"Bound By Tradition Unbound By Love" [ Completed]

Chapter 6

SIYA'S POV

As I listened to my mother's heartbreaking story, tears streamed down my cheeks. The thought of being separated from my family felt unbearable. I couldn't imagine living without them. However, my mother, despite carrying the weight of this fractured past, seemed to bear the burden with a quiet strength that both inspired and saddened me.

Amidst my emotional turmoil, Shiv bhaiyya, sensing the gravity of the situation, turned to Grandma, seeking an explanation for why this poignant tale was being shared with us now. Grandma's response carried a sense of purpose. "You three are going to bring about the reunion your mother so yearns for," she revealed.

Her words echoed with a profound significance. "Your mother desires nothing more than to have her family by her side during her children's marriages. However, she refrains from visiting the place where her husband was insulted, and your father wishes to pay a visit to their house, yearning to see Meera's sadness alleviated. But she, in her noble resolve, extracted a promise from him."

"Deep down, we all know she longs for her family, despite the love she's found within ours," Grandma added, her voice carrying an undercurrent of empathy for my mother's unspoken desires.

"We will definitely do this for Ma," Dev bhaiyya affirmed with determination. I nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, Dadi, we will unite them." Dadi cautioned, "It's not an easy task to reach out to them." Shiv bhaiyya, with a skeptical look, turned to Grandma and inquired, "Who are they, Dadi?" Her reply carried weight, "It's the Malhotra Family."

"We were shocked and exclaimed, 'Malhotra Family? You mean THE Malhotra Family?'" Dadi nodded in confirmation, acknowledging our surprise. "Yes, your grandfather is none other than Alok Malhotra, chairman of Malhotra Chain," she confirmed, unveiling a stunning revelation that left us utterly astounded.

For a brief moment, silence enveloped us, and as I glanced at my brothers, their quiet demeanor mirrored my own. Breaking the hush, I reassured Dadi, "Don't worry, we'll bring Ma and her family together, and they'll be at their anniversary party." Dadi's loving gaze met mine, tenderly caressing my head as she spoke, "I believe in you guys. You will bring happiness to your parents." With a peaceful smile, both Grandma and Grandpa left, their hearts once filled with concern for their daughter-in-law now imbued with a tranquil hope for her happiness.

Shiv and Dev bhaiyya turned their gaze towards me, expressing concern, "Laddu, you shouldn't have made that promise to Dadi about reuniting Ma with her family, especially on their anniversary party, which is only two days away," Shiv bhaiyya remarked. Dev bhaiyya added, "To even secure an appointment with them, we might have to wait for at least a month or two."

With determination in my eyes, I turned to my brothers, expressing my heartfelt thoughts, "I understand it's an uphill task, but try to imagine being in Ma's shoes. I can't bear the thought of a second without living far from my family, and for all these years, we've had no chance, no knowledge of them. Now that we have this opportunity, let's take it. If you two won't assist me, that's okay. I'll manage," I asserted, conveying my firm resolve, and turned away, ready to take on the challenge alone if needed.

Dev bhaiyya stepped forward and spoke softly, "Laddu, it's not that we don't want Ma to be happy or to connect with her family. It's just that reaching out to them is not an easy task. They're not easily approachable." Shiv bhaiyya intervened, echoing my sentiments, "No, Dev, Laddu is right. Just put yourself in Ma's place. Let's find a way. As Laddu made that promise, let's make it happen-reunite Ma with her parents and brothers on their anniversary."

I smiled and embraced them both, feeling a sense of solidarity and support in our shared commitment to fulfill the promise made to Dadi and to bring joy to Ma's life on her special day.

ARJUN'S POV

As I was engrossed in my work, the familiar voices interrupted my focus, of Aditya entering my room along with kishore our childhood friend and the Marketing head in our company. We trio, often referred to as the "3 Musketeers" during our school and college days. Kishore, married to our dear friend Priya, whom we all cherished, they had been blessed with a baby girl named Pari.

Glancing up from my tasks, I acknowledged their presence with a curious expression. "What brings both of you here?" I inquired. Aditya probed with curiosity, "What's going on between you and Anika?" I replied calmly, "Nothing at all. She's simply a good family friend of ours if you forgot, that's it. Indeed, that's a fact, but what made you choose her as your date for the event? Nothing it's because of Dadaji's warning yesterday, I couldn't take any chances by inviting any other girl for the event. So, I had to ask Anika. I'll just have to endure her company for the occasion."

"Rather than involving yourself with just anyone, why don't you focus on finding a good partner for yourself?" said kishore. I replied, meeting their gaze, "Let's switch topics or leave the cabin."

I then turned to Aditya, "Why are you bothered about my marriage? Did Muskaan say yes for marriage?" I probed, knowing Aditya harbored a special interest in Muskaan, Priya's sister, yet struggled to gather the courage to propose to her. Kishore chimed in with a smile, teasingly remarking, "Marriage happens when this idiot finally gathers the courage to propose, but he never does."

Aditya's subtle smile didn't escape my notice, prompting me to question him directly, "Did you propose to her?" Kishore, taken by surprise, joined in, echoing my curiosity. "You did?" he exclaimed. Aditya confirmed with a nod, admitting, "Yes, I did it last night."

I couldn't help but tease him, "That's why you bailed on us yesterday's plan," I remarked, smirking at the unfolding revelation.

Curiosity got the better of Kishore as he inquired, "Did you give her the ring we picked out?" Aditya nodded, and we eagerly awaited the response to the crucial question. "And... what did she say?" Kishore pressed further.

With a joyful grin, I exclaimed, "Idiot, she said yes!" Glancing at Aditya, I couldn't help but marvel at the thought of our notorious playboy friend about to be captivated by one woman. "Look at him blushing! Who would have thought our eternal playboy, Aditya, would be smitten with just one girl? Unbelievable!" I chuckled, teasingly adding, "First Kishore, now you. Looks like I need to scout for bachelor friends for myself."

Kishore interjected with a playful retort, "Rather than hunting for bachelor friends, you can find a great partner for yourself." I quickly deflected the attention away from me, insisting, "Don't bring up my topic now; it's Aditya's day! Let's celebrate after the office today." I turned to Kishore, adding, "Inform Priya, and you, my brother, let Muskaan know. We'll throw an awesome party."

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