Akhil smiled at Laila who was walking alongside the beach in front of him. They had become friends for close to 7 months now and, for some reason, no one in Akhil's family talked about marriage.
"Akhil, come here," Laila called and Akhil jogged forward before noticing that Laila had drawn something in the sand. Looking at it, Akhil squinted before smiling when he saw that she wrote their initials and kneeled down next to her before using his pointer finger to draw a heart next to their initials.
Laila blushed and got up before scooping water up in her hands and throwing it at Akhil. Laughing, Akhil jogged after her and playfully threw water on her, as well, which made Laila giggle before a larger wave came in and almost swept her off her feet. “Akhil,” she yelled but he was already there to catch her with one hand tightly wound against her lower back while her hand came up to rest on his chest.
Looking down at her, Akhil couldn’t help the smile that came across his face as he gently stood the both of them upright and said,” Come. I’ll drop you off at home before I have to be at the house.” Laila nodded and the two quietly made their way to Akhil’s car before he dropped her off at the end of the street.
Akhil couldn’t help the smile that graced his features as he drove through the familiar streets and to his family home. Hearing a love song come on the radio, he turned up the radio and tapped his hands on the steering wheel before putting a hand in front of his mouth as he waited for the gate to be opened so he could park.
Rushing into the house he walked in calling his Mom before stopping when he noticed that everyone was already in the house. Stopping short he nodded his head at the elder that was sitting on their couch and apologizing,” I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was coming over today.” Malina just shook her head and pulled him over to the couch before quietly explaining,” Don't worry. Uncle has found a suitable girl for Rahul. Here, look,” she handed over the picture and Akhil took it with a smile before it slipped off his face when he registered the face.
Staring back at him was a picture of Laila and Akhil blinked at him a few times before he was tapped on the shoulder by his big brother. Looking over, he shook his head when Amir whispered,” Are you okay?” Looking up at his parents and then the Uncle who had brought the picture he excused himself and hurried up the stairs before sitting on his bed with the picture in his hand.
Grabbing his phone, he called Laila but it went straight to voicemail and he cut the call before trying to call her again. Laila paid no attention to her buzzing phone as she stood before her parents. “Abu, you’re joking, right? I mean, you’ve never spoken to me about my marriage before,” she argued with her parents but her father simply stared in front of him as he listened to his daughter argue with him.
“I’ve made my decision and that’s all I have to say about the matter. The boy’s family will be here to see you a week from now, be prepared,” he ordered and closed his eyes when Laila rolled her eyes and bit out,” Because that’s such a good reason to have a girl, right? First, you spoil them and then you marry them off to the most eligible bachelor.”
Without taking another look at either of her parents, Laila walked off to her room and curled up on the bed with her knees pulled into her chest. When her phone wouldn't stop buzzing she reached over to where she had tossed her bag and dug it out before seeing that Akhil had called her.
Calling back, she wiped her tears and cleared her throat as the phone line rang. Finally, a click sounded and Laila said, "Akhil," which spoke volumes to the young man who reassured, "I know. I know." Laila couldn't hold it together as she cried, "I don't want this Akhil. I don't," she got lost in her crying which she muffled with her arm while Akhil lowered the phone and wiped his own teary eyes.
"You won't. I'll do something, I promise but tonight, can we meet up with each other for a few minutes," he asked and Laila hesitated before nodding her head and telling him, "Let's meet up at the park near the movie theatres. Akhil," she tried to say but couldn't finish as Akhil interrupted her to whisper, "I know." The two ended the call and Akhil jumped at the knock on his door before calling, "Come in."
Amir walked in and sat on the bed next to Akhil who stared down at his folded hands. Without saying anything, Amir wrapped an arm around his little brother's shoulders and pulled him in for a hug which Akhil easily leaned into. "You know her, don't you," he asked as he pointed to the picture and Akhil tensed before the tension left his shoulders and he nodded. Amir kept rubbing a soft hand up and down his back, waiting for him to explain.
"Bhai, I want to marry her," he admitted quietly for the first time out loud which made him smile before the grip Amir had on his shoulder tightened. "Then you should," Amir admitted and Akhil twisted out of the side hug before looking at his brother in shock.
Amir leaned forward as he rested his elbows on his knees and explained, "Akhil, if you love her then you should marry her because we both know that Rahul doesn't know the importance of a marital bond right now. He can't even wake up in the morning let alone start a family. Yes, we're here and he will always be a part of the company but that doesn't mean that he can handle a wife and kids right now. Talk to Abu and make him understand."
Nodding his head at the advice Akhil and Amir settled into silence before Amir clapped his hands and said, "Well, then let's go,” but Akhil just shook his head in fright. “Bhai, Bhai,” he said to stop his elder brother from pulling him off the bed and dragging him to their parents. Amir raised an eyebrow and Akhil tried to come up with an excuse before blurting out,” I’m meeting with her today. She doesn’t know that I’m gonna marry her, yet.”
Amir smiled and said,” Good, I should come with,” which made Akhil grimace before he dissolved in a fit of laughter as Amir started to jab his sides making him squirm and try to get away. Amir smiled at hearing his brother's laughter since it was a rare sound for them to hear.
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