ADHVAIT'S POV

Today’s the day—the first step to make her mine. Our engagement. Everything feels like a dream, almost surreal.

And yet, all I can feel is a whirlwind of nervousness. Will I be able to take care of her? Will I succeed in loving her the way she deserves? Will I be able to support her in every aspect of life?

So many “will I’s” and “what if’s” kept circling my mind.

My chain of thoughts broke when Chachu called my name.

"Yes?" I asked, snapping back to reality.

"Where are you lost, Adi? I’ve called you five times, and you’re standing here like a statue," he said, concern lacing his tone.

"Nothing, Chachu. What were you saying?" I cleared my throat, trying to sound normal.

"Listen, buddy, I know how you feel. And trust me, she must be feeling the same—probably even more—because for her, this is an arranged marriage. She knows you much less than you know about her. All I can say is—you’re marrying the love of your life. Things won’t always be easy, but never let go of each other’s hand. And trust me when I say this—all these doubts will melt away the moment you see her walking toward you at the altar. This conversation was supposed to happen on your wedding day, but alas, my son is a scaredy cat," Chachu teased with a grin.

"Chachu!" I groaned at his last comment, making him chuckle.

"Come on now, wear your blazer. I’ll help you with your collar and brooch," he said, reaching for the blazer.

"Chachu… I’m not wrong for hiding this from her, right?" I asked hesitantly as he fixed the brooch.

"Certainly you are," he said firmly. "Tell her as soon as possible. She should hear it from you—not from any third person. Do you understand me?" He adjusted my collar, looking straight into my eyes.

"Yes… I will," I said, this time with conviction.

"Look at you, my boy—so handsome. Bilkul apne chacha par gaya hai," he said proudly, resting his hands on my shoulders.

"Bilkul," I chuckled, easing the tension in my chest.

"Chalo, let’s go warna teri Chachi maar daalegi humein agar hum late hue toh," Chachu said, laughing as we both walked out of my room.

(Come on let's go or else your chachi will kill us if we get late.)

"Haashhh! Hum log pehle aagye unse," Chachu said with a triumphant smile as we reached downstairs.

(Haash we are early.)

"Haanji, aapne kuch bola Mehra Sahab?" Chachi’s voice came from behind, making Chachu shut his eyes and mutter, “Shit.”

(Yes, you were saying something Mehra Sahab?)

"Arre meri jaan, mai kya bolunga? Mai toh isse training de raha tha. Shaadi ke baad sirf shaam-savere joru-joru karna hai, jaise mai karta hoon," Chachu said, slipping his arm around Chachi.

(Hey my love, why would I say anything? I was giving him training. After marriage, he just needs to be his wife's puppy like me)

"Hatt, dramebaaz," Chachi chuckled, smacking his hand.

(Stupid.)

"Chachi, hum ready hai, chale?" Eshu said, walking toward us.

(Chachi we are ready, let's go?)

"My princesses look so beautiful today," I said, side-hugging Pari and Eshu. Both smiled and thanked me softly.

"Yes, look at my adorable daughters," Chachu said proudly, kissing their heads before hugging them.

"Chalo, let’s go. I’ve already asked the staff to keep the necessary stuff in the cars. Adi, take the girls with you; we’ll follow in another car," Chachi instructed, and we all moved out.

"Come on, don’t forget to wear your seatbelts," I said, opening the back door for my sisters.

"Thanks, Bhai," they said, settling in. I nodded and walked around to my seat.

"Ready to go?" I asked as I fastened my seatbelt.

"Yes! Let’s go and make her our bhabhi officially," they said in unison, making me chuckle.

Shaking my head with a smile, I started driving. About thirty-five minutes later, we finally arrived.

"Eshu di, aapko nahi lagta bhai drove faster today?" Pari said with a teasing smile as the three of us stood in the parking lot waiting for Chachi and Chachu.

(Eshu di, don't you think bhai drove faster today?)

"Haina, I was also thinking the same," Eshu replied, matching her teasing tone.

(I know right, I was also thinking the same.)

"Batau tum dono ko," I said, pretending to glare at them. But let’s be honest—it was anything but scary, and these two little devils burst into laughter at my expense.

(Hey!)

"Come on, let’s head in," Chachu finally said. THANK GOD, THEY ARRIVED.

After we entered, I was asked to perform a tilak ceremony before the ring ceremony.

Once the puja was done, it was time for her to come—and my heart wasn’t ready for the storm that followed.

The moment I saw her… everything else faded. She walked in, draped in a beautiful dress, looking nothing short of a dream—an angel sent to ruin my heartbeat in the sweetest way possible.

Our eyes met, and that one glance was enough. In that instant, I silently vowed to myself—I’ll cherish her, love her, and protect her with every breath I take.

She looked nervous, her fingers fiddling slightly. To ease her, I winked at her. It worked—her lips curved into a smile as she shook her head, muttering something under her breath.

Pretty sure it was, “Ekdum pagal.”

(Complete idiot.)

I walked toward her when I saw her struggling with her dress.

"Come on, Adhvait, carry her! Her dress must be heavy," someone yelled, and the whole crowd started cheering and hooting.

"May I?" I asked. She looked unsure, so I blinked in reassurance.

"Yes," she whispered after a minute of hesitation.

"Yes," she whispered, almost too softly for anyone else to hear.

In one smooth motion, I lifted her into my arms, and the hall erupted in cheers. The photographers went wild, capturing the moment that, for me, felt timeless.

"Look at me, love," I murmured as I carried her toward the stage.

"Don’t be nervous," I added, my voice low and steady, as her gaze locked on mine.

"Thank you," she whispered when I gently settled her onto the chair for her god bharai ceremony. I smiled and gave her a reassuring nod before stepping down.

