Ch24 Marked by His Name
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Before anyone could even realize it, the day of the party had arrived.
Vardhan Mansion stood in all its glory, dressed to perfection for the grand evening.
Every corner shimmered with luxury, every corridor echoed with quiet efficiency.
Vyom was personally overseeing the security checks, moving from one end to another with sharp focus.
That was Vyom-no matter what happened, he never failed at his responsibility.
His loyalty and dedication were unshakable.
Rudraksh and Vyom had grown up together.
Their bond went far beyond friendship; Vyom had always stood beside Rudraksh like a shadow-silent, steady, dependable.
Even now, as Rudraksh's assistant, Vyom handled everything related to his work with absolute precision.
To the Vardhan family, Vyom wasn't just an employee-he was treated like a son.
Just like Rudraksh, Vyom too held the place of a son in the Vardhan household.
All preparations were finally complete. The mansion was ready.
Rudraksh descended the stairs, impeccably dressed in a sleek black suit.
His hair was perfectly styled, his appearance sharp, polished, and thoroughly professional.
A few guests had already arrived, and as usual, Rudraksh Vardhan's flawless physique, strikingly handsome face, and commanding personality had become a hot topic among the women present.
Eyes followed him, whispers floated through the air-but despite it all, Rudraksh didn't spare even a fleeting glance at anyone.
His eyes were waiting for someone else.
Someone he hadn't seen since morning.
Vyom, dressed in a navy-blue tailored suit, approached Rudraksh and reported calmly.
"Everything is ready. Security is fully tight, the media is stationed outside, and more than half of the guests have already arrived. Everything is under control, sir."
Rudraksh nodded slightly but then spoke in a low voice, his tone unusually serious.
"Everything is not under control, Vyom. There's one thing that isn't."
Vyom looked at him, confused.
"What?"
Rudraksh took a deep breath before replying.
"The center of attraction of tonight's party is going to be your bhabhi-Rivanya. I don't know what's going on in her mind. She hasn't stepped out of her room since morning. I knocked on her door to call her, and without opening it, she said she was getting ready and would come soon.
But she still hasn't come."
Vyom smirked, clearly amused, and teased him lightly.
"What's wrong? Can't your heart settle without bhabhi? Looks like this stone-hearted Rudraksh Vardhan is slowly starting to melt, huh?"
Rudraksh shot him a sharp glare.
"Stop talking nonsense. It's nothing like that. There is nothing in this world that can shake Rudraksh Vardhan's focus-no thing, and no person."
Just then, the door of Rivanya's room opened.
Almost as if by coincidence, the lights in the hall dimmed at the same moment. A single spotlight began moving slowly across the space, illuminating different corners. Rudraksh could sense her presence-he knew she had stepped out-but because of the darkness, he couldn't see her clearly.
Rivanya took a deep breath and walked towards the staircase. As she began descending, the spotlight finally fell upon her.
And the moment Rudraksh saw her-
He froze.
Rivanya stood there in a black, glittering saree that hugged her perfectly.
Her makeup was flawless, enhancing her natural beauty rather than overpowering it.
The sleeveless, backless blouse, her hair left open, and a single loose strand brushing her face again and again-everything about her was dangerously captivating.
But it was the confidence in her eyes that completed the look, making it a deadly combination.
Rudraksh's mouth fell open without him even realizing it.
Seeing his expression, Vyom laughed and gently pushed Rudraksh's chin upward.
"Close your mouth, brother. She's your wife."
But Rudraksh heard nothing.
All he could see was Rivanya walking towards him-nothing else existed in that moment. He had never imagined she could look like this. Not even once.
Rudraksh's note:
What kind of disaster is she walking in as? Seriously... I never imagined this.
She was walking toward me with pure confidence, and the way her waist moved with every step-
And the most disturbing part was that delicate waist chain, resting against her skin like it belonged there, as if it were a natural extension of her body. It reminded me of a thin ribbon flowing with the current of a deep river-moving effortlessly, hypnotizing anyone who watched it.
For a moment, I felt lost just looking at Rivanya. I don't remember ever looking at a woman like this before. My eyes-eyes that had never lingered on any woman-today refused to look away from her.
What is happening to me?
It wasn't just Rudraksh.
Every single person present in the hall had their eyes fixed on Rivanya.
She looked like the most beautiful, confident, and undeniably hot woman at the party.
