Chapter 19: Chapter 16

Next Day: At Rudra Apartment

The room was thick with tension, and Siya’s mind raced as she looked around at the faces of those who had gathered in Rudra’s apartment.

Raghav, Rudra, and Gauri were all watching her with varying degrees of concern and determination. The weight of what was happening around her felt almost suffocating.

Siya leaned back in her chair, as she tried to process everything that had been said. Her phone buzzed—she  locked the phone, not wanting to be reminded of the mounting pressure.

“So, we’re all clear on this now, right?” Raghav’s voice sliced through the silence. “If we back out now, there’s no turning back. My father will destroy your family, and our future is hanging by a thread.”

Siya nodded slowly, the weight of Raghav’s words settling on her shoulders. She didn’t want this. She didn’t want a forced marriage, especially not with someone she had conflicting feelings for.

“Look,” Raghav continued, his voice quiet but steady, “I know this is insane. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not something either of us planned. But we have to think long-term here.” He met her eyes, his voice even lower now. “What if we just… go through with it for a year, like a deal for a year ?”

Siya was caught off guard by his suggestion. “A deal for a year?” she repeated, unsure if she had heard him correctly. “You want us to marry, pretend it’s real, and then just… end it?” How convenient for you, Raghav!

His gaze was unwavering. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the only way we can protect our freedom, choice and your family”

Siya hesitated, her mind whirling. She neither wanted a forced marriage nor this arrangement. But what choice did she have? Mr. Desai had already won. He would destroy everything she loved if she didn’t comply.

Gauri leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. “It’s just for a year, Siya. You don’t have to make any permanent decisions right now. We can get through this. It’ll be hard, but we’ll do it together. And once it’s over, you’ll be free to make your own choices.”

Rudra nodded, his grin a little softer now. “Yeah, and who knows? Maybe you’ll even like it. But if not, we’ll survive it together, no matter what.”

Siya took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She wasn’t sure if she could handle this, not with all the pressure—not with the memory of Mr. Desai’s threats hanging over her.

Her thoughts swirled. “I know exactly what Mr. Desai is capable of. Other day,the way he forced his wishes on Dad, I saw everything”. His tactics are ruthless, and he doesn’t care about anyone except himself.

She glanced up at Raghav, feeling the weight of the agreement settling on their shoulders. There was no going back now.

“I’ll do it,” her voice was steady but reluctant. “But only because there’s no other choice. Not because I want to marry you. We’re doing this for the right reasons”.

Or at least, I tell myself that. But the truth is, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m not falling for him—not like that. But what if... what if, over time, I do? What if he does?

“You don’t need to clarify why you’re doing it, Siyuu,” Gauri teased with a smirk. “We all know you’re doing this for noble reasons, but maybe don’t protest too much. You might accidentally convince us you’re excited about it.”

Raghav gave a small, relieved smile. “Thank you. We’ll make it work. One year. We’ll be like roommates.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, the gravity of their decision hanging in the air.

“I can’t believe this is happening, but this is the only option we have,” Raghav added. His mind wandered, unbidden thoughts creeping in. But what if... what if one of us falls and the other doesn’t? This isn’t a game, but we’re both stuck in it now. I can’t afford to hurt her… or lose her. But I don’t want to hurt myself either.

Siya’s voice broke through his thoughts. “I’ll meet with your father. Before the wedding.”

Raghav frowned, clearly uneasy. “I understand. But be careful. He’ll try to manipulate you. Don’t let him.”

She nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. “I know”. But I won’t let him control me.

Raghav met her eyes and nodded, though a quiet concern lingered in his gaze. “I’ll be here for you. We’ll get through this.”

Siya’s heart skipped, but she didn’t let herself dwell on the unexpected warmth that rose within her. She had enough on her plate without adding complicated feelings to the mix.

Rudra cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “Well, now that the drama is sorted, cheers for ‘Deal 365’, Rudra said with a grin. He leaned back, adding, “Marriage is a battlefield, guys. Better start picking your allies now.”

“Team Siya”, Gauri chimed in immediately.

“Well, then Team Raghav here”, Rudra grinning with her.

Siya gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

As the conversation wound down, both Raghav and Siya sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The weight of the wedding day and the next year already bore down on them. Neither of them knew what the future held, but they couldn’t escape the reality that, for better or for worse, they were bound together.

And as much as neither wanted to admit it, part of them knew they would have to face whatever came next—together.