Bound By Fate

Chapter 1

Preeta's POV

The soft rays of the morning sun slipped through the curtains and landed gently on my face.

I slowly opened my eyes and smiled.

Today was my birthday.

My twenty-fourth birthday.

For a few precious seconds, I simply lay there staring at the ceiling.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

This year would be different.

A burst of laughter drifted upstairs from the living room.

I immediately sat upright.

They were awake already.

More laughter followed.

My heart skipped with excitement.

Could it be...?

Did they finally remember?

I quickly jumped out of bed, combed my long black hair with my fingers, and straightened my simple cotton dress.

There wasn't a mirror in my room, but I didn't care.

A smile was already decorating my face.

Perhaps...

This year my father would smile at me.

Perhaps my stepmother would wish me.

Perhaps Ishita would even give me a hug.

I knew I was expecting too much.

But birthdays were supposed to bring hope.

Weren't they?

I hurried downstairs, my footsteps light with excitement.

Just before entering the dining room, I stopped.

My stepmother's cheerful voice reached my ears.

"Oh, Ishita! Congratulations, my daughter! I heard the groom's family will soon be coming to meet you."

My smile froze.

I slowly peeked into the room.

Sunita was holding Ishita's hands excitedly.

"You truly are blessed," she continued proudly. "I always knew you were born for great things."

Ishita giggled.

"Thank you, Mum."

Rajesh, my father, folded his newspaper and smiled warmly at her.

"My princess deserves nothing but the best."

The warmth in his eyes...

I had never seen him look at me that way.

Not once in twenty-four years.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced a smile and walked inside.

"Good morning, Dad."

He looked up briefly.

"Morning."

That was all.

Nothing more.

Not even a glance.

He returned his attention to Ishita.

"Did you hear the news? Your sister will be getting married soon."

I turned toward Ishita.

She looked happier than I had ever seen her.

"Congratulations, Sis," I said sincerely.

"Thanks."

She answered so casually before returning to her breakfast.

No excitement.

No affection.

Just one word.

Before I could sit down, Father reached into his pocket and handed me some money.

"Go to the sweet shop."

I blinked.

"What?"

"We need sweets. This is wonderful news."

He smiled at Ishita again.

"We must celebrate."

I looked down at the money in my hand.

Then back at him.

"Dad..."

He didn't respond.

"Dad..."

This time he looked at me impatiently.

"What now?"

I tightened my grip around the notes.

"Did you... forget?"

He frowned.

"Forget what?"

"My birthday."

Silence.

For one tiny moment...

I hoped.

I hoped he would slap his forehead and laugh.

I hoped he would apologize.

I hoped he would tell me he had a surprise waiting.

Instead...

His face darkened.

His smile disappeared.

His eyes filled with anger.

"Must you always remind me?"

My heart sank.

His voice grew louder.

"Today has always been the worst day of my life!"

The entire room became silent.

Even Ishita stopped eating.

"This day only comes once every year," he continued bitterly, "yet you always find a way to remind me."

His breathing became heavier.

"Twenty-four years ago, I still had my wife."

He pointed directly at me.

"My first love."

"The woman I wanted to spend my entire life with."

His eyes became red.

"But you..."

His voice cracked with pain.

"You stole her away from me."

Tears instantly filled my eyes.

"You killed her."

"No..."

I whispered.

"I didn't..."

"So don't stand there asking me to celebrate your birthday!"

His voice echoed through the house.

"I have nothing to celebrate on this cursed day."

He threw the money onto the table.

"Go and buy the sweets."

"I want to celebrate something good that finally happened in this family."

"The sooner your face disappears, the better."

My vision blurred.

The tears I had tried so hard to hold back escaped.

Every year...

It was always the same.

Every birthday became a reminder that my mother had died giving birth to me.

Every birthday became another reason for Father to hate me.

Every birthday became another day I wished had never come.

Without another word, I bent down, picked up the money from the floor and quietly walked toward the door.

Behind me, laughter slowly returned.

As if nothing had happened.

As if my heart hadn't just been shattered all over again.

The front door closed softly behind me.

Only then did I allow myself to cry.

I hugged myself tightly as tears rolled freely down my cheeks.

"Happy birthday to me..."

I whispered through trembling lips.

The words tasted bitter.

Very bitter.

The morning breeze brushed against my tear stained face as I slowly walked down the street. I didn't bother wiping my tears anymore.

