Hello everyone, finally got the next chapter ready, Hope you enjoy it !! 😁

Author's Legal Statement

This is a fictional story.
Any emotional damage caused by  romance, cute moments, or  family chaos or if you find yourself emotionally attached to them... is not the my responsibility instead, that is entirely your responsibility. 🙂______________________________

Vedansh's Pov

Morning.

Absolute chaos.

I woke up not to an alarm but to Bhumi's dramatic voice right above my head.

"Utho sab! Chai thandi ho rahi hai!" (Wake up everyone! The tea is getting cold!)

I pulled the blanket over my face. It's barely morning...

"Ved bhaiya!" she shook my shoulder. "Aap surgeon ho, ICU duty pe ho." (You're a surgeon,  on ICU duty.)

Groans erupted from every mattress. Samarth rolled over. Arohan Bhaiya muttered something incomprehensible. Vikki Bhaiya clutched a pillow like a life support device.

I finally sat up, hair a mess, kurta crumpled. The living room looked like a refugee camp of relatives—blankets everywhere, one sock in the center table, someone's dupatta hanging from the sofa.

From the kitchen came the unmistakable sound of tadka.

And laughter.

I walked in to find Maa, Gudiya Mausi, Karuna Mausi and Tanvi didi managing what looked like a battlefield of poha, upma, parathas, and three kettles of chai.

"Good morning," I mumbled.

Maa turned. "Good morning? It's almost 9!"

"Kal raat dedh baje tak aap hi log baatein kar rahe the," I defended. (You people were talking till 1:30 last night.)

Papa sat at the dining table reading the newspaper but clearly listening to everything. "Doctor sahab ko rest chahiye," he teased.

Breakfast was loud. Plates clinking. Babies crying. Arjun throwing a piece of poha onto Aditi's frock. Shraddha Bhabhi apologizing. Niyati Bhabhi laughing.

"Ved, chai le jaa Ammaji ke liye," Maa instructed softly.

I nodded and walked toward Nani's room.

Shraddha Bhabhi's Nani—Ammaji—was already sitting beside our Nani. Both wrapped in light shawls, both looking oddly regal in the morning sunlight.

"Namaste beta," Ammaji smiled warmly.

"Namaste," I bowed slightly and handed her tea.

They were mid-conversation.

"Hum dono toh bas bachi hui fauj hai," Ammaji chuckled. (We are the last surviving army.)

Nani laughed. "Sach mei. Ek ek karke sab chale gaye." (Truly. One by one everyone left.)

There was something gentle about their bond. Ever since Shraddha Bhabhi married into the Mudgal family, Ammaji would visit often. Two samdhans with only each other as senior-most elders in their respective homes—it created a strange, beautiful companionship.

By afternoon, the goodbyes began.

Suitcases zipped. Vehicles loaded. Endless "call karna pahunch ke." (Call after reaching.)

Mudgals left for their home in MIHAN. The MP brigade packed into cars one by one.

Before leaving, Ammaji announced calmly, "Main kuch din Rekha ji ke paas rukungi." (I'll stay with Rekha ji for a few days.)

Maa smiled instantly. "Bilkul. Ghar hi toh hai." (Of course. It's your home.)

And Nani's face lit up like a child's.

By 4 pm, the house exhaled.

Silence returned gradually.

By evening, dinner table had only the usual members of Svapnaseva Nivas—Nani, Maa, Papa, Gudiya Mausi, Bhumi, Akshu and me. Plus Ammaji.

It felt... normal again.

After dinner we gathered in the living room. Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah played on TV. Bhumi laughed before punchlines even landed. Papa pretended not to watch but chuckled at Jethalal's expressions.

I sat on the side couch with my laptop open.

Editing mode.

Cut this pause. Add background music here. Zoom slightly.

My YouTube channel—Dr Ved.

Nine years.

It had started in a tiny rented 1BHK in Fetri, Nagpur. I was an awkward MBBS first-year student with a second-hand phone and big dreams.

Back then, money was tight. Papa was still working. Loans. Bills. Stress.

I had made my first video explaining basic anatomy in simple Hindi-English. No expectations.

Today, that channel brought in around 6 to 8 lakhs per month depending on uploads and views. My salary as a surgeon—around 2 lakh 27 thousand. Akshu's architect salary—around 90k.

Papa had retired only because I had practically forced him.

"Ab bas," I had told him. "It's my turn."

He had resisted. Then agreed.

And now, this house, this stability... a lot of it came from this laptop resting on my knees.

"Kitna kamate ho isse?" Ammaji suddenly asked, peering curiously at the screen.

I smiled politely. "Theek-thaak." (Decent enough.)

Bhumi snorted. "Theek-thaak matlab 6-8 lakh mahina!" (Decent means 6-8 lakhs per month!)

"Bhumi!" I glared.

Everyone turned.

Ammaji's eyebrows shot up. "Itna?"

Papa cleared his throat with quiet pride.

Conversation slowly drifted.

