3.
{Third person's pov}
Ekansh was in his study when he heard a knock on the door, he looked towards the door and voiced out, "yes?"
His father stepped inside making Ekansh take a deep breath, "Ekansh, I wanted to talk about something."
Ekansh's eyes narrowed as his father entered the room. He knew something important was going to come up, he could feel it.
"What is it?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"You remember Kiara? Your brother's sister in law?" He raised an eyebrow and took a seat in front of him.
Ekansh's expression hardened at the mention of Kiara. He knew who she was, how he could forget her.
"Yes, I remember her." He replied.
"Don't you think she will be a perfect wife for you?" He raised an eyebrow.
Ekansh's jaw clenched at his father's comment. The idea of marrying someone just because his father thought she would be perfect for him grated on his nerves.
"A perfect wife?" he repeated sarcastically. "You're talking as if marriage is a business deal. I don't need a wife just because you think she's perfect for me."
"Ekansh I know you hate me, but still just think about it calmly, You are old enough to get married, Even your younger brother is already married, and what's the issue? You don't love anyone, and she is a great choice." His father explained.
Ekansh sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead in frustration. He knew his father wouldn't drop the topic until he agreed.
"And why do you think Kiara is a 'great choice'?" he asked, his voice still laced with bitterness.
"She is beautiful, smart, talented and most of all she is responsible. Being the CEO's wife a woman should be very responsible, which Kiara is. She knows us, we know her and that's the best thing." His father explained again.
Ekansh let out a sigh as his father listed Kiara's qualities. He had to admit, she was beautiful and talented, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't want to get married.
"And what if I don't want to get into an arranged marriage?" he asked pointedly.
"I have been asking you, If you like someone let me know and get married, but you always said you have no one." His father replied.
Ekansh clenched his jaw as his father reminded him of his previous responses. He had told him countless times that he didn't have anyone he was interested in.
"That hasn't changed, Father," he said firmly. "I don't want to get married."
"Ekansh, Enough now, You have always been stubborn, And took all decisions by yourself and I never stopped you, If you don't love someone, arranged marriage is the final choice.
Surely before getting married you can meet her, get to know her, let her know you.
" His father was calm, he knew if he lost his calmness, Ekansh's anger was the worst.
Ekansh stared at his father, his anger mounting with each word. He had always been independent and made decisions on his own terms. The idea of marriage being the only choice frustrated him to no end.
"I don't want to meet her. I don't want to get to know her. I don't want to marry her, I don't want to get married." he said through clenched teeth.
"And what's the problem in her?" His father raised an eyebrow.
Ekansh felt a wave of irritation wash over him at his father's question. The problem was that he didn't want to get married.
"The problem is that I don't want to get married, to her or anyone else," he said through clenched teeth. "And no amount of explaining or convincing will change that. I'm not interested in marriage, Father. I never have been."
"It's because she is my choice, isn't it?" His father raised an eyebrow. "I know it's because I like her, that's why you are not liking her. Just think normally, what if she wasn't my choice? Will you still refuse her?"
Ekansh's jaw clenched even tighter as his father hit the nail on the head. It was true, he had a habit of opposing anything his father suggested, even if it was a good idea.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. "I... I don't know," he admitted through clenched teeth. "But why is it so important for me to get married, anyway?"
"Ekansh life is long, you will need a companion to understand you, to support you, in future you will have kids, who will love you. Marriage is a stage in life one should definitely go through. And I am saying this for your own good." His father explained.
Ekansh leaned back in his chair, sighing exasperatedly. He knew his father was right, but the idea of getting married still didn't sit well with him.
"I understand what you're saying," he said reluctantly.
"then what?" His father questioned back.
Ekansh was silent for a long moment, trying to come up with an answer. He didn't have a valid reason to reject Kiara, aside from the fact that his father had suggested her.
"I don't know," he said finally, his voice tinged with frustration. "But I just... I don't want a marriage."
"I know you are denying it just because I have suggested it, And you will definitely fall for her. Please agree to this son, I know you hate me but trust me I will never want something bad for you." His father said.
Ekansh clenched his fists as his father continued to try and convince him. He wanted to believe that his father had his best interests at heart, but it was difficult to trust him after all the hurt he had caused.
"I know you think it's for the best," he said through clenched teeth. "But I still don't want it. I don't want to get married, And you can't force me to."
