AUTHORS - POV

After what happened with his first love, Vivaan Raghuvanshi had made a decision: he would always stay single. But his family had other plans.

His grandfather, Vivek, leaned forward slightly in his wheelchair, his voice taking on a dramatic tone.

"You should get married. See, I am getting old, and my health is deteriorating day by day."

He paused, coughing theatrically before continuing,

"As your grandpa, I wish to see my grandson married and living his life happily."

Vivaan frowned, running a hand through his hair.

"Grandpa, you know everything I'm going through right now. Why do you always repeat the same thing?"

Vivek smiled gently.

"Then when are you willing to get married?"

"I am not getting married. Not now, not ever," Vivaan declared with finality, turning toward the stairs to stop any further arguments.

But a sudden thud from behind froze him mid-step. He spun around to see his grandfather lying on the floor, gripping his chest, wheelchair toppled. Shock and fear surged through Vivaan's heart.

He rushed to Vivek, lifting him carefully into his arms.

"Grandpa! Nothing will happen to you while I'm here," he whispered urgently.

By the time they reached the hospital, Vivaan had admitted Vivek to the VIP ward and informed the rest of the family. Worry etched everyone's face.

"What happened to my father?" Varun, Vivaan's father, asked accusingly.

Vivaan lowered his gaze.

"He... he had a heart attack."

Tears welled in Rajmathi's eyes, his grandmother, as she shook her head.

"No... my husband is very healthy. He follows his diet, takes his medicine on time... how did this happen?"

Vivaan's throat went dry. Words stuck as he looked at her with bloodshot eyes, fighting back tears.

Just then, the emergency doors opened, and a doctor approached.

"Nothing to worry about. The heart attack happened due to extreme stress and worry-something he saw or heard that he didn't want to," the doctor explained.

"Please, keep him happy. Any stress could trigger another attack, which would be dangerous."

Everyone was stunned into silence. The warning hung heavy in the air.

Later, Rajmathi went inside to see Vivek, who stared silently at the ceiling.

"Vivek, what's worrying you so much that it caused a heart attack? Share it with me. We can solve it together," she said, holding his hand.

Vivek looked at her with moist eyes.

"Call Vivaan. I want to talk to him personally first. After that, I'll tell you what's bothering me," he said, giving a small, faint smile.

A minute later, Vivaan entered, footsteps shaky, hands gripping his grandfather's.

"Grandpa, what happened to you? Why did you-"

Vivek interrupted with a faint, forced laugh.

"You don't know the reason behind my heart attack... or are you just pretending?"

Vivaan lowered his head, unable to meet his grandfather's gaze.

"Grandpa, please... don't force me."

"I never asked you anything until now, did I? Consider this my first-and last-wish, Vivaan."

Vivaan's eyes filled with tears, but he stayed silent.

"You trust me, right?" Vivek asked.

"Yes," Vivaan nodded.

"Then get married to the girl I choose for you. I know you since the day you were born. I know what you want. I promise, you will never regret fulfilling my last wish. Please!"

Vivek's eyes softened, and he added with a gentle smile:

"Vivaan, everyone does have a past, but very few people are able to see their life by overcoming it. I hope you will be one of them, my bachha."

Vivaan's heart shook. He loved his family, especially his grandfather. With no other option, he agreed.

"Grandpa... you don't have to say please. I will do as you say. Just... don't stress about me or anything."

Vivaan forced a small smile, but it barely reached his eyes.

And with that, Vivaan's reluctant journey toward marriage-and a life he never asked for-began.

HAPPY READING🤗!