Chapter-4

Sushmitha Malhotra 

We were coming back from meeting our best friends. We were on the way home. One girl was waving a hand to stop the car. No one was helping her. I saw that there was an accident that happened. I asked my husband to stop the car. 

"Shekhar stop the car, we have to help them," I said to him. 

After listening to my words Shekhar immediately stopped the car. We offered them a lift to take the injured person to the hospital. Two girls helped the injured person to sit in the car. One girl and an injured person stepped into the car. She kept that patient head in her lap and another girl was following us on Scooty to the hospital. I was observing her. 

On the way to the hospital, in the car, I asked her questions. 

"Are you related to him?" I asked her. 

She nodded in No. 

"Why are you helping the unknown person? About whom you don't know anything?" I asked. In today's world, no one helps unknown persons so being curious I was. I asked her. Shekhar was looking at me. 

"When we help other people, God will help us when we are in a problem," she replied. 

I smiled looking at her even Shekhar also smiled looking at her. Looking at her I thought that still there is humanity in people. I asked her name. She introduced herself to us with a beautiful smile. 

"What's your name sweetie?," I asked looking at her beautiful face.

"My name is Shraddha Kumar." She replied smiling.

"What were you doing so late?" I asked her. 

"I worked in a café. I was returning home when I saw the accident happened and no one was helping him. So we were with each other and my best friend decided to stop by and help him. My friend is following us on Scooty." She said. 

I was going to ask her more questions when Shekhar gave me the look 'don't frighten that girl with your questions.' So I kept my silence. I was observing her. She is truly worried about this injured person. Her facial expressions were showing her worry. She is very beautiful. She is also helpful. Looking at her I think that she will be a good match for my son. 

With that, we reached the Hospital. Ward boy came and took the injured person inside the hospital. Shraddha also got down from the car. 

"Thank you so much uncle-aunty for helping us." She thanked us 

"We are very proud of you girl," I told her. 

"God blessed you Shraddha. May all your dreams get fulfilled." Shekhar blessed her. 

She with a smile bade us a bye. On the way home, I was smiling thinking about her. 

"Sushmitha what are you thinking that you are smiling so much?" Shekhar asked me.

"Shekhar, what do you think about Shraddha?" I asked him. 

"She is a very lovely girl. Also helpful. But why are you asking me this?" Shekhar asked me. 

"That I will tell you tomorrow but you have to do my small work," I told him. 

"Ok, darling. Just give your order. This person is ready to complete your wishes" He said dramatically making me blush. 

"That's enough Shekhar. I want all the details about Shraddha Kumar." I told him. He was puzzled but then nodded. 

Next day Evening, 

Shekhar brought all the details about Shraddha. I was very much curious to know more about her. 

"Ok Now, will you tell me why you wanted Shraddha's details?" Shekhar asked me. 

"I like Shraddha. I want her to be my daughter in law. I liked her for my Aaron" I told him happily. 

"Oh... but you asked Aaron?" Shekhar asked me.

"Yes, a few days back I asked him whether he had any girl to whom he wanted to introduce to us but he said no so I asked him whether he is ok with arranging the marriage. And he said yes." I told Shekhar about my conversation with Aaron a few days back. 

As I read the name Gauri Kumar, I was surprised. 

"Is she the daughter of Kumar Enterprises owner Mr Girish Kumar's?" I asked Shekhar. 

"Yes," he replied. 

I was smiling looking at Shraddha's picture. 

"She is my angel. My beautiful angel." I said to Shekhar. 

Shekhar was looking confused so I explained to him.

"She is my best friend Gauri's daughter. Gauri is my childhood best friend cum neighbours. We studied together up to board Exams of the tenth. After our farewell, we were in different colleges till the 12th board exams. After 12th, Gauri's parents stopped her studies and asked her to join in some short term courses. At the same time, my father also got a transfer so we left for another city. Even though we were separated by distance, our friendship was going strong. We used to call each other daily. Then my wedding got fixed with you. I got married to you and gave birth to Aaron. The name of Aaron is suggested by her only. She used to call Aaron Prince. We were connected through calls. She told me that she is getting married to Mr Girish Kumar. Gauri belonged to a conservative family. She got married and soon gave birth to Shraddha, my angel. She used to call me every day to tell me details about the angel. I used to call her an angel." I said smiling. 

