The Mehra family returned home and settled in the hall.
Grandmother said in her authoritative voice,
"Swati, Savitri, come to my room."
Both nodded, "Yes, Ma," and went with her.
Grandfather smiled, "Now the women's meeting will begin."
Dilip ji laughed, "And that's the most important meeting, Papa."
Sana yawned, "I'm going to my room, I'm tired," and left.
Ayush followed, "Me too."
Avyansh was about to leave when his uncle stopped him,
"Avyansh beta, do you really like the girl?"
He paused for a few seconds, then said thoughtfully,
"I don't know, chachu… but she seems worthy of being my wife."
Saying that, he went upstairs.
Dilip ji fell into deep thought,
"Are we doing the right thing with that girl?"
Grandfather replied firmly,
"A girl who can make Avyansh say 'yes' can handle this relationship too."
Uncle nodded in agreement.
Grandfather added softly, "She seemed very sweet to me."
Dilip ji smiled faintly, "She seemed very innocent… that's what worries me."
Uncle reassured him, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
---
In Grandmother's Room
The women's discussion was going on.
Grandmother asked seriously,
"Have you both thought it through? We've done the roka, but still… it's a marriage."
Savitri ji said,
"Her complexion may be dusky, but she is well-mannered. She'll handle the family well."
Swati ji agreed,
"And both have said yes. Avyansh has rejected many beautiful girls before, but today he agreed to talk alone."
Grandmother smiled,
"I was surprised when he went to the terrace with her."
Then she said,
"If everyone agrees, let's call the priest."
Swati ji nodded,
"Yes, I'll call now. And I'll also inform Nikhil, Nikita, and Shubhi."
---
Swati ji went to her room and made a conference call.
Nikhil and Nikita were in Ujjain attending a wedding. Nikita was five months pregnant.
Shubhi lived in Bhopal for her law practice.
None of them knew about today's proposal.
Swati ji said excitedly,
"I have good news!"
Shubhi immediately asked,
"Did bhabhi have the baby? Boy or girl?"
Nikita laughed, "No! The baby is still in my stomach!"
Shubhi got confused, "Then what's the good news?"
Swati ji said, slightly annoyed,
"If you let me speak, I'll tell you!"
Then smiling, she said,
"Avyansh has said yes to the girl we went to see today."
All three were shocked,
"Really?!"
Happiness spread across their faces.
Swati ji said,
"Okay, I'll hang up now. I need to talk to the priest."
Then in her motherly tone,
"Nikhil, take care of my daughter-in-law. Drive safely.
And Shubhi, take care of yourself and tell Rohan too."
She hung up.
---
Nikhil and Nikita looked at each other.
Nikita said,
"The wedding date should come soon, or Avyansh bhaiya might change his mind."
Nikhil nodded,
"Yes… I'm happy he's finally moving forward in life."
Old memories flickered in his mind.
---
Shubhi, still smiling, called Rohan.
Excitedly she said,
"Bhaiya said yes! Engagement date will be decided soon!"
Rohan laughed,
"Really? Finally! I thought your moody brother would never marry."
Shubhi replied,
"I thought the same! Just pray he doesn't change his mind."
---
The entire Mehra family was happy.
---
At Sharma House
Anuti was changing clothes in Kritika's room.
Kritika smiled,
"So, how did you like the boy?"
Anuti blushed,
"He's good, bhabhi…"
Kritika teased,
"Oh ho! Our bubbly girl knows how to blush too!"
Then asked,
"If you liked him, why were you so scared?"
Anuti replied nervously,
"He's a police officer…"
Kritika laughed,
"So what? Are you a criminal?"
Then she gently explained,
"Every girl feels this—career, parents, the boy, his family… but you can share everything with me."
Anuti hugged her.
Just then, Shravan entered with Shriyansh,
"What's cooking between you two?"
Anuti took Shriyansh and said,
"I'll change and come."
Pooja ji said strictly,
"After marriage, don't wear pajamas and T-shirts!"
But Anuti ignored and left.
Pooja ji sighed,
"She's so stubborn… but thank God everything went well."
Then she said,
"Let's finalize engagement and wedding dates quickly."
---
Shravan called the priest.
It was decided they would meet him the next day.
Meanwhile, Anuti came out in pajamas and T-shirt.
Pooja ji said softly,
"Rest today, don't take tuition."
Anuti replied,
"Mom, their exams are near. I can't cancel."
Pooja ji nodded,
"Do what you want, but take rest."
---
Just then, Ritesh ji received a call—from Swati ji.
She said,
"We showed the horoscopes—22 qualities match. Engagement is after one month, on 20th February, and wedding five days later. The next auspicious date is next year."
Pooja ji hesitated slightly,
"It's a bit early… but we agree."
Swati ji replied,
"Don't worry. Our son is a police officer. We won't expect anything. Just send your daughter with good values."
Pooja ji agreed.
---
Soon, everyone was informed.
Engagement: 20th February
Wedding: after 5 days
Preparations began.
Shravan was told to make the guest list.
Ritesh ji to book the venue and catering.
Kritika to manage functions and shopping.
Anuti looked a bit nervous hearing the early wedding date.
She wasn't weak…
but leaving her family scared her.
Pooja ji caressed her head,
"You're going to a good family. Enjoy your wedding."
Ritesh ji added,
"We like the boy and his family. Don't worry."
Anuti trusted her father the most.
If he approved, nothing could go wrong.
And if something did… she knew how to face it.
Still, her heart believed Avyansh would be a good life partner.
She smiled softly.
Everyone smiled with her.
---
At Mehra House, dates were announced too.
Sana and Ayush started making lists excitedly.
Everyone got busy with preparations.
---
That night…
At 10 PM,
Anuti stood on her terrace…
Avyansh stood on his balcony…
Both looked at the same moon.
Both hearts were restless.
Avyansh thought,
"I don't know why… but Anuti feels right as a life partner.
But I won't keep her in the dark. I need to tell her about my past…
But how? I don't even have her number."
Anuti thought,
"I don't know why… but I like the idea of you as my life partner.
You've earned my father's trust—that's not easy.
I promise… I'll be a good partner and never interfere in your professional life."
---
Under the same sky,
two hearts were slowly connecting…
But one truth still remained hidden.
Will Avyansh reveal his past?
Will Anuti accept it?
Or will something come in between this marriage?
Stay tuned to Arrange Marriage: Stranger to Lover 💫
Written by Limanshi Kashyap ✨