TERMS & CONDITIONS
CONTRACT
One week before the before the wedding.
The Oberoi’s private dining room.
Advika Rao arrived first, of course—because arriving second would mean losing, and Advika never lost on purpose.
Another DM from a girl she’d ghosted last weekend.
Advika Rao
*smirked, typed* busy, baby 📱
Love was for idiots who hadn’t learned that hearts were just organs that could be replaced with better deals.
Ishita Varma
*stopped dead when she saw Advika*
The air in the room instantly caught fire.
Ishita Varma
You! *said, voice flat but loud enough to echo*
Advika Rao
*smirk widened into something feral*
Advika Rao
Me! Surprise, sweetheart!
Advika Rao
Close the door!
Advika Rao
Your family’s already paid for the whole damn evening!
Ishita didn’t close the door. She left it open like a challenge.
Ishita Varma
I was told I was meeting the daughter of Rao Industries for a business alliance!
Ishita Varma
Not the same girl who called me a sanctimonious prude in front of the entire twelfth-grade assembly seven years ago!
Advika Rao
*leaned back, crossing one long leg over the other*
Advika Rao
And I was told I was getting married off to save her father’s latest failing venture!
Advika Rao
Not to the girl who got me suspended for ‘spreading rumours’ when all I did was tell the truth—
Advika Rao
That you cried during the farewell speech because you’re allergic to fun!!
Ishita Varma
*jaw tightened*
She finally shut the door, but the click sounded like a gunshot.
Ishita Varma
I cried because you told everyone I paid the exam coordinator to top the board!
Ishita Varma
I lost my scholarship recommendation because of you!
Advika Rao
You don't deserve that after all!
Ishita Varma
*throw glass full of water on Advika* you don't get to decide that!!
Advika Rao
*jaw tight, eyes burning with anger* do you have a death wish!!
Advika Rao
*gestured at the empty chairs*
Advika Rao
Our parents will be here in twenty minutes to watch us sign our souls away!
Advika Rao
Might as well get the screaming over with before they arrive!
Ishita Varma
*stayed standing*
Ishita Varma
I’m not screaming!
Ishita Varma
There has to be another way to save my father’s company that doesn’t involve legally binding myself to a playgirl who treats relationships like disposable lighters!!
Advika Rao
*laughed, low and sharp*
Advika Rao
Playgirl? Cute.
Advika Rao
At least I’m honest about it.
Advika Rao
I don’t write poetry about soulmates and then cry when reality shows up with a prenup!
Advika Rao
*tilted her head*
Advika Rao
Tell me, Ishita, do you still believe in true love!?
Advika Rao
Or did the last seven years knock that nonsense out of you!?
Ishita Varma
*eyes flashed*
Ishita Varma
*walked to the table but didn’t sit*
Ishita Varma
*planted both palms on the wood and leaned in until they were eye-level*
Ishita Varma
I still believe in it!
Ishita Varma
I believe two people can choose each other every single day without contracts or blackmail!
Ishita Varma
But clearly your father’s desperate enough to sell you like a share package for your life stability...
Ishita Varma
...and my father’s desperate enough to buy you for his company!
Ishita Varma
So here we are!
Advika Rao
*smile didn’t waver, but something flickered behind her eyes—too fast to name*
Advika Rao
Desperate times, desperate wives!
Advika Rao
One year, Ishita!
Advika Rao
That’s what the lawyers drafted!
Advika Rao
Twelve months of playing happy couple in public,
Advika Rao
Merger goes through,
Advika Rao
Then we divorce quietly and go back to hating each other from different zip codes!
Advika Rao
You keep your precious principles!
Advika Rao
I keep my freedom!
Advika Rao
Everybody wins except our egos!
Ishita Varma
*straightened* I haven’t agreed to anything yet!
Advika Rao
You will! *voice dropped, suddenly serious*
Advika Rao
Because you’re the girl who always does the right thing!!
Advika Rao
And right now the right thing is saving your father’s legacy!!
Advika Rao
Even if it means marrying the devil you already know!
The door opened without knocking.
