The soft glow of chandelier lights reflected off the marble floors as Ahaan Malhotra walked into the Shekhawat residence, his expression neutral, almost indifferent. His mother, Suman, clasped his arm with a reassuring smile, sensing his tension even though he tried to hide it behind a cool, detached demeanour. Ahaan had agreed to this arranged marriage only to appease his family. Love had no place in his life after the betrayal he had endured years ago, and the idea of trusting someone again seemed far too risky. But family duty came first.
On the other side of the room, Kaira Shekhawat adjusted her dupatta, her palms slightly sweaty despite her composed appearance. She had heard about Ahaan—a successful architect, well-established, and someone her family respected. But to her, he was just another reminder of how unpredictable love and life could be. Her last relationship had shattered her trust, leaving scars she hadn’t quite healed from. Like Ahaan, she had only agreed to this meeting to put her family’s worries at ease.
As both families exchanged pleasantries, the tension in the room was palpable, though masked by polite smiles and formalities. Ahaan's eyes briefly met Kaira’s across the room, and in that fleeting glance, they both sensed a guardedness in the other. Introductions were made, and soon they were seated across from each other, their families giving them space but clearly watching from a distance.
Ahaan broke the silence, his voice calm but distant. "So, what do you do, Kaira?"
"I work with an NGO," she replied, her voice softer than she intended. "We focus on providing education and resources for underprivileged children." It was something she was deeply passionate about, but at this moment, her words felt rehearsed a mere formality. She glanced at him, searching for any sign of interest, but his expression remained unreadable.
"That's... good," Ahaan responded after a pause, clearly uncomfortable with small talk. He wasn’t one for these types of conversations, especially not when he felt so emotionally distant.
Minutes passed in awkwardness, the air between them thick with unspoken fears. Both Ahaan and Kaira were haunted by their pasts, and though they were strangers, the weight of their individual heartbreaks hovered between them.
"You’re an architect?" Kaira asked, trying to break the ice, though unsure how to make a genuine connection in such a stifling atmosphere.
"Yes," Ahaan answered simply, giving little away. He wasn’t trying to be rude, but the walls he had built around his emotions made it hard for him to engage. His work was his life, a carefully constructed escape from feelings he didn’t want to confront.
The rest of the conversation was filled with superficial pleasantries—questions about work, family, and shared expectations. They spoke in measured tones, careful not to delve too deep. Their families watched from a distance, hopeful yet oblivious to the internal struggles both Ahaan and Kaira were wrestling with.
As the evening came to a close, they stood, shaking hands in a manner that felt more like a business transaction than a potential partnership. Kaira’s fingers brushed against Ahaan’s briefly, and for a moment, both felt the coldness of the gesture, a sharp reminder of how far they were from any emotional connection.
Later, as the car ride home stretched on, Ahaan gazed out the window, his mind replaying the evening's events. He had agreed to this marriage because it seemed like the logical choice. Emotionally, he had checked out long ago. He didn’t expect anything more.
Kaira, meanwhile, sat quietly in her own home, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She knew what was expected of her, but the fear of being hurt again gnawed at her. Could she really open herself up to someone like Ahaan, someone who seemed just as closed off as she felt?
Despite their reluctance, by the end of the evening, they both found themselves saying yes to the proposal, agreeing to marry not out of love, but out of duty to their families. Little did they know that this would be the beginning of a journey that would challenge everything they thought they knew about love, trust, and healing.