Author's POV:-
The sacred fire flickered as the final round was completed. The priest's chants faded, replaced by the soft murmur of the crowd. It was done ,Vanya and Ishaan were now husband and wife.
As the ceremony ended, Vanya stood quietly, her hands trembling. The moment of farewell arrived. Her stepmother stepped forward with a faint, almost relieved smile. "Do not come to this house ever again," she said coldly. "Thank God, today the burden from my shoulders is gone."
A hush fell over the guests. Then, from the crowd, someone spoke up. "At least you should ask the name of the groom. Who is he?"
The man beside Vanya straightened, his voice calm yet powerful. "Ishaan," he said. "Ishaan Raizada."
For a moment, silence stretched across the courtyard. Then gasps rippled through the guests. "Raizada? As in from the famous Raizada Enterprise?" someone whispered.
"Yes," Ishaan replied simply, his expression unreadable.
Vanya's stepmother froze. Her eyes widened as realization struck she had just insulted a man who could buy and sell everything she ever owned. Her tone changed instantly. "Oh, Vanya, darling," she said, forcing a smile. "I… I must apologize for what I said. I didn't mean it that way. After all, I'm the one who took care of you, right? You can come home anytime you want, dear."
Ishaan turned his head slightly, a faint grin tugging at his lips. Vanya looked at him, utterly stunned by the sudden turn of events.
He faced her stepmother again, his voice steady but controlled. "From today on…" He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he might be overstepping by speaking for Vanya. He took a breath, softened his tone, and continued, "From today on, please do not humiliate or bother Vanya. She's my wife now and she's not a burden "SHE IS VANYA RAIZADA" ."
Vanya's eyes filled with tears. It wasn't just his words; it was the way he said them firm, protective, and gentle all at once. After years of being treated as nothing, she finally felt seen.
Behind them, whispers began spreading like wildfire. "How come Vanya's luck is so good?" a woman murmured. "An hour ago, her fiancé abandoned her, and now she's the wife of one of the richest men in the country. How?"
Vanya stood there in silence, still trying to grasp what had just happened, as Ishaan's hand brushed lightly against hers steady, warm, and quietly assuring.
******************************************
Ishaan's POV
After the Farwell ended, I turned to her for the first time. "Should we go to the house now?" I asked.
She didn't say anything. Just nodded lightly, holding her small bag close to her chest. I could tell she was scared, lost maybe. Who wouldn't be? Everything changed for her in one single afternoon.
We walked toward the car. I opened the door for her and sat beside her once she settled in. For a few seconds, it was just silence the kind that feels too heavy to break.
I wanted to say something. I really did. Ask her if she was fine, if she needed anything, or maybe just tell her not to be afraid. But I couldn't. I didn't know what was right to say. Every word that came to my mind felt too sudden, too soon.
She kept staring out of the window, her hands clutched tightly together. Her eyes looked empty, like she had cried all she could before the tears even came.
I looked away. I didn't want her to feel watched.
Everything happened so fast. One moment I was a guest at a stranger's wedding, and the next I was the groom. Her husband. It still doesn't feel real. But when I saw her standing there, alone, helpless, surrounded by people who only knew how to hurt her something in me just moved. I didn't think. I just did what felt right.
Now, sitting beside her, I don't even know how to start a conversation. I don't want to make her uncomfortable. Maybe silence is better for now. Maybe words can wait.
Still, I can't help but think… what must she be feeling right now?
*****************************************
Vanya's POV
I am confused. I don't know what to speak, what to do, or even how to feel. The man who married me… he's a stranger. Mysterious. I came to know from the relatives whispering that he's one of the richest men in the country. I don't understand why he did it. Why would someone like him marry someone like me?
As the car moved, I kept stealing small glances at him. He looked calm, maybe too calm for everything that just happened. I wanted to ask him why, but the words just refused to leave my lips. My heart still felt heavy, my mind scattered.
Soon, the car slowed down, and I looked out of the window. My breath caught for a second. The mansion that stood before me was… gigantic. It looked more like a palace than a house. The walls, the lights, the tall gates everything about it screamed power and grace. For a moment, I felt even smaller than before.
We got out of the car together. I held my small bag tightly, almost like it was the only thing I owned in this world. Then suddenly, it slipped from my hand or rather, it was taken. I turned and saw him, my newly wedded husband, holding it without a word.
