An Auspicious Union -3

 

With a head full of thoughts, I went back inside, lay down, and fell asleep again. When I woke up around 6:00 AM, it was already time to start the day. I got ready and reached the office by 8:30 AM. The first thing I did was head to the canteen, grab some breakfast, and dive into work.

The day got so busy that I completely forgot I still hadn’t told my dad my final decision.

Around 2:00 PM, my phone buzzed. I stepped out of the meeting room to take the call.

“How are you doing?” Dad asked gently. And then, without waiting too long, he came to the point:“So, what’s your response?”

I smiled and said, “Dad, since I was a kid, I’ve always believed you know what’s best. I completely trust your decision—for our family and for me.”

There was a long sigh of relief on the other end. And then he said, with quiet joy,
“I’m going to call Vimal’s mother and tell her... my son will soon be her daughter-in-law.”

Later that evening, my dad called Vimal’s mother. They exchanged warm greetings. She mentioned that she was currently in Vijayawada, standing at the Kanaka Durga Devi temple when she picked up the call.

With calm confidence, my dad said, “My son is happy to become your daughter-in-law. We have no objections. You have our full support.”

There was a short pause, and then her voice came through, full of emotion.
“All blessings from Durga Ma,” she said. “This is truly her wish.”

She added, “Both their kundalis match well. There’s strong compatibility between them and further added there would be two kids for us.”
Then, with a soft but firm tone, she said, “Please tell your son… now is the time to start learning how to be a daughter-in-law, and to understand our traditions. This isn’t just about marriage—it’s about becoming part of our family, our values.”

My dad promised her that I would do my best.

And as I heard all this later from him, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of nerves… and excitement.

Around 6:00 PM, after reaching home from work, I checked my phone. There were several missed calls from my sister, mom, and dad. I hadn’t noticed earlier because my phone was on silent.

I quickly called them back on a video call.

For the first time, I saw my dad smiling on a video call. Mom and my sister looked so happy. All three of them wished me best wishes with joy in their eyes.

Then, after a few minutes, Dad smiled and said, “You ladies continue the discussion,” and stepped away from the call.

His words stayed with me. You ladies.
It hit me—maybe in his heart, I was no longer just his son. Maybe, in his eyes, I was already his daughter now.

Mom leaned in closer and said gently, “Vimal’s mother hopes you’ll start learning their traditions and culture soon. Don’t worry, … we’re all with you.”

The call went on for almost an hour. It was filled with support, laughter, and a strange kind of peace and anxiety.

After hanging up, I started preparing a simple dinner for myself. Just as I was about to sit down, I received a short message from my brother-in-law: "Congratulations."

I smiled.A few minutes later, there was a knock on my door.

When I opened it, I was surprised to see the same driver who had dropped me off the night before. He held a small box in his hands.“Sir asked me to give this to you,” he said.

He looked a bit surprised seeing me in a loose track pant and t-shirt—not the saree, not the soft look from yesterday. But he didn’t say anything.

I gave him a small smile and said, “Thanks.”

Then I closed the door, holding the box close… wondering what was inside.

With a rush of excitement, I opened the box.

Inside was a brand-new phone — soft pink in colour. I couldn’t help but smile. It was beautiful, delicate… and felt like a gift meant just for me.

I switched it on. There was only one number saved in it — his.

A message popped up:
“Thank you. Love you. This number is only for us.”

Before I could even react, the phone started ringing. It was him.

I picked up, trying to sound casual. “Where are you?”

He chuckled. “Mumbai. Important meeting. Should wrap it up in a day or two if all goes well.”

Then he asked, “And you? What are you doing?”I smiled and replied, “I’m talking to my fiancé.”

There was a pause, then we both laughed — soft, warm, full of something new.

Then, in his usual teasing tone, he said, “You know, pink really suits you. Just like that little smile of yours last night.”

I blushed.

He continued, voice softer now, “Now that you’re officially mine… I think I’ll have to start buying more pink things for you.”

“Like what?” I asked, amused.

“Oh, let’s see,” he said, pretending to think. “A soft pink saree. Maybe some pink nail polish… definitely a few cute pink nighties. And when the time is right—some lovely pink lingerie too.”

I covered my face with my hand, laughing. “Vimal!”

“What? I’m just planning,” he said, chuckling. “My wife should look like a dream.”

“And you’re perfect,” he said simply.

Then, trying to be serious, he said, “Hari Vimal…”

I paused. “Hmm… doesn’t sound right.”

And without meaning to, we both said at the same time:

“Harini Vimal.”

There was silence.Then I heard him take a soft breath. “Say it again,” he whispered.

I smiled. “Harini Vimal.”

“Beautiful,” he said, his voice low and full of something tender. “Now say it one more time… but this time, imagine me holding you.”

“Vimal…” I said, heart fluttering.

And then, without warning, he made a soft kissing sound over the call.

One on the cheek. Another near the ear. Then one a little longer—right on the lips.

“You promised not to flirt too much,” I whispered, blushing.

He laughed. “That wasn’t flirting. That was love. And just a few sample kisses from your future husband.”

After finishing my dinner, I called my sis from old phone and as she is also in her room she lifted immediately and then I started sharing that Vimal gave me a gift .

He gifted me a pink phone. Only his number saved. When I switched it on, he called. We talked for a while… and he kept teasing me.”

“Oh?” she asked playfully.

I smiled. “He said pink suits me. That he’ll buy me more pink things—a pink saree, nail polish, even… pink lingerie.”

Her laugh exploded through the phone. “Wow, he’s not wasting time!”

It wasn’t the kind of talk I used to have with my sister when I was her brother. She wasn’t talking to her brother anymore. She was speaking to her sister.

Then she added, almost casually, “When I am in Bangalore next week, let’s go shopping… just the two of us. For your new life. For Harini.”

She wasn’t joking.There was no teasing in her voice.

Our calls that night went on until 11:30 PM. Between the emotional day, the long journey, and a packed day at work, I could barely keep my eyes open.

We finally said goodnight and drifted off to sleep — with a soft kind of peace.

The next two days flew by. Work was intense. Meetings, deadlines, barely a moment to breathe. And in the middle of it all… no call or message from Vimal.

I kept telling myself he must be busy.

But by Wednesday evening, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I picked up the new pink phone — the one that felt like a quiet promise — and called him.

He answered immediately. As if he’d been waiting.

"I was just about to call you," he said quickly, "I’ve been swamped… I’m so sorry."

But before I could stop myself, I said, “No, no… I should be the one saying sorry.”

He chuckled, a familiar warmth in his voice. “The deal finally closed today. Everything wrapped up in Mumbai. I’m so relieved.”

I smiled, about to ask the question that had been on my mind for days — what kind of business is your family in? But something held me back.

He’ll tell me when it’s time, I thought.

So instead, we shared how our past few days had been — little details, quick laughs, small silences that somehow didn’t feel awkward.

Then, casually, I asked, “How’s sasu ma?"

I blushed instantly, hiding my face even though he couldn’t see me.

We spoke for a few more minutes. Then he said, “I’ve got a client meeting now — they’re waiting downstairs.”

With a mock-annoyed tone, I huffed, “Fine. Carry on then.”

He laughed — loud and genuine. “Sorry, dear… I really need to go and mentioned that he is travelling to Japan and will be back after one week.”

I just wished him best wishes for the trip.

In the meantime, Shivani informed me that she will be back to Bangalore on Friday night and asked me to come to her home on Saturday morning.

I am not sure what is happening, at office, I feel time is running very fast and at home ,feel its very slow. There is no message or call from Vimal and I also didn’t try to contact him as I am sure he will message me once he is back.