This is the first chapter of "The Arranged vows". I hope you like it, please let me know your reviews about this one in the comments.

If you enjoyed it, do vote and comment ❤️

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NOOR CHATURVEDI

The sun was already high in the sky, its golden rays filtering through the half-drawn curtains of Noor Chaturvedi's room. Somewhere in the background, her alarm blared for the fifteenth time, completely ignored, while Noor remained wrapped up in her floral-printed blanket, deep in the middle of her unrealistic dreams.

Noor was in the middle of the most dreamy moment of her life.

There she stood, in a beautiful flowy lehenga, on top of a hill surrounded by flowers. In front of her, not one, but three fictional men were proposing at the same time!

One said, "Tum meri zindagi ho, Noor!"

[You are my life, Noor!]

Another said, "Tumhari muskaan ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hain hum!"

[I can do anything for your smile!]

The third one was straight Bollywood: "Main tumhare bina adhura hoon, Noor!"

[I am incomplete without you, Noor!]

Noor, in her super classy sleeping pose - one arm hanging off the bed, blanket tangled around her legs, and mouth slightly open - was snoring ever so cutely. Her one foot was resting proudly on her study table, like she just conquered Mount Everest in her dreams.

"Haan... main sabse shaadi karungi..." she mumbled happily, drooling slightly.

[Yes... I will marry everyone...]

THWACK!

Suddenly, a flying chappal smashed into her stomach with sniper-level accuracy.

"Aaah Maaaa!" she yelped, sitting up with a jerk, her hair looking like a full-on tornado had hit her.

[Aaah Mom!]

"Uth ja jahil aulaad! College ke liye late ho rahi hai, sapnon mein shaadiyan matt kar!" her mom screamed from the door.

[Get up, you illiterate child! You're getting late for college, stop getting married in your dreams!]

"Aur agar itna hi shauk hai shaadi karne ka toh neeche aake bartan dho." Her mom yelled for the last time and went downstairs.

[And if you're so fond of marriage, then come downstairs and wash the dishes.]

Noor jolted awake, eyes wide, hair looking like she fought a tornado, her dignity scattered in the air. She looked around in panic, then realized -

"Itna bada proposal scene tha, aur Maa ne chappal se end kar diya!" she whispered rubbing her stomach where just exactly her mom hit her.

[Such a big proposal scene, and Mom ended it with a slipper!]

"Upar se dulha, neeche se bartan... meri kismat hi footi hai."

[Grooms above, dishes below... my fate is doomed.]

She was still rubbing her stomach, feeling extremely betrayed by life, and muttered,

"Dulhe toh reh gaye, par chappal time pe pahunch gayi..."

[Grooms didn't arrive, but the slipper reached on time...]

Then - like the true queen of laziness she was - she shamefully pulled the blanket over her head... and went right back to sleep, missing her college lecture without a single regret.

Just as she turned in bed, the blanket tangled around her legs, and she almost fell off. That should have been enough to wake her up, but Noor was nothing if not stubborn.

Her phone, lying next to her pillow, lit up with a text from Simran and Ayesha her best friends.

Simran: Abe tu uthi ya nahi?

[Hey, did you wake up or not?]

Ayesha: Bhai, guarantee hai abhi bhi bed pe latki hogi like a lazy panda.

[Bro, guarantee she's still hanging on the bed like a lazy panda.]

Simran: I say she'll be late again.

Ayesha: Paise laga le?

[Wanna bet?]

The moment Noor's sleep-fogged brain registered the words "late again," she shot up in bed like a rocket.

And then came her mother's voice, loud and clear from downstairs:

"Noor! Agar paanch minute mein neeche nahi aayi, toh fridge lock kar doongi ek hafte ke liye and no chocolates, ice cream for one week!"

[Noor! If you don't come downstairs in five minutes, I'll lock the fridge for a week and no chocolates or ice cream!]

Noor froze. Fridge? LOCKED? No chocolates? Ice cream? Oh, this was war.

