Aanya nodded and thought about it the entire night. She was confused. She knew that Abhijeet and Manya were the sweetest in-laws she could get. But Abhimanyu was practically a stranger to her. She did not know anything about the man.

Moreover, New York was too far from India. The physical distance was too much. Sure, she had her brother there but she would not be able to meet her parents much often. And that was a big decision for her to make.

Abhimanyu reached Delhi two days later. He checked into the hotel and met his parents. His parents had plans for the day but Abhimanyu was planning to visit Aanya and her family.

Aanya was both nervous and excited at the news of his arrival. Her mother was going crazy.

“Itne saal baad aa raha hai wo bacha. Aur ab toh potential damad hai. Koi kami nhi rehne de skti mai. Aanya! Kya kar rhi hai tu? Jaldi jaldi haath chala. Wo aata hi hoga.”

(He is coming after so many years. He is potential son-in-law now. I cannot leave any complaints. Aanya! What are you doing? Work quickly. He must be on his way.)

Aanya huffed and worked quicker. Her mother was fussing unnecessarily. But she couldn’t say this to her otherwise she’d get a long lecture.

The food and everything was finally prepared and the living room was cleaned and set tastefully. Aanya was asked to change into good clothes and she chose a cut sleeved blue organza silk anarkali. She let her naturally wavy hair loose and completed her look with jhumkas and bangles.

The doorbell rang and Aanya’s heartbeat accelerated. He was here. She adjusted her dupatta and rushed out of her room. Her father had already welcomed Abhimanyu inside. Coincidentally, he too was wearing a navy blue shirt with white pants.

He greeted her parents by touching their feet and taking their blessings.

“Arre bas bas beta! Khush raho hamesha. Bhut achha lag raha hai itne saal baad tujhe dekh kr.”

(It’s ok beta! Stay happy. It’s so good to see you after so long.)

Abhimanyu smiled at her father’s words and said.

“Same here uncle. Waise aap bilkul bhi nhi badle. Did you and aunty forget to age or something? Secret kya hai iss evergreen youth ka?”

(You haven’t changed a bit…What is the secret of this evergreen youth?)

He teased and Aanya had no clue why she blushed realising that he had an accent. She should have guessed because both Abhijeet and Manya had accents too. Courtesy of them living in the US for so many years.

“Tu waha kyu khadi hai? Yaha aa na.”

(Why are you standing there? Come here.)

Her mother called and Aanya walked towards them with a flushed face. Why did her mother have to make it awkward?

Her gaze met Abhimanyu’s and she tried not to read anything into it. Last she remembered seeing him, he was just an awkward teenager. But this…this was a mature man. A confident man.

“Hi.”

She whispered and Abhimanyu smiled. 

“Hi Aanya! How are you?”

“I…I’m fine. How are you?”

“I’m good too. I got these for you.”

He pushed forward a big bouquet of roses which she shockingly hadn’t noticed until now. Aanya held the bouquet and thanked him with a soft, shy smile on her lips. 

She shyly peeked at him talking to her father, sitting comfortably yet sophisticatedly. The way he talked, the way he laughed, everything was so polished and polite. Aanya was in awe of him.

After the tea and snacks, her mother spoke.

“Aanya! Tu aur Abhimanyu bhi baat krlo ab. Tere kamre mai le jaa isse. Aaram se baat krlo dono.”

(You and Abhimanyu also talk. Take him to your room. Talk to each other.)

Aanya nodded and looked at him, not meeting his eyes.

“Aaiye.”

(Come on.)

She muttered slowly and guided him towards her room. Abhimanyu followed silently after taking silent permission from her father.

Aanya entered first and turned to see Abhimanyu look around her room. They didn’t bother closing the door and took their places. Aanya on the bed and Abhimanyu, in front of her on the ottoman. 

He looked at her and smiled.

“So, I hope you’re aware why we’re here, right?”

He started and she lowered her lashes and nodded. He hummed and she ignored the way that hum sent tingles down her body.

“What do you feel about all this?”

He asked again and she finally met his eyes.

“I’m confused.”

“Reasonably so. What are you confused about? Let’s talk about it, Aanya. Because I really want to give this a chance. If you’re willing.”

He confessed and she got quiet for a moment.

“I…why do you want to marry an Indian girl?”

Abhimanyu smiled at her first question and said.

“I might have been brought up in the US but I am an Indian. By birth and by heart. I’ve never had any interest in girls of any other ethnicity. I just prefer Indian girls like you’d prefer an Indian man over a foreigner one.”

Aanya nodded and then got quiet again.

“How can you be so sure about giving this a chance? I mean…I agree we knew each other but that was more than 10 years ago. We’re practically strangers today. I don’t know about you and you don’t know me. How are we even going to manage this?”

She voiced her doubt and he smiled. He leaned in a little and said.

“Just like every other arranged marriage couple does. We’ll spend time together. Get to know each other. Our likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, fears and passions, everything. It will take time, yes. But I’m sure we can make it.”

He wasn’t wrong. She bit her lip trying to phrase her biggest doubt.

“New York bhut dur hai India se.”

(New York is too far from India.)

Abhimanyu sighed and leaned back again. He looked at her and said.

“This is something I can do nothing about. Mai iss physical distance ko nhi khatam kr skta aur na hi tumhe force kr skta ki tum mere saath shaadi krke itni dur aao. It has to be your decision, Aanya. I just want you to know that whatever you decide, you’ll not be alone. I’ll be with you. I’ll support you…but the decision has to be yours. I told you my decision. I’ll wait for yours.”

(I cannot reduce this physical distance nor can I force you to marry me and come so far.)

He said and smiled and nodded. He was right again. He had made his intentions clear. He wanted to marry her and give this a chance. 

Aanya had her head in her mother’s lap as she stared at the ceiling. Her mind spiralled with various thoughts.