The Contract Marriage

2.

"Akshu thee, Akshu thee, could you please play one more song?! Could you kindly?" Ria, who was ten years old at the time, pleaded with Akshara as she was about to pack up her guitar and leave.

A quick glance at Akshara's watch revealed that the time was three o'clock in the afternoon. It would take her approximately two hours to travel across the city to her other job, which would begin at five o'clock in the evening. It was already getting close to her start time, and she was in a position where she could not afford to sing another song for the children who were living in the orphanage, despite the fact that she wanted to do so.

After looking up, Akshara was about to politely decline Ria's request due to time constraints; however, she noticed that the other children had also expressed their support for Ria. When Akshara looked at her watch once more, she gave in to the wistful gazes of those around her. On the other hand, this meant that she would most likely have to forego the option of taking the inexpensive public transportation and instead choose to take the more expensive Uber in order to get to her other job. a job that at the time did not pay her very much at all.

"Okay, one more song and then I have to leave!" Putting on a broad grin, she proceeded to unpack her guitar while maintaining her smile.

The room at the community center was filled with a round of cheers and hoorays, which caused Akshara's heart to quicken and beat faster. Observing the joy and purity of the children in her immediate vicinity brought her joy and contentment, and this was the ultimate objective she had set for herself. She had a dream of establishing a music corner for children, particularly children who did not have access to a lot of resources, and connecting them with music in order to assist them in becoming the best version of themselves.

As soon as Akshara started singing, her gaze kept going back to the clock that was located in the far corner of the room. She had a feeling that she was going to be late. The manager had already given her the final warning that she could receive. She was aware that she could not afford to make any more errors in judgment.

*~

"You're running behind schedule. Once more." As Akshara entered the back kitchen carrying a notepad and pen, Ananjay, the manager of Panache, a high-end, illustrious luxury restaurant, taunted her by pointing toward his watch, which showed that it was 5:30 o'clock in the evening.

I'm sorry. "This will not occur once more."

Sorry, sorry, and sorry again. How many more times are you going to give your apology? If I recall correctly, you informed me of the exact same thing that you said to me the previous week.

"I assure you, Ananjay, that this will be the final occasion. I won't be late at all. Once more. Kindly refrain from firing me. This is a job that I really need." As a gesture of pleading, I folded my hands in front of him.

Ananjay was someone that Akshara detested with every ounce of her being. Once upon a time, he had worked alongside her as a colleague, waiting tables just like she did. On the other hand, whether it was her good fortune or his bad luck, he was promoted to manager, and all of a sudden, the power had gotten to him.

And at this point, rather than assisting his fellow workers, the man was engaged in some strange demonstration of power. Nevertheless, she was in need of this job in order to make ends meet until she found something more suitable. So she had no choice but to swallow her pride and apologize.

Ananjay smiled at her in a manipulative manner and said, "Make sure that it never happens again." If that is not the case, you should not even bother to show your face around this establishment. Following the completion of those final words, he turned around and left the kitchen.

"Asshole." Without consciously doing so, Akshara murmured. She hadn't intended to say it, especially not at this time when she was already on his radar, but old habits die hard, and Akshara was never the type of person to take an insult lying down.

As for him, she had a feeling he wasn't either. While he was walking, Ananjay came to a halt and turned around to face that woman.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing." However, she did not make eye contact with him.

Despite the fact that he had a clear understanding of what Akshara had described, he did not wish to cause a commotion in front of his entire staff. Nevertheless, this did not mean that he could allow them to believe that it was acceptable to refer to him as an asshole.

As Ananjay approached Akshara, he took her notepad and pen from her hands and grabbed them without hesitation.

"What..."

"You're on washroom duty."

"But...," A protest was started by her.

"You will either be fired or that. If you so choose."

Akshara showed her acknowledgement by lowering her eyes. "Yes, sir."

*~

For a moment, Akshara looked at her watch. 10 o'clock. We were only two hours away from the time when she would be able to go home and sleep. She was aware of the reason why Ananjay had assigned her to the restroom duty. When it came to finishing a shift, it was the worst and slowest ever. When you had to wait for women to finish doing their business in order to provide them with a hand towel and fresh breath mints as they left, even a mere five minutes seemed like an eternity to you.

