Reluctant Marriage, Undeniable Love

Mira's POV

When my alarm went off, I jumped out of bed immediately. I was aware that my mother would be furious with me if I was even a single minute late. Since it was six in the morning, I had to get everything done as soon as possible so that I could prepare breakfast for the family. To complete my morning routine as quickly as possible, I snatched up my towel and hurried to the restroom.

Mira Raghav is who I am. I'm 23 years old, have completed my education, and attended college for two years. I attended Mumbai's local college. Not to explore my dreams, but simply to avoid interfering with my parents' lives. I only learned a handful of things that I didn't want to know. "A bad omen like you doesn't need to study just to work as a maid," my parents would always say when I aspired to become a doctor to save lives.

My parents pulled me out of college in my sophomore year when I arrived home late twice in a row due to a project. They continued hitting me and accusing me of whoring when I tried to tell them. I put an end to all of my dreams, including becoming a doctor, after that day.

Everyone is probably asking themselves, "Why do my parents abuse me?" The answer to that is, well, I'm not even sure. They simply treat me badly and mistreat me for every small error I make. However, my younger brother receives all of the attention that a child longs for. I'm not even permitted to address them as "dad" or "mom." I get up every day with the hope that things will change, but that optimism is invariably dashed at the end of the day. However, I am content with my existence as long as I have a place to live and food. I don't always understand that. Sometimes, due to trivial errors, I have to starve myself. I simply long for a little affection from my parents, but I never receive any in the end. Nevertheless, I harbor a small hope that I will eventually receive some affection and respect.

After taking a shower, I changed into a simple red churidar and a yellow dupatta. I applied chapstick and moisturizer to my face. I formally got ready for the day by leaving my hair down. I'm not a fan of cosmetics or overdoing it.

As usual, I prayed for a good day for everyone. Then, realizing that time was running out, I hurried to the kitchen below.

• • • •

I walked to the kitchen and began preparing the chai and kneading the paratha dough. My mom came into the kitchen and yelled, "Why aren't you done cooking yet?" Well, this is Swetha Raghav, my mother. She despises me and would stop at nothing to get rid of me.

I was terrified when I glanced up at her. Her loud voice usually made me feel shy. "I'm asking you something!" she said. I was a stuttering mess. "I..I..." How am I going to let her know that she's early today? "You...you got up earlier than...normal, so..." She struck me across the face before I could finish. Although it hurt a lot, I'm used to it. She screamed, "How dare you talk back to me!?"

I was unable to respond. I'd get spanked again if I did. "I'm so sorry; I'll finish up quickly." "You be" My younger brother Rohan Raghav interrupted her. For those that know him, he's called Ro. "Mom is breakfast ready? I have to go to college." Rohan said. "Good morning sweetie. This peasant is almost done. Now get lost and finish. My baby needs to leave." My mom remarked.

I hurried to the kitchen and got to work preparing food. Everyone may be asking why the wealthy Raghav family doesn't have maids in their home. We do, of course, but their purpose is to tidy everyone's room-aside from mine, of course. My parents don't like me handling their belongings, which is why. When I go grocery shopping, I am not permitted to speak to the maids or anybody else.

The servants do express sympathy, but there is nothing I can do about it. However, I have to cook everything and clean the rest of the house. I don't hate cooking for them because I truly enjoy it, but it stings when they don't value my efforts and only consider me to be one of the maids.

I put everything on the dining table after I was done cooking. I watched my dad descend and take a seat at the table. Akhil Raghav is my father! Although he is not as horrible as my mother, he shares her hatred of me.

I began serving them once everyone had sat down. My mother said, disgusted, "Serve my baby Ro first. He is getting late because of you, rat!" I nodded hastily and began serving him. I noticed some pity when I gazed into his eyes. I'm not sure whether I'm seeing it correctly, though. Every day, my brother doesn't talk to me or say anything to me. The bond between us is not typical among siblings.

After I finished serving everyone, they all began to eat as freely as they always did. Like every other day, I went to the kitchen and cleaned up while they were eating. Their family chats, which I seldom participate in, were audible to me. Although it doesn't mean anything to me and I am accustomed to it, it hurts in my heart.

I soon heard them rising. I then walked outside to retrieve their dishes and placed them in the kitchen. I noticed Rohan's bag by the chair when I went to get the last of the dishes, indicating that he had forgotten it. I grabbed it because I knew he was probably going to leave, and I was about to bolt from the house when my mother stopped me. "Where are you going, and why are you holding Rohan's bag?" she inquired. "H...e for...go...t it so... I was going... to give it to him..." "Then why are you standing here? Go!" she shouted. I gave a nod and hurried out the door.

