Chapter 1: The Proposal
The rain poured heavily outside, as if the sky itself was drowning in sorrow.
Meera Sharma stood near the small window of her rented room, watching the droplets slide down the glass. Her hands were trembling—not because of the cold, but because of the reality she was facing.
"Didi… school fees kal last date hai…" her younger brother's soft voice echoed behind her.
Meera closed her eyes for a moment.
"I know," she replied gently, forcing a smile. "I'll manage something."
But deep inside, she knew… she had nothing left.
No money. No support. No hope.
That evening, her life took a turn she never imagined.
Across the city, inside a luxurious mansion, Aarav Malhotra sat in silence.
Doctors had just left.
"Your grandfather doesn't have much time," one of them had said.
Aarav clenched his fists. His grandfather was the only person he truly cared about. And now, even time was slipping away.
"Aarav…" his grandfather called weakly from the bed.
He walked closer. "Yes, Dadaji."
"I want to see you married… before I die."
Those words hit harder than anything else.
Marriage?
Aarav never believed in it. Love, relationships—they were distractions. Weaknesses.
But this was his grandfather's last wish.
And he couldn't refuse.
The next day, Aarav made a decision.
If marriage was necessary… it would be on his terms.
No emotions. No complications.
Just a contract.
That's how he found Meera.
Through a mutual contact, he learned about her situation—financial struggles, responsibilities, desperation.
Perfect.
They met at a quiet café.
Meera sat nervously, clutching her bag. She didn't know why such a rich man wanted to meet her.
Aarav entered, his presence calm but powerful.
He sat across from her.
"I'll be direct," he said.
Meera looked up, confused.
"I want you to marry me."
Her eyes widened in shock.
"W-what?"
"It's a contract marriage," Aarav continued, his voice steady. "Six months. You act as my wife in front of my family."
Meera stared at him, unable to process his words.
"And in return?" she asked slowly.
"I'll pay for everything," Aarav said. "Your brother's education. Your expenses. Everything."
Silence filled the space between them.
"This is wrong," Meera said after a moment. "Marriage is not a deal."
Aarav leaned slightly forward.
"For you, maybe not," he said. "But for me, it's just responsibility."
Meera's heart pounded.
This offer could solve all her problems.
But at what cost?
"What happens after six months?" she asked.
"We go our separate ways," Aarav replied. "No strings attached."
No strings attached.
Such simple words… yet so heavy.
Meera looked down, thinking about her brother, his future, their struggles.
Finally, she whispered, "I have one condition."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"You won't treat me like I don't exist," she said softly. "Even if it's a contract… I'm still human."
For a moment, Aarav was silent.
Then he nodded.
"Deal."
A few days later, without love, without celebration, without dreams—
Meera Sharma became Mrs. Meera Malhotra.
A marriage built on a contract.
A relationship with an expiry date.
Neither of them knew…
This "deal" would soon become the most complicated part of their lives.