Chapter 2

Anurag was trapped. Leaning against the wall of his room, he tried to appear unbothered, but he was now really fed up with his cousins' constant teasing.

"So, Anurag Bhai," Payal began, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Big day coming up, ready to trade in your freedom for, what was it? Eternal bliss? Or was it eternal... dishes?"

Anurag groaned. Payal was someone Anurag confided in. Her warm, expressive eyes often sparkled with kindness. She was always there to lend an ear, offer advice, or provide practical help to everyone. She was incredibly caring and prioritised the well-being of her family. Anurag knew her affection for him was unwavering. She respected him immensely and valued his opinions. Their bond built on shared childhood memories and experiences. But right now, she was getting on his nerves.

"Payal, seriously. It's enough."

"On a serious note, Bhai." Ved said removing his headphones and hanging in around his neck. "You should have taken time. You know, to understand eachother. Why don't you try moving in together?"

Everyone looked at Ved. Anurag understood his point. Despite being from a family so deeply rooted to traditions, Ved embraced modern values. He was cool with the idea of live-in relationships and PDA, understanding that love and relationships are personal choices.

"Ved." Payal called his name in a clipped tone and Ved rolled his eyes.

"As if one of you going to live-in with someone in reality. If someone has to do, they have to live-in with family."

Ved was a natural mediator too. He could navigate difficult conversations between generations with humor. He possessed a good sense of humor and was often the one to lighten the mood in tense situations. Whenever Anurag needed a good laugh, he would turn to Ved. But today, he couldn't bring himself to laugh at his joke.

However, the others erupted in laughter, even Aashi, who probably didn't fully understand the joke.

"Guys, come on," Anurag pleaded, pushing himself off the wall. "I am trying to relax before the chaos really begin."

"Relax? Bhai, this is relaxing!" Kriya, the most stragetic cousin spoke up. "This is pre-wedding stress management, Singh family style."

"Leave him alone!" a small but firm voice cut through the din.

All heads turned towards Rohan standing awkwardly at the door.

"He's getting married in a few days," Rohan continued, his voice gaining strength. "Can't you just give him a break? He's probably already stressed enough."

Payal scoffed.

"Oh, come on, Rohan. We're just having a little fun. It's tradition!"

"Tradition?" Rohan retorted. "Tradition is supposed to be fun for everyone, not just for the people doing the teasing. He doesn't like it, so stop."

The cousins exchanged glances. Usually, they could brush off Rohan's protests, but tonight, there was something different about him. Maybe it was the genuine concern in his eyes, or the unwavering set of his jaw.

Ved, ever the peacemaker, was the first to back down.

"Alright, alright. Calm down. We'll tone it down a bit." He nudged Payal. "Right, Di?"

Payal, though clearly reluctant to surrender, conceded with a dramatic sigh.

"Fine. But just so you know, Bhai," she said, turning back to her cousin with a wink, "this is just the warm-up."

Kriya chuckled, pulling Aashi closer.

"Yeah, Rohan Bhai, thanks for saving him... for now. We'll find more subtle ways to torment him later."

Rohan, his younger brother, was a blessing in disguise for Anurag. He was always there when he needed him. Their bond was a mix of playful teasing, brotherly advice - sometimes unwanted, and unwavering loyalty. They shared a deep understanding of each other that no one else can quite grasp. And his angel brother was here again, saving him from his evil cousins. He smiles at her and mouthed a thank you. Rohan smiled black reassuringly.

Soon, all of them went to their respective rooms to call it a night and Anurag sat on the bed with hands on his forehead.

He couldn't believe his wedding was mixed with Tamannah in the first meeting. His parents really liked the family very much. They were a well-respected, traditional family themselves, and Tamannah, was pretty and accomplished. Perfect, in their eyes. The wedding date was set with a speed that left Anurag reeling. There was no time for anything else, only acceptance.

His heart ached for a different reality, one where he could have courted a woman, discovered her dreams, shared his own. He longed for stolen glances, whispered secrets, the slow bloom of genuine affection. But that was a Western fantasy, frowned upon in the closed circle of his family. Romance was for movies, not for the future head of the Singh household.

He straightened his shoulders, pushing down the rebellion that threatened to surface. He couldn't disappoint them. He wouldn't. He was Anurag Singh, the embodiment of responsibility. He was the eldest son, the heir apparent, the embodiment of the Singh family's values. Duty was etched into his bones.

He had no other way round, he was going to bond in a marriage with girl he hardly knew in a couple of months. And next week, was his engagement.

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Anurag looked at the ring on his finger, and then the girl sitting beside him. Tamannah looked happy with all the smile she was giving to her sisters. He gazed over them, Naira and Mehek looked happiest.

Anurag chuckled, how he thought Naira was the one. It was a feeling that lingered for a brief moment, but now he was here, gotten engaged to Naira's elder sister.

"Aren't your jaws hurting with the constant smiling?" he heard Tamannah ask. "Mine does."

Anurag just shook his head. It was a good start, he should work on his relationship now.

"Lets not smile at others then," he spoke looking at her. "Let's talk about..." he turned his head across the engagement hall and spotted his cousins. "Family?"

Tamannah smiled faintly.

"My family... they're good people. Loving, supportive, in their own way. But..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "We have... different ideas about, well, everything, it seems."

Anurag smiled reassuringly.

"That's perfectly normal. No two people see eye-to-eye on everything, even in the closest families."

"It's more than just disagreeing on politics," she said, her voice gaining a harder edge. "It's about expectations. About what they think I should be, versus who I actually am."

Anurag looked at her, trying to understand her point.

"And who are you, Tamannah?"

"I am someone who values freedom. Independence. The ability to make my own choices, even if they're mistakes."

Anurag nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"My parents... they're very traditional. They believe in marriage young, settling down, conforming to societal norms. They envision me someone... Someone passive."

He was silent, absorbing her words.

"I'm not saying they're bad people," Tamannah rushed on, as if sensing his discomfort. "They just don't understand. They never have. They expect me to uphold this image they've built in their minds."

"And you don't?" Anurag prodded gently.

"God, no! I fought tooth and nail to get where I am. I earned my place, even in the professional field. I am not going to give it all up to become someone I am not." She shifted on her seat, as if trying to not sould rebellious.

A knot formed in Anurag's stomach. He admired ambition and individuality, yes, but he valued tradition more.

He chose his next words carefully.

"So, what does this mean for us? For our future? My family... we are deeply rooted to our tradition. They value family unity, respect for elders... the usual."

She turned to him, her eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability.

"I respect your family. I genuinely do. But I won't pretend to be someone I am not to please them. I am not going to suddenly become a docile, obedient daughter-in-law. I won't sacrifice my career, my passions, myself."

Anurag realized he was facing a choice. Was he willing to navigate the complexities of a relationship with someone who challenged the very foundation of what he thought were shared values? Was he prepared to be the bridge between two vastly different worlds?

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Hola guys, I hope you liked the chapter!