Jaipur,

Aaliya's Pov,

Sometimes in life, you realize that your world is about to change forever. Well, today is one of those days. I know I'm not usually one for dramatic gestures, but I almost had a heart attack when my sister-in-law burst into my room yelling, "They're here!"

I don't know what's more terrifying: the fact that I'm about to marry Mayank Sharma, a guy I've never met, or the fact that it's 7 in the morning and I'm still half asleep. I only found out last night from my brother Deepak Singhania, that my father has arranged a meeting for me with a potential husband and his family. I know I'm 22 and technically of age, but I'm still in college, studying jewelry design. I'm not ready for marriage yet. I want to focus on my career, but it's probably a moot point since my father will never agree. Unfortunately, I don't have any choice in the matter. My father is adamant about having me get married, my brother can't say no to him, and my brother is the only person I can't say no to. I'm Aaliya Singhania, and my marriage is going to be finalized today, whether I like it or not.

I was getting ready to meet my potential husband for the first time, and all I could think about was how I wanted to keep things simple. I put on a beautiful blue Indian suit and oxidized earrings, and let my long wavy hair hang loose. I applied some lipstick, but that was it.

My sister-in-law was shocked, asking me, "Why didn't I wear a saree?" I know it's an important occasion, but I'm not one for big gestures. Plus, it's seven in the morning, and I'm in no mood to learn how to wear a saree. I guess you could say my makeup matches my mood.

"I am still digesting the fact that I agreed to meet this potential husband so early in the morning, and now you want me to wear a saree?" I lowered my tone, complaining. "Do you know how hard it is to wake up at 6 am when you're not a morning person?" I added.

I stood in front of the mirror, pouting and rubbing my eyes. I could hear birds chirping outside. I've never heard of anyone visiting someone's house so early in the morning to arrange a marriage. I can't even remember my face first thing in the morning, and they're coming to see me for marriage? Are they insane?

"They are superstitious and believe in auspicious occasions and their pandit ji has said that today, 7 in the morning is an auspicious day to fix the marriage." My sister-in-law tries to calm me by giving me a comfortable squeeze on my shoulder.

"Now, let's go down. They are waiting." My sister-in-law spoke softly as she smiled.

As soon as we came downstairs, I peeked inside the living room and saw my whole family sitting on the sofa with an uncle, aunt, and their son who came to see me.

I could hear my sister-in-law mumbling in the hallway, "Oh god, please, aaj iska rishta pakka karwa hi dena." (Oh god, please, make sure her wedding gets fixed today.) I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She had her hands pressed together in prayer, looking up at the ceiling, pleading with God.

"Why are you so excited for me to get married? You don't want me to stay with you for a few more years, right?" I asked her upset. My sister-in-law hugged me and I could tell that she was close to tears.

"Aaliya, I want you to settle in your life, so that you can handle your in-laws well. So that you can feel the wrath of the love from your husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and every other relative included in your in-laws. This is your prime time, you should live it well." My sister-in-law was thinking about my future and so was I.

*********

I was rushing to make tea for some family guests and my soon-to-be husband when I heard footsteps approaching. I peeked up and saw my father walking towards me. He was giving me the stern look I've grown accustomed to over the years. His white kurta pajama only made him look more intimidating. I'm so worried he's going to say something that I don't wanna fulfill. Why does he always treat me like this?

He clears his throat as soon as he curls up his mustache with the thumb and index finger in the air to grab my attention.

"Just agree to the marriage. You don't need to have any sort of conversation with him alone." He commands in his husky voice.

I can feel my father's hatred for me in his eyes. Maybe it's because I resemble my mother, who left him when I was just a little girl. I'm always the last person he wants to see in the morning and the last person he wants to talk to at night. He never asks me what I want, he just tells me what I'm going to do. And because I don't want to disappoint my brother, I always obey. It doesn't matter that I'm a grown woman. It doesn't matter that I have my thoughts and feelings. All that matters is that I am his daughter, and he is my father.

"Baba, a...aaj mein kesi lag rahi hu?" (Father, h...how do I look, today?) I asked hesitantly.

He avoids me and turns to walk out of the room. I wanted him to say something to me, to show me that he cared. So, I poured some hot tea into my hand.

"Ahhh.." I hissed in pain.

My father stopped, when he heard me, gasping in pain. He turned, furrowing his eyebrows and parting his lips wide open in worry. "Why are you so clumsy? Can't you be careful?" He shouts in a worried tone.

I may sound desperate, deliberately pouring tea on my hand but that was the only way to feel the care and concern of my father towards me. I usually do these types of things to grab my father's attention, to listen to him speak a few more words to me. Having a father and not experiencing a father's love is a lot to digest. It's a heartbreaking situation, not to feel a father's love and care for his daughter.

I don't hate my father for his behavior but I do sometimes think that why should I have to sacrifice for my mother?

