When Nadia returned home from studying abroad, she had no choice but to agree to an arranged marriage with a wealthy man—a man chosen by her parents. But as their tentative wedding date drew closer, Nadia decided to put it to the test to truly find out who she would marry.
I never imagined I’d find myself disguised as a homeless person, sitting on a sidewalk outside a restaurant. I sat there, hunched over, a shawl wrapped around my shoulders.
A woman sitting on the floor | Source: Pexels
People walked past me without paying attention, while I watched for the sleek black car that often carried my fiancé, Danny.
Although we are in the 21st century, arranged marriage still has its place in our country.
A black Mercedes-Benz | Source: Pexels
But I had been studying in America for four years, and my ideal of independence and personal freedom was very different from what I had left at home.
Now I was rebelling at every turn.
A woman wearing a red coat | Source: Pexels
When my parents announced the news of my engagement to Danny, I was still in the United States, my mind buzzing with new ideologies and lessons on self-reliance.
“Now that you’ve been abroad and studied,” my mother said, “it’s time for you to become a wife.”
I tried to protest, but it always fell on deaf ears.
A smiling woman in a white dress | Source: Pexels
“Nadia,” my mother said. “Your father and I have done our research. Danny is a good choice. He will take care of you.”
My mother moved around the kitchen, mixing a concoction of spices as she began to prepare dinner.
Assorted cooking spices | Source: Pexels
“And that’s it?” I asked, making the tea. “I have to marry this man?”
She nodded and smiled at me.
“Nadia, your father and I did it – we had an arranged marriage, and everything worked out for us.”
A bride and groom holding hands | Source: Pexels
Now I was to meet a stranger whom I was going to marry – a stranger and his wealthy family.
“You’ll meet him and his family soon. They own a restaurant chain, darling. They always go out of their way to help people.”
Restaurant interior | Source: Pexels
A few days later, we were all sitting around the dining table. It was the first time I’d met Danny, and I had no idea what to expect.
When I walked out of the house, there he was, in the driveway, dressed in a suit – holding a gift bag and flowers.
A bouquet of roses | Source: Pexels
At first glance, he was handsome, but I needed him to be more than just a pretty face to look at.
This man was going to become my husband. I was stuck with him. And judging by my parents’ behavior, I had no choice.
A man wearing a suit | Source: Pexels
As my father welcomed Danny and his parents into our home, my mother brought out a tray of tea and sweets.
“I don’t know what you like,” she said, “so I put everything in.”
Tea on a tray | Source: Unsplash
Danny smiled at her; he seemed genuinely concerned about impressing my parents. We exchanged polite conversation over tea, and when it was time for dinner, we sat around the table.
“Danny,” my father said, pointing to the end of the table, “sit there.”
My mother began taking care of Danny and his family, making sure to fill their plates with food.
A table full of food | Source: Pexels
“I need you to leave here knowing that you have been fed,” she said.
I poured myself a glass of fruit juice. The meal was going to be long.
“Why did you decide to study in America?” Danny asked, frowning at his glass of water. “Didn’t you want to stay close to your family?”
Juice in glass bottles | Source: Pexels
“I applied not thinking I’d get in,” I admitted. “But then I did, and I wanted it to be a new challenge for me.”
“But being gone for so long?” he persisted. “I bet you spent some time in the library.”
“It was only four years. I still came home a few times.”
A library | Source: Pexels
“Family is very important to me, Nadia,” he said firmly.
I looked at my mother, who refused to meet my gaze. Without me answering Danny, silence fell for a few moments. Only the sound of cutlery scraping and chewing could be heard.
A woman eating Source: Unsplash
“Tell Nadia about your charity,” my father beamed at me.
“Oh!” exclaimed Danny’s mother, quickly putting down her fork.
She explained at length that Danny was always feeding the homeless and had a list planned for different neighborhoods around us.
Food bags | Source: Unsplash
“No one will go hungry if we can prevent it,” said Danny’s mother.
My God, I thought to myself, sinking into my chicken. Do I really have to put up with this for the rest of my life?
Dinner ended and my future husband left the house.
A plate of food | Source: Unsplash
“Don’t you like it?” my mother asked as we washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.
“I don’t know him, Mom,” I replied.
“But you’ll know him,” she replied, wiping the plates with a cloth. “You’ll soon get to know him.”
A person washing a glass | Source: Pexels
I didn’t have the energy to dwell on this matter further. I went to my room and sat down, wondering how I could have given in to tradition after being absent and free for so long.
I longed for my college dorm and the liberation it brought. But I also knew I’d have to give it up.
A woman in her bedroom | Source: Pexels
Instead, I had to wait for my arranged marriage day. As the months passed, the wedding drew closer, and I began to feel anxious—I needed pills to sleep.
I didn’t know how I was going to marry Danny, knowing only the bare minimum about him.
One morning, while pouring myself some cereal, I decided to dress up as a homeless person and wait outside the restaurant Danny was staying at. I needed to see how he would react to someone in need.
A bowl of cereal | Source: Pexels
As I approached the car, I huddled in my disguise, my voice hoarse as Danny got out of the car.
“Excuse me, sir,” I said. “Could you help me…”
Danny paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
“Madam, what do you need? I can’t just give you money or food for the day. We need to help you in the long run.”
A man frowning | Source: Pexels
My heart sank.
“There’s a shelter not far from here,” he said. “I can take you there; my mother also volunteers there. You’ll be treated well there. You’ll get a meal, a shower, and clean clothes.”
I stood up and removed my shawl, revealing myself to him.
“Nadia?” he exclaimed, his eyes wide. “What are you doing?”
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
“I wanted to test you, Danny,” I said. “I wanted to see if you’re really who they say you are. I just needed to know. Otherwise, how could I marry you?”
Danny looked stunned, then a wry smile spread across his face.
“I guess I should be honest too, then. I was being horrible on purpose, hoping you’d call off the wedding.”
His frankness took me by surprise.
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
“Why would you do that?” I asked.
Danny sighs, running a hand through his hair, and silencing his phone’s ringer.
“Because I thought it was all a joke. I didn’t want to be part of an arrangement. Not really. I knew it had to be done, because of my age. But I wanted love. I wanted to marry for love.”
A man holding a phone | Source: Pexels
As we sat on a nearby bench, Danny opened up about his past.
“The parents you met are my adoptive parents. My mother died when I was very young, and they took me in. I built my entire character around helping people who are where I once was. It’s not just philanthropy, it’s personal.”
His words echoed in the cold air—each syllable heavy with emotion.
“Yes, I was successful. But I never wanted to use that success as leverage for marriage. I wanted someone to see me, not my money or my past.”
Flowers on a grave | Source: Pexels
We talked all evening, sorting out misunderstandings and pressure from our families. It was the first time we truly connected, seeing each other beyond the expectations placed on us.
In the weeks that followed, we started going out together—real dates, filled with genuine laughter and shared dreams. Our parents saw the change in us, the way we looked at each other with newfound respect and affection.
Soon we will be married, but today I am content with reality.
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
What would you have done?
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