I heard the chime of her anklets and everything stopped.
My heartbeat began to rose as I felt that each step was taking me ahead to the final destination of my life- My Aditi, My little kitten and my whole world.
I can't believe I'm finally here, to make her mine. My Lawfully wedded Wife About whom I can finally shout and declare, that this woman right here, the princess of my mind, the Queen of heart, the only woman who holds the power to control me....is finally going to be my wife.
The chime of her anklets, the jingle of her bangles, the scent of her perfume- was a tender storm of vanilla and jasmine, that wrapped me around like a forgotten dream I never wanted to wake from.
I gulped, feeling the nervousness rising in my body.
Fuck Avyan Singh Chauhan, you are gone.
The great Avyan Singh Chauhan, who can kill anyone at the blink of his eyes, the mafia whom everyone fears is getting goosebumps at a mere thought of a 20 year old girl?
Should I turn around?
I want to see her!
But will she like me? I mean I am piece of art to never be outlooked, yet for some reason will she think that I am looking handsome?
What if she dislikes the way I'm dressed? Or worse what if she says no, thinking I'm not that handsome?
Will she think I'm overdressed of undressed?
Fuck I should have matched with my girl!
Should I just run back home and get changed? This seems like a good option.
"Bhaiya aap sirf aaj shaadi ke liye dekhne aaye ho, aapki shaadi ho nahi Rahi hai jo dulhan ki tarah dar rahe ho!" Vihaan's voice shook me out of my thoughts " Aapki waali aa chuki hai, please unko dekho naa ki Daksh bhai ko! Aap jis tarah unhe dekh rahe the, woh bechare bhi unki mom ke pallu ke peeche chup gaye! Unhe lag raha tha mini bhabhi ki jagah, kahi aap unse hi shaadi na karlo"
"Chup kar bandar....bahaut bolne laga hai aaj kal" I hit the back of his head, as my eyes landed on Daksh. And for once I agreed with this not so innocent brother of mine, cause Daksh was actually hiding behind Aunty's pallu....but his gaze wasn't on me, but on the girl besides my girl.
And thinking about my girl- I think that I'm already in heaven. This kind of beauty is too pure to be in this evil world. She feels like an incarnation of goddess itself.
"He wasn't even that nervous when he fucked mini bhabhi then why is he acting like a shy bride now?" I would have replied back to Vihaan but I had lost the ability to talk now.
And by saying this, I meant for real. I have no words to describe how much I'm falling for my girl each and every second.
"Bhai mu bandh kardo, sab aapko hi ghoor rahe hai" Vihaan nudged bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Hayee meri laado kitni pyaari lag rahi hai" My mom ran towards Aditi, hitting my elbows.
Ouch!
"Kisi ki nazar na lage" My chachi ran towards her this time, hurting my abdomen- Ouch!
"Meri pyaari si bhabhi" Smridhi also ran in the worst romantic way possible, tossing me all the way round.
It hurts damn! Why do they have to hit me again and again!
"Mini bhabhi-" Not again.....before Vihaan could push further, I moved away and ultimately he tripped on his face.
That must have hurted bad. Clumsy ass.
Even I want to meet my baby. I pouted and walked towards her, but before I could even look at her, I was pulled back Daksh and Aarav.
What's with them now?!
I froze.
And then heard the twin sounds of mischief.
"Going somewhere, Romeo?" Daksh's voice was like the start of a horror movie.
"Looks like someone's in a hurry to get smacked by a slipper," Aarav added, grinning like he was about to drop a wedding cake for fun.
I turned around, frowning at both of them. Daksh smirked, and Aarav looked like he was about to burst.
"What the hell are those expressions? Did I step into a prank video?"
Daksh folded his arms. "You could go meet Aditi now... but then, where's the fun in that?"
Aarav chimed in, voice dripping with fake sympathy, "You can see her for a lifetime after this. Right now, you have a far more important appointment."
"With whom? My funeral?!" I snapped.
Before I could escape, they both hooked their arms into mine like overenthusiastic bridesmaids and dragged me away.
"Welcome to the initiation, dear jija ji," Daksh said solemnly.
"God help me," I muttered.
"Itni jaldi bhi kya hai janab! Aditi se baadmai mil Lena, humari khatirdari bhi toh le lijiye" before I could retort, I was pulled by them near the kitchen area.
I was shoved into the Mishras' large kitchen, a suspiciously shiny plate already set at the center island.
On it?
A neat, steaming, absolutely sinister mountain of green chillies.
Not just any chillies.
Desi, laal-ankhon-waale, tongue-murdering chillies.
I stared at them. They stared back. One even winked, I swear.
"Eat," Daksh said simply, pulling a chair out for me.
"Why would I voluntarily light my intestines on fire?"
Aarav leaned against the fridge, biting an apple like he was watching Netflix. "Because only then shall you be deemed worthy."
"Worthy of what? A hospital bed?!"
"Worthy of Aditi," Daksh replied, eyes narrowed.
I blinked. "You do realize she once poured ghost pepper sauce into a guy's tea just to test his loyalty, right?"
"Exactly," Aarav said cheerfully. "You want to marry that kind of spice? You gotta prove you're made of masala too."
I looked at the plate. Then at them. Then at the door. Could I run? Maybe throw a chilli at Daksh and distract him?
"This is abuse," I muttered.
"This is love," Daksh corrected.
"This is stupid," I groaned.
And then came the final blow.
A new voice. The devil himself.
"Bhaiyaaaaaa! Are you actually doing this?"
