ANIRUDH

I walked into the meeting room, still reeling from the encounter with the mysterious girl. As the discussion began, I found myself drifting away, consumed by thoughts of her.

Her eyes, so bright...

Her nose, slightly upturned and adorable...

Her lips, pink and inviting...

Her cheeks, flushed with determination...

Her voice, sweet and sassy...

"Mr. Singhania!"

"MR. SINGHANIA!" he shouted again, this time with more urgency.

I snapped out of my trance, realizing everyone was staring at me. "Ye-Yes," I stuttered.

"What happened to you? Is everything okay?" Mr. Singh asked, concern etched on his face.

I tried to compose myself. "Yes, yes, please continue."

But Mr. Singh just smiled wryly. "The presentation is already over, Anirudh."

I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"Yeah? I mean yeah. Thank you, Mr. Singh. See you in the next meeting," I said nervously, trying to make a quick exit.

I sat at my desk, still lost in thoughr.

Just then, my phone rang, breaking my train of thought. It was my mother.

"Hello" I answered.

"Maa, why are you calling me at office time?" I asked, trying to stall.

"To remind you that today we have planned to go to the girl's house to finalize your marriage with her," she replied, her tone firm.

I had completely forgotten about the arranged marriage meeting. "But..." I tried to protest, but she cut me off.

"I need you in the house in 30 minutes," she said angrily, leaving me no room for argument.

She hung up before I could respond. I was trapped.

Oh God, what should I do?

Just then, a notification popped up on my phone. I checked it.

I sighed, feeling trapped, and exited my cabin. I rushed to my car, my mind racing with thoughts of that girl and the impending arranged marriage.

I started the engine, opened the location my mother had sent, and began to follow the directions. The GPS led me through the crowded streets of Mumbai, and I found myself heading towards the suburbs.

As I drove, my thoughts drifted back to that Scooty girl. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was meant to be with her, not some stranger my mother had chosen for me.

The GPS announced my arrival, and I pulled up in front of a modest house. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

ROOP

I sat beside Taiji, trying to process the sudden announcement of my marriage proposal. She took my hand in hers, her eyes filled with concern.

"Dekho beta, bahut acha rishta hai. Ladka bhi bahut sundar hai aur acha khasa kama leta hai. To ye rishta jaise haat se Nahin jana chahiye. Samjhe?" (Look beta. This is a very good match. The boy is also very handsome and earns well. We shouldn't let this opportunity slip away. Understand?)

"Agar ye rishta aaj haat se gaya to tum jante ho Kya Hoga" (If this proposal slips away today, you know what will happen)

My grandmother warned, her voice stern.

I knew what she meant. If I rejected this proposal, she would marry me off to a drunkard, a fate worse than death.

I felt trapped, caught between my family's expectations. Taiji squeezed my hand, as if sensing my turmoil

"Jao, ache se taiyar ho ke niche aao" (Go, get ready and come downstairs) Tauji said, his voice firm.

I nodded, feeling defeated, and made my way to my room.

I sat in front of the dressing table, tears streaming down my face. Why me? Why always me? I felt like God was taking revenge on me.

"What did I do wrong?" I cried out, feeling helpless. "Don't I have the right to choose the man I spend my life with?"

A knock on the door broke my trance. I wiped away my tears, trying to compose myself.

"Jaldi taiyar ho ladke wale aa gaye hai" (Hurry up, get ready, the groom's family has arrived) my grandmother said, her voice stern.

"Ji Dadi. Abhi aayi" (yes, coming) I replied, feeling like a prisoner trapped in my own life.

I stood up, took a deep breath, and walked towards the closet. I chose my favorite outfit - a light blue top with palazzo pants. I let my hair down, added some kajal to my eyes, and lipstick to my lips. I completed the look with matching bangles and a pair of jhumkas.

I felt a sense of confidence as I made my way to the hall. All eyes were on me.

I saw a woman sitting on the couch, who I assumed was his mother. Beside her was a man, likely his father. And next to Taiji was a girl, probably his sister.

What is HIS name? Oh god.

I sat down beside Taiji, and his mother approached me. She held my face and said, "Bahut pyari bachi hai" (You are a very beautiful girl)

I was taken aback, shocked by her words. No one had called me beautiful since my parents passed away when I was 14.

"Agar tum Meri bahu banogi to Meri khus Kismat hogi beta" (If you become my daughter in law, it will be my good fortune) She said, her eyes filled with warmth.

"Aare pehle dono bache aapas me baat to karle, phir wo decide karenge unko Saadi karni he ki Nahin" [ Let the two of them talk first, then they can decide if they want to get married or not ] His father said, his voice filled with understanding.

I felt a sense of relief, hoping that his family's understanding nature would rub off on him. But what was HIS name?

Just then, a knock on the door broke the silence. Taiji got up to open it.

"Aao beta, andar aao" (Come in, child, come in) She said, her voice welcoming.

I wondered who it could be, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw him walk in.

I couldn't believe my eyes! The man who crashed his car into my scooty was standing in front of me, looking dashing in a dark blue suit. We stared at each other, both of us in shock.

I hadn't noticed how handsome he was before, but now I couldn't help but notice. His eyes, his smile, his confident demeanor... everything about him seemed captivating.

Oh god. I want to hide myself.

"Tum dono ek dusre ko jante ho?" (Do you both know each other?) His mother asked, breaking the silence.

The man shook his head.

"N-No. How do I know her, maa?"

His mother encouraged him to introduce himself, and he did, with a charming smile.

"Hi. I am Anirudh, Anirudh Singhania."

Anirudh.

I took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity as our palms touched. "Roop Malhotra," I replied, trying to sound calm.

Anirudh sat down beside his mother, and an awkward silence filled the room.

"Dono bache pehle aapas me baat karle. Aapko kuch dikatt to Nahin?" (Let the two of them talk first. Do you have any issues?) His father said to my Tauji.

"Nahin Nahin, hame kuch dikatt Nahin. Roop beta, Anirudh ko garden me leke jao" (No, no issues. Roop, take Anirudh to the garden) He said, addressing me as "beta" for the first time, but only for show.

"Ji" (Yes) I replied, leading the way to the garden.

Once we reached the garden, I turned to Anirudh and revealed my truth.

"Look, I can't deny this proposal otherwise my family will fix my marriage with a drunkard."

Anirudh's eyes filled with sadness. "So, you will marry me because you haven't any other options?"

I felt a pang of guilt, but I had to be honest. "Yes, but I promise after marriage, if you don't want me to stay in your room, I can move out or sleep on the couch. I won't touch-"

Anirudh cut me off, his expression unreadable. I wondered what he was thinking, and what lay ahead for us.

"Roop, I know you don't like me and you don't want to marry me. It's okay. I will talk with your family. I don't want to Force you in this. But one thing. I met you this morning, but I feel like we've known each other for many years."

"No, please. Don't talk with them. I have only option to marry you"

"Roop, you like me or not, but I promise I will love you with my whole heart till my death if you will marry me, and I promise you, I will do everything that makes you happy. I promise."

He turned towards the house, leaving me in a daze. I stood there, trying to process his words.