The silence between them was thick, tense, like the calm before a storm. Jaya stood with her arms crossed, her pulse still erratic from the weight of the decision she had just made. She had agreed to marry Ajay, but that didn't mean she was ready for the world to know.
"I have one condition," she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Ajay's expression remained unreadable, his dark eyes locked onto hers, assessing, calculating. "Go on."
Jaya swallowed, her fingers tightening around the bag of medicine she still held. "The marriage has to be a secret."
Ajay tilted his head slightly, as if he hadn't expected that. "A secret?"
"Yes," she confirmed, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "For now, at least. Maybe we can make it public in the future, but for now, no one can know."
A slow, amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Why?"
She hesitated. She couldn't tell him the full truth—that the thought of being publicly tied to him made her feel like she was losing herself completely. That she wasn't ready to face the world as his wife, as someone claimed by him.
"It's just… better this way," she said vaguely. "I don't want unnecessary questions."
Ajay studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Fine. If that's what you want, we'll keep it a secret."
A small breath of relief escaped her lips, though she knew better than to trust that Ajay would let her control the situation for long.
"Good," she said softly.
Ajay's gaze darkened slightly. "But, Jaya—" He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Just because the world won't know doesn't mean you get to pretend this isn't real. You're mine now. That doesn't change."
Jaya's fingers twitched, her nails digging into her palm. "It's just an agreement," she reminded him.
Ajay smirked. "We'll see."
She didn't bother responding. Instead, she turned and walked away, her heart pounding harder than she wanted to admit.
---
The Hospital Visit
Jaya arrived at the hospital late in the evening, exhaustion weighing down on her shoulders. The sterile scent of disinfectants filled her nose as she walked down the white corridors, making her stomach churn.
Her mother had been unconscious for days, slipping in and out of brief moments of awareness. The doctors had said her condition was worsening, that they needed to act quickly. But surgery had always been a distant hope—a hope she couldn't afford.
Until now.
She stepped into the private ward, a stark contrast to the cramped general room her mother had been in before. The bed was cleaner, the air fresher, and the room was eerily quiet. Her mother lay still, her face pale, her breathing shallow.
A nurse approached her with a warm smile. "Miss Jaya, we wanted to inform you that all payments have been taken care of. The surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow morning."
Jaya's chest tightened.
Tomorrow morning.
The weight of it hit her all at once. This was real. It was happening.
Her fingers clenched at the sides of her dress as she nodded. "Thank you."
She moved toward her mother's bedside, her throat thick with emotion. Carefully, she reached for her mother's frail hand, squeezing it gently. "Everything will be alright," she whispered. "Just hold on a little longer."
The words felt hollow, but she had to believe them.
The door creaked open, and she turned just in time to see her younger sister, Chaya, step inside. The teenager's eyes widened as she took in the room, her confusion evident.
"Jaya," Chaya said slowly, looking around. "What… What is this?"
Jaya's heart sank.
Chaya was sharp. Too sharp. She wouldn't just let this go.
"The hospital suddenly moved us here," Chaya continued, her eyes narrowing. "And now they're saying the surgery is happening tomorrow. Who paid for all this?"
Jaya forced a neutral expression. "My boss lent me the money."
Chaya crossed her arms. "Your boss?"
"Yes," Jaya said firmly, turning back to their mother. "I asked for help, and he agreed."
Chaya's skepticism was evident. "And he just gave you that much money? Just like that?"
Jaya's stomach twisted, but she kept her face unreadable. "Don't ask so many questions, Chaya."
Her sister stared at her, her lips pressing into a thin line. It was clear she didn't believe her, but for now, she let it go.
Jaya exhaled softly, focusing on her mother again. Chaya didn't need to know the truth. No one did.
For now, the secret had to stay buried.
---
Ajay's Call
Miles away, Ajay sat in his sleek office, the city lights sprawling beneath him through the glass walls. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the faint scent of whiskey from the untouched glass on his desk.
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of his chair as he stared at his phone.
A call from home.
He already knew who it was before he answered.
"Ajay," his mother's voice came through, cool and composed as ever. "You haven't visited in a while."
He leaned back, expression unreadable. "I've been busy."
"As always," she sighed. "I want to see you."
Ajay ran a hand through his hair. "I'll come tomorrow night."
There was a brief pause before his mother spoke again. "Good. We need to talk."
Ajay smirked slightly. "Do we?"
His mother didn't entertain his amusement. "Yes. It's important."
Ajay ended the call without another word. He already knew what this was about.
His family never called unless they wanted something.
With a slow exhale, he leaned forward, steepling his fingers as he thought about Jaya.
The deal had been made. The wedding would happen soon.
And whether Jaya liked it or not, she was his now.
A slow, satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
He always got what he wanted.
And this time would be no different.
---