me into a functional project-something in the way mother and my ext

as become a tradition-and every night an additional" suggestion"

t like their bahus to wear Wes

iratorial tone, watching with keen ey

. "Good thing I'm n

ed. But she s

is to just ignore them altogether. But there was always that undern

course, ther

nner Turned

our truce was my very first family dinner at the Malhotras' house.

rsations among the elders. When I got the

onvince. "You must spend time with us before the wedd

en around the fork. "Sure," she said smooth

k, so I won't b

y mother's smile remained intact, but I not

portant," s

snare had been safely spruced up within Meera

is to herself." Everyone went quiet, and I co

u should tell your bride-to-be about how to balanc

t me again? Or by being too open in her defense, make them consider

that Meera is capable of shoulderin

enough deflection to soften the tension without giving in. Meera sh

ce. An Unlikely Understanding Later that evening, just

wing weeks. Rather than confronting their decisio

Meera was only too happy to agree and then went on to

hat maybe Meera would like more of an input-thereby putting them in a seriously unco

at any moment to push too hard or absolutely refuse. It was a delicate dance. Fo

Of Vuln

I found Meera on the balcony of her home watching the ci

a tired laugh. "Aren't they all

g up better th

no reply. For a moment we just sat there, city so

ould happen if we met unde

't being forced into this," she said. "If we met as strang

ot a choice." I hesitated, and then I just said, "We can still choose how

. We were still trapped, still reluctant. But for the fir

Shop

, gleaming jewel exhibits scattered around. Sales personnel hovered around t

, ma

engagement outfits! Would you l

smile on her face, while

nd sherwanis, intricate in designs. Meera absentmindedly ran h

imagined choosing her

he assistant inquired, holding up

raised her

s fi

d. "Would you li

g," Meera rep

did not much care for these traditions but could see how uneasy s

ry it," he said, surpris

d, disappoi

e adding, "If we're going to do this,

grilling her; it sounded rather like a suggesti

took the leheng

n turned to the mirror, adjusting his sleev

r the briefest moment, Arjun visualized something else. She lo

ed when she cau

take that as a compliment." He smirked. "It was one." In a flash, that resoluti

aurant E

ot far away. Their mothers made the reservation, th

t think much of it either but did not speak up when the waiter l

olled through his phone. Finally, Meera broke the silenc

as he put hi

you want me t

ridiculous. Tell me you hate it just as much as I do.

laining doesn't change anything." Meera cle

the alt

he engagement? Do you really think our famili

he answer somewhere deep inside her. "We aren't the ones in con

ed. "And you sound like someone who still thinks

ying her for a moment, Arjun replied, "Neither do I

Of Unde

ifferent this time-less hostile, more contemplativ

er. "What do you mean?" "This marriage," she said.

les." Meera turned to look at him, curious. "Rules?" Arjun nodded.

It did not seem very romantic, but it was practical. Finally, it

n smirked. "Glad we agree on something." This was the firs

could learn to walk this road together, on their own terms. Arjun l

sitated. "For not pretending." He nodded. "Anytime." Meera walk

ren't even partners yet. But they were not