𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

Chapter 41

They say every girl dreams of her wedding day.I wasn't that girl. I dreamt of books, of messy buns and coffee-fueled study nights, of proving myself in a world that underestimated me. But then he happened.

And suddenly, my dreams had a stubborn, overprotective, ridiculously handsome professor in them.

Today... I wasn't just Maya.

I was Mrs. Khadoos-to-be.

I was Mrs.MAYA RUDRA SINGHANIA to be

And I was about to marry the man who made being in love feel like chaos wrapped in comfort.

The bridal room was a whirlwind—stylists buzzing around, cousins sneaking selfies, and Riya trying to keep everyone in line. But me? I sat still, staring at my reflection.

The red lehenga was heavy. The jewelry? Even heavier. But my heart? It felt light.

Butterflies? Yes.

Cold feet? Never.

Not when he was waiting at the mandap.

"Done!" the makeup artist beamed.

I looked at myself again. The kajal was sharp, the bindi perfect, and my lips curved into a grin as I whispered, "Let's go marry Mr. Khadoos."

The moment I stepped out, a hush fell.

My eyes scanned the sea of guests, lights twinkling, flowers spilling down the steps, music playing softly in the background. And there—at the mandap, dressed in an ivory sherwani with a deep red stole—stood him.

Rudra Singhania.

My Professor. My Chaos. My Calm.

His gaze locked with mine, intense and unwavering, and for the first time in forever, I felt shy under that stare.

As I walked down the aisle with my cousins, I saw him murmur something to Veer who grinned like he knew a secret. Typical.

When I reached the mandap, Rudra extended his hand.

"You're late, Mrs. Khadoos," he whispered.

I raised a brow. "Get used to it. I'll be late to everything now."

He chuckled. "Except falling for me."

"Too late," I smirked. "Already did."

The wedding rituals began—mantras chanted, flowers showered, fire crackled in the middle. But the only thing I really noticed was his thumb brushing against the back of my hand as we sat side by side.

And when he tied the mangalsutra around my neck...

When he filled my maang with sindoor...

I looked into his eyes and saw the man who once scared the hell out of me standing like my forever.

"You're stuck with me now, Rudra," I whispered during the pheras.

He looked at me with that same soft smile he always tried to hide. "I've never been happier to be trapped."

As the final prayers were said, and the priest declared us husband and wife, my heart screamed three words louder than the fire, the music, or the world:

Finally. Freaking. Yours.

If you think Indian weddings are all about rituals and romance, let me introduce you to an ancient, sacred, very chaotic tradition—Joota Chhupai.

Translation: Hide the groom's shoes and extort him for money.

And guess who took her role way too seriously?

Riya.

My best friend, my partner in crime, the same girl who once threatened to throw coffee on Rudra when he gave me extra assignments, had now smuggled his expensive designer mojaris and was currently dancing with them like she just won the lottery.

"Pay up, Mr. Khadoos!" she beamed, waving the shoes in front of his face like a trophy.

Rudra, seated beside me at the mandap, was very much unamused. His eyes narrowed. His jaw twitched. His hands were clasped like he was solving a board meeting crisis.

And I? I was dying trying to hold in my laughter.

"I'll give you five thousand," Rudra said, deadpan.

Riya scoffed. "Please. That won't even buy me a mehendi cone and a coffee in Mumbai."

Rudra raised a brow. "Ten thousand."

"Triple it."

He stared at her. "Do I look like an ATM?"

Riya smirked. "No, you look like a man desperate for his shoes back."

Oof. Savage.

I nudged him under the table and whispered, "Just give it to her. You can always claim emotional damage later."

His gaze shifted to me, a slow smirk forming on those dangerous lips.

"Oh, I'll claim it tonight, Mrs. Khadoos."

I blushed so hard I nearly dropped the flower petals.

But before I could recover, Rudra stood up, walked to Diya and pulled out his phone.

"Twenty-five thousand. On UPI. Right now."

Riya's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Double your demand," he shrugged. "Now give me the damn shoes."

She stared at him, then grinned and handed over the shoes like a queen granting mercy. "Pleasure doing business with you, jiju."

Rudra slid into his mojaris with all the grace of a man who just bought peace... with interest.

"You better split that with me!" I called after Riya as she danced away.

She blew me a kiss. "Love you, but I love money more!"

Rudra leaned closer, whispering in my ear with a hint of mock-annoyance, "Remind me why you're friends with her?"

I tilted my head and smiled sweetly. "Because someone needs to keep you on your toes."

He chuckled, lacing his fingers with mine.

"You already do, Mrs. Khadoos."

The lights had dimmed slightly, the crowd had thinned out, and the once-lively air of celebration had now wrapped itself in a tender, emotional stillness. It was time...

Vidaai.

I always thought I'd be the one crying the most—but I didn't account for my brother.

Raj.

He was crying like someone had stolen his car, crashed it, and then stolen it again.

"Tu jaa rahi hai, Maya," he sniffled, clutching my hand with red eyes. "Mera bachpan ka saathi... meri partner-in-crime... meri samosa chor..."

"Raj—stop," I choked, laughing through my own tears. "You sound like I'm being deported."

Riya tried to muffle her sobs beside him, which were... slightly less dramatic, but still adorable. Even Baba was trying to hide his tears by pretending to "check his specs" every two seconds.

Rudra stood beside me, his hand wrapped firmly around mine. Silent. Steady. There. Like a rock in the middle of my swirling emotions.

"I'll miss you all," I whispered, hugging Baba tightly. He patted my head with trembling fingers and kissed my forehead.

"Be happy, beta. And if Khadoos ever gives you trouble..." He looked pointedly at Rudra.

"I'll handle her," Rudra said smoothly, pulling me closer. "She handles me just fine."

Raj sniffed again. "Zyada smart ban raha hai tu."

Veer snorted from behind Rudra, mumbling something about "emotional blackmail session" before quickly wiping a tear himself.

Finally, I stood before Raj and punched him gently on the shoulder. "Don't cry too much, drama queen. I'll video call every day."

He hugged me so tight I couldn't breathe for a second. "Just... be happy, Maya. Always."

I nodded, blinking furiously to push back tears.

Then came the rice throwing—the symbolic goodbye. I turned, slowly walking toward the car, my heart feeling like it was being gently torn in half. Rudra opened the door for me, and I slid in, waving one last time at my family.

As the car started moving, I looked back through the rear window. Raj was still crying. Diya was waving both her hands dramatically. Baba had taken off his glasses again.

I turned to Rudra, who had his eyes on me the whole time.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

I nodded, then smiled. "You sure you're ready to deal with the chaos you married?"

He leaned closer and kissed my forehead.

"I married my peace in chaos, Maya."

And just like that, through teary eyes and a full heart, I laughed.

*Target vote 70+

(Hey sweeties!!!! How was the chapter???? What was your favourite moments?nd there are some questions for you)