chapter 8: A formal affair

"Raj, beta, let Dii get ready!" Sweta's voice cut through the buzzing room, but Raj wasn't backing down.

"No, I want to see the makeup!" He stood on tiptoes, trying to peek at the brushes sweeping over Kyara's face.

Kyara sighed, watching her mother pace back and forth, adjusting jewelry boxes, inspecting outfits, and muttering a mental checklist.

"Where's the makeup artist? And the jewelry—did we forget the bangles?" Sweta asked, her voice laced with worry.

"Mom."

"I told them we needed everything set before we arrived. If they don't—"

"Mom."

Sweta turned to Kyara, startled as her daughter rose from the chair, stopping the makeup artist mid-stroke. Kyara placed both hands on her mother's shoulders.

"Just relax." Her voice was softer now. "Everything is fine. It's going smoothly."

Sweta's lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but instead, she exhaled. "I just… I want everything to be perfect for you."

Kyara's grip tightened, her heart twisting. Perfect. The weight of that word settled in her chest like a stone. I'm lying to her.

Her mother's warmth, her nervous energy—it was all for a future Kyara had no intention of keeping.

Before the guilt could pull her under, her phone buzzed.

"I'll be right back," Kyara said, stepping into the bathroom as she answered the call.

The Call

"How's it going there?" Rohan's voice carried his usual amused tone. "We'll be there soon."

Kyara leaned against the sink, eyes scanning her reflection. "Yeah, everything is… fine."

"But?"

Kyara sighed, rubbing her temple. "But everything's moving too fast. We didn't even plan this."

Rohan chuckled. "Yeah, well, the family meeting was a disaster—but in a good way."

Kyara snorted. "Disaster and good don't usually go together, Rohan."

"Oh, you'd be surprised."

Her mind drifted back—to a few days ago, when everything had spiraled into this engagement.

Flashback – The Family Meeting at the Agnihotri House

The Agnihotri residence was a quiet display of wealth—not ostentatious, but effortless in its elegance. Polished marble floors gleamed under golden chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline like a painting.

As Kyara stepped inside with her mother and Raj, the air felt heavier than it should.

"Welcome, welcome," Richa Agnihotri greeted them with a warm but composed smile, her silk sari flowing like liquid gold. "I hope the drive wasn't too tiring."

"It was fine, thank you," Sweta replied with a polite nod.

Rishant Agnihotri stood beside his wife, his presence calm but commanding. "Please, have a seat."

The conversation started with pleasantries—hospital matters, family updates—but soon, it dipped into familiar, uneasy territory.

"I never got to say this in person," Rishant began, folding his hands together, "but Ravi was a brilliant doctor. His private practice was admirable."

Sweta's smile faltered, but she nodded. "He believed in what he was doing."

"But private clinics," Richa added carefully, "can be… financially difficult."

Kyara's fingers curled into her lap. She knew where this was going.

"We knew he wouldn't ask for help," Richa continued, "but we tried to support him where we could."

The words sat heavy in the air.

Kyara inhaled sharply. Oh, I can smell something strong… Her gaze flickered to the polite smiles, the calculated words. It's formality.

She masked her irritation, glancing away. It wasn't that they were wrong, but the way they said it—the pity woven between their syllables—felt suffocating.

Before the conversation could spiral deeper, a sudden voice cut through the tension.

"Bhabi, you know, I have something to show you."

Kyara turned to see Aria, Niki's younger sister, slide into the seat beside her, grinning mischievously.

"What are you up to?" Kyara narrowed her eyes.

Aria pulled out her phone and hit play.

On the screen—the video of her and Niki's first date.

The moment before he spilled coffee.

Kyara gasped. "Why did you record this?!"

Aria smirked. "Why not? Now I can blackmail you both."

Kyara groaned, wondering how she suddenly had two younger siblings instead of one.

Aria winked. "Not now, but one day I'll cash this in."

Before Kyara could argue, the front doors opened.

Niki and Rohan stepped in.

The greetings exchanged were polite, but Raj had a different priority.

His eyes locked onto Niki.

Messy hair, yet not a strand looking out of place. A face that had the kind of charm that could switch between looking adorably innocent and frustratingly smug within seconds. And even in formalwear, he carried himself with a casual ease—like he had just thrown on the suit without a second thought.

Raj narrowed his eyes. "Hmph."

Kyara frowned. "What?"

Raj crossed his arms. "He doesn't even look like a nerd who just graduated from MBBS." He leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically. "He looks like one of those chill guys who game all night but somehow still ace their exams."

Kyara blinked. How did Raj just—

Before she could process it, Raj sighed, shaking his head. "Dii, you hit the jackpot."

Kyara's brain short-circuited for a second before she groaned. "Shut up before I hit you."

Raj smirked in triumph.

Meanwhile, the disaster was about to begin.

The Engagement Discussion

Niki took a slow breath. "Actually… I want to—"

A smack landed on his back.

Rohan.

"Be brave," Rohan whispered.

Niki cleared his throat. "Actually… I want to say that… let's not get married."

The room fell silent.

Niki froze. That was not what he meant to say.

Every family member turned to stare at him like he had just cursed in a temple.

His ears went red. "I mean… uh…"

Rohan sighed dramatically. "He means they want to get to know each other more."

Niki hesitated, his mind scrambling. He had prepared to argue, to reason, but not like this. His hands felt cold, his heartbeat loud. Would they even listen?

He forced himself to continue. "Aunty, think about it—Kyara's still in college. Imagine how awkward that'll be for her. People tease, they bully…"

Sweta frowned, uncertain.

Rishant studied Niki for a long moment, then nodded. "He has a point."

Niki exhaled, his shoulders slightly loosening.

"Of course, he has a point!" Rohan cut in. "And rushing things wouldn't be good, right, Kyara?"

Kyara hesitated, meeting Niki's gaze. There was something in his eyes—relief mixed with unspoken worry.

"Uh… yeah, this makes sense."

After a pause, Richa sighed. "Fine. We'll delay the marriage… but we'll do the engagement now."

The decision was made.

Present Time – The Call Ends

Kyara blinked as the memory faded, Rohan's voice pulling her back.

"You still there?"

She inhaled sharply. "Yeah."

"Good. Because Niki just arrived. And Kyara…" Rohan paused.

Kyara frowned. "What?"

"You might want to brace yourself."

The call ended.

Kyara stared at her screen.

What now?