Chapter 5: Shocking News

**Chapter 5: Shocking News**

The weeks following Meera’s meeting with Aarav were filled with tense anticipation. Their professional relationship remained strictly formal, but Meera couldn’t ignore the lingering questions in her mind. Why had he asked to meet her? Was there something more to their interactions, or was she reading too much into it?

One Tuesday afternoon, Meera was in the middle of a design review when her phone buzzed. She looked down and saw a message from her mother.

**Mom**: *“I need to talk to you about something important. Please come home after work.”*

The message felt out of the ordinary, but Meera quickly dismissed her concerns. It was probably something to do with the family, as it often was. She wrapped up her meeting, gathered her things, and headed home, not knowing that by the end of the evening, her entire life would be turned upside down.

When she entered the family home, she found her mother and father sitting in the living room, an unusual air of seriousness hanging between them. Her younger brother, Raghav, was sitting on the couch, looking equally tense.

“Meera, sit down,” her father, Arvind, said, his voice heavier than usual.

She glanced at her mother, who gave her a small, reassuring smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

“What’s going on?” Meera asked, sitting down cautiously. “You’re scaring me.”

Her father exhaled sharply before speaking. “There’s something we need to tell you, Meera. Something that’s going to change everything.”

Her heart started to pound in her chest. “What are you talking about?”

Her mother hesitated before speaking. “Meera, we’ve been informed that the Kapoor family wants to arrange a marriage for you... to Aarav Kapoor.”

The words hit Meera like a cold wave crashing against her, leaving her stunned and breathless. She blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. “Aarav Kapoor?” she whispered, her mind racing. “Why? What do you mean?”

Her father leaned forward. “It’s true. They’re looking for a suitable match for Aarav, and your name came up. His family is keen on this match for reasons we’re not fully aware of, but it’s happening. The wedding is being arranged.”

Meera’s mind was spinning. The shock was so overwhelming that she could barely process the reality of what they were telling her. A marriage to a man she barely knew? A man who had barely acknowledged her existence? And to make matters worse, they were saying it wasn’t even a choice.

Her mouth felt dry. “Is this for real? You’re telling me that I’m being forced into marriage with someone I don’t even know?”

Her mother nodded solemnly. “I’m afraid so. The Kapoor family has already taken the first steps. They’ve already spoken to your relatives, and arrangements are being made. It’s not something we can easily refuse, Meera. This is bigger than us.”

Meera felt a pang of disbelief. She couldn’t understand how this was happening, how her family had agreed to something so monumental without even consulting her. Was this truly how things worked in their world—where family honor and business alliances took precedence over individual choice?

“But… but why me?” Meera asked, her voice trembling. “Why did they choose me?”

Her father sighed. “It’s not about you, Meera. It’s about your family. The Kapoor family sees potential in you, in your background, and in the possibility of strengthening business ties. It’s not just a marriage—it’s a merger, an alliance that could benefit both our families.”

The words felt cold to Meera, like something out of a business transaction. She wasn’t a person in their eyes, just a tool to be used for securing business prospects. She felt a wave of anger rise within her, but it was quickly swallowed by the overwhelming shock and helplessness she felt.

“I don’t want this,” Meera whispered, the tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love.”

Her mother reached out, placing a hand on hers. “I know, Meera. But this is what we’ve been given. This is how things are.”

Meera’s thoughts were in turmoil, a whirlwind of confusion and rage. How could her parents let this happen? How could they give her away like this, without her consent, without her input?

Before she could say anything more, her father stood up and left the room, his footsteps heavy and resolute. Her mother gave her a sympathetic look but didn’t say anything more. Raghav, her younger brother, glanced at her before standing up as well.

Meera sat there in stunned silence, feeling as if the world around her had shifted into something she didn’t recognize. This wasn’t the life she had planned. She had dreams, ambitions, a future that didn’t involve being forced into a marriage with a man she barely knew.

But no matter how much she resisted, the reality was undeniable. Her life was no longer her own. It was now in the hands of the Kapoor family, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

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As she lay in bed that night, Meera couldn’t stop replaying the conversation over and over again in her mind. Aarav Kapoor. The name echoed in her head, but she couldn’t make sense of it. What did he think of all this? Was he as powerless as she was in the situation, or did he want this marriage, even though he had never shown an ounce of interest in her?

For the first time in her life, Meera felt trapped. She had no control over what was happening, no say in the future that was being forced upon her. And the worst part? She wasn’t sure if Aarav even knew the truth about why the marriage was being arranged. Did he think she was some gold-digger, like so many others had assumed? Did he even care?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from her best friend, Rhea.

**Rhea**: *“I’m coming over. We need to talk. I know something’s wrong.”*

Meera felt a surge of gratitude. Rhea always knew when something was off, and she knew she could count on her friend to listen and offer support in the days ahead. She wasn’t alone in this, even if it felt that way.

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**Author’s Note**:

In this chapter, we witness Meera’s first confrontation with the reality of her situation. The shock of being forced into an arranged marriage to Aarav is a turning point in the story, and it leaves her questioning her entire future. The stakes are higher now, and as Meera struggles to find her place, Aarav remains an enigma. What will happen next? Keep reading to discover the twists and turns in this developing story.

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