"Sometimes, the heart recognizes a turning point not by the noise it makes, but by the stillness it leaves behind—the moment when something changes, quietly and forever."

The Singhania family had just settled into the drawing room after informing the househelp to prepare dinner. Meenal had specifically asked them to make everything according to Yuvraj's preferences. 

Now, the three of them sat in an awkward silence. Aadesh pretended to read the newspaper, while Divya anxiously glanced back and forth between Meenal and Aadesh, trying to figure out the best way to bring up the topic of Yuvi and Taani.

"So... the Mittal family is really nice," Divya attempted, hoping to break the silence. But to her dismay, Aadesh only hummed in acknowledgment, and Meenal simply nodded, her lips sealed.

She knew exactly what Divya was trying to do but chose to remain aloof, unwilling to address the topic too soon.

"Especially Taani... mera matlab hai ki wo kitni sundar aur susheel hai. Itne bade ghar ki beti hone ke baad bhi usme bilkul bhi ghamand nahi hai." (Especially Taani... I mean, she's so beautiful and graceful. Despite being the daughter of such a wealthy family, she doesn't have the slightest trace of arrogance.)

"Aap logon ne dekha wo ghar ke caretakers se bhi kitne achche se baat kar rahi thi. Warna aaj kal to bachche apne maa baap ke paison par hi itna ghamand karte hain ki unki parwarish ka kya hi kehna..." (Did you both see how kindly she spoke to the caretakers? These days, kids often flaunt their parents' wealth, making you question their upbringing...) Divya trailed off, but neither Aadesh nor Meenal reacted. In fact, Aadesh absentmindedly reached for the glass of water in front of him and pushed it toward Divya.

"Pani pi lo, gala sookh gaya hoga bolte bolte." (Here, drink some water; your throat must be dry after talking so much.) Aadesh taunted, and Divya narrowed her eyes at him.

But, feeling thirsty, she picked up the glass and took a sip. She glanced at Meenal once more, wondering why her mother-in-law was staying quiet—surely, Meenal liked Taani too.

Aadesh, sensing the moment, decided to test the waters himself.

"Haan, lekin yeh bhi ho sakta hai ki wo thoda dikhawa kar rahi ho, aakhir hum kitna hi jaante hain unke parivaar ke baare mein abhi?" (Yeah, but it's possible she was just pretending in front of guests. After all, how much do we really know about their family yet?)

His tone was deliberately dismissive, hoping to provoke a reaction from his mother.

As expected, Meenal immediately defended her friend. "Sumitra meri school ki saheli hai, hum unhe kai saalon se jante hain. Unhe tumhare saamne dikhawa karne ki zarurat nahi hai. Taani bitiya waise hi hai jaise tumne dekha, sabse pyari hai wo." (Sumitra is my friend from school, I've known her for many years. They don't need to pretend in front of you. Taani is just as you saw her, she's truly the loveliest.)

Aadesh smiled in triumph and exchanged a look with Divya, who couldn't hide her grin.

"To maa, agar unke ghar rishta jodne ka soche, to aapko koi aapatti toh nahi hogi?" (So Mom, if we decide to form a relationship with them, you wouldn't have any objections, right?) Divya asked hesitantly, carefully watching her mother-in-law's reaction

"Mujhe kyu koi dikkat hogi?" (Why would I have any issues?) Meenal replied, her voice light, trying to act nonchalant, but inside, her heart was racing with excitement.

This was exactly what she had been hoping for, even if she didn't show it on the outside. The thought of Taani becoming part of their family filled her with a quiet joy, one she couldn't entirely hide.

"Bas bhi karo apna naatak, Maa! Humein pata hai kyun humein wahan leke gayi thi aap!" (Enough with your drama maa. We know why you took us along with you.) Aadesh teased, folding his newspaper and setting it down with a slight thud. His eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and affection. 

He knew his mother too well. He could see through her calm exterior, and it amused him that she thought she could fool him.

He looked over at Divya, who sat next to him, still confused. 'She still doesn't get it' he thought, shaking his head inwardly at his wife's innocence.

