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Mahir's pov-
The elders had always been a force of nature when it came to decisions. Their impeccable planning, combined with an unrelenting determination to display the family's stature, ensured that no event in the Sehgal household was ever less than extraordinary.
When Dadi announced a grand celebration for my birthday-a supposed "humble occasion" to introduce Siara to the world-I knew there was no escaping it.
The Sehgal legacy is not just a family name-it is an empire, a brand synonymous with power, prestige, and unparalleled influence. Founded over five decades ago by my grandfather, The Sehgal Groups had built their fortune across industries: real estate, luxury hospitality, technology, and pharmaceuticals. Each venture bore the unmistakable mark of excellence, ensuring their place not only in the market but in the minds of everyone who dared to compete.
And now, introducing Siara as my wife would mean drawing attention-not just the usual interest from society, but sharp scrutiny from my rivals. The media will make up their own baseless stories. The thought of her being scrutinized didn't sit well with me, though I couldn't put a finger on why. Bringing Siara into the spotlight is a whole new ballgame.
But there is no choice. If Siara is carrying the Sehgal name, then the world had to see her as one of us. Not as an outsider. Not as a liability.
She isn't just my wife; she is Dr. Siara-a renowned surgeon, the epitome of brilliance and grace.
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The Night of Secrets
The grand staircase of the Sehgal mansion gleamed under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. I stood near the base, tugging at the cufflinks of my custom-tailored tuxedo, engrossed in my phone while waiting-for her.
The sound of soft footsteps on the marble staircase pulled my attention. I glanced up, and for a moment, time slowed. My pulse quickened with every step she took, and suddenly, the room felt smaller, the air heavier. Why the hell, my heart is racing like this nowadays? I need to consult a doctor, this looks concerning.
I drifted out of my thoughts when Siara descended the stairs with a composure that could put royalty to shame. She wore an intricately embroidered emerald black evening gown that hugged her figure perfectly, the shimmer of the fabric catching the light. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and the faint sparkle of diamonds adorned her ears. She wasn't just beautiful-she was magnetic, a force that demanded attention without even trying.
For someone who claimed to not care for appearances, she had effortlessly stolen the spotlight. My wife.
I didn't realize I'd been staring until Kabir sidled up beside me with a barely suppressed smirk. "Careful, bhai," he whispered conspiratorially. "You're starting to look like Bhabhi's husband"
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath, my gaze still fixed on her as she descended.
Siara's expression, of course, was as stoic as ever. If she noticed the way every head in the room turned to her-or the way mine seemed glued to her-she gave no indication. Her cold mask was firmly in place, but there was something about her tonight. Something... different.
When she reached the final step, her eyes met mine for a fraction of a second. It wasn't long, but it was enough to make my chest tighten unexpectedly. She raised an eyebrow slightly, as if silently questioning, Are you just going to stand there, or are we going to leave?
"Siara," Maa called out warmly, breaking the moment. "You look stunning, beta."
Siara inclined her head politely. "Thank you"
Kabir, ever the instigator, clapped me on the shoulder. "Well, bhai? Are you going to compliment your wife, or shall I do the honors?"
I shot him a warning glare but forced myself to step forward. "You're ready?" I asked Siara, my voice calmer than I felt.
She gave a small nod. "Let's go."
As I offered her my arm and led her toward the car, the whispers began. Kabir's teasing didn't help either. "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Rock are all set to break the social media"
"And some bones," shivay added
I didn't bother responding. Let them whisper. Let them speculate. All I knew was that tonight, the world would see her for who she truly was-formidable, graceful, and undoubtedly mine.
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The car came to a halt in front of the grand venue, and I could already hear the chaos of the media outside. The flashing lights and the shouting of reporters were like a constant buzz in the background. But tonight wasn't about them; it was about Siara-my wife. I glanced at her, and there it was again: that cool, composed mask, like she was untouchable. But this time, it felt different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the tension in the air told me that tonight would mark the beginning of something...new.
I stepped out first, adjusting my tuxedo, and then opened her door. She didn't need my help, but I did it anyway. And as she stepped out, the flashes of cameras hit us like a wave.
