Luv (Un)Arranged (Luv Shuv #3)

Chapter 11

11

Song: Chaar Kadam

- Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal

Aakar

T he moment I said that, Kriti let out a low shriek. I quickly looked at her in concern, my heart in my throat. “Kriti, what’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

Trying to keep my eyes on the road while glancing at her to gauge her reaction, I saw her shaking her head. “Just. Oh god, really? Are we really doing this? Getting married?”

I shook my head, my heart taking its sweet time to calm down. “You scared me there for a second.”

I wanted to—needed to—look at her properly and talk to her. I saw an ice cream parlor up ahead and quickly turned on the indicator to turn right. Since it was the middle of the afternoon, I had no problem finding a shaded parking spot. “Let’s get some ice cream. We need to be the first to celebrate, after all.”

A bright smile lit up her face, and I knew I would move mountains to keep that smile on her face forever.

I picked chocolate flavor while she picked the colorful cassata ice cream made of layers of pistachio, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream.

“It’s a celebration, after all,” she said as she took the ice cream from the server on the other side of the counter. Considering the time of day, the seating area was empty, so we grabbed a seat in the far corner near the window, away from the counter. We sat across from each other, and as Kriti took a bite of her colorful ice cream, I couldn’t help but marvel. This was the woman I was going to marry .

She moaned at the giant bites she took of her ice cream, causing very inappropriate reactions in my body right in the middle of the café. I cleared my throat, shifted in my seat, and offered her a bite of my ice cream. She did the same, and we just enjoyed the delicious bites for a few minutes. Kriti tortured me with her little moans the entire time.

Swirling her spoon in the cup, she asked, “Aakar, can I ask you something personal?”

Kriti wasn’t a shy person. She always looked me in the eye when she talked. But right now, she looked everywhere but at me. I took the bite of ice cream already halfway to my mouth and nodded, signaling her to go ahead.

Her cheeks had turned red as she continued to swirl the ice cream in her cup. “Um, when you said you’ve had girlfriends before, were they like serious girlfriends?”

I nearly choked on my ice cream, her question catching me off guard. Once I could breathe properly, I looked up at her worried eyes.

“Are you okay? I’m so sorry for springing it on you,” she said, her hand halfway across the table, almost touching mine.

Gently, I placed my hand on top of hers, caressing her soft, smooth skin. Slowly, I entwined our fingers together, and when she tightened her hold, I met her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and as she ran her tongue along her bottom lip, I couldn't help but swipe at her lower lip. She gasped. “A bit of ice cream,” I lied.

Her eyes narrowed, catching my lie, but she said nothing.

“And to answer your question, I’ve never had a serious girlfriend before.”

Her lips curled on one side, her voice a little sharper. “So nonserious girlfriends, then?”

I shifted in my chair, trying to gauge what she wanted to hear. I cleared my throat and ran my thumb across her finger. “When I was in college, I had a couple of girlfriends. It was more about being young and not wanting to miss out on the experience. But things didn’t work out. Clearly.”

She nodded, her eyes thoughtful. She removed her hand from mine, and I nearly felt devastated at the loss, but then she ran her finger over my open palm. Her soft exploration sent a shiver racing down my spine. I had to cross my leg over my knee to hide the growing evidence of what the slightest touch from her did to me.

She looked at me, her eyes unreadable, and asked, “So would you say you’re…um…experienced?” She barely got the words out before glancing around to ensure no one overheard us. Then she looked down at our hands.

This time, I didn’t hesitate. I clutched her hand with both of mine and said, “Kriti, you must believe me. I haven’t ever…um…done that with anyone else. I’m a virgin.”

She looked disappointed— What the fuck? —and lamented, “Oh no. You too? God.”

“Um…sorry, what?” I stammered. “Is it a bad thing for us to be virgins? What’s going on in your mind?”

She turned her forlorn eyes to me and said, “Well, now we’ll both be clueless idiots when we have to, you know, do it.”

I burst out laughing. "Clueless idiots!" I laughed and laughed until I had to take a few sips of water to calm down. Unable to resist, I reached forward and gently pulled her pouty, disappointed cheeks.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and then she blushed a deep red. “Aakar,” she chided, but there was no heat in it, just a deeper blush.

