At the Diwan penthouse, the atmosphere was warm and familiar as Dr. Abhimanyu Singhania and Dr. Akriti Singhania arrived. Ranveer and Avni Diwan greeted them with the ease that only comes from decades of friendship. After the initial pleasantries, Ranveer smiled as they settled onto the plush sofas. "So, Abhimanyu... what brings you here this afternoon?" Ranveer asked with his usual easy tone. The staff quietly brought in tea and snacks, exactly how both families liked it. There was no formality here, only the comfort of old ties. For a few moments, they didn't speak of business or hospitals. The conversation meandered casually. Avni, with a teasing smile, looked at Akriti and said "How are you doing these days Akriti? Still as Strict and Perfectionist as ever, I assume?" That sparked soft laughter from all four. "Who would say we all survived those mad MBBS days together?" Avni added with a shake of her head, her tone fond. Akriti laughed, "Yes... and after so long, here we are again, finally sitting together like this. Feels like those days were just yesterday." Abhimanyu joined in, smiling, "Responsibilities... raising children, managing homes... somewhere in all that, time just flew. We didn't even realize when it happened." Ranveer nodded, adding with a chuckle, "And 24/7 handling hospitals... life kept us running." They all laughed in quiet agreement.  Ranveer continued saying "But now, things feel a little lighter, don't they? The children have taken over most of the responsibilities." Abhimanyu and Akriti exchanged a proud glance. "Yes, absolutely," Akriti said. "They're handling things with ease. Touchwood... we've been blessed with a good set of children."

As the laughter faded into a comfortable silence, Abhimanyu gently placed his cup down, his expression softening with intent. "Ranveer, Avni there's something I and Akriti wanted to share with you both," he began, his tone warm but carrying quiet seriousness. "Not about hospitals or work. This is something more personal. something about family." Ranveer smiled, leaning back in his seat, reading between the lines as old friends often do. "Oh? That sounds serious, Abhimanyu. Please go ahead." Akriti's voice joined in, calm and thoughtful "It's about Kabir." Avni's brows lifted, her concern instinctive. "Kabir? I hope everything's alright." Abhimanyu reassured her with a small smile. "Of course. He's doing well. Settled in his work, handling responsibilities beautifully. But as parents, you know... there comes a time when we begin thinking about the next chapter in their lives." Ranveer gave a knowing smile. "You're speaking about his marriage." Abhimanyu and Akriti exchanged a brief glance. He nodded. "Yes. That's right. After last night after the award function... we noticed something." Akriti added softly, "We couldn't help but observe Kabir, and Kashish." There was a quiet pause. Ranveer and Avni exchanged a glance, one of shared understanding, of unspoken observations finally finding words. Abhimanyu continued, his tone gentle. "Maa and Papa noticed it too. And so did Akriti and I. You know Kabir, he's not someone who lets himself get distracted easily. But last night... there was a calmness, a softness in him we haven't seen before." Akriti smiled faintly. "We spoke to him this morning  nothing decided, of course. But we wanted to share this with you first. Before anything." Abhimanyu's words remained warm, filled with respect. "We've known your family for years. In Kashish we've seen the values she's grown up with. We trust her upbringing because we trust both of you. And if you would even consider this we'd like to open this conversation." Avni's smile was immediate, affectionate she looked and Akriti and said "Akriti from when did you both become so formal with us? We're family." Ranveer let out a soft laugh. "And to tell you the truth, Maa already mentioned this to me this morning. She said, 'I know the Singhania's, sooner or later they will bring this topic up." Abhimanyu smiled knowingly. "Papa knows Maa too well." Avni's warmth didn't fade as she added, "Kabir is a wonderful young man. We know him. We respect him. As for Kashish we haven't considered marriage yet. She's young. But we aren't closed to the thought either. We trust your intentions. No rush. No pressure." Ranveer nodded in agreement. "Let's keep this simple, light. No pressure on the children. If it's meant to happen it will happen in time. For now, let's keep this just between us." Abhimanyu smiled, relieved by their understanding. "That's all we ask. No expectations just a thought shared between family." Akriti's gentle smile reflected the warmth in the room. "And between parents who've walked this path before."

Ranveer leaned back on the sofa, a thoughtful smile playing on his face as he looked at Abhimanyu and Akriti. "We will talk to Kashish," he said calmly, his tone carrying both warmth and clarity. "Let's see what she says. After all, it's her decision that matters the most." Avni nodded beside him, her expression soft, reassuring. "Yes, we'll speak to her gently. No pressure. We know Kashish, she's sensible, and she'll understand." Abhimanyu gave a small, relieved smile "That's all we hoped for. Just a conversation, nothing formal or hurried." Akriti added with a gentle nod, "Exactly. Let's leave it to the children now, we'll only move ahead if they feel ready." Ranveer shared a quiet glance with Avni before responding lightly, "Hmm we'll see where this conversation leads. Whatever's best for them, that's what we'll do." A quiet understanding settled between the four of them. A conversation shared not between doctors or colleagues today, but between parents and old friends, wanting nothing but the happiness of their children.