From finances.

To responsibilities.

To weddings in general.

"Kal Varma ji ke bete ki shaadi fix ho gayi," Ammaji mentioned casually.

"Haan, 25 ka hi toh hai," Maa nodded.

My fingers paused over the keyboard.

Why are we discussing ages?

Nani sighed thoughtfully. "Aaj kal ladke  der se bhi shaadi karte hain." (Boys also marry late nowadays.)

"Haan, par 26-27 toh theek hi hai," Gudiya Mausi added.

My ears sharpened.

Ammaji turned slightly toward Maa and Papa. "Aur Ved beta? Kya socha hai?" (And what about Ved? What have you thought?)

My head snapped up.

"Ji?" I tried to sound neutral.

Maa glanced at me, then back at them. "Ab sochna toh padega. Umar ho rahi hai." (We have to start thinking. He's of age.)

I blinked.

Excuse me?

Papa leaned back, surprisingly calm. "Dekhte hain. Rishton ki baat shuru kar sakte hain." (We can start looking at proposals.)

My heart skipped.

Akshu slowly turned her head toward me with a wicked grin.

Bhumi clasped her hands dramatically. "Ohoooo..."

"Maa..." I tried, heat rushing to my face.

"Arre sharma kyun rahe ho?" Ammaji laughed. "Doctor ho, kamaate ho, ghar sambhalte ho. Accha rishta milega." (Why are you blushing? You're a doctor, you earn well, you handle the house. You'll get a good match.)

I genuinely could not process this.

This is random. Bas aise hi baat ho rahi hai. Kal bhool jayenge.

Right?

Nani nodded firmly. "Main bhi kehti hoon ab dekhna chahiye." (I also say we should start looking.)

Papa added, "Responsible hai. Ab uski zindagi ka agla padaav bhi sochna chahiye." (He's responsible. We should think about the next stage of his life.)

Gudiya Mausi agreed.

Bhumi whispered loudly, "Bhabhi aa jayengi..." (Sister-in-law will come...)

"Chup," I hissed.

Akshu smirked. "Kaunsi type chahiye, Bhaiya?" (What type do you want?)

I shut my laptop abruptly. "Main video edit kar raha hoon." (I'm editing a video.)

But my ears were burning.

This escalated quickly.

They were still talking. Discussing families. Values. Timing.

I forced myself to believe it was just casual elder discussion.

After all, I was 26. Almost.

These conversations happen.

They'd forget by tomorrow.

They had to.

Little did I know, this wasn't casual dinner talk.

This was the beginning of something that was already quietly moving forward without my knowledge... and far sooner than I was prepared for.

______________________________

Nani's POV:

31st May.

Subah ka ujala dheere dheere angan mein ghul raha tha. I woke up before the rest, as usual. Budhape ki neend bhi ajeeb hoti hai... kam bhi, halki bhi. (Old age sleep is strange... little and light.)

From the corridor I heard cupboard doors opening and closing.

"Bhumi, mera wallet dekha?" Ved's voice echoed.

"Bhaiya aap har baar wahi rakhte ho phir bhool jaate ho," Bhumi replied, half annoyed, half amused.

I stepped out slowly, holding the railing.

There he was.

Tall. Confident. White kurta, denim jeans. Hair slightly wet, watch strapped neatly. Stethoscope nahi, aaj doctor mode off tha. Sunday tha.

"Aaj hospital nahi?" I asked.

He turned instantly. "Nahi Nani. Aaj Himanshu aur Avinash ke saath jaa raha hoon. Lunch bahar karenge." (No Nani. Going out with Himanshu and Avinash for lunch.)

Poor child. Rarely did he get time like this. Hospital, surgeries, YouTube, ghar ki zimmedari... kab bada ho gaya pata hi nahi chala.

"Accha hai," I smiled. "Kabhi kabhi apne liye bhi jeena chahiye." (Sometimes you should live for yourself too.)

He bent slightly and touched my feet. "Aapka aashirwad hai." (It's your blessings.)

As he walked out, keys jingling, bike engine starting outside, my eyes followed him till the gate closed.

Yakeen nahi hota... itna bada ho gaya.

Eleven years ago, when my leg had fractured, we were still in that rented 1BHK in Fetri. Tiny drawing room. One bedroom. Kitchen hardly big enough for two people.

God bless Bhavika and my damaad. Koi damaad rakhta hai kya apni saas ko saalon tak saath? (Does any son-in-law keep his mother-in-law with him for years?) But they never made me feel like a burden.

That time Ved was in 12th. Preparing for NEET.

Bhavika used to take tuitions to help with expenses. Akshu was in 9th—quiet, focused. Bhumi and Gudiya were still with Hitesh then; divorce proceedings had just begun. Gudiya's eyes used to look tired those days.

And Ved...

He was just a boy.

Yet it was he who helped me to the bathroom. He held my elbow during physiotherapy. He fed me when Bhavika was busy. Sometimes he would sit beside me, biology book open on his lap, and say, "Nani, aapko pata hai femur body ki sabse badi haddi hoti hai?" (Do you know femur is the largest bone in the body?)

