8) Did I hear that right?

Kiara's POV

"I want you to marry my son."

.

.

.

Did I hear that right?

My first inclination was to laugh. I snorted but stopped when I saw three not-so-amused faces in the room.

It took me a second to realize the fact that they were not joking and were pretty much serious about the whole matter.

I was stunned to silence.

I couldn't believe my ears.

They were definitely playing a sick joke on me.

I wanted to make sure if I heard that right. But the words were still ringing in my ears, loud and clear.

There was complete silence in the room.

Uncomfortable silence.

The tension in the room was so thick that you could practically cut it with a knife.

Marriage? I thought to myself.

And that too with a complete stranger?

My eyes wandered to my parents who were a bit uneasy and watching me, uncertainty evident in their eyes. Their faces reflected concern and worry. I waited for them to say something. Anything. But all they did was just stare silently.

I had never been against arranged marriage, I trusted my parents enough to choose a partner for me. But the fact that my parents want me to get married at such a young age left me disgruntled.

I am only 20, for god's sake!

Calm down, Kia! Don't jump to conclusions. Mom and dad haven't said anything, yet.

I sighed and massaged my temple.

I looked around the room, rather helplessly, trying to wrap the situation around my head. But it didn't help as the throbbing pain in my forehead increased.

"Why?" I asked, my voice low and calm but I was anything but that. I peeked a glance at Mr. Rajveer, who was all calm and composed.

"I have my reasons." He replied with a non-chalant shrug.

"I think-" Mom started.

"And your parents have agreed to this." Mr. Rajveer said, effectively cutting her off.

What?

If I was shocked before, I couldn't explain what I was feeling now.

They agreed?

Without even consulting me?

All my hopes vanished on listening this. So, this was it. My parents had agreed to marry me off to a random stranger?

I stared at them in disbelief.

Mr. Rajveer stood up and adjusted his coat, "Everything has been settled, Kiara. You are getting engaged to Arjun in a week. I have a meeting right now and I will let you know about the details soon." He commanded in a voice that left no room for argument.

WHAT!?

In a week? They decided all that without my permission?

I looked at him in horror.

"Don't worry, I will take care of all the arrangements." He smiled and left without another word, not even giving me a single chance to object.

Mom and dad accompanied him to the front door while I dropped on the couch, unable to comprehend anything.

The sound of footsteps made me look up. My parents stood at the threshold, cautiously gauging my reaction.

"What the fuck was that?" I asked, exasperated.

"Language, Kia." Dad scolded.

"Trust me, dad. Language is the last of my concerns right now."

"This is not how you talk to us-"

"Mom, please. I don't need a lecture on my behaviour. I want an explanation for what just happened."

"You heard him. He wants you to marry his son." Dad responded coldly.

I was taken aback with his response. He had never talked to me like that.

"I didn't even know who Rajveer was a week back!"

"This is how arranged marriages work." Mom said and gestured between her and dad. "We had one too and look at us, we are happy. Aren't we?"

"You guys don't understand, do you? I don't have an issue with arranged marriage. It's the fact that you took such an important decision of my life without even consulting me."

"We know what's best for you."

"Gosh, what has gotten into you guys?" I was totally exasperated.

"Enough!" Dad yelled and I flinched. His face softened when he saw my face. He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Go to your room. Your mom and I need to talk."

"Kiara, just think about this like- "

"No, mom! Just...don't!" My voice cracked as I turned away from them.

Tears of frustration and anger welled up in my eyes.

How could they do this to me?

How could they do this to their own daughter?

"You-"

I didn't wait for dad to complete his sentence as I ran upstairs to my room.

Closing my door hard enough that my parents knew I was furious, but not hard enough that would earn me a lecture from them about manners, I sat on my bed.

What was I supposed to do now?

They could have at least asked me once.

I didn't know how long I sat there doing nothing, blankly staring at the wall.

"Kia? Open the door." Mom knocked.

"Sweetheart, please." She pleaded when I didn't answer. "Try to understand. Just open the door, once."

I contemplated on what to do and then sighed. I knew I couldn't remain angry on them for long. I stood up, went to the door and opened it.

Mom stood there, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and concern. She didn't say anything, just wrapped me in a hug.

They say that the safest and most comfortable place in the world is your mother's arms. All your worries wash away when she holds you.

