Author P.O.V
The car glided through the narrow streets of Varanasi, its headlights cutting through the dim glow of flickering streetlights. Rudra sat in the backseat, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee—a restless beat that mirrored the storm brewing in his mind.
Marriage. Of all the traps his father could have set, this one was the most suffocating. He stared out of the window, the faint sound of temple bells ringing in the background—a cruel reminder of the gods he resented and the city he had vowed never to set foot in again. But fate had dragged him back, pulling at the memories of the night which he tried to forget.
That night.
The night he’d seen her.
For a brief, maddening moment, she had shattered the quiet numbness that had defined his existence, making his dead heart stutter and race. He had buried the memory deep, locked it away where it couldn’t haunt him, yet now, here he was—back in the same city, the same streets that led to the temple where she had stood, bathed in soft moonlight, looking like a secret meant only for him.
Rudra clenched his fists, grinding his teeth as if doing so could push her image out of his mind.
“Am I the only one who feels this wedding might be a trap?” Keshav asked, turning slightly in his seat to look at Rudra.
Rudra didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
Keshav pressed on. “Sir, I just want to say—there’s something off about this. It feels too… calculated.”
“And what exactly are you implying smart pants?” Abhinav cut in, folding his arms as he sat beside Rudra. His tone was laced with sarcasm. “That Rudra’s enemies are plotting to stop him with a girl? That’s your master theory, genius?”
“I’m saying it could be linked to the project, who knows?” Keshav replied, unfazed. “It’s no secret how powerful boss will become if the project succeeds. Plenty of people don’t want that.”
Rudra shook his head slightly, dismissing the conversation, but Abhinav wasn’t done.
“You think they’re going to use a girl to manipulate him? This is Rudra we’re talking about,” Abhinav said, gesturing at Rudra. “The man doesn’t even believe in God; do you think a woman can trap him?”
“Still…” Keshav began, but Abhinav waved him off.
“Relax, Smart-head. Stop worrying too much and enjoy the wedding!” Abhinav exclaimed, his grin growing wider. He nudged Rudra playfully.
The glare Rudra shot him could have silenced anyone else, but not Abhinav.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Keshav muttered, seeing Abhinav’s hand hover near Rudra’s shoulder again.Abhinav sighed dramatically but leaned back in his seat.
The ride continued, and Abhinav couldn’t contain his excitement about the wedding. He kept talking, oblivious to the death stares Rudra sent his way.
“I’m really excited!” Abhinav nearly squealed this time, earning an eye roll from Keshav, who was seated up front.
“For the hundredth time, would you just SHUT UP before you get thrown out of the car?” Keshav hissed, trying to keep Rudra from snapping.
Abhinav, unfazed, waved him off with a casual gesture.
“Anyway, isn’t this supposed to be the baraat?”(baraat- a tradition in Indian weddings that symbolizes the groom's journey to the bride)
“Technically, yes,” Keshav replied.
“Too bad. With Rudra’s range, we should’ve been riding in on an elephant or at least a horse. Imagine how impressed bhabhi (sister-in-law) would be.” Abhinav dragged out the last word teasingly.
“If you keep talking, I'll make sure you leave the car with your neck broken.” Rudra said, his voice calm but deadly.
Abhinav leaned back, holding up his hands. “Jeez. You should smile more, Rudra. Who knows, bhabhi might be the most beautiful woman you've ever seen, you might even fall in love, Who knows?"
Just then the car screeched to a sudden halt, throwing Abhinav forward. He groaned, straightening up as Rudra smirked, stepping out of the car.
“I don’t know about the boss,” Keshav said, barely suppressing his laughter, “but someone definitely fell hard.”
“Shut up,” Abhinav muttered, dusting his suit as he got out.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the driver said apologetically. “We’ve arrived.”
Abhinav looked at Keshav, who was still laughing,he then turned his attention to Rudra, who was striding toward the hall at a pace that was dangerously close to running.
“If we were even a second late, he’d have killed you back in the car itself, why do you have to be soo Unserious?” Keshav said, following their boss.
"Whatever," Abhinav said, brushing off his suit. Without wasting another moment, he started jogging to catch up with Rudra, who was already halfway to the grandly decorated hall.
"Hold your horses, buddy! I didn’t know you were this eager to get married," Abhinav called out with a teasing grin, winking as he passed Rudra. Anticipating the glare that followed, he quickened his pace, putting some distance between them.
Keshav followed behind, shaking his head at Abhinav's antics. "Unserious as always," he muttered under his breath, trying to keep up with his bosses pace.
