The evening had gone exactly as Siya had predicted, each moment tinged with the familiar bitterness of her family's indifference. Yet, amidst the suffocating atmosphere, there was a small consolation: her in-laws were kind, warm-hearted people. The exception was Yug’s father—a stern, imposing man who reminded her of the domineering figures in her own family. But what puzzled Siya the most was how easily Yug had agreed to their "arrangement." Had he been forced into this marriage as well? The thought gnawed at her, a reminder of the painful truth that she was never truly wanted, never truly loved. The idea that someone might love her for who she was seemed like a cruel joke. How could anyone love a girl whose own family barely tolerated her, who was abandoned like an unwanted burden? Lost in her thoughts, Siya was startled by her mother's sharp voice.
“Siya, did you hear what your father asked?” her mother’s irritation cut through the air like a knife.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Siya replied, shaken from her reverie.
“Do you ever listen? I asked if you knew why your brother wasn’t here tonight. Your mother and sister tried calling him several times, but he didn’t answer,” her father interjected coldly.
“He’s been distant lately,” Maya, her sister, chimed in with a sigh. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him in over a month.”
“He’s in Sweden for a business deal. He’ll be back soon,” Siya answered, trying to keep the peace.
“First, you both defied me by starting your own companies. Now, you don’t even inform us when you leave the country,” her grandfather's voice dripped with disappointment, each word a reminder of her perceived failures.
“It was an impromptu trip; he didn’t want to worry you,” Siya tried to defend Ishaan, though she knew her words would fall on deaf ears.
“Oh, stop defending him,” her elder brother snapped, his words laced with disdain.
The sharpness in her brother’s voice cut deeper than Siya expected. It was the final straw. The room seemed to close in on her, the suffocating coldness of their indifference pressing down on her chest. Without another word, she stood up and walked out of the house. No one stopped her; no one even noticed she had left. The silence of their disregard echoed in her ears as she drove away, tears blurring her vision.
When Siya finally arrived at her apartment, she found Ishaan sprawled on the couch, engrossed in a video game. Empty takeout containers littered the coffee table, evidence of a night spent in front of the screen.
“How many times do I have to tell you to eat at the dining table, not on the coffee table?” Siya scolded, her voice a mix of exhaustion and frustration.
“And how many times do I have to tell you to stop nagging me?” Ishaan retorted, not even looking up. “Your brother just got back from a business trip and is stuck eating takeout because his sister wasn’t here to make him the pasta he’s been craving for the past week.”
Siya’s heart twisted at his words. She had been so wrapped up in her own misery that she had neglected Ishaan, the one person who had always been there for her. The guilt gnawed at her, adding to the weight already on her shoulders.
“Why were you so dressed up to go to our parents’ house?” Ishaan asked, finally tearing his eyes away from the screen.
“They fixed my marriage,” Siya replied flatly, the words heavy with resignation.
“What?” Ishaan paused the game, disbelief etched on his face. “I never thought those conniving bastards would stoop this low.”
“We both saw this coming,” Siya said with a weary sigh.
“To whom?” Ishaan’s voice was tight, barely containing his anger.
“Yug Arora,” Siya answered, the name leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
“How are you coping?” Ishaan asked, his voice softening as he saw the pain in his sister’s eyes.
“I’m fine. It doesn’t matter. I asked him for an arrangement—after marriage, he lives his life, and I live mine,” Siya explained, trying to sound detached, but her voice wavered.
“And what did he say?” Ishaan leaned in closer, his concern palpable.
“He agreed almost immediately. I guess he was forced into this too,” Siya shrugged, but the words felt hollow, empty.
There was a moment of silence, heavy and uncomfortable. Ishaan looked at his sister, his heart aching for her. He knew how much she had suffered; how much she had endured without ever letting it show.
“I don’t know what to say,” Ishaan admitted, his voice thick with emotion.
