Aryan and Aanya stood awkwardly near the doorway, eyes locked for a fleeting moment.
Before either of them could say a word, Devika's voice broke the silence.
"Why are you both standing at the door like statues? Come inside," she said with a cheerful tone.
They both slowly stepped in, avoiding each other's gaze.
Aryan bent down to touch Nandini's feet. She gently placed her hand over his head.
"Be happy," she said softly.
Devika turned to Aryan. "Why didn't you go pick up Nandini aunty? I thought maybe you left earlier to receive her... but you never showed up there."
Before Aryan could replied,"Actually, something urgent came up at the last moment. That's why it got delayed."
Nandini looked at Aryan. "I called you, Aryan."
Aryan paused for a second before responding, "Aunt… the phone was with my secretary, so I couldn't answer your call. I'm sorry."
The room suddenly felt heavy. Nandini kept her eyes on him for a moment longer, and then said nothing.
Devika glanced between them. "Why do you both look so serious? What happened?"
Aanya looked away quickly, trying to hide the redness in her eyes.
Devika walked closer to her. "Aanya, what happened? Your eyes are red… is everything alright?"
Aanya forced a small smile and looked at Aryan before replying,
"No aunty… I think something got into my eyes. That's all."
Just then, Devika smiled and began introductions.
"Sister-in-law, this is Aanya. Aanya, she is Prerna and Aryan's aunt."
Aanya quickly smiled and bent down to touch Nandini's feet.
But Nandini immediately stepped back.
Everyone froze.
Aanya straightened up in confusion. Nandini looked at her coldly.
"I don't give blessings to outsiders."
Aanya's heart dropped. Her smile faded.
Aryan clenched his fists. Prerna's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Devika looked stunned for a second.
Devika quickly stepped in, trying to defuse the tension.
"No, no, sister-in-law… Aanya is not an outsider. She's staying with us for her studies. She's like family..."
But Nandini cut her off.
"Well, I need to freshen up."
Aanya watched her walk away, holding back the sting in her chest. Devika followed behind her, putting on a fake smile.
"I'm sorry, Aanya," Prerna said quietly. "I didn't expect aunt to react like that."
"It's okay. It's not your fault," Aanya replied softly. "I just wanted to take blessings. But looks like she doesn't want to give it's ok i understand."
Later, in her room, Aanya sat on the bed, her thoughts spiraling.
"Outsider… again. He said I don't belong… and now she confirmed it. Maybe they're right."
She picked up her phone and dialed her mother.
"Aanya, how are you, beta?" her mom answered warmly.
"I'm fine, Mom. How are you and Papa?"
"We're both fine. Wait, I'll give the phone to him."
A few seconds later, her father's familiar voice came through.
"Hi beta, how are you?"
"I'm good, Papa."
"Your studies going well?"
"Yes, Papa."
He chuckled. "You're not causing any trouble to that family, right?"
Aanya's smile faded.
"Papa..."
Her father laughed. "Just kidding, beta. After all, that's not our house where you can do anything you want."
Her heart sank. Again — that line. Not our house.
"Don't become a burden to them, okay?"
"Yes, Papa… I won't. Take care, okay?"
"You too, beta."
The call ended. But Aanya's thoughts didn't.
---
Later that evening, Aanya came down for dinner. Nandini, Aryan, and Prerna were already seated. Devika smiled as she saw her.
"Aanya, why are you standing there? Come, sit," she said.
Aanya smiled faintly and took her seat, glancing once at Aryan. He was already looking at her.
Nandini's gaze fell on Aanya too.
"Tomorrow, let's go and meet their family," Nandini said firmly.
Prerna looked up in surprise. Devika nodded.
"Yes, sister-in-law. I'll inform them we're coming. We'll all go together," she said with a happy smile.
Aanya silently listened, her heart sinking further.
"They're talking about marriage… but no one asked Prerna how she feels."
---
That night, Devika made a call to the Raichand residence.
Shreya answered.
"Namaste, Shreya ji, this is Devika."
"Devika ji! Namaste!" Shreya replied warmly.
"Actually, we're planning to come tomorrow to discuss… the marriage proposal. My sister-in-law will be joining too."
"Of course! You're most welcome."
After cutting the call, Shreya turned to her husband, Aravind.
"Devika ji just confirmed. Aryan's family is coming tomorrow… and even her sister-in-law is joining."
"Then we need to prepare well," Aravind said.
Just then, Ankitha entered the room.
"Why do you both look so happy?"
"Of course, we're happy!" Shreya beamed. "Dev's marriage is almost fixed!"
Ankitha's smile disappeared. "Dev's marriage? With whom?"
Shreya smiled. "With Aryan's sister—Prerna."
Ankitha's eyes widened in shock. "What? Mom… are you serious? You didn't even tell me!"
"I didn't hide it. Your dad and I have been thinking about this for a while now. We spoke to their family. They didn't give a final answer, but now they're coming to talk."
"But… did you even ask Dev?"
Shreya shrugged. "Why should we? His choice is our choice. He will say yes."
Ankitha looked disturbed. "But Mom, what if he loves someone else? You never know. Just tell me—did you tell him?"
"Let's ask him right now." Shreya called Dev.
He came into the room.
"Dev, your father and I have chosen a girl—Prerna, Aryan's sister. We want you to marry her. They're coming tomorrow to discuss the proposal."
Dev remained quiet for a few seconds.
Then he smiled. "If you both like her, I have no objection. Your choice is my choice. I don't love anyone."
Shreya smiled in satisfaction.
"See, Ankitha? Your doubt is cleared."
"Yes, but… what if she doesn't like Dev? Maybe she likes someone else. Did her family also hide it from her like you did with Dev?"
Shreya's smile faded slightly.
"No. We spoke in front of her. If she had someone in mind, she would have said it that day itself."
"You always think negatively," she added. "Now move aside, I need to pick a saree for tomorrow and you too pick one dress for tomorrow."
Ankitha moved away, mumbling to herself.
"It's not negativity, Mom. Marriage is a big decision. You can't just rush it like this."
---
End Of Chapter 30.