Chapter 10 – A Proposal

The next morning, the Rajawat haveli was once again filled with celebrations.

It was Shreya's chooda ceremony.

The women of the family gathered around the bride, blessing her and performing the traditional rituals. Shreya sat happily while everyone showered her with love.

Among the guests were two familiar faces.

Arman and Lakshmi.

They were Poornima's former in-laws.

Despite everything that had happened between Poornima and Rishi, they had never stopped considering Poornima their daughter.

Arman and Lakshmi warmly greeted everyone and blessed Shreya.

Arman: "May you always remain happy, beta."

Shreya touched their feet.

Shreya: "Thank you."

After the ceremony, Arman and Lakshmi sat with Aravind and Gayathri.

Arman looked toward Poornima, who was speaking with some of the women.

Arman: "We wanted to speak to you about Poornima."

Aravind became attentive.

Aravind: "Of course."

Lakshmi spoke gently.

Lakshmi: "Poornima is capable of living her life on her own. She has proved that."

Arman nodded.

Arman: "She has a good career. She is educated, independent and strong."

He paused.

Arman: "But life isn't only about being capable of surviving alone."

Gayathri listened carefully.

Arman: "Everyone needs someone with whom they can share their ups and downs. Someone who loves them and stands beside them."

Aravind nodded.

Aravind: "We have also been thinking about the same thing."

Gayathri looked at him before speaking.

Gayathri: "There is someone we have been thinking about."

Arman: "Who?"

Gayathri took a breath.

Gayathri: "His name is Veeresh."

Arman looked at her.

Gayathri: "He is my husband's younger brother's son. He is a very good man. He lives in Germany and has his own business there."

Arman remained thoughtful.

Arman: "Veeresh Singh Rajawat?"

Aravind nodded.

Aravind: "Yes."

Arman looked toward Poornima.

Arman: "We have no objection."

Lakshmi smiled.

Lakshmi: "If you believe he is right for her, go ahead."

Gayathri smiled.

Gayathri: "Actually, we had fixed their mangni when they were children."

Arman looked surprised.

Arman: "Really?"

Gayathri: "Yes. But circumstances changed. Veeresh eventually married someone else."

Arman smiled faintly.

Arman: "Then call them both. Let us speak to them."

Kamala was called.

She immediately went upstairs to find Veeresh.

Poornima was also called.

After some time, both of them entered the room.

Veeresh looked around at everyone.

Veeresh: "You called me?"

Aravind nodded.

Aravind: "Yes, beta. Sit."

Poornima sat beside Gayathri.

Aravind looked at both of them.

Aravind: "We want you both to get married."

Poornima froze.

Her eyes widened.

Poornima: "Marriage?"

The word itself felt heavy.

Marriage again.

Love again.

Trust again.

Everything she had once believed in had already broken once.

She looked down silently.

Veeresh, however, was thinking about something completely different.

His mind immediately went toward his business plans.

He had been planning to expand Singh Industries and establish a major operation in Japan.

He had studied the Japanese market for months.

He knew that family carried great importance in Japanese business culture and relationships. Building those connections would be easier if he had a stable family life beside him.

Marriage could work in his favour.

He began calculating everything silently.

His expression remained calm.

Veeresh: "I'm ready."

Everyone looked at him.

Poornima looked at him in surprise.

Veeresh continued.

Veeresh: "But I have one condition."

Aravind: "Tell us."

Veeresh: "After the marriage, Poornima will stay with me in Germany."

Poornima looked at him.

Veeresh: "I won't shift my life here. My business is in Germany, and I have plans to expand it further."

He looked at Aravind.

Veeresh: "After the marriage, we'll leave for Germany. I can't change that."

Aravind thought for a moment.

Then he nodded.

Aravind: "Okay."

Everyone looked toward Poornima.

She remained silent.

Her mind was racing.

She had spent years building her life in Delhi.

Her career.

Her independence.

Her peaceful routine.

Now she was being asked to marry again.

And this time, move to Germany with a man who was almost a stranger to her.

She looked at Veeresh.

His face revealed nothing.

But inside, Veeresh was thinking one thing.

She should agree.

I can't ruin my plans.

Aravind gently called her.

Aravind: "Beta..."

Poornima looked at her father.

There were so many questions inside her.

But she also saw the happiness in her parents' eyes.

She took a slow breath.

Poornima: "Okay, Papa."

Gayathri's face immediately brightened.

Kamala smiled.

Arman and Lakshmi exchanged a relieved glance.

Everyone was happy.

Everyone began talking about the wedding.

But Poornima remained quiet.

She looked down at her hands.

The simple mehendi Veeresh had drawn the previous night was still faintly visible on her palms.

She remembered his quiet voice.

Sleep.

She didn't know why he had done that for her.

She didn't know what kind of husband he would be.

And she didn't know whether she was ready to love again.

Poornima quietly looked toward Veeresh.

He was already discussing something with Aravind.

His face was calm.

As if this marriage was simply another decision in his life.

But for Poornima, it wasn't a business decision.

It was her life.

And for the first time since her divorce, she wondered whether she was making the right choice.