From Contract Marriage to Love

**From Contract Marriage to Love** In the busy city of Dhaka, many people live lonely lives, even amidst the crowds of people. Aryan had such a life. He was a software engineer—quiet, quiet, and busy with his work. On the other hand, Niha was the complete opposite—confident, independent, and a girl living her dreams.Niha's father was a big businessman. He wanted to get his daughter married as soon as possible. But Niha's dream was to build her own career, to stand out on her own. So she kept turning down marriage proposals. This made her family very upset.One evening, there was a big fight at home. Her father said sternly, "Your marriage will be fixed within this month. I will not listen to anything else." Niha became very restless. She realized that this time she might really be forced into marriage.It was around that time that she met Aryan through a friend from her college. They first met in a small coffee shop. Both were a little uncomfortable, because they didn't know each other very well. After a moment of silence, Niha said directly, "I want to make a strange proposal." Aryan looked surprised. "What proposal?"Niha hesitated a little, "What if we get married under contract? Just for a year. To show off to the family. After a year, we will divorce and go back to our own lives." Aryan remained silent for a moment. He had never heard such a proposal before. "But why me?" — he asked calmly.Niha said, "Because you seem like the kind of person who can keep it a secret and let me be free." Aryan smiled a little and said, "Okay… but there is one condition." "What condition?" "Even if we make a deal, we will respect each other. There will be no insult or disrespect." Niha nodded. "Okay."Then they wrote down some rules on a piece of paper— 1. Just be husband and wife for a year. 2. Don't interfere in each other's personal lives. 3. Amicable divorce after a year. This is how their arranged marriage began. The wedding ceremony was very simple. The family was very happy, but they didn't know the real story behind this marriage. After the wedding, they started living in a flat. For the first few weeks, they hardly spoke. It was like two roommates living together.Niha used to work late at night. Aryan used to get busy with his work after returning from the office. But slowly some small changes started happening. One night Niha was very tired from working. She didn't have the energy to cook. Suddenly she saw food arranged on the table. "You made it?" — she asked in surprise.Aryan said in a normal voice, "Yes. You worked all day." For the first time that day, Niha thought to herself—this man is different. From then on, small moments started forming. Sometimes they would have tea together, sometimes watch movies. Sometimes they would argue over small things. One rainy night, Niha suddenly fell ill. Her fever had risen very high.Aryan sat by her side all night. He gave her medicine, water, and repeatedly asked her how she was feeling. Towards dawn, Niha said in a weak voice, "You are just a contractual husband… why are you worrying so much?" Aryan smiled softly and said, "Does one stop being human just because it is not written in the contract?"This thought was deeply embedded in Nihar's mind. Days passed. They didn't realize when the distance between them had decreased. Now they talk a lot, laugh, and sometimes go out for a walk. But time doesn't stop for anyone. Slowly, the last day of that year came.That evening, they both sat at the dining table. The old contract paper was placed on the table. Niha stared at the paper. "Today is the last day of our contract." — she said slowly. Aryan didn't say anything. After a moment of silence, Niha took the paper in her hand. Then suddenly she tore it up.Aryan looked surprised. "Why did you do this?" There was a strange light in Niha's eyes. "Because I don't want this agreement anymore." Aryan asked slowly, "So?" Niha smiled a little and said, "Will you keep me as your real wife?" After a moment of silence, a smile slowly appeared on Aryan's face. "I started thinking of you as my wife a long time ago." That day, their relationship began anew—without any agreement, without any conditions. Because some relationships are not written on paper… They are written in the heart.