Married Before Love

Aarti never imagined that her mother’s casual tea conversation with an old friend would end up deciding the rest of her life. “Aarti,” her mother called out while stirring sugar into her tea, “Do you remember Madhu from school?” Aarti looked up from her laptop. “Madhu Sharma? Of course. We were in the same class. Why?” “Her cousin Manav is looking to get married. I met her mother today at the temple. She said they’re searching for a girl… and she thought of you.” Aarti blinked. “What? Mom, I’ve barely spoken to him.” “But you’ve met him,” her mother insisted. “At Madhu’s wedding… and again during that Diwali party at their house.” Yes, she remembered — a tall, reserved man with deep-set eyes who barely looked up from his phone. He hadn’t spoken more than five words to her. “But Ma, he didn’t even talk to me then,” she protested. “Beta, that’s not the point. They’re a good family, and Madhu says Manav is a decent man. Besides,” her mother said softly, “he’s been through something. A heartbreak. Maybe he needs someone who’s kind. Like you.” Aarti frowned.