“We won’t be clueless idiots,” I assured her.

If we hadn’t been in a public place, I was pretty sure she would’ve wailed in anguish. It was hilarious as she murmured, “How can you be so sure? I was hoping that since you’re a big-shot city boy with all this dating experience, you’d have, you know, done it . And I’d just have to lie back and enjoy it.”

“Oh god.” I rubbed my eyes, trying to control my laughter. “You were just waiting for me to say yes to marriage before bringing out the crazy, weren’t you?”

She snorted. “Of course. I couldn’t discuss such personal things with anyone other than my husband.”

The word hung between us, making us both glance away from each other. Husband . I was going to be a husband .

I was going to be Kriti’s husband. The thought filled me with a mix of exhilaration and terror. I would be responsible for her health and happiness forever. And that scared the ever-loving shit out of me.

But then, I looked at her. Her shy smile. Her eyes, unflinching and direct, looked too deep within me. Her trust in me to be a good husband to her seemed so unflinching that I knew I would do just about anything to make her the happiest fucking wife who ever lived.

Case in point: her ridiculous concerns about our virginity. “Of course. And just because I’m a city boy doesn’t mean women are falling at my feet.”

She muttered something under her breath and said, “Well, we’ll just have to be prepared for a few months of bad sex.”

My eyes widened in horror. “We won’t have bad sex.”

She glanced around the empty café as if expecting someone to jump out from under the tables and boo at us for talking about sex. Then she turned to me and rolled her eyes. “Says the virgin.”

I placed both of my hands on the table and leaned forward. “Just because I haven’t done it doesn’t mean I don’t know how. It doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about what I would love to do with you in a thousand different ways, a million times. You’re underestimating the hunger of a starving man.”

For the first time, she was speechless. Kriti’s eyes dilated to pure black, her cheeks, neck, and nose flushed, and she looked hungry. So I continued, “Do you want me to believe that just because you’re inexperienced, you don’t feel it? The curiosity for my touch? That you don’t imagine my lips touching places other than your hand? That you wouldn’t know what to do with me in bed?”

The realization that I was pushing her buttons transformed her eyes from hungry to challenging. “I’ve read about a thousand ways to touch you. And why limit ourselves to bed? There’s against the wall, in the shower, maybe somewhere scandalous when nobody's home.”

Blood flowed like lava in my veins and rushed down to my cock, and all I could do was stare at her lips as she spoke, turning my world upside down with her words. Before I could get carried away in the sexual dreamland that she was weaving, I suddenly remembered her words from our very first meeting.

I looked at my melted ice cream, now more of a milkshake, and swirled my spoon in it, using the motion to regain control of my cock and get my brain functioning again. “And all of these seductive things would take place six months after our wedding, right?”

Her eyes widened in shock, and I did my best not to smile as she sputtered and struggled to compose herself. With pursed lips, she quickly collected herself. “Of course. I mean, sure. Maybe,” she murmured, blushing furiously. “I mean, I set that condition to give myself the time to feel comfortable with my husband. I didn’t think that…I didn’t expect to feel…uhm…”

“Hunger…attraction…need?” I supplied, my voice husky.

Her blush turned deeper red as she bit her lip. “Uh, yeah. So what I mean to say is…I’m open to trying stuff as we feel it.”

I waited for her to meet my eyes. When she looked at me, I asked, “Just to be clear, you’re okay with me kissing you when I feel like I’d die if I didn’t feel your lips against mine?”

Her tongue licked her lips, making me feel like I was dying right then. “Yeah. That would be good.”

“Good.” My voice was merely a rasp as my throat dried up with the need clawing against my skin.

Right then, my phone buzzed with an incoming message, breaking my sexual haze.

“Excuse me,” I said and picked up the phone.

Abhi: You need to be back soon. Parents are getting uncomfortable.

Me: We’ll be there soon.

Abhi: Cool. FYI, they’re expecting a YES.

Me: I know.

Abhi: Soooo…is it? A YES?

Me: Yes. Now, don’t you dare react or tell ANYONE.

