Contract Marriage Ch-1

 CHAPTER ONE: THE GREAT WEDDING ESCAPE 

The whole venue was looking so beautiful with the decoration of white flowers. Some waiters were busy surveying the guests and some were busy with other work. Mr. Oberoi was busy talking with the groom’s father. Meanwhile, Mrs. Oberoi was making her way towards the bridal room. She looked stunning in a white sleeveless dress, her hair styled in a high bun, and a pearl necklace with small earrings. The joy of her daughter’s wedding made her glow even more.

“Priya, are you ready?” she asked as she entered the bridal room. And found her inside, in a long green kurti with the blue denim jeans which she was wearing while coming here from home. Mrs. Oberoi’s face turned red with anger, and through gritted teeth, she asked, “Why are you not ready yet? Everyone is waiting for you.” And as soon as she said this, a heavy silence filled the room.

Apart from both of them, there was only one other person in the room, and she was Priya’s childhood friend, Mini. Mrs. Oberoi was aware that Priya was not ready for this marriage, she was only there because Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi forced her. But now she has decided that she is not going to do this, and shouts at Mrs. Oberoi “Mom… I already told you that I don’t want to do this marriage.”

“But my dear, try to understand it’s good for you” Mrs. Oberoi said while convincing her, but when she looked at Priya’s expressions she found out that Priya was not going to listen to her. So she looked at Mini, who was standing beside Priya, and said to her “You tell her something, maybe she will listen to you…”

Mini knew very well what trouble Priya was going through but right now she could not do anything else except to console her, so she said “Priya… Aunty is right”. At her words Priya looked at her with crooked eyes, then she looked at her mom and said “OK, I accept you’re right… but what about my dreams?” 

It was not that she never wanted to get married, it was just that she was not ready for it yet because her dream was to become a big actress, which her father did not want to be fulfilled. And that’s why, considering his own benefit, today he was getting her married to a boy of his choice, a boy whom she had never even seen.

“Complete them after you go there” Mrs. Oberoi said, because she knew that she can complete them, after her marriage. But Priya was afraid that if those people turned out to be like her father, who was against her dreams, who did not want her to become an actress. Then what will she do? So she asked her mother, “And what is the proof that they will let me do?”

“They will because…” before she completed her words, her phone rang, she picked up the call “Hello… Yes, I’m with her… She will only take a little longer… Okay… Okay… I’m coming” after completing the talk, she cut the call. And while looking at Priya she said “Your dad is calling me, I have to go, And you have only half hour to get ready.”

“But mom…” Priya’s voice came out in a low, hesitant tone, heavy with resistance. Her eyes begged for someone to listen to her heart, but before she could complete her sentence, Mrs. Oberoi interrupted firmly, masking her own worry with authority.
“Get ready quickly if you don’t want to face your dad’s anger.” Her words carried not just a warning, but a mother’s silent fear—fear of her husband’s temper, and fear of what might happen if Priya didn’t obey.

“Aunty, you go, I will make her ready,” Mini said quickly, stepping in to protect her friend. Her voice was gentle, but her eyes showed determination. Mrs. Oberoi gave a nod and left the room, her footsteps echoing down the corridor, leaving behind a thick silence.

Mini picked up Priya’s heavy wedding gown, the shimmering white embroidery catching the light, and handed it to her with trembling hands. “Wear it,” she urged softly.

But Priya’s anger erupted. She shoved the dress away, her voice sharp, almost breaking. “I already told you that I don’t want to do this marriage, I just want to run away from here…” The words crashed into the air, leaving both girls staring at each other in stunned silence. The room seemed to freeze, only their rapid breaths filled the space.

Then, slowly, a sly smirk curved on Priya’s lips. Mini’s eyes widened, instantly recognizing that expression. Her heart sank. She knew exactly what Priya was about to suggest. “Priya, No…” Mini whispered, her voice trembling with both fear and disbelief.

Priya stepped closer, clutching Mini’s hand tightly, her eyes pleading. “Please.” Her tone softened, almost breaking. She wasn’t just asking, she was begging, pouring all her desperation into that one word. Mini’s chest tightened. She knew how much Priya hated this marriage, but she also knew the wrath of Priya’s father. “But what if someone caught you?” she asked, her voice quivering. Her mind was filled with images of Mr. Oberoi’s anger, a storm she never wanted Priya to face.

