Arvi's pov:

The Oberoi Mansion had transformed again.

This time, it wasn’t just glowing it was glimmering. Golden drapes hung from every arch. Marigolds spilled from every corner. The music was soft, festive, and everything smelled like roses and cardamom.

Vivaan’s wedding functions had officially begun.

And I stood at the top of the stairs, already breathless.

Not because of the decor.

Because of him.

Rayaan.

Dressed in an ivory kurta, he looked annoyingly perfect. His hair was slightly messy like he’d run his fingers through it one too many times. And his eyes… they were on me.

The kind of stare that made everything else fade away.

I gripped the railing, heart thudding.

He didn’t smile. Just raised one brow like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

And of course, he did.

“Arviiiii!!!”

Aleesha’s voice snapped me back. She rushed toward me, dupatta flying, cheeks pink with excitement.

“You’re on decoration duty with me! Vivaan says the mehendi stage needs more fairy lights.”

I blinked. “Now?”

“Yes, now,” she laughed, tugging at my hand. “Before your husband kidnaps you with one of those intense stares again.”

I snorted. “He might.”

She gasped. “See? You admit it.”

As she dragged me down the stairs, I glanced back.

Rayaan hadn’t moved.

Still watching.

Still making me feel like the center of his world.

Vivaan’s wedding was going to be loud, dramatic, full of music and madness.

But somehow, in the middle of all that noise

Rayaan and I would still find each other.

Like always.

Haldi—

I don’t know why I thought the haldi function would be calm.

It was chaos.

Yellow everywhere flowers, cushions, clothes, even juice.

And in the middle of it all stood Rayaan Oberoi, sleeves rolled up, smirking like he was above it all.

I was adjusting my dupatta when a cold dab of haldi touched my cheek.

I froze.

Rayaan stood there, guilty and very pleased.

“You looked too clean,” he said innocently.

My mouth dropped open. “You didn’t—”

“Oh, but I did,” he cut in, dabbing more on my other cheek. “Now you match the theme.”

I lunged at him with a bowl, but he dodged laughing.

The nerve.

“Rayaan, I swear—”

He grinned. “Swear later. Haldi first.”

In the next second, his hand was in the bowl again, reaching for my face.

I ducked, but he caught my wrist, pulled me close.

Too close.

“You started this,” I whispered, our noses almost touching.

“And I’ll finish it,” he replied, voice low.

Before I could respond, he streaked a bold line of haldi across my neck.

My gasp turned into laughter.

“You’re impossible.”

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “And you’re beautiful.”

His thumb lingered just beneath my jaw, and for a moment, the noise around us melted away.

It was just him. Me. The smell of turmeric. The warmth of his touch.

Arekha yelled from somewhere, “Stop romancing and come take a photo!”

Rayaan rolled his eyes. “They ruin everything.”

I laughed, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the stage. “Come on, Mr. Oberio.”

He leaned down, whispering against my ear, “Only for you, Mrs. Oberio.”

Mehendi—

I sat with my hands stretched out, the mehendi still wet and darkening beautifully. The designs had crawled all the way up my arms, delicate and detailed but now, I was starving.

And helpless.

That’s when Rayaan walked in, carrying a plate of cut fruits like some smug, ivory-kurta-clad savior.

“Baby,” he said, crouching beside me, “eat something first.”

I looked at him pointedly, raising both mehendi-covered hands. “Do I look like I can?”

He chuckled. “Exactly why I’m here.”

He picked up a slice of apple and held it near my lips. “Open up.”

I gave him a look but leaned forward anyway, taking the bite.

“Good girl,” he murmured, brushing away a tiny drop of juice at the corner of my mouth with his thumb.

“You’re enjoying this too much.”

“I live for this,” he said dramatically, popping a grape into my mouth next.

Between bites, I lifted one of my palms. “Find your name.”

His smirk softened. He took my hand gently, tilting it toward the light. “Hmm… this might take a while.”

“You better find it. The artist said if you can’t, I get a gift.”

