Arvi's pov:

The next morning, I sat beside Rayaan in the car, palms pressed together in my lap as the city blurred past the windows. The plan had seemed smart and straightforward last night. Now, with each passing second, my heartbeat grew louder in my ears.

“You’re too quiet,” Rayaan said, glancing at me as he turned the steering wheel.

“I’m just thinking.”

He reached over and laced his fingers through mine. “It’ll work.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath. “I hope she doesn’t hate me for this.”

“She won’t,” he said. Then, with a slight smirk, “And if she does… I’ll protect you.”

That earned him a small smile.

When we reached Nia’s house, I rang the bell with a mix of nerves and anticipation. A moment later, she opened the door, her face lighting up.

“Arvi! Rayaan! What a surprise come in!”

We stepped inside, and she led us to the living room. It smelled like lavender and freshly baked cookies

“I didn’t know you two were coming over,” she said, setting three glasses of juice on the table. “Everything okay?”

I looked at Rayaan once, then back at her. “Actually… we came to give you an invitation.”

Her brows lifted. “Invitation?”

Rayaan leaned forward. “Vivaan’s engagement is next week.”

I watched the words hit her.

Nia blinked once. “Engagement?”

“Yes,” I said softly. “The Rathore girl. Bade Papa finally decided.”

Nia stared at me, lips parting slightly. Her face didn’t change much but her eyes? They did. I saw the flicker of something shock, disbelief… and panic.

“I… I didn’t know,” she murmured.

I gave her a slow, gentle nod. “We wanted to invite you personally. You’ve been so close to all of us it wouldn’t feel right without you there.”

Her throat moved as she swallowed. “Right… yes. Of course.”

But her voice had gone distant. Flat.

Rayaan spoke next. “The function’s at the mansion. Sunday. Don’t be late.”

She nodded absently.

I gave her a quick hug before we left, and for a second, she held on tighter than usual.

As we walked out, I didn’t speak. I didn’t have to.

Rayaan looked at me and said, “She’s already unraveling.”

I exhaled, heart racing again but this time, not from nerves.

From hope.

As soon as we entered the Mansion no one was in hallway, we entered our room, I turned to speak but Rayaan didn’t give me the chance.

He shut the door behind us, locked it, and strode toward me with a look in his eyes that made my heart stutter.

Before I could ask, he reached out, his hands sliding around my waist, pulling me close close enough to feel the heat of him, the tension in his body.

“I want to kiss you,” he said, voice low, rough, and honest. “So badly, Arvi. I’ve been holding it in since we left Nia’s.”

My breath hitched. The way he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world made my knees weak.

“Then kiss me,” I whispered.

And that’s all it took.

He leaned in and kissed me like he’d been starving for it urgent, deep, and impossibly tender all at once. One of his hands cradled my jaw, the other gripped my waist as if grounding himself.

I melted into him, completely.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing hard, he rested his forehead against mine, eyes still closed.

“I love you,” he whispered, like a promise.

My heart felt like it would burst. I cupped his cheek, my thumb brushing lightly over the faint stubble there.

“I love you more,” I murmured back, our breaths still mingling.

Rayaan smiled, that rare, unguarded smile that made my chest ache in the best way. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, then gently led me to the bed. We sat, still tangled in each other, the urgency now softened into something quieter… more tender.

He traced slow circles on the back of my hand. “You were incredible today. With Nia. With the plan. You always think of everyone.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I just want everyone to be happy.”

“You make me happy,” he said simply, pressing a kiss to my temple.

We sat there for a while, no rush, no pressure. Just his hand holding mine, our fingers interlocked. The silence between us was full of warmth, of understanding, of love.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Just as Rayaan pressed another kiss to my forehead, a knock echoed through the room.

He sighed, standing up reluctantly. “Who’s disturbing my moment?” he muttered under his breath with a smirk, making me giggle.

When he opened the door, Vivaan stood there, breathless, hair a little messy, and eyes wide with excitement.

“She—she called me,” he said in a rush. “Nia just called me!”

