start talking about possible engagement dates"-I felt as

bing through her phone for what was likely an auspic

ed to

as always, his face betraying nothing: no irritation, no reluctance, just

ing affe

the slight tension in his jaw, the almost invi

I was not alone

ing with satisfaction. "We have always known that when the time came,

ack the urge to

be a gesture of reassurance, but all I felt was Mukesh's weight of expect

rgue, to remind them all that I had

" he said, a calm and measured voice. "Meera and

conversation started, I felt th

No matter how much Meera and I resisted, our families we

as right across from me with a perfectly controlled look on her fa

cipated someone more traditional, one that

didn't want this any more than I did, yet she wou

eks on from there, the engagement f

f some sort. One month had been decided for the wedding date; the rest of the events were

ne with, Meera and I had to t

boutique, arms folded across her chest, l

eem thr

sa

aree, I'll probably go ahead an

sig

e engagement." She looked at me, her eyes narr

ill still make sure it will work." "P

brow. "My deal?" She gave her head a slight

e going bananas, trying to get out o

tated a

this only convinces them to press on more determined and assured of vi

"You're saying that if we play pretend and go along

l interest," I added. "Fine. But I will give you a

as nothing more than a slight, brief upturn of the lips, but nevertheless it made m

Ceremony Pr

tives had started arriving, and my mother

ing, decorations, and more guest list ent

perfect couple, made to sit next to each other, smile for pic

ne more person say that we

ng to l

tter get used to it, my dear. We have months of this ahe

ition." "Well, some people also happen to think arranged

kill. "Do I seem like someone who believes i

oice. And that's what bothers you

nest, and somehow, that made me respect her more. Before I could say anything, however,

erfectly, smiling and nodding while receiving the blessings from relatives I ba

ater that night when we had somehow ended up on the t

at the stars above her head. "This is real

h, it

is a version of this where we don't hate it

don't wan

know. Maybe there is a way to make it less awful." That was

y pocket and held out the diamond engagement ring, given

e," I

re you

"You keep it

be the one to decide." Her eyes had widened

ea

softened. Taking the ring slowly,

y. At that moment, there

r the first time, our indignation did not seem to unite us against it. Instead, i