Bonus Chapter-1

Author's POV,

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Rudra stirred awake, his senses enveloped by the familiar scent of jasmine. He turned his head to find Pihu beside him, her face serene and peaceful in slumber. A soft smile touched his lips as he watched her, marveling at the tranquility she brought to his otherwise tumultuous life. He brushed a lock of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek.

Pihu's eyes fluttered open at his touch. For a moment, she blinked, her mind registering his presence. A sleepy smile curved her lips, and she snuggled closer into his embrace.

"Good morning, Pearl," Rudra whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Pihu's eyes gleamed with affection. "Good morning, Rudra," she murmured, her voice still laced with sleep. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did," he replied, his voice low and tender. "Having you by my side makes everything perfect."

Pihu blushed, burying her face in his chest. "You're too sweet," she said softly."I could get used to waking up like this every day," she said with a content sigh.

Rudra chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her arm. "Well, soon, you won't have a choice. You'll be stuck with me forever."

Pihu tilted her head up to look at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "You make it sound like a punishment."

"Oh, believe me, it will be," Rudra teased, earning a light punch on his chest from Pihu.

They stayed like that for a while, basking in the morning tranquility, their hearts beating in sync. Rudra wished he could freeze this moment forever, keep her in his arms where nothing could touch them.

But the world was waiting outside, and the day had to begin.

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The dining room buzzed with chatter as everyone gathered for breakfast. Pihu's parents, her brothers, Shivani, and Veer were already seated, discussing the day ahead. Rudra and Pihu entered, hand in hand, drawing smiles and knowing glances from the family.

"Good morning," Pihu greeted, taking her seat. Rudra sat beside her, offering a polite nod.

"Good morning, lovebirds," Shivani teased, winking at Pihu.

Pihu rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "You're impossible, Shivani."

"Just stating facts," Shivani said with a grin.

Breakfast was served, and the conversation turned to wedding preparations. Pihu's mother, Nita, couldn't hide her excitement.

"So, when do we start planning the wedding?" Nita asked, her eyes sparkling with joy. "We have so much to do!"

Rudra set his cup down, taking charge of the discussion. "I'll send an event manager to help with the arrangements. They'll be here tomorrow, and you can decide everything."

Pihu pouted, looking at Rudra. "Rudra, this is our wedding, not just mine. How can you just leave everything to me? You should be here to plan with me."

Rudra hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "I have some important meetings coming up. It would be difficult for me to stay."

Pihu's face fell, her pout deepening. "Oh, so you're already changing before we even get married. You don't want to spend time with me," she said, crossing her arms and looking away.

Shivani, sensing an opportunity to stir the pot, chimed in with mock seriousness. "Exactly, Pihu! I told you men change after they get the girl. See, he's already showing his true colors. If he's this busy now, imagine after the wedding. You'll never see him!"

Rudra tried to interject, but Pihu's brothers joined in, teasing him mercilessly. "Yeah, Rudra Jiju, where's the love and dedication? You should be staying here and planning everything with di."

Pihu's father, Saarad, chuckled while Veer hid his smile behind his coffee cup. Rudra shot a pleading look at Veer, who shrugged as if to say, "You're on your own."

Rudra turned back to Pihu, his expression earnest. "Pearl, it's not like that. I'm just—"

Before he could finish, Pihu stood up abruptly, crossing her arms. "If you don't want to plan our wedding together, then I won't marry you. End of discussion!" She turned on her heel and marched out of the room, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Rudra groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. He glared at Shivani, who merely shrugged with an innocent smile.

"You should go after her, Rudra," Pihu's mother advised, a sympathetic smile on her face.

"Yes, go on," Veer added with a laugh. "Before she decides to cancel the wedding for real. And you have to again forced her to marry you."

Veer realised his mistake, everyone became silent and Rudra gives 'I will kill you looks.' Veer mouthed "I AM SORRY."

But before leaving Rudra look at each and everyone with a thought 'Hum sharif kya huai, zamana badmaash ho gaya'. Then, he rose from his seat,and walked briskly towards their room, his mind racing to find a way to fix things.He found her standing by the window in their room, arms crossed and a stormy expression on her face.