The entrance to the grand function hall was mesmerizing, with towering lotus-shaped lights lining the pathway, their warm glow reflecting off the intricate lanterns beneath.
"Randeep Uncle really went all out for this wedding," Abhinav remarked, awe-struck by the decorations. Rudra, however, walked forward, his face devoid of emotion.
“Sir,” Keshav called out hesitantly, stopping Rudra in his tracks. “Your father—” Rudra’s eyes turned red at the mere mention of the term father, silencing Keshav mid-sentence. Keshav quickly lowered his head. “I’m sorry, sir. Mr. Randeep Chakravarti said he’s waiting for you in the groom’s room.”
Rudra gave a curt nod and resumed walking, his stride purposeful.
Inside the room, Randeep was on a call, his tone authoritative. “Yes, he’ll come in a while. Make sure everything’s ready.” He ended the call as soon as Rudra and the others entered. His eyes softened briefly, a sigh of relief escaping him at the sight of his son.
“Good to see you again, Uncle!” Abhinav greeted enthusiastically, rushing to hug Randeep, who gave him a fond pat. Keshav, standing dutifully behind Rudra, offered a polite “Good evening, sir,” to which Randeep nodded.
Randeep’s gaze shifted to Rudra, who stared at the wall, his face a mask of anger. Sensing the tension, Randeep decided to skip pleasantries. “I’m relieved you finally came. Now, please get ready. It’s almost time for the wedding.”
Rudra smirked, his hands sliding into his pockets as he straightened his posture. “You really thought I came to marry her? Really?” His smirk widened as he caught the disappointment flash across Randeep’s face.
“I knew it! I knew he wouldn’t agree so easily,” Keshav whispered to Abhinav, nudging him discreetly. Abhinav, however, looked dejected.
Rudra’s voice was sharp and unyielding. “I’m not here to marry her, Mr. Chakravarti. As I said before, I’m willing to provide her my protection, as you wished. But marriage? That’s unnecessary.”
Abhinav stepped forward, attempting to reason. “Rudra, this is for the project—your dream project, think about it. It’s not a real wedding; it’s just a business deal in disguise.”
Randeep nodded in agreement, but Rudra’s smirk remained. “The main deal is to protect her, Abhinav. Why do I need to marry her to do that? You Think about it.”
Abhinav sighed in frustration, stepping back. “There’s a lot you don’t know, Rudra,” Randeep interjected, moving closer to his son.
“This woman you vowed to protect is in grave danger. The wedding creates a strong, legitimate reason for her to stay in your mansion. If she’s just a ‘guest,’ people will question her presence and dig deeper, potentially exposing her which would put her in more danger. But as Mrs. Chakravarti, she becomes untouchable.”
Rudra’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists. The mere mention of “Mrs. Chakravarti” ignited a fire in his eyes.
Randeep sighed, pulling out a document. “She’s already signed this. If you’re willing to keep your promise, sign it. And as I promised, I’ll give you everything you need for the project.”
Rudra’s gaze shifted between the paper and his father, hesitation evident. Sensing his reluctance, Randeep placed a pendrive atop the document. “This contains information about the people sabotaging your project and other details you requested.”
Keshav immediately snatched the pendrive, making Randeep flinch. “I’m sorry, sir…” Keshav mumbled, retreating.
Rudra sighed heavily before signing the document, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.
“Thank you, son,” Randeep said, relief evident in his tone. “I’ll keep my promise. Please, take care of her and get ready. The dress is in the wardrobe. You’re needed at the mandap in half an hour.” He left, leaving Rudra seething in the room.
“Buddy, what’s her name?” Abhinav asked curiously, breaking the silence.
Rudra frowned, confused. Abhinav rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you see her signature? What’s her name? I want to know my Bhabhi ji’s name!”
Rudra kicked a nearby chair, the loud crash silencing both Abhinav and Keshav. He grabbed Abhinav by the collar, his voice a low growl. “GET OUT.”
He shoved Abhinav, who stumbled to the floor. Keshav quickly helped him up, the two retreating hastily.
Once outside, Keshav scolded, “Are you for real? When will you ever learn? Look what happened!”
Unbothered, Abhinav shrugged. “Oops. Who’ll help him get ready now? Let me go in—”
Keshav pushed him away. “I don’t want you dead. Leave!”
Abhinav made a mock crying face before walking off, leaving Keshav to shake his head in exasperation.
ANIKA P.O.V
The makeup artist leaned back, examining her work with a proud smile. “You look so pretty, ma’am,” she said softly, her tone reassuring as though she sensed the storm of emotions brewing inside me.