There was no point.

I had cried so many times that crying had become normal.

I tightened my grip on the money Father had thrown at me.

The notes were slightly crumpled.

Just like my heart.

"Preeta!"

A familiar cheerful voice called from behind.

I turned around.

Shalu came running toward me, her long braid bouncing with every step. She was carrying a small paper bag and wore her usual bright smile.

The moment she reached me, the smile disappeared.

"Happy birthday..." she began before stopping. "Preeta... were you crying?"

I quickly wiped my face.

"No."

Shalu folded her arms.

"You know you can't lie to me."

I forced a smile.

"I'm fine."

She gently held my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes.

"It was Uncle Rajesh again, wasn't it?"

The tears I had been trying so hard to stop returned.

I lowered my head.

Shalu sighed before pulling me into a warm hug.

"It's okay."

I couldn't hold back anymore.

I buried my face in her shoulder and cried.

She simply rubbed my back.

Neither of us spoke for a while.

Finally, she reached into the paper bag.

"I got something for you."

She carefully brought out a tiny cupcake with white cream and colorful sprinkles.

A single candle stood proudly in the middle.

Preeta stared at it in surprise.

"Shalu..."

"I know it's not a big cake."

She laughed awkwardly.

"I'm still a student, so this is all I could afford."

Fresh tears filled Preeta's eyes.

"They're happy because it's Ishita's marriage proposal."

"I know."

"They forgot my birthday again."

"I know."

"Dad said today is the worst day of his life."

Shalu's smile faded.

She took Preeta's hands into hers.

"Listen to me carefully."

Preeta looked up.

"The day you were born wasn't a curse."

She shook her head gently.

"It was the day God gave the world someone kind."

Preeta bit her lower lip.

"If Auntie were alive today, do you know what she'd say?"

"What?"

Shalu smiled.

"She'd tell you she's proud of the woman you've become."

A tear slipped down Preeta's cheek.

"Thank you."

"No."

Shalu placed the cupcake into her hands.

"Close your eyes."

Preeta laughed softly.

"What are you planning?"

"Just do it."

Smiling, she obeyed.

Shalu quickly lit the tiny candle with a lighter she had hidden in her pocket.

"Okay."

"You can open them now."

Preeta slowly opened her eyes.

The tiny flame danced gently in the morning wind.

It wasn't a grand birthday cake.

There were no balloons.

No decorations.

No family gathered around.

Just one cupcake.

One candle.

And one person who remembered.

"Make a wish," Shalu whispered.

Preeta closed her eyes once more.

She didn't wish for money.

She didn't wish for a luxurious life.

She only wished...

To be loved.

She blew out the candle.

"Happy Birthday, Preeta."

"Thank you."

"No."

Shalu grinned.

"Thank you for being my favorite sister."

Preeta laughed through her tears.

"I'm your only cousin."

"Details."

Both girls laughed together.

For the first time that morning...

Preeta felt genuinely happy.

After eating half the cupcake, she handed the remaining half to Shalu.

"You eat it."

"It's your birthday."

"And birthdays are meant to be shared."

Shalu smiled.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

After another hug, Shalu glanced at the money in Preeta's hand.

"Going to buy sweets?"

Preeta nodded.

"Uncle's celebration."

Shalu rolled her eyes dramatically.

"One day they'll realize what they're missing."

Preeta only smiled.

"I should go."

"I'll see you later."

"Okay."

With one last wave, Preeta continued toward the sweet shop.

---

Ranbir's POV

"Yes, Viran."

I adjusted the Bluetooth earpiece as I stepped out of my car.

"I've already left."

A deep laugh came from the other end.

"You'd better not disappoint me."

"I won't."

Today was my cousin Viran Kapoor's wedding.

The Kapoor family never settled for anything less than perfection.

And neither did I.

"I heard this sweet shop makes the best traditional sweets in the city."

"That's why I'm here."

"Fine. Call me when you're done."

"I will."

I ended the call and slipped my phone into my pocket.

Just as I reached for the shop door

Bang!

Someone crashed into me.

"Ouch!"

My phone slipped from my hand.

The box of sweets I had just picked up fell to the ground.

At the same time, another paper bag burst open.

Colorful sweets scattered across the pavement.

I frowned.

"Are you blind?"

The young woman immediately bent down.

"I'm so sorry."

She hurriedly picked up the sweets one by one.

