In the city of Lucknow, also known as the City of Nawabs, there lived a man named Rahul Suryavanshi. He lived alone in a large mansion with only a few servants to take care of the household. Sometimes, his friends Rohit, Karan, and Virat, along with his brother Vidhit, stayed with him on weekends. But they all lived in Chandigarh as their business was there.

Rahul Suryavanshi hated one thing in this world-women. That was the reason he rarely visited his family home, where his father, stepmother, sister, grandmother, and grandfather lived. He did not hate his sister; in fact, he loved her very much. However, he stayed away because he did not want his stepmother to create any drama.

One day, Rahul got ready for an important business trip and headed to his company, Rahul Corporation. After finalizing all his work, he prepared for his flight. Usually, he traveled by private jet, but today he chose to travel on a commercial flight.

After boarding the plane, he took his seat in Business Class.

At the same time, Pragati was boarding the flight. She had never traveled by plane before, so she was extremely nervous.

"Aaj toh tu maregi... Nahi nahi, aisa kaise maregi? Kuch nahi hoga. Pragati, be calm."

Then she noticed people staring at her.

"Arre, yeh ladki kya kar rahi hai?" someone whispered.

An air hostess approached her.

"Ma'am, your ticket please."

"Haan, yeh lijiye ticket. Mujhe bata dijiye mujhe kahan baithna hai."

"Ma'am, your seat is right in front."

"Chalo, baith toh gayi main. Ab bas Chandigarh pahunch jaun."

A few minutes later, the air hostess returned.

The company that hired Pragati booked or upgraded her ticket because they wanted her to travel comfortably before signing the surrogacy agreement.

"Ma'am, your seat has been upgraded to Business Class. Enjoy your flight. Just go straight from here."

"Wah! Aaj toh maze ho gaye. Business Class! Yeh toh mera sapna tha. Ab toh maza aayega. Bas thoda sa dar lag raha hai. Kahan baithun?... Arre, yeh toh window seat nahi hai. Koi baat nahi."

She looked at Rahul.

"Suniye, aap yahan baith jayenge? Mujhe window seat chahiye. Mera sapna hai window se nazare dekhna."

Rahul looked at the girl in surprise. Nobody dared to talk to him, yet this girl not only spoke to him but also ordered him around.

"My dream? Then fulfill it yourself. This is my seat, and I am not moving. And don't talk to me."

"Kya bekar aadmi hai! Sirf seat change karne ko hi toh kaha tha. Itna kya chillana? Akdu kahin ka. Mera bas chale toh maar hi doon."

Rahul shook his head.

"Sundar toh hai, lekin kitni badtameez hai."

As the plane prepared for takeoff, Pragati became nervous.

"Dar lag raha hai... yeh ab upar jaane wala hai."

Out of fear, she grabbed Rahul's hand tightly and closed her eyes.

When the plane finally took off, Rahul looked at her.

"Ab toh mera haath chhod do, Ms. Muffat."

"Muffat kise kaha aapne? Aap honge muffat. Mujhe toh bas dar lag raha tha."

"Dar lag raha tha toh kisne kaha travel karne ko?"

"Woh... woh... kuch nahi."

How could Pragati tell him why she was traveling? She did not want to go, but circumstances had left her with no choice.

After the flight landed, Rahul headed to his hotel. Pragati, on the other hand, went to meet her boss. She had agreed to become a surrogate because she desperately needed money for her father's operation. She had searched for other options but found none.

Little did she know that this decision was about to change her entire life.

Pragati carefully read all the documents placed in front of her. Her eyes filled with tears.

Agar Papa ki tabiyat kharab na hui hoti aur Chacha ne unka saara paisa na liya hota, toh aaj use yeh sab karne ki zarurat nahi padti.

After reading every page, she finally signed the documents.

Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from the hospital.

"Papa..."

"Pragati beta, tum theek ho na? Wahan sab theek hai? Boss kaisa hai? Rehne ki jagah mil gayi na?" her father asked worriedly.

Pragati smiled sadly.

