The news spread like wildfire.
"Oberoi–Chandra Alliance Confirmed!"
"Riya Oberoi to Be Engaged to Kiaan Chandra in Upcoming Society Event!"
"Two Titans of Industry Join Hands Through Future Matrimony!"
There were no official photos, no couple pictures, just two separate images. One of Riya from a charity event. The other of Kiaan, dressed in a black suit at an award show.
The media placed their photos side by side, adding gold borders and shiny titles, pretending that just putting their pictures together meant they had chemistry.
In high society, everyone was talking. Some girls felt jealous. Mothers started dreaming about the guest list and the connection they going to make if they attend the event.
Even people with no real connection to either family couldn't look away. It was like watching a movie beautiful, distant, and impossible to touch.
Pinky saw the news first.
She was at home in her pajamas, watching a romantic comedy and scrolling through her phone. Her thumb stopped when she saw the headline.
"So that's why we got those free jewels back in school," she said out loud. "They were already family."
Kiaan had graduated three years ago. Pinky and her friends finished the year after. Now it all made sense to her, they were in laws.
She quickly called Kavi.
"Your sister is getting engaged to Kiaan?" she asked, needing to hear it from him.
There was a long silence before Kavi replied, "Yeah. It's true."
Pinky got excited. "This is going to be the wedding of the century!"
But Kavi ended the call before she could say anything more. He turned off his phone and put it away.
Elsewhere, Alina saw the news too. She rolled her eyes in disbelief.
She hadn't told anyone what she saw that day. She never acted differently toward Kavi either. But in her own way, she had done what she felt it necessary to do to protect him.
A week later after the engagement news, under the bright sun, the families met at a grand temple to choose a auspicious date for the engagement.
Orange marigolds decorated the entrance. Incense filled the air. Sacred chants echoed inside the temple.
It wasn't a public event, but everyone noticed when the Oberois and Chandras arrived together. People whispered. Cameras clicked.
Riya arrived first, wearing soft-colored sari and gold jewelry. She looked graceful. Her parents followed, proud and smiling.
Kiaan came next with his family, he wore a cream-colored kurta and looked perfect on the outside, but his jaw was tight. He didn't look happy.
Kavi came last, he wore a simple sherwani and stood stiffly.
His stomach had been in knots since they left the house together. He could feel Kiaan behind him but didn't turn around.
They hadn't spoken since that cold, fake handshake a week ago. Now, they stood on the same temple steps, like complete strangers.
Inside, both families sat down with an elderly astrologer. He opened charts, read star signs, and did calculations.
"The stars are best for an engagement next month," he said. "The wedding should happen before the rainy season."
The families smiled and nodded. Riya looked pleased. Kiaan stared at the floor.
Kavi sat in silence, his hands tightly clasped in his lap.
The word "wedding" made him feel sick. Deep down, a small part of him was still hoping…hoping that someone would speak up. That Kiaan would say something. That this would stop.
But no one said anything.
Outside, the public was already reacting:
"Perfect match."
"Business and tradition coming together."
"Kiaan Chandra is no longer single!"
But inside the temple, Kiaan still hadn't lifted his head.
His mother leaned over and whispered something. He nodded without thinking. His father kept watching him closely, wondering why sadness was written all over his face.
And Kavi… Kavi felt like he was breaking.
Each prayer, each word, felt like a piece of his heart being sealed away. He looked at Riya smiling, calm, unaware. She didn't know the truth.
Then he looked at Kiaan.
For one second, Kiaan met his eyes.
And in that second, something passed between them. Pain. Regret. A silent scream.
But just as quickly, Kiaan looked away, the moment was over.
Later, as the families stepped out of the temple, they posed for a photo. Riya stood next to Kiaan, their first official picture together. Kavi stood a little away, arms crossed, dark sunglasses covering his eyes.
He had already made up his mind. There has to be a way out of this, he thought.
I'll find it even if it ruins everything. He isn't going to watch his sister enter a lavender marriage.