Seven - Payal

"I don't understand." Vivaan's father said. "You both want to marry each other, but not now? What is the issue with getting married now?" he asked.

They were arrayed in the sitting room of Payal's house, all the elders except Vivaan's grandmother. It had been two weeks since both of them agreed to the marriage. Both of them had told their parents only about their acceptance, preferring to discuss the rest of the matter with their elders in one place. In the last two weeks, Payal was preoccupied with closing two negotiations at the same time, such that she barely had time to talk to Vivaan. But when they did, all they had talked about was how they would convince their parents.

And so, at the earliest opportunity when they were both free, Payal requested her father to gather everyone together, saying that she and Vivaan had something to discuss. That was today, two weeks later, and it was decided that they would come over Payal's house.

"My residency, baba-sa" Vivaan said, jarring Payal back to the present. He was sitting next to her on the sofa. Payal's parents, Vivaan's parents and his kako-sa and kaki-sa were all sitting in a loose semicircle around them, so Payal had the constant feeling of a spotlight being fixed upon them as Vivaan continued his explanation.

"I haven't even come home in the last two months despite living in the same city as my parents." he was saying. "It's my first year of MS. I cannot make time for a marriage. I'm barely able to take time out for Payal, even." He finished.

"Once we are married" Payal added. "We will need to be able to give time to each other and to our family as well. As long as there is some stability, that will be difficult."

"We understand that beta" said Payal's father. "But Vivaan's residency will go for another two and a half years at the very least. Do you both intend to wait all that while?" he asked.

When they both nodded their heads in assent, Vivaan's uncle leaned forward. "Beta, ye iss tarah bina sagaai ya shaadi ke rishta banaye rakhna...samaaj ise hamari tarah nahi samjhega. Aur hamara to phir bhi theek hai, par beta tumhari wajah se Payal ya uske parivaar ki badnami nahi honi chahiye." (Son, continuing a relationship without an engagement or marriage won't be accepted by the society. Moreover, it might cause an insult to Payal's honor or her family's honor.)

Then Payal's mother spoke up too. "Payal, what is going to happen to you both while you wait for marriage? Will you continue your courtship?" she asked.

"Ma, we agreed to marry because we like each other. And one of the reasons we're waiting is, so we understand each other better." Payal spoke gently. "We can't do that without continuing the courtship."

Payal's mother exchanged a glance with her father.

"Ma, you agreed for this before as well. Why object now?" Payal asked.

"Because before, we agreed to let you both meet so that you decide on whether you want to get married." Vivaan's mother spoke up. It was only the second time Payal had ever heard her speak. She was usually quiet. "When we gave you our permission, we didn't give it so you both can decide to wait on the marriage." She spoke kindly and without accusation, which Payal was grateful for. She didn't know how Vivaan's dadi-sa would have reacted to this topic had she been here.

"But Aunty, it is not as though we never plan to marry. We will do so eventually." Payal stated. "We can't deny being in a relationship just because we aren't getting married immediately."

Vivaan cleared his throat beside her, a cautionary signal. She realized that she was getting too argumentative, which probably wasn't polite.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be impolite." She spoke, looking down. "I just wanted to put a point across. I don't understand why there should be an objection now, when it was allowed to us when we were complete strangers."

"Payal" her mother interrupted. "It is because you both aren't complete strangers anymore. You admitted you both like each other. In these circumstances, you will want to spend more time with each other, you will want to be together. Everyone here has complete faith in you and Vivaan, but it's just your age. What if tomorrow, you both end up doing something you regret? What will you do then?" she asked.

Payal was about to reply, when Vivaan beat her to it.

"Aunty, I understand your worry and your concern. But as you said, we are still young. Rushing into marriage will put a lot of responsibilities on our heads. We can take them up – we agreed to marriage after all – but not when we are both new to this. We need time to adjust with each other, to be comfortable with each other." he subtly winked at Payal, making her blush, "If we rush into marriage, we'll be overburdened, trying to adjust everywhere at once. That is not what we want" he explained.

