It took me so much time to edit this chapter. And after editing, it was unable to publish. I do so much for whom? For you guys. Can't you even vote? Am I asking too much? Dissapointed by less number of votes when having 200+ views in chapters.

Thank you everyone who voted and commented ❤

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Dharini's POV

Days are going so fast. Today is Saturday and my engagement is on Tuesday. Ma told me that I'll wear her saree that she wore on her cousin's son's marriage. It's a very beautiful saree. But blouse is not of my size, so mumma is sewing it so that it can properly fit me. Me and Sir will get engaged as of now, as sir told it is my 12th and I can afford no distractions. Also, he wants me to focus on my studies only, and if we get married, I will not be able to study for few days because of long wedding functions.

Till now, nobody except Rajeev sir know about us getting engaged. I don't know how people will react. How girls of my class will react when they find out that their crush is not single anymore and the reason is me?

Mishra sir's mother called today and told us that that only few people will attend my engagement as not everyone will be able to come on such a short notice. She even told mumma that not to worry about anything. She asked what color of saree am I wearing, I don't know why. She seems to be a nice lady. I like her already.

***

Sunday and Monday went in blur because of preparation. Today is my engagement but I didn't go to school yesterday too.
Our neighbor aunty has her own parlour so mumma asked her to get me ready for the event. This is happening with me for the first time. I never got ready like this. I can't even recognize myself in makeup. How will he react? Will he like it? I quickly stood and went near door frame "papa" I screamed from top of my lungs

"Yes Rini?" "Papa come here" He is my best critic.
Actually, he always praises me and says that I am always beautiful, no matter what I wear but when I look really bad, he simply tells me to change my clothes or hairstyle.

"What happened Rini? You know na I am b.." he stopped mid sentence when he saw me

My daughter is looking beautiful than Miss India Namratra"

"Papa her name is Namrata" Drishu corrected.

"Yes yes that one" he said.

"Let me bring my camera" he said and quickly went to his room, opened the drawer of his almirah and brought his camera to click my photo.

"Jiji you are looking very beautiful" "thank you Drishu" I replied.

(Doorbell rang)

"Drishu take Rini inside, they came" papa said

Me and drishu quickly went to our room.

(After some time)

"Chal Rini, tere sasural wale bula rahe hai" (let's go rini, your inlaws are calling) sasural, it sounds so foreign to me. I went to living room with mumma.

Avan's POV

Today mumma called Dharini's mother to tell her that we are not bringing many people with us and they should not be worried and arrange accordingly. Then I got an idea. I told ma in her ear to ask what color dharini will wear. Ma gave teasing smile to me then asked same.

"Purple pehen rahi hai teri hone wali mangetar" (your to be fiance is wearing purple) ma said and went in room. I quickly went through my shirts, but didn't find purple shirt.

Why dharini? You could've wear blue or orange or green. I dialed a number.

"Hello" answered on second ring

"We're going out" I declared

"Where?"

"I want purple shirt"

"Ringht now?"

"Yes, right now"

"Ok fine. But my bike is at servicing. Come and pick me"

"Ok"

I got ready and went to his home and blew horn

"Coming" there comes my one and only best friend cum brother Rajeev.

"What is so urgent?"

"I want to wear it tomorrow" I told

"Brother you can wear any shirt. It is just your engagement."

"But I want to match with her"

"Wait a minute, so she is wearing purple and that is why you want to wear same?"

"Yes"

"Woah brother, you are totally whipped" I chose not to reply him.

I finally purchased a purple shirt.

***

Today is my engagement. I wore my new purple shirt.

Everybody came. Kamla masi, Anand Masaji, Rajeev, and his parents. We hired a car to go at Dharini's place. Kamla masi and anand masaji will come on his scooter.

"Aanu" ma called

"Yes ma"

"Eat this" she forwarded sweeten curd in spoon. She believes that it is for good luck.

I ate it.
Then we sat in car.

We arrived at her home. It is beautifully decorated. They welcomed us. Sofa is replaced by matress. Everyone sat on it, whereas I was made to sit on a chowki (worship stool). Few ladies came and served us water. Her father and mother sat in front of me and doing what is told by priest to them.
They applied vermillion on my forehead, followed by rice.
They made me wear a floral garland, gave me a coconut, silver coin, a shirt & pant unstitched material and an envelope. Then made me eat a yellow peda (sweet).

