There will never be another you

Part 2

From the brief exchange of words he understood Shashi Gupta is a nice man. He can see the love for his daughter in his eyes. But the indifferent face of her buaji who was chanting Hay re Nandkishore without any reason in every 5 minutes irritated him. Her questions about his job and wealth made him angry but his sisters pleading eyes forced him to stay quiet.

Her mother Garima did not talk anything other than legiye na extending the plate of snacks towards him. Her sister Payal was polite but did not talk much.

After 20 minutes her father suggested Khushi and Arnav should talk in private.

Arnav walked through the concrete floor of their terrace to the corner shown by Payal where two wooden chairs were placed under the shadow.

He thanked Payal and looked at the surroundings. There was a strange calmness associated with this place. He closed his eyes enjoying the afternoon breeze. Hearing someone clearing throat behind him he opened his eyes and turned backwards.

"Hello " Khushi greeted him with a smile.

She looks more beautiful when she smiles, he observed. She had the most expressive eyes he had ever seen. Her lips are like petals of rose ,soft and pink. Her skin is milky white and flawless. He would love to have a date with her. But Wife? Will she be ready for something that he is going to suggest?

"Khushi.. I.. I don't know how to.. See I..." His hesitation made the smile on her face to fade. For some reason he did not like it. Since when Arnav Singh Raizada started feeling nervous to talk to a girl? He continued after a few seconds.

"See Khushi you are really beautiful. My Di and Nani really liked you. Maybe you will feel bad after listening to what I am going to say, but I hate to lie. So please don't mind my directiveness. You are not my type. Our worlds are entirely different. Also I really don't like the whole concept of marriage, I agreed to meet girls only for Nani and Di. But the partner I want is not a girl like you. I don't believe in love either. Seeing your traditional background I don't think we are right for each other. Nani and Di will not understand so I thought it is better if I say my point of view to you. Before Di started searching for a bride I decided if I get married one day then it will be on my terms."

She moistened her lips and looked at him with a blank expression.

"And what were those terms?"

"Forget it. I know you will not be ready to accept that terms. I told my conditions to the girls I met before and they refused so I rejected their proposal. Your family is a traditional one. And you are not a strong independent girl to take a decision of your own. So I think it is better we close this matter here. Nani will tell your family that our decision will be informed after one day. Once we leave from here I will tell them we didn't like each other. That is what I did for the previous proposals. "

"I am still waiting to hear your terms."

She crossed her arms across her torso and waited. He gave her a small smile and asked.

"Do you mind if I smoke ?"

"No."

He pulled out an expensive pack of cigarette from his pocket and started smoking. Smell of cigerette hit her nose as he exhaled in a silent snort.

"I had many girlfriends. But none of them lasted more than 3-4 months. So spending a lifetime with someone seems impossible to me. So I want to enter into a contract marriage for one year, to test if we can survive for one year, If we succeed then it will be turned into a real marriage. But I want to remain this only between us. For our families it will be a normal marriage. If it is not working then we tell them we are going to get divorced as things are not working between us. I understand this will be something unacceptable for a girl with traditional upbringing. I understand if you are not fine with this. It will be completely your choice. "

"What will be terms in the contract?"

He was clearly surprised hearing her question and he did not try to hide it. He repeated the same lines to the previous girls also but they refused to hear further and turned him down. Those girls were from modern families. He did not expect Khushi, a girl values her tradition to enquire more about something against her beliefs.

"Are you interested?"

"That I will let you know after hearing the terms."

Her honest answer impressed him.

"Fine. Even if it is a contract marriage you will get all the right of a Raizada bahu until we remain married. Physical relationship -only if both parties agree. If we decide to part ways after one year you will get alimony of 10 crore , not more than that. In the contract period both the parties should remain faithful to each other. Both parties will not disclose the contract to their families. "

"If I accepts all these conditions, then?"

"Then our families can start the preparation for our marriage. "

"I am ready for this but I want slight changes in the contract."

"Go on.."

"I don't want that alimony. You have to change that term to in the case of a divorce after one year nothing will be given to me. I want to continue my studies. Divorce or no divorce you will not stop me from finding a job. And I want the marriage to happen in a private ceremony in the presence of family members only. That you should tell both families as your decision. Other terms are ok for me. "

Arnav's eyes widened in surprise. He dropped his cigarette and crushed it underfoot.

"Why?"

"I have my reasons to agree for this Mr. Raizada. But that is not money like you assumed. If we become close to each other one day I will open my mind to you. For now I am ready to enter into a contract marriage with you. But are you ready? "

"Yes." He immediately responded while sanitizing his hand.

"Why? Before sometime you said I am not your type."

"If I was here with a normal proposal I would have said yes right away. You are beautiful and any man will say yes to you. But considering the fact that I am here to discuss a contract marriage I didn't think you will agree. But I rushed into judgement without reason. So I am also ready to marry you."

With a small smile both of them shook hands sealing the deal.

"Please don't tell Di that you saw me smoking. I am dead if she found out." He told her munching the mouth freshener in hurry.

She mouthed an Okay as they walked out of the terrace.

Love,

ST