Arranged marriage was never on Sindhu's mind. Yet, she is getting ready for the guy's family who will be in her house in a few hours to see her. Sindhu tried telling her parents that she doesn't want to get married but they insisted he is the perfect match for her and that his family is very good. She is very tensed knowing that her life can change drastically in the next few hours. Adding to that, she had a strange feeling that today is going to turn her life upside down; in a good way or a bad way, she can't put her fingers on exactly.

After what felt like foreover, the guy's family finally came and were looked after by her parents. They were in the living while she was sitting in her bedroom, biting her nails trying to ease her tension down but to no use.

Finally, her mom knocked her room breaking her reverie and told her to come outside. She walked slowly, deliberately wanting to delay the meeting though it sounded silly even to her since she has to meet them at some point today. She sat on the chair that was placed a few feet away from the L-shaped couch in their living, trying to keep her eyes down.

After a few minutes passed, she finally looked at the guy she is going to marry, if everything went well only to be surprised seeing him staring at her, his eyes narrowed.

Him? She was surprised seeing the guy she saw a couple of times before.

What is he doing here? She knew he had a girlfriend;someone he loved so much.

She didn't realize she was staring at him until she saw a frown on his face as he looked very irritated.

That doesn't seem like a good sign, she sighed mentally.

"Can I talk to her in private" He finally said, looking at her parents and then his.

After their families agreed, she got up and walked towards the back of their house while he trailed calmly behind her.

"I don't want to marry you" Were the first words that left his mouth when she stopped to stand beside the vegetable patch of their garden.

"Why?" she managed to ask him, feeling hurt at his instant rejection. The way he looked at her like he wanted to do nothing with her made her feel ugly. Though she knew she is not and though she looked more beautiful today than she ever did in a simple yet elegant saree, hearing those words from him disappointed her.

He disappointed her.

"That's none of your business" He snapped at her, looking into her eyes directly.

"What do you want me to do then?" The words slipped out of her mouth before she can comprehend what to say.

"Just say no to your parents. Tell them you don't like me" He said very casually, like it meant nothing to him.

"And why can't you do that? Why can't you tell that to your parents?" She said calmly, when in reality she was burning inside.

"I would have, if I could" He spat bitterly, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Why are you doing this Karthik?" She said, crossing her arms over her chest.

She really wanted to know why he is making her the victim here; why can't he just tell that himself. And if he really didn't want to marry, why the hell did he come here?

He looked taken back with the way she called his name, like he was shocked she knew his name making her realize he didn't know hers.

Of course he doesn't know my name, she thought bitterly. She was disappointed yet again but she can't blame him for this, since she didn't bother asking her parents about him too.

"I don't think that's a matter of your concern Ms?--" he looked at her, raising an eyebrow as if asking her name.

"Sindhu" she said not taking her eyes off him.

"Sindhu" he said as if trying her name on his tongue and added in a firm tone "Just do what you are asked to"

And why should I, she thought of asking instead replied "I want to know the reason"

Running his fingers through his hair, he narrowed his eyes at her, looking very angry. After a few seconds of silence, he finally said "I love another woman"

How can she forget her? They seemed so in love with each other, the last time she saw them together.

"Then why don't you marry her?" she said coldly, not meeting his eyes and feeling irritated to go through this.

He was silent for long but she knew he was glaring at her. She could feel the tension around them until she finally heard him sigh "She was already married"

"Oh" was all she could utter finally.

Not giving her a chance to ask him anything more, he quietly walked into the house just before ordering "Say NO"

Her inner arguments started about what to say to their families awaiting inside. Her mind and heart differing their thoughts making her want to go back to her room and curl up in a ball or fall in an endless sleep.

She might not know him personally, but she knew he is a good man. Or probably was. But what was eating her more is what to tell their families. She can't say he is not good looking because he is. In fact he is very attractive. She can't even say he doesn't have a good job because he sure as did have one and she knew his family is amazing. She can't give a reason about vast age gap because there isn't much. She is 22 years old and he must be 26 or 27.

They don't know each other long enough to cook up a false story about him making her feel infuriated at him for thrusting this upon her.

"Ugghh... What should I say now? Yes or No? God!!! I hate him for putting me on spot. I thought he was good but why is he behaving like a stupid, arrogant prick" She didn't know she was voicing her thoughts aloud until she heard a reply

"He is a good man. Trust me"

***********

The way he is shooting daggers at her all through their parents' conversation about their wedding arrangements made her very uncomfortable. She knew this is going to happen, yet she willingly agreed to this.