Payal's parents seemed to be considering it. Vivaan continued even as the deliberation went on in their heads.

"I promised you the day you allowed the courtship, that Payal's honor and respect are my priority, and that I will never cross any line, even unintentionally." Vivaan said. "I made a similar promise to your daughter as well. You may or may not trust me, but I know you trust Payal. Don't let that waver, please." His words had such conviction, Payal wondered how her parents hadn't given in yet.

"No, no. It's not that we don't trust you, Vivaan." Payal's mother said. "It's just... like I said, you're both young." She finished awkwardly. Payal knew her parents were progressive enough to straight away tell her what they were trying to say in circles right now. No sex or anything equivalent to it, even. But to say that in front of Vivaan's parents and Vivaan himself would be difficult. Payal understood that. But that is exactly where they were wrong.

"Ma" she started slowly. "Vivaan and I already have a very hectic work schedule. Our courtship before we agreed to marriage was practically through our phones. And I can guarantee you that that is pretty much how it will proceed as well. Neither Vivaan, nor I have the time to meet each other and spend long hours together on a regular basis. That is why we are waiting for the marriage. We need time to grow accustomed to one another. More than that, we need to reach a phase where we can actually spend time together before we marry." She forced a look at her mother. "Nothing is going to change."

She hoped her mother got the hidden message as well. Please don't start with the sex talk here, please.

Beside her, Vivaan disguised his laugh with a cough. She discreetly glared at him.

It was quiet for a while before Vivaan's father spoke. "I believe we should trust our children enough to let them go ahead with their courtship, or rather, relationship." He smiled, the twinkle in his eyes letting everyone know he was teasing, but then his expression turned serious. "However, your kako-sa is right Vivaan. We cannot ignore the society for too long. I can't allow this waiting business for as long as you complete residency. Log baate banana shuru kar denge." He said. (People will start spinning tales.)

Vivaan started to protest but was cut off by his aunt.

"Bhai-sa" she spoke. Payal could swear that this was the first time she heard her speak. The women in this family tended to stay quiet more than speak up. "Kyun na hum in dono ki sagai kar de? Iss tarah se, inke saath ghumne pe log baate bhi nahi banayenge, aur bacche jitna samay chahe le sakte hai shadi se pehle ek-duje ko samajhne ke liye." (Why don't we get them both engaged? That way the society also won't have an issue; and the children can take as long as they want to get to know each other before marriage.)

Payal waited as everyone thought this through.

"Kaki-sa" Vivaan said, "Why do we need to get engaged in the first place? Why is there a need to finalize anything? Aren't our promises enough? Don't you trust us?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same thing." Vivaan's kako-sa said. "Chora, tujhe sagai karne me kya dikkat hai? Tera bhagne ka irada hai kya?" (Son, what problem do you have with getting engaged? Do you plan to elope?)

This time, Payal coughed to hide her laugh. Vivaan openly glared at her, causing all the elders to laugh. He ducked his head, embarrassed.

"I meant, why are all of you talking as though we aren't here? Sagai karni hai ki nahi, ye humse to pucho!" he asked indignantly. (At least ask us if we want to get engaged!)

"Okay then." Said Payal's father said, amused. "Payal, do you have any problem with getting engaged now?"

Payal shook her head. She had no issues. In fact, she was surprised that she hadn't thought of this compromise before. This satisfied all the conditions from both sides.

"I don't have any problem." She said, and the happiness on everyone's faces was priceless. But then she looked to her left and saw Vivaan's frowning face. She raised her eyebrows in question, but he shook his head.

"Vivaan?" Prakash uncle asked.

A small smile on his face, Vivaan nodded. But while everybody else showed their happiness, Payal felt a strange unease. Vivaan's smile didn't reach his eyes.

After the elders had embraced and sweets distributed, Payal's mother suggested that the Mehtas have dinner with them before they leave. Vivaan's family agreed.

"I'll start preparations then." Payal's mother said, still beaming with joy. "Payal-"

"Is coming with me." interrupted Vivaan.

