（3） Who is the bride?
After some time, the moment for the pheras arrived.The sacred fire crackled softly between them.
The priest cleared his throat and began the first vow in a steady voice.
"??? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ???????????, ???? ?? ??????? ?????????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????..."
Before he could even finish-
Maya spoke.Her voice was sharp.
Cold.
"I also make a vow," she said, staring straight ahead, not at Atharva. "From today... and from this very moment... as long as I am with you..."
A pause.
"I will make your life hell."
A faint murmur rippled through the hall.
But Atharva-...smiled.
Just slightly.
The priest swallowed nervously and moved to the second vow.
Maya didn't wait this time.
"The punishment for ruining a girl's life..." her voice trembled with fury, "...your entire family will pay for it."
Now everyone was staring.Whispers had completely died.
But Atharva's expression didn't harden.
If anything-the curve of his lips deepened.
One by one...With every phera...With every sacred vow...
Maya answered with defiance instead of devotion.
With fire instead of surrender.
And yet-no one dared to stop the wedding.Not even him.Not even once.
-
Some time later...
"It is done," the priest announced with a trembling voice. "From today, you are husband and wife. The marriage is complete."
Silence fell.
Atharva finally turned his head.
His eyes swept slowly over Maya..The mangalsutra resting against her throat.The sindoor bright in the parting of her hair.
Then he caught her hand firmly.
"Shall we... wife?" he said softly.
Maya shot him a burning glare.
But she said nothing.
Atharva's lips curved into that same dangerous smile.
And without giving her a choice-
he pulled her along and walked her out in front of everyone.
No one stopped them.No one could.
Behind them, Rajvendra and the rest of the Raisinghani family also began to leave.
-
Outside, Atharva settled into the back seat, Maya beside him. The driver was just about to start the car-
When suddenly-
Someone stepped in front of it.
The driver slammed the brake.
Atharva's jaw tightened. "What the hell-"
Anvi hurried to Maya's window and knocked quickly.
Maya turned slightly. "Anvi..."
Anvi pushed a phone into her hand. "Your phone. Call me when you reach."
Maya nodded faintly.
"Take care of yourself," Anvi whispered.
Atharva leaned back lazily, a slow, wicked smile playing on his lips.
"Sali sahiba... I'm here to take care of her," he said smoothly. "I will take very good care of my wife."
Both Maya and Anvi looked at him.
That devilish smile hadn't left his face.
For the last time-Maya looked at Anvi.
Then the car pulled away into the night.
-
Back at the hall...
Kabir folded his hands before Arun, voice breaking.
"Forgive me, Arun... because of my daughter... Maya had to suffer all this..."
Tears streamed down his face.
Arun's shoulders shook. "My child kept crying... screaming... and I couldn't do anything..."
Usha and Seema came and stood beside them, equally shattered.
Priya sobbed quietly. "Maya di never even wanted to marry... and suddenly... everything..."
The family remained there for a long time-
drowning in helpless grief.Anvi stood silently among them.Guilt heavy in her chest.
-
After a while, Arun spoke hoarsely,
"We should go to the police. How can they do this? This is straight kidnapping."
Kabir gave a hollow, defeated laugh.
"You think the police can touch them? They are the richest and most powerful people in the city... not just the police - the whole city is under them."
Arun clenched his fists. "So we just sit quietly? We have to do something!"
Usha quickly intervened, panic in her voice.
"No... bhaisahab. Because of my foolish daughter, Maya has already suffered so much. What if any step from us makes things harder for her there?"
Seema nodded gently. "Bhabhi is right. We will stay in touch with Maya. If she faces any problem, then we will all go to their house together. But until then... we have to wait. Otherwise her life may become even more difficult."
Priya suddenly looked up.
"But Maya di's phone?"
Anvi spoke softly, "I gave it to her."
Silence fell again.
One by one...
The family finally began to leave the empty hall.
By then-
all the guests were already gone.
And the night felt heavier than before.
The car came to a slow halt in front of a grand white mansion.
Lights draped the entire place, the glow of a wedding house spilling into the night.
The moment they stepped out, the band started playing and fireworks burst in the sky.
Women of the house stood at the entrance with ceremonial plates in their hands.
Atharva glanced at Maya, his voice smooth but edged.
"Welcome to your new home, biwi."
Maya let out a cold scoff.
"Home? Huh. It's hell for me... and soon it will be for all of you."
Atharva drew in a deep breath, controlling himself.
"It's your house now. Shape it however you want. For now... let's go inside."
Without waiting for her response, he gripped her hand and led her forward. The moment the people inside saw the bride's face, shock flickered across their expressions.
Atharva stopped near the entrance, still holding Maya firmly. Her face was blank, head lowered, emotions buried deep.
"Ma?" Atharva called casually. "Will you welcome my wife... or just keep staring?"
Suman blinked out of her daze.
"Ha... haan."
She quickly began the aarti, though surprise still lingered on her face.
"Now step inside together," Suman instructed gently.
Atharva looked at Maya, who stood stiff as stone.
Leaning close to her ear, his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"Biwi... didn't you hear what your saasu maa said?"
Maya finally looked at him, defiance burning in her eyes.
"I don't believe in these rituals. And I don't accept this marriage either."
Atharva inhaled slowly, jaw tightening.
"Today you've made two mistakes," he murmured darkly.
"First, running from the wedding... and second, this attitude right now.
" His eyes hardened. "Try making a third one.
.. and trust me, the night won't be easy for you.
I will fuck you so hard that u will not be able to stand. No one here will help you."
Maya's eyes widened. For the first time, uncertainty flickered across her face. She lowered her gaze slightly... and silently followed Suman's instructions.
Within moments, everyone moved inside.
Suman smiled warmly.
"There are many rituals left, but the bride must be exhausted. We'll complete the rest tomorrow."
Atharva's lips curved faintly.
"Okay. So I can take my wife to our room now, right?"
Suman nodded with a knowing smile.
Atharva glanced once at Maya... then suddenly lifted her into his arms in front of everyone.
Maya gasped, startled, staring at him.
"What are you doing-"
"What?" he said coolly. "It's a ritual. In our house, the new bride is carried to the room like this."
Maya glared at him.
"Only your family could have such ridiculous rituals. First a forced marriage... and now this."
A devilish smile played on Atharva's lips as he carried her toward his room.
---
After they left...
"Ma!" Veer frowned. "Since when did this become a ritual? We've never heard of it."
Suman sighed.
"Just now, apparently. But tell me one thing... how did the bride change?"
Nidhi leaned forward curiously.
"Exactly! You guys went to bring Kavya bhabhi... then who is she?"
Dhruv and Veer exchanged a look, then released a heavy breath and explained everything.
Nidhi slapped her forehead dramatically.
"Oh my God! Their story turned out exactly like a movie... how romantic."
"Chup!" Suman scolded sharply. "Think about that girl's condition. In all this chaos, the poor thing's dreams must have shattered."
Dhruv nodded.
"Yes,She cried a lot, Ma... but what could anyone do? Bhai had decided he would marry her. After that... no one could stop him."
Veer chuckled lightly.
"But you have to admit... out of so many girls, bhai chose Maya bhabhi only. And here we were just planning to ask for numbers."
Dhruv laughed, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"True. I almost forgot... the three of us had the same choice."
"Very good," Nidhi muttered dryly.
Suman clapped her hands lightly to end the discussion.
"Enough now. Everyone go to your rooms and rest. Tomorrow there are many rituals to complete."
The house slowly quieted... but upstairs, the night was only beginning.