Author's pov:

Ma...
M..mu..mumma.
He cried. He knocked on the door loud and loud with all the strength he had. He screamed. In the dark room with no light,no window it was just him crying for help. Crying for his mumma.
Mumma,. please...while sobbing he again screamed on the top of his lungs mumma I am.here mumma..he slamped the door with  his hands. His hands were paining his throat was drying,he was sweating, the darkness of the room was inhaling him in it. He again screamed mumma...mumma....thap..the knocking sounds increased his heartbeats. His breathing became uneven. He..he was drowing in daziness and then suddenly

He woke up. His forehead was covered in sweat. He was still believing that he was caged in that dream. Even after so many years it still haunts him. He rubbed his hands on his face and removed the sweat bands. He then looked to his surroundings and sighed that fortunately it was a dream.

Ishaan's pov:

I looked at the left to check the time and I realised it's past midnight. I am sure that I am not getting any sleep after this nightmare. I looked to my right and saw her sleeping peacefully behind the barriers of the pillows. A smile unknowingly formed on my face as I saw her lying comfortably on her side of the bed. She was lying on her stomach with her one leg  and one arm stretched off the quilt. Her right side of the face was visible to me which was slightly covered with the loose strands of hair.

I don't know why but I had the urge to remove these strands from her face. I leaned in and slowly reached to tuck those hair behind her ears. I wanted to pull back but I found myself admiring her. I was lying on my side with my front facing her and my hand supporting my face while I just looked at her. I smiled at her as I remembered the past week we spent as husband-wife.

"Gujrati gadhedi, she still thinks that I married her for the deal." I thought to myself and shook my head. But what will happen when she would get to know the real reason about our marriage. I know it will hurt you a lot but I did what I thought was right at that time..I know I don't have the right to make decisions for you but I promise that I would let you feel uncomfortable beside me and I would never let anyone hurt you, not even your father because I know what being abandoned feels.

My trail of thoughts was broken when I sensed her moving. I immediately layed to my side and covered myself with the comforter.
.
.
Sleep was far away from me I just twisted on my side of the bed and tried my best to not awake her as I can't deal with another day of perfume filled clothes. She thinks that I don't notice her efforts to make me realise how wrong I did by marrying her. In this whole week I have known her a little maybe a lot.

I have written everything small details in my diary from the day one. Yes, I write daily diary. From that perfume mishapenning to my food getting extra salty I have  scribbled her every act in my diary. I didn't write it for revenge but it's just that I like her trials to make me feel annoyed.Moreover, every time she tried to get on my nerves i didn't reacted but teased her instead. But wait why am I even thinking of her? She is nothing but my contracted wife. She will leave after this one year stop thinking about her.Ishaan get yourself together...
...
Morning

Noor's pov:

Beep beep

I groaned in sleep and lazily turned off the alarm and then I woke up. I sat on the bed and stretched my arms to relax myself. I looked around and luckily he was not in the sight. Then I checked time and realised that it was too early for him to leave for his office. Uh! But who cares jaha marzi jaye meri bala se. With that I stepped off the bed and made my way to the bathroom. I freshen up ,did my skincare and ofcourse selected an outfit for today. After one hour of imagining myself in different attires i finally decided to go with a red kurta having a hand embroidered pattern on its  front pairing it with  straight light blue denim. After that , i returned to the dresser and applied kajal in my eyes , placed an almost diminished bindi between my brows and after clutching my hair in a bun with a middle partition to fill it up with vermillion I completed my minimal look by painting my lips in a shade of nude brown lipstick.

After getting myself done with everything I glanced myself in the mirror and smiled to myself.
"Perfect" life chaye jitni bhi kharab chal rahi ho atleast I look good.

I took my necessary things and packed my tote bag to leave for my boutique. My bag is not just a bag it's my saviour in the time of needs. I have kept every possible thing that I might need in future with me. I have a sewing thread and needle with me, a pepper spray, my claw clip, bandage and the list goes on.

After packing everything I again checked around if I had forgotten anything but when I was relieved that everything is in place I left the room and made my way to meet dadi and dadu.
Dadu wasn't present here a week ago because he was on a trip with his friends and he only returned two days ago.

I made my way to their room and knocked on the door.

