Ranbir's Frightened Bride (Irresistible Love #1)

Chapter 1

Surbhi

Istared at my reflection, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me.

Draped in a crimson bridal lehenga embroidered with intricate gold thread, adorned with jewelry that felt far too heavy for my liking, I looked every bit the perfect bride.

The only thing missing was the happiness everyone expected to see on my face.

Growing up, I had convinced myself that marriage was never going to be a part of my life. I had dreams—dreams that stretched far beyond becoming someone's wife or someone's daughter-in-law.

Yet here I was.

About to marry a man I had met only twice after our wedding was fixed. Although I knew him for almost my entire life. We were family friends, and I remember playing with him when we were younger, but once we turned older, we hardly talked.

Ranbir Raichand.

The first meeting had lasted barely fifteen minutes, surrounded by both our families. The second had been a formal dinner where we exchanged a few polite words before our parents happily declared that we were "perfect" for each other.

That was all it had taken.

A lifetime decided in two meetings.

I had tried arguing with my parents in the beginning. I had told them I wasn't ready. I wanted time. I wanted to build a career first.

But every conversation ended the same way.

"You'll understand after marriage."

"This is what's best for you."

"Good proposals don't wait forever."

Eventually, I stopped fighting.

Not because I agreed.

Because I realized there was no point.

Marriage wasn't a choice.

It was inevitable.

My gaze lingered on my own reflection as a thousand unanswered questions crowded my mind.

Would I ever get to pursue the dreams I'd spent years nurturing?

Or would they quietly fade away, replaced by responsibilities I had never asked for?

A knock sounded on the door before it opened.

My mother walked in with a warm smile, her eyes instantly softening as she looked at me.

"You look beautiful," she whispered, adjusting the edge of my dupatta.

I forced a small smile.

She stood beside me, looking at our reflections in the mirror.

"Surbhi," she began gently, "you should be grateful."

I remained silent.

"The Raichands are one of the most respected families. They're wealthy, cultured, and they've accepted you with so much love. Girls are fortunate if they find a family like this."

I nodded.

She continued, her voice carrying years of advice passed down through generations.

"Always respect your in-laws."

Another nod.

"Never refuse them if they ask you to do something."

I lowered my eyes.

"Take care of everyone before yourself."

My throat tightened.

"And remember... a daughter's real home is the one she's going to today."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and simply nodded again.

Satisfied, she cupped my face affectionately.

"I know you'll make us proud."

"I'll try, Maa."

She smiled before leaving the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

Silence settled around me once again.

For a long moment, I stood perfectly still.

Then, the smile I'd been forcing all morning disappeared.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

Then another.

Soon, I wasn't bothering to wipe them away.

I cried—not because I was afraid of Ranbir.

Not because I feared my new family.

I cried because, for the first time, I truly understood something that had always been true.

My life had never really belonged to me.

Every decision had already been made before I was ever asked.

And today...

The biggest one of all had been made for me.

The wedding music echoed through the hall as someone gently nudged me forward.

"It’s time."

Taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the aisle.

Every pair of eyes turned toward me. Smiles, whispered blessings, and the constant flash of cameras followed my every step, but I barely noticed any of it.

My gaze was fixed on the man waiting at the mandap.

Ranbir Raichand.

He stood tall in an ivory sherwani with subtle gold embroidery, looking effortlessly composed.

There wasn't a hint of nervousness on his face.

He greeted the guests with polite smiles, exchanged a few words with the priest, and carried himself with the confidence of someone who belonged exactly where he was.

Unlike me.

Every step I took felt heavier than the last.

As I reached the mandap, our eyes met for a brief moment.

He gave me a small, courteous nod.

I returned it before taking my place beside him.

Close enough to be called husband and wife in a few moments.

Yet we were nothing more than strangers.

It felt strange.

Two people who had barely spoken.

Two people who knew almost nothing about each other.

And yet, everyone around us believed we were beginning the most important journey of our lives together.

The priest began chanting the sacred mantras.

The rituals followed one after another.

Garlands were exchanged.

Blessings were offered.

The sacred fire burned steadily before us as we repeated vows that carried the weight of a lifetime.

Ranbir performed every ritual with quiet confidence, never once appearing uncomfortable. I simply followed the priest's instructions, afraid that if I let my thoughts wander for even a second, I would break down in front of everyone.

Soon, we were seated beside each other.

Our shoulders were barely inches apart.

Neither of us spoke.

There was nothing to say.

The silence between us wasn't awkward.

It was unfamiliar.

I stole a quick glance at him.

He was focused on the ceremony, listening carefully to the priest's instructions, completely at ease.

I wondered if he was thinking about anything at all.

Or was this just another responsibility he had accepted without question?

My fingers tightened around the edge of my dupatta.

With every ritual we completed, it felt as though another piece of my old life was slipping away.

By the time this ceremony ended, I would no longer be just Surbhi Jha.

I would become someone's wife.

Someone's daughter-in-law.

Someone's responsibility.

Everyone kept saying this was the beginning of a new life.

But all I could think was...

Would any part of that new life still belong to me?