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"A soulmate is someone who understands you like no other,

loves you like no other, and will be there for you forever,

no matter what."

— P.S. I Love You

_______________________

A proposal

Misha's POV

After touching down in New York, I was greeted by Sahil at the airport, and as we returned home, an unexpected sight awaited us. Dad was already there, sitting at the table with a prepared breakfast and a welcoming bouquet. It felt unusual, given our past history of him using special treats to ease me into significant conversations. This ritual had become his way of breaking important news to me, something he'd started doing after the accident that had taken my mom and Prisha away from us.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't help but wonder what was so important this time. The anticipation hung in the air as Dad finally cleared his throat and made his announcement, but his words caught me completely off guard.

"You have to get married," he said as if discussing the most ordinary topic. Yet, I could detect a hidden emotion in his eyes, a subtle nuance that suggested there was more to this than met the eye.

My immediate response was a choked-out exclamation, "WHAT THE FUCK," sending Sahil into a state of shock.

Dad sighed, recognizing the gravity of his statement, and began to elaborate, his gaze fixed on me.

"I understand you're still studying and want to lead an independent life, and this family fully supports that. You can continue your current lifestyle even after marriage. The prospective groom comes from a reputable family, and he's an independent individual. You won't face any hindrances," he tried to reassure me.

"Dad, you can't make decisions on my behalf," I argued, my frustration palpable.

"Yes, and I'm not doing that. This arrangement was made a long time ago, and it's the best option in the current circumstances. I don't want to burden you with explanations, but this marriage will happen. You are getting married, and the boy and his family will soon come to meet us," he explained, revealing more than he usually did about his decisions.

I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm my racing thoughts. "Alright, I'll think about it and get back to you. Please send me the details about this family and the prospective groom," I said, resuming my meal.

"Of course," he replied.

The rest of the meal was consumed in silence, but the tension in the room was palpable. Sahil and I shared the same unease, knowing that we needed to gather all the information we could about this situation. Dad had dropped a bombshell, but this time it felt different. He had given me a say in the matter, an opportunity to choose and decide for myself, which was an entirely new experience for me.

Later that night...

Sahil had called me into his room with a sassy tone, clearly curious about my response to Dad's unexpected marriage proposal. He wasted no time in asking, "Why did you agree with Dad?"

I entered his bedroom and clarified, "I didn't agree with him; I just agreed to think about it. Besides, it's not like I have a boyfriend, and he's providing details about the boy. If I find anything wrong or uncomfortable, I won't hesitate to say 'no' to the marriage."

Deep down, I knew that a romantic relationship between Karan and me was unlikely. Just because he was currently single didn't mean he would suddenly develop feelings for me. So, putting Karan aside, if I found this proposal appealing and suitable for me, I was willing to say 'yes.'

After our brief discussion, I decided to unwind with a long, hot bath and changed into comfortable pajamas. Settling onto my bed, I grabbed my phone to catch up on messages from my friends, and I noticed a message from Dad.

Tanya - Hey Are you there? Did you reach home safely? You never reply late. Are you okay? Hey! Please reply. I am worried about you.

Me - Hey, sorry I was a little busy, so I didn't get a chance to check my phone. I'm safe and sound. Reached home safely.

Tanya - Thank God! I was just thinking about coming and checking on you personally.

Me - Hehe... no need for that. See you tomorrow.

Tanya - Okay. See ya :)

Rishabh - Heya. Already missing our trip. See you tomorrow. Take care.

Me - Hey. Yeah, it was a memorable trip. See ya :)

Clara - Hey new friend. Excited to be together in school. See ya.

Me - Me too :) see you.

Dad - Details of the family. 

Boy's name - Karan Malhotra 

Father's name - Rahul Malhotra 

Mother's name - Shanaya Malhotra 

Family occupation - Own company (Malhotra Co. Ltd) 

Boy's age and occupation - 20 years, studying and handling the business with Dad.

The flood of emotions and questions swirled in my mind as I contemplated the situation. The fact that Karan, the guy I had a crush on, was the one my family had chosen as a prospective groom was beyond belief. Did he know about this arrangement all along? Why hadn't he told me? Was this why he seemed to know about my mother and her disappearance? Had my dad orchestrated all of this behind the scenes? The uncertainty and anger were overwhelming.