"Haan Papa, main bilkul theek hoon. Yahan sab log bahut acche hain. Aap meri chinta mat kariye."

"Apna dhyaan rakhna beta."

"Aap bhi, Papa."

Pragati had never told her father the truth. She had only said that she had gotten a corporate job. If he ever found out that she was becoming a surrogate mother, he would never allow it.

After ending the call, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Rahul received a call from the doctor.

"Mr. Suryavanshi, surrogate mother mil gayi hai. Woh saath lakh rupaye mein agreement ke liye ready hai."

"Theek hai," Rahul replied coldly. "Kal uski meeting arrange kar dijiye."

Call disconnect hote hi Rahul khidki ke paas jaakar khada ho gaya.

"Bas ek baar mera bachcha aa jaaye..." he murmured. "Dadaji ki sabse badi khwahish poori ho jayegi."

Rahul hated women because of the painful memories connected to his stepmother. He had no intention of marrying anyone.

Back at the hospital, Pragati sat alone on the bed.

Woh poori tarah toot chuki thi.

Papa ke alawa uska tha hi kaun?

Na paisa, na ghar aur na hi koi apna.

Kal use us aadmi se milna tha jiske liye woh surrogate mother banne wali thi.

Aur use bilkul bhi andaaza nahi tha ki woh aadmi aur koi nahi, Rahul Suryavanshi tha.

Wahi akdu aur ghamandi aadmi jisse uski flight mein behas hui thi..

Nor did Rahul know that the surrogate mother chosen for his child was the talkative girl who had demanded his window seat.

Fate had already begun weaving their lives together.

To Be Continued...

The next morning, Pragati opened her eyes and slowly sat up from the uncomfortable hospital chair.

She hadn't slept the entire night.

"Ab toh raat mein neend bhi nahi aati," she muttered to herself. "Yeh tension jaati kyun nahi?"

She rubbed her tired eyes and stretched her stiff back.

"Kitne dino se theek se nahi soyi hoon main. Bas yeh boss ke saath meeting achhi ho jaaye. Phir yeh 9 mahine nikal jayenge aur main Papa ke saath aaram se reh paungi. Unki dekhbhal karungi."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Operation ke liye 40 lakh chahiye. Uske baad jo 20 lakh bachenge, unse main sab kuch theek kar dungi."

She checked the time.

"Mujhe kahan jaana tha?... Haan! Second floor, private cabin."

The clock showed 7:00 AM.

"Meeting toh 9 baje hai. Tab tak mandir ho aati hoon."

Pragati went to the hospital temple.

She folded her hands and closed her eyes.

Pragati had immense faith in God. Ever since her mother's accident and death, she and her father had prayed every day. Sometimes it felt as though they weren't talking to God but to Sunita, Pragati's mother.

After spending some time in the temple, Pragati walked around outside the hospital.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize how quickly time had passed.

When she checked her phone again, it was already 8:58 AM.

"Oh no!"

She immediately rushed towards the lift.

Pragati valued punctuality and hated being late.

While hurrying, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Dekh kar nahi chal sakte? Andhe ho kya?" she shouted without looking up.

The moment she raised her head, she froze.

"Aap?"

It was Rahul.

Rahul frowned.

"Main tumse nahi takraya. Tum mujhse takrayi ho."

Pragati rolled her eyes.

"Haan haan, apni galti mujh par mat daliye."

Rahul narrowed his eyes.

"Tumhari himmat kaise hui mujh par chillane ki?"

"Ab mujhe jaane dijiye. Waise hi late ho rahi hoon."

Without waiting for his response, she hurried away.

Rahul watched her leave and shook his head.

"Ajeeb ladki hai."

A few minutes later, Pragati reached the private cabin.

The doctor called her inside.

"Miss Pragati, ek baat yaad rakhiye."

"Ji?"

"Mr. Rahul Suryavanshi ko zyada baatein pasand nahi hain. Woh jaldi gussa ho jaate hain. Isliye unse behas mat kariyega."

Pragati sighed.

"Kya ajeeb insaan hai. Insaan hai bhi ya nahi?"

