Chapter 2

**A Silent Engagement**

The days following Arman’s visit were a whirlwind of activity in Ayesha’s home. Her mother was relentless in her enthusiasm, bustling about the house with an energy Ayesha rarely saw. Trays of sweets were ordered, new fabrics for clothes arrived, and endless relatives came and went, their chatter filling every corner of the home.

But amidst the excitement, Ayesha felt as though she were disappearing.

The date of the engagement was set for the following weekend. Her protests, spoken softly to her mother in the dead of night, were met with stern disapproval. “This is a blessing, Ayesha,” her mother insisted, her voice trembling with emotion. “You’ll have everything you could ever want. A husband who is successful, a family that is respected... Don’t ruin this for us.”

Her father’s response was colder. “What do you want, Ayesha? To shame us in front of the entire community?”

There was no space for further argument. Ayesha swallowed her words, retreating to her room where she poured her frustrations into her journal.

The day of the engagement arrived too quickly. The house was transformed with strings of marigold flowers and the aroma of freshly cooked biryani wafting from the kitchen. Ayesha sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her engagement outfit, a deep red lehenga with golden embroidery, felt like a costume. Her dupatta was pinned neatly over her head, framing her face with delicate patterns, but her eyes betrayed her unease.

Her mother entered the room, beaming. “You look beautiful, Ayesha,” she said, adjusting the necklace around her daughter’s neck.

“Thank you, Ammi,” Ayesha murmured.

Her mother paused, noticing her hesitation. “What is it now? You should be happy. Look at all this—we did it for you.”

Ayesha wanted to tell her mother that none of this was for her. That the engagement, the decorations, even the elaborate outfit were all for appearances. But instead, she forced a small smile and nodded.

As the guests began to arrive, Ayesha was escorted downstairs to the large sitting room. Her heart pounded as she stepped into the room, her gaze immediately searching for Arman. He stood near the far end of the room, speaking with a group of relatives. His dark blue sherwani was immaculately tailored, and he looked as composed as ever.

When their eyes met, he offered her a faint smile. It was neither warm nor cold, just neutral. Ayesha wasn’t sure what to make of it.

The ceremony itself was brief but suffocating. Ayesha and Arman sat side by side on a cushioned bench as their families looked on with eager anticipation. The gold engagement ring sparkled in Arman’s hand as he slid it onto Ayesha’s finger. His touch was light, almost hesitant, and she felt a strange mixture of emotions.

When it was her turn, Ayesha’s hands trembled as she picked up the ring. She glanced up at Arman, who nodded slightly, as if to reassure her. She slipped the ring onto his finger, her heart racing. Applause erupted around them, and the room filled with laughter and congratulations.

Ayesha smiled politely, but inside, she felt a growing sense of detachment. This was real now. She was engaged to a man she barely knew, and the weight of it settled heavily on her chest.

After the formalities, Ayesha managed to slip away to the balcony for some air. The cool evening breeze was a welcome contrast to the stifling heat inside. She leaned against the railing, staring out at the city lights and letting the noise of the celebration fade into the background.

“I thought you might need this.”

She turned, startled, to find Arman standing a few feet away, holding a glass of water. His expression was calm, his voice low enough that no one inside could overhear.

“Thank you,” she said softly, taking the glass.

He joined her by the railing, maintaining a respectful distance. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken truce.

“You looked... nervous earlier,” he said finally, his tone neutral but not unkind.

Ayesha glanced at him, surprised. “Did I?”

Arman gave a small shrug. “I suppose it’s natural. All of this must feel overwhelming.”

She studied him for a moment. His words were simple, but there was a hint of understanding in them that she hadn’t expected. “It does,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his gaze focused on the distant skyline. “You’re not the only one, you know. This isn’t exactly how I pictured my life either.”

That caught her off guard. “Then why agree to it?”

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Because some battles aren’t worth fighting. My family expects this, and I’ve learned it’s easier to give them what they want.”

Ayesha frowned. “But what about what you want?”

Arman turned to her then, his dark eyes meeting hers. For the first time, she saw a flicker of something—vulnerability, perhaps. “What about you?” he countered.

She looked away, unable to answer.

Their quiet moment was interrupted by the sound of her mother’s voice calling her name. Ayesha sighed, straightening up. “I should go back.”

Arman nodded. “Of course.” He stepped aside, allowing her to pass, but as she moved toward the door, he spoke again. “For what it’s worth, I’ll try to make this work. I’m not saying it’ll be perfect, but... I’ll try.”

Ayesha turned to him, her chest tightening at the sincerity in his tone. It wasn’t a declaration of love or even an apology for the circumstances, but it was something—a small olive branch in an otherwise thorny situation.

“Thank you,” she said quietly before rejoining the party.

That night, as the guests trickled out and the house fell silent, Ayesha sat in her room, staring at the gold ring on her finger. The weight of it felt strange, like a tether binding her to a life she hadn’t chosen.

Her conversation with Arman played over in her mind. There was a guardedness about him, but also a flicker of something more—a willingness to try, perhaps even a hint of understanding.

It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep her from despairing completely.

As she lay down to sleep, Ayesha couldn’t help but wonder what the future would hold. Would she find happiness in this arranged union? Or would she lose herself entirely in the process?

Only time would tell.