I didn't know what to say. I just followed him quietly as we walked toward the entrance. There were people waiting at the gate seven of them, all standing in a line, their eyes fixed on us.
My heart started racing again.
******************************
Ishaan's POV
As we approached the main gate, I could feel the weight of the moment settling in. Everyone was there my family, standing together, waiting for us. Their faces carried warmth, but also curiosity. I knew what they were thinking. Everything had happened too suddenly, even for them.
Beside me, Vanya walked slowly, almost cautiously, like every step felt uncertain. I noticed how tightly she held her bag, like it was her only anchor. Without thinking much, I reached out and took it from her hand. She looked at me, startled, her eyes filled with hesitation. I just gave her a small nod, as if to say, It's alright. You're safe now.
She didn't say anything, just lowered her gaze and continued walking beside me. I could tell she was overwhelmed. Who wouldn't be? New home, new people, new life all in a single day.
When we reached the entrance, I took a deep breath. This was it. The moment she would step into the Raizada mansion not as a guest, but as my wife. Wait! what , my wife ..... I AM MARRIED NOW..... the realization hit me hard than a gun .
And I silently promised myself one thing whatever had happened before, I'd make sure she never felt unwanted again.
*****************************
Ishaan's POV
As we walked closer to the gate, I could see all of them waiting. My family. My world. Standing together in a line, smiling, curious, and maybe a little surprised. There were seven of them in total — my grandmother, my grandfather, my brothers, my sister, Ananya, and Jyoti, our house helper who was almost like family after all these years.
I turned toward Vanya, who looked nervous, her fingers curled slightly into the edge of her saree. Her eyes darted between the grand house and the faces in front of her. I could feel the heaviness in her silence, so I decided to speak first.
"Vanya," I said softly, "this is my family."
I pointed gently as I introduced them one by one. "This is my dadi ( my grandmother) and this is my dadu (my grandfather)." Both of them smiled warmly at her. "This is my younger brother, Krishna, and this is my younger brother Arnav. This is my younger sister, Aarohi. Arnav and Aarohi are twins. And this," I said, turning slightly, "is Ananya. She's like my sister, Arnav's best friend since childhood. And this is Jyoti, she helps us around the house."
Then I looked back at my family and said, "And everyone, this is Vanya."
Before I could say anything more, Krishna grinned, stepping forward a little. "Brother, I think you must be the only guest in history who went as a guest but came back as the groom."
Everyone burst out laughing, and for the first time since the wedding began, I saw a tiny smile appear on Vanya's lips. It was faint, but real. Something about that smile made me feel lighter.
Then Aarohi tilted her head, curious as always. "Wait, bhai," she said, "weren't you going to attend Mr. Malhotra's son's wedding?"
Before I could respond, she looked at Vanya politely and asked, "Sorry, what's your surname?"
Vanya hesitated for a moment, then spoke quietly, "Verma."
I could see her voice tremble just a bit, and I realized she probably hadn't expected to even use her last name again today.
Aarohi frowned playfully. "But bhai, that's strange. We were invited for Malhotras wedding. How did you end up in the Vermas' wedding?"
I blinked, trying to recall it all properly. "Oh," I said, rubbing my neck, "there were two weddings at the same venue. I think I mixed up the halls. I saw a crowd, a lot of noise, so I assumed that was the Malhotra wedding. It just… felt right to go there."
Ananya raised her eyebrows dramatically. "So, let me get this straight," she said. "You went to a completely different wedding, uninvited, and somehow became the groom of that wedding?" She smirked and added, "Tell me something, Brother did the crowd attract you, or did Vanya bhabhi (sister-in -law) attract you?"
My face heated instantly, and I looked away, pretending to fix my cufflinks. Vanya looked down, her cheeks tinted with the softest pink. The others laughed again, their teasing light and familiar.
Before anyone could add another comment, Dadi spoke firmly but kindly, "Enough, children."
Then she looked at Vanya with warmth in her eyes. "Come, beta," she said. "There's a kalash filled with rice here (a small pot symbolizing prosperity)," she added, explaining for the sake of the new bride. "Kick it gently before entering."
Vanya looked at me once, uncertain, but I nodded. She lifted her foot carefully and pushed the kalash (pot) forward. The rice spilled softly across the white marble floor.
"Now," Dadi continued, "place your feet in this warm kumkum water (vermilion water ) and then walk over this white cloth."