"Maa, that's emotional blackmail!" she yelled, scrambling to grab her phone.

A quick glance at the time and her worst fears were confirmed-8:30 AM. Lecture at 9. She had exactly thirty minutes to transform herself from a sleep-deprived zombie into a functioning human being.

She jumped off the bed, nearly tripping over a pile of books she hadn't read, rummaged through her wardrobe, and pulled out the first pair of jeans and a t-shirt she could find.

Just as she was tying her hair into a messy bun, Vivaan, her fifteen-year-old cousin who lives in neighbourhood but often comes there house because their families are very close to each others, peeked into the room, his grin way too smug for Noor's liking.

"Didi, Didi, aaj fir late ho gayi?" he sing-songed.

[Sister, sister, late again today?]

"Kya hai na, hum soch rahe hain ek betting system shuru karein. 'Noor ki lateness ke chances' par paise lagayein?"

[You see, we are thinking of starting a betting system. Place bets on 'Noor's chances of being late'.]

Noor grabbed the nearest chappal and flung it at him.

[Noor grabbed the nearest slipper and flung it at him.]

"Bhaag yahan se, kamine!"

[Get lost, you scoundrel!]

Vivaan dodged it effortlessly, laughing as he ran downstairs. Noor groaned but had no time to deal with him.

Rushing down, she skidded into the dining room where Justice Samar Chaturvedi, her grandfather, was calmly sipping his morning chai. Her father, Anant Chaturvedi, sat with his nose buried in the newspaper, while Vidya Chaturvedi, her mother, stood by the dining table, hands on her hips, looking entirely unimpressed.

Noor grabbed a paratha from the plate and stuffed it in her mouth. "Good morning, everyone," she mumbled, barely audible.

Vidya narrowed her eyes. "Koi manners nahi hain ladki ko."

[You don't have any manners.]

Samar Chaturvedi chuckled. "Beti, ek din tum sach mein apni shaadi ke din late pahunchogi."

[My daughter, one day you'll actually arrive late even on your wedding day.]

Noor dramatically placed a hand on her chest. "Dadaji, please! Don't curse me like that. Let me live my single, stress-free life."

[Grandpa, please! Don't curse me like that. Let me live my single, stress-free life.]

Anant Chaturvedi finally looked up from his newspaper, shaking his head with a small smile. "Jaane do, Vidya. Noor ka ek alag hi tareeka hai zindagi jeene ka."

[Let it go, Vidya. Noor has her own unique way of living life.]

"Haan, late hone ka tareeka!" Vidya muttered.

[Yes, a way of always being late!]

Noor grinned and pressed a quick kiss to her mother's cheek. "Maa, chill. Zindagi ek hi baar milti hai. Time ki ghulami kyun karein?"

[Mom, chill. You only live once. Why be a slave to time?]

Vidya sighed in defeat. There was no winning against her daughter's logic.

Just as Noor was about to run out the door, her mother called after her. "Aaj sham ko jaldi ghar aana! Rishe ki baat karni hai tujhse!"

[Come home early this evening! We need to talk about a marriage proposal with you!]

Noor froze mid-step.

RUKO. Rishta?

[WAIT. Marriage proposal?]

She turned around slowly, eyes wide with horror. "Wait, what? Kya?"

[Wait, what? What?]

"Mujhe koyi shaadi waadi nahi karni." She said as her mother tried to form a sentence in reply.

[I don't want to get married.]

But before her mother could say another word, Noor was already out the door, running like her life depended on it.

"Tuffaan mel hai yeh ladki!!" Her mother sighed.

[This girl is like a raging storm!!]

---

She finally reached her college, she is studying Bachelor of commerce.

The degree she took had no purpose for her, she didn't take it because she had dreams regarding it. No, she just took it because her friends were with her and because her friends told her it's easier than the medical and non-medical streams, and more difficult than the arts stream-the most senseless & stupid logical reasoning one could come up with because she was an average student.

