AMAR'S POV:
The person I despise the most is sitting here, acting like he owns the place in actual he does. But why is he back now? Especially when I’m about to marry her! I shake my head in frustration.
"Why did you come here?" I ask, my voice is sharp. He turns around, locking eyes with me, his gaze piercing.
"Can’t I come to my own house?" He replies sarcastically.
I shake my head again, unwilling to argue, and leave the room.
The next morning, I woke up early to pick Avni up from the airport. During breakfast, I noticed Arjun was unusually silent. What’s going on in his mind? I couldn’t figure it out. Brushing it off, I left for the airport with the bodyguards.
Once there, I greeted everyone, and they all settled into different cars. Avni and I were in the same car. We spent some quiet, intimate time together before I dropped her off at her hotel room. I helped her select a dress for tonight’s dinner and kissed her forehead gently before leaving.
Dinner went smoothly, especially since Arjun wasn’t there. He left for Jaipur in the afternoon. Thankfully, Avni didn’t find out he was here, though Arjun knows about our wedding. After dinner, we called it a night.
---
The next day, Avni came with her family, and we performed the Ganesh Puja together. After that, she changed for the Mehendi ceremony, which we both enjoyed thoroughly. Arjun still hasn’t returned from Jaipur.
The following morning was the Janev ceremony. In the evening, we celebrated our Sangeet.
(Janev Ceremony: The groom is given a sacred thread, symbolizing his transition into a householder’s role.)
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NEXT DAY
Today is our Pithi Dastoor (Haldi) and her Chooda ceremony. The rituals started early in the morning. Her haldi took place in the hotel banquet hall, while mine was held in the backyard of our haveli (palace).
As per tradition, my remaining haldi was sent to her so it could be applied to her.
(Haldi: A traditional Indian ritual where a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, and other herbs is applied to the bride and groom to beautify them and cleanse their skin.)
Once the rituals ended, I went to my room to shower. I was drenched from the holy bath, and my friends and cousins hadn’t held back when applying the haldi. After getting ready for the wedding, we left for the venue. Dadu-saa had declared that Avni and I would marry in one of our finest hotels.
We danced joyfully in my baraat, especially Aarohi, who danced her heart out. Rhea wasn’t participating in the rituals much, but I didn’t mind. I knew she didn’t like Avni, but I decided to let it go. Soon, we arrived at the venue, where Meenal Aunty performed my aarti, and I carried out the toran ritual.
(Baraat: The groom’s procession to the wedding venue, accompanied by music and dancing.)
(Aarti & Toran: The bride’s family welcomes the groom with a ceremonial prayer (aarti), and the groom touches a decorative hanging (toran) at the entrance, symbolizing a successful marriage.)
We settled on the stage for photos. While posing, a thought crossed my mind: Arjun is back, but why hasn’t he confronted me? Why isn’t he reacting to anything?
Soon, the pandit ji called me for the puja. I took off my shoes before stepping onto the mandap, but the moment I did, my dear Saali Sahiba’s (Anya and Anushka) stole them. I smiled, knowing I’d instructed my friends and cousins not to interfere, it was their right to steal my shoes.
The rituals began, and pandit ji asked for Avni to be brought to the mandap. I waited patiently. She soon arrived with Aarohi and Mahi. I frowned, wondering why Anya and Anushka weren’t with her, but I didn’t say anything. She looked breathtaking in her lehenga, an ethereal vision.
She sat beside me, and the rituals resumed. As we approached the Kanyadaan ceremony, the lights suddenly went out. I felt Avni shiver slightly, so I held her hand to reassure her. A minute later, the lights flickered back on, but the voice that echoed through the hall sent chills down my spine.
---
THIRD-PERSON POV:
"You can’t marry him, Avni. You’re mine." The voice declared from behind Amar.
Arjun.
He stood there like the king he was, his presence dominating the room. He moved closer, his eyes fixed on Avni. She stared at him in shock as he lifted her dupatta.
"Arjun ji, what are you doing?" She asked, her voice trembling, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"I’m doing what I should have done long ago." He replied coldly.
"Please don’t do this. It’ll ruin my family’s reputation and yours too." She pleaded softly, desperation lacing her voice.
"I don’t care about any of that anymore." He said, and with a swift motion, he filled her Maang (hairline) with vermilion.
Gasps echoed around the hall. Amar sat frozen, his mind reeling as everyone stared in shock.
Avni sat motionless, too stunned to react.
Rajendra, Arjun’s grandfather, stepped forward, his face stern. "Arjun, come with me." He ordered.
Away from the crowd, Rajendra confronted him. "What was that, Arjun?" His tone was sharp.
"I did what was right for her and our family. We both know Amar’s nature. He plays with women’s hearts; he doesn’t build futures. What if he gets bored of her someday and leaves? I can’t bear to see her broken." Arjun said, his voice cold, but the underlying care was unmistakable.
"This isn’t the way to handle it. You should’ve come to me first." Rajendra scolded.
"I just found out something about her minutes ago. I couldn’t let this happen." Arjun replied, emotionless.
"What did you find out?" Rajendra pressed, growing impatient.
"Someone was planning to circulate fake photos of Avni with different men, including me. It would’ve ruined her reputation. And I know Amar, he wouldn’t stand by her after that." Arjun revealed, his voice hardening. "And there’s more."
"Tell me everything, Arjun. Don’t hold back." Rajendra urged, his tone softening.
"Amar planned to move to Delhi after the wedding. He intended to stop Avni from continuing her studies and job. I won’t let her suffer like that. She’s already endured enough pain. She deserves happiness." Arjun said firmly.
Rajendra placed a hand on Arjun’s shoulder. "I’m with you. But promise me, you’ll give her time to adjust. Respect her like you respect your mother. Let her continue her studies and job. Am I clear?"
Arjun nodded, a small smile breaking through his cold demeanor. "I promise."
They returned to the hall, where murmurs filled the air. Avni still sat in the mandap, unresponsive, while Amar desperately pleaded with her to forget everything and marry him.
"Amar." Rajendra’s voice boomed, silencing the room. "Your marriage to Avni is called off. Arjun will marry her."
"Why, Dadu-saa? I’m still ready to accept Avni. I don’t care about what happened. I’ll erase this from my mind and cherish her like before." Amar pleaded, his voice desperate.
Rajendra shook his head and placed a firm hand on Amar’s shoulder. "He has already filled her maang with vermilion. That makes them husband and wife in the eyes of our traditions."
"Pandit ji, start the rituals. We will complete this marriage properly." Arjun said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
---
Did you except Arjun to crash the wedding like that?
If you were in Avni's place, what would you have done?
Do you think Arjun's actions were justified, or did he go too far?
What's your take on Amar? Do you feel bad for him or think he deserved it?
Who do you ship more: Arjun & Avni or Amar & Avni?
SO MUCH HAPPENED IN A SINGLE CHAPTER! JUST WAIT A LITTLE BIT MORE, MANY MORE THINGS ARE COMING UP!
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