I walked ahead, my steps slow but steady, aware of Reyansh's quiet presence just behind me. The hallway felt longer than usual, every sound magnified—the creak of the floor, the faint rustle of his shoes. When we entered my room, I turned the key, and the soft click of the lock echoed in the silence. For a moment, I didn't know what to say. The air felt heavy, filled with unspoken thoughts.

I finally broke the quiet.
"Please... sit on the bed."

He nodded, his movements calm, and sat down at the edge. His eyes lifted toward me, steady but gentle.
"You should sit too," he said softly.

I hesitated, then lowered myself onto the bed—but not too close. I left a little space between us, as if that distance could protect me from the weight of the moment. My hands rested in my lap, fingers twisting slightly. The silence returned, but it wasn't empty. It carried something—expectation, hesitation, maybe even curiosity.

Inside, I felt the strangeness of it all. Two families had spoken, but now it was just us, sitting in a room where silence seemed louder than words. I wondered if he could hear the rhythm of my heartbeat, or if he was as uncertain as I was.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The thought pressed against my chest until it spilled out.
"Are you forced into this marriage? Because if you are, I'll go and tell them no."

He looked at me—really looked—and for a moment I felt stripped bare under his gaze. His voice was steady, but there was something raw in it.
"No. I am not forced. It's my decision."

Then his tone shifted, softer, almost breaking through the silence.
"I know you're afraid. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you're sitting far from me. And I know how much you love your fictional characters... how they make you feel safe, how they give you worlds where love is pure and promises are kept. But Aroohi, if you give this relation even the smallest chance, I swear I will give it everything I have. My hundred percent. No half measures, no pretending. Just me, standing here, choosing you."

His words sank into me, heavy and unshakable. It wasn't just what he said—it was how he said it, as if he had peeled away every layer of hesitation and placed his heart right in front of me. My throat tightened, and for the first time, the silence between us didn't feel frightening. It felt alive.

I looked at him, my voice trembling though I tried to keep it steady.
"I know what you're saying... but how can I just say yes to you? We don't know each other. We've only met a few times, and this isn't about a few days or months—it's my whole life. Once I say yes, it's forever. How do I make such a decision when I don't even know who you truly are?"

He listened to me without interrupting, his eyes steady, his silence patient. When he finally spoke, his voice carried a calm certainty that made me pause.

"I know," he said gently. "I understand what you're feeling. But we can give a chance to this. It's not like we are going to marry tomorrow. We will have time... time to understand each other, to see if this bond can grow. But in the end, it's your choice."

His words lingered in the air, soft yet firm. He wasn't pushing, he wasn't pleading—he was simply offering me space, offering me choice. And that honesty struck me harder than any promise could. My heart felt torn between fear and a strange comfort. For the first time, I realized he wasn't just asking for my hand—he was asking for my trust, and giving me the freedom to decide.

His words stayed with me, circling in my mind. He wasn't forcing me, he wasn't rushing me—he was simply asking for a chance. And somehow, that honesty made it harder to hold on to my fear.

I took a slow breath, my voice quiet but steady.
"Okay... let's go downstairs."

He nodded, no questions, no pressure—just a simple agreement. As we stood up, the silence between us felt different now. It wasn't heavy anymore; it was lighter, almost reassuring. I walked toward the door, and this time, when he followed behind me, I didn't feel the same distance.

Maybe I wasn't ready to say yes. Maybe I wasn't ready to say no. But I was ready to take the next step, even if it was just walking back downstairs together.

As I followed Aroohi into her room, I could sense her hesitation in every step. The click of the lock echoed louder than it should have, and the silence that followed pressed against us both. When she asked me to sit, I obeyed without question, watching her carefully as she kept her distance. That space between us said more than words ever could.

Then her voice broke through, trembling but determined:
"Are you forced into this marriage? Because if you are, I'll go and tell them no."

Her honesty struck me. I leaned forward, meeting her eyes.
"No. I am not forced. It's my decision."

I paused, choosing my words carefully, because I wanted her to feel the truth in them.
"I know you're afraid. I can see it. And I know how much you love your fictional characters—those worlds where love is pure, promises are kept, and no one leaves halfway. But Aroohi, if you give this relation even a chance, I will give my hundred percent. No pretending, no half measures. Just me, standing here, choosing you."

Her reply came like a weight pressing against my chest:
"I know this... but how can I just say yes to you? We don't know each other. We've only met a few times, and this isn't about some time—it's my whole life decision."

