Chapter 60

Hellooooooo guysssssss…

So back with another update, there were so many songs that depicts this chapter, but family di member was the best i think…

Do tell me how you like this chapter,
Give dher sara payar, votes and comments…

Enjoy 🥳

Total words:- 4k+
______________________________________

It was noon by the time I got back home, after the greetings, messing with shubh all the time, yeah he came home, I thought to relax a bit.

I lay stretched across my bed, closing my eyes, her face replaying in my head like a stubborn loop. The way she smiled. The way she looked at me
Her face when i purposed her, she trust me, i am her safe space,

An involuntarily smile spread across my face

“putt sonda c ke??”

( Child were you going to sleep?)

Dadi’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I jolted up instantly, swinging my legs off the bed as she walked in. she came and sat on the bed

I sat back beside her,

“ naa naa dadi..”

( No no )

“ koi gal hoi aa? Tu horu ja laggi jana.”

(  Does something happen? You are looking a little weird) I

“Dadi…”
I took a deep breath
“Mai viah krona…”

I said it just like that. Straight. No buildup.

And then I watched her face carefully, bracing myself for anything.

“Kide nal?” she asked, calm as ever.

I smiled despite myself.

“Ranvijay di kudi?” she asked next.

I nodded.

Dadi’s face lit up instantly, like she’d been waiting for this answer all along. She pulled me into a tight hug, patting my back with a kind of relief that caught me off guard. apparently she like vani since the day she met her, i was blind before not to like her.

“Hje mai kise nu ni dsya dadi… papa ne pehla puchya c sade vaare, mai mana krta c, v sade vich koch ni… papa khende je badcho mere kol aya mai kuttu bhout , but jana hi pau….Hun jana.., dasda, shitar khau…”

(I didn’t tell anyone yet, Dadi… Papa had asked about us earlier—I had refused, said there was nothing between us. Papa said if I came to him again, he’d beat me badly. But I’ll have to go anyway… now I’ll go and tell him… I’ll be soon getting beaten”

The moment I said that, I felt her acting stearn

“Eve kive kuttu mere putt nu????” she paused, then in a soft tone, she suggested, “Je kahe ta mai gal kra???”

(“How could he beat my son like that? If you say so, should I talk to him?”)

Her tone sharpened, not angry, but protective. The kind that made you realise she’d burn houses down if needed.

She is my support system.

I shook my head slowly.

“Karni ta menu hi peni aa dadi…. Soch rea hun dinner to baad kru…”

(“I’ll have to do it myself, Dadi… I’m thinking I’ll talk to him after dinner.”)

She studied my face for a long second, then nodded.

But why i get a feeling she is thinking something? She liked vani, right?

✧

Nav POV

After dinner, everyone settled into the living room.

The TV was on, muted. Phones in hands. Casual, normal
the kind of calm that makes your chest feel heavier for no reason.

I stood up.

“Papa…”

Both Papa and Bade Papa looked at me.

“Mai gal karni aa…”
My voice came out steadier than I felt.

( I want to talk)

“Bolo puttar ji,” Papa said, placing his phone aside and giving me his full attention.

( Say son )

It was strange
the softness in his tone.

Papa wasn’t dominating all the time. He loved us, spoiled us even.
But there was always a leash. On us.  Invisible, yet tight enough to remind you who held the end of it.

Jaise bakre ko khilate-pilate hain, shaheed karne se pehle.
Nav, tere saath bhi yehi hoga…

The thought crossed my mind uninvited.

“Mai—”

( I-)

I didn’t get to finish.

“Randeep ji!!!!!! Veeer jiiiii!!!!! Nav!!!!! Shubhh!!!!!!!!”

Mom’s scream tore through the room.

Sharp. Urgent. Panicked.

We all froze for a split second before chaos broke loose.
Her voice didn’t stop, if anything, it grew louder.

We rushed toward Dadi’s room.

She was sitting on the bed, her breathing uneven, one hand pressed tightly against her chest. Her face looked pale, wrong.

