Arjun's POV
The large iron gates of the Mehta mansion loomed in front of me as my car came to a halt. The sleek, polished exterior of the house was a sharp contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts crashing through my mind. Today was the day I would officially meet Riya Mehta—the woman who was to become my wife.
Marriage. The word echoed bitterly in my mind. I wasn't sure how I felt, other than resigned. My family needed this alliance; there was no way out. Even though my gut twisted with discomfort at the thought of sharing my life with someone, the decision had been made. I would fulfill my duty. Emotions could be shelved—I was good at that.
As I stepped out of the car, Kabir, Vivaan, and Rohan followed close behind, their chatter as loud and relentless as always.
"You look like you're walking to your own funeral, bhai," Kabir teased, elbowing me in the ribs. "Lighten up. You're just meeting your future wife."
Rohan snorted, ever the mischievous one. "Don't worry, Arjun. If you don't want her, I'll be happy to take your place. Riya Mehta is quite a catch, you know."
I shot him a cold glare. "Not funny."
Vivaan smirked, falling into step beside us as we made our way to the entrance. "Look at it this way, bhai. You've been sentenced to a lifetime of...well, let's call it entertainment. Riya's not the quiet, obedient type. Bet she'll keep you on your toes."
I groaned inwardly but kept my expression neutral. My brothers found far too much amusement in this situation. I wasn't in the mood for their teasing, especially not today.
We finally reached the front door. My father, Dev Kapoor, knocked, and after a few seconds, it swung open to reveal Mr. Mehta, smiling warmly.
"Ah, welcome! Please, come in," he said, ushering us inside.
The Mehta mansion was just as opulent as our home, filled with grand decor and delicate traditional touches. I followed in silence, my face a mask of indifference. While my family greeted the Mehtas with warmth and ease, I felt stiff, like I didn't belong.
And then, I saw her.
Riya's POV
My heart pounded in my chest as I stood at the top of the stairs, my palms slightly sweaty. My parents had insisted I wear the bright purple saree for today's meeting, making me look every bit the poised bride-to-be. Yet, I felt like anything but poised. My mind was racing, my nerves shot.
This was it—the moment I would meet Arjun Kapoor, my future husband. I'd heard so much about him, none of it particularly warm or reassuring. From what I knew, Arjun was distant, all-business, and had the emotional range of a brick wall. What was I supposed to do with that? Still, curiosity mingled with my anxiety. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of man he really was.
As I descended the stairs, my eyes locked on the tall figure standing by the entrance. Arjun Kapoor. His broad shoulders filled the black tailored suit perfectly, and his strong jawline, sharp cheekbones, and cold, penetrating gaze sent a shiver down my spine.
The man was, without a doubt, intimidating. And yet, I couldn't deny that he was stunningly attractive. His aloofness only seemed to add to his mysterious allure. But before I could dwell on that too much, his eyes turned toward me, expression unreadable. My breath hitched.
My parents introduced everyone, and for a brief moment, I found myself standing before him. Our first meeting. I swallowed, attempting to gather my thoughts.
"It's nice to meet you," I said, my voice slightly more steady than I felt.
Arjun merely nodded. "Likewise."
I studied him, trying to decipher what was going on in his head, but his cold expression gave away nothing. I'd expected arrogance, but not this level of disinterest. A part of me was irritated. Did he have to be this indifferent on the first meeting?
---
Arjun's POV
I glanced at Riya, taking in her appearance. She was beautiful, there was no denying that. Her long, dark hair was perfectly styled, and her eyes held a hint of curiosity and challenge. I had been prepared for this meeting to be tense, but the way Riya was looking at me—it was unsettling. There was an energy to her, something bright and bold that stood in stark contrast to my own reserved nature.
Still, I couldn't let that affect me. This wasn't about attraction or emotion. This was a deal, pure and simple. I wasn't here to fall in love, and Riya needed to understand that from the start.
The elders began discussing the formalities of the marriage while Riya and I sat across from each other, awkwardly quiet. Vivaan and Rohan, however, weren't about to let the tension settle.
"So, Riya," Vivaan began, grinning, "I hear you're quite the fashion designer. What do you think of Arjun's sense of style? Pretty stiff, right?"
Riya blinked, startled by the question. Her lips twitched slightly as she tried to stifle a smile. "Well, I'd say it's... very professional," she said diplomatically, glancing at me.
