Chapter 1


Chopra Household



The morning sun rises over Crestview, Georgia. The Chopra household is up early, full of excitement, looking forward to the special days to come. There is a wedding around the corner. The youngest member of the family, Anushri, is to be wed in a few days to Farhan Kapoor son of the second wealthiest family in all of Crestview.



Prakash Chopra and his lovely wife Gitali can’t hold in their excitement. They cannot believe their little princess is getting married to none other than their best friend’s son. The Kapoor’s have been long time friends to the Chopras but they have just moved to Crestview a few months ago from Pleasantview, North Carolina. So Anushri has not met Farhan yet, but they believe all will be just fine.

“Isn’t this wonderful Gitali? Family with the Kapoors, we will be the talk of the town!” Prakash told his wife.

“Oh, yes! Everything will go well. The catering company called, they will have two buffets including one vegetarian and one . . . regular for our other guests.”



“And just wait until you see the dress! Anushri picked it out herself! Oh she will look amazing!”

“I have not seen the dress, but I did see the bill! 3,000 simoleans?” Prakash sighed, “Your wedding gown had cost half of that!”

“Do you not remember how beautiful I looked, and you as well? How splendid our wedding ceremony was? It was worth every dime. Don’t you remember Sweets?” Gitali asked her husband sweetly.




“How can I ever forget my love? You looked amazing then, and you look even more beautiful now.” Prakash said

“Oh, you!” Gitali beamed, as she and Prakash went inside, hand in hand, to get started on breakfast for the rest of the family.



Sisters Priyanka and Anushri were outside in the Zen garden while breakfast was being prepared. They enjoyed starting their mornings with meditation, they believed it was a nice way to relieve stress and prepare for the day ahead.

Anushri had the most on her mind of out them. Her emotions were all over the place. She was anxious, afraid and everything in between. Just who exactly was she marrying? This was a big deal, it’s not like being set up for a blind date, and this was like, a blind wedding! Of course she had asked her father when she could meet her groom to be, and he still hasn’t given her a solid answer.

“Ah, perhaps next week…” “I will call The Kapoor’s myself and find out…” “Oh Anushri, you must understand, Farhan is a very very busy man….”

All those answers weren’t enough for her. She had a million questions. She looked over to her sister. Priya appeared to be relaxed and deep into her meditation. Anushri couldn’t really focus. Just then, her brother in law Aasif Patel called out for Priya distracting them both.

“Priyanka?” he said coming around from the side of the house.

“I’m here Honey.” She said as she ran to him, “Me and Sis were meditating you should know our daily routine by now.”



“Totally blew my mind. Here let me make it up to you.” Said Aasif as he motioned his wife to turn around and gave her a nice massage.

“Ahhh . . . thanks I needed that!” said Priyanka, “You are so sweet, and you’re the best husband a girl could ever want.

“You’re the best wife a guy could ever want. I love you so much.” Aasif told her

“I love you more Aasif!” declared Priya

“Not as much as I love you!” he said back.



Anushri couldn’t help but feel a little envious of her big sister’s perfect almost story like marriage. It was so lovey-dovey almost sickening. Actually, it was making her a little sick, she wondered if hers would be anything like it. She wanted what they had.

She suddenly felt bad for her thoughts. If anything Priya can give her some advice maybe. She coughed, trying to sound polite.



“Hey, Priya?” she began, “You think I can talk to you for a second?”

“Sure we can talk Sis, I’ll be in soon. Just give me one minute okay?” Priyanka asked

“Yeah, that’s fine. Take your time.” Anushri lied. She needed Priya right now, but she didn’t want to sound like a spoiled brat so she left into the house.



Priya turned to face Aasif. They both looked a little amused.

“Is she alright?” asked Aasif

“Yeah, she’s probably just nervous as hell. I can understand I was too right before our wedding, so I get where she is coming from.” Priya laughed. “Let me go talk to her to make sure she’s fine and then we can go to the mall after I eat, okay Honey?”

“Okay, I’ll just be upstairs if you need me.” Aasif said

“Don’t you want to eat breakfast before we leave?” asked Priya

Aasif sighed, but he didn’t let his face show his true feelings. After one year of living with his in laws, he was desperate to move out and find a new home for Priyanka and him. The lack of a proper job and car had delayed his dreams. And he was tired of accepting Prakash’s money. He wanted to provide for his wife on his own. He was tired of eating their food, using their water and accepting their money. But he wouldn’t dare upset Priyanka with this. She said she understood and she promised things would get better, but they hadn’t, at least not yet. He was afraid he would not be able to provide the rich, lavish lifestyle she was used to.