I turned.
Vihaan. My adorable, overdramatic, disaster of a younger brother strolled in, face lit up like he'd walked into Disneyland.
"He actually is! He's doing the chilli challenge for Mini Bhabhi! Awwwwww, look at him! Even I'll do this for my Wifey!" he clutched his heart like a 90s heroine.
"I hate everyone in this room," I growled.
Vihaan sauntered to the kitchen counter, resting his chin on his hand. "Bhaiya, you realize if you don't eat these, you might never get to call her 'Mrs. Avyan Chauhan.'"
I looked at him.
He wiggled his eyebrows. "Or worse... someone else might call her that."
I picked up a chilli.
Daksh and Aarav smirked like demons.
Vihaan added fuel, "What will you do if she marries someone who loves chillies? Someone who laughs while eating mirchi pakodas?"
"You have five seconds to shut up."
Vihaan began a dramatic countdown, one hand on his chest like a romantic poet.
"Five... she'll be gone."
"Four... married to a chilli connoisseur."
"Three... they'll honeymoon in Rajasthan."
"TWO-"
I shoved the first chilli into my mouth.
My brain exploded.
My tongue screamed.
My soul evacuated.
"WHAT THE HELL!" I shouted, grabbing my throat. "IS THIS EVEN LEGAL?!"
Vihaan was howling in the background. "Oh my god, look at his face! It's turning into a tomato with commitment issues!"
Daksh leaned forward. "Seven more to go."
"I will sue this family!"
Aarav handed me a glass of milk. Just kidding. He handed me another chilli.
Vihaan mock-whispered, "Mini bhabhi once ate ten of these and didn't even blink."
Cause my girl is a firecracker....not me!
I grabbed the next one and chewed like a man on death row.
The fire spread. My ears started ringing. I was seeing colors not invented yet.
"I think I'm hallucinating," I gasped. "I can see Aditi. She's dancing. With a... pineapple?"
Vihaan snorted. "Aww, you're already imagining your wedding."
"I'M NOT. SHE'S LITERALLY DANCING WITH A PINEAPPLE."
Aarav wiped a tear. "This is better than stand-up comedy."
"I swear to God, if Aditi doesn't marry me after this, I'll marry Vihaan," I screamed.
Vihaan gagged. "Gross. No offense bhaiya, but I like women who don't smell like burnt soul."
I choked down another chilli. My eyes were Niagara Falls.
Daksh smirked. "Almost there. Three more."
Vihaan gasped like a cheerleader. "YOU CAN DO IT! Think of her in a saree! Think of her calling you hubby!"
"I THINK I JUST SAW MY ANCESTORS!"
By the time I finished the last chilli, I had mentally written my will, forgiven my enemies, and seen God. Twice.
I slumped against the counter.
"There. I did it. Are we done? Or do I need to walk on fire too?"
Vihaan grinned. "Nope. Just one more thing."
He turned to Daksh. "Tell him."
Daksh picked up a spoonful of yogurt. "You have to say 'Aditi is the queen of my life, my spice goddess, and the only woman who can slap me and I'd thank her.'"
I groaned. "I already ate a volcano. Isn't that enough humiliation?!"
Vihaan clicked a selfie. "Nope. We need emotional masala too."
I closed my eyes. Whispered the cursed line. They made me say it again, louder.
"Aditi is the queen of my life, my spice goddess, and the only woman who can slap me and I'd thank her!"
Vihaan clapped like a proud mother. "He's ready. Release him."
As we stepped out of the kitchen, I was actively trying not to look like a roasted tomato. My face-no, my entire existence-was red. My ears were burning, my lips were slightly swollen from the chilli apocalypse Daksh and Aarav had so generously thrown me into, and the worst part? Aditi was in the hall.
I immediately dipped my head, slightly shielding my face with my hand like a criminal avoiding paparazzi. God forbid she saw me like this. Not when I wanted to sweep her off her feet, hold her close, kiss her senseless, and tell her she looked like an absolute dream today. But no-right now I looked like I had been deep-fried in shame.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. Standing there like a queen, surrounded by our families, wearing that elegant white dress that somehow made my heart do backflips. Her hair was left open, with a few strands falling around her face. And her eyes-damn those eyes-searched the room casually, but not once did they land on me.
I sulked like a sick puppy, kicking the edge of the wall.
Why isn't she looking at me?
Didn't she miss me?
Does she not love me anymore?
I'm thinking I'm looking quite good right?
Look at me princess!
My baby is too busy with other people. She doesn't even have time for me.
Vihaan, standing proudly at my side like the traitor he was, elbowed me hard. "Bhaiya, sulking doesn't suit you. I mean, if it were me doing this chilli challenge for my wifey? I'd be glowing. Radiating. Drenched in hero energy. I would do anything for my wifey!"
I didn't even look at him. "Vihaan, I will throw you into a vat of curd."
He grinned. "You should thank me. I even recorded the whole thing. It'll be legendary."
Behind us, Daksh and Aarav were literally dying from laughter. Aarav clutched his stomach while Daksh looked like he was about to cry tears of joy. "You should've seen your face, bro," Daksh chuckled. "I haven't laughed this hard since Lily kicked Vihaan for flirting with her."
"Still worth it," Vihaan muttered proudly.
I rolled my eyes. "Why isn't anyone focusing on the fact that I ate those damn chillies for love?"
"Because it's more fun to watch you suffer," Daksh replied with a brotherly slap on my back. "Also, your lips look like they got into a fight with a curling iron."