As I listened to her, I could feel the weight of her words. She was right—we had only met a few times, and this decision wasn't small. It was her whole life. I wanted to ease her fear, not add to it.

"I know," I said softly. "And I don't expect you to decide everything today. We're not marrying tomorrow. We'll have time to understand each other, to see if this bond can grow. But in the end, it's your choice. Always yours."

Inside, my heart whispered what I couldn't say aloud: Jaan, if you say yes to me, I will give you my whole world. Just give me a chance. But I kept those words locked within, because I wanted her to choose freely, without pressure.

When she finally said, "Okay... let's go downstairs," I nodded. Relief washed over me, not because she had agreed, but because she hadn't turned away. As we walked out together, I followed her once more—but this time, the silence between us carried hope.

The sound of their footsteps on the staircase drew every gaze in the room. As Aroohi and Reyansh stepped down together, the air shifted—an unspoken curiosity rippled through the families gathered below. Conversations paused, smiles froze, and eyes followed them, searching for answers in their silence.

It was not the grandeur of words that mattered here, but the quiet presence of two people who had just shared something unseen. Aroohi's face carried restraint, her composure carefully held, while Reyansh's calm demeanor spoke of patience and certainty.

Aroohi quietly settled beside Vaanya, her posture composed but her heart restless, while Reyansh chose the seat directly across from her. The distance between them was small, yet it felt like the entire room was stretched across that space.

All eyes turned toward them. The elders, the siblings, the cousins—every gaze carried the same unspoken question. The air was thick with expectation, the silence louder than any words.

It was not Reyansh they looked to for answers. It was Aroohi. She was the one whose voice mattered now, the one whose decision could shift the course of two families. Reyansh sat steady, his expression calm, but inside he carried a quiet prayer, waiting for her to speak.

Her voice came soft, but it carried truth.
"He is good... but I can't decide this right now. It feels too fast. We've only met a few times, and this is not just for some time—it's my whole life."

The words settled like a stone in water, rippling through the room. For a moment, silence returned. Then Vaanya leaned closer, her tone gentle yet firm, a sister's warmth wrapped in conviction.
"Aroohi, we understand. But give this a chance. We all know Reyansh bhai is good for you. Aur agar tumhe loyalty ki tension hai... don't worry. He will always be loyal to you. Yeh kabhi nahi hoga jo tumne apne patient ke saath dekha tha. This is different. He is different."

Her reassurance carried weight, not because it was dramatic, but because it was spoken with certainty. Reyansh remained quiet, his eyes steady on Aroohi, waiting. He did not push, did not plead—he simply let her choose.

The room was still, every eye fixed on Aroohi as she finally spoke. Her words carried not just hesitation, but a depth of thought that revealed the storm inside her.

"Loyalty isn't about how much you give," she said softly, her voice trembling yet firm. "It's about who truly values it. You can see this even in the smallest things—show kindness to an animal for a few days, and it will remember you for years. But stand by a human for years, and they can forget you in days."

Her confession hung in the air, heavy and unshakable. She lowered her gaze, almost apologetic, yet unable to stop herself.
"I know I'm talking too much... but right now I'm so confused. What if he becomes like everyone else? What if, after some time, he starts behaving the same way they did?"

Across from her, Reyansh remained silent, his eyes steady, his presence calm. He did not interrupt, did not defend himself. He simply listened, carrying her fear with patience. And in that silence, the moment became more than a question of marriage—it became a question of trust, of whether two souls could step beyond doubt into something lasting.

When he finally spoke, his tone was steady, carrying sincerity rather than persuasion.
"Aroohi, I understand. Loyalty isn't about years—it's about value. And I know you've seen people change, you've seen them forget. But I am not here to be like them. I am here to be myself—with you. If you give me this chance, I will prove it. Not with big words, not with empty gestures, but with consistency. I will stand by you, even when it's not easy."

And then, in the silence that followed, his heart whispered what his lips did not dare to say aloud:
Please... say yes. I will always cherish you. I will make you believe in true love. I promise you, bachaa, just give me a chance.

The silence in the room stretched, every gaze fixed on her. Aroohi's hands tightened slightly, her voice trembling but carrying a quiet strength as she finally spoke.

"Okay... I am ready. But don't break my trust. Because if I move out, I will never come back."

Her words were not dramatic—they were deliberate, heavy with meaning. It was not just an acceptance; it was a warning, a boundary drawn with clarity. She was willing to step forward, but only if her trust was honored.

Reyansh's eyes softened as Aroohi's words settled into the room. He leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but firm, carrying the weight of a promise.
"It will never happen. I will not break your trust."

