𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

In families built on power, even destiny follows a schedule.

The priest studied the horoscope for a long, unhurried moment, his gaze unmoving as if he was not merely reading planetary positions but measuring something far deeper, something that could not be spoken directly.

The faint echo of temple bells drifted through the sanctum, blending with the soft murmur of prayers, yet around him, there was an unsettling stillness, as though time itself had paused in quiet anticipation. His fingers traced the edges of the chart once, twic, before he finally lifted his eyes, carrying with them a weight that had not been there before.

"Nandini ji... how old is he?" he asked, his voice calm but deliberate, as if the answer would confirm something he already suspected.

"Twenty-seven," Nandini replied without hesitation, her posture straight, her expression composed, yet there was a subtle tightening in her grip around her purse that betrayed the flicker of unease rising within her.

"And he is not married yet?" There was a pause this time, brief ut noticeable, as if the question carried more significance than it appeared on the surface."No."

The priest inhaled slowly,"His horoscope is strong," he began, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "Very strong. Career growth, reputation, authority, leadership... all the major placements are aligned in his favor. He is destined for success, and there is no doubt about the heights he can reach."

For a brief moment, it sounded reassuring, almost comforting her, lik everything was exactly where it should be.Then he paused."But..."

That single word settled into the air like a shadow stretching across light, subtle yet impossible to ignore, instantly shifting the balance of the conversation.

Nandini's fingers tightened ever so slightly around her purse. "But what?" she asked, her voice still controlled, though the calm now required effort.

"It would be highly auspicious if Mr. Veer is married before he turns twenty-eight," the priest said, each word placed carefully, deliberately, leaving no room for misinterpretation. "After that period, the planetary alignment begins to shift. It is not disastrous, but it is... unfavorable in certain aspects that concern personal life."

"Unfavorable... in what way?"

"Delays in partnerships. Emotional instability. Difficulty in sustaining long-term relationships. Situations where things may not settle as easily as they should." His gaze remained steady on hers. "This year presents a window that is rare and beneficial. It should not be missed."

Nandini did not interrupt, did not react immediately, because she was not someone who dismissed such things lightly. To her, this was not blind belief. It was structure, timing, a pattern that existed beyond logic yet influenced it in ways people often failed to recognize until it was too late.

"Are you certain?" she asked finally, her voice softer now, but no less firm. "Yes," the priest replied without hesitation, his certainty absolute. "If the family is considering marriage, it would be wise not to delay it beyond this year."

Nandini nodded slowly, accepting the folded horoscope and placing it carefully inside her purse, as though it now carried more than just ink and paper--it carried a decision waiting to take form.

Outside the sanctum, the world moved as it always did, filled with sound and motion, the scent of incense lingering in the air as devotees passed by, unaware of the quiet shift that had just taken place within a single conversation.

Yet Rekha noticed the change immediately, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Nandini's expression, the subtle seriousness that had replaced her usual composed ease.

"What happened, Didi?" she asked, stepping closer, her voice low but curious, sensing that something was not as simple as it should have been.

Nandini did not answer immediately, walking a few steps ahead before finally stopping at a quieter corner, away from the crowd, where words could settle without interruption. "He said Veer should get married before he turns twenty-eight," she said, her tone steady, controlled, yet carrying an underlying firmness that hinted this was not something she intended to ignore.

Rekha frowned, the information sinking in slowly. "Married... this year?" she repeated, the implication becoming clearer with each passing second."Otherwise there may be complications later."

"What kind of complications?"

"Delays. Partnership issues. Emotional instability." The words felt heavier now, spoken aloud, no longer contained within the quiet of the sanctum but existing openly, demanding consideration.

Ishita, who had been listening silently until now, finally spoke, her expression thoughtful but unconvinced. "Mumma... with respect, I don't think something like this should decide when someone gets married," she said calmly, her voice measured, not dismissive, but grounded in practicality. "Marriage should happen when he wants it, not because of a timeline written in stars."

Rekha shook her head lightly, her brows still drawn together. "Still... when a priest says something like that, we cannot ignore it completely," she replied, her tone softer but firm enough to show she wasn't entirely comfortable dismissing it either.

Ishita exhaled quietly, her gaze shifting away for a moment. "Or maybe we take it too seriously," she said, almost to herself, "and end up creating the very problems we're trying to avoid."

The statement lingered, carrying a quiet truth that none of them could fully deny.

But it was not enough to outweigh what had already settled inside Nandini's mind.