Before he went, I called his name as I noticed him getting into his car. "Rohan." I hurried up to him as soon as he turned back to face me. By the time I got to him, I was breathless. As I took deep breaths, I added, "You...forgot your...bag." After glancing at me, he opened the door of his automobile. When he pulled out a water bottle and handed it to me, my bewilderment vanished.

I was about to accept it when I recalled something my mother had said. I shook my head in disapproval and noticed a glimmer of shame in his eyes, but he quickly averted his gaze and nodded, returning the water bottle. "You don't deserve anything from me, Akhil, and especially not my son Rohan. Stay away from us and our things!" I said. I gave him the bag, and he said 'thank you' quickly as he drove away.

• • • •

I walked inside and got a few slaps while doing my usual tasks. Not as horrible as the previous days. Since my other bruises haven't healed yet, I'm grateful that I didn't sustain any more today.

By nightfall, I had completed everything, and everyone had retired to their quarters. I so entered my boring and uninteresting room as well. There was an old mattress and bed in the room, along with a side table that had a lamp on it. A little dressing table, a tiny closet, a small adjoining bathroom, and a bookshelf containing some books I purchased myself.

I earned the money while I was in college and worked part-time in a cafe for a year to pay for books, but I was eventually caught by my father and forced to quit. You guessed it: my mother tormented me severely after that. In addition to being slapped and hungry for three days, I was struck by a belt.

I picked up a book and switched on the lamp on my side table. Since I don't have many books, I have read them all many times, but I'm content with them.

Despite not using it, I do have money saved up from my part-time employment. I only give it to those who are in need. Many individuals around the world are living without food or shelter. I feel fortunate to have at least those things when I think about them. I therefore constantly strive to assist those in need when I see them. My greatest joys are playing with children at the park and donating to charitable causes. Every time I go grocery shopping, I always get done before curfew and visit the park and temple.

This was how I lived every day. Get up, get ready, pray, cook, get teased, cook and clean, be spanked or tortured, make supper, clean up, go to my room and read, reflect on my day, come up with one major question, and then go to sleep.

Since I had to wake up early the following day, I put my book away and turned off the lamp. I lay on my bed and reflected on my day while gazing up at the ceiling. Ultimately, I considered that one question I asked myself every time. Will I find love and respect from anyone in this world? With that in mind, I entered the realm of dreams and lived my life as I had always desired.

• Aditya's POV

I turned off my alarm as soon as it sounded and got out of bed. I put on my gym clothes and washed my teeth since I could never be late. After that, I spent an hour doing my usual routine at my home gym.

I returned to my room after my workout to shower and get ready for the day. I put on my wristwatch, which Ayesha had given me last year, and got dressed in my dark blue Armani suit.

It was eight o'clock when I finished getting ready. Driver Kaka was waiting for me when I got outside after going downstairs. Our family's driver, Kaka, had been employed by us since I was a young child. "Good morning beta" "Good morning Kaka". After saying that, I climbed into the back seat as driver Kaka turned on the ignition and headed for my office. I checked Ayesha's texts on my phone, as I do every day.

Text Communications:

Ayesha: Happy Morning, Sweetheart! What are you doing?

Me: Good morning, sweetie

What are you doing, Ayesha?

Me: Are you and I heading to the office?

Ayesha: Today is my shoot day. Please let's go to my favorite restaurant because my shoot ends at three.

Me: I'll do my best. My schedule determines this. I'll attempt to wrap up all of my appointments by six, and I'll come get you at six thirty.

Ayesha: I'm getting late, so goodbye, sweetie. At 4:30, I'll be waiting for you! Goodbye! I cherish you!

• • • •

The car arrived at 'Kumar Industries', a tall structure that is the result of my dad's labors, and I am now following in his footsteps, as I was wrapping up my conversation with Ayesha. Everyone hailed me as I walked inside the building, and other girls drooled as they gazed at me. I ignored them as usual and proceeded to my office, followed by Sahil, my PA.

"Sir, good morning," Sahil said. I simply nodded and asked, "What is the schedule for today?" "Sir, you have a meeting with 'Goenka Inc' today at 11 a.m., followed by a meeting with Gupta Corp. at 1 p.m., and a virtual meeting with the 'Shahs' at 2:30 p.m. That's all for today, and everything will be wrapped up by 5:30." I nodded and said, "Okay, give me the files for all of the meetings for today and bring me my coffee, black coffee just the way I like it." Sahil then left, and I went to work.

