Contracted Hearts<br /> <br /> Some hearts are never meant to be free... until they're bound by a contract.<br /> <br /> When Inaya Deshmukh, a simple yet stubborn girl, collides with a wealthy stranger, little did she know that this collision would... Contracted Hearts<br /> <br /> Some hearts are never meant to be free... until they're bound by a contract.<br /> <br /> When Inaya Deshmukh, a simple yet stubborn girl, collides with a wealthy stranger, little did she know that this collision would change the entire direction of her life.<br /> <br /> Kayrav Raichand — name, money, power... he has it all. But there's only one thing he doesn't have: the right to his own life.<br /> <br /> To escape an unwanted business deal, Kayrav takes a step that shakes both his heart and his past — a contract marriage with a girl... who is both a stranger and, somehow, familiar.<br /> <br /> Inaya doesn't care about money, but about her honor and her life. This contract, signed under duress, gradually begins to unveil their incomplete memories, deep secrets, and a forgotten relationship.<br /> <br /> When relationships are bound by agreements,<br /> Can hearts still beat helplessly?
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Mumbai's famous 7-star Hotel Moonlight was completely silent today, especially its VIP lounge section, which was miles away from public access. Only those whose names, influence, and money spoke for themselves could step into this place. High-profile business deals, secret meetings, or exclusive private parties usually took place here.
But today... this place was booked for a special deal. This deal was so important that even the shadow of a third person was not tolerated, so that there would be no disturbance.
Only one person was present in that VIP lounge at this time.
Dressed in a black three-piece suit, his hair perfectly gelled and set.
Expensive black shades on his deep brown eyes, a branded watch on his wrist, which was announcing its price from afar. His boots gleamed as if they had just come straight from an international showroom.
Six feet tall, with a complexion as clear as milk, and the sharp contrast of charcoal-black clothes on it, he was a walking epitome of class, power, and a killer look.
His physique was cinematographically perfect. Broad chest, muscular body, 8-pack abs, and a radiance on his face that could draw anyone towards him.
This was Kairav Raichand, CEO of Raychand Group of Industries.
Having stepped into the business world at the age of 18, Kairav had made his company one of the top industries in the country in just 7 years. For the last five years, he had been winning numerous awards like Best Young Talent, Businessman of the Year. Today, he had a chain of luxury hotels, clubs, resorts, lounges, luxury villas, and malls across the country, and his next step was Global Expansion.
Among girls, he wasn't a crush, he was a craze. He was India's Most Handsome Eligible Bachelor, who ruled girls' hearts with his looks, personality, and killer style.
But his private life was a mystery. No gossip, no scandal. He didn't even go to accept awards himself; his assistant and childhood friend Nitin went in his place.
Kairav was a closed book, no one was allowed to read.
Currently, Kairav, who himself rarely attended business deals, had come here today to finalize the most important deal of his life. And Kairav, punctual and with every second precious, had been waiting for someone for the last half hour.
Once again, restlessly pacing here and there, Kairav's gaze fell on the entrance. Then he cast a sharp glance at the watch on his wrist. Along with this, a voice, sweet as honey and flustered, hit his ears –
"Sorry, sorry, sorry sir... I got stuck in traffic. I left on time, but it seems the whole of Mumbai has come out with cars on the roads today, which is why it took me so long to get here."
Kairav removed his shades and turned his gaze towards the direction of the voice. A girl of about 22-23 years was running towards him. The girl's attention was on the floor in front of her.
This was Inaya Deshmukh – another name for a walking storm.
Kairav's eyes also went towards Inaya's feet. She had simple sandals on her feet, which had broken due to running and were covered in mud and dirt, leaving tracks of her sandals on the shining floor.
Seeing this, Kairav's eyebrows furrowed and joined, and a few lines appeared on his forehead. But Inaya was oblivious to this, or perhaps it didn't matter to her.
She was moving forward as quickly as she could, her attention still caught by her sandal. After a few steps, she looked up. And as soon as her eyes fell on Kairav, her forward steps faltered. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she exclaimed in astonishment,
"You... what are you doing here?"
As soon as she said this, the expression on Inaya's face changed. She narrowed her eyes and glared at Kairav,
"You haven't followed me here, have you? Look, I'm telling you beforehand that whatever happened that day was not my fault. You were driving so fast on the road, as if the road belonged to your father! Now, when you drive at the speed of wind on the roads, accidents will happen. I still took you to the hospital out of humanity, and even paid for your treatment.
Do you know? Because of you, I spent a whole 5000 rupees that day. My heart is so big that I said, let it go, it's okay, someone will benefit, I'll get some good deeds. And who knows, in return for this good deed, Lord Krishna might show me some mercy and I'll get a good job.
I didn't get the job, but I found you. But this time I'm not giving you a single penny. It was your fault, so why should I pay the damages? So, you won't get anything from me now, so get lost. I've come here for a very important work, and I absolutely don't want my work to be spoiled because of you. So, quietly go away from here, or I'll complain to the police that you are stalking me!"
Once Inaya started, she wouldn't stop, like a radio. Who knows, what meeting was she talking about? What had happened in that meeting?
Kairav was stunned and bewildered, looking at her as she spoke.
What alien world did Inaya come from, and what nonsense was she talking?
But as soon as Inaya threatened to involve the police, the expression on Kairav's face changed completely. He stared at Inaya and said in a stern tone,
"Talk to me with respect."
He had barely said this when Inaya cut him off and replied in the same tone,
"Why? Why should I talk respectfully? Are you some Prime Minister?"
Inaya glared at him, her eyes flashing, and stood defiantly and fearlessly in front of him.
Kairav's fair face turned red with anger. He glared at her with a look that could devour her, then said, chewing each word in anger,
"I am not the Prime Minister, but I am the owner of the place where you are standing and wagging your tongue so much. And I am the person you rushed to meet at the call of my assistant!"
As soon as Kairav said this, Inaya's eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth hung open in astonishment.
"Y-you... are... K-Kairav Raichand? The one whose assistant called me here regarding a job?"
Inaya asked Kairav somehow, stuttering, and looked at him with disbelieving eyes.
Kairav heard her question and replied with attitude,
"Yes. I am Kairav Raichand. The same Kairav Raichand who had an accident a few days ago because of you. The same Kairav Raichand, at whose assistant's call you have come here for a job, and here you are talking to me so rudely."
Hearing Kairav's reply, Inaya's face turned pale. She was shocked, she looked at him with wide eyes.
"N-no... no, this can't be true. This rude boy can't be The Great Kairav Raichand. This must be a duplicate product brought here to fool me."
Inaya mumbled to herself, then stood confidently in front of Kairav and said, looking him in the eye,
"You are lying. You can't be Kairav Raichand. Where is he, such a big and successful businessman, and where are you? You don't even know how to drive properly, how will you manage such a big Raichand industry?...
I understand everything, you are a duplicate Kairav Raichand and you want to take revenge by fooling me, but I won't let that happen. I'm not a fool, I've recognized you, you're a fraud who benefits from people by changing his identity like this."
Kairav was surprised by her confidence.
Kairav looked at her with strange eyes, then ignoring Inaya's accusations, he put his hand in his pocket. He typed something on his phone and turned the screen towards Inaya.
Inaya, who had been staring at Kairav until then, said irritably,
"What is it?"
"See for yourself the real Kairav Raichand,"
Kairav replied with attitude. Inaya's gaze fell on the phone screen. Kairav Raichand was searched on Google, with a photo of a handsome young man below it, along with his details.
Inaya first looked at the photo on the screen, then at Kairav standing in front of her.
Inaya's whole body seemed to freeze. The boy she had been calling 'duplicate product' until now was her new boss, The Real Kairav Raichand.
To be continued...
How did you like the beginning of my new story? I am writing this story for a rapid competition, so the parts of the story will come out quickly. You can read it if you want, and after reading, please comment and let me know how you liked the story. If you liked it, don't forget to like it.
"R... Really, you are Kairov Raychand...? I mean, you are the real Mr. Raychand...?"
Seeing her reaction, Kairov looked at her with a slight smirk and narrowed his eyebrows.
"Still in doubt?"
At first, Inaya stared at Kairov with wide eyes as if she had been greatly deceived. Then, she mentally chided herself and, with a sheepish laugh, said,
"Oh sir, you got angry over such a small thing. I didn't know who you were. I thought you had followed me all the way here, so I became a bit rude. It was a mistake... such a mistake will never happen again. Please forgive this little innocent child's small mistake this time."
Inaya's demeanor had completely changed. Kairov was initially surprised by her altered behavior, but after some thought, a sarcastic smile spread across his lips.
Kairov, hiding his smile, glanced at Inaya with a look that seemed to say, "Small and innocent... you? Seriously?"
Understanding his sarcasm, Inaya flashed her teeth and blinked her eyes with a cute expression.
At that moment, she looked genuinely cute, like a little girl. Kairov's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then he let out a deep sigh, calmed himself, and asked,
"So, did Nitin send you here?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Nitin sent me here."
"You want a job? Do you want to work at Raychand Industries?"
"Yes sir."
"Inaya Deshmukh, right?"
Kairov asked, raising an eyebrow, to which Inaya immediately nodded in agreement.
Kairov then gestured with his eyes towards a table nearby and said,
"Come, let's sit and talk."
Inaya quickly agreed and rushed towards it before Kairov. But her bad luck, she didn't pay attention to her broken sandal, and in her haste, her foot got caught in the sandal's strap.
She lost her balance and was about to fall face first. In fear, she screamed at the top of her lungs,
"Mammaaaaaa...!"
Hearing the sound, Kairov immediately turned. At that very moment, Inaya, flailing her arms in the air, making a futile attempt to save herself, fell directly on Kairov.
Due to Inaya's entire body weight suddenly falling on him, Kairov's steps faltered backward. Managing to regain his balance, he saved himself and Inaya, who was clinging to his chest, from falling.
During this, Kairov's arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, while Inaya's arms were spread across Kairov's shoulders.
For a moment, both were shocked. Everything happened so quickly that they couldn't comprehend it. In that moment, the sound of their heartbeats echoed in the silence.
Inaya's heart pounded with the fear of falling, while Kairov's heart rate also increased. For a few seconds, they stood stunned in the same position, then in a flurry, they separated from each other.
"Can't you walk and look? Are you human or a walking storm?"
Kairov pushed Inaya away from him, suddenly bursting into anger and displeasure, skillfully hiding his discomfort behind this rage.
Inaya, jolted by his sudden push, stumbled back a couple of steps and stared at Kairov with wide, surprised eyes. She heard Kairov's words and, making a face, said,
"I am human, and accidents often happen to humans. There was no need to get so worked up about it. Besides, I have no desire to be held close to your chest. It's just that my sandal broke, so I was falling. Otherwise, I would never have hurt my head by colliding with a hard rock like you!"
Inaya, on the spot, retorted at Kairov and, making a face, walked towards the table.
Kairov was left staring at Inaya, stunned. Perhaps Inaya was the first girl who took him so lightly and behaved with him in such a manner, which is why Kairov was surprised.
Here, Kairov, stunned, was thinking about Inaya - what exactly is this creature? Where did she get so much attitude in bulk? Where did she get the courage to behave like this with him? From which planet did this seventh wonder of the world come, on whom his position doesn't impress? Instead, she scolded him as if he were her childhood friend! How could she, after insulting him so much, carelessly sit on the queen-like chair?
Inaya sat on the chair, leisurely looking around, while Kairov watched her, bewildered and troubled. After a few moments, when Kairov still didn't come there, Inaya turned her gaze towards Kairov and, raising her eyebrows, said,
"Mister, are you going to stand there all the time, or will you come here and start the interview quickly?"
Inaya's voice reached Kairov's ears, and only then did he snap out of his thoughts. He shook his head and, with full authority, strode towards her and sat on the chair in front of her.
Seeing his attitude and style, Inaya raised her right hand in the air, making a gesture as if applauding him.
Kairov paid her no mind and, sitting on the chair like a king, adjusted his coat. Then, turning his gaze towards Inaya, he said,
"I have an offer for you."
"What kind of offer?" Inaya looked at him, her eyebrows raised.
Here, Kairov seemed a bit nervous. He took a deep breath, sat up straight, and said in a serious tone,
"It's like a business deal. You need a job at the moment, and I am giving you a job."
"What kind of job? Tell me clearly. There's no need to beat around the bush, because I don't like jalebi at all."
Inaya made a disgusted face, as if someone had forced her to eat jalebi and ruined her taste.
Kairov looked at Inaya in surprise. Then, he shook his head helplessly and began to say seriously,
"Look, listen and understand carefully what I am about to say. And react only after hearing the whole thing. Okay?"
This time, Kairov's voice had a touch of softness, and he seemed equally serious. Inaya immediately nodded in agreement and waited for Kairov to continue.
Kairov paused. Nervously, he picked up the glass in front of him and drank the entire water in one gulp. Then, letting out a deep breath, he began to say,
"So, your job will be to pretend to be my wife for a year. In simple terms, we will get married—but only to show the world. In reality, we will have a contract, according to which, for the next year, you will have to pretend to be my wife in front of the world and my family—you will have to show everyone as if we love each other very much and are very happy together.
In return, you will get whatever you want. I will give you so much money that even after separating from me, you will never have to beg anyone or struggle for a job. You can spend the rest of your life comfortably without doing any work. If you want my help in your career, I will help you here as well."
Kairov's eyes were fixed on Inaya, and he was waiting for her response with bated breath, while Inaya seemed to be in shock after hearing his words.
For a few moments, she stared at him, mouth agape and eyes wide with astonishment. Repeating his words in her mind, she tried to understand their meaning, and as soon as she understood what Kairov was saying, she exclaimed in shock,
"So, you want to have a contract marriage with me, for one year? And in return, you will give me money? For one year, we will live as husband and wife in front of the world, and as soon as the contract period ends, our paths will diverge? Our relationship will end, and after the breakup of that fake marriage, I will get the tag of a divorcee?"
Kairov nodded in agreement.
As soon as she finished speaking, Inaya suddenly pushed her chair back, stood up, and glared at Kairov, bursting into anger.
To be continued...
"Will our paths separate as soon as the contract period ends? Will our relationship end and I'll be tagged as a divorcee after that pretended marriage falls apart?"
Kayarav nodded in agreement.
No sooner had he given this response than Inaya suddenly stood up, pushing her chair back, and furiously glared at Kayarav, her anger boiling over.
"Have you gone mad? Do you even realize what nonsense you're spouting? Do you think that just because you're rich, the whole world is at your feet, and you can do anything by flaunting your wealth?... What did you think? That you'd lure me with money and I'd accept your absurd deal, binding myself to you in this pretentious relationship? That I'd ruin my entire life for the sake of a few rupees?
If you thought you'd come here because I'm from a middle-class family and I need a job and money, and that's why I'd accept your ridiculous deal - then you've got me completely wrong, because even though I'm poor and I need a job and money, Mr. Kayarav Raichand, I'm not for sale.