Vivaan raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "Oh, come on. You can be honest. My brother dresses like he's going to a board meeting 24/7."
Rohan laughed. "That's because he is always at a board meeting."
I shot my brothers a warning look, but Riya's soft chuckle drew my attention back to her. For a moment, I was caught off guard. Her laughter was warm, genuine—an emotion I hadn't anticipated. It softened the rigid atmosphere between us, if only slightly.
"I think he looks great," Riya said, her tone teasing.
I kept my expression steady. Even though her words had a bit of affect on me which I immediately ignored. Not giving myself away.
---
Riya's POV
After what felt like an eternity of formalities, my mother cleared her throat and said, "Why don't you two go have a chat in the garden? Get to know each other a bit better."
I felt a jolt of anxiety but managed to keep my composure. I glanced at Arjun, who seemed completely indifferent, as though he were being asked to inspect a business proposal rather than spend time with his future wife.
We walked silently through the back doors and into our beautiful garden. The silence between us felt heavy, thick with unspoken thoughts and expectations. Finally, we stopped near a bench, facing each other awkwardly.
Arjun was the first to break the silence. His cold gaze locked onto mine, and his voice was as steady and firm as ever.
"Let me make this clear from the beginning. Don't expect anything from this marriage, Riya. No grand gestures, no romance. It's a deal, nothing more."
But I was lost somewhere else, somewhere in his looks.
I blinked, momentarily lost in the sharp lines of his face—the way his jaw clenched as he spoke with such certainty. His voice held no warmth, no emotion, just business-like finality.
Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out of my mouth, bold and impulsive: "You're so hot."
My unexpected statement stunned him, catching him completely off guard.
Arjun's cold demeanor faltered for the briefest of moments. He cleared his throat. His expression remained neutral.
My face flushed as I realized what I'd just said. My eyes widened in horror. "I-I didn't mean—well, I meant it, but not like that... I mean..."
I trailed off, my words a jumbled mess, making the moment even more awkward. What did you do Riya. I couldn't help but scold myself. Arjun's stoic expression remained unchanged, though a faint smirk threatened to pull at the corner of his lips.
"That's irrelevant," he said, his voice clipped, as if trying to restore the serious tone of the conversation.
I bit my lip, desperately trying to salvage the situation. "Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said that. But what's with this no-romance deal you're talking about? We're about to spend our lives together. Do you really think we can just...avoid each other?"
Arjun's gaze hardened again, his jaw tightening as he replied, "I don't expect you to understand. But this marriage is necessary for both our families. Love, romance—they complicate things. I have no interest in either."
I looked at him, trying to read between the lines, trying to understand this cold, calculated man. "But don't you think life would be miserable without any emotion? Without...anything real?"
For a moment, Arjun's gaze softened, and he seemed to struggle with something , something he wasn't willing to confront. But then the steel returned to his eyes, and he turned away.
"It's better this way," he said quietly, as if convincing himself as much as me.
I exhaled, feeling both frustrated and curious. Crossing my arms, I leaned against the back of the bench. "You know, you say all that, but you're not as closed off as you pretend to be. You may be good at hiding it, but I don't think you're- completely heartless."
Arjun shot me a glance, his face a mask of control. "Don't assume things you don't understand."
I smiled faintly, a mixture of challenge and amusement in my expression. "I'm not assuming. I'm just saying, you can't keep everything locked away forever."
Arjun didn't respond, but for the first time since we'd met, there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
We stood there in silence, the tension between us hanging in the air, both knowing that this was just the beginning of a long and complicated journey. I could feel it in my bones—there was more to Arjun Kapoor than met the eye, and I was determined to find out exactly what that was.
Arjun's POV
As the meeting wrapped up and the families began making preparations for the official engagement, I found myself standing alone on the balcony, watching the sunset over the city. My thoughts were a tangled mess of duty, frustration, and something else I couldn't quite name.
Riya had surprised me. I had expected her to be meek, quiet, someone who would accept the marriage without question. But she had fire in her—boldness I hadn't anticipated. Her comment had caught me off guard, and though I would never admit it, it had made me feel...something. Something I wasn't used to feeling.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Kabir and Vivaan approaching, grins plastered on their faces.
"So," Kabir started, "how was your talk with your future wife?" he said, teasing me.
