Rohan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cream-colored sherwani, the fabric soft against his skin. His reflection stared back at him, but he hardly recognized the man in the ornate attire. Today was supposed to be a celebration—a joyous occasion marking his engagement to Asha. Yet, as he tightened the fabric around his waist, a sense of unease settled in his stomach like a heavy stone. The weight of family expectations pressed down on him, suffocating and relentless.His parents had always envisioned this day, meticulously planning every detail of the ceremony to ensure it reflected their values and traditions. Rohan could hear his mother bustling around the house, her voice rising above the chatter of relatives who had gathered to help with the preparations. They were excited, caught up in the whirlwind of festivities, while he felt like an unwilling participant in a play he hadn't auditioned for.Rohan's thoughts drifted to Asha. He had been captivated by her beauty and grace from their first meeting, yet he couldn't shake the nagging doubt that lingered in the back of his mind. Did she truly want to marry him? Or was she simply going along with what her family expected? The uncertainty gnawed at him, making it difficult to focus on anything but his own swirling emotions.As he paced the room, Rohan's younger sister, Nisha, peeked through the door. "You look handsome," she said with a bright smile that momentarily lifted his spirits."Thanks," Rohan replied, forcing a grin. "But I feel more like a mannequin than a groom."Nisha laughed, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "You're just nervous. It's normal! Everyone feels pressure during these ceremonies." She paused before adding, "But you have to remember that it's about more than just you and Asha; it's about our families coming together."Rohan nodded but felt a pang of frustration at her words. It was precisely this notion—the merging of families—that troubled him most. He loved his family dearly and respected their traditions but felt suffocated by their expectations. As the eldest son, he was meant to be the pillar of strength for everyone else—a role he often found daunting."Do you ever feel like you're living someone else's life?" Rohan asked suddenly, surprising himself with his candidness.Nisha tilted her head thoughtfully. "What do you mean?""I don't know," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I'm being pushed into this engagement without really having a say in it. It's as if my life is already mapped out for me."Nisha frowned slightly but then stepped closer, her voice softening. "Rohan, you're not alone in this. You can still make choices within these traditions. Just talk to Asha; get to know her better before making any decisions."Rohan sighed heavily, feeling both comforted and frustrated by her words. "I want to, but what if she doesn't want this either? What if we're both just going through the motions?""Then talk about it," Nisha urged gently. "You owe it to each other to be honest."As Nisha left to help their mother with preparations, Rohan found himself alone with his thoughts once more. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to push away the doubts swirling in his mind.Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the dresser—an incoming message from Karan, his childhood friend and confidant.Karan: Hey man! Ready for today? Remember what we talked about?Rohan hesitated before typing back.Rohan: Not really... feeling overwhelmed.Karan responded almost immediately.Karan: You've got this! Just remember: it's your life too!Rohan appreciated Karan's encouragement but felt an ache in his chest as he thought about what lay ahead. He had secrets—burdens that weighed heavily on him—that he hadn't shared with anyone.He glanced out the window at the garden below where family members were setting up decorations for the ceremony. The vibrant colors contrasted sharply with his internal turmoil.Taking a deep breath, Rohan decided to confide in Karan during their upcoming conversation later that evening after all the festivities were over.As he continued preparing for the ceremony, Rohan couldn't shake off thoughts of Asha and whether she truly wished to marry him or if she was simply complying with societal norms like everyone else around them.When he finally stepped out of his room and joined his family downstairs, they were deep in conversation about the significance of rituals and traditions surrounding arranged marriages."Rohan!" His father called out as soon as he entered the living room. "Come here! We need your input on some last-minute arrangements."Rohan approached them reluctantly as they discussed various aspects of the ceremony—the merging of families, honoring ancestors through rituals, and ensuring everything was perfect for their guests."Remember," his father said firmly, "this union is not just between you and Asha; it represents our families coming together as one.""I understand," Rohan replied quietly but felt a surge of frustration rise within him again. Why did everything have to revolve around family expectations?His mother chimed in enthusiastically about how important it was for them to uphold traditions while also embracing modern elements that would resonate with younger generations."Tradition is our foundation," she said passionately. "It connects us to our roots and reminds us of who we are."Rohan nodded along but felt increasingly detached from their fervor; all he could think about was how trapped he felt within these expectations—like a marionette dancing on strings pulled by others.As discussions continued around him—talking about guest lists and seating arrangements—his mind wandered back to Asha and whether she shared similar feelings about their engagement.Later that evening, after all preparations had been finalized and guests began arriving for the ceremony, Rohan found himself standing by the entrance greeting family members while scanning the crowd for Asha.When she finally appeared—radiant in her crimson lehenga—his heart skipped a beat despite his earlier doubts. She looked stunning; yet there was something in her eyes that mirrored his own uncertainty."Hey," Asha greeted shyly as she approached him amidst laughter and chatter surrounding them."Hi," Rohan replied softly but couldn't shake off an unsettling feeling deep inside him—a nagging question that lingered: Does she truly want this?As they exchanged pleasantries and engaged with relatives together throughout the evening—smiling politely while navigating through conversations filled with familial pride—he couldn't help but wonder if they were both merely playing roles assigned by society rather than embracing their own desires.The night unfolded beautifully—the warmth of laughter filling every corner—but beneath it all lay an undercurrent of tension that neither could ignore.In moments when they stole glances at each other across crowded rooms or shared quiet smiles amidst boisterous laughter from relatives celebrating their union—it became increasingly clear that both were grappling with unspoken doubts about what lay ahead.Would they find a way to break free from these constraints? Or would they remain caged within expectations set forth by families who only saw them as pieces in a larger puzzle?As Rohan watched Asha interact with guests—her laughter ringing like music through air—he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her from whatever burdens weighed heavily on both their hearts.Perhaps tonight would be the turning point where they could finally confront their fears together; perhaps tonight would mark not just an engagement ceremony but also an opportunity for liberation—a chance for both of them to step beyond societal confines into something genuine and real.With renewed determination coursing through him like electricity sparking against skin—Rohan resolved that no matter how daunting it seemed—they would navigate this journey together; hand-in-hand forging their own path amidst tradition while discovering love along way…