Even if I were to die, I'd never accept this deal. If you were the last man on earth, I'd still never marry you. Even if you offered me all the wealth in the world, I'd never bind myself to you in this fake relationship."
"Inaya, this deal is actually in your favor. Take a moment to think about it calmly and carefully," Kayarav tried to reason with her in a calm tone, but Inaya, already enraged, only grew angrier and suddenly shouted at Kayarav.
"I don't want to think about it! I don't care about my own benefit! (Mujhe kuch nahi sochna hai. Mujhe apna fayda nahi dekhna hai!)
I'm telling you once and for the last time - your contract is not acceptable to me! (Main tujhe ek baar aur antim baar keh rahi hoon - tera ye sauda mujhe manzoor nahi hai!)
I'll never marry you - not even for show! (Main tujse kabhi shaadi nahi karungi - wo bhi sirf dikhane ke liye!)
Today you spoke like this in front of me, but never talk to me like that again! (Aaj tu ne ye baat mere saamne kar di, lekin dobara kabhi mujhse aisa na bolna!)
If you come in front of me again with that rotten face of yours, you won't leave like you did today! (Punaha agar tera wo sadhla chehra lekar aaya na, to is baar main tujhe aisa hi nahi chhodne waali!)
I don't know what's going on in your head, but I'm not for sale! (Tere dimaag mein kya chal raha hai, mujhe nahi pata - lekin main bikau nahi hoon!)"
Inaya shouted at him, her anger boiling over, and then stormed off, leaving Kayarav sitting silently.
"What an eccentric man! He speaks of marriage after offering a job - and that too a contract marriage! It seems he's been watching too many Korean dramas and got inspired. But that's a drama, and this is reality. They show anything for entertainment - it doesn't mean you apply it to real life!
I know he's rich and can buy anything with money - but I'm not a thing to be bought! I'm poor, I need a job and money, but that doesn't mean I'll sell myself for a few rupees! A one-year contract marriage... is that a joke?"
Inaya muttered to herself, still fuming.
"Strange, crazy man..."
The person in the car changed the direction of the vehicle by turning the steering wheel in their hand—and the speeding car hit the sidewalk with a loud thud.
The car's bonnet popped open, and smoke began to billow out. When Inaya saw this scene, her heart leaped into her mouth in fear, and her breath hitched.
Inaya stared at the scene with wide eyes for a few seconds, then quickly composed herself and hurried towards the car.
"Excuse me... Hello, is anyone inside? ... Are you alright? ... I can't see anything... Say something..."
Inaya was knocking on the car window from the outside, trying to peer inside from different angles, but there was no response from within. After much effort, she couldn't see anything, so she stepped back in annoyance.
"What new trouble is this? I can't see anything, and no one is speaking from inside. Whoever is inside, are they okay?... Should I try opening the door? Maybe it will open?"
Muttering to herself, Inaya moved forward. She grabbed the handle and tried to open the car door, and the next moment her face fell.
"It's locked, now what?... Should I leave it? Anyway, the accident wasn't my fault. I might get caught up in this unnecessarily. If someone sees me here, the police will come and lock me up. If I don't reach home on time, Mother will eat me alive... No, Inaya, you don't need to get into these unnecessary complications. You should take the "thin lane" and quickly save yourself and get out of here. Whatever happens, happens—why would you sacrifice your life for this?"
Inaya glanced at the car and immediately started running away with quick steps, but stopped abruptly a short distance ahead. A voice from her heart spoke again,
"No, Inaya, how can you be so selfish? Granted, you didn't cause the accident, but you are somewhat responsible too. It was your mistake. If you leave this person here like this, Bappa will never forgive you. And if he gets angry with you because of this, then what will happen to you? Come on, out of humanity, check if the person inside is okay or not."
Inaya immediately returned to the car and looked at the locked car with troubled eyes.
"It's locked, now what do I do? I can't see anything from the outside, and no one is speaking from the inside... How will I know if the person inside is alright or not?"
Wiping her sweaty face with her stole, Inaya started racking her brain. Her eyes darted around.
Her gaze stopped at one spot. Something suddenly occurred to her, and a mischievous smile spread across her lips.
Inaya immediately moved forward and started lifting a large stone lying by the roadside with both hands. The stone was a bit heavy. Inaya somehow lifted it and came near the car. She stood on the opposite side of the driver's seat.
First, she looked at the stone with gleaming eyes, then at the car window—and with all her might, she smashed the pointed part of the stone onto the window. She did this two or three times, and with a loud noise, the window glass shattered into tiny pieces.
Inaya gave a victorious smile, put the stone aside, quickly reached in through the window, unlocked the car, and then ran to the driver's seat, but the door on that side was blocked by the sidewalk. Inaya turned back and came to the passenger seat, opened the door, and got inside the car.
Whoever was in the car had slumped forward. Inaya lifted his head from the steering wheel and rested it against the back seat. As soon as her gaze fell on the boy's face, her eyes lit up, and her mouth dropped open in surprise. This boy was none other than Kavya—who was a stranger to Inaya.
"Oh my god... If you call him handsome, it's him!
It feels like someone has descended right in front of me from a K-drama!
I can't take my eyes off him..."
(Oh God... he's not just handsome, he's a complete K-drama hero! It feels like he's stepped right out of the screen.)
The next moment, Inaya's gaze fell on the blood sticking to his forehead, and her expression changed completely. She quickly took out a handkerchief from her purse and pressed it to his forehead.
"Oh... Hello mister, please open your eyes... Are you alive?"
Inaya patted his cheek, then suddenly stopped. In her panic, her throat grew dry.
"What if he's really dead? The injury isn't that severe, but if he dies, your entire future life will be spent grinding away in jail... All your education will be wasted..."
Inaya even imagined herself grinding away in jail. The next moment, she snapped back to reality with a jolt.
"No, that won't happen. Does anyone die from such a small injury?"
With a thumping heart, Inaya nervously brought her two fingers close to his nose—and the next second, she jumped with joy.
"He's alive! He's alive, he's alive!... He's breathing. He's not dead, just unconscious. Now I won't go to jail!"
Inaya slumped onto the passenger seat. She took out a water bottle from her purse and brought it to her mouth. After a few sips of water, her parched throat finally found relief. Her wandering eyes fell on the injured Kavya, then she lowered her gaze and looked at her bottle.
Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she quickly took the remaining water in the bottle into her hand and splashed it on his face.
"Oh... Hello... Excuse me, Mister... Wake up now! I've even splashed water on you—now wake up!"
Inaya patted his cheek once more. This time, Kavya's eyelids fluttered. Inaya's eyes widened as she watched him.
Kavya's eyes opened slightly. His half-closed brown eyes fell on Inaya's face. The next moment, his eyes closed again. Inaya, who was happy to see him regaining consciousness, was thoroughly shocked.
"What happened to you?... You just regained consciousness, have you fainted again?... Open your eyes... Look... You are perfectly fine..."
She tried hard, but it was no use. Finally, defeated, Inaya slumped back onto the passenger seat and stared at Kavya with troubled eyes.
"Now what do I do? He fainted again... Splashing water didn't help either. It seems I'll have to take him to the hospital, but how? His car is also in bad condition. I won't get a lift on this deserted road... I'll have to go to the main road, then maybe something can be done..."
Inaya leaned back towards Kavya, scooped him into her arms, and began to pull him out. Somehow she managed to seat Kavya on the passenger seat. By then, she was exhausted.
"Come on, Aina, get to work! If you take this injured man to the hospital today and save his life—you'll earn merit. Bappa will be pleased, and he'll surely get you a good job."
Inaya let out a deep sigh and stood up with her back to Kavya. She wrapped his arms around her neck and pulled him out of the car. Suddenly, Kavya's entire weight fell on Inaya, and her steps faltered. She almost fell with him, but she managed to balance herself by holding onto the car and started walking towards the main road with faltering steps. But it wasn't easy.
Kavya was taller than her and had a well-built muscular body, and he was heavy. Inaya was bent over, and Kavya's feet were dragging on the ground.
Inaya took a few more steps with faltering gait, but she couldn't do any more than that. She sat Kavya down on the sidewalk—he lay down there. Inaya sat beside him. She was panting heavily, drenched in sweat—she was taking deep breaths.
"Now what do I do? He's too heavy, I can't lift him. By the time I take him to the road, I might end up going to Bappa myself. I need to think of something else..."
Muttering to herself, she looked at Kavya with troubled eyes. Once again, she started racking her brain, trying to find a way out of this problem. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and her dejected eyes lit up. She immediately looked around—and then ran quickly in another direction.
A short while later, a bike stopped there, with a boy riding it, his face covered by a helmet.
To be continued…
"What should I do now? This is too heavy, I won't be able to lift it. By the time I drag this to the road, I might just reach Bappa myself. I need to think of something else..." Muttering to herself, she looked at Kaayrav with worried eyes. Once again, she started her mental race, searching for a way out of this problem. Suddenly, something struck her, and her dejected eyes lit up. She immediately scanned her surroundings and then quickly ran in the other direction.
From inside Kaayrav's car, she took out her purse and made a call. As the call went through, her heartbeats quickened. After a few rings, the call was answered, and a boy's voice came from the other end, "Speak quickly, what happened? I'm very busy!"
"Manu, listen..."
"I am listening, speak quickly!" The boy, Manu, whose real name was Manav, sounded hurried. He was probably busy, and Inaya was worried. "Manoo, mazhyaakadun khoop mothi gadbad jhali aahe..." In her panic, Inaya spoke in Marathi, which annoyed Manav.
"Speak in Hindi, you idiot! What nonsense are you spewing?"
"Mannu, I've made a huge mistake."
"What mess have you gotten into now?" Manav flared up instantly. Inaya put on a helpless expression. "Man, I didn't do anything. Nothing happened because of me, but I've landed myself in a problem without doing anything, and I need you right here, right now!"
"Tell me what happened? What did you do?" Inaya briefly narrated the whole story. Manav held his head. "Aina, what is your problem? Why can't you do anything properly? Do you know there's no real difference between you and a magnet? A magnet attracts iron, and you attract trouble like a magnet!"
"Man, stop taunting me and just tell me if you'll come or should I find some other way?"
"Send me your location. I'm coming, but I won't stay long, understood?"
"Okay, okay... I'm sending the location. You come quickly, I'll wait... okay, bye!" Inaya quickly hung up the call and, after sending her location, returned to Kaayrav.
"Oops... he's fallen asleep in such a dirty place!" Inaya made a strange face seeing him lying on the footpath, then muttered to herself, "Forget it, man, he's too heavy. Who knows when Manu will come? How long will I have to support his weight? He's lying comfortably, so let him be." Inaya shook her head and began pacing back and forth, waiting for Manu, her muttering continuing.
After a short while, a bike stopped there. A boy was sitting on it, his face covered by a helmet. Inaya immediately ran towards him. "It's good you've come! Now quickly take him to the hospital. He's not hurt much, who knows why he's not regaining consciousness?"
Manav took off his helmet. He was quite tall, fit, and handsome. He looked attractive in formal clothes. "Will you let me see him first?" Manav glared at her irritably. Inaya quickly nodded and brought him to Kaayrav, who was still unconscious.
"The injury really isn't deep, then why isn't he conscious?"
"That's what I was wondering! I even poured water on him, he opened his eyes, but then fainted again. Only a doctor can tell what's wrong with him now! But why have you come on a bike? How will we take him on a bike?"
"If you had gotten me a helicopter, I would have brought that!" Manav taunted her again, and Inaya made a face. "You've become very rude to me lately! I'm telling you, mend your ways, or I'll stop talking to you!" Hearing Inaya's threat, Manav nodded helplessly and started to lift Kaayrav. Inaya became even more annoyed and glared at him angrily, but Manav paid her little attention.
"Now why are you standing there staring at me? Come and help me! I have to go back to the office after dropping him at the hospital. Do you have any idea? I lied to the boss and took only half an hour. There's a meeting after that; if I'm not present by then, today's leave will be deducted, and I'll have to listen to the boss's lectures too!"
Inaya, with a pout, started to help him. Both took one of Kaayrav's arms over their shoulders and somehow managed to get him to the bike. "You won't be able to handle him. You sit in front, I'll sit behind with him. Just drive the bike carefully, lest we end up needing to be admitted to the hospital along with him!"
Inaya nodded and sat in front. Manav somehow made Kaayrav sit behind Inaya and tied them both to her with a strap, then sat behind himself. "Ganpati Bappa Moriya..." Inaya's lips moved, and she started the bike.
A short while later, the bike stopped outside a nearby hospital. A ward boy came with a stretcher, and Manav went with him. "I've spoken to the doctor, he was unconscious due to shock. He'll regain consciousness in a little while. There's nothing to worry about."
Inaya felt a wave of relief. She slumped onto a nearby chair and folded her hands, muttering to herself, "Ganpati Bappa, thank you so much! I was worried for nothing. I didn't do anything, but there was no one else there besides me. If something serious had happened to him, I would have been in trouble!"
"What are you muttering about now?" Manav interrupted. Only then did Inaya come out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head in denial. "Aina, tell me one thing, why did you call me? If you had called a taxi, it wouldn't have been so much trouble!"
"Who would risk calling a taxi! He was unconscious; what if the taxi driver blamed me for his condition and complained to the police? I would have ended up at the police station for no reason! And no one would come to bail me out!"
"You always think more than necessary! Here, drink this..." Manav extended a glass of water towards her. Inaya was very thirsty. She quickly grabbed the glass and emptied it in one gulp. "Aina, I have to go now. Reaching the office on time is very important. There's nothing much for you to do here either, the payment has been made. If you want, come with me; I'll drop you off on my way to the office."
"You're right. Nothing happened because of me, yet I did this much for him; I picked him up from the road and brought him to the hospital, and even bore the cost of treatment. Just let me talk to the nurse, then I'll leave."
Manav waited for her. After a while, Inaya returned after talking to the nurse and left with Manav. Kaayrav was unconscious. He regained consciousness about two hours later. He opened his eyes slightly. Seeing himself in an unfamiliar place, he was initially startled. Then, looking around, he realized he was in a hospital.
Just then, the door opened, and a nurse stepped inside. "You've regained consciousness? How are you feeling now?"
"Feeling better... but how did I get here?"
"A girl and a boy brought you here. You had an accident and were unconscious due to shock, so they admitted you. They left here a short while ago. They also paid for your treatment. And before leaving, that girl asked me to give you this message: drive carefully. Not everyone is as big-hearted as them to pick you up from the road in an injured state and take you to the hospital."
Kaayrav's face showed a strange expression. He remembered the entire accident scene and Inaya's face flashed before his eyes. "Do you know their names?"
Hearing Kaayrav's question, the nurse looked a bit confused, then concentrating, she said, "On the form, she probably wrote her name as Inaya... Inaya Deshmukh."
"Inaya Deshmukh..." Repeating Inaya's name, Kaayrav's eyes shone with a different light. He thanked the nurse. The doctor came, checked him, and then he too left the hospital.
The auto stopped outside a house, and with that, she came out of her thoughts. She paid the auto driver and got down. The confidence and anger that had enhanced her personality until now had vanished, and a look of apprehension had appeared on her face.
