Rayaan's pov:

I had barely stepped into the hall when I felt it that suffocating silence that only meant one thing.

An ambush.

Four of them, seated like a damn panel. Mom, Dad, Shankar chachu, and Jaya chachi Great. Just what I needed after a long day.

Mom folded her hands. "Rayaan. Sit."

I raised a brow. "Why? You all look like you're about to put me on trial."

"We want to talk," Dad said, his tone clipped.

"That's never good," I muttered, dropping into the chair but keeping my body leaned back, disinterested. "Go ahead. Let's get this over with."

Mom didn't waste time. "We think it's time you settle down."

I scoffed. "Settle down? With who? Don't tell me you've picked out a bride from your yoga class."

Jaya chachi smirked. "No need. She's already lived in the house."

I paused. Stared at them.

"You can't be serious."

"We are," Dad said, voice firm. "Arvi."

I stood up, jaw tightening. "Absolutely not."

"She's the right choice," Mom said sharply. "She knows this family. She knows you."

"You mean she tolerates me. Because she's forced to. You think that makes her wife material?" I snapped. "No. She's just a girl who ended up here by accident."

Shankar uncle chimed in. "And yet, she's handled everything with more grace than you do on your best days."

I stepped forward, voice cold. "Don't compare me to her."

"You're right," Jaya aunty said. "She's grounded. You're... impulsive."

"I don't need a babysitter. Or a charity case wife. What's next? You'll tie my hands and drag me to marry her?"

Mom stood now, too. Her eyes were steel. "If we have to."

I clenched my jaw, turning away. "You're wasting your time. I'm not marrying her. Not now, not ever."

"You will," Dad said, finality in his voice. "Because for once, someone walked into your life without wanting anything and you're too arrogant to see it."

I looked at them all, fury burning in my throat. "I built myself without anyone's help. I don't need a wife. Especially not one who got here by mistake."

And with that, I walked out, slamming the door behind me.

But even as it echoed through the hall, I couldn't stop her name from echoing louder in my head.

Arvi.

I slammed the door shut behind me, the sound echoing like a warning. Let them talk. Let them plan. I wasn't marrying anyone. Least of all Arvi.

I walked to the window, jaw clenched, muscles tight. The nerve of them sitting there, deciding my life like I was some obedient puppet. I don't do emotional blackmail. I don't bend for tears or traditions.

I don't settle.

A soft knock came. Then the door creaked open.

Mom.

I didn't turn around.

"I'm not in the mood," I muttered.

She didn't leave. Of course not.

I finally turned and froze.

Her eyes were red. Swollen. She was crying.

My mother never cried.

"What the hell..." I stepped forward, but she held up a hand.

"I'm not here to fight you," she whispered. "I'm just tired, Rayaan."

I looked away. "You think tears will make me say yes?"

"No," she said quietly. "I know nothing will make you. But maybe something can reach you."

She sat on the edge of my bed, wiping her cheeks like she was ashamed to be showing this side of herself.

"I've done everything alone, Rayaan. Held this family together, watched you build walls, let you hate me when I told you what you didn't want to hear. And now, I'm just... tired of seeing you run from everything good."

I stared at her, the lump rising in my throat pissing me off more than anything.

"You think marriage will fix me?" I asked bitterly.

"No. But I think Arvi might soften the parts of you that life made cruel."

Silence. Just her breathing and my heartbeat, loud in my ears.

"If you want this, then tell her to be ready." I said finally, voice sharp.

Her head jerked up.

"I'll marry her. But not because you cried. Not because this family wants a happy little ending."

I walked to the door, opened it, and turned back.

"I'll marry her because when I make a decision, I own it. And if she's going to carry my name, then she better be ready to handle me."

Mom didn't smile. She just nodded and for the first time in years, I saw relief in her eyes.

But my mind was already racing.

Arvi... you better be ready.

Because I wasn't going to play house.

I was going to set the damn rules.

Arvi's pov:

Sundays were quiet. I liked them that way.