I'm Aaliya Singhania, daughter of Prem Singhania and Sunita Singhania. My parents had an arranged marriage, but even though they fell in love after marrying, it wasn't meant to last. My mom ran away, leaving my brother and me with my father. I was three at the time, my brother was eight. It broke my father, and he took to drinking and smoking, not leaving the house. This caused the company to lose money, though we were still well-off. It was heartbreaking to see my father in so much pain, but what could I have done? I was so small at the time.

I've lived with an absent father my entire life. But I'm not alone, because my brother has stepped up to be a father, mother, and brother to me. He's been there for me through all the good times and the bad. Even when my father married my stepmother, Babita Singhania, and had a child with her, Sonal Singhania, my brother never stopped being there for me. I'm lucky to have my brother in my life, and I'm so grateful for everything he's done for me.

My father still misses my mother so much and I, her daughter, Aaliya Singhania, resemble my mother very much which leads my father to hate me every time he sees me as he remembers my mother's betrayal of him.

"Aaliya, I heard you screaming. Is everything okay?" My Bhabhi came inside in a hurry.

My Bhabhi is a sweetheart. She always takes care of me and makes sure to ask how I'm doing when she sees something's wrong. I can't imagine what I'd do without her.

"Rub ice on her hands and let her come outside." My father commands the Sister-in-law, as he leaves in a hurry.

"How did your hand get burnt?" My sister-in-law asked, genuinely concerned about me. I had purposely spilled tea on my hand to get my father's attention, but now I didn't know how to explain it to her. She quickly takes out ice from the refrigerator and slightly rubs it on my hand.

"Is it burning?" She asked, blowing air into my wound.

I shook my head in disagreement. "I am used to the pain," I smiled.

**********

The moment I came out of the kitchen, I was holding a tray in my hand. I could hear our families giggling and reminiscing about their old days as my father and uncle were close friends. I reached them and greeted them humbly with a smile saying, "Namaste!"

I served tea to the guests on the sofa. Then I looked at the man sitting in the middle in his formal attire, Mayank Sharma. I had to say he was a handsome man, with his blue shirt and black pants, but he seemed to be avoiding me.

I'm not sure what to think about this potential marriage. I was asked to sit next to Mayank for a conversation while his mother tried to make me comfortable. As for him, he didn't even look at me! Either he wasn't interested in me or he was just a shy person. Who knows?

Soon, my brother asked Mayank to have a conversation with me alone in the garden. But, as my father didn't want me to have any conversation, he interrupted my brother, "There is no need for them to have any conversation as I know my daughter well. She will agree to whatever I say."

My brother gave me a glance to ask and I nodded my head slightly agreeing with my father. But, my brother could sense the dissatisfaction on my face and he forced our father to let me have a conversation with Mayank. My father was not happy but he couldn't say anything at that moment as there were guests present.

Mayank and I went to the garden and sat on the tea table placed in the garden. The moment Mayank could ask or say something, I said what I had planned to say to him. The plan was very easy, I couldn't say no to my father but Mayank can say.

"Hmm... I don't wanna get married to you." I said, softly which made the Mayank expression change from smiling to surprise.

"I am sorry, but could you please reject me in front of my parents." I requested.

"But why?" He asked, fixing his eyes into mine.

"I kind of like you. You seem to be my type." He adds.

"What is your type?" I asked curiously.

I didn't think it would be hard to get this guy to reject me, but he seemed way more interested in me than I thought he would be. I was really surprised when he said I was his type. He described the perfect woman as beautiful, long-haired, not into makeup, and a good listener. He was basically describing me, and I'm not even his type!

"But, you are not my type." I scoff.

"Then, what is your type? " He asks furiously.

"I like bad boys." I lied. "I like someone who is a red flag," I added to make him reject me.

"Ohh!" He made a disappointing sound with an 'O' face.

"So, could you please reject me in front of them? em." I requested.

"Why don't you do that yourself? " He asked.

"Because they want me to get married as early as possible and I can't say no to them. So, please help me." I don't know what happened to me but I thought of being honest with him.

"Okay!" He nods his head slightly, glaring at me for a good few minutes.

"Are you sure?" I asked, smiling excitedly.

He nods again giving me a comforting smile.

We both stood up, "After you! " I gestured with my hands to let him walk first which made him smile and after that, I followed him.

We reached the door to walk inside the house and there I saw a man standing, leaning his back towards the door. Holding his black blazer in one hand which was resting on his shoulder to let the blazer be hung on the back side of his shoulder and with the other hand he was holding his cigarette for smoking. I couldn't see his face properly from the distance but him holding a cigarette in his hand was the only thing where I could tell who he was without watching his face.

He was Vansh Raizada, a 170 cm tall dark man, wearing fine formal attire which included a black blazer, white shirt, and black pants with black shining shoes. A man who has a perfectly squared-shaped jaw cut with his Adam's apple popping out.

This year, Vansh was named one of the richest men in the country. I'm so proud of him, and I know he'll do great things with his wealth. I still remember the first time Vansh Raizada came to our house. He was just a ten-year-old kid then, but he saved my father's life. It was the year my father married my stepmother and was still heavily addicted to alcohol. He was crossing the road one day, completely oblivious to the truck approaching him. Thanks to Vansh, my father was pulled out of the way just in time, though Vansh was injured in the process.