"Aa jaiye" I heard dadi's voice from the other side and then I made my way inside the room.

Dadi was checking for something in her wardrobe while dadu was reading the newspaper with his glasses on his nose.

They both smiled towards me and I bowed to them to seek their blessings.

"Kaha ja rahi ho beta?"

"Dadu, I am going to boutique for some important work I'll return in an hour."

"Theek hai beta but tumhe yaad haina aaj reception hai tumhari aur ishaan ki?" Dadi asked.

"Hanji dadi, mujhe yaad hai."

"Okay then go and come soon I have something for my beautiful daughter in law."

I smiled and nodded to her then I made my way to my boutique.
On reaching my workplace I first prayed to God and then after wearing my spectacles I started working on my project. I have been designing clothes for the upcoming fashion week in Paris. It was my dream to showcase my designs on the most honoured platform and luckily I got my chance this year. I have been working on a design for past one year but still I am not satisfied with it. I don't know but I feel there is something missing in it. I am trying to figure out by adding new-new details to it and I think I am close to finish it. I have prepared my other designs too. I want my clothing to be sophisticated and elegant. My designs will represent the decency with a hint of modernity. I just hope my ideas shine out there. If everything goes as I planned it to be then no one would be happiest than me. After working on it I checked for the orders and sania, my assistant told me about the new clients and their requirements with the designs I made.

I was so engrossed in my work that I don't even know for who long i have been working.
"Oh god" I suddenly remembered about the reception and quickly checked the wall clock and guess what I was doomed. Dadi specially told me to be on time and  I haven't even left from here. I removed my spectacles and packed my belongings to take a quick leave to the mansion.
.
.
.
On reaching the mansion I checked my phone and sighed in relief. I kept my bag in his room and before I could go to dadi's room she came here.
She smiled at me and I did the same.

"Sorry dadi main kam karte karte bhul hi gayi time dekhna"I said.

"Koi ni bachcha tum waqt se pehle aa toh gayi na"
dadi replied to me.

How can someone be so perfect?
She didn't even scolded me nor did she once yelled at me for my mistakes in this past one week. My eyes were filled with unshed tears at her  homely behaviour and I embraced in a hug.

"I love you, dadi."

"I love you too, my noor."

"I smiled in her arms and then I pulled back."

"Aaiye na baithiye"

"Na putar mainu hor wi taiyariya wekhni aa. Mai bs tenu ae saree te jewellery den vaste aai si. I selected these for you for today's function."

(No child, i have to look after other preparations too. I just came to give you the saree and jewellery I selected for you for today's function)

I looked at the things she brought for me and nodded to her. She then cupped my cheeks from one hand and said " come to the hotel with Ishaan we will be waiting for you."

"Hanji, dadi." I said and nodded to her statement.

As dadi left and I locked the door and jumped to the bed. I relaxed for five minutes and then got up to get ready for the fake reception.

"Hē bhagavāna, ā karārabad'dha lagna māṭē mārē bījuṁ śuṁ karavuṁ paḍaśe?" Saying this I sighed.

(Oh god what more will I have to do for this contracted marriage?)

First, I looked towards the saree that dadi got for me. it.was.beautiful.extremely beautiful.

A plain velvet saree of the prettiest shade of dark blue with a minimalist border design. A broad v-neck blouse having forearms of the sleeves embroidered with white and silver designs matched with the border embroidery of the saree.

(A/n:- Pardon, didn't explained the details well)

I quickly wore the blouse and did my make-up.

Blush check.

Highlighter check.

Eye shadow check.

Kajal and eye liner check.

And finally lipstick check..

I require a second step verification for everything because I can't risk forgetting and getting embarassed. Though, I do manage to get second hand embarrassment anyhow..

Then I went to drape the saree. I was so confident that I know how to wear a saree after watching the YouTube tutorial for two times. But can I get ready without any problem?
Ofcourse Not.
I groaned and I know I will figure it out but how thinking this I was about to cry when I remembered that I have make-up on and I can't afford to ruin it.

Okay, noor don't cry. Don't.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

I  relaxed myself but I will burst anytime due to the anger brewing in me.

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door and my attention shifted to it.

In an irritated tone I asked "kon hai?"

"Tumhara pati."
For once, the pleats of saree that I was trying to figure out slip down my hands and my cheeks were slight red.