"Ekansh this is my final decision, either you Marry her willingly or unwillingly. I am calling them for dinner today. meet them nicely." His father ordered.
Ekansh's anger flared at his father's ultimatum. He couldn't believe how adamant he was about pushing him into a marriage he didn't want.
"You can't force me to marry anyone," he said firmly. "I will not marry Kiara, whether it's willingly or unwillingly."
"Just meet her and get to know her, You will marry her no matter what." His father said and walked out of the study.
Ekansh slammed his fist on the desk in frustration as his father walked out of the room. He couldn't believe how stubborn and manipulative he was.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. He knew there was no point in arguing further, his father had made up his mind.
...........
It was evening when Kiara, her parents, her brother and her sister in law walked inside the Shekhwat's mansion.
They were welcomed by everyone except Ekansh, they settled down and started talking, while Kiara walked inside the kitchen to help her sister.
"Well Mr. Singh there was a reason why I called you all for dinner." Ekansh's father said as he watched him walk downstairs.
"Yes Mr. Shekhawat, what is it?" Her father asked.
"Actually I was thinking about Kiara, she was such a talented girl and I would love to have her as my other daughter in law. I want her to get married to my older son Ekansh." His father said as he reached the hall, he touched everyone's feet and was about to walk out.
"Ekansh, come and sit," his father said.
Ekansh came back and sat, he didn't want to show his anger in front of the guests.
Kiara's mother's expression lit up in excitement, while Kiara's father and brother's expression were more calm.
"That is a great proposal," Kiara's mother spoke up. "Kiara is a very responsible girl, and we will be happy to give her to your son."
"Yeah, Kiara will agree to this. I am sure." Her father said.
"Ekansh?" His father looked towards him.
Ekansh felt all eyes on him. He knew he couldn't say no, not without causing a scene in front of everyone. He clenched his jaw, trying to keep his anger in check.
"You will marry her right?" His father asked.
Ekansh was silent for a few moments, staring at his father. He wanted to object, to tell him no, he didn't want to marry Kiara. But he knew it would be futile.
"Yes," he said through clenched teeth. "I will marry her."
"Kiara," his father called and Kiara came out of the kitchen, "ji uncle?"
As Kiara walked into the room, everyone's eyes turned to her. The kurti she wore hugged her curves perfectly and her long, silky hair cascaded down her shoulders. She looked absolutely beautiful.
"Beta we have decided that you should get married too." His father said and Kiara frowned, she wasn't ready for that.
"But-" she was about to say when her mother cut her off, "To Ekansh." She smiled and Kiara was shocked.
She tried to say something but then Ekansh's step mother said, "Ekansh, take Kiara in the lawn, you guys can talk alone."
Ekansh got up, his expression stoic. He gestured for Kiara to walk with him and led her to the living room.
As soon as they were alone, Ekansh let out a sigh and turned to face her.
She was already looking at him, their eyes met. For a few moments, they just stared at each other. There was so much emotion in Kiara's eyes, confusion, surprise, shock, curiosity and something else that Ekansh couldn't quite place.
Finally, Kiara broke the silence. "Is it true? Are we... getting married?" she asked, her voice soft.
Ekansh took a step closer to her, his expression conflicted. "Yes," he said simply, "My father has decided on it."
"What about you? Are you agreeing on this?" She raised an eyebrow.
Ekansh let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "No, I don't want to. But my father is adamant and I can't refuse him." He admitted, the words paining him as he said it.
She stared at him, "why can't you? Just say no if you don't actually want to get married, I don't want a marriage which only involves me and not the other person."
"It's not that simple," he said, his voice a mix of irritation and resignation. "My father is stubborn, and he always gets his way. If I refuse, I know it will cause an argument, and I don't want to deal with that. I've tried standing up to him before, but it never works."
"So we are getting in a hopeless marriage?" She asked.
Ekansh clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his predicament.
"I don't know what to say," he admitted.
"I don't want this, but I don't see a way out either.
It's not just about me, it's about my father and my family's reputation and our business.
I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, and I don't know how to get out. "
"What am I supposed to do?" She asked, sitting on the couch.
Ekansh let out a frustrated sigh and sat down next to her. "I don't know." He said, his voice laced with resignation. "I'm sorry this has to happen. I know you didn't ask for this either."
..............