Irfan Khan, a tall man even in repose was leaning against the headboard of his bed, the golden glow of the bedside lamps illuminated the bedroom which was vast, huge and elegant like the occupants. It was 10pm in the Khan Estate and everyone had retreated to bed and Halima was seated in front of the vanity mirror applying moisturizer onto her face as she looked at her husband through the mirror. She was a vision of maternal love and grace her loving and sweet eyes reflecting years of devotion and decades of unwavering love lingering on her husband. After all these years together still Irfan carried himself with the same confidence that conquered markets and boardrooms even though time had taken its toll on him he still appeared unfazed.
His temper had been short these few days and something had to be bothering him so she asked him. "Sajan, are you okay you have been unusually quiet. Something on your mind?" her voice soft and laced with concern. "This will…" he sighed sharply running his hands running through his silver hair. " It clearly states that if Imran doesn't get married before he turns 36, that all his inheritance, everything we have worked hard for will all go to some trustees and charity." Halima paused mid air turning to look at Irfan's eyes. "Everything we have toiled for. Imran has put his sweat and blood to expand this Empire yet it will all go to charity. All your sacrifices Halima…. This feels harsh considering his current situation with Ishita dying… it might all slip through his fingers if he doesn't get his head back in the game" He said tapping the screen on his tablet where he was reviewing the will again.
Halima rose and moved to the bed throwing the pillows to the foot of the bed trying to settle into bed beside her husband her silk red gown rustling lightly. She turned to look at him " We have known about the marriage clause and heir clause for years, even Imran knew about it. It is unfortunate that Ishita died before marrying him her death broke him, he needs time, we all know how particular your father was…. on this matter". Irfan looked at her holding her hand entwining it with his "The clock is ticking we only have three months to go, I understand he lost something very valuable but I can't afford losing the Khan Empire. Real Estate, The import and Export business our Construction company all of it will be gone. Time is of the essence we need to act fast."
" It is a difficult situation no doubt and I understand your concern". She tucked her feet under herself as she turned her whole body to face Irfan as he continues to talk.
"When I was his age marriage was…expected of me, but things were different back then. But now asking Imran to consider another woman feels like a betrayal but duty has to triumph over everything". Halima paused then answered him "We will be forced to intervene, I will talk to him, am sure I will be able to lay it down to him with as much sensitivity this matter needs as much as I can" she finished giving Irfan a hopeful smile.
"Please do, the Delhi elites are already whispering about the future of The Khan Empire if Imran doesn't marry soon…." Halima assures him, "I will talk to him, now sleep I don't want you all stressed out, you hear". "Okay but be gentle because if he doesn't act fast I won't be as gentle as you," Irfan sounded a warning.
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It was early morning when Imran heard the drawing of his bedroom curtains the act making the room bright the brightness making Imran to groan in annoyance he opened his eyes to the smell of toast and freshly made coffee and his Amma, holding the tray with his coffee and toast with a maid clearing Imran's bedside table for Halima to place the tray on.
" Good Morning beta," Halima stated her voice gentle and sweet. Sitting at the edge of his bed, Imran raised his head to acknowledge his mother's presence, " Good morning. Amma, if you brought me breakfast to my room, then this must be serious" he adjusted himself on the bed leaning on his headboard. " It actually is, your father and I were talking extensively last night," Imran's gaze bored to his mother's as he knew the line the conversation was about to follow. " It is about your grandfather's will, Imran you know the strict instructions he left behind, you know you eventually have to get married if you plan on keeping your inheritance."
" Must we talk about this right now, I have a meeting in the next hour" Imran tried to get himself out of the conversation. " The more reason we should have this conversation, this vast empire the one you can't wait to run off to, the whole of it will belong to you if only you marry and produce an heir, I know you're still grieving Ishita but we are totally capable to look for a bride for you, let me handle that part for you beta" Halima tried to reach for his hand.
" You want to go through with this archaic clause about securing your bloodline". Imran said exasperated. " Yes Imran, my hands are tied all our hands are tied. I know you know this isn't just an archaic clause, it was your grandfather's wish a condition for you to show a sense of responsibility in the business," Halima pressed. "And am just supposed to magically appear with a woman who is willing to marry me within three months and all of you will be okay with it?" He queried. " We will be fine, if it is too much for you I will take on the responsibility to look for a bride. I just want you to keep in mind that the livelihoods of thousands of people depends on the stability of the Khan Empire and the Khan heir which is you. You need to pull your act together Imran. It is all about Duty"
Imran looked at his mother blankly his heart albeit in grief warring with grief and the weight of his familial responsibility." We gave you a year to grieve, you need to understand that Ishita is not coming back. Marriage is supposed to be your top priority at the moment as time is of the essence and clearly it is running out fast. "Amma…." He began in protest. Halima raised her hand to stop him. " You can either start your quest for finding a suitable bride or I will talk to one of my friends to look for marriage proposals. We love you and want your happiness, your the only fruit of my womb. You not only carry the Khan name, you also carry our dreams. But our family legacy and our future can't and will not be jeopardized. This is not a threat Imran it is your Amma's order. So the choice is yours look for a bride or we do it for you" Halima stood up pacing the room.