I groaned.
But then... it happened.
Our eyes met.
Aditi's gaze finally found mine. She froze mid-conversation, her lips quirking into a small smile.
For a moment, everything else blurred. All I could see was her. Her expression changed subtly, eyes softening with affection, amusement dancing in them. And then she winked.
My breath hitched.
The absolute audacity.
Aditi Mishra, winked at me in front of everyone.
I blinked, then dramatically placed a hand over my heart, catching the flying kiss she blew next with both hands like a lovesick idiot. I even pretended to stagger back from the sheer power of it.
She giggled and turned away coyly.
"OH MY GOD!" someone shrieked.
"DID EVERYONE SEE THAT?" Lily yelled, clapping her hands.
Kritika gasped loudly, pointing between the two of us. "They're FLIRTING THROUGH AIR!"
Smridhi squealed, practically bouncing on her feet. "He CAUGHT her kiss! Like literally CAUGHT it. I need popcorn!"
"Count me in" Vihaan added.
My mother covered her mouth, laughing. "Is this our Avyan?"
Papa laughed, "I haven't seen him blush like this since he last saw Aditi."
Aditi's father, Mr. Mishra, folded his arms, smirking. "Well, now he caught my daughter's kiss. That better come with marriage papers."
Mrs. Mishra nodded firmly. "And a mangalsutra. Soon. Very soon."
Vihaan clutched his chest, swaying dramatically. "So pure! So romantic! My Bhaiya has officially left the gangster chat and joined the Prem Rog channel. Wifey see....even you should do some romance with me! It's only me who's putting all the efforts! Although I don't mind loving you, I can do that all my life."
Aarav leaned over to Daksh. "You think he knows we're all watching this like it's a live soap opera?"
Daksh crossed his arms, staring at me, protective brother mode kicking in like clockwork. "He better remember she's my baby sister. One wrong move, and I swear I'll make him eat dried bhut jolokia with lemon juice."
I saluted him weakly. "Roger that, bhaisaab."
Aditi and I still hadn't looked away from each other. It was like everyone else had faded again. But then I heard someone's voice break the spell.
"Okay you two," Kritika called out. "You have your whole life to make googly eyes at each other. Let's do the thing you actually came here for, hmm?"
Little kitten blushed and giggled. I rubbed the back of my neck.
Just then, from the corner of the room, a disapproving "hmph" echoed. Everyone turned.
My buaji.
Sitting straight as a stick, her arms folded, lips pursed like she had eaten a lemon out of spite.
She had not smiled once.
Not when I caught a kiss. Not when the family laughed. Not even when Vihaan tripped over Lily's dupatta and face-planted.
"Well," she sniffed, clearly displeased. "Let's do the thing we are here for. Enough of these modern antics."
I gulped. Even Aditi looked like she wanted to disappear behind a curtain.
And finally, the announcement came. We were told to sit together to begin the formal part of the evening.
I was still dazed when I sat beside her. But the second I did, I felt a calm warmth wash over me.
I turned to look at her.
She turned to look at me.
"You okay now?" she whispered, a little grin playing on her lips.
I smiled-an actual, full, genuine smile that stretched my face so wide, even I didn't recognize myself for a second.
Gasps.
Audible gasps.
"Did he just-" Aarav started.
"SMILE?" Kritika finished.
"Like a real, proper smile?" Lily added. "I haven't seen him smile.....since like I met him?"
My mother blinked. "He hasn't smiled like that in years... since... oh my god, he's in love."
My father held his hand over his heart. "That's my boy. Finally."
Vihaan screamed, fake crying. "He SMILED. For a GIRL. It's not a drill! This is not a gangster, it's a LOVER!" This dramatic queen.
I was about to tell him to shut up, but then Aditi giggled. Her face was turning into the same shade of red I had sported earlier. And for the first time, I wasn't alone in blushing.
We were both blushing.
Deeply.
I leaned in, lowering my voice to a soft murmur only for her ears. "You look... absolutely beautiful. Like, unfairly so. The kind that makes people walk into walls. Itni sundar mat dikha karo warna khudko control nahi kar paaooga."
Aditi blinked, cheeks flaming. "Besharam," she whispered.
I shrugged, eyes sparkling. "All because of you."
She rolled her eyes but smiled, clearly pleased.
Then her eyes darted around, checking if someone had seen us.
Unfortunately for her, our personal spies were always watching.
Lily and Kritika let out dramatic gasps.
Smridhi practically yelled, "DID HE JUST KISS HER CHEEK?!"
Aditi groaned. "Why are they like this?!"
I barely had time to smirk before she threw herself into my arms, hiding her face in my chest.
"Make them stoppppp," she whined like a toddler.
I wrapped my arms around her with exaggerated care. "Don't tease my blushing beauty," I scolded the audience. "She's delicate."
Aditi groaned louder, her fists lightly hitting my chest. "Shut uppppp, Avyan!"
Everyone was laughing now. Our parents, our friends, even Aarav nearly doubled over. Only Buaji maintained her statue-like scowl.
Aditi sat beside me, her soft dupatta brushing against my arm, her bangles clinking lightly with every tiny movement. I had already been blushing like a complete idiot thanks to that cheek kiss, but now, as I turned my face just slightly and caught her stealing glances at me from the corner of her eye, I swear my heart did a full somersault.
I leaned a little closer, whispering, "If you keep looking at me like that, everyone in this room will know I'm head over heels in love with you."
