Chapter 3 - The Unexpected Proposal

Adhya's POV

After the last of the plates were cleared away, I sat down at the dinner table with Aarav, my mind buzzing with questions.

"So, what was all that about?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my heart was pounding in my chest.

Aarav, who had been unusually quiet since the dinner, looked at me over his glass of water. "What do you mean?"

I gave him a pointed look. "You know exactly what I mean. Dad was acting weird. And I swear Mr. Malhotra was practically sending signals to Dad the entire time. What's going on?"

Aarav sighed, setting down his glass with a little more force than necessary. "It's complicated, Adhya."

"Complicated? Come on, Aarav. You know I hate being kept in the dark. What's going on?" I leaned forward, my voice soft but insistent.

He looked at me for a long moment, as though debating whether to tell me. I could see the hesitation in his eyes. "Dad wants to talk to you about something important tomorrow," he said finally.

I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Aarav gave a small shrug, though there was something almost apologetic in the gesture. "Just... trust me, okay? It's not a bad thing, I promise."

I wasn't sure if I believed him. There was something in his tone-something off, something that didn't sit right. But before I could press further, he stood up, clearly done with the conversation. "Get some rest, Adhya. You'll need it for tomorrow."

The next morning, my nerves were shot. My dad had insisted that we all sit down together after breakfast. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to hear something I wasn't ready for.

As soon as I stepped into the living room, I found my parents already seated, waiting for me. The tension in the air was thick, and I could sense that something was off even before my father spoke.

"Adhya, we've been talking," my dad started, his tone more serious than usual. "And your mother and I feel it's time for you to know about the plans we've made for your future."

I felt my pulse quicken. "Plans? What plans?"

He exchanged a look with my mom, who nodded as if silently giving him the go-ahead. "We've arranged for you to marry Reyan Malhotra."

I blinked, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "What?"

"Reyan and you were childhood friends. We've known the Malhotras for years, Adhya. And after all these years, it seems like the right time for both families," my dad continued, his words coming faster now as though he was trying to explain something that didn't need explaining.

I could hardly catch my breath. "Wait, wait. You're saying... you've arranged for me to marry Reyan?"

"Yes," my mom said gently, her voice a mix of warmth and finality. "We've spoken to his family. The Malhotras agree, and it's a matter of timing now."

A sudden tightness gripped my chest. Reyan? Reyan Malhotra? My childhood friend-the same brooding, intense man who had barely spoken to me since we were kids?

It didn't make sense. None of it made sense.

"But I... I haven't even seen Reyan in years! How could you just-" I trailed off, my voice shaking slightly.

My dad raised a hand to silence me, his gaze soft but firm. "We know it's a lot to take in, Adhya. But this isn't just about you and Reyan. It's about two families, two businesses... it's complicated. You'll understand in time."

In time? That was all he had to say?

I felt a sudden rush of emotions-anger, confusion, frustration-and I struggled to keep it together. My mind was reeling, and I didn't even know how to process what was happening.

Aarav stepped into the room just then, as if he'd been waiting for this moment. He placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to offer some comfort, though I could see the unease in his eyes.

"Adhya, I know this is unexpected," Aarav said quietly. "But this is how things work in our world. It's tradition, and we all believe this is what's best."

I turned to him, my eyes wide with disbelief. "And you? You're okay with this? You're okay with me marrying Reyan just because our families decided it's 'best'?"

He looked pained for a moment but nodded. "It's not about what we want, Adhya. It's about what's expected. You'll come to see that."

I couldn't breathe. I had always known there was pressure in our world, in our family, to uphold tradition and make certain sacrifices, but this-this was too much. Marrying Reyan Malhotra? Was that really what my life was going to become?

But then, in the back of my mind, I remembered his eyes from last night-those dark, intense eyes that never seemed to leave me.

And I felt something stir deep inside me. Something I didn't want to acknowledge, something I couldn't control.