I owe all of this notoriety and attention to who I am. Aditya Kumar, Aditya. 'Kumar Industries'' sole heir and my parents' only son. When it comes to my family, I always melt, even if I can be aloof and conceited in public and at work. 'Kumar Mansion' is where my parents reside, and I dwell alone in my penthouse for privacy.

A few minutes later, I heard the door slam, and my best friend Sidharth Singh was the only one who could enter without knocking. "What's up, buddy?" "Can't you see, I'm working? And you always have to walk in without knocking." "Yeah yeah, whatever. I'm your brother from another mother man" he replied. His drama is about to begin. I rolled my eyes and responded, "Whatever you say." "Man, I know you love me a lot." "And when did I say that" "So you tryna say you hate me? I knew it. I should have left you from day one." He grumbled. What a drama queen. I ignored him because this is quite typical. "What do you want now?" "It's my best friend's office. I can come like this whenever I want." "You know people work, unlike you. I wonder how you have a company that hasn't failed and is also one of the best companies." I replied. He wiped the fictitious dust from his shirt and declared, "I am a multitasker dude. I can do everything."

After five more minutes of conversation, he asked me, "How are Mom and Dad?" about our parents. He is treated by my parents as if he were their son. When Sidharth was eight years old, his parents perished in a vehicle accident. He was adopted by his father's brother, but only to obtain his possessions. Because our dads were best friends and business colleagues, my dad discovered that his uncle had been abusing him. Thus, he moved in with us. Unfortunately, he is now both my business partner and dearest friend.

"What are you doing this evening? Want to go out to a club tonight?" inquired the man. "I'm going out with Ayesha to a restaurant, so I can't," I replied. In addition, he has never liked Ayesha and still does not. "That girl man! I swear to god she is just using you for your money." "Dude stop it! You are always after her." "Whatever. Now I have to go. I will see you later. Bye!" "Hm, bye." He replied and abruptly disappeared. He believes she is only taking advantage of me.

• • • •

It was 6:03 p.m. when I checked my time after a long day of meetings and a ton of work. Because of the media and the drama they create, I drove over to Ayesha's penthouse and entered covertly from the rear.

I got in when her guards noticed me. I walked directly to her room since I knew where she was. She was applying cosmetics when I saw her wearing a tiny dress that exposed nearly everything. Saying "Hey babe" by her ear, I gave her a back hug. "Wow babe, you are on time for once." She turned to face me again, and she was correct. Every time I have to meet her, I'm late because something usually comes up. She replied in a sensual tone, "I completed everything on time today just to take you out." "Well, you deserve a reward for that." She put her lips on mine and we had a passionate makeout session before I could even fathom where this was going. I reached into her garment and touched every inch of her. "We should get going or we'll be late," I said after we ran out of oxygen.

We made our way to a five-star restaurant in our automobile. After the manager welcomed us inside, we were shown to a private table.

"So babe I think you should tell your parents about us and you know we can take this relationship to the next step." I understand what Ayesha meant when she said that after we had sat down and placed our food order. Getting married! She was also correct. After two and a half years of dating, we are well familiar with one another. Marrying someone you know is preferable to marrying a stranger. "I agree. I will speak to my parents about us tomorrow and I bet they'll also agree." I said. "Thank you, baby."

When the dinner arrived, we chatted a lot while we ate. After paying the bill, we concealed it from the press and fled. She gave me a kiss when I pulled up to her apartment. With a sultry tone, she asked, "Won't you come inside?" Knowing what she meant, a grin was starting to appear on my face. After parking, I followed her inside. I completed it and then retired to my penthouse for the night.

Mira's POV

I had an hour before I had to return home after finishing my food shopping. I went to the temple as usual.

I'm dressed in a simple sea-green churidar with knitted designs and a white dupatta with gold lace at the edges. A small black bindi was also placed in the center of my eyebrows.

I said a quick prayer so that I could visit the park as well. On my way back, I noticed an elderly couple using the temple's stairs to approach the building. The elderly man stumbled and was on the verge of falling, but I was nearby and hurried over, catching his arm. "Are you okay, uncle?" I inquired as I assisted him in standing up. Did you sustain any injuries? With a modest smile, he turned to face me and said, "Thank you, beta. I didn't get wounded, and I'm okay." He had a charming appearance.

