RishMi SS : From Contract to Love

3

Meeting Rishi's family was surprisingly pleasant; they were warm and welcoming, their kindness putting her at ease. Rishi, it seemed, had always been commitment-phobic, so when he announced he was marrying Lakshmi and presented it as a love match, his family was overjoyed. They conducted a brief inquiry into her background and character, quickly concluding she was sincere and trustworthy.

When Lakshmi broke the news to her family, her mother, still in the hospital, was hesitant. The recent breakdown of her elder daughter Shalu’s marriage had left scars, and she couldn’t fathom how the younger daughter’s marriage proposal had come about so quickly.

“Lakshmi, are you sure about this?” her mother asked, worry etched on her face.

Lakshmi took a deep breath, spinning a tale of a love story. “Ma, Rishiji and I have known each other for a while. We fell in love, but I kept it a secret because I wasn’t sure how you would react. When he heard about our situation, he proposed. He truly cares for me, and I care for him.”

Shalu, who had been listening quietly, stepped in. “Ma, this might be a blessing in disguise. Given our circumstances, we might not get another chance like this. Let’s trust Lakshmi’s judgment.”

With Shalu’s support and Lakshmi’s convincing story, their mother gave her blessing, hoping for a brighter future for her daughter.

Rishi's family, eager to ensure he didn’t change his mind, rushed the wedding preparations. Before she knew it, Lakshmi was married and moving into Rishi’s luxurious apartment. The marriage was kept a secret from everyone except their closest confidants and family.

After the wedding, Rishi was kind but distant, treating their arrangement like a business deal. He was polite and respectful but maintained a cold, professional demeanor. Despite the luxury surrounding her, Lakshmi felt a lingering sense of unease.

As weeks turned into months, Lakshmi’s curiosity about Rishi's true intentions grew. One evening, as they shared a rare dinner together, she decided to confront him.

“Rishiji, can I ask you something?” she began hesitantly, pushing her food around her plate.

He looked up from his meal, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “Hmm. What is it?”

Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage. “Why did you marry me?”

Rishi paused, setting down his fork. For a moment, vulnerability flashed in his eyes. “I needed to marry someone quickly to inherit my grandfather’s company,” he admitted.

“The stipulation was that I had to be married by the end of the year. You seemed like someone who wouldn’t complicate things. Also, my grandmother and elder sister were emotionally blackmailing me to settle down after our grandfather passed away.”

Lakshmi felt a pang of hurt but also a sense of understanding. She nodded slowly. “I see. Thank you for being honest with me.”

Rishi sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I know this isn’t what you envisioned for your life, and I’m sorry for that. But I promise to support you and your family as best as I can.”

Despite the unconventional start to their marriage, Lakshmi began to see different sides of Rishi. He was generous and thoughtful, though guarded. She noticed how he quietly ensured her comfort, how he made arrangements for her mother’s continued care, and how he respected her space.

She also began to see and appreciate the side of him that he showed only to his family. She started accompanying him on visits to his family every Saturday morning, and they would return together every Monday morning. Over time, she grew to enjoy spending these weekends with his family.