Aarohiâs exams were finally over. The weight of studying, assignments, and last-minute revisions had lifted, and she felt a sense of relief. She wasnât worried about the resultsâshe knew she had done well. But now, something else had taken over her mind.
Her wedding.
The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Excitement, anticipation, nervousnessâit was a chaotic mix of emotions. She had dreamed of this day for so long, and now it was just a breath away. In a few hours, she would be married to Vihaan. Her Vihaan.
Sitting on her bed, still in her nightwear, Aarohi absentmindedly traced patterns on the bedsheet, her thoughts drifting. The house was filled with wedding preparationsâdistant chatter, the sound of decorators setting up, and the aroma of fresh flowers. But she was lost in a different moment, a memory that made her pulse quicken.
The Haldi ceremony.
The way Vihaan had smudged turmeric on her cheek with his own, the way his fingers had traced her skin, the husky possessiveness in his voiceâ"You're mine, Aarohi."
A deep blush crept up her cheeks.
She covered her face with her hands, shaking her head. "Oh god," she muttered, feeling the heat rise.
"Whatâs going on here?"
Aarohiâs head snapped up to see Tanya standing by the door, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face.
Aarohi quickly composed herself. "N-Nothing!"
Tanya raised an eyebrow. "Nothing? Really? Then why do you look like a tomato?"
Aarohi groaned. "I do not!"
Tanya plopped onto the bed beside her. "Oh, you absolutely do! And I bet I know why." She wiggled her brows. "Thinking about Vihaan?"
Aarohiâs blush deepened. "No!"
Tanya gasped dramatically. "Liar! I saw that dreamy look in your eyes. Oh my god, Aarohi, you were thinking about your Haldi moment, weren't you?"
Aarohi turned away, hiding her face. "Shut up, Tanya."
Tanya giggled, nudging her shoulder. "Aww, my best friend is in love! And she's blushing just from thinking about her fiancé." She sighed. "I love this for you."
Aarohi peeked at her through her fingers. "Tanya, stop teasing me."
"But why? This is so much fun!" Tanya grinned. "Tell me, how does it feel knowing that in just a few hours, youâll officially be Mrs. Vihaan Malhotra?"
Aarohi swallowed, her heart flipping at the sound of that name. Mrs. Vihaan Malhotra.
A mix of nerves and excitement bubbled inside her. "I donât know, Tanya. I mean, I want this. I really do. Butâ"
"But you're nervous?"
Aarohi nodded slowly.
Tanya smiled, taking her hands in hers. "Thatâs normal, Aaru. Itâs a big day. But you love him, and he adores you. Everything will be perfect."
Aarohi exhaled softly, a small smile forming. "Youâre right."
"Of course, I am." Tanya smirked. "And donât worry about anything else. Just focus on your hot, possessive fiancé who is completely obsessed with you."
Aarohi groaned, throwing a pillow at Tanya. "TANYA!"
Tanya dodged it, laughing. "Okay, okay! Iâll stopâfor now. But just wait till the wedding, Aarohi. If Vihaan so much as looks at you a certain way, I am so going to tease you again."
Aarohi buried her face in the pillow, knowing Tanya was absolutely going to keep her promise.
And honestly? She didnât mind.
Because no matter how nervous she was, one thing was certainâshe couldnât wait to marry Vihaan.
Aarohi sat in front of the mirror, her heart racing as she took in her reflection.
Dressed in a breathtaking red bridal lehenga, adorned with intricate embroidery and delicate gold embellishments, she looked every bit the bride she had imagined. The heavy dupatta rested gracefully on her head, her jewelry sparkling under the soft glow of the lights. Her hands, decorated with deep red mehendi, trembled slightly as she adjusted her bangles.
She was getting married.
The realization sent shivers down her spine. Excitement and nervousness swirled within her like a storm.
A gentle knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. Tanya peeked in, her eyes widening as she stepped inside.
"Oh. My. God." Tanya covered her mouth dramatically. "Aarohi, you look absolutely stunning!"
Aarohi let out a nervous chuckle. "Really?"
"Really?" Tanya scoffed. "Vihaan is going to lose his mind when he sees you!"
At the mention of Vihaan, Aarohi felt warmth spread through her. She wondered what he was doing right now. Was he as nervous as she was? Or was he just being his usual confident, possessive self?
Tanya sat beside her, grinning. "How do you feel?"
Aarohi took a deep breath. "Nervous. Excited. A mix of everything."
"Thatâs normal. But just remember one thingâVihaan is waiting for you."
Aarohi smiled at that. Yes, he was.
And she couldnât wait to see him.
Vihaan stood at the mandap, dressed in an ivory sherwani with intricate gold embroidery, his presence commanding as always. His hair was neatly styled, his sharp features enhanced by the soft glow of the mandap lights. He adjusted his cuffs, glancing at the entrance impatiently.
"Where is she?" he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening.
Karan smirked beside him. "Relax, bro. Sheâll be here soon."
Vihaan shot him a look. "She better be. Iâve waited long enough."
And then, the music changed.
Everyone turned toward the entrance, and there she was.
Aarohi stepped forward, her gaze locking onto Vihaanâs immediately. The world around them faded, leaving just the two of them.
Vihaanâs breath hitched.
She looked ethereal, like a dream he never wanted to wake up from. His grip on his sherwani tightened as he took in every detailâher glowing skin, the nervous bite of her lower lip, the way her hands clutched her lehenga slightly.
Mine.
His heart pounded with possessiveness, with pride.
Aarohi slowly walked toward him, her heartbeat matching the rhythm of his intense gaze.
As she reached the mandap, Vihaan extended his hand. Without hesitation, she placed hers in his, her fingers trembling slightly.
"You look⦠beautiful," he whispered, his voice husky.
Aarohi blushed. "You look good too."
Vihaan smirked. "I know."
She rolled her eyes, and he chuckled, squeezing her hand.
The priest began the rituals, their families watching with happiness. As they exchanged garlands, Vihaan leaned in slightly.
"Say it," he murmured, his voice teasing.
Aarohi blinked. "Say what?"
"That youâre mine."
Aarohiâs cheeks turned red. "Vihaan, not now."
He smirked. "Youâll say it soon enough."
She shook her head, biting back a smile.