After that, I heard a woman behind me. "Why are you so awkward, Anil? "You see, your bones would have been going in all different directions if this nice girl hadn't helped you," she remarked. "I'm grateful, kid. She patted my cheeks and remarked, "He's a very old clumsy man." It felt like a mother caressing her child when she caressed my cheek. "Don't worry, aunt. It was my duty as a person to assist another human. "I said." "What is your name beta?" she inquired with a smile. "Mira," I answered. "What a lovely name, and don't worry, Priya. Uncle remarked, "I'm too attractive to have broken bones." He stated that, and we all burst out laughing.

"It was nice meeting you all but I have to go or else I'll get late." Grinning, I said. "Meeting you was pleasant as well. "Hopefully, we'll see you around," Aunty added. Uncle said, "Thanks once again." I waved goodbye to them with a smile before heading to the park.

• • • •

When I got there and saw all the children running around, I couldn't help but smile. I went to my favorite bench to enjoy the joy and the lovely surroundings. I searched everywhere for that special someone, but I was unable to locate him. "Are you trying to find me chaand?" was then heard behind me. I spotted my adorable little Arun when I turned around. "No, I was genuinely looking for someone else. Do I know you, too? "I said." I could tell he was getting angry from the way he looked at me. "Chaand see it's me, your Arun!" he sulked. He approached me, sat on my knee, and gave me a firm hug. "Oh, it is my Arun!" I replied as I hugged him in return. He kissed my cheek and flashed me his 100-watt smile.

Arun is a young boy of four years old. I met his mother, Preeti, when we were both in college. Although we weren't close, we collaborated on a few projects. A few months after I was removed from college, I used to visit this place and saw her with her husband and two-year-old son, Arun. After that, we were close, and Arun became closer to me as he grew older. You may be asking why he refers to me as "Chaand." He calls me that because he claims that my heart is as brilliant as the moon and that it illuminates his entire day in the same way that the moon does the night sky.

For fifteen to twenty-five minutes, Arun and I chatted and played with the other children. I reasoned that I should go back since my curfew was almost up. I bid Arun farewell and planted a kiss on his cheek. Telling the driver's uncle to take me home, I climbed into the car. To prevent me from wandering around and stealing their money, my driver uncle is required to accompany me while I go food shopping. I'm not sure where they get these ideas, but whatever. My driver uncle is aware of my predicament and that I visit the park and temple, but he chooses not to inform them, for which I am incredibly appreciative.

• • • •

Mansion of Raghav

After arriving home, I unloaded all of the groceries. "The maids left early, and Rohan spilled something in his room, so you better clean it up now," my mother said as she approached me. And you have no right to handle any of his belongings." I had only visited his room once to deliver his lunch because he was preparing for an exam, so I was surprised when she requested me to go back to his room. She had to ask me because, as she mentioned, there are no other employees. Well, more like order me than ask.

Leaving those thoughts behind, I went to his room and cleaned up the mess with a rag. He might become irate or anything if I didn't knock on his door, so I did. A low 'come in' prompted me to open the door and enter. The space was large and filled with opulent furnishings. I noticed Rohan studying at his desk with his laptop and other books.

His eyes were inquisitive as he gazed up at me. "Moth..er asked me to clean the spi..ll up because all the other mai..ds left early," I suppose I said in response to the question about why I was here. Oh no, I'm stuttering once more. I'm not sure why, but I stutter around this entire family. He simply nodded, and I got to work wiping up the juice that had spilled on his desk and around the chair. I proceeded to clean his desk where he was seated after I had done cleaning the floor. I noticed his work while I was cleaning, and he had given an erroneous answer to one of the questions.

I answered, "That is incorrect," since I had studied this in college. It should be 18 instead of 12. He glanced at the question, then back at me. After answering the question, he received eighteen this time. He offered me a wide smile as he glanced at me. "I'm grateful. You're extremely talented at this, I must say, but I detest this subject. Particularly what we currently need to learn". God, engineering is so difficult!" He smiled broadly for the first time, and I thought I was overanalyzing it, but he felt like a brother to me, someone I could confide in and who would watch out for me.

"I don't like math either," I replied with a smile, adding, "but this was easy for me so I remembered." I'm very happy that I didn't stammer! He opened his mouth to speak, but his mother interrupted. "Why are you taking so long? Are you attempting to control my son in any way? The stuttering has returned, and I was saying "N..oo" while shaking my head. Boom! My cheek was slapped hard. "Get out!" I looked down, nodded, and hurried out of the room.

It was quite painful. I brushed away the tears that were in my eyes. The remainder of the day proceeded in the same manner after that. I slept with an empty stomach, which is normal, because I was punished by not eating anything.