My heart dropped straight to my stomach.

I didn’t think. I moved.

I pulled out my phone and dialled the doctor.

“Shubh, car jaldi!!” I shouted.

He ran downstairs immediately.

✧

Nav POV

After an hour, Dadi was stable.

It turned out to be an asthma attack.

We were all standing inside the hospital room—too close, too tense, too scared to sit. Relief sat heavy in the air, mixed with anger. All of us were upset with Dadi, because if she hadn’t skipped her medicines, none of this would have happened.

She was an asthma patient. She knew better.

Papa and Bade Papa scolded her first. She listened quietly for a few minutes, eyes fixed on the white sheet—
and then, like only she could, she turned the tables.

She started scolding them instead—about their childhood, their habits, their stubbornness

Dad tried to calm her, moving closer and sitting beside her bed.

“Deep. Meri gal sun.”

( Deep listen to me.)

“Menu ni pta mai kine chir aa—”

(“I don’t know how long it’s been for me—”)

Papa interrupted softly, “Mmy aye na kaho—”

(“Don’t say no to Mom—”)

But Dadi cut him off immediately.

“Chup kar, menu boln de.. menu ni pta mai kine chir aa, mere jeyonde nav da viah krde. Mere pasnd di kudi nal”

(“Be quiet, let me speak… I don’t know how much time I have left, but I want to get Nav married while I’m still alive. To the girl of my choice.”)

She said it while holding Papa’s hand tightly.

I froze.

Well played.

She had done this on purpose.

And suddenly, guilt hit me like a punch to the chest. I could’ve endured scolding. Even a beating.
But this?
Using her health to push my marriage?

This wasn’t fair.

“Mmy, Nav nu ta puch lo pehla, ki pta oh kise nu pasand krda hove, apa aye kive viah kra sakde aa,”,
Mom intervened, worry etched clearly across her face.

(“Mom, at least ask Nav first. What if he already likes someone? How can we get him married like this?”)

“Mai Maddi kudi thodi labbu!”
Dadi snapped back at her.

(“I’m not going to find some worthless girl!”)

“Tusi changi labho ge mummy ji, menu pta, bus menu mere putt di fikar aa.. mera putt tang na hove”
Mom’s eyes shifted to me.

(“You’ll choose a good girl, Mom, I know. I’m just worried about my son… that my son shouldn’t be troubled.”)

Dadi gestured for me to come closer.

I stepped forward.

“Nav. Je mai tera ranvijay di kudi nal viah kra da, tenu koi dikkat?”

(“Nav, if I get you married to Ranvijay’s daughter, would you have any problem with that?”)

I smiled—slow, controlled.

“Aapke fesle mai, main bol sakta hu kya? Jive tusi kahoge , mai ove kar lu”

( “Can I say anything in your decision? Whatever you say, I’ll do that.”)

I played along.

“Bus fr. Deep tu ranvijay nal gal kr, te kudi da hath mang, te apa chal ke rishta pakka kr avange, koi dikkat?”

(“That’s it then. Deep, you talk to Ranvijay, ask for the girl’s hand, and we’ll go and make the alliance official. Any problem?”)

“Jive tusi kaho mmy,”
Papa replied without hesitation.

(“As you say, Mom.”)

Mom reached up and caressed my head gently.

“Nav tu khush aa putt?”

(“Nav, are you happy, son?”)

Her voice was soft, but her eyes still carried concern.

I nodded.

She leaned in and kissed the side of my head.

And just like that
my life had been decided in a hospital room,

Shubh’s voice cut through the tension

“Yeh family tradition hai kya,” he said dryly,
“ki jab bhi shaadi ki baat hoti hai, sabko hospital aana padta hai?”

He looked around, unimpressed.

“Dekho… main apni shaadi mein yeh tradition continue nahi karunga.”

Silence.

Pure, deadly silence.

Shubh slowly turned his head.

Papa was staring at him.

Not annoyed.
Not angry.

Furious.

The kind of glare that clearly said: I will skin you alive and then lecture you about manners.

