Contract
The weekend has arrived a little too early. It was a beautiful day in Mumbai. A soft breeze was flowing, there was misty rainfall which was like a fog enveloping the environment. One person didn't care about the weather and was sleeping lazily. The knock on the door awakened him.
"Come in" he lazily shouted.
"Good Morning Viren Sir. Sir is waiting for you for breakfast". One of the staff informed him.
" Ok, tell him I am coming".
After refreshing himself, he went downstairs to have breakfast.
"Dad, I want to get married".
Rai Bahadur was dumbfounded upon hearing this. He was so stunned that he was unable to utter even a single word.
" Dad, please speak something. If you don't want to, then I can drop the idea."
"Nooooooo, a big no. I want you to get married soon. Have you found someone special?"
"No, I haven't found anyone, that is supposed to be done by you. I will get married on my terms and conditions."
"Viren, do you know what you are saying? You are getting married and not signing a business deal".
“Everything is a business deal, Dad. Times have changed.”
“What are your conditions”?
"I will let you know in a day or two. Let me first finalize the details."
"For once don't be rational and think with a clear mind and don't let your past cloud your present".
"Dad, what the hell, I'm not a child anymore".He pushed the chair harshly which fell with a thud, and with large steps, he went away.
Viren pov
I was in such a good mood. Getting married was never my intention, I decided to get married just because of my father. He thinks marriage is not a deal but I will prove him wrong. In this world, everything is a deal and everything can be bought. One has to make moves tactfully.
In the evening Viren went to Viraj's place, to meet his two best friends, Viraj and his wife Ankita, and his six-month-old daughter. He was welcomed by Ankita.
" Aha! so finally you got time to meet your old friends."
"No need to be sarcastic. Where is my little angel?"
" She is sleeping. She is a bit cranky as she got vaccinated "
" Mighty Mr. Viren came to visit me. What should I do to honor the mighty king".
All of them started laughing at Viraj's mimicking.
"I need your advice on some matters related to me."
" Speak up fast or I will have a heart attack. " Viraj said while putting his hand on his chest.
"Stop your childish tactics."
Ankita had brought coffee for the three of them. They started chit-chatting like that at first. After some time Viren started telling them about his plans and everything.
"Have you gone mad? Not a single girl would agree to marry you." Ankita was sitting with a shocked look.
"What the hell? I know you don't believe in love or marriage but this is no way to treat a woman. I will not cooperate with you."
"Please for once try to understand me. I can't rely on anyone else."
"Ok, what do you want us to do."
"Ankita will convince dad and you will get a draft of all the terms and conditions, I want to show it to dad tomorrow. Now I have come to have dinner. I'm famished"
" Dinner is ready."Maya the house help declared.
"Ankita, tell me how do you bear this hot-headed person".?Viren jokingly said.
" What, are you a dickhead.?"Viraj retaliated on Viren.
"Please stop it. You both are fighting like toddlers."
Maya brought their daughter Anika, who was now awake and in a playful mood. They all played with her for some time and then subsequently, Viren bid them bye and thought about how to convince his father.
The following morning, the table was set for breakfasts, and the father and son were silent. The tension in the air was so thick that it can not be cut with a knife. Viren was thinking about how to tell his father his condition, without putting more strain on the already tense situation.
"Dad, I want to tell you about the condition of my marriage. You have to promise me you won't get angry and listen to me "
Rai Bahadur nodded in approval.
" My marriage contract will last for a year. If during that period my wife can incite some feelings in me and if I'm satisfied with the marriage, then I will continue or else annual it. No strings attached type."
"Have you gone mad or something.No sane girl will give consent for such a marriage?"
"These things are very common these days. In NYC any girl would be ready to do this if I give her a luxurious life and a huge sum after the annulment."
"Son, this is not NYC. This is India where marriage is considered quite sacred. Here marriage is considered a lifetime bond."
" If you find a girl who fulfills my contract, I will marry, else I will remain unmarried ".
Stomping his feet he goes out and Rai Bahadur facepalms himself, flaring with rage. Tears of helplessness brim from his eyes. He stands in front of his wife's picture.
Rai Bahadur pov
What wrong did I do to deserve this? Were there any flaws in my upbringing? Today I have let you down, you had given his responsibility to me but what did I do? Sending him to NYC was my biggest mistake. He adopted the western culture and forgot his own.
With teary eyes, he went to his room. The feeling of helplessness was tormenting him. Where will he find a girl who will marry for a year and leave him if he is not satisfied?
His chest was constricting, he was breathless, he was feeling all walls were closing and he was suffocating.
" O ! God, I'm having a panic attack. Where is my medicine?"
Quickly he searched for his medicine and gulped it. Immediately his nerves decompressed and he fell asleep.