WHY DID I AGREE?

WHY DID I AGREE?
The next morning, Avani's mother entered her room and went straight to the cupboard, taking out a beautiful brown-coloured Indian net salwar suit for her.

"Avani, wake up, it's 8 o'clock. They will be here for lunch, so you need to get up now," Her mother said, trying to rouse her.

"Mom, let me sleep, please," Avani mumbled, pulling the quilt over her head to shield herself from the November morning chill.

"Get up. You are going to prepare (white chickpea gravy dish) today for lunch," Ma insisted.

Reluctantly, Avani opened her eyes and sat up, still wrapped in the quilt. Getting up was a struggle, especially on a Sunday when one should sleep in. That is her usual mindset.

No, it's the rule...you should sleep till late on Sunday!

She stood up, glancing at the dress her mother had picked out for her, and tied her hair in a top bun before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

Afterward, she put on her jacket and went downstairs. Seated on her favourite couch, she felt a bit more relaxed while sipping her morning tea and gazing out of the living room window.

'This is home!' She mumbled.

Closing her eyes, she took a sip of tea, feeling blessed for the warmth she was experiencing, something she had missed during her hard times. However, her thoughts soon drifted to Rishabh.

"He didn’t call me; it’s been three days now. Where is he? Was I too harsh on him that day? He asked me before kissing; I gave him permission. But my inner turmoil made me push him away. After a year, I felt his warmth, the touch of his lips. I can still feel it. I can’t even think of someone else. I have already given my heart and soul to Rishabh. I can’t love anyone anymore.'

Avani always knew about his ambition, his passion to join the forces, and the disadvantages that came along with his job. Despite understanding the challenges, she accepted him with everything in her. Her love for him was intense, and she respected his job, just as he did.

At times, she wondered if she had imposed too many restrictions on their relationship, but he never expressed any dissatisfaction.

"Why am I thinking all this? It does not matter anymore," Avani mused, her train of thought interrupted when her mother called her into the kitchen.

"Avani, come to the kitchen," Her mother instructed.

Avani began preparing the dish. Her mother had taught her how to cook when she was going to Delhi, and now she could prepare most dishes deliciously. Learning to cook was better than starving, that's what her mother said while she took a decision to leave Pune. She could now effortlessly cook Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes. She enjoyed cooking.

'Rishabh used to love my cooking.' Another string of thought flickered in her mind.

"Why am I fixated on Rishabh today? What's with me? Why am I so restless?" she questioned herself as she stirred the spatula in the pan. After an hour, the gravy was ready, and she poured them into a bowl that her mother had provided. Shreya entered the kitchen and went straight in direction of the beautiful aroma.

"Umm Di... I can smell yummy chole from upstairs,” Shreya exclaimed, putting her hand on Avani's shoulders. Anish arrived from the other side, grabbing his coffee.

“All set?” Anish inquired.

“Seriously brother! you are asking me this?” Avani looked around to ensure mother wasn't nearby. She placed the spatula down, and turned back in direction of Anish. “You know everything, still. You are not helping me in this. Yesterday also you were favouring Mom and Papa. Not a single word on my side.”

“Avani, I know you are furious, but what’s the harm in the meeting? Mom and Papa will be satisfied that you kept their word... Then you can comfortably say No. Do you really think, I don’t know what you are going through? But listen, you need to move on. Unless you let the wounds of the past to heal, you will not be able to think clearly about what you are expecting from your life.” Anish shared his perspective.

Shreya listened silently, and Avani felt a sense of confusion.

'I am not ready, and I am going to reject this proposal,' Avani thought to herself.

After breakfast, Avani retired to her room, the clock striking noon. Her heart pounded with an uneasy restlessness, as if anticipating a momentous event. She came out of her bedroom and looked downstairs and observed the household bustling with activity—servants and maids hurrying her and there, attending to various tasks. She went back to her bedroom and took a refreshing shower. She came out, dried her hair and cascaded them freely with a side partition.

Draped in a brown suit carefully chosen by her mother, Avani applied minimal makeup—kajal, mascara, and light brown lipstick—and adorned herself with long dangles. Despite her efforts to relax her nerves, a persistent unease still lingered in her heart.

'Why did I just agree for this?' She cursed in her mind.

With her dupatta elegantly arranged over both shoulders, Avani picked up her phone, tried to distract herself by scrolling through messages. The distant sounds of 2-3 cars stopping in front of their home reached her ears. Unfortunately, her room's balcony faced the backside, denying her a view of the entrance.

In an anxious bid to shift her focus, she engaged in a chat with Smriti. Shreya entered the room and couldn't help but whistle at the sight of her sister.