"Fine. What's so special about it anyway? It's just another trouble to handle along with my business," I replied with my usual stern expression.
Kabir grinned. "Maybe. Or maybe you're in deeper trouble than you thought. Riya Mehta isn't the type to sit quietly and accept your cold attitude. She's going to challenge you, bhai."
I turned my gaze back to the horizon, trying to suppress the irritation boiling inside me. Kabir's words hit too close to home. I knew Riya wasn't what I had expected, and that unsettled me. But I couldn't afford to get drawn into this game, especially not with my brothers egging me on.
"I don't have time for games," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "This is a business arrangement, nothing more. I'm not interested in romance or emotional drama."
"Right," Vivaan said with a smirk. "Keep telling yourself that. Let's see how long you can keep your walls up."
Kabir clapped me on the shoulder, his tone unusually serious. "Look, Arjun, we're just messing with you, but...don't close yourself off completely. Riya seems like a good person. Maybe this marriage could be more than just a deal if you give it a chance."
I didn't respond. I couldn't. My brothers meant well, but they didn't understand. To me, marriage was a necessity, not a choice.
Emotions were unpredictable, messy, and I had spent my life mastering control. I wasn't about to let anyone—least of all Riya Mehta—break through that.
But as I stood there, staring at the fading sunlight, I couldn't shake the image of her bold smile and the way her eyes had sparkled with mischief when she'd called me out. No one had ever spoken to me like that. And for reasons I didn't fully comprehend, it had stirred something deep within me.
---
Riya's POV
I let out a long sigh as I watched the Kapoors leave. The moment their cars disappeared from view, I retreated to my room, flopping down onto my bed with a groan.
My best friends—Ananya, Nisha, and Meera—had already blown up my phone with missed calls and messages. I quickly dialed them back on a video call, and within seconds, their faces popped up on my screen.
"Tell us EVERYTHING!" Nisha practically shouted, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "What was he like? Is he as cold and serious as they say?"
I stared at the ceiling, still processing everything. "He's...complicated."
"Complicated?" Ananya arched a brow. "That sounds intriguing."
I sighed, propping myself up on my elbows. "He's ridiculously attractive—like, seriously hot. But he's also so cold and distant. It's like talking to a brick wall."
Meera frowned. "And you're supposed to marry him? How's that going to work?"
"I have no idea," I said, rubbing my forehead. "He made it pretty clear that he doesn't want anything from this marriage. No romance, no love. Just...a deal."
Ananya gasped. "He actually said that?"
I nodded. "Yeah, straight to my face. It's like he's already written this off as some kind of business transaction."
Nisha let out a low whistle. "Wow. That's...harsh. But come on, Riya, there has to be more to him than that. No one can be that emotionally closed off."
"I don't know," I muttered. "And the most embarrassing thing is that I called him hot to his face in our first conversation. Ahhh... I feel so embarrassed," I said, fake crying.
"No way," Nisha said, laughing hysterically along with the others.
"Guys, stop it," I said in a fake angry tone.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry," Nisha said, trying to control her laughter.
"But you did call him hot to his face," Meera added with a smirk.
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Don't remind me. I can't believe I said that! What was I thinking?"
Nisha laughed. "You were being you! Bold, fearless, and unapologetically honest."
"Yeah, but still," I muttered, peeking out from between my fingers. "Now I have to marry him, and he probably thinks I'm some kind of crazy person."
Ananya shook her head, her tone serious. "He'll come around. Trust me, Riya, you have a way of getting under people's skin. He might be cold now, but you're going to melt that ice sooner or later."
"I hope so," I said softly, glancing out the window. "Because right now, I don't know what to expect. And that scares me."
---
Arjun's POV
Back at the Kapoor mansion, I was restless. I had retreated to my study, hoping to lose myself in work, but my mind refused to focus. Thoughts of Riya kept creeping in, uninvited.
There was a knock at the door, and without waiting for an invitation, Kabir strolled in, followed by Vivaan and Rohan.
"Seriously?" I grumbled, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What now?"
"We just wanted to check on you," Rohan said innocently, though the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. "Make sure you haven't had a nervous breakdown after meeting your fiancée."
I glared at them. "I'm fine. Go away."
Kabir ignored me, leaning against the desk. "You're not fine. You've been pacing in here for the past hour."
"I'm not pacing," I snapped, though I realized too late that I had, in fact, been pacing moments before they entered.