To be continued...
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"Did you find work, or did you return empty-handed again this time, having scoured the streets of Mumbai?" As soon as Inaya stepped into the house, a sharp voice hit her ears, darkening her face.
Inaya nervously turned her gaze in the direction of the voice. Standing right in front of her was a lady around 45-50 years old, wearing a simple saree.
"Why don't you answer? Did you find work, or did you come back empty-handed today as well, after wasting time roaming the streets for nothing?"
Savita ji repeated the question, staring at Inaya with piercing eyes.
"I... " Inaya looked at her helplessly, but before she could say anything further, Savita ji exploded at her in anger.
"I, I what? Tell me, did you get work or not?"
"No, I didn't get it, Aai." Inaya's voice was soft, while Savita ji's face turned red with anger.
"It was our misfortune that we squandered so much money on you. We went against everyone to support you, thinking that if you studied, you would at least lighten our burden... You would earn something, bring some money home, and perhaps our situation would improve.
But it's as if you've sworn to embarrass us in front of everyone. Sometimes I think it would have been better if we had left you to rot in that orphanage. You deserved that.
I did so much for you, brought you from the orphanage to my home, sent you to a good college, gave you things that we could barely give our own children, and what did I get in return?
Even today, you are a burden on us. You haven't earned a single penny so far, just sitting at home eating free meals.
But no more, Inaya. My patience is running out. You have only one week. Either find a job within this week and place your first salary in my hands,
Or remember, Sachin is still ready to get engaged to you.
Next week, I will arrange your engagement myself, without your consent, so that we can get rid of this burden forever.
Then do whatever you want in your in-laws' house; one problem will be off our heads."
Savita ji's harsh words struck Inaya's chest. Pain rose in her heart, and helplessness welled up in her eyes as tears. She stood with her head bowed, listening silently.
Savita ji had poured out all her frustration. After scolding Inaya thoroughly, she spoke in a harsh tone,
"Now what are you staring at the ground for, standing here? You've returned like royalty, and you're still not ready to move from here. Will your father do the housework?
You've already wasted half the day outside, can't find a job, and just make excuses to roam the streets every day.
Go on, go do some work, at least help with the household chores. You're not good for anything else! At least move your hands and feet a bit, otherwise, if you go to your in-laws, we'll have to listen to things there too."
Savita ji left, still ranting at her. Inaya threw her broken sandal aside, took her purse, and went to her room. In that 50-yard house, she had a small room of her own.
As soon as she entered the room, Inaya's eyes began to water. Her tear-filled eyelids lifted, falling on the small temple where a beloved idol of Bappa was kept.
"Bappa, what did I do wrong? Why does this always happen to me? I try so hard, yet why can't I find a decent job?
You know how important it is for me to get a job, yet you don't support me.
I believe in you so much, but you don't care about me at all.
I know you have many devout followers who please you by offering you many things, but I, though small, am still a devotee.
With so much devotion, I offer you modaks every day, and what do I ask for? Just a decent job, so I can be free from these daily taunts.
But you don't even fulfill this small wish of mine.
Every time, the job slips through my fingers.
If this continues, Aai will truly get me engaged to that pig,
And if that happens, watch, I will cut my veins in front of your temple and take my own life, but I will never marry him."
Inaya wiped her tears, changed her clothes, and got to work.
From cleaning the house to cooking, all the chores seemed to be waiting for her. Savita's bitter taunts played like background music.
Exhausted from the whole day, she was lying down in the evening when her phone rang. A picture of a chimpanzee appeared on the screen.
Inaya answered the call and fell back on the bed with a thud.
"Hello, speak, why did you call?"
"What happened to you? Why do you sound so down? Is everything alright?"
"Everything is always great in my life," Inaya smiled, as if mocking herself. Meanwhile, Manav became worried.
"Aina, what happened? Are you okay?"
"Will you meet me now?" Inaya said abruptly. Manav was startled, then after a few seconds of thought, he said,
"Okay, I'm reaching the park near your house in fifteen minutes. Meet me there."
"Okay, bye."
They both cut the call. Inaya sat up, quickly tidied herself up, washed her hands and face, and shouted as she left the house,
"Aai, I'm going to meet Manav, I'll be back in a while."
Savita ji glared at her angrily but couldn't say anything. Inaya didn't give her a chance and quickly ran off, slipping on her sandals.
A while later, both were sitting cross-legged on the grass in the park.
Inaya was sulking, pulling at the grass, and Manav was looking at her face with concern, trying to understand what was going on in her mind.
When Inaya didn't say anything herself, Manav initiated the conversation.
"What happened now? Why are you sitting with a face like a rotten pumpkin? Will you tell me something?
You're the one who called me to meet here, and since I arrived, you've been sitting with a pout, just pulling grass.
If there's a problem, tell me, only then can I provide a solution."
Inaya now lifted her downcast eyelids and, with a wry face, said sadly,
"You know, I don't have troubles in my life, rather my life itself is a very big trouble."
"Tell me clearly, what happened this time?" Manav sat up alertly.
"You know how useless I am, I can't tolerate even a small thing, and because of this habit, I lost a very good opportunity.
After struggling in so many places, I finally got a job last month with great difficulty, but again, because of my sharp tongue, they kicked me out in two days.
Getting a second job now is not easy. It's not like Pav Bhaji that you go to a stall and buy it to eat.
I've been struggling for so many days, but I can't find work anywhere. And even if I find it somewhere, that pigeon won't let me work.
My Aai, like Yamraj, has the sword of marriage hanging over my neck, and is ready to behead me.
If she had her way, she would get me engaged to that pigeon right now and get rid of me.
She has given me a week's time and said that if I don't find work and don't put the money in her hands,
She will get me married to that pig next week.
Now where will I get a job, when I can't find any work?"
Inaya sat down, holding her head. She was truly very irritated.
"Take money from me and give it to them. By next month, if Bappa wills, you will definitely find some job. Otherwise, I'll arrange something for you."
"No, that won't work. I'll take money from you today, but what about next month? It's very important to get a job."
Inaya paused for a moment, then suddenly something struck her, and her eyes sparkled like fireflies.
"Manu, do me a favor, will you marry me?
All the problems will be solved. I'll get out of that house, and I'll get rid of that pig's offspring too."
Hearing Inaya's words, the color drained from Manav's face.
To be continued...
"No, this won't work. I'll take money from you today, but what about next month? It's crucial to find a job."
"What happened at the interview you went to today?" As soon as Manav asked this, Kairav's face flashed before Inaya's eyes. Her fair complexion turned red with intense anger, and she suddenly shouted,
"That scoundrel was crazy. He was making a fool of me."
"What do you mean? I don't understand. Explain in detail what exactly happened in the interview and why you suddenly got so angry?" Manav was severely shocked, lines of worry etched on his forehead.
"That Kairav Raichand is none other than the same boy who had an accident that day and whom I took to the hospital with your help. I think he must have sustained a serious head injury in that accident, which even the doctor didn't notice."
"Are you telling the truth... you mean that boy is Kairav Raichand? That day, because of you, he had an accident, and today you went to him for a job." Manav was stunned, and Inaya was frustrated.
"Yes, it was him. He called me for the interview. You don't know, that man is completely mad, all his mental circuits are loose. I think his mental balance has been disturbed due to that accident."
"Why are you saying that? He seemed fine that day, the injury wasn't too serious, and the doctor also said he was perfectly fine, just fainted due to shock. Then why are you calling him mad? What happened between you two that you directly called him mentally unstable?"
"I didn't make him mad, he proved with his actions that his mental circuit is loose."
"What did he do that you're so furious with him?"
"You're asking what he did? Oh, ask what he *didn't* do..."
Inaya snapped. Manav clutched his head.
"Madam, are you going to keep beating around the bush or tell me what happened?"
"Nothing happened, he wanted to do a lot, but I didn't let his intentions be fulfilled."
Inaya clenched her jaw in anger. Manav got irritated and glared at her, furrowing his brows.
"Inaya, I swear! If you talk nonsense instead of telling me what happened one more time, I'll get up and leave. If you want to tell, tell me clearly what happened, otherwise keep your mouth shut. I'm already tired, and you're just making me more agitated."
Inaya pouted.
"Are you going to say something now or just keep pouting?"
Manav interrupted again. Inaya scrunched her nose and said,
"You're very mean. You know, besides you, there's no one else in my life with whom I can share my heart, tell my problems, or vent my frustrations. You're my best buddy after Bappa, and now you're not even letting me speak."
Seeing Inaya's theatrics, Manav helplessly shook his head and, with a deep sigh, said,
"Is the emotional blackmail act over? Then speak about the matter at hand. Tell me what happened in your interview today?"
Inaya was annoyed at first, then her eyes widened as she looked at him.
"Do you know what he said when he called me for the interview?"
"How would I know?" Manav shrugged cluelessly. Inaya shook her head and said,
"Yes, how would you know? Fine, I'll tell you. He asked his assistant to call me for the interview, and when I got there, he told me that I have to marry him, and what kind of marriage—a contract marriage! I have to be his wife for a year, and then he will divorce me. And in return for this marriage, he will give me money and help me build my career."
"Now you tell me, is this even a sensible thing to say? He was mad, wasn't he, to call me for an interview and propose marriage—and to me! I flatly refused and told him off so badly that he'll remember it till his dying day and never come before me again."
Remembering Kairav, Inaya's eyes first narrowed in anger, and the next moment she preened. Manav was shocked; he just stared at her with wide, confused, and worried eyes.
"You mean to say... Kairav Raichand called you for an interview and proposed marriage? A contract marriage—for one year—and you just told him off and left?"
"Of course! How dare he talk to me like that? Was I the only one he could find in the whole world? Just because I'm poor and need money, does that mean I'll agree to do anything? I gave him a good earful—he must have been bleeding from his ears."
Inaya clenched her jaw, while Manav was lost in deep thought.
"Aina, think about this offer with a cool head for once. If you accept this deal, all your problems will be solved."
Manav's words reached Inaya's ears, and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you mad? Have you sold your brain somewhere? Do you even know what nonsense you're talking about?"
Inaya screamed angrily, but Manav replied calmly.
"Yes, I know. And I'm saying all this after thinking it through carefully. Think— you just have to be his wife for one year. Then you'll be free and can start your own separate business with his money. Then you won't have to listen to your mother's scoldings with every meal. You'll be free from the daily nagging. You'll also be rid of the trouble named Sachin."
"Manu, don't talk nonsense. I'm not going to sell myself."
"You won't sell yourself, but your mother will sell you off to that Sachin. You'll never escape his clutches. So, go and meet Kairav Raichand once and talk to him properly. Find out why he wants to marry you, and what benefit he will get from it.
Try it. What if Bappa sent him as a medium to get you away from this slum and this suffocating, humiliating life? Think about it yourself—he is so rich and powerful, if you become his wife, no one will dare to look at you with ill intentions. In return for this deal, you'll get millions and millions of rupees. You can leave everything and start a new life somewhere new. It's just one year... What's the harm in talking to him once?"
"Go, meet him—sit down and talk calmly, and after that, think about whether you want to do this or not."
"Whatever happens... I refused him outright. How can I go back now? Don't I have any self-respect? Anyway, I don't want to get married right now. I don't have any desire to move forward with someone's support. I want to achieve something based on my own hard work and talent."
"And what have you achieved with your hard work and talent? You couldn't even find a decent job. Today, you're still living in a small room in the same house. Every day you listen to your mother's harsh words. Your status there is like a servant—worse than them.
You studied so hard, fighting and arguing, but today you're walking the streets. When a person gets an opportunity, they prove themselves through hard work. If there's no opportunity, talent is useless.
I'm your friend, I know how much you've struggled to get to where you are today, how many problems you've faced. I don't want your life to be ruined. That's why I'm telling you—think about it. This one opportunity can change your life. Otherwise, in a week, your mother will get you married to that Sachin. Then you'll rot inside those four walls for the rest of your life and ruin your life by being his slave."
Manav's sharp words struck Inaya's heart. Her life so far flashed before her eyes. Just thinking about marrying Sachin filled her with disgust.
"Marry that boy, dear, and get out of here. You're not made for this life. He'll give you everything you deserve."
"Manu, do me a favor... Marry me.
All the problems will be solved. I'll get out of that house, and I'll be rid of that son of a pig."
Hearing Inaya's words, the color drained from Manav's face. She was serious—and Manav was shocked.
To be continued...
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"Manu, do one thing, man... Marry me.
All my problems will be solved. I'll get out of that house, and I'll get rid of that pig's offspring too."
Hearing Inaya, Manu's face turned pale. She was serious, and Manu was shocked.
"Is your mind alright? Did you suffer some shock? What nonsense are you talking? Do you understand what you're saying?... You're asking me to marry you? Seriously...?"
Seeing Manu's reaction, Inaya's expression soured.
"What's nonsense about it? And why are you reacting like this? I just asked you to marry me! You'll marry someone anyway, so marry me. What's the problem?"
"There are problems! You know we are just friends. I don't have those kinds of feelings for you. You are my very good friend... we've been together since childhood, we know each other very well... but marriage, and with you? No, this is not possible."
"Why is it not possible? What's the problem with marrying me? Didn't you just say we've been together since childhood, we know each other very well, we have such great chemistry? You know everything about me.
If you can ask me to enter into a contract marriage with a stranger, why can't you marry me yourself? Don't you like me, or do you think I'm not good enough for you? Or is it that you don't want to get caught up in my problems, so you're refusing?"
Inaya seemed very serious at this moment, looking into Manu's eyes, who was starting to look a bit worried.
"If I wanted to stay away from your problems, I wouldn't have befriended you. I know you very well, you are a very good person, and whoever ends up with you will be lucky. But I can't be that lucky guy.
Because you don't deserve me, but I don't deserve you.
You deserve a guy who has money and power, who can protect you from Sachin and your mother, who can give you the life you should have had.
I am just an ordinary guy from a middle-class family. I work from 9 to 7 to run my household. I can neither fulfill your big dreams, nor help you move forward, nor save you from a goon like Sachin.
That's why I'm saying, you have a great opportunity, take advantage of it."
Inaya became dejected and sat down with a pout.
"I don't want to get married like this, man. How do I explain to you that what seems like a solution to all your problems right now could become the biggest problem in my life."
"What are you trying to say? Speak clearly."
Inaya looked up at him, about to say something, when her phone started ringing. "Mom" was displayed on the screen.
"Come on, leave it, man. I'll think of something... You go now. You must be tired from office, Kaki must be waiting at home. I'm also going, Mom has called. If I don't go, I'll have to listen to her lecture."
The conversation remained unfinished, but Manu didn't stop her, and both, promising to meet again soon, left for their respective homes.
As soon as Inaya crossed the threshold of her house, Savita Ji stood before her like Yama, the god of death.
"Sorry, Mom, she was talking about my job, it took a little time."
Before Savita Ji could shout, Inaya quickly apologized with her head bowed. She was still glaring at her angrily.
"Go, cook food, your father will be here soon."