“Oh, I’ll find it,” he said, his thumb brushing over the curves and vines.

His brows drew together in mock concentration, eyes scanning every corner like it was the most important mission of his life.

Then he grinned. “Got it.”

“Where?”

He brought my palm closer to his lips. “Right here,” he whispered, kissing the spot lightly.

My breath hitched.

“That’s cheating,” I whispered.

“That’s love,” he whispered back.

And for a second, the noise of the celebration disappeared.

Just him. Just me. Just the taste of mango still on my lips and his name hidden on my hand.

Sangeet—

Rayaan's pov:

The Oberoi Mansion had never been this loud.

Lights flickered like stars, music pulsed through every wall, and someone probably Arekha was already dragging random relatives onto the dance floor.

I should’ve been annoyed.

But my eyes were on her.

Arvi.

Standing near the stage, laughing at something Nia said, wearing that deep emerald lehenga that made it impossible to think straight. Her bangles jingled every time she moved, and her earrings swayed like they were part of her rhythm.

She hadn’t seen me yet.

And honestly? I liked watching her like this free, glowing, completely unaware of how much power she held over me.

“You’re staring,” Riaan said beside me, not even trying to be subtle.

“I’m aware.”

“You look like you’re about to punch someone.”

“I might. Depends who tries to dance with her first.”

He laughed. “Possessive much?”

I didn’t answer.

Because I was.

Arvi finally looked my way. Her eyes met mine, and everything else faded again. I’d gotten used to this. The way the world dimmed when she looked at me like that.

Like I was the only man in the room.

She tilted her head slightly, smirking, mouthing, “Dance?”

I hated dancing.

But I walked straight toward her.

She grinned, stepping back as if to make me chase her onto the floor.

The music changed to something upbeat, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by chaos Aleesha twirling, Vivaan doing something dangerously close to a backflip, and Arvi… laughing.

Spinning.

Beautiful.

Untouchable.

Until she wasn’t.

I caught her hand mid-spin, pulled her closer, just enough to speak against her ear.

“You’re having fun,” I murmured.

Her eyes sparkled. “You’re jealous.”

“Maybe.”

She leaned in, teasing. “Dance with me, Mr. Oberoi.”

I did.

God help me, I did.

One song bled into another. I forgot to care who was watching. I forgot I hated the noise.

Because she smiled every time I twirled her.

Because her hand fit perfectly in mine.

Because every time I pulled her close, the world made sense again.

This wasn’t just Vivaan’s sangeet anymore.

It was a night carved for us too.

In the middle of clashing dhol beats and wild cousins, there was a quieter rhythm.

Ours.

Arvi's pov:

There’s something absolutely dangerous about putting all the Oberoi girls in one room with no supervision.

Especially when one of them is getting married tomorrow.

We were all sprawled across Aleesha’s room mehendi half-faded, pillows everywhere, music playing softly in the background. The AC was humming, and someone had brought chocolate covered strawberries. The vibe was suspiciously too calm.

Arekha was the first to break the silence. She looked at Nia, wicked grin in place. “So… you packed your honeymoon lingerie yet?”

Nia choked on her juice.

Aleesha whooped. “AREKHAAA!”

“What?” Arekha laughed, shameless. “I’m just saying! Someone needs to prep the bride before her first night!”

Vanisha clapped. “Yaaas!!!

Nia buried her face in a cushion. “Why are you all like this?”

I smirked. “Because we love you.”

“And because it’s your last night of peace,” Aleesha added. “From tomorrow wife mode. And then…”

She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Don’t say it,” Nia warned.

“SUHAAGRAATTT,” Vanisha and Arekha yelled in unison.

Nia let out a dramatic groan, turning to me with pleading eyes. “Arvi, say something. You’re married. Defend me!”

I sipped my mocktail, all innocent. “I’m just waiting for the moment when you text me tomorrow saying, ‘why didn’t you warn me?’”

Nia threw a pillow at me.

Aleesha grabbed it mid-air. “Imagine Vivaan though. All smug and ready. Bet he already lit candles in his room.”

