Kunal and Aanya looked at each other.
Then Radha said,
"Aanya, why don't you take Kunal to your room? You both can talk there."
Aanya looked at her mother as if asking, Are you serious?
Kunal smiled politely.
"Sure."
Aanya suddenly looked at him, then quietly turned and walked upstairs. Kunal followed her.
They entered her room.
Both of them sat opposite each other, but neither spoke for a few seconds.
The room became awkwardly silent.
Kunal looked at her and asked gently,
"Is today your quiet mood?"
Aanya suddenly looked at him in confusion.
Kunal smiled slightly.
"No, I mean… your mom said you talk a lot, but right now you're sitting so quietly."
He paused.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable? I mean, we can talk later if you want."
Aanya shook her head.
"No, it's not like that. I'm not uncomfortable. It's just that… I don't know anything about you. But it seems like you know a lot about me through my mom."
She lowered her head slightly.
Kunal smiled.
"Well, that's true. I do know some things about you. But I'd rather hear them from you."
Aanya looked at him again.
Kunal asked,
"So, what are your plans after BBA?"
"I'm planning to do an MBA," Aanya replied.
"Okay," Kunal nodded. "Have you decided which university?"
"Not yet."
"Well, that's fine," Kunal said. "I live in Texas, so if you get into any university there, that would be perfect."
Aanya looked at him silently.
"Are you preparing for the GMAT or GRE exams?" he asked.
"No."
Kunal nodded thoughtfully.
"It would be good if you start preparing for them," he said. "And you'll also need to prepare for the TOEFL or IELTS exams."
Aanya stayed silent for a moment.
Then she said softly,
"Can I ask you something?"
Kunal nodded.
"Yeah, sure."
Aanya looked at him.
"Why do you want to marry me?"
Kunal smiled slightly. After a pause, he said,
"Well… to be honest, I don't want to get married right now."
Aanya was shocked.
Kunal continued,
"I still want to focus on my personal life."
Aanya immediately cut in,
"Then why did you agree to this marriage?"
Kunal sighed.
"Actually… my mother wants me to get married soon."
Aanya listened quietly.
"She said a pandit ji told her that if I don't get married this month, I might never get married," he said with a small smile. "She's a bit emotional."
Aanya looked at him.
"I know it sounds crazy," Kunal added. "Even I don't believe in such things. I tried to explain it to her, but… what can I do? I can't say no to my mom. That's why I agreed."
Hearing this, Aanya felt disappointed.
Kunal then looked at her and said,
"But… I really liked you."
Aanya looked at him.
"From the moment I saw your photo, and after hearing about you, I wanted to meet you as soon as possible," he continued.
"And now… finally I've met you."
Aanya just stared at him.
"But I don't know anything about you," she said softly. "How can I marry you like this?"
Kunal smiled.
"Well, if you want to know about me… we can spend time together."
Aanya looked confused.
"We can go out, talk, and get to know each other better," he said. "What do you say?"
Aanya thought for a moment.
"But—"
"Wait," Kunal interrupted gently.
Aanya stopped.
Kunal looked at her seriously.
"Are you not happy with this marriage?"
Aanya didn't know what to say.
"I mean… you also want to get married, right?" he asked.
Aanya suddenly thought about Aryan.
Her expression changed.
"I need to tell you something," she said slowly.
Kunal looked at her.
"What is it?"
"I…" she began—
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Before she could continue, the door opened.
It was Radha.
She looked at both of them and smiled.
"So, have you both talked?"
Kunal smiled politely.
"Aunty, actually—"
Radha interrupted,
"Pandit ji has come. Both of you come downstairs."
Aanya suddenly stood up in shock.
"Pandit ji?"
"Yes," Radha said casually.
Kunal nodded.
"Aunty, I'll go downstairs."
He smiled at Aanya and left the room.
Aanya immediately turned to her mother.
"Mom, what are you saying? Why did Pandit ji come now?"
Radha looked at her.
"What do you mean 'why'? He came to fix the auspicious date for your wedding.
Aanya was stunned.
"The wedding date? Mom, I don't want to get married!"
"Aanya, again you've started," Radha said sternly.
"No, Mom—"
"Aanya," Radha interrupted, "tell me one thing. Have your father and I ever stopped you from doing anything you wanted?"
Aanya became silent.
"You chose BBA even though we didn't like it—we accepted it," Radha continued.
"There were many universities in Pune, but you insisted on studying in Mumbai—we agreed to that too."
Aanya lowered her head.
"And now?" Radha said softly. "Please accept this proposal. Kunal is a nice boy."
"Mom, I—"
"Aanya, everyone is waiting downstairs. Let's go."
Radha held her hand and pulled her gently.
Downstairs, everyone was seated.
Radha spoke respectfully,
"Pandit ji, please tell us the auspicious date for their marriage. We have already given you both the bride and groom's horoscopes."
