The Agnihotri home was buzzing with activity. Suitcases lay open in the hallway, half-filled with clothes, toys, and travel snacks. Kriti and Vidyut were darting around with far more excitement than usefulness, while Vaiga, moving carefully with her growing belly, folded tiny shirts and reminded them not to step on the piles.

Siddharth lingered near the doorway, his nerves twisting in his chest. He had to speak today—there wouldn’t be another chance for weeks.

“Bhai,” he asked, stepping closer to where Abhay was zipping up a bag, “is it time for you to go?”

“Hmm, maybe in an hour or two,” Abhay replied, looking up at him curiously. “Why, Siddhu? You look nervous.”

“Umm… Shrey and Dhruv will be here any minute. I—I have something important to tell you all.” Siddharth swallowed.

Almost as if fate were listening, the doorbell rang. Shraddha breezed in with her husband and their two kids. Drithi squealed in delight at the sight of her cousins and darted off to join them, while little Saurav cooed in Dhruv’s arms.

“Perfect timing,” Siddharth muttered under his breath.

“Sid!” Shraddha called brightly, her twin bond with him sparkling in her voice. Only she used that name for him—just as only he called her Shrey.

“Hey, brother-in-law,” Dhruv said as he lowered himself onto the couch, rocking baby Saurav. “So, what is this very important matter you wanted to discuss?”

All eyes turned to Siddharth. 

“Not yet. Let everyone gather first.” He raised a hand quickly. 

He slipped into his parent’s bedroom, where his mother was supervising last-minute packing. Niranjan was giving instructions to the driver while Anjana fussed over the snacks she have to take to Thanjavur.

In an hour or two, they too would be leaving for Thanjavur, to stay with Vaiga’s father. It was a tradition the whole family respected: on the second weekend of every month, Niranjan and Anjana went to Thanjavur; on the fourth weekend, Abhay, Vaiga, and the children made the trip; and the other two weekends, Vaiga’s father came over to Bangalore to be with them. Everyone had tried, more than once, to convince him to shift permanently to the city. But he was firm—this balance between Thanjavur and Bangalore was what he wanted for his retirement years, a rhythm he wasn’t willing to break.

“Ma, Papa,” Siddharth said gently, breaking into their conversation. “Could you come to the living room for a bit? I need to talk to everyone together.”

“Siddhu, is everything alright?” Anjana paused, her brow creasing. 

“Yes, Ma,” he said with a nervous smile. “More than alright. Just… important.”

When they returned to the living room, the whole family was gathered—Abhay sitting beside Vaiga, Shraddha perched on the armrest, Dhruv rocking baby Saurav, and Kriti, Vidyut, and Drithi playing noisily on the floor. For a moment, Siddharth stood there, looking at the people who made up his world. His heart swelled with love, and a sharp pang of nerves.

It was time.

“I… I have something important to say.” He cleared his throat.

“What is it, Sid? You look like you are about to face a firing squad.” Shraddha tilted her head immediately, catching the flicker in his eyes. 

The others chuckled lightly, but Siddharth pressed on. His voice was steady, though his palms were damp. 

“I have met someone I want to marry. And she said yes.”

The room quieted. Abhay leaned forward, brow raised. “Oh? And who is she?”

Siddharth took a deep breath. 

“Shreya Maheswari.”

The silence that followed was thick, broken only by the squeal of a child.

“What?!” Abhay shot up straighter. “Shravan’s sister? My best friend’s sister?”

“Yes.” Siddharth didn’t flinch.

“Unbelievable. Siddhu… and you never said a word?” Abhay ran a hand down his face. 

Before Siddharth could reply, Dhruv burst into laughter. 

“Oh, this is too good. Shravan is going to have your hide. I can’t wait to see it. Almost as much fun as the time you tortured me when I was trying to win back your twin here.” He pointed at Shraddha, grinning wide. “Tables have turned, brother in law.”

“Dhruv!” Shraddha smacked her husband’s arm, though her lips twitched. She turned to her twin brother, her eyes narrowing. “Wait. Sid… you told me you loved her. But you didn’t tell me you actually proposed.”

“I did… yesterday.” Siddharth’s expression softened. 

“Yesterday?! And you didn’t even call me?” Her eyes widened.

“I wanted to tell everyone together,” he said sheepishly. “You are my Shrey—you have always known. But this time, I wanted the family to hear it as a whole. Properly.”

Vaiga, sitting back with her hand resting protectively over her belly, blinked in surprise. 

“So it’s true. I thought I imagined it—you mentioned something like this when I first came to Bangalore. Then you never spoke of it again, and I forgot.” Her lips curved faintly. “You really kept this close to your chest, Siddhu.”

“Yes bhabhi. I told you when she attended that party years ago. The party that changed yours and bhai’s life.” Siddharth said softly. “With the chaos that followed the party, you must have totally forgotten about it.”

Anjana, who had been watching her son quietly, finally smiled—a warm, knowing smile that reached her eyes. 

“I knew it,” she said, her voice tender. “From the way you looked at her… from the way she lit up when you were around. I suspected something, even wondered if you two were already dating.”

“Maa!” Siddharth groaned, embarrassed.

“Well?” Anjana pressed, amused. “Were you?”

“No,” Siddharth said quickly. “Never. I only confessed yesterday. We didn’t date in secret. I wanted to go the official way—talk to her parents, talk to Shravan bhai—and propose marriage.”

“Shravan is not going to make this easy. You know how protective he is.” Abhay let out a slow, measured sigh. 

“I do,” Siddharth replied firmly. “But I am not asking for easy. I am asking for Shreya. I will face whatever I have to.”

“Good answer. Still, I would pay good money to see Shravan grill you. Might even bring popcorn.” Dhruv smirked, settling deeper into the couch.

“Dhruv..” Shraddha muttered, though she was smiling now too.

“You have grown, Siddhu. I can see it—you are ready. You have all our blessings.” Anjana reached across, cupping Siddharth’s cheek. Her eyes shone. 

“Thank you, Maa.” Siddharth bent, pressing a grateful kiss to her hand. 

“So? When do you want us to talk to the Maheswaris?” Niranjan, who had been silent until now spoke.

“Shreya’s college life ends in two weeks with one project submission.. Once that is over, you can talk to them.” Siddhu said.

Around him, the family’s surprise settled into acceptance—shocked, amused, supportive. Whatever storm awaited with the Maheswaris, Siddharth knew one thing for certain: his family stood behind him.

A/N

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