He looked at his wife’s sweet face and returned his attention to her. He loved her more than anything and he had to put her needs before his.

“It’s alright. I’m fine Babe don’t worry about me...”

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Priya entered the house and found her sister in their parent’s master bathroom. She guessed Anushri had questions about the wedding. And she was right.



“Now do you want to tell me what has you acting like a weirdo. It's the wedding isn’t it?” she joked

Anushri smiled weakly, “To be honest . . . I’m . . . pretty freakin’ scared. I mean what if he is ugly? Or mean? What if we have absolutely nothing in common, and then what the hell will we talk about? Oh God . . .”

“Get ahold of yourself for Pete’s sake! You shouldn’t worry so much; don’t you trust Mom and Dad? They would never pick a bad husband for you.” Explained Priya.



“Well, no they wouldn’t . . . but what if I don’t like him? I know love will come, but if he is unattractive, it may take longer than usual. I’m just . . . not totally comfortable with all of this.”

Anushri still looked unconvinced and unsure. When Priya saw her sister still doubted her, she tried once more to comfort her this time with a better approach. She thought her sister was being annoying, sure it was normal to have wedding jitters but she had better start acting more grownup about things if she was going to be somebody’s wife in a few days.

“Listen,” Priyanka began, “Look at Aasif. Mom and Dad introduced me to him and we couldn’t be happier. Even though we may have tiny arguments now and then, I love him. It was . . . love at first sight. And I’m sure it will be the same for you, okay? Now put on a happy face.” She smiled



“You’re right. Thank you for being here for me Sis.” Said Anushri

“Hey, what are big sisters for? Now let’s go eat Dad is calling us.” smiled Priyanka as she hugged her sister.

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At the breakfast table, Prakash looked at his youngest daughter. She looked to be a little sad, but he had some good news that would brighten up her day.

“Why the long face Anushri? A bride to be should be excited!” he told her

“I am Dad. You should understand I’m a little anxious, but I am happy and grateful.” She replied honestly.



“I must admit though, I’d be a little happier if I was able to meet this famous Farhan Kapoor who, I hear is to be my future husband.”

“Cough, cough.”

Priya eyed her sister suspiciously. Didn’t they just have a talk a little while ago? She didn’t want Anushri to upset their Dad since she was in fact, sounding ungrateful. Anushri pretended to be oblivious to her sister’s fake cough.

“Are you alright sister? Do you need a lozenge?”

“No, I'm fine.” Said Priyanka flatly.



“We would not want you getting sick during the wedding. I hope you are well Priyanka. Any who, my dear Anushri, do not worry. I spoke to Farhan last night; you can visit him tonight since he is free.”

“Of course,” Prakash continued, “I will visit him today to go over a few details before you arrive. You must be respectable, and proper. And you will have a curfew, your mother and I expect you to-" his voice drifted off.

Anushri was more focused on what to expect later tonight and she excused herself from the table politely after he was done talking.



She was happy; she couldn’t wait to finally meet him. She had been imagining how he looks like and how his voice would sound, deep or high pitched? Would be heavyset or thin? What about his hair? Not that it really mattered. She couldn’t help but feel her tummy bubble inside. What if he was drop dead gorgeous? She might make a fool of herself. But all of that was irrelevant. The real question her heart was asking, was would she be able to truly love him?

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Kapoor Household


“I hope you understand . . .” began Prakash, “If you do anything to hurt my little girl, which includes behaving inappropriately, I swear to you, as the hills are high and the sky is blue, there will be a funeral instead of a wedding. Do you understand young man?”



Prakash eyed the young man carefully, he had a smile on his face but he was not making jokes. He already doubted a night time meeting with his daughter was a good idea, but he did owe it to Anushri to meet her groom, so he had no choice. But, he had a choice in what would take place if Farhan screwed this up.

“Yes of course Mister Chopra. I would never disrespect you or your daughter. Trust me. I will be the perfect gentleman.”



“You make sure of it. I must be going now; Anushri will be over later on . . . good day.”

“Have nice day also Mr. Chopra and don’t worry about a thing. Your daughter will be in good hands.”

As soon as Prakash was out of sight Farhan returned inside his house where his best friend was waiting for him. And good thing he was here, Farhan really needed someone to talk to about all of this.

Farhan recalled the conversation he had in his parent’s living room a few months ago.



