Yours Arranged

1.

Chapter 1: The Female Lead

Priya Shah's day started like any other. She woke up to the familiar sounds of the bustling Mumbai streets and the aroma of her mother's cooking wafting through their small apartment. She put on her glasses, feeling the familiar pang of insecurity as she looked at herself in the mirror. Priya was undeniably beautiful, but years of comparison and self-doubt had eroded her confidence.

Living in a middle-class household, Priya had learned to find joy in simple things. She loved her family dearly, but there was always a part of her that felt incomplete, yearning for the love and acceptance she had never fully received. Her parents, though loving, were often too busy making ends meet to notice the depths of her insecurities.

Priya worked as a teacher at a local school, where her kind and nurturing nature made her beloved among her students. She found solace in the innocence and joy of the children she taught, even as she struggled with her own sense of worth.

Today, however, was different. The anticipation of meeting Aryan Malhotra, the man her parents had chosen for her, weighed heavily on her mind. She had heard about him — the young and successful CEO who was as intimidating as he was handsome. The thought of standing before him, with all her insecurities laid bare, was terrifying.

As she dressed in a simple yet elegant salwar kameez, her mother entered the room, a reassuring smile on her face. "Priya, you look beautiful," she said, adjusting the dupatta over Priya's shoulder. "Remember, this is just a meeting. Be yourself."

Priya nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. She took a deep breath and followed her mother to the living room, where her father was nervously pacing. The doorbell rang, and the room fell silent. Priya's father opened the door to reveal Aryan Malhotra, standing tall and imposing, with his parents beside him.