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Adithyan leaned back in his chair, letting his gaze drift over the city skyline beyond his office window. After a relentless morning of meetings and phone calls, he finally had a moment to breathe.

His eyes flicked to his watch—and his jaw tightened. Vamika Trivedi would be here any minute.

Lately, he felt less like a man and more like a revolving door. Vamika would sweep in, then leave for Mumbai… and barely a week later, Naira would arrive from Mumbai.

At least Vamika was temporary. Once she was gone, his obligation to her would be neatly wrapped up. He would see to it that she was well taken care of. Someone from Acharya Group waiting for her in Mumbai, a dedicated security detail for the duration of her stay. After that, she would be someone else’s concern.

Naira, however… she was entirely his doing.

A faint smile touched his lips. The move to head the Bangalore office had made one truth impossible to ignore. It was time to settle down. Thirty was no longer young in the eyes of their community, and marriage was not just an expectation but a responsibility.

He had known the Agarwal family for years, crossing paths at business gatherings. When Namit Agarwal, owner of a major shipping company, suggested the match with his daughter, Adithyan had considered it carefully and found no reason to refuse.

On paper, they were well suited. She could offer companionship and, in time, children. He could offer security, protection, stability.

Love and passion, he believed, were things that could be cultivated.

Yes. The timing felt right.

The shrill buzz of his phone cut through his thoughts. He glanced at the screen.

Aryan bhai.

“Bhai,” Adithyan said as he answered the call.

“What is this I am hearing about the Agarwals? A marriage proposal?” Aryan’s voice was direct, tinged with surprise.

Adithyan exhaled slowly. This was why he had wanted to keep it quiet for now. Only his father was supposed to know, because Aryan Acharya, ever since his own second chance at love, had turned into the family’s self-appointed expert on romance. He would be the first to throw up a wall against an arranged marriage.

And with reason. Aryan’s first marriage, arranged under family pressure, had been a disaster. The second time, he followed his heart, married Mahima bhabhi, and found happiness. Naturally, he wanted his brothers to have the same.

“Well,” Adithyan began, keeping his tone neutral, “Naira is a nice girl, bhai. Pretty, understanding, and… well, she seems good.”

“And do you love her?” Aryan asked without hesitation.

“Of course not,” Adithyan replied matter-of-factly. “I barely know her. How can I be in love with her? I am… hoping that will come after marriage.”

“And what if it doesn’t?” Aryan’s question hung in the air.

Adithyan was silent for a beat. He knew exactly where that was coming from. His brother had gone into a marriage without love, thinking it would grow, and it hadn’t. Years of unhappiness had followed.

“Not all arranged marriages are doomed, bhai,” Adithyan said quietly. “You know that.”

“I know,” Aryan conceded, his voice softer now. “But I am scared for you. I know what it’s like to live in a loveless marriage. And I know what it’s like to be completely in love with your wife. The difference is… everything. I don’t want either of you to go through what I did.”

“I am thirty, bhai. I haven’t felt that spark with anyone. How long am I supposed to wait? After thirty, people don’t call you single, they call you unmarried. And Naira is… well, she is like bhabhi. Sweet, traditional, loving. She would fit in with our family. We both know spoiled rich girls like Maya wouldn’t.” Adithyan’s jaw tightened.

“Not all rich girls are spoiled. And even if they are, not all of them are… evil like Maya. There are probably spoiled rich girls out there with hearts of gold. Just like there are poor girls who can be just as cruel. It all comes down to upbringing and their innate character. Same goes for men too. People can surprise you.” Aryan let out a sigh, exasperated. 

“Let me give Naira a chance. Nothing is fixed yet. She and her mother are coming to Bangalore for a couple of weeks. We will use that time to see if we are actually compatible. If we are, we will move forward. If not… we won’t. That is how arranged marriages work, right? Multiple proposals, a few trial meetings. Let’s just see how this one plays out.” Adithyan’s voice softened, though his stance didn’t shift.

“Fine,” Aryan said at last. “But just to be clear, Adi, physical attraction matters just as much as love if you want a marriage to last. Ticking boxes on paper and finding someone suitable is the easy part. Real life… is different.”

“I know, bhai. I will keep it in mind.”

“Good.” A pause, then, “What about Vamika? Papa mentioned she arrived yesterday.”

“Yes. Little Vamika landed yesterday. I am meeting her in a few minutes. She will be off to Mumbai soon.”

“Bring her home for the weekend. It’s been years since we saw her. Last time I saw her, she was practically a baby.”

“She is the same age as Atharv. Probably still a baby to us.” Adithyan chuckled. 

“Well, twenty years is hardly a baby.”

“For us, it is. She is ten years younger than me and twelve younger than you,” Adithyan said, still smiling.

A sharp knock on the door cut their conversation short. He frowned slightly.

“Come in,” he called.

“Adi, Ms. Trivedi is here to see you.” Madhumati Rao, his secretary, poked her head in. 

“Send her in.”

He spoke quickly into the phone. “Vamika is here, bhai. I will see you this weekend.” They hung up with a promise.

As he waited, Adithyan straightened in his chair, absently drumming his fingers against the polished wood. He searched his memory for the girl. Only flashes came to him: big, curious eyes, dual pony tails, a mouth full of braces.

The door handle turned. He pulled on a gentle smile, no reason to intimidate her.

He rose to his feet, taking a step forward to greet her…

And stopped dead in his tracks.

It felt like someone had knocked the breath clean out of his lungs.

A/N

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