My father brought him home and let him stay with us while he recovered. Vansh's family was poor and couldn't afford his treatment, so my father paid for everything. He also gave Vansh's father a job at our company.

It was sad to see Vansh injured, but it was a happy moment for our family. My father quit drinking and went back to work.

Vansh's father's financial condition was terrible at that time. They couldn't even afford to pay the school fees for him and his other siblings. My father, being rich at the time, paid for the fees for Vansh and his three siblings. After a while, once Vansh's father's financial situation stabilized, he started to pay my father back.

When Vansh grew up, he joined my father's company as a part-timer. He was loyal to my father, so my father made him his right-hand man. Vansh used to do all the business-related meetings for my father until my brother completed his studies. After that, my brother took over the business.

My father and Vansh have been close since Vansh saved my father. When Vansh was old enough to start his own business, my father was there to support him. Thanks to my father's guidance, Vansh's business flourished and he quickly became one of the richest men in the country. But despite his success, Vansh has never forgotten his roots. He's always been, and always will be, my father's right-hand man. My father considers Vansh to be like a son and treats him the same as he treats my brother. I've known Vansh my whole life.

I walked close to him, grabbed his cigarette out of his mouth, and threw that on the ground, squeezing it with my sandals. "Kitne baar kaha hai ki, yeh tumhara ghar nahi hai, yahan cigarettes mat piya karo." (How many times I have told you, this is not your house, don't smoke here.) I spoke in a cold voice.

Vansh was taken aback by my sudden outburst. His lips slightly parted and his eyes were wide open. I don't care if he thinks I am being unreasonable, but he needs to know that he has to follow the rules of the house. This is not his house, and he can't come here and do whatever he wants. If he doesn't like my rules, he can always leave.

Mayank's gaze keeps darting between me and Vansh. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. "Is he the red flag?" Mayank asks curiously, glaring at Vansh. It was clear I had his attention, but not in the way I had hoped. I wanted him to reject me right away, not be more interested in my life. I'm not sure if he's interested in me, or if he's just curious about why I want him to reject me. The air feels heavy and thick, but in a way I've never felt before.

**********

Vansh's Pov

I was supposed to be in Mumbai another day for business, but I came back early. When I heard that my princess had agreed to meet Mayank Sharma for marriage, I was surprised. I have been in love with her ever since we were little and I can't bear the thought of losing her. I am angry and confused, but I'm also excited. I love her and I will do whatever I can to be with her.

I remember that day so well. We were just children and yet, I knew that you were the one for me. My Aalu was so beautiful, even then. I promised you that day that I would only ever marry you, in this lifetime or any other. I know that you don't remember that promise, but I do, and I have been waiting for you ever since. I have been waiting for you to grow up into the beautiful woman you are today. I have been waiting to be able to achieve enough in my life that your father would agree to give you to me. You are mine, as I am yours.

I have watched her grow from a kid to a beautiful and ravishing woman. Lately, I have been busy making money and building a huge house like a Mahel for my princess.

I overheard my princess telling her sister-in-law that she didn't want to get married until she did something with her life. That's why I was hesitant to ask her father for her hand. I wanted to wait until she was ready. In the meantime, I've been protecting her from unwanted advances without her knowing. How could I let her get married to someone else when we're perfect for each other?

When I saw her coming towards me with the man, Mayank Sharma. I was so jealous that I badly wanted to kill that man in many pieces and throw him into the dungeon full of crocodiles as no man was allowed to stand her that close. No man is allowed to look, at what's mine. I don't agree with the fact that someone is eyeing a person that belongs to me, only me.

She doesn't like the fact that I have these bad habits of drinking, smoking, fighting, and being violent but I still do these things because that's the only way when she walks close to me to stop me, to show her care and concern for me. Otherwise, she won't give a stance to look at me.

I intentionally took out my cigarette and placed it between my lips to lighten it up. I peeked from the corner of my eyes, she was wearing a blue Indian attire, including, a blue anarkali suit, matching pants, and a blue dupatta hanging on her shoulders. She had very little makeup on her but she looked breathtaking. The way I usually imagine her in my dreams, doing every possible way to make love with her.

She came towards me. Even angry, she was stunning. Then she took the cigarette from my lips and crushed it under her sandals. I can't even explain how beautiful she looks when she stops me from smoking. I guess that's her care for me.

I have heard people saying how ruthless and selfish bastard I am, but in front of her, I get weak. I become Vansh, who shuts his mouth in front of her and listens to every word she brews.

"Is he the red flag?" I was interrupted from my deep thoughts by Mayank who was standing close to my princess.

To be continued...

Hey, lovelies! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you liked it, then please comment and vote as much as you can! I'd really love to see 10 votes. You can do it!

English is not my first language, so I'm sorry for any grammatical errors. Please feel free to point them out so I can improve my writing. I want to make sure this story is as enjoyable as possible for all my readers.