I had just finished mopping the floor and was sitting on my thin mattress with a plate of biscuits when the knock came. Soft at first, then firmer. I quickly wiped my hands on my dupatta and opened the door.

My heart stopped.

"Sulekha aunty?"

She was standing there, looking... different. Not the elegant society woman from Oberoi Mansion, but something warmer. Gentler. And beside her Jaya aunty. Both smiling.

I blinked. "Please... come in," I stammered, stepping aside quickly, nervously glancing at my tiny space. I didn't even have proper chairs.

Sulekha aunty stepped in without hesitation and before I could say anything, she pulled me into a hug.

For a moment, I froze.

Then... I slowly hugged her back.

Her hug felt like home. Like something I hadn't felt in a long, long time.

She pulled away, holding my arms gently. "I hope we're not disturbing you, Arvi."

I shook my head quickly. "No, no, not at all..."

They sat down, and I nervously picked up two glasses of water, my hands trembling slightly as I placed them in front of them.

Jaya aunty spoke first, cutting straight to the point. "We've come to talk about something important."

My breath hitched. I didn't speak. Just nodded.

Sulekha aunty smiled softly. "We want to ask... if you'd consider marrying Rayaan."

I felt like the floor dropped beneath me.

"M-Marry?" I whispered. My voice felt too small for the room.

She reached for my hand gently. "I know it's sudden, beta. But you've stayed with us, we've seen you... and I've seen how lost you sometimes look. Like you don't believe anyone will ever truly choose you."

Tears pricked the back of my eyes.

"I don't have parents to decide this kind of thing for me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to even... think about this."

"That's why I came," Sulekha aunty said softly. "Not as the lady of the house. As someone who wants to become your family, if you'll allow it."

I looked down at my trembling hands. "But Rayaan... he doesn't like me. He never has."

Jaya aunty chuckled. "That boy doesn't like anyone. But he said yes."

I blinked. "He... said yes?"

Sulekha aunty squeezed my hand. "Yes. In his own way, stubborn and sharp, he agreed. And I think deep down, he sees you. Even if he pretends he doesn't."

I couldn't speak. I just nodded slowly, afraid my voice would crack if I tried.

And in that moment, I didn't feel like the girl who had no one.

I felt... chosen.

.

.

.

The moment they left, I stood frozen near the door for a few seconds, then picked up my phone with trembling fingers and called her.

"Nia... can you come? Please?"

"What happened?" she asked, instantly alert.

"I'll tell you when you get here. Just-come fast."

Fifteen minutes later, she barged into my room, hair in a messy bun, still in her pajamas. "Okay, spill. Are you okay? You sound like you either got adopted or murdered someone."

I let out a tiny laugh and nodded toward the mattress. "Sit first."

She narrowed her eyes but obeyed. "You're scaring me."

"I... I'm getting married."

Her jaw dropped.

"To who?!"

I tried to say it casually, but my tongue tripped over itself. "R-Rayaan."

"What?!" she shrieked. "Rayaan Oberoi? THE Rayaan? Mr. Ice Face, Mr. Growls-for-a-living, Mr. Get-Out-of-My-Way-I'll-Breathe-When-I-Want?"

I burst into a giggle I couldn't hold back. "Yes... that one."

She stared at me like I had gone mad. "And you're happy? Wait-you're smiling?!"

I covered my mouth but it was too late. I was smiling. Wide and shy and way too obvious.

"I don't know why," I whispered. "He hates me. He thinks I'm a gold digger. He said it to my face."

"And you're still smiling?" Nia leaned forward dramatically. "Arvi. Are you okay? Blink twice if you're under a spell."

"I'm not!" I laughed. "I just... I think I like him."

She blinked.

"I really like him, Nia," I said, voice soft and heart thudding. "Even if he never smiles at me. Even if he thinks I don't belong. I can't explain it. My heart just-"

"-is doing backflips and writing his name in cursive on your ribs?" she teased.

I slapped her arm playfully, blushing. "Stop it!"

