Shreya--
After meeting tanmay that day. I began my own research on the topic. Well, I am familiar with contractual agreements at a professional level but marriage contract agreement is different.This isn't something I agree blindly. So I noted down my own points. Because It couldn't be only his terms, his Monopoly and his boundaries. I have life too. And our feelings are mutual for eachother.( we are good friends but nothing more than that. For now or any future) . Now, I also have my conditions to be included in that agreement. So the agreement will reflect conditions of both.
Actually after that day, I've been genuinely happy. It feels like I'm a bird finally allowed to fly into a clear, new sky. The feeling is exciting and unfamiliar, but freeing. I've never fallen into romantic love, so I don't know if love itself brings this kind of happiness. But these days, I wake up happy. I go to work with ease. I plan my future , especially my dream of escaping to Europe.
Even at the office, people ask me if something new has happened? I just smile. They'll know when it's time. Maybe this is what falling in love feels like , except I'm not in love with a person. I'm in love with my future freedom.
I love my family and friends deeply, but the feeling of self-growth is different. I've also given my parents clarity, I told them I'll give my final answer about Tanmay next week. I explained that I was unsure at first, but after meeting him again, things seem to be moving in a positive direction. That reassurance made everyone happy. A small success, but still a success.
Still, the real matter is between Tanmay and me alone.
I know one thing for sure that it won't be easy for me to shift from my home to sharing space with him. I've always been surrounded by care. Every morning, I leave with blessings like my mother packing my tiffin, my father reminding me to drive safely. They call me during the day for the smallest things like a parcel, a guest, a sudden craving (what to prepare in evening) . When I return home, there are cut fruits, folded clothes, no worries waiting for me.
Life with Tanmay will be different. Drastically different.
He seems friendly for a few hours, but living together would probably mean minimal interaction, maybe just hellos and goodbyes. He doesn't like talking much. He values peace, and for him, peace comes from silence. I wasn't expecting deep communication anyway, but I need to prepare myself mentally.
As long as I have my freedom, the freedom to grow, to aim higher, to succeed, I won't complain. If I struggle, Vaishali is there. Other friends are there. Tanmay and I will interfere in each other's lives as little as possible.
Yes. Everything will be fine.
At least, that's what I hoped, quietly, in my heart.
Tanmay asked me which city would be most suitable for me to move to. My current company has branches across India, but only in specific cities. Honestly, I'm not very particular about locations but what matters to me is gaining good experience wherever I live. Still, if I could work from the main branch in Mumbai, it would be incredibly beneficial for my career.
On this point, Tanmay and I are on the same page. He plans to start his startup with his partners, and the entire setup and operations will be based in Mumbai. I will find good academy there to play badminton on weekends. Everything can be fixed, so that alignment feels reassuring. And the cherry on top my bff Vaishali lives in Pune. I can visit her anytime. It feels like I've suddenly been given a new direction in life. Maybe it's the result of good karma so far. Whatever it is, it feels right.
Now, I'm ready to meet Mr. Partner T on weekends.
Tanmay --
After barely four hours of sleep, I finally woke up. Tired, of course, but that's become normal now.
Before leaving for the office, I told my mom about yesterday's meeting with Shreya. I told her that by this weekend, we would both give our final answer, and only then could they proceed with anything related to marriage.
My mother didn't believe me at first.
Mom: Shreya? Our Shreya?
Tanmay: What do you mean by our Shreya, Mom? She was just a family friend. Whether she becomes ours or not will be clear this weekend.
My mother hugged me tightly.
Mom: Oh my God, Tanmay. This is such good news. Let me call Meena right now.
Tanmay: ohh...Mom, please. Call Shreya's mother only after everything is finalized. No extra excitement yet.
She covered her mouth with her hand and smiled.
Mom: As you say, our Dulhe Raja.
Then she started humming that old Dulhe Raja song and walked inside to share the news with Papa.
I stood there, slightly amused, slightly overwhelmed. It felt like they had been waiting forever for my marriage. For the past few months, I had seen their happiness fade as they watched me struggle. Maybe this brought them some relief.
As for me, I wasn't particularly happy or excited.
Somewhere inside, I had already decided to remain neutral in life. I had lost the one thing I cherished the most, and there was nothing left to romanticize. But survival doesn't wait for emotions.
So I chose focus.
My startup is my new agenda,new direction, and now only priority.
----On that weekend ----
Tanmay--
We met. We played a game. And now we were sitting down for lunch.
She offered me her folder.
Shreya - This is small gift for you Partner T.
I looked at her. My brows knitted together in confusion. A Gift? ...I mean are we here for gifts...