I would laugh through pain.

Dekhate hi dekhte doctor ban gaya.

From that cramped house to this mahal jaisa ghar. Haan haan, main badha chadha kar bol rahi hoon, (Yes yes, I'm exaggerating,) but for me it truly felt like a palace.

So big. So airy. Separate pooja ghar. Terrace garden. Clinic downstairs.

And yet, mera Ved waisa ka waisa hi hai. Same respectful tone. Same soft heart.

Sumitra ji—Ammaji—was right.

Ab shaadi ka waqt aa gaya hai.

I slowly made my way to the pooja ghar.

The door was slightly open. The faint sound of mantra chanting flowed out like morning breeze.

Inside, Sumitra ji was already seated before the shivling, performing rudrabhishek.

"Om namah shivaya..." her voice steady, experienced.

This pooja ghar... Ved had designed it exactly as per my wish.

Mahadev in the center. Narayan beside him. Durga Mata, Saraswati Mata, Lakshmi Mata. Ganesh ji smiling calmly. Hanuman ji with gada raised. Ram Darbar placed respectfully. Radhe Krishna adorned with fresh flowers.

A separate shivling in marble.

Sai Baba's picture. Different forms of Devi framed neatly.

Yahan aakar alag hi sukoon milta hai. (There is a different peace here.)

I sat beside her and began stringing flowers into malas.

"Kal ki baat soch rahi thi," she said after finishing one mantra cycle.

"Kaunsi?" I asked, though I knew.

"Ved ki shaadi."

I sighed softly.

"Sach kahu Rekha ji," she continued, "ladka sona hai. Doctor hai. Sanskari hai. Ghar bhi accha hai. Der nahi karni chahiye." (To be honest, he's like gold. A doctor. Well-mannered. Good house. Shouldn't delay.)

I nodded.

"Par ladki?" I asked. "Koi dhyaan mein hai?"

She paused thoughtfully.

"Meri ek purani saheli hai—Gayatri," she said. "Uski bhatiji ki beti shaadi layak ho gayi hai shayad. Mujhe poora yaad nahi, par suna tha ki padh likh kar ab ghar par hai." (An old friend of mine—Gayatri. Her niece's daughter may be of marriageable age now. I'm not fully sure, but I heard she's educated and currently at home.)

I kept threading flowers slowly.

"Jahan tak yaad hai," she added, "Nagpur mein hi rehte hain. Brahmin parivar hai. Toh caste ka issue bhi nahi hoga." (As far as I remember, they live in Nagpur itself. Brahmin family. So caste won't be an issue.)

Same city? That's good.

"Ladki ka nature?" I asked carefully.

"Gayatri bahut acchi hai. Seedhi saadhi. Agar parvarish uske ghar ki hai toh ladki bhi achhi hi hogi." (Gayatri is very good-hearted. If she raised the family, the girl must be nice too.)

There was a pause.

Outside, birds chirped loudly. Somewhere in the house Bhavika was instructing Tanvi didi about something in the kitchen.

Sumitra ji looked at me directly. "Agar aap sach mein baat aage badhana chahti hain, toh main aaj hi phone karke confirm kar doon?" (If you truly want to move forward, shall I call today itself and confirm?)

My fingers stopped on the thread.

Itna jaldi?

Then again... der kis baat ki?

"Pehle pata toh kijiye," I replied calmly. "Ladki, parivar, sab theek ho toh baat chhed sakte hain." (First gather details. If everything seems right, we can initiate the proposal.)

She nodded.

"Bhavika se main baat kar lungi," I added with quiet confidence. "Woh pakka Ved ko mana legi." (I'll speak to Bhavika. She will definitely convince Ved.)

We both smiled knowingly.

Somewhere in my heart, excitement flickered.

Shayad iss ghar mein phir se shaadi ki shehnai gunjegi. (Perhaps wedding bells will ring in this house again.)

Sumitra ji reached for her phone lying beside the thali.

"Main aaj dopahar tak Gayatri ko call kar leti hoon," she said.

As she unlocked the screen, I felt something shift in the air.

A small decision.

A simple phone call.

Yet... who knew what door it was about to open.

The pooja ended and Sumitra ji quietly went to her room, phone in hand. "Chalo, abhi Gayatri ko phone kar leti hoon." (Alright, let me call Gayatri now.) Her steps were light, almost excited, as if the call itself carried a sense of importance.

I walked toward Bhavika, who was still on the sofa, phone in hand. She was scrolling through the wedding anniversary photos, zoomed in on the one she liked most. Sach kahu toh yeh WhatsApp–ghitsapp mujhe abhi bhi samajh nahi aata. (Honestly, this WhatsApp thing still doesn't make sense to me.) My fingers fumbled whenever I tried to navigate even simple functions, and it had taken the children ages to teach me how to operate a button phone properly. Kam se kam agar kahin bahar jana ho toh kaam aa jata hai. (At least it comes in handy when I need to go somewhere.)