After giving the order in a harsh tone, she left, still glaring at her angrily. Inaya exhaled deeply and went into the kitchen.
---
Two days later
It was night.
Outside Mumbai's famous nightclub "Vortex," people in a long line were desperate for a glimpse inside, and the club's bouncers were scanning every entry.
The VIP section of the club was filled with loud music, colorful lights, and the roar of laughter. Expensive branded drinks, lavish dishes, cheerful faces, and camera flashes were everywhere.
A party was in full swing, with the young men and women from the city's affluent families celebrating together. Old school friends, college groups, some familiar faces, all were immersed in fun.
Amidst the drinks, dancing, and laughter, old memories were being relived. The dance floor, bar counter, sitting area - different groups were visible everywhere.
Standing apart from the crowd, in a corner, on a round sofa seat, sat Kairav.
His black shirt sleeves were rolled up halfway, and holding a glass of wine, he was deep in thought. Sitting opposite him was his assistant and childhood friend, Nitin, who was watching his face intently while drinking.
"What have you been thinking for so long? Will you tell me?"
Nitin initiated the conversation. Kairav's gaze shifted from the glass to him. He said irritably,
"Why did you bring me here? You know I don't like all this at all. Because of your stubbornness, I'm sitting here bored right now."
"Then who told you to be bored? I'm sitting here in front of you, talk to me."
"I don't want to. Right now, I just want to get out of here. These colorful lights, this loud music, seeing these faces is irritating me."
Kairav looked desperate. He was about to get up, but Nitin made him sit back down.
"Don't pay attention to all this, and tell me, you went to meet that girl the other day, right... what was her name..."
Nitin paused, trying to remember, when Kairav's voice reached his ears,
"Inaya... Inaya Deshmukh."
"Yes, that Miss Inaya Deshmukh... you had fixed a meeting with her, right? Did you meet her or not? You didn't tell me anything. Now tell me, what happened in that meeting? She came, didn't she?"
"Yes, she came."
"Then? What did you talk to her? You told her why you called her, didn't you?"
"Yes, I told her, and I tried to explain."
"Did it work? What did she say?"
Nitin leaned towards him excitedly, eagerly awaiting the answer. Meanwhile, Kairav remembered his meeting with Inaya, and his expression soured.
"She refused. She didn't even give me a chance to explain properly and said God knows what and left. I didn't even understand."
"She spoke to you and left...? She refused you, Kairav Raichand...?
Are you serious? Are you kidding me?"
Nitin was utterly shocked. He couldn't believe it and stared at him wide-eyed. Kairav, irritated, glared at him and said,
"What's funny about this? And why are you reacting as if I've said something impossible?"
"Because you have... you know who you are,
Kairav Raichand. A mere glimpse of whom is enough to make any girl fall for him. From school to college, you were every girl's crush. The prince of their dreams.
Whether it's our office employees, female clients, or business associates, everyone talks about you. Even today, you have the same charm, the same attraction... girls die for your glance.
How many girls of your standard have you rejected till now!
In the race to become your wife, countless 'perfect' girls were lined up... but you never showed interest in any girl.
And now, an ordinary girl... who doesn't measure up to you in any way, who has no family name, position, or status... that girl has rejected you?
And not just rejected, she spoke to you and left.
You... Kairav Raichand.
Honestly, it’s still hard to believe. Like… how?"
Nitin was amazed, while Kairav was frustrated.
"I don't want to talk about this right now."
Kairav picked up his drink and brought it to his lips. Just then, some of their old friends arrived, and Nitin let the matter drop.
A little while later, the atmosphere there suddenly changed.
---
"Damn… who is she...?"
"She is so hot, yaar..."
"Looking sexy!"
"It seems the club has made special arrangements for VIPs today!"
"If she's a waitress, I'll party here every day!"
"Did you see her face? She doesn't look like a servant at all..."
"Man, there's something about the girl... what do you say, should I try? If I manage to woo her, it'll be fun!"
Various comments reached Kairav's ears. Even amidst everyone, he sat quietly, drinking and thinking about Inaya.
Kairav looked up; all the boys were looking in the same direction. Kairav found it a bit strange. He followed their gaze, and as his eyes met the front, they widened in disbelief.
"What is she doing here?"
"Enough is enough now." Kairav's lips moved, and the next moment he got up and moved in that direction.
To be continued...
The reunion party was going on in the VIP section of the club. Everyone was drunk. Amidst the glittering lights and loud music, some old memories were being relived. Kairav was also part of the crowd but didn't want to stay there.
The atmosphere changed suddenly. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the entrance. A waitress had entered from there. Short dress in white and black combination, high heels, hair tied up in a high ponytail, light makeup on her face, and lips shining with pink lip gloss, a gentle smile on her lips.
Kairav's eyes widened in shock as he looked at the waitress. "Inaya... what is she doing here in this getup?" Kairav muttered. His deep, cold eyes rested on Inaya. The dirty comments of the boys around him still echoed in his ears.
With the tray in her hand, Inaya ignored all the talks and moved forward with confidence, but she was also nervous. "Ganpati Bappa, where have you put me? Here, everyone is staring at me like a vulture. How cheaply are they commenting! If I didn't need money, I would never have stepped foot here. I would have broken the mouth of each one who commented on me and made their mouths bleed. But you made me do this and bear all this, and there's no other way out for me. Now I have to bear all this silently for the money. Just make sure no one misbehaves with me. I'll finish my work peacefully and leave."
Inaya took a deep breath and moved towards the side table. She started serving drinks to the boys and girls there. "Miss gorgeous, I haven't seen you here before... are you new?"
"Such a hot girl and a waitress? You weren't made for this job. Tell me, and I'll hire you as my personal assistant. You just have to make me happy... I'll change your whole life."
"Hey sweetheart, give me a drink... and a smile too."
"Who sends such a beautiful waitress... can't control myself..."
The boys at the table stared at Inaya as if scanning her. Inaya clenched her fists on the tray, listening to their cheap comments. As she was about to put the last glass on the table, a boy sitting beside her squeezed her waist.
Inaya shrieked. A slight sob escaped from her trembling lips, and she stepped back hastily. The glass fell on the floor near the table. Inaya raised her angry eyes towards the boy who was smiling shamelessly. Then, with a sudden change in demeanor, he said, "Oh, you dropped the drink! It's okay... we can forgive a mistake from such a beautiful girl. Just clean it up and bring another drink."
Inaya suppressed her anger and remained calm. She found it difficult to bend down in that short dress. She sat down, crossing her legs, and began to clean the floor with a cleaning cloth.
Due to her sitting posture, her dress had slightly risen from behind, and many boys were staring at her. The boy who had spilled the drink looked at her with lustful eyes. He licked his lips and stroked Inaya's shoulder with his palm.
"What the hell!" Kairav couldn't bear all this anymore. His face burned with anger, and his breathing quickened. Inaya clenched her eyes tightly, as if controlling herself. But the next moment, she shook off the boy's hand and stood up, about to scream, when a familiar voice hit her ears, "Hello miss, can you bring me Glenfiddich 1990 single malt…"
Inaya's lips quivered and closed again. She turned around, surprised. As her eyes fell on Kairav standing a few feet away, her eyes widened in disbelief. Kairav signaled with his eyes, and Inaya nodded.
"Of course, sir." Inaya forced a smile on her lips and moved away. Kairav glared at the boy who had come in between them, and the boy got irritated. "What is he doing here? He doesn't seem like someone who would be associated with such cheap people. But you shouldn't judge by appearances. If he's with them, he must be like them... good, my work just got easier. If he hadn't intervened, I would have broken that bastard's hand and stuffed it in his mouth, and then I would have lost this job too... and I need this job desperately right now."
Muttering to herself, Inaya left the hall and moved forward. Just as she was about to go, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into a deserted corridor where no one was around. Inaya's tray fell to the ground. She was about to scream when someone pressed their palm against her mouth and turned her to the wall.
Inaya's screams were muffled. She struggled badly, but as her eyes fell on the person standing in front of her, her pupils dilated. "Relax... I'm not going to do anything to you. I'm letting you go, but don't make a noise." Kairav signaled with his eyes and stepped back, releasing Inaya. In that short time, Inaya's face had turned red, and her breathing had quickened.
"What rudeness is this? How did you dare to touch me?" Inaya flared up. Kairav's eyes seemed to burn inside, and his eyebrows furrowed dangerously. "Where were these expressions when he was making cheap comments on you, staring at you, and trying to touch you?"
Kairav clenched his fists. Strange expressions appeared on Inaya's face. She turned her face and remained silent, which made Kairav angrier. He asked, his jaws clenched, "What are you doing here right now?"
"Can't you see? I'm doing my job." Inaya replied curtly. "Job...? When did you start this job? And did you find this job in the whole world to do?"
"Yes, I found this job. Why? Do you have a problem with it? And even if you do, it's your problem, not mine. This is my life; I can do what I want. You have no right to comment on my job and interfere in my personal life. Go and enjoy your party; your friends must be waiting for you... and let me do my job."
Inaya warned him with her eyes and started to move away. Kairav grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the wall. He came close and bit his teeth. "I gave you such a good opportunity, but you rejected my proposal! And now you're doing a cheap job like this! You could have lived a luxurious life as my wife... but you chose to become a simple waitress. Can I know the reason?"
"Mr., it's not a cheap job... it's the perspective of people like you. It's people like you, spoiled rich kids, who make girls like me go through all this. You proposed to me, but I refused. If I had agreed, would I have never had to do this job? Then listen to this too; I don't want to be your wife. I don't want to do a contract marriage with you, no matter what."
"Why?... Why not? What's the reason you don't want to be my wife, but you're willing to become a waitress and be the subject of people's dirty stares?" Kairav's grip on Inaya's arm tightened. A slight moisture appeared in Inaya's eyes, but she didn't let herself weaken. "You're objectifying me. You want to buy me using your money and power. You don't want to marry me; you want to make a deal. And I'm not for sale... I don't want to be anyone's wife; I don't want to get married to anyone."
"I'm not buying you; I'm making a deal that will benefit both of us." Kairav calmed down a bit. The next moment, Inaya screamed in anger.
To be continued...
"I'm not buying you... I'm making a deal that will benefit both of us."
Kairv seemed to soften a bit. The next moment, Inaya screamed in anger,
"I don't want any benefit, I don't want to make any deal. I want to live with dignity, to fulfill my dreams. I don't want to be a puppet in your hands. Everyone here seems to be looking out for their own interests. Some want to marry me, some want to spend the night with me. Some are obsessed with my body, while others want to take advantage of my situation and make me their own. Why can't you guys let me live in peace? Why are you all after me? I'm not interested in guys like you, so leave me alone and let me do my thing."
Inaya pushed Kairv away from her in anger and shouted again,
"Stay... stay away from me... you have no right to touch me. I was forced to endure it inside, but I won't tolerate it anymore. If you touch me or try to get close to me against my will, I'll make sure you regret it. You'll be sorry you ever crossed me."
As Inaya turned to leave, Kairv's words reached her ears,
"Where are you going now?"
Inaya's face turned red with anger, and she spun around,
"I can go wherever I want, do whatever I want, and it's none of your business. Just stay out of my personal life and don't interfere. Keep to yourself and stay away from me."
The anger and frustration Inaya had been bottling up was now being vented on Kairv. As she stormed off, the sound of footsteps approached, and Kairv quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her behind a pillar.
"Shh... be quiet, someone's coming."
Inaya was pressed against the pillar, and Kairv was standing very close to her, his finger almost touching her lips.
For a moment, Inaya was shocked and just stared at him. As the footsteps faded away, she stomped her heel on Kairv's foot, and he let out a hiss. His eyes widened in pain, and Inaya pushed him away and glared,
"Don't try to take advantage of me. If you do it again, I'll make sure you regret it. You won't be able to show your face around me again."
Inaya stormed off, leaving Kairv looking frustrated and annoyed.
"What a girl! She can't even listen to reason calmly."
Kairv shook his head and went back inside. Nithin asked him a question with a gesture, but Kairv was in a bad mood and just walked away.
Inaya didn't go back to that place again. She finished her shift, changed her clothes, and left the club with a backpack on her back. As she stepped out onto the main road, a car suddenly stopped in front of her.
Inaya took a step back, her eyes wide with surprise, and stared at the car.
The car window rolled down, and Inaya's gaze fell on the person sitting inside. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and her face turned red with anger.
"What's your problem? Why are you following me? I told you multiple times that I'm not interested in you, I don't want to marry you... can't you understand that?"
"Say what you need to say, now get in, I'll drop you off."
Kairv spoke in a calm and serious tone. Inaya was taken aback at first, then scowled,
"No thanks. I can walk myself, I don't need your help."
Inaya's stubbornness was starting to frustrate Kairv.
"Look, don't be obstinate. It's late, and it's not safe for you to walk alone. Just get in, I'll drop you off."
"What's the guarantee that I'll be safe with you? I think you're the one who's a threat to me right now. So, I'm not going anywhere with you."
Inaya glared at him and turned to leave. Kairv watched her go, looking concerned.
"Why are you so stubborn?"
Inaya muttered to herself as she walked away,
"This guy is weird, he's obsessed with me. I said no once, and he should have understood that I'm not interested. Why is he still trying to get close to me? Just leave me alone, I'll take care of myself."
As she walked, a sports car started driving alongside her. Inaya ignored it at first, but it kept pace with her. She quickened her step, and the car did too.
"Hey, where are you going so late at night? Let us give you some company."
Inaya recognized the voices of the guys she had served drinks to earlier.
"I don't need your company."
Inaya said irritably and kept walking. The car stayed behind her.
"Hey, you're getting angry. We were genuinely trying to help. You must be tired, it's late, and this is a deserted area. Let us drive you home."
Inaya ignored them and turned down another street. A little while later, she realized the car was no longer behind her and turned to look. The car had stopped right in front of her. The door opened, and those guys got out.
"Come on, don't be stubborn. Let's go, or we'll have to take you by force."
Inaya was shocked. Before she could react, one of them touched her, and she slapped him,
"Don't you dare touch me! I was quiet and tolerating your rudeness at the workplace because I didn't want to create a scene, but don't think my silence means I'm weak."
The slap seemed to provoke the guy. As Inaya stood frozen, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.
"You dared to hit me? You think you can hit me and get away with it? I'm Aman Saxena, and you're just a lowly waitress at a club. I was being nice to you until now because you seemed nice at first, but by hitting me, you've made a big mistake. Now, see what I do to you."
"Let me go, you bastard! Don't come near me, or I'll kill you!"
Inaya was screaming and struggling to get free. Aman had her arms twisted behind her back and was bending down to kiss her.
"Keep screaming, keep shouting! There's no one here to hear you or help you. No one can save you from me today."
Inaya shook her head wildly, but before Aman could kiss her, she lifted her leg and kicked him right in the groin. Aman let out a loud cry and fell to the ground in pain.
Inaya quickly took off running. Behind her, Aman shouted in anger,
"Stop her! She can't get away!"
