Chapter 3: An Unexpected Profile

A week after her conversation with Poornima, Zara sat in her room with a determined expression.

Her laptop was open in front of her.

For days, one thought had refused to leave her mind.

"Mumma deserves happiness too."

At first, she had dismissed the idea as impossible.

Poornima would never think about remarriage on her own.

The woman had spent years focusing only on her children.

If someone didn't take the first step, nothing would ever change.

And so, after thinking carefully, Zara did something bold.

She created a matrimonial profile.

Not for herself.

For her mother.

She smiled nervously while filling in the details.

Name: Poornima Qureshi

Age: 45 years

Profession: School Teacher

Marital Status: Divorced

Children: Two

Son: Airav Qureshi (Married)

Daughter: Zara Qureshi (Student)

Then came the section about personality.

Zara paused.

How could a few lines describe the woman who had given everything for her children?

After several minutes, she finally typed:

"Kind-hearted, educated, family-oriented, independent, and respected by everyone around her. Believes in honesty, compassion, and simple living. Looking for companionship, mutual respect, and a peaceful life."

She uploaded one of Poornima's recent photographs.

It had been taken during a school function.

Poornima was wearing a simple cotton saree.

No heavy jewelry.

No makeup.

Just a warm smile.

The kind of smile that made people feel comfortable.

When the profile was complete, Zara stared at it for a long moment.

Then she whispered,

"Bas Mumma... ab aapki khushi ki baari hai."

And she clicked Submit.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Ajay Thakur was having a very similar conversation with himself.

For months, he had worried about his father.

Veeresh Thakur had spent his entire life caring for everyone except himself.

Whenever Ajay suggested remarriage, Veeresh immediately changed the topic.

So Ajay had taken matters into his own hands.

He too had created a matrimonial profile.

A simple one.

Name: Veeresh Thakur

Age: 48 years

Profession: Sarpanch and Social Worker

Location: Rajgarh, Rajasthan

Widower

Children: Three

Ajay Thakur (Married)

Rhea Thakur (Student)

Ritesh Thakur (Medical Student)

Under the description, Ajay had written:

"A respected man devoted to his family and village. Honest, responsible, caring, and grounded in traditional values. Looking for a life partner who values companionship, understanding, and family."

After creating the profile, Ajay began casually browsing through potential matches.

Most profiles didn't feel right.

Some wanted to settle abroad.

Some preferred city life.

Others seemed interested only in status and wealth.

Ajay kept scrolling.

Then suddenly—

He stopped.

A profile appeared on the screen.

Poornima Qureshi.

Delhi.

School Teacher.

45 years old.

Divorced.

Two children.

Ajay clicked on it.

As he read the details, something about the profile caught his attention.

There was simplicity in the words.

No demands.

No unrealistic expectations.

Just dignity.

Respect.

Warmth.

He looked at the photograph.

The woman in the saree had kind eyes.

The kind eyes of someone who had seen hardship and still chosen kindness.

Ajay leaned back in his chair.

For some reason, he found himself imagining her sitting across from his father.

Talking.

Laughing.

Sharing tea in the courtyard of their home in Rajgarh.

The image felt strangely natural.

A smile appeared on his face.

"Papa aur yeh lady..."

The thought didn't seem ridiculous.

In fact, it felt surprisingly right.

Ajay immediately took a screenshot.

Without wasting another second, he opened the family group chat.

Ajay: "Emergency family meeting. I think I found someone."

Within seconds, Rhea and Ritesh started replying.

And far away in Delhi, Zara had absolutely no idea that her mother's profile had just appeared on the screen of the one family whose lives were about to change forever.

The first thread of destiny had quietly been tied.

To be continued...