The cars stopped outside Anuti's house.
One by one, everyone stepped out of both cars—grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, uncle-aunt, Sana, and Ayush.
At the door, Anuti's father, uncle, and Shravan welcomed them warmly—
"Please come in…"
Everyone was seated in the hall.
Avyansh's grandfather, father Dilip ji, and uncle sat on the main sofa.
Anuti's father and uncle sat on cushioned chairs in front of them.
Avyansh's grandmother, mother Swati ji, and aunt Savitri ji sat on the other side sofa.
Sana and Ayush sat on the front chairs, while a few chairs remained empty.
After a while, Shravan and Avyansh returned.
Seeing Avyansh, Sana and Ayush immediately got up and moved aside. Shravan gestured, and Avyansh sat on the cushioned chair. Shravan sat beside him.
---
Inside the Room
Kritika hurried in and said, "Anuti… the guests have arrived!"
Hearing this, Anuti's heart started racing.
She nervously twisted the pallu of her pink saree around her fingers—the one her sister-in-law had draped on her.
Seeing this, Kritika smiled and said,
"Relax, Anu. If you don't like it, you can say no. No one will force you."
Anuti looked at herself in the mirror, smiled slightly, and nodded.
Kritika was very sensible—she worked in a small company and understood both home and outside life well.
Just then, little Shriyansh, sitting in Anuti's lap, asked sweetly, "Bua, what happened?"
Anuti kissed his forehead lovingly and said, "Nothing, Shri."
At that moment, Anuti's mother entered and said, "I'll serve water to the guests. You make tea, and prepare the poha I soaked earlier."
Anuti nodded, adjusted her saree, carried Shriyansh to the kitchen, seated him on the slab, and started cooking.
Shriyansh giggled watching her—
Sometimes she handled the tea, sometimes stirred the poha.
At times, the tea almost overflowed; at others, the poha started sticking.
Somehow, she managed everything.
---
In the Hall
Anuti's uncle and Dilip ji were chatting about old times.
The elders joined in, while Ayush and Sana played games on their phones. Avyansh was also scrolling.
Swati ji and Savitri ji told them to put their phones away.
Soon, Pooja ji and Kritika came with a tray of water and served everyone.
When Pooja ji offered water to Avyansh, he politely refused, "No, thank you."
Ayush whispered to Sana, "We were thirsty in the car, and brother still doesn't need water!"
Sana said proudly, "He's a police officer. They don't take tea or water."
Ayush looked at her like she said something silly, "That's such a bad lame joke."
Sana smirked, "No one can do it better than me."
Ayush sighed, "Shut up. You ruined my mood."
Meanwhile, Swati ji, Savitri ji, and grandmother noticed Pooja ji and Kritika covering their heads with their saree pallu. They felt impressed and happy.
All three silently prayed—"Oh God, please let Avyansh like this girl."
---
Pooja ji returned to the hall after keeping the tray in the kitchen.
Swati ji said, "We really liked your values and your daughter-in-law. We feel your daughter must also have the same upbringing."
Pooja ji replied, "You won't get any complaints. And if you find any flaw, you can guide her—she'll understand."
Then she thought in her mind, "I've said it, but this girl is quite careless…"
Savitri ji said, "Tell us something about your daughter."
Everyone became attentive.
Pooja ji said,
"Our daughter has completed BCA and MCA, and then a Doctor of Philosophy. She is currently a professor in a college. She returns home by 5 PM and teaches tuition for three hours. She knows all household work. She is 24 years old."
Then she paused slightly and said,
"We don't want to hide anything, so let me tell you…"
Everyone became serious.
Sana and Ayush also kept their phones aside.
Pooja ji continued,
"She is well-mannered, but still childish. Sometimes she speaks without thinking and is a bit playful."
Sana and Ayush relaxed.
Grandmother smiled, "That's not a bad thing. Our Sana and Shubhi are also very playful."
Avyansh ignored everything and kept his phone away.
Seeing this, Dilip ji said strictly, "Finished your work?"
Avyansh replied softly, "Yes, Dad. I had to submit an important case file at headquarters."
Anuti's father felt relieved hearing this, as he didn't like Avyansh's earlier indifferent behavior.
Pooja ji said, "I'll call Anutithika."
Hearing her name, Avyansh thought, "Anutithika… such a unique name."
Then he shook his head, "What am I thinking?"
But perhaps, something had already stirred in his heart.
---
In the Kitchen
Anuti stirred the tea and smiled slightly at Kritika.
Kritika whispered, "Breathe in… breathe out… relax. Everything will be fine."
Pooja ji signaled Anuti to come out.
Her heart pounded loudly.
Gathering courage, she picked up the tea tray, while Kritika held the poha tray, and they stepped into the hall.
---
The Moment
All eyes turned towards her.
Dilip ji smiled, "Wow! The aroma of tea is amazing."
Tea and poha were served.
Ayush whispered to Sana, "I have a crush on bhabhi's bhabhi."
Sana hit him, "She's married and a mother!"
Ayush then looked at Anuti, "But bhabhi looks nice too… wheatish complexion, but pretty."
Sana nodded, "Maybe her simplicity will break our brother's 'Vishwamitra-like' meditation."
Ayush sighed, "If apsaras couldn't, how will simplicity?"
Sana shrugged, "Who knows…"
Swati ji observed Anuti carefully. She liked her, but still wondered if Avyansh would.
Pooja ji smiled and said, "This is our Anuti."
Anuti greeted everyone with a soft smile, "Namaste."
Avyansh looked up… and froze.
A delicate girl, around five feet tall, with a soft wheatish glow. Her baby pink chiffon saree enhanced her beauty. Light makeup, a small bindi, soft pink lips—everything simple yet elegant.
Her dimples deepened her smile. A strand of hair playfully brushed her cheek. Her large eyes, lightly lined with kohl, remained lowered shyly.
For a few seconds, Avyansh just kept staring.
He nodded slightly in return.
Both of their hearts started beating faster.
Ayush muttered, "Brother… at least breathe. You'll melt her like this."
Sana smiled, "See? Simplicity broke the meditation."
Little Shriyansh laughed, "My bua looks the most beautiful!"
Everyone laughed. Anuti blushed.
Grandfather said, "The poha is great, and the tea smells wonderful."
Dilip ji added, "The girl truly seems well-cultured."
Relief filled Pooja ji's eyes.
Avyansh's gaze was still fixed on Anuti.
Anuti, shy and curious, wondered, "Did he like me?"
---
Finally, Pooja ji said,
"Beta Avyansh, if you want to talk, you can go to the terrace."
She looked at Swati ji and grandmother, who smiled and agreed,
"Yes, of course."
Kritika signaled Anuti and said, "Come."
Then to Avyansh, "Please come."
Dilip ji whispered to Avyansh, "If you like her, say yes. Don't overthink."
Avyansh thought, "Wow, Dad liked the girl… nice."
Both walked towards the terrace.
Reaching there, Kritika said, "I'll leave now."
Anuti looked at her nervously.
Kritika blinked reassuringly and went downstairs.
---
Now, for the first time,
two strangers stood face to face—
One, the lively Anuti…
The other, the silent Avyansh…
Will this conversation build a relationship?
Or will it end like the others?
How will their first meeting go?
What will they decide?
To find out, stay tuned to Arrange Marriage: Stranger to Lover.
Written by Limanshi Kashyap ✨