Chapter 8: A Twist of Fate

Kiara's POV

The morning sunlight filtered through my curtains, warming my room as I groggily sat up in bed. My dreams from last night were still a blur, but a faint sense of unease lingered. I shook it off and got ready for the day. Slipping into a simple white kurta with pastel embroidery, I tied my hair into a loose ponytail. It was a typical morning, or so I thought.

When I came downstairs, my family was gathered in the living room, chatting animatedly. Mom noticed me first and smiled brightly. “Kia, we’re going to visit your best friend from Rajasthan today. She’s just returned to Kolkata with her family!”

I frowned, trying to mask my irritation. I loved my best friend, but after the hectic program last night and the weight of my swirling thoughts, I wasn’t in the mood for socializing. “I think I’ll pass, Ma. I have classes and can’t miss college today.”

Dad gave me a sharp look, but he didn’t argue. “Fine. Do what you want. But be home after college; we’ll talk about something important.” His tone was clipped, but I didn’t think much of it. With a hurried breakfast, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.

---

The day at college felt endless. I tried to immerse myself in lectures and assignments, but Reyaansh’s note kept surfacing in my mind. Sweetheart, he had written. How could a single word hold so much power?

By the time I got home, exhaustion weighed on me. Dropping my bag near the door, I stepped into the living room and froze. My entire family was seated on the couch, their expressions unusually serious. Sneha was there too, her face unreadable, which only made me more nervous.

“What’s going on?” I asked cautiously, stepping closer.

Mom patted the seat next to her, but I didn’t sit down. Something about the atmosphere felt off. “Kia, we have some news for you,” she began gently. “You’re going to get married.”

The words hit me like a thunderclap. I blinked, convinced I had misheard. “What?”

Sneha stepped in, her voice soft but firm. “Mom and Dad have finalized the alliance, Kia. It’s someone who has a lot of respect and influence. You’ll understand once you meet him.”

“No, wait,” I said, shaking my head. “You can’t just decide this without telling me. Who is he? What’s his name?”

Dad spoke this time, his tone firm. “Reyaansh Rathore.”

The name sent a chill through my entire body. My legs felt weak, and I stumbled back a step. It couldn’t be. Not him. “You’re joking, right?” I whispered, looking between their faces.

Mom placed a hand on my shoulder, her voice soothing. “It’s already decided, Kia. He’s a good match. You met him in Rajasthan, didn’t you?”

I didn’t respond. My mind was spinning, heart racing as the realization set in. Reyaansh Rathore wasn’t just playing games anymore. He had made his move, and I had been pulled into it without even realizing.

---

I turned away, gripping the edge of the dining table for support. “No. This isn’t happening. You can’t just… marry me off like this!”

Dad’s voice hardened. “This isn’t up for debate, Kia. He’s coming tomorrow to finalize the engagement.”

I felt like the ground was shifting beneath me. The Reyaansh I had seen from a distance—the one who had sent me a note, the one who watched me dance with those piercing eyes—was now about to become my future.

And I had no idea how to escape him.

---

The room felt like it was closing in on me. My chest tightened as I struggled to breathe. “You’re telling me this now? Without even asking how I feel about it?” My voice was trembling, but I didn’t care.

Sneha stood up and came toward me, her eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and something else—resignation. “Kia, listen. I know this is sudden, but Reyaansh is… different. He’s powerful, respected, and—”

“And what?” I snapped, cutting her off. “He’s someone I barely know! Someone who’s been lurking in the shadows, pulling strings behind my back!” My words were heated, but they couldn’t mask the fear coursing through me.

Mom reached for my hand, her grip firm yet gentle. “Kia, we only want the best for you. He came to us with this proposal himself. He was clear—he only wants you. And after meeting him, we agreed. He’s the right choice.”

I pulled my hand away, anger and frustration bubbling inside me. “The right choice? For whom? For you, or for me?” My voice cracked, and I bit my lip to stop myself from breaking down. “I’m not some pawn in a business deal or a favor you owe!”

---

Dad’s expression darkened. “Enough, Kiara. You don’t understand the magnitude of this decision. Reyaansh Rathore isn’t a man you can refuse. He’s offering you a life most people can only dream of.”

“A dream?” I laughed bitterly. “This feels more like a nightmare.” I glanced at Sneha, hoping she’d speak up for me, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Even my usually supportive sister had nothing to say.

Without another word, I turned and stormed upstairs, slamming my bedroom door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest as I leaned against the door, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Memories of Rajasthan flashed through my mind—his piercing gaze, the way he had returned my anklet, his cryptic note at the program. I had thought I could ignore him, push him out of my life. But now, he had forced his way into my world in the most unexpected way.

I paced the room, my mind racing. There had to be a way out of this. I couldn’t just let my family dictate my life, no matter who Reyaansh Rathore was. But deep down, a small voice whispered a chilling truth: this man was used to getting what he wanted. And now, he wanted me.