Her mother got up and went inside. Few minutes later, she brought Dharini with her. Everybody started murmuring about how beautiful she is and I can hear it but can't see her because my back is facing her and I can't just turn to look at her in front of around 25 people. She will come to sit beside me then I will loo..

My words in my brain died down as soon as she came in my view. Beautiful, she is. Makeup only enhanced her beauty.
Someone clears throat. I realized I'm staring at her I quickly looked front and there he is, Rajeev with his world famous smirk. He wiggled his brows and passed a smile to showoff that he brush his teeth everyday. I ignored him and focused on the rituals going on. Ma and baba sat in front of Dharini. They applied vermillion on her forehead, followed by turmeric and rice. Ma made her wear floral garland, then gave her a coconut, a red saree, a silver coin, silver anklets and an envelope of money. She has smile on her face which already made my day.



One by one everyone came from her and my side and gave us envelopes.
Now it's time for lunch. We were made to sit on a mat beside each other. Ma came to me and fed me a spoonful of kheer then fed same to Dharini from that same spoon. Her mother came, she fed a piece of jalebi to Dharini then fed me her ort sweet. They believe ort meal increases love.

Well.. I don't have any problem in that.

After lunch, we all are sitting. I want to talk to Dharini.. alone! But I know I can't. Not right now.

"Hello Bhabhi" Rajeev greeted dharini.

At first she didn't reacted, then I realized that she is not used to being called bhabhi. Then she saw him with shocked expression then blushed.

"Sir.." he interrupted her. "no sir today, I came here as his friend or you can say his brother. Don't call me sir here, you are not my student right now bhabhi" to which Dharini gave her 440 megawatt smile. "Ok brother" she replied.

It is time to go back. And I didn't get the opportunity to talk to her at all.

"Ab aapki beti meri bahu bhi hai. Dhyaan rakhiyega Anav ki amanat ka" Ma said to her mother while caressing Dharini's head. (Now your daughter is my daughter-in-law too. Take care of Avan's precious) This made Dharini's face crimson red.

Oh my girl is blushing.

My fiancee...

I saw her and gave a smile which she reciprocated then sat in the car. Glanced at her one last time before car started moving.

After we came back, everyone went to their respective homes. Ma and baba will leave early morning tomorrow.

*******
Dharini's POV

I came to school today, day after engagement with Mishra sir. It sounds weird but I don't know what to call him other than Mishra sir. Even the girls, who are crusing over him never take his name in their conversation.

I sat on my usual spot. English period is going on "hey you know Mishra sir got engaged" said Srishti to Astha.

"Whatt??? Who told you?" She replied. I tilted a little backwards to hear them properly, after all they are taking about my Mishra sir.

My.

"Today when I was at the entrance, Pratishtha ma'am congratulated sir. She said "Congratulations Mishra sir for getting engaged. Then he said thank you." By this time, others also took interest in their conversation. Oblivious to the fact that our english teacher is angrily looking at them.

"But Pratishtha ma'am never call him Mishra sir" reasoned Astha.

"Srishti, Astha" sir's angry voice boomed in classroom.

They both stood instantly.

"Out, now"

"Sorry sir" they said in unison.

"I said out now" sir said again. Calmly. But it doesn't sound calm. It sounds like calm before storm.

Mishra sir didn't pay attention to me today. This affected my mood. As soon as last bell rang I came out of class and went near gate to wait for Drishu. Then I saw Mishra sir with bunch of other teachers. Our eyes met, he gave a smile to me which I couldn't ignore. I know I'm blushing.

"Jiji" I looked at Drishti.

"Let's go" she said and we went towards our home.

*******
Next day

Mumma made Carrot Halwa (sweet) for us. She gave me two lunch boxes. One has sabzi roti and other has carrot halwa. "Mumma I'll eat this at home." I told mumma.
"This is not for you, give this to Anav ji. He stays alone, this is carrot's season. Who will make sweets for him? Give this to him" mumma said

"Mumma he is my teacher in school. I can't go and give him anything" I tried to explain.

