But the fact that
this version
of me is my real self

Dholakia residence. New Delhi

Following the successful graduation fashion show, you had two days off as a fashion design student. However, you were so tired that you decided to sleep in. Vidhan and his parents were invited to your home at 7 pm to discuss marriage negotiations.

The idea that Vidhan, whose father was a famous Bollywood director, would be a perfect match for you gave you a headache and deep dissatisfaction. To find the ideal match, you need to find your soulmate. But, unfortunately, Vidhan is not your perfect soulmate, and you'd instead marry a yellow string.

Your 12th birthday marked the day you became engaged. During middle school, you liked him so much that you began dating him. However, a year later, you couldn't handle a flirty guy with no regard for his girlfriend.

From that point on, dating was out. Alia acted more defiantly. She was promised to a politician's son, but Alia thought he was a package and a vella (boring loser). You may not have understood the concept of soulmates or the billionaire legacy club since you were young and carefree.

You and Alia's parents want you to get engaged. But, both of you will not get married only if you meet your "Indian" red gold soulmates belonging to the  Billionaire Legacy clubs.

Having a big black cloud over your head made you unable to sleep last night. Alia's cousin is not someone you can relate to. He was lucky to be yellow string, but how about you? You can fall madly in love with your soulmate even if you're on a blue string. Vidhan will break your heart. It wouldn't be a good idea to have children with Vidhan.

Arranged marriages benefit only the man. So it is imperative that you give Vidham pure love and affection, and he can't wait for it. He would want to be spoiled rotten and pampered by you. You cannot believe it! He is also extremely jealous.

The fact that you started getting noticed in the limelight at the age of fourteen made Vidhan's radar always on you. After your fourteenth birthday, negotiations became more serious.

After you dumped him, you told him that you won't ever get married to a jerk like him, and he smugly said to you that." We'll see."

The dinner party with the politician's son seems to take place at the same time at Alias'house. Alia was ranting and raving about how unfair the club was. This was such an old-school event. What are the reasons for parental control over their children? In Alia's opinion, these marriages are for social satisfaction and financial gain only. In other words, it is only meant to enhance, preserve, and maintain a pure ancestral lineage. Business partners will love this.

By law, she was declared "free to love" after being Tarnished. No billionaire club or rigged system will stop her from dating a South Korean for a change. There is no obedient 'Samiya' in her.

The dreaded Bhatts' visit took place on this dreaded evening. While your parents ushered in the family, you kept a blank expression on your face. As Vidhan looked at you appreciatively, he had a smirk on his face. His excitement at the prospect of marrying you is overwhelming.

You may be sweet, but there is a toughness in your character that he has always loved since you were an adolescent. You don't put up with nonsense.

As soon as Mrs. Bhatt saw you, she told your family you had turned out to be a world-class beauty, and that is why she wanted her son to get engaged to one of the Dholakias' gorgeous daughters. During dinner, Priya snorted the whole time, and your mom looked at her with dagger eyes.

The food was delicious. You and mom had a great time cooking together. Since Mukhi and Oliver were going to be parents again, they were celebrating with Maira instead.

The way that Priya sat there with sparkling eyes while Vidhan licked his lips and how you scrunched up your face told her everything.

Your palaka (parents) sat outside in the pool area after dinner. The weather was warm and humid. Masala Chai is the most popular and favorite beverage in India. So you offered to make it for your parents. Black tea is mixed with aromatic herbs and spices from India to make this spicy, earthy, delicious tea. Mrs. Bhatt and your dad chose this tea, while

Mr. Bhatt and your mother chose Mango Lassi to aid digestion. 

Laughing, your mother replied, "Go make the drinks while we discuss."

Despite the irritation in your expression, you smile graciously at your parents as you hurry to the kitchen with a very amused Vidhan following close behind. You inhaled deeply at the kitchen counter. What will you do to get out of this mess? Vidhan is to blame for everything. You dumped him years ago, but he still can't seem to get over it.

His presence was felt behind you. When he gives you an unexpected back hug, you get shivers down your spine. You sigh as you try to free yourself from his holds.

"Vidhan, get your hands off me", you said, your eyes flickering into his.

As Vidhan looked at you with an undefined emotion in his eyes, he chuckled and bit his lip. Gosh, this prat knows he's hot." As I told you many years ago, you would be mine one day. We will get married, and I can't wait to love you deeply -"

You turn abruptly around, and he has his body pressing against yours, and restraints you. "Oh, Vidhan, don't be a hormonal pratt!" Your hands are pressed against his well-defined chest as he smirks when you remove your hands." ...I'll bond with my soulmate...don't be too disappointed. I will connect with my destined soulmate."

