Anaya-His heartbeat

CHAPTER -10 What if

Shivarth's pov

I woke up with a head full of anger, the tension from last night still pulsing in my veins. The news had hit me like a punch to the gut—an arranged marriage, a deal brokered without my say, all for the sake of business. My life wasn’t my own anymore, and the rage that had simmered inside me since childhood was now boiling over.

I tried to shake it off as I dressed and headed to the gym. The weights and machines had always been my outlet, a place where I could let out all the fury that built up inside. The clanging of metal and the burn in my muscles were the only things that ever calmed me down. Today, though, even that didn’t help. Each rep felt like a slap in the face—a reminder that no matter how much I fought against it, my fate had already been sealed.

As I pushed myself harder, trying to outrun the anger, the door to the gym creaked open. My father’s voice followed, too calm for what I was feeling.

“Shivarth,” he called out from the doorway. “This afternoon, we’re going to the bride’s house. Be ready.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t even look at him. My hands tightened around the barbell as I lifted it again, ignoring the way my muscles screamed in protest. The weight was nothing compared to the burden I was being asked to carry.

He lingered for a moment longer, but when I didn’t acknowledge him, he left. Good. I didn’t have anything to say to him right now.

I slammed the barbell back onto its rack, the clatter echoing in the empty gym. My chest was heaving, sweat dripping down my face, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t shake the fury inside me. How could my father decide something so important without even asking me? I had spent years distancing myself from people, focusing on my work, my ambitions. And now, in a single conversation, all of that had been torn away. For what? Some family business deal?

I stormed out of the gym, wiping the sweat from my forehead, my mind still swirling with anger. I had just reached my room when I heard two voices approaching—Ayaan and Samaira.

Great. Just what I needed.

They walked in without knocking, as usual. Ayaan’s easy grin and Samaira’s wide eyes immediately told me they were up to something. I didn’t have the energy for this.

“Well, well, well,” Ayaan said, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Look at you, the soon-to-be groom.”

Samaira’s face lit up with mischief. “Are you practicing your smile for the family visit? Or is that just your ‘I’m-going-to-kill-everyone’ face?”

I shot them both a glare, but that only seemed to encourage them.

“Hey, cheer up,” Ayaan added, walking over to me. “It’s not like they’re marrying you off to a serial killer. At least, I hope not.”

“Yeah,” Samaira chimed in, her tone light but teasing. “Who knows, maybe she’ll be drop-dead gorgeous. You could get lucky.”

I stared at them, unamused. “I don’t care about what she looks like,” I muttered, pacing the room. “This is ridiculous. I didn’t ask for this.”

Samaira rolled her eyes dramatically, plopping herself down on the edge of my bed. “Whoever asks for this, Shiv? It’s not like any of us dream of arranged marriages. But, hey, at least you don’t have to swipe right on a hundred profiles. It’s all pre-arranged. Less work.”