[3]

Radhika

A week had passed since the incident, but the questions hadn't stopped haunting me. Every quiet moment brought them rushing back: "Why only him? Why did Bhai want me to marry him specifically?" These thoughts had become my constant companions, circling endlessly in my mind.

I threw myself into work, hoping that the familiar rhythm of tasks and deadlines would drown out the confusion. My fingers flew across the keyboard, but even the most demanding projects couldn't silence the questions that plagued me.

A knock at my office door interrupted my concentration. "Come in" I called without looking up from my screen.

"May I have your attention please, ma'am?"

The voice was unmistakable, and despite everything weighing on my mind, a genuine smile spread across my face. I looked up to see him standing there, and before he could say another word, I was on my feet and running toward him.

"Bhai!" I exclaimed, happiness flooding through me at seeing my brother's best friend who had been like an elder brother to me all these years. I wrapped him in a fierce hug, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders.

After settling him into a chair, he crossed his arms and gave me a mock-stern look. "So, Miss Busy, you finally got some time for me, huh? I thought you'd forgotten all about me as soon as you reached India."

I smiled softly. "Bhai, it's nothing like that, and you know it. Now, for me, there's nothing more important than making Utkarsh Bhai's dream come true" I explained, hoping he'd understand the urgency that drove me.

His expression softened. "I know, baccha." But then his tone grew serious. "But in all of this, you're not overworking yourself, are you?"

"Bhai, I'm not overworking" I replied, but even I could hear the slight stammer in my voice, my gaze dropping to the floor.

"Then say that while looking into my eyes" he challenged, his tone soft yet firm.

"Bh-Bhai, wo..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Baccha, you know how much you mean to me. Now I have no one except you, and you're not taking care of your health at all." His eyes grew serious. "If this continues, I'll have to break my promise and tell uncle and aunty about everything that happened nine months ago."

My heart raced at the thought. "No, Bhai, please don't tell Maa and Papa anything! I promise, from now onwards I'll take better care of myself and never overwork" I pleaded.

Before he could say, my phone rang. Without checking the caller ID, I answered. "Hello?"

"Hello, Radhika beta, how are you now?" came a woman's voice from the other end.

"Sorry, but may I know who this is?" I asked, my tone automatically becoming cold and professional.

"Beta, it's me, Avyut's mother," she clarified, and realization hit me like a wave.

"Oh! Sorry, Aunty" I apologized, mentally slapped myself for my earlier tone.

Before I could say anything more, she continued, "Sorry for disturbing you at this time, beta, but tomorrow is Pari's birthday. We would love for you and your family to join us for the celebration. And perhaps afterward, you can share your decision about the proposal."

Silence fell between us as my mind raced with thoughts. I wasn't prepared for this so soon.

"Are you there, beta? Are you okay? Do you need more time to think?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.

"We'll be there, Aunty" I managed to say before ending the call, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

The phone slipped from my hands as I stared at nothing, my mind racing. They wanted an answer tomorrow.

"Doll, are you okay? Is everything alright?" Bhai's worried voice brought me back to reality.

I realized I couldn't keep this from him anymore. The words tumbled out—everything about the incident, the proposal, the confusion that had been eating at me for a week.

"Baccha, why didn't you tell me this before? Are you okay now? What did the doctor say?" His voice was panicked, and I could see the worry etched across his features.

"Bhai, please calm down. See, I'm fine now" I said, trying to reassure him.

"Doll, you're becoming so careless. You know you haven't fully recovered from that accident. I only agreed to let you move here and join the company because you were so adamant. But that doesn't mean you can ignore your health!" He said, his anger stemming from concern.

"Sorry Bhai. It's just that after what happened with Utkarsh bhai, I can't let that happen to anyone else again" I said apologetically.

"But Bhai, what should I do about the proposal now?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"So, what's the name of the guy?" he asked, his expression suddenly thoughtful.

"Avyut. Avyut Agnihotri" I replied, watching as all colors drained from his face at the mention of the name. It was subtle, but I knew him well enough to notice.

