Author's POV
Arjun woke up a bit late that morning, taking full advantage of the weekend.
Stretching his muscles, he got out of bed and headed straight to the washroom to freshen up and take a shower. The warm water helped shake off the last remnants of sleep, and by the time he stepped out, he felt refreshed and awake.
As he walked back into his room, he noticed the figure on his bed stirring. The once peacefully sleeping form was now sitting up, stretching lazily.
Aarav, his younger brother, blinked sleepily at him before grinning. "Good morning, bhaiya," he greeted in a drowsy yet cheerful voice.
Arjun let out a small smile. "Good morning, Chotu. But tell me something—despite having such a big, comfortable room of your own, why do you always take over mine? Hmm?"
Aarav chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Because I love your room… and you too, I guess, just a little bit," he teased. "And also, I missed you! I was away for so long. Didn't you miss me?"
Arjun scoffed lightly but couldn't hide the fondness in his voice. "Yeah, maybe a little bit," he admitted, ruffling Aarav's hair. "Now stop being lazy and go freshen up. Dadu must be waiting for us to have breakfast together."
Aarav groaned dramatically but slid off the bed, making his way to the washroom while Arjun shook his head with a smirk. It felt good to have his little brother back.
As Aarav disappeared into the washroom, Arjun walked toward his wardrobe, picking out a casual yet sharp outfit for the day. By the time he finished getting dressed, Aarav emerged from the washroom, his damp hair sticking to his forehead.
Arjun glanced at him and smirked. "You took long enough. Were you trying to flood the washroom or what?"
Aarav rolled his eyes. "Unlike you, some of us enjoy a long, relaxing shower, bhaiya."
Shaking his head, Arjun grabbed his watch from the bedside table. "Come on, before Dadu starts scolding us for making him wait."
As Arjun and Aarav walked into the dining area, the rich aroma of freshly made breakfast filled the air. Their grandfather, Dadu, was already seated at the table, reading the newspaper.
The moment Aarav entered, Dadu's face lit up. He folded the newspaper and smiled warmly. "Ah, look who finally decided to wake up," he said, motioning for Aarav to sit beside him.
Aarav grinned and plopped down next to him. "Come on, Dadu, you missed me, didn't you?" he teased while serving himself some food.
Dadu chuckled. "Of course, I did! My grandson finally returns home after so long. Tell me, how was your trip?"
Arjun, who had just pulled out a chair to sit, glanced between them, waiting for Dadu to acknowledge him. But the old man didn't even spare him a look. Instead, he was busy talking to Aarav, completely ignoring Arjun's presence.
Arjun cleared his throat, trying to get some attention. "Good morning, Dadu."
Silence.
Dadu continued speaking to Aarav, asking about his journey, his college, and whether he had been eating well. It was as if Arjun wasn't even there.
Arjun sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I see how it is," he muttered under his breath, picking up a toast and taking a bite.
Aarav, noticing the dynamic, tried to hold back a laugh but failed. "Bhaiya, looks like Dadu has disowned you," he teased.
Dadu finally turned to Arjun—but only to give him a pointed look. "Hmph. If someone had bothered enough to listen to me, maybe I wouldn't have to ignore him," he said sharply, before going right back to his conversation with Aarav.
Arjun sighed, rubbing his temple. "Oh god, are we back to this again?" he mumbled to himself, already tired of the silent treatment.
Aarav, who had been happily chatting with Dadu, frowned in confusion. He looked between the two, sensing some underlying tension. "Wait… what does that mean? What did bhaiya do this time?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Before Dadu could answer, Arjun shot Aarav a look that clearly said, drop it. Aarav immediately shut his mouth, though he still looked at them with suspicion.
He might have missed out on whatever happened while he was away in the U.S., but judging by Dadu's cold behavior toward Arjun, it was something serious. And knowing Arjun, he wasn't going to explain it easily.
After breakfast, Arjun grabbed his car keys and was heading towards his office when Aarav suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Bhaiya, today is the weekend! Spend some time with me," Aarav whined. "I'm going to start college soon, and then I won't have much free time. Who knows when we'll get to hang out again?"
Arjun sighed, glancing at his watch. "I know, Aarav, but what can I do? I have a lot of work to finish. I'll try to come back soon, okay?"
Before Aarav could protest further, Dadu's voice cut through the room.
"Arjun, you are not going to the office today," Dadu said firmly, looking up from his newspaper. "Come to the study. I want to talk to you."
Arjun stilled for a moment before exhaling a deep sigh. He knew there was no point in arguing. If Dadu had something to say, he wasn't going to let him escape.
"Okay, Dadu," Arjun said, slipping his car keys back into his pocket.
Aarav watched the exchange with interest, sensing the unspoken tension between them. It seemed like this conversation was about to be something serious.
In the study
Arjun sat across from his grandfather in the study. The scent of old books filled the space, adding to the weight of the conversation looming over them.
"You look like you want to bolt," Harshvardhan said, studying him intently. "Not a fan of the idea, are you?"
Arjun exhaled sharply. "You're asking me to marry a woman I barely know." It wasn't a complete lie. He had known Megha, but he wasn't sure he knew this version of her anymore.
Harshvardhan observed him for a long moment before speaking. "This isn't just about business, Arjun. It's about family. You two together—it makes sense. Her company specializes in luxury, yours in cutting-edge tech. A partnership like that? It's a game-changer."
Arjun scoffed. "So that's what this is? A business deal wrapped in wedding vows?"
