bound by tradition

Kirti’s anger boiled over in that moment, the frustration that had been building inside her for days finally escaping. She couldn’t take it anymore—the pressure, the expectation, the feeling of being trapped in a life she didn’t want. She clenched her fists and turned to face Xiao Zhan, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I don’t want to talk to you!" she snapped, her words sharp and filled with a mix of fear and anger. "I don’t care what you want, or what Mr. Sharma says. I don’t want any part of this!"

Before anyone could respond, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t bear to be in that house with them anymore. She didn’t want to see their faces, didn’t want to hear their words, didn’t want to be a part of this arrangement that felt like a prison to her.

She rushed up the stairs, ignoring the calls of her mother, and locked herself in her room. The sound of the key turning in the lock was like a final barrier between her and everything she was being forced into.

Upstairs, her mother stood frozen for a moment, clearly startled by the outburst. She looked at Xiao Zhan apologetically, her voice soft but filled with concern. "Please, don’t feel bad, Mr. Xiao. Kirti... she’s just easily upset. She’s young, and this is all too much for her right now. She’ll calm down. She always does."

Xiao Zhan, for the first time, seemed a little taken aback by the intensity of Kirti’s reaction. He glanced toward the stairs, his expression unreadable. He never hear no . But Kirti was different. She was feisty, and that stirred something in him—something that made him both frustrated and intrigued.

"She’s a bit of a wild one," Xiao Zhan said coolly, though the flicker of interest in his eyes betrayed his calm facade. "But I’m sure we can work things out."

Her mother nodded, though the concern on her face remained. "Please, Mr. Xiao. I apologize again for her behavior. It’s just that... well, she’s not used to this kind of situation. I’m sure she’ll come around."

As Kirti sat on her bed in her room, her thoughts were a whirlwind. She hated how helpless she felt. She hated how her mother and father had already made decisions for her, as if she didn’t matter in this equation. Xiao Zhan was a man she didn’t know, and yet her life seemed to be on a path where she had no say. The anger surged within her again, and she wished she could just escape. But there was nowhere to go, no way to free herself from this web that had been spun around her.

With a deep breath, Kirti wiped her eyes. I have to be strong, she thought, even though it felt like everything was falling apart. She couldn’t let herself be pushed into something she didn’t want. But how could she stop it? How could she make them see that this wasn’t the life she wanted for herself?

She didn’t know the answer, but she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t going to let Xiao Zhan or anyone else dictate her future without a fight.

Xiao Zhan sat in the guest room, his thoughts swirling as he listened to Kirti's parents discuss the details of the upcoming wedding. Mr. Sharma had already made sure to communicate with the family, ensuring that everything was in motion. Xiao Zhan had already made his decision. He would have Kirti, whether she accepted it or not. He would win her over, even if it took time. His grandmother had always emphasized the importance of family ties, and this marriage was just the beginning of a new chapter.

As the conversation unfolded, Xiao Zhan’s phone buzzed with a message from his grandmother. The tone of the message was clear—this marriage was to be swift, and it would take place as soon as possible. His grandmother, who had been a powerful influence on him for years, had her own plans for the wedding. The traditions, the ceremony, the grandeur—it all had to be perfect, in line with their family’s expectations.

"Everything must be arranged quickly," Xiao Zhan said, breaking the silence in the room. His voice was calm, almost cold, as he turned his gaze to Kirti's parents. "My grandmother, my younger sister—they will come to meet with you to discuss the details. We need to prepare for the wedding."

Kirti’s parents, who had already been worn down by the pressure from all sides, nodded in agreement. They had little choice. They could see the wealth and power Xiao Zhan possessed, and they knew that any further resistance would be futile. Kirti’s father, though still uneasy, had already agreed to the marriage in principle. It seemed like the only way to secure their future.

But Kirti’s mother, who had been silently listening, spoke up. "We want an Indian wedding for our daughter," she said, her voice firm with the quiet authority that came from years of raising a daughter who meant everything to her. "We don’t want any foreign influence to ruin the traditions. Our family must be respected in this process. Kirti deserves an Indian wedding, with all the customs and rituals."

Xiao Zhan, who had been leaning back in his chair, watching the exchange carefully, paused. He hadn’t considered the specifics of the ceremony—he had only thought of the formalities. But when he heard the sincerity in Kirti’s mother’s voice, he understood the importance of this request. He knew that the Indian wedding traditions were sacred to the family, and if he wanted to move forward without causing further conflict, he had to comply.

"Of course," Xiao Zhan agreed, his tone measured. "We can have the wedding according to Indian traditions. I understand the importance of family values and customs. We'll make sure everything is arranged as per your wishes."

He looked at Kirti’s mother, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. Despite his desire for control, he could see that Kirti’s family was not to be underestimated. They were traditional, proud, and unwilling to compromise on the things that mattered most to them. He would have to play by their rules—for now.

Kirti’s mother nodded, satisfied with his response, but her expression remained serious. She wanted this wedding to be a celebration, not a forced arrangement, and she hoped that, one day, Kirti might come to accept it.

Meanwhile, Kirti was in her room, still reeling from the events of the past few days. The weight of the impending wedding pressed heavily on her chest. She had no control over her own future, and that terrified her. As much as she didn’t want to accept it, the pressure from all sides was overwhelming. Her parents had agreed. Xiao Zhan had already made up his mind. Her world was being flipped upside down, and she wasn’t sure if she could handle it.

Her mother knocked on the door, and when Kirti didn’t respond, she entered. "Kirti," her mother said gently, sitting beside her on the bed. "I know this is hard for you. But we are doing this to secure our future. Xiao Zhan may seem distant, but he comes from a powerful family. This wedding will bring respect and honor to our family, and it will ensure that you have a good life."

Kirti’s eyes filled with tears. "I don’t want this, Mama," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I don’t want to marry him. I don’t even know him."

Her mother’s heart broke at her words, but she could only offer her comfort. "I understand, my dear. But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. You may not see it now, but this will be good for you. Please trust us."

Kirti didn’t know what to say. She felt trapped. Everything in her body screamed for freedom, for control over her own choices. But her family, her parents—they believed this was the best path. She was being forced into a future she didn’t choose, and it felt like there was no way out.

As her mother left the room, Kirti lay back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her heart heavy with dread. She didn’t want this wedding. She didn’t want to marry someone she didn’t love, especially not a man who seemed so distant, so controlled, so powerful. But what choice did she have? Her family had already made the decision for her. The only thing left to do now was prepare for the life that was being forced upon her.

The days ahead would be difficult, and Kirti knew that. But she was determined to hold onto her sense of self, even if she had to fight for it. She wouldn’t let Xiao Zhan control her. She wouldn’t let anyone decide her future without her consent. But she had to figure out how to navigate this new world she found herself in, without losing everything she held dear.

Her journey, her struggle, had only just begun.

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