His friends started chasing Inaya. She was running for her life, not knowing where she was going. She kept looking back, and when she saw them closing in, she swung her backpack wildly. It hit them right in the face, giving her just enough time to take off down another street.
Inaya was still running, her life in danger. She didn't know where she was headed, but she kept going, her heart pounding in her chest.
To be continued...
This time, Inaya was running for her life. She didn't know where she was going, just running mindlessly down those dark, deserted streets. She kept looking back. Those boys were still chasing her.
Running, Inaya suddenly took a turn. The harsh glare of the car's headlights closed her eyes for a few seconds, the blaring horn echoed in her ears, and the air was filled with Inaya's scream.
"Aah...!"
The eyes of the person sitting inside the car also widened in fear. He suddenly slammed on the brakes, and with a loud screech, the car stopped a short distance away.
Inaya squeezed her eyes shut in fear. The car was so close to her that if it had been even a second later, it would have hit Inaya and sped past.
The car door opened, and a pair of feet stepped out, quickly approaching Inaya.
"Are you alright?" A familiar voice reached Inaya's ears. She opened her eyes in surprise. As her gaze fell on Aarav, who was standing nearby, her pupils widened in astonishment.
"You here..."
Just then, the sound of a car stopping with a loud noise reached their ears, drawing both their attention.
"Where will you run now?" Aman's arrogant voice came from behind.
Inaya turned back in panic. Aman was approaching her with his entire gang, a wicked smile plastered on his lips.
Due to the headlights, Aarav had covered his eyes. Hearing the voice, he immediately opened his eyes and yanked Inaya's arm, pulling her behind him.
"Don't even think about it. If you take one more step towards her, no one will be worse for you than me."
Inaya stared at him with wide eyes. Hearing Aarav's threat, Aman signaled his friends to stop and glared angrily at Aarav.
"She's my prey. Don't interfere. This girl insulted me, and I will have my revenge. If you get in the way, I won't spare you either. So, if you want me to leave you alone, hand the girl over to me."
"As long as I'm here, you can't harm her. If you or your friends take even a step towards her or try to harm her in any way, be prepared to face the consequences. If Inaya gets even a scratch, I will kill all of you.
You were warning me, weren't you? Now I'm explaining to you nicely. Inaya is with me. Stay away even from her shadow, or the outcome will not be good."
The two glared at each other with eyes red with anger. Inaya, with wide eyes, kept looking from Aarav to Aman.
Aman smiled wryly and as he took a step forward, several black cars stopped one after another, and in no time, trained bodyguards dressed in black completely surrounded Aarav and Inaya. Their target was Aman and his friends. Seeing this, Inaya's eyes nearly popped out.
"This time you saved her from me, but how long will you protect her? Now she is Aman Saxena's target, and no one can save him from me. She raised her hand on me, insulted me, and she will face the consequences. I will not let her go."
Aman glared at Aarav with hatred, glanced at Inaya, and then, stomping on the ground in anger, walked back towards his car. The anger was so intense that he slammed his tires forcefully and drove away with everyone.
Aarav then looked around and gestured with his eyes, and as if understanding, all the guards put away their guns, stepped back, and got back into their cars.
Aarav turned his gaze to Inaya, who was standing there in shock.
"Now get in, or are you waiting for someone else to arrive? If you want to wait, do so. Just remember that I won't always be here to save you."
When Aarav's voice hit her ears, Inaya finally came back to her senses.
"Let's go now. I'll drop you home safely. And if you want to wait for them to return, tell me. I'll leave, and I won't interfere again."
Seeing Aarav's arrogant demeanor, Inaya became annoyed and glared at him angrily.
"What are you trying to say? That I deliberately got myself into this situation? Do I enjoy getting involved with such cheap guys? Or have you done me a favor by saving me, so you're showing off so much?"
"I don't know about enjoyment, but you got yourself into this situation. I already told you that going out alone on these deserted streets so late at night is not safe. I even offered you a lift, but your tantrums were endless. You went out alone despite my warning, and they got an opportunity. If I hadn't arrived at the right time, you know better than anyone what would have happened to you."
"This is all your planning, isn't it? Your coming to this club, your friends misbehaving with me, you interfering, you offering me a lift, your friends chasing me, and now you finding me here - everything was planned."
Inaya stared at him with suspicious eyes. Aarav stood directly in front of her with his arms crossed and raised an eyebrow, questioning,
"So, you think everything that happened today was planned by me. Then tell me, what would I gain from all this? What's my benefit in this? Why would I do this?"
"You would know what you want to do, wouldn't you? I think you're stalking me."
"Stalking me, and me... Seriously..." Aarav was shocked. Inaya immediately said with a huff,
"What else? If you weren't stalking me, how would you know I work here? I joined the club just today, and you arrived with your friends. I didn't even know them, and I was just doing my work, but they started misbehaving with me.
When I left to go home, you suddenly appeared in front of me, started warning me, and when I rejected your offer and moved on, your friends started chasing me. To escape them, I was running on deserted dark streets at eleven at night, and once again, you appeared in front of me, bringing these empty men of yours with you, saving me from your friends....
This can't be a coincidence. You must have planned everything."
"For your kind information, those boys who were chasing you were my enemies, not my friends. Aman Saxena has been my rival since school, then college, and now in business. He has always been like this. He wants every beautiful girl in his arms, whether it's by love or by force. For him, girls are just a means of passing time, use-and-throw material that he doesn't even look at after using once. That's why we never got along. I always stood in his way, so he hates me.
There was a reunion party at the club today. Attracted by your beauty, he came towards you. I saved you then, but I knew Aman very well. Once a girl catches his eye, he doesn't let her go that easily. I suspected he would do something like this, so I offered you a lift.
Just as you left me with your attitude, I was going to leave you to your fate, but I was worried about you. I didn't want Aman to do anything wrong to you, so I was coming back when you suddenly came in front of my car.
Whether you believe me or not, I have told you every single thing truthfully."
Aarav was serious. Inaya looked at him intently.
"If you don't trust me and don't want to go with me, I won't force you. Just take care of yourself. He won't come back now, but he might bother you in the future. This is my card. Whenever you're in any trouble, just give me a call. If possible, I will definitely help you."
Aarav extended his card towards her, which Inaya did not take. So, he put it back in his pocket and said,
"Maybe you don't need it.... Goodbye and take care."
Inaya was still looking at him intently, as if searching for the truth in his eyes. As Aarav turned to leave, Inaya hastily grabbed his arm. Aarav turned, and in the next moment, Inaya asked a question that shocked Aarav immensely.
To be continued...
"Why are you doing all this?"
"What do you mean?... What am I doing?" Kairav's eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"All this that you are doing for me, why are you doing it? What is your motive?"
"What are you trying to say? Speak clearly, what am I doing?"
"At the club, when your friend, or enemy, that scoundrel was touching me, you intervened and sent me away. You offered me a lift, you came back for me, you saved me from becoming a victim of that disgusting man's wicked intentions, you were still worried about me.
You said he was your enemy, so why did you go against him for me? Now he will be even more annoyed with you. You proposed marriage to me, but I rejected you, insulted you so much, then why are you doing all this for me?
Look, I'm telling you upfront, no matter what you do, no matter how good you try to be in front of me, I will not do this contract marriage with you."
The way Inaya said it, Kairav couldn't help but smile.
"You think I'm doing all this to impress you. I'm trying to be good in front of you so that you accept my deal."
Inaya was still staring at him. When there was silence from her, Kairav continued seriously,
"There is nothing like that. It's true that I want you to accept my deal, and I haven't given up yet, but I had no motive behind what I did today. If it were any other girl in your place, I would have done the same.
Just like I got in Aman's way today, it has happened many times before. I have stopped him many times from fulfilling his wicked desires and ruining innocent girls' lives, which is why he considers me his enemy."
After a pause of a few seconds, he said seriously,
"Although where you go and what you do is your personal matter. Still, I will give you one piece of advice. You don't want to marry me, don't. But quit this job. This place is not safe for you. It's a club, what kind of people come here. As beautiful as you are, anyone's intentions can turn bad seeing you."
"Like yours have," Inaya said abruptly. Kairav was shocked and asked in surprise,
"What?"
"Why are you staring at me like that now?" Inaya asked irritably. Kairav's expression changed.
"Did I misbehave with you, say something wrong?"
"No, but you are after me for marriage."
"Not marriage, contract marriage. And there are some reasons behind it that I cannot tell you."
"So, you mean to say that my beauty did not affect you?" Inaya asked, widening her eyes. Kairav's gaze lingered for a moment on her beautiful face, on the mole below her eye, but he quickly saved himself from getting lost in those deep, dark kohl-lined eyes and said, turning his gaze away,
"No. And now I don't have any free time to waste arguing with you, so think whatever you want, I'm leaving."
Kairav didn't stop there for a second. He immediately turned and walked away with long strides and got into the car. After fastening his seatbelt, he was about to start the car when there was a knock on the other window. Kairav turned his eyes; Inaya was standing there, signaling him something.
As soon as Kairav unlocked the car, Inaya opened the door and sat inside.
"In return for this lift, I won't say yes to marriage, okay?"
At first, Kairav was surprised, then hearing her, he smiled slightly and started the car without saying anything further. Inaya was looking out the window, lost in her thoughts.
"Inaya, tell me one thing, what is your problem with me? If you accept my deal, all your problems can be solved. Then why are you refusing? When I'm not even asking you to marry me in reality."
Hearing Kairav's question, Inaya turned to look at him and said without any expression,
"Because you don't love me. You like me, that's why you don't want to marry me. In fact, you don't want to marry me at all. You are making a deal, a one-year contract marriage... You have turned a relationship like marriage into a transaction, and I cannot support you in this. I don't want a marriage like this."
Inaya turned her gaze away again. There was no further conversation between them. The car stopped a short distance from Inaya's house. Inaya was startled for a moment, then nodding, she began to unbuckle her seatbelt.
"Thank you for the lift and for safely dropping me home."
"No need for that," Kairav smiled slightly. Inaya looked at him for a while, thinking something, then got out of the car. Kairav stood there until she went inside her house. He looked around, and suddenly a serious expression appeared on his face. He took out his phone, made a call, and left.
As soon as Inaya entered the house, Savitri ji came and stood in front of her. She took all the tips she had received that day and placed them in her palm. Her eyes lit up seeing the money. She left counting the money.
Inaya, tired and weary, fell onto her bed. She didn't even realize she needed to change her clothes or had the strength to get food. She was hungry but so tired that she didn't feel like moving. Thinking about the whole day, she fell asleep.
Three more days passed just like that. Inaya had quit her club job because her life and honor were more important to her than money.
Now her whole day was spent looking for a job, but she only met with disappointment everywhere. She was trying hard, but luck was not on her side. Savitri ji's taunts continued unabated. Manav was also looking for a job for her, but couldn't find one.
It was eight in the morning. Inaya had come to the Ganpati Bappa temple a short distance from the house. Manav was also with her. They both had darshan and then sat on a bench in the temple courtyard.
"Inaya, I am still saying, you should accept that proposal. You can see for yourself, can't you? You are not getting a job anywhere, and you won't get a decent job anytime soon.
Now only two days are left. If you don't get a job in those days either, then this time your mother will not give you any more time and will get you married to Sachin. After that, you won't be able to do anything for yourself even if you want to."
Inaya was in a big problem, and Manav was worried for her. This time, Inaya didn't say anything back and didn't even look up at him. She sat with her head bowed, thinking.
When Manav got no response, he placed his palm on her hand.
"What are you thinking? What will you do next? You have two options now. Either take money from me and give it to your mother. This will give you time, maybe you will get a job in a month, or we'll find some other arrangement. But this is not a permanent solution because that Sachin is crazy after you. Until he marries you, he won't let you live in peace anywhere.
The second option is to accept Kairav Raichand's proposal. He can not only get you out of all these problems but also secure your future. He is so powerful that not just Sachin, but even his father won't be able to harm you. He will protect you, and after a year, you can go away from all this and live your life as you wish.
I would personally choose the second option. From what I've seen on social media and researched, Kairav Raichand is a good person. He is interested in you. It's possible that after spending a year together, he won't let you go away from him. Your life will be set. Think about it."
Inaya looked at him silently. She still had nothing to say. But the word "protect" started echoing in her mind. She remembered the incident at the club when Kairav had saved her.
After a pause, Manav got up.
"Let's go, I'll drop you home, then I have to leave for the office."
"You go. I want to sit here alone for a while."
Manav looked at her intently. She didn't look like his Inaya today. It seemed like she was tired of fighting her destiny and had surrendered, completely disillusioned with life.
Manav sighed and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't think too much. Bappa will fix everything. I have to leave now. You also go home soon."
Inaya nodded. After Manav left, she turned her head and looked at the large idol of Bappa inside with vacant eyes. Her tear-filled eyes showed an unspoken complaint.
"Bappa, everyone says you fix everything. Then why is everything wrong with me?"
Slowly, time passed. The crowd at the temple thinned.
Inaya was still sitting there in the scorching sun. Suddenly, someone stood between her and the sun. Inaya slowly raised her head. Seeing the person standing in front of her, a strange expression appeared on her face.
To be continued...
"Kairav, that ordinary girl rejected you so many times, then why do you keep approaching her?"
This was Nitin, who looked very troubled. Kairav was sitting right in front of him, completely calm. Hearing Nitin's words, Inaya's face flashed before his eyes.
"She is not an ordinary girl. What she has, no one else has. Forget it, you won't understand."
"Why won't I understand? You try to explain, I'll understand everything. Tell me what you saw in that girl that you are so determined to marry only her?"
"She is not a girl, she is a storm on legs. Her personality, her way of speaking, her confidence and boldness, her sharp, killer demeanor... she has a different aura. Today she has nothing, but if you see her attitude, you'll be mesmerized.
If she enters Raichand Mansion, then understand that the wind will change. She will bring everyone onto the right path. I won't have to tell her anything, she will handle everyone herself. Inaya is perfectly suited to fulfill the purpose for which I thought of this contract marriage."
"Then let's find another girl. For money, any girl will be ready to do your work."
"That's the thing, she would do it for money. If my family offers her more money than me, the game will change in no time. But it's not like that with Inaya. Money and power have no effect on her. She is a girl with a strong character. If she comes to my side once, no matter what happens, she will never double-cross me.
Other girls will act like the wife I'm looking for if I explain it to them. But Inaya is naturally like that. She won't need any explanation. She won't act, she will be who she is, so the chances of mistakes will be less.
I won't have to do anything. She will handle everything herself. She is exactly the kind of girl I was looking for. You know the nature of the people living in that house. Inaya is the best to deal with them.
Inaya is very different from other girls. What she has, no one else has. And in these situations, no one else can play the role of my wife better than her. She is perfect for this role, that's why I want her."
"But she is not ready to agree. You've tried so hard. If you listen to me, let's add more candidates to the list. We'll find a girl who meets your expectations."
"No, we don't have that much time to search for more candidates. There are only fifteen days left. I have to finalize everything in that time. Inaya is the best candidate to play the role of my wife. If there's a contract love and wife, it will be her, that's final."
