III.

                                        

                                              




                                

                                    
                                
                                  
                                      
                                  
                                  
                                    
                                      
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                 
                                
                                
                              
                              
        Are we a moment or a lifetime?





Today is the wedding.  It was going to be a simple intimate wedding in the backyard of their ancestral haveli which was going to be attended only by the bride's and groom's family members. Jaiveer wanted only simple plain wedding without any functions but on the request of Rumi's dadi , it was decided  that they will organise the mehendi and haldi. 
In the morning the Haldi rituals were done and now it was time for the wedding.  Rumi was getting ready in her room. She was wearing  her mother’s red zardousi career, while Jaiveer was ready in his off white kurta pyjama. 
Jaiveer was setting  his hair doing last minute finishing when there was a knock on his door. He said a “ Come in..!” and then entered inside Angad,  his lawyer .
“ Sir, the papers!!!” Angad said handing him the papers. Jaiveer took the papers and started reading it thoroughly. After looking over it when he was satisfied, he gave him a gentle nod and said , “ Hmmm.. okay you can go now I’ll handle the rest...”
“Bbb...But sir it’s... it’s illegal .... here in India. If something happens my license will be canceled sir.”  Angad said while fumbling still trying to stop his boss while reminding him the consequences. 
Jaiveer kept the papers on the table and gave him a death stare. His cold eyes , the eyes which were enough for him to know that he didn’t liked to be interrupted.  Angad visibly gulped his heartbeat increasing, while his palms has started sweating. Jaiveer took out a cigarette from the table and held it in between his lips. He offered one to Angad which he refused. He then lit his cigarette and released a puff.
Jaiveer tilted his head and spoke in an ice cold voice, “ Don’t forget Angad!.... what I have done for you...!!” 
He again took a puff, the instant buzz of pleasure calming him down. “ So next time think before you speak..... You don’t need to teach me what is right or wrong. I fucking paid you for this...!! So now , get lost…!!” Jaiveer replied while gritting his teeth…
Angad just nodded his head.. He was sweating profusely. He dabbed his head with a handkerchief and went out of the room.
Jaiveer dabbed the cigarette Butt in the astray and took the papers with him and went out. 

The makeup artist was doing the last touchup when there was a knock on the door. The door opened and Jaiveer came in. Rumi looked through the mirror and her eyes widened in shock.
“Rumi… Can I talk to you for a moment?” Jaiveer asked her and Rumi could swear how rich and smooth and velvety his voice sounded.
She asked the makeup artist to wait outside and now both of them were alone in the room. Rumi got up from the stool and turned around and Jaiveer forgot how to breathe. Rumi looked breathtakingly beautiful in the saree but he was far from accepting that. Rumi could feel his heated gaze on her. She could feel her cheeks getting heated and a beautiful blush adorned her cheeks. 
She cleared her throat and said , “ You were saying something?”
Jaiveer came out of his trance and looked into her hopeful eyes and declared , “ I want you to sign these papers ..!”  and brought forward those papers.
Rumi looked confused and took it from him and asked ,” what are these?” 
“ Just read it and you will understand.” He said briefly .
Rumi gave him a final look and started reading the paper. Gradually as she proceeded reading it her expression changed from confusion to utter disbelief. She looked at him and again stared at the paper.
“Ttthhh…This is? What is… is  this ?” she whispered as a thick layer of tear covered her eyes.
“ Rumi I will not beat around the bush.” Jaiveer started , “ To be honest I didn’t want this marriage to happen at the first place but I couldn’t back out from it as you know because of my dadu. This is a prenuptial agreement which says that we will be married for a year. We will stay as a husband and wife for a year and after that we will get a divorce. You will receive your alimony for that…” Jaiveer ended.
Rumi couldn’t believe what she had heard. IHow can someone turn a sacred bond like marriage into something like this. Her dreams , hopes and every single thing crashed like house of cards at that instant. 
But one thing she knew that she couldn’t agree on something like this . This man could live with this contract but she cannot.
“ I am sorry Mr. Oberoi… But I won’t sign this.”  Rumi declared wiping her tears .
Jaiveer was shocked for an instant but quickly recovered from it and said,  “Why ?”
“Why ??? Are you asking me this why ??? Why will I sign this bullshit..I won’t…. I don’t need to marry someone who’s willing to bargain this sacred relationship with an agreement.. I won’t do that…!!!” Rumi burst out on him…
Jaiveer could sense that his plan was backfiring  on him. He needed to do something quickly. And the only way seemed was manipulation. 
She threw the paper on the table and was trying to go outside when Jaiveer held her wrist. Rumi stopped in her tracks and looked at hum. Her eyes were sad and red.
“Leave me…! I won’t sign it…!” Rumi said trying to free from his grip. Jaiveer pulled her towards him and the sudden action made him crash towards his chest. 
“You don’t have to sign it. But just think once about your dadi…” He whispered and that made her look towards him. 
“ She is your only family left.. And you can consider that it was her last wish to see you become someone’s bride. If you go outside and tell her that you won’t marry then just think how much shock she will get..”  Jaiveer replied and by the look on her face he knew he was successful. One thing about Rumi was that she can be easily manipulated. She was an innocent girl, din’t have much idea about worldly things and Jaiveer took advantage of that.
Rumi was beyond shattered. Her dadi was frail and weak because of old age. If she refuses to get married then it will come as a shock to her and anything could happen. May be she could lose her once and for all..
“Just think about her once.” Jaiveer said to her tenderly and Rumi sat down on the sofa with a thump. She looked at him and wiped her red eyes which were filled with tears.  Jaiveer for once regretted what he was doing but it faded away instantly.  She nodded her head and said , “ I will do it..” 
And that’ how she signed away her life for a year…..