"Work, eat, sleep, repeat. That was my life. A never-ending cycle of office deadlines and silent nights. But suddenly, my mother threw a wrench into it—marriage. How was I supposed to explain that I didn't love anyone? And if I didn't love anyone, how could I marry her? How could I make someone happy that way?"
Adi stepped into his mother's room, frustration clear on his face. "No means no, Mom. I don't want to get married. Don't argue with me."
His mother didn't waver. "This is the only argument I want to win, Adi."
He sighed. "You're not understanding me. Suppose I get married and can't make her happy? Then what? Would that be fair?"
She placed a gentle hand on his head. "Son, you're the one who doesn't understand. Don't you want me to leave this world peacefully?"
Adi groaned. "Now it's not an argument—it's blackmail. You always win with this trump card."
His mother smiled softly. "I just want you to settle down, son."
Adi exhaled, his voice quieter. "I know how you feel, Mom, but—"
"For your mother's sake," she interrupted. "And once you settle down, you'll be able to take care of the family without me."
Without thinking, Adi pulled her into a hug. "This family isn't complete without you, Mom. So don't say such things."
She chuckled. "So... you're going to get married, huh?"
Adi smirked helplessly. "Can I even win this?"
His mother grinned in victory. "I already have some proposals. Check these out."
Adi's eyes widened. "You were ready with this already?"
He glanced at the clock. "I'm getting late. Just give me the photos—I'll check them when I'm free."
His mother laughed. "Haha, take your time!"
Adi grabbed the photos and left for work. Adi stepped out of his mother's room and spotted his younger sister, Anya, adjusting her bag, ready to leave for college.
"Oh, you're heading out? I'm on my way to the office too. I'll drop you," Adi said, grabbing his bike keys.
Anya's eyes lit up. "Big bro, thanks!" she said, quickly following him outside. As they got on the bike, she smirked.
"So… you're getting married?"
Adi stayed silent, focusing on the road.
Anya chuckled. "Aww, feeling shy, huh?"
Adi sighed. "What's so funny? You just want something to tease me about. It's not even decided yet."
"Yeah, yeah, I know how you're feeling inside, brother," she teased, nudging his shoulder playfully.
Adi rolled his eyes. "Just focus on your studies, idiot."
As they reached her college, Anya hopped off and turned back with a smirk. "Oh, and don't be late on your wedding day, future groom!"
Adi groaned, shaking his head. "You little—just go to college already!"
Anya laughed and waved as she walked away, leaving Adi sighing before riding off to his office. Was this really just a simple arranged marriage? Or was it the start of something bigger—something he wasn't ready for? Suddenly, a bike sped past him at an alarming speed.
Adi stopped his bike in front of a towering office building, parked it, and headed inside. As he stepped into the elevator, he let out a small sigh.
"Another day, another set of challenges. But I love these challenges—they prove my worth to this company."
The elevator dinged, and as the doors slid open, he spotted a familiar face.
"Yo, Shin. Good morning," Adi greeted.
Shin turned, flashing a small smile. "Hey, Aditya. Morning."
As they walked toward their office, Adi glanced around. "Where's Karin—"
Before he could finish, a sudden weight clung to his shoulder.
"Morning, boys!" a cheerful voice rang out.
Shin yelped. "Ah! What the—"
Adi sighed. "Karin… why are you so energetic first thing in the morning?"
Shin, still flustered, pushed her away. "And why do you always jump on people like that?!"
Karin smirked, placing an elbow on Adi's shoulder.
"Forget him, Adi, my boy. How are you?"
Adi chuckled. "Same as ever."
Before their conversation could continue, a firm voice interrupted them.
"Good morning, boss!" all three of them greeted in unison as Aryan, their superior, approached.
Aryan crossed his arms. "Are you guys here to chat or to work? Get moving."
The trio exchanged glances before hurrying toward their desks. But just as Adi was about to follow, Aryan called out, "Not you, Aditya. Stay."
Adi stopped in his tracks.
"Yes, boss?"
Aryan shook his head and sighed.
"I didn't know you were like that."
Adi frowned. "W-what do you mean?"
Without a word, Aryan tilted his head toward the floor.
Following his gaze, Adi's breath hitched. Scattered across the ground were the photos his mother had given him—the marriage proposals.
