In the hospital,
The oncology ward was unusually quiet that morning.
Aravind sat on the hospital bed with the IV cannula already secured to his hand, while Rakshit stood near the window, listening as the oncologist explained the risks of delaying another chemotherapy session.
"The treatment has already been postponed once," the doctor said gently. "Another delay isn't advisable."
Rakshit nodded. "I'll talk to him."
After the doctor walked away, Rakshit took a deep breath before stepping back into the room.
He pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down beside his father. "Dad," he said patiently, "enough now. The doctors are waiting."
Aravind didn't look at him. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on the window. "I've already told you my decision."
Rakshit rubbed a tired hand over his face before looking at him again. "This isn't a negotiation."
"It isn't," Aravind replied calmly.
"Then why are you making it one?" Rakshit asked, unable to hide the frustration in his voice.
A faint, weary smile appeared on Aravind's face. "Because some battles are worth fighting."
Before Rakshit could respond, Aravind's phone began to ring.
He glanced at the screen, and the moment he saw the name, his expression softened. "It's Ram."
Rakshit remained silent as Aravind answered the call.
"Ram..." he said warmly, sitting a little straighter. "Tell me."
The room fell silent. Rakshit watched quietly as his father's tired eyes slowly brightened.
A smile spread across Aravind's face. By the time the call ended, there were tears glistening in his eyes.
"I knew she'd think with her heart," he whispered into the phone before smiling gratefully. "Thank you... thank you."
He ended the call and slowly placed the phone beside him. For a long moment, he simply looked at his son.
Hope.
Relief.
Happiness.
All of it reflected in his eyes.
Finally, he spoke. "Will you marry Aprajita?" The question settled heavily between them.
Rakshit's fingers tightened around the armrest of the chair. He lowered his eyes, staring at the floor as the words echoed in his mind."She said yes?"
Rakshit closed his eyes briefly before looking back at his father.
"If..." he began quietly, his voice faltering for the first time, "...if Aprajita has accepted..."
He swallowed the lump in his throat. "And if this is what you want..." Slowly reaching forward, he took his father's frail hands into his own, "...then I'll marry her."
For a second, Aravind simply stared at him. It was as though he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
Then his eyes filled with tears. "Ram just told me..." he whispered, his voice breaking into an emotional smile. "...she said yes."
Before Rakshit could say anything else, Aravind pulled him into a tight embrace. Rakshit froze for a brief moment before wrapping his arms around his father.
He felt him trembling not from the illness. But from relief.
"My son..." Aravind whispered, holding him tightly. "You've given me a reason to fight."
Rakshit closed his eyes and gently patted his father's back. "I'm here, Dad," he murmured softly.
His voice remained steady. His heart didn't. As he stood there, holding the man who had sacrificed everything for him, only one thought echoed through his mind.
This marriage would save the person he loved most. But somewhere along the way it might quietly break the woman who had just agreed to become his wife.
And for the first time since asking her to sign a contract, Rakshit wondered whether he had made the right choice.
💛
In office,
Rakshit had been waiting for nearly fifteen minutes when he finally saw Aprajita walk into the office. She arrived exactly on time, dressed as neatly as always, greeting the receptionist and a few colleagues with her usual polite smile.
Except, she never looked towards his cabin. For the first time in five years.
He watched through the glass wall as she settled at her desk, switched on her laptop, and buried herself in work as though yesterday's conversation had never happened.
Drawing a slow breath, he opened the company messenger and typed a single line. "Come to my cabin."
Barely a minute later, there was a soft knock on his door.
"Come in," Rakshit said, closing the file in front of him.
Aprajita stepped inside with a notepad tucked beneath her arm. Closing the door behind her, she looked at him expectantly. "You called me, sir?" Her voice was calm.
Professional. Almost painfully distant.
Rakshit gestured towards the chair opposite him. "Sit."
She gave a small shake of her head. "It's alright, sir. I'll stand."
He looked at her for a moment but didn't insist. Silence stretched between them.
Rakshit searched for the right words before finally speaking. "...Thank you."
The words felt painfully inadequate the moment they left his mouth.
Aprajita lowered her eyes and gave a faint nod. "You don't have to thank me."
Rakshit opened the drawer beside him and took out a neatly arranged file. Sliding it across the desk, he looked at her quietly. "And this is the contract."
Aprajita's gaze fell on the cover. The bold title stared back at her.
**CONTRACT OF MARRIAGE**
For a brief moment, her fingers remained still over the file. Then she opened it.
