episode 19

The night passed quietly, but Aditi couldn't escape the storm of thoughts in her mind. She lay in bed, her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. The proposal, the pressure, the feeling of being forced into something she wasn’t ready for—it all weighed heavily on her heart.

As the hours passed, she finally drifted into a restless sleep, her thoughts racing through endless scenarios. But when the morning sun broke through the curtains, it brought no comfort.

Aditi awoke, feeling heavy and anxious. She rubbed her eyes, sitting up in bed. Something felt different. She glanced around her room and realized the bedsheets had been changed, everything was neat, and the air felt unusually calm. Her parents had clearly been preparing for the visit.

She sighed and swung her legs off the bed, standing up slowly. "I can’t believe this is happening," she murmured to herself.

She walked to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and then took a quick shower to try and shake off the feeling of dread. Afterward, she dressed in a simple yet elegant salwar suit, a soft lavender color that contrasted her usual hesitation with a touch of grace. It was her attempt to calm herself—at least she could control her appearance.

Aditi applied a little makeup, just enough to give her a composed look. But as she glanced at her reflection, she could see the worry in her eyes. She quickly glanced at her phone, scrolling mindlessly, hoping it would distract her from the events ahead.

Minutes passed, and then, the sound of luxurious cars pulling up outside her house broke the silence. Aditi froze, her heart thumping in her chest. The sleek, black cars parked in the driveway, and she could hear the sound of doors opening and closing.

Aditi stood still for a moment, her stomach twisting with nerves. She felt trapped, unable to escape the reality of what was happening. With a deep breath, she put her phone down and tried to compose herself. "This is just a meeting," she whispered to herself, trying to convince herself that it wasn’t anything more than that.

Downstairs, her father, Avinash, greeted Aryan’s family with a warm, welcoming smile. "Welcome to our home," he said, his voice steady but full of pride. Aryan’s family, looking every bit as wealthy and refined as their reputation suggested, walked into the house.

Aryan, standing tall and confident as always, exchanged a brief smile with Avinash. The two men shook hands, and Aryan nodded respectfully as he greeted the family.

Meanwhile, Aditi stayed in her room, her heart pounding. She wanted to go downstairs, but every part of her body seemed frozen in place. The pressure of the situation was unbearable. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was slipping out of her control, being steered by others.

"Aditi, come downstairs," her mother called gently from below. "Aryan’s family is here."

Aditi hesitated for a long moment, before reluctantly walking toward the stairs. Each step felt like a weight pressing down on her chest. As she made her way down, she caught sight of Aryan standing at the doorway, talking to her father. Their conversation seemed formal, business-like, but there was an unmistakable tension in the air. Aryan's eyes met hers as she descended, and for a split second, their gazes locked.

Aditi’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly looked away, not ready to face him yet.

She walked into the living room, where Aryan's family sat comfortably. His mother and father were conversing with Aditi’s parents, while Aryan stood slightly off to the side, his presence undeniable.

"Come in, Aditi," her mother encouraged, gently guiding her forward.

Aditi, her heart pounding louder than ever, finally stepped into the room. Her gaze flickered toward Aryan again, and this time, he didn't look away. His calm demeanor and the way he observed her made Aditi feel even more uneasy.

As she greeted everyone politely, her mind raced with a thousand thoughts. "What am I supposed to say?" she wondered. "Why am I here?"

But it was too late for second thoughts. The meeting had begun.

Episode 70: A Conversation About the Future

The room was quiet except for the soft murmur of voices. Aryan’s father, Mr. Singh, was seated comfortably across from Aditi, his sharp eyes studying her with a careful intensity. Aditi sat on the edge of the sofa, her hands folded nervously in her lap. She felt the weight of the conversation ahead of her but tried to maintain her composure.

Mr. Singh began speaking with a kind smile, attempting to ease the tension in the room. "So, Aditi, I hear you’re in your first year of college. That’s wonderful! What are you studying?"

Aditi glanced up, meeting his gaze for the first time since entering the room. His voice was calm, reassuring, yet authoritative, like the type of man who expected nothing less than precision.

"Yes, sir," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I’m studying Political Science. I want to become a government officer one day."

There was a slight pause as Mr. Singh considered her words. Aryan, who had been quietly observing the conversation from the corner of the room, shifted slightly but said nothing. He remained focused on Aditi, his expression unreadable but intense.

"That’s admirable," Mr. Singh said, nodding thoughtfully. "Becoming a government officer is a noble pursuit. Do you have any specific plans for your future in that field? You’re still quite young, but it’s good to start thinking ahead."

Aditi felt a little more at ease, his words offering a brief respite from the discomfort she felt. "I plan to prepare for the UPSC exams after I finish my degree," she answered. "I’ve been working hard toward it, focusing on my studies. I’m determined to pass and serve the country."

Mr. Singh smiled, clearly impressed by her ambition. "That’s an excellent plan, Aditi. It’s good to see young people so focused. I’m sure you’ll achieve your goals with that kind of dedication."

Aditi couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride at his words. But at the same time, the looming pressure of her family’s expectations weighed heavily on her. This was not how she had imagined her future—sitting here, talking about her life plans with the man who was part of the proposal conversation.

Aryan, still quietly watching her, didn’t speak, but his gaze never left Aditi. She could feel his eyes on her, but she didn’t dare look up at him directly. Instead, she continued speaking with Mr. Singh.

"And what about you, Aditi?" Mr. Singh asked. "Do you have any plans or thoughts about your future beyond your career?"

Aditi hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. What did he mean by "beyond your career"? Was he referring to… marriage?

She swallowed hard and tried to keep her voice even. "I’d like to focus on my career first. I want to establish myself before I think about anything else."

Mr. Singh nodded. "Wise decision. Focus on your goals, and everything else will follow."

Aditi felt a mix of relief and anxiety. The conversation was formal, but it was a small comfort to talk about her ambitions, not about the pressure of marriage or expectations. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Aryan was watching her too intently.

Finally, after a few more questions about her studies and future aspirations, the conversation shifted, and Mr. Singh turned to address her parents. But Aryan, who had remained silent through it all

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***