CH 63 SHADI
Malhotra Mansion glowed like a palace that nightsoft golden lights draped over the walls, fresh jasmine and marigold everywhere, a royal mandap shimmering in red and gold.
Inside Aarav's room...
Aarav stood in front of the mirror, wearing sherwani, layered with a royal mala,
looking every bit like a king on his coronation day.
Kabir adjusted the stole on his shoulder with a dramatic sigh. "Bhai, why do you look like you're going to kill the groom instead of being the groom?"
Aarav shot him a cold glare. "I am the groom."
Raghav (fixing Aarav's cufflinks, deadpan)
"And you still look like you're about to execute someone at the mandap."
Aditya chuckled from the couch. "He will soften when he sees Ashiana, don't worry."
Aarav paused.
His expression changed just a little.
A soft warmth touched his eyes.
The kind that only comes when her name is mentioned.
Aarav (quietly, adjusting his ring)
"She's... probably nervous."
Kabir smirked, elbowing Aarav. "You're definitely more nervous than her."
Aarav glared so sharply Kabir lifted both hands.
"Okay okay, relax groom-saab."
But Raghav stepped forward, placing a hand on Aarav's shoulder.
Raghav (soft but sincere)
"You deserve this happiness, bhai."
Aarav looked at the three of them his brothers, his circle, his pillars.
Then he inhaled deeply. "Is everything ready outside?"
Aditya
"Everything. Security checked. Roads sealed. Every guest inside.
Nothing is going to go wrong today."
Aarav nodded.
Then Kabir grinned wickedly. "Aur dulha ji... get ready. Your bride is looking so beautiful that half the guests forgot to breathe."
Aarav froze for half a second.
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Aarav (possessive, low)"She's only mine."
Raghav smiled knowingly. "Then go claim her, bhai."
Aarav looked at himself one last time in the mirror a king, a mafia lord, a lover... and today, a groom.
Then he picked up his sword, tucked it at his waist, straightened his sherwani, and exhaled.
Aarav (soft, almost a whisper)
"I'm coming, Ashiana."
Ashiana's bridal room was PURE CHAOTIC ENERGY.
A royal red lehenga spread around her like a blooming flower, jewelry glittering, mehendi dark and perfect
and she, buzzing like a hyperactive firecracker.
Ashiana looked at the mirror again and squealed
"Ohhh myyy goddddd... I LOOK SO BEAUTIFULLLL! Uff uff uff... today Aarav is going to lose his mind when he sees his Ashianaaaaa....
Prerna diiii ... record his reaction, okay... And Megha diiii .... take ALL good shots. I need full reels today My wedding, my content, my rulesssss.... "
she said dramatically
Prerna and Megha exchanged a look.
Then Meera , folding her arms. "Shaadi kar rahi ho ya influencer launch event?"
Prerna burst out laughing. "Girl, breathe! You're more excited than a kid in a candy store!"
Megha flicked Ashiana's forehead gently. "You're not nervous at all.... '' She held her fingers a tiny distance apart. '' Not even THIS much"
Ashiana waved her hands dramatically. "Nervous? What nonsense I am going to become Ashiana Aarav Malhotra today..... my dream ... And Aarav will be MY husbanddd.. Why would I be nervous.... I am EXCITED!"
Meera chuckled, shaking her head. "Baby, at least sit still. Your dupatta is sliding and your maangtika is dancing more than you."
Prerna adjusted Ashiana dupatta again. "Bas... a little patience. Aarav is already ready downstairs."
Ashiana froze.
Then whisper-screamed "H-he's ready.... Did he take reaction video.... How was he looking.. Diii, bolo naaaa... Was he looking HOT "
The three of them groaned.
Megha"He was looking so hot that Kabir literally said 'control yourself, dulha, don't burn the mandap.'"
Ashiana clutched her chest dramatically."Ohhhhhhhh myyyyyy godddd.I'm DEAD. Finished. Done. Let's go Take me to my hottie hussssbanddd"
Prerna grabbed her shoulders. "Arre! Baraat hasn't even arrived yet"
Ashiana pouted like a kid. "Uff. FINE. But the moment it arrives.... I'm RUNNING to him."
Meera laughed. "Calm down, Ashiana. You're the bride. Have some grace."
Ashiana winked.
"Graceful later... right now, let me be excited bride "
The door creaked openand Aditya stepped inside.
Tall, composed, dressed in a royal sherwani... but the moment he saw Ashiana, his entire face softened. Not the mafia enforcer.
Just... an elder brother seeing his little sister as a bride.
He walked slowly toward Ashiana.
she stood from the chair, lehenga rustling.
Aditya placed a gentle hand on her head the way only a protective brother does and then bent to kiss her forehead.
