CHAPTER23 [WEDDING COMPLETED]
The music fades slightly as all eyes turn toward the mandap.
Aarohi is slowly brought forward, her steps weak… almost lifeless. The heavy bridal outfit feels like chains, dragging her toward a fate she never chose.
Vihaan stands there, calm and composed, as if everything is exactly how he wanted.
As Aarohi reaches the mandap, she stops for a second.
Her hands tremble.
“Main yeh shaadi nahi karna chahti…” (I don’t want to marry you…)
Her voice is low… almost a whisper, but it reaches Vihaan.
He leans slightly closer, his expression unreadable.
“Chahti ho ya nahi… farq nahi padta.” (Whether you want it or not… doesn’t matter.)
Aarohi’s grip tightens on her lehenga.
“Mujhe majboor mat karo…” (Don’t force me…)
Vihaan’s jaw clenches, but his voice stays calm.
“Majboori nahi hai… faisla hai.” (This isn’t force… it’s a decision.)
Tears roll down Aarohi’s cheeks beneath the veil.
The priest begins the rituals.
Mantras echo in the air.
Everyone watches with smiles, unaware of the storm hidden behind that veil.
The garland ceremony begins.
Aarohi hesitates, her hands refusing to move.
Vihaan notices.
Without wasting a second, he grabs the garland from her trembling hands and puts it around his own neck, then firmly places his garland around hers.
Whispers spread in the crowd… but it quickly settles.
The rituals continue.
Now comes the most important moment—
Sindoor.
Aarohi’s breath gets heavy.
She slightly steps back.
“Nahi…” (No…)
But Vihaan holds her wrist tightly.
“Ab rukne ka koi matlab nahi.” (There’s no point stopping now.)
He takes the sindoor and fills her maang without another second of hesitation.
Aarohi shuts her eyes tightly… a tear slipping down as everything changes in that one moment.
Then comes the mangalsutra.
He ties it around her neck, sealing the bond forever.
The priest announces—
“Vivah sampann hua.” (The marriage is complete.)
Claps, cheers, happiness fills the air.
But for Aarohi…
everything goes silent.
Vihaan leans close to her ear and whispers,
“Ab tum officially meri ho…” (Now you are officially mine…)
Aarohi slowly opens her eyes.
This time, there are no tears.
Just emptiness.
Because something inside her…
just broke completely.
The wedding rituals finally come to an end.
The hall fills with smiles, laughter, and congratulations as both couples are called for a family photo.
Everyone gathers together.
Arjun and Sana stand side by side, happiness clearly visible on their faces.
Beside them… Vihaan stands with Aarohi.
Calm. Possessive.
And Aarohi… still, silent… her face hidden behind the veil.
The camera flashes.
A “perfect family.”
Vihaan’s mother looks at them with teary eyes and says emotionally,
“Aaj meri family complete ho gayi… meri dono bahu finally mere ghar aa gayi.”
(Today my family is complete… both my daughters-in-law have finally come home.)
After the photos, both brides are asked to sit for a while as preparations for griha pravesh begin.
Aarohi is still sitting quietly, her veil covering her face.
Sana turns toward her casually—
But the moment she lifts the veil slightly…
She freezes.
Shock spreads across her face.
“Aarohi…?!”
Hearing her voice, Aarohi breaks down even more.
Tears roll down uncontrollably.
Sana immediately hugs her tightly.
“Aarohi, tu yahan…? Accha pehle rona band kar, darling… ro mat. Kya hua?”
(Aarohi, you here…? First stop crying, darling… don’t cry. What happened?)
Before Aarohi can say anything—
A shadow falls over them.
Vihaan.
Sana looks up at him.
And in that one moment… she understands everything.
Her expression hardens.
She stands up.
“Aapne ise force kyu kiya?”
(Why did you force her?)
Vihaan’s face turns cold.
“Main aapko jawab dena zaruri nahi samajhta.”
(I don’t think it’s necessary to answer you.)
Without another word, he grabs Aarohi’s wrist and pulls her away.
Aarohi doesn’t resist this time.
Not because she accepts it…
but because she’s too broken to fight.
Arjun steps closer to Sana, holding her shoulder gently as she watches them leave.
Soon, the griha pravesh ritual begins.
At the entrance, a decorated thali is placed with kumkum and rice.
First, Sana is guided forward.
She lightly kicks the kalash filled with rice, symbolizing prosperity entering the house.
Then, she dips her feet in the kumkum plate and walks inside, leaving red footprints on the floor—marking her presence as the new bride.
After that…
Aarohi and Vihaan are called.
Aarohi stands there for a moment.
Lost.
Vihaan’s voice comes low near her ear—
“Kar lo… ya main karwaun?”
(Do it… or should I make you do it?)
Slowly, mechanically… Aarohi lifts her foot and pushes the kalash.
Rice scatters across the floor.
She steps into the kumkum.
And walks in.
Each red footprint she leaves behind feels heavier than the last.
Not like a bride entering her new home…
But like someone being pulled deeper into a life she never chose.
The rituals end, and everyone finally enters inside.
The night has grown late.
Vihaan’s mother smiles warmly and says,
“Ab der ho gayi hai… sab apne kamre mein jaakar aaram karo. Baaki kal subah dekhte hain.”
(It’s late now… everyone go to your rooms and rest. We’ll continue everything in the morning.)
Everyone starts dispersing.
But for Aarohi…
this night is far from over.
Wait for next part.??