The Diwan Mansion was unusually quiet that evening. Ranveer and Avni are now returned from their penthouse after having a talk with Abhimanyu and Akriti. In the family lounge, Ranveer and Avni sat comfortably, waiting for Kashish to return from her firm. A soft playlist of classical music played in the background, something Avni usually kept running in the evenings. Kashish entered a few minutes later, tying her hair up in a loose bun, her sketchbook still in hand. She paused, noticing the calm but expectant expressions on her parents' faces. Kashish (lightly, half-teasing) "Why do I feel like I've entered a board meeting instead of our living room?" Ranveer smiled. "No board meeting. Just something, A little important your mother and I wanted to discuss." She sat down opposite them, closing her sketchbook "Okay... sounds serious." Avni gave her a reassuring smile. "Nothing serious, Kashish, just about you." Kashish raised an eyebrow in quiet curiosity. "About me?" Ranveer leaned forward, his tone gentle. "Today we had a conversation with Abhimanyu  and Akriti, Kabir's Parents." Kashish listened attentively, though still unsure where this was heading. Avni continued, her voice calm and kind. "They... brought up something. About Kabir." Kashish blinked, surprised. "Kabir, Dr. Kabir Singhania?" Ranveer smiled lightly and continued saying "Yes, They noticed and honestly, so did we a certain ease between you two last night. Nothing big, nothing dramatic. Just something." Kashish looked down for a moment, thoughtful but silent. Avni spoke gently. "They've known us for years. And we trust them, Kashish. They aren't rushing into anything, neither are we. But they did express they would like to consider you as their elder daughter in law, means a wife to Kabir, if you would ever consider Kabir." Ranveer added, "We're not pressuring you, beta. This is entirely your decision. We simply wanted to share it with you honestly, before anyone else says anything more." Kashish remained quiet, processing it. Of all the things she expected this week, this wasn't one. She finally looked up, her expression calm but sincere. "You really trust them that much, Papa, Mumma?" Avni smiled "We do. And we trust you more." Ranveer nodded "Think about it, Kashish. There's no rush. No expectations. Just think." Kashish sat quietly, trying to process what her parents had just shared. The conversation felt sudden, unexpected, not forced, but certainly not something she had imagined coming up tonight. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke, her tone confused but sincere "But... Maa, Papa... my marriage? We, we hadn't thought of this yet, right? I mean, yes I do want to get married someday. But not right now. At least we weren't thinking about it so soon." Her words lingered in the room, innocent, honest, unsure. Avni, with a mother's natural warmth, reached out, placing her hand gently over her daughter's. Her smile was patient, filled with quiet reassurance. "Beta, there is no rush. We aren't pushing you. We're only telling you what came to us,openly, honestly. Abhimanyu and Akriti didn't come with pressure either. They simply shared what they observed, what they felt." Ranveer, seated beside them, nodded in agreement. His voice, like always, carried patience and reason. "This isn't a decision for today or tomorrow. Only when you feel ready. If you want, you can meet Kabir, speak with him directly. See if this is something worth considering for yourself. It's your life, Kashish." Kashish looked down for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts, then looked up and asked quietly "Dada Dadi... do they know about this?" Avni smiled softly, almost as if she had been expecting this question. "Yes, beta. Dada Dadi know. And they like Kabir. They trust the Singhania's. They trust Kabir's nature, his values." A small breath escaped Kashish as she looked at her parents, these were the two people she trusted the most in the world. And seeing no pressure in their eyes, only concern and patience, brought her a quiet sense of peace. "If this, this conversation has already come this far then I'll think about it. I'll take my time and think properly." Her parents smiled, proud of how grounded and composed their daughter always was. There was no rush. No pressure. Only trust in time and in Kashish herself. And with that understanding, the conversation quietly ended.

Author' POV

Meanwhile, at the Singhania and Diwan Mansion, the news had also quietly made its way through the family. Both families had already spoken about it openly at dinner. There was no gossip, no whispers. Just warmth. Just acceptance. Both families knew some things take time. And the best things often grow silently, without force. Even Samrath and Shivansh, Kashish's elder brothers, shared their opinions about Kabir to her. They agreed on one thing, Kabir is a good man. But in the end, they both said the sameto Kashish "The decision is your's to make."

Narration – What's Going On In Kabir & Kashish's Minds (Night Before the Meeting)

Kabir's Side:

Back in his room, Kabir sat on his balcony, the Shimla night breeze brushing past him. He wasn't overthinking, not exactly. But the conversation from this morning with his parents, and now knowing that the Diwans too were aware, it did linger in his mind. What unsettled him wasn't marriage. It wasn't even the Diwans or his parents discussing it. It was the thought of meeting Kashish again tomorrow not as an architect in a boardroom, not as Dr. Diwan's daughter but now, unknowingly wrapped in a conversation bigger than either of them had signed up for. He thought to himself "Tomorrow how is she going to look at me? Will it be the same polite, professional exchange or will there be that awkward weight in the air? Does she even know how much our families have spoken already? And me? I wasn't prepared to think about her this way. Not this soon." He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "Focus on work, Kabir. You're meeting her for AIIMS, not for rishta talks. Keep it simple." Yet somewhere beneath his calm exterior, even he couldn't deny there was a nervousness, unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.

Kashish's Side:

In her room, Kashish sat on the edge of her bed, aimlessly scrolling through her emails. But her mind wasn't on architecture drafts or blueprints. It circled back again and again to what her parents had said earlier. "Kabir Singhania for marriage? I barely know him. Three meetings A few polite exchanges and now this?" She wasn't against it. She didn't dislike Kabir. In fact, she respected him for his calm, his work, his reputation. But the sudden realization of seeing him tomorrow, in the AIIMS Boardroom, with this quiet tension between them it made her more nervous than she wanted to admit. "How do I look at him tomorrow and talk about building plans and palliative care wings when somewhere in my head, there's now this absurd thought, 'Is this man my future?'" She hugged a pillow, sighing to herself "No rush no pressure Maa Papa said that. But how do I pretend none of this is happening?"

A quiet nervousness hung between them tonight. 

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