Shubh didn’t wait for confirmation.

He instantly went quiet and stepped behind me, gripping my arm like a shield, refusing to look at Papa again.

Coward.

But a smart one.

“ I tried to lift the mood like you. ” he whispered to me

“ wrong timing beta.” I whispered back

✧

Nav POV

After we came back home, Papa called me into his cabin.

He didn’t sit.
Didn’t ask me to sit either.

He just looked at me.

“Do you want to marry her?” he asked bluntly.

I shrugged lightly.

“Mai vadeyan de vich boln vala kon huna papa? Jo tusi karoge sahi hi karoge. Jesi apki iccha.”

(“Who am I to speak in front of elders, Papa? Whatever you do will be right. As you wish.”)

Big mistake.

Before I could even blink, Papa took off his boot and swung it at me.

“Kanjar di laad!” he snapped.
“Menu Vijay ne phone karke sara koch dasta c. Mai pagal aa? Ya kal jameya?”

(“bastard’s child !” he snapped.
“Vijay called me and told me everything. Do you think I’m crazy? Or was I born yesterday?”)!

He came around the desk, boot still in hand.

“Propose karke kehna—jive thodi ichha! Jado mai puchheya c odo ta jawab deta v na—papa koch ni chalda!, te hun laad ne dadi nu v nal shamil kr leya. ”

(“Propose and then say—‘as you wish’! When I asked him earlier, he didn’t say a word—‘Papa, I don’t know anything!’ And now, this pampered brat has dragged Dadi into it as well.”)

“Papa je mai kanjar di laad aa ta kanjar ta tusi—”

(“Papa, if I’m a bastard’s child,  then the bastard would be you—”)

I didn’t get to finish.

Another shoe came flying.

I turned just in time—it hit my back.

I yelped and started running around the table.

“Yaar papa ki aa… kyo kutti jaane oh!”
“Hun thodi nuhn aaju… ki sochegi oh??”

(“What is it with Dad,… why are you beating me like this ”
“Now your daughter-in-law will come… what will she think?”)

Papa stopped suddenly.

“Idhar aa.”

( Come here);

“Nahi aunga…”

( No, i will not.)

“IDHAR AAAA!” he said in more stearn tone.

( COME HERE)

I slowed down, heart pounding, and walked toward him cautiously.

He raised his hand.

I instantly covered my face, lifting my arm in defence.

But—

He pulled me into a hug.

I froze.

Completely.

“Khush aa?” Papa asked quietly.

( Are you happy?)

I nodded.

“Bhout.”

( More than happy)

“Pyaar karda ohnu?” he asked again.

( Do you love her?)

“Jaan to v vadh ke.”

( More than my life)

Papa patted my back, his voice softer now

“Mera sher putt vada ho geya.”

( My lion like son is grown up)

He patted my back once more.
Silence stretched between us, so
I decided to break it.

“Papa… I didn’t involve Dadi,” I said quickly, the words tumbling out.

“I didn’t know she’d do this. I just told her I’ll talk to you tonight, and that I’ll probably get beaten up. I… I swear I didn’t—”

Papa interrupted me.

His voice was calm. Steady.

“Pata menu.”

( I know)

I looked up, surprised.

“She’s been skipping her medicines regularly,” he continued.

“I checked them myself. They’re as new as the day I bought them—several days ago. Not a single one taken.”

My chest tightened.

“I said all that because you told her before me,” he added, softer still.
“I’m not blaming you.”

Something inside me finally breathe

The ache I’d been carrying since the hospital visit
it eased.

Papa stepped back slightly, clearing his throat.

“Waise… Vani achi ladki hai.”

(“By the way… Vani is a good girl.”)

I grinned instantly.

“Papa, mmy ko bata dunga mai… aap shadi-shuda ho, saram kro. ”

(“Papa, I’ll tell Mom… you’re a married man—have some shame.”)

He smacked me lightly on the arm.

“Ahnnn—” I whined and started walking out while papa laughed at my dramatics.

