The Seventh Clause

Chapter One

Hezlin

I read the seventh clause one last time .

“Before ending this marriage or making any irreversible decision concerning it, both parties shall have one uninterrupted conversation in good faith.”

I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I never thought my life would turn out this way that I would have to go to an extent to fake a marriage. I put the contract back into the envelope and looked out of my passenger seat window while letting out a sigh .

I promised myself to never marry and the weight of breaking my promise takes over chest , I tried to compose myself by reminding that this is only a contract marriage that will help me and would eventually end in a year.

“Are you sure no one else knows about this contract?” Sehra brought me back from my thoughts.

“Yeah , only three of us knows” I replied.

“Good , I hope everything goes according to the plan” Sehra stated.

“You know nothing can stop me when I am hella determined.” I responded.

Sehra smiled , she knows how stubborn I am when it comes to things I genuinely want.

“We are here.” she parked the car infront of the boutique . I read the shopfront sign Maison Lâle – the bridal boutique from where I was supposed to pick up my wedding dress . This marriage might only be a contract for me and Zaydan but to everyone else , it’s real. The wedding is happening in two days . My parents are more than happy, their youngest one is getting married after tormenting them for years. I was stubborn with my decision of not marrying , but so was my mother – she never gave up . Every other week she used to show me proposals of different guys and I always turned them down but picking up a flaw in them , that was my way of avoiding the marriage because I could never tell her the real reason that made me not want to get married.

I stepped out of the car and was immediately hit by the cold breeze . I removed the curly hair strand from my face that was swayed by the wind. I grabbed Sehra’s hand and made my way towards the shop.

A while later , I was standing infront of the full length mirror , seeing my reflection in it . I was draped in an exquisite white gown - The gown had a fitted mermaid silhouette, sculpting the body from the bodice through the hips before gently flaring below the knees into a graceful train , covered entirely in embroidered lace , decorated with tiny beads and sequins. Warm ivory lace hugged my figure with quiet precision, the structured bodice was enhancing my figure. A soft square neckline framed my collarbones, while thousands of tiny beads hidden within the lace caught the light only when I moved .

It was exactly how I imagined it . I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

“ Hezlin! This is everything” Sehra exclaimed . Her one hand was on her lips and other hand was holding a phone .

“ I know” I whispered.

“ Oh my God !! I can’t wait to see you wearing on your wedding day” a voice came out of the phone , it was Swara .

“Holy moly! Forget Zaydan, marry me instead.” another voice was heard from the phone , it was Asel . Other than Sehra, Swara and Asel were my other two bestfriends, Sehra video called them to share this adorable moment together . The marriage was not real but the exuberance of the moment was . I too was captivated by a fact that how mesmerizing I seemed in it . I always dreamt of wearing a beautiful wedding gown and having a magical wedding . I thought that won’t be possible until a month ago .

ONE MONTH AGO

“But why do you want to do this with me?” Zaydan questioned . We were sitting in Caro Café with the view of Bosphorus Bridge on our left side. This was my first time meeting him alone , otherwise I have only seen him in gatherings and events.

“Because you are my family-friend therefore, I think I can trust you and most importantly we have similar problem” I replied while looking in his hazel eyes which had confusion in them . He was wearing a brown sweater and black pants. His black hair swaying with the wind . I wouldn’t call him handsome but he was attractive and had a charismatic charm .

“Elaborate.” he stated.

“Our mothers wants us to get married but both of us have no intention of marrying so why not we pretend to be married , this way they would get what they want and they stop bothering us and eventually we would get divorced a year later ” I explained to him, secretly wishing that he would be satisfied with this explanation .

“Hezlin , this reason isn’t enough , tell me the truth” he said the last four words in a cold tone looking dead in my eyes . I know he isn’t stupid , he wouldn’t agree to a contract marriage without having a valid reason , but can’t he just do as I say? Anyway, now I need to try harder to convince him.

“The thing is , you know I am already 28 . I am independent and successful but my freedom is limited , there are boundaries set by my parents , and they keep persuading me to get married I want to live without--” I was interrupted by Zaydan while I was speaking.

“get to the point” he stated rudely.

“I only have one reason for this marriage" I lied. I actually have three reasons. The reason I am going to give him is the third one and that matters to me the least. "I want to accomplish my goals without my parents getting in my way. They want me to settle down in Turkey but I don’t want to be stuck in one place. My aim is to explore the world and get more successful. If I get married they no longer will have a say in what I do” I said after rolling my eyes. I know I have syndrome of making short story long but he could have just listened.