I turned to Kriti and found her already staring at me. My cheeks heated, and I shook my head. “That was Abhi. We need to head back soon. Our parents are starting to wonder about us.”

She rolled her eyes and put the cup of melted ice cream to her mouth, slurping it down. Glorious, this woman.

I followed her lead and downed the chocolate milk. Once we were back in the car, I asked, “Kriti, you’re 100 percent sure?”

I didn’t want to say yes to the marriage if she had even a little bit of doubt about us. Before she could answer, I added, “Just so you’re aware, there are some disadvantages to marrying me.”

I counted on my fingers with one hand, holding the steering wheel with the other. “One, you would have to leave your job here and adapt to a new school and culture. Two, you’ll be moving from a nuclear family to a joint family. Three, I’m an inexperienced virgin.”

She laughed at the third, slapping my arm, chiding me. “You’re thoughtful and caring. For the first time, a man is listing why he might be a bad choice for me, which just makes me trust you more. Aakar, I respect you. After talking to you for the past few weeks, I consider you a friend. And you’re a handsome virgin. Don’t forget that.”

I scoffed at the last part even though my face warmed. Her words stirred a storm of undefinable emotions within me. I wanted to take her in my arms and protect her from every pain in the world. I wanted to touch her, kiss her, bring tears of laughter to her eyes, and receive her scathing glares of anger and frustration. I wanted to hoard it all. Because finally, I was looking at someone I’d call my own. My wife .

I parked the car on the side of the road and turned to her. “Kriti, it is difficult for me to share my feelings with someone. I’m always the one taking care of others. People come to me with troubles, feelings, anything they need to share. I like that I can come to you to share my feelings. I love talking to you, so much so that time never seems enough when I’m with you. And I’m sorry if I’ve never said it out loud. I realized that I hadn’t when you called me handsome, but you’re gorgeous, Kriti. Ever since I first saw you, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. And the more I’ve talked to you, the more you enamored me. I truly feel lucky that you chose me. It isn’t an obligation or a last resort or a chore for me. It is my honor to marry you.”

Her eyes glistened with tears, but she quickly blinked them away. “That’s all I need, Aakar. A man who understands me, respects me, wants to make me happy, finds me beautiful?—”

“Gorgeous.”

“Finds me gorgeous.” She chuckled, then continued, her eyes turning away from me. “And hopefully, maybe, would someday fall in love with me. The rest, I can handle.”

Falling in love with Kriti was inevitable. I was already halfway there.

I looked at her for a moment, then turned my eyes back to the road. I gently clutched her hand, bringing it to my lips. As I kissed her hand, I made an unspoken promise: to understand her, respect her, make her happy, and most definitely, fall in love with her.

Kriti

The moment we stepped inside the house, everyone turned to look at us as if they already knew the answer. I went to sit in the empty spot beside my father while Aakar took a seat between Abhi and Ria. The parents looked at us like children awaiting their parents’ return from a trip to the grocery store, eyes wide with anticipation.

I struggled to keep from laughing at their eager yet disappointed faces. Aakar and I had decided that we’d each tell our families personally, avoiding a big announcement. This way, any objections could be discussed in private.

Seeing no answers from us, Aakar’s family soon left for their village home. As soon as their car disappeared, Maa, Rati, and even Pappa were on me. Even Kartik—whose head was usually buried in his phone—had his eyes fixed on me.

Before Maa could start asking questions, Pappa, for a change, spoke up. “Beta, you seem to like Aakar. You’ve agreed to meet him three times. Are you interested in marrying him?”

Just thinking about Aakar brought a smile to my face. I met my father’s eyes and said, “Yes, Pappa.”

Maa, Rati, and Kartik were silent, hooked to our conversation like never before. Pappa asked softly, “And do you know if Aakar likes you?”

I smiled, remembering the moment we agreed that we’d say Yes. “I’d like to think so.”

This time, Maa asked, “You’d like to think so, or do you know so?”

I rolled my eyes at her. Before I could say anything, the telephone rang. All five of us just knew who that was. Maa’s eyes lit up in delight, and she clutched my father’s arm, dragging him to pick up the call. Pappa smiled, humoring her as he answered.

