As they stepped back inside the house, the tension between Anaya and Arjun remained palpable, but the family seemed oblivious. Arjun sat down in his place, his face as stoic as ever, but his mind racing with frustration. He didn’t want this marriage, and yet, every step seemed to push them closer to it.

Nita, Arjun’s grandmother, gestured for Anaya to sit beside her. Anaya hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze on her, but she moved to sit next to the elderly woman.