Anvesha hadn't slept all night. Arnab's words kept coming to her mind. "You were bought. In exchange for a contract."
Was it true? Did Ayaan see her as just a purchased woman? A commodity obtained through contract?
In the morning, Anvesha came out of her room. Saw Ayaan standing on the balcony. Tea in hand. Staring into the distance.
Anvesha approached. Ayaan turned to look. Fatigue in his eyes.
"Didn't sleep at night?"
Anvesha shook her head. "No. And you?"
"Me neither."
Both silent. After a while, Ayaan started speaking.
"Some of what Arnab said is true."
Anvesha was startled. Her eyes widened.
"My marriage was fixed with another girl. Father had arranged it before he died. But... that girl didn't want me. She liked someone else. She ran away with her lover before the wedding."
Ayaan paused. Anvesha listened silently.
"Everyone mocked me. Said—Ayaan isn't destined to marry. But I needed a marriage. For business interests. To establish myself in society's eyes."
Ayaan looked at Anvesha. "That's when I learned about your father's debt. I took you... married you. But do you know why?"
Anvesha shook her head. "I don't know."
"Because I saw something in your eyes. Strength. Courage. I didn't know you read tarot, see the future—but looking at you, I felt—this girl is different."
Anvesha was surprised. Had Ayaan thought so much about her?
"Am I just a contract?" Anvesha asked.
Ayaan came closer. Very close. For the first time, this close.
"The beginning was a contract. But now... I don't know. When you said you saw me dying, that day I first understood—I don't want to die. Not just for business. But for you too."
Anvesha's eyes welled up.
"Can we really change what you saw?"
Ayaan held Anvesha's hand and said, "How will we know without trying?"
---
Suddenly noise from downstairs. Shouting. Ayaan and Anvesha quickly went down. Saw—Arnab had returned! And with him, several others.
"Brother, I've returned. And not alone," Arnab smiled, "These are my friends. Want to be business partners."
Ayaan stepped forward. "Didn't I tell you? Leave the house."
Arnab smiled. "House? This isn't just your house, brother. This is our family property. I have rights too."
Fire in Ayaan's eyes. "Rights? After father died, you left the business. Now you return talking about rights?"
Arnab came closer. Very close to Ayaan. Whispered, "I know what you're hiding, brother. The real reason for father's death. I've found out everything."
Ayaan froze. The blood drained from his face. Anvesha watched everything. Didn't understand what was happening.
Arnab left. His friends left too. But left behind a bomb—of suspicion, of fear.
Ayaan sat down on a chair. Covered his face with his hands.
Anvesha went near. Stood beside Ayaan. Said nothing. Just placed her hand on Ayaan's shoulder.
Ayaan looked up. For the first time, tears were visible in his eyes.
"Not everything he said is true. But there are things... I've never told anyone. Ever."
Anvesha listened silently.
"My father... didn't commit suicide. They were told it was suicide. But actually..."
Ayaan stopped. In a trembling voice, he said, "Actually, someone killed him. And I know who."
Anvesha was startled. "Who?"
Ayaan looked at Anvesha. Pain in his eyes. "Arnab's father. My uncle."
Anvesha's head was spinning. Didn't know what to say.
Ayaan spoke again, "But no evidence. No proof. So I've kept quiet. All these years."
Anvesha held Ayaan's hand. "You're not alone now. I'm with you."
Ayaan looked at Anvesha in surprise. This girl—married by contract, who fears seeing the future—she stood by his side today.
"Do you trust me?" Ayaan asked.
Anvesha smiled softly. "Do you trust me?"
Both silent. Then a smile appeared on both their lips. For the first time, the feeling of truly being together.