Marriage by Arrangement

by Sophia Singh Sasson

  Mrs. Gupta placed a hand on her chest.

  “You were very wise in bringing Mr. Gupta right after his symptoms began. We were able to give him medication that only works if you administer it within three hours, and ideally within the hour after a stroke. Early tests show that he’s responding well. He’s awake now, which is a really good sign. You can go see him, but please keep it short.”

  They all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

  Rani rose, but one look from her mother had her collapsing back in the chair. Mrs. Gupta, Sohel and Anaya followed the doctor through the ICU doors.

  Rani sobbed into her hands. Arjun sat next to her and put an arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder. “What will it take for them to forgive me? I did everything I could to work it out with Navin. I really did.”

  “Just be here, Rani. Be here for your parents. Even if they don’t want you around, show them that you haven’t forsaken them. That you are here for them. Eventually they will remember their love.”

  “I don’t think they’ll ever forgive me. Today is the test. If my father still refuses to see me then I really am dead to them.”

  “When I told my mother that I loved Lakshmi and was going to marry her despite what they said, she threatened to disown me. And she meant it too. She didn’t speak to me, had the servants pack my bags and wouldn’t let me in the house. I had to go stay in the guest cottage. Even after things ended with Lakshmi, she wouldn’t talk to me, not even to say I told you so. I understand how you’re feeling. Like a piece of your heart has been cut out from your chest and you’re left to bleed on the street. But I showed up to ask my mother’s forgiveness every day for a month. And I didn’t stop until she finally let me in the door. She did not talk to me for another two months but eventually she did. There will come a point when your parents will also realize they are not as angry as they want to be.”

  “That’s good advice,” said a voice from behind them. They both turned to see Sohel, who was smiling. “Dad wants to see you, Rani. When he opened his eyes and saw all of us standing there his first question was to ask where you were.”

  Rani stood so fast that she nearly tripped. Arjun steadied her, then she followed Sohel into the ICU.

  Arjun smiled, relief flooding through him. Rani’s anguish had torn him apart. He knew what it felt like to make a choice that hurt the people he cared about. He had felt so selfish for wanting Lakshmi at the expense of his family. At the time he was young, and nothing felt more important, but could he make the same choice now?

  Rani was not just an affair, that much he had come to understand in the last few weeks. No matter how many times he went over the reasons they couldn’t be together, all he could think about was how much he missed her. He’d been so happy to see her at the hotel walk-through that he’d spent the entire meeting thinking of frivolous excuses to extend the work on the hotel so he’d have more time in Vegas. More time with her.

  He rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers. There had to be a way for the two of them to be together. He was a good problem solver so why couldn’t he solve this one?

  Because there is no reasoning with Ma. He loved his mother but emotion and tradition were a big part of how she made decisions. Did that emotion also apply to forgiving her son? She had eventually forgiven him for falling in love with Lakshmi, hadn’t she?

  The answer was no. Their relationship had never been the same after that. Where before there had been implicit trust, after the affair with Lakshmi his mother needed constant validations that he would follow through on basic promises. You’re sure you’ll come to the party? When exactly will you talk to your sister about that problem?

  And of course the big one: You promise you’ll marry Hema the second you return from Vegas?

  Thirteen

  Fifteen minutes later, Arjun didn’t have any answers as Rani came out of the ICU doors with tears in her eyes. He stood and went to her side, putting his arms around her, and she sobbed against his chest. “He still hasn’t forgiven me.”

  Arjun’s heart sank. How heartless could Rani’s father be? Surely facing mortality would have softened him just a little.

  Rani folded herself into the waiting room chair. Arjun sat next to her and put a protective arm around her. Sohel and Anaya joined them a few minutes later.

  “Excuse me.” Arjun turned to see Anaya eyeing him shyly. “Are you the Arjun Singh? India’s hottest hottie?”

  Rani stiffened. He looked down to see a small smile tug at her lips. Then she touched her hand to her forehead in a face-palm. Anaya’s voice was so teenage fangirl that in this austere environment, it broke the tension.

  He smiled and nodded. “That’s me.”

  Anaya clapped a hand to her mouth. “I knew it. I didn’t want to say anything before but I just knew it was you.” She pulled out her phone and swiped. “Do you mind taking a selfie with me? My friends at school will be soooooo jealous.”

  The slight shake of Rani’s shoulders and the amused expression on her face were well worth the ten pictures Anaya proceeded to take, stopping in the middle to put on lipstick and change locations because the light wasn’t hitting her right.

  “You should get going,” Rani told Arjun.

  He shook his head. “I’m not leaving you, Rani.”

  “But you must have a million things to deal with.”

  He took Rani’s hand and squeezed it. “None of that is important. The only thing that matters to me right now is taking care of you.”

  Her eyes glistened. “Don’t do this, Arjun,” she whispered. His heart dropped into this stomach. Were they so far gone that he didn’t have the right to see her through something so difficult?

  In the end, Arjun prevailed. They spent the night in the hospital. Sohel and Anaya curled up on the waiting room chairs. Rani let her head drop onto Arjun’s shoulder and dozed off. They woke early the next day as the morning shift arrived at the hospital.