Payal blinked in shock. She couldn't believe Vivaan had cut off her mother (who was obviously going to ask for her help in the kitchen) and to top it, had announced they were going out. Across the room, the elders had equally shocked expressions.

"I am?" Payal asked, trying to understand what was happening.

Vivaan looked at her with a totally innocent expression. "That's what we talked about this morning, remember? We had decided to go out for dinner after we spoke with our families." He raised his eyebrows in mock chastisement. "Don't tell me you forgot. Isn't that something guys do in a relationship?"

Oh, you did not just say that.

Putting on a sugar sweet smile, Payal faced Vivaan. "Of course, how can I forget a dinner reservation that you booked specially for today, right?" she asked. She knew his father would catch on to it. Long story short, Prakash uncle had once tried to give Vivaan some tips on dating. Only it was more a lesson on how to spend money 'judiciously'.

"You booked a special dinner reservation?" Asked Vivaan's father. "That's...impressive. I didn't know my son – "

"We're getting late!" Vivaan interrupted, grabbing Payal's hand. The touch caused a slight twinge on Payal's skin. She still wasn't used to anyone taking her hand and being so at ease about it. Besides, Vivaan taking her hand in front of their elders when they had just gotten permission to continue dating was pushing their luck a little too far. She tried pulling her hand out, but he just grasped it firmly.

"Let's go." He said, a little too cheerfully. "Baba-sa, Ma-sa, Kaki-sa, Kako-sa, I'll see you the next time I come home! Uncle, aunty, I'll bring her back before midnight. Bye, everyone!" he said, as he dragged Payal outside, without waiting for a response from the still-shocked elders.

Payal waited only until they were out of earshot (and in the relatively quiet and empty corridor), before twisting her hand and grabbing Vivaan's hand. She twisted his arm behind his back, pushing him against the wall with a loud thud sound.

"Ow!" Vivaan groaned. "What was this for?"

Payal twisted harder. "What was that act you pulled inside? And since when do I forget things?" she asked as he winced.

"It was just a little jest." He groaned out. "And I said the truth. I am taking you out to dinner tonight...unless you want to continue this." He said, pointedly.

It was then that Payal realized how close she ended up to him in the process of paying him back. In the moment, she hadn't realized anything; but now that she noticed, she saw that was almost pressed up against him, his face inches away from hers. And he was staring right into her eyes.

Flustered by the proximity, Payal released his arm and stepped back in a hurry but lost her balance. Just as she started falling backward, Vivaan's other arm wound around her waist, pulling her back to him, her hands on his chest. She looked up at him, only to see him still staring at her.

"This is unfair." He whispered.

Payal's heart rate begin to increase as he drew her closer. "W-What?" she stumbled, trying to break the sudden tension.

"You're the one treating me like a criminal stalker; when in reality, you are the thief." He answered, making Payal blink in confusion.

"Your eyes" Vivaan whispered, staring straight at her. "They distracted me, and while I was busy looking at their innocence, they stole my breath... and are now trying to steal my heart."

It took Payal a moment to comprehend his words, lost as she was in his eyes. When they registered, Payal blushed. It was a cheesy line, corny even. Usually, if someone said such things Payal would most likely throw her shoe at them. But for some reason she never understood, whenever Vivaan flirted with her, or used a cheesy pick-up line, it caused her to blush.

She looked down to hide her growing smile. "I don't appreciate flirting." She said, mock-stern.

"Then why are you blushing so hard?" he asked right back, releasing her. His tone held the confidence of having flustered her. That was when she realized it was a diversion tactic.

"If you are trying to distract me from what you did back at home, then I've still not forgiven you." Payal said, becoming serious again. "What was the need for it, Vivaan? We could have gone to dinner any other day, so don't throw the 'we rarely get time to be together' excuse."

"But it's not an excuse!" Vivaan protested. "The last time I met you was two weeks ago. And we could only eat a sandwich then because we were busy deciding if we wanted to marry each other."

"Don't digress." Payal warned. "There was no need to throw both of us to the sharks by going to dinner today. Why did you do it?"

