The Wrong Meeting (Short Story)
Title: The Wrong Meeting The soft melodies of dhol and laughter filled the air as Aditi Khanna twirled around in her pastel lehenga, enjoying every moment of her best friend’s wedding in Dehradun . The cool mountain breeze carried the fragrance of jasmine and mehendi, and for once, Aditi felt completely free from deadlines, responsibilities, and the endless “rishta” talks at home. She was laughing with her friends when her phone buzzed. Papa calling. She sighed, stepping away from the crowd and answering, “Yes, Papa?” Her father’s warm but firm voice came from the other end. “Aditi, I’ve found a boy for you. A nice family, well-settled. Coincidentally, he’s also in Dehradun for some work. You can meet him tomorrow before coming back.” “What? Papa! I just came for the wedding, not to—” “No arguments, beta. You’ll just meet him once. I’ve already arranged the meeting at a restaurant near your hotel. I’m sending his photo to your WhatsApp .” “Papa!” she tried again, bu...