ADITI POV

"What is happening?" I murmur sadly.

"I don't know, Bhai is not talking and Paakhi is not here," Shaurya lets out hugging me. After Arhaan left with a bang, Maanu took off after him and Sana departed to her room.

So Shaurya and I scrambled off to the balcony to take some fresh air.

"Is it because of us?" I ask suddenly.

"Us? Why?" He asks confuse.

"Not you and me, I'm saying Maanu and Me. Because she always makes stupid decisions when it is about us." I admit. Paakhi has this tendency to shut off her senses when it involves me or Maanu.

"We don't know, only bhai or Paakhi can tell us." He again mumbles. Nuzzling his nose in the crook of my neck.

"I don't feel good," I say feeling queasy.

Instantly his head bobs up and he tugs me towards the washroom.

Just as he opens the washroom door, my stomach churns, and everything comes up.
I rush towards the toilet bowl and minutes later retching sound his herd.

When I feel better, I flush and look around to see myself alone in the washroom. Did I expect him to stay and hold me? When I'm puking? Yes, I did.

Seeing he left, tears pool up in my eyes. I knew it was too much for him.

"Hey? Does it hurt?" I feel someone snuggling me.

I glance up to see Shaurya crouching beside me, his one arm is around me and in the other, he has a bottle of water.

"I went to get you water," he explains.

"I thought you left..." I murmur, tears falling uncontrollably.

"I will never leave you or this child. You both are my responsibility." He confesses placing a peck on my sweat-drenched forehead. I lean into his embrace.

"Umm...as much as I like this position, I can't handle the smell here. So what say, We go to your room?" His voice comes out unsure.

I let out a laugh and nod my head.

"Good," he murmurs and seconds later I'm in his arms, nearing my room door.

"I can walk you know," I assert feeling vulnerable and I don't like feeling this way.

"I know, but I want to do this." He says gently placing me on my bed.

"I'm sorry for behaving that way in the washroom, " I say feeling that I should explain that I'm not needy.

"I hope you always behave like that then," he announces, fetching me a glass of water.

"I like it when you behave like that, it shows me your real self." He explains when he sees the confusion on my face.

"I'm always real," I assert adamantly.

"Maybe, but most of the time it seems as if you are wearing this shield which keeps you protected from this world. But when I see you without your armor, I feel more connected to you." He confides in and gets in bed with me.

I don't know what is happening, my heart feels spurs of desire, I have always been wearing this shield and at some point, believed that this is who I'm. But for the first time, I feel unarmed in front of this man. The surprising part is, I'm not scared.

"I love you..." Words tumble out of my mouth.

When I see his eyes widen, My senses come back.

"I..." I search for words.

"Aditi? I'm sorry but I don't think that I love you," his words break my heart. I can literally hear the sound of cracking.

I nod and turn to get out of bed, but he holds my hand.

"I don't love you because I don't know what love feels like, I just know that for the last couple of months my life has turned upside down. Earlier I was a snobby rich guy, sleeping around and partying." A chuckle leaves my mouth hearing that.

"But when you entered my life, the first thing I thought was, I need to bang her." He tells.

"That was what you thought when you first saw me?" I ask stunned.

"Stop talking in between, I'm trying to set a mood in here." He chides.

I shut up and give him an encouraging nod.

"So as I was saying, when we had sex for the first time, I thought now I will forget you and move on in my life but no, my desire for you increased, I started enjoying your witty retorts. I started appreciating the times we spent together. Knowing that I will see you today, puts a smile on my face. I have not thought about any other women in the last 7 months. It's only you. You know why?" He asks.

I shake my head, trying to control these bloody tears.

"Because my heart chose you. Now you are in my heart and as we need the heart to live, now I need you to live. And having this baby will just be a bonus." He declares.

"Now don't just sit there like a statue." He chides.

When he said that, then I realized, I'm sitting still. So I leap forward and hug him.

