Chapter 1

2 months ago

ShiriHoonMain

@ExoticDisaster

The city lights sprawled beneath Anurag's floor-to-ceiling window like a glittering, restless ocean. He stood with his back to the panoramic view, the cool glass against his forehead doing little to quell the heat rising within him.

His sprawling office, usually a sanctuary of clean lines and focused energy, felt oppressive tonight. He had been pacing for the last hour, the rhythmic tread muffled by the plush, charcoal grey carpet. His phone lay untouched on the sleek mahogany desk, notifications blinking silently. He knew his mother was probably trying to call again, to ask when was he reaching, but he just couldn't bring himself to answer.

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, the stress knotting in his shoulders refusing to loosen. Marriage. The word echoed in his mind, a heavy bell tolling in the quiet of the office. He had always envisioned it, eventually. A life partner, companionship, building a family – the natural progression of life, he had always assumed.

He wanted to get married, but to someone he had courted, shared stolen glances and secret smiles with, not to a girl he would meet a handful of times, over polite cups of tea and carefully curated conversations orchestrated by their families.

He picked up a framed photograph from his desk – a picture of him and his younger brother, Rohan, laughing on a beach during a rare family vacation years ago.

Anurag grabbed his phone, finally unlocking it and scrolling through his contacts. He tapped on Rohan's name and held the phone to his ear, listening to the ringing tone.

"Hey, bhai," Rohan's voice, cheerful and relaxed, filled in. "Mom and Dad are asking when will you reach for lunch. You aren't even picking their calls."

"Rohan," Anurag began, his voice sounding strained even to his own ears. "Are you alone?"

There was a pause.

"I am alone now. Is everything alright?" He asked in concern.

Anurag sighed.

"It just doesn't feel right."

Silence stretched between them for a moment, broken only by the distant hum of city traffic filtering through the soundproof glass. Then, Rohan spoke, his voice softer now.

"What doesn't feel right, bhai? The meeting? Or... the girl?"

Anurag paced again, the question hitting the nail on the head.

"I can't marry someone I barely know."

"Arranged marriages are like that, bhai. You get to know each other after the wedding." Rohan stated the obvious.

"I know, I know. But... isn't there supposed to be something... more? Some connection, some... spark?" He felt foolish even saying it aloud, the pragmatic businessman suddenly sounding like a lovestruck teenager.

"I understand." Rohan said after a pause. "But if you didn't show up today, it would be an insult to our parents."

Anurag stopped pacing and leaned heavily against the desk. The weight of his family's expectations, the pressure of tradition, and the gnawing uncertainty in his own heart pressed down on him, heavy and suffocating. He was Anurag Singh, the successful businessman, the eldest son. He couldn't let his family down.

"I'll reach in thirty minutes."

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Anurag drove towards the address sent by Rohan, lost in thoughts.

He was meeting her and her family. He knew practically nothing about her, except that they were three sisters, her bio - meticulously crafted by her parents, a stable job, and a passion for... well, he couldn't quite recall the passion. Probably something safe and universally appealing like reading or gardening. Oh, wait there is still a catch - he hadn't seen her photograph!

Driving faster, he finally spotted the familiar maroon awning of "Garden Inn" a restaurant known for its rich curries and even richer desserts. Taking a deep breath, he walked inside.

He located his family easily enough. His parents, chacha and chachi clad in their best silk, sat opposite an unfamiliar couple, their faces wreathed in polite smiles. His cousins gathered on the other side, with two other girls whose backs were towards him. He listened to the conversation going on.

"What do you think of the whole arranged marriage thing?" his mother asked to the girls sitting in front.

"Tradition is important to our family," he heard her reply, her voice thoughtful. "But so is happiness. Finding someone who truly understands you, who shares your values, that's crucial. My parents want to find good matches for all us sisters, someone who can uphold our family traditions, but also allow us to be ourselves."

A curious smile crept on his face, when his chacha, Rajat Singh's eyes caught him.

"Anurag is here," he announced and all of them looked towards him. He offered a quick apology for his tardiness and settled into the empty chair beside his father. Automatically, his eyes drifted to the one, who was answering his mothers questions.

The girl sitting across from him was... breathtaking.

She was everything he hadn't expected. She wore a simple, elegant salwar kameez in a muted teal, a color that complemented her warm brown eyes. Her long, dark hair was neatly braided. The scent of sandalwood and something subtly floral wafted towards him, a far cry from the overpowering perfumes that saturated the Delhi party scene.

But it wasn't just her appearance. It was the way she carried herself. There was a quiet grace about her, a serene calm that seemed to radiate outwards. She was actively participating in the conversation, listening intently, offering thoughtful responses.

Suddenly, the idea of an arranged marriage didn't seem so dreadful anymore.

"Anurag Bhai," Payal chirped. "Why are you so quite?"

"Ah.. nothing," he answered avoiding his gaze from the everyone, but it fell upon the girl in front of her.

She smiled at him gently. Anurag smiled back.

"I am sorry, you had to wait," he apologised genuinely.

She opened her mouth to say something when Aashi interrupted.

"It's okay Bhai. We are also waiting for her since a long time," she said popping a piece of salad in her mouth.

Before Anurag could say something, he heard the younger girl speak.

"Tamannah Di is here."

He turned to look at the woman walking in with elegance. She was tall, dressed in a simple, elegant salwar kameez. He gazed turned towards the lady sitting in front of her. She was smiling ear to ear.

Anurag's brain short-circuited. Tamannah? But...

Confusion warred with dawning horror on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"I am sorry for being late," Tamannah said in genuine tone. "But I hope my family kept you entertained."

Everyone chuckled, oblivious of Anurag's inner turmoil. He was constantly looking at the girl who just made him believe in arranged marriage, until she spoke.

"We haven't even introduced ourselves to him, were waiting for you."

Anurag looked down in confusion.

"Me first, me first," the other girl jumped in. "I am Mehek. Nice to meet you."

"And I am Naira," Anurag looked up at her. "Tammanah's younger sister."

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I hope that was good :)