"I do not wish for too big nor too small. Just the right to feel human and be proud of that." Priyanka Kapoor, a 20 years-old lady, faced with a hard life after her father's death, is forced to venture into the worst career she could imagine – dancing in public pubs! With a dancing competition set in place, Priyanka sets her goal of winning to save her family's situation. When an unavoidable accident happens, causing her to miss her competition, Priyanka thinks all hope is lost. But, was it? Or was there more when a dashing stranger who ruined her chances reappears with a strange proposal? Karan, the arrogantly charismatic wealthy young man with a secretively messed up family, who has no regard for the lowborn, and is the eye of every young girl, finds himself marrying a girl from the SLUMS! What could be the main reason behind his proposal? And how did she end up as a Bargained Bride? ***** Excerpt. He brought his face so close to hers, that she thought for a moment, that theirs were going to meet. What was he doing? Who told him she was going to fall for this? "Do not be stubborn, Priyanka" "What do you say about my offer?" "For my brother's health, I will marry…" "Not so fast," a wicked smile appeared on his face. He placed his lips, right before her ears and said "nothing goes for free, here. I have my terms and conditions." "I will provide you with all the money, you need in this world" the Billionaire's voice rang in her ears. "Sign a contract with three rules and save your dear family." "What are these conditions?" "Firstly, you will be a mother to my daughter. Secondly, this marriage will be built on trust, not love. You are not allowed to love another man or woman." "Lastly, you can't divorce me. This marriage is forever and ever" his lips curved into a smile. It seemed he enjoyed tormenting her. "What about…Uhm…sex? Are we going to stay from…" "I never mentioned that, sweetheart. It is not part of the contract, because at the night we are husband and wife…we will teach each other, the wildest things in the world…" *********** Disclaimer: Book cover is not mine, credit goes to the creator. chat me on Discord: Ella_dominic#9871 For now, 14 Chapters/week with the bonus chapter only on weekends.
She sat down allowing Zara to decorate her face with the colors exhibited on the big box, she brought. They spent more than four hours with the makeup.
Priyanka was having her first makeup and she expected her friend to be quick with it but no!
"I can't believe it, you are going on your first date," Zara said, the sixth time. In her hand was a brush. She wiped off some of the powder and took a careful look at her. "Mashallah, you are looking so beautiful tonight."
Priyanka fake a brief smile and it disappeared as soon as it came. She was tired of listening to the same thing over and over again. "Are we not done yet?"
"No, dear" Zara rubbed the red lipstick on her lips, after wetting them with gloss. "I want you to look perfect on your first date."
"This is the seventh time, you are saying this today, Zara. By the way, this is not my first date. Do you remember?"
Zara rolled her eyes. The first date was with Atharva, the street thug. Nobody knew he was the one until the police arrested him at the dancing house "Do you call that one a date? Where did he take you to?" She asked, pointing the lipstick at her. "The bar which is two streets away from your house. Please don't make me laugh, my dear friend."
Priyanka did not think of it that way. She would have not regretted those moments if he was not a thug, but he was. She wasn't going to start a relationship with him at that time. Since Atharva was insisting, she decided to go out with him, thinking that he was a good boy.
"I thought he was a good person. I can't believe that I made such mistakes."
"Please don't ruin my hard work" Zara warned, after seeing the tears forming in her eyes. She pats her friend's back a little and continued "But you will smile forever now. The Lord has blessed your life with a precious gift. Karan will give you so much happiness, my love."
Priyanka wondered if this would be the case. She was tired of the disappointments in her life. It has worsened lately. Will Karan be the one to lighten her burden? Will he be the man to brighten those dark days in her life?
Will he be able to love her as she wants?
Many questions confronted her mind as she sat down in the room. Priyanka realized she has been strong for years but how long will it continue? She craved for someone to cry on his shoulders. That one person that would tell her not to worry because they going to solve each problem together.
"What are thinking?" Zara's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"I was thinking of what you said about Karan. He seemed so different today. But we are from different worlds and I think it was a mistake our paths collided" Priyanka shook and cleared her mind. "I will soon wake up from this dream."
Zara was upset. Why will her friend always be negative? It was true that life was hard and full of discomfort but better days were going to come.
The sun has finally settled on her roof and soon, she will be smiling. "If you say one negative word again, I will throw you into the trash can."
Priyanka turned around and asked bitterly "where are we living?"
Zara clapped her forehead before dropping the lipstick into the box. She took a look at the beautiful goddess. "I will use this makeup as a means to make money. Girl you look super hot already."
Priyanka sighed. Zara kept all the mirrors away from her. She promised to return them after she was done with the makeup "let's see your hard work."
She handed over the mirror and said 'The cute prince will be stunned when he set his eyes on you tonight, inshallah."
Priyanka's lips curled into a smile when she glared into the mirror. She was pleased with the face that was staring at her "I hope he likes it."
"He will" she assured, closing her eyes then she nodded. "I brought a red dress for you. Come on try it on dear. There is no time left."
Priyanka picked up the red dress on the bed and changed into it. Zara would always be her savior!
**
He lay on his bed wondering if he did the right thing or not. Koran has involved him in this mess and now, the poor girl thought he was in love with her.
Karan shrugged off the idea of feeling guilty. It was not his fault. She should be able to differentiate between their characters. They acted differently even though, they were twins.
It was 6:00 PM already and Koran was yet to be home. He went out with Grandma Gangaa, saying they would be back before nightfall.
Karan tossed on his bed thinking about Krishna. He had never drawn close to a kid until now. The boy was suffering from heart disease for years, but it was improper for him to get close to such people.
He did not like people, who were going to die soon from sickness, disease, or accident. If there was anything, he was scared of more than death then it was death!
Karan was afraid of losing people around him, that's why he chose not to love or bring any child into this world again.
The pain of seeing a beloved one wrapped up in a white cloth and burned to ashes drove him insane. His mind was not prepared to go through it.
The phone rang interrupting his thoughts. It was Koran, he could have guessed it.
"What's up, buddy?" Karan spoke when he pressed he received bottom.
"I'm in a mess, bro" Koran's voice sounded angry. "We are stuck in Goa. I wanted to take a flight but Grandmother refused me."
Karan sat up. He knew how these journies ended. Maybe the girl, who Koran was supposed to meet was yet to convince him "well, Goa is beautiful. I'm sure you will enjoy..."
He did not finish his statement before Koran cut him off "I don't care at all. Priyanka is waiting for me, did you forget?"
"Oh...I see. She will have to go home when you don't show up" He told him. "You will continue your love story when you come back from Goa."
"No, I don't want to disappoint her, big bro. She is a queen" Koran insisted.
"Fine, you can fly over to Dehli" he laughed. "Goodnight."
"Wait, don't end the call" his brother pleaded. "I-i...was... w-wondering if you can..."
Karan already knew how the sentence was going to end.
But he wasn't going to involve himself in their love story again. Today, Koran made him do all the craziest things in the world to please Priyanka. It won't happen again, not even for once. "Goodnight, bro. Enjoy your stay in Goa. Priyanka will figure it out later."
He ended the call and laid back on the bed. Why would one fall in love knowing fully well that they could not meet up with the numerous requirements of love?