Vaani's POV

The rain poured down heavily, a relentless rhythm against the windows of my car as I drove back home from the hospital. The city streets were slick and shining, reflecting the neon lights of shop signs and street lamps. I couldn't shake off the conversation I'd just had with my parents. It played on a loop in my mind, each word echoing louder than the last.

Marriage.

The word felt foreign, heavy, like a coat I wasn't ready to wear. I never thought my life would come to this point so soon. I was always the girl with a plan — focused on my career, dedicated to my patients, and passionate about my work. Marriage was never part of the equation. It was something I had pushed to the back of my mind, a distant chapter I never planned to open.

Yet here I was, contemplating a proposal from a family I barely knew. The Singhanias — a name that carried weight in the business world. My parents had always kept a circle of influential friends, but I had never been involved in those relationships. The mention of Advay Singhania sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of curiosity and anxiety. Who was this man? And why was my heart racing at the thought of meeting him?

The house was quiet when I arrived, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the hospital. I opened the door and slipped off my shoes, savoring the familiar scent of home — a mix of sandalwood incense and fresh flowers my mother loved to decorate with. I headed straight to the kitchen, hoping to find some comfort in a cup of herbal tea.

As I poured the hot water into my cup, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Adya.

Adya:
"Heard about the marriage talk! Are you seriously considering it?"

I couldn't help but smile at her straightforwardness. My sister, blunt as ever. I quickly typed a reply.

Me:
"I don't know, Adya. Everything's happening so fast. Let's talk when you're home."

With a sigh, I took my tea to the living room, sinking into the plush couch. My mind drifted to the man I was supposed to meet. Advay Singhania — what was he like? All I knew was that he was running a successful business alongside his father. But beyond that, he was a mystery. Would he be one of those arrogant business tycoons who thought the world revolved around them? Or was he different?

I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard the front door creak open. It was my mother, her face glowing with excitement.

"Vaani, you're home early! How was your day?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a warmth that I had always admired.

"Exhausting, but nothing I couldn't handle," I replied with a tired smile.

She nodded, settling down next to me. "I know you've had a long day, but I wanted to talk to you about the Singhanias. Mitali called; she's thrilled about the possibility of this alliance."

"Maa, do you really think I'm ready for this? I've barely even thought about marriage," I confessed, looking into my cup as if it held the answers.

She reached out and gently touched my arm. "Beta, I understand your hesitation. But sometimes life doesn't wait for us to be ready. It just happens. And Advay... well, I think he might be the kind of man who will respect your ambitions. We aren't forcing you; we just want you to meet him."

I took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay, I'll meet him. But I'm not making any promises."

The next day at the hospital was a blur of patient rounds, consultations, and surgeries. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming meeting with Advay. By the time I finished my last surgery, it was already past eight in the evening. I changed out of my scrubs, ready to head home when my phone buzzed again.

Dad:
"Beta, don't forget we have dinner with the Singhanias tonight. Come home soon so we can go together."

I had almost forgotten about it in the chaos of the day. My heart rate spiked as nerves settled in. This was it — my first step into a future I hadn't anticipated.

Back home, I stood in front of my closet, pulling out outfit after outfit. Nothing seemed right. I was never one to fuss over my appearance, but tonight felt different. I needed to make an impression. I finally settled on a classic navy blue saree, simple yet elegant. As I draped it over myself, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of anxiety.

"Vaani, are you ready?" my father's voice echoed from the hallway.

"Coming, Papa!" I called out, quickly applying a light touch of makeup.

The drive to the Singhania mansion was a quiet one. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, casting a silver sheen over the city. My thoughts were all over the place, bouncing between my career, my parents' expectations, and the unknown man I was about to meet.

Suddenly, Adya's voice broke the silence. "Dii, tell me truly — do you really want to marry him?" she asked, her tone more serious than usual.

"Adya, don't behave like this," I sighed. "I have to marry someone, today or tomorrow. If Mumma and Papa are happy with this decision, then let them be."

"Dii, shut the hell up!" Adya snapped, her eyes blazing. "I don't care about what Mumma and Papa want. I want to know about your happiness. Will you be okay? Will you be able to love him the way you've always dreamed of?"

I paused, her words striking a chord deep within me. "I... I don't know, Adya," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "But I will try my best to make it work, to be loyal, to give it my all."

Adya shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "Dii, I'm only saying this because I care. You were broken after that... after you let go of your first love for the sake of Mumma and Papa's happiness. You shut yourself off, you lost a part of yourself. Don't lose yourself again, please."

Before I could respond, the car came to a halt. We had arrived at the Singhania mansion — an architectural marvel that screamed opulence. The gates opened, revealing a sprawling driveway lined with manicured gardens and a grand villa that seemed to touch the sky.

Adya reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Dii, everything will be alright. But if you're not ready, just say the word. I'll handle it. I promise."

I gave her a weak smile, drawing strength from her words. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking into uncharted waters, unsure if I would sink or swim.

As we stepped out of the car, I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever awaited me beyond those gilded doors.

Hi Readers! 🌸

Thank you for joining Vaani on her emotional journey in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into her inner turmoil, her bond with Adya, and the difficult choices she's grappling with. 💫

Stay tuned for the next episode — I'm excited to bring you Advay's POV in the upcoming chapter! Get ready to dive into his world, his thoughts, and his first impression of Vaani. 👀✨

I'd love to hear your thoughts! 💌
What did you think of Vaani's POV?
How do you feel about Adya's fierce protectiveness towards her sister?
Drop your comments below and let me know! Your feedback means the world to me. 💬❤️

Until next time,
Happy reading! 📖🌹