Those intoxicating eyes-capable of wounding anyone with a single glance-were the same eyes that usually remained lowered.
But today, there was a different pull in them, something irresistible.
Men were stunned, and even the women couldn't help but stare, silently wishing they could look even half as stunning as her.
Just then, the lights returned to full brightness.
With effortless grace, Rivanya walked up to Rudraksh and stopped in front of him. Tilting her head slightly, she spoke with calm confidence and a hint of mischief.
"Rudra, maybe you didn't hear Vyom bhaiya. Please close your mouth now-what if a fly goes in?"
But for Rudraksh, nothing existed anymore except Rivanya.
The music continued to play, guests laughed and talked around them, glasses clinked, cameras flashed yet none of it reached him.
His ears refused to register any sound, his eyes refused to move away.
His entire being was locked onto Rivanya, as if she alone was standing in that vast hall and the rest of the world had simply vanished.
And Rivanya noticed.
She noticed the way his eyes followed her every movement, the way his jaw tightened, the way his usual composed self had completely deserted him. Watching this, something stirred deep inside her chest a quiet, victorious warmth.
A strange kind of happiness... a winning kind.
So this is the same man who claimed I can't look hot? she thought with a silent scoff.
Look at him now. He can't even blink.
And then he says I'm only his wife on papers? If that's true, then why can't he take his eyes off me?
With slow, deliberate steps, Rivanya moved closer to him. Standing right in front of Rudraksh, she gently lifted her hand and softly closed his still-open mouth. Her lips curved into a confident, teasing smile as she said,
"What happened, Mr. Rudraksh Vardhan? Lost your senses after seeing your own wife?"
Then, her tone sharpened slightly, laced with boldness she herself hadn't known she possessed.
"Weren't you the one saying I can't wear bold clothes? Well, look properly. I can do anything whenever I want to."
Rudraksh was already overwhelmed by her appearance, but these words... these words shook him even more. He stared at her as if she were a stranger someone entirely new.
Is this really Rivanya?
The same girl who barely spoke? Who always stayed quiet?
Since when did she start talking like this?
And somewhere in his mind, another thought echoed When did she hear me and Vyom talking?
Trying to regain control, Rudraksh finally spoke,
"So... you dressed like this to show me, Mrs. Vardhan?"
Rivanya didn't flinch. Her eyes held his steadily as she answered, her voice calm yet powerful,
"This is where you men go wrong. You think women dress up for men. No, Mr. Vardhan. We dress up for ourselves so that every mirror we pass reflects how beautiful we are, how precious and divine God's creation truly is."
For a moment, Rudraksh had no reply.
Then, slowly, a smirk appeared on his lips.
He stepped closer, reducing the already thin distance between them. Tilting his head slightly, locking his gaze with hers, he said,
"Bold move, Mrs. Vardhan. I like it. This is a side of you I didn't even know existed."
Rivanya chuckled softly, unbothered by his proximity.
"Oh, this is just one shade, Mr. Vardhan," she replied.
"There are many more you haven't seen yet. Just wait and watch."
The air between them grew heavy charged, tense, dangerously intimate when suddenly a voice interrupted from behind.
Someone was calling Rivanya.
Both of them turned.
A handsome man, probably around twenty-five, stood there with a polite smile. He walked closer, extended his hand toward Rivanya, and said,
"You look absolutely beautiful, Miss. I'm Aditya Mittal. May I know your name?"
Pausing briefly, he added,
"And most importantly would you like to dance with me?"
Rivanya was about to refuse politely when Rudraksh stepped forward instead. Firmly shaking Aditya's hand, he said,
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Mittal. But I'm afraid she can't dance with you."
Aditya looked confused.
"But why?"
Rudraksh's expression turned sharp, authoritative.
"Because she is Mrs. Rivanya Rudraksh Vardhan my wife. Her booking has already been done. With me."
As he said this, Rudraksh wrapped his arm tightly around Rivanya's waist and pulled her toward himself possessively, boldly.
Rivanya froze.
Shock coursed through her veins. This wasn't expected. This wasn't the Rudraksh she knew. Even Vyom stood stunned, because Rudraksh was never insecure this behavior was completely opposite to his usual self.
Aditya, now embarrassed, congratulated them politely and walked away, disappointment clear on his face.
Once he left, Rivanya looked up at Rudraksh with a teasing glint in her eyes.