ARRANGED
ONE
Mrs. Narayan
Oh my god Akshita, how come you're not ready yet? Rehan and his parents are already here. Do you want to make us look bad on purpose, hon?
Akshita
Don't go around panicking like that mom, I told you for the thousandth time, I wouldn't screw this up this time!
I replied to my mom rolling my eyes trying to shove the bangles in through my wrists, trying to get ready, looking like the perfect bride, Rehan and his parents would want to take home with them.
Mrs. Narayan
Yes. Like you didn't screw it up seventeen times before this?
Rehan and his parents were the eighteenth potential groom's family that had come down to see me as their potential daughter-in-law.
What happened seventeen times before this? Why all those grooms didn't work out for me? Is there something potentially unmarriable about me?
I just... Don't want to get married.
I'm just 20. I have so many things planned out for me. I have to finish college, make a career... Marriage was never a part of my plan for like five to seven years more.
And did I mention I already have a boyfriend?
Well... It's complicated.
Mom calling my name again frustrated like that pulled me from my train of thoughts.
Akshita
Yeah. I'm listening.
I let out a breath that I was holding, staring at my dolled up reflection in the mirror. I was stared back by the reflection of this beautiful woman in this mirror, who looked just perfect.
Mrs. Narayan
I know we are doing this for the eighteenth time but God, just look at my sugar pie, looking so beautiful and perfect.
Mom said to me with love and kissed my forehead.
Akshita
Why do you want to marry me off so early? I'm just twenty. It's not like I'm old...
Mrs. Narayan
We have had this discussion baby. I got married when I was eighteen. You're still marrying twenty. Me and your dad... We just think it's the best time for you to start a new life with someone.
Mrs. Narayan
What I don't understand is, is there someone else you like? I mean, I've asked you this question a million times but still, if there is someone else you would like us to meet, we're ready,
I have a boyfriend. We love each other, but we are not ready to get married.
He still doesn't have a job, so he needs time to figure his life out, and I don't want him to pressure him with marriage and stuff because clearly my parents aren't ready to wait. It's weird, complicated. I'm not even sure if he is the one for me yet. So, I never told him about my marriage or my parents about him
All I have been doing from so long is stalling these grooms and his families. Turning down the proposals over and over so I could buy time.
Two years, And I haven't figured out what I want.
Mrs. Narayan
Okay. Your father and I are going to talk to those people outside. I'll tell your sister to bring you out when they're ready to meet you.
Mom gave me a slight hug and left the room.
Akashi
Damn. I swear to god every time these people come to our house with their marriage proposals, ma-papa get so worked up around them.
Akashi
You look hot sista!
Akashi said after entering my room and then looking at me seated before the dresser.
I replied to her barely able to smile
TWO
I'm ready, seated all dolled up inside my room, waiting for the conversation going on outside between the parents to get over so I could go and talk and reject the guy... Like I have been doing from so long, but something seems off this time
I don't know what it is, but my gut feeling tells me that this time, it wouldn't be so easy for this time I could hear my parents vibing more than they usually do with other party's parents.
Akashi had just gone out in the dinner hall where everybody was seated to check on the situation and a few minutes later she came back in
Akashi
So, I have been hearing our parents talking and your chances to reject this guy, this time are looking pretty ugly to me
Akashi said to me sitting in my bed.
Akashi
Besides, I don't think you should reject this guy. He's a doctor, owns a pretty huge chain of multi-speciality hospitals aka the guy is a Richie Rich. And have you seen him?
Akashi
Sorry to say sis, but he's way hotter than your boyfriend.
Akshita
You know Mihir isn't why I have been rejecting guys.
Akashi
I don't understand your relationship with Mihir anyway.
She shrugged her shoulders and said.
Akshita
It's pretty simple, actually... He doesn't want to get married until he builds himself a career, and I'm not sure if I want to spend the rest of my life with him.
Akashi said mocking me with her tone.
Mrs. Narayan
Akshita, dear. Come outside and greet our guests.
Mrs. Jaiprakash
Oh, come on Mrs. Narayana. We're family now.
I could hear my future mother-in-law talking my mother up. If she was going to be my mother-in-law, that is.
