CHAPTER 7

Rithvik's dad Vikramaditya Singh Suryavanshi, is a man of authority and power, but he is also a man of modern ideas and style. He is tall and has a muscular build, which gives him an intimidating presence. His face is stern, but when he smiles, it transforms into a warm, welcoming smile that can light up a room.

He is a man who loves to dress well, often seen in designer suits and stylish shoes. His walking style is confident and strong, reflecting his commanding presence. His voice is deep and commanding, yet he can also be jolly and playful when he wants to be.

Despite his strict demeanor, he has a soft spot for his family, especially for Rithvik. He knows that his son is stubborn when it comes to marriage, so he uses his authority to make sure that Rithvik finds the right girl. He is willing to go to great lengths to make his son happy, even if it means going against his own beliefs.

Overall, Rithvik's dad is a complex man, with a mix of strictness and warmth, modernity and tradition.

Rithvik's mom, Rajeshwari Suryavanshi, was a sight to behold. She had an air of royalty about her, with her elegant dressing style and regal demeanor. Her skin had a natural glow that added to her beauty. Her posture was straight and dignified, giving her the appearance of a queen. But there was much more to her than just her looks.

Rajeshwari was the life of the party. She was always up for some mischief and fun. She had a mischievous twinkle in her eye and a contagious laugh that could light up any room. She loved to pull pranks on her family members, especially Rithvik, whom she doted on.

Despite her playful nature, Rajeshwari was also a caring mother who looked out for her children's best interests. She had a keen eye for details and often picked up on things that others missed. She was very protective of her children, and her maternal instincts kicked in whenever she felt that they were in danger.

Rajeshwari's personality was a perfect balance of royalty and mischief. Her family loved her dearly and knew that she was the backbone of their household.

As for Rithvik's sister nature, Sara is a very outgoing and bubbly person. She has a great sense of humor and is always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. She is also very caring and loving towards her family and friends, and has a strong sense of loyalty towards them. However, she can be a little bit impulsive at times and tends to act before thinking things through. Despite this, she always has the best intentions and is a truly kind-hearted person.

Rohan is a tall and lean man with sharp features and deep brown eyes. He has a calm and composed demeanor and always carries a warm smile on his face. He usually dresses in simple yet elegant outfits, which complement his personality.

Rohan and Sara met in college, where they both pursued their postgraduate studies. Rohan was drawn towards Sara's infectious laughter and her ability to bring joy to anyone around her. They soon became good friends and started spending more time together, sharing their thoughts and dreams.

As they got to know each other better, Rohan realized that Sara was not just a bubbly and fun-loving person, but also someone who had a deep sense of compassion and empathy towards others. Her kind heart and positive outlook towards life had a profound impact on him, and he fell in love with her.

Rohan proposed to Sara on a beach during one of their weekend getaways, and she said yes. They got married soon after completing their studies, and since then, their love has only grown stronger with each passing day.

PRESENT TIME….

As Rithvik looked at the small house in front of him, confusion was written all over his face. His father, sensing his confusion, chuckled and patted him on the back.

"Son, don't judge a book by its cover. This might be a small house, but it holds great memories for me. This is the house of my childhood friend, Raj Thakur."

Rithvik's mother added, "Yes, we used to visit this house when we came to Mumbai to meet your dad's friend. You were just a child back then."

Rithvik nodded, trying to take in the new information. He had never heard about Raj Thakur before, but seeing his father's happy face, he knew that this was an important person in his life.

As they approached the door, Rithvik's father rang the bell. After a few seconds, a man in his early thirties opened the door, and Rithvik's father immediately embraced him, laughing heartily.

"It's good to see you, Raj. It's been too long," he exclaimed.

Raj Thakur returned the embrace and greeted Rithvik's parents with a warm smile. "Please come in, make yourself at home," he said, leading them into the living room.

As they all settled down, Rithvik couldn't help but feel curious about this man and his family. He wondered what kind of memories his father shared with Raj Thakur in this small, cozy house.

As they entered the small but cozy living room, Raj Thakur's wife welcomed them warmly with a smile. Rithvik's dad hugged Raj Thakur tightly and they both laughed as if they were back in their childhood days.

Rithvik was amazed to see such a small house as he was used to living in big mansions all his life. He couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, this is your house? It's so small."

Raj Thakur chuckled and replied, "Yes, beta, it's our humble abode. We may not have big mansions like you, but we have all the happiness we need."

Rithvik was taken aback by his uncle's simplicity and was reminded of his own luxurious lifestyle. He felt a pang of guilt in his heart as he realized how he had been living his life without any regard for the struggles of middle-class people.

Meanwhile, Rithvik's dad was busy chatting with Raj Thakur, reminiscing about their childhood days. Rithvik's mom and Raj Thakur's wife were catching up and chatting about their lives.

Raj Thakur's wife brought some tea and snacks for everyone. As they sipped their tea and munched on the snacks, Raj Thakur asked Rithvik, "So, beta, what brings you to Mumbai?"

Rithvik hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm here on some business."

Raj Thakur raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was something more to Rithvik's visit. He probed further, "What kind of business, beta?"

Rithvik looked at his dad for support, but his dad simply nodded and gestured for him to answer. Rithvik took a deep breath and said, "I'm here to take care of some...unfinished business."

Raj Thakur's wife looked concerned and asked, "Is everything alright, beta?"