The car door closed softly behind them, shutting out the sounds of the temple as the engine started, and the city resumed outside in a blur of movement traffic flowing, people passing, life continuing with its usual rhythm, untouched by the quiet shift that had just occurred.

Inside the car, however, the atmosphere felt different, heavier, as if the air itself had absorbed the weight of the conversation.

Rekha sat in silence, her thoughts turning over the priest's words, trying to find balance between belief and logic.

Ishita leaned slightly toward the window, her gaze distant, unconvinced but choosing not to argue further, knowing some decisions were not made through debate but through conviction.

And Nandini... she remained still.

Perfectly still.

Her reflection faintly visible against the glass, her eyes focused ahead yet clearly somewhere else, processing, calculating, deciding.

One year.

That was all the time the priest had given, a narrow window that demanded action rather than delay.

Veer had never shown urgency toward marriage, always avoiding the topic with effortless control, always prioritizing his own path.

But this was no longer just about his preference. This was about timing. Stability. The future of the family.

And Nandini had never been someone who ignored the right moment when it appeared, no matter how inconvenient it seemed. Her fingers rested lightly over her purse.

¤¤¤

Pawar Mansion - Aarohi's Bedroom

Aarohi sat cross-legged on her bed, the soft fabric of her oversized lavender t-shirt slipping slightly off one shoulder, paired with loose white cotton pants that made her look even smaller in the vastness of her room. Her glasses rested lightly on her nose, strands of her slightly messy hair falling over her face as the faint glow of the laptop screen reflected in her dark eyes. The room was quiet, too quiet.

Except for the sound of her heartbeat, which seemed louder than usual. On the screen in front of her... her result of final year exams. For a moment, she just stared.

As if her mind needed time to catch up with what her eyes had already read. Then suddenly "I topped..." The whisper left her lips before the realization fully hit.

And in the next second "Oh my God... I TOPPED!"

She shot up on the bed, her laptop almost slipping from her hands as she stood, laughing, breathless, her entire face lighting up in a way it rarely did. She jumped once, then again, her happiness spilling out in pure, unfiltered energy, as if for the first time, something in her life had gone completely right.

Turning instinctively, she rushed toward the wall beside her bed the one covered with posters of her fictional favorites, her safe world, her silent companions. Hugging the wall tightly, she pressed her cheek against it, smiling like a child who had no one else to share her joy with.

"I'm so happy... you have no idea," she murmured softly, almost laughing through her words. For a moment, it was enough, more than enough.

She sat back down on the bed, pulling the laptop into her lap again, her fingers slightly trembling not from fear this time, but excitement. Her eyes moved quickly across the screen... until they stopped.

-Counselling Section.

The cursor blinked, her smile faded. Slowly, the excitement in her chest softened into something quieter, something heavier. Dadi hadn't told her anything yet about Aniket's permission.

Which meant...she didn't know if her father had given permission. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to upload her documents, ready to take the next step, ready to move forward for once in her life...

But she couldn't, not yet. The room, which had felt alive just moments ago, slipped back into its usual silence. And Aarohi sat there, staring at the screen, caught between what she had achieved...and what she was still not allowed to choose.

Aarohi stood up abruptly, the hesitation still lingering in her chest, but determination pushing her forward. "I should just ask Dadi..." she murmured to herself, more like convincing her own courage than making a decision.

Without wasting another second, she stepped out of her room, closing the door softly behind her. The long hallway stretched ahead, her footsteps were light, almost hesitant, as she walked toward Kamala's bedroom.

Her mind was still stuck on one thought What if he said no?

So much so...that she didn't notice who was coming from ahead. Not until "Choti ma'am..." Rajeev's voice broke through her thoughts. Rajeev was Aniket's trusted man.

Aarohi stopped, her head lifted. And her eyes landed on them.

Aniket, Mahesh and Rajeev, standing slightly behind them. For a second, everything inside her stilled. It had been months,... months of living under the same roof... yet never crossing paths like this. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides as she stood there, caught off guard, unprepared.

Aniket's gaze fell on her and the shift in his expression was immediate... visible disappointment. As if her mere presence in that space was something inconvenient and unwanted.

Aniket didn't look at her not properly. His gaze passed over her like she was part of the hallway, not someone standing in it. Adjusting his watch, he spoke to Rajeev, his tone calm, almost bored.

"Rajeev, I hope you understand the difference between staff movement... and unnecessary appearances," he said, his voice low but cutting. "Some people forget their place too easily. It reflects poorly on the discipline of the house."