The four of us watched him as he nodded, informed them it was a yes from me, and continued nodding with a smile on his face. Maa was already beside me, clutching my hand, her grip tightening with every passing minute.

After the obligatory goodbyes, Pappa quickly put down the phone and yelled in delight, “They said YES!!”

I was pulled into the tightest, warmest, and happiest hug that Maa had given me in a very long time. It made me equal parts happy and sad. I just soaked it up. More arms came around us, and my heart tightened. I would soon leave them to go to a new house and family. I didn’t know if they would ever be able to love me the same. I squeezed my mother tighter and let a few tears fall.

Pappa patted my head. “They’ve asked us if we want to do the Chandlo Vidhi tomorrow. At their village home. They said they would call the priest for the auspicious time if tomorrow works for us.” Chandlo Vidhi, literally translated to Vermilion Ceremony, is the ceremony that solidifies the marriage decision between the two families.

Maa turned to me, her eyebrows raised in question. That took me by surprise. Usually, she would’ve already answered yes without a second thought.

I turned to my siblings, who wore wide, excited smiles. I looked at my mother, and if anxiety and relief could have a baby, it would be her face right now. My father, however, was the same as always: steady, relaxed, happy, and my rock. I nodded my head in agreement for tomorrow.

Pappa bent down and kissed my forehead, and in that tiny embrace, I felt his blessings and joy.

He called Aakar’s family back and gave them the go-ahead. As they talked logistics, Kartik patted my cheek and headed to his room, declaring he needed to change into his pajamas. Hearing that, Rati looked at me with pleading eyes, silently asking if I minded if she left. I smiled and rolled my eyes. “Go.”

She pecked me on the cheek and ran upstairs to change.

When five minutes passed, and Pappa was still on the phone, I couldn’t bear it any longer. I turned to Maa with pleading eyes. She shook her head in mock exasperation. “You’ll need to have more tolerance for heavy, traditional clothes in the future. You won’t be able to just run into your room and change into your T-shirt and leggings all the time.”

I quickly got up and gave her a peck on the cheek. “We’ll see about that.”

I ran upstairs before she could get started on how I would need to behave at my in-laws’.

I had a text waiting for me when I got into bed.

Aakar: You ready to be my fiancée?

The word sent sparks of giddiness through my body, and I had to physically bite down on my pillow to stop myself from giggling.

Me: Very, very ready. You ready to be my fiancé?

Aakar: Counting down the hours.

Meera rushed into my room as I was applying my makeup in a blouse and underskirt the next day. She looked beautiful in her yellow lehenga, her blouse embroidered with tiny silver threads, and the skirt’s border matched the embroidery. She’d laid her dupatta on one shoulder, accentuating her curves.

“Gosh, look at you,” I said, turning around and touching the soft material of her dupatta.

She gasped. “Me? Look at you . Just a few days ago, you were single and forcefully eating cucumbers. And today, you’ll be engaged. How do you feel? Are you happy with Aakar? Does he treat you well?”

I laughed. I had kept her posted on the fact that Aakar and I talked, but we were yet to catch up on the extent to which Aakar and I enjoyed each other’s company. “You’ve been busy with planning your move, Meera. Aakar and I have been talking a lot. He’s a good man. He’s also sometimes funny, he respects me, he likes me just the way I am, he shares his thoughts and feelings with me, and he considers me his friend. What more do I need from a husband?”

A slightly uncertain look crossed her face. She straightened her shoulders, held my hands, and asked, “But you always dreamed of a prince coming for you. You always talked about these heroes in your books.”

“And I always said I would have an arranged marriage. Where do you think I was going to find a boyfriend and have a love marriage?”

“Do you love Aakar?”

Her question gave me pause. I thought about all our late night and early afternoon conversations, his little jealousy, his determination to grow his family’s company, and his love for his siblings. I respected him. I trusted him. But was that what love was? He caused a storm of butterflies in my stomach when he talked in that rumbly, beautiful voice, and my body heated at the thought of his hands on me. I loved the thought of us together. But still, was it love?

I looked at Meera and admitted, “To be honest, I don’t know. I know I can’t imagine marrying anybody else. His presence excites me, and I always pray for time to pass slower when he’s with me. I really like him. And maybe I could fall in love with him.”