"Who is she? Is she your current girlfriend! Can we have a picture? How long have you been together? Are you already engaged? When are you getting married?" The barrage of questions came in rapid succession.
I instinctively placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her as we walked toward the center of the red carpet. The reporters were relentless, and the flashes from the cameras felt like strobe lights, but Siara remained unflinching, as if nothing fazed her.
I felt the slight warmth of her body beside me, the first time I noticed how close we were. There was a hint of something I couldn't quite place in the air between us-an undeniable proximity, a chemistry that neither of us had ever acknowledged before. But for now, I kept my focus straight ahead, ready to face the world as they ogled our every move.
Turning to face the media, I took a deep breath before addressing the crowd, giving the people what they wanted. "I'm proud to introduce to all of you, my wife, Dr. Siara Mahir Sehgal. A single more absurd question or disrespect for her, you'll face me as her husband" I announced while pointing towards siara, my tone firm and serious.
They all went quiet for a brief moment before the questions started firing again, this time with a new level of curiosity but no disrespect for siara. My mind was focused solely on Siara's calm, composed face as she stood next to me. It was as though she had stepped into her role as the perfect Sehgal wife effortlessly. No nerves, no hesitation.
I could sense a shift happening, one that would affect everything, including the image of the mighty Sehgal family that had always been untouchable. Siara was now at the center of it. And as the flashes continued, I couldn't shake the feeling that these pictures, this moment, would forever change how the world saw us.
And for reasons I still didn't fully understand, it felt like the beginning of something far bigger than I had anticipated.
As we made our way through the sea of flashing lights and eager reporters, the noise gradually dimmed as we entered the venue, but the weight of the attention was still palpable. The grand luxurious hall unfolded before us like something straight out of a dream, with towering chandeliers casting their warm glow on the glittering marble floors. The gold and white decor added an air of grandeur, showcasing the wealth and legacy of the Sehgal family in every corner.
The moment we stepped in, it felt like the entire world had stopped. Eyes shifted in our direction, as though we had become the center of gravity in the room. The music, the laughter, the conversations-they all seemed to fade into the background as I led Siara forward. People paused mid-conversation, their eyes locking onto us. Some were looking impressed, others clearly intrigued, and a few were even outright envious. I scanned the crowd once again to make out the Malhotra family's appearance but no, they were not present. I know, their reason for not coming is not anger. It's their emotions for their siara that's stopping them.
Women, elegantly dressed in their couture gowns, stared at Siara as if she were a precious jewel they couldn't quite touch. A few exchanged knowing glances, their eyes narrowing with jealousy, some even sneering.
The murmurs of judgements started,"Who is she, she don't deserve him,"one woman whispered under her breath. "She has a presence, doesn't she?" another commented, the tone laced with disbelief.
And the men? Well, they were no different. I could feel the weight of their gazes, some filled with admiration, others tinged with resentment.
Anger filled my nerves suddenly. I wasn't sure whether it was because of the possessive feeling I had over Siara-an emotion I didn't know how to handle-or because of the way some of these men dared to look at her like she was some prize to be claimed. She wasn't a trophy. She wasn't some object for admiration. She was mine.
Siara, ever the enigma, didn't seem to notice. Her face was perfectly neutral, like a mask that hid any trace of emotion. She walked with the grace of someone who had always belonged in this world, moving through the crowd with the kind of authority that made everyone around her take notice. She was everything I had ever known her to be-cool, unapproachable, and somehow, at the same time, captivating.
The murmurings from the guests followed us as we walked further into the hall, and I could feel Siara's presence cutting through the room like a blade, commanding attention and respect.
As we neared the family, I noticed the subtle but palpable shift in energy. The elders, already seated, stood as we approached, welcoming us with smiles and nods. I could see the pride in Dadi's eyes, but there was also an undercurrent of calculation in her gaze, as if she were evaluating how Siara fit into the family's dynamic.
I had expected this grand entrance to be nothing less than spectacular, but the atmosphere in the room was thick with something else-whispers of approval mixed with jealousy, admiration layered with curiosity.
I could tell Siara felt the weight of it all. She didn't flinch. She didn't break her stride. She was the epitome of poise, but I couldn't ignore the fact that she had just become the center of attention in a world where all eyes were often on me.
