pour the tea in the small cups and placed them in the tray while Arana placed the pakoras and samosas in the other tray and we walked out of the kitchen.

I kept the tray down on the coffee table and joined my hands together. As soon as I did so, the bangles in my hand made a sound. I bowed a little and said "Namastey Rana-sa aur Rani-Sa." (Greetings, King and Queen.) They smiled and replied with a Namastey. I offered them tea and they all blessed me. I was about to sit down when I noticed a lot of people were present inside the living room. They were probably the bodyguards of the family and I smiled looking at them.

"Rani-Sa if you don't mind, can I offer tea to them too?" I asked and she looked up. She smiled while looking around and nodded. I loved the way she made me feel comfortable yesterday. I saw a man entering the living room. He was well built, broad shoulders and a sharp jawline. His beard was well trimmed and short, his moustache was not too thick and I loved it the way it was. Even though I am not a big fan of men with facial hair, he looked different. He looked hot.

My eyes moved towards his hands and I could see the veins. While I was trying to observe him more I got interrupted.

"Chaliye, Reyansh bhi aa gye hai, ye aapki madad kar denge."(Now that Reyansh has arrived, he will help you too.) Rani-Sa said and he nodded. I started walking towards the kitchen and washed the pan.

"Uh, before you start helping me, have some tea." I said and he looked around. "Hum pehle aapki madad karna chahenge." (I would like to help you first.) He said. His voice sounded rough and so manly. I could feel shivers running down my spine as soon as he spoke. I had to reply so all I did was nod hesitantly. I turned around . It was really difficult to do things while wearing saree. The saree kept slipping down from my shoulder and it was irritating.

I took it and tucked it inside the petticoat and started doing my work.

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REYANSH KAPOOR

NOVEMBER 2023

I was coming with my family but because of some work I had to leave. As soon as I reached there I saw the cars indicating that my family had reached already. I smiled slightly, knowing that today I'm going to talk to Surbhi and she is going to reply. Today she is going to be close to me. I walked inside the house and I saw everyone was having tea but before I could even say anything Maa ordered me to work with Surbhi.

I have seen her so many times and yet I feel like I've never seen her. I followed her silently. I looked at her, she's pretty, very pretty. I noticed the stubborn strand of her hair which was falling out of her bun. Her saree was pretty and elegant but she was somehow struggling with it but when she tucked it in her petticoat , I saw her waist. Her waist was slim and so perfect. I wanted to hold it but I couldn't do it today.

We helped each other and offered tea to the bodyguards and servants and I noticed how she cared about everyone without judging . I sat down on the couch and greeted her mother while she greeted me back. We talked about some random things and had a great time. After a while Maa asked, "Toh aapki taraf se haan hai?" (So, is it a yes from your side?)

"Rani-Sa, can I just have a talk with him?" Surbhi said and I looked at her. "Ji, sure , why not." Maa said and I got up to leave.

I was following her silently and she took me into a room. This room was so pretty but everything was kind of messed up here. "I'm sorry, I actually got ready in a hurry and started preparing breakfast for everyone." She said and tried to collect a few things and I chuckled. "It's okay, leave it." I said and she smiled while lowering her gaze.

"You wanted to talk?" I said and she looked up immediately. "Baithiye." (Sit) She said and I sat down on her bed. I was extremely nervous right now. I knew she had rejected so many guys and I definitely didn't want to be the other one she rejects.

"I won't give up on my work once we're married. I worked hard for this, to be where I am today. I worked day and night to achieve this post and I have always wanted to be independent. Maa has always taught me that being independent is extremely important for a woman because you never know what can happen in future." She stopped and took a deep breath and continued.

"I know women in royal families are not allowed to work outside and I can get all the luxuries but I don't want any of it if I am not the one who had paid for it. I don't want to be a liability but I want to be an asset not only for your family but for the nation. " She said and looked into my eyes. I smiled and I got up from the bed and looked around.

"Kitaben padhne ka shauk hai aapko?" (Are you fond of reading books?) I asked and she frowned. I sound like a joker, I didn't even reply and I'm asking absolutely irrelevant questions. "Ji, padhne ka hi nhi likhne ka bhi hai." (Yes, not only reading but writing too.) She said and looked at me. "Oh so you've written books?" I said and she shook her head. "Not yet." She said and came closer.

"I need answers." She said and I chuckled. I pulled her closer and pinned her to the nearest wall. I could feel her body was still away from mine so I pulled her closer by her waist. "Aapko rokne ki kisi ne koshish bhi ki, toh unko apne haathon se jahannum ka rasta dikha denge." (If someone even tried to stop you from working, then I'll show them the way to hell from my own hands.) I said and she gulped. She was slightly shorter than me and her head was angled slightly upwards when she wanted to meet my gaze.

Someone entered through the door without knocking and we looked at the person. Arana. She immediately turned around and said, "Maa is calling both of you." And left.

I looked at Surbhi who was still pinned to the wall and I leaned in closer. I saw her slowly closing her eyes expecting that I would kiss but I leaned in closer to whisper "Aapko nhi lagta iss sab ke liye abhi kaafi jaldi hai?" (Don't you think it's too soon for a kiss) I saw her reaction immediately changing as she opened her eyes and her eyes widened. I could see her cheeks turning crimson red.

"I guess we should leave." She said and nodded. We walked towards the living room but heard some noise from the dining area.

"Jiju, this way." I saw Arana standing near the entrance of the dinning area and I walked towards her. "By the way, didi ko vanilla pasand nhi hai." (By the way, didi does not like vanilla) She said and I looked at her. I smiled as I saw Surbhi slapping Arana's arm. I leaned in and said softly and I was only audible to Arana and Surbhi. "Vanilla karne ka sabar nhi hai humein." (I don't have the patience to do vanilla.) I said and walked away while I could hear Arana giggling.

We sat down to have breakfast and I noticed that the seat beside me was empty. So everyone was trying to make us end together. I smiled internally and I saw her walking in. Arana took her seat immediately and Surbhi had no option but to sit beside me.

"Toh kya socha aapne?" (So what did you think?) Maa asked Surbhi and she looked up. "Rani-sa I would only agree to this marriage if I am allowed to work afterwards. '' She said with politeness in her voice. "Rana-Sa I hope you wouldn't mind any of it." She said and Papa looked up. "You are like my own daughter Surbhi, and if I can allow Ruhi to work then you will never be left behind . '' Papa said and smiled warmly.

I could see a smile appearing on Surbhi's face as soon as Papa replied.

"Ji, humein aapke parivar ka hisa ban ne mein koi aitraaz nhi." ( I have no problems being a part of your family.) Surbhi said and my heart started beating fastly.

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This is the longest chapter and I swear to god, I loved writing this one!