He let you go, stood with his hands in his pockets, and looked at you with narrowed eyes," My darling, there is where you make a mistake. Even though we are both members of this Billiionnaire's club, we will marry each other. You are going to be my wife, so accept it."

Turning around quickly, you wipe away the teardrops from your eyes. Life is unfair. Why? 

You didn't want your mother to come looking for you, so you quickly prepared the drinks while Vidham placed the glasses and cups on a tray. He watched your distressed face the entire time, and he knows you were thinking murderous thoughts. He loves you very much. During your dating period, you fought a lot. It's always been you.

After a few minutes, you follow Vidhan to where your family was. Bollywood and the movie industry were topics of laughter and candid conversation. Their uncle of Alia suggested casting Alia for a movie, but Alia declined, stating she was going to South Korea.

Vidhan was drinking a soda while you were too upset to drink. Your engagement conditions were just being negotiated.

Your dad smiles broadly, "Darling..you can go to South Korea for two years to study whatever you applied for. However, Vidhan wanted you to get engaged before you leave. What do you think of that?"

You sucked in a sharp breath as you looked directly into your father's eyes," Dad, I have a bucket list. I am still very young and want to grow as a person to become a complete woman. As a single woman, I want to travel, experience life, and go to university. However, I don't want to marry until I'm 30..."

"Oh goodness, my dear...you want babies so late in life. Why...by 22, your mom and I already had our first child. Why so late in life?... Vidhan hopes to be a father by 25 years old." Mrs. Bhatt exclaimed. She felt that Alia was the culprit in leading you astray with these liberal values.

The eyes of Vidhans' mother are filled with disappointment as you look at them. Mom wasn't very impressed.

" Aunty, I'm young. I studied fashion design, and I want to design clothes for my online boutique. I want to succeed first. Then, there will be less burden on my husband to care for me." You explained. As successful businessmen, Mr. Bhatt and your father nod in understanding. They love your ambition.

In his calculating eyes, Vidhan looked at you and said, "You can do that even after we get married. I won't stand in the way of your success."

Then you look at him square in the eye as you dart back and forth, "Mom, Dad, what if I'm red gold? I've heard the system gets stricter with the red gold strings. The legacy club cannot even oppose it. Redgold must be together. Despite cultural differences...I want to meet my soulmate first, and if we are not a red-gold match...we can renegotiate the terms...Vidhan can date another woman as he loved his freedom while I study and wait for my soulmate." you smile smugly at a narrow-eyed Vidhan. You are stalling the negotiations, he knows.

Vidhan chuckled softly, "Very smooth," he whispered next to you.

As you smile stiffly at him, you said, "Oh Viddy...I don't want you to miss having the most beautiful girls at your side. I know your weakness, and I don't think you are ready for marriage. "

Vidhan's father looked at his son with a warning look on his face. "No more gallivanting with other girls..."Marriage is a serious institution". Vidhan loves women. When he was a teen, he cheated on all of his girlfriends. Even now, he wants you as a trophy. " You should always be faithful to your wife, "You praise his father inwardly.

"It is my daughter who must be the only one in your heart. Samiya is a happy girl, and I don't want her to weep because of you. We were going to keep an eye on you. But, as Samiya said, you are free to date other people in the meantime while she searches for her soulmate. So, during the two years of her absence, you may date other people. Let's grant her wish." Your mom states.

Right there, you could jump up and kiss your mom. It is your deepest wish to be accepted and loved unconditionally by your soulmate. That will determine whether you will marry this jerk or not. Even the way he kissed you didn't appeal to you. Despite being 13 years old, his kisses were too grown-up, and it made you uncomfortable. This was too much for you, and for a long time, you wanted to break up with him.

Inhaling deeply, Vidhan said, "And I will give her the freedom she deserves. The engagement doesn't have to happen right away. I can only back -off if she is red-gold. Then, she can have her soulmate. Mr. Dholakia, I will take good care of your daughter. I have always loved her. I felt lost when she broke up with me, but now I have a second chance to cherish her. Samiya, I promise you..." as he was looking at you affectionately. You winced inwardly," ...I will be the perfect husband for you. My heart belongs only to you. This ring is for you...not as an engagement ring, but as a promise ring to my undying love."