Priya locked her gaze with Mini’s, her eyes shining with fierce determination. At that moment, Mini saw not fear, but a burning fire. Priya’s voice grew firm, steady. “You just help me.”

“How?” Mini’s question carried both doubt and dread. She wanted to help her best friend, but her body trembled at the thought of what Priya was planning.

Priya’s eyes flickered toward the wedding dress lying on the bed. A dangerous idea formed in her mind, and she voiced it with a confident smirk. “Wear this dress instead of me and go there…”

Mini’s heart nearly stopped. Her throat went dry as she whispered in shock, “And what if someone recognizes me?” Her words were heavy with worry, her hands clenching nervously.

“Don’t worry, just cover your face properly,” Priya said with unshakable calm. “Because once you have covered your face, then before marriage my mother will not let anyone uncover your face because it is a ritual.” A sly smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the ritual her mother had explained just days ago. This was her loophole. Her only chance.

Mini’s fear only deepened. “But Priya, how could I do this marriage?” Her voice cracked under the weight of the impossible. She couldn’t take her place not in this sacred ceremony.

Priya quickly shook her head, her tone clear and reassuring. “I am not telling you to do this marriage, you just have to take my place in front of everyone for a while. So, I’ll run away from here.”
Her certainty washed over Mini like a storm, leaving her no room to argue.

Silence filled the room again. Mini finally exhaled, defeated but loyal. “Okay… Okay… I can do this… But you have to be careful.” Her words carried fear, but also unshakable friendship.

Priya’s expression softened. “You don’t worry about it, I will be careful.” Her assurance was steady, though her heart pounded wildly inside her chest.

“Good.”

“Now get ready quickly.” Priya urged, pushing the plan forward with impatient resolve.

Mini paused, her voice low, her worry still clinging. “But where will you go from here?”

“Airport,” Priya said confidently, her eyes glinting with determination. “And when you get free from here, you will meet me at the same after getting all my stuff.” Her words were sharp, decisive, leaving no space for hesitation.

Mini nodded weakly, finally accepting the plan. Together, they moved quickly. Priya slipped into a staff uniform she had secretly taken, while Mini reluctantly dressed as the bride. Every button, every fold of the wedding dress felt like a chain around her body, but she bore it for Priya.

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They were sitting in the silence, the weight of their secret pressing down on them, until a knock rattled the door.

“Cover your face,” Priya whispered urgently, her voice firm but trembling at the edges.

“And you go and hide in the bathroom,” Mini replied, equally nervous but willing to protect her.

“Hmm… Best of luck,” Priya whispered, her voice softer now, full of gratitude and fear. She darted into the bathroom, her heart racing.

Mini inhaled deeply and opened the door. Mrs. Oberoi stood there, her eyes softening as they scanned her daughter or who she thought was her daughter. “Oh my dear, you’re looking so beautiful. Now come, everyone is waiting for you.” Her voice trembled with emotion, pride, and the bittersweet joy of a mother marrying off her child.

“Hmm,” Mini only nodded, her throat tight with guilt and nerves. She lowered her gaze and followed silently.

As Mini walked out, Priya slipped through the back door, her steps hurried and silent. Her chest pounded with both fear and freedom as she flagged down a taxi. Within minutes, she was on her way to the airport, leaving behind the heavy walls of her father’s control.

At the wedding venue, Mini entered the hall. The air was thick with music and murmurs of guests. She lifted her eyes and froze. The groom stood before her, tall, elegant, and strikingly handsome. Her heart skipped a beat, but then sank. She thought, He’s really handsome, good-looking, but I can’t do this marriage. I have to find a way to stop this marriage.

Suddenly, as if her body acted before her mind could stop it, Mini grabbed the groom’s hand. Gasps echoed around the hall as she dragged him out.

“Priya… Priya…” Mrs. Oberoi shouted, her voice frantic.

“Priyaaa, where are you going?” Mr. Oberoi thundered, his voice filled with rage.

Mini didn’t stop. She pulled the groom into a quiet room and slammed the door shut, locking it.

The groom turned to her, utterly bewildered. “What is this behavior?” His voice was sharp, laced with shock and suspicion.

Mini’s hands trembled as she reached up. She didn’t answer, her heart was pounding too hard, her throat too dry. Slowly, she uncovered her face. And in that single moment, the truth was revealed.

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❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁

❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀

♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡

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