I sat down beside her, peeking at the photo she had selected. "This one looks really nice, Bhavu," I said softly. "You both look just like newlyweds again."

She smiled, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Bas filter ka kamaal hai." (It's just the effect of the filter.) I chuckled quietly.

"Did you post the status?" I asked.

"Haan, sab reply kar rahe hain." (Yes, everyone is replying.) She set the phone aside, and for a moment, the room felt calm after the morning's activity.

I took a deep breath, leaning slightly closer. "By the way... last night, the thing about Ved's marriage... was it serious, or just casual talk?" I wanted to understand Bhavika's perspective before opening up about it.

Bhavika exhaled slowly, fingers twisting the edge of her dupatta. "Pata nahi... kabhi lagta hai ki Ved ki umr ab shaadi ke liye thik hai, phir lagta hai ki kya itni jaldi zaroori hai." (I don't know... sometimes I feel Ved is old enough for marriage now, then I wonder if it's really necessary so soon.)

I nodded, knowing the feeling well. Ek maa ko jab baccha bada hota hai toh aisa kai baar lagta hai. (When a child grows up, a mother often feels this way.) "I understand, Bhavu. You worry and hesitate, but at some point, waiting too long might make it harder."

Bhavika fell silent, thinking deeply. I gently added, "I told you about my conversation with Sumitra ji this morning. She suggested that if everything seems fine, we could at least start looking for a proposal."

Bhavika looked up after a few moments, her voice soft but determined. "Thik hai... rishta dekhne mei harz hi kya hai. Abhi nahi toh kab? Jab woh MCh shuru karega toh teen saal ka free time hi nahi milega. Behtar yahi hai ki abhi hi kar lein." (Alright... there's no harm in seeing the proposal. If not now, then when? Once he starts his MCh, he won't have three years of free time. Better to do it now.)

Coincidentally, Sumitra ji returned at that moment, looking slightly excited. "I just spoke to Gayatri ji," she said. "The girl's name is Saumya Mishra. She's twenty-four years old."

Bhavika and I exchanged glances, curiosity piqued.

"Her mother, Meenakshi, is Gayatri's biological niece—her brother's daughter," Sumitra ji continued. "Before marriage, Meenakshi's surname was Kashyap. Perhaps she is even connected to Niyati's rishtedaari, but I'm not entirely sure."

Bhavika leaned in slightly.

Sumitra ji went on, "Saumya has completed her Master's in English Literature last year, but she isn't currently working. They have a house in Friends Colony, Nagpur. The marriage talks have just started at their home too."

I nodded slowly, taking in the details. So she's educated, from the same city, Brahmin family... this could work.

"Gayatri ji asked," Sumitra ji added, "that if we wish to move things forward, she can speak with Meenakshi. Meetings can be arranged, and everything can be discussed properly."

Bhavika looked at me quietly, almost whispering, "Chalo dekhte hain... shayad ab wakt aa gaya hai." (Let's see... maybe the time has come.)

The room was calm now, with faint sunlight streaming in, illuminating the pooja thali and the flowers carefully arranged nearby. Everything felt like it was on the brink of change... just a simple phone call away, yet capable of setting many wheels in motion.

I let out a soft breath, a mixture of anticipation and mild anxiety stirring inside me. Let's see how Ved takes this. After all, the first step has just begun.

The morning had just begun, yet it already felt like the household was quietly bracing for something significant, a change that could shape the next few years of our family's life.

______________________________

Third person pov.

That night, after the house had quieted down and the lamps cast a warm glow over Svapnaseva Nivas, Bhavika sat with Samar in the living room. The aroma of fresh jasmine from the terrace drifted in, but neither of them seemed to notice. "Samar," Bhavika whispered, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her saree, "about that talk last time... I think it's worth exploring. Not for Vedansh yet, but just to know the details first."

Samar nodded slowly, leaning back in his chair. "Haan, mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai. [Yes, I feel the same.] We should meet Gayatri ji and Meenakshi quietly, understand everything before telling the kids or Vedansh. If things go well, we can proceed after that." He smiled reassuringly. "Two days from now, Ganesh Tekdi Mandir. You, me, Sumitra, Rekha, and Gudiya. Pehle hum khud sab samajh lete hain, phir agar baat aage badhti hai tab bata denge [First we understand ourselves, then if things progress, we'll tell everyone]."

Bhavika exhaled in relief. "Aur agar bhagwan chahe, to sab mangal hoga. [And if God wills, everything will be auspicious.]" They shared a quiet smile, the weight of decisions yet to be made settling gently between them.

The next two days passed in the usual rhythm of Svapnaseva Nivas, but no mention of marriage arose. Vedansh, immersed in hospital rounds and editing his latest Dr Ved video, assumed last night's conversation was casual. Probably just some light discussion over Vedansh's marriage, nothing serious, he thought, glancing at the growing number of subscribers on his phone. Little did he know, behind the calm surface, plans were already quietly moving.