Vivaan chuckled. "You know, bhai, it's okay to admit that she got to you. Riya's...different."
I folded my arms across my chest, determined not to let them get under my skin. "I'm not interested in her. This marriage is purely a formality. I'm not going to let emotions get involved."
Rohan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because that always works out, right? You can't just turn off emotions, Arjun. No matter how much you try."
My jaw tightened. "Watch me."
Kabir sighed, sitting on the edge of the desk. "Look, we're not trying to push you into something you don't want. But maybe, just maybe, you should give this a chance. Riya seems like someone who could bring a bit of color into your life."
I raised an eyebrow. "Color?"
"Yeah," Kabir said with a smirk. "You've been living in black and white for too long. It wouldn't hurt to see what it's like in full color."
I snorted, shaking my head. "You're all ridiculous."
But even as I dismissed them, my mind wandered back to Riya. Her smile, her laugh, the fire in her eyes. Could she really bring something different into my life? Could she melt the walls I'd spent years building?
No. I couldn't afford to think like that. Emotions were dangerous. They clouded judgment, weakened resolve. And I couldn't afford to be weak.
---
Riya's POV
The next few days passed in a blur of wedding preparations. The engagement ceremony was just around the corner, and both families were caught up in the frenzy of planning. I found myself overwhelmed by the whirlwind of decisions—flowers, decorations, guest lists. But amid the chaos, my thoughts kept drifting back to Arjun.
Our meeting had been brief, but it had left a lasting impression. Despite his cold demeanor, there was something about him that intrigued me. I couldn't explain it, but I felt drawn to him in a way I hadn't expected.
And that scared me.
"Riya!" my mother called from downstairs. "Come down, beta. The Kapoors are here to discuss the engagement arrangements."
My heart skipped a beat. The Kapoors are here? I wasn't ready to face Arjun again, not after our awkward first meeting. But I had no choice.
As I made my way downstairs, my pulse quickened. The familiar sound of laughter reached my ears—Arjun's brothers, no doubt.
But there was no sound from Arjun himself. I wasn't surprised.
When I entered the living room, my eyes immediately found him. He stood at the far end of the room, talking quietly with his father. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable.
My parents greeted the Kapoors warmly, and the two families quickly fell into conversation. I, however, remained silent, my gaze flitting between Arjun and his brothers.
Vivaan caught my eye and winked. "Riya! Glad you could join us. We were just telling your parents about how Arjun is the most romantic guy you'll ever meet."
I raised an eyebrow, biting back a laugh. "Really? Because that's not the impression I got."
Kabir grinned. "Don't worry, you'll get there. Arjun's just shy."
Arjun shot his brothers a murderous look, but I couldn't help but smile. Despite the tension between us, his brothers made everything seem lighter, more bearable.
"Shy, huh?" I said, meeting Arjun's gaze. "I'll keep that in mind."
For a brief moment, I thought I saw a flicker of amusement in Arjun's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. His expression was unreadable once more, a composed mask that seemed impossible to crack. The conversation shifted back to engagement details, but my mind wandered.
The Kapoors were warm, lively, and full of teasing energy. Yet Arjun remained a solitary figure, a stark contrast—distant, detached, almost indifferent to the excitement buzzing around him. It was maddening. Why was he so determined to keep everything formal? And why, despite all that, did I still feel inexplicably drawn to him?
"Riya, beta, come sit," my mother called, jolting me back to the present.
I moved to sit across from Arjun. Our eyes met briefly, but he quickly turned his focus back to his father, who was now discussing potential dates for the engagement. I couldn't help but notice the tension in his posture—his shoulders stiff, his jaw slightly clenched. Was he as uncomfortable as I was?
"Arjun," my father suddenly said, pulling him into the conversation, "why don't you take Riya for a walk in the garden again? You both should spend some time together."
I blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. I glanced at Arjun, half-expecting him to refuse. But to my surprise, he nodded curtly.
"Of course," he said, standing and gesturing for me to follow.
My heart raced as I stood, the silence between us thick with tension as we walked outside. The cool evening air kissed my skin, and the soft glow of the lanterns made the garden look almost magical. It should have felt romantic, but the air between us was anything but.
Desperate to break the silence, I finally spoke. "So... What do you think about all this?"
Arjun didn't even glance my way. "What I think doesn't matter. The decision has been made."