Her eyes moved across the first page before stopping at two clauses printed in bold.
"No Love."
"No Children"
A faint smile appeared on her lips. Not because she found them amusing. Because fate seemed to have a cruel sense of humour.
The one thing she had spent five years hiding inside her heart was now officially forbidden. Without another word, she reached for the pen lying beside the file.
Rakshit's brows knitted together. "Aprajita..."
She didn't look up. Calmly opening the third page, she signed her name. Then she turned another page and signed again.
Within moments, she closed the file and gently pushed it back across the table.
Rakshit looked from the contract to her face. "You didn't read it," he said quietly.
Aprajita finally met his eyes. "I read what mattered." There was no bitterness in her voice. Only acceptance.
Every other clause felt meaningless after the only two that had truly mattered.
No love.
No children.
She had already agreed to both.
Rakshit remained silent for a long moment before speaking again. "I didn't think..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "...it would be this easy."
For the first time that morning, something changed in her expression.
A tired smile touched her lips. "Nothing about this is easy, sir."
Her voice was soft. Yet the words settled heavily between them.
She adjusted her dupatta over her shoulder before asking quietly, "May I leave?"
Rakshit looked at her for a second longer than he intended. Then he gave a slow nod."Yes."
Aprajita turned towards the door and walked out without looking back.
The cabin fell silent the moment it closed behind her. Rakshit lowered his gaze to the contract resting on his desk.
Her signature was flawless, not a single letter had trembled. Yet somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that she had signed away far more than a marriage contract.
And for reasons he couldn't explain watching her walk away felt strangely like losing something he had never realised he possessed.
💛
The next few weeks slipped by almost unnoticed.
Aravind responded well to every chemotherapy session, and with each visit to the hospital, a little more colour returned to his face. Watching his recovery, both families finally allowed themselves to hope again.
Soon, conversations shifted naturally from medicines and reports to wedding preparations.
Most evenings, the Bharadwaj's and the Sharma's gathered around the dining table with notebooks, invitation samples and endless cups of tea. One discussion led to another, and before anyone realised it, hours had passed.
One evening, Ram Gopal looked up from a brochure and smiled. "We've shortlisted three wedding halls," he announced proudly. "We'll go see them this weekend."
Rakshit looked up from the laptop in his hands, while Aprajita, seated beside Malti, instinctively glanced towards him.
Almost at the same time, they spoke. "I don't want a grand wedding."
The room fell silent. Rakshit closed his laptop and placed it aside. "A simple ceremony is enough," he said calmly, looking at his father.
Aprajita nodded in agreement before turning to her parents. "I feel the same, ma," she said gently. "I'd rather have only our close family and friends."
Malti looked from one to the other before sighing. "But this is your wedding."
"I know," Aprajita replied with a small smile. "That's exactly why I want it to be simple."
Aravind shifted his gaze to his son. "And you're sure?"
Rakshit nodded once. "I'd be more comfortable that way."
The parents exchanged disappointed looks. Every parent dreams of celebrating their child's wedding with grandeur. But after they heard both want a simple marriage, their happiness mattered more than any celebration.
"Alright," Ram Gopal said at last with a smile. "Simple it is."
Within a few days, the wedding date was fixed.
---
Two days later, Rakshit's phone vibrated in the middle of a board meeting.
He glanced at the screen beneath the table.
**Aprajita**
*Can we meet at Cafe Brew near our office at 5:30?*
He read the message twice. There wasn't even an *Are you free?* His brows drew together slightly.
For someone who had always been careful about professional boundaries, the message felt unusually direct. Curious, he typed a short reply. "Okay."
By half past five, Rakshit stepped into the cafe. His eyes immediately found her.
Aprajita was already seated near the window, flipping through a notebook while waiting for him. She looked up as he approached and gave a small nod. "You're here."
He pulled out the chair opposite her. "You came early."
"I didn't want you waiting," she replied simply before closing the notebook. "I've already ordered."
Rakshit looked at her curiously but said nothing.
A waiter arrived a moment later and placed a cup of black coffee in front of him.
Rakshit picked it up absent-mindedly and took a sip. The moment the coffee touched his tongue, he paused.
No sugar. Extra strong, exactly the way he liked it.
He slowly lowered the cup and looked at her. "You remember."
Aprajita gave a small shrug as though it wasn't worth mentioning. "You've been ordering the same coffee for five years," she said matter-of-factly. "It wasn't difficult to remember."