At first he was shocked they intended him to be engaged . . . already. Farhan wasn’t exactly the marrying type. He was romantic, maybe a little too romantic. And he wanted to enjoy going out late at night, sharing his bed with the townie girls who were anything but wife material. Now he had to get married?

Sure he had heard his parents talk about their friends The Chopras when they lived back in Pleasantview, but he only met Prakash and Gitali a few months ago. And he had no clue what Anushri looked like. And that was the scariest part of it all.

He sat down across his friend Dale Clarkson and retold him his recent conversation with Prakash.



“Damn, you’re better than me Farhan. I couldn’t marry somebody I aint never seen before definitely not somebody I wasn’t even in love with.”

“Well you married Jolene’s crazy ass and you don’t love her.” Replied Farhan

“Yeah, well I used to remember? Until . . .” Dale began

“Yeah until Farrah Barnett!” Farhan snickered

“Hey now, I met Farrah right after my separation. It’s all legit. But, enough about me. I’m worried about this mystery bride. What if she’s butt ugly?” laughed Dale



“Yeah, I’m a little afraid of that. A guy like me . . . I can’t walk around town with some Plain Jane, just imagine what that’d do to my reputation around here. Plus I’m not ready to be tied down. If I wanted someone to cook my meals and do my laundry I could of hired a maid!” Farhan told his friend

“Aw man, marriage is more than that. It’s about true love and it’s a partnership. A wife isn’t a slave dude.” Said Dale

“Since when are you an expert on relationships douchebag?” joked Farhan

“Since now! Hah hah. It’s obvious my expertise is not appreciated.” laughed Dale as he and Farhan stood and started to head downstairs.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Realizing it was now nighttime; Farhan thought it had to be Anushri. And it was? Dale opened the door and in walked in the most beautiful girl Farhan had ever seen.



This was Anushri Chopra? His bride to be? He made a mental note to thank his parents for the set up later on, but first he had to talk to this gorgeous creature called . . . Anushri. His thoughts were momentarily interrupted by Dale.

“No freaking way! You’re gonna marry my boy Farhan? Well why the hell didn’t you say so?”

“I had no clue you knew him! Honestly. Wow. . .small world huh?” Anushri smiled.

“Wait, you two know each other?” Farhan asked nervously



“Yeah man. This is one of Farrah’s girlfriends we all went out like last week. If I knew it was her all along I would’ve told you, so you could’ve avoided those sleepless nights worrying about an ugly bride. . . no offense."

Farhan had to laugh at that, he was glad Anushri wasn’t one of Dale’s ex-lover or something. But he wanted to get to know her, and he couldn’t do that if Dale was here. His friend seemed to get the hint.

“Well I’d better be going now, I’ll leave yall two love birds alone. See ya.”

“See ya man! I’ll hit you up later.” Farhan called after his friend as he turned his attention back to his fiancé.



He looked at Anushri. She seemed slightly nervous, but she was actually relieved Farhan was even better looking than she imagined. His hair was perfect and his cologne was musky and dreamy. He loved her long locks and she had a nice figure which he appreciated greatly.

And those eyes. They both thought as they stared into each other’s eyes. The small conversation they were exchanging barely making it to their minds. Anushri yearned for his touch. A hug, a handshake even a high five would do. She could feel the energy coming off of him.

Farhan wanted to embrace her. He felt his heart thump behind his chest as with each beat his lust for her grew. He surprised himself when he reached for her on impulse cutting her off talking about her favorite hobby.

As their lips met and they held each other, the world around them went still . . .



They finally made it the living room and began to watch the movie Majestic Arrow. Even though the film itself was boring and a bit depressing, that didn’t stop Anushri and Farhan from being happy.

“I’m having a great time, I’m glad I came Farhan.” Said Anushri.

“Me too. You are pretty amazing, not to mention pretty amazingly beautiful.”

“Oh you’re so sweet. You are nothing like I expected.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Farhan asked.

“Definitely a good thing.” Said Anushri as she smiled and leaned against his shoulder.



Farhan wrapped his arm around her and he smiled.

“Farhan?” asked Anushri, “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

Love? Sure she was hot and he wouldn’t mind having her around the house. They might even make some beautiful kids one day. But there was no way he was in love with her already, even if she did play Call of Duty. He hoped he didn’t land one of those gorgeous airhead girls. Could she really be that naïve? He wanted to laugh, but for now he went along with it.

”Of course I do. I think . . . I’m already in love with you.” Farhan answered uncrossing his fingers and holding her a little tighter.

“Me too Farhan, me too.” Anushri said with a smile.

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