My words seemed to have given her the assurance she needed. But she still seemed to have some doubts as she chewed her lips before asking, “What if you regret marrying him in the future?”

I squeezed her hand because who else was going to ask me these tough questions right before my engagement? “Then I would have to live with that regret. And if I trust my instincts and know the man that Aakar is, I don’t believe I would regret making this decision.”

Meera nodded, and her eyes shone with determination. “Okay, good. Because if he ends up hurting you, he’d have me to answer to. And Luke. And he would probably tattle to Aakar’s sister, Akira, and she would bring in her fiancé, Sam. So yes. He would have a lot of people to answer to if he ever hurts you.”

I laughed and hugged my best friend. “Thank you, Meera. Your friendship means the world to me.”

“Same. Now, let’s get you ready. We need to leave for Aakar’s place in an hour.”

I leaped out of her hug and got back to my makeup. It was my engagement, and dammit, I was going to look the best. She helped me drape my red saree, pleating it just the right way. I’d bought it for a special occasion, and today was as special as it could get.

I barely got ready on time, but when I entered my living room, what I found had me almost tearing up and ruining all my makeup. All my aunts and uncles and cousins were here; Meera had brought Luke, her little brother, Hari, and her mother with her. I wasn’t used to so many smiles and congratulations directed toward me in a while. The last time people looked at me with such joy was when I had become a teacher and got the job at our school.

Years had passed, most of my cousins, some even younger, were already married, and people had stopped waiting for anything new to happen to my life. And today, for the first time, there were so many people to celebrate me. It made me feel both happy and sad. Happy that they were all here to share my joy but sad that it took my engagement for them to look this happy when they looked at me.

I let it all go and just took a deep breath. My life was going to change from this day forward, and I only wanted happy vibes and heartfelt blessings from the people around me.

It took about six cars for all of us to go to Aakar’s place. And when we reached there, we found several cars parked in their large front yard. Seemed like Aakar’s extended family had come too. He was the eldest sibling, even among the cousins. So naturally, this was the first big event for them.

The front porch was decorated with all the colorful flowers. Marigold and Asopalav leaves hung from the ceiling, and bouquets of white, red, and pink roses floated in large pots filled with water near the door.

Aakar’s entire family stood on the porch for our welcome. Aakar was in the center, flanked on both sides by his parents and Abhi. He wore a black suit over a black shirt, his hair was styled to perfection, his beard was groomed to accentuate his sharp jawline, and I almost stumbled in my steps. His eyes roamed over me, taking in my ruby red-colored saree, heavily embroidered with golden-colored threads. Our eyes met, and I saw his approval, his admiration, and I deliberately roamed my eyes over his suit and raised my eyebrows in appreciation.

He chuckled and shook his head as we walked toward them, me at the center, with my parents on one side, Rati and Kartik on the other. All our friends and relatives cheered and hooted as I stepped on the porch and faced Aakar. Chandla ceremonies were usually not big celebratory ceremonies. But Aakar’s family wanted a good celebration for their eldest son.

Maa lightly pushed me forward, and I got the hint. I went to Aakar’s parents and touched their feet for their blessings, while Aakar touched my parents’ feet. After that, he joined me as I got the blessings from his grandparents and his uncles and aunts.

With so many people in attendance, it took us too long just to enter their house. Inside, they had transformed the place to look like a wedding venue. Flowers and candles were everywhere. There was a beautiful rangoli in the corner, colored powder creating intricate designs of candles and flowers and everything celebration. Everyone took a seat on the empty couches and chairs set around the loveseat where Aakar and I were to sit.

I didn’t know when I had left my parents behind and was walking alongside Aakar, but he softly grazed my fingers as we walked, and I tried not to show his effect on me on my face. He grazed my lower back as he led me to the loveseat, got me seated, and then sat beside me, keeping a respectful distance between us.

Rati, Kartik, and Meera took a seat closest to mine. Since my parents would be involved in the ceremony and rituals, they went to help Aakar’s parents. Abhi and Ria set up a Zoom call, and within the next five minutes, Aakar’s sister, Akira, appeared on the laptop screen. She was decked out in traditional clothes with a handsome American man beside her.