Tanmay - A gift ? Partner T?
(I opened it. Shreya is smart, for bringing in her own points that needed to be added to the agreement. I liked that. This couldn't be just my terms, my boundaries. It had to be balanced.
I smiled as I also handed her the hard copies of my notes.)
Tanmay: I think your answer is already clear. You've agreed to this. I thought you might need more time. Ok then Patner S.
(She lifted her chin slightly, proud.)
Shreya: I understand one thing, sometimes it's better to choose unconventional routes than follow the typical, expected path.
Tanmay: Oho, one liners. You seem in good spirits today. Happier than the last time we met.
Shreya: I am. I actually feel good about this situation.
(She smiled. I paused for a moment. In real nowadays, I don't like when people are too happy. Sometimes I think they lack of reality. So I decided to clarify to her.)
Tanmay: You know… this may look like marrying someone you love, but it's quite the opposite. I hope you're not under any illusion that things might change emotionally, or that this arrangement will turn into something else.
(She frowned, squeezed her eyes slightly, gesturing with her hands 'what exactly are you trying to say?' Like she's upset with my self centred answer)
Shreya: If there's even a 0.0000001% chance that things won't go as planned, then I'm out. What's the point of all these discussions otherwise? You can't change your stance midway, Tanmay. Are you ?
(I laughed softly. I admired her clarity, that unapologetic firmness. Maybe that's why I trusted her enough to make this proposal in the first place. Even after all these years, she remained principled and honest. Unlike the someone in my past. Oh I didn't want to remember.)
Tanmay: I'm just confirming. I can't handle drama anymore. I want peace, not headaches. I just want to live.
Shreya: As long as you're not intrusive or bothersome, I'll stay in my own bubble. Follow the agreement. If you don't, I won't assure your safety. And if I decide to walk away, no one gets to stop me. I need clarity on that.
Tanmay: That's fair. Once we agree on all points, we'll involve Nilay for the official drafting. He suggested it himself. There should be a clear breach clause , including financial terms. Otherwise, the agreement carries no weight. So, If at any point either of us feels suppressed or our rights are violated, we end this calmly. No chaos. If not handled properly, it proceeds legally, like a divorce.
Shreya: Sounds reasonable. But what if I need to add clauses later? We don't know each other on a personal level. And what if, mutually, we want to revise or remove something in the future?
(That is Shreya, always logical. Always precise.)
Tanmay: Anything is possible with mutual consent, as long as it doesn't harm either of us. So, should we summarise everything now, or read and respond later?
(She gave me a look — seriously? like she's bored of me)
Tanmay: Don't make that face. Just say yes or no.
Shreya: Obviously, we'll read everything on our own and then respond. This is professional. You don't sign documents without reading them, do you? That's… irresponsible.
Tanmay: I was just checking, will you really read or just sign like politicians before elections and then forget all promises.
Shreya: Don't worry. You won't face problems from my side in this arrangement.
(I looked at her, half-amused, half-suspicious.)
Tanmay: Are you implying I'm the problem?
Shreya: I'm not saying anything. Just being clear. Even if you find someone suitable in between and want to be with them, that's your choice. I don't care. But until I decide to exit this arrangement, you can't burden me with affairs or make anything public. My family shouldn't suffer because of your actions. I need stability, especially until I sort out my Europe plans.
(Now I understood why we were having this conversation.
We wanted the same thing.)
Tanmay: That won't happen. Even if there's a possibility, I'll wait for you to end this first. No force. No pressure. Only You get to decide.
Shreya- You sometimes looks like promising gentleman. But in real you're just a heartbroken lover. Who now got self awareness. Respect.
( She salutes me, and She teased, I smiled. I really don't mind her, but I saw it then, trust. Quiet faith in her eyes. For someone who had once been just a childhood friend, this felt strangely profound.
Then She smiled and extended her hand.)
Shreya: Alright, Partner T. Best wishes for new beginnings.
She lifted her lemonade.
I clinked my soda glass against it and shook her hand.
Tanmay: Ok Partner S, Cheers — to peaceful, unconventional, and hopefully successful beginnings.
Shreya- Don't bore me with high-fi words. Did you notice our short form PS and PT...
Tanmay - I prefer normal. Don't Use short form.
Shreya - As yours is funny....PT...
Tanmay- Shreya... Don't...I have name use that...
Shreya- ohk fine... whatever you say... future temporary husband...
( I laughed... )
Tanmay- Don't say loudly... already breaching confidentiality even before contract made...
Shreya: ...hahah...
Later that day, we informed our families. we were ready for marriage. As soon as possible within 3 months.