"And how will she become that? She walked away after refusing you. You've proposed to her so many times and she's rejected you. How will you convince her?"
"Leave that to me and just watch what I do," Kairav smiled mysteriously. Something was going on in his mind that both Nitin and Inaya were unaware of.
"What are you going to do?" Nitin looked at him suspiciously.
"Just watch what I do and how I make Inaya, Mrs. Inaya Kairav Raichand, from Inaya Deshmukh."
As Kairav finished speaking, he stood up. Nitin abruptly asked,
"Where are you going now?"
"I'm going to make arrangements to make my plan successful."
"What plan?"
"The plan to make Inaya your sister-in-law!"
Kairav smiled charmingly. Nitin stared at him with wide, shocked eyes. Kairav left, twirling the car keys in his hand.
"I don't know what's going on in his mind? What is he going to do now. The girl he's chasing is truly not an ordinary girl. There must be something special about someone who rejected Kairav Raichand... I hope his plan doesn't backfire. I hope everything goes well and that girl agrees to this deal this time."
Inaya was sitting on a bench in the temple courtyard. The harsh sunlight was burning her fair face, yet she was lost in her thoughts, staring intently at the idol of Ganpati Bappa.
Suddenly, someone stood between her and the sun. The sunlight falling on her turned into shade. Inaya slowly raised her head, and seeing the person standing in front of her, a strange expression appeared on her face.
"What are you doing here? Are you really following me?"
Inaya's face showed a mixture of anger and surprise. But Kairav, standing in front of her, looked calm.
"You are free to understand whatever you want. I have come here to talk to you about something important."
"I don't want to talk to you or anyone right now. I'm already in a very bad mood. I want to be alone, so go back the way you came. Understood?"
Inaya said in a sharp tone, glared at him, and moved to the side to sit. Kairav again stood in front of her.
"What I have to tell you is very important and needs to be told right now."
"Don't you understand when I politely say that I am not in a mood to talk to anyone about anything right now?....."
"Inaya," Kairav started to say something, but Inaya interrupted him, speaking angrily,
"How persistent are you? I've told you so many times, but you don't understand anything. I want to be alone, but you've latched onto me like a leech. Fine, if you won't leave, I'll leave myself. You can have your most important talk on this bench."
Inaya made a grumpy face, glared at him, and got up to leave. After a few steps, she looked back and was utterly shocked.
"Where did he go? He was just here, then where did he suddenly disappear? He was so desperate to talk to me, I thought he would follow me. But he didn't even try to talk to me again, didn't even stop me, and now he's disappeared somewhere unknown... But how did he suddenly vanish from here?"
Inaya looked around confused for a while, but when she didn't see Kairav anywhere, she shrugged her shoulders with a frown and started walking down the stairs.
As soon as Inaya reached the main road, a car suddenly stopped in front of her. Seeing the unknown car, Inaya immediately stepped back. The next second, the car window rolled down, and upon seeing the person inside, Inaya's eyes widened in amazement.
"Y-you here?"
"Yes, me here. Why can't I be here?"
Kairav's steady, serious voice reached her ears, and he asked with raised eyebrows. Seeing Kairav in front of her, Inaya's mind went blank.
"How are you here? I mean, you were there, so how did you get here? I left before you, so how did you get here before me?... Do you have superpowers? Can you teleport from one place to another?"
Pointing a finger towards the temple behind her, Inaya stared at him with wide eyes.
"Absolutely not. I have no superpowers, nor can I teleport. I am a normal human being, just like you."
"But how did you get here before me, and where did you suddenly disappear to?"
"I went from the other side because my car was parked on that side. If you've got all your answers now, come inside. We need to talk."
Kairav opened the passenger side door.
"I don't want to talk to you right now."
Inaya pouted, and as she started to go to the other side, Kairav's serious voice reached her ears, and her forward steps faltered.
"I know why you're so tense, and trust me, I can solve all your problems. Just sit down comfortably and listen to me calmly... Come sit..."
Inaya turned to look at him. Kairav gestured for her to sit inside.
To be continued...
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"I know why you're so tense, and trust me, I can solve all your problems. Just sit calmly for a moment and listen to me... Come sit..."
Inaya turned to look at him. Kaver gestured for her to come inside.
Inaya thought for a few seconds, then turned and sat in the passenger seat, looking at him questioningly.
"What is it that you need to talk to me about, and I've already refused, so why are you following me?"
"I have a very good offer for you."
"What kind of offer?" Inaya asked, raising an eyebrow. Kaver paused for a few seconds, then exhaled deeply and said seriously.
"I've made some changes to the deal for you, but before that, I want to tell you something. Actually, I've found out all the information about you. Your parents want to marry you off to some goon from the chawl. If you don't marry me, you'll have to marry that guy. And as far as I know, you don't like that guy at all, but in return for you, he's going to waive your parents' debt and give them money.
Think, if I go to them, in exchange for money, they won't take long to sell you to me, meaning to marry you off to me, and then whether you want to or not, you'll have to marry me.
So, if you look at it, I'll marry you no matter what. Now it depends on you whether you listen to me calmly or if I have to use your parents as a medium."
As Kaver spoke, Inaya's expressions kept changing. Kaver had found out about her and was now talking about buying her in exchange for money. Seeing this, her face burned with anger, but she didn't lose control. She remembered what Manav had said: that Kaver was the solution to all her problems right now, and she should make a decision after talking calmly.
Inaya exhaled deeply and asked seriously, "Why do you want to marry me, and what is this contract marriage about?"
"First, you tell me why you're hesitating to get married? You're of marriageable age, and your parents are also pressuring you for marriage. If you don't find a good guy yourself or settle down, no one can save you from getting married and your life being ruined. Then when I'm giving you a chance to get out of all these problems, promising that after marrying me, your future will be bright, I can also help you with your career, so why are you refusing?"
"Because I hate men, they are not worthy of trust. Getting involved with them only ruins lives, and I have no desire to destroy my good life. Besides, how well do I even know you? How can I sell myself for a few bucks or a good future? I'm not that desperate; I still have self-respect."
"That's the point. Whatever the reason, you don't want to get married, but your mother is pressuring you, and I don't want to get married, but my family is against this decision. If I don't find a girl myself and get married, they will marry me off to someone I don't like one bit. I want to live my life freely..."
As soon as Kaver said this, Inaya cut him off, "You mean to say hanging out with girls, night outs, and all?..."
"No, after marriage, a person gets entangled in responsibilities, especially when your life partner is not what you want. Then that relationship becomes just an unwanted burden where you constantly have to compromise. You have to carry it out under societal and family pressure, even if you don't want to, and in all this, your real happiness gets lost.
I don't want a life like that. I can't spend my life living someone else's way or compromising. I can't pretend to be happy for the sake of society and family. I can't spend my entire life with someone I don't even love or like, nor will I ever be able to in the future."
"Then why do you want a contract marriage? Even then, you'll be bound in front of the world. You'll have to pretend to be happy in that relationship among family and society. You'll have to compromise, if not for your whole life, then for some time, you'll have to live with someone you don't love."
"I know, and that's why I thought of contract marriage, where my marriage will happen, but only for a year. In front of the world and my family, I'll be married, which is why they won't be able to marry me off again. We'll just be husband and wife for the world, but we'll have no relationship with each other.
She won't interfere in my life, nor will I in hers. We won't put any restrictions on each other. We won't have any expectations from each other. We won't have to live together for a lifetime, so there will be no compromises. Even being bound in marriage, we'll be free, to live our lives freely according to our own will and in our own way.
After a year, I'll get a divorce with some excuse, and then Siya will never marry a divorcee. Even if she wants to, I can say that I love my wife very much and don't want anyone else in my life."
"Why did you choose me?"
"Because you are beautiful, have a good personality, are intelligent, are capable of being my wife, and most importantly, you don't want to get married like me, but you're being pressured for marriage. That means if we get together, both our problems will be solved, and the biggest thing is your self-respect.
You're the first girl who didn't bow down in front of me despite needing money. Who rejected my proposal knowing that this contract can solve all your problems and give you a stable, bright future. You chose your self-respect over money and power, and this quality makes you different from other girls. That's why I'm interested in marrying you."
Kaver paused for a few seconds and continued, "You don't want to get married; you want to build your career, so we won't have to live together for a lifetime. I'll help you settle your career.
After the divorce, you can blame me for the unsuccessful marriage and say that you'll never get married again. You'll have enough money then to go to a new place, away from all this, and start your life anew. Your problems will be solved forever. Even after the divorce, you'll receive alimony every month.
This contract marriage will solve both our problems; it's a win-win situation for both of us, and it's just for one year."
There was silence for a few seconds. Kaver was waiting for Inaya's response. Inaya listened carefully to his words and, after thinking thoroughly, looked at him and said, "All your points are valid, but I still have some doubts."
"I'm here, clear whatever doubts you have."
"What if you go back on your word after a year? What if you don't divorce me then?"
"Do you doubt my intentions?"
Kaver's eyes widened more than usual. He was surprised, but Inaya seemed serious.
"It can be thought of like that. You are a man, and no one knows when a man's faith wavers. I don't trust men anyway, and I don't even know you, so how can I trust you that you won't go back on your word in the future?"
Kaver sighed coldly.
"We'll sign contract papers on which all terms and conditions will be written. I'll have one copy, and you'll have one. Although it won't happen, if it does, you can go to court."
"What if, during this one year of living together, one of us falls in love with the other?"
"Is this question important?" Kaver asked, surprised.
To be continued...
"If we fall in love with each other during this one year of staying together?"
"Is this question important?" Kairav asked, startled, and Inaya immediately shook her head.
"Yes, it's not important, it's very important. Think, if you fall in love with me after staying with me for a year, what will happen? And if you don't fall in love, but at some point, you're forced by your heart and come close to me, claim your right to be my husband, what will you do and what will I do in this situation?"
There was logic in her words. Kairav thoughtfully replied,
"If I fall in love with you or if we experience what usually happens between a husband and wife during this year, I'll take full responsibility for it."
"What do you mean by taking responsibility?"
"If that happens, the contract will end, and if you wish, I'll take on all the duties of being a husband for a lifetime. Our contract marriage will become a simple marriage, and I'll marry you in front of the whole world."
"And if, by chance, I fall in love with you?" Inaya immediately asked the next question, which made Kairav jump.
"Is that possible? I mean, can you fall in love with me?"
At this moment, Kairav's eyes had a strange restlessness and sparkle.
Inaya said, embarrassed, "No, it's not possible, but for security, it's better to ask beforehand."
Kairav's expressions changed instantly. He took a deep breath and replied,
"If I don't fall in love with you, then whatever you want will happen. I won't force you to stay away from me, nor will I keep you with me without your consent. In that situation, you'll decide what the future of our relationship will be."
Inaya was taken aback by Kairav's response, "How can you say that? It's possible that I might fall in love with you, but you might not. I might want to stay with you, but you might not want to. How can you say that what I want will happen? Will you force yourself to stay with me? Why would you do that? And if you stay with me without feeling it, will you be happy and able to keep me happy?"
"I won't force myself. I'm pressuring you into this contract marriage, so I have to face the consequences. Therefore, if you fall in love with me during this contract relationship, I'll take responsibility and have the right to make the final decision.
If you want, we'll end the contract and live together like a real couple. I'll try not to regret your decision to love me and get married. I'll try to keep you happy."
"But you don't want to be bound by ties, that's why you want a contract marriage."
Inaya asked sharply, her eyes wide open, staring at him.
"I'm not looking for a forced bond with anyone, but if there's love and understanding in that relationship, I have no problem maintaining it."
"So, why don't you find a girl like that for yourself, someone with whom you can be bound by an unbreakable bond of love forever, not just for a one-year trial period?"
"Firstly, love is not something that can be planned. No one knows when and where it will happen. I don't know when or if that girl will come into my life. Moreover, I don't have that much time, and love doesn't happen in two days. Currently, in the situation I'm in, there's only one way out... a contract marriage."
"Still, you're so rich. You can get any good girl from your class, status, and background for this, so why did you choose a middle-class girl like me and want to have a contract marriage with me?"
"Firstly, no girl from a rich family who has no lack of anything will ever want to sell her life, and if she does, there must be some hidden motive. It's possible that this contract could be a way for her to get into my life and create problems for me later.
Choosing a girl from a middle-class family is also risky because she'll also see her benefit. She'll accept my deal for power and money, and if her greed increases, she can create problems for me in the future, which I don't want.
There are many reasons I chose you. Some I've already told you, and the main reason is your nature. My power, money, and position had no effect on you. You knew this deal would greatly benefit you, solve all your problems, yet you rejected my deal and chose your self-respect over your benefit. I like that about you.
As much as I've understood and known you, I can trust you. You're exactly the kind of girl I was looking for to be my contracted wife. And I don't think I'll find anyone like you. I don't have much time, which is why I'm trying to convince you so much."
Kairav's words were swirling in Inaya's mind. There was a point to his argument; she was beginning to be convinced.
After pausing for a few seconds, Kairav continued,
"I promise if you accept my deal, I'll take full responsibility for you during the contract period. In this one year, I'll make you capable enough that you won't need anyone's support afterward. I'll secure your future and help you advance professionally. If we part ways after the one-year period, I'll ensure that it doesn't affect your life much, and you can live your life peacefully."
"It can't be that it won't affect my life. After divorce, I'll be like a used tissue paper to the world, discarded by rich people like you. My whole life will be ruined."
"It won't be ruined. My promise to you is that our relationship's breakdown will have no negative effect on you. Just when we're living together as a couple, you'll have to keep some things in mind, like being loyal and avoiding getting caught in any scandal.
Your name will be associated with mine, so you'll have to be mindful of my image. Most importantly, you'll have to pretend in front of my family and the world that we both love each other and are very happy together. During this time, you shouldn't have any affair or relationship with anyone."
"I'm still not convinced by your words that divorce won't affect my life, but let's leave it for now. I'll clarify a few more things."
"Go ahead."
"During this contract period, you won't try to come close to me or touch me."
"I won't come close to you until you want me to."
Inaya found his response a bit awkward but nodded her head without thinking much.
"Okay, one more question was on my mind."
"Ask it; clear any doubts you have."
Inaya intertwined her fingers and hesitantly spoke,
"If, by chance, I get pregnant during this one year, what will happen?"
Inaya looked around, avoiding eye contact, and asked Kairav with anxious eyes. He still appeared calm.
"There are cases like that. For example, if you want to raise that child with me and I also want to, we'll build our family.
Second, if I want you and that child, but you want to stay away from me, I won't stop you, but my child will stay with me. I won't let you kill it or take it with you.
Third case, if you want to build a family with me and that child, but I'm not ready, I'll take full responsibility for you and the child. I'll try to ensure that you and the child don't face any trouble because of me."
Seeing Kairav's normal reaction, Inaya also became normal and confidently expressed her point of view.
"If your happiness happens with someone else, not us, what will you do?"
Seeing Kayrav’s normal reaction, Inaya also calmed down and started presenting her point of view with confidence.