"Because I wanted to talk to you, alone." He said, and before she could respond, continued. "And without having to see your face using my horrible Wi-Fi connection."

Payal looked at him, amused. She realized it could be related to why he didn't want to get engaged yet. And if he wanted to know her thoughts, then she could use this opportunity to do the same.

"What?" he asked, when she continued looking at him.

She shook her head, gesturing to go ahead. "If you plan to take me to dinner, we should make haste." She said looking at her watch. "You have three and a half hours to bring me back home."

***

Vivaan hadn't made a reservation (thank the gods), but the place he chose had good food. Unfortunately, like her, he too liked home-cooked food more than the fancy restaurant food. This, she discovered when he promptly left the choice of menu to her, trying to pretend that he was letting her order for both of them; to make up for his behavior at her house.

She shook her head, smiling as she glanced at the menu. She ordered a basic starter and subji along with a choice of bread. Putting the menu away, she laced her fingers and looked up at him. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked.

"Are you trained in martial arts?" he asked. When she tilted her head in confusion, he held up his elbow. He had turned up his shirt sleeve, and a bruise showed, dark and angry on his elbow.

"Sorry." Payal apologized. "Basic self-defense. The world outside isn't always safe."

Vivaan nodded, seeming impressed.

"But you didn't take me out to dinner to ask that." Payal pointed out.

Vivaan sighed. "Guess I shouldn't put this off any longer?" he asked in a low tone, as though asking himself; but Payal chose to respond regardless.

"You shouldn't." she agreed.

He nodded. "Why did you agree to the engagement?" he asked.

"Why don't you want to go ahead with it?" Payal countered.

He blinked in surprise. "You know?"

"You asking me why I want to go ahead with it, is a give-away in itself." She pointed out. "But that apart, I could see you weren't happy even though you agreed."

Vivaan shook his head. "I asked you first. So, you answer first."

Payal sighed. "Vivaan, there is no reason to say no. It solves all issues. Our parents will be calmer with us dating if we're engaged; the society can shut up; and we get to wait before marriage for as long as we want." she paused. "I don't think I missed out on anything."

"No." Vivaan said. "No, that's not it. That's not all that this engagement will comprise."

Payal folded her arms against her chest, leaning against the back of her chair. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Payal, getting engaged means officially announcing to the rest of the world that we'll be getting married soon." Vivaan said. "Maybe, your family doesn't see it as more than that. But for my family, it means that they have already accepted you as a daughter-in-law."

Payal nodded. "So?" she asked.

"So, they will start to expect from you." Vivaan said. "My family is old-fashioned. You might not be married to me yet. But in effect, as my fiancée, you need to start accepting my family. It will be expected from you to visit them often, to help them when need arises, to contribute in their decisions, everything. You are my fiancée only in name. Sagai ke baad se, jaha tak ghar ka sawaal hai, tum har hisaab me meri patni hi maani jaogi." He explained. (After the engagement, for all intent and purposes, you will be considered my wife, especially where matters of the house are concerned.)

Payal took her time to let it sink in. "And you don't want me to do that?" she asked him. "You don't want me to be a part of your family's decisions?"

"Of course, I do, Payal." He said, relieving the knot of tension that had formed in her without her knowledge. "I want nothing more than for you to adjust with my family. But isn't the reason we're waiting is so we can put this off for a while? So we can focus on each other?" he asked.

He reached across the table and took Payal's hand, gently. "Payal, if you take up the mantle of adjusting to my family, how will you give me time? How will we adjust with each other? And most importantly, how can I let you face such adjustment alone?"

Payal smiled, placing her other hand over their joined hands. "Who said I'll be alone?" she asked him. "You are there. You're always there. You are thinking about this when I haven't even considered it yet." She said.

Vivaan was shaking his head. "I support you, but I can't always be by your side." He said. "My family, they are different, and difficult to impress. There are things you might find okay, but they won't agree to them. And-"

"Vivaan." Payal interrupted. "Do you trust me?"

