Author's POV

They both stood up and began moving towards the elders, Angad leading the way.

First, Angad approached his grandparents, and both he and Riya bent down to touch their feet.

Antara placed her hand gently on Riya’s shoulder as she stood back up. Her gaze, however, remained locked on Riya's hidden face. Antara's eyes drifting to Riya's hands, noticing the slight tremble that betrayed her nerves.

Antara finally shifted her gaze away, glancing beside her.

Breaking the moment, she hugged both Angad and Riya, placing a gentle hand on Angad’s shoulder.

"Khush raho," she blessed them softly, her voice tender.

Angad's eyes flickered towards his grandfather, and, immediately flashed his charming smile, the same one he used whenever he pulled off any kind of stunt.

He stepped forward, embracing Niranjan, who pulled him close.

"Aur khush rahne do," Niranjan said with a warm chuckle, patting his grandson on the back.

Breaking the hug, Angad moved towards the other elders, seeking their blessings.

Meanwhile, Antara's eyes lingered on Niranjan. Her gaze was met by his, and though no words were exchanged, something unspoken passed between them, a silent understanding that only years of partnership could communicate.

Antara's voice, barely audible, broke the silence. "Maybe it's in the blood," she whispers taunts.

Niranjan's lips curled into a faint, sinister smile. The kind that hinted at the secrets they both shared.

---

Angad and Riya stood at the grand entrance of the Singhania mansion. Siya and Drishti approached them, carrying the ceremonial thaal and the traditional pot of rice.

Siya stepped forward, her smile warm and inviting, as she circled them with the aarti, her hand gracefully moving in rhythmic motions. As she completed the blessing, she showered delicate petals over both of them, a silent prayer for their future together.

Riya listened carefully to Siya's instructions, her nervousness subtly hidden beneath her veil. With hesitant grace, she nudged the kalash with her foot, watching as it toppled forward and rolled into the house, symbolizing her entry as the new bride. But the weight of her lehenga was proving difficult to manage, the intricate fabric clinging to her with every step.

Angad noticed immediately. His gaze remained fixated on her. Without a word, he instinctively moved closer, his hands gently lifting her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He guiding her foot into the alta-filled thaal, the red dye staining her feet in rich, ceremonial color. Her feet lingered for only a moment before Angad swiftly and smoothly lifted them out, placing her back on the ground with care. As he released her.

Riya then stepped out, leaving the marks of her new beginning, her crimson footsteps trailing behind her as she entered the house. Each step was a piece of the tradition, yet the heavy silence from the family that watched.

Every pair of eyes was locked onto them, disbelief and astonishment etched on their faces, as if they were witnessing something otherworldly. The Singhanias, typically composed and dignified, now stood frozen in place, their expressions a mixture of surprise and wonder, almost as if they had seen an alien spectacle unfold before them.

Drishti, her own surprise masked behind a smile, approached with another plate. This time, Riya pressed her hands into the soft turmeric paste, creating the prints of her palms before placing them against the wall, marking her presence in the Singhania household. The yellow imprints stood out boldly, a symbol of her becoming part of the family.

With the rituals completed, Drishti led them towards the temple.

.

.

.

.

Later, Angad and Riya settled on the floor, the large pot of milk and water, adorned with rose petals, sitting between them. The atmosphere was filled with playful anticipation as the family members gathered around them in a circle, eager to witness the traditional post-wedding game.

"Let's see who wins this," Siya announced, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Whoever finds the ring will have more influence in the relationship."

Riya smiled behind her veil, her lips curving into a playful grin.
As she grinned mischievously, her thoughts raced, 'Once my real marriage takes place, I'll be the one to triumph. For now, I will practice with this.'

Siya spoke again, her voice sweet, "Beta, I think you should remove the veil. It will be easier to win."

Riya froze at the suggestion, her smile disappearing momentarily. Angad's brow furrowed in mild irritation as he glanced at his badi maa. "Badi maa..." he began, his tone disapproving, but Riya quickly shook her head in protest, silently refusing to lift the veil.

Siya chuckled. She picked up the ring and dropped it into the pot, swirling the water a few times with her hand before removing it. "Alright, let's begin!" she declared.

Both Angad and Riya leaned forward, their hands hovering above the water before plunging into the pot simultaneously. The sudden splash caused some milk and water to spill over the edges, prompting the women to quickly step back, laughing as the liquid splattered around.

Angad's brothers moved closer, grinning and hooting as they cheered on.

"Beta, aaram se!" one of the elders teased, though their words were drowned out by the excited shouts from Angad's brothers.

Among them, Aadir couldn't help but cheer a little louder for Riya. "Come on, bhabhi!" he called out, his voice full of mischief.

Angad give a hard glare to Aadir.

Riya's eyes widened as a smile formed on her face, her hand emerging from the pot, the ring nestled firmly in her palm. She opened her fist, revealing the ring in front of the family.

A knowing smile appeared on the faces of the elder couples. Siya stepped forward, gently taking the ring from Riya's hand. "We knew you were going to win," she teased, her tone lighthearted.

Before anyone could respond, Angad spoke up, feigning annoyance. "What's the point of playing this game if she's going to win anyway?"