She almost laughed remembering his priceless face when she told her decision to their parents. He looked completely shocked and speechless, like he couldn't believe what he heard. She would have found the situation funny if he wasn't glaring at her like a five year old kid.

"Sindhu. Can we talk again?" he said, trying to sound calm but she knew exactly what he is going on in his mind.

"You can take him out dear" her dad replied, looking at her lovingly making her follow him outside this time.

"Why the hell did you do that?" he hissed at her angrily, when they are out of earshot.

"I didn't have an option" she said coolly.

"What do you mean by that?" he yelled angrily, not bothering to lower his voice.

"Look, my parents are worried about my marriage and I don't want to hurt them" she said, looking very honest. It was true, actually. They wanted her to get settled since almost an year but she was persistent on not getting married at such young age.

"Oh cut the crap. You could have said NO if you wished but you didn't" he snapped angrily.

"If you were man enough to do that, I wouldn't have faced any of it" she spat with equal anger, daring him to oppose.

"Now you are throwing this on me, aren't you? Stop trying to act smart" he hollered at her.

She groaned "Look, I couldn't do anything about it ok? I am sorry. Let's get married and you live your life happily while I live mine. We won't bother each other's life like that"

He crossed his arms squarely at his chest, narrowing his eyes observing her and thought about what she said.

"Is that what you propose because it is so stupid. Just like you" he finally answered, looking at her like she is mad.

"What? At least I gave a suggestion instead of shouting orders at others" When he narrowed his eyes at her yet again, which he has been doing a lot today, she added "Think about it. I go to my office and you go to yours, we won't be seeing each other so much"

He thought for a while before a smirk played at his lips "But I always wanted my wife to stay at home and not work"

"What?" She yelled to the top of her voice, taking him by surprise as well as her.

She knew exactly why he is doing this. Before she could think anything straight, the back door opened revealing her mother.

"What happened Sindhu? Why do you look like that?" Her mom asked looking at her, concerned.

Before she could reply, Karthik started "I was telling your daughter how I always wanted my wife to stay at home and take care of me instead of working. Looks like she doesn't want that"

If Sindhu didn't talk to him a while ago, she would've almost believed his words and thought he was innocent but since she did know him, she understood exactly what he is playing at.

Her mother knew she always wanted to work but that moment, Sindhu knew she won't get any support from her. Her mom looked at her pleadingly making her finally say "Of course I will quit mom. You knew I always wanted to stop working when I get married"

Her mother was surprised with her answer.

Sindhu was hurt she has to quit because of him, but the moment she saw his smirk drop, she felt a sense of pride making her feel upper handed ever since meeting him.

She quietly left the place along with her mother and walked upto her bedroom, already feeling mentally exhausted.

The one dreading thought that haunted her ever since she said 'YES' was

'How will I put up with him, forever?'

The only calming aspect now is that she is finally in her room. In her own territory. She can finally breathe now. She felt like she ran a marathon and the fact that her life is going to be like this with him from hereon is terrifying her.

Yet, she wanted to give him a chance. She knew marriage happens only once and it has to be with the one person who is meant to be with you. But not everyone is lucky to find true love. She knew fairy tales only happen in films and just like it's named, they are tales. No one has a happy ending and this is reality which sucks.

May be she can find love in him. May be he will grow to love her eventually.She can't help thinking how happy he looked when he was with her, with his ex. She saw a part of him and knew he was a good man; all she could hope was her instincts and beliefs were right.

Looking around her room, she felt a sense of relief seeing all the romantic film posters surrounding her. She is a hopeless romantic and always dreamed of a love story of her own, yet she is getting married in the age old, arranged marriage fashion.

And seeing Karthik definitely made one thing clear; it's going to be one tough fight being with him. Marrying him will not be easy. In fact, she is almost sure she has to prepare herself for the war that's going to happen everyday after their marriage.

Walking towards her TV, she picked up a DVD of 'Just like Heaven' and put it in her player. She loved that film, totally; it's one of the best chick flicks she has ever seen.

----

Hey guys. Thank you for reading. I will be directly going to the story; no dragging with all the wedding rituals. So, you'll see them together from next chapter.

I hope you all like it.. If you do, please vote, comment and share.

Please do not be a silent reader if you liked the chap.

- JANAKI S