Chapter26

"Enough of business discussions. I want to know what decision you both have made about this marriage" Divyanshi asked putting an effective stop to business talks
"I guess we should get going now leaving you guys to the family discussions," Mithran said and stood up along with Isha
Soon Isha and Mithran left wishing Shravan good luck.
Shravan was uncomfortable with the way Vihaan Malhotra was glaring at him
"Uh well!! How was the trip? Drishti mentioned you people were on a vacation" Shravan asked trying to get over the awkwardness
Vihaan Malhotra, his father in law! Who would have thought?
"It was going very well until we realised our daughter is staying at some strangers house and that she lied to us," Vihaan said shooting a glare at Drishti, who smiled sheepishly
"How did you guess??" Drishti asked and Vihaan rolled his eyes.
"So this is your Shravani huh??" Diya asked
"Shravani?" Shravan asked
"Uh well! Paa started interrogating me and I said I'm at a friend's place. He asked me the friend's name and I blurted out the feminine version of your name" Drishti said with a shrug.
"Drishti! Why didn't you call us? You should have informed us immediately" Vihaan said in disappointment
"I didn't want to ruin your vacation," Drishti said sulking
"How thoughtful," Vihaan said sarcastically
"Baby. You should have informed us. At least before starting to live with him. How could you go with a total stranger" Diya asked
"His mother asked me to give this relationship a chance. And she is a sweet lady. I couldn't say No to her" Drishti said and Shravan looked at her in surprise.
Is that why she wanted to give their
relationship a chance? Because his mother wanted her to.
He didn't know whether to feel happy that she respected his mother's words or feel offended that she didn't want to give this a chance because of him
"And what if he was a serial killer? Or a psychopath?" Vihaan asked
Shravan frowned feeling offended
"Paa. Look at his face. Does he look like a serial killer? He looks too handsome to be a serial killer" Drishti said and Shravan felt his cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
"Is it any wonder that you always land in trouble?" Vihaan said with a resigned sigh
"And what is your decision now??" Vihaan asked
"You are leaving it to us?" Shravan asked in surprise. He thought Vihaan Malhotra would now demand him to give his daughter an annulment
"Do I look like an authoritative brute?" Vihaan asked
"No" Shravan admitted
"I love my daughters very much Maheswari. And I have always let them make decisions for themselves" Vihaan said
"Cool," Shravan said, his respect for Vihaan Malhotra increasing.
"So?" Divya prompted
"When di fights with me, will you be on my side jeeju?" Damini piped in
"Excuse me! He is my husband. So obviously he will be on my side" Drishti said with a scoff
Damini huffed in annoyance
"Don't forget that you were born only because of me?" Drishti said smugly
"That's not true" Damini argued
"If I haven't asked them to have a baby, you would never have been born. So always be thankful to me" Drishti said flicking her hair in attitude
Damini sulked
"Drishti" Vihaan called out her name in a warning tone
Shravan shook his head in disbelief.
"Do you realise how many times we got distracted from the main conversation?" Divya asked
"Maa. Give us two days. We will tell you our decision" Drishti said and Shravan nodded in agreement.
"Honey, don't make any impulsive decisions. It's a matter of your whole life. Think well. If you have any doubts, just tell us. We will always support you" Vihaan said
"Thank you, Paa"
"Meanwhile, we would like to have a conversation with your parents Shravan. Can you arrange for that??" Vihaan inquired
"Sure" Shravan consented and made a call to his father letting him know the details.
"Dad said he will call back in an hour after reaching home," Shravan said and Vihaan nodded
"So we have one hour. Come on! Let's go open your suitcase. What have you're brought for me??" Drishti asked in excitement
***
Pratap Maheswari called back in an hour
and Shravan connected the video call to the LED screen in the suite
"Drishti. How are you?" Anuradha asked as soon as the call connected
"Aunty. I'm doing good. How are you and uncle" Drishti inquired
"We are good dear. Shravan said your parents are there. We would love to meet them" Anuradha said
"Dad Mom. Meet Mr and Mrs Malhotra. Drishti's parents" Shravan said pointing at the Malhotra couple
"And I'm Ms Malhotra" Damini added, feeling offended that no one found it necessary to introduce her.
"Yeah! This is Damini Malhotra. Drishti's younger sister" Shravan added with a smile
"Vihaan Malhotra?? As in hotelier Vihaan Malhotra?" Pratap asked
"Hello Mr Maheswari" Vihaan greeted and they got introduced to each other.
"Shravan. Weren't you trying to get a meeting with Vihaan Malhotra?" Pratap asked vaguely remembering his son telling something of the sort.
"Yeah dad"
"And he turned out to be your father in law? Small world huh?" Anuradha asked with a chuckle
They talked for a while and decided to
meet in person in two days when the Malhotras gets back to Mumbai.
***
"I think it's time to leave," Shravan said noting the time.
Time flew by talking business with expert hotelier Vihaan Malhotra, while Drishti was having fun with her mother, sister and Siddhu.
"Why don't you both stay here tonight?" Divya asked with a fond smile
Shravan hesitated.
"It's okay. He must be busy. He already stayed away from the office the whole day. Let Drishti stay here." Vihaan said
"Oh," Shravan said
He was planning to talk to her about their relationship tonight
Maybe he will have to wait another day
"Drishti! We skipped college for four days in a row." Siddhu reminded. They are already lagging with attendance. If they take any more leave, the University won't let them sit for the exams.
"Four days?? Why in the heavens would you take leave for four days?" Vihaan snapped
"Anjana aunty wanted us to visit the Vaishno Devi temple. So I had to take leave" Drishti defended herself
"Four days for that?"
"I had to wear a saree for the pooja. So took an extra day leave for shopping. And then I was about to get ready for college today when I got the information that you were going to sell D Love. So I had to miss college again" Drishti said with a shrug
"Talking about that! Who told you I'm selling D Love?" Vihaan asked
"Damini," Drishti said with no regret making her sister huff in anger
"Your sister has not become an expert in eavesdropping like you Drishti," Vihaan said
"That's not my fault"
"Okay. Now don't get into another argument and scare Shravan off" Divya butted in
"I will take your leave. Goodnight Mr and Mrs Malhotra" Shravan said
"Come on. Don't be so formal. It feels awkward" Divya said
"Sure aunty" Shravan smiled
"Shravan Bhai. I will drop you home" Siddhu said and they left bidding a bye to the Malhotra family.