Author's pov-

As they both were in the room, Sakshi was finding something appropriate for Meera to wear in the cupboard and our simple and cute Meera was standing beside her with a small pout on her face.

After a whole 20 minutes of scattering clothes here and there finally Sakshi found the outfit and shrieked, "Yes!!!! I have found the perfect dress for you and Meera. You can't say no to this because you are wearing this only. I will not listen to you, that's it."

She handed the outfit to her and when she saw that it was her mother's saree she just simply smiled and hid her tears, since she didn't want Sakshi to see her cry.

It was a very beautiful red colored saree and the blouse was full sleeved having floral designs all over it in golden color and the border was also having intricate designs.

Meera made her way to the washroom and changed into the saree. She came back and sat in front of the mirror and started wearing jewelry which consisted of earrings, her all time favorite bangles, and a small bindi with the help of Sakshi. She has strictly prohibited Sakshi to do any makeup on her face except mascara, a little setting powder and a lip balm, with her hair being braided and small flowers attached to it.

By the time she got ready it was already 2:30 in the afternoon. They will be coming soon.

Meera's Pov-

As I got ready baba came, I immediately stood and went to him and hugged him. He said while stroking my hair, "I know beta you are nervous, it's normal that you feel that way. I don't know why but I am very happy. You got so big I didn't even realize. You are just looking like your mother, beautiful in its simplest way. You are my strong child right, I just want to say that whatever doubts you have ask him freely and always say the truth. Hmm.. everything will be alright."

Before I can say anything we heard the honk of the car and my heartbeat skyrocketed. I can feel myself getting nervous. They are here. HE is here. I don't know what I feel, baba went to welcome them with Sakshi and Rohan. And I went out on the balcony to get a glimpse of him. I can see everybody getting out of their houses on the balcony standing and looking at who has come. After all, you don't see an audi everyday in this small town.

I saw him getting out of the car and adjusting his coat. He touched my baba's feet and saw him taking in the surroundings. Suddenly he looked up and I found my feets automatically getting bak and taking me to the room.

I was sitting on my bed playing with the saree, I can't even think straight right now, all thoughts are messed up. Will we be comfortable with each other throughout our life, will he respect my decisions, can I share with him my thoughts without having the fear of being judged?

After some time as I was busy in thoughts, Sakshi and Rohan barged in my room having a teasing smile on their faces.

"He is very handsome." Rohan said with a big grin showing all his teeth on his face.

"He is very hot, girl you hit a jackpot." Sakshi said, having a dreamy smile.

"It seems he is very eager to meet you, all the time his eyes were wandering through the whole house."

These two were very excited seeing him and meeting him and here I am sweating like I am sitting for an exam or something. Listening to the last of what Rohan said I have this big blush similar to beetroot, I don't even need blush as a makeup at this point.

"Oh God! In all of this and your to be a handsome husband, we forgot that you are called down."

I just looked wide-eyed towards Sakshi saying, "Just think before you speak Sakshi, we haven't even said yes to each other."

"Ohh so you are so eager to say yes. Rohan I can see Meera taking their side at this point only and the shocking thing is she hasn't even met them yet."

I shake my head, "It is nothing like that and didn't you say we are getting late."

We all proceeded out of my room and both Sakshi and Rohan were either side of me helping me in walking and giving support. As I was walking down the stairs the whole time I kept my eyes down as without looking at them I am at least able to walk properly without any embarrassment. But the whole time I can feel the stare of someone making holes in my skin. I didn't have the courage to look up so I have to bear with it.

I was made to sit between a lady and a girl, maybe they are his mother and sister.

They were so warm and kind while talking. They didn't make me feel inferior to them. They asked about my job, my likes and dislikes. Raj uncle, his father also joined in asking questions to me. I can see where that respect and making people comfortable comes from. I answered all of them while looking down on my lap.

Krsh was talking with Baba, Rohan and Sakshi. As he was busy I tried to look at him discreetly without anyone's notice. But I couldn't look for much time as suddenly he tilted his head towards me and I immediately looked down again, I can feel his stares on me.

