Inception of My Staggering Future

Namit

When I saw my parents I realized I had missed them a lot. I just wanted to go and hug them but I knew they were angry. They were chatting with each other when I spoke, “Mom.”

Their heads whipped in my direction, a pleasant smile taking over mom’s features but then her smile faltered and she turned her head to the other side. Dad wore a blank expression and simply stared at me.

“Mom, Dad. . . are you angry with me?” I asked them.

‘Well done Namit Khanna! Such a dumb person you are.’ My inner self mocked me and I just mentally face palmed myself for asking such an inane question.

No response came from my parents. Soon enough everyone came downstairs and took a seat either in the chairs or the couch. I gestured to others to help me but they just shrugged it off. Of course, they were enjoying themselves! After all, I brought it on myself.

“Please forgive me. . . I am sorry, I have hurt you both a lot. I know I was not being a good son all these years but please give me a chance.” I pleaded but neither of them paid any attention. Dad was looking into his phone now and mom just avoided me.

I tried some other methods but none of it worked and my so-called friends were having fun, they were smiling evilly at me. I didn't know what to do when I thought of saying something that they have wanted for a long time.

“Please forgive me mom. . . Please dad. . . I can't get married like this when my parents are not talking to me.” I said and waited.

They instantly looked at me, trying to register what they just heard. Seizing the opportunity, I continued further, “You both heard that right, I am ready to get married and I already have someone in mind.”

It was the right moment and the iron was hot so without wasting any more seconds I struck hammer on the hot iron. I went towards the couch on which my parents were sitting and sat on my knees in front of them and held my ears, “I am really very sorry. . . Please forgive me just this once. I promise I won't disappoint you both ever.”

They both looked at me and mom instantly hugged me and started crying. I made her stop crying and she told me how much she missed me. And when I pulled back from the hug, my dad engulfed me into another one.

I was feeling ashamed at that moment for hurting the two souls who had wanted nothing but my happiness only. Not being able to upkeep their cheerfulness and being the reason for their constant worry was making me feel culpable for my act.

When dad and I had pulled back from the hug he put forth the question even Mom was curious about, “So who is the girl?”

I was about to reply, when my uncle interrupted, “Naveen Bhai it's her only. The one we wanted Namit to marry.”

Now, this was something new and unexpected which I was hearing.

“Arvind's daughter?” Dad asked uncle to which he nodded.

“Thank god it's her. “ Mom said, smiling widely.

“What's going on?” I eventually asked as I was unable to understand anything.

“Arvind Kashyap is my old business partner. I have worked with him on some projects in the past and some days back I met him at a charity event. He was accompanied by his daughter, Samaira. Your mom and I really liked her so we tried to find more about her, and then we came to know that she works in none other than Neeraj's company. We wanted someone like her only as your wife.” Dad said, smiling.

“Then let's start executing the plan now,” Nitya said excitedly.

“What plan?” Mom asked and I thought my truth would be revealed which I didn't want.

Nitya bit her tongue and then Riddhi saved me by replying to mom's question, “Plan to get Namit hitched.”

I somehow managed to make it up to everyone which I really thought was an impossible task and now my plan had to be executed, the plan to win my love.

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Samaira

I was putting on my earrings. My family had already reached the party venue, but we girls were running late.

“Sammy we are getting late, come out fast.” I heard Adya yelling from outside.

“If Aditi had brought anything unpretentious for me, I would have been at the party right now Adya,” I replied while tugging on the dress. Seriously I was too oblivious of why Aditi brought something like this. Even though the dress was exquisite, I hated gathering unwanted attention.

It was a silver nude coloured, cold-shouldered gown with butterfly sleeves having a v-neckline and low v-back cut.

I tried to convince Aditi against me wearing this dress but even Adya supported her and I finally agreed to wear it. I liked it but I lacked the confidence to present myself in front of so many people in this dress and that's the reason I was taking more time. If I arrived late, no one would notice me much.

“Sammy it's 7:30 p.m. The party has already started. If you think that going late will not attract the attention of others, then you are wrong.” Aditi shouted and I went outside aligning the straps of my heels on my forefinger.

“What do you mean?” I asked her after getting out of the room.

“Do you think we are fools? We know you are purposely getting us late, to avoid attention but going late will only attract more.” Aditi replied, clearing my confusion. I didn't even think that my plan would backfire like this.

“Now if you don't want that, then shall we go?” Adya asked and I nodded.

“By the way, you guys are looking really beautiful.” I appreciated Aditi and Adya.

“Thank you. . . but not more than you. He will not be able to take his eyes off you.” Aditi said to me and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I surely heard him saying 'he'.

“Who are you talking about Aditi?” I asked not getting what she meant.

“Who?” She looked back in confusion as if she forgot what she just said.

“You said ‘he will not be able to take his eyes off you’ just now,” I replied.

“Did I?” She asked, frowning.

When I nodded, she replied, “I meant ‘hey’ not ‘he’. It might have slipped from my tongue. You know how I speak nonsense sometimes.” She shrugged, smiling sheepishly.

“You know you have been behaving weird since you came back from London. Is everything okay with you?” I asked.

But before she could say anything Adya interrupted us, “Guys the ride is here. Ishaan has sent the car and the driver and we are already late, so I think the conversation can wait and we should leave.”

“Ye-Yes of course. Sammy, we are getting late because of you!” Aditi chastised, changing the topic. She was behaving so weird. I decided I had to find out the reason but before that, we had a party to attend. Nescient I was, that I would soon wide open the gates of the Inception of My Staggering Future.