"But it is not something illegal right? You both are engaged. It is not like you are giving flowers or something. It is just a sweet. Give it to him that's all." She ended the conversation.
Mumma is trying trying to create some romantic moments between us, but school is not a place to be romantic. What will people say?

I came to school with Drishti. She went to her class and I am contemplating whether to give the lunch box to sir now or during lunch. During lunch time, students will be here and there. I should give this to him now. I went towards staff room and saw that sir is sitting with almost all my teachers.

Ship ship ship! I can't give this to him right now. They will think I am bribing him or something. I turned around to go but I am late.

"Dharini Sharma?" Called Manish Sir. Oh noo.

I turned and saw every set of eyes on me, including mishra sir's amused ones.

I quickly went inside and greeted everyone. They all nodded their head except Sir. He is still looking at me amusingly.
I looked at him "Um..uh Sir, uh..my mother sent this for you" I forwarded the lunch box to him.

Awkwardly.

He sent a genuine smile on my way but I'm too embarrassed to reciprocate. Did I told you when he smile, a beautiful dimple appears on his right cheek?

He took tiffin box from my hand. "Tell her I said Thank you" he said with a smile. I quickly said ok and left ignoring all the staring people.

Or tried to ignore. My conscience said. Will you please shut you mouth?

Anav's POV

As everyone know by now that Rajeev and Pratishtha Ma'am's flirting game is in full swing, that idiot told her that I got engaged. And let me tell you, she can't digest any secret. By any secret, I mean, any big or small secret. So back to the story, she told this to shivani ma'am and that time, manish sir was also present, he heard it and now asking me about same in the staff room, which is stuffed with teachers. Everyone stopped their businesses to mind mine.

"Who is the lucky girl sir?" Asked preeti ma'am teasingly.

Before I could reply

"Dharini Sharma" manish sir said. How does he kno...oh

I looked at manish sir and saw in his line of gaze.

What a timing. Wow.. there she is.. my beautiful fiancee with her blush.

She came to meet...me? I thought she came here for manish sir as he is her class teacher.

"Um..uh Sir, uh..my mother sent this for you" she forwarded a lunch box to me. She's shy but bold at the same time. Infront of all the teachers she have got guts to pass me tiffin box. I don't know why but it turned me on. All my blood rushed down. Damn, she made me hard for the first time just by doing this simple thing? I saw lunch box
then her
then box
then her.

I took it from her

"Tell her I said Thank you" I said to which she blushed, said ok and turned to leave.

I saw teachers' faces, they are confusingly staring at us doing exchange of words as if they are watching a good movie, only popcorn is missing.

"Dharini" I called her back.

She turned

"Come here" I called her back.

She came.

"Everyone, you were asking whom I got engaged to. So here she is. Meet Dharini Sharma.....

My finacee"

"What?" Said Manish sir. I can see shocked written all over their faces.

Meanwhile my fiancee is a blushing mess.

"You are engaged to her?" Asked Preeti Ma'am

"Yes" I told her.

"Well..congratulations to both of you." Everyone said in unison.

"Th..thank you" "thank you" me and dharini said in unison.

"You can go now Dharini" I told her.

She said ok and quickly went out.

"Is it love marriage?" asked Vishal Sir.

I chuckled "well no..you may not believe it but it is an arranged one"

"Aahh..you are lying" said Akshay Sir

"It is an arranged one." Rajeev said. They know that I let Rajeev in my personal life. So they believed him.

Dharini's POV

Oh my god, he introduced me as his fiancee to my teachers. What will they think of me?

I quickly came to my class and sat. The atmosphere seems weird. Wait..why is everyone looking at me? did I got my period and stained?? It even crossed my due date. Ship! But no, I'm not feeling wetness on my panty and no cramps either. No, I didn't got my period. But then why these people are staring at me?

I came out of my thoughts when Manish Sir entered in class.

"Good morning sir" we said in unison while standing up.

"Good morning, sit down" he said and gestured with his hand for us to sit.

He started teaching after taking attendance.

"Everyone understood?" He asked

"Yes sir" many students replied. Those who didn't are like me.

"Dharini any doubt?" He asked suddenly.

"Um..no sir" I replied quickly as I'm too embarrassed that sir asked only me specifically.