Before he could respond, she opened the notebook in front of her. "When should we inform the office?" she asked, uncapping a pen.
Rakshit frowned. "...What?"
"Our marriage," she clarified, looking up at him. "When do we tell everyone?"
He stared at her for a second before a quiet, disbelieving laugh escaped him. "You asked me to meet for this?"
She blinked in confusion. "Yes."
"You made it sound like something important." He sighed.
"It is important," she replied without hesitation. Folding her hands on the table, she continued, "We'll have to work with the same people even after the wedding. If we don't tell them ourselves, rumours will spread."
Rakshit leaned back in his chair and took another sip of his coffee.
For some reason, it eased the heaviness he'd been carrying since morning.
He placed the cup down before answering, "The day before the wedding."
Aprajita frowned thoughtfully. "Isn't that too late?"
"It'll avoid unnecessary attention," he replied. "I'd rather prefer people focus on work than on us."
She considered it for a few seconds before giving a small nod. "If that's what you prefer..."
Silence settled comfortably between them. Aprajita absent-mindedly stirred her cappuccino, watching the foam disappear into slow circles without taking a single sip.
Rakshit found himself watching her instead. Something had changed over the past few weeks.
She no longer seemed nervous around him. She spoke only when necessary. She never smiled just to fill the silence.
And she never looked at him any longer than she had to. It was exactly the distance he had wanted between them.
Then why did it suddenly feel as though he missed the woman who used to smile so easily around him?
💛
The day before their wedding,
An email from the CEO's office landed in every employee's inbox.
"All employees are requested to assemble in the conference room at 11:00 a.m."
Within minutes, the entire office buzzed with speculation.
"Another project launch?" someone whispered near the coffee machine.
"Maybe the quarterly results," another guessed as they walked towards the conference room.
A third employee lowered his voice dramatically. "I think someone got fired."
The whispers only grew louder as everyone gathered inside.
Aprajita stood near the front of the room beside Rakshit, her hands clasped before her. She kept her expression calm, but she could feel curious eyes shifting between the two of them.
Across the room, Reshmi frowned in confusion. She caught Aprajita's eye and silently mouthed, *What's going on?*
Aprajita simply lowered her gaze. A moment later, Rakshit stepped forward.
"Thank you for assembling at such short notice," he said, his calm voice immediately quieting the room. Looking around once, he continued, "I have a personal announcement."
The room fell completely silent. After a brief pause, he spoke with the same composed expression. "Tomorrow....Aprajita and I are getting married."
For a heartbeat, nobody reacted. Then the conference room exploded into noise.
Some employees gasped openly. Others immediately began whispering excitedly.
Several people broke into applause while a few simply stood frozen, trying to process what they had just heard.
From the last row, Rahul slowly raised his hand."Sir..." he began hesitantly, scratching the back of his head. "You both planned your weddings... on the same day?"
The room went silent. Reshmi turned towards him in disbelief before smacking his arm. "You idiot!"
Rahul rubbed his shoulder and looked genuinely offended. "What? That's what he said!"
Rakshit closed his eyes for a brief second before pinching the bridge of his nose.
Looking directly at Rahul, he said patiently, "We're getting married..."
He deliberately paused, "...to each other."
"Oh." Rahul blinked.
Another second passed. His eyes widened. "Oh!" The entire room burst into laughter.
Even Rakshit's lips curved into the faintest smile before he composed himself again.
Once the laughter settled, he looked around the room. "The wedding will be a private ceremony attended only by our families and close relatives," he explained. "However, both of us would be delighted if all of you could join us for the reception next week."
He gave everyone a polite nod. "Thank you."
The announcement ended instantly. Employees rushed forward with congratulations, handshakes and endless questions.
Before anyone could stop him, Rakshit quietly excused himself and slipped out of the conference room.
Aprajita wasn't as fortunate. She barely managed to thank one colleague before another appeared in front of her with flowers, blessings and curious smiles.
Then suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist.
"Appu!"
She didn't even have time to react before Reshmi pulled her through the crowd.
"Reshmi..." Aprajita protested softly. "Where are we—"
"Not a word." Reshmi continued dragging her down the corridor until they reached the empty break room.
The moment the door clicked shut, she turned around and folded her arms across her chest. "Start talking."
Aprajita blinked innocently.
Reshmi narrowed her eyes. "You seriously thought you could hide something this big from me?"
Aprajita lowered her gaze without answering.
