Aarohi Sharma slouched in her college classroom, absently doodling on the edges of her notebook. Her professorâs voice droned on about economic theories, but her mind wandered far away. She had never been good at studies, and honestly, she didnât care. Sheâd rather be anywhere elseâsketching, dreaming of places she wanted to visit, or laughing with her best friend. But instead, she was here, enduring yet another lecture in a degree she felt no connection to.
At home, her sister Shweta was the golden childâintelligent, obedient, and everything Aarohi was not. Shwetaâs accomplishments sparkled in every family conversation, while Aarohi often felt like a dull reflection. It wasnât that her parents didnât love her; it was just that Shweta made it so easy to admire her. Aarohi envied her sisterâs perfection, but loved her too. Shweta had always been kind, encouraging Aarohi to find her own pathâeven if Aarohi had no idea where that path might lead.
Dinner that evening was chaotic, as usual. Their father, Rajesh Sharma, was talking animatedly about finding a suitable groom for Shweta. Aarohi smirked, teasing her sister, who rolled her eyes and muttered, âYouâll get your turn soon enough.â Aarohi snorted. âNot if I can help it.â Marriage was the furthest thing from her mind. The thought of marrying a stranger felt absurd and terrifying.
Life seemed predictableâuntil one evening, Aarohi overheard a conversation that changed everything.
She had been passing by her fatherâs study when she heard him speaking on the phone, his voice filled with warmth. âDev, we made that promise years ago. I think itâs time we fulfill it. Aarohi and Vihaan would be perfect together.â
Aarohi froze, her heart pounding. She leaned against the wall, struggling to process what sheâd just heard. Her father wanted to arrange her marriage to the son of his old friend? Her hands trembled as she stepped back quietly, not wanting to hear more.
Up in her room, Aarohi paced, panic bubbling inside her. She couldnât believe this. She had always assumed sheâd have control over her life. How could her father make such a huge decision without even asking her? She had always dreamed of marrying someone she lovedânot a stranger she didnât even know. She was hurt that her parents hadnât even considered asking her opinion before promising her marriage to their friendâs son. She couldnât sleep that night, her mind constantly racing with thoughts of the marriage arrangement. She felt overwhelmed by the pressure, and marriage, which had always seemed far off, now felt suffocatingly close.
She wasnât sure when she finally fell asleep, but she woke to her mom calling her downstairs. She quickly got ready and went downstairs to join her family at the breakfast table.
As she sat down, her parents asked her to help Shweta with the wedding shopping. Aarohiâs eyes widened in confusion. âWedding shopping?â she asked. Her mom smiled warmly and replied, âYes, weâve fixed Shwetaâs wedding with the man we went to meet. Her engagement is set for next month.â
Aarohi was excited for Shweta but couldnât help feeling the weight of the conversation from the previous night on her mind. Her nerves were on edge. After breakfast, everyone went about their day. Her mom began cleaning the dishes, her dad went to work, and Shweta retreated to her room, as it was her day off.
Seeing Shwetaâs face, Aarohi could tell she wasnât happy. Without thinking, she followed her sister into her room. âAre you okay with this marriage?â Aarohi asked gently.
Shweta was silent for a moment, then finally spoke, her voice tinged with resignation. âI donât want to get married. But I canât refuse. It will upset Mom and Dad, and I donât want to make them worry about me. So, Iâm accepting it.â
Aarohiâs heart ached. She knew her sister well enough to know that this wasnât what Shweta wanted. âBut you donât have to do this,â Aarohi urged. âYou can say no, and theyâll understand.â
Shweta shook her head. âItâs not that simple. Theyâve already made their choice. And besides, Dad would never choose someone wrong for me. This marriageâitâs for the best.â
Aarohi didnât know how to respond. She watched her sister, who, despite her outward calm, seemed to carry a quiet sadness.
After a long pause, Shweta told her, âGet ready for college, Aarohi. Donât keep Tanya waiting.â
Aarohi nodded, leaving her sisterâs room and heading to her own. She quickly got dressed and left for college, but she didnât attend her class. Instead, she called her best friend Tanya and asked to meet her in the back lawn.
Sitting together on the grass, Aarohi opened up about everything that had happenedâfrom overhearing her fatherâs conversation with his friend about arranging her marriage, to Shwetaâs engagement. Talking to Tanya made her feel a bit better, but the anxiety remained.
Tanya listened patiently and then spoke. âYou need to talk to your parents, Aarohi. They canât make this decision without you. You have every right to express how you feel.â
Aarohi sighed, running a hand through her hair. âBut what if itâs too late? What if theyâre already too set on this?â
Tanya squeezed her hand, offering a supportive smile. âItâs never too late. But you need to decide if you want to live with this arrangement or take control of your life now.â
Aarohi didnât know what to think. Could she confront her parents? Would they even listen? She wasnât sure, but one thing was clearâshe couldnât stay silent forever.