Chapter 2 •2•The Big Decision

Jivika's POV

I cried and cried until I could cry no more. Why? Why am I crying? Why is it hurting so much? Why am I afraid to lose him? He's not even mine for goodness sake.

I could actually feel a strong heart ache. That's wrong. I shouldn't be feeling this way.

Every time I remembered Chachi's words, the pain killed me. I felt like every fibre in my body was being scratched with a sharp knife. I so badly wished that I would pass out or magically my body would go numb so that I don't feel the pain anymore but it didn't happen.

I went to the window and looked at the Moon. Doing this always gave me relief. I felt like I'm staring at my parents and they were staring back at me. But when I looked down, I cursed myself for coming here.

Ranbir had come to drop Radhs. They're back. They looked so happy together. No one could ever come between them. I don't belong with him. They're just perfect. He embraced her and kissed her forehead before leaving.

I remembered that Radhika was going to come to my room. I went to bed and pretended to sleep. I can't face her now. My voice or my tears would surely betray me.

I heard her footsteps arrive into the room and she was so happy and I could feel it. Maybe it was the marriage news that she wanted to share.

I could feel shuffling beside me. "Oho! I asked her to wait. Good night Jivi." She talked to herself and slept.

Thank God these tears are colourless and they dry sooner, otherwise this pillow would have revealed so many secrets.

Stop it Jivi! I scolded myself. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Loving Ranbir was the best thing that happened to me and I am always going to cherish it no matter what. I will remember him not as the one who broke my heart, but as the one who taught me how to love.

With that thought, I wiped my tears and went to sleep.

-Next Morning-

At the Studio

Radhika's POV

"Radhs are you OK?" Maddy asked, concerned.

"Ya. I'm fine." I said gulping another glass of water.

"Are you sure? I mean why are you sweating so much? It's the 5th glass of water."

"Maddy, I'm just nervous. Today, I'm going to sign my dream project. That's it." I inhale a deep breath.

And finally they arrived. We greeted each other and sat on either side of the table in the conference room.

I was surprised. I had expected an aged, wrinkled, old hag but no. He was perfection. Young, Vibrant, Amazing body, well sculpted jaw, dusky skin, soft black hair, finest suit, blavk tie. Stop drooling Radhika! Focus.

"Hello. Mr. Malhotra. How are you doing?" I asked politely.

"I'm fine. Miss Singhania. Well, let's talk about the contract." He said professionally.

"Oh yes! Of course." Saying this, he gestured to his secretary who picked up the contract file and handed it over to me.

I eagerly took it and asked Maddy for a pen when Mr. Malhotra interrupted, "wait."

"What?" I asked confused. He is here for this right?

"Read it first, Miss. Singhania. I don't want any issues later." He said.

"Oh yes." I said and began reading it. It was a total of 70 clauses limiting my existence and freedom. Many of them were silly like I couldn't cut my hair to a very small hairstyle, or advertise any other brand etc until their contract time was over. I know all this. But what caught my eye was a clause at the bottom.

Clause 68. Cannot Marry until the project is completed.

Huh?

"What is this?" I asked him confused, sliding it towards him.

"Actually, Miss Singhania, saying from my experience, after getting married, women lose their charm and Career is not their first priority. Therefore, we had to put it on. So do you agree?" He asked.

Do I agree? I asked myself. Why not? It's just a matter of one year. I've always loved my career more than anything else. Why back off today?

Without thinking more, I just took a pen and signed it. Yippee. I did it. I'm so happy.

We had a formal handshake and they left.

Now let's go home and celebrate with Ranbir. I jumped in joy.

I just decided to call him when my phone rang and it was him. Oh wow. We have such a cosmic connection. I picked up grinning ear to ear. "Ranbeeeeer." I squealed in happiness. "Ranbir you know today-"

"I know Radhs." He said softly.

"You know? Who told you? I mean-"

"Shhh." He said in his loving, romantic tone. "Radhs! This is the happiest day of my life. I hope You are happy too? I mean you're not doing this under any pressure right?"

