With CEO Vyom (Complete)

Chapter 10- Arranged Marriage

Nidha's POV:

My morning alarm rings but I don't make an effort to turn it off. I just lay in my bed, hoping I can escape this all like I've been doing for the past 7 hours. 

The whole night I replayed countless scenarios about what will happen in the morning. Maybe they'll say 'Just kidding it was a joke!' or 'We were just suggesting it'. My endless overthinking kept any bit of sleep I was going to get at a distance and I laid awake all night. 

There is no more escaping it. I get up, turn off the alarm and grab the bag that I packed last night. I take one look around the room that kept me company for the past 3 weeks and bid it goodbye.

Going downstairs I see that everybody is already awake and gathered around the living room. 

"Bacha, I wish you didn't have to go..." Di gets up and approaches me. She grabs my hands and runs her thumb on the back of it. "And that too alone." Her eyes droop in worry and it's evident she's been thinking about this all night too. 

"Don't worry Di, I'll be okay. You take care of yourself okay?" I give her a tight hug. 

The driver loads my bag into the car and we set off to my so-called home. 

The ride feels unbelievably short and we arrive too soon. My feet don't move out of their place and my hands make no effort to open the car door. 

The driver opens the door and I am forced to leave my seat. I take baby steps and make my way to the front door of the house. My house. 

My brother Raj is the first one to spot me. "What took you so long?" He says barely looking up from his phone. 

I don't say anything in response and just stand at the door. I know the moment I set foot in the house, everything will change. Words are going to be said, fights are going to happen, tears will be spilled and most of all guilt will be born. 

My dad walks out of his room and sees me. "Aarti ki thali leke auo tumhare liye? Andar ao." He grabs the newspaper and takes his seat on the couch. "Meeta, Nidha agayi." He calls out to my mom. (You want me to welcome you with a aarti? Get in. Meeta, Nidha is here.)

My mom walks out with 2 cups of chai in her hands. "Betho chalo baat karni hai." She says while handing the cups to my brother and father. (Sit down, we need to talk.)

Silently I make my way over to the couch and sit down the farthest away from them as I can. If we were going to fight, I'm going to need some breathing space. 

Everyone sits around in silence, my dad reading, mom and brother on their phones as I fidget with my hands trying to figure out what's going to happen next. 

My mom finally clears her throat and looks up at me. "Priyanka ne bataya hi hoga, tumhari shaadi kar rahe hai hum." The words leave her mouth so easily as if it's an everyday thing. (Priyanka probably already told you, we are getting you married.)

I let my gaze meet her but just like the past 24 years, I don't see a hint of emotion in them. "Shaadi?" I ask them. (Marriage?)

My father puts down his paper and looks up. "Ha shaadi, ab yeh koi park jaane ki umar toh hai nahi, shaadi kar rahe hai." (Yes marriage. Your age isn't of going to the park anymore, it's of getting married.)

"Aap puch rahe ho ya bata rahe ho? Meri shaadi mere marzi se hogi ya aapke command se?" I look back and forth between my parents. My question looming around in the air. (Are you asking me or letting me know? My marriage should be by my choice not your command.)

"Tumhare maa baap mar nahi gaye jo tum khud shaadi kar logi." My dad's voice rises and he leans forward. "Humne tumhare liye ladka choose kiya hai." (Your parent are still alive to choose a groom for you. We have chosen someone.)

Unable to bear it I spring out of my seat. "Are you kidding me? You're going to force me to get married?" I say running a hand through my hair. 

"Bus!" My brother Raj gets out of his seat and stomps over to me. "Hum issue ache se bata rahe hai toh yeh attitude de rahi hai. Tumhari shaadi Jatin se hogi." He scowls his eyes at me as if his sight was to burn a hole through my skin. (Enough! We are telling you nicely, and you are giving us attitude. You are getting married to Jatin.)

"Mein koi Jatin se shaadi nahi karungi." I say nice and clear. (I'm not marrying him.)

My confidence is faltered when a pair of hands grab me and shake me. "Tum chahti kya ho?" My mom says firming her grip on me. "Humare liya kabhi kuch kar kyu nahi sakti. Jatin se shaadi karogi toh woh bechare Raj ko business mein help karega." (What do you want? Why don't you ever do something for us? If you marry Jatin, he will help Raj in his business.)

Finally, all the dots connect in my head. My marriage is just a safety insurance for my brother's business. My happiness is getting pawned off for his desire just like it did 4 years ago. 

"Humari olad ho ke, humari na hui. Lanat hai." My dad shakes his head in utter disgust. (Our daughter isn't like our own. Shame on her.)

"Doosri behene aapne bhai ke liye jaan de deti hai, tum toh ache ghar mein shaadi bhi na kar sakhi." Raj turns his face away from me. (Other sisters sacrifice their lives for their brother and you couldn't even get married to a good guy.)

I look at him in disbelief. The words hit me like shards of glass, piercing through my heart. 

"Bhalai ka toh zamana nahi raha. Jatin kitna acha ladka hai, ameer aur samajdar. Woh toh tumhe shayad shaadi ke baad job karne ki bhi permission de." My mother puts in all her efforts trying to convince me. (There is no humanity left. Jatin is a good, rich, and understanding guy. He will even give you permission to work after marriage.)

"Permission?" I scoff at her. I brush away her hands and sit back down with my head in my hands. 

"Yeh saab us Priyanka ke sangat ka asar hai. Woh bhi aapne maa baap ko chodke aapne pasand ke ladke se shaadi kar ayi." She shakes her head. "Uss jaisi ladkiya toh maa baap ke liye sharam ki baat hoti hai." (This is all the influence of Priyanka. She got married to the man of her choice. Brought shame to her family.)

"Enough!" I scream unable to bear the insults and stand up. 

My mind spins unsure what to do. All 3 of my family member look at me. The bubbles in my stomach rise and my eyes start fogging with tears. 

I think back to the wonderful day I had yesterday. The fun times with Dev and Pihu and the warmth filled in that house. The moments with Vyom. Then, I think about the chilly environment at this house.

I escaped it 4 years ago. 

I ran away once, and I can't do it again. Maybe this is the penance of my actions.  

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The next words pierce my heart as they leave my mouth.

"Fine, I'll get married." 

Precap: Nidha meets Jatin, and Vyom spots them. 

God this was a heavy chapter!

I hope enjoyed, I tried translating as best I could. 

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