"I didn't see you."

I sighed in annoyance and crouched to pick up my phone.

At the exact same moment

Thunk!

Our heads bumped together.

"Ouch!"

She rubbed her forehead immediately.

"I'm so sorry!"

Again?

Ranbir couldn't believe it.

She looked absolutely embarrassed.

"I'm really, really sorry."

Without waiting for another complaint, she quickly gathered the remaining sweets, bowed slightly, and hurried away.

Ranbir's POV

By the time I returned to the Kapoor mansion, the house was already bustling with preparations.

Servants moved in and out carrying flower arrangements while decorators worked tirelessly to prepare for my cousin Viran's wedding.

I handed the boxes of sweets to one of the servants.

"Take these to the kitchen. Dadi specifically asked for them."

"Yes, Young Master."

I nodded and walked into the living room.

The familiar scent of incense filled the air.

My grandmother, Savitri Kapoor, sat comfortably on the sofa with my grandfather beside her. My parents, my uncle Rakesh, aunt Kavita, my younger brother Ayush, and my cousins were all gathered there.

"Dadi."

As always, I bent down and touched her feet.

She rested her hand gently on my head.

"May you always be blessed, my child."

"Thank you, Dadi."

She smiled warmly.

"What took you so long?"

"I heard a sweet shop on the other side of the city makes the best traditional sweets."

I pointed toward the kitchen.

"I wanted Viran's wedding to have nothing but the best."

Grandfather chuckled proudly.

"That's our Ranbir."

Always responsible.

Always dependable.

Dadi smiled before patting the empty seat beside her.

"Come and sit."

I obeyed.

For a moment, everyone was quiet.

Then Dadi spoke.

"Ranbir."

"Yes, Dadi?"

"Your cousin Viran is getting married today."

"I know."

"He is two years younger than you."

I smiled faintly.

"He is."

"And yet..."

She exchanged a meaningful glance with my mother.

"...he'll be starting a family before you."

I already knew where this conversation was heading.

"Dadi..."

She raised a hand, stopping me.

"Listen first."

My mother smiled.

"Your grandmother and I have been discussing your future."

I leaned back against the sofa.

"And?"

"We believe it's time."

Time?

"For what?"

Grandfather answered this time.

"For your marriage."

The room suddenly felt smaller.

"Dad..."

"We have already started looking."

I frowned.

"I never agreed to this."

"You don't have to."

Dadi smiled calmly.

"We've already found a suitable family."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"What?"

"The girl's family is respectable."

My mother continued,

"They are well educated."

"Traditional."

"Cultured."

"And their horoscopes are being prepared."

I rubbed my forehead.

"This is happening too fast."

"No."

Dadi replied confidently.

"It's happening at exactly the right time."

I stood up.

"Dadi, I'm not ready."

"You'll never be ready."

"I don't even know this girl."

"You will."

"When?"

Dadi smiled knowingly.

"In a few days."

My patience finally snapped.

"I don't want an arranged marriage."

The room fell silent.

No one dared interrupt.

Dadi slowly stood up.

Despite her age, her presence alone commanded respect.

She walked toward me and looked directly into my eyes.

"This marriage isn't only about you, Ranbir."

"It's about our family's future."

She gently squeezed my shoulder.

"You've always trusted my decisions."

I looked away.

"And I have never made one that wasn't in your best interest."

There was no anger in her voice.

Only certainty.

The certainty of someone who had already made up her mind.

She smiled softly.

"The priest will visit the Malhotra family in two days."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"Malhotra?"

"Yes."

"They have two daughters."

My mother nodded.

"The younger one is the girl we've chosen for you."

For a brief moment, the name meant nothing to me.

I had never met her.

Never seen her.

Never even heard of her.

How could strangers decide who I would spend the rest of my life with?

I let out a frustrated sigh.

"This conversation is over."

Without waiting for anyone to respond, I turned and walked upstairs.

The sound of my footsteps echoed through the mansion.

Once inside my bedroom, I shut the door a little harder than intended.

I loosened my tie and looked out of the window.

Marriage.

The word alone was exhausting.

Ranbir watched her disappear into the crowd.

"What a strange girl."

He looked down at his phone.

Thankfully...

It wasn't broken.

Shaking his head, he walked into the sweet shop, completely unaware that fate had just introduced him to the woman who would soon turn his carefully ordered life upside down.