So did mine.

I broke the hug after a long time and looked at her, my eyes questioning and betrayed.

She made me sit on the bed near her and said, "I know that you are upset but please listen to me."

I said nothing and she took it as her cue to continue, "He... Rajveer, kind of, forced us to say yes for the wedding."

I looked at her in bewilderment.

She shook her head, conflicted. "I cannot tell you the reason. That would be pulling you in the mess. I don't want you to worry over it. Just say yes. Please."

"Mom." I held her hand gently. "This is my whole life you're talking about. I think I have a right to know what exactly happened."

"I am asking you for one favor. Trust me, honey. You won't regret this. He is a good guy."

"We don't even know him. How do you know he is a good person? " I exclaimed.

"We are doing this for your good. You'll be happy with him. We are your parents and we know what's best for you."

She stood up and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Please, Kia! For us."

What was up with everyone? Why was no one giving me a chance to talk? I love talking.

I felt like ripping my hair apart.

"I don't even know his name." I whined.

She stopped near the door and turned, "Arjun.. Arjun Singhania." And then she left, closing the door.

I fell back on my bed with a thud and groaned. I had to take a decision soon. I c-

Wait.

Wait a second.

I sat up with a jerk.

Did she -

No.

Did she say Arjun?

Arjun Singhania?

No. No. No. No.

This couldn't be true, right?

God, no.

Anyone but him.

I mean, there are so many people with the same name, aren't there?

Then why was I having a bad feeling about this?

I chuckled nervously.

My heart was beating fast and ready to come out of my rib cage anytime.

I immediately looked for my phone.

"Ugh..... Where is it?" I groaned in frustration. I rummaged through the sheets on bed and finally found it near the pillow.

I had no idea how it got there.

I quickly googled the name.

With my fingers crossed and me rocking back and forth in nervousness, I waited for the search results. I was getting anxious by each passing second.

The results appeared on the screen and I scrolled through his photos. He was looking hot in-

FOCUS KIA!

And there it was. The beginning of my doom. A photo of Arjun and Mr. Rajveer with the caption.

"Business prodigy, Arjun Singhania to follow his father, Rajveer Singhania's footsteps."

"Why are you doing this to me?" I shrieked in despair, looking towards the sky and waiting for an answer. Obviously, I didn't get any.

I fell on my bed with a thud once again.

Talk about the world being small.

He could have been someone else.

I wouldn't have minded if I had to marry a werewolf or vampire.

That would have been so cool.

Even a unicorn.

I would have even happily married Donald Trump.

Okay, Eww, no! Not him. Nope! Never!

That just came out of my mouth. It's just that whenever I am nervous or panicking, I start having these weird thoughts. And by weird, I mean really weird.

I stuffed my face in a pillow and screamed.

*

"And the award for the best pair goes to...

Chris Hemsworth and Kiara Sharma!"

I jumped in excitement and hugged Chris, all the time smiling like a goof.

He kissed my cheek, causing me to blush like a tomato.

We made our way to the stage, our hands entwined. I was wearing a silver coloured fish cutting gown whereas Chris was sporting a black tux, looking handsome as ever.

We reached the stage, the crowd cheering for us. We waved at them. Just as we were about to get the trophy, someone shouted, "STOP!"

Everyone snapped their heads in the direction of the voice. Elsa Pataky was standing there with a furious look on her face.

"He is my husband, you bitch." She screamed.

I fumed with anger. "How dare you?" I took a threatening step forward. "He may be your husband but he loves me."

She narrowed her eyes at me.

Suddenly, our surroundings changed and both of us were in a wrestling ring.

And then we heard a whistle. Chris was standing on our right. He was the referee. "Whoever wins the fight, gets me as the prize." He blew the whistle, indicating the start of the match.

I jogged on my tip-toes ready to attack her anytime. She tried to punch me but I simply dodged it, getting hold of her arm and pinning her to the ground. I punched her on the face and she fell unconscious.

Chris blew the whistle, signalling the end of the fight and clearly, I had won.

He pulled me closer by snaking his hand through my waist. "Well done, baby!" He whispered in my ear. I smiled at him cheekily.

"KISS HER! KISS HER!" The crowd started cheering and hooting, going wild.