"Oh my god," she grinned. "You've got it bad."

I buried my face in the pillow.

"You, Arvi, the softest little dumpling, are marrying Rayaan Oberoi. You're gonna be Arvi Rayaan Oberoi!"

"Don't say it like that," I groaned, hiding my red cheeks.

But inside, the name echoed louder than her teasing.

Arvi Rayaan Oberoi.

The name itself is giving me goosebumps.

And for the first time... it didn't feel like a dream.

It felt like a heartbeat I didn't know I'd been missing.

.

.

.

I stared at the ceiling, the soft shadows from the bedside lamp dancing across the walls of my room. My room... for now. Everything was about to change. I was going to be someone's wife. Someone's daughter-in-law. And yet, I felt like a little girl inside just Arvi. Alone.

The silence around me felt too loud, almost suffocating. Except it wasn't completely silent. Nia was lying next to me, scrolling through her phone with the brightness dimmed, trying not to disturb me. But she knew. She always knew.

I turned slightly, my throat tightening. "Nia?" I whispered.

"Hmm?" she murmured, putting her phone aside and turning to face me.

"I wish my parents were here." My voice cracked at the end. "I wish they could see me in a bridal outfit... tell me I looked beautiful... or just... be here."

Nia didn't say anything for a second. Her silence was comforting in a way only old friendships could offer.

I kept going, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "Everyone else has someone. A mother fixing their jewellery. A father standing beside them. And I-" My breath hitched. "I have no one. Just... no one."

"You have me," she said gently, reaching out to squeeze my hand.

I looked at her, eyes brimming with tears. "But you're not-"

"Shhh." She cut me off, pulling me into a hug. "Don't say it. I know I'm not your mother or your father. But I'm here, Arvi. And I'll be here on the wedding day too. Clapping the loudest, fixing your makeup, stealing sweets, being annoying basically doing all the things that remind you you're not alone."

A tear rolled down my cheek, but this time, it wasn't heavy. It felt a little lighter. I rested my head on her shoulder, whispering, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For staying the night."

She laughed softly. "Please, I wouldn't miss this emotional meltdown for the world."

I smiled through the tears. Maybe I didn't have everyone. But I had someone. And for tonight, that was enough.

.

.

.

.

I was curled up in bed, hair tied up messily, and Nia was beside me with a bowl of popcorn like we were prepping for a movie night. Just as I was about to say something, my phone buzzed with a video call.

Aleesha, Arekha, Vanisha, and Vivaan. All together.

"Oh no," I groaned, shoving popcorn into my mouth. "The royal council of Oberoi chaos is calling."

Nia smirked. "Put it on. I wanna see these people you're marrying into."

"They already know you."

"Oh right," she said proudly.

I hit Accept.

The screen lit up with all four faces, talking over each other as usual.

"Areeeee, look at the dulhan!" Aleesha squealed.

"I swear, you're glowing. Is this pre-wedding skincare or just Rayaan bhaiya stress?" Vanisha said dramatically.

"I vote stress," Vivaan added, ducking immediately like he expected a slap through the screen.

Nia leaned in with a grin. "At least she's not marrying you, Vivaan. That would've been a real stress breakout."

The girls cracked up while Vivaan pouted. "You wound me, Nia."

Arekha shook her head. "Can we just talk about how Rayaan bhaiya has been walking around with that permanent scowl since the wedding got fixed?"

"Permanent scowl?" Nia scoffed. "He was born with that scowl."

"I feel like he's going to yell at the priest for chanting too slowly," Vanisha said.

I laughed.

"See!" Arekha gasped. "Why are we scared of him when you aren't?"

"I'm terrified," I admitted, half-joking. "But I've already been yelled at, fired, humiliated... this is just phase two."

"Still," Aleesha said more softly, "you handle him better than anyone ever has."

"You balance him," Arekha added. "Which is wild, because we all thought he'd marry a robot or something."

"Or someone who'd just silently cry in a corner and say 'ji Rayaan ji,'" Vivaan said, imitating a fake shy voice.