By June 3, Vedansh's leave had ended. He kissed Nani Rekha on the forehead before leaving for AIIMS, reminding Akshu to finish her office tasks and Bhumi to stay careful with her friends. Inside Svapnaseva Nivas, Sumitra ji, Rekha ji, Bhavika, and Gudiya were preparing for their planned visit to Ganesh Tekdi Mandir. Sarees draped neatly, hair pinned back, jewelry modest but gleaming; the sunlight danced on their bangles as they moved about with graceful precision.

Samar had already informed Ramu Kaka to take the day off. He planned to drive himself. By 10 am, after locking the house and telling Manish Dubey to remain alert, they set off in the Nexon. The car still gleamed, its six-month-old polish catching the sunlight, the engine humming smoothly as they merged onto the familiar route toward the temple.

The drive took about an hour, calm chatter filling the car. Bhavika occasionally glanced at Rekha ji, whose gentle smile never left her face. "Vedansh ke kehne pe hi hum yahan bhandara rakhte hain," she murmured. ["We organize the bhandara here because Vedansh asked us to."] The others nodded, checking that all arrangements were in order for the day.

At the temple, the group performed the pooja and archana with quiet devotion. The smell of incense mixed with the savory aroma of simmering dals and freshly cooked rice from the bhandara, creating a familiar, comforting ambiance. Once satisfied that all was in place, they moved toward the banyan tree near the mandir courtyard to wait.



(Ganesh Tekdi Mandir Nagpur. Ganpati Bappa Morya! 🙏)

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage above, casting intricate shadows on the marble floor. Bhavika adjusted her saree nervously, fingers entwined. Let's hope this goes smoothly, she thought, her mind racing with possibilities.

Moments later, a car drew up, and three people stepped out. Sumitra ji's face lit up immediately. "Gayatri ji! Bahut dino baad mil rahi hain! [Gayatri ji! It's been so long!]" She hurried forward and embraced her warmly.

Gayatri ji returned the hug gracefully, her poise calm and dignified. "Sumitra ji," she said, her voice smooth, "it's wonderful to see you again." She then gestured toward the others. "Sumitra ji, this is Meenakshi, my niece, and her son Aarav," she introduced formally.

Meenakshi, Saumya's mother, stepped forward with folded hands and a polite smile. "Namaste," she said softly.

Aarav, a young man around 24–25, extended his hand confidently. "Namaste. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

Sumitra ji's eyes twinkled. "Kitne polite aur shant lag rahe hain dono. [They both seem so calm and polite.]" Bhavika and Gudiya exchanged subtle glances, already taking note of his composed demeanor.

Gayatri ji added, "Aarav and Saumya are twins. He manages at Haldiram here in Nagpur, and she has completed her Master's in English Literature."

Samar nodded quietly, observing Aarav's confident posture and composed manners. Rekha ji adjusted her saree and murmured, "Dono ka vyavhaar sach mein shant aur vinamra hai. [Their behavior is truly calm and polite.]"

Sumitra ji, smiling, formally introduced Gayatri ji to the group. "Gayatri ji, these are Rekha ji, Bhavika, and Gudiya, along with Samar ji," she said respectfully. Gayatri ji nodded, acknowledging each one with a serene smile, her eyes lingering briefly on each face as if measuring the energy of the family.

Under the ancient banyan tree, the soft chime of temple bells and distant chants created a quiet rhythm. Polite smiles were exchanged, small gestures of greeting made, and the first seeds of understanding between the two families were quietly sown.

Little did Vedansh know, as he attended his hospital rounds and edited videos back at AIIMS, that silently, patiently, threads of his future were beginning to weave themselves in ways he had never anticipated...

Rekha ji adjusted her saree and looked at Gayatri ji, Meenakshi, and Aarav with her usual gentle authority. "Toh pehle aap log darshan karna chahte hain ya seedha baithkar baat karenge? [So, do you want to go for darshan first or sit and talk right away?]"

Gayatri ji smiled softly. "Darshan hum kar lenge. It is always better to start with blessings first." Meenakshi nodded, hands folded lightly, and Aarav gave a small polite smile, almost shyly.

"Perfect," Rekha ji said, glancing at Sumitra ji, Bhavika, Gudiya, and Samar. "Toh hum bhi aapke saath chalenge." ["Then we'll go with you too."] But when they reached the inner sanctum, Sumitraji quietly mentioned that they had already done their darshan that morning. Chalo, koi baat nahi, Rekha thought, at least intentions clear hain. ["Well, no problem; at least the intentions are clear."]

Soon, they all settled on the benches beneath the sprawling banyan tree. The sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, scattering patterns over the ground, giving the place a serene, almost sacred calm. Bhavika, Gudiya, Rekha, Samar, and Meenakshi exchanged occasional glances, a faint awkwardness lingering. They had never been in such a setup before, discussing rishtas in public, even if discreetly. Aarav, being younger, hovered slightly at the base of the tree, fidgeting a little with his hands, clearly uncomfortable with the formal atmosphere.

