4.WEDDING NIGHT
Aarvi stood frozen at the entrance, the heavy lehenga pulling at her tired body.
Her eyes burned, but no tears fell. She just stood there, feeling unwanted, humiliated, and like a stranger.
That was when Vedant and Prisha approached, both equally shocked and concerned.
I couldn’t believe what I had just witnessed. Bhai walking away, ignoring traditions, ignoring… her.
The girl stood there, quiet, broken, yet holding herself with so much dignity.
“Maa…” I whispered.
Maa’s eyes softened instantly. She walked to the door and placed a hand on Aarvi’s shoulder.
“Beta, don’t mind him. Vivan… he has always been like this. Anger sits in his veins, but he has never, ever raised his hand or harmed anyone.”
Aarvi lifted her gaze. Though tears were visible in her eyes, she still smiled softly at Pragya.
I stepped forward. “Bhabhi…” The word felt strange on my tongue, but somehow right. “You do belong here. This is your home now. Don’t let bhai’s anger make you feel otherwise. He just… he doesn’t know how to accept things he can’t control.”
Her lips trembled slightly, but she said nothing.
Pragya smiled reassuringly and cupped Aarvi’s face.
“You are stronger than you think, beta. Tonight, just go to your room. Don’t worry about him.”
Prisha looped her arm through Aarvi’s. “Come. I’ll take you upstairs. Don’t be scared. His anger may push you away, but deep inside, bhai notices everything.”
For the first time that night, Aarvi felt a small flicker of warmth. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t completely alone here.
And with hesitant steps, Aarvi finally stepped inside the Singhania mansion.
---
Aarvi stood near the door, her hands tangled in the folds of her bridal lehenga. The room was huge, decorated with flowers and candles, but instead of looking like a space for celebration, it felt like a cage.
She didn’t know whether to step in further or just stay there. Everything in her screamed how unwanted she was here. The silence stretched, and it was suffocating.
Finally, she walked toward the couch in the corner. Without a word, she adjusted her lehenga and sat down. The bed was right there, soft and decorated for a bride and groom, but she couldn’t even imagine sitting on it.
When she looked up, his eyes, which were full of anger, were already on me.
“I think we should clear a few things tonight,” Vivan said. His voice was low, but loud enough to make his anger clear.
She looked at him, eyes wide but quiet, waiting.
“This-” he gestured sharply around the room, at the decorations, at her bridal dress. “-this marriage means nothing to me. You and I, Aarvi, are only tied because of circumstances. Don’t mistake it for anything else.”
Her fingers tightened around her dupatta, but she didn’t interrupt.
He took a step closer, his tone colder.
“I already have someone in my life. Her name is Kiara. She’s my girlfriend, and she always will be. Whatever happened today, whatever ritual was forced on us, it changes nothing between me and her. Do you understand?”
She wanted to reply. To tell him she never wanted this either. That she didn’t ask for his love or his loyalty. That she had her own broken pieces to carry.
But nothing came out of her throat except,
“I never wanted this either.”
For a second, his expression faltered, as if he didn’t expect that. But then he looked away, scoffing under his breath.
Aarvi quietly lay down on the couch, pulling the light blanket over herself. She didn’t ask for the bed. She didn’t complain about the hard cushions. She just turned her back to him.
Vivan stood by the window for a long time, watching the sky, imagining how his new life was going to ruin him.
And that was how their first night passed.