“Just Say Yes, Beta”
📍Sharma House – Living Room
The table is set for guests. Tea. Snacks. Nervous air. Anaya sits on the couch, arms crossed, face blank. Priya is pacing with crossed arms.
Mohan Sharma(fl father)
(sitting straight, adjusting his kurta)
Today they’re coming for the engagement date.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(flatly, without turning)
I haven’t said yes yet.
Sunita Sharma (fl mother)
(placing sweets on the tray, voice gentle but tight)
Beta, Siya Malhotra personally called. Do you know what kind of honour this is?
Priya Sharma(fl sister)
(stopping in place, voice sharp)
It’s not an honour if it costs her happiness
Mohan Sharma(fl father)
(sighing, looks away)
This isn’t just about happiness, Priya. It’s about security. Her future. Her comfort.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(still calm, but voice low)
You mean your comfort.
Sunita Sharma (fl mother)
(softly)
Anaya...
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(looks up, eyes firm)
I met him. He’s cold. Robotic. There’s nothing warm in him. Not even fake charm.
Mohan Sharma(fl father)
(tone rising just slightly)
He won’t hurt you. He’ll give you a safe life. That’s enough.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(sarcastically)
Wow, Papa. Bar’s on the floor, huh?
📍Malhotra Mansion – Garden Seating Area
Siya Malhotra(ml dadi)
(holding her cane, eyes sparkling)
I like her. She’s not scared of you. That means she’s perfect.
Aarav Malhotra(ml)
(standing beside the garden table, flipping through a file)
We had one conversation, Dadi.
Siya Malhotra(ml dadi)
(grinning)
That’s one more than you had with the last five rishtas.
Meera Malhotra (ml step mom)
(arriving with a tray, falsely sweet)
She’s… okay. Polite, quiet, decent family.
Avni Malhotra (ml sister)
(leans in, whispering to Vivaan)
Polite? She roasted Bhai like a marshmallow at a bonfire.
Vivaan Malhotra(ml step brother)
(chuckling, voice low)
I already like her more than half this house.
📍Back at Sharma House – Doorbell Rings
Priya Sharma(fl sister)
(whispering to Anaya as she walks to answer)
Smile. Don’t agree. Not yet.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(stands straight, adjusts dupatta, breathes out)
I’m not going down easy.
Priya Sharma(fl sister)
(grinning)
That’s my girl.
Door opens. Malhotras enter. Dadi in a bright saree, Reema in her usual “too much makeup” mood, Aarav in a crisp black kurta, holding a single white rose( merko kurta ke sath white rose nhi mila please assume krlo ki black kurta h😭)
Reema Malhotra(Ml Aunt)
(sweet smile, clearly fake)
We just thought it’s time we talked dates.
Sunita Sharma (fl mother)
(smiling nervously)
Yes, yes... of course.
Aarav Malhotra(ml)
(walks to Anaya, holds out the rose — not smiling)
For the formality.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(takes it slowly, fingers brushing his deliberately — her eyes don’t flinch)
Pretty. Like your PR image.
Aarav Malhotra(ml)
(a ghost of a smirk appears)
At least I have one.
Siya Malhotra(ml dadi)
(cutting through tension, clapping her hands)
Toh bas! Engagement next week. Haldi, mehendi, everything done simply. Phere in one month.
Priya Sharma(fl sister)
(interrupts, voice crisp)
She hasn’t said yes.
Siya Malhotra(ml dadi)
(smiling warmly)
She will. A girl like her? She doesn’t run away from storms — she walks into them.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(meeting Aarav’s gaze, voice calm)
This isn’t love.
Aarav Malhotra(ml)
(returns the stare, voice low)
No. It’s a deal.
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(lips curve up slightly)
Then let’s shake on it.
They shake hands again. This time… it lingers.
Later – Priya pulling Anaya aside in the hallway
Priya Sharma(fl sister)
(low whisper, tense)
You sure about this?
Anaya Sharma(fl)
(voice distant, eyes watching Aarav from the doorway)
No.
But I’m sure about one thing…
I’ll never lose myself. Not to him. Not to this family.
If this is a game — I’m playing it on my terms.
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