Chapter 1: Arrival and Whispers

Priya pushed open the heavy iron gate of the haveli. She gripped the handle of her wheeled suitcase tight. She dragged it behind her over the uneven stone pathway. Dust from the Mumbai street clung to her sandals. She paused for a second and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. The train ride from college had lasted eight hours. She shook her head to clear the fog from her mind. Cramped seats and loud passengers filled her thoughts. Now the familiar courtyard spread out before her. Tall mango trees lined the sides. She breathed in the scent of jasmine from the vines climbing the walls.

She reached the entrance steps. Priya bent down and slipped off her jootis one by one. She placed them neatly on the stone ledge beside the door. Cool marble tiles greeted her bare feet inside the threshold. Her mother rushed forward from the inner hallway. Kamla wore a simple cotton saree and smiled wide. Priya dropped her purse and wrapped her arms around her mother. Kamla hugged her back tight. She pulled away and dipped her finger in a small vermilion pot on the side table. Kamla pressed the tilak mark firm on Priya's forehead. Red powder stayed cool against her skin.

"You look thin, beta," Kamla said. She scanned Priya up and down. "Did they feed you properly in that hostel?"

Priya nodded quick. "Food was okay, Ma. Just busy with exams." She picked up her purse again.

Kamla took Priya's hand. "Come inside. Your father waits." She led Priya through the arched corridor. Lamps hung from the ceiling and cast yellow light on the walls.

Priya's father stepped out from the veranda door. Ramesh carried a newspaper folded under his arm. He spotted the suitcase and grabbed the handle right away. "Let me take that," he said. He pulled it smoothly behind him. "How was the train from Pune? Any delays?"

Priya walked beside him. "Train left on time, Papa. But it stopped twice near Lonavala for signals." She adjusted the strap of her dupatta over her shoulder. Ramesh nodded and wheeled the bag toward the stairs.

Aryan leaned against the arched doorway to the living room. He crossed his arms over his chest. His white kurta fit snug across his shoulders. Priya caught sight of him. Aryan fixed his gaze on her face. He held it steady without a blink. Priya met his eyes for a split second. Heat climbed her neck. She looked down at the floor tiles quick. Memories from last Diwali flashed in her head. His hand on her waist during the rangoli making. Stolen touches in the kitchen. She pushed the thoughts away.

Kamla called out. "Everyone, wash up. Tea first." Priya followed her parents into the living room. Cushions lined the low wooden charpoys. A brass tray sat on the center table with steel tumblers.

Priya sat on the edge of a cushion. She crossed her legs and smoothed her salwar kameez. Ramesh placed the suitcase against the wall. He sat across from her and unfolded his newspaper. "College life suits you, Priya. But now focus on home matters."

Kamla poured steaming chai from a thermos. She handed Priya a glass first. "Drink this. You need strength." Priya took it and sipped slow. Spices warmed her throat.

Aryan stayed in the doorway a moment longer. He pushed off the frame and walked past them toward the kitchen. Priya watched his back. Broad shoulders moved under the fabric. He disappeared around the corner.

Kamla chatted about the neighbors. "Mrs. Sharma's daughter got engaged last week. Such a nice boy from Delhi." Priya nodded and listened half. Ramesh grunted from behind his paper.

Priya finished her chai. She set the glass down. "I need to unpack, Ma." Kamla waved her hand. "Later. Rest first."

Priya stood up. She excused herself and headed toward the hallway. Her room lay at the end. Parents' room door stood half-open on the left. Voices drifted out. Priya slowed her steps. She paused right behind the wooden frame. Kamla spoke clear inside.

"Rajesh's son is perfect for her shaadi. He works in a big bank. Good family too."

Priya gripped the doorframe with both hands. Knuckles turned white. She leaned closer without making noise. Ramesh replied from inside. "Yes, he seems suitable. We'll fix the date after Diwali. No rush now."

Priya's breath caught. She pressed her lips together tight. Arranged marriage. Rajesh uncle's son. She met him once at a family wedding. Tall, quiet type. But her mind jumped to Aryan. No. She shook her head slight. Duty came first. Family honor.

She stepped back quiet. Footsteps sounded in the hallway behind her. Priya turned halfway. Aryan stood there ten feet away. He positioned himself against the opposite wall. Aryan watched her tense shoulders. Priya released the doorframe. She straightened up and walked fast toward her room.

Kamla's voice rang out from the living room. "Everyone, dinner time! Come to the dining area."

Priya stopped. She turned back. Family moved toward the inner courtyard. Low dining table sat under the open sky. Diwali lamps flickered on the ledge. Servants laid out steel thalis and bowls. Steam rose from rice and sabzi.

Ramesh sat at the head. Kamla took the spot next to him. Priya knelt on a cushion and arranged her dupatta. Aryan walked in last. He scanned the seats quick. Priya sat on the right side. Aryan dropped down right beside her. Their knees almost touched under the tablecloth.

Kamla served rice first. She scooped piles onto each plate. "Priya, tell us about your exams. Top marks again?"

Priya picked up her spoon. "Most subjects good, Ma. History paper was tough." She mixed dal into the rice.

Ramesh nodded. "Study hard. Life after college needs planning." He tore a roti and dipped it in curry.

Aryan reached for the dal bowl in the center. He ladled a big spoonful onto Priya's plate. His bare foot slid under the tablecloth. He pressed it deliberate against her ankle. Priya froze. Skin met skin warm. She shifted her leg slight but he kept it there.

Aryan leaned toward her ear. He spoke low so only she heard. "You're mine first." His breath brushed her ear.

Priya's cheeks turned red hot. She gripped her spoon tight. Water glass stood next to her thali. Her hand jerked. She knocked it over. Water spilled across the tablecloth. It soaked into the fabric quick.

Kamla jumped up. "Arre, careful Priya!"

Priya stood fast. "Sorry, Ma. Not feeling well." She pressed a napkin to the spill. Heart pounded in her ears. She rushed away from the table. Bare feet slapped the tiles.

She headed straight to her room. Door clicked shut behind her. Priya leaned against it. Chest rose and fell fast. Aryan's words echoed. You're mine first. She crossed to the bed and sat down. Phone lay in her purse. She pulled it out. Fingers tapped quick on the screen. "Meet me now." She hit send to Aryan.

Minutes passed. Priya paced the room. She opened the wardrobe and pulled out a silk saree. Red with gold border. She changed quick into it. Fabric draped soft over her body. Mirror on the wall showed her reflection. She adjusted the pleats.

Footsteps approached outside. Soft ones in the corridor. Aryan slipped through the shadows of the pillars. He reached her door. Priya opened it before he knocked. She tugged the pallu of her saree loose teasingly.