  “Why don’t I get you guys some coffee and breakfast,” Arjun volunteered. He found the hospital cafeteria and bought food for everyone. When he returned to the waiting room, Rani’s mother was there too. They were all sitting in a circle with their heads bowed. At first Arjun feared the worst, but then he realized they were praying. His mother had done enough pujas for him to recognize that the Sanskrit prayer they were uttering was one of thanks, not of mourning.

  He stood a few feet away. It was one thing for him to have been here yesterday when Rani first arrived, but his presence this morning would raise uncomfortable questions with her mother. He knew how an Indian parent would perceive their “friendship.”

  Anaya looked up and saw him first. She rushed over to help him with the two cafeteria trays he carried laden with food and drinks. “You won’t believe it. Dad’s doing much better. The doctor’s just told Amma that he’s taken a turn for the better. BTW, what should I call you?”

  “That’s great news, Anaya, and you can call me Arjun.”

  They all thanked Arjun for the food and dug in, their spirits clearly resorted.

  “Arjun, in what capacity are you here?” Rani stiffened at her mother’s question, and Arjun’s pulse quickened.

  “They are in love, Amma,” Anaya bubbled.

  “Anaya!” Rani called out sharply.

  “Oh, don’t try to hide it. I heard you guys talking. He said you were the most important thing to him and he was going to take care of you. You’re in looooove with India’s hottest hottie,” her sister said in a singsong voice.

  Arjun’s mouth went dry. He was normally so vigilant about appearances. Why hadn’t he been more careful around Anaya?

  “Anaya, stop it.” Rani said in a high-pitched voice. “We are colleagues, that’s all.”

  Arjun caught Mrs. Gupta’s eyes and his heart sank. She was looking at him appraisingly. It was a look he was very familiar with, one th
at Indian aunties with eligible daughters often gave him. He wanted to say something, to correct Anaya, but his tongue was stuck in his mouth. Anything he said would make things worse for Rani. He needed to let her handle it.

  “Rani, why don’t you tell us what your relationship is to Arjun,” her mother said quietly.

  Rani gave him a stricken look. “We’re friends, Amma. Yesterday when I heard about Dad, Arjun helped me get a flight here.”

  “Did you come on a private plane?” Anaya asked eagerly, totally oblivious to Rani’s discomfort.

  “A very small one,” Arjun replied. Hoping to give Rani some time to think, he went on to describe the aircraft, which led to questions about the one he owned in India. He took his time talking about that one, as well. He’d hoped once they’d exhausted the subject, the conversation would steer toward a topic other than their relationship, but Rani’s mother was not to be deterred.

  “You must be very good friends for Arjun to help you like that. I’m guessing you’re a very busy man, yet here you are bringing us food and keeping Rani company.”

  Rani looked down, fidgeting with her purse.

  “Rani, it would ease your father’s mind to know that you are engaged to someone else. Especially someone as suitable as Arjun.” Rani’s mother gave her a hard look.

  Rani shrank in her chair and looked at Arjun in alarm. “We’re not getting engaged, Mum,” she finally said, her voice leaden.

  Her mother looked between Rani and Arjun then sighed. “After you left yesterday, your father was so upset. Every time he sees you, all he can think about is how you’ve ruined your life.” Rani opened her mouth to say something but her mother raised her hand sternly. Mrs. Gupta would get along really with his own mother. She had a way of making everyone feel like they were still little children being scolded for having dirty hands.

  “It will make him so happy to know that you have found a way to be happy again. With one decision, Rani, one announcement, you can erase everything that’s happened in the past and focus on the future.”

  Tears streamed down Rani’s face and Arjun’s chest hurt. She was in so much pain and he couldn’t bear it. “It’s not my decision to make, Mum.” Her voice was small and very quiet, as if she had no breath left in her body.

  “Rani’s right, Auntie, the decision is not hers, it’s mine.” Arjun said. What am I saying? The right course of action here would be to explain that they were just friends, which was technically true of their current relationship status, and then extricate himself from the situation.

  Instead, he couldn’t believe what came out of his mouth next.

  “The time is not right, but I think it would be best if I talk to you and Uncle privately so I can ask for Rani’s hand in marriage.”

  Rani’s eyes widened. Anaya squealed and clapped, and Mrs. Gupta wiped her eyes with the end of her dupatta. “Bless you, my son. This news will have Rani’s dad out of this hospital in no time.” She stood and hugged Arjun while Rani stared at him openmouthed.

  What have I done?

  Fourteen

  How dare he! Everything was happening so fast that Rani couldn’t process the flood of emotions drowning her, but the one bubbling through her body was anger. He had no right to interfere with her family, especially without consulting her. Has he forgotten that he’s scheduled to marry another woman?

  “I’m going to ask if your father can have visitors.” As soon as Rani’s mother left, Rani pulled Arjun into the corner, out of earshot of her siblings.

  “What the hell did you just do?” she snarled.

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I couldn’t stand to see you hurt like that, Rani. I have a solution. I’ll tell your dad that I want to marry you. He will forgive you and you can finally reunite with your family.”

