My Dream Lover

chapter 2

The Weight of Expectations

Aarav Singhania stood at the edge of the rooftop, gazing out at the glittering city skyline. The wind whipped through his dark hair, and his eyes narrowed against the sting of the rain. He felt alive, yet suffocated by the weight of his family's expectations.

Below him, the party raged on, a cacophony of laughter and music that seemed to mock him. His parents, Vijay and Nalini, were celebrating his 25th birthday, but Aarav felt no joy. He was trapped in a life he didn't want, forced to follow in his father's footsteps.

"Aarav, beta, come down and join the party!" his mother called, her voice shrill above the din.

Aarav hesitated, then turned away from the view. He made his way through the crowds, nodding and smiling, but feeling like an outsider.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, a hand clapped him on the back. "Happy birthday, old friend!" Ragul Mehta boomed, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Aarav forced a laugh. "Thanks, Ragul. Just what I needed. Another reminder that I'm getting old."

Ragul chuckled. "You're not old, Aarav. You're just... seasoned. Like a fine wine."

Aarav raised an eyebrow. "And you're a connoisseur of fine wines, I presume?"

Ragul grinned. "I know a thing or two about the good life, my friend."

As they bantered, Aarav's gaze drifted across the room, searching for an escape. That's when he saw her - a vision in blue, standing by the window, lost in thought.

Samantha Thompson, the brilliant marine biologist, was the last person Aarav expected to see at his party. Yet, there she was, her beauty and intelligence captivating him.

For a moment, Aarav forgot about his suffocating life and the weight of his family's expectations. He forgot about everything except the intriguing stranger who had captured his attention.

And in that moment, Aarav knew he had to meet her.

Aarav excused himself from Ragul and made his way through the crowds, his eyes fixed on Samantha. As he approached, she turned, sensing his presence.

Their eyes met, and Aarav felt a jolt of electricity. Samantha's gaze was piercing, as if she could see right through him.

"Hi," Aarav said, feeling a little awkward. "I'm Aarav Singhania. Welcome to my party."

Samantha smiled, and her eyes crinkled at the corners. "Thanks for having me, Aarav. I'm Samantha Thompson."

Aarav took her hand, feeling a spark of attraction. "I didn't know you knew my parents," he said, trying to sound casual.

Samantha's smile faltered for a moment. "I don't, actually. I'm a colleague of Dr. Mariya Sharma's. She invited me."

Aarav's eyes narrowed. Dr. Mariya was his family's psychiatrist, and he wondered what she was playing at.

Just then, his mother appeared at his side. "Aarav, beta, I see you've met Samantha. Isn't she lovely?"

Aarav nodded, feeling a little trapped. "Yes, Mother. She's very... interesting."

Samantha's eyes flashed with amusement, and Aarav felt a pang of embarrassment.

As the night wore on, Aarav found himself drawn to Samantha again and again. They talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily.

But Aarav knew he couldn't let his guard down. He had secrets, secrets that could ruin his family's reputation and destroy his own future.

And yet, as he looked into Samantha's eyes, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he had found someone who could understand him, someone who could see beyond the facade.

Little did he know, Samantha had secrets of her own, secrets that could change everything.

As the night wore on, Aarav and Samantha found themselves lost in conversation, oblivious to the party around them. They talked about their passions, their dreams, and their fears.

Aarav felt a connection with Samantha that he couldn't explain. It was as if they shared a deep understanding, a sense of belonging.

But as the clock struck midnight, Aarav's parents approached, beaming with pride. "Aarav, beta, it's time to cut the cake!" his mother exclaimed.

Aarav hesitated, reluctant to leave Samantha's side. But duty called, and he knew he couldn't avoid it.

As they cut the cake and sang "Happy Birthday," Aarav's eyes met Samantha's across the room. He felt a spark of electricity, a sense of possibility.

After the cake, Aarav's parents announced a surprise - a weekend getaway to their beach house, just for the family.

Aarav groaned inwardly. He had been dreading this trip for weeks.

But then he saw Samantha's face light up. "I love the beach!" she exclaimed.

Aarav's heart skipped a beat. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all.

As the party wound down, Aarav walked Samantha out to the parking lot. "Thanks for coming tonight," he said, feeling a little shy.

Samantha smiled. "Thanks for having me. I had a great time."

Aarav hesitated, unsure of what to say next. But then he remembered the beach trip. "Hey, do you want to come with us to the beach house this weekend?"

Samantha's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You want me to come?"

Aarav nodded. "Yeah. I'd like that."

Samantha smiled, and Aarav's heart soared. "Okay, I'd love to."

As they exchanged numbers and made plans for the trip, Aarav couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He hadn't felt this way in years, not since his mother's expectations and his father's legacy had weighed him down.

But as he watched Samantha drive away, he felt a pang of unease. What was he getting himself into? He didn't know her that well, and yet he had invited her on a family trip.

And what about Ragul? He had been acting strange all night, watching Aarav and Samantha with an intensity that made Aarav's skin crawl.

As he turned to go back inside, Aarav's father approached him, a glass of scotch in hand. "Aarav, my boy, I saw you talking to that Thompson girl. What's going on there?"

Aarav shrugged, feeling a sense of defensiveness. "Nothing, Father. Just making conversation."

Vijay Singhania raised an eyebrow. "Be careful, Aarav. You don't know anything about her."

Aarav felt a surge of anger. "I can take care of myself, Father."

But as he went to bed that night, Aarav couldn't shake off the feeling that he was in over his head. Little did he know, the weekend at the beach house would change everything.