I arrive at college half an hour late, so I missed my first class. Upon entering the campus, I noticed it was bustling with students, even though it was 8:30 a.m. My college is situated on the outskirts of town, surrounded by lush vegetation. Looking around, I see only a few pupils are visible, while most are engrossed in the lectures. My college is very stringent on attendance, and if the attendance percentage is not maintained, our administration takes appropriate measures.

I walk to the cafeteria and sit on the green lawn, texting Swara that I'm outdoors and that she can meet me once the class is over. My thoughts return to the morning discussion I had with my mother and father. I've seen Rahul a few times at his home; he's very friendly, happy, energetic, and incredibly attractive. I'm still perplexed as to why he wants to marry me. Unexpectedly in my thoughts, I begin to consider all possible alternatives.

Is it possible that his parents found out he likes men? or he's in love with someone else aboard, or perhaps he's dying? After giving it too much thought, I decided to take a break from my unwanted thought.

As I'm about to depart for my next class, I get a text from Papa saying that Rahul will be here this week and that he wants to meet me. He shared his phone number and a picture of Rahul. I download the image, Holy God; he's Adonis. I'm watching his photo when I hear a scream above me.

Stretching my face, I notice Swara staring at Rahul's photo, wide-eyed, and asking, "Who is the gorgeous man? To keep cool, I'm fanning myself. Show me his photo," she says grabbing my phone from my grip.

"Swara, my parents want me to marry him," I tell her as she is engrossed in his photograph.

"Are you certain? He's all set to marry you. Just look at the sexy boy," she adds abruptly, covering her mouth with her palm when she realizes what she has said.

"Ouch, Swara, that hurts, especially coming from my best friend," I say as I get from my seat and walk towards the class.

"I'm sorry, Arya, I didn't mean to upset you," she apologizes, and I shrug. Swara is a beauty queen on the outside, but on the inside, she is a good soul, too; she was the first to befriend me while everyone else ignored my presence. She speaks her mind without filtering what she says, which might be hurtful to others, including me today.

The rest of the day is spent attending classes, lectures, and having fun, with the memory of Rahul fading from my mind. By the evening, I'd arrive home, freshened up, and we'd gathered in the living room for our daily catch-up.

"Arya, how was your day?" Ma interrogates me as she braids Mira's hair while Pari, is sitting in the corner doing her schoolwork.

"It was fine, mum," I say, "I enjoyed the classes."

My Papa walks into the living room, gently kisses my mother's forehead and ours.

"How are my girls doing?" my Papa joyfully inquires.

"Papa, I'm having a sketching competition, so I'm practicing," Pari exclaims.

"Papa, I won first place in the running competition and was given batch," Mira says as she hands the trophy to my father and papa hugs Mira lovingly and appreciating her.

"I had classes all day, papa," I tell him.

"I've been baking everyone's favorite cookies since morning," Ma proudly declares.

"Did you get my message, Arya?" Papa inquires.

"Yes, papa," I say, "but I haven't messaged him yet."

"Good, you didn't message him because Mr. Mehra asked you to meet his son this coming Saturday at the city five-star hotel," Papa says, and this makes my heart race, not because I'm meeting him, but because everything is moving so quickly. I just got the marriage message this morning, and now I'm meeting him without even speaking to him.

"But papa, I wanted to communicate first," I explain, "since it would alleviate some of the uneasiness between us."

"I know beta," he says, "but Mr. Mehra wanted his son to speak with you first, and then you can start conversing."

"I'm at a loss for words, Papa. Everything is moving at such a quick pace that I'm becoming increasingly nervous about the scenario." I tell him about the fear I've been experiencing since the morning.

"I know Arya, this is all new to you," Papa says as he walks up to me and sits beside me on the sofa, hugging me from the side.

"Frankly, we weren't thinking of getting you married so soon, but when Mr. Mehra informed me about this proposal, it made me and your mother think that this proposal will give you status, financially you will be in a good family. You won't have to worry about feeding many mouths by the end of the month." He says, looking sad.

I knew my family was fighting to make ends meet, but their struggle never reached any of the kids. In our times, raising three girls is quite tricky. On the other hand, my parents never complained about having to provide for us and granted all of our wishes.