  “Are you kidding me? How dare you think you can be my savior? What’s going to happen when they realize we lied to them? They’ll hate me for the rest of my life. You had no right to get involved. This is my situation. I’ll handle it!”

  “There you are. The doctor says we can go right in.” Rani’s mother was back, grabbing Arjun’s hand and pulling him towards the ICU doors.

  Rani followed hurriedly behind him. “Amma, I don’t think this is the right time to be discussing all this with Dad. Let him come home and then I’ll explain everything.”

  Rani’s mother had already pressed the doorbell requesting access to the ICU, and the large double doors swung open. “Don’t be silly, Rani. There is no time like the present. Your father will be so happy.”

  “No, Amma, you’re not listening...”

  “Rani, I know what’s best for you.” With that her mother went barreling down the hallway towards her father’s bed. She looked at Arjun, who squeezed her arm. “It’ll be fine, Rani, trust me,” he said softly.

  Her mother turned and gave an impatient wave for them to follow.

  Rani stood there feeling like she was fourteen years old again, being told by her mother that dating was for American girls. Rani would be a good Indian daughter and marry one of the men her parents introduced her to after she graduated college. Trust me, Rani, I know what’s best for you, her mother had said.

  Her father’s room had clear glass doors. The incessant beeps of medical machines assaulted them as they entered. Bright white lights cast an unnatural pallor on all their faces.

  Rani stepped towards her father’s bed but her mother stopped her, pushing Arjun towards him instead. Rani needed to stop this. But even as she formulated the words, she knew it was too late.

  As Arjun began speaking to her father, a hysterical laugh bubbled inside Rani but she stifled it. Most American men would introduce themselves first but Arjun started by presenting his family history, listing the members of his current family, then detailing his family business, alluding to but not outright proclaiming his wealth. And then he talked about himself. It was exactly what her parents expected, and by the adoring looks they gave Arjun, they were already smitten.

  The beaming smile on her father’s face should have brought her joy, but her heart sank to her toes. From her parents’ perspective, Arjun was a catch. He came from a good family, was wealthy, cultured and traditional.

  The words her mother didn’t say in the waiting room didn’t escape Rani: that Arjun would erase Navin from their lives. When her parents talked about her, they wouldn’t have to explain that she was divorced and answer the inevitable string of questions that followed. Navin’s family had spared no hatred in portraying Rani as a spoiled, Westernized woman who left the marriage because she didn’t want to give her in-laws the respect they deserved. Must be her upbringing, her parents didn’t teach her right. But if she remarried, the community would no longer point fingers.

  “Rani, you have made me so happy. Come here.” With heavy feet, she stepped towards her father’s bedside and leaned down to give him a hug. It had been three years since he’d held her. The last time was when she’d come home crying, her packed bags in the car. She’d sobbed her troubles to her parents and they’d listened, her father holding her and letting her smear her makeup into his shirt. But then they’d told her to go back to her marital home. To find a way to work it out with Navin and her in-laws. In a marriage, you must sacrifice yourself, Rani. Learn to suffer, they’d said.

  “When will the wedding be?” Rani’s mother asked.

  Rani opened her mouth to say there would be no wedding but her throat was too tight. Her father looked so happy; there was even some color in his face.

  “I’m not sure yet, Auntie,” Arjun said evenly. “I have to finish my hotel in Vegas, and then of course I will have to take Rani to India to meet my parents, and we can make decisions after that.”

  Her mother pursed her lips but said nothing. Arjun had that way about him, of respectfully brooking no argument. He was used to taking charge; in fact, just like her parents bef
ore him, he’d taken charge of her life.

  “Well don’t wait too long, I’m sure you’ll be wanting children.” The response came from her father and Rani reddened.

  “Your family is so traditional. How do they feel about Rani being divorced?” her mother asked.

  Rani closed her eyes and sighed. Being divorced did not make her a damaged commodity but as she’d told herself countless times, her parents had grown up in a different generation, at a time when being divorced was a character flaw.

  “I don’t have a problem with Rani being divorced. From what she’s told me, it sounds like it was a terrible situation and I’m glad she got herself out. She’s an amazing woman and her ex-husband was a fool to let her go.”

  Rani softened a little at Arjun’s words. Her mother nodded as if she agreed with him but Rani knew it was a nod of relief.

  “My parents don’t know I want to marry Rani, which is why we need to wait until Rani and I can travel to India so that I can have the opportunity to tell them in person and explain the situation.”

  How would his parents react? Rani had never allowed herself to think about the fact that even if he refused to marry Hema, his parents might not accept a divorced woman for Arjun.

  What am I thinking? All this isn’t real! He’s still going to marry Hema. This is all an act. One that Arjun had planned without consulting her. He would go back to India and leave her with a big mess to clean up.

  “What if they don’t accept?” Rani’s father asked.

  “We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” Arjun said diplomatically. “What’s important now is that Uncle gets better.”

  “We’ll need to celebrate. As soon as you are out of the hospital, we should throw a dinner party at our house,” Rani’s mother gushed.

  Arjun shook his head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Once Uncle is well, Rani and I will need to rush back to Vegas to finish the hotel.”