Chapter 21: The Impossible Surprise

Delhi's evening traffic was as chaotic as ever.

Inside her room, Poornima was standing in front of the mirror while Zara adjusted the pallu of her saree.

"Mumma, the blue one looks perfect."

Poornima sighed.

"It's just a meeting, Zara."

"I know."

"Then why are you treating it like a wedding?"

Zara immediately looked away.

That made Poornima suspicious.

"Zara?"

"Nothing."

Poornima narrowed her eyes.

"You're planning something."

"No."

The answer came far too quickly.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Veeresh was standing outside his hotel room looking annoyed.

Ajay was adjusting his father's blazer.

"Dad, stop frowning."

"I don't wear these things."

"It's called formal clothing."

"I own formal clothing."

"Then why do you look uncomfortable?"

"Because you are standing here judging me."

Rhea laughed.

Ritesh took a photo.

Veeresh glared at him.

"Delete it."

"No."

Soon both parties arrived at the restaurant.

A private dining area had been reserved.

Poornima entered with Zara.

At almost the same moment, Veeresh entered with Ajay, Rhea, and Ritesh.

For a second, everything became still.

Thirty years.

Thirty years disappeared in an instant.

Veeresh looked at her.

And forgot every prepared sentence.

The blue saree suited her.

The same calm eyes.

The same thoughtful expression.

The same woman he had carried in his memories.

Poornima looked at him.

Then looked again.

Why was this man staring at her?

She became immediately uncomfortable.

"What is wrong with this guy?"

She thought.

"He's behaving as if he knows me."

Meanwhile, Veeresh was internally battling memories from school.

Library.

Badminton court.

Books.

Smiles.

Everything came rushing back.

The awkward silence was finally broken by Ajay.

"Everyone sit."

The two families sat down.

Poornima and Veeresh ended up opposite each other.

Neither knew what to say.

Neither knew where to look.

Then Ajay suddenly placed a file on the table.

"Before anything else, I need both of you to sign these papers."

Veeresh frowned.

"What papers?"

"Formalities."

Poornima looked confused.

"What formalities?"

"Just sign."

Both immediately became suspicious.

Veeresh opened the file.

There were several pages.

"Ajay."

"Hmm?"

"What exactly is this?"

"Nothing important."

Rhea immediately looked away to hide her smile.

That made things worse.

Poornima looked at Zara.

"Why is she smiling?"

"Because she's happy."

"About what?"

"No reason."

Now Poornima was even more suspicious.

Ajay pushed the papers forward.

"Dad, please."

"Mumma, please."

The children began insisting from both sides.

After several minutes of confusion and pressure, both finally signed.

Mostly because they wanted to stop the relentless persuasion.

The moment the final signature was placed, Ajay grabbed the papers.

A huge grin appeared on his face.

Rhea covered her mouth.

Ritesh looked ready to explode with excitement.

Zara was equally nervous.

Veeresh immediately noticed.

"Why do you all look like that?"

Poornima looked at the children.

"What happened?"

Ajay stood up dramatically.

Nobody liked that expression.

Especially Veeresh.

Ajay cleared his throat.

"Congratulations."

The room fell silent.

"For what?" Veeresh asked.

Ajay raised the signed documents.

"You are now legally married."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

"What?"

The word came simultaneously from both Veeresh and Poornima.

Ajay nodded proudly.

"Court marriage."

Poornima blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then looked at Zara.

"What?"

Zara immediately lowered her eyes.

Veeresh looked ready to have a heart attack.

"We came here to meet!"

"I know."

"You said meeting!"

"I know."

"AJAY!"

Half the restaurant probably heard him.

Poornima turned toward her daughter.

"Zara!"

"Mumma, please don't be angry."

"ANGRY?"

Veeresh stood up.

"Ajay Thakur!"

"Dad, sit down."

"I will not sit down."

Ritesh finally intervened.

"Dad, listen."

"No."

Rhea joined.

"Please hear us out."

"No."

Poornima agreed immediately.

"Absolutely no."

Ajay raised both hands.

"You both would never agree."

"Correct!" Veeresh snapped.

"Exactly."

Ajay pointed triumphantly.

"That's why we did this."

The logic somehow made perfect sense to him.

And absolutely nobody else.

Veeresh stared at the papers.

Then at Poornima.

Then at the papers again.

His brain refused to process the situation.

A meeting.

He had agreed to a meeting.

Not marriage.

Certainly not a surprise marriage.

Poornima looked equally shocked.

Her entire evening had transformed into chaos within five minutes.

She looked at Veeresh.

He looked back.

For the first time, both shared the exact same thought.

"Our children are insane."

Around the table, Ajay, Zara, Rhea, and Ritesh sat nervously waiting for the explosion that was almost certainly coming.

And for the first time since this entire adventure began, Veeresh Thakur and Poornima Qureshi found themselves completely united.

Not as husband and wife.

Not yet.

But as two bewildered parents trying to understand how their children had managed to turn a simple meeting into the most shocking day of their lives.

To be continued...