Bound By Fate

Chapter 3

Preeta's POV

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains as Preeta slowly opened her eyes.

Unlike most mornings, the Malhotra house was already unusually busy.

Servants hurried through the hallways carrying trays of snacks and fresh flowers.

Someone was decorating the entrance with marigold garlands.

The aroma of cardamom tea drifted from the kitchen.

Today wasn't an ordinary day.

Today, the Kapoor family was coming to visit.

Preeta quietly folded her blanket before kneeling in front of the small wooden temple in her room.

A tiny idol of Lord Krishna smiled back at her.

She carefully lit the oil lamp.

"Hail Lord Krishna," she whispered softly, folding her hands.

"Please let today go smoothly."

"I don't ask You for happiness."

"I only ask that there be peace in this house."

She closed her eyes for a few more seconds before getting to her feet.

Just as she was about to leave her room, a sharp voice echoed through the corridor.

"Preeta!"

She immediately hurried downstairs.

Sunita stood in the living room with her hands folded across her chest.

Several maids were dusting the furniture while others arranged flowers on the center table.

"Yes, Ma?"

Sunita frowned.

"Don't just stand there."

"I'm sorry."

"The Kapoor family will be here any minute."

"I know."

"Go to the sweet shop and buy two extra boxes of fresh kaju katli."

Preeta nodded.

"Alright, Ma."

Sunita reached into her purse and handed her some money.

"And listen carefully."

Preeta looked up.

"Don't be careless."

"You remember what happened the last time."

Preeta lowered her head immediately.

"I do."

"Good."

"I don't want any embarrassment today."

"I understand."

Without another word, Preeta quietly left the house.

As she walked toward the nearby sweet shop, she couldn't help smiling to herself.

She had heard a lot about the Kapoor family.

One of the richest families in Mumbai.

People often spoke of their kindness.

Especially their grandmother.

They said she treated everyone with respect, whether rich or poor.

"I hope they're really like that," Preeta murmured.

A few minutes later, she arrived at the shop.

The owner smiled warmly.

"Good morning, beta."

"Good morning, Uncle."

"The usual?"

"Yes, please."

As the shopkeeper packed the sweets, Preeta paid for them and thanked him.

Balancing the neatly wrapped boxes in her arms, she carefully made her way back home.

She didn't want to disappoint Sunita.

Not today.

When she reached the Malhotra house, several luxury cars were already parked outside.

Her heart skipped.

"They're here already..."

She hurried toward the back entrance.

Just then

"Psst!"

She turned around.

Shalu stood near the kitchen door, waving excitedly.

"Over here!"

Preeta quickly walked over.

"What happened?"

"The Kapoor family arrived five minutes ago."

Preeta looked toward the front door.

"Oh no."

"If Sunita Aunty sees you entering through the front now, she'll scold you for keeping everyone waiting."

Preeta sighed.

"You're right."

Shalu quickly took one of the sweet boxes from her.

"I'll help."

"Thank you."

"You thank me too much."

Shalu grinned.

"What are sisters for?"

Preeta smiled warmly.

The two girls entered through the kitchen.

Inside, the cooks were rushing to prepare tea and snacks.

Preeta immediately transferred the sweets onto silver serving trays.

She carefully adjusted each piece until everything looked perfect.

One of the maids smiled.

"You're very good at this."

Preeta returned the smile.

"I've had lots of practice."

Before she could say another word, Sunita walked into the kitchen.

"There you are."

"I'm sorry, Ma."

"I wasn't looking for excuses."

Sunita glanced at the trays.

"Good."

"Bring them to the living room."

"And remember..."

Her expression became stern.

"Serve the guests properly."

"Yes, Ma."

Taking a deep breath, Preeta lifted the heavy silver tray.

Her heartbeat quickened with every step toward the living room.

She prayed silently.

"Lord Krishna..."

"Please don't let me make any mistakes."

She gently pushed the door open.

The elegant living room fell silent for just a moment.

The Kapoor family sat together on the large sofas, dressed in beautiful traditional outfits.

At the center sat an elderly woman with kind eyes.

Beside her was a graceful-looking lady who carried herself with quiet dignity.

A handsome young man in an ivory kurta sat calmly beside them.

The moment Preeta saw him...

Her eyes widened.

It was him.

The man from the sweet shop.

The same man she had accidentally bumped into a few days ago.

At that exact moment, Ranbir looked up.

Their eyes met briefly.

His brows furrowed.

She looks familiar...

Before either of them could think further—

"Preeta!"

Sunita's voice cut through the silence.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Serve the sweets."

Preeta immediately lowered her gaze.

"Yes, Ma."

She stepped forward and offered the tray to the guests.

