The Arranged Marriage

In the PRESENT: SURPRISE

Sahil POV
I couldn't believe what this woman was saying! Aisha Nandan. Aisha, who I left all those years ago and now my mother was telling me that a marriage proposal had been sent to her family. I never thought "the deal" would get initiated. The funniest part of it all, Damiana never held up other end of the bargain. She was supposed to give up the child to my family right after it was born. I didn't even know when my child was born. Dami somehow completely kept everything about my child from my family and I. The day he or she was born, Dami just fled town. For the past 5 years, I tried looking for her but to no avail. I tried to look for my child too, but I never found him or her. I'd never even seen my child and I didn't know anything about it. I was completely clueless. I was bouncing back from that disappointment though. Oberoi Incorporated was doing incredibly well financially. When Damiana had disappointed me, I put all my frustration into my college work. I graduated and immediately put all my studies into starting up my business. 4 years later, Oberoi Incorporated was my pride and joy. My personal life on the other hand, it was spiraling down into the gutter. I had no love life, my parents were mad at me, and I was a disgrace to the family for not getting married already. This past year, my parents had decided that they needed to employ the deal because I wasn't getting anything done on my own. Every few weeks, we would go to some restaurant or to someone's house to meet their daughter. Those never went too well. I didn't even have to speak up about my disinterest. My parents would have started frowning within minutes of grilling the girl. I didn't know why this time would be any different. I understood that Aisha was a really nice girl and that she probably would have liked and gotten along well with my parents. I didn't doubt that for a minute, the only problem was our past. What happened 5 years ago. I'd never told anyone about it but maybe it was time to tell my mother. "Mom, I need to tell you something", I started. "What is it?", she looked worried. "You might want to have a seat for this one", I warned. Mom and I took a seat on the sofa and readying myself for some gruesome memories, I began. "This is what happened that night", I began.
A few minutes later, I was almost done. "So there's why meeting Aisha is probably not the best idea ever", I finished. Mom looked pensive for a moment before starting to speak. "Sounds to me like this is the perfect chance", she said joyfully. "Perfect chance for what?", I asked her. "Make the wrongs into rights", she advised. "Do you really think that will work? Do you really believe that I can just explain it to her and we could work it out?", I pointed out. "Sahil, you had a child at the age of 22 and you never got to see him or her. I really really do believe you two have a chance at a life together. You never know, she might have some dark secrets of her own", Mom said. "I highly doubt Aisha Nandan has any secrets but if you think it'll work, then I will give it my best. "That's all I wanted", she said before getting up to go home. "We'll go and meet her family this weekend if that is alright with you", she reminded me. "Sounds perfect", I replied, "Goodnight Mom".
On Saturday...
My parents' limousine came to a stop in front of my building. The driver got out and opened the door. "Thanks Rick", I tipped my hat at him. Sliding into the car, I came face to face with my parents. "Morning Mom. Good morning Dad", I greeted them. "Good morning Sahil", came their replies. "Okay. There's a few things and etiquettes that you must maintain at all times once we get their", Mom started. "Her parents are very strict. So, maintain your composure with her at all times. No flirting unless they say you can. Don't speak to her unless you're allowed to. Her sister will probably be there. No tasking to her either. Sit like a gentleman. Use your cutlery properly. Speak proper English", came a barrage of rules at me. "Take a deep breath Mom. Don't forget I'm a millionaire. I'm used to all this pressure and acting proper", I told her. "Just don't mess this up", she pleaded. "I promise I won't", I promised her right as the limo pulled up to a cozy looking red brick house. Rick got out and opened the door. We all came out and stood in front of the house. Preparing ourselves for the worst, we rang the doorbell. The door was opened by a short and pretty lady. "You guys must be the Oberoi's. I'm Rita. Come in please. We were just finishing setting up and Aisha will be down in a few minutes", she smiled. "Rita! How lovely to see you! That's alright. We're so excited!", Mom said with exuberance. We walked in and after setting our coats on the hangers, we walked to their foyer. Taking our seats at the couches and shaking hands and introducing ourselves, we waited for Aisha's mom to come back out of the kitchen. She came bearing loads of food. Sitting across from my Mom, we started speaking. "Sahil, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard quite a lot about you", Mrs.Nandan mentioned. "Good things I hope", I replied, earning a few good chuckles. We settled into a comfortable conversation while waiting for the other guest-of-honor. Just as I started thinking about her, she entered the room. Her head was lowered so I couldn't see her face but I knew not a lot had changed in the past five years. She was still the tiny curvy girl from Uni. Finally, she raised her eyes and immediately, our eyes locked. "Hi", we both strained together out.
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