Her eyes widened, lashes fluttering as she bit down on her lip, trying to contain her smile. "Too late," she whispered back, her cheeks blooming a lovely shade of crimson, "I think they already do."
Our knees touched, and even that slight contact sent a warm current through my body. I gently nudged her with my shoulder. "You're looking so beautiful today, it's honestly unfair. You expect me to sit quietly and not drag you out of this room and marry you right now?"
Aditi giggled like a child caught stealing candy, her hand coming up to cover her face. "Shhh... they'll hear!"
I leaned in more, barely an inch from her ear now. "Let them. They should know how shamelessly in love I am with my soon-to-be wife."
Her whole face turned the color of a rose. She tried to glare at me, but she was too flustered to pull it off properly. "Stop it, Avyan... I can't handle this. You're being too much."
"And yet you're still sitting here, not moving away," I said with a smirk, brushing a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.
From the other side of the room, Vihaan loudly whispered, "They're flirting again. Should we pretend to vanish or just start clapping?"
Lily hushed him with a laugh, "No, no. I'm collecting material for my future love story. This is pure gold."
"Ohh....for me" Vihaan muttered under his breath.
Kritika added, "Look at her! Aditi's literally melting into his side. Like soft butter on hot toast."
Smridhi gasped, "Kritika! You're comparing them to toast?!"
Aarav chuckled. "Honestly though, they're like in their own world. Look at them whispering like lovesick teenagers."
But nobody interrupted us. Even Daksh was watching with a soft smile on his face, his arms crossed, proud but slightly twitchy at every time I leaned in too close.
Back with Aditi, I gently placed my palm over her hand. "Tell me something... how do you imagine our mornings, hmm?"
She blinked at me, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Our mornings?"
I nodded. "Yes. Our forever mornings. Waking up next to each other. You refusing to get out of bed. Me making you tea-"
"You don't even know how to make tea," she giggled.
"Then I'll learn," I whispered. "For you, I'll learn everything. How to make tea, how to braid your hair if you're lazy, how to warm your hands in winter. I want to know every version of you."
Her hand tightened around mine, her lips parting slightly. "Avyan..."
"And our nights," I murmured, the softness in my voice beginning to deepen into something heavier. "Can you imagine those too? Just us... no rush, no rules... me tracing your skin like poetry..."
She blushed violently, shrinking into my side. "You're so shameless."
"Only for you," I said huskily.
I saw her swallow hard, her chest rising and falling slightly quicker. She looked down at her lap, hiding her face again. "People are watching."
"Let them," I whispered again, brushing my thumb over the back of her hand. "Let them see what it looks like when a man falls in love every single second with the same girl."
Aditi lifted her eyes to mine, and for a moment, we just looked. No words. Just... us. I felt the room blur out, like nothing existed beyond her soft smile and those shy, sparkling eyes.
"You make me feel things," she murmured so softly, I almost didn't catch it.
"You make me lose control," I replied.
Her blush deepened. I leaned even closer, brushing my nose against her temple. "Promise me you'll always blush like this. Always look this innocent, so I can keep pretending I'm the strong one when I'm actually the one falling apart inside."
She gave me the tiniest nod and then surprised me by turning her face to whisper back in my ear, "I only blush like this... for you."
My heart? Completely gone.
Kritika whispered, "This is like watching a soft romance movie with a hint of rated-R."
Vihaan groaned dramatically. "I swear if Avyan bhai gets any cuter, I'll die. No one told me mafia men could be this down bad."
Lily teased, "He's just a hopeless romantic in a hot villain's body."
Daksh added dryly, "If he plants another kiss on her cheek, I might have to drag him to the balcony."
"Too late," Smridhi whispered as they saw me lean forward.
I cupped Aditi's cheek gently, looking into her glowing eyes. "Just one more thing... before we go back to pretending we're normal."
And I kissed her again on the other cheek, softer this time. Like a secret.
She gasped again, smacking my chest lightly. "Besharam."
I grinned, "All because of you."
Before she could reply, her friends exploded into giggles.
"I SAW THAT!" Lily squealed.
"He kissed her again!" Kritika howled.
Aditi let out a squeaky whine and dove into my chest, hiding her face while lightly punching me.
"Don't laugh! Don't tease! My blushing baby is hiding!" I teased them back, wrapping my arms around her protectively.
"Don't look at her! She's mine!" I declared like a lovesick fool.
Aditi let out a muffled, "Avyaaan!"
Everyone was laughing now, hearts melting at our antics.
And that's when I saw it-her brows furrow slightly as her hand brushed against my neck.
She sat up, scanning me closely. "Wait... why is your neck red? And your lips...?"
Oh no.
"Uh... nothing. I ate something spicy. Mistakenly," I coughed.
Aditi narrowed her eyes. "Spicy, my foot!"
She turned sharply, eyes locking onto Daksh. "YOU! WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Daksh looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Whoa, whoa, why am I-"
She didn't even wait. She jumped on him like a tiny furious kitten. "You made him eat chillies, didn't you?! Look at his lips! And his ears are RED. Are you mad?!"
Daksh held up his hands like a guilty boy. "Okay okay! Fine! Maybe I did a tiny harmless test!"
"HARMLESS?!" Aditi shouted, stomping her foot, pointing at me like a mother tiger. "He's MINE. No one gets to torture him except ME!"
Vihaan cracked up, "Woah. Scary wife mode: activated."
"Daksh is dead," Aarav said flatly, still laughing.
Aditi crossed her arms, glaring at everyone. "No one touches my Avyan. Got it?!"