The doctor ignored her comment and opened the cabin door.

Inside, a man wearing a black suit sat with his back facing them.

"Mr. Rahul, surrogate mother aa gayi hai."

Rahul turned around.

The moment he saw Pragati, he stood up in shock.

"Tum?!"

Pragati's eyes widened.

"Aap?!"

The doctor looked at both of them in confusion.

"Aap dono ek doosre ko jaante hain?"

Rahul and Pragati spoke at the same time.

"Bura ha!"

The doctor blinked.

"Matlab?"

Rahul pointed towards Pragati.

"Yeh meri bacche ki surrogate mother nahi ban sakti."

Pragati folded her arms.

"Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai."

The doctor sighed.

"Sir, bahut mushkil se yeh agreement ke liye ready hui hain. Ab tak koi bhi aapki conditions maan ne ke liye tayyar nahi hua."

Rahul remained silent.

His conditions were extremely strict, which was why most women refused.

Finally, he sighed.

"Theek hai. Main ready hoon."

Pragati looked at him and thought,

"Aa gaya oonth pahad ke neeche."

Neither of them knew that this agreement was about to change their lives forever.

To Be Continued...

Neither of them knew that this agreement was about to change their lives forever.

Chapter 3: The Rules

The cabin fell silent.

Neither Rahul nor Pragati was in the mood to talk. Both sat quietly, avoiding each other's gaze.

The doctor looked at them and sighed.

"Alright, now both of you listen carefully."

He picked up the agreement file and turned towards Pragati.

"Miss Pragati, according to this agreement, you will have to stay in Mr. Rahul Suryavanshi's mansion throughout the pregnancy. You will have to follow the doctor's instructions and a proper diet plan. Anything that could put the baby at risk will not be allowed."

Pragati's eyes widened.

"Excuse me? Yeh surrogate agreement hai ya jail ki saza?"

The doctor awkwardly adjusted his glasses.

Rahul leaned back in his chair.

"Mujhe pata tha tum yahi kahogi."

Pragati glared at him.

"Dekhiye, main aapke bacche ko janam dene ke liye ready hoon. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main apni poori zindagi aapke hisaab se jeeyun."

Rahul's expression hardened.

"Tumhare paas choice hai. Agar conditions pasand nahi hain, toh agreement cancel kar dete hain."

Suddenly, her father's face flashed before her eyes.

The operation...

The hospital bills...

The money she desperately needed.

After a long silence, she lowered her head.

"Theek hai... main ready hoon."

The doctor smiled in relief.

"Good. Then the formalities are complete."

A few minutes later, everyone stood up to leave.

Rahul and the doctor were about to leave when Pragati hesitantly spoke.

"Ek minute..."

Both men looked at her.

"Kya main aaj hi aapke saath chal sakti hoon?"

Rahul raised an eyebrow.

"Kyun?"

Pragati looked down.

"Mere paas rehne ki koi jagah nahi hai."

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Finally, Rahul sighed.

"Theek hai. Apna samaan le aao."

Within a few minutes, Pragati returned with a small bag.

"Bas itna sa samaan?" Rahul asked.

Pragati smiled weakly.

"Mere paas itna hi hai."

Inside the bag were only a few clothes and her father's photograph.

Soon, both of them headed towards Rahul's mansion.

---

As soon as the car entered the mansion gates, Pragati's eyes widened.

"Yeh... itna bada mansion aapka hai?"

Rahul didn't reply.

Pragati continued anyway.

"Aapki family bhi yahan rehti hai?"

Rahul sighed.

"Mujhse zyada baat mat karo."

Pragati immediately lowered her head.

"Theek hai."

As they entered the mansion, all the servants were shocked.

In all these years, Rahul had never brought a woman home.

Everyone knew how much he disliked women.

Rahul pointed towards the staircase.

"Tumhara room upar hai. Left side wala room."

Pragati nodded.

"Aur mere floor par aane ki koshish mat karna. Wahan mera room hai."

"Haan haan. Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai."

Rahul narrowed his eyes.

