Chapter 7: Checkmate

The laughter in the banquet hall slowly settled.

Everyone looked at Devraj Singh, waiting for his announcement.

Arjun: "Dad, stop creating suspense. Just tell us already."

Devraj: "You'll know in a second."

He adjusted the microphone and looked at both families.

Devraj: "As all of you know, the Singh and Rathore families have shared a close bond for many years."

Everyone nodded.

Devraj: "Today, I am happy to announce that Devraj Industries and Rathore Industries are entering into a strategic partnership."

The hall erupted into applause.

Business associates began congratulating both families.

Aravind: "That's wonderful!"

Revanth: "Congratulations, Uncle."

Devraj raised his hand.

Devraj: "That's not all."

The applause stopped.

The hall became silent again.

Devraj smiled.

Devraj: "Along with this partnership..."

"...our children..."

He looked directly at Veeresh and then at Poornima.

Devraj: "...Veeresh Devraj Singh and Poornima Rathore will be getting married next week."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The smiles disappeared from two faces immediately.

Veeresh stared at his father in disbelief.

Poornima looked completely stunned.

The rest of the hall gasped.

Then—

Rukmini: "Congratulations!"

She was the first to clap.

Soon, everyone else joined in.

The banquet hall filled with applause and cheers.

Siya: "Finally!"

Rajshree: "This is such wonderful news."

Kritika: "I'm so happy!"

Rishi: "Congratulations, both of you."

Across the hall...

Raghav looked at Devraj.

Inside his mind, he couldn't help but think,

"You old wolf... what a move."

He had expected Devraj to introduce the idea gently.

Instead...

He had announced it in front of the entire family.

There was no room left for either Veeresh or Poornima to create a scene.

Raghav looked at Devraj, who casually smiled as though nothing unusual had happened.

"He planned this like a chess game..." Raghav thought.

"And he just played checkmate."

Meanwhile...

Veeresh finally found his voice.

Veeresh: "Dad..."

"What did you just say?"

At the same moment—

Poornima: "Uncle..."

"I think there's been some misunderstanding."

Devraj looked at both of them calmly.

Devraj: "No misunderstanding."

"You heard me correctly."

Veeresh took a deep breath.

Veeresh: "You decided my marriage..."

"...without asking me?"

Poornima looked at her parents.

Poornima: "Papa...?"

Raghav avoided her eyes.

Shirisha smiled nervously.

Neither answered.

Poornima immediately understood.

"They knew."

She looked back at Devraj.

Poornima: "Uncle... with all due respect..."

"I can't marry him."

At the exact same time—

Veeresh: "I can't marry her."

Both stopped.

Then slowly turned to look at each other.

Veeresh: "See?"

Poornima: "For once, we agree."

Some of the younger cousins laughed.

Arjun whispered to Aravind,

Arjun: "Five minutes."

"I told you they'd start fighting."

Aravind elbowed him.

Aravind: "Quiet."

Devraj folded his arms.

Devraj: "Finished?"

Neither answered.

Devraj: "Good."

"Now listen."

"You don't have to love each other today."

"But I know both of you."

"You respect responsibility."

"You value family."

"And I believe that, given a chance, you can build a life based on mutual respect."

Veeresh shook his head.

Veeresh: "Dad, marriage isn't a business merger."

Poornima added firmly,

Poornima: "And it isn't charity."

The hall became quiet again.

Devraj nodded.

Devraj: "You're right."

"It isn't."

"But sometimes..."

"The people we argue with the most are the ones who understand us better than anyone else."

Neither of them replied.

They simply stood there, unconvinced.

From the back of the hall, Rukmini silently prayed that one day they would see what the elders hoped for.

And Devraj...

He smiled to himself.

The first move had been made.

Now, the real game was about to begin.