Chapter Six

Standing in front of my mirror, I looked myself up and down. Today we're going to that guy's place Amma mentioned two days before. Apparently, the guy is rich, and I mean stinking rich! I told Amma to call it off cause I dont wanna marry a stuck up rich snob, but she said that the family is really nice. Taking her word, I agreed.

I turned around and checked to make sure the inner layer of my red anarkali was down and not bunched up. I placed my dupatta over my left shoulder checked my makeup and left my room.

We got in the car and arrived to a beautiful mansion. There were some workers working in the garden and the plants looked so well taken cared of. We entered and Babuji rang the bell. A worker opened the door and greeted us. He looked well dressed, so I'm guessing these people are nice to their workers.

The man led us into the living room and seated us down, Amma and Babuji sitting down on a sofa together and Buaji and I sitting on a sofa together. As we waited, I looked around and scanned as much of the house as I could see. It was extremely beautiful and spacious, everything neat and clean and in their space.

Just then I heard footsteps and looked up to see an elderly woman come down. She was wearing a very light pink and white sari and she was smiling sweetly. We all got up and greeted.

"Namaste," she smiled. "Thank you so much for coming."

She gestured us to sit back down and we did, her sitting across us.

"I'm Deviyani Raizada," the elderly woman said.

"My name is Kabir," Babuji said. This is my wife Kajol, my sister Madhumati, and my daughter, Khushi."

I put my hands together again and slightly nodded once.

The woman smiled. "Such a sweet looking girl. She seems so cultural! These days, all you see are girls wearing those small foreign dresses," she shook her head.

I'm guessing I'm somewhat approved?

"I'll call the others." She turned to look upstairs. "Anjali betiyan," she called out.

"Ayi Nani!"

In few minutes, a girl appeared. She looked a little older than me, wearing a light blue sari. Her parting was filled and she had a nuptial necklace, so I know off the bat that she's married. So she must be older than the guy.

She joined us and smiled really sweetly. "Namaste," she chirped. "I'm Anjali."

We all nodded and the elderly woman introduced us to her. When she introduced me, Anjali chirped up.

"Oh, you're Khushi!" She came over to my side and sat down beside me. "If all goes well with you and my little brother, then I'll be your bhabi, and you can call me Di."

Little brother, eh? So that means the elderly woman would be my future nani in-law.

"At the moment my son, bahu, and grandson are away in Lucknow," Nani said.

Buaji chimed in. "Lucknow? You're from Lucknow?"

"Yeah."

"We're also from Lucknow," Buaji exclaimed, and I knew then and there that she had already accepted the marriage without seeing the guy.

"Oh my gosh! Really," Nani asked.

Buaji went off with Lucknow talk with Nani. Anjali had left and came back with food and seriously, there's this weird feeling in me that's going on, making me feel... nyeh.

"I'll call my grandson down," Nani said. "Chote," she called out.

'Chote?' What in the world...? Who names their kid 'Chote'?

Suddenly I felt a soft breeze. I felt the small hairs on my neck rising, giving me goosebumps. I felt this weird vibe course through me, but it wasn't a bad one. It felt good, but I had no idea what it could be.

I looked up and saw a guy walking towards the stairs. I couldn't see his face and i was feeling curious about this guy. Then Anjali got up and went towards the stairs. Nani got up as well and so did we, and we turned towards the stairs, Buaji and I in the back of the group.

I looked down, not exactly feeling sure of these feelings I'm getting. I mean why am I randomly getting these feelings? Maybe it's from breakfast. Yeah, it must be that.

Anjali smiled. "This is my little brother, my Chote, Arnav."

I looked up and my jaw dropped. I had to quickly compose myself before anyone saw, but still, my mouth slacked. This guy was gorgeous! In every way gorgeous! And he was dressed up, all official and business type. He was wearing a navy blue button-down shirt, a black waistcoat, black suit pants, and shiny, polished black leather shoes. His hair was slightly gelled up in that typical mohawkish way guys like, his face clear of grizzles.

Though I'm positive that if he were to have grizzles, he'd look sexy!

Buaji nudged me and I looked at her.

"Close your mouth," Buaji whispered so only we'd hear. "I know you like him, but still, you have to look decent," she teased.

I shut my mouth and looked away. Crap! Buaji figured out!

Anjali brought him over to Nani, and she moved beside him so that he was in between the ladies.

"His name is Arnav, but we lovingly call him Chote," Nani explained.

We nodded in acknowledgement and we all sat down. I snuck a glance at him and his expression read 'how long will this be?'.

Hmm.

"Chote," Anjali began, "this is Khushi, and Khushi, this is my brother Arnav."

He slightly smiled, just curling the corner of his lip slightly and I nodded once with a light smile. He looked away and my parents and Buaji began their so called 'interview', which I really think is an interrogation.

All the while, I zoned off, not hearing a single thing. I didn't pay attention to anything they were saying, but just observed him. He looked serious, yet laid back, if that's even possible. He looks like a man who takes his work really seriously. He's definitely not a push-over, and with the way his sister keeps beaming at him and she says stuff now and then and he responds, I know for a fact that he loves his sister very much.

"What do you say Khushi?"

I came back to earth and looked at Anjali. "Me?"

"I mean, I think it would better if these two spoke," she said looking at the others. "It is their lives and if all goes well, then they should get to know each other." She looked at Nani. "What do you say Nani?"

Nani nodded. "I agree. What do you say Kabir beta?"

Babuji nodded. "Sure."

Anjali smiled and stood up. "I'll take them somewhere to talk then." She came over to me. "Khushi, come with me."

I stood up and smiled humbly.

"Chote, you too," she smiled.

He stood up and Anjali led us out. I walked beside Anjali as Arnav walked behind us. I felt awkward, even though I really shouldn't be, yet I am! Anjali led us out to the backyard, over to a swing.

"Why don't you two sit here," Anjali said, "and I'll go bring tea for you two, hmm?"

What? Leave me? With Mr. Hot Stuff? Uh....

I just nodded, not having any other options. Anjali smiled and then looked at her brother and smiled at him, and then she left. The both of us just looked at her and then when she was out of sight, it just got awkward.

Sigh... well, let the games begin?