Our Arranged Love Story

Part 1

Marriage— Arnav couldn't help but repeat the word in his mind as he stood by the window of his room. And not just marriage—an arranged marriage?

Who even does arranged marriages these days? His friends would be laughing at him if they heard about this... Arnav Singh Raizada, college heartthrob and the guy who could get any girl he wanted, agreeing to an arranged marriage? They'd never let him live it down...

But the truth was, despite the attention he got, no girl had ever crossed his mind in that way.. It wasn't like he didn't get proposals. He had plenty.. He was popular, confident, and admittedly good-looking.. Yet, none of it mattered as none of those girls ever touched his heart.He never met anyone who made him feel anything deeper than casual attraction.. No one stirred something inside him—something real.

And now... this.

His parents wanted him to meet a girl... A girl he never met before... He chuckled bitterly. His parents had a love marriage—how ironic that they were now suggesting an arranged one for him. He had seen how beautiful his parents' marriage was. Sure, they had their ups and downs, like every couple, but through everything, they were each other's rock. His father, Arvind Raizada, was his mother's anchor during her worst moments, and she, in turn, was the light in his father's darkest days. They were always a real team... Then there was his sister Anjali, his beloved Di. She had also married her college friend, Shyam and they shared a strong bond filled with love and understanding.

In all of this, Arnav had always hoped that he'd find someone like that too. But he never did..

And now, this arranged marriage proposal felt like the universe was playing some cruel joke on him... As much as he hated to admit it, he didn't really have any other option, did he? No one had ever touched his heart or soul the way he imagined love should. And at this point, his parents' suggestion was the only thing on the table.

Sighing, Arnav ran a hand through his hair. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and questions. He wasn't opposed to marriage. He just wasn't sure if he was ready—ready to take that step into something so monumental, so life-changing..

'Chote! Come down, beta, everyone's waiting!..'

He let out a breath and straightened himself, hearing his mother's voice and made his way to the down stairs... Entering the living room, he smiled big seeing his sister Anjali sitting with her son, Arav, who was bouncing on her lap, and next to her was Shyam, her husband, looking as relaxed as ever..

'Ah, look who's here! 'Shyam said with a teasing grin, nudging Anjali. 'The Groom to be.. So, Saal e Saab heard you're meeting a girl tomorrow?..'

Arnav raised his eyebrows and said, 'Yeah, that's what I hear too.'

Shyam chuckled.. 'So, who's this lucky girl? Tell us, tell us...'

Before Arnav could respond, his father, Arvind Raizada, entered the room. Smiling at Shyam, he took a seat next to his wife, Ratna. 'It's the daughter of my best friend, Shashank Gupta..'

'Shashank Gupta?..I heard that name before dad..' Anjali replied with a surprise.. 

Arvind said with a voice filled with pride and emotion, 'You were very young Anjali when you met him.. Whatever I have today, it's because of Shashank. He was there for me during my worst days—gave me money, a place to stay, when I had nothing. He didn't just help me build my business; he helped me survive...'

Arnav sat quietly, processing his father's words. His father had always been the rock in their family, the one who never seemed to falter... Hearing this about Shashank's role in their lives was unexpected.. It painted a picture of his father that he hadn't seen before.