My heart was soaring.
I walked over, pulling her back gently into my arms. "Easy, baby. I survived. Barely. But if this is the rage I get when you find out, I might eat chillies every day."
She turned around, whining again and burying herself in my chest. "Shut up! Don't say such things! You're not allowed to be hurt. Ever."
I wrapped both arms tightly around her, resting my chin on her head. "Then don't ever leave my side."
And she nodded like the innocent little baby she was, clutching onto me while the rest of the room admired us, in complete silence, full of awe.
Love wasn't just in the air.
It was in her blush. In my stupid grin. And in every smile that surrounded us.
"Okay okay....let's get back to what we are here for, now!" My dad clapped, gaining everyone's attention.
"Toh ab sidha date fix karde?" My mom asked while Daksh choked on his drink.
"Itna jaldi? Let's first ask them!" Daksh pointed at us. Aditi looked down blushing like a shy bride, whole i only gave a curt nord.
"Inse kya puchna hai? Inki shakal nahi dikh rahi kya. Woh toh ab hum sab yaha hai warna toh koi room Mai baithkar make-out kar rahe hote" Vihaan teased. I hit the back of his head while my mom passed him a pointed look.
"Bhaut bolne laga hai aaj kal" Mu chachi playfully slapped his cheeks making him groan, while my chachu glared at him.
"Iski bhi shaadi karwado. Thodi bahaut akal aajaaygi" Aditi's mom says while Vihaan eyes immediately lit up.
"Haan haan karwado" His face lit up with child like innocence.
"Dulhan bhi hai hi waise bhi. Haina Lily?" Aditi teased, making Vihaan blush and look down like a grinning teenager while Lily shot her a hard glare.
"Don't give her that look." My tone turned ice cold.
Lily rose her hands up in surrender, throwing a cushion on Vihaan, who was still blushing like a red mess.
Why the fuck he never gets shy? How can someone be so filterless?
"Says the one who fucked his bestfriend's little sister right under his nose" my inner voice mocked.
I mentally rolled my eyes at the absurdity of inner voice to be so filterless.
"See.....we all already know the answer, but still.....do you guys want to get married?" Aditi's dad asked and I immediately replied with a big "YES" while everyone laughed at my impatience.
What!? I can't wait anymore Okay?
"Hota hai hota hai bhai.....it's okay" Vihaan passed me a supportive look as I swat away his hand from my shoulder.
Aditi blushed, Muttering something about how shameless I am and along with the rest of the curses.
My cute little wifey.
"Aditi?" Daksh moved his gaze into her and before she could reply, I intervened, "Puchne ki kya baat hai! Of course it's a YES"
"Bhai Aditi ko bhi toh bolne do" I glared back at Smridhi, who was now pressing her lips together, looking away.
I stared at Aditi, raising my brows asking her to continue.
She looked at me, and then at everyone and then again at me?
Say fast!
Why isn't she speaking?
"I-"
"YES! SHE SAID YES! NOW YOU'LL CAN CONTINUE" I declared grinning like an idiot while all of them stared at me in disbelief.
Aditi's mouth was half-open as he seemed to calculate some sort of crises?
What's wrong?
Now she even agreed na?
"Bhai-" Aarav started, as it was continued by Kritika " Usne kuch bola hi nahi."
What?
Wait.....WHAT?
My face turned horror as I looked at Aditi who was still in the position as if she hadn't yet processed anything and by now I know I was gone- completely, irrevocably and genuinely gone!
No one's gonna save me from their teasing now.
There was pure silence for two minutes before burst of laughs gave in.
"Oh my god!"
"Mera beta-"
"Bhai app-"
"Bas aur nahi hoga"
Line by line each and everyone's commenting had started and by now me and Aditi- both had turned into the deepest shade of red.
"This fucking tounge of yours-" Aditi stared only to be interrupted by my not so innocent mouth "Yeah the one that fucked you like a delicious meal baby"
FUCK YOU AVYAN SINGH CHAUHAN
If looks could kill- I'd honestly be dead by 3-4 times now.
"Mujhe yeh shaadi nahi karni"
For a moment, my world collapsed.
I stared at her, not comprehending. My ears rang. My stomach sank like a stone into the floor. I wasn't breathing.
No. No, she didn't mean it. Right?
I blinked.
"What?" I whispered, stunned. Her words echoed like thunder in my ears. My heart dropped. The smile on my lips froze in place, dying slowly. Murmurs rose across the room. My mother gasped. Aditi's parents looked at her, confused and deeply concerned.
Smridhi stepped forward, whispering, "Aditi?"
Kritika nearly choked on her juice.
Lily's jaw dropped. "What the actual hell?" she muttered.
Everyone began asking questions all at once-
"Aditi, what are you saying?"
"Is this a joke?"
"Were you not happy?"
"Did something happen between you two?"
"Aditi beta, please clarify-"
Even my father, usually calm and poised, frowned. "Aditi, if something's wrong, we should know."
Vihaan looked like he'd been given a surprise birthday slap. "WHAT?! Are you doing this to win a drama battle against me? Because if yes, that's unfair! This is emotional warfare!"
My head was spinning. "Aditi... what are you saying? Please... look at me and tell me what's happening." My voice cracked. She didn't even glance at me. Just stood there with that unreadable expression.
Meanwhile, Daksh. That infuriating brother of hers. He was sitting there-grinning. As if this whole scene was an elaborate prank. Kritika smacked his arm with a glare.
"Aditi!" I called her name again. This time, she raised her hand.