However, this is the consequence that she receives for her inability to keep her mouth shut, so in reality, she had no one else but herself to blame. She was in desperate need of a new job, preferably one that offered a good salary, so that she could make all of her dreams come true.

One of her goals was to establish her own music corner. It is true that she could ask her family for assistance; however, they were already opposed to the career path that she had chosen, so doing so would not be of much use to her anyway.

As soon as the door to the restroom opened, a woman who appeared to be wearing a very expensive gown and wearing black Louboutins with stiletto heels walked in. From what she could see, her nails appeared to have been exquisitely manicured, and they appeared to have cost a few thousand rupees.

However, for some reason, her face appeared to be somebody else's. In the midst of Akshara's contemplation regarding the possible locations where she might have encountered this lady, the woman had already completed her personal business and was standing within arms' reach, washing her hands.

"Avantika?" While Akshara was unsure of her guess, she asked.

"Akshara?"

The hand towel that Akshara was holding out for Avantika was taken by her after she looked up and took it.

Oh my goodness. You are such a different person now! When Akshara saw a former coworker of hers who appeared to be worth a million dollars, she exclaimed in astonishment that continued to grow.

As a sign of acknowledgment, Avantika laughed and said, "I know."

Oh, but how?! It has been less than a month since you decided to quit!

Because she has been her roommate for the past few years, Avantika has not only been her friend at work but also her roommate. That was before Avantika abruptly quit her job at Panache and moved out of their apartment a month ago. Prior to that, she had never left their apartment. It was as if she had suddenly vanished from the face of the earth one day, only to reappear as a customer at the very same establishment where she had worked as a waitress not even a few weeks earlier.

"It's...complicated." Within her response, Avantika sidestepped the question. I want to know how you are doing, but you tell me. Where do you stand with your plans to establish a music corner?

"The same elderly gentleman. In the meantime, I must acquire the funds. In all honesty, I am not even sure if I have enough money to pay the rent for this month. There are times when I eat leftovers from restaurants.

The response that Avantika gave was, "I am so sorry..." as she gently touched Akahds' shoulders.

"However, I will prevail on my own. That is always the case." A gleaming and optimistic smile was bestowed upon Avantika by Akshara. Pitying herself and her predicament was something she detested.

"I am aware that you do. As usual, you do it."

To be honest, however, I am genuinely overjoyed for you. You have a stunning appearance. I adore the fact that you are doing well. Furthermore, Akshara was overjoyed for her. From the very depths of her mind. It was clear that she was genuinely delighted for her friend.

"Thank you," that was Avantika's response. As she pulled Akshara in for a quick hug, she said, "I have to go," and then she left.

"Oh yes, of course!" she exclaimed. It is a pleasure to see you again.

"You too."

As Avantika was about to leave, she halted in her tracks and turned around to hand Akshara a card after she had already begun to leave.

"This is it. For the most part, I don't do this. On the other hand, Akshara, you have been a valuable friend to me. As a result of the fact that you assisted me when no one else did, I would like to do the same for you.

"What is this?" Akshara turned the card over in her hand. Using match money. My god, what exactly was this Matchrimoney?

"It's how...I became this." Avantika indicated her dress and shoes with her finger. "It's a see if that connects people like us —"

"People like us?"

"People who are in dire need of money with people —rich, influential people —who would pay a lot of money for our services."

It's an escort?!? Would you like me to act as an escort? In no way!

"Akshara, they are not an escort! It is possible that you will not even be required to touch the client, let alone sleep with them, depending on the requirements of the client and the contracts that you accept.

"Are you sleeping with your client?"

After a brief moment of hesitation, Avantika It is true. However, this is only due to the fact that according to the contract I signed, he demanded that I do so. Each and every thing is voluntary. Before I leave, I need to call the number and ask for Richa. I have to leave now. Tell her that I have provided you with the number. Belief in me. You won't live to regret it."

In order to avoid answering Avantika's question, Akshara chose not to say anything. As Akshara watched, Avantika smiled softly and placed her hand in the palm of a very elderly gentleman. Akshara was a witness to this moment. When they were leaving the restaurant, the elderly gentleman, who was probably around sixty years old, put his arm around Avantika's waist and left the establishment.

"Never." While Akshara was putting the card that Avantika had given her into the back pocket of her skirt, she made a disapproving facial expression by scrunching her nose up. She was in need of money, but she was not so desperate that she would compromise her very being in order to acquire it.