Rithvik nodded and smiled reassuringly, "Yes, aunty, everything is under control. I just need to tie up some loose ends."

Raj Thakur looked at Rithvik with concern, "Beta, I hope you're not involved in anything illegal. You know I don't want to see you in trouble."

Rithvik smirked and replied, "Don't worry, uncle, I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself."

As they are talking, Kishika comes downstairs she absentmindedly asks for her hair clip without looking at anyone.

Kishika's mother gently touched her arm to grab her attention. "Kishika, we have guests. Please greet them."

Kishika looked towards the living room and saw Rithvik and Arun sitting there. "Oh my god! I can't believe this!" she thought to herself.

Her mother noticed her reaction and asked, "Do you know them?"

Kishika replied, "Yes, mom. I met them at the hotel this afternoon. They are Rithvik and Arun. They were very kind to me."

Rithvik's mother welcomed Kishika with a warm smile and asked her to join them. Kishika quickly composed herself and greeted everyone by touching the elders' feet.

Rithvik and Arun were also surprised to see Kishika at Rithvik's childhood friend's house. They couldn't help but exchange looks of disbelief.

Kishika sat down next to Arun and Rithvik, and they started talking about their chance encounter at the hotel. Kishika's lively personality and sense of humor quickly won over Rithvik's family, and they all laughed and talked for hours. After 2 hours of talk Raj look at Kishika.

As Raj requested Kishika to take Rithvik to the garden, Rithvik already knew what was going on, but Kishika was completely unaware. Rithvik's father had mentioned to him about the possibility of an arranged marriage with Kishika, but he hadn't told her anything about it.

Kishika looked at her father with confusion and asked, "Why do you want me to take Rithvik to the garden, Papa?"

Raj looked at Kishika with a smile and said, "Just show him around, beta. It's a beautiful garden, and he might enjoy it."

Rithvik, trying to break the awkward silence, said, "Yes, I would love to see the garden, Kishika. Would you like to show me around?"

Kishika looked at Rithvik and nodded, "Sure, let's go."

As they walked towards the garden, Kishika couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She wondered why her father had specifically asked her to take Rithvik to the garden. As they reached the garden, Kishika started showing Rithvik around and explaining the different plants and flowers.

Rithvik couldn't help but notice how beautiful Kishika was, and he felt a little nervous around her. He decided to break the silence and asked, "So, Kishika, what do you like to do in your free time?"

Kishika smiled and said, "Well, I love to read books, go for long walks, and sometimes paint. What about you, Rithvik?"

Rithvik replied, "I like to play basketball and watch movies. I'm also interested in photography."

As they were walking, Rithvik couldn't help but notice that Kishika seemed a little lost in her thoughts. He asked, "Is everything okay, Kishika?"

Kishika looked at Rithvik and sighed, "I don't know, Rithvik. My father has been acting strange lately, and I can't figure out why. And now, he asked me to bring you here, and I don't know what's going on."

Rithvik understood her confusion and replied, "Well, my father did mention that we're here for a marriage alliance with your family. But don't worry, let's just enjoy the garden and take it from there."

Kishika looked at Rithvik with surprise, "Marriage alliance? I had no idea. I don't know what to say."

Rithvik smiled and said, "It's okay, Kishika. We can take our time and get to know each other better before making any decisions."

As they walked back towards the house, Kishika felt a little overwhelmed with the news of the marriage alliance, but she was also curious to get to know Rithvik better.

As Rithvik and Kishika came back inside the living room, they could hear Raj and Arun laughing. Everyone turned their heads towards them as they entered. Raj looked at them with a smile on his face and asked, "So, do you both like each other?"

Rithvik looked towards Kishika with a hint of nervousness in his eyes, waiting for her response. Kishika smiled shyly and replied, "Yes, I do."

Rithvik's face lit up with a smile, and he let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, I like her too," he said.

Arun, who had been listening intently, let out a cheer and raised his arms in the air. "That's what I am talking about! Congrats, you two!" he said.

Rithvik's parents looked at each other with happiness in their eyes, knowing that their son had found a good match. Raj got up from his seat and patted Rithvik on the back. "Congratulations, my boy. You have made a wise decision," he said.

Kishika's mother came forward and hugged Rithvik's mother, expressing her happiness at the alliance. "We are thrilled to have Rithvik as our son-in-law," she said.

The room was filled with laughter and joy, and Rithvik and Kishika couldn't help but smile at each other, knowing that they had made a connection that would last a lifetime.

As everyone sat down to have dinner, Kishika's mother asked her and Rithvik to join them at the table. Sara, Rithvik's sister, was the first one to speak up, "So, did you guys finalize the wedding date yet?"

Kishika and Rithvik looked at each other and then back at Sara. Kishika hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up, "Actually, Sara, we still need some time to understand each other better before we make any decisions."

Rithvik nodded in agreement, "Yes, Kishika is right. We want to take things slow and make sure that we are both comfortable with each other before we decide on anything."

Everyone at the table looked surprised, but they could understand Kishika and Rithvik's point of view. Kishika's mother smiled and said, "Take all the time you need, beta. It's important to make sure that you are both happy and comfortable with each other."

The rest of the dinner went smoothly, with everyone respecting Kishika and Rithvik's decision to take things slow. After dinner, Kishika and Rithvik said their goodbyes and went home. They both knew that they had a lot to talk about before they could decide on anything.