chapter 5: A crossroad

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A Morning of Unwelcome Conversations

The morning sun streamed through the window as Kyara rubbed her eyes, stretching lazily. She blinked, still groggy, and turned to see her mother sitting beside her on the bed.

"Mom? Morning. Why are you up so early?"

Her mother smiled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Kyara's face. "I want to talk about something important." She paused. "Beta, you met Niki. How is he?"

Kyara tensed. A part of her wanted to resist, to push back against this whole conversation. But her mother's gentle tone made it impossible. She couldn't upset her—not so early in the morning.

Her lips curled into a sleepy pout as she closed her eyes again. "He's… he's fine. But—"

"No buts, beta," her mother interrupted. "I'm doing this for you. I don't want to see you struggling—studying and working, stuck in a messy situation. And even after all that, it's still not enough."

She hesitated before adding, "Your father took a loan to open his private clinic."

Kyara's eyes snapped open. "The clinic was from loan money? And no one thought to inform me?"

Her mother sighed. "We didn't want you to worry. And… Niki's father, Mr. Rishant, helped your father a lot."

Kyara exhaled sharply. The weight of the conversation pressed on her chest, but she forced herself to push it aside.

"I know, Mom. I think I'm getting late for college."

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The Unwanted Wedding Planner – Rohan's Visit

Meanwhile, at Niki's apartment, he was preparing breakfast when the doorbell rang. He sighed, knife in hand, and walked over to open it.

The moment the door swung open, Rohan's grinning face greeted him.

"Morning! Bless your eyes with this fac—"

Rohan stopped mid-sentence, his gaze dropping to the knife in Niki's hand. His mouth fell open, and in the next second, he snatched the knife away, his entire body tensing.

"Yeah, dumbo, who the hell opens the door holding a knife?!"

Before Niki could respond, Rohan started smacking him.

"Hey! Hey! Stop! Stopp!" Niki dodged his attacks. "I'm not suicidal—yet! I was cooking breakfast!"

Rohan paused, blinking. Then he laughed, embarrassed, and stepped inside. "I knew that. I was kidding."

"Of course, you weren't," Niki muttered, rolling his eyes. "You were actually concerned."

After a few more rounds of bickering, they sat at the table for breakfast.

Rohan leaned forward. "So, have you asked Kyara about what you were thinking?"

Niki shook his head. "No, but we're meeting tomorrow. I'll talk to her then." He hesitated. "I didn't tell her yet… and I'm not a hundred percent sure myself."

Rohan's usual playful expression turned serious. "Think properly, okay? Don't rush things."

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Eavesdropping Gone Wrong – Niki's Father's Real Plan

At the hospital, Niki went about his work like usual, but his mind was somewhere else.

He was about to enter his father's office when he spotted him speaking with a professor in the corridor. Niki took a few steps back, considering.

Should I eavesdrop?

A slow smirk spread across his face. Why not?

He moved closer, just enough to hear.

"I heard you're planning Niki's wedding," the professor said.

His father sighed. "Yeah, but I'm still not confident. You know how today's youth are about marriage."

The professor chuckled. "So, is he going to enter the board meeting this year?"

His father shook his head. "No. Actually, he wants a break, which I can't understand. Why? Work—he barely takes it seriously. He just won't get a break just because he's lazy. If he's not focused on his career, then at least let him get married. That way, he'll have responsibility worth calling a break."

"Today's kids are just like that," the professor replied.

Niki inhaled sharply. His fingers curled into fists at his sides.

I already knew this. But hearing it from my father?

A sarcastic laugh slipped past his lips. Nearby, a nurse looked at him strangely. He didn't care.

"I just wanna exit this life like a game."

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The Reality Check – Kyara's Family Struggles

Back at home, after college, Kyara cracked her neck and fingers, exhausted. As she walked in, she noticed her younger brother Raj struggling with his school shoes.

She bent over him suddenly, appearing right beside his face.

Raj jumped. "Whoa! What the hell?!"

Kyara smirked. "What are you doing, my not-so-lovely brother?"

"Fixing my shoes," he grumbled, still focused.

She picked up the shoes and inspected them—completely wrecked. The soles were hanging off, the fabric torn.

Kyara exhaled, pressing her eyes shut for a second. This is reality.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke firmly. "I'll get you a new pair. Go finish your other work."

Raj's face lit up. "Really?!"

She chuckled softly, ruffling his hair. "Yeah. Now go."

As he ran off, Kyara headed straight to her room. She pulled out her phone and started searching for jobs.

Nothing.

Every listing required experience she didn't have.

Just as she was about to give up, a message popped up. A well-known NGO owner—also a famous writer—had reached out, offering her a position on their team.

Her heart skipped. It was an amazing opportunity.

But.

No salary.

If she took it, she wouldn't have time to find a paying job.

She leaned back against the headboard, phone in hand, staring at the ceiling.

One side—responsibilities. The other—dreams.

She could keep struggling in this messy situation, constantly chasing stability.

Or…

She could step into something even messier.

A contract marriage.

At least that way, her family wouldn't suffer. And if everything went well, neither would she.

Her phone buzzed again.

A message from Niki.

Niki: Sawwry for not contacting. Let's meet a day after tomorrow. I'm busy tomorrow.

Kyara rolled her eyes.

She could hear his sarcastic voice through the screen.

Dramatically, she slammed her head onto her study table.

"This idiot."

The Day of the Meeting

Kyara entered the restaurant, her steps measured, thoughts swirling.

She scanned the room, searching for Niki.

Just then, a waiter lost balance near her, a large cake tilting off his tray, seconds away from crashing into her.

Her breath hitched.

And then—

A firm hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back just in time.

She turned—

Niki.

His fingers still wrapped around her wrist, his sharp gaze flickering between her and the nearly ruined cake.

Kyara blinked, startled