Seeing the tension, Sumitra ji took the first step. "Dekhiye, aise rishte ki baatein hamesha shant aur dhairya se karni chahiye. [Look, such rishta talks should always be done calmly and patiently.]" Gayatri ji added softly, "Haan, aur hum sab yahan vinamrata aur izzat ke saath baat karenge. [Yes, and we will discuss everything here respectfully.]"

Rekha ji joined in immediately, her tone warm but firm. "Bilkul. Hum sab ka maksad ek hi hai—achhi samajh aur samjhauta. [Absolutely. Our purpose is the same—all understanding and harmony.]"

Once the introductions and pleasantries settled, Meenakshi began speaking, her voice measured but earnest. "Saumya ke papa aur main dono yahi chahte hain ki Saumya ke liye ab rishton ki talash shuru karein. [Saumya's father and I both want to start looking for proposals for Saumya.] Koi jaldi nahi hai, lekin sab jaante hain ki acche rishton ki talash mein kai baar saal lag jate hain. [There's no rush, but everyone knows finding good matches often takes years.] Aur hum Brahmin jaat mein hain... reservations aur community restrictions ke chalte, well-settled aur suitable ladke kam milte hain. [And since we are Brahmin, due to reservations and community restrictions, there are very few well-settled, marriageable young men.]"

Bhavika nodded, her fingers clasped together. "Haan, hum bhi abhi bas dekhna shuru kar rahe hain. [Yes, we too are just starting to see possibilities.]" Gudiya added with a small smile, "Aur humne Vedansh ko abhi tak bataya bhi nahi hai. [And we haven't told Vedansh yet.]"

Meenakshi nodded understandingly. "Humne bhi Saumya ko abhi tak nahi bataya. Aarav ko bataya isliye ki aaj hume yahan chhodne wala koi nahi tha, kyunki Raghav ji busy the. [We haven't told Saumya either. Aarav knows only because there was no one else to drop us here today, since Raghav ji was busy.]"

Meanwhile, Samar and Aarav stood at the base of the banyan tree, a few steps away to give the ladies their space. Aarav shifted uneasily from one foot to another, clearly a little out of place. Samar, noticing his discomfort, leaned slightly toward him. "Relax, Aarav. Aise kaam mein auratein hi acche handle karte hain. Tum bas observe karo aur samajhne ki koshish karo. [Relax, Aarav. Women handle these matters better. You just observe and try to understand.]"

Slowly, Aarav relaxed a little, looking around the group. Yeh sab thoda naya hai, par manageable hai, he thought. [This is all a little new, but manageable.] Samar gave a small smile and continued, "Aur tension ki koi baat nahi. Bas shant dimag se samajh lo." [No need to stress. Just understand with a calm mind.]

As the ice broke, Aarav's protective instincts began to show. He quietly asked Samar questions about Vedansh—how responsible he was, his habits, and his general nature. Samar understood immediately. Samar smiled gently, realizing the young man's protective instincts. Haan, woh apni behen ke liye chintit hai, jaise main apni do betiyon ke liye hota hoon. [Yes, he is concerned for his sister, just like I would be for my two daughters.]

As the conversation eased, it became clear that Aarav was quietly protective, asking subtle questions about Vedansh's nature, family environment, and character. Samar could understand perfectly—this was natural. Aarav's calm, cautious approach reflected a deep sense of responsibility, the way a devoted elder brother would naturally feel for his sister. Darr aur chinta samajh mein aati hai. Sab kuch pehle samajh lena chahiye. [Fear and concern are understandable. One must understand everything first.]

Samar could sense the natural caution in Aarav's demeanor. Aarav was cautious, observant, and quietly evaluating—the kind of protective elder brother any parent would be thankful for. Bas patience rakho, sab apne dhire dhire samajh lenge. [Just have patience; everyone will understand gradually.]

The banyan tree's shade, the distant hum of temple bells, and the soft chatter of devotees created a calm cocoon. Beneath its branches, the two families were slowly moving from formal introductions toward meaningful conversation, a delicate rhythm of trust, respect, and curiosity beginning to take root.

Meenakshi spoke softly, sharing small details about Saumya beyond her education—how she loved gardening, her Kathak practice, her calm and disciplined nature, her love for embroidery and music. "She's very gentle, but also responsible," Meenakshi added, her eyes glimmering with pride.

Bhavika and Gudiya exchanged quick glances and began sharing details about Vedansh in response. "Vedansh is very caring, disciplined, and respectful," Bhavika said. "He's good with family, polite to everyone, and... quite responsible. You can see it in the way he manages his work at AIIMS and even the household." Gudiya added, smiling slightly, "And he's calm, sweet, always puts others before himself. Akshu and Bhumi adore him, and he genuinely loves them."