“Mai mmy ke paas jaa raha hu…”
“Aap to pitte rehte ho har time.”

(“I’m going to Mom now…”
“You keep getting beaten up all the time anyway.”)

And for the first time that day

I walked out smiling.

✧

At night, standing by the window, I called her.

“Hi, solnyshka…” I said as soon as the call connected.

“Navvv!!!!” her voice burst through the phone.
“Tumne baat ki??? Kya hua??? Tumhare ghar wale maan gaye????”

( Did you talk to them??? What happened??? Did your family agree???”)

All in one breath.

I chuckled.

“Arey saans le lo… haal-chaal toh puch lo pehle,” I teased.

(“Hey, breathe for a second… at least ask how I am, What i am doing,nfirst.”)

“Nahi,” she said immediately, her voice tight with anxiety.

( No)

“Woh sab baad mein hota rahega. I was stressed the whole day. What if your family doesn’t agree? Just tell me—tumne baat ki? Kya hua? Tumhare ghar wale maan gaye? Kya kaha unhone? Kuch kaha??”

(“All that can wait. I was stressed the entire day. What if your family doesn’t agree? Just tell me—did you talk to them? What happened? Did your family agree? What did they say? Did they say anything?”)

I smiled to myself, leaning against the window, loving how much she cared.

“Boloooo!!!”

(Say)

I sang softly, unable to stop myself—

“Hun eko sadi mang,
Sanu aa giya pasand,
Vich sohniye vichola pa, ni lena tenu…”

(“Now there is only one demand of ours,
We have come to like you,
O beautiful one, place a mediator in between,
we will make you…..”)

I paused, then continued with a grin—

“…family di member bana,
Ni lena tenu family di member bana.”

(“Make you a member of the family,
We will make you as a member of the family.”)

I laughed at myself, tossing a cushion into the air, catching it, then falling back onto the bed.

God, I was crazy.

On the other side of the call, Vani was clutching a cushion to her chest, her heart racing.

“Sach mein?” she asked after a beat, her voice trembling with hope.
“Maan gaye woh?”

( Seriously, they agreed??)

“Ji haan…” I said softly.
“Soon-to-be Mrs. Brar.”

( Yes)

I wished—desperately—that I could see the blush I knew had spread across her face.

We talked for hours after that. Teasing each other. Laughing. Dreaming out loud about our wedding, our life, all the little things.

The night slipped away without either of us realising.

✧

The next day, when everyone was getting into the cars—

Shubh looked at Dadi and grinned.

“dadi ehne sohne tyar hoye oo, dadu labhn da koi plan??”

(“Dadi, you’re dressed up so nicely—are we planning to find Dadu?”)

“Chup kar, khoteya!” Dadi snapped immediately.
“Es umar ch main… chee!”

(“Shut up, you idiot!” Dadi snapped immediately.
“At this age, me? Ugh!”)

Then, with absolute pride

“Main ta meri nuhn nu miln jaana. Ta tyar hoi aa.”

(“I’m going to meet my daughter-in-law. That’s why I’ve gotten ready.”)

” Ohhhooooo” shubh grinned like and idiot

Everyone burst out laughing, dadi’s bond with their grandchildren is the most coolest bond in the house.

The servants loaded the cars with shagun, carefully arranged gifts for the bride.

✧

Sitting in the car, I leaned my head back against the seat and let out a slow breath.

My phone was still warm in my hand.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Everything felt unreal—too good, too fast, too right. The fear that had been snapping at me for days was finally quiet, replaced by

Happiness.

And beneath it, anticipation.

Not the restless kind—but the kind that makes your chest feel full. The kind that whispers that the waiting, the chaos, the doubt… all of it had been worth it.

She’s mine, I thought.
And I’m hers.

My phone buzzed with a notification.

I glanced down at the screen while everyone around me was settling into their seats, laughter and chatter filling the car.

“Sir, there were 6 men… and 1 woman.”

Below the message, detailed biodata files were attached.

In an instant, all the warmth in my chest evaporated.