"Kuch kaha tumne?"

"Kuch nahi."

Without waiting for another argument, Pragati quickly headed upstairs.

A few minutes later, Rahul went to take a shower.

Meanwhile, Pragati entered her room.

The room alone was bigger than her entire house.

She carefully placed her small bag on the bed.

Inside it were only a few clothes and her father's photograph.

She gently picked up the photo.

"Bas Papa theek ho jaayein."

---

A little later, the room door suddenly opened.

Karan walked inside casually.

The moment he saw Pragati, he froze.

"CHOR!"

Pragati screamed.

"AAAH!"

Both stared at each other.

"Tum mere room mein kya kar rahi ho?"

Pragati immediately became angry.

"Aap mere room mein ghus kar mujhse pooch rahe hain?"

"Tum kaun ho?"

"Pehle aap batao aap kaun ho?"

Within seconds, both started arguing.

Their shouting attracted everyone's attention.

Rahul came running upstairs.

"Kya ho raha hai yahan?"

Karan immediately pointed towards Pragati.

"Bhai! Yeh ladki kaun hai?"

Rahul looked at both of them.

"Chillana band karo."

Karan's eyes widened.

Suddenly, a huge grin appeared on his face.

"Ruk... mujhe sab samajh aa gaya."

Rahul frowned.

"Kya?"

"Tu shaadi kar chuka hai!"

"What nonsense?"

"Bhabhi ji ko ghar le aaya aur humein bataya bhi nahi?"

Pragati almost choked.

"Bhabhi ji?"

Karan ignored her.

"Rahul Suryavanshi! Hum itne saalon se dost hain aur tune humein apni shaadi mein bhi nahi bulaya?"

"Karan."

"Kam se kam reception hi rakh leta."

"KARAN!"

The entire mansion fell silent.

Karan immediately stopped talking.

Rahul pointed towards Pragati.

"Yeh meri wife nahi hai."

"Oh."

A few seconds later, Karan smiled again.

"Fiancée?"

Rahul threw a cushion at him.

"Karan!"

Pragati couldn't stop herself from laughing.

For the first time that day, a smile appeared on her face.

---

A few minutes later, Rahul dragged Karan into his room.

The moment the door closed, Karan burst out laughing.

"Bhai, sach bata. Tune shaadi kar li na?"

Rahul glared at him.

"Chup ho ja."

"Toh phir woh ladki kaun hai?"

Rahul sighed.

"Woh mere bacche ki surrogate mother hai."

For the first time, Karan became serious.

"Oh."

Then he suddenly remembered something.

"Waise Rohit, Virat aur Vidhit bhi aane wale hain."

Rahul shook his head.

"Mujhe bahut kaam hai."

Karan smirked.

"Ya phir tum kisi aur wajah se busy ho?"

Rahul grabbed another cushion.

"Nikal yahan se."

---

That evening, Rohit, Virat and Vidhit arrived.

Downstairs, Pragati was sitting on the floor with her plate.

She was used to eating while sitting on the floor, just like she did at home.

The three boys stopped when they noticed her.

"Arre?"

"Yeh kaun hai?"

Virat whispered,

"Rahul ne nayi servant rakhi hai kya?"

Pragati immediately stood up.

"Main servant nahi hoon."

Before anyone could say anything else, Rahul walked into the dining hall.

The moment he saw Pragati sitting on the floor, his expression darkened.

"Tum yahan neeche kyun baithi ho?"

Pragati looked confused.

"Main toh hamesha neeche baith kar hi khaati hoon."

Rahul clenched his jaw.

"Tumhe itni bhi samajh nahi hai?"

The entire room fell silent.

"Table par baith kar khana khaya jaata hai."

Pragati quietly lowered her gaze.

"Ji."

She slowly got up and sat on a chair.

Meanwhile, Rohit, Virat, Karan and Vidhit exchanged surprised looks.

They had never seen Rahul behave like this.

Yes, Rahul hated women.

But there was something different about the way he reacted whenever Pragati was involved.

And for the first time, all four friends noticed it.

To Be Continued...