Arekha cracked up. “And laid rose petals in a perfect heart on the bed like a Bollywood movie!”

“I hate all of you,” Nia muttered, her face now fully red.

Vanisha nudged her. “You’re glowing already, babe. You sure the wedding hasn’t already happened?”

Aleesha gasped dramatically. “Nia! Did something happen during the sangeet? That missing ten minutes when you and Vivaan vanished... hmm?”

Nia squeaked. “NO! That was he just needed water!”

“Water,” I said, deadpan. “That’s what we’re calling it now.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Even Nia, who finally gave up on protesting and joined in, clutching her stomach.

By the time we calmed down, the room was full of giggles and that warm, sisterhood glow.

I looked around at all of them Aleesha's eyeliner smudged from laughing, Vanisha braiding Arekha’s hair mid-roast, and Nia trying not to die of secondhand embarrassment.

Tonight was ours.

Pure madness. Zero filter.

And the kind of teasing Nia would never live down.

Just as the laughter started to die down, my phone buzzed on the bed beside me. I glanced down, half-expecting it to be some random message from any member about the wedding details.

But no.

It was from Rayaan.

Him♡ :

Come to the room, baby, lets sleep.

I froze for a second. My heart skipped a beat, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

The way he’d said it. Like he knew exactly what was going on in my mind.

The girls saw me looking at my phone, and immediately, the teasing resumed.

“Ohhhh,” Aleesha sing-songed, raising an eyebrow. “Someone’s getting called to bed already!”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the blush creeping up my neck. “It’s just Rayaan,” I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

Arekha gasped. “Just Rayaan? Girl, it’s your husband telling you to come to bed.”

Nia laughed. “I can’t believe you’re acting like this. You just got married, and already, it’s like you’re the one keeping him waiting.”

I quickly typed a reply back to Rayaan: On my way. Hold tight.

But my fingers hovered over the screen for a second longer.

“Are you really going?” Vanisha asked, her eyes twinkling.

“Of course,” I said with a grin. “I’ve got a husband to attend to, don’t I?”

“Go before you make us all blush even more,” Aleesha said with a dramatic wave. “We’re already way too scandalized for one night.”

I rolled my eyes one last time before standing up, sending them all one final glance.

“See you in the morning,” I said, winking.

A/N

I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I loved writing it! These little moments with Arvi and her friends are always so much fun.

Vote

Comment

Thankyou<3

Authors Note:

Trigger Warning ⚠️

This chapter contains descriptions of gun violence, blood, and the emotional aftermath of a traumatic event including death and grief. Reader discretion is advised.

Arvi's pov:

The mansion was buzzing with excitement. Nia’s wedding was finally few hours away, and the girls me, Nia, Aleesha, Arekha, and Vanisha were all heading out for our salon appointments.

But Rayaan stood in the hallway, arms crossed, jaw clenched.

“You’re not going without security,” he said firmly.

Vivaan added, “Everyone knows today is the Oberoi wedding. We’re in the spotlight, Arvi. Don’t take this lightly.”

I tried to ease the tension. “It’s just the salon, Vivaan. We’ll be back before you even miss us.”

“Which is exactly why it's dangerous,” Vivaan pressed. “If anyone wanted to target this family, today would be the perfect time.”

Rayaan’s eyes bore into mine. “Take the bodyguards. That’s final.”

I glanced at the girls. They was already dressed, excited, giggling. They all want to go. The idea of going out with security trailing behind felt so over the top.

“We’ll be fine, Rayaan,” I said softly. “It’s broad daylight. Nothing will happen.”

“You’re wrong,” he murmured.

But I didn’t listen.

And we all girls walked out.

—

“Lip tint or gloss?” Aleesha asked, examining her makeup in the salon mirror.

“Both,” Vanisha replied, “It’s Nia’s wedding. We need to look dangerously good.”

We all laughed. The atmosphere was warm, electric. Music hummed from a nearby Bluetooth speaker while stylists moved around us like a practiced dance curling, pinning, highlighting.

