Author's POV

Angad struggled to keep his temper in check as Aadir and Divit continued to laugh loudly, thoroughly enjoying the situation.

"Arrey beta, why did you stand up? Sit, sit, you probably don't remember. You both were very small at that time," Drishti said, trying to ease Riya's obvious discomfort.

Riya, still in shock, settled back into her seat, reeling from the unexpected revelation. The thought of slapping Angad as a child made her cringe inwardly.

"Okay, that's enough. Let's discuss the wedding," Antara interjected, trying to steer the conversation back to safer grounds.

Angad said in serious tone, "Haa, vaise bhi, her choice is very good."

Riya glanced up at Angad, a bit surprised by the compliment. She nodded and responded, "Yes, I'll try my best to make sure their wedding is very special."

"Well then, when is their Roka ceremony?" Riya asked.

"Nahi hain..." they replied casually.

"Huh?" Riya blinked in confusion.

"Direct marriage," Aadir, Divit, and Antara chimed in together, leaving Riya even more shocked.

"They're not in too much of a hurry."

"Badi jaldi nahin ho rahi inhe?" Riya thought to herself, feeling a mix of disbelief and amusement at how quickly everything seemed to be moving. But then she realized Angad was glaring at her, and the others were looking at her expectantly.

She smiled awkwardly. "Sorry," she muttered, realizing she had accidentally spoken her thoughts aloud.

"No problem, humara bhi yahi reaction tha," Aadir said with a chuckle, easing the tension a bit.

Trying to regain her composure, Riya flipped open her notebook and asked, "So, what kind of marriage do you want, Mr. Singhania and his would-be Mrs. Singhania?"

"Something elegant and royal," they began to suggest, sharing their individual thoughts and preferences for the wedding.

Riya listened attentively, jotting down their points, nodding along as they described their vision for the wedding. Despite the chaotic start, she felt herself slowly slipping into her professional mode, focusing on ensuring the wedding would be nothing short of perfect.

As Angad had already left the room, Riya looked up to hear Antara Singhania addressing her. "These people will be here to help you. If you need anything, just let them know," Antara said, gesturing towards a line of ten staff members. They all looked extremely professional and ready to assist.

Aadir chimed in with a confident smile, "Don't worry, Dadi. I'm here, I'll help."

Riya gave them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, all the preparations will be done in two days," she said confidently. Having grown up around her mother, who was an expert in this field, Riya felt secure in her abilities. She quickly got down to business, briefing the staff on their tasks with meticulous detail.

---

Agnihotri Mansion

- Breakfast Table

The dining room of the Agnihotri Mansion was a picture of tension, a stark contrast to the usual lively atmosphere that used to fill it. The only sounds were the clinking of cutlery against plates, as everyone tried to avoid each other's gaze. The source of the unease was obvious-Rajvardhan Agnihotri, the head of the family, who sat at the head of the table, exuding a powerful, intimidating presence.

Trisha, who was seated comfortably despite the tension, was the only one seemingly unaffected by the gravity of the situation. Her head was still a bit foggy from the previous night's hangover, but she could still feel the thick atmosphere weighing down on everyone. The argument from last night was still fresh, and its echoes lingered like a storm that had not fully passed.

The crux of the tension was the presence of Rajvardhan Agnihotri, the formidable patriarch who rarely involved himself in family matters unless they were of utmost importance. His presence at the breakfast table was a silent testament to the gravity of the situation. The eldest grandson, who had been living in New York, had been called back to India, a decision that had sparked a heated argument between Rajvardhan and Trisha's, Bade Papa.

The disagreement was about eldest grandson Agnihotri's impending marriage-a topic that had divided the family. Rajvardhan had insisted that the eldest grandson be brought back to India, but he had outright refused. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the girl he was supposed to marry, sensing that this marriage was not just a personal affair but something that had broader implications for the family.

Trisha's thoughts drifted to her own situation. Her eyes fell on on her empty finger-a recent addition that going symbolized her own engagement. The engagement going to be a private affair, almost secretive, and now, in just a few days, she would be getting married. The idea of her own wedding happening amidst all this family drama made her uneasy.

The Agnihotri family, in all its grandeur and power, was far from a picture-perfect family. It was twisted, entangled in its own set of problems and unresolved issues, leaving her feeling both a part of it and strangely distant. Except for her parents, who were the only source of warmth and normalcy in her life, the rest of the family seemed to be locked in an unending power struggle, where emotions were kept hidden and decisions were made with cold, calculating precision.

.

.

.

The Next Day in Trisha's Room

Trisha’s room was a sight to behold, with the bed draped in a variety of luxurious outfits and sparkling jewelry. A dozen dresses lay spread out, each one a stunning creation of silk, velvet, and lace, their delicate fabrics shimmering under the soft light. The air in the room was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, adding to the grandiosity. The jewelry pieces – diamonds, pearls, and gemstones – gleamed temptingly from their boxes, waiting to be chosen.

Trisha lay sprawled on her bed, scrolling lazily through her phone, clearly overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices before her. Each dress seemed more beautiful than the last, the colors rich and the embroidery intricate, all representing the royal elegance.