The impact of my force caused us to fall on the bed. With me on top, I lay a scorching kiss on his lips.

"I don't need an I love you after what you said, it is the best confession. And to be honest, after banging you, I couldn't forget you too." I announce.

"I think we are the only people in the world who loved each other because we couldn't forget each other after having sex." He mumbles with a chuckle. Hearing it, I join him and our laughter resonates in my room.

"I love banging you." He teases.

"I love banging you too," I say and lean in to kiss.

Then one thing led to another,

Do I need to explain more?

__________________________________

Maanya POV

"Arhaan! Wait" I call after him.

"Go back Maanya!" He asserts descending the stairs. I follow him and when I reach him, I clasp his hand.

"What?!" He implores.

"Please, don't go like this. I will talk to Paakhi." I assure.

"Okay, but I can't sit here, I need to go see Viren." He says.

I nod and watch him walking towards his car. Before entering, I see him retrieving his phone and talking.

His demeanor shift to raging. I see him shouting at someone, to hear better, I take steps forward.

But till the time I reach there, he has hunged up and is now clenching and unclenching his fist in rage.

"Hey?" I ask gently.

He looks at me and then away.

I feel hurt.

"Arhaan? Did I do something?" I ask scared.

"No! But you can." He asserts.

"What?" I ask unsure.

"Do you love me?" He asks taking my hands into his.

"Of course I do!" I say feeling hurt.

"Will you marry me?" He asks urgently.

"Huh?!" I ask stunned.

"What? What are you saying?" I ask unsure.

"Do you love me enough to marry me now without asking me questions?" He begs.

I see vulnerability in his eyes and automatically my head moves up and down.

"I will but first promise me, you will tell me everything later. And after this no more secrets." I ask.

His eyes instantly lit up and he tugs me towards himself.

"What if I say, that after this I will not have any money, we might have to start our life from scratch?" His voice sounded unsure.

"Then I'll say that I will support you in each step," I mumble. I don't know what happened to him to ask me to marry him urgently. But I will always be with him.

"Let's go!" He says tugging me towards his car.

"Where are we going?" I ask worriedly.

"To the temple." He announces and starts driving.

"What about Aditi and Paakhi? Can't I tell them?" I ask apprehensively.

"We will tell them after our marriage." He answers.

I nod and look outside the window to calm myself.

"Look, you don't have to do this if you are not ready. I'm sorry." He mumbles stopping the car.

"Hey, it's okay. I love you and if you want to get married now, I'm fine. I just want you to be happy." I acknowledge looking at him.

"But what about your happiness? I want you to enjoy like all other brides." He asserts.

"Being with you makes me happy and anyway, I don't want a big wedding. I always wanted a small gathering or so." I admit.

"But tell me why right now? Is there something you are not telling me?" I ask seriously.

"Now people know who you are and they will do every research about you. And before your past comes out, I want everyone to know that you are mine. When you become Maanya Arhaan Singh, no one will dare to tarnish your name. " he explains.

"Everyone will know?" I ask afraid.

"Just as we get married, I will get a word out that every detail about your past should disappear. You will become Maanya Arhaan Singh and no one will know anything then." His reasoning sounds valid. I don't want my past to destroy my happiness.

"We should get married soon then." I agree.

He nods and we drive towards the temple.

Taking my hand we ascend the stairs together and ask a priest to get us married.

After insisting that we are not doing anything wrong he agrees and asks us to wait for 30 minutes.

"I feel so happy," Arhaan whispers when we are alone.

"Me too, a little bit nervous and happy," I say with a smile.

"Who will be our witness?" I ask after a few minutes.

"My Cousin!" He says, just as we hear, "This is too exciting for me." A guy with long locks and boyish charm says walking towards us.

I recognize him from Pari's birthday party.

"Coming to India, I never thought the first thing I will be doing is seeing you get married. And that too an eloped wedding." His words made me blush hard.