Rajeev immediately lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Saheb. It won't happen again." Aniket gave a faint nod, as if that was the only response worth acknowledging. "See that it doesn't," he continued, his tone steady, precise. "This is not a place where... every existence needs to be noticed. Some things are better kept... out of sight."

Aarohi's throat tightened. The words didn't come to her directly... but they reached her, perfectly. Still, she tried. A small, fragile attempt. "Dad, I just wanted to tell you..."

He didn't let her finish, "Rajeev," Aniket spoke again, cutting through her voice like it had never existed, "ensure that next time, there are no interruptions. I don't entertain distractions... especially the ones that serve no purpose." His expression didn't change.

The words didn't echo, they landed exactly where they were meant to. Aarohi's breath caught for a fraction of a second. Her fingers tightened, nails pressing lightly into her palm, but her face remained still trained, used to this, practiced in silence.

Mahesh shifted slightly, his expression softening as his eyes flickered toward Aarohi for a brief moment. There was concern there. Helpless, quiet concern. But no words followed, there never were and Aniket... he didn't look at her again.Not once.

As if she had already disappeared. He turned and walked past her, his steps steady, unaffected, continuing forward without the slightest pause. Rajeev immediately followed him.

Mahesh lingered for just a second longer, his gaze resting on Aarohi, as if he wanted to say something..anything. But then he lowered his eyes and followed his elder brother.

Aarohi stood there for a few seconds after they left, as if her body had forgotten how to move while her mind replayed everything all at once. The hallway felt longer now, emptier, heavier... like it had quietly witnessed something it was already used to.

Slowly, she turned back. Her steps were no longer rushed. No longer hopeful. "Why...?" the word slipped out under her breath, fragile, almost breaking as it formed. "Why always me...?" Her throat tightened, but she continued walking, her voice barely above a whisper now, like a conversation she had with herself far too often.

"I also want sharing my results with him... sitting with him... talking normally... just once..." The words faded before they could fully exist.

Because even she knew...they had nowhere to go. She reached the point where she was supposed to turn toward Kamala's room. Her feet paused, just for a second.

Hope... tried. Then reality answered, her gaze dropped slightly, and without another thought, she turned in the opposite direction. Back to her own room. Because she knew.

After what just happened... after the look on his face...no matter how much Kamala tried...Aniket was not going to say yes, not for her.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her a little more firmly than usual. The sound echoed softly in the quiet room.

Aarohi leaned back against the door for a moment, her eyes closing briefly as she took a slow breath, trying to steady herself, trying to push everything back to where it belonged hidden, controlled, untouched. Then she walked toward her bed and sat down, pulling her knees close again, just like before. The laptop screen was still on.

Aarohi pulled her knees closer, wrapping her arms around them as if holding herself together. Her gaze stayed fixed on the laptop screen, but she wasn't really seeing it anymore. She inhaled slowly, forcing a small nod.

"Okay... it's fine... it's fine," she whispered to herself, her voice soft but trying to sound steady. "There is still time for counselling... six months... and relax... everything will be fine."

She gave a tiny, almost fake smile, like she was convincing a child except the child was her own heart. Because if she didn't say it...no one else would.

¤¤¤

Bhosale Mansion-Living Room

The living room of the Bhosale mansion carried its usual air of quiet authority, every corner polished to perfection, every object placed with intention.

Vikram entered with measured steps, his presence alone enough to stiffen the atmosphere. Beside him walked Nikhil, his assistant of a decade, loyal and precise.

Vikram adjusted his cufflinks before speaking in a calm but commanding tone, "Nikhil, get in touch with the creative director. Tell them the campaign needs refinement, not compromise. And make sure the team shortlists only top-tier models no mediocrity, no rushed decisions." Nikhil gave a slight nod, already noting everything mentally, and left without another word.

Across the room, Nandini paced slowly, her saree brushing softly against the marble floor. Her thoughts were tangled, looping around one thing ...Veer . I have to find a girl for him ... before it's too late, she told herself, her worry deepening with every step.

She didn't even notice Vikram watching her for a moment before he finally spoke, his voice cutting through her thoughts. "Nandini ji, you've been walking in circles for quite some time now. Is something troubling you, or is it just another storm you're preparing in your mind?"

She stopped, turning toward him with a hesitant breath. "Vikram ji... I went to the temple today," she began, her voice softer now, almost cautious. She narrated everything that had happened there, each detail carefully placed, as if hoping he would understand the weight behind it.

