As if a bucket of cold water was put on him. He leaned away and shaked her shoulders, " You have gone crazy! You need to rest, go home."

" Is that how you respond to my proposal?" She pouted.

Vikram opened his mouth and closed it many times but didn't say a word.

Juhi chuckled, " I will take it as yes." She exclaimed. " Let's go talk to our parents and get married in a weeks time."

Vikram snapped out of the trance and held her hand back, " Is that what you want? Do you even know me enough? We can't get married so soon!"

She put her hand on his cheek and made him look into her eyes, " I know enough."

It was a declaration.

Vikram's heart leaped in his chest. He succumbed to her request. " Ok, let's go talk to the parents. "

She gave him a huge smile.

Sneha smiled at the couple. At least Vikram had somebody by his side.

She applauded for the couple and blessed them. " Go, get going! Welcome to the group Juhi."

-

"Are you having second thoughts?" Vikram asked amusedly.

Currently, they were on their way to the Raheja house. Juhi's parents, surprisingly, were already there. They were having a lunch together.

The two of them took advantage of the same and alerted them of their impromptu announcement making visit.

" What makes you think that?" She raised her brows and looked at him.

" See, you didn't just say a 'No' !"

She slapped his arm, " Will you stop being an ass?"

" Ass, huh?" He smirked at her.

He loved the way her cheeks turned pink.

She was stuttering for a reply, when he kept his finger under her chin and made her look into his eyes. " On a serious note, are you sure?"

She smiled and said, " I have never been more confident of any decision."

He glanced lovingly at her. His mind played a trick at him, and he asked, "Are you doing it for the sake of Jodhpur project?"

" Do you really think I'm that shallow?" She rebuked.

" Woah! Don't be mad!" But he couldnt complete the sentence.

" Dont be mad! You say I shouldn't be mad! Did you hear what you said?" Her hand was repeatedly hitting his arm.

" Stop, okay!" He stopped her hand, and looked at her, " I'm sorry but I had to ask. You proposed after that argument, I couldn't help but think about it as one of the reasons."

She held his hand, " It is one of the minor reason. I just want to be there for you. You know the feeling? We may not have known each other for long but you are home to me."

Her words touched his heart. He blinked blankly at her and pulled their conjoined hands to his lips.

" Okay, let's get married."

She chuckled at his enthusiasm.

When they arrived at the mighty Raheja mansion, Vikram entwined their arms and led her inside.

The parents were relaxing and talking in the living room after a scrumptious meal. When the couple arrived, four pairs of eyes looked at them, their beaming faces and then shifted to their entwined arms. The news was no longer a secret. They had to just wait for its announcement.

A throat clearing brought Juhi back to earth from heaven. She saw the focused eyes of their parents on their entwined arms, snatching it back to her side. She smiled sweetly at them. Vikram too copied her actions and cleared his throat. " Umm, we wanted to announce something?"

Elder Rahejas' just looked at each other and frowned at the kids.

While, Mr. Mishra said, " We are all ears. Speak up."

Vikram rubbed his jaw and summoned his courage. He looked in the eye of Mr. Mishra, " We have decided to get married. Please grant us your blessings."

Juhi looked at the elders skeptically. Mr. Mishra looked at Mrs. Mishra who met his eyes and gave him a remote smile.

Mr. Mishra looked back at the couple. Now, they were becoming nervous with every second. He enjoyed looking at their misery.

Mr. Raheja was having an eye feast, he sipped his coffee. The couple was just looking at their parents. They gave no reaction. As if they had just not announced about their marriage.

" When are you planning to get married?"asked Mr. Mishra.

Vikram said, " We are waiting for your blessings. Later, we will get a court marriage."

All the elders bounced back to their feet.

" Court marriage!" Came their collective voice.

" Vikram!" Voiced Mr. Raheja. But Mr.. Mishra paid no heed to him, " What makes you think, I will let you marry in a court?"

Both the mothers had put up a list of the shaadi ka kaam mentally when they heard Vikram announce about getting married in a court.

" Vikram, this is not accepted!"glared his mother at him.

While Juhi's mother said, " Do you really want to marry so fast, that you can't wait for a grand wedding?"

Juhi gave her a watery smile. When the elders realised Juhi's mother was right.

Mr. Raheja looked at his child.

Vikram got the signal. He moved towards his dad and stopped two steps in front of him, " Dad, please!"

It was a long time back when he had made a similar request but his father had said, this would be the last request of his that would be fulfilled.

" Do you really want a court marriage?"

Vikram was not expecting a reply. He was prepared to hear a No.

" Yes, dad!" He nodded.

" Fine, whatever you want." He agreed.

This was music to Vikram's ears.

Vikram's mom started to protest but she was silenced by his father, " He has not asked anything of me for years. If this is what he wants, then he gets that. Moreover, it is their wedding, they should decide."

Mr. Raheja's word was a final. Mr. Mishra wanted to know how the Raheja family works. He was delighted to look at Mr. Raheja's attitude.

He smiled at the couple and let them off the hook.