Harshvardhan shook his head. "You think I'd push you into something like that without believing it could be good for you? I know you, Arjun. You don't let people in easily. Maybe this is exactly what you need—someone to challenge you, someone who won't let you drown in your work."
Arjun's throat tightened. Megha had challenged him once, too—until everything fell apart.
His grandfather sighed. "Look, I won't force you into anything. But I will ask you to consider it. Don't be so quick to shut the door before you even see what's on the other side. Or else, you know..."
"Or else what, Dadu?" Arjun asked.
"Or else, maybe I'm about to have a heart attack soon," Harshvardhan declared, then dramatically fell backward on the sofa, clutching his chest.
Arjun pinched the bridge of his nose as he stared at his grandfather, who was sighing heavily and clutching his heart like he was in the middle of a soap opera.
"You're being ridiculous," Arjun deadpanned.
Harshvardhan gasped, pressing a hand to his heart. "Ridiculous? My own grandson thinks I'm ridiculous? Oh, the betrayal! My poor heart can't take this."
Arjun crossed his arms. "Uh-huh. If you're having a heart attack, why are you still talking?"
Harshvardhan immediately switched tactics, slumping further into his chair. "I see the light, Arjun. It's calling me. Your grandmother is standing on the other side, calling me. But I can't go in peace knowing you're going to be alone, stubborn, and wasting your life."
Arjun rolled his eyes. "You're not dying."
Harshvardhan peeked one eye open. "Not yet. But I could if you don't agree to this marriage."
Arjun groaned. "You're blackmailing me with your imaginary death?"
His grandfather suddenly sat up, perfectly fine. "Good boy. The wedding is happening."
"What? No, that's not what I said," Arjun protested.
His grandfather, ignoring him completely, clapped his hands together in satisfaction. "But that's what I heard! Oh my, there's so much to prepare for my grandson's wedding. No time to waste talking here!"
Arjun sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew there was no way out of this. Resisting would only lead to more drama, and honestly, he was too tired to fight it anymore. So, he simply accepted his fate.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, something similar was happening between Megha and her grandfather.
Megha sat in the living room, staring at her untouched cup of tea. Across from her,sat with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"You're unusually quiet," he observed. "That's never a good sign."
Megha sighed. "I don't understand why you're doing this, Dadu. Arranged marriages aren't exactly common anymore."
Vikram chuckled. "Ah, but when have I ever done things the common way?" He leaned forward. "This isn't just about business, Megha. It's about your future."
"My future shouldn't be decided by anyone but me," she said firmly.
Vikram nodded. "That's true. And I won't force you. But tell me, what exactly are you afraid of?"
Megha's grip on her cup tightened. I'm afraid of getting close to Arjun again. I'm afraid of the past repeating itself.
But she couldn't say that.
"I just don't think it's a good idea," she murmured instead.
Her grandfather's expression softened. "Megha, I know you. You put up walls. You tell yourself you're fine on your own. But life is better when you have someone to share it with. I wouldn't have chosen just anyone for you. I see something in this match."
She swallowed. "You don't even know him."
Vikram smiled gently. "And yet, I think he might be the one person who could surprise you."
Megha looked away, her heart pounding. He already did once before.
"No, Dadu, that's not what I want. Please try to understand," Megha said, frustration evident in her voice.
Vikram sighed heavily, shaking his head as if carrying the weight of the world. "Megha, I know what is good for you," he said, his voice laced with exaggerated concern. He dramatically leaned back on the couch, pressing a hand to his forehead. "And you know how much I've been stressed about you. Do you want your poor grandfather to lose sleep over this?"
Megha crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Dadu, you sleep like a baby. You snore loud enough to shake the house."
Vikram peeked at her, feigning offense. "How cruel! Here I am, worrying day and night about my granddaughter's future, and this is the thanks I get?"
Megha sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Dadu, this is my life. Shouldn't I get a say in it?"
Vikram sat up, his expression softening for a moment. "Of course, you should. And you do, Megha. But sometimes, those who love us can see things we refuse to acknowledge. Just think about it, beta.
Then he again dramatically leaned on the couch, and rubbed his forehead.
Megha watched her grandfather, dramatically recline on the couch, one hand on his forehead. "Oh, Megha, if only you knew how much this old heart of mine aches."
She arched a brow. "Because of an arranged marriage?"
Vikram peeked at her. "Because my darling granddaughter is ungrateful and cruel to her poor, loving grandfather who only wants what's best for her."
Megha huffed. "Are you seriously faking a heart attack to make me say yes?"
Vikram gasped, clutching his chest again. "Faking? Faking? I raised you, and this is how you treat me? My heart, Megha. It's fragile."
She narrowed her eyes. "Funny how your fragile heart only acts up when I say no."
Vikram sat up straight, looking perfectly fine. "Ah, so you were considering saying yes."
Megha groaned. "That's not what I said!"
Vikram smirked. "Well, my heart feels much better now. I think I'll live."
After that, Vikram left, leaving Megha alone with her thoughts.
She knew there was no way out of this, so she figured she should talk to Arjun.
Taking out her phone, she quickly texted Shreya, asking for Arjun's contact number.
Shreya, though curious, assumed it had something to do with the project and sent her the number without questioning further.
Megha typed the number into her keypad, but as soon as she did, a familiar contact popped up. Her fingers hovered over the screen.
He hadn't changed his number.
Her breath hitched slightly as she stared at the name on the display—
MY JUNU ❤️
Megha froze for a second, her heart clenching at the sight of the old contact name. Memories she had buried deep threatened to surface, but she quickly shook them off.
Shrugging away the emotions creeping in, she pressed the dial button.
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