Chapter 1 - An Engagement to Remember
The grand hall of the Raizada mansion buzzed with laughter and music, its opulence a stark contrast to the storm raging outside. Chandeliers sparkled like stars, and colorful decorations adorned every corner, yet despite the festive atmosphere, an air of tension loomed over the evening. Arnav Singh Raizada stood by the window, watching the rain lash against the glass, feeling an impending sense of doom.
“Arnav, are you ready?” Anjali’s cheerful voice cut through his dark thoughts. She glided into the room, her face aglow with excitement, blissfully unaware of her brother’s inner turmoil.
“Ready for what, exactly?” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. The ornate clock ticked loudly, each second a reminder that his life was about to be irrevocably altered.
“Your engagement! To Khushi Gupta! This is a wonderful match!” she beamed, clasping her hands together.
“Wonderful?” He raised an eyebrow, his mind drifting to the whirlwind of emotions he had felt when he first encountered Khushi - her fiery spirit, her sharp tongue, and that infuriatingly charming smile that made him want to pull his hair out. “I’m not sure ‘wonderful’ is the right word.”
Meanwhile, Khushi Kumari Gupta stood before her mirror, her reflection a blend of beauty and apprehension. Clad in a vibrant red lehenga, she felt like a character in a play she had never auditioned for. “This isn’t how I imagined my engagement would go,” she muttered, fiddling with her dupatta.
“Khushi, hurry up! We can’t be late!” Payal called from the other room. “Just think of it as an adventure!”
“Adventure?” Khushi scoffed, rolling her eyes. “This is a disaster in the making! I barely know him!”
As the two families gathered for the evening, the air crackled with excitement and unspoken tension. Khushi spotted Arnav across the room, his brooding presence unmistakable. He was deep in conversation with some relatives, his posture exuding confidence, yet there was an undeniable heaviness in his demeanor.
“Is that him?” Payal whispered, nudging Khushi’s elbow. “He’s even more handsome up close!”
“Handsome doesn’t mean approachable,” Khushi replied, squaring her shoulders. “He looks like he’s ready to bite someone’s head off.”
Just then, the doors swung open, and Anjali announced, “Let’s welcome our beautiful couple!” The spotlight shifted, and Khushi felt her heart race.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the spotlight, her smile firmly in place despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. Arnav approached, and the moment their eyes met, a spark of recognition flared - an understanding that neither of them wanted to be here.
“Ready to put on a show?” he said, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words.
“Not really,” Khushi replied, her tone equally biting. “But I suppose I’m stuck with you now.”
“Stuck is the word,” he shot back, his lips twitching in a half-smirk.
As the ceremony began, Khushi’s nerves tangled with curiosity. The priest spoke about union and love, but all Khushi could think about was the chaos of the evening ahead. The weight of her family’s hopes rested heavily on her shoulders, and the thought of disappointing them was unbearable.
As the moment of the ring exchange approached, the atmosphere in the grand hall thickened with anticipation. Laughter and chatter faded into a hushed murmur as guests leaned in, eyes glued to the couple standing at the center of attention. Khushi’s heart raced, a mixture of excitement and anxiety coursing through her veins. She glanced at Arnav, whose expression was unreadable, a blend of resolve and reluctance shadowing his features.
The priest gestured for them to take their positions. “It is now time for the exchange of rings,” he announced, his voice echoing in the ornate room. Khushi felt a knot form in her stomach. This was the moment that would solidify their union, yet both of them seemed caught in an unspoken battle.
Arnav stepped forward first, his hand reaching for the delicate ring presented by Anjali, who stood beaming beside him. But as he turned to face Khushi, his fingers hesitated mid-air, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. Khushi’s breath caught in her throat. Did he truly want this? Did he even want her?
“Arnav…” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. “Are you sure?”
The weight of her question hung in the air like a fragile thread. He looked at her, and for a brief moment, the world around them fell away. “I didn’t have a choice,” he replied, the hint of defiance in his tone belying the vulnerability beneath.
“Neither did I,” she shot back, her heart racing. “But this feels… so final.”
The moment stretched between them, thick with tension. Guests exchanged curious glances, sensing the palpable hesitation that had seeped into what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. In that heartbeat, they were not just a couple in an arranged marriage; they were two individuals wrestling with their own emotions, the weight of expectations pressing down on them.
Finally, Arnav took a deep breath, his resolve solidifying. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with,” he said, masking his inner turmoil with a facade of bravado. He slipped the ring onto her finger, his touch surprisingly gentle yet firm. Khushi stared at the ring, the cool metal feeling like a chain linking their fates.
With the ring now in place, it was her turn to reciprocate. She reached for the ring meant for him, her fingers trembling slightly. Khushi had always imagined this moment to be filled with romance, but here it was steeped in tension and uncertainty. As she slid the ring onto his finger, their eyes locked once more, an electric jolt coursing through her.
For a fleeting second, the hostility between them melted away, replaced by a shared vulnerability. “Welcome to our circus,” she said, her lips curling into a teasing smile, a defense mechanism to mask her nerves.
Arnav’s lips quirked up in a half-smile, the tension easing just a fraction. “I’ll need a ticket for that,” he replied, a glimmer of amusement breaking through the gravity of the moment.
