𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 ❤️‍🔥

"Shalu, just listen to me for once," her father said patiently. "They're good people. The boy is well-educated, handsome, from a respected family... What more could you possibly want?"

Shalu stared at him in disbelief.

"Is that really enough, Dad?" she asked. "Shouldn't I at least like the person I'm supposed to marry? Shouldn't I know what kind of man he is before spending the rest of my life with him?"

"Knowing that much is enough."

His voice hardened.

"And I'm not planning on giving you the freedom to decide this on your own anymore. I've already told them that the marriage is settled. The engagement will move forward as planned."

The finality in his tone made her chest tighten.

Her father, Shahjahan, rarely changed his mind once he made a decision.

Unfortunately for Shalu, his business mattered far more to him than his daughter's happiness.

Not once did he ask what she wanted.

Not once did he care.

"Listen to your father, dear."

Her mother, Fousiya, walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He only wants what's best for you. Please... don't let this become another fight between the two of you."

Shalu looked at her mother.

The worry in her eyes hurt far more than her father's words.

She forced a small smile.

"Don't worry, Mom. I won't do anything that embarrasses Dad."

Without another word, she turned around and walked upstairs.

The moment her bedroom door closed behind her, the smile vanished.

---

SHAHALA SHAHJAHAN.

Twenty-one years old.

Only daughter of businessman Shahjahan and his wife, Fousiya.

She had recently completed her degree and was preparing to join her father's company.

Or at least, that had been the plan.

Instead, her father had decided it was time for her to get married.

Not because he thought she was ready.

Not because he cared about her future.

But because the marriage would benefit his business.

His company had recently started facing losses, and he had found the perfect solution.

A business alliance disguised as a wedding.

Shalu knew exactly what this marriage meant.

A stronger business empire for her father.

Nothing more.

While other girls dreamt of weddings, she dreamed of building companies.

She wanted to learn the business from the ground up and eventually establish something of her own.

But lately, it felt like every dream she'd ever had was slowly slipping through her fingers.

---

"What are you thinking about?"

The voice pulled her back to reality.

Unable to stay at home any longer, Shalu had gone out to meet her friends.

Now she sat inside a cozy café, staring absentmindedly at her coffee.

One of her friends leaned forward.

"You've been zoning out for the last ten minutes."

Shalu sighed.

"It's nothing."

"Don't lie."

Another friend narrowed her eyes.

"So... when are you joining the company?"

A bitter laugh escaped Shalu.

"Looks like that's not happening anymore."

"What?"

"My father wants me married immediately."

The table fell silent.

"That soon?"

She nodded.

"Everything's already decided. I don't even know who the guy is. I don't know his family. I don't know anything."

Her fingers tightened around her coffee cup.

"But I do know one thing."

The girls waited.

"This marriage will make my father's business more successful."

A humorless smile appeared on her lips.

"And that's probably the only thing he cared about while making this decision."

"That's unfair," one of them said immediately. "How can he force you into a marriage you don't want?"

Shalu shrugged.

"There isn't much I can do now."

Tomorrow, the groom's family would be coming to see her.

The entire thing already felt decided.

"If they like me, the wedding will happen."

She took another sip of coffee.

"If they don't, great. Problem solved."

The girls exchanged worried glances.

Shalu looked calm.

Too calm.

Which meant she was hurting.

Badly.

---

Later, after saying goodbye to her friends, she drove home alone.

No matter how much she pretended otherwise, her heart felt heavy.

Everywhere else, Shalu was fearless.

Confident.

Outspoken.

But in front of her father...

She always became silent.

Every time he made a decision she hated, she ended up accepting it.

And this time was no different.

It felt as though someone had locked her voice away.

---

The next evening arrived far too quickly.

"Shalu, aren't you ready yet?"

Her mother entered the room nervously.

"They'll be here in fifteen minutes."

Shalu looked up from where she sat.

"Already?"

Her mother nodded.

"I'll be down in a minute."

Once her mother left, Shalu locked the door and stared at the lavender gown laid carefully across her bed.

She picked it up and released a long breath.

Then she walked toward the dressing room.

As she got ready, she looked at herself in the mirror.

Don't be upset, Shalu.

Dad believes he's doing what's best for you.

Maybe he's right.

Maybe the man won't be so bad.

And marriage doesn't mean your dreams have to end.

If he's a good person, maybe he'll support them.

So smile.

Just smile.

She forced the corners of her lips upward.

A convincing smile.

One she'd perfected over the years.

---

A little while later, the sound of cars entering the driveway echoed through the house.

They were here.

Curious despite herself, Shalu stepped onto the balcony and looked down.

Two luxury cars had pulled up outside.

Several people stepped out.

A middle-aged couple.

Two young women.

Three men.

Her gaze swept over them.

Which one was the groom?

Before she could figure it out, her father appeared outside wearing the biggest smile she'd seen in weeks.

The sight alone told her how important this meeting was.

For the first time that day, her chest hurt.

Because that smile wasn't for her.

It was for the business deal this marriage would create.

A few minutes later, her mother came upstairs.

"They're waiting."

Shalu nodded and followed her downstairs.

Through the kitchen entrance, her mother handed her a tray of juice glasses.

Shalu immediately groaned.

"Mom, seriously? Do people still do this?"

Her mother laughed.

"No matter how modern the world becomes, bride-seeing ceremonies never change."

"Why couldn't we just meet somewhere outside?"

"Because your mother said so."

Shalu sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

Carrying the tray, she walked toward the living room.

The moment she entered, everyone's attention shifted to her.

"There she is," Shahjahan announced proudly.

"This is my daughter, Shahala."

Shalu offered a polite smile and served everyone.

Then she stepped back quietly.

Still unable to figure out who the groom actually was.

A woman who seemed to be the groom's mother smiled warmly.

"Have you finished your studies, dear?"

"Yes. I completed my degree."

"And now?"

"I was planning to do my MBA."

"That's wonderful."

The woman nodded approvingly.

"You can continue your studies even after marriage. I firmly believe education is important, especially for women. If my daughter-in-law wishes to study further, we'll support her completely."

For the first time that evening, Shalu felt slightly relieved.

The woman seemed kind.

Then she smiled again.

"Do you know who we are?"

Shalu shook her head.

The woman pointed around the room.

"I'm his mother. This is his father."

She introduced everyone one by one.

"My daughters, Suhana and Sana. My son-in-law, Jasir."

Then she gestured toward two young men.

"My younger son, Saneen."

Finally...

Her hand rested on the man sitting beside him.

"And this..."

A smile spread across her face.

"This is the one who came to see you today."

Shalu slowly looked toward him.

At the exact same moment, he looked at her.

Their eyes met.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

"Zaahir Ali."

The woman chuckled affectionately.

"Our Zaai."

For a brief second, neither of them looked away.

And for reasons she couldn't explain...

Shalu's heartbeat skipped.

"Zaai completed his MBA and now runs the company himself," his father said proudly. "Having him there takes a huge burden off my shoulders."

The adults continued talking.

Then Shahjahan cleared his throat.

"Why don't the two of them spend a few minutes talking alone?"

He smiled.

"Young people should have the chance to get to know each other."

Zaai stood.

"So... shall we?"

Shalu hesitated for a second before nodding.

Together, they walked out toward the garden.

And neither of them knew that this simple meeting was about to change everything.

To be continued...!