I nodded, offering a polite smile.
Her expression softened. “You know, you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever worked with. I understand weddings can be overwhelming, but trust me—you’ll be amazing.”
Amazing? How could I explain that it wasn’t the wedding that had my heart racing, or maybe... it was? A fake one or not, the weight of it all felt crushing.
“Thank you,” I said simply, trying not to betray the chaos inside me. She gave me an encouraging smile before quietly leaving the room.
The silence swallowed me whole, leaving only the sound of my uneven breathing. I turned toward the mirror and froze.
The person staring back at me didn’t look like me.
My gaze traveled from my face to the lehenga that Yuktha had chosen. Its deep red hue shimmered under the soft lights, the intricate gold embroidery catching every flicker.
It was breathtaking, the kind of lehenga one dreams about but never imagines actually wearing. For a moment, I forgot everything—the fake wedding, the whirlwind of emotions. Yuktha had outdone herself. I smiled softly. If left to me, I doubt I could’ve picked something this perfect. She always knew what I needed, sometimes even better than I did.
I was still admiring my reflection when Yuktha burst into the room, Vaishu trailing behind her.
“YOU LOOK AMAZING!” Yuktha exclaimed, striding toward me with a wide grin. She was wearing a saree, of all things—Yuktha, who avoided traditional wear like the plague. This was probably the second time I’d ever seen her in one, and she looked gorgeous.
“You look incredible,” I replied, my words heartfelt.
“Thanks,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug that nearly knocked the air out of me.
“Didi, aap bilkul Devi lag rahe ho!” Vaishu added, her little voice brimming with admiration.
My chest tightened at their love. “Thank you, Vaishu,” I whispered, struggling to keep the tears at bay.
“Enough, Vaishu! You’ll ruin her makeup,” Yuktha said, breaking the hug and frowning dramatically.
I laughed softly, turning back to dab at my eyes. When I faced them again, they were both smiling at me, the kind of smiles that made everything feel okay, even if just for a moment.
“I don’t know who this ‘well-known, unbeatable, untouchable Rudra Chakravarti’ thinks he is, but he’s one lucky guy to have you for six months,” Yuktha declared, her mockery razor-sharp.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Yuktha was still furious—no, livid—about him not showing up.
“Didi, do you really have to go?” Vaishu’s soft voice broke the moment. Her small face crumpled as tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t want you to leave.”
And just like that, my heart shattered again. I pulled her close, settling her on my lap.
“Believe me, Vaishu,” I began, my voice thick, “I don’t want to leave you either. I wish I could stay with you both forever. But what do I always tell you?”
Her lips trembled as she repeated, “That life never goes as planned, and God always has better plans than us.”
I nodded, cupping her tear-streaked face with my mehendi-stained hands. “Exactly. And you trust His plans, don’t you?”
She sniffled and nodded, wiping her tears.
Yuktha rolled her eyes, sitting beside me. “I don’t know about God’s plans, but life definitely doesn’t go as planned.”
I shook my head at her. Yuktha never believed in God, and in all our fifteen years of friendship, she’d never once agreed with me on that topic. But she still took me to the Ganga Aarti, still accompanied me to temples whenever I asked. That was love—her love.
And now, looking at her beside me, I couldn’t imagine life without her. But Yuktha didn’t just stand by me; she carried me when I couldn’t walk, gave me strength when mine ran dry. And now, as much as it terrified me, I knew I had to survive on the strength she’d given me.
AUTHOR P.O.V
Yuktha glanced at Anika one last time before stepping out of the room, promising to return shortly. As the door clicked shut behind her, the muffled sounds of the priest’s chants and the rhythmic tabla echoed through the corridor. She held her phone to her ear, her tone sharp as she managed some last-minute arrangements.
The soft glow of the mandap lights spilled into the hallway, illuminating the vibrant decorations. Lost in the call, Yuktha’s steps brought her closer to the mandap, her saree trailing elegantly behind her.
At the same time, Abhinav stood near the mandap, his gaze flickering between the intricate floral setup and the bustle of people preparing for the ceremony. He adjusted his cufflinks absentmindedly, looking at the grandeur rudra refused.
Unbeknownst to either of them, his polished shoe found its way onto the edge of Yuktha’s saree. She didn’t notice it at first, still absorbed in the call, but the moment she turned to move, she felt a sharp tug.
Stopping mid-sentence, Yuktha frowned and glanced back. Her eyes narrowed as she traced the source of the trouble to Abhinav, who stood oblivious, admiring the mandap.
“Hello?” she called out, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Hello! Can you hear me?”
