Testing Love: A Modern Take on an Arranged Marriage

My Parents Arranged a Marriage for Me, So I Decided to Test My Wealthy Fiancé

Nadia is forced to consent to an arranged marriage to a wealthy guy—a man her parents have selected—when she returns home from her time spent studying abroad. To fully understand the man she is marrying, Nadia chooses to put him to the test as their wedding day approaches.

I never thought I’d be sitting on a sidewalk outside of a restaurant, dressed like a homeless woman. I sat there, stooped down, my shoulders covered with a shawl.

People walked by me unnoticed as I kept an eye out for the slick black automobile that frequently transported my fiancé, Danny.

Even in the twenty-first century, arranged marriage is still common in my society.

However, after four years of studying in America, my conception of personal freedom and independence had changed significantly from when I had left home.

I was now rebelling at every opportunity.

I was still settled in the States, my mind full of lectures on liberty and new philosophies, when my parents first told Danny that I was engaged.

“Now that you’ve been abroad and have studied,” my mother stated, “it’s time for you to become a wife.”

I made an effort to object, but it was always met with silence.

My mother remarked, “Nadia, you have no option in this situation. I did my research, as has your father. Danny is a decent man. He is going to look after you.”

As my mother started preparing dinner, she went around the kitchen, combining a mixture of spices.

“And that’s just it?” As I made some tea, I inquired. “I have to marry this man?”

She gave me a smile and a nod.

“Nadia, your father and I did it—we had an arranged marriage, and everything turned out well for us.”

I now had to meet this stranger and his wealthy family, the stranger I was going to marry.

“He and his family will shortly be introduced to you. Darling, they own a chain of eateries. They constantly go above and beyond to assist others.”

We had gathered at the dining table a few days later. I had never met Danny before, so I wasn’t sure what to anticipate.

He was waiting for me in the driveway when I came out of the house. He was wearing a suit and was carrying flowers and a present bag.

He was attractive at first glance, but I needed him to be more than just a pretty face.

I was going to marry this dude. I had no choice but to stay with him. Additionally, I had no say in the matter, based on my parents’ actions.

My mother brought out a tray of tea and chocolates as my father greeted Danny and his parents.

“I didn’t know what you’d like,” she said, “so I got everything.”

Danny gave her a kind grin, as if he truly wanted to make an impression on my parents. During the tea, we had courteous conversations, and when it was time for supper, we gathered around the table.

My father motioned for Danny to seat here, gesturing to the head of the table.

My mum started fussing over Danny and his family, making sure they had an abundance of food on their plates.

“I need you to leave here knowing that you’ve been fed,” she replied.

I filled a glass with juice for myself. The lunch was going to take a while.

“Why did you decide to study in America?” With a frown over his glass of water, Danny asked me. “Didn’t you want to stay around family?”

“I applied without expecting to be accepted,” I said. “But then I did, and I wanted it to be a new challenge for me.”

He questioned, “But being away for so long?” “I bet you spent time in the library.”

“Just four years passed. I nevertheless made a couple trips home.”

He firmly said, “Family is very important to me, Nadia.”

I turned to see my mother, but she averted her gaze. For a brief while, there was silence without my response to Danny. There was only the sound of chewing and silverware scrapping.

My father grinned and added, “Tell Nadia about your charity.”

“Oh!” Putting down her fork immediately, Danny’s mother exclaimed.

She went on and on about how Danny often feeds the homeless and that he had a roster set up for various locations around us.

Danny’s mother declared, “If we can help it, nobody will go hungry.”

As I bit into my chicken, I thought to myself, My goodness. Is this something I have to put up with for the rest of my life?

After dinner, my future spouse departed from the house.

My mother remarked as we cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes, “Don’t you love him?”

“Mom, I don’t know him,” I admitted.

She answered, “But you will,” as she used a dish towel to dry the plates. “You will get to know him soon.”

I was too tired to handle it any longer. After being gone and unrestricted for so long, I walked to my bedroom and sat down, wondering how I could just give in to tradition.

I missed my freedom and the freedom that came with living in my college dorm. I was aware that I would have to let go of that, though.

I was forced to wait for the day of my planned union instead. The wedding was getting closer as the months went by, and I started to grow nervous and needed sleeping drugs.

With all the information I had about Danny, I had no idea how I was going to tie the knot.

I made the decision to dress as a homeless guy and wait outside Danny’s restaurant one morning while I was pouring myself some cereal. I wanted to witness his response to a person in need.

I huddled into my disguise as the automobile got closer, speaking in a raspy voice as Danny got out of it.

I said, “Excuse me, Sir.” “Could you spare…”

Danny hesitated, wrinkles appearing on his forehead.

“What do you need, ma’am? I can’t just give you some cash or a day’s worth of food. We must assist you in the long run.”

My heart became tense.

“There’s a shelter not far from here,” remarked the man. “My mother also volunteers there, so I can accompany you there. There, you’ll be secure. We can discuss getting you back on your feet while you eat, take a shower, and change into clean clothes.”

I got up and showed him who I really was by removing my shawl.

With wide eyes, he shouted, “Nadia?” “What are you doing?”

“Danny, I was just trying you out,” I said. “I wanted to confirm that you are who you claim to be. All I needed to know was. How else am I able to wed you?”

Danny first appeared shocked, but then a sardonic smile appeared on his face.

“So I suppose I ought to be truthful as well. I purposely have been awful in the hopes that you would call off the wedding.”

His candor surprised me.

I questioned, “Why would you do that?”

With a groan, Danny put his phone away and ran a hand over his hair.

“Because I believed everything to be a joke. I had no desire to participate in a plan. Not really. Given my advanced age, I realized it had to be done. Still, I’ve desired love. I’ve always desired a loving marriage.”

Upon taking a seat on a neighboring bench, Danny divulged details about his history.

“My adopted parents are the folks you met. They took me in after my mother passed away when I was quite small. My whole character is based on helping those who are in similar situations to mine. It’s personal as well as philanthropic.”

His voice resounded in the chilly air, his every word laden with passion.

“Yes, I’ve succeeded. However, I never wanted to use my achievements as a bargaining chip to get married. I didn’t want my past or wealth to define who I was.”

We spent the entire evening talking, clearing out our family’s difficulties and misconceptions. For the first time, we genuinely clicked and saw past the preconceived notions that had been placed upon us.

We started dating in the weeks that followed, going on actual dates that were full of sincere jokes and dreams in common. Our parents noticed the shift in us, the sudden respect and affection with which we regarded one another.