As she spoke, Vikram's expression hardened, his jaw tightening ever so slightly, the calm exterior barely masking the irritation brewing underneath.

When she finished, she gathered courage and said"I think... we should get Veer married. In ten months, he'll turn twenty-eight. It's time, Vikram ji."

The words lingered in the air like a challenge Vikram let out a dry, humorless breath. "You're thinking about his marriage?" he said, his tone sharp but controlled. "Tell me something, Nandini ji why are you so eager to ruin another girl's life by tying her to someone like Mr. Veer? Careless, irresponsible... a man who treats life like a playground without consequences." His eyes held no softness, only blunt judgment.

Nandini frowned, hurt flickering across her face "Vikram ji, he is your son."

"That may be true for you to feel comfort in saying," Vikram replied coldly, "because to you, he is your sabse pyara beta (beloved son). But let's not pretend he carries even a fraction of what this family stands for. Discipline, responsibility, vision he rejects all of it He is impulsive, reckless, unfocused... and completely indifferent to accountability." His voice grew heavier with each word. "At least Virat understands what it means to uphold a legacy."

He paused, then added with a cutting edge, "Veer is nothing but... defective blood."

Nandini "Vikram ji..."

The silence that followed was sharp enough to slice through. And then slow, deliberate clapping echoed from the entrance.

Both Vikram and Nandini turned. Leaning casually against the doorway stood Veer, dressed sharply in a suit, his expression carrying that familiar blend of amusement and defiance. He clapped once more before smirking, "Wow, Mr. Vikram Bhosale... hearing such glowing 'praise' from you ... what a rare privilege. I must say, my day just got infinitely better."

He walked toward them with unhurried confidence, each step echoing his refusal to be diminished. Nandini immediately stepped forward, her voice laced with concern. "Bas, now both of you... don't start again."

Veer glanced at her, his expression softening instantly. "Mamma, I'm not the one starting anything," he said gently, then tilted his head toward Vikram. "Didn't you hear what your Pati Parmeshwar was saying about me?"

Vikram's jaw clenched, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Mind your tone, Mr. Veer."

Veer let out a quiet chuckle, unfazed. "Tone?" he repeated. "Mr. Vikram Bhosale, let's be clear ....I live life on my terms. Always have, always will. I don't need approval, permission, or validation. I do what I want... when I want."

For a moment, their eyes locked authority versus defiance, control versus chaos. Without another word, Vikram turned and walked away, his silence louder than any argument

The tension lingered like smoke. Nandini sighed, stepping closer to Veer. "Beta..." Veer's expression softened again, all his sharpness dissolving in front of her. "Mamma," he said quietly, "I don't want to get married. No matter what you try... it's not happening."

"I will speak to Baba," she replied, trying to sound firm but clearly worried.

Veer shook his head with a faint smile. "Mamma, you can't threaten me with Dada ji's authority either. You can try anything... but I'm not changing my decision."

Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "Love you."

And just like that, the storm turned into a breeze-at least for her. He straightened, slipped his hands into his pockets, and walked upstairs toward his room, leaving behind a trail of unresolved tension.

Nandini stood there for a moment, her gaze fixed on the staircase where Veer had just disappeared, as if hoping he would turn back, soften, say something... anything. But silence stretched instead. A tired sigh escaped her lips as she slowly walked toward the sofa and sank into it, her hands resting in her lap but her mind anything but still.

"Why do these two... hate each other so much?" she murmured under her breath, her voice carrying both confusion and quiet pain. It wasn't just disagreement it was something deeper, sharper... something that refused to heal

Her thoughts began to spiral, threading together years of distance, unspoken words, and clashing egos. Vikram's rigid expectations... Veer's untamed defiance. One built on control, the other on freedom.

Neither willing to bend, neither ready to understand. And in between them she stood, always trying to hold together what kept slipping apart.

She closed her eyes for a brief second, but even that brought no peace. "I can't just sit like this," she whispered to herself, her fingers tightening slightly over the edge of the sofa. "Not anymore." The echo of the pandit's words from the temple resurfaced in her mind, clear and persistent, almost as if urging her forward.

Veer's marriage... it cannot be delayed. The thought settled heavily in her chest, but it also gave her direction.

With a sudden resolve, Nandini opened her eyes and stood up. Her hesitation melted into determination as she adjusted her saree pallu and straightened her posture. "I have to talk to Baba," she said firmly, as if convincing not just herself, but the entire silent mansion around her.