A soft, warm, pure affection.
His voice came out low, thick with emotion:
"I got this made years ago... thinking that one day, when I find my sister, I'll give it to her."
He opened a velvet box.
Inside lay a simple, delicate diamond bracelet.
Not flashy. Not heavy.
Exactly Ashiana's style.
like it made for her.
His eyes glistened as he looked at her.
"But... I don't know why... from the moment I saw you, I just saw my choti. My little sister I never had."
Ashiana's breath hitched.
He gently clasped the bracelet around her wrist.
Aditya:
"From today...you are not alone. Not ever again. Because I am your brother. And I will do your kanyadaan...welcome the baraat...and do everything a brother should."
The moment he said it her eyes overflowed.
no.. one ever said her like this.. no one stood beside her like this.
she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. her voice shook against his chest:
"A-Aditya bhaiyya... this... this is such a big thing for me... I... I never thought I would get a brother..."
Aditya closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her protectively a strong, warm, unshakeable embrace.
Aditya (softly)"You have a brother now. For life. And anyone who hurts you... will answer to me."
Ashinana sniffled and nodded against him.
His hand gently wiped her tears.
"No crying now, choti. Your baraat is about to arrive... and I need to go welcome your groom."
He smiled a rare, tender smile.
"Ready to become Mrs. Ashiana Aarav Malhotra?"
she smilles and nodes
The entrance of Malhotra Mansion glowed with golden lights. Dhols thumped, shehnais played softly, guests cheered
the baraat had arrived.
Aarav stood in the center, groom's sherwani.
On his right Kabir in a deep maroon achkan.
On his left Raghav in navy with a brooch.
They looked like kings entering their own palace.
On the opposite side of the gate, Aditya stood proudly with Meera and Prerna
at bridal side.
Flowers, aarti thali, everything ready.
Kabir smirked the moment he spotted Aditya.
He folded his arms dramatically
"Ohhh hooo... look at this traitor. Aditya Kapoor. you changed the party now "
He widened his eyes playfully. "Ab tum Aarav bhai ki jagah Ashiana ki side ho gaye "
Raghav pushed his glasses up, expression blank but amused.
"Hmm. Very suspicious. The Shield has switched kingdoms."
Aarav raised a brow at Aditya, lips twitching.
Aditya, instead of reacting, slowly walked forward with full swag, hands behind his back like a military officer.
He stopped right in front of Kabir.
Aditya (dead serious tone)"Correction... I didn't switch sides."
Kabir blinked.
Aditya leaned in slightly and whispered "I just decided to protect the more dangerous one."
Kabir "What—?"
Aditya smirked. "Your bhabhi."
Kabir and Raghav both shut up instantly.
Aarav's stern face cracked into the tiniest smile as he shook his head.
Kabir groaned dramatically "Bas! Ab se bhai bhi gaya Sab ko Ashiana ne apne team mein daal liya!"
Raghav adjusted his stole "We should be scared. Very scared."
Meera and Prerna giggled behind Aditya.
then meera done aarav's arti
and before he could step forward
Meera and Prerna exchanged one look the mischievous, we-are-the-nayi-bahu gang look.
Before Aarav could take another step inside, both of them suddenly stepped forward, blocking the path with their dupattas like a royal barricade.
Meera (hands on hip, dramatic)"Ohhh no, no, no, dulhe raja Entry is not that easy."
Prerna (clicking her tongue, teasing)"First... nek.Then permission."
Kabir groaned from behind Aarav. "Prernaaa, don't start let him enter!"
Prerna gave him a sharp glare. "Chup! Today I am not your wife... I am bride's sister."
Everyone laughed.
Meera stepped closer to Aarav, raising a brow "Aarav bhaiya, pay up. Rules are rules. Ashiana ki entry fee is very expensive."
Raghav smirked quietly. "Actually, considering Ashiana's personality... the fee should be even higher."
Aarav shook his head, amused, slipping out his wallet.
Aarav (dry, royal tone)"Tum sab... impossible ho."
Prerna winked: "And you love us for it."
Meera held out her palm dramatically. "Chalo dulhe raja... give the nek and then you may step into your bride's world."
Aditya, standing behind them, whispered to Aarav with a grin
"You should pay fast. Trust me... these two won't let you enter even tomorrow."
Everyone laughed again as Aarav finally placed the nek into Meera's hand.
Meera and Prerna stepped aside gracefully
Prerna"Permission granted, dulhe raja."
Meera"Go claim your queen."
And Aarav finally walked forward...
toward Ashiana.
Aditya stepped forward and said with full authority
"Chalo, groom sahib. Welcome to your bride's fortress. Entry permission granted."