The sun had begun its slow descent as Ajay and Jaya stepped out of the marriage bureau. The world outside remained the same—cars rushed by, pedestrians walked without a care, and the city pulsed with life—but to Jaya, everything felt different.
She was married.
Not in the way she had dreamed of, not in a ceremony filled with love and warmth, but in the cold, calculated manner of a business transaction.
Ajay walked ahead, his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed as if nothing significant had just happened. Then, without breaking stride, he spoke.
"You have a week to prepare yourself."
Jaya frowned, quickening her pace to match his. "Prepare myself for what?"
Ajay stopped at the curb and turned to her, his gaze unwavering. "You're moving into my house."
Jaya blinked. "What?"
"You heard me." His tone was even, but there was an undeniable authority in it. "In one week, you'll move in with me."
Jaya scoffed, crossing her arms. "Wait a minute. We didn't agree on that. You said marriage, not living together."
Ajay smirked slightly. "Oh, don't kid yourself, Jaya. Did you really think you'd stay with your mother after getting married?"
Jaya's jaw tightened. "Why not? It's just a contract marriage anyway. I can stay where I want."
Ajay's eyes darkened slightly, his smirk fading. "You seem to misunderstand, Jaya. This isn't just about what you want. If we're married, we live together. That's how it works."
Jaya's fingers curled into fists. "But—"
"No 'but,'" Ajay interrupted, his voice dropping lower, laced with finality. "You have a week."
Jaya inhaled sharply, frustration rising. "And what if I refuse?"
Ajay tilted his head slightly, studying her. Then, with the ease of someone who held all the power, he said, "If you refuse, I'll post our marriage certificate on social media."
Jaya's breath caught in her throat.
"You wouldn't."
Ajay's lips curled into a smirk. "Try me."
Jaya's mind raced. If he did that, her entire life would turn upside down. The news would spread like wildfire. Chaya would find out. Her mother—once she recovered—would find out. Everyone would know she had gotten married in secret.
Her reputation, her privacy—everything would be ruined.
"You..." Jaya gritted her teeth, unable to find the words.
"A week." Ajay repeated, his smirk widening at her helplessness.
Then, without waiting for her response, he turned and walked toward his car, leaving her standing in the fading sunlight, her fists trembling at her sides.
---
Back at the Hospital
Jaya walked back inside in a daze.
Chaya noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
Jaya forced a smile. "Nothing. Just tired."
She sat beside her unconscious mother, her heart heavy. How was she supposed to tell them? How was she supposed to leave them?
She had entered this marriage thinking she could control her own terms, but Ajay... Ajay was playing a different game entirely.
And she had just realized how little control she actually had.
---
Ajay Returns Home
Ajay's car rolled smoothly into the driveway of his family mansion. The gates had already been opened for him, and the moment he stepped out, he sensed something unusual.
There were more cars parked than usual.
Ajay exhaled slowly. Not again.
Sure enough, as soon as he stepped into the lavishly decorated living room, he was met with the sight of his mother, Mrs. Devgan, sitting elegantly on one of the cream-colored sofas, engaged in conversation with a guest.
Beside the guest sat a woman dressed in an expensive beige dress, her long, wavy brown hair cascading over her shoulders.
Ms. Zalima and her daughter, Jasmin.
Ajay had known Ms. Zalima since childhood—one of his mother's closest friends, and unfortunately, one of the many women who had tried to play matchmaker for him.
His mother, upon seeing him, brightened immediately. "Ajay! You're home."
Ajay forced a polite smile, walking toward them. "Mother. Ms. Zalima."
Ms. Zalima beamed. "Ajay, it's been so long. You've grown even more handsome."
Ajay only smiled briefly before his eyes flickered to the young woman beside her.
Jasmin.
She was undeniably beautiful—elegant in the way she carried herself, with confidence in her eyes.
But Ajay already knew why she was here.
His mother wasted no time getting to the point.
"Ajay, do you remember my friend Ms. Zalima?" she asked, though she already knew he did. "Her daughter, Jasmin, just returned from America. She doesn't have many friends here. Why don't you take her out and show her the city?"
Ajay's lips twitched slightly. So this is what they're trying now? A casual invitation disguised as a date?
Jasmin smiled at him, clearly amused by the situation. "It's okay if you're busy. My mother just worries too much."
Ajay turned back to his mother. "Actually, we have company partners from Switzerland arriving. I need to entertain them."
His mother's expression faltered for just a second before she quickly recovered. "Oh, but surely—"
Ajay smiled politely. "I'm afraid I won't have any free time."
Jasmin chuckled, shaking her head. "You're smooth at rejecting people, aren't you?"
Ajay turned his gaze to her. "I don't waste time."
Jasmin smirked. "Good to know."
His mother sighed, clearly displeased, but Ajay had already made his decision.
With a slight nod toward the guests, he turned. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
Then, without waiting for further objections, he walked away, leaving behind his mother's disapproving gaze and Ms. Zalima's knowing smirk.
---