The Pandit looked at everyone and said,
"This month… the 21st is a very auspicious date for the wedding."
Aanya froze in shock.
Everyone else smiled happily.
Kunal frowned slightly.
"But… there are only ten days left," he said. "How will we manage everything? Shopping, decorations, invitations…"
Kavya smiled confidently.
"No problem, beta. We can manage it. Right, Radha ji?"
Radha immediately nodded.
"Yes, yes, of course. We will manage everything."
Kavya continued firmly,
"No matter how little time we have, the wedding must happen within this month."
Kunal gave a small smile.
But Aanya was completely tense, her heart racing.
Meanwhile, at Aryan's office…
Simran entered his cabin.
"Sir, you need to go to Pune."
Aryan looked up.
"Pune?"
"Yes, sir. There's an issue with a client at that branch."
Aryan leaned back, clearly tired.
"Simran, send someone else. Tell them to handle it. I need to stay here."
Simran hesitated.
"Sir… the client specifically wants to meet you."
Aryan frowned.
"Then tell him to come here. We'll discuss it."
"Sir, we tried that," Simran said carefully. "But he's very angry right now. We can't convince him to come here. You'll have to go and meet him there."
Aryan stayed silent, thinking.
"Sir, it's just for two day," Simran added. "And the client is very important for us."
Aryan exhaled deeply.
"Okay. I'll leave within two hours. Arrange everything."
Simran nodded.
"Okay, sir."
Aryan picked up his coat and walked out.
At the Mehra house, Devika was sitting in the living room when her phone started ringing.
She looked at the screen.
It was Radha.
Devika paused for a moment, then answered the call.
"Namaste, Devika ji."
"Namaste," Devika replied.
"I hope I didn't disturb you," Radha said politely.
"No, not at all," Devika said.
Radha continued,
"Actually… Aanya's marriage has been fixed. We decided the wedding date."
Devika froze.
"What?"
"Yes," Radha said happily. "It's on the 21st… this month."
Devika's voice lowered in shock.
"That means… just ten days?"
"Yes."
Devika couldn't hide her concern.
"But why so early?"
Radha explained,
"Well, the groom's family wanted the wedding this month only. And they are very nice people. The boy works in the US… Aanya is very lucky to get such a family."
Devika wanted to ask more… but stopped herself, feeling it would be inappropriate.
Instead, she said softly,
"Please convey my wishes to Aanya."
"Sure," Radha replied.
Devika spoke softly,
"By the way… how is Aanya? Please don't be harsh on her. She didn't do anything wrong at Prerna's wedding."
Radha sighed.
"Devika ji… that night I was very angry. Honestly, I don't even know what I did in that moment."
Then she paused and asked,
"By the way, did Aanya tell you anything yesterday… about me being angry?"
Devika frowned slightly.
"Yesterday?"
"Yes," Radha continued. "When she came to your house…"
Devika froze.
Radha went on,
"Devika ji, she didn't even inform us before going to your house. She didn't pick our calls either. She just left alone… and when she came back at night, she said she had gone there to collect her bag."
Devika remained silent, still processing it.
Radha added,
"Even after all this… I didn't say anything to her."
Devika's eyes widened.
Aanya… came here yesterday?
"Devika ji?" Radha's voice brought her back.
"Yes… yes."
"All of you must come for the wedding," Radha said. "I have to call others too. Bye."
"Ji… bye."
The call ended.
Devika stood there, lost in deep thought.
Just then, Aryan entered the house.
He noticed the door was already open.
"Mom? You're here?"
Devika looked at him.
"How did you come?" he asked.
"Aahil dropped me," she replied.
Aryan fell silent for a moment.
Then he said,
"Mom, I need to go to Pune now. There's an issue at the company. I'll be back in two days."
He turned to go to his room.
"Aryan."
He stopped and turned back.
Devika looked at him seriously.
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
Aryan frowned slightly.
"About what?"
"About Aanya," Devika said.
Aryan was taken aback.
Devika looked at him seriously.
"Why didn't you tell me that Aanya came to our house yesterday?"
Aryan went silent and lowered his head.
"Aryan, answer me."
He still didn't respond.
Devika continued,
"Do you know she's getting married? On the 21st… this month."
Aryan's eyes widened in shock.
"This month?"
"Yes, this month only. Didn't she tell you anything?
Aryan fell into deep thought.
she's getting married this quickly?...
"Aryan," Devika called.
He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"Did she tell you anything… anything important?"
Aryan looked at her mother.
"Mom, what are you asking? What important thing would she tell me… and why would she share anything important with me?"
Devika fell silent.
Aryan continued, avoiding her gaze,
"I'm getting late. I still need to pack my bags."
He turned to leave.
But suddenly—
Devika spoke, her voice serious,
"Because there is something BETWEEN YOU TWO."
Aryan froze.
---
End Of Chapter 67.