The blunt way she had spoken to him left him stunned, Imran looked at his mother as if she had grown two heads. A mixture of shock and dispair flickered across his face. He had never seen her that firm with him before. Halima took the coffee mug from the tray handing it to Imran as he was still seated on his bed, " Think about what I have told you, critically I don't want you to be unhappy forever and I know what losing the company will do to you that's your hard work too. Your father and I will support you in every way we can for the next three months. But inaction is no longer an option and don't mess with my efforts, Imran. Am doing all these for you beta". And with that she turned and left the room leaving Imran alone to ponder on her words.
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The day had gone in a blur, Imran was neck deep in paper work, he immersed himself in work to distract himself his sleeves rolled up as he leaned back on his office chair reflecting on his mother's words that were still stuck in his head since the moment she had uttered them " Our future can't and will not be jeopardized. This is not a threat Imran it is an order. So the choice is yours, look for a bride or we do it for you"
He had called his friend over to his office Rohan Kapoor his childhood friend the pragmatic sound of reason and conveniently the company's Head of Legal. He really needed someone to talk to his heart still aching with grief and thinking about another potential woman to share his life with was unfathomable for him.
There was a soft knock on his door bringing him out of his thoughts, " Come in" Imran called and looked up. Rohan entered, a warm grin on his face. " You sounded urgent when you called earlier, I hope you are okay," he said concerned. "Yeah not quite okay Rohan, but thanks for coming." Imran leaned back running his hands in his hair.
" By the look of things, this is not about the delayed shipment to Dubai?" Rohan concluded while he sat down opposite Imran. " No, it isn't." Imran muttered while leaning further into his office chair. " It's about the will, my parents are piling more pressure on me."
"Ah, okay. So the clock is ticking?" Rohan connected the dots. He was already aware about the inheritance. " Yep, I either look for a bride or amma does it for me." He exhaled, it felt like he had something weighing on his chest.
Rohan chuckled, "So finally, Halima aunty gave you the speech?" Imran snickered "More like gave me a warning. She even brought me breakfast, maybe to smooth things over no less." He said bitterly.
Rohan was silent for a bit then spoke, "We knew this day would come sooner than later we both did. We were twenty five when your grandfather passed on and his will was read out. How lightly you brushed it off saying that thirty-six was years away." Imran chuckled, "Well time's a bloody cheat. Then things were great, I had Ishita by my side. Life is what happens when we are busy making plans I guess."
Rohan's expression changed, he remembered the bond Imran and Ishita shared. "I know the love you both shared was immense and I know it will be hard for you to move on from her. But this marriage thing doesn't have to be about love, not this time at least"
Imran looked at Rohan confused, "What do you mean?" Rohan leaned forward on his seat, "What I am trying to say is, let your parents do the work. Let them look for marriage proposals for you, let it be arranged." Rohan said plainly. "Keep it simple, less work for you. This is India, arranged marriages happen every day."
Imran frowned at the thought, "You want me to marry a stranger?" Rohan cleared his throat, "I am suggesting you treat this like a business deal, you don't have to be emotionally invested in this, you have an empire to run, your loyalties lie with the company and you can't lose it at any cost."
Imran was quiet now tha weight of Rohan's words now sinking in, " It's now starting to make sense, if I make them choose, the pressure will be on them not me. That'sa nice idea but it still feels like am betraying Ishita."
"You're not betraying her by going through with this," Rohan added. "You're actually honoring her by securing your inheritance, the company and your ambition, something she really supported you in. " Imran was now feeling a little bit relaxed and convinced, "I am not the first Khan to marry for duty, maybe this way I will be at peace."
Rohan nodded and shrugged, "Let Halima aunty choose, maybe she will find someone who will fit into this world of yours. You forget you're on the top list of Delhi's top eligible bachelors. Someone who will fit in without asking for your heart."
Imran gave a hollow laugh that didn't reach his eyes, " That's the goal right, no intimate entanglements?" Rohan stood up patting his friend on the shoulder, "Yes, so ease up this is a small deal. I need to get back to the office to finish up some pending work. We'll talk later on?"
"Yeah, sure. Rohan, thank you." Imran stood up. "No worries, you just take it a day at a time." As he left Imran reached for his phone to text his Amma, 'You may begin your search for a bride but I need to have some input also'.