Wedding ~

After the engagement, everyone headed back to the hotel, but the Raj Mahal was reserved for the whole day. With so many important guests in attendance, they had the place to themselves, free to relax and enjoy without any rush. The relatives could take their time, caught up in the event.

Vikrant returned home and went straight to his room. After changing into more comfortable clothes, he sank into the sofa, diving into his work.

Not long after, Vihaan entered the room, noticing Vikrant engrossed in his tasks. With a grin, he knocked on the open door to get his attention.

Vihaan, “Agar aapki aagya ho to main andar aa jaun?”

(“If you permit, can I come in?”)

Vikrant nodded.

Vihaan, while putting the cup of tea on the table, “Teri shaadi hai aur tu abhi bhi kaam kar raha hai?”

(“It’s your wedding, and you’re still working?”)

Vikrant didn’t reply and continued working.

Vihaan, with a cheeky grin, said, “Hain hain, ab to shadi hone wali hai, toh attitude dikhana toh banta hai! Maine itni mehnat se tere liye chai banayi, taaki tu thoda fresh feel kare, aur tu bas mujhse ignore kar raha hai! Sharam nahi aati?

Mana tere liye work first priority hai, par fir bhi! Lagta hai shaadi ke baad mujhe toh tu bhool he jayega hai na?”

Then, with dramatic flair, he threw his hands up and exclaimed, “Hey! Parameshwar, aaj kal ke zamane mein bhai bhai se aise bartav karte hain!”

(“Yeah, yeah, now that your wedding is coming up, showing attitude is expected! I worked so hard to make your tea to help you feel a little fresh, and you’re just ignoring me! Aren’t you ashamed? I know work is your first priority, but still! Looks like after the wedding, you’re going to forget about me too!” Then, with dramatic flair, he threw his hands up and exclaimed, “Hey! Parameshwar, in today’s world, brothers really treat each other like this!”)

Vikrant, still going through the documents, said, “I’m fasting today.”

Vihaan, regretting his efforts, replied, while teasing him, “Ohh! I forgot you’re fasting for your future wife.”

Vikrant barely glanced up, his eyes cold and unreadable, his face impassive and thinking,

“Your time will come too! Then I will tease you like that.”

Then he said in sharp tone, “Aakhir teri namak wali chai kisey peeni hai?”

(“After all, who would want to drink your salty tea?”)

Vihaan, “Arey, wo galti se us din maine sugar ke jagah salt daal diya, toh poori zindagi mujhe yaad dilayega kya? Anyway, what are you working on?”

(“Well, I accidentally put salt instead of sugar that day. Are you really going to remind me of that for the rest of my life? Anyway, what are you working on?”)

Vikrant replied, “Just a few minor matters.”

Then, with a sigh of relief, he added, “Since you assumed the role of CEO in my company, I no longer need to exert as much effort. Now, I can dedicate more attention to strengthening my underground alliances and networks.”

Vihaan nodded, “It seems your connections in the underground world are flourishing. Having worked alongside you, I’ve come to realize one thing.”

Vikrant raised an eyebrow and said while looking at him, “And what's that?”

Vihaan smiled knowingly, “It’s clear you’re quite fond of diamonds and weapons. Like they’re your little treasures.”

Vikrant responded with a simple, “Hmm...”

Time slipped away, and finally, it was time to prepare the groom. Vikrant was a cold, reserved man who disliked functions and crowds, but when it came to fashion, he was unmatched.

At least five people attended to him, two styling his hair and three selecting his attire.

Vikrant's wedding look ~

Vikrant stood like a pillar of quiet strength, his presence commanding even without a word. His sharp jaw was dusted with a light stubble that added to his rugged charm, while his intense eyes held a calm, calculating gaze that spoke of a man used to control.

He wore a perfectly tailored sherwani in a rich, deep mustard yellow, a color bold yet refined.

The fabric was smooth and heavy, embroidered subtly with intricate gold patterns that caught the light just enough to gleam without overwhelming.

The sherwani hugged his broad shoulders and athletic frame, fitting like it was crafted just for him.

(Yah, it was crafted for him by his designers. Just rich 🤑 people's things.)

His hair was slicked back with precision, every strand in place, adding to the sharpness of his look. His custom-made leather shoes, polished to perfection, completed the ensemble.

Every detail of his outfit spoke of power and precision, bold, elegant, and impossible to ignore.

Ishita ~

I entered my room, closed the door behind me, and sank onto the bed. My fingers absentmindedly traced the edges of the diamond ring on my finger. It was heart-shaped, shimmering with a soft, enchanting glow, its beauty almost distracting.

