Contract Marriage

Chapter 2: A New Clause

A New Clause

The morning sun had barely risen when Randhir stared at the second half of his father's will for what felt like the hundredth time.

Every line only made him more frustrated.

His father had planned everything years ago.

Grinding his teeth, he picked up his phone and dialed Sanyukta's number.

After a few rings, she answered in a sleepy voice.

"Hello... who's this?"

"It's Randhir."

"Who?"

Randhir smirked.

"Your husband, dear."

There was a long silence.

Then came her irritated reply.

"What do you want at this hour?" she asked, glancing at the clock beside her bed. "People usually sleep at six in the morning."

"I don't care. Meet me tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp at AA Café."

"What? At least tell me why—"

"I'll explain there."

Without waiting for another word, Randhir disconnected the call.

Sanyukta stared at her phone in disbelief.

"What an arrogant man!" she muttered.

"He doesn't even know basic manners."

---

The next morning...

Randhir sat at a table inside AA Café.

He looked at his watch.

8:00 a.m.

No Sanyukta.

8:10.

Still no sign.

8:20.

His patience was wearing thin.

At exactly 8:30, the café door opened.

Sanyukta walked in, completely relaxed, carrying a coffee cup she had bought on the way.

She smiled casually.

"Good morning."

Randhir stood up immediately.

"Have you seen the time?"

She took a sip of her coffee.

"Cut the crap."

"Tell me why you ruined my sleep."

Randhir blinked.

"Sleep? Really?"

She shrugged.

"Whatever."

Taking a deep breath to control his anger, Randhir placed a document in front of her.

"I called you because there's a new clause in my father's will."

Her playful expression disappeared.

"What clause?"

"I have to shift to Nainital and personally manage our first company branch."

"So?" she asked.

"What does that have to do with me?"

Randhir folded his arms.

"Listen first."

She nodded.

"The second will clearly states that I must live in my parents' first home."

He paused before continuing.

"And my wife has to live with me."

Sanyukta frowned.

"What?"

"It also mentions that she must assist me in the office, just like my mother worked alongside my father."

She immediately pushed the papers back.

"I'm not going."

"You have to."

"I said no."

"You signed the contract."

She looked at him angrily.

"You seriously expect me to leave everything and shift to another city?"

"You agreed not to violate the contract."

She sighed in frustration.

"Fine."

"When do we leave?"

"Day after tomorrow."

He slid an airline ticket across the table.

"Be at the airport by ten in the morning."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"And don't be late."

She rolled her eyes.

"No promises."

---

Two days later...

Randhir stood impatiently outside the departure gate.

His watch displayed 10:05.

Then 10:15.

Then 10:25.

He kept looking toward the entrance.

"Where is this girl?"

He muttered.

"She's the most irresponsible person I've ever met."

Just then, someone repeatedly waved a hand in front of his face.

He ignored it.

The next second—

STOMP!

"Ouch!"

Randhir jumped in pain as someone stepped hard on his foot.

Holding it, he glared at Sanyukta.

"What the—"

She crossed her arms innocently.

"You weren't paying attention."

"You could've just called my name!"

"I tried."

"You ignored me."

"So I chose another method."

Randhir looked at her in disbelief.

"Have you seen the time?"

Before he could continue, she interrupted.

"I'm here now."

"So let's go."

He muttered under his breath,

"How am I supposed to tolerate her for one whole year?"

Sanyukta smiled mischievously.

"The same way I'll tolerate you."

Randhir froze.

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

She laughed.

"Because I was thinking exactly the same thing."

Even Randhir couldn't stop the tiny smile threatening to appear.

He quickly hid it.

"Let's board."

---

The flight to Nainital was peaceful.

Neither of them spoke much.

Randhir buried himself in work files.

Sanyukta listened to music while looking out the window.

Although neither admitted it...

Both secretly wondered what this strange arrangement would bring.

---

A few hours later...

They finally reached Nainital.

