Chapter 294

Diya, Pryag, Chari and his wife were seated on the dining table relaxing after dinner as Pryag wanted to discuss something. She wondered what it would be as she had pretended that she had heard him and was totally in par with him in the restaurant. He wanted her to be there when he explained it to his parents and he was pretty sure that they were going to object. She thought about many things, like getting a register marring instead of a traditional marriage, him going back to his old job which required a lot of travel and she was not sure what else it could be. She knew that for the second option he needed doctor's clearance which she knew for a fact he was not going to get, at least for an year or so. For the first one, well! His mom would object a little but she would be happy that he is getting married and would be happy with a pooja at home and a reception. So she was not quiet sure what was it that he had been talking about that his parents would not approve. It also puzzled her more that he had also asked her if she was absolutely sure about it. She hated the suspense, it was a torture, not knowing what she had agreed to and pretending that she knew what he was talking about. Chari seemed relaxed and Pryag waited for his mother to finish cutting the apples. It felt like he was sure that she would cut her hand instead of the apples if he says something. Diya looked calm on the outside and was going crazy on the inside. It felt like it was talking for ever to cut the apples but she can't really show her restlessness. She sat there sipping a glass of water to calm herself down. When Chari's wife was done with her apples and offered it to everyone in a plate, Pryag started talking. He started with a general casual talk and it took a while for him to get to the point. Diya tried to concentrate on the apples that were offered to her. They were red delicious, perfectly ripe. The seeds were removed and were sliced into nice equal wedges and were arranged in a plate like a nice flower. The skin was not too thick but just right.

Pryag slowly started talking about him and Diya and she gave her undivided attention. "Me and Diya have been engaged for a while now. And as you know we are not the traditional couple and nor the circumstances surrounding us are traditional. Mom, I know you don't approve of a lot of things I do. But that doesn't mean I don't respect you or anything, it’s just that I look at things differently. Especially after all the recent events, i would like to live my life to the fullest. I have discussed about this with Diya already and she seems to be supportive of my wishes and I am very glad to have someone so understanding and loving in my life and to share my life with. We are yet to set a date for our wedding" he paused. Diya thought to herself, "Oh my God, what did I agree to. Did I agree to elope with him or something? I want a grand wedding. I am not ready to marry him right now. I just need some time. Maybe early next year we can set a date. Oh! God. What did I agree to?" her face was slowly starting to change into a question mark. Pryag ran his fingers through Diya's that was rested on the table and smiled at her. Then he continued, "I love Diya very much and I know what I am going to say is very untraditional and unconventional from your perspective but it makes a lot of sense to me. I have decided to move in with Diya and she doesn't have any objections." Diya almost chocked on the piece of apple that was in her mouth. Chari's face was expressionless and sat there motionless. His wife on the other hand was in total shock. For the very first time Diya noticed how big her eyes really were; they were red and here lips were quivering unable to speak. She looked at Diya with disappointment and shock; Diya couldn't look her straight in the eye so she turned her face away feeling equally uncomfortable and struggling to hide her shock. She couldn't tell anyone that this was also a shock to her. She had not expected this either. She was worried more about the consequence - either a wedding date will be decided if his parents do not agree, which was more likely and on the other hand, both of them living under the same roof, something she had never thought about until now.