Chapter 5 - The Announcement
The Malhotra mansion gleamed under the golden lights of the grand chandelier, its vast halls echoing with the sounds of an age-old legacy. Aarav Malhotra stepped inside, his usual calm and intimidating presence cutting through the lively chaos unfolding before him.
His younger brother, Vihaan, and his cousin, Kabir , were bickering loudly over something ridiculous, while Anika, the youngest of the lot, stood between them, giggling.
“I swear, Anika, tell Kabir to shut up!” Vihaan groaned, throwing a pillow at his cousin.
Kabir dodged effortlessly. “Not my fault you suck at poker, bhai.”
Anika smirked. “I warned you not to bet against him.”
Aarav barely spared them a glance. He was used to their antics. Instead, he strode past them, straight toward the main sitting area, where his grandfather, Virendra Malhotra, and parents, Rajesh and Sunita Malhotra, were already seated.
His chacha, Hitesh, and chachi, Nandini, were also present, sipping on tea as they exchanged amused looks over the younger ones’ fights.
Rajesh glanced up, his fingers wrapped around his whiskey glass. “Aarav? You don’t usually call for a family discussion.”
Aarav adjusted the cuffs of his suit, his expression unreadable. “I have made a decision.”
His mother, Sunita, straightened. “About what?”
Aarav leaned back against the chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. “About marriage.”
The entire room fell silent.
From the other side, Vihaan scoffed. “Yeah, right.”
Kabir smirked. “Good one, bhai. What's next? You adopting a puppy?”
Anika gasped dramatically. “Wait, wait—so you're actually human?”
Aarav shot them a cold glare, making them shrink back, but their amusement didn’t fade.
Virendra Malhotra, always the composed patriarch, studied his grandson carefully. “You’re getting married?”
Aarav nodded once. “Yes.”
Sunita clapped her hands in excitement. “Oh, that’s wonderful! Who is the girl?”
“A girl named Ira Sharma.”
Rajesh frowned. “Ira Sharma? Who is she?”
“She applied for a job at Malhotra Industries,” Aarav stated plainly. “She’s hardworking, independent, and… the right choice for me.”
Vihaan leaned forward, intrigued. “Wait, wait—so you met this girl at work, and suddenly you decided to marry her? Bhai, are you okay?”
Kabir whistled. “This is serious. Should we call a doctor?”
Anika grinned. “Or a therapist?”
Aarav exhaled sharply, ignoring them as he turned to his grandfather. “The wedding will be soon.”
Virendra nodded approvingly. “If you have chosen her, I trust your judgment.”
Sunita’s excitement bubbled over. “We need to meet her and her family immediately! So many preparations to do!”
Meanwhile, Vihaan leaned toward Kabir and whispered, “What if she’s secretly crazier than him?”
Kabir smirked. “Then he’s doomed.”
Aarav’s sharp glare silenced them instantly.
No one needed to know that this marriage was a deal.
---
At the Sharma House
Ira sat stiffly on the worn-out couch, her hands clutching her lap. Across from her, Shreya Sharma, her mother, had tears in her eyes, disbelief written all over her face.
“You… you’re marrying Aarav Malhotra?”
“Yes, Maa.”
Her younger brother, Ansh, frowned. “Di, how did this happen? You never even mentioned him.”
Ira swallowed. “It just… happened. Aarav and I understand each other. He wants this marriage as much as I do.”
Shreya wiped her eyes and held Ira’s face gently. “Beta, this is a huge decision. Are you sure?”
Ira forced a smile, nodding. “Yes, Maa. I am sure.”
Shreya exhaled shakily, her grip tightening. “If you’re happy, then I have no complaints.”
Happy. The word echoed painfully in Ira’s mind.
But she didn’t correct her mother.
---
The Engagement Announcement
The Malhotras and the Sharmas made the announcement public, sending the media into a frenzy. The engagement was to take place in a week, and wedding preparations had already begun.
At the engagement party, Ira stood beside Aarav, their hands entwined for the cameras. The world saw a perfect couple, deeply in love.
A reporter stepped forward. “Mr. Malhotra, this was quite unexpected. How did you two meet?”
Aarav’s lips curled into a charming smirk. “Fate.”
The reporter turned to Ira. “Miss Sharma, how does it feel to become the future Mrs. Malhotra?”
Ira forced a smile. “It feels… surreal.”
Aarav leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “Welcome to your new reality, Mrs. Malhotra.”
Ira’s fingers tightened around his, but she didn’t pull away.
No one knew the truth.
Except them.
_______
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