Rekha ji nodded approvingly, adding, "He has grown up with responsibility, worked hard, and even though he's young, he thinks maturely. Aise beta har maa ke liye sapna hote hain. [Such a son is every mother's dream.]"

Sumitra ji and Gayatri ji joined in occasionally, asking polite questions and guiding the conversation gently, but mostly letting the parents speak for themselves. There was a natural flow in the discussion—each parent spoke with pride, each shared genuine observations about their child.

After a while, it became quietly obvious. Both Saumya and Vedansh were the kind of children who naturally aligned in temperament and values. Pure vegetarian, Hindi-speaking Brahmins, polite, respectful, educated, and family-loving—they were the type anyone would hope for. What more could one ask for? Bhavika thought, smiling at Gudiya, while Meenakshi's eyes reflected quiet satisfaction.

Soon, a tentative plan took shape. Meenakshi would first discuss the possibility with Raghav ji and then speak to Saumya herself. Sharma's side, meanwhile, would talk to Vedansh and see how the children reacted to meeting each other. Both sides silently hoped that the kids wouldn't be upset that the elders had started this process without prior consent.

After exchanging polite farewells, the families began to rise from their benches. Aarav and Samar, at the base of the banyan tree, shared a firm handshake. Aarav's eyes were slightly guarded but respectful; Samar smiled, understanding his cautious but protective nature as a brother. "Aap chinta mat karo, Aarav. Bas dhire dhire sab samajh jayenge. [Don't worry, Aarav. Everything will be understood gradually.]" Aarav nodded with a faint smile, and they parted on polite, warm terms.

The Sharmas returned to their car, Sumitra ji beside them, the ride quiet at first, punctuated with occasional murmurs of appreciation. "The Mishras are very composed," Samar remarked quietly, glancing at Bhavika. "Polite, grounded... impressive."

Bhavika nodded. "They will be sending Saumya's biodata for Vedansh via WhatsApp," she said, remembering the next step. Suddenly, Samar frowned slightly. "Wait... have we made Ved's biodata yet?"

Bhavika blinked. "Oh... no, in all this hustle, we forgot."

Samar immediately suggested, "No worries, Akshu se banwa lena. She's capable and quick; she can make it for us today."

Gudiya interjected hesitantly, "Par... bacho ko abhi is baare mein bataya kaha hai? [But... have we even told the children yet?]"

Rekha ji smiled knowingly. "Vaise bhi, aaj toh batana hi hai na? [Anyway, today we have to tell them, right?]" Bhavika nodded in agreement, her expression calm but determined.

The Nexon pulled into the driveway of Svapnaseva Nivas. They noticed immediately that Akshu's vehicle was already in the shed, indicating she had returned home. Bhumi's bike stood beside it, meaning she was also home. A small sense of anticipation settled among them as they climbed the steps and entered the house.

Inside, Bhumi was not in the living room, so they assumed she was in her room. Akshu, meanwhile, was sitting on the sofa with her laptop, focused on work. She looked up as the others entered and frowned slightly. "Mom, Dad... why did you come back so late? I thought this was just a regular darshan visit?"

Bhavika and Gudiya exchanged subtle glances, a mixture of nerves and anticipation passing between them. Samar gave a slight nod, then Bhavika took a deep breath. "Akshu... actually, it wasn't a regular darshan visit this time. We went to Tekdi Mandir... to see a rishta for Vedansh."

Akshu's eyes widened, her hands freezing briefly on her laptop keyboard. "Kya? Rishta... for Vedansh?" she whispered, shock and surprise clear on her face. I didn't expect this at all, she thought. They didn't even tell us they were starting this...

Gudiya added gently, "Yes, beta. We thought it's better to understand things first before involving the children directly. It's all for Vedansh... and hopefully, everything will be smooth." She told  them a few basic things.

Akshu's mind raced, a swirl of curiosity, anxiety, and intrigue. Saumya... Vedansh... oh god, what have they started without telling me?

Meanwhile, Bhumi's faint voice called from upstairs, "Are you all back? What's going on?"

Bhavika smiled, glancing at Samar and Gudiya. "Abhi batayenge. Sab shant ho jao. [We'll tell everything shortly. Stay calm.]"

The house settled into a quiet tension, the afternoon sunlight spilling across the living room as the first ripples of this new chapter quietly began to spread, as Akshi and Bhumi were briefed about the Mishras.
______________________________

The living room had grown quieter after Bhavika's announcement. Akshu's fingers hovered over her laptop, while Bhumi perched on the edge of the sofa, her eyes wide and sparkling with curiosity. For a few seconds, there was silence—everyone processing that the elders had already started looking for a rishta for Vedansh without consulting the children.

Finally, Bhumika broke the silence, her voice almost bursting with excitement. "Wait... wait... I know Dev! [laughs] He's in my class at AIIMS!" She clapped her hands together, her energy filling the room.

Samar groaned audibly and rubbed his forehead. "Arre bhai, kaise miss kar diya humne yeh? [How did we miss that?] Of course he would know Bhumi. Dev is doing MBBS at AIIMS, going into second year, and you're in the same class... of course he must know you too."