Meenal met his gaze for a moment, her eyes calm, but there was a mischievous glint in them. She shrugged, the slightest hint of a smile tugging at her lips as if to say, 'So what?'

Aadesh leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Aapko lagta hai, Yuvi aur Taani ki jodi sahi rahegi?" (Do you think Yuvi and Taani will make a good pair?) His voice was filled with curiosity along with a touch of uncertainty.

Although he knew his mother was all for it, he still wanted to have a clear conversation before moving forward with Yuvi. 

Meenal didn't hesitate. "Mujhe toh lagta hai, apne Yuvi ke liye usse acchi koi aur ladki ho hi nahi sakti." (I think there is no other girl who is better suited for our Yuvi, more than her.) Her voice was firm, filled with the certainty of someone who had already made up their mind.

She didn't just want Taani for Yuvi; she knew deep in her heart that there was no one better for him.

Divya's eyes lit up as she heard those words. A bright, hopeful smile spread across her face, and she leaned forward slightly. "Bilkul sahi lagta hai, Maa. Main bhi yehi sochta hoon. Wo itni pyari hai, meri to nazar hi nahi hat rahi thi usse." (You're absolutely right, Maa. I think so too. She's so sweet, I couldn't even take my eyes off her.) Her heart swelled with affection for Taani.

She could already picture her as part of their family, the daughter-in-law they had always dreamed of.

Aadesh, his gaze softening at Divya's words, nodded slowly in agreement. "Toh phir, intzaar kis baat ka hai? Yuvi se baat karte hain aur fir jald hi rishta bhej dete hain." (What are we waiting for then? Let's talk to Yuvi and send the proposal soon.) He felt a sense of relief at how everything seemed to be falling into place, yet a small flicker of doubt lingered. He wasn't entirely convinced that Yuvi would make this easy.

Meenal paused for a moment before responding. Her calm, composed demeanor didn't waver, but her eyes softened as she looked at her son and the daughter-in-law. "Agar baat itni asaan hoti, toh mai kyun hafton se intezaar kar rahi hoti?" (If it were that easy, why do you think I've been waiting for weeks?) Her tone although calm, was laced with an understanding that came from years of experience.

She knew Yuvi far too well to think he would just agree without putting up a fight. 'Convincing him won't be a walk in the park.' She thought, her mind already working through the possibilities.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai, hum Yuvi se bas pooch lenge aur wo haan kar dega? Arey, pura ghar sir pe utha lega wo!" (You think we'll ask Yuvi and he'll agree, just like that? Oh no, he'll raise the whole roof on his head!) Meenal's voice carried a knowing amusement, tinged with exasperation.

She could already imagine Yuvi's reaction—loud, stubborn, and dramatic. It would take more than just a simple request to get him on board.

Divya's shoulders slumped slightly, her face falling with the realization of how difficult this would be. "Bohot mashakkat karni hongi is shaadi ke liye." (We'll have to do a lot of hard work for this marriage.) She desperately wanted this union to happen, but she knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy.

Yuvi's stubbornness was legendary, and it would take all their collective effort to change his mind.

Just then, Dadi, who had been quietly observing the conversation, leaned in with a warm, reassuring smile.

She patted Divya's knee affectionately. "Udaas mat ho, bahu. Hum sab milke Yuvi ko mana lenge. Aakhir main bhi to uski Dadi hoon, kaise mana kar sakta hai wo meri baat?" (Don't be upset, dear. We'll convince Yuvi together. After all, I'm also his grandmother, how can he refuse me?)

Her words, filled with the quiet confidence of someone who had faced challenges before, brought a little light to the room. Divya's heart lifted at the comfort in Dadi's voice.

There was a sense of hope in those words, and for the first time in the conversation, Divya allowed herself to believe that, despite the obstacles, they might just be able to make it work.

Just then, Yuvraj walked in, his younger brother Rishiraj trailing behind him. Yuvi, absorbed in texting on his phone, didn't immediately notice the subtle glances exchanged between the family members.

But Rishi sensed the quiet tension in the air, the knowing looks that signaled an important conversation was about to unfold.

