Arranged Marriage
In the bustling city of Jaipur, where traditions met the modern world in a delicate dance, lived a young woman named Priya Sharma. She was known for her spirit and ambition, a woman who dared to dream of a future filled with possibilities. At 26, she had a promising career in advertising and was poised for a promotion. Marriage was the furthest thing from her mind.
However, for Priya's parents, the urgency of finding her a suitable husband was reaching a fever pitch. The Sharmas were a respectable family, and her father, Mr. Sharma, a traditionalist at heart, firmly believed that it was time for his daughter to settle down. As was customary, he began searching for the perfect match.
One evening, after dinner, Priya's mother, Mrs. Sharma, approached her with a hesitant smile.
"Priya, we've found someone," she said softly, her eyes hopeful. "He's from a good family, well-educated, and… well, we think you should meet him."
Priya sighed. She had anticipated this conversation but was hoping to delay it indefinitely. She didn't believe in arranged marriages—she was a firm believer in love, in finding a connection that went beyond social obligations. Yet, the weight of her parents' expectations hung heavy on her.
"Alright, I'll meet him," Priya agreed reluctantly. She could see the relief flood her mother's face.
---
The meeting was set for the following Sunday at a quaint café that both families had agreed upon. Priya wore a simple pastel salwar suit, determined not to dress up as though she was being paraded like an item on display. She walked in with her usual confidence but couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort.
Across the table sat Aarav Kapoor, the prospective groom. He was tall, with sharp features softened by a calm demeanor. He wore a crisp white shirt, looking every bit the successful architect his family claimed him to be. But Priya was determined not to be impressed.
As they sat across from each other, the silence was almost awkward. Aarav was the first to break it.
"So, you didn't want to come today, did you?" he asked, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Priya was taken aback. He was direct, and she appreciated it. "Not really," she admitted. "I don't believe in arranged marriages. I think it's better to get to know someone on your own terms."
Aarav nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. Honestly, I'm not too keen on this setup either. But I agreed to meet you for my parents' sake. Figured I'd give it a shot."
There was something disarming about his honesty. For the next hour, they found themselves talking freely—not about marriage or families, but about their passions, their work, and their dreams. Aarav spoke about his love for architecture, and Priya shared stories about the creative campaigns she was working on. To her surprise, the time flew by.
---
Back at home, Priya's mother was eager for details. "How did it go?" she asked, almost breathless with anticipation.
"It was… fine," Priya said vaguely. She didn't want to admit that she had actually enjoyed Aarav's company. That would only encourage her parents further.
But as the days passed, Priya found herself thinking about him. There was something refreshing about the way he approached life, something she hadn't expected to find in someone from a traditional setup. She had always thought arranged marriages were cold and clinical, devoid of any real emotion. Yet, Aarav seemed to challenge that belief.
A week later, Aarav called. "I enjoyed our conversation, Priya," he said. "I know we're both skeptical about this whole arranged marriage thing. But how about we take it slow, get to know each other, and see where it goes?"
Priya was silent for a moment. Then, with a small smile, she replied, "I think I'd like that."
---
Over the next few months, they met several times. What started as cautious conversations turned into laughter-filled evenings. They discovered they had more in common than they had imagined—shared dreams, a love for travel, and even a mutual obsession with old Hindi songs. Aarav wasn't just someone her parents had chosen; he was becoming a friend, a confidant, someone who saw her not just as a potential wife but as an equal.
Yet, Priya couldn't shake her fear. She was still wary of the expectations that came with marriage, of the loss of independence she feared it might bring. Aarav sensed her hesitation and was patient, never pushing her to make a decision.
One evening, as they strolled through the bustling Jaipur market, Aarav turned to her and asked, "Priya, what are you afraid of?"
She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I'm afraid of losing myself, of becoming someone I don't recognize. I've always had dreams, Aarav, and I'm scared that marriage will make me give them up."
Aarav looked at her with a seriousness she hadn't seen before. "Priya, I don't want a wife who sacrifices herself for a marriage. I want a partner. I want someone who has her own dreams and ambitions. If we do this, I want you to keep being you."
In that moment, Priya realized that this was a man who understood her, who respected her independence. It was a turning point, a realization that maybe, just maybe, she had found someone worth taking a chance on.
---
Six months later, they stood before their families, exchanging vows in a simple yet beautiful ceremony. It was a marriage arranged by tradition, yes, but it had grown into something more—something real, something meaningful.
As they walked down the aisle together, hand in hand, Priya turned to Aarav with a smile. "You know, I never thought an arranged marriage could turn out like this," she whispered.
Aarav squeezed her hand gently. "Maybe it's not the arrangement that matters, Priya. Maybe it's the people in it."
And for the first time in her life, Priya felt that maybe, just maybe, she had found both love and freedom in the most unexpected of places.