I sucked in a deep long breath and got up to walk outside in the living room where everybody was seated. My sister Akashi accompanied me.
Everybody present inside the room became quiet, and I could feel all of their eyes penetrating me.
Mrs. Jaiprakash
Rehan, be a good gentleman and introduce yourself to her.
I sneaked up a glance at this man as he gently pushed forward his hand towards me.
Rehan
Hey. I'm Dr. Rehan Jaiprakash. MD Surgeon.
Akshita
It's Akshita Narayana
I shook his hand, and looked up at him. Our eyes locked and I watched his Adam's apple move while he gulped and stared at me for a couple of seconds.
He was hot. Akashi was right. Hotter than my ex.
Educated. Spectacled. Kinda looks like a nerd, but the kind you'd want to bone.
Oops. Did I actually say bone?!
We got our hands out of the firm short-lived handshake and stood there awkwardly while both our parents admired us as a future couple for thirty more seconds.
Akashi
Um... Why are we staring at them?
Akashi finally said something to break the awkwardness and everybody laughed. Everybody but Rehan and me. It wasn't funny when everybody was trying to push us together.
I don't want to marry him and I'm sure he wouldn't want to marry the girl who doesn't want to marry him too.
Mrs. Jaiprakash
Why don't you two go outside and talk alone? You must be feeling so awkward in this situation here stuck with the elderly.
Mrs. Narayan
Yes, sure. Akshita. Show Rehan our terrace garden.
Mrs. Jaiprakash
Wow. You have a terrace garden? Rehan loves farming.
Rehan
It's just a hobby auntie. I normally don't get enough time off the hospital, even to water them.
Ugh! I hate this nonsense!
Akshita
Uhm... It's this way.
I said to him. He looked at me confused and I repeated myself.
Akshita
The stairs to the terrace?
He said and We started walking out of the living room to talk somewhere private.
THREE
There was an awkward silence as we stood near the railing around the roof and he silently stared out at the greenery surrounding our house
I cleared my throat but couldn't really find words which would initiate the conversation. But then after a few seconds Rehan started speaking without turning around and looking at me
Rehan
I want you to reject me right away when we go downstairs.
Wait a second. Did I hear him right? This was new. Of all the seventeenth men who came to see me previously, never once have I heard anyone say this to me.
Maybe he has a girlfriend and his parents aren't ready to get him married to her? It wouldn't be inappropriate if I ask, right?
As soon as I asked he turned around and looked at me, he looked kind of offended by me asking that.
Rehan
You'd wish, wouldn't you?
He scoffed, making an evil face and went behind to sit in one of the chairs. He took off his spectacles and I could see how NOT nerd-ish he looked.
Rehan
There isn't a girl born to be my girlfriend.
One second. What did he say?
Akshita
🙄 (rolls her eyes and came to sit beside him as well)
Rehan
You look at but homely to me. Typical Indian bride. Innocent. Beautiful. Who would respect my parents, serve my friends with a smile. The kinds who make food for their husband in day and serves their needs at night?
Akshita
(What the f*cking hell?!) *clenches her first in anger*
Rehan
My mom wants a wife like that for me and I, well I am a doctor, so I have pledged not to ruin somebody's life on purpose. So, I'm asking you to reject me clearly because let me be clear to you, I'm an unmarriable person.
Rehan
To be straight with you. I'm a Playboy. I f*ck girls and never call them again. I'm a living example of Barney Stinson. And I do not intend to change. Even after I get married.
I stared at him amazed while he talked about himself. How can a guy be so proud about being such an assh*le?!
Rehan
And I'm sure you, like other girls would want a loyal, caring, sweet, typical old school, classic husband? So, let me not ruin your life and reject me as soon as we go downstairs.
Sure, at first when he was boasting about what an assh*le he is, I hated his guts but now that he asked me to reject him, he doesn't seem like such a bad person. At least he isn't planning to marry a girl and then ruin her life by keeping her in the dark about his true self. I do appreciate that part about this jerk.
Akshita
So, how many girls?
I asked curiously, and he looked at me almost choking on the tea that I made him
Akshita
How many girls exactly have you slept with and never called them again?
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