Yuvi glanced around the room, realizing that everyone was gathered, waiting. He moved toward his grandmother, touching her feet with a respectful nod before settling beside her with a weary sigh, his exhaustion evident. 

Rishi followed suit, touching his grandmother's feet and then moving to sit beside his mother, but instead of staying upright, he made himself comfortable by laying his head in her lap, his usual relaxed demeanor taking over.

Divya, her voice laced with affection, looked at the two of them and said softly, "Arey mere bachche, kitne thake thake lag rahe ho tum dono." (My poor children, you both look so tired.) She ran her fingers gently through Rishi's hair, a soothing touch that seemed to ease some of the tension in the room.

Yuvi, not missing the opportunity to tease, shot a sideways glance at Rishi. "Dono to bolo hi mat maa, kuch kaam nahi karta hai ye dheet, pure din bas reception pe jaake khada ho jaega Ruby se baat karne." (Don't say both, maa, this stubborn one does nothing, he spends the whole day standing at the reception talking to Ruby.)

His words were laced with irritation, though deep down he knew Rishi wasn't as careless as he sometimes made him out to be. In his mind, he thought, 'If they give me any more of a headache, I swear I'll kick both of them out of the company. I've got enough on my plate already.'

Divya raised an eyebrow and playfully slapped Rishi's cheek, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she asked, "Kyu Rishi? Bhai sach bol raha hai?" (Rishi? Is your brother telling the truth?)

Rishi, not at all bothered by the teasing, buried his face deeper into his mother's lap, mumbling, "Sab jalte hain meri khushiyon se maa." (Everyone is just jealous of my happiness, maa.)

Yuvi couldn't help but smirk at his younger brother's response. "Aise to tumne seekh liya beta," he continued with a mock serious tone, "Puri zindagi reception pe baith kar data entry karna bas." (As if you'll learn anything like this. You'll just sit at the reception and fill data entries for the rest of your life.)

Even though Yuvi's words were full of playful mockery, they didn't seem to faze Rishi in the slightest. 

Deep down, Yuvi knew it was only a matter of time before his younger brother would get the hang of his responsibilities—after all, Rishi had just started working and he was still getting habitual to having responsibilities bigger than submitting an assignment and preparing for an exam. He was sure he would learn it all in time.

Dadi, sensing the playful exchange had run its course, gave a light pat on Yuvi's knee and announced, "Achcha, chalo, ye sab baat khatam karo. Kaafi samay ho gaya hai, khana khate hain ab." (Alright, enough of this, let's wrap it up. It's getting late, let's have dinner.)

"I'll just freshen up quickly—give me ten minutes, and I'll join you all for dinner." Yuvi said, heading towards his room.

After a while, the family settled around the dinner table, the atmosphere filled with the soft clink of cutlery as Meenal gestured for the servants to begin serving.

Rishi's eyes scanned the spread before him, noticing that every dish on the table seemed to be one of Yuvi's favorites. 

His suspicions, which had been growing since he walked in, were now confirmed. Something wasn't right. His family wouldn't have gone to such lengths unless they were after something.

He shrugged off the thought and silently decided, 'Mujhe kya? Mai to mattar paneer pe concentrate karunga.' (Who cares? I'll just focus on the mattar paneer.)

Yuvi, who had been staring at the table, suddenly lit up when he saw the food. "Arey waah! Mattar paneer, tandoori roti aur kheer bhi? Aaj kuch khaas hai kya?" (Oh wow, mattar paneer, tandoori roti, and kheer too? Is it something special today?) His voice was full of enthusiasm, but that excitement quickly faded as he, too, realized what was going on. 

It didn't take him long to piece together that this lavish spread wasn't just for any regular meal.

He felt the same thing Rishi had a moment ago. "Either something's wrong, or you guys want something from me." His tone was a mix of suspicion and realization, and as he looked at the guilty expressions around the table, he knew his instincts were right.

Divya, who had been listening quietly, gave him a too-sweet smile and responded, "Kesi baat kar raha hai beta, tujhe mattar paneer pasand hai na, bas isliye bana hai aur kya wajah ho sakti hai?" (What are you talking about? It's just cooked because you like it, what other reason could there be?) Her tone was sweet, but there was an edge to it that Yuvi didn't miss.