With the way Aakar and I had agreed to get married, and the family’s decision to get us engaged, I hadn’t had the chance to talk to Akira.

While the parents were busy getting things ready, Abhi handed the laptop to Aakar. He held it so both of us would appear on the screen.

Akira screamed, “Congratulations, bhai!! And welcome to the family, bhabhi!!”

Aakar chuckled and brought the laptop closer to my face. “Akira, meet Kriti. Kriti, Akira, and her fiancé, Sam.”

“Hey, guys. I wish you guys could be here.”

Akira wailed at that. “I know. My brother and family have no chill. Don’t you think they should’ve waited a few weeks for me to get there?”

I mock-gasped and turned an angry scowl at Aakar, who was busy scowling at his sister. “Aakar, how could you? Don’t you care about your sister at all?”

Akira repeated my question with an even more exaggerated, sad tone.

Aakar glared at us. “You both are so going to pay for it later.”

He turned serious and a little sad. “Akira, I really did ask everyone to wait for a week or two. Mom and Dad were just adamant that it was a small ceremony, and you didn’t have to travel all the way from America for it. You know we’ll do a much bigger celebration near the wedding.”

Akira genuinely smiled at Aakar. “I understand, bhai. I’m just so happy that you found a partner. I can’t wait to share all your secrets with bhabhi.”

Aakar turned to me and rolled his eyes as if saying little sisters, right? He was about to say something to Akira when our parents and relatives were upon us.

The next few minutes passed in a blur. With the chanting and advice from the priest, our parents took turns blessing us, feeding us sweets, and giving ceremonial gifts. Soon after, our relatives came forward to where we sat. Some gave us envelopes of cash, while some gave us gifts to show us their blessings for our union.

The ceremony barely took half an hour, and my life was forever changed.

Our parents and relatives left us to distribute the sweets to other guests and make arrangements for lunch. Everyone around us was busy talking among themselves, laughing, gossiping, as if everything was just normal. As if a life-changing commitment hadn’t been exchanged between two families.

My eyes met Aakar’s. And I saw the same confusion reflected in his eyes.

He moved a little closer to me so our shoulders touched. He could easily hold my hand this close, entwine our fingers, and squeeze them in comfort. But he can’t. Not in front of all the relatives.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I nodded and shrugged because I had no idea how to explain what I felt. “Uh…yeah. I mean, it just feels…I don’t know.”

“Anticlimactic?”

My eyes widened as he gave a word to the emotions I felt. “Yes.”

He smiled and looked at his hands. “I feel the same.”

His words soothed the anxiety that seemed to be bubbling within me. I was about to respond when our parents arrived and called us for lunch.

They led us to their backyard, which was decorated with garlands of flowers hanging on every available tree along the walls. They called it a backyard, but it looked like a party plot that could fit a little over a hundred people. A huge mango tree stood in one corner, garlands of roses and marigolds hanging off the branches.

Chairs and charpais were laid out across the yard for the guests. A line had already formed at the food counter, and some guests had already started eating dessert.

As we entered the backyard, shouts and whistles welcomed us. Aakar gently laid his hand at the low of my back and laughed and chatted with the guests. His silent presence and support helped me get used to the attention on me. It was disconcerting to have so many eyes on me.

Soon, Meera, Luke, and Aakar’s siblings joined us. Once we’d gotten our plates loaded with food, all of us gathered our chairs together to eat. The food was simple yet delicious.

Aakar and I sat beside each other, looked at each other, but couldn’t have a moment to talk to each other. I was officially engaged to the man sitting beside me, and we hadn’t talked more than three words with each other. We chatted with relatives, we laughed, all the while exchanging helpless glances at each other.

The elders kept coming to talk to us to bid us goodbyes. Soon, all the guests had left, and the only people remaining were our families. The moment I was done with lunch, Maa called me to sit with the ladies of both the families.

Aakar, who still sat with our siblings and friends, turned to me. He looked at the group of ladies calling me over. I could hear his sigh all the way across the yard, or maybe it was me.

With one last helpless shrug, I made my way to my mother.

Certainly, engagements are supposed to be more romantic than this, aren’t they?