“How can you come up with such a plan? You are risking your relation with parents by planning to deceive them. There must be other ways.” He sounded like I am being stupid.

“What’s life without a risk?” I raised my left brow. “ Although I will make sure my family won’t find out about it. I am good at hiding things but even if they did find out , I know how to take care of it. Trust me” I continued.

“Hezlin, are you crazy? you need to rethink about your plan” He seemed frustrated.

“Zaydan, you don't know what I know. You are not in my shoes. I cannot explain everything to you but I came up with this plan after deep consideration and a valid reason. If I plan something I always have the consequences in my mind and I make sure to handle everything. Reject the deal if you are going doubt me, but just so you know this deal have benefits for you too” I stated harshly.

“And exactly how will this benefit me?” Zaydan asked.

“You know how badly your mother and grandma wants you to be happily married, this marriage can assure them that you are keen, atleast for a while” I uttered.

“That’s it?” he questioned again.

“Perhaps” I replied “We both live in Netherlands so it’s convenient for both of us to carry out this mission”

He sighed.

“Isn’t it a great deal?” I shifted in my seat.

“It’s more of a deception to our parents” he replied.

“a beautiful deception, indeed. It’s not that it is going to destroy lives, you know your mother will be ecstatic, she loves me” I said the last part with a sense of pride.

"What about the divorce? What reason would we give for the separation? and most importantly it's going to hurt our parents"

"We would come up with the divorce plan as well once you agree to the deal, and about the hurting part. You know we won't be the first couple with a failed marriage in our society, so our families are going to accept it anyway. We can just tell them that we didn't work out."

He leaned forward while his folded arms rested on the table. He squinted his eyes as he analyzed my face.

"You said you have a valid reason for planning this. And it is certainly not the one your are telling me. You always measure your every step. Your actions are very careful and intentional, I know you this much atleast, Hezlin. I am not convinced for this deal until you tell me whatever the real reason is." He sounded cold but somehow warm as if he wanted me to be comfortable enough to pour out the truth.

I just stared at his face for a while. I was out of words. I could feel anxiety kicking in my gut. A part of me wants to tell him so he could see how helpless I am. I know he would understand if I tell him but I would rather die than show people my weak points.

“You have a week to think about it” I whispered but loud enough for him to hear. That's all I could say, assuring him that there's no way I am opening up to him. Deep down I hope he accepts the deal convinced by a fact that I have a strong reason that I would like to keep a secret.

But he isn't stupid.

He sighed then got up to leave, my eyes followed him as he started to walked away.

I don’t think he is going to accept the deal, he is a good son unlike me, I am a pain in the ass for my parents, I always do what they forbide me to do. I hide things from my family and always go against their will. I won’t have to do that only if they stop trying to force their decisions on me.

They wanted me to become a doctor, but I became a lawyer instead. They want me to stay in Turkey, but I made my career in Netherlands. I always have to manipulate them into giving their approval for my preference but it’s different for marriage, running away from it was not an answer, I had to find a permanent solution, this is all Zaydan needs to know.

The truth is I am only doing this to protect myself. This is really the last option I have. My parents forcing me to get married is the third and least important reason I came with this plan. I don't want to do this but I don't have any choice left now. After I get divorced my parents won’t force me to remarry. This plan is like killing two birds with one stone. I would be safe and I won't have any pressure of marriage by my parents anymore. Although I am ashamed of deceiving my family, but this is my way of protecting myself.

A part of me blames my parents. I wouldn't be in this situation now if it weren't for them taking me to that charity event last summer.

When my mother told me that Zaydan’s mother is interested in me and would like to send a proposal, I decided to turn this proposal down too but then I realized how his mother used to complain that Zaydan does not want to get married. A plan popped up in my head and I contacted Zaydan who was also in Turkey and made him come to this café today for a conversation. The first thing he said was that he was not interested in me nor he is going to send a proposal, it’s was just his mother who was forcing him to do , but then I brought up the contract marriage deal .

Four days later, I received a message from Zaydan, saying he has agreed on the deal and we shall meet again to discuss the clauses for the contract. I stared wide-eyed at the text. That was unexpected, I was amazed. I had already given up on the hope that he will even consider the deal.

I wonder what made him agree to it?

PRESENT DAY

“It fits you perfectly” I was brought back from the past events by Swara’s voice that was coming from the phone.

“Indeed, it’s perfect.” I said with a smile. I saw my reflection in the mirror one last time before turning towards the changing room. My heart ached but there's nothing I can do to feel better.

Hadn't I met Rayne, I wouldn't be standing here in a wedding gown for my fake marriage.