Yet, no matter how stunning it was, it couldn’t quiet the storm of thoughts racing through my mind.

Finally, I was about to be free from my Chachi’s endless torment. I had longed for this freedom, dreamed of it in my darkest moments.

But the memories of her cruelty were too vivid, too painful to ignore.

As I thought back to those days, tears welled up in my eyes. The pain, the humiliation... it all came flooding back in an overwhelming rush.

I stood up, the weight of my necklaces pushing me towards the mirror. Without thinking, I began to remove my jewelry one piece at a time, placing them carefully on the table.

I then collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. I don’t even remember when I drifted off to sleep, my mind too heavy to stay awake.

It was a soft knock on the door that stirred me awake about thirty minutes later. Slowly, I stood up, wiped away the remnants of sleep from my eyes, and walked to the door. My hand hovered for a moment before I slowly turned the knob and opened it.

Saanvi, entered with another lady who had been assigned to do my makeup. As the process began, I settled into the chair, preparing for the long hours ahead.

The next five hours felt like an eternity. I had to sit perfectly still, my body aching from the strain, my legs restless.

But the hardest part was the hunger. I couldn’t eat a thing, not even a bite. It was part of our tradition: both the bride and the groom fast on their wedding day, staying focused and pure for the ceremony.

The hours dragged on, and the emptiness in my stomach seemed to grow with each passing minute.

Ishita's look ~

Ishita looked nothing short of stunning. She was dressed in a bright, fiery red lehenga that shimmered with intricate gold embroidery, its rich hues glowing in the soft light. Every piece of jewelry she wore - diamonds, gold, and precious stones, added to her elegance, each sparkle reflecting the joy of the occasion.

Her complexion was fair, the soft glow of her skin accentuating the rosy tint on her cheeks. Her dark, black hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her face like a waterfall of silk. The way it fell perfectly around her shoulders only added to her ethereal beauty.

She radiated charm and grace, her presence captivating, like she had stepped out of a dream.

Every detail, from the richness of her lehenga to the soft elegance of her features, made her seem like she was glowing from the inside out.

She looked like a vision of love and happiness, perfectly ready to begin this new chapter of her life.

I don’t know why, but I was feeling strangely dizzy. My body was burning with a high fever, yet I didn’t tell anyone about it.

At Raj Mahal ~

It was around 8 p.m., and the wedding festivities had begun in full swing. The decorations were nothing short of breathtaking, elegant, yet grand, filling the entire space with a sense of awe. Photographers surrounded me, capturing every moment, their cameras flashing like a thousand stars in the night.

Saanvi, ever so attentive, was helping me carefully navigate my way to the stage, as my lehenga was too heavy and my neck ached under the weight of the jewelry. Each step felt like a challenge, but I moved forward, determined not to let anything show.

When I reached the stage, I began to climb the steps slowly, but then suddenly, I lost my footing. For a brief moment, I felt like I was falling, but before I could hit the ground, I felt a strong, steady grip on my hand. Saanvi had caught me just in time.

As I steadied myself, I saw Vikrant Ji rushing towards me. His presence was commanding, but there was something incredibly gentle in his actions. He took my hand, his grip warm, yet firm like he could hold the world in his palm.

I felt the warmth and strength in his hand, and despite the chaos of the moment, a quiet sense of comfort washed over me. For a split second, everything felt right, as though his touch was the calm in the middle of the storm.

He was effortlessly handsome, a sight that made my heart skip. Though my eyes were lowered in shyness, I could sense the royal aura that surrounded him, his stature and grace impossible to miss.

Vikrant POV ~

What a clumsy girl, he thought, watching her struggle to keep her balance.

Despite the awkwardness, there was something about her an effortless charm that even a stumble couldn’t hide. Gifted with good looks, she moved like a delicate storm, fragile yet impossible to ignore.

Back to Ishita's Character -

Maybe I won’t have to go through life alone anymore. Maybe, for once, there’s someone I can rely on to share my feelings and comfort me in difficult times. (except Saanvi)

The photoshoot felt endless, dragging on for nearly two hours. I wasn’t feeling well, my body screaming for rest. My only desire at that moment was to get up, to walk over to the spread of food laid out beautifully before me.

My stomach rumbled, yet I stayed in place, counting the moments until it was finally over.

