The Lie That Started It All
Ranvir Khanna felt the weight of his father’s expectations the moment he entered the grand study. Every corner of the room seemed to radiate authority, from the polished mahogany desk to the tall bookshelves that housed his family’s legacy in finance and business. His father sat behind the desk, his eyes sharp as they tracked Ranvir’s every move, leaving him feeling exposed, vulnerable.
“Sit,” his father commanded, and Ranvir obediently sank into the leather chair across from him.
The tension was palpable, and Ranvir could feel his stomach twist in anticipation. He knew his father too well; he had a precise way of starting conversations, slowly circling around his main point like a predator closing in on its prey.
“I have an important matter to discuss with you, Ranvir,” his father began, his voice smooth but unyielding. “You’re not a child anymore. You’ve completed your education, you’re working at the company… It’s time you settled down. I’ve been talking with Mr. Mehra, and his daughter Anya would be an excellent match for you.”
Ranvir’s mind spun. He had seen this coming—hints of arranged marriages had always lingered in their conversations. But he had hoped that, just maybe, he could avoid this trap. Marriage, especially one that would entangle his life even deeper in his father’s business empire, was the last thing he wanted.
Taking a breath to steady himself, he looked up, trying to keep his voice even. “Father, I appreciate your concern, but marriage isn’t something I’m ready for yet.”
His father’s eyes hardened, his jaw clenching slightly. “This isn’t a choice, Ranvir. It’s a duty. Our family legacy, our business alliances—they depend on strategic marriages. You’ll do what’s necessary for the family.”
A flash of defiance sparked in Ranvir’s chest. For years, he had allowed himself to be molded, to follow every rule, every expectation. But this—this was his life. A decision he should have control over.
He took a breath, trying to summon courage as he spoke. “I understand what the family means to you, but marriage is personal. I deserve the right to make that decision on my own.”
His father’s gaze grew colder. “You’re being selfish, Ranvir. This alliance will benefit us immensely. I don’t expect you to fall in love with her. That isn’t necessary. You’ll marry her, and that’s final.”
The finality in his father’s tone sent a shiver down Ranvir’s spine, and suddenly, a reckless idea flared to life in his mind. An escape, however desperate it might seem. He hesitated, but with his father’s gaze bearing down on him, he felt his resolve harden.
“Father,” he began, his voice trembling slightly, “I… I’m already married.”
His father’s expression shifted from irritation to outright shock. “What did you say?”
Ranvir swallowed, knowing there was no turning back now. “I’m married… to a man.”
The silence that followed was deafening, his father’s stare turning icy, a mixture of disbelief and fury crossing his face. “You expect me to believe this nonsense?”
“It’s the truth,” Ranvir insisted, his heart pounding. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t accept it. But I can’t keep it hidden any longer.”
His father’s mouth twisted into a frown. “You think this childish lie will get you out of your duty? I’m not a fool, Ranvir.”
Ranvir took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. “I’m telling you this because I want you to understand that I have my own life. My choices are my own.”
His father’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. “If this is true,” he said slowly, each word laced with menace, “then bring this ‘husband’ of yours here tomorrow. I want to meet him.”
The challenge in his father’s voice sent a chill down Ranvir’s spine. He’d hoped his father would back down or at least buy him some time, but instead, he had dug himself even deeper into this lie.
“Yes, Father,” Ranvir replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “You’ll meet him tomorrow.”
---
As he left the study, Ranvir’s mind raced. He had bought himself time, but now he had an impossible task—to conjure up a husband in less than twenty-four hours. He collapsed onto his bed, wondering how he could possibly make his lie a reality.
Just then, his phone vibrated. He picked it up, and his heart skipped a beat as he read the message from an unknown number.
“Heard you need a husband. Don’t worry. I’ll be there tomorrow. – A”
Ranvir’s eyes widened. How did this stranger know about his lie? Who was this person? Before he could think, he quickly typed back.
“Who are you?”
The response came almost immediately.
“Your husband. Just play along.”
---
The next evening, Ranvir paced anxiously in the entry hall, his stomach a knot of nerves. He was about to meet a stranger who had somehow decided to play along with his ridiculous scheme. As he glanced over at his father, who was waiting with an icy expression, he felt the full weight of what he was doing.
Then the doorbell rang.
Ranvir’s heart raced as he opened the door, and his breath caught as he saw the man standing there. Tall, broad-shouldered, with intense eyes and an air of confidence, the man looked every bit the part of a “husband” Ranvir had imagined but never dared to hope for.
The stranger extended his hand with a casual smile. “Hello, Ranvir. I’m Aakarsh.”
Ranvir could only stare, momentarily speechless, before recovering and taking his hand. “Aakarsh… Yes, thank you for coming.”
Aakarsh stepped inside, throwing a confident glance at Ranvir’s father. “Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Khanna,” he said smoothly, as if he had known the family for years. “Ranvir and I have been looking forward to this meeting.”
Ranvir’s father scrutinized Aakarsh, suspicion in his eyes. “So… you’re Ranvir’s husband?”
“Yes,” Aakarsh replied without missing a beat, wrapping an arm around Ranvir’s shoulders in a way that felt both comforting and surprisingly genuine. “Ranvir and I have been together for a while now. We just wanted to keep things quiet until we felt the time was right.”
Ranvir’s father’s gaze shifted between the two of them, clearly still skeptical but struggling to find a reason to question it. “Ranvir, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Ranvir swallowed, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. “I didn’t think you’d accept it, Father. But Aakarsh has… changed my life in ways I never thought possible.”
Aakarsh gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, the warmth of his touch calming Ranvir’s nerves. “I assure you, Mr. Khanna,” Aakarsh added smoothly, “Ranvir is in good hands. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure his happiness.”
As the evening progressed, Ranvir found himself unable to shake the surreal feeling of the situation. Aakarsh was playing his role so perfectly, effortlessly deflecting his father’s probing questions, guiding the conversation with a charm that left even Ranvir’s father momentarily disarmed.
But what unnerved Ranvir the most was how natural it felt—Aakarsh’s hand on his shoulder, the way he spoke about their “relationship” as if it were real. And with each passing minute, Ranvir found himself wondering how much of this lie was truly a game… and how much might actually be real.
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Pyaar Ka Raaz
RomanceRanvir Khanna has lived his life in the shadow of his father's ambitions, constantly pressured to follow the "family path" in both career and personal life. When his father arranges a marriage with a business partner's daughter, Ranvir finds himself...