Nia was getting the final touches on her hair, eyes sparkling with that pre-wedding excitement. “I still can’t believe this is happening.”

“Believe it,” Arekha grinned. “You’re officially losing your freedom in a few hours.”

Vanisha nudged me. “You look extra glowy today. Something to do with your husband calling you twenty times since morning?”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. “He’s just being overprotective.”

That’s when my phone buzzed again.

Him♡: Don’t go out without the guards. I mean it, Baby.

A second later, another text popped up.

Him♡: Everyone knows it’s the Oberoi wedding today. Security isn’t a suggestion, Bachaa. It’s a necessity.

I replied back

We all are fine and heading home in 20 min.

Him♡ : Good, Be safe. Come back soon.

I didnt reply back and turn off the phone

“We should probably listen…” Nia said quietly, peeking at my screen.

I sighed. “Guys, we’re literally five minutes away from the mansion. This is just a quick stop. What could possibly happen?”

—

We stepped out of the salon, high on laughter and wedding energy. The sun was warm, the air thick with the scent of hairspray and fresh roses we carried for the mandap.

I was teasing Nia about her lipstick shade when a loud crack echoed across the street.

Then another.

And another.

Screams erupted.

People scattered like birds.

Time slowed.

I saw him then a man in a black hoodie, face half covered, standing near a parked bike. His arm was raised. A gun aimed. At me.

My heart stopped.

I couldn’t even move.

But Vanisha did.

“ARVI—DOWN!” she screamed, lunging in front of me.

BANG.

The sound was deafening. Her body jerked violently and collapsed against me, weight heavy, warmth spilling.

Blood.

So much blood.

“V-Vanisha?” I whispered, cradling her as we sank to the ground.

Her lips trembled. Her eyes fluttered, wide with shock, glassy with pain.

“I—I got you,” I whispered desperately, pressing my hands to her wound.

Aleesha shrieked. Nia was frozen in horror. Arekha was calling for help, her fingers shaking.

“Stay with me, okay? You’re okay—you’re going to be okay,” I begged.

Vanisha’s fingers curled weakly around mine. Her lips moved.

“Ar..Arvi bhabhi..…” she whispered, barely audible, “Please… take care of… Rayaan bhai…”

“No. No, don’t say that. You’re not—please, don’t—”

But her hand fell limp.

Her eyes… stayed open.

And her chest stopped rising.

Everything shattered.

I sat there, covered in her blood, body shaking, heart torn apart.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

But it was already too late.

Vanisha Oberoi, sister, laughter, light was gone.

And I was the reason.

The street was chaos.

People had gathered too many. Screaming, gasping, filming. Phones were pointed right at us, some clicking pictures, some going live.

And we were just there crumbling in the middle of it all.

Aleesha was sobbing uncontrollably, her hands shaking as she tried to press her dupatta against Vanisha’s wound, even though we both knew it was no use.

Arekha dropped to her knees, clutching Vanisha’s hand and wailing her name, over and over like it would bring her back.

Nia had her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her face pale and terrified.

But I… I was frozen.

Completely still.

My hands were soaked in blood.

Her blood.

Vanisha’s weight still rested against me, even as her soul had left moments ago. My mind was screaming, yet no sound came out of my mouth. My heart was shattering, but my body wouldn’t move.

Cameras clicked.

People whispered.

Someone pointed at me.

“Isn’t that Rayaan Oberoi’s wife?”

“She just watched his sister die.”

“God, look at her hands.”

The words cut like blades. I didn’t flinch. Couldn’t.

I kept staring at Vanisha’s face. Her lifeless, peaceful face so unfairly calm for the way she had left.

She took that bullet meant for me.

Why?

Why her?

The sirens wailed as the ambulance pulled into the Oberoi Mansion gates.

Everything after that was a blur.

Aleesha and Arekha were holding onto each other, still crying. Nia sat silently, her face pale as chalk, while I sat stiffly, Vanisha’s blood still drying on my palms. I hadn’t said a word since the bullet hit her. Since she fell in my arms.

