New Start....

The Moment She Became His

The wedding rituals began, and with each vow they took, Ridhima reminded herself—this is just a deal. Just four months.

But as Veer's hand brushed hers while taking the pheras, a strange shiver ran through her spine.

Then came the final moment.

Veer took the sindoor, his fingers steady yet filled with an unreadable intensity. He leaned closer, his gaze locked onto hers, and gently filled her maang with the deep red vermillion.

It was done.

She was now Mrs. Veer Arora.

Before she could even process the weight of it, Veer leaned in slightly, his lips just a breath away from her ear, and in his deep, husky voice, he murmured—

"Hi, Mrs. Veer Arora... You are officially my wife now."

Ridhima's heart slammed against her ribs.

Something about the way he said it—the ownership in his voice, the teasing glint in his eyes—made her breath hitch.

Her fingers curled around her lehenga, her mind screaming this is just a deal, but her heart? It wasn't so sure anymore.

Veer and Ridhima sat in the backseat of the luxurious car, officially married yet wrapped in an unfamiliar silence.

The flashes of cameras from the media cars following them lit up the dark night, but neither of them acknowledged it. The reporters threw out questions—

"Mr. Arora, how does it feel to be married?"

"Mrs. Arora, was this a love or arranged marriage?"

"Is this just a business alliance or something more?"

Ridhima tightened her grip on her lehenga, her eyes fixed on her hands. Veer, sitting beside her, looked unaffected, his jaw sharp, his gaze straight ahead.

Without looking at her, he muttered in a low voice, "Ignore them. They'll move on to another headline tomorrow."

Ridhima simply nodded. She wasn't new to the media's attention, but today—today felt different.

The car started moving, leaving the chaos behind. A silence settled between them, thick and unspoken. The reality of their four-month deal hung in the air, yet for some reason, the weight of it felt heavier now.

Veer glanced sideways at her, noticing the way she played with her bangles, lost in thought.

He smirked slightly. "Nervous, Mrs. Arora?"

Ridhima snapped her head toward him, eyes wide. "Why would I be?"

Veer just chuckled under his breath, "You tell me."

She turned away, staring out of the window as the Arora Mansion came into view, her heart unsure of what awaited her inside.

The First Night at Arora Mansion

As Veer and Ridhima arrived at Arora Mansion, the grand entrance was filled with golden lights, flowers, and guests eagerly waiting to welcome the new bride. The media had followed them, but neither of them paid attention as the car rolled to a stop.

Veer stepped out first, adjusting his cream sherwani, his sharp features glowing under the lights. Then, he turned to Ridhima, extending his hand.

She hesitated. This was just a deal. A four-month contract. But with all eyes on her, she had no choice. She placed her delicate hand in his, feeling the warmth of his skin before quickly letting go as she stepped out.

His mother, Aarti  Arora, stood at the entrance, holding an aarti thali.(ritual of Indian post wedding)

"Welcome home, bahu," she said warmly, performing the traditional aarti before letting Ridhima step inside.

Ridhima faked a polite smile, her mind constantly reminding her that this wasn't real.

As soon as the rituals were over, Aarav Oberoi, Veer's best friend, approached them. He smirked, his eyes filled with mischief.

"Ridhima, you must be tired. Come on, I'll show you to your room. Veer will join in a minute," Aarav said casually.

Ridhima didn't argue. She nodded and followed him through the grand hallway of the mansion. The place screamed luxury—chandeliers, marble flooring, and paintings worth more than she could ever imagine.

Aarav pushed open a heavy wooden door, revealing a beautifully decorated bedroom filled with white roses and candles.

Ridhima's breath hitched for a second. The setting was too romantic.

Aarav, noticing her reaction, smirked. "Don't worry, I'll tell Veer to sleep on the couch."

Ridhima gave him a sharp look, making Aarav chuckle. "Relax, I was joking. Anyway, rest well. Good luck handling Veer."

Before Ridhima could respond, Aarav left, leaving her alone in the room.

She let out a deep sigh, glancing around.

This was now her room. For four months.

Just as she sat on the bed, the door creaked open, and Veer walked in. His dark eyes locked onto hers, scanning her every expression.

And in that moment, her heart betrayed her again. It skipped a beat.