The days passed like a blur, but Aarohi couldn't shake the heaviness in her chest. The weight of the engagement loomed over her like a dark cloud. Everywhere she turned, her family was buzzing with preparations, completely unaware of the storm raging inside her.
She couldn't go on like this anymore. Aarohi knew she had to speak with Vihaan again. He was the only one who seemed willing to talk about the situation rationally, even if his words often stung. If she didn't address her concerns now, the engagement would spiral into something irreversible.
That evening, she sent him a message: "Can we talk? It's important."
To her surprise, Vihaan's reply came quickly: "Come to the café at 7."
The café was dimly lit, with soft instrumental music playing in the background. Aarohi spotted Vihaan at their usual table, sipping coffee as if he had all the time in the world. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with her own nerves, which were fraying at the edges.
As she sat down, he glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You're on time," he said, his tone neither warm nor cold. "That must mean it's serious."
Aarohi took a deep breath, clasping her hands together tightly. "I wanted to talk about... the engagement."
Vihaan raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt, letting her continue.
"I just feel like... this is all happening too fast," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm not even done with college yet. I-I don't think I'm ready for something this big. Not now."
Vihaan leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. "Go on," he said, his tone neutral.
Encouraged by his lack of immediate dismissal, Aarohi pressed on. "I understand what you said about this being more than just us-about our families and their expectations. But... shouldn't we also have a say in this? I don't want to ruin anything for my family or yours, but I feel like we're being pushed into something we're not ready for."
For a moment, Vihaan said nothing, his gaze steady on her face. Aarohi fidgeted under his scrutiny, wondering if she had overstepped.
Finally, he spoke. "So, what are you proposing?"
Aarohi hesitated. "Maybe... we could convince our parents to delay the engagement? Just until I graduate. It's not that I'm saying no, but I need time. I need to feel... prepared."
Vihaan let out a slow exhale, running a hand through his hair. "You think it'll be that simple? Convincing them to wait?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But if we both agree, maybe it'll make a difference. They'll listen to us."
Vihaan's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "You have a lot of faith in our parents, Aarohi. This isn't just about timing for them. It's about keeping their promises, protecting their reputations, and ensuring that everything goes smoothly between our families."
"I know," Aarohi said softly, her voice tinged with desperation. "But isn't it worth trying? This is our life too, Vihaan. Don't you think we deserve a say in it?"
Her words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, Vihaan's hardened expression softened. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Let me ask you something," he said. "If the engagement was postponed, would that change how you feel about this marriage?"
Aarohi blinked, caught off guard by the question. "I... I don't know," she admitted. "I'm not saying I don't want to marry you. I'm just saying I'm not ready for it now. I need time to figure things out."
Vihaan studied her for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Fair enough," he said. "I'll talk to my parents. But don't expect this to be easy. They've already set their minds on this engagement happening soon."
Aarohi's heart lifted with a glimmer of hope. "Thank you," she said sincerely.
Vihaan held up a hand. "Don't thank me yet. We still have a lot to figure out."
That night, Aarohi returned home feeling a mix of relief and trepidation. The conversation with Vihaan had gone better than she had expected, but she knew the battle was far from over. Convincing their parents to delay the engagement would be an uphill climb, and she had no idea how they would react.
As she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Aarohi couldn't help but wonder if this was the first step toward taking control of her own life-or if it would only make things more complicated.