In the heart of Jaipur, beneath the pink skies and echoing temple bells, two families sat facing each other, cups of chai in hand. It was a classic setup—arranged by well-meaning parents, orchestrated with care, and punctuated by polite smiles.
Aarav Mehta, a 29-year-old software engineer from Pune, sat stiffly beside his mother. Reserved and methodical, Aarav had always trusted logic more than emotion. Marriage had been a line on his life’s checklist, not a romantic journey.
Across from him sat Meera Sharma, 26, a literature graduate and schoolteacher with a love for poetry and old Bollywood films. Unlike Aarav, she had once believed in love marriages—but after a few failed relationships and her parents’ gentle insistence, she had agreed to "just meet" this boy.
Their first conversation, on the terrace of Meera’s home, was filled with awkward pauses and safe topics—hobbies, jobs, food preferences. But as the sun dipped low and a gentle breeze stirred, they found common ground in their shared love for books and long train journeys.
“I like stories,” Meera said, her eyes thoughtful.
“And I like peace,” Aarav replied. “Maybe we could write a peaceful story together?”
She smiled. “That’s a start.”
Write a comment ...