Reshmi's expression slowly softened. "You've been in love with that man for five years," she said quietly, searching her friend's face. "And now you're suddenly telling me you're marrying him tomorrow?"
She stepped closer. "What happened?"
A hopeful smile appeared on her lips. "Did he confess?"
When Aprajita remained silent, Reshmi's smile grew a little wider. "Did he finally realise he loves you?"
The excitement in her voice pierced straight through Aprajita's heart. She looked away, blinking back the sting in her eyes. Because the truth was exactly the opposite.
Aprajita adjusted the strap of her handbag and attempted a nervous smile. "There's really nothing to explain."
"Oh, please." Reshmi rolled her eyes and stepped closer. "Yesterday you looked completely clueless, and today our CEO announces that the two of you are getting married tomorrow." She shook her head in disbelief. "Do you honestly expect me to believe all of this happened overnight?"
Aprajita lowered her eyes and drew a slow breath. "It's because of Aravind Uncle," she said quietly, her fingers absent-mindedly twisting the edge of her dupatta.
Reshmi's expression softened instantly. "Is he alright?"
"You know about his health." Aprajita gave a small nod without looking up. "His treatment is going on, but... his biggest wish was to see Rakshit settled."
Reshmi remained silent, allowing her to continue.
"Yesterday, Rakshit spoke to me." A faint smile appeared on Aprajita's lips, though it never reached her eyes. "He said he wanted to fulfil Uncle's wish."
"And then?" Reshmi asked impatiently.
"He asked me to marry him."
Reshmi blinked twice before staring at her. "Just like that?"
Aprajita nodded slowly. "He said..." She paused for a moment, forcing herself to finish the lie. "...that we may not know each other well outside work, but we can build a relationship with time."
Every word felt heavier than the last. She hated lying.
Especially to the friend who had stood beside her through every silent heartbreak. Reshmi, however, didn't notice the pain hidden behind her smile.
Instead, she squealed with excitement and threw her arms around Aprajita. Pulling her into a tight hug, Reshmi laughed, "I knew it! I knew something good would happen to you one day."
Aprajita hugged her back, closing her eyes for a brief second.
Reshmi pulled away and cupped her face with both hands. "Do you know how long I've waited for this?" she asked, smiling through tears. "I've watched you love that man without asking for anything in return."
Aprajita looked away before her emotions could betray her.
"Maybe he doesn't love you today," Reshmi continued with complete confidence, "but one day he will."
She smiled brightly and squeezed Aprajita's hands. "One day he'll realise how lucky he is to have you."
Aprajita forced a smile and nodded. "I hope so."
Reshmi's smile slowly faded as she studied her friend's face more carefully.
"Wait..." she said, tilting her head. "Why do you look so... sad?"
Aprajita blinked. "What?"
"You should be glowing right now." Reshmi frowned, searching her face. "You're marrying the man you've loved for five years."
She took a small step closer. "So why do you look like you're about to cry?"
For one dangerous moment the truth almost escaped.
*Because he doesn't love me.*
*Because tomorrow isn't the beginning of our love story.*
*It's the beginning of a contract.*
*Because every word I just told you was a lie.*
Aprajita swallowed the confession before it reached her lips. Instead, she let out a soft laugh and shook her head. "I'm just nervous."
Reshmi frowned. "Nervous?"
"It's happening so fast," Aprajita replied, trying to sound convincing. "A few days ago, I didn't even know I was getting married. Today everyone's congratulating me."
Aprajita smiled weakly. "I think I'm allowed to panic a little."
Reshmi laughed and gently flicked her forehead. "Now that's the Appu I recognise."
Looping an arm around her shoulders, she began walking towards the door. "Stop thinking so much," she said with a grin. "Tomorrow is the biggest day of your life."
She nudged Aprajita playfully. "Just be happy."
Aprajita nodded with a small smile. "I'll try."
As Reshmi excitedly continued talking about bridal photos, jewellery and honeymoon destinations, Aprajita quietly walked beside her.
She answered whenever necessary. She smiled whenever expected.
But deep inside, she was mourning the love story she had always dreamt of.
Because tomorrow, she would become Rakshit Bharadwaj's wife. Just not for the reason her heart had wished.
💛
Next day,
The wedding passed exactly the way both of them had wanted.
It was simple. It was peaceful.
Only their closest relatives and family friends gathered inside the temple hall, their blessings filling the quiet space as the priest chanted the sacred mantras.