"What will you do if your happiness lies with someone else, not us?"
"I cannot ignore my responsibilities for my own happiness," Kayrav was serious. Inaya immediately asked the next question.
"But you will never find happiness in that responsibility, and when you are not happy yourself, how will you keep us happy? It would be better if we stayed away from your life."
"You will have the freedom for that. You will have the right to make the final decision. But even then, I will take full responsibility for you and the child. That child will get my name."
"And what if I want to go away from you with my child, and live a normal life with them?"
"I won't stop you, but I won't leave you alone to face the difficulties of life with a child."
"What does that mean? Both your statements contradict each other."
"It means that if you feel that I cannot give you and our child the happiness you both deserve, and you think you will be happier by staying away from me, and if you go away from me, I won't stop you, nor will I interfere in your life, but I will take all the responsibility for you and our child. I won't come in front of you, but I will keep track of everything, and if needed, you will find me standing with you.
Besides all this, I make one more promise to you today. If our marriage happens, even though it's a contract marriage, no other girl will ever come into my life besides you. Whether we stay together or not, whenever my wife is mentioned, your name will be there. We will both sign the contract papers, so the decision related to this relationship will be made by both of us together, whether it is to separate or stay together."
Inaya was shocked and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Can anyone really be this good?"
This question came to Inaya's mind, and with it, her expression changed.
"Aren't you pretending to be too good?"
Frowning, Inaya stared at him intently. Kayrav’s lips curved slightly.
"Whether it is pretense or reality, you will know only after testing me. Marry me on contract, spend a year with me, after that, let's see if your perception about me changes or not."
Inaya fell into thought. After a few seconds of silence, her lips parted and a soft voice emerged.
"I need some time to think."
"Here is my card, my number is written on it. Tell me your answer by tomorrow morning. According to that, I will make further preparations.
Otherwise, I can go directly to your parents, then I won't need your 'yes', and my work will be done, but I don't want to do that. I want whatever happens, to happen with your consent.
There is no pressure on you. Make any decision after thinking carefully. If you say yes, it will be very good for both of us. But if you refuse, even after some difficulties, I will find another girl, and my work will be done, but your problem will remain as it is."
"I will give you my answer by tomorrow morning."
"Good..." Kayrav smiled, "Fasten your seatbelt, it's very sunny, I'll drop you home."
"No, it's daytime. If someone sees me with you, and the news reaches my home, it will be a problem for me. I will leave myself, anyway, I am used to it, this is my daily routine, it won't make much difference."
Inaya immediately refused and started to get out of the car but then stopped and her questioning eyes turned towards Kayrav.
"What happened?" Kayrav asked, seeing her looking at him like that.
"How did you know I was at the temple? Are you stalking me?"
"I am not stalking you, but my eyes are on you every moment. Where you are, when you are, I know everything, and there is no wrong intention behind it. You have come on Aman's radar, and he is looking for you everywhere like a madman. For your safety, I have to keep you within my sight."
"Meaning, you have put your spies behind me who give you all my information?" Inaya looked at him, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. Kayrav was still completely normal.
"Yes."
"Are your men still watching me?"
"From the moment you leave your house until you return home, they are watching you every second, and I get all the information about what you do and where you go."
"Then you must also know where I have been struggling for a job all these days."
"Of course... I know all the small and big things about you."
Inaya was shocked and now a little nervous. She scanned her surroundings like a hawk from the car and asked the next question.
"Your men are always around me, telling you everything about me. But I have never seen any suspicious person around me."
"They have orders to work without coming into your sight. They have to protect you, but in such a way that neither you know about it nor does anyone else. This is their duty, and they know very well how to perform it."
Inaya turned her head and looked at Kayrav, who appeared very serious. Swallowing, she moistened her dry throat and hesitantly said,
"Do you keep your men behind all the girls you have saved from Aman, and protect them like this?"
"You are special."
Kayrav replied seriously. Inaya peered into his eyes.
"Why? Why am I special?"
"Because you are my would-be wife, and Aman knows that I have a different relationship with you, so he will target you to defeat me, and I cannot let that happen. Therefore, taking care of your safety is my responsibility."
"Ohhh..." Inaya nodded and as she got out, she glanced around with fearful eyes and quickly walked away, almost running. Kayrav, sitting in the car, smiled seeing her actions.
"So cute."
His lips moved, and turning the steering wheel, he drove away.
"This is very dangerous. I don't know anything, and he is getting every moment's news about me. I never even realized it."
Inaya, still muttering to herself, kept looking around and walking quickly. Suddenly, her head hit something hard. With a slight cry of pain, she rubbed her head with her palm and looked up.
In front of her stood a boy of about 25-26 years. A strong body built in the gym, a loose open shirt over a vest, torn and dirty jeans, a thick gold chain around his neck, hair spread on both sides of his face in the front and tied in a small ponytail at the back, gold rings on all fingers of both hands, ordinary slippers on dust-covered feet.
This was Sachin, who was looking at her with shining eyes, a toothpick between his teeth.
Sachin smiled when he saw Inaya, while Inaya's heart filled with anger.
"What are you doing here on the road in this sun? How many times have I told you, don't go out in the sun, your color will get black."
Inaya's face turned red, and she clenched her jaw in anger.
"Who are you to question me? What business is it of yours where I go and what I do? What do you think of yourself? By what right do you stop me? How could you even think that I would obey you and stay locked in the house?"
"Queen, why are you getting so angry? I said it for you. If you go out in the sun, your moon-like fair face will become dark."
"Whether I go out in the sun or in the dark of night, it's none of your business. Whether I become black or blue, you have no right to say anything. It's my face, so I'll take care of it myself. Stay away from me and my matters, understood?"
Inaya glared at him with burning eyes, but he was still smiling. Inaya took a step forward, but Sachin grabbed her wrist.
To be continued...
"Whether I go out in the sun or in the darkness of the night, it's none of your business. Whether I am dark or fair, you have no right to say anything. It's my face, so I'll take care of it myself. Stay away from me and my affairs, understand?" Inaya glared at him with burning eyes, but he was still smiling.
"How can I stay away, Rani? The time has come to erase all distances and come closer. You made me suffer a lot, taking advantage of my decency and making me wait for 4 years. Just two more days, and then I'll marry you and take you with me forever. Then you will only belong to me, and you will do as I say." Sachin smiled shamelessly. Inaya's blood boiled. The next moment, she screamed in anger, "I would rather die than marry you! Look at yourself in the mirror! How could you even think that I would marry a vagabond like you?"
"Your father owes me money and has given his word. The wedding is in two days. Your parents have agreed, so you will be married to me."
"Keep dreaming, because that can only happen in your dreams. I will die before I marry you. And if anyone tries to force me, I will kill them too. Now get out of my sight and don't follow me, understand?" Inaya pushed him away and stormed off, fuming with anger. Sachin's smiling lips tightened. A strange passion and madness flickered in his eyes. "You will marry me," he muttered. He took out a toothpick, threw it on the ground, crushed it with his foot, and walked away.
Inaya's head was bursting with anger. Sachin had mentioned marriage, which meant Savita Ji had finalized the wedding. This time, it wasn't a hollow threat. Inaya's blood was boiling. She paced back and forth in anger for a while, then sat on the bed. She took out her pocket card and twirled it between her fingers, thinking.
"Kaayrav was right. He is so rich and powerful. He can get any girl; any girl will be ready to be his wife at his command, and my problem will be solved. But right now, I have no other option besides him. At this moment, Kaayrav RaiChand is the solution to all my problems. If I accept this deal, everything will be fine, and I will get out of here. I don't know what the future holds; maybe in a year, my problems will increase, and it won't be easy to distance myself from Kaayrav. But if I don't get married, my life will be ruined right now. If I want to avoid marrying Sachin, I have to accept Kaayrav's deal." Inaya made a decision in her mind and carefully put the card back in her purse.
Kaayrav reached the office and was surprised to see Nitin already present in his cabin. "What are you doing here?" Kaayrav asked, taking a step forward and raising his eyebrows. Nitin immediately got up from his chair. "I was waiting for you. You went to meet Inaya, didn't you? What happened? Did she agree, or did you get rejected again?"
Hearing Nitin's words, Kaayrav glared at him with sharp eyes and sat back in his chair with attitude. "Has it ever happened that I wanted to do something and it didn't happen?"
"No, whatever work you start, you complete it successfully. And that's your biggest strength: once you decide on something, you see it through, no matter the difficulties. Nothing can stop you from reaching your destination."
"If you know all this, why did you ask?"
"What do you mean? You succeeded? You convinced Miss Inaya to get married to you?" Nitin was shocked and stared at him with wide eyes. A cunning smile spread across Kaayrav's lips. "Consider it done. Her call will come any moment, and she'll agree to sign the deal."
"What did you do? How are you so confident that Miss Inaya will say yes? She was completely against this deal, so how did you convince her?" Nitin asked, surprised. Instead of answering, Kaayrav smiled slyly.
"You won't tell me?"
"No," Kaayrav smiled and turned on his laptop, saying, "Enough talk, now get back to your role as an assistant from a friend and do some work." Nitin glared at Kaayrav irritably, but it had no effect on him. Finally, Nitin left, frustrated. As soon as he left, Kaayrav became serious. "This is just the beginning. I have a lot more to do. I hope Inaya can handle all this." The laptop screen lit up. As Kaayrav's gaze fell upon it, his expression changed completely. A strange sparkle appeared in his eyes, and his lips curved slightly. The entire screen was filled with a beautiful picture of Inaya, laughing heartily.
The day passed somehow. It was eight in the night. Kaayrav had just reached his room when his phone rang. Inaya's name lit up on the screen. A deep smile spread across Kaayrav's lips. He made her wait a bit, then picked up the call and sat down, crossing his legs. "Hello."
"Hello, I'm Inaya..."
"I know. Go on." Seeing Kaayrav's arrogant demeanor, Inaya became a little confused. Seeing her silence, Kaayrav softened slightly. "Why are you quiet? Tell me, why did you call me at this time?"
"Well, you said you needed an answer before tomorrow morning, so I called."
"Oh, so you've decided what you're going to do? Tell me, what decision have you made?" Inaya paused for a second, bit her lower lip, then exhaled deeply and said, "I accept your deal. I'm ready for a contract marriage with you, but you have to do it tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, my mother is going to get me married. Before that, you have to get me out of here and convince my parents for our marriage... And one more thing, no one on my side should know about the deal we are making."
"Everything else is fine, but I don't understand the part about convincing your parents. Do you need their permission to marry me?"
"No, I don't. But I don't want them to create problems later. You have to do something so that they leave me alone and never try to interfere in my life again. They shouldn't get a chance to say that they raised me and one day I ran away with a rich boy without repaying their favors." Strange emotions flickered across Inaya's face. Kaayrav became serious. "Don't worry about them, I'll take care of how to handle them. What you want will happen. Anything else?"
"Yes, I wanted to ask what I will have to do."
"You will have to be who you are, and do what I say. I've already told you that during this contract period, you'll have to keep certain things in mind. I won't expect much from you, but I will want you to be loyal to the relationship. This shouldn't become public that our marriage is a contract. As long as you are with me, avoid getting involved in any scandal. If you become my wife, you shouldn't have any relationship with any other man besides me... Understand?"
Inaya listened intently. When the mention of other men came up, the image of Manav flashed before her eyes. She immediately asked, "I don't know any other man, and I won't cheat you, but Manav is my best friend. Will I have to stay away from him too because of this deal?"
"I didn't say that. If he is just your friend, then there's no problem, but only as long as your relationship with him stays within the boundaries of friendship. In short, I just want to say that you shouldn't have any relationship with any man that raises questions about our relationship, do you understand what I mean?"
"Hmm." Inaya quickly nodded. "Come, spend this last night at home. Tomorrow you will be with me, and with your parents' permission. That's my promise to you." Inaya's face was blank. After the call ended, she put down her phone, got up, and went to her cupboard. She opened it and took out the photo frame she had hidden under her clothes. As her eyes fell on the photo, strange emotions surfaced on Inaya's face, and her eyes welled up with tears.
To be continued...
Inaya held a photo frame in her hand. It was of a lady wearing a beautiful gown. She looked just as beautiful as Inaya, and appeared to be around the same age. Inaya’s facial features were somewhat similar to hers, or rather, a hint of her could be seen in Inaya.
Next to the photo was a diary. Inaya flipped through its pages for a while, then set it aside and stared intently at the photo.
"Sorry, I, you told me never to make the mistake you did. But now I am about to do the same. You did what you did unknowingly, and that one wrong decision of yours snatched away your life and happiness. But I am going to make the same mistake knowingly because, at this moment, there is no other way for me.
If I don't do this, Baba will get me married to Sachin. Sachin is worse than Baba. I cannot ruin my life by marrying him, so I have to do this.
Don't be angry with me, I. And tell Bappa not to bring any more difficulties into my life. I am tired of fighting these struggles. I want a peaceful life. And you also don't be sad, don't worry too much about me. I will take care of myself.
I forgot to tell you. Your daughter is getting married. I haven't chosen the wrong man for myself. As far as I know him, he is good, but our relationship is just a deal. He wanted to have a contract marriage with me, and I said yes. For a year, I will live with him as his wife, after which he will divorce me, just like Baba divorced you.
I, you know, sometimes I feel like I've inherited your fate along with your face. But I am not like you. You were very simple and innocent, which is why everyone took advantage of your innocence. But I will not let anyone take advantage of me. I will fight for my rights and will never let anyone snatch my happiness and life away from me. Your daughter is very brave, watch, I will never give up on life."
Inaya kissed the photo of her mother, Anaya, with her lips. Wiping the moisture from her eyes, she picked up her phone, sent a message to Manav, and lay down with the photo pressed to her chest.
Manav was lying in bed after a tiring day when his phone beeped with a notification. He casually picked up his phone and looked at it. Reading Inaya's message felt like a jolt. He sat up abruptly.
Only a few seconds passed before Inaya's phone started ringing. Seeing Manav's call, she set the photo aside, picked up the call, and as soon as she put the phone to her ear, Manav's surprised voice came from the other end.
"Aina, what message did you send?"
"The truth,"
Inaya replied calmly, which surprised Manav even more.
"Inaya, what are you saying? I don't understand anything. You messaged me that you are going to marry Kairav Raichand. And now you are saying it's true... When and how did this happen? After I explained so much, you were not ready to marry him, so how did all this happen so suddenly?"
"Didn't you say that Kairav Raichand is the solution to all my problems right now? Perhaps Bappa himself sent him into my life. I should accept this deal.
Today, I thought carefully about my situation and your words, and I realized you are absolutely right. At this moment, Kairav needs me less than I need him. If I say yes to this deal, I will be free from all these problems. I will be free from this suffocating life of this chawl and the fear I live with every day.
That's why I have decided that I will marry him. It's better to do this contract marriage with Kairav than to ruin my life by marrying Sachin. I have already said yes to him, and now I am telling you because, among my own people, there is no one else besides you."
Inaya became a little emotional. Manav felt it too and said with a smile.