"Correction. Contracted pati." I yelled in anger and gripped the pleats again. I managed to cover myself through it and opened the door for my ek sal ke patidev ji.

I forced a smile and gestured him to enter inside the room.

I looked at me from tie to head and then he noticed the saree I tangled myself in.

"Need help?"He asked.

"I will manage." I said again forcing a smile. Internally my mind was screaming to say yes but I will accept not going to my own wedding reception then asking for help from my husband.contracted husband.

"Okay, as you say." He replied and went to the wardrobe.

He didn't even bother to ask again.Akdu janwar, for a reason.

He came out dressed in a navy blue coat-pant with a white fitted shirt as base,hugging his torso well while first two buttons of his shirt were open giving a slight view of his perfectly carved chest.
I can't deny he got his best inherited traits. His long lashes, clean shaved and those spectacles, nerdy but..umm.. WTH why am I even checking him out and judging his looks. Unknowingly my gaze went to his lips and he smirked.

He rested his hands in his pockets and took steps towards me. I quickly averted my gaze and started focusing on my saree's pleats.
I sensed him near me, i felt like my heart will explode anytime. I turned around and he was standing beside me. He came closer and then I don't know why but I backed off. He leaned towards me and I was taking steps backwards until my back collided with the dresser. He leaned further and then he forwarded his hand and picked a comb from the dresser.
He mischievously smiled and I angrily eyed him.

I ignored him and maintained my focus on task at hand.He stepped backwards, maintaing a distance between us.

I sighed in irritation and then the sight before me made me flabbergastered. He. Akdu janwar..I mean the great Ishaan Singh Shekhawat knelt before me and he without a word he started helping me with the pleats.

He didn't touch me inappropriately and did not even look at my bare waist accusingly he just helped me and made me hold the pleats after he was done and said "meri help lene se tumhe debt ka amount zayada pay nahi karna padega. Understood Mrs. Shekhawat?"

I nodded. No doubt I was impressed by his behaviour but wait I can't express this out loud. What if he is pretending what he isn't.

And then, he left. I checked myself in the mirror and fixed the pallu of my saree. I made a quick hairstyle wore the diamond jewellery set which dadi brought up along with saree.

                              Her Jewellery Set.                 

                   (Image source: Pinterest)

After a silent drive we finally reached the venue and as per dadi's instructions about the do's and don'ts we entered the hotel together. My arm was interlocked with his and we both didn't failed to plaster a fake smile on our faces. We looked at each other for once and then we together made our way to the stage.

Dadi and dadu stood side by side their eyes moistened with tears of happiness. Dadu proudly looked at us while dadi made hand gestures to remove evil eyes from us.

"Sir, mam please look here." A photographer asked us to look in his direction and we did.

He asked us to change the pose and stay a little closer. So, he moved closer to me and while his hand rested on my waist. He didn't touched my bare waist he had used my saree's pallu as a barrier between his hand and my waist.
Is he for real? I think I misunderstood him, he is not like the guys who only lust over someone's body. He is.. He is different. In this whole week not even once his actions his stare made me feel uncomfortable.

My thoughts were interrupted my his whispering in my ears.

"Where are you lost? Reporters are asking you something."

His whisper ran a shiver down my spine and I tried to focus on what that journalist asked to me.
"Sorry can you repeat your question?"

"Mam for how long do you know each other? How did he fall for you?"

Another reporter joined in" do your father know about this wedding?"

Another question" mam did you really married your father's business rival?"

One more"is it really love or are you being forced in it?"

Another" did you really marry him for love or"

Too many questions about my father, my identity, my decisions just made me numb for a while. I felt my knees weekning. I tried to respond to their questions but was I able to? I have been afraid to take a stand for myself but now why can't I even respond to what they are saying. Questions on questions and their list went on. I shutted my eyes and felt dizziness in my body. I stumbled but before I could feel the Earth beneath me he held me by my arms.

"Enough, you aren't permitted to ask your ridiculous questions to my wife." Ishaan shouted to them.
"You may all leave we won't answer any question of yours." He added.

I stabilized myself and looked towards him.
For the first time, I admired him truly. In this whole week for the first time I felt that my taqdeer,my destiny has taken me to the right place.