"You know when Aaron was 2 and a half years old at that time I got a miscarriage. I went into depression. You were very much tensed about my condition. I was not able to give proper attention to Aaron also. At that time for consultancy of the doctor, we shifted to Bangalore. After a year of treatment and medications, I overcame the depression. After 1 year I became pregnant again and soon after 9 months, I had my darling daughter Shreya. In all of this, I lost contact with Gauri and my angel." I told him with tears in my eyes. That time was a very difficult time for our family. We were in Bangalore till 2 years back. Shekhar used to handle the Bangalore branch of our Malhotra Industries. The Mumbai branch is handled by mom dad as in my father in law and Mother in law. But 2 years back they both passed away in an accident. So we all shifted here. 

"Shekhar please get the full details about Kumar's." I pleaded to Shekhar.

"Ok, by the way, I also liked my daughter in law," Shekhar said while going to call someone. 

Night-time, dining table 

I cannot start the conversation with Aaron due to my nervousness. 

I was waiting for him. He came but he was very tired. 

"Mom please send the dinner to my room." He said and kissed my cheek and went to his bedroom. 

I carried his dinner with me and went to his bedroom. I knocked on his door. 

"Yes come in." He said. He was drying his hair. 

"Mom, why did you come? You could have sent it with any maid." Aaron told me. We both settled on the couch. I kept the tray of his dinner on a small glass table. 

"It's ok. And I also wanted to talk to you." I said serving him dinner.

"Oh. So what you wanted to talk about with me?" He asked while eating dinner. 

"Have your dinner first then we will talk?" I told him. He was tired. He had his dinner and went to the washroom to clean his hands. He came and sat on the bed. I went to him. He lied and kept his head in my lap. I was ruffling his hairs. He closed his eyes. 

"Aaron a few days back I asked you whether you have anyone in your life that you want to introduce to us. And you said no. I asked whether it is ok for you if we choose a girl for you." I said. 

"Yeah... And I said to you that I trust you and I'm ok with it." He replied. 

"We liked one girl for you. Tomorrow we will meet her parents to ask for her." I said to him. He opened his eyes and looked at me. 

"She is my best friend's daughter. We both lost our contact with each other. But a few days back I met her daughter and I love her already. I want her to be your wife and daughter-in-law of this family." I continued. 

"Mom I trust you and dad. Whatever you both will decide will be best for my future. But I need some time. Hope you understand." He said. 

"Aaron, we are not forcing you to marry her. It will be completely your decision. I'm just asking for your opinion on this Wedding proposal. So we can ask her parents about it." I told him. 

"Mom, you both can meet her parent's and tell them about the Wedding proposal. I will inform you of my decision tomorrow evening." He told me. I'm happy that he will at least think about it. I said Goodnight to Aaron and kissed his forehead. I went to my bedroom to sleep peacefully. 

I know that He is nervous and this is the first time he has faced this situation. I don't know why but I feel that she will be my daughter-in-law. I have seen her positive attitude and I hope she will bring the best in him. I want the best for him. 

I hope he says yes. She will take care of him. I have full trust in Shraddha because she is my best friend's daughter. I just want both of them to be together. They will be the best couple and also they will make cute babies. 

Oh my God, what I am thinking...... 

Aaron Malhotra 

Mom went to her bedroom after kissing my forehead. I was thinking about what mom told me some time back. I love my mysterious Girl but I don't know anything about her. My parents want me to enter the next phase of my life. They want me to get married. 

I belong to a rich family. We are a very lovely happy family. My family has been my priority in my life. They are the ones with whom I have spent the past twenty-seven years, not the girl whom I knew from a few months ago. But I won't stop searching for her because I just want to meet her once. I want to see that face that has such a melodious voice. About my mysterious girl, only four people know my two sisters and my two best friends. They are Riya, Rajeev, Ishaan, and Shreya. 

My family also includes my best friends. A few days back mom asked me whether I have anyone special in my life to whom I want to introduce to them. I was sad. I have someone special in my life but I have never met her than how I can introduce them to you both. I said no. She asked me whether I'm ok with Arranged Marriage. I told her that Yes. I love my parents a lot. They know what is best for me. So I said yes. But I 

never thought that mom would find the proposal so soon. 

I'm very much confused about what I should do...............