Abhinav didn’t flinch. The priest’s mantras and the tabla drowned her voice, rendering her attempts futile. Her irritation mounted, and she strode closer, tapping his shoulder sharply.
“Excuse me,” she said, her tone curt and her expression a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.
Abhinav turned, confused, his brows furrowing as he noticed her for the first time. “You’re excused,” he replied with a slight smirk, completely unaware of the situation.
Yuktha stood there, her jaw tightening at his reply. “Are you dumb or what? Can’t you see you’re standing on my saree? Step off! You dumbhead!” she snapped, her annoyance spilling over like a tidal wave. When it comes to controlling anger and annoyance, yuktha would come in the last place.
Abhinav blinked, startled, and quickly stepped back. “Jeez, sorry! You could’ve just said that nicely, you know? Why so feisty?” he replied, folding his arms and giving her a pointed look.
Yuktha’s eyes narrowed, the irritation radiating off her in waves. “I have no reason to be nice to you, so go to hell,” she retorted, her voice laced with venom, teeth gritting as she stared him down.
Abhinav scoffed, his lips twitching upward in a smirk. “Wow! I’m trying to be nice here, but the little fierce lady thinks she owns the world.”Abhinav said, scoffing as he shifted his gaze to Yuktha, his expression teetering between disbelief and amusement.
Yuktha crossed her arms, her glare sharp enough to cut through his smugness. “Do you even know who I am?” he asked, turning fully to face her, his voice laced with challenge.
“Yeah,” she replied without missing a beat, her tone dry and unbothered. “Some mannerless donkey.”
“Excuse me?” Abhinav exclaimed, his voice rising an octave as he stared at her, utterly flabbergasted.
Yuktha gave him a sweet yet mocking smile. “You’re excused,” she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a flourish before walking away, leaving him standing there, speechless and wide-eyed.
He stared after her, the air around him buzzing with the echo of her words. His phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his daze. He fished it out, still staring at the empty space she’d left behind.
“Hello?” he answered, distracted.
“Abhinav! Where are you? Get to the groom’s room—he’s ready!”
“What? Already?” Abhinav blinked, shaking his head as reality hit. “Wait, I’m coming!”
Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he stole one last glance in the direction Yuktha had gone before heading to the groom’s room, still trying to make sense of the fiery whirlwind he’d just encountered.
——————
The venue buzzed with the vibrant energy of wedding preparations—priests chanting, tabla beats resonating, and guests chattering in excitement. Amidst the grand chaos, a man slipped through the entrance, his face partially obscured by a scarf, blending effortlessly with the crowd. Jagdeesh.
He moved to a quiet corner near the trees, away from prying eyes, and pulled out his phone. Dialing a number, he waited impatiently for the call to connect. As soon as it did, he spoke in a hushed but urgent tone, “Sir, I’ve reached the venue, and our men are in position. Do you want us to proceed with the kidnapping, or should we wait?”
For a moment, there was only silence on the other end. Then, a commanding voice finally spoke, calm yet decisive. “Don’t do it.”
Jagdeesh froze, his brows furrowing in confusion. He clenched his jaw, frustration lacing his voice as he replied, “But sir, we’ve been planning this for weeks! How can you let her slide into someone else’s custody so easily? After I spent years keeping her in my clutches?”
The voice on the phone remained firm. “I’m your boss, Jagdeesh. I make the decisions. And I’m telling you—you can’t protect her anymore. Her identity is leaked. The storm headed her way is far bigger than you can comprehend. Only this marriage can buy her safety, even if it’s temporary. Let her live six months of peace. After that, we’ll execute the plan.”
Jagdeesh’s grip tightened around the phone, his disbelief evident. “But sir—”
The voice interrupted sharply, leaving no room for argument. “Get out of there, Jagdeesh. This wedding must happen. Rudra is the only one who can shield her now. Stay in the shadows and wait for further instructions.”
With that, the line went dead, leaving Jagdeesh staring at the screen, his breath heavy with suppressed anger. He glanced back toward the glowing mandap, where the marriage rituals were about to begin, and cursed under his breath.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
It's finally happening! I know this isn't what you all expected, but I can only provide this for now. Honestly, I'm not completely happy with how it turned out, but you have to understand—I literally finished my exams and started writing after weeks!
I’ve been dealing with writer's block, but I pushed myself to write this, so I hope you can forgive me if you didn’t like the chapter. As you all know, the wedding is going to happen in the next chapter! Please comment on how you want it to be; I can include your wishes in the next chapter. Vote and comment for the chapter! Thank you all, love you❤.
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