The way you look at him, shocked and bewildered. Your shocked face causes him to smile inwardly. It is a game for two players. You had another thing coming if you thought you could get out of this marriage.

The sincerity and affection displayed by Vidhans towards their daughter left your parents in awe. As he took out the box, his parents looked proudly at him as he kneeled before you with a broad smile. You stare at him with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

Your mouth fell open as he put the ring on your ring finger, taking your beautifully manicured hands into his big, rough ones. 

As you gazed at the ring, you gave him one of your signature forced smiles. Despite its simplicity, the ring was costly and elegant. This platinum ring was encircled by diamonds surrounding a huge diamond. He must have spent a fortune on it. Vidhan had impeccable taste even when it came to his women. 

You were gently pulled up in his arms and softly kissed on the cheek. Your parents clapped with excitement. Yet, a deep dread fills your heart as you look down. It would help if you waited for your soulmate to appear before you are doomed to marry Vidhan Bhatt.

As you gaze at the happy family, you say, " Uncle, Aunt, please excuse me for a few minutes. I need to do something." Then, bowing quickly, you turn on your heels. When you were inside your room and out of their sight. You paced up and down with a racing heart.

What the hell is going on? Vidhan pulled a beautiful stunt acting as if he was in love with you and telling blatant lies about his everlasting love for you. Your parents devoured it like sweet cakes. What's up with that? You could kill that prat.

You quickly ran to your bedside, where your phone was charging. You grabbed it and called your friend frantically. You hope she will be available. Now is the time to rant and rave.

"Oh my Gosh, Samiya how was it with my family?" she asked after a few rings.

Inhaling sharply, you told her what transpired moments ago. 

She laughed with surprise in her voice, "Vidhan told his parents that he would marry you and bought you a 130 million rupee ring. That man is crazy. As much as I love him, he will not make a good husband.

"Don't I know that, Alia! I want my soulmate...but what if he rejects me or I never meet him...I'll be married to a womanizer, Alia. I...don't want him." You said with a resounding cry.

Her tone is very irritated. "At least your parents allowed you to find your soulmate and then marry. Unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky.".

"It seems I forgot about those negotiations! What happened to them? ", you asked, concerned about Alia's feelings toward the politician son. Their past was harrowing. In addition to attending the same private school, they were both Tarnished. That's a story for another time.

"Samiya, I...I don't want to get married to that guy who was responsible for my shattered teenage heart... I hate him (that loser). Whenever I see him ,Sami, I always think of that awful night. I even didn't tell my parents how much we hated each other. Political legacy is important to them. I've become a chronic dater because of him, so no. I just can't." She sounded as if she was going to cry.

"I'm so sorry, Alia. You and Ranveer hurt each other so much throughout high school. I suggest that you tell your palaka (parents) before everything is finalized..." You feel for Alia. Alia's first love was Ranveer, but he left her so devastated. It was because of him that she wanted to prove she was worthy and beautiful to the world. Alia is the most sought-after model for Indian designers and beauty companies. She felt inadequate despite all her accomplishments.

Alia sniffed loudly," My dad told me it's because of all the dating scandals, and they want me to marry an aspiring politician. He has already started dating a stunning model...I know he hates me even more...and tonight, when we were alone in Dad's office, he told me exactly how he feels about me. I was told he would never love me while we were married. He'll only marry me, have a son, and divorce me in two years when he inherits his grandfather's billions. That is why he agrees to the negotiations. Mind you... a surrogate will carry our supposed son. So my first child will not even be conceived naturally, and I will not even bring my child into the world..."

"My goodness, I had no idea Ranveer was so cruel after what he did to you earlier. We're going to Korea, and you're going to date all those cute Korean guys and cause scandals so that he won't marry you. We are leaving, so don't cry. We are going to have a great time in South Korea, ok. So let's meet tomorrow for lunch." You consoled your friend. You hate this marriage business. 

It's ok. I'll see you tomorrow," she said softly chuckling.

Priya knocked on your door before entering without being invited in, "Mom said I should call you now. The Bhatts are leaving now?" Priya informed you as she entered.

"Ok...bye Ali...gotta go," you said, hanging up and, with a sigh, following Priya out of the bedroom.

A/N: It seems our leads are both forced into arranged marriages.

Thank you to all my Jin-stans who showed so much love to this soulmate book. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. 

Question 1: Any thoughts about Alia's past with her fiance?

Question 2: Do you think Vidhan will be a significant factor in Samiya life?