"SAB CHUP HO JAO!" she screamed. Her voice thundered, silencing the entire room.
We all stared.
And then she exhaled.
"I want to get married. I really do. But-before that, I want to experience all the parts of this marriage properly! Including the part where the bride and groom get a moment alone to talk. Where he awkwardly asks for her hand and I pretend to act all shy like in the dramas. That's all! Bas woh moment chahiye mujhe."
I think my soul returned to my body with a solid thud.
Everyone collectively exhaled.
Vihaan groaned. "Oh my GOD. Are you kidding me?! YOU WANTED THE FILMY MOMENT?! You scared the crap out of us for THIS?"
My knees almost gave out in relief.
"But I want everything," she continued. "The first meeting. The awkward conversation. The shy glances. The stolen moments. I want it all before we become husband and wife."
I wanted to scream. Laugh. Cry. All of it at once.
Kritika smacked her forehead. "Aditi, seriously?"
Lily sighed in exasperation. "You almost killed your man."
Smridhi smirked. "Only you can out-drama Vihaan."
My mother blinked at Aditi like she'd grown horns.
My father chuckled, rubbing his temples.
Aditi pouted adorably at all the reactions, looking like a baby who got caught stealing candy. "Kya yaar. Mujhe bas woh cute moment chahiye tha," she mumbled.
I was still recovering. Still unable to decide if I wanted to pull her into a kiss or shake her by the shoulders for scaring me like that. But then I saw the little frown on her lips, the way she twisted her fingers nervously. My heart melted.
Aditi... she was sulking. Her arms folded, lips pursed like a grumpy toddler.
And something inside me melted.
Before anyone else could tease her, I stepped forward.
I turned toward everyone.
"That's enough," I said, tone deadly. Everyone went silent instantly.
I walked over to her, gently took her hand, and looked at everyone in the room. "Whatever Aditi wants... she gets."
There was a shift in the air. My tone wasn't sweet. It was protective. Possessive.
"She wants her fairytale? I'll give it to her. If she wants to sit under a thousand fairy lights, with a hundred roses, and hear a long dramatic proposal, I'll do it. If she wants a midnight date in the middle of winter, I'll clear the snow with my bare hands. If she wants to dance barefoot in the rain, I'll hold the umbrella. If she wants to be treated like a princess, then I will never, ever let her forget that she is one."
I looked at her, every beat of my heart echoing in my words. "She wants the drama? She'll have it. She wants a thousand moments before our forever? I'll create them, even if it takes me a lifetime. Every single dream she's ever had-I'll fulfill it. Because she's mine. And I'll never let her forget what it feels like to be loved beyond limits."
My eyes found hers again, and this time, her eyes welled up.
"I've loved her too long to let any of her dreams go unfulfilled. Not now. Not ever."
She didn't wait a second more.
She cupped my cheeks and kissed them with full force.
"I love you. I love you. I love you!" she whispered again and again, her voice muffled by the warmth of my cheek.
God, I wanted to kiss her back. There. In front of everyone. Show them that every ounce of my soul belonged to her.
But I didn't.
Because that would come later.
Everyone started hooting and clapping.
Kritika shook her head "Our girl is whipped!"
Smridhi nodded "No, look at him. HE'S the whipped one."
Vihaan looked around and then back at us "They're both whipped and dipped in chocolate sauce. Get a room, you two!"
Aditi's mom, chuckled "Aditi, take him to the garden. Do whatever you want, beta."
Aditi grinned like a kid who got the biggest candy jar.
She snatched my hand. "Chalo, Mr. Husband-to-be. Time for our dramatic moment."
I didn't even argue. I just followed her, hand in hand, my heart thudding like a teenager. I was completely, irrevocably hers.
---
Outside, under the fairy lights, she turned to me.
"You really thought I'd reject you?" she asked, eyes wide.
"You scared me, dammit."
"You're cute when you panic."
"And you're evil when you smile like that," I muttered, pulling her close.
Her hands rested on my chest, over the place where my heart now beat only for her.
"You're looking... unfairly beautiful," I said.
"Unfairly?" she teased.
"Yes. Because I can't even hold you properly or kiss you stupid like I want to."
"Shameless," she whispered.
"All because of you."
She looked away, hiding her face, cheeks bright pink.
I leaned closer, whispering in her ear. "You have no idea what you do to me."
"And you have no idea what you mean to me," she replied, softer now.
We fell into silence, holding each other under the stars. Her head on my shoulder. My hand around her waist. Like two puzzle pieces finally meeting.
"I want to be with you forever," she said.
"You already are."
"But like... get old with you. Argue over what movie to watch. Have two dogs and a kid who looks like you but talks like me."
I smiled. "And maybe a daughter who's just like you- dramatically cute, but who'll love you just as I do."
She giggled. "Perfect."
"I love you, Little kitten. Always have. Always will."
She looked up. "You didn't even let me answer that question properly inside."
I smirked. "Okay. Ask me again."
She cleared her throat dramatically. "Avyan Chauhan... will you marry me?"
I cupped her face. "Yes. A million times yes."
She melted into my chest.
From the balcony, I could hear our families watching quietly, for once choosing not to interrupt. Letting us exist in our moment.
And just when I thought the moment was perfect, she looked at me, eyes narrowing.
"Ask me also" She whined, throwing her hands around me like a baby.
I chuckled ruffling her hair, and kissing her forehead.
I bent down on my feet, pulled out my hand and asked "So the most beautiful girl of my life......would you like to marry me and make me the most luckiest man in the world?"
