AKSHAT SINGHANIA - A literature professor in Singania Institute of Arts and Commerce. He is soft and caring person
with a tough exterior, who doesn't believe in love or marriage because of his parent's broken relationship and his ex wife's betrayal...
Vedant stood outside the grand Rathore mansion, nervously adjusting the cuff of his shirt. He took a deep breath, murmuring to himself, "Come on, Vedant! You can do it. Isme kuch galat nahi hai." Resolving his thoughts, he pushed open the gate and walked inside.
In the garden, he spotted Vaibhav crouched over a patch of soil, planting flowers with Preksha. She giggled as she smeared a bit of mud on Vaibhav's cheek, only for him to retaliate by dabbing some on her cheek as well.
"Vaibhav! Stop it!" Preksha huffed, standing and turning to leave. But Vaibhav caught her wrist, his face breaking into a playful smile as he held his ears in mock apology. Preksha tried to maintain her stern expression, but the sincerity in his gesture made her burst into laughter. She lightly hit his chest, shaking her head in faux exasperation.
Vedant couldn't help but smile at the sight. Their easy camaraderie filled the garden with warmth, momentarily putting him at ease.
Vaibhav turned his head and noticed Vedant standing at the edge of the garden. His face lit up with surprise and delight.
"What a surprise, chokre! Aao na," Vaibhav called out, gesturing for him to come closer.
Vedant approached, joining them with a polite smile. "Namaste, uncle."
Vaibhav gave him a friendly pat on the back. "Kaisa hai, beta? Aur tere Mr. Mathur aur Mrs. Mathur kaise hain?"
Vedant’s lips twitched with a smile. "They’re good, uncle. In fact, maa couldn’t stop praising you after meeting you at the party."
Preksha, who had been wiping her hands, chimed in with a teasing laugh, "Oh, haan. Unhone bataya tha ki she used to have a crush on Vaibhav in her teenage days."
Vedant chuckled, nodding. "Yes, she was telling me about it just yesterday."
Vaibhav scratched the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Yeh toh mujhe yaad bhi nahi tha. Tumhari maa toh kuch zyada hi honest hain!"
"Honest toh hain, par woh zyada impressed ho gayi thi aapse," Vedant added, his voice light.
Preksha shook her head fondly, "Accha, aap log baat kariye. Main kuch lekar aati hoon." She walked toward the house, leaving the two men to talk.
Vaibhav turned to Vedant, curiosity etched on his face. "Toh batao, chokre, yeh surprise visit ka kya maqsad hai?”
Vaibhav’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as Vedant spoke. "Woh... aap Nandini ko apni company se nikal dijiye, please," Vedant said, his voice low but resolute.
Vaibhav’s eyes narrowed. "Kya? Have you lost your mind? Tum jaante ho tum kya keh rahe ho?"
Vedant sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Uncle, please try to understand. I proposed to her, and then..." He paused, his voice faltering momentarily before he recounted everything—his confession, her reaction, and the awkwardness that had since grown between them.