The Next Day

Just like every other morning, my day begins the same way.The warm rays of the sun fall gently across my face, birds chirp outside my window, and for a few peaceful moments, everything feels perfectly ordinary.

Except… today isn't ordinary at all.

Because today, Shaurya is finally coming with his parents to meet my family. For our marriage.

The thought alone makes my heart flutter.

I sit up almost immediately, but then another thought strikes me."Oh God! I completely forgot to inform Viren Sir!"

I mentally scold myself for being so careless.

I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath."I should just call him. He's very understanding. He'll definitely understand."

I pick up my phone and call him.

There is a strange nervousness in my chest. Am I taking my leave too suddenly? What if he gets angry? What if he refuses? Or worse… what if he fires me?

The moment he answers, his familiar voice comes through."Yes, Devika. Tell me."

I hesitate for a second before replying,"Good morning, Sir. Actually… I wanted to ask for leave for today."

There is a brief pause."Why?"

I swallow nervously before explaining,"Actually, Sir… Shaurya and his family are coming to meet my family today. They're coming to talk about our marriage. I should have informed you earlier, but everything happened so suddenly, and I completely forgot."

My heartbeat grows faster as I wait for his response.

But instead of getting angry, he simply says,"Okay. You can take today's leave."

I let out a tiny breath of relief.

Then he adds,"But I'll give you the leave on one condition."

I immediately sit up straighter."Condition?"

I ask nervously,"What condition, Sir?"

He chuckles."You have to invite me to your wedding."

For a second, I just stare at my phone before bursting into laughter."Of course, Sir! Why wouldn't I? You're definitely getting an invitation."

He laughs."Alright then, Devika. I'll manage things at the office today. And congratulations in advance."

A genuine smile spreads across my face."Thank you, Sir."

I end the call and look at my phone for a moment."Viren Sir really is such a nice person."

Then I suddenly remember everything I have to do.I jump out of bed.

"Come on, Devika! Enough lazing around. Get up. You have a lot to prepare for."

Just then, my phone starts ringing again. I glance at the screen and groan."Now who is calling?"

I pick it up."Why did you call me now?"

It's Raavi—my best friend.

We've been friends since our college days, and over the years, our friendship has only grown stronger.

Raavi immediately says,"Sorry, yaar! I was so exhausted after coming back from the office that I fell asleep early. And my phone was on silent."

I roll my eyes."Do you know I barely slept the entire night?"

There is concern in her voice."Why? What happened?"

I smile."I had something to tell you.Shaurya is bringing his family today. They're coming to meet Dad."

There is a moment of silence.

Then Raavi practically squeals with excitement."Seriously?! I'm so, so happy for you! Shaurya and your love story have been the talk of our college days. And finally, it looks like your love story is about to get a forever stamp on it!"

I can't help but smile."Yeah, yaar. Shaurya really loves me."

Raavi pauses before saying honestly,"You know, I never really liked him that much…"

I immediately narrow my eyes."Raavi!"

She laughs."But now that you love him, I'm genuinely happy for you. That's all that matters to me."

My expression softens.

Then she says,"Now stop talking and go get ready. And yes, send me a picture of your outfit. I want to see what you're wearing."

I laugh."Okay, okay."

Then she adds,"And don't worry about Dad. I'll tell him about your leave."

I quickly reply,"Thank you, but I already spoke to Viren Sir. He gave me the day off."

She replied,"Oh, then that's even better!"

I smile."Alright, I'll go get ready now."

She said"Okay, bye! And don't forget to tell me everything later."

I laugh."Okay, Baba!"

I end the call and step outside my room.

The moment I walk out, I stop.

Dad is sweeping the floor, while Rohan is standing on a chair, cleaning the ceiling fan.

I immediately walk over to Dad and take the broom from his hands."Dad! What are you doing? I'll do it."

But Dad, being Dad, refuses."No, Devu. Give me the broom. I'll do it. You go and get ready. Shaurya and his family could be here any moment."

I protest,"Yes, Dad, I'll get ready. But at least let me help a little. Come on, tell me what I should make. How about samosas and bread pakoras?"

Before Dad can answer, Rohan climbs down from the chair and proudly says,"Di, don't worry about anything. Everything is already done. I ordered sweets, samosas, and bread pakoras from Mishra Uncle's shop earlier."

I look at him, touched. For a moment, I just stand there. "How lucky am I? I have a family that understands me so well. They care about even the smallest things."

Before I can get emotional, Dad and Rohan practically start ordering me around."Go get ready!"

Rohan also add"Yes, Di, go!"

With both of them teaming up against me, I know there's no point arguing.

I finally said"Fine! I'm going!"

I finally return to my room.

After taking a shower, I get dressed in an orange saree. I keep everything simple—a delicate pendant and a pair of matching earrings.

I stand in front of the mirror and carefully look at myself.

I turn slightly from one side to the other."Is something missing?"

And then I realize it. The most important thing!

I quickly open my drawer, take out a bindi, and place it carefully in the center of my forehead.

I look at myself again. Perfect.

A small, shy smile appears on my lips. Shaurya is going to see me in a saree for the first time.

Just imagining his reaction makes me smile.

"I wonder what his face will look like when he sees me."

The thought itself makes my heart flutter.

Suddenly—Knock. Knock.

I hear Rohan's voice from outside."Diii!"

I smile."Yes, come in."

He walks into the room.

The moment he sees me, his expression changes dramatically.

He looks me up and down and says,"Excuse me… who are you? And where is my sister?"

I glare at him."Oh, you little brat. Wait until I get my slipper!"

He immediately raises his hands."No, no, Di! I was just kidding!"Then, with a mischievous grin, he adds,"Actually, I came to tell you something."

I cross my arms."What?"

He grins."Shaurya Jiju is here."

My heart skips a beat. He's here.

I quickly compose myself and follow Rohan outside.

Shaurya is sitting there with his parents.

I immediately walk toward his parents and touch their feet.

They both bless me warmly."Khush raho."

Shaurya's mother smiles at me."Our Shaurya's choice really is wonderful."

I feel my cheeks warming. I wasn't exactly expecting to blush, but honestly… at a moment like this, what else was I supposed to do?

I quietly sit beside Dad. His mother looks at him and says,"Bhai sahab, your daughter is truly beautiful."

Then she turns toward me."Devika beta, what do you do?"

I smile politely and proudly says"Aunty, I worked in company. "

She nods approvingly."That's wonderful. A girl should be independent."

I feel a little relieved hearing that. Beside me, Shaurya looks at me and smiles. Then, when no one is paying attention, he gives me a quick wink.

I immediately glare at him."Seriously? Can't someone tell this man that his parents—his future in-laws—are sitting right here?"

Dad smiles and joins the conversation."Our Devu has always been ambitious. She was very focused on her studies, and now she's equally dedicated to her career. I'm glad to hear that you have no problem with my daughter continuing to work."

Shaurya's father nods.

Then he looks at Dad and says,"If you don't mind, we'd actually like to speak with you privately for a moment."

I freeze.

Privately? My mind immediately starts racing. What could they possibly want to talk about?

I look at them nervously. Do they actually like me? Are they going to agree to this marriage? What if they don't? What if everything we've dreamed about doesn't happen?

Dad calmly responds,"Of course. Absolutely."

Then he looks toward me and Shaurya."Devika beta, you and Shaurya can go talk in your room."

I hesitate.

I don't really want to leave. I want to know what they're going to discuss.

I want to hear whether they like me or not.

I want to know whether this marriage is really going to happen.

But I have no choice.

So I slowly get up and walk toward my room with Shaurya, my heart pounding with a hundred questions I desperately want answered.