Her mother asked, entering the room, "Trisha, have you decided which dress you'll wear this evening?"

"I can't choose, Mom. They’re all so beautiful," Trisha replied, not taking her eyes off her phone.

Her mother shot her a knowing look before swiftly snatching the phone from her hand. She took photos of the dresses and, without hesitation, sent them off to someone.

Within seconds, her phone buzzed with a message, making her mother smile as she handed the phone back to Trisha, who looked at her in confusion.

"It's simple. Now wear this one. I’ll pick out the matching jewelry," her mother said with a satisfied smile.

Trisha glanced at her phone and rolled her eyes as she realized what her mother had done. She had sent the dress options to her soon-to-be fiancé, and the man had replied within a minute.

"Crazy," Trisha muttered under her breath as she went to change into the chosen outfit.

After changing, she returned to her room, where she started getting ready. Just as they finished the final touches, her mother walked back in and froze, staring at her daughter in awe. Trisha glanced at her mother in the mirror and saw the look of approval.

"He has excellent taste," her mother said, with a hint of teasing in her voice.

The gown she wore is breathtaking. It was an off-shoulder, floor-length evening gown in a shade of soft lavender that shimmered under the light. The delicate golden embroidery, intricately woven across the bodice and flowing down the tulle skirt, made her feel regal. The dress hugged her waist before cascading into layers of sheer fabric that twinkled with subtle sequins, catching the light with every movement. The back of the gown laced up elegantly, adding a refined touch to its sophisticated silhouette.

Trisha looked at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but admit that his choice was impeccable. A small part of her wondered if he knew her better than she realized.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and her mother called for the person to come in. Her father stepped inside, bringing a hush over the room. His eyes betrayed the deep emotions he felt, which were also reflected on his face.

Trisha stood up and turned towards her father, Anuj, who approached her with a loving smile before kissing her forehead tenderly.

"My beautiful daughter," he whispered softly.

"And my handsome father," Trisha whispered back as she hugged him tightly.

.

.

.

.

As Trisha emerged from the hallway, the entire room seemed to pause. Conversations died down, and all eyes were drawn to her like moths to a flame. The sight of her took everyone’s breath away. The gown, was nothing short of perfection. It flowed over her figure with grace, the soft lavender fabric shimmering delicately under the chandeliers. Her hair cascaded down in soft waves, and the dimond jewelry accentuated her regal appearance.

Trisha was not just another bride; she was the first daughter of the Agnihotri family, the cherished only daughter of Anuj Agnihotri. There was no room for any flaw, no detail that could be overlooked, especially on this day. Her appearance had to be perfect, and indeed it was—she was a living embodiment of the family’s wealth, power, and prestige.

But amid the admiration and whispered praises, there was one man dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, who stood in the middle of the stage, his gaze fixated on her. His breath caught in his throat as he beheld her, unable to look away. It was as if time had stopped for him, and the world had faded into the background, leaving only Trisha in his sight. His heart pounded in his chest, and his eyes, locked on her face, refused to move.

When Trisha’s eyes finally met his, he blinked, as if waking from a trance. The connection between them was electric, palpable even to those around them. He exhaled slowly, his breath coming back to him as he took a step forward, extending his hand towards her. Her eyes searched his face, and then his hand, which is silently asking her to join him on the stage.

Trisha looks at him for only a second, a subtle smirk playing on her lips as she placed her hand in his. The moment her fingers touched his, he clasped them firmly, pulling her gently towards him. A soft smile curved his lips as he led her to the stage, the center of attention for the gathered guests.

Once they were seated on the stage, a playful exchange began between them, a reflection of their unique bond.

“Trisha ji, if you had to party so late into the night, you could have called me,” he teased lightly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “We could have enjoyed it together.”

Trisha raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she retorted, “But you don’t drink, Mr. Singh. It’s strange, isn’t it? A Punjabi who doesn’t drink?”

His smile widened. “True, but you drank a bit too much last night. It’s not good to drink that much.”

“Almost everyone in my entire family drinks,” she replied with a hint of defiance.

“Yes, but none of those men are going to be my wife,” he shot back, his tone turning serious for a moment.

Trisha was taken aback by his sudden intensity but quickly recovered.

“If you had to drink to forget sorrows, you could have called me. My presence alone would have been intoxicating enough, just like you are now.” He chuckled softly, leaning in closer.

“Why do I argue with you?” she whispered, half to herself.

Their banter was interrupted as Trisha’s mother approached the stage, holding the ring that Trisha was to place on his finger. With a deep breath, Trisha took the ring and gently slid it onto his finger. The room erupted in applause and cheers, the sound echoing through the grand hall.

The atmosphere was one of celebration, but it shifted the moment his mother approached, ready to hand him the ring. Instead of taking it, he suddenly stood up, causing a ripple of confusion to spread through the crowd. The clapping ceased, and an uneasy silence fell over the room as all eyes turned to him, waiting to see what he would do next.

                           ******

🦋❤️ 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀❟ 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿!

𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱! 💍

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗔𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱... 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱! 💫

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵... 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆? 🤔

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆!

🦋