At 10 p.m. ~

The mandap stood in all its glory, beautifully decorated, awaiting the arrival of the moment. The auspicious muhurat for the wedding had finally arrived. Both the groom and the bride sat next to each other, the weight of the occasion settling on their shoulders.

Ganesh Puja:

The priest began the Ganesh Puja, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha to ensure that the wedding would proceed smoothly, without any obstacles. His chants filled the air as he recited the mantras, his voice steady and reverent. The sacred ceremony had begun.

Kanyadan (Bride’s Giving Away):

After a while, it was time for the Kanyadan, the moment when the bride’s family formally gave her away. As the priest asked for my father, tears welled up in my eyes. The pain of not having him here, of having to face this moment alone, hit me harder than I expected.

But before the silence could consume me, my Chacha Ji, Shivendra Rajput, stepped forward. His voice was firm and filled with resolve.

Shivendra Rajput,

“Pandit Ji, Ishita is an orphan. I will perform the Kanyadan.”

The Kanyadan ritual began, but my heart wasn’t in it. I couldn’t feel the movement that was supposed to accompany. All I could think of was the void my father’s absence left in my life.

As the priest performed the sacred rites, a blur of memories rushed through my mind, an image of my father, not so clear but distant. I saw him lifting me in his arms when I was a child, his laughter filling the air as he gently played with me. His warm embrace, his protective presence.

The thought made my heart ache. My chest tightened as the realization sank in that I was walking into a new chapter of my life, but the one person who should’ve been there to hold my hand, to give me away with pride, was gone.

After the Kanyadan, the Hast Melap ceremony began, the moment where our hands were to be joined forever.

(Staying with each other in every situation.)

The priest gently took my hand and placed it into Vikrant Ji’s, his touch firm but gentle. As his fingers closed around mine, a wave of warmth spread through me.

The priest then took a yellow thread, vibrant and full of promise, and tied it around both our wrists. The knot was tied carefully, its significance far beyond its simplicity. As the thread wrapped around us, I felt a rush of emotion, a sense of being anchored to this man in a way I had never felt before.

The bond, symbolized by the knot, felt strong and permanent. As my hand rested over Vikrant Ji’s hand, a soft flutter of warmth passed through me, a promise of something deeper than just the tradition we were following. It felt as though, in that moment, our lives had intertwined in a way that could never be undone.

Mangal Sutra Ceremony:

The time had finally come for the Mangal Sutra ceremony, and my heart raced in my chest. Nervousness gripped me, and exhaustion weighed heavily on my body, but I couldn’t shake the significance of the moment. Vikrant Ji, with steady hands, reached for the Mangal Sutra, the symbol of marriage, and carefully tied it around my neck.

In that instant, something shifted. A feeling of finality swept over me this was it. From this moment forward, I was his, and he was mine.

The weight of the sacred thread around my neck reminded me of my parents, of their love, and the emptiness I felt in their absence.

Sindoor (Vermilion):

Next, Vikrant Ji took a pinch of Sindoor and gently placed it in my hair partition, marking me as his wife. The vermilion, so bright and vivid, was like a symbol of everything that had changed in an instant. As he applied it, tears welled up in my eyes. They slid down my cheeks, one by one, falling into my lap, carrying with them the heavy burden of the responsibility I was now bound to.

There was no turning back now. This was my reality, and it was both terrifying and overwhelming. But as the Sindoor settled in my hair, I knew that my life would never be the same again.

Saptapadi (Seven Revolutions):

“Aur ab sat kasmo ke bari thi, jinke baad hum saat janmo ke liye ek ho jayenge,” Pandit Ji instructed to tie my lehenga to Vikrant Ji’s attire. My Chachi, tied the knot, and we both stood, ready to take our first steps together as husband and wife.

(“And now it was time for the seven vows, after which we would become one for seven lifetimes.”)

Vikrant Ji held my hand firmly, and the first revolution began.

First Step (Dharma):

With each step, our journey was more than just physical; it was a promise. The first step was for Dharma, our shared values, our responsibility to live with honor and truth.

Second Step (Artha):

The second was for Artha - Our pursuit of prosperity, ensuring that we would work together to build a life full of stability and wealth.

Third Step (Kama):

The third was for Kama our love, passion, and desire to cherish each other, to find joy and happiness in our union.

Fourth Step (Moksha):

The fourth was for Moksha the liberation of our souls, to grow together spiritually and free ourselves from the worldly burdens.

Fifth Step (Children):

The fifth was for Children our wish to raise a family, to nurture and guide the next generation with love and wisdom.