"Wow, my mind will explode if I dwell on this any longer," I thought, feeling the need for answers. "I'll talk to him tomorrow," I resolved before allowing myself to drift off to sleep.

The next day, as soon as I reached college, my priority was to find Karan and get the answers I sought. If he had been aware of this plan, he should have at least given me a hint. My frustration and anger were mounting, and I needed clarity.

Tanya met me in the corridor, informing me that Rishabh and Clara were engrossed in catching up since they hadn't spoken since their breakup with Karan.

"They're so caught up in reminiscing about the past that I feel like an outsider when I'm with them. Thank goodness you're here; otherwise, I would have blown up at them for ignoring me," Tanya lamented.

"Okay, have you seen Karan?" I asked impatiently, my eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Hey, did you even hear what I said?" Tanya responded, slightly offended.

"Yeah, Tanya, I did. But right now, I really need to talk to Karan about something important. Please let me know if you've seen him," I urged, my impatience showing.

"Okay, okay, calm down, girl," Tanya said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "He hasn't shown up yet. I overheard Mahira telling her group how Karan was ignoring her calls and they had a huge fight last night."

"A fight? How significant was it?" I inquired.

"I don't know the details, but judging by her expression, it seemed pretty serious," Tanya replied.

"Where do—"

RING

Before I could finish my question, the bell signaling the start of the first class rang, and we hurried off to our respective classrooms. Throughout the morning, I didn't catch sight of Karan, and he even missed a lecture we usually attended together. During lunch with my friends, I saw him pass by in the corridor, prompting me to follow him toward the parking lot.

"Why is he leaving so soon after arriving?" I wondered as I kept a discreet distance.

"Don't follow me, Misha. Just come closer and tell me what's on your mind," he said, abruptly stopping and turning toward me when we reached his car.

"How did you know I was following you?" I whispered, surprised.

He faced me, locking his gaze with mine, and my heart began to race. At that moment, I lost my train of thought, unable to find the right words.

"I just knew. Now, go ahead and ask me what you want to know, but let's sit in the car," he suggested, opening the passenger door for me.

Without hesitation, I got into the car, and he secured my seatbelt. Then, he settled into the driver's seat, and we drove out of the college premises.

"I know your dad told you about our marriage arrangement," he stated, causing me to look at him with a mix of confusion and curiosity in my eyes.

As Karan calmly unraveled the mystery that had shrouded our interactions, I found myself stunned by the revelations. He had known about the marriage arrangement since the day we met, a plan set in motion by our fathers, who were childhood friends. The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together—his initial reluctance, his bratty behavior, and the sudden change in his demeanor after our visit to the office. It all made sense now.

"I don't believe in serious relationships, Misha. I was upset when I learned about the deal. On the first day of college, when my dad set me up to show you around, I acted like a brat because I assumed you were aware of everything," Karan explained, his words unlocking the mysteries that had perplexed me.

However, his next revelation left me dumbfounded. "We have known each other since childhood? How is that possible? I've never been to New York in my life," I exclaimed, shocked.

His expression mirrored my surprise. "We're basically neighbors, Misha. The house you live in, I remember having a friend there. Your dad owned that whole place; he's my dad's best friend."

Confusion clouded my thoughts. "But my dad said it was our own house, and I had no idea about any of this," I admitted.

Karan sighed, looking back at the road. "I don't know about your life after you and your family left, Misha. But my mom gave me your mother's diary, which I returned to you in Manali. After taking you to your mother, I heard your story and realized you were completely unaware of this deal and your family issues. That day, I understood that even with so many friends, you were also alone in the crowd."

He stopped the car, sitting up straight. "I just want to say that I'm ready to marry you. Though we're still very young for that, I feel that if we get tied up, we both can help one another and live happily."

The revelation that "The Karan," the popular and handsome boy who was my first crush, was willing to marry me and build a life together left me speechless. The mysteries surrounding my life seemed to be unraveled in his words, and I found comfort in the unexpected connection we shared.

"You answered all my questions before I even asked. I have no problem with this deal if you agree," I said, observing the emotions on Karan's face, still trying to comprehend the surreal situation.

"Cool then. Let's get married," he said, starting the engine and driving us home. The twists and turns of fate had brought us together, and as we embarked on this unexpected journey, I felt a strange mix of uncertainty and anticipation. Little did I know that the answers to my mysteries would unfold in ways I could never have imagined.

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Thanks for reading.

Love you all.

Xxx