"Yeah, well," Nia cut in with a shrug, "Arvi's not a doormat. She's fire. You guys are lucky."

The cousins nodded in agreement. For once, the energy was light but meaningful.

Then Aleesha said gently, "We know you don't have your family here, Arvi. But you've got all of us. And even though we fear bhaiya more than ghosts, we're here for you."

"Yeah," Arekha added. "If he ever says something stupid, Tell us. We'll... well, we won't confront him, but we'll emotionally support you while hiding."

Everyone burst out laughing.

I smiled, eyes stinging with emotion. "Thanks, guys."

Vivaan grinned. "And if you ever need backup, just say the word. We'll send Nia."

"Oh, I'm already on standby," Nia said, puffing her chest. "Mess with my girl, I mess with your bhaiya."

The call ended with waves and threats of embarrassing wedding dances. As the screen went dark, I let out a soft breath.

"They're sweet," I murmured.

"They're terrified of Rayaan, but they love you," Nia said. "That says a lot."

I nodded, leaning back. Maybe this marriage wasn't just an end or a compromise it could be the start of something better.

Rayaan never like me he hated me but I dont know why after all this I still loved him my heart loved him.

Rayaan's pov:

I leaned back in my chair, the city lights painting the glass walls of my office in a soft golden hue. The clock ticked in the background, but I wasn't really listening. My fingers drummed against the table as Riaan stood near the window, sipping his coffee like he had all the time in the world.

"You're awfully quiet for someone who's been dying to ask me a million questions," I said, finally breaking the silence.

Riaan turned, raising an eyebrow. "I was giving you a moment to confess before I interrogated you. So... what the hell, Rayaan? You said yes to the marriage? You? Voluntarily?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"I didn't do it for her," I said bluntly. "I said yes because of Mom."

Riaan blinked. "Wait-what?"

"She's been through enough," I muttered, voice low. "And when I saw the way she looked at Arvi... like she finally found something to hold on to, someone to care about. I couldn't say no. Not after everything."

Riaan walked over, perching on the edge of my desk. "So you're just... marrying her out of gratitude? Guilt?"

I looked at him. Dead in the eye.

"I don't love her, Riaan. She's just a girl who spilled a drink on me. Who somehow ended up in my house, in my life. And now, I'm marrying her because my mother thinks she belongs with us."

There was a silence between us. Heavy.

"And you think that's going to work out?" Riaan asked after a beat. "Living with someone you don't love?"

"I've seen worse arrangements survive," I replied coolly. "This... this isn't about me. It's about Mom. She's happy. That's what matters."

Riaan looked like he wanted to argue. But he didn't. He just exhaled slowly, giving me that look.

There was a soft knock on the door.

My jaw tightened.

"Come in," I said.

The door creaked open, and Arvi stepped inside, her eyes immediately lowering when she saw me. She held a file against her chest, like it was some kind of armor.

"I... I brought the finance report you asked for," she said quietly.

Before I could say anything, Riaan jumped to his feet. "Arvi!"

She looked surprised. "Hi... Riaan."

He grinned wide. "Still scared of this guy, huh?" He tilted his head toward me. "Don't worry. He just looks scary. Deep down, he's a teddy bear. A grumpy, emotionally constipated one, but still."

Arvi gave a small laugh barely a breath but it was the closest I'd seen to a real smile from her in days.

"You look tired," Riaan said, his tone softer now. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, avoiding my eyes again. "Just... a lot of work."

"Then sit for a minute," he offered, pointing to the chair near my desk. "Don't let Rayaan Oberoi boss you around too much."

I clenched my jaw. "Riaan."

He gave me a wink but didn't push further.

Arvi stepped forward and placed the file on my desk. "The report is complete, sir. Should I send it to legal as well?"

I stood slowly, walking around the desk, eyes fixed on her.

"You don't need to come to the office anymore."

Her entire face shifted confusion, shock, panic all flickered through in a split second. "W-What?"

