Chapter 9: The Proposal - Reluctance and Resolve

Ananya

The night had fallen, but it felt like the world was on pause. I couldn't stop thinking about what was to come. Tomorrow, I was supposed to agree to a marriage I didn't want, to a man who was nothing like the ones I had imagined for myself. The weight of it all pressed heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

My parents had made their wishes clear, their excitement and anticipation infectious. I had always respected them, always done my best to follow their wishes, but this... this was different. This wasn't just about making them happy. This was my life, my future. And I didn't want to surrender it so easily.

Aarav had come over earlier today, just as he always did. But today, he was different. He wasn't the same carefree older brother's best friend I'd once known. His eyes, cold and calculating, bore into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. He had made it clear that this was a marriage he expected to happen. He wasn't asking for my approval—he was expecting my compliance.

I couldn't shake the way he had looked at me during dinner. There was no warmth in his gaze, just a controlled, almost possessive nature that made me feel small under his scrutiny. I didn't like it. I didn't like him like this.

But then, my mother's voice broke through my thoughts, calling me into the living room.

"Ananya, come here, beta. Aarav is here to talk to you."

I didn't want to. I didn't want to face him, to look him in the eyes and hear whatever he had planned for this evening. But I had no choice.

Aarav

I sat in the living room, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. My parents were already speaking with hers, finalizing everything for tomorrow. The wedding had been set in motion, and there was no going back now. But I still needed to hear one thing from her.

Ananya was hesitant, that much was clear. I could see the reluctance in her eyes as she walked toward me, her steps slow and measured. She was trying to hide it, trying to keep her distance, but I could read her like a book. The defiance, the fear, the confusion—it was all written across her face.

She stood in front of me, her arms crossed, as if protecting herself from me. I didn't blame her. I didn't expect her to love me. I wasn't asking for that. But I needed her to understand.

I stood up and walked toward her, my presence commanding yet gentle, something I had learned to master over the years.

"Ananya," I said softly, my voice low but firm. "I know you have your reservations. I can see it in your eyes. But this is happening, whether you like it or not."

Her gaze hardened, but I saw the fear behind it. I knew I had to be careful with her. She was fragile in ways she didn't even realize yet.

"I'm not asking you to love me," I continued, taking a step closer, closing the space between us. "But I am asking for your trust. I promise you, I will always protect you. I will always put you first. You don't need to worry about anything."

Ananya

His words sent a jolt through my chest. I wasn't sure if it was the way he said them, with such certainty, or the weight of his promise that made my heart flutter. Protect me? He had no idea what I really needed.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't know if I can trust you, Aarav. This isn't something I wanted. You're... you're not the man I thought you were."

His face darkened at my words, and for a moment, I thought he might snap. But instead, he did something I hadn't expected. He reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder with surprising gentleness.

"I know you didn't want this," he said, his voice soft now, almost tender. "I know this isn't what you imagined. But trust me, I won't let you down. I won't make you regret this."

I looked up at him, meeting his gaze, feeling a strange pull I couldn't explain. Despite everything, despite my fear and reluctance, something inside me stirred.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this," I whispered, my heart racing.

He gave me a small, almost sad smile. "No one is ever ready, Ananya. But we'll figure it out together."

Aara

Her reluctance was evident, but I wasn't about to back down now. I couldn't afford to. I wasn't giving her a choice because, deep down, I knew she was mine. No matter how much she fought it, no matter how much she resisted, this was happening.

I stepped back slightly, giving her space to breathe.

"I'm not asking for your love," I said again, my voice firm but kind. "Just your trust. That's all I need from you right now. In time, you'll see that this is the right choice."

I could see the internal struggle on her face. She wasn't ready to accept me, but I would make sure she did. One way or another.

I turned to her, my gaze intense. "I'm not going anywhere, Ananya. And I will protect you, no matter what."

Ananya

He was so confident, so sure of himself. And that terrified me more than anything else. I wasn't ready for this, not in the way he wanted me to be. I had my dreams, my ambitions, my life ahead of me—and I didn't want to give it all up.

But then I looked at him again, and for a fleeting moment, I saw something different in his eyes. A vulnerability, a promise that made my heart race despite my hesitation.

Could I trust him? Could I let go of my fears and allow myself to follow where he was leading?

I didn't know. But as I stood there, facing him, I knew one thing for sure—I couldn't escape him, no matter how hard I tried.

Aarav

I took one last step toward her, my hand reaching for hers. This time, she didn't pull away. She didn't exactly welcome it either, but there was a faint softness in her touch, a willingness to let me in.

We stood there, in the quiet of the room, the promise of our future hanging between us. The wedding was tomorrow. And with it, a new chapter for both of us.

But for now, all I wanted was to make her see. Make her trust me.