Rakshit stood beside Aprajita throughout the ceremony, following every ritual exactly as instructed. Neither of them spoke much. There wasn't anything left to say.
Their silence carried more weight than words ever could.
When the priest held out the silver box of vermilion, he smiled at Rakshit. "Fill her maang."
Aprajita instinctively closed her eyes. Her heartbeat echoed inside her chest as she felt Rakshit's fingers gently brush against her forehead before he filled the parting of her hair with vermilion.
It was a moment she had imagined countless times. A moment she had dreamt would begin her love story. Instead, it marked the beginning of a marriage built on a promise.
Moments later, Rakshit carefully tied the mangalsutra around her neck. The priest folded his hands with a satisfied smile. "From this moment onwards," he announced warmly, "you are husband and wife."
A tear escaped the corner of Aprajita's eye. She quickly wiped it away before anyone noticed.
To everyone watching, it was the happiness of an emotional bride. Only she knew, she was quietly saying goodbye to every dream she had once associated with marriage.
---
The hardest part came during the vidhai.
The moment Aprajita hugged her mother, Malti broke down completely. Stroking her hair with trembling hands, she whispered, "Call me every day, okay? And don't skip your meals."
Aprajita nodded against her shoulder as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "I won't, ma."
Ram Gopal waited patiently until she turned towards him. Pulling her into a gentle hug, he kissed her forehead and smiled through moist eyes. "You've always been our strength," he said softly.
Aprajita couldn't stop crying. "I'm going to miss you, Papa."
"So will we," he replied, his voice thick with emotion.
After a long moment, Ram Gopal took her hand and placed it in Rakshit's. Looking straight at him, he said quietly, "Take care of her."
Rakshit held his gaze and nodded respectfully. "I will."
Reshmi, who had already exhausted an entire packet of tissues, sniffled loudly before pulling Aprajita into another hug. "You're impossible," she complained through tears. "You're making everyone cry."
Despite everything, Aprajita laughed softly. "I'll see you soon."
"You'd better," Reshmi warned, wiping her eyes dramatically. "Otherwise I'll come to Bharadwaj Mansion and kidnap you."
Even Rakshit's lips curved into the faintest smile.
A few minutes later, Aprajita settled into the passenger seat while Rakshit quietly took the driver's seat. As the car rolled forward, she looked back through the window.
Her parents remained standing at the gate, waving until the car disappeared from sight.
She kept looking, long after she couldn't see them anymore.
The drive passed in complete silence. Only the occasional sound of her quiet sniffles filled the car.
Without taking his eyes off the road, Rakshit opened the compartment beside him and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief. Holding it towards her, he said softly, "Here."
Aprajita looked at it for a second before accepting it with a small nod. "Thank you."
Rakshit simply nodded and returned his attention to the road.
Neither of them spoke again. Some silences were kinder than conversations.
---
The gates of Bharadwaj Mansion slowly opened as the car entered the driveway.
Aravind was already waiting near the entrance. The moment he saw them step out, a smile spread across his face.
"There you are," he said warmly. "I've been waiting."
After the welcoming 'arti', Aprajita gently nudged the rice-filled kalash with her foot and stepped into the house, leaving soft crimson footprints across the polished marble floor.
She instinctively bent to touch Aravind's feet. Before she could, he gently held her shoulders and stopped her.
"No," he said with a smile. "No more tears."
Aprajita slowly looked up.
"This isn't someone else's house anymore," Aravind continued, his voice filled with affection. "From today... this is your home."
Her eyes filled once again. Aravind rested a gentle hand over her head before adding softly, "And don't ever think you've left your father behind."
His smile grew warmer. "I'm your father too."
Those simple words settled deep inside her heart. Some of the heaviness she had carried ever since leaving home quietly melted away.
Aprajita smiled through moist eyes. "Thank you..." she whispered before hesitating. "...Uncle."
Aravind chuckled and shook his head. "I think it's time you stopped calling me that."
A shy smile appeared on her face. "Thank you... Papa."
For a brief moment, Aravind's eyes glistened. "That's my daughter."
Standing nearby, Rakshit quietly picked up her suitcase before looking towards the staircase. "I'll show you our room," he said calmly.
Aprajita's heartbeat quickened. She nodded silently and followed him upstairs.
Until now, she had only been a bride. But the moment that bedroom door opened, she would begin living under the same roof as the man she had loved for five long years.
And for the first time, the reality of their contract marriage truly began to sink in.
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
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