So, their logic was that average students must get admission into the commerce stream. Wow, just like she took the commerce stream in her 12th grade, just because her friends were there in it and because they said so. She's that careless for her life.

By the time Noor reached college, she was out of breath, slightly disoriented, and completely unprepared for the day.

Simran and Ayesha were already waiting near the gate, arms crossed, their expressions screaming "We told you so."

Simran smirked. "Kya bola tha? Again late."

[What did I say? Late again.]

Ayesha shook her head. "It's almost impressive how consistent you are."

Noor groaned. "Tum log mujhe support dene aaye ho ya lecture dene?"

[Did you guys come here to support me or to lecture me?]

"Agar tu kabhi time pe aaye, toh support dene ka mauka mile na?" Simran teased.

[If you ever arrived on time, we'd actually get a chance to support you, right?]

The three of them walked toward their lecture hall, where Noor barely managed to slip in before the professor closed the door. She wasn't the best student-okay, she was an average student at best-but she always somehow managed to charm her way into passing.

Between bunking boring lectures, eating roadside golgappas, and ranting about life, Noor lived her college days to the fullest.

She was the kind of girl who talked too much, laughed too loud, and took too many risks.

She wasn't someone who could be controlled.

She wasn't someone who followed strict rules.

And she definitely wasn't someone who could live with a man who was the complete opposite of her.

As the thought lingered in her mind, Noor shook her head.

"Koi mujhe disciplined aur controlling insaan ke saath jeene ko bolega na, toh main bhag jaungi."

[If anyone tells me to live with a disciplined and controlling person, I'll just run away.]

"I want a man like those in books, novels and imagination, I will either marry a man like him or stay single forever," she said smiling.

She didn't know it yet.

But fate had already tied her name to someone exactly like that.

And soon, her world of chaos was about to collide with his world of silence.

🌷

RUDRAKSHVEER SINHA

The first rays of dawn broke over Prayagraj, painting the sky in hues of orange and crimson. The city was still half-asleep, but one man had already been awake for hours-Rudraksh Veer Sinha.

At exactly 4:30 AM, his alarm rang. Not a second late.

Rudraksh's eyes opened instantly, sharp and alert, as if his body was wired to function on discipline alone. Unlike most people, he didn't snooze alarms. He didn't need an extra five minutes. Rules were rules. And for him, discipline wasn't just a habit-it was a way of life.

Throwing off the blanket, he got out of bed in one fluid motion, already heading towards his bathroom. His room was spotless-not a single thing out of place. The books on his shelf were arranged perfectly, his uniform was neatly ironed and ready, and even the air carried a sense of order.

Rudraksh Veer Sinha was a man who lived his life with military precision.

After a cold shower that lasted exactly seven minutes, he stepped out, dried himself, and wore his running gear.

By 4:45 AM, he was outside.

His morning run was non-negotiable-a strict 10 kilometers every day. The city was silent at this hour, and that's how he liked it. No distractions, no unnecessary conversations-just the rhythmic sound of his shoes hitting the pavement and his steady breathing.

By 6 AM, he was back.

An intense workout session followed-push-ups, crunches, weight training, and combat drills. His body was built like a machine, every muscle defined through years of relentless training.

Finally, by 7 AM, he sat down for breakfast.

Unlike others who scrolled through social media or lazed around, Rudraksh spent this time reading case files and legal reports. He had no interest in small talk. His focus was on work, duty, and responsibility.

As he finished his breakfast-simple, healthy, and portioned exactly right-his phone rang.

"Sinha speaking."

It was a call from headquarters.

Duty awaited.

---

While Rudraksh prepared to leave, his family was gathered in the grand dining hall of the Sinha Mansion. Unlike most households, the Sinhas didn't have chaotic mornings filled with shouting and last-minute rushes. Everything here ran like clockwork.