"We're getting married," I said flatly. "You working here under me it's not professional anymore. It was temporary. And now, it's done."

"But... I-I didn't mean to be unprofessional-Sulekha aunty said I should keep-"

"I'm not Mom," I snapped, my voice colder than I meant.

Silence filled the room.

Riaan looked between us, his smile long gone.

Arvi slowly nodded, her voice barely audible. "I understand, sir."

And then she turned to leave.

Didn't argue. Didn't ask why.

She just walked out quietly, the same way she'd entered.

The door shut.

I didn't realize how loud the silence would feel after that.

Riaan looked at me for a long second, then said, "You're an idiot."

I didn't respond.

Arvi's pov:

I stepped out of Rayaan's office, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a heavy stone.

"You don't need to come to the office anymore."

It shouldn't have hurt as much as it did, but it did. The coldness in his voice echoed in my ears as I made my way back to my room, trying to shove aside the knot forming in my stomach.

The ride home had been long, but the silence I was lost in gave me no comfort. I just wanted to be alone, away from all the tension, to gather my thoughts and somehow make sense of the mess I'd found myself in.

I opened my bedroom door, expecting the usual quiet, but instead, I was met with a burst of energy.

"Arvi!"

I barely had time to react before I was enveloped in a hug, the warmth of familiar faces surrounding me.

Aleesha, Arekha, Vanisha Vivaan they were all here, grinning from ear to ear. I blinked, still stunned by the surprise.

"We missed you!" Arekha said, squeezing me tighter.

I couldn't help but laugh a little, even as the confusion bubbled up inside me. "What are you all doing here?"

Before anyone could answer, I felt a familiar presence step closer. Nia.

She pulled me into another hug, her arms wrapping around me tightly. "You didn't tell me the wedding was in three days!" she whispered.

I froze, pulling back slightly. "What?"

Vivaan grinned, pointing at me playfully. "You've got a big one coming up! Badi ma told us to bring you and Nia to the Oberoi mansion. We're all heading to Jaipur tomorrow for the wedding."

Jaipur?

I blinked, trying to process everything. "Wait, what? Why didn't anyone tell me? I thought the wedding was still a ways off..."

Vanisha laughed. "Well, surprise! It's happening now. In just three days."

I felt the realization hit me like a wave.

The wedding was happening now. In three days. And Sulekha aunty had made plans for me and Nia to head to the Oberoi mansion.

I looked around at the cousins, their faces full of excitement, and then at Nia, who gave me a soft smile. The rush of emotions started to flood in excitement, nervousness, confusion.

But one thing was clear.

This wedding was happening. Whether I was ready or not.

Rayaan's pov:

Jaipur.

The city was buzzing around me vibrant, loud, decorated in colors that screamed celebration. The Oberois don't do anything halfway, and this wedding... my wedding... was no exception.

The palace we were staying in looked like it had been plucked straight out of some royal era. Gold drapes, chandeliers, fresh mogra flowers hanging from every arch perfection in chaos.

Relatives moved in and out of rooms like clockwork. My mother was barking orders in three directions. My father was shaking hands, smiling like we weren't about to tie me to someone forever.

And me?

I stood at the balcony of my suite, watching the last rays of the Jaipur sun disappear behind the forts. Calm on the outside. But aware. Sharp. Focused.

I hadn't seen Arvi since we arrived.

Not because I didn't want to but because I couldn't. Rituals, traditions, haldi, mehendi, sangeet... one thing after another. She was kept separate, hidden away behind customs that demanded distance until the saat phere.

Convenient, in some ways.

I didn't know what I'd say if I saw her.

It wasn't love. It was obligation. A promise I didn't make, but was expected to fulfill. I wasn't the kind of man who ran from responsibility. If this was the path laid out in front of me, I'd walk it head high, spine straight.

But still... somewhere in the back of my mind, I wondered what she was thinking.

Was she nervous? Scared? Or did she feel nothing at all?

Whatever it was, it didn't matter. Not to me.

Tonight, we will become husband and wife.

Whether she likes it or not.