After about 30–40 minutes, the rituals ended, and it was finally time for the ring ceremony. My heartbeat quickened when Chachi came to call me.

"Adhvait beta, come on," she said, and I followed her.

"Hi," I greeted my soon-to-be fiancée with a smile, playfully bumping my shoulder against hers.

"Hi," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

"There you go, lovebirds," Ashi teased from behind. Seriously—what’s with everyone and their teasing smiles today?

"Sunu bachha, first it’s your turn," Chachi announced.

She slipped the ring onto my finger, and the fit was perfect—just like her. One look at her smile, and I knew she had chosen it herself.

Then came my turn. Chachi handed me the ring I had designed for her—a piece of my heart forged into a ring.

My hands trembled as I tried to slide it onto her finger. It took me a few tries—damn nerves—but finally, I did it.

"Hey fiancée," I whispered, bumping her shoulder again.

"Hey fiancée," she replied, a blush painting her cheeks.

"You look… breathtaking," I said honestly, unable to stop staring.

"Aap bhi handsome lag rahe ho," she replied, her eyes fixed on the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Ahem, ahem," someone cleared their throat.

"Aa gaye saale—interruption ki dukaan," I muttered as Avinash and Devesh strolled in with smug grins plastered on their faces.

(I don't know how to translate this😭)

"Hanji, saale sahab, kya haal hai?" Avinash asked, grinning like the devil.

(Yes brother-in-law, how are you doing?)

"Aap naa aaye hote toh acha hota, lekin ab kuch kaha nahi ja sakta, saale sahab," I shot back with a sarcastic smile.

(I would've been doing better if you hadn't arrived, brother-in-law, but now can't say the same.)

"Aww, I love youuu," he said, puckering his lips and leaning toward me.

"Eww, go away, you idiot," I said, darting behind my fiancée to save my dignity.

Our ladies burst out laughing, thoroughly enjoying my misery.

"Congrats, Sunu," Di said, pulling my love into a side hug.

"Thanks, Bhabhi," she replied softly.

"Oh hello, unki akele ki engagement nahi hui hai, meri bhi hui hai," I said, glaring at Di in mock disbelief.

(Hey, it was not just her engagement.)

"So?" De replied casually, making my jaw hit the floor.

"You know what—go away," I scoffed, throwing my hands up.

"Dramatic," Di muttered, laughing as she actually walked away with Avinash, leaving me standing there in shock for the nth time—while my love giggled.

"Aapko jyada muskurana nahi aa raha hai," I said, narrowing my eyes at her playfully.

(Aren't you laughing a little too much?)

"Bilkul. Aapko koi pareshani?" she shot back, raising an eyebrow.

(Yes, do you have any problem?)

"Hume kya pareshani hogi? Hasso, hasso, bilkul hasso," I fake-laughed, earning another giggle from her.

(Why would I have any problem? Laugh laugh, surely laugh.)

"Congrats, Sunu and Adi," Devesh said, walking up with Bhabhi.

"Thanks, guys," I replied with a smile.

"Bhabhi, aap yaha kyun aayi? I told you to rest," Jaan said, concerned.

(Bhabhi, why are you here? I told you to rest.)

"I'm fine, Sunu. Besides, I’ve been resting all day, so it’s okay to move around a little," Bhabhi replied, making her reluctantly nod.

"So, lovebirds, how's it going?" Ashi teased, resting her hands on my love’s shoulder.

"Shut up," Jaan muttered, brushing her hands off.

"I'm over the moon," I said, winking at Ashi in a playful tone.

"That’s more like it, Jiju," Ashi grinned, giving me a high-five.

"Alright, we’ll leave. I’m taking Nishu back to our room to rest," Devesh said, and we all nodded as they left.

"Hey, Bhai and Bhabhi," Nivedh said, walking up.

"Hey, man. What’s up?" I replied, pulling him into a side hug.

"At least introduce me to Bhabhi," he teased.

"Right! He’s Nivedh—and Nivedh, I’m sure you know she’s Sunaina… my love," I said, slipping my left hand around her waist, pulling her slightly closer.

"Hi, you can call me Sunu," she said to him with a smile.

"Sure, Sunu Bhabhi," he replied.

"SUrE SuNu BhAbHi~" Ashi mimicked dramatically.

"Oye, what’s wrong with you?" Jaan said, smacking Ashi lightly.

"Nothing," she shrugged, while Nivedh chuckled.

"It’s fine, Bhabhi. I’m quite immune to her," Nivedh said.

"How?" Jaan asked, curious.

"I’m Nishi Bhabhi’s doctor too, Bhabhi. I’m handling her pregnancy case," he replied. I already knew, so no surprise there—but my Jaan was definitely taken aback.

"That’s great," she said with a polite smile.

"Itna bhi khush hone ki baat nahi hai. Pata nahi kisne inko degree dedi, aaye bade doctor," Ashi muttered, rolling her eyes.

(Don't be happy about it. God knows who gave him his degree, calls himself a doctor.)

"At least I have a degree. Aap toh abhi bhi padh rahi ho," he shot back, winking at her, making Ashi puff her cheeks in frustration.

(At least I have a degree, you are still studying.)

"Youuuuu—" Ashi began, but Jaan cut her off.

"Shut up and go downstairs, both of you. We’ve got guests here." They both scoffed at each other and walked off. And haayee, she looks so goddamn hot right now that if I could, I would’ve kis—

WHAT THE FUCK.

Right. Ahem.

The rest of the evening blurred into laughter, teasing, and endless photos. After lunch, once the guests had left, exhaustion finally hit us. We changed and crashed in our rooms at Vashisht Mansion.