Sitting at the head of the table was Retired Brigadier Ranvijay Sinha, Rudraksh's father- A retired Army officer, known for his strict discipline and unwavering principles. His word is law in the Sinha household. His sharp eyes and towering presence commanded respect without a single word.

Next to him was Dr. Pratibha Sinha, Rudraksh's mother, a renowned cardiologist. She was the softer presence in the family, but her strength was undeniable.

Across from them sat Ishaan Sinha, Rudraksh's Elder brother who is just a year Elder than him, a lawyer who carried the same sharp mind but a slightly more relaxed approach to life.

There Kavya Sinha, his Sister-in-law with her son Avyaan Sinha.

The moment Rudraksh stepped in, his father glanced at him and gave a single nod. That was their way of greeting-brief, efficient, and to the point.

"How's the city treating you, IPS Sinha?" Ranvijay smirked.

"Same as always. Crime never sleeps," Rudraksh replied, picking up a file from the table.

His mother sighed. "Beta, tum kabhi relaxed nahi ho sakte?"

"Duty doesn't come with relaxation," he said simply.

Pratibha Sinha exchanged a knowing glance with her husband. Their son was a mirror image of Virendra himself. A man of rules, honor, and unshakable willpower.

"Just make sure you eat properly," she said, gently placing a bowl of almonds in front of him.

He gave a small nod in acknowledgment before checking his watch. 7:30 AM. It was time to leave.

Rudraksh never wasted a second.

Without another word, he grabbed his car keys and walked out.

🌷

By 8 AM, Rudraksh had reached the Prayagraj Police Headquarters.

As soon as he stepped in, his commanding aura made everyone stand a little straighter. The officers under his command knew one thing-IPS Rudraksh Veer Sinha was not a man to be taken lightly.

He was known for his sharp mind, ruthless efficiency, and a zero-tolerance policy for incompetence.

Inside his cabin, stacks of case files were neatly arranged. His desk was clean, his chair perfectly aligned. Even his pen rested at an exact angle-a reflection of his disciplined mind.

His junior, Inspector Rajeev Mehta but also more like his friend, walked in with the morning report. "Sir, night patrol ki summary aa gayi hai."

[Sir, the night patrol summary has arrived.]

Rudraksh took the file, flipping through the pages with sharp eyes. "Drug smuggling ke kuch naye reports aaye hain?"

[Have there been any new reports of drug smuggling?]

"Yes, sir. We have information about a new supply route near the riverbanks."

"Get the team ready. We'll raid tonight." His tone was final, unquestionable.

Rajeev nodded. "Yes, sir."

Just as he was about to leave, another officer hesitated near the door. "Sir, a personal matter... your family has requested a meeting with you tonight. They called you but you didn't pick up so they called me."

Rudraksh frowned. "Kis baare mein?"

[For What?]

"They didn't tell me the reason sir, must be something important." He replied calmly.

Silence.

For a moment, Rudraksh didn't react. Then, in his usual calm and controlled voice, he said, "Okay, I'll see Rajeev, you just focus on your work!"

The officer nodded, expecting this exact response, before leaving.

Rudraksh sat back in his chair, fingers interlocked. He thought about what could be the reason his family had made the call so urgently.

But his mind went to that one thing his family always had meetings about - marriage, of course.

Marriage? Relationships? All of that required emotions - something he had trained himself to avoid.

He lived for duty.

He followed rules, discipline, and logic.

Love, for him, was unnecessary chaos.

And chaos had no place in his world.

He just hates people who are unnecessarily chaotic, undisciplined, and don't have a purpose in life.

As Rudraksh returned his focus to work,

In another part of the city, a girl who broke every rule in the book was laughing with he

r friends as she and her friends bunked the class, completely unaware of the storm that was about to enter her life.

She was totally the opposite, chaotic, undisciplined, and had no purpose in life.

A girl who was wild, unpredictable, and a little reckless.

A girl who believed in living life on her own terms.

A girl named Noor Chaturvedi.

"End of chapter 1"

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