If Dada hadn't threatened me, saying he would cut me off from the family if I didn't fly down from the Dubai shooting location, I wouldn't be sitting here in a club in Nashik.
 
'You're 30! Do I need to remind you of that every day? You keep tainting the family name day by day. And it's much more severe than what Kedar did, and I've been ignoring it for so long. How long are you going to fool around with some actresses? Show me one woman who's worthy of being the daughter-in-law of this family, and I'll leave you alone.' He said when I met him at the palace. And I couldn't name any of my girl friends that he'd like me to bring into the family.
 
'I'm done with your shenanigans. You'll get married before you turn 31, to the girl we choose.'
 
It was my final warning. Either obey the king or leave the family. And I couldn't let the latter one happen—let go of the Panwar surname and the tremendous privilege that came with it. So I have to wed whatever grisly twat he finds for me. 
 
I sat in the cafeteria of the club, waiting for the girl he had found for me. She was getting annoyingly late, and I had to scroll through Instagram while Agastya got up from his chair to take a stroll. Apparently Agastya, Anandi and Zoya are the only grandchildren in his good books, so he sent Agastya with me so I don't fuck this up. 
 
After what felt like an eternity, the girl ran upstairs, wearing a white skirt and t-shirt with a badminton racquet in her hand. She was panting and drenched in sweat from climbing the stairs hastily.
 
Is she that desperate to see me?
 
She looked timid, or was it the excitement of seeing me? I can't blame her since most people react like this upon meeting me in person. 
 
She seemed barely over twenty, ten years younger than me. Oh boy, she was pretty, even with the dishevelled hair and sweat-drenched face. She could've made a little effort to get ready, but I guess it's fine. I was thinking that Dada would match me up with some fugly spinster with shit ton of generational wealth. But I was wrong.
 
She walked towards me as if she couldn't believe what she was watching with her own eyes. 
 
'Ms. Sawhney?' Agastya asked her as she neared us. She nodded her head, yes. 
 
'Your grandfather sent us.' He said. Her eyes travelled from Agastya to me. 
 
I gestured for her to sit, and she obeyed. 
 
'I'll be outside.' Agastya said and walked out of the room, leaving us alone.
 
'Your grandfather asked me to ring him up once I see you.' I said as I dialled the phone, and once the call connected, I handed it over to her. Her hands trembled a little as she took the phone.
 
'Dada,' Her voice stuttered, probably from all the running. The call seemed to last for a minute, and all her responses were just single words like, yes, okay, ha. 
 
So, not a yapper, which is good in a marriage. 
 
'So, you're here to marry me?' She asked as she gave my phone back.
 
'You didn't know?' 
 
She nodded her head. I was surprised that she didn't know. 
 
'What can I say? My grandfather made this promise to your grandfather years ago, and here I am.' I shrugged my shoulders.
 
'So, you're not interested in this alliance?' 
 
'To be honest, I wasn't. Until I saw you. You look pretty enough to be my wife. What more can a guy ask for?' 
 
'Well, there are certain other things than beauty in a marriage.' She stated, which made me a little annoyed. She is not that quiet; she has her own silly little opinions. 
 
'Honey, it's an arranged marriage. Nothing else matters in an arranged marriage other than money and beauty.' 
 
She lowered her eyes, probably thinking about it. I felt a bit victorious deep down. It would be better to suppress these stupid thoughts of hers as early as possible.
 
'So, you play badminton?' I asked, pointing at the racquet placed on top of the table. 
 
'Yes, every day.' She seemed to be really into this hobby of hers.
 
'Well, we have to wind up the date.' I said and checked my watch. It was already six twenty, and I had to catch my flight to Dubai. 'I am on a tight schedule.' I said and stood up. 'Bye, hon. I'll text you.' 
 
She gave me a smile as I walked away. Now, I have to break up with Anika in Dubai, and it's not going to be easy.