He gave her a stern look. "What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer it, even if you find it rhetoric." Payal said.

"Of course, I trust you." Vivaan said, rolling his eyes. "That doesn't mean I'll leave you alone to deal with all this."

"Trust me to be able to handle it." Payal said. "At least give me a chance."

"Payal, this isn't a new flavor of ice-cream, that we give it a chance to decide whether it is worth it or not." Vivaan scoffed. "We are getting engaged. If this doesn't work, there's no going back. Not without a whole lot of drama, and two wounded families. Not to mention, us."

"Us?" Payal asked. "What about us?"

"Do you really think, that if it comes to that, we won't side with our families?" Vivaan asked. "I know that I can't. You are important to me, but so is my family. I can't form a relation with you over their crushed respect, which is what they will make it out to be."

Payal had to force herself to view his statement objectively. To put her hurt at his assertion aside. He would choose his family over her. She knew that; it was what she liked about him the most. She shouldn't let it make her feel bad.

And wouldn't she do the same? No matter how much she may like him, her family did mean more to her than Vivaan. Their respect and choices were paramount. She couldn't marry him if they didn't agree to it.

"But why would this happen?" she asked. "Why would they feel as such in the first place?"

"Because of difference in viewpoint." Vivaan said. "I may not know you so well yet, but there is a difference in the way your family thinks and the way we think. Your family doesn't look at society first. Mine does. If there is ever a situation where you don't fit into the norm of 'society', there will be mistrust. Dadi-sa already thinks that way." He explained.

"I agree. But this isn't a situation that will change if we don't get engaged." Payal countered. "There is my viewpoint. And there is your viewpoint. Neither of them matter. What matters is our viewpoint. My family may not put society first, but they have taught me to think from both sides before reaching a conclusion. Your family may not like going against the society, but our relationship itself is the proof that they can do so, if they're convinced. Compromise is what we should be thinking about here, not clashing viewpoints." She argued.

Vivaan looked down, seeming conflicted. Payal pushed hard to fight the sinking feeling that had started when he said that if their families fought, they would have to separate.

"Why are you making this to be a love marriage, when in reality, it is an arranged marriage?" Payal asked. "Your parents chose me for you before you chose me for yourself. If your family accepted the proposal, it was not just because you said yes, but because they liked me as well. If they are willing to trust me to adjust their family, I should respect that trust and give it a go." She squeezed his hand in reassurance.

Vivaan looked at their hands. "And what of us?"

"What of us?" Payal asked.

"Don't act ignorant. If you devote so much time to my family, what about me?" he asked.

"Are you jealous of your own family?" Payal teased.

"What if I am?" he countered, smiling despite his mood.

Payal laughed. "I've never had anyone be jealous for my affections or my time." She told him, still teasing. "That too, of his own family. I have to say, it's a nice experience."

"You don't know who and what I envy." Vivaan said, all his levity gone. "And it's best I don't reveal it all. I don't want you to run away." He said, making her blush deeply. She pulled her hands away from his, just as the server arrived with their food.

"Is it good?" she asked, when they began eating.

He nodded, a smile on his face as he ate it.

"See? Even without knowing your preference, I could make you smile as you ate your food." She said. When he looked up, she continued. "Trust me. I can adjust to your family much more easily than you think, especially with you by my side. And I know I can give both you, and your family enough time." She spoke gently.

He stared at her for a whole moment.

"Payal Shah, you are unique. Absolutely unique."

Balloons of joy bursting in her chest at his compliment, Payal debated how best to not show how affected she was.

"Like the new gulkand flavored ice-cream at Gokul's?" she teased him, just to check if he was out of the weird mood. He laughed.

"Exactly like that." He answered.

Payal just smiled, satisfied that she had cheered him up at least.

Glossary

- subji : Hindi term for vegetable curry.

- Gulkand : a preserve or jam made out of rose petals and sugar. Gulkand is often consumed as is or added as flavor in most Indian desserts. It has healing properties as well and has many uses in Ayurvedic medicine.