Our Contract Marriage

Chapter 1

"Vivah samapann hua... ab aap dono pati patni hue," the priest announced after Arnav and Khushi completed all the sacred rituals of their marriage.

Arnav leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Aakhir ho hi gayi," he whispered softly.

"Kya?" Khushi asked, confusion flickering in her eyes.

"Shaadi, saat phere, sab kuch," he said, his voice full of affection, a rare softness that reflected the love he had for her.

Khushi's heart swelled as she gazed into his eyes, the love between them almost tangible. She smiled, unable to contain the happiness that bubbled within her.

"Ahem ahem," Anjali cleared her throat, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she interrupted their intimate moment. "First, take blessings from the elders," she teased, her voice laced with playfulness.

Everyone around chuckled, breaking the spell between the newlyweds. Khushi blushed, and Arnav, still holding her hand, gave Anjali an amused look.

However, amidst the laughter and joy, Shyam stood in the shadows, jealousy burning deep within him. His eyes narrowed as he watched Arnav and Khushi together. Every plan he had concocted to separate them had failed. Even Dadi, whom he thought would stop this remarriage, stood there silently, seemingly indifferent.

With a proud grip on Khushi's hand, Arnav guided her towards Dadi to seek her blessings. But as they bent down, Dadi stepped back, her face stern and cold.

"Dadi?" Arnav’s brows furrowed in confusion. Hadn’t Dadi accepted Khushi? She had even given Khushi the bangles that belonged to his mother as a sign of approval.

“This girl can never become our daughter-in-law,” Dadi declared sharply, her voice cutting through the joy like a dagger.

Arnav’s temper flared. "What the...?" he muttered, stunned, while the rest of the family gasped in disbelief.

Garima, standing at the edge, felt a chill run down her spine. Fear gripped her. Hadn’t Dadi forgiven her? Why had she allowed the marriage to proceed peacefully if this was her true feeling?

"What are you saying, Subhadra?" Nani asked, her voice trembling with shock.

Khushi instinctively tightened her hold on Arnav’s hand, and he, sensing her anxiety, wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders.

"I’m saying what’s best for Arnav and our family," Dadi said, her voice firm, unwavering.

Arnav’s jaw clenched, anger simmering in his eyes. "Is there even a reason, or are you just trying to create a scene?" he demanded, his voice hard with frustration.

"Oh, I have a reason," Dadi snapped back. "A reason you all deserve to know." She paused for a moment, letting the tension in the room build. "The past... your past, Arnav, is connected to this girl’s family. Garima... her mother... is responsible for your parents' deaths."

A deafening silence fell over the room as Dadi produced a photo, thrusting it in front of everyone. In the faded image, Arnav’s father stood with Garima, their closeness unmistakable.

Khushi watched in horror as Arnav’s grip on her loosened. His eyes, once filled with love, were now clouded with pain and disbelief.

Arnav’s mother’s death had always been his deepest wound, a scar he carried in his heart. He had tried to bury that pain, but it resurfaced, uglier each time. How much longer could he endure this agony? His chest tightened, the weight of this truth pressing down on him like a boulder.

Without a word, Arnav turned and walked away, his heart too heavy, his mind too chaotic to face anyone. He didn’t look back, didn’t hear Khushi’s pleas. His world had shattered once more.

"Arnavji!" Khushi cried, her voice breaking as she tried to follow him, but Dadi stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Stay away from him," Dadi ordered coldly. "You’ve caused him enough pain already. Leave my grandson and go... forever."

Khushi’s eyes filled with tears. "Please, Dadi, let me go to him. He needs me!" she begged, her voice trembling.

"And you are the reason he’s in pain," Dadi spat, her eyes full of disdain. "You trapped him with your so-called love, shielding your mother from the punishment she deserves."

"No... No... My Amma is innocent!" Khushi screamed, her heart aching, but Dadi didn’t listen.

Amidst the chaos, Garima stood in silence, her guilt weighing her down. She had never meant to hurt anyone, but now her past had come back to destroy her daughter’s happiness.

"Why did you break my mother’s marriage?" Anjali demanded, her voice shaking with fury as she confronted Garima.

Garima folded her hands, tears streaming down her face. "I didn’t know... I didn’t know he was married. I swear, Anjali bitiya..."

Mami, never one to miss a chance to stir trouble, seized the moment. "History repeats itself! Hello hi, bye bye! First this Garima broke Anjali bitiya’s parents' marriage, and now this phati saadi wants to break Anjali bitiya’s marriage too! Didn’t I warn you, sasuma? This Gupta family is here to ruin us!" she sneered, turning to Nani.

Nani, tears welling up in her eyes, ignored Mami’s words and turned to Garima. "Why didn’t you tell us this before, Garimaji?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with disappointment.

"I was afraid," Garima cried. "Afraid for my Khushi... I didn’t want her to suffer for my mistakes."

NK, always Khushi’s ally, stepped forward. "But Dadi, if you knew all this, why didn’t you say anything before the marriage?"

His question hung in the air, and for a moment, everyone’s attention shifted to Dadi.

Dadi’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Because I wanted her to feel the pain, the humiliation—just like her mother did to us. If I had spoken earlier, she would have run off with another man. No, I wanted her to cry when her husband left her on their wedding day. I wanted her to suffer."

Khushi stood frozen, Dadi’s cruel words piercing her heart. She felt numb. The only thing she could think of was Arnav. He was in pain, and she needed to be with him. She took a step forward, but Dadi's voice halted her.

"If you want your niece, Payal, to stay in this family and continue this marriage with Akash. Then, you have to break all ties with Garima and Khushi," Dadi demanded, her voice with finality, placing a condition in front of Buaji.

Khushi felt the weight of the world crashing down on her. She stood still, torn between her love for Arnav and her duty to her family, while the voices of accusation and anger swirled around her.

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Love, ❤
Uzma.