"Papa, you and ma are the best parents, you fulfilled every wish of ours, and we are very pleased to be your daughters," I say as I clasp my Papa's hand.

"Thank you for everything you do for us selflessly," I say. We sisters hug our parents, and I can see tears in my mother's and father's eyes. We embrace each other, and the silence falls over.

I change the subject because I don't want to see them cry," So when I meet the guy? Isn't it true that I need to prepare myself?" When I tell ma, they both smile at each other.

"This Sunday is the date" With a smile; dad responds, "You only have four days left."

I reciprocate with a smile, and we discuss other topics such as my sister's current hobbies and my mother's upcoming baking business.

I'm a ball of nerves; I haven't met any guy for the meeting heck, I haven't been on a date in my life. Three days go by quickly, and I haven't been taught much about what I need to wear for the meeting. I've moved past the dating stage and am now ready to directly meet the right guy for marriage.

But I told Swara to come with me because I'd need some companion, and she seems to be able to communicate. Until you get to know me, I'm a shy person. When you get to know me, you'll notice that my true personality emerges, entirely different from the person I present to the world, and only a few people close to me have seen it.

Swara and I are sitting in the canteen debating what to wear to the meeting; we've considered lehengas, churidars, and even jeans before deciding that a designer kurta with leggings will look fine on me.

"Are you nervous, Arya?" Swara inquires.

"I'm nervous as hell, Swara," I tell her as I eat my favourite Dhokla (Fermented Batter made from chickpeas).

"If we like each other, the next stage is marriage, and do you understand there will be no turning back for me," I say while savouring my all-time favourite food, Dhokla. It melts in my tongue every time, which brightens my mood every damn time.

"Why don't you decline this marriage? Tell your parents that you wish to focus on your work before getting married. Your peers pay attention to you. Not everyone is blessed with parents like yours, Arya," Swara remarks, and I put down my fork.

Swara comes from a family with a lot of power, unlike mine. When she was five years old, her parents split. She then moved in with her mother, but her mother later married another man, and Swara moved in with her father, but her father is often on tour, leaving her alone at home. She had a slew of boyfriends, but none of them lasted more than two weeks.

"I know," I say confidently, "but this marriage gives them hope, and I don't want that hope to be taken away from them even before it began, and you never know, maybe this is what was meant to be."

"What world do you live in, Arya? We live in an era where we date, test the guy, and then decide to marry them if our compatibility matches. I don't want your life to be like my parents, who married for their elders and ended up destroying the life of a child neither of them wanted," Swara adds, her face emotionless. She's become more challenging over time.

"You know, I've dated a lot of individuals," she says, "and sometimes one isn't good looking, other smells like weed, another isn't good in bed, and yet another is a boring fellow. How will you be able to tell what kind of person Rahul is?" she says.

"I'm very grateful to have a friend like you who cares about me so much. I've never dated anyone or gone close to touching anyone until now. To be honest, I don't give a damn about appearances, physique, or even sexuality. I'd like someone to reach out and touch my soul, making me feel alive. I should feel nothing but love for him when I look at him, despite all of his imperfections. I've always known I wanted a love like my parents, who would do anything for each other without expecting anything," I tell her smiling, thinking about my parents.

"Such people no longer exit Arya, and don't tell me you don't think Rahul is attractive?" Swara admits, "I was fawning over him." She is a forthright young lady who is unconcerned about the outside world.

"He is a good-looking guy, but I would have met him even if he wasn't because you never know what jewel is hidden inside the body, whether it is ugly or good-looking." I tell her, "You know, I never judge people based on their appearance; appearances are only a surface layer; what resides within the body is the human's truest shape."

"Ohhh Arya, put down your philosophy; such things do not exist, and you must awaken from this dream," Swara emphasizes every word, and her anger is apparent.

"OK, drop everything; I'd want you to accompany me to the meeting; I'd like someone to accompany me when I see him. Are you going to come?" I question her.

She nods and hugs me, and we discuss what haircut and make-up I should use if I'm supposed to blow his mind, according to her.