Prologue

8 months ago

Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Prologue

The rain fell in torrents, drumming against the windows of the lavish Raizada mansion, each drop echoing the tumultuous emotions swirling within its walls. Arnav Singh Raizada, a man known for his stoic demeanor and sharp business acumen, stood by the window, staring into the storm. His heart raced - not from the fury of the weather outside, but from the impending chaos of the evening ahead.

“Arnav, are you ready?” Anjali’s voice cut through his thoughts, filled with the warmth and optimism that had always been her trademark. She stepped into the room, her gentle smile masking the whirlwind of excitement that buzzed in the air.

“Ready for what, exactly?” he replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. His eyes flicked to the ornate clock ticking away, reminding him that time was running out.

“Your engagement, of course! To Khushi Gupta! This is a wonderful match!” Anjali clapped her hands, unaware of the storm brewing in her brother’s heart.

Arnav’s mind drifted to the fiery girl he had met just days ago - her quick wit, her defiance, and that infuriating smile that had both intrigued and annoyed him. He had never believed in arranged marriages, let alone with someone who seemed so different from him. He sighed, a mixture of frustration and inevitability gnawing at him.

Meanwhile, Khushi Kumari Gupta stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her dupatta. She felt like a puppet in a play she never auditioned for. Her family had always believed in the romantic notion of love, yet here she was, preparing to marry a man she barely knew, a man whose reputation as a ruthless businessman preceded him.

“Khushi, come on! You’ll be late!” Payal’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “It’s just an engagement. Try to have fun!”

“Fun?” Khushi huffed, rolling her eyes. “This isn’t a fairy tale, Payal. It’s a nightmare!”

As the two families gathered for the evening, the air crackled with tension. Underneath the surface of festive decorations and cheerful chatter, secrets lingered, waiting to unravel. Arnav and Khushi would soon find themselves thrust together, battling their own preconceived notions and hidden desires.

Little did they know, their arranged marriage would ignite a journey filled with unexpected twists and a mystery that would challenge everything they thought they knew about each other.

As the clock struck seven, Arnav took one last look at the storm outside, a sense of foreboding washing over him. Tonight would change everything.