The words were simple, but they carried conviction. He did not try to overwhelm her with grand gestures—he gave her clarity, a vow spoken plainly in front of everyone.

Yet inside, his heart thundered with a deeper truth, one he did not dare to voice aloud.
If I ever even dared to think of betraying you Jaan , I would rather destroy myself before letting you down.

The moment Aroohi's words left her lips—"Okay... I am ready"—the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The tension that had weighed on everyone dissolved into relief and joy. Smiles spread across faces, elders exchanged glances of quiet satisfaction, and siblings broke into soft laughter, teasing each other in excitement.

Vaanya's eyes lit up, her hand instinctively reaching for Aroohi's in support, while cousins whispered to one another, already imagining the celebrations to come. The elders nodded with pride, their expressions carrying both blessing and gratitude.

Reyansh, however, remained composed. Outwardly, he showed calm restraint, but inside he was overflowing with happiness. His heart screamed with gratitude, thanking her silently for saying yes. If I ever dared to think of betraying you, I would rather destroy myself before letting you down. I will always cherish you jaan . I will make you believe in true love. I promise you, bachaa, thank you for giving me this chance.

The room was alive with smiles, relief turning into joy. Aroohi's acceptance had lifted the weight from everyone's hearts. But before the moment could settle into quiet celebration, Karan leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
"Ab hum aapko kya bulaenge? Kyunki aap to hum sabse choti hain."

Vikram joined in, his laughter spilling into the room.
"Exactly! Abhi tak to choti thi... ab Reyansh bhai ki dulhan ban gayi. Batao, ab hum kaise bulayein?"

Their teasing broke the seriousness, filling the air with warmth and laughter. Aroohi lowered her eyes, a shy smile tugging at her lips, while the elders chuckled at the brothers' playful banter.

Reyansh watched quietly, his heart still overflowing with happiness. He didn't interrupt—he simply let the moment unfold, grateful that her "yes" had turned the atmosphere from tension into lightness.

Arjun joined in, his tone light but teasing.
"Haan, baat to sahi hai. Tum to hum sab se choti ho."

The teasing drew smiles all around, the elders amused, the cousins whispering in delight. Aroohi lowered her gaze for a moment, then lifted it with quiet confidence. Her voice was soft but clear.
"Mujhe mere naam se hi bulaye... aur main aap sabko bhai bulaungi."

Her reply silenced the teasing for a heartbeat, then laughter broke out again—this time warmer, lighter, filled with affection. The author felt the atmosphere shift completely: what had begun with hesitation and fear was now alive with joy, playfulness, and the beginnings of a new bond.

As the laughter from the brothers' teasing settled, Ishita sighed dramatically, her tone playful but tinged with real emotion.
"Ab to meri dono dost ki shaadi ho gayi. Vanya to pehle hi chali gayi... ab Aroohi bhi jaa rahi hai. Main hi bach gayi."

Her words drew a ripple of amusement across the room, but Aroohi quickly shook her head, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Abhi nahi jaa rahi hu main."

The laughter slowly softened, and in the midst of it Reyansh's father leaned forward, his tone warm and thoughtful.
"Vese beta, tum shaadi kaisi chahti ho?"

Dadu nodded immediately, his voice carrying the weight of reassurance.
"Haan beta, jaise tum chahogi, waise hi hogi."

The room grew quiet for a moment, everyone waiting for Aroohi's reply. But before she could speak, Priya Bhabhi and Ishita exchanged a mischievous glance and burst out together, their voices overlapping with playful certainty.
"Iski pasand ki shaadi koi nahi kara sakta!"

Their words drew laughter across the room once more, breaking the seriousness with affection. Aroohi lowered her gaze, a shy smile tugging at her lips, while Reyansh watched silently, his heart swelling with gratitude that her "yes" had already begun to weave bonds of joy between families and friends.

Reyansh sat quietly, his face composed. But inside, his heart whispered fiercely:
"Aisa kaise ho sakta, jaan? Aap bas batao kaisi shaadi chahiye... waise hi hogi. Main aapki har pasand ko apna farz bana lunga."

Before the moment could settle, Karan tilted his head, his tone mischievous yet curious.
"Aisa kyun? Unki pasand ki shaadi kyun nahi ho sakti?"

The room was already alive with laughter when Vanya leaned back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Isko to gunpoint pe shaadi karni hai! Marriage of convenience, contract marriage, revenge marriage... ya phir shaadi se bhag kar kisi mafia se shaadi karni hai. Aur aisa ho to nahi sakta."

