Manyata was sitting on the floor, remembering the day she had first received the offer of this contract marriage. She was lost in her thoughts when someone knocked on the door. She looked up and saw Mohit standing outside.

"May I come in?" Mohit asked.

Manyata wiped her tears, nodded, and stood up. Behind Mohit, Shalini and Damini had also reached her room.

Manyata still had no idea what was happening outside. She only knew that the wedding was just a few hours away. She wondered why Mohit had come to talk to her at this time. Meanwhile, Damini and Shalini looked at him, hoping he would explain why there were only expensive cars outside instead of a wedding procession. Where were the wedding guests? And most importantly, where was the groom?

Seeing everyone looking at him, Mohit asked Manyata,

"Are you really ready for this marriage? You still have time. If you want, you can refuse."

Manyata took a deep breath and replied,

"I'm ready."

After hearing her answer, Mohit looked at Damini and Shalini. Both of them had tears in their eyes.

He continued,

"Let me remind you once again. My boss will pay for your father's entire treatment, but in return, you will have to marry him."

"I agree... but..." Manyata stopped speaking.

She badly needed money. She could no longer afford her father's hospital bills. But she was afraid that if she asked too many questions, the other person might cancel the offer.

Maybe Mohit understood what she wanted to say. Or maybe his boss had already told him about it.

He said,

"You can continue your studies after the marriage. If you want to work, you can join my boss's company. If you prefer another company, you are free to work there. Also, every month ₹50,000 will be deposited into your mother's bank account for household expenses."

Manyata could not find anything wrong with his offer. Whoever this man was, he was ready to pay for her father's treatment, her education, and even offer her a job. It all seemed too good to be true.

Mohit continued,

"The day your father's bone marrow transplant is successful and a donor is found, you will be free to decide whether you want to continue this marriage or end it. If you want to leave, my boss will not stop you."

This shocked Manyata even more.

She was going to marry a man she had never met. He would take care of all the expenses, and after her father's transplant, she could leave the marriage whenever she wanted. Everything felt very strange.

Before she could say anything, Damini spoke.

"We accept this proposal. Right now, Manyata's father is more important than anything else. Isn't that right?"

She looked at Manyata with hopeful eyes.

Manyata had no other choice. She also had no reason to refuse because she was being given complete freedom.

She nodded.

Mohit handed her a document.

"Everything I just told you is written in this contract. You can read it if you want. Then sign it and come to the wedding hall."

As Manyata picked up the pen to sign, Shalini suddenly spoke angrily.

"This is a marriage! But where is the groom? Where is the wedding procession?"

Manyata looked at her in surprise. Her hand stopped before signing.

Mohit replied,

"The wedding will take place according to all Hindu traditions."

Before Shalini could say anything else, Damini said,

"Don't waste any more time, dear. Sign it quickly."

Manyata again moved her hand to sign, but Mohit's next words stopped her once more.

"You still have time. If you don't want this marriage, you can refuse. But once you sign this contract, there is no turning back."

Manyata closed her eyes. After a few moments, she opened them, took a deep breath, and signed the paper.

"I'm ready."

As soon as she signed the contract, a small smile appeared on Mohit's face.

Only he knew the reason for that smile.

Taking the signed papers from her, he said,

"Please get ready and come downstairs."

With that, he left for the wedding hall.

Shalini walked up to Manyata.

"What have you done, Manu? You shouldn't have agreed to this. I don't trust these people."

Damini replied,

"What is so wrong about it? They are paying for the treatment in return for the marriage. And after the transplant, Manyata can end this marriage whenever she wants. You're thinking too much. Come on, we need to prepare for the wedding."

Saying this, Damini held Shalini's hand and took her downstairs.

Soon, Manyata was left alone once again...

Alone with her thoughts.