LOVE AFTER FORCED MARRIAGE
Love After Forced Marriage – Episode 2
Theme: {melting his anger.}
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Arya was watering the flowers at the veranda, her face serene and calm, when Arjun came over holding two cups of coffee.
“Here you go,” he said, handing her one of the cups, a friendly smile on his face.
“Thank you,” Arya said, taking a sip, her eyes closing in appreciation.
“Dad said we are having a visitor tomorrow, are you aware?” Arjun asked.
“Yeah, Mom told me, I guess Dad is having his old-time friends coming over,” she said, her face neutral.
“I guess you really don’t know,” he said, his voice low.
“Know what?” she asked, confused.
“The visitors Dad is expecting tomorrow are your in-laws,” he said, his words dropping like a bombshell.
“My what?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You are getting married,” he said, his words confirming Arya’s worst fears.
Arya’s face turned ashen, her eyes filled with shock and horror.
*KABIR’S MANSION*
Everyone was seated in the living room, except for Grandma Viti and Karan, who were coming down from the room, engaged in a serious conversation. Karan’s face was etched with concern and frustration.
“Grandma, you can’t do this,” Karan said, his voice firm, as they made their way to join the others in the living room.
“You don’t have a choice, Karan,” she said, her eyes flashing with authority.
“I do have a choice, Grandma,” he snapped, his jaw clenched. “There’s no way I’m getting married to another woman who isn’t Samara,” Karan said, his voice filled with conviction. “She’s the woman for me.”
“Come on, son, just listen to your grandma for once,” Jash said, calm and soothing.
“Dad, don’t tell me you’re in support of this,” he said, his eyes wide with surprise.
Zara’s face turned gentle and persuasive. “Come on, Karan, you know Mom is doing what’s best for you,” she said.
“This is not what I want,” he said, and bent down to his grandma, holding her hand. “Please, Grandma, reconsider, let me marry the woman I want,” he said, his eyes pleading and desperate.
“Get ready, we’re leaving in the next hour to go meet your future wife,” she said, standing up and walking away. Karan stared after her, his face frozen in shock and dismay.
*GIAN’S ROOM*
After the meeting in the living room was over, Gian and his family came to the room. Sai was pacing around in anger, his face twisted in frustration.
“This isn’t right, why is Grandma focusing all her attention on Karan? He’s not the only grandson she has, I’m here too,” Sai said, his voice laced with resentment, his eyes flashing with anger.
“You’re right,” Kiara said, nodding in agreement. Her face turned bitter. “How I hate him so damn much, he’s the last of us all, and yet he’s given everything,” she said, her voice dripping with jealousy.
“There’s nothing we can do, the only thing left is when Karan agrees to marry the lady Mom chose for him,” Gian said, shrugging his shoulders.
“I think we should keep encouraging Karan to refuse the marriage proposal,” Thier mother said, a hint of a plan in her eyes.
“Mom, you don’t get it, there’s no way Karan will refuse, Grandma will make sure he marries the lady she chose for him,” Sai said, his voice laced with resignation.
The family sighed, their faces reflecting their disappointment and frustration.
*JASH’s ROOM*
They were trying to calm Karan down. Roshni’s face was etched with concern as she placed a gentle hand on Karan’s arm.
“Please, son, calm down,” she said, her voice soft and soothing.
“I can’t, Mom, Grandma is forcing me against my will, I don’t like it,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion.
“She is doing the best for you,” Jash said, his eyes filled with conviction.
“Stop saying that, Dad,” he said, frustratedly.
“But it’s the truth,” he said, his voice steady and unwavering.
*Taru’s House*
Arya was trying to make her family understand her own reasons for the decision they made for her.
“Dad, please, I don’t want to,” Arya said, her voice laced with desperation, her eyes pleading.
“Come on, Arya, you know I can never make a bad decision for you. The family you are marrying into is from a respectable home,” he said, his expression confident.
“I thought you once told me to marry the man I love, and you would never force me against my will,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Arya, listen to your father,” Amal said, her voice gentle.
“I know Dad will never make a wrong decision for you,”Arjun said, trying to reassure Arya.
“Come on, dear, let’s get you ready for your in-laws,” she said, standing up and gesturing for Arya to follow her.
As they left the room, Arjun’s face turned curious. “So, Dad, who are the family my sister is getting married into?” he asked firmly.
“The Kabir’s family,” he said, his face a matter-of-fact.
“Kabir’s family?” he asked, his voice incredulous. “Who among the sons or rather grandson?” Arjun asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Karan, the last grandson of the family,”.
“Oh, I hope he treats my sister well,” he said.
“I believe Viti will make that happen. You know she is a great friend of mine, and I owe her husband for saving my father’s life back then in the 80’s,” he said, a hint of gratitude in his voice.
“Her husband saved your father? How?” he asked, curiously.
“That’s a story for another day, son,” he said, smiling, and Arjun sighed.
________\\________////_____
An hour later, the Kabir’s family arrived at Taru’s house with plenty of gifts. They were welcomed warmly by the Taru family. Amal offered each of them water, except Karan, who rejected the water, frowning. Arjun wondered why he was frowning.
“Thank you for having us here, Taru,” Grandma Viti said, smiling warmly.
“It’s a pleasure,” Mr. Taru replied, beaming with hospitality.
“Now that we are here, let’s get to what brought us here,” Grandma Viti said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Sure,” Mr. Taru said, nodding.
“This is my grandson, Karan, the one who wants to marry your daughter,” Grandma Viti introduced, her face filled with pride. Karan’s frown still remained.
“That’s good, he’s such a handsome man. I’m sure my daughter will like him,” Mr. Taru said, and everyone laughed except Karan, who scoffed disgustingly.
“Can we see her now? We want to see how our future daughter-in-law looks like,” Zara said, smiling.
“Let me get her,” Amal said, and left for Arya’s room while the conversation continued to flow.
Arya was seated in front of the mirror, dressed beautifully in her Indian wear, with a scarf covering her hair. She stared sadly at herself in the mirror, then her mom entered.
“Arya, it’s time, dear,” Amal said, smiling at her. Arya sighed sadly.
“Mom,” She called out sadly, and her mom sighed and rested her hands on her shoulders.
“I understand, Arya, but we are doing this for your future. The Kabir’s family is good people,” Amal said reassuringly.
“But what if I don’t like him?” She asked, her voice laced with worry.
“You will like him. He’s very handsome, and I know he will like you too, because you are so beautiful,” Amal said, trying to cheer her up.
“Mom, beauty is not what is needed only in marriage. It’s about trust, communication, respect, compromise, quality time, empathy, gentleness, and of course intimacy and good behavior. What if he lacks all these qualities?” She asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
“It’s a good thing you have most of them. Yours will cover his,” she said, trying to reassure Arya. Arya sighed, her face still filled with doubt. “Come on, let’s go. They are waiting,” Amal said, helping Arya up, and they left for the living room.
All eyes were on Arya as she lowered her head to the ground, her beauty captivating everyone. Except Karan, who kept his face down, not interested in what was going on.
Grandma Viti stood up and moved to Arya, smiling warmly. “You are such a beauty, dear,” she said, caressing Arya’s face. Arya smiled back at her, her eyes sparkling with shyness.
Arya sat down with her father, and Viti returned to her seat. Everyone was complimenting Arya’s beauty, and they started discussing the arrangements of the wedding.
Arya stared secretly at Karan after her brother whispered to her that the man who came for her hand in marriage. She was amazed by his handsomeness, but the look on his face scared her, and she quickly turned her face away, her heart racing with anxiety.
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