Neither she nor Ranbir knew it yet...

But destiny had already begun moving its first piece.

The tray in Preeta's hands felt heavier than it actually was.

She walked carefully toward the guests, making sure not to spill anything.

"Please have some sweets," she said softly.

Savitri Kapoor smiled warmly.

"Thank you, beta."

She picked up a piece of kaju katli before looking at Preeta more carefully.

"What is your name?"

Before Preeta could answer, Sunita quickly replied with a smile.

"She's my elder daughter, Preeta."

Savitri nodded gently.

"So you're the elder one."

"Yes, Dadi," Preeta answered respectfully before quickly correcting herself. "I mean... Ma'am."

A soft chuckle escaped Savitri's lips.

"You may call me Dadi."

Sunita forced a smile, though she wasn't pleased that her mother-in-law-to-be was speaking so kindly to Preeta instead of Ishita.

Neha Kapoor, however, remained focused on the reason they had come.

"Where is Ishita?"

Sunita's face brightened immediately.

"I'll call her."

She turned toward one of the maids.

"Go and bring Ishita."

"Yes, Madam."

A few moments later, Ishita gracefully walked down the staircase wearing a beautifully embroidered pink salwar suit.

She smiled shyly before greeting everyone.

"Namaste."

"Bless you," Savitri replied.

Neha carefully observed the young woman before exchanging a satisfied glance with her husband.

She was beautiful.

Elegant.

Exactly how they had imagined.

Ranbir looked up briefly.

His expression remained unreadable.

He neither smiled nor frowned.

To him, she was simply the girl his family had chosen.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

"Ranbir."

Neha gently nudged him.

He immediately understood.

Joining his palms together respectfully, he greeted,

"Namaste."

Ishita smiled.

"Namaste."

An awkward silence followed.

Fortunately, Savitri broke it.

"Young people are always shy."

Everyone laughed except Ranbir.

Sunita quickly clapped her hands.

"Please bring the tea."

Servants immediately entered carrying silver trays filled with tea, snacks and fresh fruits.

As everyone chatted politely, the family priest arrived.

"Hail Lord Krishna."

"Hail Lord Krishna," everyone greeted respectfully.

The elderly priest settled onto the sofa before placing his cloth bag beside him.

"So..."

He smiled.

"Shall we begin?"

"Yes, Pandit ji," Savitri answered.

Sunita immediately turned toward another maid.

"Go upstairs."

"In the second drawer of Ishita's dressing table you'll find a red file."

"Bring it carefully."

"Yes, Madam."

The maid hurried upstairs.

Unfortunately...

There were two identical red files inside the drawer.

One belonged to Ishita.

The other belonged to Preeta.

Without checking the names carefully, the maid picked up the wrong one.

She returned downstairs and handed it to Sunita.

"Here, Madam."

Sunita accepted it without looking.

"Thank you."

She immediately passed the file to the priest.

The old priest adjusted his glasses before opening it.

Meanwhile, Ranbir's father handed over his son's horoscope.

The priest placed both charts side by side.

The room became completely silent.

Even the servants stopped moving.

Everyone waited.

Five minutes passed.

The priest remained focused.

His eyebrows slowly rose.

Then...

A smile spread across his face.

"Hail Lord Krishna..."

He whispered softly.

Savitri leaned forward.

"Pandit ji?"

The priest looked up.

"In all my years..."

"...I have rarely seen a match like this."

Neha's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

The priest nodded.

"Not only are these horoscopes compatible..."

"They are extraordinarily compatible."

Rajesh smiled proudly.

Sunita let out a relieved sigh.

The priest continued studying the charts.

Then his expression suddenly became serious.

"There is something else."

Everyone immediately became nervous.

"What is it?" Savitri asked.

The priest gently closed his eyes for a moment before speaking.

"The girl..."

"...is blessed with an exceptionally rare destiny."

Silence filled the room.

"As long as she stands beside her husband..."

"...she will become his greatest protection."

The priest looked directly at Ranbir.

"Misfortune will struggle to touch him."

"Danger will pass him by."

"Even when darkness surrounds him..."

"...his wife will unknowingly become his shield."

Savitri's eyes became moist.

She folded her hands before the small temple in the living room.

"Thank You, Lord Krishna."

Neha couldn't hide her smile either.

That was exactly the kind of daughter-in-law she had prayed for.

The priest smiled warmly.

"This marriage is truly written by the stars."

Ranbir simply listened in silence.

He had never believed much in horoscopes.

But seeing the happiness on Dadi's face...

He chose not to argue.

Neither family realized...

The horoscope lying on the priest's lap...

Didn't belong to Ishita.

It belonged to Preeta.