With that, the rings were exchanged, and the room erupted in applause, yet Khushi felt an unease settle over her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that their engagement was merely the tip of an iceberg, with deeper waters lurking beneath the surface.
As the evening continued, Khushi and Arnav exchanged playful banter, their interactions laced with an undercurrent of tension. “You know,” Khushi began, smirking, “if this is a match made in heaven, I think I’d prefer to be sent back.”
Arnav chuckled, his amusement genuine. “Good to know I’m not the only one who thinks this is absurd.”
Laughter and music filled the air as guests danced, but Khushi couldn’t help but feel an inkling of mystery surrounding the Raizada family. She overheard whispers of secrets and untold stories, and it piqued her curiosity. “What do you think they’re hiding?” she asked Arnav, leaning closer as they watched a group of relatives huddle together, their voices low.
“Probably the fact that I’m not as terrifying as they all think,” he replied dryly, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Or that you’re not just a pretty face.”
“Touche,” Khushi said, stifling a laugh. “But seriously, there has to be something more than just family drama.”
Just then, Lavanya approached, her smile bright but her eyes narrowed slightly. “Ah, the happy couple! Arnav, you better treat her well - she’s quite the catch.”
Khushi raised an eyebrow, sensing the slight tension in the air. “Thanks, Lavanya. I’ll be sure to keep an eye on him,” she shot back, a playful challenge in her tone.
“I’m the one who should be keeping an eye on you,” Arnav interjected, smirking at the both of them. “This is all very dangerous, after all.”
“Dangerous? You make it sound like I’m armed,” Khushi retorted, crossing her arms. “What’s so scary about me?”
“Everything,” he replied, his tone teasing yet earnest. “You’re unpredictable.”
As the night wore on, the laughter continued, but Khushi’s mind drifted back to the whispers she had overheard. There was a mystery surrounding this family - one she was determined to unravel. She leaned closer to Arnav, her curiosity bubbling. “Tell me, what’s the biggest secret in your family? I bet it’s juicier than any of us know.”
Arnav hesitated, a flicker of something crossing his face - was it fear? “Let’s just say that every family has its skeletons,” he replied cryptically.
“Skeletons, huh? Now you’ve piqued my interest,” Khushi said, a smirk forming on her lips. “Care to share? Or are you afraid I’ll use it against you?”
“Perhaps,” he said, his expression unreadable. “But some secrets are best left buried.”
Just then, Anjali interrupted, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “Come on, everyone! Time for a dance!” She grabbed Khushi’s hand, pulling her toward the center of the room, leaving Arnav momentarily behind.
“See?” Khushi called over her shoulder. “Looks like I’m escaping your mysterious past for now!”
Arnav chuckled, watching as Khushi was swept into the festivities. Her laughter rang like music in the air, a sound he found surprisingly infectious. Maybe there was more to this arranged marriage than he had anticipated.
As Khushi twirled and danced, she felt a sense of liberation. For the first time, she began to let go of her fears. Yet the thought of unraveling the mysteries surrounding Arnav and his family lingered in her mind. There was a spark between them, undeniable and electric, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that their connection was tangled in a web of secrets.
When the music slowed, Arnav joined her once more, his eyes searching hers. “Having fun?”
“Surprisingly, yes,” she replied, a playful smile on her lips. “Who knew you could actually dance?”
“Don’t get used to it,” he said, feigning seriousness. “I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Right. The stoic businessman with two left feet,” Khushi teased, nudging him playfully.
Their banter was interrupted as the lights flickered ominously. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as a shadow passed across the windows, accompanied by another loud crash of thunder.
“Is it just me, or is this storm getting worse?” Khushi asked, her playful demeanor faltering for a moment.
Arnav’s expression turned serious as he glanced toward the window. “It seems ominous,” he agreed. “But storms can be unpredictable.”
“Like our future?” Khushi ventured, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Exactly,” he replied, his gaze locking onto hers. In that moment, the weight of their circumstances settled between them, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges that lay ahead.
As the night continued, the tension outside mirrored the one growing between them. Khushi found herself torn between her growing attraction to Arnav and the mysteries that surrounded him. She wanted to dig deeper, to uncover the truths hidden beneath the surface, but every time they were close, a new layer of intrigue seemed to pull them apart.
Finally, as the clock approached midnight, the atmosphere shifted once more. Laughter spilled around the hall, but Khushi sensed a change in the air. “What’s going on in your mind?” she asked Arnav, her heart racing.
“Something’s not right, I feel it. I heard something” he replied, his expression darkening. “Let’s find out.”
Together, they stepped outside into the dimly lit corridor, the sound of the storm echoing around them. Khushi felt a thrill of excitement mixed with trepidation. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
“Ready for this adventure?” Arnav asked, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“I think I can manage,” she replied, her heart pounding in anticipation.
And with that, they ventured into the unknown, two reluctant partners bound by circumstance and an undeniable spark - an arranged marriage that would challenge everything they thought they knew about love, family, and each other.
Edited by nushhkiee - 14 days ago
. I recently re-read your old OS - Diwali Gift... which you had submitted in a contest 3 years ago... and now we have something new from you this Diwali 
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. With the stormy night and strange sounds at midnight, is something paranormal going to happen?
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Will try
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