The ambulance door opened.

And that’s when I saw them.

Rayaan. Vivaan. Maa. Choti Maa. Bade Papa. Chote Papa. All of them ran toward us the moment the doors opened panic and terror written across every face.

“VANISHAAA!” Vivaan screamed, his voice cracking as he sprinted.

Rayaan was behind him, fast too fast. He reached before anyone else. His eyes scanned the stretcher Vanisha’s pale, still face. The blood. The white sheet that barely covered her wounds.

He froze.

Completely.

His breath hitched. His fists clenched.

“No,” he muttered under his breath.

Maa collapsed right there on the stairs, screaming Vanisha’s name, Choti Maa holding her as tears streamed down both their faces. Bade Papa stumbled, unable to believe what he was seeing. Chote Papa just kept saying, “No… no… no…”

Vivaan reached the stretcher, clutching Vanisha’s hand like he could bring her back with just his grip. “You were supposed to be safe. You were supposed to be home!”

I stepped out of the ambulance.

Rayaan looked at me.

His expression wasn’t angry.

It was… shattered.

Broken.

I wanted to speak. Tell him I was sorry. That I tried. That I didn’t know.

But I couldn’t.

He took one step toward me, then noticed the blood on my hands. His eyes locked onto it like it told the whole story.

Then,

He turned away.

Just… turned.

And walked to Vanisha’s body.

Maa looked at Vanisha’s lifeless face and let out a gut-wrenching scream.

Her body shook as she turned toward me, her eyes red, wild filled with a grief I couldn’t even begin to understand.

And then

SLAP.

The sound cracked through the air louder than the siren had.

My face snapped to the side.

I didn’t react. I couldn’t.

“BECAUSE OF YOU!” she cried. “She’s gone because of YOU, Arvi!”

“You knew it wasn’t safe today! Vivaan told you! Rayaan warned you! And still,still you went out without protection. Without guards. And now…” Her voice broke. “Now my Vanisha… she’s gone.”

I stood still, breath lodged in my throat, tears blurring everything.

Aleesha tried to reach for Maa, but Choti Maa held her back, eyes brimming with pain and helplessness.

“She took the bullet meant for you,” Maa sobbed. “She—she died for YOU.”

Rayaan stood there fists clenched, jaw tight, chest heaving but he didn’t say a word. His eyes were burning, but not with love this time.

With rage.

Vivaan stepped forward, face twisted with pain, tears streaming. “Because of you,” he said, voice cracking. “Because of you, my sister is no more.”

I flinched like he’d slapped me.

Nia grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back. “Vivaan, Please—”

But he shook her off. “She was just a girl! She didn’t deserve this. None of them did. And you,you said no to bodyguards. You knew!”

“I—I didn’t think—” I whispered, choking on my breath.

“That’s right,” he snapped. “You didn’t think. You never do.”

Nia stood in front of him now, shielding me like I was still worth protecting. But I couldn’t even look at her. My eyes were fixed on Rayaan.

Begging.

Pleading.

Say something. Please.

But he just turned his back.

That hurt more than anything else.

Choti Maa sobbed into Chote Papa’s shoulder. Maa didn’t even look at me.

Not until I took a step toward Vanisha one last time.

And then

“Don’t you dare,” she whispered. “Don’t you dare come near her.”

My breath hitched.

She pointed to the door, her whole body trembling with fury and grief. “LEAVE. Walk out of this house, and DONT EVER COME BACK.”

And I did.

With nothing but guilt on my shoulders and Vanisha’s last words echoing in my heart

“Arvii… please take care of Rayaan bhai…”

But how could I?

When Rayaan wouldn’t even look at me?

How when I am leaving this house

All family

And

Rayaan.

A/N

Thank you for reading. I hope you connected with the emotions and intensity of this Chapter. Your support means everything don’t forget to vote and comment. Also do follow my wattapad account.

Thankyou<3