Chris smiled and dipped his head low. Just as he was about to press his lips to mine...

"Wake up, Kia!"

I opened my eyes sleepily and yawned.

Since when do I have a picture of mom's face on the ceiling?

Oh, it wasn't the ceiling. Mom was standing near the bed, peering at me suspiciously. "Why are you pouting?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

I was pouting?

I quickly pressed my lips in a thin line ignoring her question and looked at her, trying to look a little confused "Huh?"

Advice from me- whenever you are guilty, pretend you are the most innocent person in the whole damn world.

"Anyway, get up!"

See! It always works.

I groaned and turned on my side, "No. Lemme sleep."

"It's almost 9 .Wake up and come for breakfast in 5 minutes." Mom said and left.

"Okay." I said in a sleepy voice. Rubbing my eyes, I yawned and sat up.

I must have forgotten to set my alarm yesterday.

All the memories from last night came rushing to me and I slumped my head in defeat. I had to make a decision soon.

Enough of me being grumpy and sad, I decided to call Anushka.

"Hello." She whispered after picking the call.

"Hi! How are you?" I whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" She asked in a hushed voice.

"Because you are whispering."

"Oh."

My best friend is an idiot.

Just like you.

"Where are you?" I asked her in the same hushed tone.

Call me insane but I was enjoying talking like that.

Does anyone knows a good psychiatrist?

"I am stalking a guy."

Yup! I am best friends with a stalker.

"Listen, I know you are utterly, desperately single but this is not how you get guys to like you."

"No, idiot. This guy is cheating on my friend. I'm collecting proof for her."

"I'm so proud of you." I wiped my fake tears dramatically.

"Thanks." I could already imagine that goofy smile on her face.

"When you are done with your mission, come to my place. I have to tell you something. "

"Okay. Oh... Oh...9 o'clock... 9 o'clock. Here comes the homewrecker." She frantically whispered to someone and cut the call.

If I put each of my friend in a museum for display and charge money for that, believe me I will be filthy rich.

But I love them no matter what.

Stretching lazily, I went to the bathroom to brush. When I looked in the mirror, I cringed. I looked swollen with my red, puffy eyes and let's not talk about my hair. With that morning look, I could easily give children a nightmare. It seemed like a tornado had hit me. All in all, I looked like Bellatrix who had just escaped from Azkaban.

After taking a relaxing bath, I went downstairs only to be greeted by the heavenly smell of pancakes. One thing you should know about my mom- she is a wonderful cook.

I rushed in the kitchen and just as I was about to taste it, mom stopped me. "No, go wake Tina first. "

I made a face but complied nonetheless. I had to agree if I wanted to eat those tasty pancakes. Because let's face it, I cannot cook to save my life.

On my way to Tina's room, I picked up a random magazine and started flipping the pages in hope of finding something interesting. Because I knew it was going to take a good amount of time and a hell lot of hard work to wake her up. She sleeps like a dinosaur. Honestly, this girl could even sleep through an alien invasion.

As I entered her room still engrossed in the magazine, a shriek escaped my lips.

Tina was sleeping peacefully but after hearing me scream, she woke up and started looking left and right frantically, "Don't leave me, Francisco! "

Huh?

I raised my eyebrows, amused. I leaned on the door frame with my hands folded across my chest, a lazy smirk making its way to my face. "Lachowski?" I asked, smugly.

"Huh?" She asked, acting all innocent.

I may or may not have influenced her.

"Why did you scream all of a sudden?" She asked me, effectively changing the topic.

I smiled sheepishly and raised my hand showing her the magazine. "Got a little excited over Chris's shirtless pic."

She rolled her eyes and scowled, "Oh god, you and your fangirling."

"Shut that trap of yours and wake up. It's almost 10."

She again laid on her bed, "5 more minutes please."

"Fine, I will eat all the pancakes that mom's making.." I drawled, examining my nails.

Her ears perked up on the mention of pancakes and believe me she ran out of her room faster than Usain Bolt.

During breakfast, mom kept stealing glances at me but kept quiet, probably waiting for my answer but I needed to think about it. When the awkward silence became unbearable, I excused myself after finishing the pancakes and went to my room.

Exactly after 1 hour, 46 minutes and 39 seconds of thinking, eating junk food and drooling over Chris, I had finally decided my answer.