“Don’t worry. I’ve asked him to draft a contract outlining our expectations in this relationship,” Siya said, standing up from the couch, trying to regain some semblance of control.
“Do you want me to be there when he comes for the contract?” Ishaan offered, his protective instincts kicking in.
“I’m not a kid anymore, baby brother. I’ll be just fine on my own,” Siya reassured him with a small smile, though the sadness in her eyes remained.
“Call me if you need even 1% of effort, and I’ll be there,” Ishaan promised, standing up as well.
“Just stay here tonight. It’s unsafe to go out this late. There are clean clothes in the wardrobe. And clean up this mess before you sleep,” Siya instructed, slipping back into her role as the elder sibling.
“Yes, Mom,” Ishaan teased, trying to lighten the mood, but the worry in his eyes betrayed him.
As Siya moved to her room, she felt a lump forming in her throat. Ishaan’s teasing had always been their way of showing love, but tonight it felt like a fragile mask over the raw wounds of their reality.
Why did this small act of kindness from a stranger feel more meaningful than anything her family had ever done? She felt a tear slide down her cheek, quickly wiping it away. She couldn't afford to be emotional, not now.
YUG’S POV
The next morning, Yug woke up after a sleepless night, his mind still tangled in the events of the previous day. Siya’s words echoed in his head, and he found himself questioning everything. Should he call her today? Would that seem too desperate? But she had said they needed to meet and discuss the terms. His thoughts were interrupted when his father stopped him as he was about to leave for the office.
“The engagement is in ten days,” his father announced, his voice as commanding as ever. “Both families have started the preparations. You and Siya need to be seen together in public before the announcement to avoid any suspicions. She’ll be meeting you at your office today to plan your public appearances. Also, there will be an official announcement, so you need to get your engagement outfit tailored and ready.”
Yug nodded, his mind racing. The next few days would be crucial, and he needed to navigate this carefully. The hours dragged on as he waited anxiously for Siya to arrive. He tried to focus on work, but his mind kept drifting back to their upcoming meeting. Four hours had passed, and just as Yug was beginning to lose hope, there was a knock on his door.
“Sir, Ms. Malhotra is here to see you, but she doesn’t have an appointment,” his secretary informed him.
“It’s fine. Send her in. And from now on, she doesn’t need an appointment. She can come in whenever she wants,” Yug instructed, trying to hide his eagerness.
“Yes, Sir. Also, would you like me to arrange lunch for both of you?”
“Yes, please. Order the best Italian food available,” Yug replied, thinking of how to make her feel comfortable.
When Siya entered the office, her expression was calm, but Yug noticed the tension in her shoulders.
“I’m sorry for coming without an appointment,” she began, her tone professional.
“It’s fine. My father already told me you’d be coming,” Yug replied, his voice steady, though he felt a pang of unease.
“So, where should we start?” Siya asked, sitting down across from him.
For the next hour and a half, they meticulously drafted a contract—a contract that would define the boundaries of their relationship. They agreed on the most basic terms: no interference in each other’s lives, respect for personal space, and most importantly, no falling in love. The last point was emphasized, almost as if it was the most dangerous of all.
Lunch arrived, and to Siya’s surprise, it was Italian—her favorite. She looked up at Yug, a question in her eyes, but he simply smiled, saying nothing. The meal was quiet, each of them lost in their thoughts. But for Siya, the coincidence struck a deep chord. She had lived her entire life without anyone caring about her preferences, her likes, her dislikes. And here was a man, practically a stranger, who had unknowingly done something that made her feel seen, even if just a little.
As they ate, Siya couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—confusion, sadness, and something she couldn’t quite name. Maybe it was hope, or maybe it was just the relief of being acknowledged, even in the smallest way. She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the contract they were drafting, but She thought of how, in all these years, her family had never cared about what she liked, never bothered to make her feel special. Yet here was a man she barely knew, her arranged husband, who had unknowingly ordered her favorite food for lunch. It was just a coincidence, but it struck her deeply.
Write a comment ...