The evening sky over Bangalore was painted in shades of orange and pink as Anaya stood on the balcony of her apartment. The soft wind played with her long black hair while she stared at the busy street below.
Her mind, however, was far from peaceful.
Inside the house, her parents were discussing something important.
"Anaya!" her mother called from the living room.
Anaya sighed softly and walked inside.
Her father and mother were sitting together on the sofa, looking unusually serious.
"What happened?" Anaya asked, sitting across from them.
Her mother smiled nervously.
"We have something to talk to you about."
Anaya already knew what it was. For the past few months, her relatives had been constantly suggesting one thing.
Marriage.
"Anaya," her father began gently, "we have received a proposal."
Anaya felt her stomach tighten.
"A proposal?" she repeated slowly.
"Yes," her mother said. "The boy's name is Araav Mehta. His family lives in Mumbai. He is very well educated and runs a successful company."
Anaya looked down at her hands.
She had always dreamed of falling in love first and then marrying someone she truly knew. The idea of marrying a stranger felt strange and frightening.
"I'm not ready for marriage," she said quietly.
Her father spoke softly.
"We are not forcing you. Just meet him once. If you don't like him, we will say no."
Anaya thought for a moment.
Meeting someone once wouldn't hurt, she told herself.
"Okay," she finally said. "I'll meet him."
Her parents smiled with relief.
But Anaya had no idea that this simple meeting would completely change her life