"An Unconventional Commitment"

◍⁠•𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕•⁠◍

I was shocked when Anubhav said he wanted to talk to me. I wondered what he had to say. Did he want to end this fake marriage? Did he want to change the contract? Did he want to apologize for his rude behavior?

But as soon as we entered his room, he started accusing me of hurting Aarush. He said he heard him crying on the phone, and he thought I was taking revenge on him for forcing me into this marriage. He raised his voice and looked angry and suspicious.

I was hurt and offended by his accusations. How could he think that I would harm Aarush? I loved Aarush as if he was my own son. I had done everything to make him happy and comfortable. I had played with him, taught him, and cared for him. I had seen him grow and improve. I had heard him speak and laugh. I had felt his love and trust.

I tried to explain to Anubhav that he had misunderstood the situation. I told him that Aarush was hungry, and that was why he was crying. I told him that Aarush liked me, and that he could see for himself. I told him that I was not like him, who would do anything to get his way.

He finally realized that he was wrong. He apologized to me and looked ashamed and sorry. I just nodded and left the room. I didn't want to talk to him anymore. I didn't want to look at him anymore. I didn't want to feel anything for him anymore.

Outside the room, I asked myself, "Kya Mr Devil ne mujhse maafi mangi?"I answered myself, "Yes, yes, he did." I said to myself, "Mujhe to yakeen hi nahi ho raha, ye Mr Devil ko maafi maangna bhi aata hai?" I was surprised and confused. He had never apologized to me before. He had always been rude and arrogant to me. He had always made me feel worthless and miserable.

I went to Aarush's room and hugged him. He was my only source of happiness and hope in this house.

In the evening, Dadi called me downstairs. She said there were some guests who wanted to meet me. I quickly grabbed Aarush's hand and started moving downstairs carefully. I didn't want him to fall or get hurt. He was holding a toy car in his other hand. He loved cars and trucks. He always played with them and made noises.

As I was moving downstairs, I saw some new faces. They were staring at me with curiosity and surprise. They looked rich and elegant. They wore expensive clothes and jewelry. They had fair skin and light eyes. They spoke in English and Hindi. They were Anubhav's relatives.

I felt nervous and scared. I didn't know how to behave or what to say. I didn't know if they knew about the fake marriage or not. I didn't know if they would accept me or reject me. I didn't know if they would be nice to me or mean to me.

I quickly stood next to Dadi. She was the only person who was kind to me in this family. She was like a grandmother to me.

But Aarush left my hand and ran towards a man. He hugged him, The man hugged him back and said, "I missed you , champ." The man was Anubhav's Chacha. He was his dad's younger brother. He used to play with Anubhav when he was a kid. He had moved to London for his business. He visited once a year or on festivals.

Then Anubhav came and held my hand. He introduced me to his Chacha, Chachi, and cousins. He said, "Yeh Haseena hai, meri wife." He lied to them. He pretended to love me. He acted like a happy husband.

I was nervous and scared. I had to lie to them too. I had to pretend to love him too. I had to act like a happy wife and mother.

But then Chachi hugged me and said, "Ghabrao nahi, Mai Anubhav ki Chachi hoon aur tum mujhe maa maan sakti ho." Her words were like magic. They melted all my nervousness in seconds. She was a sweetheart. She made me feel welcome and comfortable. She made me feel part of the family. She made me feel happy.