Temporary Wife

Raj had lived a structured, predictable life. His career in finance was flourishing, his family was proud of him, and everything seemed to be falling into place. But there was one recurring demand that disrupted his otherwise serene routine: his mother’s insistence that he get married. She wanted him to find a partner, someone who would bring warmth into his life and help him carry forward the family legacy. Raj, however, had always been wary of love. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in it; he just wasn’t ready to commit to something as binding as marriage.

One evening, at a family gathering, Raj’s mother introduced him to Naina, a young woman who, by the family’s standards, was the perfect match. She was educated, respectful, and had a calm demeanor that impressed everyone. But when they were alone, Naina revealed a startling truth: she wasn’t looking for a real marriage either. Like Raj, she had her reservations about commitment and wanted to focus on her career. As they spoke, an idea began to form. What if they pretended to marry, just to quiet their families and ease the pressure?

After weeks of planning, Raj and Naina held a small ceremony. It was traditional enough to satisfy both families but private enough to feel like an arrangement rather than a real union. Once the wedding was over, they both agreed to live separately. They would meet up occasionally for family events, and whenever relatives inquired about their relationship, they would smile and say things were "going great."

The arrangement worked perfectly for a while. Both Raj and Naina were free to focus on their lives without the constant nagging to settle down. Their families were happy, and they didn’t have to worry about blind dates or marriage proposals anymore. But over time, something began to change. Each time they met for a family event, they’d share little stories from their week, and their occasional laughs turned into genuine enjoyment of each other’s company.

One evening, Raj invited Naina over to his apartment for dinner. It wasn’t part of their usual arrangement; he just felt like seeing her. They spent hours talking, and for the first time, their conversations extended beyond their family’s expectations and professional ambitions. They discussed their dreams, their fears, and the things that made them feel alive. As the night wore on, Raj found himself looking at Naina differently. She wasn’t just a partner in their plan anymore—she was a person he had come to respect, admire, and maybe even care for.

Days turned into weeks, and Raj began to notice the emptiness in his apartment whenever Naina wasn’t around. He’d grown used to her presence, her laugh, the way she would wrinkle her nose when something amused her. He realized he wanted her around, not just as a part of their arrangement, but as a real partner.

Confused and unsure of her feelings, Raj hesitated. Was he allowed to want more from this temporary setup? Did she feel the same way? He finally gathered the courage to talk to her. They met at a quiet café, and he shared his feelings, bracing himself for her reaction. Naina listened quietly, her gaze steady and unreadable.

When he finished, she smiled—a soft, knowing smile. She admitted she had been feeling the same way but had been too afraid to break the boundaries of their arrangement. Their temporary arrangement had unexpectedly evolved into something real. The walls they had built around their hearts to keep love out had slowly crumbled, and without realizing it, they had fallen for each other.

They sat in silence for a few moments, both digesting the shift in their relationship. Finally, Raj took Naina’s hand and said, “Maybe we could give this a real chance, without the pretense.”

Naina nodded, her smile widening. “I’d like that,” she replied softly.

In the days that followed, they began to build a genuine relationship, one not bound by the expectations of their families or the fear of commitment. What had started as a mere arrangement grew into something far more meaningful, filled with love, trust, and the promise of a future together. Raj no longer dreaded the idea of marriage, for he had found someone he was truly willing to share his life with, and this time, it wasn’t just for show.