Prem Kahaniyaan

2.

The days following the announcement were filled with incessant preparations for the engagement. Saanvi and Rohan found themselves frequently in the same spaces—family meetings, shopping excursions, and joint appearances meant to show a united front. Each encounter seemed to escalate their mutual disdain.

One afternoon, they were forced to attend a shopping trip for wedding attire. As they walked through the boutique, surrounded by lavish fabrics and glittering jewelry, Saanvi could hardly contain her irritation.

“So, Rohan,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “which of these extravagant pieces do you think best suits your royal highness?”

Rohan’s eyes narrowed. “If you must know, I have no intention of wearing anything extravagant. I prefer to keep things simple and functional—unlike some people, who seem to thrive on opulence.”

Their barbed comments were only interrupted by the arrival of the boutique staff, who had been instructed to attend to them with utmost care. As they selected their outfits, their conversations were a mix of strained politeness and thinly veiled contempt.

Later, during a family dinner, the tension was palpable. The Kapoor and Mehta families discussed the upcoming events with enthusiasm, completely ignoring the underlying discord between the engaged couple. Saanvi and Rohan sat through the dinner in tense silence, only speaking when necessary.

It wasn’t long before their animosity began to seep into other aspects of their interactions. During a joint appearance at a charity event, they were forced to pose together for photographs. Their smiles were mechanical, and their body language was stiff, clearly reflecting their discomfort.

Despite their outward civility, their private moments were filled with heated arguments and sarcastic jabs. They each found creative ways to undermine the other’s efforts, from sabotaging outfit choices to deliberately missing important meetings.

One evening, as they were preparing for a family gathering, Saanvi found herself seething with frustration. She had been planning an important presentation for her latest fashion line and had barely had time to focus on her work due to the incessant wedding preparations.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, she confided in her best friend, Meera. “I can’t believe this is happening. I feel like I’m losing control of my life.”

Meera offered words of comfort, but Saanvi’s frustration only grew. Her clash with Rohan had become more than just a personal issue—it had begun to impact every aspect of her life.

Rohan, too, struggled with the situation. His usual confidence was undermined by the constant bickering and the pressure from his family to make the engagement work. In private, he confided in his close friend, Aryan. “I never thought this would be so difficult. Saanvi and I can’t seem to agree on anything.”

Aryan’s advice was simple: “Sometimes, the things we resist the most turn out to be the ones that challenge us the most. Maybe you should try to understand her perspective.”

But understanding seemed like a distant goal, and the friction between Saanvi and Rohan only intensified as the engagement date approached.