Her words sent a wave of laughter across the room, cousins clutching their sides, elders shaking their heads with amused disbelief.

Aroohi's face flushed instantly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip, unable to hide the shy smile that tugged at her lips. The teasing had gone too far, yet it was filled with affection, making her the center of everyone's playful attention.

Reyansh watched quietly, his heart swelling at the sight—her innocence, her blush, her quiet smile. For him, it was not just teasing; it was a moment that made her even more precious.

Reyansh stayed quiet, his expression calm, but inside his mind he chuckled softly.
"Meri jaan to kuch zyada hi fiction mein jeeti hai... par ek wish to puri ho gayi inki, ki main mafia mein hu."

His thoughts carried both amusement and affection. Outwardly, he gave nothing away, but inwardly he was smiling, cherishing the innocence behind her blush and the playful exaggerations of the family.

The laughter had barely settled when Aarav leaned forward, his grin mischievous.
"Ek wish to teri puri ho gayi. Tera hone wala pati mafia mein hai. Aur yeh nahi—Vihaan aur Arjun bhi mafia mein hain. Aur tumhara pati to mafia king hai."

The words hit Aroohi like a storm. Her eyes widened instantly, disbelief flashing across her face. For a moment she sat frozen, unable to speak, her mind racing. Then, suddenly, she screamed so loud that the whole room turned toward her.

"Really?! Are you in mafia... like in my novels?" she asked, her voice trembling with curiosity and shock.

The room erupted into laughter again, cousins clutching their sides, elders shaking their heads at the playful exaggeration. Reyansh, however, stayed composed, his lips curving into the faintest smile

She leaned forward suddenly, her voice rising with disbelief and excitement.
"Oh my God! I can't believe this! So tell me... do you do illegal work? Or do you save lives like Zade saves? Do you have guns and warehouses where you torture your enemies? Can you please take me there? I also want to see this! I can't believe you are in mafia... like Massimo!"

Her words tumbled out in a rush, half in shock, half in fascination, her imagination running faster than reality. The room burst into laughter again, cousins clutching their sides, elders shaking their heads at her dramatic reaction.

The room fell into stunned silence for a moment after Aroohi's excited outburst. Her eyes sparkled with disbelief as she leaned forward, asking breathlessly about guns, warehouses, and mafia secrets—her imagination running wild like the novels she adored.

The elders exchanged glances, half-expecting her to be afraid, maybe even hesitant. But instead, she was asking to see it, her curiosity louder than her fear. That contrast drew laughter across the room.

Priya Bhabhi covered her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Dekha? Hum soch rahe the yeh darr jaayegi... aur yeh to khud bol rahi hai humein wahan le chalo!"

Ishita laughed, nudging Aroohi playfully.
"Tu to bilkul pagal hai. Mafia king se shaadi kar rahi hai aur darne ke bajaye tour maang rahi hai!"

Karan and Vikram burst out laughing, clapping their hands together.
"Bas! Ab to confirm ho gaya... Aroohi ko fiction wali duniya hi pasand hai."

Even Dadu chuckled softly, shaking his head with affection.
"Beta, hum samajh rahe the tumhe darr lagega... par tum to sabse alag nikli."

As the laughter echoed, Riya tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
"Waise ye Zade aur Massimo kaun hai?"

Karan chimed in, equally curious.
"Haan, batao na. Ye dono kaun hain?"

Aroohi's eyes widened instantly, her shock written all over her face. She looked around at everyone, her voice rising in disbelief.
"You guys don't know about them?"

Everyone moved their heads slowly in a "no," their expressions blank, waiting for her explanation. The room grew lighter again, cousins giggling at her dramatic reaction, elders smiling at her innocence.

 Aroohi's eyes widened even more, her disbelief spilling out in a rush.
"Zade Meadows meri book ka character hai... aur woh bhi mafia mein hai. Lekin woh zindagi bachata hai—un logon se jo auraton aur bachchon ko bechne ki koshish karte hain. He saves lives."

She paused, her excitement rising as she turned to the others.
"Massimo ek movie character hai. Woh bhi mafia mein hai."

Her voice carried both pride and fascination, as if she was introducing her closest friends to her family. The room erupted into laughter again—half at her dramatic storytelling, half at the way she spoke of fictional mafia kings as though they were real.

Vaanya shook her head, smiling.
"Dekha? Yeh to apni novels ki duniya mein hi jeeti hai."

Ishita nudged Aroohi playfully.
"Ab samajh aaya... isiliye tujhe mafia king chahiye tha."