"Pihu," he said softly, approaching her. "I'm sorry. It's not like what you think. I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

Pihu didn't turn around, her voice trembling with hurt. "Then what did you mean, Rudra? You're already treating this marriage like a business deal. I don't want that. I want you to be here with me, to plan our wedding together."

Rudra sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Actually," he said hesitantly, "I was planning to surprise you. I was going to meet a world-famous designer for our wedding outfits. I wanted it to be perfect for you."

Pihu slowly turned around, her eyes searching his. "Really?"

Rudra nodded, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Really. I want this wedding to be everything you've ever dreamed of, Pihu. I just didn't want to spoil the surprise."

Pihu's expression softened, though a trace of doubt lingered. "You're not lying, are you?"

Rudra shook his head. "I would never lie to you, Pearl."

He couldn't help but tease her, his lips quirking up into a smile. "I didn't know before that my wife is so childish, just like a little toddler."

Pihu's eyes narrowed. "Hey, I am not childish!"

"Yes, you are," Rudra said, grinning.

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are."

They went back and forth, each insisting they were right. Finally, Rudra tricked her. "No, you're not childish."

"Yes, I am!" Pihu said automatically, then realized her mistake. "Wait—"

Rudra laughed. "See, you admitted it!"

Pihu tried to wiggle out of his arms, but Rudra held her close, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. Pihu's protests melted away, her cheeks flushing as she responded, the intensity of the kiss making her head spin.

When they finally pulled apart, Pihu's face was crimson, her heart racing. Rudra smiled, pressing his forehead against hers. "You'll marry me, right?" he asked softly.

Pihu looked into his eyes, the love and sincerity in them making her heart ache in the best way. "Yes, Rudra," she whispered. "I'll marry you."

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Rudra was like a whirlwind, moving through the days leading up to the wedding with an enthusiasm that left everyone around him stunned. His energy was contagious, and Pihu couldn't help but be swept up in the excitement, even if she felt a little overwhelmed. He took charge of the preparations with a meticulousness that was both surprising and impressive. Every decision, every choice, was carefully made to ensure that their wedding day would be nothing short of perfect.

Pihu's family, on the other hand, was baffled. They had envisioned a simple ceremony, something intimate and close-knit. But Rudra had other plans, grand plans that involved a lavish palace, hundreds of guests, and decorations fit for royalty. He didn't just want to marry Pihu; he wanted to give her a day that would be remembered forever.

"Are you sure about this, Rudra?" Nita, Pihu's mother, asked one evening, looking at the guest list Rudra had compiled. It included not only family and friends but also high-profile businessmen, ministers, and celebrities. "This is much bigger than we ever imagined."

Rudra smiled reassuringly. "Aunty, I know it's overwhelming, but I want to celebrate this day to the fullest. Pihu deserves nothing less. Don't worry; I've made sure to include everything you all like. The food, the music, the rituals—everything will be according to your traditions and preferences."

Pihu's father, Saarad, nodded slowly, his expression a mix of pride and confusion. "It's just... we're not used to such grandeur. Our family has always been about simplicity."

Rudra's eyes softened. "I understand. But trust me, everything will be perfect. You all mean the world to Pihu, and I want to make sure you feel as comfortable and involved as possible. I've taken care of everything. You just need to show up and enjoy."

Despite their initial hesitation, Pihu's family found themselves getting caught up in the preparations. The palace was a sight to behold, adorned with flowers and lights that made it look like something out of a fairytale. The scent of jasmine filled the air, mingling with the aroma of the traditional dishes being prepared in the kitchens. Every corner of the palace echoed with the sound of laughter and music, creating an atmosphere of celebration that was impossible to resist.

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The mehndi ceremony was a vibrant affair, with women gathered around Pihu, laughing and exchanging stories. Traditional music filled the air, its rhythmic beats making even the most reluctant toes tap. Pihu sat in the center, her hands outstretched as the mehndi artist skillfully drew intricate designs. The cool paste felt soothing against her skin, a small comfort amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Rudra sat beside her, the palm of his own hand adorned with a simple design of mehndi. It was a custom in some parts of North India for grooms to apply mehndi, a tradition Rudra embraced without hesitation. However, his attention was entirely on Pihu. He watched as she bit her lip, her eyes crinkling at the corners whenever she laughed. Her hands, becoming a canvas of swirling vines and blossoming flowers, seemed to him a perfect reflection of her—delicate, beautiful, and full of hidden depths.