"Shaadi karogi mujhse?"
I looked at her, really looked at her. And my heart did that stupid little thing again-the flutter, the stumble, the sudden ache of knowing I would never love anyone this much again. She was everything. My chaos. My calm. My forever.
She looked at me-not with surprise, not with drama, but with that infuriating, adorable innocence that could turn a mafia don into a lovesick poet. Her lower lip jutted out in the slightest pout, her big brown eyes blinking rapidly as she batted her eyelashes like some Disney princess.
"Roz ek Chocopie laakar doge?" she asked.
I nearly laughed-and then I melted.
My heart crumbled like a graham cracker under a marshmallow. This woman. This absolute menace wrapped in the skin of a baby deer.
I'm not talking metaphorical, cheesy nonsense. I melted. I felt my knees weaken, my breath hitch, and an ache stir in my chest-not of pain, but of absolute wonder. She could've asked for a star, and I'd have started climbing. But a Chocopie? I almost laughed right then and there at the sheer innocence of it, and yet that's what made it so powerful. My lips twitched, trying to fight the grin that had already begun forming. I pulled myself together, somehow managing not to squeal like a lunatic at how adorable she was being.
"Wait here," I said dramatically, raising one finger.
I straightened up slowly, feigning deep contemplation, pretending to weigh the sheer gravity of her request. Aditi was already watching me with a mixture of amusement and confusion. "What now?" she asked, nose scrunched.
Without answering, I reached into the inner pocket of my Suit. Her brows furrowed even more. "Avyan? What are you doing?"
I dropped to one knee again. Her lips parted, startled.
And then I opened my hand.
There it was.
A single, carefully wrapped Chocopie.
Her eyes widened. Her lips parted.
The way her expression bloomed-confusion giving way to shock, then laughter, and finally the kind of smile that could fix broken galaxies-was etched in my memory forever. Her laughter rang out like bells as I grinned up at her and asked again, this time softer, but with every bit of the promise I carried in my soul:
"Toh ab batao, shaadi karogi mujhse, hmm?"
She didn't wait even a heartbeat. She squealed and launched herself at me, giggling, crying, peppering my face with kisses and saying yes like a thousand times. I staggered back slightly, chuckling as her giggles mingled with my laughter.
"Yes, yes, yes! A hundred times yes!"
She was kissing my cheeks, my jaw, my forehead,the tip of my nose, and even tried kissing the Chocopie which I barely managed to save from her attack. like an excited little pup who'd found its favorite toy after days of searching. I laughed, holding her tight, spinning her in my arms while she giggled against my neck.
I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame and spun her lightly, inhaling her scent-soft jasmine and wild mischief. This wasn't just a proposal. This was us. Sweet, chaotic, funny, and hopelessly in love.
I could hear the distant hoots and claps from the family behind the bushes, but right now it was just us. Her smile. My heart. And the Chocopie.
Later, we found ourselves in the garden swing. She had dragged me there, her fingers tightly clasped around mine like letting go was never an option. And as the soft breeze swept around us, Aditi plopped herself in my lap without a second thought, curling into me like she belonged there. Which, honestly, she did.
Her cheek rested against my chest, and her fingers lazily played with the buttons of my shirt. My suit was loosely hanging along the chair. I could feel her smile against my shirt every time my heart thudded louder than it should have. She was listening to it-my heart-like it was her favorite lullaby.
"You are looking very handsome" She mentions as she kisses my throat, making me gulp.
His Outfit
"I always do" I tease back as she scrunches her nose playfully and pulls out her tongue.
Fucking cute.
I gently ran my hand along her back, up and down in slow circles, pressing soft kisses to her knuckles one by one. The night had fallen quiet except for the rustle of leaves and the distant hum of celebration. Yet, inside this little cocoon of ours, the world had disappeared.
"You okay?" I whispered, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Mhm," she hummed. But then her brows furrowed, and she leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing in mock-seriousness.
"What?" I asked, already sensing mischief.
"What if..." she began slowly, voice soft, "What if I overthink a lot? Like, really a lot?"
I smiled, tightening my hold around her. "Then I'll over-love you to match your overthinking."
She blushed. Like full-on crimson-cheek, hiding-her-face-in-my-chest blushing. And I swear, in that moment, I fell in love again.
"Okay but... what if I get fat one day?" she whispered next, peeking up at me with wide, innocent eyes.
I pretended to consider it seriously. "Then I'll finally have someone to steal snacks from and still get scolded for it. Besides, more of you to love sounds like a win."
She giggled, hitting my chest softly, her nose wrinkling. "I'm serious, Avyan."
"So am I," I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You could look like a potato and I'd still fight the world to call you mine."
"What if... I'm terrible at housework?"
"Then our house will be a beautiful mess. I'll clean if you cook. Or we'll starve together while ordering takeout. As long as you're with me, it doesn't matter."
She sniffled softly, overwhelmed by emotions, hiding her face again. My heart swelled. I wanted to protect this girl from the whole world, even from her own doubts.
"I don't know how to cook, though. I burn water," she said dramatically.
"Then I'll learn to cook, and you can cheer me on like I'm on MasterChef. Deal?"
She giggled again, snuggling into me like a cat seeking warmth.
"I spend a lot... like, a lot."
"Then we'll be broke together. But happy. I'd rather go bankrupt buying you books and lip gloss than be rich and without you. And any which ways....I'm a Billionaire with a Capital B, If you remember."
She rolled her eyes before continuing- "I behave like a child sometimes."
