Destined to Be!

Chapter 1

Mikhail was sitting in his room, frustrated and irritated, as he talked to his father on the phone. His dad was pushing him to get married, despite his clear reluctance.

"Dad, I really don't want to get married now," Mikhail pleaded, his face twisted with annoyance. "But why beta?" his father replied.

"You're 32 now, it's been so long. You keep saying you'll get married."

Mikhail sighed. "But Dad, I'm a CBI officer. Anything could happen at any time. Why do you want me to get married?"

His father was having none of it. "Mikhail, no more excuses. If Kavin and Abhinav can get married, why can't you?"

Mikhail rolled his eyes. Yeah, Kavin and Abhinav are his seniors in CBI and are happily married, however, their wives are also a part of CBI, so that doesn't make any sense in comparison for him. "Yeah, but their wives are CBI officers too. There's no tension there."

His father was determined this time. "Look, beta, I've found a girl who is perfect for you. She's a Lawyer and wants to marry a Police officer."

Mikhail was sceptical. "Is she crazy? She's a good lawyer, why would she want to ruin her life with me?", Mikhail groaned.

"We are going to meet them, Today, End of discussion", his father announced.

"But Dad, what if—" His father cut him off. "No ifs and no buts. Meet her once, beta." Mikhail unwantedly agreed, and the call ended.

Meanwhile, a young woman named Anayra was also on the phone, speaking with her father. She had a blank expression on her face as her father excitedly told her about a potential suitor for her. "When can I meet him, Dad?" Anayra asked with a lack of enthusiasm.

"They're coming to dinner tonight, so come home quickly," her father replied eagerly.

"He's a good guy, just like you wanted. He's a CBI officer too.", her father explained.

Anayra wasn't convinced, "But it's so soon—" ...
"Soon?" her father interrupted.

"You're 30 now, Anayra. When will you get married?" Anayra sighed.

"Okay, Dad, I'll come." The call ended, and Anayra was left alone with her thoughts.

"But all my dreams are still incomplete," she thought to herself. "I hope whoever I marry lets me express my opinions and fulfil my wishes.", she couldn't help but sigh.

Later that night, Anayra sat in front of her mirror, applying lipstick and admiring her earrings and nose ring. Her friend Tara came into her room, and Anayra smiled weakly at her. Tara could tell something was bothering her. "What's wrong?" she asked. Anayra confided in her friend, expressing her doubts about getting married to someone she barely knew. Tara listened sympathetically and tried to reassure her. "Maybe he'll give you everything you've been missing out on," she suggested optimistically. "Your freedom, your dreams, your wishes, your opinions, and love. Maybe he'll keep all of that in mind." Anayra smiled at her friend's words, hopeful that things would turn out to be okay.

A few minutes later, Mikhail found himself sitting with his dad, engaged in an uncomfortable conversation with Anayra's dad. In fact, the older man was peppering Mikhail with a series of pointed questions.

"Mikhail, suppose Anayra does something really wrong tomorrow. What will you do?"

Mikhail tried to respond diplomatically. "Well, it depends on what you mean by 'wrong,' uncle."

Anayra's dad looked impatient. "I mean something illegal, something that breaks the law."

Mikhail shifted in his seat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "Yes, well, of course, if she does something illegal, she will have to face the consequences."