Vanya obeyed quietly, dipping her feet and stepping onto the cloth. The red footprints she left behind looked beautiful, marking her first steps into the house.
Dadi smiled tenderly. "Welcome, beta. Welcome to the Raizada house. From today onwards, you are a part of this family."
Before Vanya could respond, Dadu chuckled softly and said, "And don't worry, child. Out of all my grandchildren, Ishaan is the second least naughty. But if he ever troubles you, you can always come to me."
Vanya and I both bent down to touch his feet, seeking blessings. Then we turned to Dadi, who placed her hand on Vanya's cheek lovingly. "You know, Ishaan," she said teasingly, "just a few days ago, you told me you had no interest in marrying. What made you change your mind?"
I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly unsure how to answer. Before I could come up with anything, Dadi added with a grin, "And that too, you're lucky enough to have married such a pretty girl."
Her words made me blush harder than Ananya's teasing had. I tried to keep a straight face, but the warmth in my cheeks betrayed me completely.
And for the first time since the chaos began, I saw Vanya's lips curve again into a small, genuine smile one that even reached her eyes.
******************************
Author's POV:-
Dadi went and brought the traditional jewels . It was a family ritual that on the day her grandchild got married, both the grandchild and their life partner would receive a special piece of jewelry. She gave Vanya a beautiful necklace and Ishaan a golden bracelet.
Krishna, who was standing beside Aarohi, frowned playfully. "Bro, this is so unfair. We wanted to attend your wedding. We wanted to enjoy it!"
Aarohi added, "Exactly! It'll take so many more years for the other two brothers to get married. We wanted haldi, mehendi, sangeet everything!"
Ananya grinned and said, "I know they're married, but we can do a remarriage again like with all rituals, right?"
Ishaan looked at them, slightly amused. "Aren't you guys being a bit rude? Shouldn't we ask Vanya first? And isn't it too early? Let her take rest, let her feel comfortable first. Then we'll think about that topic."
Aarohi rolled her eyes. "Come on, brother. It's not even a day and you've already become so protective towards sister-in-law. Bhai paraya ho gaya!"
(Meaning: Brother has become someone else's now.)
Everyone chuckled, and Dadi smiled warmly before saying, "Both of you go to the room and freshen up. You've had a long day."
Vanya nodded quietly, while Ishaan simply said, "Okay, Dadi." He led Vanya upstairs and stopped in front of a large door. "This is our room. You can freshen up first, I'll come later."
She nodded again and stepped inside. The room was spacious yet simple , elegant and peaceful. For a moment, she stood still, her heart heavy but strangely calm. She thought she should be sad… after all, her life had just turned upside down. But instead, she felt something else , warmth. A strange comfort. She felt grateful, deeply grateful, for this family who had already shown her more love in a day than she had felt in years.
She opened her bag, took out a towel and a yellow saree, and went into the washroom. The soft scent of sandalwood filled the air as she bathed. When she came out, she draped the saree gracefully and began drying her hair with a towel, her long, wet strands falling over her shoulders.
Just then, Ishaan entered. He paused at the doorway, watching her quietly. He hadn't meant to stare, but he found himself unable to look away. There was something about the way the light touched her face, how calm she looked. When he realized what he was doing, he blinked quickly and cleared his throat.
Vanya turned slightly, startled, her eyes meeting his for a brief second. Then she looked down again.
"Dadi asked you to wear the necklace," he said softly.
Vanya nodded and picked up the necklace from the table. She tried to hook it around her neck, but the clasp wouldn't close. She tried again and again, but it just wouldn't lock properly. Ishaan noticed and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Should I… help you?"
She hesitated too, unsure, then gave a small nod. "Yes."
He stepped closer and gently hooked the necklace. His fingers brushed against her skin for just a second, and both of them froze, neither daring to say anything.
Vanya was about to leave when Ishaan said, "Let's go down?"
"One minute," she replied softly, walking to the dressing table. She took a little kumkum(vermillion powder) and placed it on her forehead. Then she turned toward him.
"Ishaan ji…"
He froze. It was the first time she had spoken his name.
"I… I wanted to thank you," she said, her voice low but sincere. "For saving me today. For everything. For giving me such a nice family."
Before she could finish, Ishaan interrupted gently, "No. Actually, I should be the one thanking you. I'm grateful to have you."
Their eyes met for a second soft, quiet, unsure before they both turned toward the door and walked downstairs together.