Kiara stood in the kitchen, stirring the pot of curry that simmered on the stove. The aroma filled the air, mingling with the sound of her parents chatting in the living room. It was a typical evening, but today felt different; there was an undercurrent of tension that Kiara couldn’t quite place.
“Kiara, come here!” her mother called out, her tone laced with urgency.
Setting down the spoon, Kiara wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and walked into the living room. Her father sat on the couch, his expression serious, while her mother gestured for her to sit down.
“What’s going on?” Kiara asked, a sense of dread creeping in.
Her mother exchanged a glance with her father before speaking. “We have something important to tell you, Kiara.”
“Is everything okay?” Kiara asked, her heart racing.
“Everything is fine, but…” her father began, his voice steady, “we believe it’s time for you to consider marriage.”
“Marriage?” Kiara echoed, disbelief evident in her voice. “What do you mean?”
Her mother leaned forward, her expression earnest. “We’ve arranged for you to meet a wonderful young man. We think he could be the right match for you.”
“I don’t even know who he is!” Kiara protested, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because we care about your future,” her father replied firmly. “It’s time you start thinking about settling down. You’re at an age where you should start building a life.”
“But I have my career to focus on!” Kiara exclaimed, feeling her heart sink. “I’m not ready for marriage!”
“We understand that, but meeting him doesn’t mean you have to get married right away,” her mother reassured her. “Just give it a chance. You might be surprised.”
Kiara shook her head, her emotions swirling. “You want me to meet a stranger and consider marrying him? That’s not how this works!”
“Just think about it,” her father said calmly. “You have two days to prepare for the meeting. If it doesn’t work out, you can walk away.”
“But what if I don’t want to meet him at all?” Kiara shot back, her voice rising in frustration.
“Kiara, please,” her mother urged gently. “We’re not trying to control you. We just want what’s best for you. We’ve thought this through.”
“I don’t like this! You can’t just decide my future for me!” Kiara shouted, her frustration peaking.
“Enough!” her father’s voice rose, cutting through her anger. “This is happening, and you will meet him. You need to understand the importance of family and tradition.”
Kiara crossed her arms defiantly, refusing to back down. “I’ll meet him, but don’t expect me to like it.”
“Thank you,” her mother said softly, relief washing over her face.
As Kiara stormed out of the room, she felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She needed to vent, to talk to someone who would understand her frustration. That’s when she remembered Agastya, her childhood friend who had just returned from Spain.
---
Later that evening, Kiara met Agastya at a café they used to frequent during their college days. The warm ambiance and soft music provided a comforting backdrop as she slid into the booth across from him.
“Agastya!” Kiara exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Kiara! It’s been too long!” Agastya replied, grinning from ear to ear. “How have you been?”
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VOWS OF VENGEANCE
Romance**Vows of Vengeance: A Tale of Love and Rebellion** In the dangerous and glamorous world where power and vengeance intertwine, "Vows of Vengeance: A Tale of Love and Rebellion" unravels the intense and forbidden story of Aarav Thakur, the notorious...
