Bound by Fate: A Love Unforseen

The Proposal

The morning sun bathed the Gupta mansion in a warm, golden glow, signaling the start of a new day filled with anticipation and underlying tension. The household was already abuzz with activity as preparations for Payal and Akash's upcoming wedding continued. However, amidst the flurry of tasks, an unspoken tension lingered in the air—a tension that had everything to do with Khushi and the potential match that was quietly being considered by both families.

Khushi, oblivious to the gravity of the discussions that had taken place the previous night, was in the kitchen, kneading dough with practiced hands. Cooking had always been a comforting activity for her, a way to clear her mind and find solace in the rhythm of everyday tasks. As she worked, her thoughts drifted back to the Raizada mansion and the enigmatic Arnav Singh Raizada.

There was something about him that she couldn’t shake, something that had unsettled her in ways she couldn’t quite understand. His intensity, his probing questions, and the way he had looked at her—as if trying to decipher the depths of her soul—had left an indelible mark on her mind. Despite his cold demeanor, Khushi couldn’t help but feel a strange pull towards him, a curiosity that she knew was dangerous to entertain.

As she lost herself in her thoughts, Garima entered the kitchen, her expression a mix of concern and motherly affection. She watched Khushi for a moment before speaking, her voice gentle.

"Khushi, beta, are you alright? You’ve been very quiet this morning," Garima said, her eyes filled with worry.

Khushi looked up, startled out of her reverie. She managed a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I’m fine, Amma. Just thinking about everything that needs to be done for Jiji’s wedding."

Garima walked over to her daughter, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You’re working too hard, Khushi. You need to take care of yourself too."

Khushi nodded, though her mind was still elsewhere. "I will, Amma. Don’t worry."

Garima sighed, sensing that there was more on Khushi’s mind than she was letting on. She had seen the way Khushi had interacted with Arnav the previous night, the way her daughter had been uncharacteristically quiet after they returned home. It didn’t take much for Garima to understand that something was weighing on Khushi’s heart.

"Khushi," Garima began hesitantly, "there’s something your father and I need to discuss with you. It’s about the Raizadas."

Khushi froze, her heart skipping a beat at the mention of the Raizada family. She looked up at her mother, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity. "What about them, Amma?"

Garima hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Last night, after we returned home, your father and I had a conversation with Nani and Anjaliji. They… they mentioned the possibility of a marriage alliance between you and Arnav Singh Raizada."

Khushi felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet. Her hands stilled, and she stared at her mother in shock, unable to find her voice. Marriage? To Arnav Singh Raizada? The very idea seemed both impossible and terrifying.

Garima, seeing the panic in her daughter’s eyes, quickly took her hands in hers, trying to offer some reassurance. "Beta, nothing has been decided yet. They merely suggested it as a possibility. Your father and I wanted to discuss it with you before making any decisions."

Khushi finally found her voice, though it trembled with uncertainty. "But… but why me, Amma? Arnavji and I… we’re so different. How could they even think that we would be a good match?"

Garima’s heart ached for her daughter, but she knew she needed to be honest. "Khushi, they believe that you might be the person to bring some warmth into Arnav’s life. He’s been through a lot, and they think that your kindness and strength could help him find some peace."