The happiness I’d been carrying just moments ago hardened into something darker.

Rage.

My jaw tightened as I scrolled.

Faces. Names. Histories.

I will destroy every single one of them who ever laid eyes on her.

Another message came through.

“But four of the men just vanished.
No address. No family.
No missing reports.
It’s like the earth swallowed them whole.”

My grip on the phone tightened.

“Keep looking,” I replied.

And this time,
I wasn’t smiling.

I will give her the world,
But I’ll start with giving her the heads  of the people who made her life a living hell.

✧

I was sitting in their house, eyes wandering everywhere, trying to find that one person

Meri wali kahan hai yaar?

(“Where is my girl, )

“Nav beta, kuchh dhoondh rahe ho kya?” Divya aunty asked, following my gaze.

(“Nav, son, are you looking for something?”)

I looked back at her, still silently hoping she’d appear any second.

“Haan,” Ranvijay uncle cut in dryly,
“pitne ke kaaran.”

(“Yes,” Ranvijay uncle cut in dryly,
“a reason to get beaten up.”)

I rolled my eyes.

“Tu sudhrna ke nahi?” Dadi scolded him.

(“Will you ever improve, or not?”)

And uncle—
smiled.

Really? He smiles too?

“Maaji,” he said casually,
“ek toh jamai sa hai mera, taang bhi na kheenchu?”

(“Maaji,” he said casually,
“I only have a son-in-law—can’t I tease him a little?”)

A few chuckles followed.

Jamai saa?????? Am i hearing things? He is actually calling me that? I thought he’ll be making plans to murder me

“Acha, agar taang kheench raha hai toh theek hai,”
Dadi said, laughing.

(“Alright then, if you’re just teasing, that’s fine.”)

The dads slipped into stories about their younger days, Dadi adding her own commentary, while I discreetly pulled out my phone and texted her.

Still no reply.

Just when impatience was about to eat me alive—

“Vani puttar, aa jao,” Mom called out.

(“Vani come here.”)

My head snapped up instantly.

She walked out of the kitchen, a tea tray in the servant’s hands beside her. Soft, composed, beautiful.

Everyone stood up.

She greeted them politely, eyes lowered, movements graceful.

I couldn’t stop staring.

And she didn’t even glance at me.

Yeh kya baat hui?

(“What kind of thing is this?”)

“Vani, betho hamare paas,” Mom said.

( Vani sit with us)

“Gudiya, pehle chai de do,” Divya aunty added

( Doll give them tea first)

Vani nodded and started serving tea, moving from one person to another.

At last, she reached me.

She smiled—just a little—placing the cup and saucer in front of me.

And that’s when I did it.

I shifted my hand at the last second, intentionally unbalancing the cup.

Tea spilled—onto me.

“Shit!” Vani gasped, panic flashing across her face.

She immediately placed the cup aside and started dabbing my shirt with her dupatta, hands trembling.

“I’m so sorry—so, so sorry,” she said breathlessly.

Everyone tensed.

Hot tea. White shirt. Disaster.

“Arre, jal toh nahi gaya?” someone said.

( Did you get burnt)

“ vani dhayan kahan tha!!” someone said and she again apologized

( Vani where were your Focus?)

Divya aunty stepped in quickly.
“Vani, use apne kamre mein le jao. Shirt badal do—shagun ke kapdon mein se ek de dena. Yeh kharab ho gayi.”

(“Vani, take him to your room. Have him change his shirt—give him one from the shagun clothes. This one is ruined.”)

Before I could even pretend to protest, I was being escorted to her room.

The moment the door shut—

“Shirt utaaro!” she said urgently, worry written all over her face.

( Remove your shirt)

She turned away immediately, rummaging through her cupboard.

“Ice le aati hoon—bathroom mein jao, paani se wash karo—thandak milegi. Towel bhi—haan, shirt bhi—oh god, I’m so sorry yaar…”

(“I’ll bring some ice—go to the bathroom, wash it with water—it’ll soothe it. A towel too—yes, a shirt as well—oh God, I’m so sorry, yaar…”)

She moved to leave again.