Without wasting another moment, she turned and began walking down the corridor toward Ramesh's bedroom, her steps steady, her mind already preparing for the conversation that could change everything.

Nandini stopped outside Ramesh's bedroom, her hand pausing briefly on the door before she knocked."Come in." The voice from inside was steady, authoritative, even with age.

She pushed the door open and stepped in. Ramesh was seated on his bed, his posture still commanding despite the years. Beside him stood Prakash, the family's old and trusted butler, carefully handing him his medicines with practiced ease. The room carried a quiet sense of discipline nothing out of place, nothing unnecessary.

Ramesh glanced at Nandini the moment she entered, his sharp eyes missing nothing. "Kya baat hai, bahu?" he asked, adjusting his glasses slightly. "Aap pareshan lag rahi hain."

(What happened daughter in law? You seem worried.)

Nandini stepped closer, her expression respectful yet serious,she sat on couch. "Baba... I spoke to Pandit ji in the temple today..." She didn't rush. She explained everything clearly every word, every warning, every implication the priest had mentioned about Veer's marriage before twenty-eight.

Ramesh listened without interrupting, his face calm, almost indifferent. When she finished, he gave a small chuckle. "Do you believe all these things? " he asked, not mocking, but clearly unconvinced.

Nandini's fingers tightened slightly, but her voice remained steady. ""Baba, please... this year is very auspicious. I can't ignore it." Ramesh looked at her for a moment, studying not just her words, but the conviction behind them.

"Par Veer ?" he said finally. "Unhe toh shaadi karni hi nahi hai."

(But Veer? He doesn't want to get married at all)

Prakash hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward slightly. "Forgive me for speaking in between, Raje... but I believe I know a suitable match. Well-bred, from a strong and respected family..." he paused.

"Go on, Prakash," Ramesh said, his tone calm but expectant. Nandini leaned forward a little. "Yes, Prakash bhau, please. Tell who is she?"

Prakash straightened, his voice gaining quiet confidence. "Mr. Aniket Pawar's daughter, sir." A brief pause filled the room. "My friend Rajeev works in their household. From what I've been told, she is well-mannered, educated, and carries herself with dignity. No controversies. No unnecessary exposure."

Ramesh's expression turned thoughtful, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. "The Pawar family..." he repeated slowly.

Nandini's eyes lit up slightly, the thought already forming ahead."Politically powerful, strong public image... and well-established roots," she added, her tone now measured, strategic.

Ramesh gave a small nod."A family like that understands legacy," he said. Ramesh's gaze remained fixed on Prakash, sharp and assessing, the room falling into a brief, weighted silence.

"Do you take responsibility for what you're suggesting, Prakash?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying unmistakable authority. "Because I do not entertain uncertainty when it comes to this family."

Prakash didn't hesitate. He straightened slightly, meeting Ramesh's eyes with quiet confidence built over decades. "Yes, Raje," he replied firmly. "I have worked in this house for thirty years. I would never bring something unreliable to you. The girl is well-raised, dignified... and suitable for this family."

Ramesh held his gaze for a moment longer. Thirty years of loyalty and thirty years of silence, discipline, and trust. That was not something he dismissed lightly.

"Hmm."

He turned his attention toward Nandini. "If Prakash is vouching for her," he said, his tone measured, decisive, "then she is worth seeing." Nandini's posture straightened subtly, hope flickering in her eyes.

"That's enough," he said, his voice low, steady unchallenged a pause. Then "Move forward with this proposal."

The words were simple, but they didn't feel simple. They felt like something had just been set into motion something that would not stop now. Nandini's breath hitched almost imperceptibly, relief and anticipation flickering in her eyes at the same time. She straightened slightly, nodding."Yes, Baba."

Prakash lowered his head respectfully. "I'll inform Rajeev " Ramesh gave a small nod, but his eyes had already gone distant calculating, composed, as if he was already looking ten steps ahead.

"The Pawar family is not ordinary," he added, his tone measured. "This will not just be a marriage. It will be... alignment."

A quiet, powerful word, alignment of power, status and influence. And once again, no one questioned him. Because in this house ...when Ramesh decided something it happened.

Outside, the evening had begun to settle, the sky slowly darkening, the world moving forward like nothing had changed. But inside a decision had been made, a proposal was about to be sent.

¤¤¤

Neither Veer nor Aarohi knew... that their lives had just been aligned, not by choice... but by decision.

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