For once, it felt good to have a place in the world where everyone knew her for who she was, not just as the daughter of a powerful family. Siya had always dreamed of this kind of independence—a life free from the fears that haunted her teenage years. No more anxiety over her grandparents' harsh words about her clothing, or the dread of her parents' hollow gestures of care that masked their indifference.
This morning was no different from any other. Siya woke up, carefully selecting the most impressive suit from her walk-in closet. She wanted to show her parents how successful she had become—without their help. Yet, beneath her confident exterior, there was a lingering dread. She had been carrying it ever since she received that call from her parents, summoning her for a family meeting.
As the day progressed, the anxiety only deepened. Siya, usually the warm and smiling boss who guided her team with kindness, was unusually cold and irritable. She snapped at her employees, turning the office into a personal hell, her usual patience buried under the weight of impending confrontation.
By 7 o'clock that evening, she found herself standing outside her parents' house. To an outsider, it was a dream home—grand, luxurious, the epitome of success. But to Siya, it was nothing more than a vault of painful memories. Each corner of the house echoed with the voices of the past, reminding her of all the times she had been overlooked, ignored, or judged.
As she entered the house, the familiar smell of sandalwood and jasmine greeted her, a scent that used to comfort her as a child but now only reminded her of all the times she had felt suffocated here. The house was alive with activity, but none of it for her. Servants moved about quickly, preparing for some important guest. The hum of voices reached her ears as she stepped into the living room, where her family was already gathered.
Her grandmother sat in her usual spot, slowly turning the beads of her mala, her lips moving in silent prayer. "Siya, you're late," she said without looking up, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval.
"I had work," Siya replied curtly, though she knew it wouldn't matter. In this house, her work had always been seen as trivial compared to the family's expectations.
Her mother, Aarti, looked up from where she was fussing over Siya's younger sister, Maya. "Work? You work too much, Siya. You should learn from Maya. She knows how to balance everything perfectly. Just look at how well she manages her time and her responsibilities."
Maya, seated beside her mother, offered Siya a small smile that was both sweet and condescending. "It's all about priorities, Siya," she said, her voice dripping with false modesty.
Siya forced a smile, knowing better than to argue. It was always the same. Maya was the perfect daughter, the one who could do no wrong, while Siya's accomplishments were barely acknowledged.
Her father and elder brother, Rohan, were deep in conversation about the latest business deals. They barely acknowledged her entrance, continuing their discussion about market trends and investment strategies as if she were invisible.
"Siya," her father finally said, turning to her with a businesslike tone. "We need to discuss something important with you. Take a seat."
She complied, her heart sinking as she saw her grandfather lean forward, clearing his throat to speak. The room fell silent, everyone turning their attention to the patriarch of the family.
"We have fixed your marriage with the second son of the Arora family," he began, his voice as steady as it had been for decades. "They will be here soon to meet you. You must say yes, Siya. This alliance will benefit us greatly, bringing the contacts and wealth we need."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut, though she had been dreading them for the past 28 years. She had always known this day would come, but not so soon, and certainly not with someone she despised—a man she believed was just like her father. Her father's gaze was expectant, as if waiting for her to voice her agreement without question.
"Do you understand?" he demanded, his voice brooking no argument.
"Yes, Father," she replied, her voice devoid of emotion. Resistance was futile; she had learned that long ago. Instead, she did what she had always done—plastered on a façade and prepared to meet the people who would soon become her in-laws.
Her mother and Maya immediately sprang into action, dragging her upstairs to get her ready. "You need to look your best, Siya," her mother insisted, selecting an expensive pink saree from the wardrobe. "This family will bring us everything we've ever wanted."
As Siya stood there, letting them drape the heavy saree around her, she felt like a doll being dressed for display. The jewelry they adorned her with felt like chains, cold and biting against her skin.
Maya adjusted a pin in Siya's hair, her fingers brushing against her cheek. "You should be happy, Siya. This is the best match you could have hoped for."
Siya met her sister's gaze in the mirror, seeing the satisfaction in Maya's eyes. She wanted to scream, to rip off the saree and run as far away as she could. But instead, she simply nodded, suppressing every emotion that threatened to surface.
Yug's POV
As Yug stepped into the Malhotra mansion, he couldn't shake the coldness that seemed to pervade the house. It was grand, yes, but it lacked the warmth that should fill a family home. Still, he pushed these thoughts aside as he greeted everyone and took his seat.
His father, Raj Arora, immediately struck up a conversation with Siya's father, discussing the merger that would come from this marriage. "This alliance will be beneficial for both our families," Raj said, his voice filled with the satisfaction of a man who had secured a great deal.
Yug's mother, Neelam, looked around the room with a critical eye, assessing everything from the decor to the food being served. "They have good taste," she murmured to Yug, nodding approvingly. "This will be a good match for you."
But Yug was barely listening. His eyes were fixed on Siya, who entered the room a few moments later. She looked stunning in the pink saree, but there was a tightness around her eyes, a tension that made him uneasy.
When their fathers began discussing the formalities—the announcement dates, the engagement, and wedding details—Neelam suggested that Yug and Siya should have some time alone to talk. "Let them get to know each other," she said with a smile.
Siya's grandfather nodded in agreement. "Yes, let them talk. It's important for them to understand each other before the wedding."
Yug followed Siya as she led him outside to the garden. The night air was cool, and the sound of crickets filled the silence between them. Once they were seated, Siya finally spoke.
"I never wanted to marry," she began, her voice steady but tinged with resignation. "But this is something I cannot resist, and I'm sure it's the same for you. So, I propose we marry each other and live our separate lives."
Her bluntness took him by surprise. He hadn't expected such a direct approach, but he could see the walls she had built around herself, and he was determined to break through them. If this was what it took to gain her trust, he was willing to play along.
"Sure," he replied, trying to match her calm demeanor. "I didn't want to marry you either, but like you, I don't have a choice. So let's do it your way."
"We can discuss the other terms in your office or mine some other day," she said.
"Sure," he agreed, realizing that this was only the beginning of a much more complicated relationship.
They returned to the house, where they both gave their assent to the engagement. The room erupted in celebration, with their families hugging them and feeding them sweets as if it were the happiest day of their lives. Yug noticed the forced smiles on Siya's face, the way her hands clenched tightly around the sweets, but he said nothing.
As they sat down for dinner, the conversation flowed easily around them. Raj and Siya's father discussed business, while Neelam and Aarti talked about wedding plans. "We should keep it traditional," Neelam suggested, her tone leaving no room for disagreement.
"Of course," Aarti agreed, her eyes flickering briefly to Siya, who was picking at her food in silence.
Maya, ever the perfect daughter, chimed in with suggestions for the decor and guest list. "We should invite all the important families," she said, earning nods of approval from the elders.
Throughout it all, Yug and Siya exchanged only a few words, their minds already miles away from the table. When the dinner finally ended, and the Arora family prepared to leave, Siya's father pulled her aside.
"Remember, Siya," he said, his voice low and firm. "This marriage is important for all of us. Don't mess it up."
She nodded, her face expressionless, and watched as her future in-laws walked out the door. The house fell silent, the servants beginning to clean up, and for a moment, Siya stood there, feeling utterly alone despite being surrounded by family.
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