Chapter 8

I left the building with so many thoughts in my head—and I'm trying to fight them off thinking what would be the right thing to do or not. Seemingly, this is the best offer I could receive now, but also a deal where I have to pretend and lie just to live the life I wanted in Mumbai.

Why life's so hard? Why does it have to be who will suffer all these problems? 

Hindi ba pwedeng mabuhay na lang ako nang walang inaalalang ibang bagay? Lahat na lang ba kailangan kong paghirapan kahit na ang dami-dami ko nang pinagdaanan? Maybe life's luck wasn't really in favor of mine. Katiting lang ata ang nasalo ko kaya ganito ang mga nararanasan ko sa buhay.

Oh, what a life to be Kashmir Rashmi in this world.

Kung may kapangalan man ako sa mundong ito, I hope the best for them and life treat them better.

Dumaan ako sa isang coffee shop at um-order ng isang kape. Masyado pang maaga para umuwi. Alam kong iintrigahin lang din ako ni Priti kapag umuwi ako ng bagay. All this time, I thought Raj had good intentions on me, pero hindi ko naman inakala na hahantong kami sa ganitong sitwasyon. All I wanted was to be friends with him kahit na may feelings ako for him, but what he wanted for me to do wasn't what I wanted. Nakakagulo lang ng isipan dahil wala namang mawawala sa akin in the first place, pero para sa akin ay mali itong gagawin namin.

I'm not even sure if he slightly liked me at all. Baka palabas lang para sa kanya ang lahat ng 'to.

I was holding the piece of paper he gave me where I would sign for the agreement he asked me. If whatever written is there would go against something I believed in, I won't sign this agreement in any other way. I might not be able to work for the company I was dreaming of, but I think it would be okay as long as I won't be doing anything wrong.

I don't want to put myself in a lot of trouble. Magulo na ang buhay para gumulo pa lalo.

Marriage Agreement Letter

To: Kashmir Rashmi

Subject: Marriage Agreement Deal

Dear Miss Rashmi,

In line with the discussion of an agreement for a pretended marriage, and upon mutual consent, this letter serves as the formal agreement to seal the pretended marriage with Rajendra Singh, under the council of Mumbai Law.

Terms of Marriage

1. Duration of the Arrangement - This pretended marriage shall take effect once signed and for so as long as Rajendra resolves his issue with his parent.

2. Public Conduct - Upon agreeing to this agreement, both parties agreed to show a genuine marriage in public.

3. Privacy Clause - In each personal and private time, each party has the right to do their stuff while maintaining a good relationship in public. 

4. Mutual Aid Clause - Both parties objectively agree to do their part in exchange for another. Signing this agreement means getting a full-time job. 

5. Confidentiality Clause - No one should disclose any information to friends, family, and the public. Keep this agreement as confidential as it is.

6. Benefits - Aside from getting a full-time job in signing this agreement letter, you will receive a monthly allowance from the other party amounting to INR 75,000, social and network advantages, legal protection, health insurance, car services, etc., and limited to the other party's possessions.

By entering into this agreement, both parties affirm their commitment to maintaining the pretended marriage and agree to all terms and conditions laid out within this document.

Signed,

Kashmir Rashmi

Ilang beses ko pa itong binasa at naisip ko na hindi naman siya masama para sa akin. If only the terms of this marriage was to portray as his wife, mukhang hindi ko naman kailangan isipin ang ibang bagay. I was scared that upon signing this agreement might harm me at the end of the day, but seemingly, I don't think nothing would go against me.

I've got nothing to lose now. Baka mas marami pa akong mawala kung papakawalan ko pa itong inaalok ni Raj sa akin.

He was a kind gentleman, but putting me in this situation was hard enough to grasp. Kung ano-anong tumatakbo sa isipan ko kanina dahil natatakot ako na baka sa huli ay pagsisihan ko ang mga bagay na 'to. If doing this was to help Raj in a good way, maybe I would agree to do it. 

I spend a while at the coffee shop running through a lot of scenarios in my head. Alam kong hindi lang sa pag-sign nito matatapos ang lahat kung hindi ay marami pang bagay ang pwedeng nangyari. Baka nga ito na ang opportunity na hinihintay ko. Kung papalagpasin ko pa 'to, pagsisisihan ko ba?

When I finally made up my mind, tinawagan ko si Raj at sinabi ko sa kanya na babalik na ako ng office niya. I would sign it right in front of it. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay magkaroon ng trabaho. Nilakad ko lamang pabalik ang office ni Raj. Nanlalambot pa ang tuhod ko habang tinatahak ko ang daan papasok sa loob ng building.

Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng building ay nakita na si Raj na naghihintay sa akin. Sinundan ko naman ito pabalik sa office kung saan kami nag-usap. Nang pumasok kami sa interview room at pumwesto sa kaninang inupuan namin ay inilatag ko naman ang letter na binigay niya sa akin kanina.

"I made up my mind," I started. 

Itinaas niya ang tingin sa akin. "Alright. . ." He checked the letter and he was looking for my signature on it. "Did you sign it or not?"

"Give me your pen."

Dali-dali niya rin namang inabot sa akin ang ballpen. Agad ko namang pinirmahan ang letter.

"Done," anunsyo. "I signed it now. I'm agreeing to be your pretended wife in exchange for getting a job here."

"Well, congratulations, Miss Rashmi." Ngisi pa nito saka niya inabot ang kamay ko para makipagkamay. "Please stay here for a while. A member from HR will reach out to briefly. You can stay at the waiting area for a while."

"Alright. . . I will. . ."

I walked out of the room and went to the waiting room. Anong nangyari? 'Yon na 'yon? Should I expect something more? Kinabahan naman ako sa bagay na pinasok ko. Pero nandito na ako sa puntong hindi ko na pwedeng atrasan pa. 

I have to go with the flow and let everything run by fate. Ito ang buhay ko sa Mumbai. People thought I would have a good time here, but they don't know how I struggled so hard just so I could be at my best. Magiging best nga ba talaga ang lahat ng sitwasyon para sa akin? No clue. Will never have a clue. I will forever be blind to my future. That was Mumbai for me.

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