Episode 3 – The Decision
A gentle breeze flowed across the terrace.
Below, laughter and chatter echoed faintly, but above, there was silence—
a silence that held the future of two lives.
Avyansh and Anuti stood a few steps apart…
but miles away at heart.
A distance that either had to shrink today… or grow forever.
Avyansh leaned against the wall, casually twirling his phone in his fingers.
He wasn't nervous—just distracting himself from his thoughts.
Anuti stood in front of him, nervously twisting her saree pallu.
Her eyes were lowered.
After a few seconds, she gathered courage and said softly,
"Please… you can sit there."
Avyansh was slightly taken aback by her voice.
So soft… so clear, he thought.
He sat down on the chair.
Anuti remained standing.
In a direct tone, he asked,
"Do you think marriage is necessary?"
Anuti paused for a moment. Such a direct question…
Then she thought, Maybe police officers are like this.
She replied,
"Not really… only if the companionship is good."
A faint smile appeared on Avyansh's lips.
For a moment, the hardness in his eyes softened.
He liked her answer… her innocence… and something more—something he couldn't explain—was pulling him towards her.
Anuti's heartbeat slowed a little. She felt slightly relaxed.
Avyansh spoke again,
"Downstairs, aunty said you're very playful… but here you look scared. What kind of professor are you?"
Anuti blushed and lowered her gaze further.
Softly, she replied,
"I'm playful only with people I know…
And this is the first time a boy has come to see me… that too someone like you—a police officer. So… I'm a little scared."
Avyansh kept looking at her.
Her every gesture… every hesitation… was so pure.
He thought,
While she was speaking… I was just looking at her lips. This has never happened before. Thank God she wasn't looking at me… or who knows what she would've thought.
For a while, both remained silent.
Then Avyansh asked gently,
"You weren't forced into this, right?"
Anuti replied,
"No."
Then after a pause,
"But I was scared… maybe you already like someone else."
Avyansh looked at the sky.
Old memories flashed through his eyes—
like an invisible pain passing by.
Then he said,
"No… there's no one."
He looked at her again and asked,
"Do you like someone?"
Anuti paused slightly, then said,
"No… not yet."
Avyansh smiled,
"Do you want to ask me something?"
Anuti hesitated, pressed her lips together, then finally asked,
"Do… you like me?"
Silence.
For a few seconds, everything stood still.
Avyansh looked into her eyes—her innocence was crystal clear.
With a slight smile, he said,
"You're simple… honest… I like people like that.
And honestly… I won't say no."
That was enough.
Anuti's cheeks turned pink, her dimples deepened with her smile.
In her heart, she thanked God,
Thank you for saving me from Mom's scolding!
Meanwhile, Avyansh's eyes were stuck on her dimples.
For a moment, he felt like touching them…
But he quickly realized his thoughts and shook his head.
He said,
"Shall we go? Everyone must be waiting."
They walked down together.
There was still distance between their steps…
but their hearts had come a little closer.
---
As they reached downstairs, all eyes turned toward them.
Everyone silently asked the same question—what's the decision?
Avyansh stood straight.
He looked at his mother… then at his grandmother…
and clearly said,
"I'm ready."
For a moment, the room froze.
Then suddenly, it filled with laughter, joy, and congratulations.
Grandmother stepped forward and asked,
"And you, Anutithika beta? Do you like Avyansh?"
Anuti looked up at him for a moment… their eyes met…
then she lowered her gaze and nodded, "Yes."
One word—
but it brought a hundred joys to both families.
Sweets were brought.
Swati ji first fed Avyansh, then Anuti.
Grandmother handed an envelope and said,
"This isn't money… it's a roka.
Now even God has written this bond."
Anuti touched her feet.
Grandmother smiled lovingly.
Sana ran and hugged Anuti,
"Small bhabhi, we'll be friends!"
Ayush quickly added,
"Bhabhi, me too! We'll make a gang!"
Laughter filled the room.
---
Everyone got busy with food arrangements.
The Mehra family sat down to eat along with Anuti's father and uncle.
Pooja ji and Kritika served food.
Sana and Ayush stood near Anuti, chatting with her.
But two eyes were watching them closely—Avyansh's.
Sana said,
"Let's make a WhatsApp group first—just us three and Shubhi di!"
Ayush excitedly agreed,
"Good idea! Didn't expect this smartness from you."
Then he turned to Anuti,
"What do you say, bhabhi?"
Anuti smiled,
"Of course."
"Then give your contact number!"
"Okay."
She shared her number.
Avyansh watched silently and thought,
We didn't even exchange numbers… how will I get it now?
There was slight irritation on his face…
but also a strange curiosity.
---
After some time, the Mehra family left.
At home, everyone was still celebrating.
Anuti sat in her room.
The same smile returned to her face—the one from the terrace.
She asked herself,
Did he really like me?
She touched her cheeks… her dimples felt deeper.
Kritika entered,
"What happened? Why are you smiling so much?"
Anuti blushed,
"Nothing…"
Kritika laughed,
"Hmmm… I understand!"
Anuti hid her face in a pillow and lay down, remembering Avyansh's handsome face.
---
Both were in their own homes…
but lost in each other's thoughts.
Avyansh wondered—
How will I get her number?
Will she message me?
Or should I contact her?
Because he wanted to marry only after knowing her properly.
Anuti, on the other hand, liked him and his family.
She wondered—
What will my future be like?
How much will change?
Or maybe… he'll be there with me?
Under the same sky,
two hearts… lost in each other's thoughts.
The decision was made…
but their hearts had yet to truly meet.
---
What will happen next?
Will Avyansh get Anuti's number before the engagement?
Or will this distance bring a new twist?
Stay tuned to Arrange Marriage: Stranger to Lover 💫
Written by Limanshi Kashyap ✨