A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

We are married

The clock ticked ominously, each second a hammer blow on the tense silence that had descended upon the room. Panic clawed at Tej. "We can't let Viraj take over the empire! He's done nothing to earn it!" he roared, desperation lacing his voice. He whirled on Shivay. "Shivay, you need to get married – to anyone!"

Pinky bristled. "Jethji, how can you even suggest such a thing? Marrying someone without love is unthinkable!"

Tej, cornered and desperate, shot back, "Pinky, Shivay was prepared to marry Kanika for the company's benefit. Can't he do the same now?"

Before their bickering could escalate, Shivay slammed his fist on the table, his voice ringing with a newfound authority. "Enough! Let me think. You all go outside and handle the guests. Assure them the wedding is still on and there's no change in leadership. Khanna, stay with me."

A beat of stunned silence followed before the others slowly filed out, leaving Shivay and Khanna alone. Shivay straightened his shoulders, a steely glint in his eyes. "Khanna," he began, his voice resolute, "find me a woman here, at this venue, someone I can marry. And draw up a contract – a marriage of convenience."

Fifteen minutes crawled by, each tick of the clock an agonizing reminder of the dwindling time. Khanna returned, his face etched with worry. "Sir," he reported, his voice strained, "I've searched the entire venue. There isn't a single unmarried woman, not even among the staff."

Shivay slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "Dammit! How can this be?"

Khanna continued, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Sir, while I was questioning the staff, I discovered something unsettling. Mr. Viraj apparently organized a separate party for all the unmarried young men and women. And they're all currently attending, at a venue an hour away from here."

The truth slammed into Shivay like a physical blow. Viraj had anticipated this – the possibility of Shivay marrying someone else. And with ruthless efficiency, he'd removed all potential candidates from the vicinity.

Shivay glanced at the clock. Only forty-five minutes remained until midnight. Reaching the other venue and finding a suitable bride seemed like an impossible feat. But Shivay was a fighter. He wouldn't surrender his birthright without a struggle.

He picked up his phone, his jaw set in determination.  He instructed, his voice low but firm. "Come in the bride's dressing room. Now." With that he strides towards bride dressing room.

Five minutes later, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar face.  Annika, her eyes a stormy sea of emotions, stood hesitantly in the doorway.

"Yes, Mr. Oberoi?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "Did you find a bride? Should I… get her ready?"

Shivay gestured towards a rack, where a breathtaking bridal lehenga shimmered under the lights. "Take that dress and change into it."

Annika's jaw dropped. "You want… me… to be your bride?" she stammered, disbelief warring with a flicker of something else in her eyes.

"What's so surprising?" Shivay countered, his voice sharp. "Weren't you always eager to be in this position, before you snagged Akash Shekhawat?"

Annika bristled. "How dare you question my character! I will not be a pawn in your desperate game!" Anger fueled her steps towards the door, but Shivay was faster. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her close with a force that left them both breathless.

"Annika," Shivay rasped, his voice low, "I'm desperate.  Don't force me to do something we'll both regret.  Think of Akash, too."

He released her as abruptly as he'd grabbed her. "You have ten minutes. I'll be waiting outside." With that, he strode out, leaving Annika alone with a storm of conflicting emotions.