I caught her wrist gently.

Not letting her go.

She froze, confused, eyes lifting to mine.

And suddenly, the room felt very quiet.

I pulled her closer to me, instinctively

not caring about the burn,
not caring about anything else.

“Nav… tumhe—” she started, panic lacing her voice.

(Nav you–)

“Shh,” I interrupted softly.
“I’m okay.”

“No, you are not,” she snapped back immediately.
“Pehle shirt utaaro tum.”

( First remove your shirt)

“Hawww…” I grinned despite myself.
“Itni jaldi yeh sab? Besharam.”

( You want to do it this early? Shameless)

She slapped my arm, not hard—but definitely annoyed.

And then, without wasting another second, she started unbuttoning my shirt.

“Arre, itni jaldi hai tumhe yaar??” I teased shamelessly.
“I didn’t know you wanted this… this bad.”

( You are this eager?)

She shot me a glare so sharp, I shut up instantly.

I stood there like an obedient child, letting her work.

“Jao,” she ordered, pointing toward the bathroom.
“Ise wash karke aao. No arguments, Nav.”

( Go, and wash it then come back);

Her tone softened just a little before she added—

“Baad mein baat sunungi tumhari.”
“Abhi main ice pack laati hoon.”

( I’ll listen yo you after this, for now I’ll bring ice pack)

She turned away in a hurry, already halfway out the door.

And for a moment—
watching her panic over me,
watching her care this fiercely—

the burn on my skin felt completely irrelevant.

✧

After changing into another shirt, we were about to go downstairs when I held her hand.

She turned back, confused—
and before she could ask anything, I went down on one knee.

“Kitni baar propose karne ka irada hai?” she asked, half-teasing, half-soft

( How many times are you thinking to propose me?

“Har roz,” I replied simply.

( Every day)

Then I opened my clenched fist in front of her.

The soft chhan-chhan sound filled the room as the jhanjar shimmered in my palm.

Her breath caught.

“It’s not official,” I said quietly, my voice suddenly serious,
“until we put jhanjar.”

I tapped just above my knee.

“Put your feet here.”

She hesitated—just for a second—then placed her foot gently on my knee, trusting me completely.

My fingers were careful as I wrapped the jhanjar around her ankle, fastening it slowly, then the other one.

The sound was soft, delicate.
Like a promise.

“Woh suna hai tumne?” I asked, pausing before continuing.
“Tere gutt nu kada sardarniye, diamond di jhanjar pa da ge.”

( Did you listen that?? Will put a ‘kada on your wrist, and diamond anklets in your ankle )

She chuckled, shaking her head.

“Tum aur tumhare gaane,” she said softly.
(You and your songs.)

Then she hugged me—tight, warm, real.

✧

Downstairs, Vani and Nav were seated together.

Nav’s mother stepped forward and gently draped a phulkari over Vani’s head.
Vani lowered her head slightly, respect and shyness settling naturally into her posture.

One by one, the shagun was placed before her
suits folded with care,
fresh fruits,
jewellery that caught the light,
makeup,
and gifts chosen with intention and affection.

Vani accepted everything quietly, her fingers tightening around the fabric in her lap, eyes soft with emotion.

Then it was her mother’s turn.

She stood up and offered shagun to Nav as well—
a gesture filled with acceptance, blessing, and trust.

Nav bowed his head in gratitude.

And finally the marriage is going to happen soon
______________________________________

Sooooooooo, did you not get the feeling

” Sade shuru ne viah diya tyariya, I u v vekh sir te lave fulkariya…

Mere bebe ne kangan jehde sambe aa, menu tereya guttan de mech lagde….”

So most probably, in the next chapter they’ll get married, I’ll keep the rituals short, and now I’ll update after 5 feb, cause of …. Drumbeat🥁

Exams 🥳🎊.

For now, engage with this chapter acche se….

Will meet you in next chapter

Ta-ta