I frowned, a fresh wave of frustration rising within me. "Does everything with you have to be about duty? Don't you care at all about what you want?"
Arjun stopped abruptly, turning to face me. His expression was cold, his eyes hard. "This marriage is a responsibility, not a matter of personal desires."
His words stung. "But you're a part of this, too! Don't you think we should at least try to understand each other?"
Arjun's jaw tightened, his silence louder than any response he could have given. The weight of his indifference pressed down on me, suffocating. Frustration surged, and my hands clenched into fists at my sides. I wanted to shake him out of this icy shell he had built around himself.
Just as I was about to give up and walk away, he spoke again, his voice low. "I've spent my life making decisions that benefit my family. Emotions... they only get in the way."
I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "And you think avoiding emotions will make this any easier? We're not machines, Arjun. We have feelings, needs, desires."
For a brief moment, something shifted in his expression. A flicker of vulnerability, gone before I could fully grasp it. "I'm not used to this," he admitted, so quietly I barely heard him.
My heart softened at his words. I hadn't expected any kind of admission from him, especially not something so personal. Yet before I could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted us.
Vivaan and Kabir sauntered into the garden, wide grins plastered across their faces.
"Hey, lovebirds!" Vivaan teased, clearly enjoying himself. "How's the romantic walk?"
I smiled despite myself, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Arjun's face harden, his composure snapping back into place. He seemed almost relieved by their intrusion, as if the conversation had veered too close to emotions he wasn't ready to confront.
"Nothing romantic about it," Arjun muttered, glaring at his brothers.
"Oh, come on, bhai!" Kabir threw an arm around Arjun's shoulders. "You're walking with your fiancée in a beautiful garden. Live a little!"
Rohan grinned at me. "Don't mind him. He's always like this—serious, stiff. We're working on it."
I chuckled lightly, but the tension in my chest remained. "I'm starting to get used to it."
Arjun shot his brothers a warning look, his patience visibly wearing thin. "Can you all just leave us alone?"
With exaggerated expressions of surrender, Kabir and Vivaan retreated, laughing as they went back inside. "Alright, alright. But seriously, Arjun, loosen up!" Kabir called over his shoulder.
As they disappeared into the house, Arjun let out a long breath and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry about them. They don't know when to stop."
My earlier frustration simmered down, replaced by a softer, more curious emotion. "It's fine. Honestly, I like them. They make things feel... lighter."
Arjun's lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but he stopped himself. "They've always been like that. Too much energy."
Silence fell between us again, but this time it felt more contemplative than tense. I hesitated before speaking, my voice gentler now. "Arjun, I know this isn't easy for either of us, but it doesn't have to be this... cold. We don't have to be strangers. Maybe we could try being friends?"
His eyes met mine, and for a long moment, he simply stared at me, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet and filled with hesitation. "Maybe," he said, the word heavy with uncertainty. "But don't expect me to change."
I offered him a small smile. "I won't. But I'll keep hoping."
As we walked back toward the house, the silence between us felt different—still thick with tension, but there was something else now. It wasn't much, but for now, it was enough for me. Even though Arjun remained distant, I couldn't shake the strange pull I felt toward him.
And that, more than anything, unsettled me.
Arjun's POV
My mind raced as we neared the house. Riya's boldness, her insistence on breaking through my walls—it was both unsettling and oddly compelling. She didn't shy away from my coldness like others had. Instead, she challenged it, forcing me to confront parts of myself I had long buried.
It made me uncomfortable. I wasn't used to people pushing me like this, especially not someone I was supposed to marry.
As we stepped into the living room, our families greeted us with expectant smiles.
"How was the walk?" Priya Kapoor, my mother, asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Riya answered before I could. "It was... enlightening."
"Good," my mother said with a nod. "It's important for you two to get to know each other."
After some time, my father clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Remember, son—marriage is a partnership. You'll need to find balance."
Balance. The word gnawed at me. But I still nodded to my father's words.
I had always struggled with balance—between duty and desire, between what I was expected to do and what I secretly wanted.
From across the room, I caught Riya's gaze. There was a quiet understanding in her eyes now, something soft but piercing.
For the first time since this arrangement had been set in motion, I felt a tiny flicker of something more. But I wasn't ready to acknowledge it. Not yet. Not to anyone—and certainly not to myself.
End
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