Cool mountain air welcomed them.

Tall pine trees lined the roads.

The peaceful atmosphere was completely different from the noisy city they had left behind.

Their car finally stopped before an old colonial-style bungalow.

The house stood proudly among tall trees.

Although beautiful...

It clearly hadn't been lived in for years.

Dust covered the windows.

The garden had become wild.

Dry leaves lay everywhere.

Sanyukta slowly walked toward the entrance.

"It looks like no one has stayed here for a very long time."

Randhir unlocked the old wooden door.

"My parents lived here nearly thirty years ago."

The door creaked open.

A cloud of dust greeted them.

She coughed.

"Oh God..."

"There'll be a lot of cleaning."

Randhir looked around.

"The furniture is still here."

"Most of it can probably be restored."

Sanyukta rolled up her sleeves.

"Then let's start."

Randhir checked his watch.

"I can't."

"I have an urgent meeting at the office."

"I'll return in a few hours."

She nodded.

"I'll manage."

Before leaving, he looked back.

"You don't have to overwork yourself."

She smiled confidently.

"I've handled worse."

He quietly left.

---

The silence inside the bungalow felt strange.

Sanyukta looked around.

"So..."

She clapped her hands.

"Let's work."

She opened every window.

Fresh mountain air entered the house.

Dust flew everywhere.

She spent hours cleaning.

She swept every room.

Mopped the floors.

Removed old curtains.

Wiped furniture.

Even cleaned the kitchen.

By evening...

She was completely exhausted.

Her hands were dirty.

Her hair had escaped from its ponytail.

Her face was covered with dust.

But she smiled proudly.

"Much better."

---

Around sunset...

Randhir returned.

The moment he stepped inside, he stopped.

His eyes widened.

The house looked completely different.

The floors shone.

The furniture was neatly arranged.

The windows sparkled.

Fresh flowers stood inside an old vase.

Even the living room looked welcoming.

He looked at Sanyukta in surprise.

"You did all this?"

She nodded while drinking water.

"I cleaned everything."

"But..."

She pointed toward the ceiling.

"It still needs repairs."

"The roof leaks."

"The paint has faded."

"And several lights don't work."

Randhir slowly nodded.

"I'll arrange the repairs."

She stretched her aching arms.

"I'm starving."

"So am I."

"I'll go buy vegetables and groceries."

She smiled.

"Good."

After half an hour...

Randhir returned carrying several bags.

As he placed them on the kitchen counter, he looked at her.

"Can you cook?"

Sanyukta scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

"I..."

"Not really."

Randhir sighed dramatically.

"Wonderful."

"What?"

"I married someone who can't cook."

She glared at him.

"I can make tea."

"And instant noodles."

He laughed for the first time.

"Very impressive."

She picked up a cushion and threw it at him.

He caught it easily.

"Don't worry."

"I'll cook today."

"But from tomorrow..."

He pointed at her.

"You'll have to learn."

She pouted.

"What a sadu."

Randhir ignored the comment and entered the kitchen.

An hour later...

The aroma of simple homemade food filled the bungalow.

They quietly ate together.

Neither praised the food.

Neither complained.

But both secretly enjoyed the warm meal after the tiring day.

After dinner...

Sanyukta yawned.

"I'm exhausted."

Randhir nodded.

"There are two bedrooms."

"You take the one on the left."

"I'll stay in the other."

"Fine."

As they walked toward their rooms, both stopped outside their doors.

Neither looked at the other.

Yet both thought the same thing.

"Just one year."

"I only have to tolerate this impossible person for one year."

Little did they know...

Life had very different plans.

The old bungalow that had witnessed one love story decades ago...

Was about to witness another.

To Be Continued...

Precap: On their very first morning in Nainital, Randhir insists that Sanyukta accompany him to the office as his wife. Sanyukta has no idea that one unexpected meeting there will begin changing the equation between them forever.

Ignore mistakes