Sixth Step (Health):

The sixth was for Health our promise to support each other in health and sickness, to care for each other’s well-being, physically and emotionally.

Seventh Step (Faithfulness):

And the seventh was for Faithfulness our pledge to remain loyal, to stand by each other through all the years to come, no matter the challenges.

Each revolution, each promise we made, felt like an unbreakable bond, cementing our commitment to one another.

As we took those steps together, I could feel the weight of the vows settling between us, forever changing the course of my life.

After the Saptapadi, we both sat, and after that it felt like an eternity, the wedding finally came to an end.

The weight of the ceremony slowly began to settle in.

I looked at Vikrant Ji, my husband now, and realized the magnitude of what had just happened. I was officially Ishita Malhotra now.

A new chapter had begun, and the reality of it all was overwhelming.

It was now time for the Aashirvads (Blessings). We stood, and one by one, we bowed to every member of our family, seeking their blessings as I transitioned into this new phase of life.

First, to my in-laws:

Saraswati Ji, with a warm smile, said,

“Sada suhagan raho, khush raho!”

(“May you always be happy and a blessed wife!”)

Yashvardhan Ji, his voice steady and caring, added,

“Hamesha ek dusre ke saath raho.”

(“May you always stay together!”)

Then, leaning slightly towards Vikrant, he continued with a teasing smile, “Humare ghar ko bachon se bharte raho.”

(“May your home always be filled with children,”) he said, giving Vikrant a playful nudge.

Finally, Varun, with a teasing grin, turned to me and said,

“Bhabi, agar bhai aapko dukhi kare, toh mujhse batana.”

(“Sister-in-law, if my brother ever makes you sad, just let me know.”)

Vikrant, still holding Varun’s gaze, looked deep into his eyes. A faint smile appeared on my’s lips, amused by the playful exchange between the brothers.

Then, while pulling his big brother into a warm hug, Varun teasingly added, “Bhabi ko dukhi mat karna bhai.”

(“Don’t make my bhabhi sad, brother.”)

Then it was my family’s turn.

My Chachi and Chacha hugged me, putting on a show of affection, pretending to care as if they loved me deeply. But I knew the truth. Their embrace felt hollow just another performance for the world to see.

Then came Saanvi.

She pulled me into a tight hug, her eyes welling up with tears.

“Di, waha jaakar apni behen ko bhool mat jaana,” she whispered.

(“Sister, don’t forget your little sister when you go there.”)

I nodded, holding her tightly as both of us broke down in each other’s arms. That hug unlike the others was real. It was raw, filled with love, pain, and everything in between.

Then, wiping her tears, she turned to Vikrant Ji and said softly,

“Jiju, meri behen ka dhyaan rakhna.”

(“Brother-in-law, please take care of my sister.”)

She was the only person I had ever truly opened up to. The only one who knew almost everything about me.

The only one who supported me without conditions, always there when I needed her the most.

Vikrant Ji gave a silent nod to Saanvi.

Now it was time to say goodbye to everyone.

My eyes scanned the crowd Chacha ji, Chachi, their faces carefully composed. Then Saanvi, holding back her tears, her lips trembling as she tried to be strong for me.

That sight hit harder than I expected. But I blinked it away and took a slow breath.

Without another word, Vikrant Ji led me to the car. Two guards immediately stepped forward, one opening the car door while the other kept a watchful eye on the surroundings.

He didn’t speak, but paused beside me, allowing me to enter first a quiet gesture, formal yet precise, like everything he did.

We sat side by side in the backseat. The door shut with a quiet thud, and the convoy moved out, the lead security vehicle pulling ahead as the engine purred to life.

Silence filled the space between us, but somehow, it didn’t feel empty.

And so, we drove away… toward the Malhotras’ residence.

Toward my new home.

Toward the life that had already begun to change me.

I was exhausted and wished I could just teleport to my bed, but unfortunately, that kind of technology didn’t exist. I sat there quietly, tears slipping down my cheeks as I sobbed softly.

Seeing me like that, Vikrant Ji reached out and handed me his handkerchief. I accepted it politely and wiped my eyes. I could feel his steady gaze on me, quiet but attentive.

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, tangled and swirling confusion mixed with curiosity about what the future held. I didn’t even realize when sleep finally took over.

Thanks so much for reading, everyone! 💖 If you enjoyed this chapter, don’t forget to hit that follow button there’s so much more coming your way! ✨📖 Your support means the world to me! Drop your thoughts and reactions below. I love hearing from you! 🥰👇

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Naina.writz

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