Contract Marriage





Aarya Kapoor had never imagined her life taking such a twist. She was a fiercely independent woman with a successful career, but her parents were relentless in their desire to see her married. Every time she visited, her mother’s eyes were full of worry and disappointment. She understood the pressure but felt the concept of marriage seemed unnecessary for her focused life. However, an unexpected proposal arrived in the form of a contract marriage.

On the other side was Rohan Malhotra, a handsome, reserved business tycoon in his early thirties. His family, particularly his grandmother, was constantly urging him to settle down. But Rohan, carrying emotional scars from past relationships, had no desire for marriage or anything close to it. His grandmother’s health, however, was in steady decline, and she longed to see him married. The proposal of a contract marriage—a temporary arrangement to satisfy both families—seemed like an escape for him, albeit a peculiar one.

Their paths crossed at a mutual friend’s party, and that’s when Rohan proposed the idea to Aarya. Shocked, she laughed it off initially. But as they discussed it further, the proposition began to intrigue her. Rohan offered her everything she would need to make the contract comfortable: a separate room, personal boundaries, and mutual respect.

They drafted the contract together, setting terms and conditions that would ensure they both maintained their independence. They agreed the marriage would last a year, enough time to pacify their families, and at the end of it, they would part ways amicably. As unconventional as it sounded, Aarya found herself signing the document, her heart thumping at the thought of the year

Living under the same roof was both strange and comforting. At first, they treated each other as roommates more than partners. Their daily schedules often didn’t align, with Aarya working late and Rohan’s mornings starting early. The household staff, though, was discreet, and they played their parts convincingly whenever family members visited.

But as the days turned into weeks, the little moments began to bridge the gap. Aarya noticed how Rohan always left her a cup of coffee in the morning, just the way she liked it. She began to anticipate his subtle, caring gestures. In return, she made sure he had his meals on time, knowing how often he skipped meals due to his intense work ethic. Without realizing it, they had developed a quiet rhythm together.

As months went by, Aarya found herself struggling with unfamiliar emotions. She’d catch herself stealing glances at Rohan, finding comfort in his steady presence. The way he would crack a rare smile at her jokes or the quiet conversations they shared late at night, slowly chipped away at the walls she had built around her heart.

Rohan, too, was changing. He admired Aarya’s free spirit, her laughter that filled the house, and the way she looked at life. One evening, while sharing an impromptu dinner, he noticed the small smile she gave him—a smile that stayed with him long after she had left the room. The contract was supposed to be a simple arrangement, but it was starting to feel much more complicated.

As the year drew closer to an end, Aarya and Rohan were torn. The contract, once just a piece of paper, now felt like a heavy reminder of their impending separation. They both knew their feelings had deepened, yet neither dared to address the shift.

On the final night of their “marriage,” they sat together in silence. Aarya finally spoke up, breaking the tension. “I never expected to feel this way,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. Rohan reached out, taking her hand. “Neither did I,” he replied, his gaze softening. They both knew they were at a crossroads, unsure of what the future held but hopeful that it would bring them closer.

The contract that once bound them now felt meaningless. The piece of paper was discarded, but they remained by each other’s side, this time bound by choice and not by any legal arrangement. They had fallen into a partnership stronger than either could have anticipated.

Their families, overjoyed, believed it was a natural evolution of their love story. For Aarya and Rohan, though, it was more than that. They had started as strangers brought together by convenience but had ended up finding something far more profound.

From that moment, their journey was no longer dictated by a contract but by a genuine connection. Their new beginning was a promise made from the heart, a commitment not bound by time or paper.