Phase 2 begins...

Siya's POV:

Beautician was doing my hairdo in a bun & tucking various diamond pins into it.

I was wearing the personally designed Tan-Anisha's for tonight which had real diamond embedded in them which was made ready by them in mere 72 hours!

Yes... since we went to Ashwin uncle's office...this is the 3rd day since then.

The day we came back from the office, Ram uncle & my dad broke the news at home.

No one knows about the contract and the discussion we had in the office other than our fathers, Ashwin uncle & Raghav.

Our fathers proudly announced that we are in LOVE!!!

I chuckled thinking yes...In Love with an expiry date of 12 months...

Tears were pricking my eyes... In minutes I was engulfed in a hug by Bhabhi & Bhai.

Slowly Bhabhima asked in my ears.. "You are happy na Sona?"

I nodded a yes... & smiled wide... to which my Bhabhima saw my face & asked again..

"If this is because of the stupid hotel incident.. I can fight against everyone in the family...including Dad & your Samay Bhai too!!!"

I had tears in my eyes... She was indeed my mother in the name of my sister in law... I hugged her tightly & shamelessly lied to her for the first time ever in my life...

"No Bhabhi... I am in la....la...love... I will be happy with Raghav!!! He... He loves me too..."

While only I know how much I cursed my tongue!

This marriage was the only way around!!! It may look anything to anyone!

But I & Dad know why are we doing this! And I dont care even if Raghav hates me I need to get this done.

With the diamond studded waist chain that pricked my waist & a small cut on my waist that was burning badly I was brought back into this world from my past!!!

"Shit!!! I am sorry mam... This is a deep cut.. i never realised.. let me do the firs aid... I ... I am sorry" the assistant to the beautician was hell nervous now...

"Its ...Its fine.. Its just a small cut... Get me a first aid please... I will apply medicine & anyways the dupatta should cover it.. Its fine..." I said...

While a thoight crossed my mind...

My dad is called the Diamond king.. I have been studded with diamonds & jewellery from top to bottom, from my hairdo to my anklets... Everywhere!!! But see the diamonds of our own best hurt me the most!

Life is same... Our own dearest prick & hurt us the most...

They finally covered me with the bridal veil on my head & I took a glance in the mirror...

Just perfect everything! Just one small thing was missing!

Happiness!

Tears welled up again at the thought of the disaster I am going to make out of my life!

But I had no other go!!!

It was a must!

Just then Ashwin uncle's assistant Miss Nikki knocked at the door.

And she a kept big manila envelope infront of me...

I looked at her..

She hesitantly smiled...

Obviously she also must be shocked seeing a glamorous bride signing a death warrant even before she was going to sign a treaty to live in a mess!

I  blinked through my tears...

"Mam... please read carefully & submit it to us by tonight... Ashwin Sir said he will collect it personally!"

I nodded.

I kept the envelope on the glass table next to me...

While the beautician gave one last touch up to my lips and said...

"Mam you are ready... They should be calling you downstaits in half an hour... Would you want to drop something?"

I nodded a no and said... "Umm... Mam... I need some privacy...if you dont mind... can you please leave me alone for some time...You can come back with my cousins later... I ....I need some alone time... Please!!!' I said with my eyes brimming..

She smiled & said... "We understand mam!!! Marriage is an extremely emotional moment for a girl... Please dont cry if possible to avoid your eye makeup may spoil..."

I nodded and she left closing the door...

While i got up from the stool infront of the dressing table & stood straight & glanced myself once top to bottom...

Indeed a beautiful bride I make...

For a temporary marriage! Nice...

I turned around and saw the Manila envelope & slowly lifted my heavy lehenga & took small steps to the table & with shivering hands opened the envelope & there!!!

It had the papers!!!

CONTRACT !!! My 12 months marriage contract!

While I went through each condition that was been highlighted clearly...

Each point pricking in my eyes & my tears wetted the papers...

Congratulations Siya...

What a marriage you would have! One in a billion!

Raghav's POV:

I could hear my family and my Fab 6 Gang was smiling & cracking jokes...