I stood up instantly. “What? What did she say?”

Vivaan held up his phone. “I haven’t picked up yet. I—I didn’t know what to say.”

“Put it on speaker,” I said quickly, crossing the room toward him. “Let’s hear it together.”

Rayaan shut the door behind him, and we gathered close around Vivaan as he hit the green button and put the phone on speaker.

Nia’s voice came through, soft but trembling. “Vivaan? I… I don’t know what you’re doing, but I can’t stop thinking about it. About you. About… the engagement.”

Vivaan’s eyes widened.

Nia paused, then her voice dropped to a whisper. “Why didn’t you ever tell me you loved me?”

Vivaan’s breath caught. He looked at me, at Rayaan, then back at the phone, his voice barely steady.

“Because I was scared,” he said honestly. “Scared I’d lose you if I said the wrong thing… scared you didn’t feel the same.”

There was silence on the line for a second that felt like forever. Then Nia exhaled shakily.

“I was stupid,” she murmured. “I thought if I kept things simple, nothing would change. But now… the thought of you marrying someone else—Vivaan, it’s killing me.”

My heart clenched, and Vivaan’s fingers trembled as he held the phone tighter.

“Then don’t let me,” he whispered.

Rayaan’s hand slid into mine, squeezing gently as we all listened, breath held.

“Don’t marry anyone else, Vivaan,” Nia said softly. “Because I think… I think I love you too.”

Vivaan’s eyes filled with tears.

He didn’t say a word. He just nodded to himself, overcome.

I smiled through the lump in my throat and whispered, “Told you so.”

Rayaan let out a breathy chuckle beside me and kissed my knuckles.

Vivaan wiped at his face and looked at us with pure, unfiltered joy.

“I have to go see her,” he said.

“Go,” Rayaan nodded, his voice firm but warm.

Vivaan didn’t waste a second. He turned and ran.

Rayaan closed the door behind him.

Then, without a word, he turned to me and lifted me off the floor effortlessly, burying his face in my neck.

“You did it, Mrs. Oberoi,” he whispered.

I laughed as he held me close. “No. We did.”

And just like that, our hearts felt a little lighter. Our home, a little fuller.

—

The next morning, the house felt like it was buzzing with soft, golden energy.

Rayaan and I sat together at the breakfast table, fingers lightly intertwined under the tablecloth, when Maa came in, adjusting her saree pallu, eyes sparkling.

“Arvi,” she said, “we’re going to Nia’s house today. Bade Papa, Chote Papa, Choti Maa everyone’s coming.”

My heart skipped.

I sat up straighter. “For…?”

She smiled knowingly. “For the rishta, beta.”

Vivaan, sitting across from us, froze with his toast halfway to his mouth.

“You’re serious?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Bade Papa nodded. “We’ll speak to her parents. If they agree, we’ll move ahead with the engagement.”

Vivaan looked like the air had been knocked out of him. I leaned forward and whispered, “Breathe.”

That afternoon, they all left together, a car full of elders and hopeful intentions.

I stayed back with Rayaan, pacing in our room while he calmly scrolled through emails on his tablet.

“You’re not even nervous?” I asked.

He smirked, setting the device down. “I don’t need to be. You don’t lose, bacha.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile stretching across my face.

Hours later,the front door opened and they returned.

I rushed to the hallway, almost colliding with Choti Maa, who was grinning.

“They said yes,” she beamed. “They said yes, Arvi!”

Behind her, Vivaan stood frozen, eyes wide.

“They said yes?” he repeated like he couldn’t believe it.

Maa stepped forward, cupping his cheek. “She said yes, beta.”

Vivaan let out a choked laugh, eyes brimming with disbelief and joy.

“Arvi,” he said, turning to me. “You’re unreal.”

I laughed and hugged him then aleesha gasped

“You’re kidding!”

“No way!” Arekha clapped her hands.

“Oh my God, she said yes?” Vanisha squealed, practically jumping.