Adi scrambled to pick them up, his mind racing. "No, no, it's not what you think—"
Aryan let out a disappointed sigh before turning and walking away.
Adi clenched his jaw. "That guy just waits for chances to embarrass me!"
But just as he gathered the last photo, his fingers froze. His eyes locked onto a familiar face.
Sophia.
A quiet hospital room. The steady beeping of the heart monitor. An old man lay on the bed, his breathing weak and labored.
"Nur—" he coughed violently, struggling to speak. "Nurse... please... call my granddaughter... now..."
The nurse hesitated. "Sir, you need to rest—"
"I-I don't... have time," he gasped, trying to sit up despite his frail body protesting.
"Please, lie down!" The nurse panicked. "Doctor! The patient isn't listening!"
As the doctor rushed in, the old man pulled off his oxygen mask.
"Call... her..." he wheezed. "Now..."
The doctor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright. Just put the mask back on—it's dangerous."
Stepping out of the room, the doctor shook his head. This old man never listens...
Outside, a young woman with long, flowing black hair sat anxiously, her fingers gripping the edge of her coat.
"Miss Sophia?" the doctor called.
She immediately stood, her eyes wide with fear. "How is he? Is he okay? No—don't tell me! I don't want to hear bad news! Please, save him—you can, right?"
"Calm down," the doctor said gently. "He's calling for you."
Sophia didn't wait for another word. She rushed into the room.
"Grandpa!" she cried, kneeling beside the bed. "How are you? You called for me?"
The old man gave a faint smile, his hand trembling as he reached for hers. "My dear Sophia..." He took a slow, deep breath. "I have... something important to tell you. Please, listen."
Sophia's grip tightened. "What is it?"
He exhaled shakily. "I don't... have much time. So... just accept it."
Her brows furrowed. "Accept? Accept what?"
"I..." His voice grew weaker. "I sent your marriage proposal... to someone I trust... So please... don't refuse."
Sophia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wha—what are you talking about?! Why bring this up now? Grandpa, this isn't the time—"
He squeezed her hand, cutting her off.
"Just think of it as... my dying wish..." His breathing grew more erratic. "Please... Sophia..."
His chest rose and fell unevenly. Alarms blared as the doctor and nurses rushed in.
"Grandpa!" Sophia cried as they pulled her away. "Grandpa, no! Stay with me!"
The doctor shut the door.
Two days later...
Sophia knelt in her room, praying before a framed photo of her grandfather.
"Grandpa... I'll fulfill your wish. No matter what." She took a deep breath, then hesitated.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait… does that mean… I have to get married?!"
She pressed her palms against her cheeks, overwhelmed. "Marriage? I never even thought about it. And now, just like that—?!"
Shaking her head, she looked up at her grandfather's photo. "No, I'm not refusing, Grandpa... but..."
Taking a deep breath, she slapped her cheeks lightly. "Alright! I'll do it!"
Then, she suddenly remembered.
"Oh! Grandpa had a photo of the guy." She grabbed her phone and scrolled through her gallery. "Here it is..."
Her jaw dropped.
"Him...? Adi?"
A phone rang. Adi's mother rushed to answer it.
Mother: "Hello? Oh, you've decided? That's wonderful! Who is she…?" (Her face lit up.) "Sophia? Ohh, that Sophia! I'm so glad! Alright, I'll tell her the good news and arrange the meeting."
Meanwhile, Sophia stared at the photo on her phone, her brows furrowing.
"Him? It's him? Why…?"
Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She quickly answered.
Sophia: "Yes, who's this? …Oh, that—" (She stopped mid-sentence.) "No, I mean… yes, I'm Sophia… huh? "He accepted the proposal"?
She fell silent for a moment.
Sophia: "No, I'm not surprised, it's just… yeah… yeah… Tomorrow? A meeting?"
Her voice dropped slightly.
Sophia: "At a café…? I… I'll come. Bye."
She lowered her phone, staring blankly ahead.
"A meeting? Tomorrow? With him? For marriage? Huh…?"
The Next Day
Adi parked his bike outside the café. Taking a breath, he glanced through the window. Inside, Sophia was already seated. At the same moment, she looked up—her eyes meeting his.
After all these years.
Their gazes locked.
What would happen in this meeting? Would things go smoothly… or take an unexpected turn?