Before I could question his reaction, he composed himself and asked, "What do you want?"

"Bhai, I haven't really thought about it yet" I admitted, looking down at my fidgeting hands.

After a moment, I looked up at him again. "But there's something that's been bothering me."

"What is it, baccha?"

"I keep wondering why Utkarsh bhai wanted me to marry him?" The question that had been tormenting me for days finally escaped, and I saw shock flash across his face.

When he didn't answer, I pressed on. "Bhai, you were his best friend, so he must have told you why he wanted me to marry him." Tears began flowing down my cheeks without my permission.

His expression was unreadable as he took me into his arms. "I don't know, doll. Please stop crying" he whispered, stroking my hair.

"Ab main kya karu Bhai? Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha" I whispered against his shoulder.

(What I should do now brother, I don't't understand anything)

He gently wiped my tears and handed me a glass of water. "Doll, I don't know exactly why he wanted you to marry him. But I'm certain of one thing—if Utkarsh wanted you to marry Avyut, he must have seen something special in him. Something that would make you happy."

I drank the water in one go, trying to process his words. After several moments of silence, I asked, "So, you think I should agree to the marriage?"

He stood up, his gaze thoughtful. "Now you have to decide for yourself. I've done my part by explaining what I know, but ultimately, the final decision will be yours. And remember whatever your decision will be I'll support you" he said before leaving the office, giving me space to think.

The weight of tomorrow's decision pressed down on me like a heavy blanket. Whatever choice I made would change everything.

Avyut

For an entire week, only one thought had consumed my mind: "Why was she crying that day? Was it because of the marriage proposal?"

The image of her tears haunted me. I'd seen her brave enough to risk her life for a stranger, but something about that marriage proposal had broken her down completely. What was I missing?

My trance was broken by a knock on my office door. Before I could respond, Saransh peeked in, concern etched on his face.

"Bhai, aren't you coming home?" he asked.

I glanced at my watch and realized with a start that I'd been lost in thoughts of her for hours. The office was empty, the sun had set, and I hadn't accomplished a single thing.

"Bhai? Bhai!" Saransh called, shaking my shoulder lightly. I hadn't even noticed him approach my desk. "You've been acting strange all week. Has something happened?"

"No. Nothing. It's just work" I replied, not wanting him to know the truth—that I couldn't stop thinking about a girl I barely knew.

"Toh chale?" he asked, gesturing toward the door.

(So, let's go)

"Huh?" I responded with a frown, still half-lost in my thoughts.

"Home," he clarified with a small smile, and I nodded, gathering my things.

The drive home was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. As we stepped into the house, Maa greeted us warmly.

"Beta, you've arrived! Both of you go freshen up, and I'll heat the food in the meantime" she said, already heading toward the kitchen.

After freshening up, I made my way downstairs to find Maa and Saransh already waiting at the dining table.

"Maa, you shouldn't have waited for me. You should have eaten earlier" I said, taking my seat beside her.

"Wo beta, mujhe tujhse kuch zaroori baat karni hai" Maa replied, serving food onto my plate.

(Son, I needed to talk to you something important)

"Haan, Maa, boliye na" I encouraged, wondering what was on her mind.

"Beta, tomorrow is Pari's birthday, as you know" she began, a gentle smile on her face. "We've invited Radhika and her parents to join us for the celebration. I thought it would be a good opportunity to also hear their decision regarding the proposal."

The food suddenly tasted bitter in my mouth. Tomorrow. The decision will come tomorrow.

"Okay, Maa" I managed to say, and we ate the rest of dinner in silence, each of us occupied with our own thoughts. Saransh occasionally glanced at me with curiosity, but didn't press further.

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I made up my mind. Tomorrow, I would find a moment and ask her directly about her decision and tell her my view on this marriage. Perhaps this will make it easier for her to decide.

With that resolution, I finally drifted off to sleep, her face the last image in my mind before darkness claimed me.