Bhumi shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah... he's quite mischievous, but overall a good student. Honestly, I don't know much about him personally—just some classroom banter here and there." She twirled a strand of her hair, still bubbling with excitement. "But now that I think about it... funny how the world works!"

Bhavika chuckled softly, watching the interaction. "I think you both will get to know each other soon enough. Let's focus on Ved's side first."

Samar leaned slightly toward Akshu, a serious expression overtaking his playful demeanor. "Akshu, Ved ka biodata bana do... before Saumya's comes in. Better he sees it first, so everything is balanced."

Akshu nodded without hesitation, already opening a new file on her laptop. "Don't worry, Papa. I'll make it perfect. I'll include everything—education, hobbies, interests, family... the works." She typed quickly, fingers flying across the keys, her tongue sticking slightly out in concentration. Chalo, Ved ko thoda ready karte hain... [Let's get Ved ready a little.]

Meanwhile, Tanvi Didi arrived for her evening cleaning shift. She paused at the door, tilting her head as she looked at their serious expressions. "Kya ho raha hai yahan? [What's going on here?]" she asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.

Bhavika exchanged a glance with Gudiya, then smiled softly. "Tanvi, we are planning Ved's marriage. Maybe the rishta will get finalized soon."

Tanvi's eyes widened, her hands frozen mid-swipe of a cloth. "Oh wow! [eyes gleaming] Really? Who's the lucky girl?"

Rekha ji leaned back slightly, her gentle voice carrying the calm pride of a grandmother. "The Mishras. Meenakshi and her family. Very respectable, polite, and well-settled. Saumya is their daughter, very educated and well-mannered."

Tanvi practically bounced on her toes, looking from Bhavika to Samar and back again. "Wah! That's exciting! I hope everything goes smoothly. I mean, Ved deserves the best." Her eyes sparkled with genuine eagerness. "And Saumya... sounds lovely already!"

Bhumi, still perched on the sofa, leaned toward Akshu. "Bhaiya... I can't wait to see how Ved will react when he sees her biodata!"

Akshu's lips curved into a small, concentrated smile. "Don't worry, Bhumi. I'm almost done." She typed a few more lines, then leaned back and gave a satisfied nod. "There! Done. Ved's biodata is ready for review."

Samar leaned over to peek at the screen, scanning quickly. "Hmm... nicely done. Clear, detailed, and precise. Just how we need it before Saumya's comes in." He smiled faintly. At least now everything is in order. Ved won't feel blindsided once the rishta arrives.

Bhavika looked around the room, a hint of a relieved smile on her face. "Good. Everything is on track. Ab thoda patience rakho, kids will understand once they see it and the context. [Now just have a little patience; the kids will understand once they see it.]"

Gudiya folded her hands thoughtfully. "Yes... patience is key. And I think Ved and Saumya will be very compatible. I have a good feeling."

The sunlight had softened to an amber glow by evening, spilling across the living room and casting long shadows over the polished floor. The house, usually quiet at this hour, felt full of anticipation, whispers, and gentle excitement. Even the hum of the fan above seemed to echo the silent energy building in the room—an energy that promised new beginnings and delicate steps toward a future that none of them could yet fully see.

_____________________________

Author's Note 😌

And just like that... the Indian Family Marriage Committee™ has officially activated.

Vedansh Sharma: peacefully watching Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, editing YouTube videos, living his best calm life.

Meanwhile the elders:

"Iski shaadi kara dete hain."
(Let's get him married.)

Poor man has NO IDEA that his entire future is currently being discussed over pooja, prasad, and temple meetings.

Also can we appreciate a few important moments from this chapter:

• Ammaji casually dropping the marriage topic like it's normal dinner conversation.
• Akshu and Bhumi silently enjoying their brother's panic.
• Nani getting emotional remembering Ved's childhood struggles.
• Samar Papa driving everyone to the temple like it's a normal darshan trip... while secretly attending a rishta meeting.

And the biggest twist?

The name Saumya Mishra has officially entered the story.

Vedansh Sharma is still happily unaware at AIIMS doing doctor things.

Readers, please take a moment of silence for him.
His peaceful life is about to change.

Dramatically.

Also fun coincidence alert:
Bhumi discovering that Saumya's brother Dev is her AIIMS classmate.

Nagpur really said "chhota sheher energy."

Now tell me in the comments 👇

Do you think Ved will:
A) Calmly agree to meet Saumya
B) Panic internally but pretend to be calm
C) Run away to the hospital and hide in the OT

(We all know doctors love OT more than emotional conversations.)

If you enjoyed this chapter, please vote ⭐ and drop a comment.
Your votes and comments seriously motivate me to update faster.

Next chapter... things start getting interesting.

Because sooner or later... someone has to tell Vedansh Sharma that his marriage discussion has already begun.

And trust me.

His reaction will be worth it. 🤭