Why is he asking such things? Doesn't he know how desperate I was to be the brand ambassador of this beauty brand?

"Happy would be an understatement, Ranbir. I am ecstatic. My biggest dream has come true. So let's celebrate today."

"I was thinking the same thing. So Tonight I'll come to pick you up."

"I love you."

"I love you more!" He whined, making me laugh.

Ranbir's POV

I can't believe this is happening. Today Vijay Uncle came home and talked to Dad about my marriage with my Radhs!

At first I found it strange. Yesterday at dinner, when I asked Radhs about her plan about 'us', she told me she can't think anything like that until the end of the year. I should Probably ask her.

They finalised everything and fixed the date of our marriage after 10 days. It's quite fast but I don't mind. I would have never given my so-called 'Dad' Mr Vishwanath Khurana the satisfaction of agreeing to the alliance chosen by him if not for my Radhs.

I brushed away those thoughts and called her.

"Ranbeeeeer!" She almost yelled in happiness. I'm happy that she's so happy about our marriage.

"Ranbir you know today-" I cut her in between.

"I know Radhs." I told her.

"You know? Who told you? I mean-" I can't stop smiling seeing her excitement over our marriage.

"Shhh." I said. "Radhs This is the happiest day of my life. I hope You are happy too Radhs? I mean you're not doing this under any pressure right?" I should know. I know for our Dads it's a business deal but I want our marriage to be based on love.

"Happy would be an understatement, Ranbir. I am ecstatic. My biggest dream has come true. So let's celebrate today." Oh yes. She is happy. She wouldn't lie to me.

"I was thinking the same thing. So Tonight I'll come to pick you up."

"I love you." She told me.

"I love you more." I replied.

This is going to be superb. This is the perfect alliance. Thank you God for making my life so awesome.

I thought and did preparations to make this dinner the most memorable one for my Radhs.

The dinner went on while talking, laughing and sharing beautiful memories of our relationship. We have a rule whenever we go out with each other, we don't talk about families and career etc. Just each other.

And the thing that made my day was–My Radhs was happy... Too much happy. I haven't seen her like this ever. That's so much she loves me. I smiled at my own thoughts.

"Ranbir?" Her voice brought me out of my train of thoughts. "Are you listening?"

"Huh?"

Did I miss something?

"Yeah! I was saying Thank you for supporting me all along. With everything."

I placed her hand on mine and said, "Yes Radhs! I will. Always."

-Singhania Mansion-

Jivika's POV

The whole mansion was decorated with beautiful white orchids. The place looked no less than heaven. Everything was neatly arranged and brightly lit. And why wouldn't it be? It was the marriage of our princess, The soul of this house. Chachu and Chachi's biggest dream was going to come true. Today is the engagement and the wedding date was chosen after five days. You know we Indians have so many Pre-Wedding rituals and ceremonies that it causes a headache remembering them all.

And these five days were going to be

Haldi, When the groom is applied turmeric and the same turmeric is sent to the bride's house where her haldi takes place. It is believed that it enhances the glow of the bride before the wedding.

Then Mehendi, Where all the ladies and the bride apply Henna on their hands. The elders say, the darker the color of your henna is, the more your husband would love you.

Then Sangeet, which is the best function. All the ladies sing and dance until next morning.

Then there is Wedding, when The bride and the groom take seven rounds of the sacred fire and give each other seven oaths of safety, love, protection, faithfulness etc.

and

lastly Reception... In which the bride is welcomed in the new household by her new family through a grand celebration

Phew! Whole week busy.

But still the families do it like it's the most interesting job in the world.

This is the point of utmost happiness for both the families because in our culture, it's not a relationship between two people, but two families. A pious bond that unites two souls in an unbreakable thread.

Both the families are so happy. It was indeed the best alliance. I don't know how it feels when someone you love loves you back with the same intensity and much more but all I know is it must be very blissful.

Radhs told me many times she wanted to introduce me to Ranbir but I literally ran away. What am I going to say to him? How will I react? Will I be able to hide the pieces of my brokenness and pretend normal while I was breaking inside? No I just couldn't. So I better stay away from both of them.

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