During the dance night, Kabir improvised. He didn't just hold her hand—he told a fake story about how they met (a "bookstore accident" involving a falling copy of Chetan Bhagat's novel and a chai spill). The aunties swooned. Then, during a slow song, Kabir leaned in and said, "Your real laugh is different from your fake one."
"What's this?" she asked.
Riya's family was a battlefield. Her bua (aunt) inspected Kabir like a customs officer. Her chachu (uncle) asked his salary. Her ex-boyfriend, Vikram—the actual heir to a textile fortune—was also a guest. Riya hadn't told Kabir about Vikram.
"Your fake laugh has a pitch. Your real one—like when you tripped on the carpet earlier—is lower. More honest." He smiled. "You should use it more."
She posted on a freelance gig site: "Looking for an actor to play boyfriend at a 3-day wedding in Jaipur. Must speak Hindi, smile on cue, and not fall in love. Budget: ₹15,000 + travel."
"Who's that?" Kabir whispered, as Vikram air-kissed Riya's cheek.
She took the cash. Then she put it in his shirt pocket. "Then consider this a retainer. For Season 2."
Here's a good story inspired by the concept. The Contract Boyfriend
Kabir's acting training kicked in. He placed a casual hand on Riya's lower back. "Beta," he said to Vikram, "apna haath thoda kam lagao. She's allergic to entitlement."