"You have made a very good decision. I will now pray to Bappa that this one-year contract becomes a lifelong relationship, that you are always happy with Kairav, and that no more problems come into your life."
Inaya gave a faint smile. She probably didn't have many expectations from this relationship. After a few seconds, Manav asked the question.
"Aina, you said yes after thinking carefully, right? Meaning, you have discussed all the details with Kairav beforehand, haven't you? Have you clarified everything? You haven't made this decision in haste, have you? What if this deal creates a new problem for you later on?"
Inaya could feel the concern in his voice, and sensing it, she smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, I had discussed everything with him beforehand and made this decision after thinking it through."
Inaya told him in detail about her meeting and conversation with Kairav today, which eased Manav's tension.
"Everything else is fine, but what about your I and Baba? Your Baba has already made a deal with that Sachin, and your I has fixed your marriage with him, so how will you convince them for this relationship? Are you thinking of running away from home? What if they create trouble for you later... And what about Sachin, have you thought about him?"
"No, I haven't thought about him yet, nor do I want to. Baba took money from him by keeping my marriage as collateral, not me. I told him that my marriage is the day after tomorrow, and I hadn't said yes. No one asked me anything in all this, so I will not be responsible for what happens next.
Those who have created this mess should think about how they will handle it. As for my I and Baba, Kairav will talk to them. He said he will handle everything, so I am not worried."
"That's good, I hope everything works out."
"Hmm."
After talking for a while, both of them cut the call and went to bed, but neither of them could sleep. No matter how much they said, the worry of what would happen tomorrow and how, haunted them.
After cutting the call, Kairav called Nitin and explained a few things.
"Do you understand everything clearly? Everything should happen as I said. Talk to the lawyer, I need the papers ready by tomorrow."
"Don't worry, everything will be done, but have you thought carefully that you have to do this? See, it won't be as easy as it seems to you. First of all, your parents will be against this relationship. Can you handle it all?"
"I will handle all this, don't worry about it. I know very well what I am doing and why I am doing it, and what its impact will be. What I am doing is very important, and I will be responsible for whatever consequences there are, so I will handle them too. Inaya will not get caught in all this. I will not let anyone harm her."
As soon as Inaya's name was mentioned, a strange passion flickered in Kairav's tone, which Nitin also felt.
"Kay, tell me one thing, honestly."
"Did I ever lie to you?"
"No, you didn't lie, but lately, I feel like you are hiding a lot of things from me, keeping secrets. You are becoming more and more mysterious to me."
Kairav didn't say anything in response.
"Kayu, do you know Inaya from before? I feel like she is very special to you... There is something about her that you are hiding from me. Won't you tell me now?"
"I will tell you everything when the right time comes. Bye."
Kairav hung up the call without giving him a chance to say anything further. He got up and went to the cupboard, opened the locker, and took out a beautiful box. Inside it was a lovely bracelet.
Kairav touched it with his fingers, his lips curved into a smile, and Inaya's face appeared before his eyes.
To be continued...
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It was 7 am the next morning. Kairav was hurrying downstairs, wearing his watch, Bluetooth in his ear, and a serious look on his face.
Kairav was on the phone, walking through the living room, heading towards the gate, when he heard a lady's voice from behind.
"Kairav, where are you going so early?"
The words echoed in his ears, and Kairav's advancing steps halted. He turned towards the sound, and Mrs. Raichand, wearing a silk nightie, stood a few steps away.
"I have some important work,"
"Cancel it. Siya has been wanting to meet you for a long time, but you always make excuses for being busy. Today, your dad invited the Malhotras for breakfast and wants you to be present, meet Siya, and talk to her."
"I don't want to meet anyone, nor do I want to talk to anyone. I didn't say to invite anyone for breakfast or dinner. Those who invited should spend time with them. I have no time for these unnecessary things; I have much more important work to do... so please excuse me."
Kairav replied with great indifference and turned to leave, but a stern, authoritative voice hit his ears.
"You won't go anywhere; cancel whatever work you have. Meeting Mr. Malhotra and his family, especially his daughter, should be your top priority. I invited them for breakfast so that we can finalize everything while sitting together, and you can also meet Siya once before the engagement is fixed."
Kairav's eyebrows furrowed in anger, and his face hardened. He glared at Mr. Raichand and said,
"You know what you want to do; I know it very well. Understand one thing clearly: I will never accompany you in this planning. I have no interest in Siya Malhotra; I don't like her... I will never marry her. I will only marry the girl I love. I will never make my life and happiness a part of your business deal."
"So, it would be better for you to stop what you've done or are about to do. Otherwise, you will be responsible for what happens next; don't blame me."
Kairav was talking to him, eye to eye, which didn't sit well with Mr. Raichand, and all his anger was directed at Mrs. Raichand.
"See how your son is behaving, talking back to his father?... Make him understand that the infatuation of love on his head must be removed, and he should do what we are asking him to do. We've already discussed the relationship with Mr. Malhotra, and this is a great opportunity to turn business relations into family ties, which will make us crores of profit."
A sarcastic smile spread across Kairav's lips.
"Profit... deal... business.... Yes, these have always been important to you. My happiness, my desire, my will have never had any importance in your eyes. You've always made me do what you want, and today you still want me to bow down and obey you... marry the girl with whom you want to... actually, you want to sell my life for your business and profit."
"But sorry, Dad; I've followed your and mom's every word until now, done everything you wanted; but this time I won't listen to you. I don't accept this deal; I won't marry Siya; the girl I love will enter my life."
Still standing tall, defying him, made Mr. Raizada's face turn black with anger.
"If that's your decision, then hear ours. You will marry the one we want. Mr. Malhotra is coming with his family today. Whether you meet Siya or not, today we will finalize your relationship. And on the 50th anniversary of the company, we will announce your engagement and the business collaboration of both families."
"If you go against us, create obstacles in our plan, or even think of any other girl... we will do what you can't even imagine. It would be better for you to do what you want for solace; maintain relations with whoever you want, but when it comes to marriage... marry Siya without saying a word. Understood?"
Some strange emotions appeared on Kairav's face, and he clenched his fists in anger.
"Oh, so you're giving me the same advice that you've followed all along; you're asking me to do what you do. You want me to become like you... but sorry, Dad; I'm not like you, nor do I want to be. Your life is blessed to you; I will live my life my way, in my style; I will do what I want."
"I'm not like you. You made a business deal with mom, didn't you? And you've pretended to be an ideal couple before the world, but I know the reality of this relationship very well, and I don't want such a relationship; I will never do to any girl what you did to mom, and perhaps no girl in the world will tolerate it."
"Mom doesn't say anything; the day she breaks her silence, your ideal husband and family man image will shatter into pieces, and when your reality comes before the world, those who respect you today will hate you."
Kairav's face had expressions of contempt. He had shown Mr. Raichand a mirror, and he was enraged by his bitter words.
"Kairav...."
"Don't shout; I also know how to shout, and what are you so angry about? I only told the truth; why did it hurt you so much?... Did you think I don't know what you do on those business trips, what you do when you're away from home for a day? Why you stay out all night? How you behave with mom?..."
"I know everything, Dad... not just today, but since childhood; I've seen you stumbling home drunk, I've seen you indulge with girls half your age; I've seen you fight with them for mom and raise your hand on them. And I decided then that I would never become like you. You may be a big businessman, have a lot of fame, but in my eyes, you're not worthy of being called my dad with respect."
Kairav was trembling with rage; his face had emotions of anger, disgust, and hatred. Mr. Raichand was shocked. Mrs. Raichand was also embarrassed; tears of helplessness welled up in her eyes, which she quickly hid and sternly rebuked Kairav.
"Kairav, how are you talking to them? They're your dad..."
"Oh, come on, mom... just giving a sperm and fulfilling basic monetary needs doesn't make a man a dad. Ask him; has he ever taken any responsibility of being a dad? Has his son grown up; does he remember any moment when I needed my dad... and he was there with me?"
"For him, I'm not a child; I'm a trophy... which he shows off to the world to increase his pride. The purpose of bringing me into this world wasn't love; it was to create an heir - who can take over his business, carry forward his legacy."
"Still, in relationships, he was my dad... so until now, I've followed his every word, accepted every decision. But what he wants from me now, I won't do. And if you try to force me, I'll leave this house. Don't threaten me that you'll disinherit me from the business or property - because I don't need your business; your business needs me. I'm capable enough to set up everything on my own... and I don't need your favors."
Mr. Raichand's blood boiled. Kairav said his piece and left in anger. Mr. Raichand glared at Mrs. Raichand and screamed in anger.
To be continued...
Mr. Raichand's blood boiled. Kairav had said his piece and left in anger. Mr. Raichand glared at Mrs. Raichand with burning eyes and shouted in anger.
"This is all because of you, you didn't raise a child properly, you filled his mind with such things about his father. If you had paid a little attention to your offspring instead of your kitty parties, he wouldn't be talking to his father so disrespectfully today."
"Kairav is not my son alone. The responsibility for his upbringing was as much yours as mine. If I didn't pay attention, you should have... If I didn't have time, if I was busy with parties, you should have spent time with him. If I didn't become a good mom, you should have become a good dad, like you show the world. I didn't stop you.
And what did you say, that I put those thoughts in his mind about you? Don't even think of accusing me like that. I never said a single wrong word about you in front of him. I never revealed the reality of our relationship to him, I always hid your every mistake... What he said today, I didn't teach him. He learned what he saw himself, and for this, you are responsible, not me."
A fierce argument ensued between them. Kairav, as he walked out, could still hear their shouting and screaming, but his face was expressionless. He put on his shades, got into the car, and drove away.
An old lady standing near the ground floor corridor had witnessed the entire scene. Concern was evident on her wrinkled face.
It was morning time, and Inaya was busy with housework when the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Who could it be at this early hour?" Inaya's eyebrows furrowed in thought.
Muttering to herself, she reached the gate. As soon as she opened the door and her gaze fell on the person standing in front, she was utterly shocked.
"Y-you..." Inaya had barely managed to exclaim loudly when Kairav wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her towards him, and covered her mouth with his palm.
Inaya's words were choked off, and her eyes bulged. She struggled to break free, trying to scream, which resulted in muffled, strange sounds, but she couldn't escape Kairav.
"Shhh... Calm down and listen to me carefully."
Kairav's soft yet serious voice reached Inaya's ears, and she instantly became still.
"I'm letting go, but don't scream now, okay?"
Inaya quickly nodded. Kairav released her and stepped back. Inaya placed her hand on her chest and took deep breaths. She was panting heavily, and Kairav could clearly hear the pounding of her heart.
"Are you okay?... I wasn't holding you that tightly, though."
Inaya looked up and glared at him with sharp eyes. Kairav immediately fell silent. Inaya composed herself and asked with surprise.
"What are you doing here outside my house at this time?"
"Inaya, who is it?" Savita Ji's stern voice came from inside, and Inaya became terribly flustered.
"Y-you, leave. If Aai sees you, it will be a huge problem. Before she comes out and bombards you with questions, you should leave. We can meet later somewhere alone."
Inaya started pushing him away. Beads of sweat glistened on her face due to her nervousness.
Kairav first silently watched her rapidly changing expression, then held both her wrists, stopping her, and said seriously.
"I haven't come to see you, but your parents."
"You don't need to be so worried. I won't let anything happen to you. You don't need to do or say anything; I'll handle everything. You just pretend like you don't know me... okay?"
"Why?" Inaya was utterly shocked. Kairav was giving her one jolt after another.
"Just do as I said," Kairav signaled her with his eyes. Just then, the sound of footsteps was heard, and Inaya flinched and moved away from him.
"Who are you? Whom do you want to meet? Why are you here?"
Inaya asked, and at the same moment, Savita Ji arrived and questioned sternly.
"Who is it? Whom are you talking to for so long?"
"I don't know who it is! I've never seen him before. I was just asking him who he is, why he's here, and whom he wants to meet."
Inaya played innocent and stayed safe. Kairav smiled inwardly at her acting.
Savita Ji's scrutinizing gaze now turned towards Kairav. Her eyes widened upon seeing such a handsome young man in front of her. Kairav's clothes, shoes, demeanor, and the car parked behind him all testified to his wealth.
"Who are you, and what business do you have? Whom do you want to meet?"
Savita Ji's tone changed. Honey-like sweetness infused her voice. Inaya's face fell, while Kairav remained unaffected.
"Actually, I've come to meet Inaya's parents. I have something very important to discuss about Inaya."
"About Inaya... What has she done?" Surprise turned into anger, and she glared at Inaya, clenching her jaw.
"Hey, what have you done now?"
"I haven't done anything, Aai, honestly..." Inaya stammered. Savita Ji, ignoring her, was about to move towards her in anger when Kairav intervened.
"You're misunderstanding. Inaya hasn't done anything; she doesn't even know me. I haven't come here to complain about her, but to discuss something very important about her and me."
Savita Ji's expression changed. She eyed Inaya with suspicion. Inaya, flustered, put on an innocent face and quickly shook her head in negation, as if saying she knew nothing about it.
Savita Ji's searching gaze then turned back to Kairav.
"Inaya is our daughter. What do you need to discuss about her with us?"
"It's not appropriate to have this conversation out here. It would be better if we talked comfortably inside, and if Inaya's father could also join us."
"Go and fetch your father."
"Me?" Inaya's face lost all color.
"If not you, then who else will go?" Savita Ji flared up in anger and glared at her. Inaya nodded and went inside. But the fear that showed on her face as she left worried Kairav.
After some time, Kairav was sitting inside on a chair. Savita Ji was sitting opposite him, but her eyes were eagerly awaiting Inaya's return. From inside, muffled sounds of Inaya and a man's loud, shouting voice could be heard.
After a while, she came, accompanied by a man. He was wearing a vest and a dhoti-style lungi. His disheveled hair and bloodshot, scary eyes clearly indicated he was drunk, and Kairav now understood the reason for Inaya's fear.
Prakash Ji entered with an air of authority and sat next to Savita Ji. Inaya stood to the side. Kairav scanned her from head to toe in a few seconds to ensure she was alright.
Suddenly, a stern voice boomed, "Speak! Who are you, and why have you come to our house?"
Everyone's attention shifted to Prakash Ji, who was staring at Kairav with strange eyes.
"I need to discuss something important about your daughter, Inaya, with both of you."
As soon as Kairav said this, Savita Ji flared up in anger.
"Why are you standing here listening to our conversation? You don't belong here. Go and do your work. I need food ready in half an hour, or you'll be in trouble today."
Hearing her threat, Inaya looked at Kairav helplessly. He gestured with his eyes for her to relax and leave. Trusting him, Inaya quietly left. Now, only Kairav and Mr. and Mrs. Deshmukh remained, and both of their eyes were fixed on Kairav.
Kairav let out a deep sigh and said seriously.
"I have come here to ask for your daughter's hand. I like Inaya and wish to marry her."
Kairav's words fell like a bomb blast, stunning the two people sitting in front of him. The next moment, Prakash Ji rose from his chair, and his angry, harsh voice echoed there.
To be continued...
