Fated Affection

Chapter 1

The morning sun bathed Aisha's house in a warm, golden light as she woke up early, ready to begin her day. She slipped into a simple yet elegant kurta, carefully pinning her dupatta in place. Her long hair, still damp from her shower, was neatly tied back. A sense of tranquility enveloped her as she made her way to the puja room, the heart of their home, where the soft glow of diyas and the fragrance of incense created an atmosphere of serene devotion.

Aisha knelt before the idols, her hands folded in prayer, whispering her hopes and dreams to the divine. She felt a fleeting sense of peace, a brief respite from the storm of expectations surrounding her. After finishing her prayers, she carefully arranged some blessed food, or prasad, on a small silver plate.

With the plate in hand, Aisha walked to the living room where her father sat reading the morning newspaper, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. She approached him with quiet reverence, offering the prasad. He took it, murmuring a brief prayer before looking at her with a serious expression.

"Aisha," he began, his voice gentle but firm, "now that you've completed your studies, it's time for us to find a suitable match for you."

Aisha felt her heart sink. She had known this moment was coming, yet it still felt like a blow. Keeping her head down, she nodded silently, unable to trust her voice. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she blinked them back, not wanting her father to see her distress. She quickly excused herself and retreated to the sanctuary of her room.

Once inside, Aisha let the tears flow freely, the weight of her unspoken dreams and desires pressing heavily on her heart. She sat on the edge of her bed, burying her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Moments later, there was a soft knock on her door. Aisha quickly wiped her tears and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. Her mother entered, her face a mixture of concern and understanding. She sat beside Aisha, gently placing a hand on her back.

"Aisha," her mother said softly, "I understand how you feel. When I was your age, I had dreams too. But sometimes, our paths are chosen for us."

Aisha looked up at her mother, her eyes still glistening with tears. "But, Ma, I have so many dreams, so much I want to achieve. I'm not ready for this."

Her mother sighed, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "I know, beta. I know. We'll try to find a way to make this work, to find someone who might understand your dreams. But for now, we must honor your father's wishes."

Even after her mother's warmth, Aisha felt no solace. She was completely against the idea of marriage, the very thought of it filling her with negativity. "I don't want to marry anyone," she thought fiercely, her heart clenching with defiance. Her mother's words, though meant to comfort, did little to change her resolve.

As she sat there, wrapped in her mother's embrace, Aisha's mind was made up. She would fight this, somehow, and carve out a path for herself that didn't involve surrendering her dreams. The morning, which had begun with such peace and hope, now carried the heavy burden of her resistance and determination.

Determined to repel any potential suitors, Aisha began to act out when left alone with her matches. She succeeded in frightening several of them away with her unconventional behavior. However, everything changed when Rohan Raichand's proposal arrived. Rohan, a carefree and charismatic young man, had made a name for himself as a talented businessman with a clean image and a gentlemanly demeanor.