It was Sunday morning.
The sunlight came slowly into the room. Birds were chirping outside.
Aarya was still under her blanket, pretending to sleep.
"Aarya!" her mother called from the kitchen. "Wake up! The boy's family is coming at eleven."
Aarya turned to the other side and pulled the blanket over her head.
"I'm not going," she mumbled.
Her mother walked into the room, holding a green saree. "At least wake up first. Then fight with me."
---
In the living room, her father was reading the newspaper, a glass of tea in one hand. He looked calm. Too calm.
"She's still sleeping?" he asked.
"Yes," her mother said. "She thinks if she hides, the boy will disappear."
He smiled. "That would be magic. I should try it with the income tax department."
---
Aarya finally came out of her room wearing a loose T-shirt and pajama pants. Her hair was messy. She sat at the table and took a sip of tea.
"Why are you both acting like I'm getting married today?" she asked.
"Today's just a meeting," her mom said. "You can say no. You can say yes. Or you can say nothing. Just meet him."
"I don't believe in arranged marriage," Aarya said.
Her father folded his newspaper and looked at her. "We know. You told us last year. And the year before that. But just for today, pretend you do."
---
There was silence for a few seconds.
Then her mom sat beside her and spoke softly.
"You were hurt before. We didn't say anything. But we saw it."
Aarya looked down. She didn't reply.
Her mother continued, "This is not pressure, Aarya. This is just a door. If you don't want to open it, you don't have to. But don't close it without looking."
Aarya looked up at her. "And if I don't like him?"
Her father smiled. "Then we'll send him home with leftover samosas and our blessings."
---
Aarya laughed. For the first time that morning, she smiled.
Her mom handed her the green saree again.
"Try this, at least for five minutes."
Aarya held it in her hands. "Fine. Five minutes. For the samosas."
---
The clock showed 10:42 AM.
The doorbell rang.
Everyone went quiet.
Her mother stood. "Okay. Remember: no sarcasm. No long speeches. No rolling eyes."
Aarya whispered, "No running away?"
Her father smiled. "Not unless I do it first."
They opened the door.
Reyansh's entire family had arrived.
His mother, Sunita Vaidya, wore a soft cream saree and had a warm smile.
His father, Sanjay Vaidya, looked quiet and respectful.
Behind them stood Kanta Kaki, their talkative elder aunt, and Nisha, Reyansh's witty younger cousin who clearly didn't want to be there but came anyway.
Aarya's family welcomed them in.
Polite smiles. Nods. A little awkward silence.
Then her Maushi whispered from the kitchen, "Put more elaichi in the chai!"
And just like that, the room began to fill — with people, with tea, with small talk… and the beginning of something unknown.