Crouching down beside her, Rudra leaned in. "Are you hungry?" he asked softly, his voice barely audible over the chatter and music.

Pihu looked up, caught off guard by his closeness. Her cheeks warmed under his gaze. "Yes, but I can't eat with these," she replied, lifting her hands slightly, smeared with the wet paste.

Rudra's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Don't worry. I'll feed you," he said with a playful grin.

Pihu's heart fluttered, and she couldn't help but smile back. She watched as Rudra went off to grab some snacks, his excitement palpable even in the way he moved. When he returned, he gently fed her bites of sweets and fruits, his fingers brushing her lips ever so slightly. Each touch sent a small jolt through her, and Pihu couldn't decide if she wanted to pull away or lean closer.

The teasing from her friends and cousins continued, their laughter like a pleasant background score. "His name is hidden in the mehndi," one of them declared. "He better find it during the wedding night!"

Pihu blushed deeply, glancing shyly at Rudra, who only smirked in response. "Oh, I'll find it," he said confidently, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'll find it and more."

Pihu's blush deepened, and she tried to hide it by turning away. But Shivani, always the instigator, pulled her to the dance floor, declaring the mehndi was dry enough to dance freely. The music shifted to a lively beat, and soon Pihu found herself swaying and spinning, her laughter echoing in the air.

Rudra stood back, watching her with a smile. Veer, noticing Rudra's longing look, nudged him playfully. "What are you waiting for? Go dance with your bride!"

Rudra grinned and joined the dance floor. He took Pihu's hand, pulling her close. As the music transitioned to a romantic tune, "Sun Mere Humsafar," the world around them faded. The lyrics wrapped around them like a warm embrace, creating a bubble where only the two of them existed.

They danced slowly, gazing into each other's eyes. Pihu felt herself getting lost in the depth of Rudra's eyes, finding a world that felt safe, warm, and filled with love. For that moment, there were no doubts, no fears—just the two of them, together.

Rudra leaned in, his voice barely a whisper against her ear. "I promise, Pihu," he said, his words carrying the weight of unspoken vows. "I'll always be by your side, in every dance, in every song."

Pihu's breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, leaning into him. His arms tightened around her, and they swayed together, two hearts beating in perfect rhythm. The real world, with all its complications and expectations, could wait. Right now, they had this dance, this moment, and it was everything.

As the last note of the song faded into the night, Rudra and Pihu remained lost in each other's gaze, their foreheads touching softly. The world around them had melted away, leaving only the two of them standing in a perfect bubble of love and unspoken promises. They were so engrossed in the moment that they didn't hear the clapping start around them, the applause growing louder as their dance came to a gentle end.

It was Shivani's loud whistle that finally shattered their world. "Wooo! Look at our lovebirds!" she called out, her voice full of joy and mischief.

Pihu blinked, her trance broken. She looked around to see everyone watching them, smiles wide on their faces. Her parents stood near the edge of the dance floor, her mother with a soft smile, and her father with assurance and adoration. Pihu's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, the heat rising to her ears, making them burn. She shyly glanced down, trying to hide her embarrassment. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress, a futile attempt to find some kind of anchor.

Rudra, too, felt the heat of the attention. His usual confidence faltered as he noticed the many pairs of eyes fixed on them. A sheepish grin tugged at his lips, and he instinctively pulled Pihu closer to shield her from the onlookers. "Looks like we've become the center of attention," he whispered to her, trying to lighten the moment.

Pihu managed a small smile, still looking at her feet. "I noticed," she muttered back, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before the situation could become more awkward, Nita stepped in with her usual grace and warmth. She gently placed a hand on Pihu's shoulder, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "Come, beta," she said softly. "Let's get you some rest before the big day tomorrow. You've had enough excitement for one evening."

Pihu looked up, relief washing over her. She nodded, grateful for her mother's timely intervention. Nita led her away from the dance floor, her arm protectively around her daughter. As they walked, Pihu glanced back at Rudra, who was still standing amid their friends and family, watching her go. His eyes held a promise of more moments like these, more dances under the stars, more whispered vows.

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TBC

This chapter is dedicated to those readers who expressed their desire to read more chapters and enjoy the story. A special thank you to everyone who voted on each chapter.