Both women turned. Their fathers stood there—Mr. Rao and Mr. Verma.
Behind them, the lawyers hovered like vultures in suits.
Mr. Vikram Rao
*clapped once, beaming*
Mr. Vikram Rao
Ah, you two have already started catching up!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Saves us the introductions!
Ishita Varma
*didn’t look away from Advika*
Advika Rao
*didn’t look away from Ishita*
The silence stretched until it screamed.
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*cleared his throat* Shall we begin!?
Advika Rao
*finally broke eye contact*
Advika Rao
*Picked up the untouched glass of whiskey in front of her, and raised it in a mock toast toward Ishita*
Advika Rao
To contract marriages!
Advika Rao
*loud enough for the whole room*
Advika Rao
And to enemies who suddenly have to share a bed!
Ishita Varma
*voice was steel when she answered, loud enough that the lawyers flinched*
Ishita Varma
And to the day I walk away without looking back!
Their fathers exchanged relieved glances, missing the war that had just been declared across seven years of unfinished hatred.
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ABUSE
Three days before the Wedding– Verma Residence, Andheri West, Mumbai
The living room smelled of burnt dal and desperation.
The ceiling fan creaked like it was tired of holding on, just like the Verma family business.
Ishita Varma
*stood in the middle of the threadbare carpet, arms crossed, eyes blazing*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
You think this is a choice?
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*roared, voice cracking the silence like a slap*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
I built this company with my blood!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Your grandfather’s name is on the letterhead!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
And now it’s drowning because of one bad deal!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Rao Industries is throwing us a rope!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
All you have to do is marry the girl and the merger saves everything!
Ishita Varma
*didn’t flinch*
Ishita Varma
Marry? Baba, she’s a woman!
Ishita Varma
And not just any woman—Advika Rao!
Ishita Varma
The same one who ruined my life in school!
Ishita Varma
You’re asking me to legally tie myself to my enemy for money!?
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*laughed, but it was ugly, bitter*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*stepped closer, finger jabbing the air between them like a knife*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Enemy? Money? This isn’t about your childish school fight, Ishita!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
This is about your mother’s hospital bills that I can’t pay next month!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
This is about your brother dropping out of college because I can’t afford the fees!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
This is about the house we lose if the bank calls the loan!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*voice dropped to a dangerous whisper*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
You will marry her!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Or I swear on your mother’s life, I will tell everyone you’re the reason this family is destroyed!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Ungrateful girl!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Always with your head in the clouds about ‘true love’ and ‘principles'!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Where were your principles when I fed you and clothed you?
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*grabbed her wrist hard enough that she gasped*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
You think you’re so pure?
Mr. Rajesh Varma
So outspoken?
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Then speak now and watch your mother cry every night because her daughter killed the only chance we had!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
You will do this marriage!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
You will smile! You will agree!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Or I will make sure you never see a single rupee from this family again!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
No job reference! No home! Nothing!!
Ishita Varma
*yanked her hand free, chest heaving*
Ishita Varma
You’re blackmailing me with Ma’s illness?
Ishita Varma
With Vihaan’s future?
Ishita Varma
This is abuse, Baba!
Ishita Varma
Actual abuse!
Ishita Varma
I’m not some pawn you can sell to save your mistakes!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*face twisted* Abuse? I gave you life!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
I gave you everything!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
And this is how you repay me?
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*pointed at the door*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Get out of my sight until you’re ready to be a daughter instead of a selfish dreamer!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
The guest are coming in three days!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
You will get merried to her!!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Or God help you, Ishita—I will break you before the world breaks this family!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*turned away, shoulders shaking*
Ishita Varma
If you want me to marry that girl! You better give me something worth it in return!! *said loud and clear*
Mr. Rajesh Varma
*turn around* what you want!?
Ishita Varma
Your company! Even if it's half drowning! trust me I can save it baba!
Mr. Rajesh Varma
Fine! it's yours! *jaw tight*
Not love. Control. She walked out of the room without another word, but the door slammed behind her like a prison gate.
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STABLE
Same night – Rao Penthouse, Bandra, Mumbai.