Just then, a rough voice echoed through the room. "Don't worry, Angad," Niranjan said with a smirk. "Aakhri baazi sirf humari hoti hai."

(The final outcome is always ours.)

The room turned to listen as he continued, "पहली बाजी जितने का मतलब है कि वो पहली ही बार में अपना दिल तुम्हें दे देती है।"

His words carried a deeper meaning that lingered in the air. Antara roll her eyes listening it.

(The meaning of winning the first game is that she gives her heart to you at the very first time.)

With a smile, Siya once again placed the ring in the pot. This time, Angad won. Round by round, the competition continued, with both Angad and Riya winning three rounds each.

Finally, the last round arrived, and everyone's attention focused on the couple. Siya took a little longer before removing her hand, building the anticipation in the room.

Both Angad and Riya plunged their hands into the pot at the same time. Riya felt her hand brush against something solid-the ring! But before she could grab it, Angad's hand touched hers. He had already found the ring but waited, his smirk widening as he teased her.

Their hands met, and they both clutched at the ring, pulling it towards themselves. Laughter and cheers erupted as the family watched the playful struggle between them.

But as the tugging continued, a few irritated words slipped from Riya's mouth, her tone sharper than usual. Siya's gaze snapped toward her, catching her voice. Without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed the edge of Riya's veil.

In one swift movement, Siya pulled the veil off, revealing Riya's face to everyone.

Riya froze, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes met Siya's shocked expression. The sudden exposure made her feel vulnerable, and her grip on Angad's hand faltered.

Angad had been watching, waiting for this moment. His smirk deepened as he noticed her face turning pale, her confidence slipping. Sensing her loosening hold, Angad quickly seized the opportunity, pulling the ring from the pot and raising it high.

"Dadi, I won," he declared.

As he turned to look at Riya. She lowered her eyes, unable to meet their gaze.

As Siya stood frozen in shock, the entire room fell into a heavy silence. All eyes turned towards the bride, only to be met with an unexpected sight-Riya standing in place of the supposed bride.

One by one, everyone stood up, their gazes shifting from Riya to Angad, and back again, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Aadir looked at Angad, who remained seated, his eyes still fixed on Riya's face. Without a word, he extended his hand, gently taking Riya's in his own. He slipped the ring onto her finger, his actions calm and deliberate.

"What... what the hell is this?" Abhiram was the first to break the silence, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Angad stood up slowly, prompting Riya to stand with him, her nerves tightening under the weight of their scrutinizing stares.

"Dad, I love her," Angad declared, his voice steady. "She's been my girlfriend for the past two years."

The shock deepened, rippling through the family. Stunned murmurs began to spread until someone finally asked, "And where is She?"

Angad hesitated for a moment before responding, his tone more measured now. "When I went to call her, I found the room empty. She was gone... maybe she ran away." His voice softened on the last words.

"I think she loved someone else and didn't want to marry me." He sighed dramatically, the room hanging on his every word. "Now, what was I supposed to do when my bride ran away? Just when I thought all was lost, my eyes fell on Riya. I couldn't let the family's reputation be ruined in front of everyone. So, I asked her to take samriddhi place."

He finished, his expression innocently composed, as though he had acted out of nothing but duty and love for his family. His act was convincing-too convincing.

Aadir and Riya exchanged a quick glance, muttering under their breaths, "Liar."

"But why didn't you tell us that you loved her?" one of the elders questioned, confusion still clouding their voices.

"I wanted to," Angad began, but his words trailed off as his eyes met his grandfather's cold, piercing stare. He quickly lowered his gaze, leaving his sentence unfinished.

Everyone knew what he was hinting at. The unspoken tension lingered, thick in the air.

They waited for him to say more, but he simply left, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Angad walked over to Riya, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close. "I can't live without her," he said with a soft smile, his voice filled with conviction. "We love each other so much. Right, baby?"

Riya froze at the word "baby." It felt unnatural, stuck in her throat, but with so many eyes on them, she forced herself to hold it together. She shot Angad a startled look, but seeing the people watching them, she nodded lightly when he glanced at her.

Relief washed over her as Angad released her and turned to address the others.

"We'll meet tomorrow morning for the rituals. Everyone, head to your rooms," Antara said calmly before walking away.

Angad sighed, ready to leave for his room. But just as he took a step, he paused, then turned back to Riya. Without warning, he scooped her up in his arms, startling her. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, eyes wide in shock. But when she saw Angad's playful smile, she understood. They had to keep pretending. She managed to smile back, knowing exactly what his intentions were.

Angad's smile grew wider as he noticed her catching on. With Riya in his arms, he started walking toward his room.

Aadir glanced at his bade papa, still trying to process the situation, as the rest of the family looked on in a daze, watching Angad carry Riya away.

Siya, who had been observing from the side, frowned in confusion. "How does this so-called girlfriend suddenly exist when he's never mentioned her before?" she muttered to herself, still unable to make sense of it all.

Sensing that more questions were coming, Aadir quickly slipped away, heading for the elevator with his brothers, Divit and Samar, following close behind.

                           ******

𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲!

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲?

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀!

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴! ❤️✨