Chapter 1 :" The Barter System "

Payal Gupta wasn't going to be part of the barter System everyone calls marriage. Four years ago she believed someone who claimed to love her and want to marry her, she dreamed of marrying him until she realized he didn't love her but the idea of marrying into wealth alas for him, Payal wasn't the richest Gupta sister but Khushi. 

Khushi and Payal weren't related by blood but heart, which had been the reason one of them was wealthy while the other was not. When her father got married again to Garima ma, she had been four and Khushi came to live with them. 

When she was young Payal had believed Khushi was Garima's daughter as well but later learned that she was her niece. The two of them grew up as sisters and were quite content and happy until Khushi's paternal grandparents died who then bequeathed their wealth on their estranged Granddaughter. 

They couldn't spare to meet their granddaughter once because their son married someone they didn't approve of but felt kind enough to upturn her sister's life by their wealth.  At first, both of the sisters didn't think too much about it as the entire bequest was tied up till Khushi got married but now it was all they think about whenever the mere mention of marriage comes up as Khushi manages to outshine her always when it comes to suitors. 

Not that Payal minded it now but it sure hurt a lot when the groom she was supposed to marry demanded that he get married to her sister instead since he was falsely led to believe Payal was the sister who was wealthy  

Ever since that day, Payal had no interest in marriage being left like that in the marriage Altar will do that to someone. And while she tried to console her sister that it hadn't been her fault, Khushi still feels guilty for that day hence her absence tonight as her parents arranged for yet another introduction between prospective groom. 

" Maa , did you tell the groom that I am not the richest one. They may be mistaken about it as well. Check again " Payal asked her mother while she was asked to get ready. Not once did Garima ma acted like a step mother to her until now when her demands Payal needs to get married feels more like stepmother cruelty considering it was the last thing on Payal's mind. 

" Oh hush Payal betiya , no one knows about Khushi inheritance here " her mother answered back. It has been year since they moved out of their hometown and moved into her Buaji place for the sole purpose of getting Payal married as no one back in her town would choose her over her sister. 

Delhi seemed like a vibrant place to start over, they sold everything in their home town and moved back to Delhi, and were currently staying with their father's sister who is more determined to get her married than her parents. 

Payal hadn't been sure about their parents' plan of keeping Khushi wealth under wrap considering the fact if she married someone ,she needs to tell him that his sister was probably a heiress . But her parents promised to tell the prospective groom and their family once the marriage was fixed between them . 

Payal had always been the obedient daughter, it was why she got dressed herself and went to take part in the prospective bride introduction ceremony for the hundredth time with a smile. Each time she took a step outside, a part of her believed she would find the one as well until the demands began all over again. 

" My son is a doctor and your daughter will not need anything after she married him, but it would be nice to have a small plot on his name. Of course, you can simply give the cash and we can buy the land later for our kids " his prospective mother in law began speaking as her parents face fell . 

It not that they don't want to give Payal everything,it is just that they don't have that much wealth. Her father runs a sweet shop and Payal works as a teacher in the nearby school. Every prospective groom was always informed about their background and yet their demands always were far more than her parents could handle. 

Once they left Payal was back in her room as her parent's heart got broken again for her, she heard her Buaji loudly cursing them for being so greedy but Payal didn't much care about it because every prospective groom she met was interested in what she brings to the marriage from her parents coffee than her as a person. 

" Di " her sister's hesitant voice brought her back to reality and made her realize she was crying as her sister wrapped her up in an embrace to soothe her pain of being rejected way too many times. 

" You will find the one Di, one who sees you as the treasure you are then those idiots " her sister whispered to her as she held on to her. And Payal didn't have the heart to let her sister knew she already lost all hope. 

**********************

" Nani , what were you thinking " Anjali asked her grandmother after her ultimatum, getting her brother married was everyone's priority in the house but she couldn't understand her Nani at the moment. 

" Hello, hi bye-bye. Who is the girl you picked for Arnav beta? " Mamiji asked next as the whole family wondered what made Nani confident about this girl she picked out next for her brother.

" Trust me Anjali beta, she is the one for our chote. Her name is Payal Kumari Gupta and I know she will be able to change chote mind " her Nani answered back, Anjali had no idea who Payal was as she never heard of the name before but wondered why her Nani was so confident in her . 

And no matter how much Anjali asked about Payal ,her Nani refused to answer her question leaving her to wonder how her Nani knew Payal and why she believes that the girl will be able to change her brother mind . 

P.S :" That it for now . Let me know your thoughts and feedbacks. Click the thumbs up icon  if you liked it"

Juanita Reid

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