The Strangers - Across the Silent Heartbeat-Chapter 27: The Surprise

Days turned into weeks, and with every ticking moment, the bonding between Arjun and Ayesha only seemed to thicken. Thudding amidst their academic responsibilities, they finally found time for fun and shot every single moment in their memory. Then there was a surprise, but as it's said in literally almost every love story, a surprise was waiting in the wings.

One sunny and windy afternoon, Arjun and Ayesha were lounging in his living room, involved in a casual conversation about their plans for the future. The bell rang. Sita, Arjun's mother, went to open the door. At the door, there stood two unknown faces, both cheerful and bearing one suitcase.

"Ayesha!" Sita screamed back. "Your parents have come!"

Arjun and Ayesha exchanged surprised looks before jumping from the couch in an instant. They rushed to the door, where they found Rina and Rahim, both of them with the same expressions: pleased with something and a little fidgety.

"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?" Ayesha almost ran up and hugged them.

Rina patted her back softly. "We wanted to surprise you, kiddo. We have a very important thing to discuss with you and Arjun's family."

Arjun gallantly greeted Ayesha's parents by shaking hands with Rahim and in turn getting the warmth of a hug from Rina. "Please come in," he said and ushered them into his living room.

Sitting down, an air of tension descended upon all. Some consternation showed on Ayesha's face as she looked at her parents, "What is all this about, Mom?"

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Rina, looking at her husband and then towards Arjun's parents, began to speak to them, "We have come to talk about something very important. Some business exigencies are there for Rahim and me in connection, post which we have to go for some time to Bangladesh."

Rahim agreed by nodding his head, "We don't want to leave Ayesha alone here. We thought best she gets married to Arjun just before we leave."

There was complete pin-drop silence since the weight of the sentence was very heavy. Arjun and Ayesha sat in a daze as they had talked about a future together but never developed like this.

Both Sita and Arjun's father, Rajesh, looked at one another and then spoke. "Well, it is quite a surprise," Rajesh said, "but we are in support of them being together."

Ayesha's heart galloped as she turned towards Arjun. At last, he looked at her, and his eyes were released from all the love and determination he had in his mind for the girl. "I love Ayesha," he said categorically. "I want to spend the whole of my life with her, but we have to be very sure we are up to making this big move."

Ayesha was emotional to its brim—excitement, nervousness, and most overpowering love for Arjun had spread unabated throughout. She looked at her parents.

"Mom, Dad, this is really huge. We need time for this."

Rina smiled down at her. "Of course, dear. We understand. We just wanted to express our wishes."

Slowly, the mood lightened, and the conversation drifted toward lighter matters again. During dinner that night—two families joined to the table—there arose much laughter and sharing. Arjun and Ayesha shot meaningful glances exchanged with smiles during dinner; however, what really needed to be said was done wordlessly.

Ayesha and Arjun stepped into the balcony after dinner to catch some fresh air; a cool breeze kissed their faces as they stood by the railing, looking up into the starry sky.

"A lot to take in, huh?" Arjun said in a soft voice, letting the silence be taken away.

Ayesha nodded, her face resting on the railing. "Surreal, I must say. Anything right but you love me—wanting to be with me."

He took her hand, entwining fingers with hers. "We will get through this together, Ayesha. Whatever it is, we will face it together."

Ayesha smiled warmly as the warmth percolated to her heart. "I know we will, Arjun."

They just stood in easy silence, each so very content in the other's presence. The heaviness of the day's revelations tumbled down piece by piece and was replaced by tranquillity and reassurance.

The next day, Ayesha's parents and Arjun's sat down with each other and had a conversation about everything. They had to make sure that both the families and, most importantly, Ayesha and Arjun were okay with this decision.

But in that chaos, by some divine intervention, Arjun and Ayesha managed to spend some time together. Hand in hand, they batted in the garden, speaking of their dreams and schemes for a life together.

"I never knew this would happen—that our parents would actually meet up," said Ayesha, as if giggling under control.

Arjun chuckled. "Life does funny things sometimes."

Looking up, Ayesha remarked to Arjun, "Be it whatever; I am just happy that we are together."

Arjun cupped her face in both of his hands. His eyes showed love overflowing, going deep into her soul. "Me too, Ayesha, for you mean everything to me."

What followed was a soft kiss but full of love and feeling as people bustled around the couple.

While families kept talking with each passing day, for Ayesha and Arjun, every single moment was worth it. They spent evenings telling each other about their dreams, laughing at shared jokes, and simply enjoying each other's company.

One evening, Ayesha's parents announced that they would be leaving for Bangladesh for a short period to close some business issues but would come back shortly and discuss more on this. They had belief in Ayesha and Arjun and trusted them enough to take time so that the right decision could be reached.

Ayesha and Arjun managed to have a few silent moments in the garden before her parents departed. The night, in its awesome grandeur, sat bathing the very heavens in moonshine. Flower after flower had shot into full bloom and filled the air with perfume.

"Ayesha, darling, I realize this is all terribly overwhelming," Arjun said, opening his hands for her. "But I want you to know: No matter what happens, I'm here for you."

Ayesha looked into his eyes, her eyes shining like the moon above. "I feel the same for you, Arjun. I really feel thankful for your love and support."

They kissed— a promise that verified their love for each other and how they were going to stay with each other no matter what hardships came in front of them.

Ayesha and Arjun faced the rising full moon; it was very bright for what was to come. In their love, that grew to be like a light standing in the midst of life's uncertainties, they finally felt that if they had each other by their side, then nothing was impossible to defeat.