Arranged Marriage
Ep. 01
[Hospital ward — Priya is checking on a young patient, while Riya enters with her coffee.]
Priya Sharma(FL)
(smiling at patient) Good job, You’re recovering really fast. Just a few more days and you’ll be home.
Patient
Thank you, doctor di! Will you visit me even after I go home?
Priya Sharma(FL)
(laughs softly) Arre, if I start visiting all my patients, who will run the hospital? Hmm?
Patient
(giggles) Okay, promise you’ll wave when I come next time!
Priya Sharma(FL)
Deal! (waves playfully)
(Riya leans on the door, sipping coffee, dramatic sigh)
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
Uff, look at you, Dr. Sharma. The kids love you, the nurses adore you, and I’m the only one who gets yelled at by the head nurse.
Priya Sharma(FL)
(teasing) Maybe because you spend more time watching K-dramas on your phone than writing patient notes?
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
Excuse me! It’s research, okay? Emotional intelligence helps in patient care.
Priya Sharma(FL)
(laughs) Oh really? Which episode of Crash Landing on You taught you that?
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
(gasps) Don’t mock true love, Priya! My heart still beats for Captain Ri.
Priya Sharma(FL)
(shaking head, smiling) You seriously need therapy.
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
(grins) Only if my therapist looks like Hyun Bin.
(They both laugh. Priya walks toward the corridor to check her next patient.)
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
(following) By the way, your mom called me last night.
Priya Sharma(FL)
(stops mid-step) What? Why is she calling you?
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
(smirking) She said something about a “nice boy” and a “family meeting this weekend” 👀
Priya Sharma(FL)
(groans) Oh no, not again! Another rishta meeting?
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
(dramatic tone) The prophecy comes true! Our sweet Dr. Priya is entering the arranged marriage arena!
Priya Sharma(FL)
(facepalms) Riya, please. Last time was a disaster. That guy asked if I could cook 10 types of parathas!
Riya Patel(FL's Friend)
(giggling) Maybe this one’s better. Who knows? He might be your very own Captain Ri!
Priya Sharma(FL)
(sighs, half-smiling) Haan haan, dream on.
(They both walk off toward the cafeteria, laughing.)
Ep. 02
Malhotra Group Office — Late Morning
Arjun’s office — large glass windows, minimalist decor. Arjun is reviewing files while his assistant enters with coffee.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
Sir, your meeting with the Singapore investors is confirmed for 4 PM. Should I block 30 minutes before that for prep?
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(nodding, eyes on laptop) Yes. And make sure the new presentation deck is updated with last quarter’s numbers.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
Already done, sir. (pauses) You want your usual black coffee?
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
Hmm. Make it lighter today. Didn’t sleep much last night.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(concerned) Everything okay, sir?
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(brief smile) Yeah, just… family discussions.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(curious but cautious) Ah… the “family discussions” tone. Marriage talk again, sir?
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(glances up) How do you know?
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(grinning) You look exactly how you did last year when your mom tried setting you up with that architect from Pune.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(sighs, leans back) Haan… something like that.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(teasing softly) I’m sure the lucky girl won’t even know how strict you pretend to be, sir.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(raises eyebrow) Pretend?
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(smiles awkwardly) I mean… you look serious, but I’ve seen you donate bonuses to staff families quietly. Not exactly the khadoos boss everyone thinks you are.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(half-smile, looking down at papers) Keep that to yourself, Rahul. I have a reputation to maintain.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(salutes jokingly) Of course, sir. Cold-hearted CEO image — safe and secure!
Arjun shakes his head, amused.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(softly, almost to himself) Marriage talks again… Wonder what kind of person she’ll be this time.
Rahul(ML's Assistant)
(grinning) Maybe destiny’s working on something, sir.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(faint smile) I’ll believe that when I see it.
Phone buzzes. Arjun glances — “Mom” flashing on screen.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(mutters) Speaking of destiny… here we go again.
Ep. 03
Arjun’s office — he picks up the phone. His mother’s voice instantly brings warmth.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
Arjun beta! Finally you picked up. I was calling since morning.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(sighs, smiling faintly) Sorry, Ma. Meetings. You know how it is.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(dramatic tone) Haan haan, Mr. Busy Businessman! You’ll talk to the whole world but not your mother.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(chuckling) Ma, you talk like I’m in another country. I saw you just yesterday.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
Still. The house feels so quiet without you. Aarav keeps running around with his headphones on — he doesn’t even listen when I call him for lunch!
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(smiling) He’s still in his “DJ phase,” I see.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(laughs softly) Your father would’ve scolded him so much if he saw this.
A short silence. Arjun’s smile fades a little.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(softly) Yeah… Papa would’ve fixed him in two minutes.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(gentle) He would’ve been proud of you, beta. You’ve taken care of everything since he left us.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(quiet) I just did what I had to, Ma.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(brightly, changing topic) Anyway! I have some good news!
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(raising an eyebrow) Good news… or more family discussion news?
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(teasing) Same thing! Listen — my friend from the hospital, Mrs. Sharma, told me about her daughter. Doctor hai, well-educated, sweet girl. I think she’ll be perfect for you.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(sighs) Ma… we’ve talked about this. I’m not against marriage, but—
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(interrupting) No “buts”! Just one meeting. Bas ek baar mil lo. You can’t reject someone you haven’t even met!
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(half-smiling) You already fixed the meeting, didn’t you?
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(innocently) Maybe. This Sunday, 5 PM. Café Bloom.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(rubbing his forehead) Ma…
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(sweetly) Don’t “Ma” me. I know you, Arjun. You act all serious, but your heart is too soft to say no to me.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(trying not to smile) You’ve got me there.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
(triumphant) Perfect! Wear something nice. And smile a little — you always look like you’re going to fire someone.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(laughing quietly) That’s just my face, Ma.
Kiran Malhotra(ML's Mother)
Hmph. That’s why you need someone who makes you smile more. Maybe this doctor girl will do that.
Arjun glances out the window, lost in thought.
Arjun Malhotra(ML)
(softly) Maybe. We’ll see.
They both smile faintly — a mix of love, nostalgia, and quiet hope.
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