The penthouse overlooked the Arabian Sea like it owned the waves.
Advika Rao
*scrolling through her phone with a bored smirk*
Mr. Vikram Rao
*stood by the bar, pouring himself a neat whiskey*
Mr. Vikram Rao
Put the phone down, beta. *said quietly*
Advika Rao
*rolled her eyes but tossed the phone aside*
Advika Rao
If this is about the contract marriage, I already said I’ll do it!
Advika Rao
Merger happens!
Advika Rao
I get my trust fund unlocked!
Mr. Vikram Rao
*turned, glass in hand*
Mr. Vikram Rao
*His eyes were tired but steady*
Mr. Vikram Rao
It’s not just about the company!
Mr. Vikram Rao
It’s about you!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Advika, you’re twenty-seven!
Mr. Vikram Rao
You’ve dated half of Mumbai’s social circle—girls, boys, whoever caught your eye for a weekend!
Mr. Vikram Rao
I don’t mind. I never have. You’re my daughter. Your happiness is what matters!
Mr. Vikram Rao
*walked closer, setting the glass on the coffee table*
Mr. Vikram Rao
But this playgirl life?
Mr. Vikram Rao
It’s not making you happy! I see it!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Late nights, different face every week, that empty smile you wear like armor.
Mr. Vikram Rao
You think I don’t notice?
Mr. Vikram Rao
I want you stable. Settled. Someone who challenges you instead of just entertaining you for a night.
Mr. Vikram Rao
Ishita… she’s not like the others.
Mr. Vikram Rao
She believes in things.
Mr. Vikram Rao
And the merger saves Rao Industries from the same fate as Verma’s company.
Mr. Vikram Rao
Two birds, one contract.
Advika Rao
*sat up, legs swinging off the sofa*
Advika Rao
You’re forcing me into a fake marriage with my high-school nemesis because you think I need a babysitter?
Advika Rao
Papa, I like my life! I like the freedom! I like not pretending!
Mr. Vikram Rao
*sighed, sitting on the edge of the table so they were eye-level*
Mr. Vikram Rao
I’m not forcing you to love her!
Mr. Vikram Rao
I’m asking you to try!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Live under the same roof, play the part in public, let the lawyers handle the rest!
Mr. Vikram Rao
If after twelve months you still hate each other, we dissolve it quietly!
Mr. Vikram Rao
But beta… I want to see you happy!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Not just rich and reckless!
Mr. Vikram Rao
I built all this so you could have choices!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Right now, you’re choosing the easy way out every time!
Mr. Vikram Rao
This marriage gives you roots!
Mr. Vikram Rao
Even if it starts as a contract!
Advika Rao
*jaw tightened*
She wanted to shout, to storm out, to remind him she was not a failing investment he could fix with a wedding ring.
But she saw the genuine worry in his eyes—the same eyes that had never once judged her for bringing girls home, never once asked her to hide.
He wasn’t ashamed of who she was.
He was scared she’d never let herself be more.
Advika Rao
You cut me off if I say no, don’t you? *asked, voice flat*
Mr. Vikram Rao
*didn’t blink*
Mr. Vikram Rao
I will freeze the cards.
Mr. Vikram Rao
The penthouse stays, but the parties, the trips, the lifestyle?
Mr. Vikram Rao
Gone until you prove you can stand on your own without burning through everything I built.
Mr. Vikram Rao
This is love, Advika. Tough love.
Mr. Vikram Rao
Because I want my daughter to wake up one day and not feel empty!
Silence stretched between them, thick as the Mumbai humidity outside.
Advika Rao
*stood, grabbing her phone* Fine! One year!
Advika Rao
But don’t expect me to thank you for selling me like a merger asset!
Advika Rao
And don’t expect me to fall in love with your ‘stable’ solution!
Advika Rao
We’re going to make each other miserable!
Advika Rao
That’s the only promise I’m making!
Mr. Vikram Rao
*watched her go, whispering to the empty room*
Mr. Vikram Rao
One day you’ll understand, beta!
Mr. Vikram Rao
I just want to see you happy before I’m gone!
One contract waiting to lock them both inside.
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