I mentally thanked baba as he took me out of the condition unintentionally by asking them, "Arre bhaisab, bhabhi kuch toh le aap log, beta tum bhi kuch khao agar yeh sab pasand nhi toh kuch aur bana denge aapke liye.", while handing them a plate of snacks.

(Hey brother, sister-in-law, please take something to eat. Child, you also take if you don't like this, we can make something else for you.)

I was playing with my bangles to distract my mind but then Raj uncle said, "Ashokji, we all have met and talked with Meera, I think now it's time that both the children talk with each other alone."

"Yes, you are right, Sakshi beta take them with you." Baba said.

Shanaya also joined us on the way to the small garden at the back side of our house. I was going with Sakshi and Krsh was accompanied by Shanaya. It looked like Sakshi had decided to not let me breathe peacefully near him without any blush.

We reached the garden and Sakshi kept the tray of tea and snacks on the table. There were two chairs arranged for us to sit. "Okay so you both talk and if you need anything just tell me", Sakshi said mainly to Krsh. He nodded and Shanaya gave a thumbs up as a sign of luck to both of us, I just smiled looking at her. They both then went from there leaving us alone.

We both took our seats, I was looking on my lap playing with my bangles feeling his stare on me. Since I was a hopeless one, he decided to start the conversation, "Hey Meera, it's nice to see you again. I know it is so sudden, this marriage proposal, us coming here, we have only met once and here we are to take our life long decisions in a little span of time. Don't be nervous around me, please. Take all the time you want."

All the time I didn't lift my face to look at him, I was just listening to whatever he had to say. And the way he said please, it just made me alive from within. He then continued....

"I want to tell you everything. I was brought up in Mumbai, my studies, college were all done from there only. I was not the popular one but taking part in sports comes with being popular. I have very few friends but those are my life. One of them you have met only. I also dated some girls but was never serious since I always believed in old school love and I never got the feeling from them. I also tried all the bad things like smoking but one day my dad caught me. He didn't scold me but told me all the disastrous things that come from smoking. From that day I promised dad to never smoke though I drink but only if I don't have any option left like on business parties but that too only little. I started working in my dad's company when I started college, though I just go there only to see how work is done. But slowly I also started working there. I don't know why I am telling you, but it is like you out of all should know this."

"Tell me something about yourself?"

I turned towards him and looking down only I said, "As you know my name is Meera, I have grown up here in Burahnpur only. I did my studies also from here. Although I have also given medical entrance exams but I was not able to clear them, but now here I am working with children. And I am very happy with what I am doing now. I like to read books, sometimes I write also but it is very rare. I also like to cook, watching movies."

"Ma told me you like to read books, so what type of books do you read?", he asked.

I replied, "I mainly read novels which are romantic or historical fiction. Many think these types of books are just a way of timepass, but for me they are very special. It's not like I only read those books and nothing else, I also like to read motivational books, books which are related to my profession, some religious books also."

"It's very okay to read books which you love, not everyone can have a great taste like you". He said softly. And for the first time since he came home, I looked and made contact with his hazel eyes which were feeling like they were reading my soul. I felt visible shivers through my whole body.

"Do you know gardening?" he suddenly asked me.

"Yes I do, why?"

"Oh nothing, I can see why the garden looks so beautiful with so many flowers and is well maintained," he said.

"My mother has trained me well then, she loved gardening so much and also made me and Rohan also know about it, so it's just our way of continuing her rituals in maintaining it."

We kept looking into each other's eyes, trying to read and seek solace with one another and it felt like infinity but it has only been a few minutes. I couldn't handle his strong gaze so I looked down to not drown myself more into his deep and captivating eyes which held so much respect for me.

"You can ask me anything you want to." he said in his manly voice yet in a soft tone.

I shook my head signing in no, I don't have any questions to ask.

"Not even about the girls which I have dated previously?" , he again asked.

"I got all the answers" , I replied while looking into his eyes.

He nodded, "So, let's go back then."