Reyansh sat quietly, his lips curving into a faint smile. Inside, his thoughts whispered with affection:
"Meri jaan apni kahaniyon ke characters ko itna sach samajhti hai... aur ab mujhe bhi unke saath khada kar diya."

Aroohi's eyes were sparkling with excitement, her voice rising as she leaned closer to Reyansh.
"Aap underworld mein gaye kaise? Kya main bhi jaa sakti hoon isme? Books mein aaj tak yeh bataya nahi hai... aap batao, kaise bane aap mafia king?"

The family froze for a moment, stunned at her words. They had expected her to be afraid, maybe even hesitant. Instead, she was asking for entry into the underworld, her tone filled with fascination rather than fear.

Riya gasped, covering her mouth.
"Yeh ladki sach mein serious hai!"

Karan burst out laughing, shaking his head.
"Hum soch rahe the darr jaayegi... aur yeh to khud training maang rahi hai!"

Ishita leaned against Priya Bhabhi, laughing so hard she could barely speak.
"Shaadi ke baad honeymoon ke bajaye underworld tour chahiye isko!"

Even Dadu chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with affection.
"Beta, tum sach mein sabse alag ho. Tumhe dar ke bajaye adventure chahiye."

The elders cleared their throats, steering the conversation back to the real matter at hand.
"Acha, ab shaadi ki baat karte hain," someone said, and soon the room filled with discussions of dates, rituals, and preparations. Voices overlapped with excitement, everyone contributing their ideas.

But Aroohi, though sitting among them, was far away in her mind. Her thoughts raced wildly:
"What will happen if someone attacks us? Mujhe bhi training leni hogi... taaki main fight kar saku. Par main to exercise ke naam se hi thak jaati hu... training kaise karungi?"

Her imagination painted dramatic scenes, and without realizing it, her face began shifting—eyes widening, lips pouting, cheeks scrunching. She made crying faces, then determined ones, then worried ones, all in quick succession.

The family slowly noticed her expressions. One by one, they turned to look at her, amusement spreading across their faces. Priya Bhabhi nudged Ishita, whispering with a laugh,
"Dekho, abhi hum shaadi ki baat kar rahe hain... aur yeh apni hi duniya mein training plan bana rahi hai."

Karan chuckled, shaking his head.
"Bas! Yeh to apni novels ki heroine ban gayi hai."

The room filled with laughter again, not at her words but at the innocent drama playing across her face. And Reyansh, watching silently, felt his heart swell—because even in her imagination, she was already preparing to stand by him.

Vihaan noticed and, with a mischievous grin, leaned over to nudge her lightly.
Aroohi screamed, startled, and the whole room turned toward her. She blinked rapidly, realizing every pair of eyes was on her.
"What happened? Why are you all looking at me?" she asked, her voice trembling with confusion.

The elders chuckled, while Ishita and Priya Bhabhi laughed openly.
"Beta, tum to shaadi ki jagah mafia training ki baat karne lagi ho. Abhi ispe focus karo," they teased warmly.

The room filled with laughter again, everyone amused by her innocent drama. Aroohi lowered her gaze, cheeks flushed, realizing her imagination had betrayed her in front of them all.

Dadu's voice rose above the laughter, calm yet firm, carrying the weight of finality.
"Rishta to pakka ho gaya. Ab aap sab ghar aa jaiye. Hum pandit ji se milke date fix kar dete hain."

The room grew quiet for a moment, everyone absorbing the seriousness behind his words. Smiles spread across faces, the teasing giving way to warmth.

Arohi's chacha nodded with a gentle smile.
"Thik hai, hum sab kal aa jaayenge."

The atmosphere shifted—playful jokes now wrapped in the glow of certainty. The family's laughter softened into contentment, and Aroohi sat silently, her heart racing. Outwardly, she was calm, but inside her mind still wandered to wild thoughts of mafia training and battles. Her face betrayed her imagination, shifting into tiny expressions—worry, determination, even mock tears.

Everyone noticed and chuckled softly, amused at how she was lost in her own world even as her marriage was being fixed. Reyansh, watching her quietly, felt his heart swell. For him, this moment was more than a promise—it was the beginning of a bond that already felt unbreakable.

After Dadu's firm words and Chacha's agreement, the families exchanged warm smiles. The rishta was sealed, and the promise of tomorrow carried a new excitement.

Everyone slowly dispersed, returning to their homes with laughter and chatter still lingering in the air.

stay tuned for next chapter

bye

lots of love from your

author ikku ❤️