PRESENT

Anurag leaned forward with worried lines etched on his forehead, and placed his palms together in front of the Sinha matriarch. But she was focused on the unenthusiastic and disheartened expression of the potential surrogate. "If it's okay, my younger sister has a few conditions she would like to discuss before we proceed," Anurag said.

Adhrit's lack of interest was interrupted by the quiet woman who caught his attention with a determined stare. Shanti, on the other hand, responded with a curt nod and acknowledged her request for conditions. "Please, let us know what they are," she said calmly.

Mitali's stern expression softened into a friendly grin. "Ma'am, I am not withholding any information from you. As you are aware of your particular needs, it is my duty to inform you that this will be my first and only attempt. Sadly, society does not view filling a home with the sounds of a child's laughter as something to be celebrated."

Adhrit had abandoned his phone, leaving it untouched as Mitali delivered her opening statement. She didn't strike him as a calculated and tenacious person with her eyes downcast and nose slightly wrinkled. His eyebrows raised in shock upon learning about Shanti's requirements for an inexperienced woman.

Shanti responded with a faint sound of acknowledgement, watching her grandson's newfound interest in the younger woman through tired and aged eyes. "You've made a valid argument, my dear. Now, what do you propose as a solution to reduce any potential social consequences of agreeing to this contract with our company?"

Fiddling with her faded maroon tunic, Mitali smoothed away an imaginary wrinkle. Her plain cotton outfit paled in comparison to the lavish linen shirt of Adhrit and the luxurious silks worn by the Sinha ladies. Despite her best efforts, Mitali's posture faltered under the weight of their opulence and her own desperate circumstances, causing her to bow in submission.

Mitali made her request clear: she wanted a contract that would recognize her as the daughter-in-law of the household during her time as a surrogate mother. She reassured Shanti that there would be no expectations for her grandson to treat her as his wife, and she herself had no demands of him. This marriage would only exist on paper, with both parties making compromises. Despite a small shake in her voice, Mitali's demeanor remained poised and serious.

Before his grandmother could give her opinion, Adhrit spoke up. "Are you suggesting a contract marriage for this surrogacy?" he exclaimed incredulously. "That's absurd, Ms. Pathak. I'm not interested in getting married; that's why we're considering surrogacy. There are plenty of eligible candidates who can fulfill the contract requirements, and they will be compensated accordingly. Your terms, Ms. Pathak, are not agreeable to me. The decision is now yours to make."

Shanti's grandson remained as passionate as she had hoped. She glanced over at the woman in question with curiosity. Purvi stepped in to calm Adhrit, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving him a stern look.

"Please, Mitali, don't..."

Mitali held out her hand to halt her foster brother as she stood up from her seat.

"Money is not the only form of compensation, Mr. Sinha. The role of a mother cannot be quantified in monetary value - it involves experiences and consequences that go beyond money. Whether through surrogacy or biology, a mother will always be a mother. The journey of pregnancy and childbirth holds immense significance for a woman that cannot be bought with money. The physical and emotional changes, as well as societal pressures, are important factors to consider."

"Ms. Pathak, you are overstepping your boundaries..."

Mitali's eyebrows furrowed and her jaw clenched as she asked, "What do you think? Am I proposing a contract marriage because it aligns with my unique preferences, or do I have hidden agendas and desire specific benefits from you? The answer is neither of the above, Mr. Sinha."

She shook her head to express her disagreement. "The only things I ask for are the money that was promised to me, and to be treated with the same respect that we currently receive in this society. It's interesting that your grandmother chose an unmarried and inexperienced girl as a surrogate for you. I don't see why I can't have my own conditions when it's acceptable for you to have them."

Despite his clenched fists, Adhrit couldn't deny the growing admiration he felt for her. She stood in his territory with a confidence that left him struggling to maintain his own composure. He was both intrigued and intimidated by her lack of fear, and the fire of courage in her eyes only fueled his curiosity.

But as much as he longed to delve into her mind and understand her, he couldn't bring himself to marry her, even if it was just a paper contract.

"Ms. Pathak..."

"We accept your terms, Mitali. Your right to include any clause that you deem fit is as valid as Adhrit's, and your conditions seem fair and justifiable. I will make the necessary changes to the contract and once it is signed by both parties, you can arrange for an appointment with the doctor."

"But Dadi..."

Without a doubt, he knew that his grandmother approved of the woman. In a strange and convoluted manner, she had succeeded in fulfilling her wish for him to get married. Shanti signaled for him to halt by raising her hand, and Anurag was amazed by his sister's accomplishment - convincing Adhrit Sinha to do something he had been refusing to do.

"I am truly grateful to you, Ma'am, for understanding my situation and agreeing to my terms. Please let me know the details for when we will sign the contract and schedule a checkup."

Shanti gave a quick nod in acknowledgement to the younger woman. Her lack of triumph did not go unnoticed by the Sinha family. "It's the least we can do. We will send you the date, time, and location as soon as possible."

Mitali mustered up a smile for Shanti Sinha but avoided making eye contact with Adhrit Sinha, who was eagerly waiting for her and Anurag to leave so he could speak with his grandmother about his issues.

"Why on earth would you agree to a random girl's condition and ignore your own grandson? This is a complete disaster, Dadi!" Adhrit Sinha's voice boomed like an angry lion as soon as Anurag and Mitali were out of sight.

"Adhrit, this isn't about taking sides between you and her. It's about doing what is right and wrong. I didn't make this decision for your child lightly. I respected your choice when you overruled mine, but now that I have made a decision in opposition to yours, you're upset? Remember that it was you who entrusted me with the decision and the surrogate liaison. I made my choice, and if you have an issue with that, I will start searching for a bride again."

Adhrit's self-disappointment was clear as he rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth. Adhrit Sinha understood how to follow the cues and yield when it was necessary to prevent disastrous consequences. "Do what you want, but please be cautious not to draw the attention of the press, Dadi. If we fail, both Ms. Pathak and I will have to deal with the scrutiny of the media."

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They are off to a rocky start! What do you think will happen next? Please VOTE and COMMENT!