Agastya's POV

I lay in my suite, staring at the ceiling, but my mind was already elsewhere. The silence in the room was heavy, pressing against my chest like an unspoken expectation. I had grown used to it. Silence had become my constant companion, the only thing that didn't demand anything from me.

My life had been built on calculated choices. There was no room for uncertainty, no space for emotions. Emotions made people reckless. Emotions made people weak.

I had seen it firsthand.

My father and mother, locked in a marriage that was more of a transaction than a partnership. They had learned to play the game well—cheating on each other openly, yet never walking away. Publicly, they were the perfect couple. Privately, they were strangers in the same house.

I had once believed I was different. That I wouldn't end up like them. That I was capable of something more.

Then reality taught me otherwise.

Love, marriage—those things required a level of vulnerability I wasn't sure I possessed. The idea of sharing my life with someone, of allowing them to see every unguarded part of me, felt foreign. Unrealistic. I wasn't built for that kind of connection.

People thought love was the foundation of marriage, but I had seen the truth—marriage was a system. A structure created to benefit those who understood how to wield it. It was less about love and more about control, power, survival.

I had no illusions about what my own marriage would be.

My phone vibrated, cutting through the silence.

I didn't have to check to know who it was.

I let it ring once. Twice. Then I picked up.

"Agastya," my mother's voice was as smooth and measured as ever. "Mahira has finalized the list. You should see it before we move forward."

Of course. There was always something to move forward with.

"I'll be there," I said simply.

Because that's what I did. I showed up. I did what needed to be done.

I ended the call and sat up, running a hand down my face before pulling myself together. I had no expectations for this meeting. This wasn't about what I wanted. It never had been.

This was just another step in a life that had already been decided for me.

The hotel café had just started filling up for the evening rush, the murmurs of quiet conversations mixing with the clinking of cups and silverware. I liked this time of the day—where the world transitioned from the chaos of the afternoon into something more calming.

Mahira was already seated when I arrived, composed as always. She stood when I approached, offering a small nod—polite, but not overly so. She knew the rules of the game.

"Agastya," she greeted, her voice even. "It's good to see you."

I nodded, sliding into the seat opposite her. The balance of power here was clear—Mahira dictated alliances, controlled access, but when it came to my family, she played a supporting role. She knew that, and so did I.

She slid two folders across the table.

"The first list," she said, her tone calm, "is the one your mother approved."

I flipped open the file. The profiles were precisely what I expected—women from respected families, poised, polished, bred for the kind of marriages that were celebrated in circles like ours.

"Rhea Kapoor," Mahira began, "comes from a lineage of industrialists. Traditional, well-educated, carries herself well in public."

I turned the page.

"Tia Malhotra," she continued. "Influential family. Well-connected. Elegant, quiet, unproblematic."

I shut the folder. "And the second list?"

Mahira didn't hesitate. She handed me a single file—slim, neat, intentional.

"There's only one name here."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Aashvi Singh."

I skimmed the page, recognizing the name instantly. It wasn't unfamiliar. I had heard it before—recently.

"She doesn't fit your mother's idea of a Rathore bride," Mahira said, watching me carefully. "But she fits you."

I leaned back, fingers tapping lightly against the table. "Explain."

Mahira met my gaze directly. "She's independent. She built her success without her family's influence. She understands contracts—her entire life is structured around writing about love without believing in it."

Something about the way she said it made me pause.

"She's been vetted," Mahira added smoothly. "I ran a background check. I don't need to meet her to know she would be a good match for you."

I exhaled slowly. My mother would never approve of someone like Aashvi. A woman who built her own name, who didn't belong to a business empire, who existed outside the traditional mold. But Mahira wasn't careless. She wouldn't have suggested her if she didn't see the value.

And value was what mattered.

"You already know what I'm looking for," I said after a pause.

Mahira nodded. "Yes. A contract. No complications."

I tapped the folder lightly. "And yet, you're pitching me someone like her."

Mahira didn't flinch. "Because she's the only one who meets your criteria. Why would someone like Rhea or Tia get into a contract marriage? It'll be history repeating itself. We don't want another Kashish Hasan scandal now, do we?"

"And Aashvi would?"

"Yes. She is beautiful, popular and very well mannered. She does have a playgirl reputation in the society but we dug into it and found nothing on her. It's all for the show," she said.
"Moreover, her family structure is quite weak. Even if things go south, she'll never be able to fight back. She is the perfect choice," she added which didn't sit quite right with me.

The silence stretched between us, weighted with unspoken implications.

Finally, she leaned back. "Take your time."

I didn't respond. There was nothing to think about. This wasn't about feelings. It never had been. If I had to make a choice, I'd never marry but when have I ever had any control on my life.

I rose from my seat, giving her a small nod. "I'll let you know."

Mahira didn't press. She had done her part. The next move was mine.

The evening air was warm as I stepped out of the café, the last traces of sunlight stretching long across the marble floors. I didn't look around, my mind already shifting back into control, into logic.

And then, in the revolving glass door, I saw her.

She was walking in the opposite direction, heels clicking softly, dark hair pinned up, exposing the curve of her neck. The sunlight hit her yellow dress just right, catching on the fabric as she moved.

I wouldn't have noticed her.

Except she looked at me.

For a second—just long enough for our eyes to meet. there was something.

A brief flicker of familiarity. A name that had just been in front of me minutes ago.

Aashvi Singh

Not in any obvious way. Not like something out of a story. Just a brief moment of awareness.

And then, just as quickly, it was gone.

She kept walking. So did I.

And something told me this wasn't the last time I'd be seeing her.

______________________________

Hey loves!
We finally got a sneak peek into Agastya's mind. What do you think will happen next?

Now, the important questions:
~Will Agastya marry Aashvi?
~We haven't met his mother yet but sounds like she won't agree to the alliance, so if she doesn't, what happens next?
~Will Aashvi ever agree to this and even if she does, why would she?

I know a lot of you have questions about the class divide between the two. I'll try to clarify it here -

Aashvi was born into wealth but not the kind Agastya comes from. Like they are far from each other. Eventually, Aashvi's father sunk into debt and things fell apart but her mother was smart enough to never let Aashvi and her younger son miss any opportunities, even if that meant keeping up with the facade of still being rich.

Finally, Aashvi made a path for herself by working on herself relentlessly. She became a pretty girl - just like her mother wanted her to be, hung out with rich people (because pretty privilege), secured opportunities because the circle she hung out with thought of her as one of them and swiftly climbed the ladder to reach where she is today.

She is by no means a billionaire or even close to that but yes, she does make a lot of money. Enough to support a very extravagant lifestyle that she lives.

I'll see you in the next chapter.
Please please vote and comment down your views. I really love reading each one of them and responding to you.