An Arranged Marriage

The Friend's Counsel

Misha's POV

Misha sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers fiddling nervously with the end of her green saree. She had already changed into her favorite comfortable pajamas, but the tension from earlier hadn’t left her. Across from her, sprawled casually on the floor with pillows piled around her, was Sanaya, her best friend since childhood. Sanaya was scrolling through her phone, clearly oblivious to the storm brewing inside Misha’s head.

“You mean Kartik Poddar? The one from the great Poddar family?” Sanaya suddenly asked, looking up with wide eyes. “Misha, he’s too handsome. Do you even know how many women want to marry him?”

Misha groaned, rubbing her temples. “Sanaya, that’s the problem. He’s too perfect, too desirable. I don’t want to be a trophy wife.”

Sanaya frowned, tilting her head. “A trophy wife? You think that’s all you’d be?”

“Isn’t that what everyone expects?” Misha’s voice cracked. “I’ll just be ‘Mrs. Kartik Poddar,’ a silent decoration to stand beside him at all those corporate events, dressed up in expensive sarees, smiling at people I don’t care about. It’s like I’m being put on display.”

Sanaya’s expression softened as she put her phone aside and sat up. “But Misha, that’s not all marriage is. And honestly, you don’t know what it’ll be like with Kartik yet. Maybe he’s not as bad as you think. He’s gorgeous, successful, and—”

Misha interrupted, frustration lacing her words. “He’s also arrogant, and he doesn’t care what I want. He didn’t even ask how I felt about any of this. He just said, ‘We’re getting married because our parents want it.’ Like my feelings don’t even matter.”

Sanaya chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. “Okay, maybe he is a bit... rigid, but you’re both stuck now. This marriage is happening, whether you like it or not.”

“I know.” Misha’s shoulders slumped. “I just feel trapped. I thought I’d have time, you know? Time to figure out what I want. And now I’m being rushed into this.”

Sanaya sighed, then gave Misha a playful nudge. “Well, if you’re going to be tied down soon, why not have one last night of freedom? Let’s go out, hit the club with the girls. You can let loose, dance, drink, and forget about the wedding for just one night. Before you get locked in with Mr. Perfect.”

Misha chuckled despite herself. “I don’t know if that’s going to solve anything.”

“It won’t solve it, but it’ll definitely help you blow off some steam. Plus, you deserve to have fun before all the madness starts.”

Misha hesitated but then nodded. “Alright, fine. One night won’t hurt.”

Sanaya grinned widely. “That’s the spirit! I’ll text the girls. We’re going all out.”

---

Kartik’s POV

Kartik stared at the glass of whiskey in his hand, swirling the amber liquid absentmindedly. His cousin, Arav, sat across from him in the lounge, legs crossed, a smug smile plastered on his face.

“You’re actually going through with it?” Arav asked, barely hiding his amusement. “I can’t believe it. Kartik Poddar, the king of no strings attached, finally getting married.”

Kartik shot him a dry look. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

Arav chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Of course I am. You’re always so composed, always in control. Now look at you, stuck in a situation where your reputation is coming back to bite you.”

Kartik’s jaw tightened. He took a sip of the whiskey, letting the burn distract him for a moment. “It’s not like I have a choice. The deal is set. If I want to inherit everything, I need to settle down.”

Arav shook his head, laughing softly. “Man, your parents really know how to twist the knife.”

Kartik didn’t respond, but he couldn’t shake the irritation gnawing at him. The truth was, his parents had laid down the law. No marriage, no inheritance. And now, here he was, about to marry a woman who clearly didn’t want any part of it.

“She’s beautiful, though,” Arav said, scrolling through photos of Misha on his phone. “Your bhabhi is really something. Fair, cute, bubbly. Definitely marriage material.”

Kartik sighed. “She doesn’t want to marry me. She made that clear when we talked.”

Arav raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”

Kartik ran a hand through his hair, his frustration growing. “She doesn’t have a boyfriend or anything. But she doesn’t want to live the life that comes with being Mrs. Kartik Poddar. She thinks she’ll be just another trophy wife.”

Arav smirked. “Well, with your reputation, can you blame her?”

Kartik shot him a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, come on, Kartik. You know exactly what I mean. The business world knows you as the ruthless Poddar heir. But let’s not forget about your... extracurricular activities.” Arav leaned forward, smirking. “You’ve been a player for years. The hook-ups, the late nights, the lack of commitment. She probably thinks you’re incapable of settling down.”

Kartik clenched his jaw. “That’s all in the past.”

“Yeah? Does she know that?”

Kartik didn’t answer. He hadn’t really thought about how his reputation might be affecting Misha’s feelings. Sure, he had a history, but he wasn’t interested in that anymore. He was ready to focus on his responsibilities. But maybe Misha didn’t believe that.

Arav leaned back, crossing his arms. “You should try and settle down for real this time, Kartik. Misha’s not just any woman. She’s the type you build a life with. You might not love her now, but maybe that’ll change once you start spending more time together. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even start a family soon.”

Kartik scoffed. “A family? We’re not even married yet.”

Arav shrugged. “It’s bound to happen eventually. And trust me, bro, when it does, you’ll be glad you went through with it. She’s definitely worth it.”

Kartik didn’t respond, but as he stared at the photo of Misha on Arav’s phone, something stirred inside him. Arav was right—there was more to her than met the eye. She wasn’t just a pretty face; she was challenging, intriguing, and that was enough to keep Kartik interested.

For now, he would marry her. Not just because his parents expected it, but because something about her made him want to unravel the mystery she held so tightly.