Vivaan laughed, overwhelmed, as the girls threw their arms around him in a messy, happy group hug. Even Rayaan let out a quiet chuckle beside me.

“Now this is a celebration,” Arekha said, pulling me into the hug too.

Aleesha leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You genius. You totally knew this would work.”

I just smiled. “I had a feeling.”

Vanisha held Vivaan’s arm like a proud sister. “Nia is officially one of us now. This calls for cupcakes and matching outfits.”

Vivaan groaned playfully. “Can we wait till after the engagement for the glitter?”

Laughter erupted again, and in the middle of it all, Rayaan pulled me gently aside, his fingers brushing mine as he leaned in close.

“You’re the reason everyone’s smiling today,” he said softly, his eyes full of something that made my heart flip.

“And you’re the reason I believed I could pull it off,” I whispered back.

From across the room, Choti Maa called, “Girls, start preparing for the engagement! It’s happening this weekend!”

More cheering followed.

And just like that, the Oberoi Mansion was alive with celebration again.

Rayaan's pov:

The Oberoi Mansion was glowing. Lights strung across the balconies, flowers draped over every railing, staff rushing around like a well rehearsed members . The entire place was dressed for a celebration and yet, my eyes kept going to the door.

Where was she?

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the gold buttons of my sherwani. My hair was set, watch on, everything in place except her.

The door finally creaked open, and Arvi stepped in, Her cheeks were flushed, a strand of hair falling over her face.

“There you are,” I said, my voice low.

She gave a quick smile. “Rayaan, I need you to drop me to Nia’s.”

I turned toward her fully, arms folding over my chest. “Excuse me?”

“She’s nervous. Wants me with her while she gets ready,” Arvi explained, walking toward the mirror, not noticing the way I was looking at her.

“No,” I said simply. “Get ready here.”

She turned, surprised. “What?”

“I’ve been waiting for you all morning. You’re not leaving now.”

Arvi raised a brow. “Rayaan, I’ll be gone for two hours, not two days.”

“Two hours too long,” I muttered, stepping closer. “You belong here. With me.”

Her eyes softened, but she tried to stay firm. “I promised Nia, Rayaan. She needs me.”

I leaned in, voice low near her ear. “And I need you.”

For a moment, she didn’t say anything. I saw the flicker in her eyes the way my nearness always made her breath hitch.

But then she smiled and placed her hand on my chest. “I’ll be back with Nia. Try not to lose your mind till then.”

I caught her wrist as she turned to leave. “I will be counting every minute.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Drama.”

As she walked away, I watched her go, jaw clenched slightly.

Even in a mansion full of people, when she wasn’t near I felt the difference.

And I hated it.

The engine purred beneath us as I drove through the streets, my jaw tight, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other resting possessively on the gear. Arvi sat beside me, adjusting her earrings, completely unbothered.

I glanced at her. “You can still change your mind, you know.”

She didn’t even look up. “Rayaan…”

“I’m serious,” I muttered. “Get ready at the mansion.

She smiled faintly, eyes still on her mirror. “I told Nia I’d be there.”

I exhaled sharply, leaning back against the seat. “You always keep your promises.”

She finally turned to me, amused. “As I should.”

“I’m not a fan of this one,” I said, voice low and firm. “You leaving me for two hours on the most important day of your brother’s life? That’s betrayal, Mrs. Oberoi.”

She laughed softly. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“I’m not being dramatic, Arvi. I’m being honest. You look like mine today. And I want to be the one to see every piece of that coming together.”

Her laughter faltered for half a second. I saw the way she bit her lip to hide the smile.

We reached Nia’s gate. I killed the engine and turned toward her.

“Still not too late to change your mind.”

She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You’ll live.”

I caught her wrist before she could get out. “You better be back in exactly two hours. Not a minute more.”

She nodded, grinning. “Set a timer, Mr. Oberoi.”

I watched her walk up to the door, the weight of her absence already pressing on my chest.

Two hours.

I’d wait but I wouldn’t enjoy a single second of it.

