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Chapter-7

Shraddha Kumar

Morning, Dining room

We all were having breakfast. I was nervous to tell them about my decision. Kartik was looking at me. He raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner. He was asking me what happened through the eyes. He knows that I’m nervous. I cleared my throat and Mumma- papa also looked at me.

“I have decided,” I said gulping my nervousness.

“About what?” Kartik asked looking at me curiously raising his head towards me.

Mumma- Papa knows about what I’m saying.

“I have decided that Yes. I’ll marry that guy which Mumma- papa both liked.” Finally I said clasping my hands together.

Mumma was happy. Her happiness was showing on her face. Papa was smiling widely. Once in a while, I get to see his big smile. I’m happy that because of me they both are happy. Kartik is also smiling. After breakfast, I went to Kartik’s bedroom. He was keeping a laptop and files in his bag. I called him.

“Kartik,” I spoke going towards him.

“Didu, come inside,” He said. I went and sat beside him in bed. I took his hand in my hands and asked him.

“Kartik, you don’t have any problem with this alliance? You like the guy?”  I asked my brother who is looking so sad.

“No didu, nothing like that. I liked the guy. I’m happy that you will be getting a good life partner. I assure you that he is a good guy. But I am sad you'll be leaving me alone," He said finally spoke his heart out. I just hugged him and he hugged me back.

"Aww, but I'll always be with you my baby brother. I am not going anywhere. Don't be sad. Common let's get ready for our works,"I said ruffling his hair.

After that I  went to my bedroom to get ready to go café.

I am happy that he also liked the guy. Kartik told me that he is a nice person. Kartik even though he is my younger brother, behaves like an Elder brother. Protects me like a father, care for me like a mother, and helps me to do crazy things like siblings. Kartik loves me a lot and he is very protective, caring and understanding brother. He is very protective of me and Divya. Divya’s brother passed away so she is the only child. But with us, she is having an extended family. I and Kartik are siblings for her. She treats Kartik as a brother so he is also very protective towards her.

If he doesn't like any guy or they are not good guys then you will never see those guys around us. If he sees any guy is misbehaving with us then he will beat him to black and break his bones. I remember one of the incidents where he broke the guy’s bones as well hospitalized them for a month.

Flashback

We all studied at the same college. We all were having the same friends groups. I and Divya were in the same department of the college that is business administration. But Kartik was in the technology department and this thing used to bother him a lot. The reason of this bothering was that there were many students in our department and he used to worry that they may trouble us.

One day fresher's party was going to be held in our college and we all were seniors and principal sir given us the responsibility to organize the party. We arranged everything properly and at the correct time.

Party was going very smoothly and I, Divi and other friends were enjoying and having fun.

We all were sitting but I and Divi got up for a washroom. We both were coming back towards our friends when suddenly two boys stopped us.

Boy 1: hey beautiful, will u dance with me?

Boy 2: hey baby, common please one dance.

They both were coming towards our personal space. Their closeness to us was making us crawl backwards. And suddenly one of the boys got punched and felled on the floor.

There was him. Our saviour. Our protector. My brother Kartik.

"You rascal get away from both of them." Karthik screamed making me flinch. I have never seen him this much scary.

He took hold of another boy and started beating him. He was looking angry. If looks kill someone then they both boys were dead by now. Till now all were stopped enjoying and were looking at us. Our whole group came near us.

Boy 1: We will not leave her.

Boy 2: if you want we can share them.

And that’s it. Kartik started beating both of them. The male friends in our group also started beating them.

"How dare u touch my sister?," Karthik started punching them mercilessly making me scared.

"Aaahhaaa ," First guy screamed.

He was groaning in pain.

"How dare you to talk about her you bloody bastard?  He again punched those guys.

"Aaahhaaa ," Another guy  was crying holding my legs saying sorry continuously.

I told Kartik to let them go but he was not listening to me. With the help of some boys, I untangled Kartik from those boys. After that, we quickly moved to our house and I took a long shower scrubbing my skin. From that time onwards Kary became my brother cum bodyguard.  I love my brother so much and for my prince, I’ll search his princess.

After that incident, he joined both me and Divya in karate classes. After eight months, we three started our academy. SD academy is our karate classes. The name of our Academy is selected by Kary. SD means Shraddha- Divya. Three times in a week we both teach the small students in the academy. Very few people know that we three own this academy.

Flashback ends.

In the noon, Beans ‘n Creams Café

Me and Divya we both were in our cabin doing some paperwork and accounting work of the café. I called Divya explained the whole marriage proposal and also told her my decision about it.

“Shradhu, Are you sure about it?” Divya asked me.

“Yeah,” I replied smiling assuringly at her.

“You are not agreeing to this proposal under any pressure right?” she asked concerned making me smile at her love for me.

My bestie always looks for my well being.

“No. I’m really happy about this,” I told her smiling.

“I’m happy that my parents chose a life partner for me. You know that I always wished for an Arranged marriage.” I continued.

“I want your happiness and if you are happy with this then I don’t have any problem.” She said while hugging me.

I was in the music studio with Divi when Mumma called me.

(The Conversation between me and Mumma on call.)

Me: Mumma, you called me? What happened?

Mumma: oh Radha  listen to me first then ask questions ok.

Me: ok tell me what's the matter?.

Mumma: today guests are coming to our home so you come early. If possible be at home before 6 pm.

Me: but Mumma……

She didn’t let me continue it.

Mumma: No buts Radha you should be at home. They are coming to see you.

Me: Ok Mumma I will be at home but before that, I will have to go to the shopping mall to buy dresses. Is it okay with you?

Mumma: Okay my devil.  You’re going to  shopping so take Divi with you.

Me: Ok Mumma and my tail is not going to leave my side. And she will accompany me everywhere Mumma and love you bye.

Mumma: love you too. Take care. Bye Radha.

“What happened crazy? What did aunty say?” Divi asked me. Crazy is one of the names Divi kept for me. She uses various names based on her mood.

“Divi we have to go to the mall. I have to buy some dresses for me.” I said while organizing the papers and instruments.

“Shopping now? Why?” She asked. She was also helping me.

“Today the guests are coming and they are my future in-laws so…” I said.

“Oh… so trying to impress in-laws from now on only?” She started her teasing.

“Divi … Let your time also come then see how I’ll be teasing you and your prince charming.” I said while running behind her.

“Ok Sorry… Sorry” She said while catching her ears.

“Let’s go to the mall now, otherwise you will be late to reach home.” She continued.

We were in the mall. We went to many stores but then I didn’t like the designs of them. I wanted something simple but classy. Then we went to one of the stores. Salesgirl was showing us some Indian dresses as well as Indo- western dresses. I did not like any dresses from it. I was looking at the other side of the store when my gaze suddenly stopped at the mannequin. There was a beautiful white net saree with golden border. I went near the mannequin and looked at the details of the Saree. I loved this Saree. It was designed by Milan Ghosh.

I loved the saree a lot. I showed Divya the saree and she also liked it.

“It’s a very beautiful Shradhu. You will look stunning in it.” She said to me.

We bought that saree as well few casual dresses for both of us.

After shopping in the mall, we went to our homes. I asked her to come with me but she said that she will come after freshening up.

“I’ll help you to get ready but then I’ll be going home. I can’t wait come to meet your in-laws and soon to be your husband.” She teased me.

“Ok but come soon,” I said and went to my home.


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