Title: A Contract Written by Fate
Page 1
Priti never believed in love stories.
For her, life was practical, structured, and predictable.
At twenty-four, she was focused on building her career and helping her family. Love, romance, and dreamy relationships were things she watched in movies—never something she imagined for herself.
But life had a strange way of changing plans.
One evening, her father sat quietly at the dining table, worry clearly visible on his face.
"Priti," he said slowly, "there's a proposal… but it's not a normal one."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
"It's a contract marriage."
Her heart skipped.
"A business family needs a temporary marriage arrangement… and they chose you."
Priti laughed nervously.
"Marriage… on a contract?"
She had no idea that this strange proposal would lead her to the most unexpected love of her life.
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Page 2
Raj Malhotra was everything Priti disliked.
Rich. Confident. Calm to the point of arrogance.
When they first met in his office, he looked at her with calm curiosity.
"So… you're Priti."
"And you're Raj," she replied coldly.
The lawyer sitting beside them placed a document on the table.
"Terms of the contract," he explained.
1. The marriage will last one year.
2. They must live together publicly as husband and wife.
3. No emotional expectations.
4. After one year, they can separate peacefully.
Priti looked up at Raj.
"You're okay marrying a stranger?"
Raj shrugged slightly.
"It's only a contract."
Something about his calm voice irritated her.
But she signed the papers.
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Page 3
The wedding was quiet and simple.
No grand celebrations. No emotional vows.
Just signatures, rituals, and polite smiles.
When they arrived at Raj's house that night, silence filled the room.
Priti stood near the window, arms crossed.
"This is weird," she muttered.
Raj chuckled softly.
"Relax. I'm not expecting anything from you."
She turned sharply.
"Good. Because I'm not here for romance."
"Neither am I."
But something in his eyes suggested he wasn't completely honest.
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Page 4
Living together was harder than they expected.
Raj woke up early every morning and made coffee.
Priti worked late and filled the house with music.
They argued about everything.
The air conditioner temperature.
Kitchen rules.
Even which side of the couch belonged to whom.
One evening, after a long argument, Raj suddenly laughed.
Priti looked confused.
"What's funny?"
"You," he said.
"What?!"
"You fight like a storm… but five minutes later you're feeding the stray cats outside."
She tried to hide her smile.
For the first time, their house didn't feel so cold.
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Page 5
Slowly, small moments began changing everything.
Raj started bringing her favorite chocolate without telling her.
Priti started waiting for him during dinner.
One rainy night, the electricity suddenly went out.
The house was dark.
Priti hated darkness.
Without thinking, she moved closer to Raj.
"Are you scared?" he asked softly.
"No," she replied quickly.
Thunder crashed outside.
Instinctively, she grabbed his arm.
Raj didn't move.
Instead, he whispered gently, "It's okay… I'm here."
And strangely… she felt safe.
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Page 6
Weeks turned into months.
Their arguments became playful teasing.
Their silence became comfortable.
One evening, they attended a business party together.
Priti wore a deep blue dress.
When she walked down the stairs, Raj looked at her in complete silence.
"What?" she asked nervously.
"You look…" he paused.
"…beautiful."
Her heart beat faster.
For the first time, their "contract marriage" didn't feel like a contract anymore.
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Page 7
But love is never simple.
One day, while organizing documents, Priti found the contract papers again.
Only three months remained.
Her chest tightened.
Was everything between them fake?
Just a temporary arrangement?
That night she asked Raj quietly,
"When the contract ends… what happens?"
Raj didn't answer immediately.
"We move on," he said finally.
His words felt like a knife.
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Page 8
After that day, Priti became distant.
Raj noticed.
"You're avoiding me," he said one night.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion.
"Because this is temporary, Raj! This… us… it's all temporary."
Silence filled the room.
Raj stepped closer.
"What if it isn't?"
Her breath caught.
"What do you mean?"
Raj looked straight into her eyes.
"I stopped seeing this as a contract months ago."
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Page 9
Priti's heart raced.
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
Raj smiled softly.
"Because you signed the contract with clear rules."
"And you always follow rules," she whispered.
He stepped even closer.
"Not when it comes to you."
The space between them felt electric.
All the unspoken emotions finally surfaced.
"Priti," he said gently, "I think I fell in love with you somewhere between our arguments and midnight coffees."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I think… I did too."
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Page 10
The final day of the contract arrived.
They sat across from each other at the same table where everything had started.
The lawyer placed the documents in front of them.
"You may sign here to officially end the contract."
Raj picked up the pen.
But instead of signing, he pushed the paper aside.
"I don't want to end it."
Priti looked at him, surprised.
"I want a real marriage," he continued softly.
"No contract. No rules."
"Just us."
Her eyes filled with tears, but this time they were happy tears.
She smiled.
"Yes."
Sometimes, the strongest love stories don't begin with promises.
They begin with a simple contract… that fate slowly turns into forever.