Arvi's pov:

The moment I stepped out of Rayaan’s car, I already missed him. His presence lingered like his cologne warm, familiar, and annoyingly comforting.

Before I could even ring the bell, Nia’s mom opened the door and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Arvi beta! You’re finally here!” she beamed. “Come in, come in.”

I hugged her back, smiling, though my heart still felt like it had stayed in the car with him.

The house was buzzing flowers everywhere, laughter echoing from the kitchen, the sound of bangles clinking. It should’ve distracted me. But it didn’t.

Nia’s dad greeted me with a kind nod as I stepped inside. “So good to see you, Arvi. You girls must be excited.”

I nodded politely. “Very.”

After a few minutes of chatting and sweet drinks I didn’t even taste, I excused myself and climbed the stairs to Nia’s room.

I knocked once, then peeked in.

“Arvi!” Nia gasped from the dressing chair, jumping up slightly as the makeup artist groaned.

She rushed to hug me, tight and shaky. “You came!”

“Of course I did,” I smiled, holding her close. “How could I not?”

The room was chaos curlers, compacts, bobby pins everywhere. Her lehenga hung by the wardrobe, soft rose gold and stunning.

“Help me choose a necklace,” she said, flopping back into her seat.

I sat beside her, smiling as she babbled about nerves and excitement.

But even as I helped pin her dupatta, my fingers itched to text him.

Two hours suddenly felt way too long.

Nia looked at me through the mirror as the makeup artist dabbed highlighter on her cheekbones.

“You know what’s crazy?” she said, a playful twinkle in her eyes.

I raised a brow. “What?”

She smirked. “I’m going to be your dewrani, Mrs. Oberoi.”

I blinked, then burst into laughter. “Oh God, don’t say it like that!”

“It’s true!” she grinned. “You married the elder brother. I’m marrying the younger one. That makes me your dewrani. Officially.”

I leaned closer, teasing, “Then I should start bossing you around from now, huh?”

“Oh please,” she rolled her eyes. “You already do.”

We both laughed, the kind of carefree laughter that only comes with years of friendship and the comfort of knowing you’re stepping into something beautiful together.

“You and me,” she said softly, “in the same house. Who would’ve thought?”

I smiled, my heart full. “Yeah… it’s kind of perfect.”

As Nia slipped into her lehenga with the help of the stylists, she turned to me with a grin.

“By the way,” she said, pointing at me with a makeup brush, “you better get ready too. You're not escaping glam duty today.”

I chuckled. “Already packed. Just need ten minutes.”

In the guest room, I opened my bag and carefully unfolded the pastel pink saree I had chosen. The moment I draped it over my shoulder and caught my reflection in the mirror, I paused.

Soft, elegant, and so unlike my usual chaos I looked… devastating.

The fabric hugged just right, the pearls glinted gently in the light, and my hair, left in loose waves, framed my face perfectly.

Even I had to admit I looked like I belonged in a fairytale.

And just one thought pulsed in my mind I can’t wait for Rayaan to see me in this.



Her saree

As I stepped out of the room, Nia was in the middle of having her final touch-ups done. When she turned around to face me, her jaw dropped.

"Arvi... you... you look... stunning," she whispered, her eyes wide with shock. I could see the admiration in her gaze, but there was something else too surprise.

I smiled, but it quickly faltered when I saw her.

She stood in front of the full-length mirror in her engagement lehenga, looking every bit like a goddess. The colors were a perfect match vibrant, yet elegant. The lehenga shimmered with every movement, and her eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

My breath caught in my throat.

“You look... unreal,” I whispered, stepping closer to her. "Like you're ready to steal the show."

Nia’s lips trembled into a soft smile. “I think we’re both doing that today.”

Rayaan's pov:

I was caught up in small talk with a few of the guests, nodding politely, but my mind was somewhere else. Paparazzi were everywhere, snapping pictures, and I had to keep up my calm, collected appearance. But honestly, all I could think about was how Arvi Nia and her family hadn't arrived yet.