Then bell rang and sir started to collect his things.

"Perks of having affair with teacher" said Samriddhi.

She just hate me, so do I. I don't know her reason but my reason is her attitude. She thinks that she's the best and she finds a way to insult those who doesn't flatter her. Like few days ago, she commented on amreen's financial status that how she saw amreen's father working as carpenter in her neighborhood.

Wait..

Did she taunted me? I quickly turned to look at her and found myself right.

Well..not quickly.

"So how does it feel Dharini to have affair with a teacher?" She asked

I looked at her. Though I am so angry but words are not coming out of my mouth.

"Oh..she must be the happiest girl right now" said Astha

"She would have done some black magic, otherwise our Mishra sir wouldn't even look at her way. Just look at her, she is not even fair and an average scorer. Why would he be attracted to her?" Said Srishti.

Don't cry Dharini don't cry..I kept saying.

Distract yourself Rini. Think about Kirtan's pani puri..yum

"I don't do black magic and it was arranged by our parents" I said.

"Oh please shutup, don't lie. If I didn't saw you today in staff room, we would have never known that how much you are steeping low to get attention from Mishra Sir, also..."

"What is going on here?"

I quickly turned back and saw that Samriddhi was cut off by..

Mishra Sir?

Oh ship! I hope he didn't heard anything.

"Good morning sir" we stood and said in unison

He gestured with his hand for everyone to sit. When I was about to sit.

"Everyone sit except, Dharini, Samriddhi, Ashtha and Srishti."

He heard.

And he seems so angry. For the first time I saw him this much angry.

"So who is going to tell me what was going on here before I came?" He asked .

When nobody answered.

"Giving you all last chance" he warned to us four.

"Sir we were talking about notes" said samriddhi fearfully.

Huh bleach.

"I am asking for truth Samriddhi, don't lie in front of me ever!"

He looks so good in anger, but till it is directed on others.

"Akshay"

"Yes sir"

"Tell me every detail of what happened here before I came"

Sir knows everyone so well. He knows who will answer honestly.

Akshay being one of the hater of Samriddhi, spilled all the beans, including what I replied.

Ship..I should have said that 'even If I'm not that fair like you but still he chose me over every other girl.'

Uhh why always best combacks come to my mind when the argument ends?

Sir came near me.

"Samriddhi, Aisha, Srishti you are not kids who feels jealous of someone because they got something that you didn't! Be mature! Is this how a 12th student should behave? Degrading others, calling names, insulting them?" Sir asked angrily.

"Sorry Sir"

"And yes I'm engaged to Dharini, does anyone have any problem? Because I don't think there should be any, as in school, I'm highly professional and I don't do favoritism. If it was Dharini in place of you, I would have reacted the same." He said now calmly.

"Let's leave this topic here, and don't repeat that" he said.

"Pathak sir is on leave today and as your Maths course is running behind, I will be taking two classes of yours." He said.

Oh no, I like sir but I still hate maths.

****
Somehow I survived today. This was the worst day. But good thing those social butterflies got their lesson.

Rightnow I'm waiting for the princess Drishti and there she is..

"Jiji, I'm going to Mitali's house with all my friends, her father brought Shahrukh Khan's new movie's VCR cassette, so she invited us."

"No Drishti, I don't allow you to go."

"But jiji I already took permission from papa."

"When?"

"In the morning"

"Ok, but if I found you are lying, then nobody can save you Drishu from me, not even papa." I tried to look strict.

Keyword: tried!

"I'm not lying jiji"

"Ok, how will you come?"

"Papa said he will pick me up at 7"

"Ok go and take care"

"Ok jiji, bye"

"Bye"

Huh wow, such a good day it was, now I will have to go alone.

I turned and saw Mishra sir on bike.

Oh my god, did he heard our conversation?

*****
Longest Chapter huh. 3376 words!

Atleast vote now for my efforts!

They got engaged finally and our Avan is already attracted to her.

Just like Drishti, did it ever happened to you that after argument ends, you think of best comeback and badly wish to reverse time so that you can give that befitting reply? Happens to me most of the time.

Tell me how you feel about this chapter in comments and vote to encourage me.❤❤❤