Yuvi, though still trying to enjoy the moment, couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to disrupt his meal. "Maa, there's something for sure. But please, don't mention it until after dinner. I really want to enjoy it; it's my favorite, and I have a feeling whatever you guys want to talk about is going to ruin my appetite." His eyes flicked nervously to Divya, who looked at her mother-in-law with concern. The older woman gave her a subtle gesture to stay calm and focus on eating.

Aadesh, noticing the shift in the mood, broke the silence by asking Yuvi, "Tumhara kaam kaisa chal raha hai?" (How's your work going?)

Yuvi, not wanting to get too distracted, answered with a relaxed smile, "Badhiya chal raha hai papa, ek important deal sign ho jaye fir itna busy nahi rahunga kuch din." (It's going pretty well, dad. Once I sign an important deal, I won't be as busy for a few days.)

Aadesh nodded thoughtfully, a touch of pride in his eyes. "Kuch help lage meri to batana." (Let me know if you need any help.)

"Ji papa. Par aap chinta mat karo, it's almost done." (Yes, of course, Dad. Don't worry though, it's almost done.)

Aadesh smiled proudly, seeing how his son had grown. He had always been the kind of father who never forced his children to follow a specific path. 

From a young age, Yuvi would come to him and say, 'Give me something to do, Dad. I want to help you.' Aadesh had never pushed him; instead, he allowed Yuvi to carve his own destiny. To his relief, Yuvi's path had aligned perfectly with the business. 

His son was driven to lead and excel in the market, a passion that had only grown stronger over the years.

Out of nowhere, Dadi, with a mischievous gleam in her eye, turned to Yuvi and asked, "Aur koi ladki wadki nahi dekhi tumne apne liye?" (So... didn't you see a girl for yourself?)

Yuvi, caught off guard by the question, let out a scoff and rolled his eyes. "Kesi baatein kar rahe ho dadi, yahi kaam bacha hai kya mere paas ab?" (What are you talking about, grandma? Is this all I have left to do now?) The very thought of marriage seemed absurd to him; he had no intention of settling down anytime soon.

Dadi, unfazed by his reaction, raised an eyebrow and replied, "Aree, kesi baat kya? 28 ka ho gaya hai, ab nahi dekhenge to kab dekhenge ladki hum?" (What? You're 28 already! If you won't see a girl now, then when will you?)

Yuvi, always the stubborn one, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed in defiance. "Aap meri tension mat lo dadi, mai kar lunga shaadi jab karni hogi mujhe. Abhi mera koi plan nahi hai shaadi ka. Aur relationship ke liye time nahi hai mere paas." (Don't worry about me, grandma. I'll get married when I'm ready. I don't have any plans for marriage right now nor do I have time for relationships.)

His refusal seemed to unsettle Meenal, who looked down at her plate in silent concern, her mind heavy with worry for her grandson's future.

But she wasn't ready to let it go. "Time nikalega to niklega na, aur jab karni hogi matlab? Ab tujhe aur 10 saal tak shaadi nahi karni hui to kya teri shaadi nahi karenge hum?" (You'll find time when you make it! And what do you mean 'when you want'? If you decide you don't want to get married for the next 10 years, does that mean we won't get you married?)

Yuvi, still resolute in his decision, muttered under his breath, "Hopefully." His words were barely audible, but they were enough to make her narrow her eyes at him in disbelief.

Hello my lovely readers!!!🎀

How's the story treating you so far? Are you hooked, shocked, curious... or maybe all three? I really hope you're enjoying this emotional rollercoaster as much as I'm enjoying creating it for you!

Now tell me—what do you think is going to happen next?👀

Will Yuvi finally let down his guard and say yes to the marriage? Or will he continue playing the cold, stubborn Mr. No-Strings-Attached?😏 Drop your predictions in the comments—I'm dying to see what you all think!

Your love, votes, and comments keep my creativity buzzing and truly mean the world to me. The more you engage, the faster I update—pinkie promise!💖

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this journey.

Shukriya and lots of love✨

—Your Author,

Exquisite🕊️