"That's my favorite part," I whispered. "Because your innocence reminds me that the world still has soft places."
"I'm stubborn."
"Good. I need someone to fight me when I pretend I'm fine."
"I throw tantrums."
"And I'll be the fool who kisses them away every time."
She looked up at me again, eyes brimming, lips trembling between a smile and tears.
"I can be impulsive."
I cupped her face gently. "And I'll always catch you, no matter where you jump."
There was a long pause. A moment suspended between two heartbeats.
She exhaled shakily. "You're too good to be true."
"No," I replied softly, pulling her even closer. "You're the reason I became this version of me. You've always been the magic, Aditi. I'm just the idiot who got lucky enough to be loved by you."
She didn't say anything after that. Just pulled my face down and kissed me. Gently. Sweetly. Like she was writing a love letter on my lips.
We stayed there for a long time. Her sitting in my lap, fingers tangled in my shirt, my arms around her like she was the rarest treasure, the soft sound of night around us. The garden lights twinkled above, stars blinked from far above, and everything in the world seemed to sigh in peace.
This was it.
This was us.
And I wouldn't change a single thing.
We were inches apart now. Her breath hitched, eyes flicking from my lips to my eyes and back.
“You look…” I paused, brushing my knuckle along her jaw. “Like a walking dream I don’t deserve.”
Her voice was a whisper, “Stop saying things like that.”
“Why?” I smirked. “Because it makes you blush?”
“Yes!”
“And because it makes you fall harder?”
She groaned, burying her face again. “Avyan!”
I chuckled, wrapping both arms around her and rocking the swing gently. “One day, we’ll be old, wrinkled, and grey. And I’ll still be saying things like this. So get used to it, Mrs. Chauhan-to-be.”
She lifted her head. “And what if I never get used to you?”
I met her eyes. “Then I’ll have to keep seducing you every day, won’t I?”
Her lips curled. “Shameless.”
I leaned in, brushing a kiss at the corner of her mouth. “Only for you.”
At some point, the teasing in my gaze sharpened. Just a little. My hand slid up her spine again, slowly, deliberately. Her skin shivered beneath the fabric. Her breath caught. "Now that we've fullfilled your wish already..... let's talk about mine"
“Avyan…” she warned, eyes narrowing even as her fingers clutched tighter on my shirt.
“Hm?” I said innocently, brushing my thumb along her lower back.
“You’re getting that look again.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you’re about to say something that will make me combust.”
I leaned closer, lips brushing her ear. “Is it the one that says I want to kiss you till you forget your name?”
She froze.
“Or the one that says I want to throw you over my shoulder and run far away where no one interrupts us?”
“Avyan—”
“Or maybe…” I grazed my nose along her jaw. “The one that says you look like the most delicious thing I’ve ever seen, and it’s driving me insane.”
“Avyan!”
Her voice came out in a squeak.
I kissed her again, softly—her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose.
I ran my hands all over her body, from her hair to her neck till the end of her back. Her breath stared getting heavier, following mine.
I bit her upper chest while she hissed, tightening her hold on my shirt. I started peppering her with kisses. My hands circles her navel as she moaned in satisfaction.
“You’re evil,” she whispered.
I smiled, shamelessly. “And you’re blushing like I just asked you to marry me again.”
“You did that earlier.”
“Hmm. Should I do it again? Just for fun?” I bit her throat and then her collarbone making sure to leave a mark.
Just as I was about to take her into a fierce kiss and before she could answer, a voice rang out in the distance.
“Avyaaan… Aditiiiii…”
It was Kritika. Teasing. Loud. And very, very unwanted at this moment.
Aditi froze. I groaned.
“Unbelievable,” I muttered, pulling Aditi closer. “They always ruin my favorite parts.”
She giggled against me, kissing the underside of my jaw. “You’ll survive.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You owe me, Chocopie girl.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I’m your wife-to-be. You owe me.”
Touché.
But as I kissed her once more—quick and full of promise—I didn’t mind the interruption. Because I knew we had forever.
"We should go," she whispered, clearly not wanting to move.
I wrapped my arms tighter around her. "Let them wait."
She smiled against my skin, eyes fluttering shut for a moment as if capturing the warmth of the moment like a firefly in a jar. But eventually, she pulled back with a deep breath and wiggled out of my hold with a grace that made even the swing sigh.
We walked back to the house slowly, our fingers interlaced, her steps matching mine effortlessly. There was something poetic about it—the golden hour casting shadows around us, the faint smell of jasmine in the air, and the unspoken promises in the spaces between our words.
When we reached the porch, she paused.
"Will it always feel this magical?" she asked, turning to me.
I cupped her cheeks, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "No."
Her expression shifted in confusion until I continued.
"It'll feel even more magical every day. Because now I know what heaven tastes like. And it's you."
She blinked rapidly, overwhelmed, and I didn’t miss the tears sparkling in her lashes. I brushed them away with my thumbs, kissing each cheek.
"Now come on, Chocopie. Let's go face our nosy family."
She chuckled and let herself be pulled inside, her head resting against my arm as I led the way.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pretty long chapter!! 🥱🥱
So guys I'm finally back. I'm really sorry for so much delay. But I promise, I'll try to be regular with my updates. I'll still take some time to get back on track since I've already lost all of my drafts and also I'll be having my boards this year, so I even have to focus on my studies.
I'll try to provide with new chapters as soon as possible! Thankyou sm for your patience! 😊
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Chapter not completely edited so please ignore the errors.
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