I barely noticed the time passing until I heard the hum of excitement in the room grow louder. That’s when I saw them Nia’s family walking in, followed by my wife

But then, my gaze locked on Arvi.

My mind just… stopped working.

She was wearing that pastel pink saree, and every step she took was like a punch to the gut. My eyes couldn’t leave her, couldn’t look anywhere else.

She looked devastating.

Her beauty hit me like a wave, stunning, overwhelming. The soft fabric of the saree hugged her figure, and her face glowed in a way I couldn’t even describe. It was like the world around me paused, and all I could see, all I could focus on, was her.

I barely registered the guests around me or the flashes from the cameras. It felt like it was just me and her, and nothing else mattered.

It took me a few seconds to remember how to breathe.

“Rayaan?” A voice broke through my fog.

I blinked and turned back to the crowd, still unable to shake the image of her from my mind.

As the teasing faded into the background, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I walked straight toward her, ignoring everyone and everything else. Her eyes met mine  wide, soft, knowing  and in that moment, it was like the world stopped moving.

Without saying a word, I reached for her hand. She didn’t resist. Her fingers slipped into mine like they belonged there, warm and familiar.

The chatter behind us blurred. I didn’t stop to explain or make excuses. I just held her hand firmly and led her upstairs, toward our room.

She followed, quietly, matching my pace without question. And when we stepped inside and I shut the door behind us, the silence between us wasn’t empty  it was full. Of things unspoken. Of everything we were about to say without words.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind us, I turned to face her.

She was still holding my hand, her gaze soft, lips parted slightly.

I took a step closer.

“You look…” I exhaled. “Unreal, Arvi. Absolutely unreal.”

She looked down shyly, but before she could speak, I cupped her face and kissed her.

Slow, deep, and full of every ache I’d been holding in.

She kissed me back instantly, her hands sliding up my chest, gripping my shirt.

I pulled her closer, not letting an inch stay between us.

When we finally broke apart, both breathless, she looked up at me, eyes sparkling.

“Bas kijiye, Mr. Oberoi,” she whispered, her voice a mix of tease and truth.

“Main aapki hi hoon.”

That did something to me.

I let out a low chuckle, forehead resting against hers.

“And don’t you ever forget it,” I murmured.

She giggled softly, fingers brushing the collar of my sherwani.

“You are also looking handsome, don’t you?” she teased, eyes twinkling.

I smirked, tugging her gently closer. “Only if I’m standing next to you.”

She blushed, laughing under her breath, and I pressed a light kiss to her forehead.

Then, hand in hand, we made our way downstairs.

The moment we entered, the whole room lit up with smiles and gasps.

Aleesha clapped her hands. “Oh my God, Arvi!”

“Someone stop her,” Arekha whistled. “Too pretty should be illegal.”

Vanisha rushed over. “You look like a pastel dream, bhabhi!”

Arvi smiled shyly, thanking them as they circled her with love and laughter.

Then came the ceremony.

Nia and Vivaan stood at the front, hands trembling slightly as they exchanged rings.

Everyone clapped, flashes of cameras going off, tears shining in Choti Maa’s, Maa's eyes.

Vivaan couldn’t stop smiling  and neither could Nia.

As the applause settled, Vanisha and Aleesha grinned at each other.

“It’s time!” Aleesha called. “Couple dance announcement!”

“Yes!” Vanisha added. “All couples to the floor, please!”

I turned to Arvi, extending my hand with a slight bow.

“May I?”

She slid her hand into mine, eyes soft. “Always.”

As the first notes of Raanjha Ve filled the air, I pulled her into the center of the floor.

My hand rested on her waist, hers around my neck, and we began to move slow, swaying, lost in the melody.

The lights dimmed slightly, casting everything in gold.

We didn’t speak.

We didn’t need to.

Her eyes never left mine.

And mine… couldn’t even blink.

Because in that moment nothing else mattered. Just her. Just us.

Thanks for reading! This chapter was longer, but now the story picks up with Vivaan's wedding functions. Hope you enjoyed all four chapters I shared today please vote, comment, and show some love!

Thankyou<3