Always and Forever

Chapter 17

Arnav wrapped up for the day and left the office sooner than he usually does. He prepared his argument on his way and hoped all goes well.

"Chote, are you feeling well? Do you want me to get some medicine?" Asked Anjali as soon as she saw her brother entering through the main door.

"I am fine Di, who told you I am not feeling well?" Asked confused Arnav.

"Chote, it's not even 4.00 pm and you are here. Unless you are not feeling well, I can't think of another reason for you to come home this early"

"Di, don't you think recently you have become more dramatic?"

"Chote, don't change the topic hah"

"Well, Di... I do have something important I would like to talk to you about. Actually not only with you but I would like Nani and Mami to be there as well"

"Now you are worrying us Chote. Is everything ok?"

Arnav walked towards the living room and sat next to Anjali. Devi and Manu were already there so he continued what he was planning on his way.

"Di, how is Jija Ji? Did you speak to him? When is he coming?"

"Chote, now you are changing the topic again. The answer to your question is he broke his phone before he left so I did not speak to him and he will be here Monday afternoon. Now please continue with what you want to share. No more diversion please".

"It would have been good if Jija Ji was here too. But I am sure he'll understand the situation" Lied Arnav confirming the plan so far is going well.

"Chote, now you are testing our patience," Said an irritated Devi.

"Di, Nani, Mami, I have decided to get married" was all he said.

The whole living room went silent. All three ladies were speechless. Arnav, who not only ran away from marriage but never gave anyone a chance talks about it now sitting here telling them that he is getting married. It's not like he is ready to get married or thinking of getting married. He actually decided to get married.

"OMG Chote, for a second I thought I heard you say you have decided to get married. Silly me. Sorry for the distraction. Come on, tell us what you wanted to share" Said Anjali as she was confident what she heard was a mere joke. Her brother, getting married on his own will is nothing but a myth.

"Di, you heard me right. I have decided to get married. And why do you think this is a joke? For the last 3 years, you and Nani were chasing me and putting a lot of pressure on me to get married and when I finally decided, you all act like it was a joke." Arnav was a little irritated now. Come on, this is not hard to believe. Everyone gets married one day or the other. So what's so surprising here?

This time it was Devi, "Chote, if someone else was sitting here instead of you, we would be jumping with joy thinking that person is getting married. But this is you who we are talking about. You should give this to us. You weren't the easiest to deal with when it comes to the term marriage".

"I know Nani, I was not the easiest, but after Akash got married I saw how happy he became. I know it's only been a few days but he seems to be really happy and his life has not changed. He still goes to the office in the morning, and he still has his own time to do his stuff. His life has in fact become better. Now he has a support system. I saw yesterday how tired he was after everything and how Payal managed to help him go through it. That made me think, getting married is not as bad as I thought as long as it's with the right person"

Anjali, Devi, and Manu hugged Arnav. They now knew he was not joking but is serious. Happy was an understatement. They were on cloud 9. Anjali finally gets to plan her brother's wedding, Devi finally can rest knowing both her grandsons are happily married and Manu finally will have two daughters and can call herself a proud mother-in-law.