10 Days Ago
"What do you mean you've fixed my marriage?" Meera asked her father, stunned.
"I mean exactly what I said. Your marriage has been arranged." Mr. Patel replied, looking at her firmly.
"You can't do this to me, Dad. I'm too young for all this. I have dreams. I want to see the world, expand our business - not just manage it, but take it global!" Meera protested.
"Look, I just witnessed a tragedy recently, and I don't want anything like that to ever happen to my daughter. That's why this marriage is non-negotiable. The boy will be here in a few days. You'll meet him - and you will marry him. Is that clear?" Mr. Patel said sternly before walking away.
"This is never going to happen." Meera muttered to herself. She had made up her mind - she would never accept a match chosen by her father. She didn't believe in love, but she did believe in finding someone who understood her - someone who wouldn't clip her wings but fly with her. And that, she knew, would never come from an arranged marriage.
After that day, she distanced herself from her father. He assumed it was a phase of rebellion. But Meera knew - this was her stand.
----
Present Day
Swapnil stood up and walked toward Meera. "Marriage is not a joke. You can't just decide when to keep it and when to break it. Do you even realize what's happened here?" he asked, trying to keep his tone calm. Even Sameer was surprised by how composed he sounded.
Meera gently tapped his shoulder. "Try to understand. That would be better for both of us. Especially if you plan on staying alive." she said with a hint of a smile.
Swapnil realized reasoning wouldn't work. Meera never made things easy. "Are you threatening me?" he asked, glaring.
"No. Consider it as advice." Meera replied smoothly.
"Well, I reject this marriage." Swapnil said bluntly.
"You have no right to decide that. Especially when you are the one who involved me in this." Meera countered.
"Is this about money? Are you trying to extort me?" Swapnil asked.
Samir, seeing Meera's confident smile, understood - this girl wasn't ordinary. She was the sole heir to Patel Industries. She must need something big from Swapnil, and that's why she wouldn't let this marriage go.
Before Swapnil could respond, Samir intervened. "Swapnil, I need to talk to you - alone - before you say anything else."
As Meera walked to the door, she paused. "I'm sorry, Swapnil Sir. But this marriage needs to stay. And if I have to force it, I will."
There was ambition and determination in her eyes. That's why Samir had placed her in Swapnil's department. He knew Meera never gave up easily. She walked out of the room.
"I swear I'll - " Swapnil started, but Samir stopped him.
"Listen, this is serious. Did you see her eyes? She's been troubled for days. You noticed something was off, right? Now this certificate has given her a chance."
"But why should I stay trapped in an unwanted marriage just because she wants it?" Swapnil asked.
"Think about it. She's stubborn. You know that. If she's decided something, she'll make it happen - with or without your consent."
"You think I'm scared of Mr. Patel or her threats? I'm from a family that can outmatch theirs even without a surname. I don't care if it's Miss or Mr. Patel - I won't back down." Swapnil declared.
"You're missing the point. You know your family is trying to get you married. Just because you and your father had a fallout doesn't mean they've given up. Sooner or later, they'll reel you back in. You saw it in your cousin's wedding, right? Use this as a shield."
"You're saying I should use Meera to avoid a marriage I don't want?" Swapnil asked, beginning to see the logic.
"Exactly. Don't see this as a mistake. See it as an opportunity - to take control of your own life," Sameer replied.
---
Swapnil called Meera into the cabin.
"So, have you made your decision?" Meera asked.
"Yes. I've decided," Swapnil said, standing tall. "Considering how determined you are, it's clear you need this marriage for something - and frankly, I do too. So, for both our benefit, we'll stay in this unwanted marriage. Deal?" He extended his hand.
Meera glanced at his face, then at his hand. He was right - this mistake might actually work in both their favor. She placed her hand in his.
"Deal. This marriage may be unwanted, but it will prove to be profitable - for both of us. You'll see."