I could hear everything in the background... Like it was a loud disco tech & I had sat here to do my meditation!

It was only NOISE to me!!!

The exclusive Punjabi singers that Mr Malhotra had organized at this wedding, the crazy media crows whom we could listen till  hear who just wanted a picture of me with Mr Vishal Malhotra- The diamond king's one & only daughter!

The relatives, the hush husk gossips about how we were caught in a hotel room, I could hear everything around me but nothing was processing in my head!

'Marriage is a lifetime commitment & I am very happy my grandson chose your  grand-daughter Durga' my grandmother was holding Siya's grandmother's hands & were getting emotional over it.

'Come one Janaki... we always knew this day would definitely come.. After all we have seen Sona & Golu's love for each other since childhood, but I only feel sad as we had to do this in such a hurry burry... But I am still ok as its your grandson, my granddaughter is going to get every happiness in the world...'

Now that pricked my eyes badly & tears were forming at the corner of my eyes.

Little did you know Daadi, how much messed up all this is!!

Just then the music changed to ...

'Madhaniyan' a typical punjabi number & Vish quickly came closer to me & whispered in my ears..

'Bhai... hold your breath... Bhabhi is looking like a moon princess!!!'

I didnt react... But without my knowledge my eyes went towards the staircase that she was ascending...

One flash!!!

And I was gone...

She looked like a full rising moon walking down the staircase...

Her golden, baby pink lehenga with a touch of dark blue almost black lehenga & the diamond jewellery that she studded..every thing looked absolute nothing infront of the bridal glow on her face...

I could not take my eyes off her face...

I stood there dumbfound!

Awestruck!

My heart was beating in my mouth! ❤️

She...

Is going to be MINE ....oh god...pinch me someone...

How can you make a woman this beautiful...

Ufff!!!

My breathing went irregular
..

While next minute when lifted her eyes up & her eyes met mine.. It broke me terribly within..

Reality of this marriage hit me hard!!!

Her eyes were filled with tears...

A lump formed in my throat...

I swallowed through & stood straight...

Next minute we exchanged garlands mechanically...

In no time rituals continued...

Vish came & tied the wedding knot for me & Siya...

My mom looked very emotional & dad was smiling...

I saw my family & thought..." Its for everyone! I am not doing anything wrong!!!"

But when I saw the lady next to me who looked like in a trans state it was killing every ounce of hope inside me...

While the priest asked us to stand up to take the seven rounds (7 vows) of wedding across the fire...

We both stood up while our eyes me each others & we both were nervous...

In no time we completed the rituals one by one...

One

Two

Three

Four

rounds across the fire when the priest asked me to stop & Siya was asked to come infront of me & we took the next three rounds...

With that 7 phera (rounds) were completed!

Next the priest asked me to tie the mangalsutra across her neck, while I looked at her one last time...It was an expensive designer Mangalsultra by the best designers of Malhotras & Malhotras! This was the same Mangalsutra thatw as making news since our wedding was announced on the newspapers!!!

Huhh!!! Whats the use of an expensive hanging rope...when you know its only going to kill you right !!!

I blinked through my tears...

I dont know why it came out of my mouth...

"Iam sorry Siya, I dont have another go but I hate you!!!' and i saw a drop of tear fall on her cheeks

While I tied the Mangalsutra (nuptial chain) across her neck!

Next the priest asked me to fill her hair partitition with Sindoor (Vermillion).

I looked at her & mechanically filled her hair partition with a pinch full of Sindhoor

While our families clapped

& the priest declared...

"Aaj se aap dono pati patni hue (I declare you both man & wife!!!)

Lightening struck me!!!

We were married now!!!

The woman next to me was now...

Mrs Siya Raghavendra Sehgal!

Lives had took a 360' turn!

While people have

LOVE MARRIAGE

ARRANGED MARRIAGE

I & SHE HAD A CONTRACT MARRIAGE!!!

A MARRIAGE WHICH HAD A PRE-DEFINED EXPIRY DATE!!!