When we finally reached the table, where the family had gathered, I could see the younger clan's eyes go wide, clearly impressed by Siara's effortless control of the room.
Kabir leaned toward me, his voice low but filled with genuine admiration. "I can see why you don't mess with her, bhai"
Mahi added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Siara bhabhi is not just here to attend her husband's party-she's here to own it. With one glare, she could freeze this entire ballroom."
"Bet she's already diagnosing half the people in this room," Shivay joked.
"Or plotting their exit strategies," Devansh added.
I shot him a quick glare but my mind was focused on Siara-her calm, her poise, her ability to seamlessly integrate into a world she had never fully embraced. The moment I'd dreaded had finally arrived. And yet, despite everything, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride.
This was Siara, and whether the world was ready or not, she had just claimed her place among the legends of the Sehgal family.
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Siara's pov-
As we neared the family, I could feel the intensity of the room shifting. The whispers had grown quieter, replaced by an almost palpable anticipation.
The whole scene was overwhelming. People standing, turning their heads, and gazes shifting towards us. They were looking at me like I was about to perform a stunt. I wasn't one for grand entrances, nor was I someone who sought the spotlight, but somehow, in this extravagant crowd, the attention was unavoidable.
Mahir's hand remained firmly on the small of my back, guiding me through the sea of people, his presence both comforting and oddly... warm. It wasn't just the crowds that made me feel an unfamiliar twinge of unease; it was the expectations that seemed to hang in the air. I wasn't used to this kind of attention-being the subject of so many pairs of eyes, each one judging, analyzing, assessing.
As we approached the center of the room, I heard a voice, rich with authority and experience, cut through the murmur of the crowd.
Dadi stood tall, regal, and commanding attention effortlessly. The woman has an aura. The spotlight instantly shifted to her, and her words made the room fall silent. "May I have everyone's attention?"
She was elegant, her silver hair gleaming under the soft lighting, a soft smile curving her lips as she surveyed the room. Even her posture exuded grace and power. There was an undeniable force in her presence.
"Tonight, we are here to celebrate not only my oldest grandson Mahir Sehgal's Birthday but to also welcome the newest addition to the Sehgal lineage." Her eyes flickered towards me, and I felt the full brunt of the collective gaze in that single moment. "Let us all give a warm welcome to the Eldest Daughter-in-law of the Sehgal family, Dr. Siara Mahir Sehgal."
The room was silent for a second before the applause began. It wasn't loud, but it was there, echoing through the marble floors, the flickering candlelight catching on the jewels adorning some of the women in the crowd. I felt Mahir's hand tighten slightly at my back, but neither of us spoke. We merely stood there, as she finished her announcement with a flourish.
"Siara," Dadi's voice now softened, "You are not just Mahir's wife, but a true daughter of the Sehgal legacy. May you carry it with strength, grace, and honor. Welcome."
My stomach churned. I knew that this wasn't just an introduction; this was an expectation, an unspoken challenge to fit into a family that had so much power, wealth, and history. They didn't know me. They didn't understand the life I had led. They don't know that I am just existing not living. They don't know that I don't believe in any of these things now. But somehow, I had to live up to the image they had in their heads.
Mahir's hand remained steady on my back, but I couldn't shake the weight of the moment. The applause slowly tapered off, but I could still feel the gazes lingering on me. The world around me seemed to blur, and the only thing I could focus on was how much I didn't belong here.
And then, as if on instinct, I glanced at Mahir. For a fleeting second, I saw something in his eyes-a kind of understanding, maybe even a silent promise. But that too disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by the cold mask he wore so well.
I was no longer just Dr. Siara. I was Mrs. Mahir Sehgal. And the world was about to see exactly what that meant.
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Mahir was introducing me to a few potential figures in the crowd. As I shook hands, nodded, I could feel their eyes analyzing me, taking in the way I carried myself.
One man was staring at me as if I had just landed from the moon. I so wanted to break either his nose or jaw but The way mahir was throwing draggers at him, It looked like he would prefer to do both.
Once the introductions were over, I excused myself and made my way towards the younger clan and that's when it happened.........
Those eyes......
I froze
My mind went blank
My hands started shaking....
T-that night, Those pair of eyes.....
N-no
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