"Thanks, man, for coming on such short notice." Arhaan acknowledges hugging him.

"Is it because of Uncle-"

"Yes, it is because of media," Arhaan cuts him off. That is so unlike him.

"Okay," his cousin looks strangely at him.

"So, Hi Bhabhi (sister-in-law), I'm Alam." He says taking my hand and placing a kiss.

My cheeks flare when I hear him calling me Bhabhi.

"I must say, bro, you hit a jackpot." His cousin says slapping Arhaan on his back.

Arhaan nods with a Cheshire smile causing me to pinch him.

He looks down at me and stops smiling when I pass him a scowl.

"So let me check up on the preparations," Alam says walking away.

"How did you get him here? I never see you call anyone?" I question.

"Before exiting the car, I texted him. I knew only he will come here without any questions." He explains.

I nod and take a deep breath when he says, "let's go, They are calling for us."

Every step towards the Mandap, ( a sacred tent/ place where Hindu ceremonies take place.) My heartbeat increase.

I don't know how the ceremony went on because my mind was busy playing remembrances from my childhood to today. Remembering my past, and then seeing Arhaan beside me, I feel my hate, my grief, my pain burning in the holy fire in front of me. Today I will let go of everything from my past and move on to my future with the person who loves me. Remembering the day, when I first met Arhaan, I feel tears pool in my eyes. A few months back I never thought I would be meeting a man who will become a world to me. I never thought I will fall in love. But look at me now sitting here, looking into Arhaan's eyes as he applies betrothal sindoor (vermillion) on my forehead. With every chant, our bond becomes stronger and stronger.

"I promise to always keep you happy and stand with you." He whispers into my ear.

I feel my heart swell with love.

"Congratulations guys, I hope both of you have a successful and prosperous life ahead. Together!" Alam congratulates.

Arhaan hugs him and I nod my thanks.

"You guys leave, I will look after everything here," Alam says, referring to giving money and all.

Arhaan nod and tug me towards his car.

We are walking when his phone ring, he picks it up and with a big smile reply, "on the way, don't worry, what I have will surprise you all."

"Why are you behaving so strangely?" I ask him after we adjust in his car.

"You will know," he replies, taking his garland off of his neck and putting it in the backseat.

"Where are we going? " I ask following his actions and taking mine off.

"To Singh Mansion and after that I will take you to buy you a ring and A mangal sutra." (it is a necklace that the groom ties around the bride's neck in the Indian subcontinent, it is a symbol of marriage that the wife is meant to wear all her life indicating the love and commitment the husband and wife have towards each other.)

Hearing about the mangal sutra, my hand instinctively reaches my neck and I skim my fingers on it. I'm a married woman now!

"What are you thinking?" I hear Arhaan ask.

"I can't really believe we just got married," I admit with a grin.

"Believe it, my love, because starting from this minute you are mine and only mine." He declares, grabbing my hand and squeezing it.

"What about your family? What will they say?" I ask frightened.

"My mom and aunt love you, what else matters!" He replies with a grin.

Hearing this my heart calm a bit.

"What about others?" I further ask.

"Does it even matter?" He retorts.

"Of course it does, it's your family," I reprimand. He is behaving differently today.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a bit disturbed." He apologizes.

"What is disturbing you?" I ask worriedly.

"You'll find out, come." He says, parking his car in the driveway and exiting the car.

I take a deep breath and exit the car.

"Here, hold it." He says, giving me my garland.

"Are you ready?" He asks looking me into my eyes and grabbing one of my hands.

I nod and squeeze his hand, feeling he needs more reassurance than me. I don't know what I'm expecting to happen from now on. But entering the Singh Mansion, I never expected such a large gathering.

There are almost 15 people in the room. All looking at us, or me.

"Arhaan?" Mrs.Singh asks walking towards us.

"What is-"

"Everyone, please meet my wife, Maanya Arhaan Singh." He declares, cutting his mother off.

I see him looking directly at his father, who is sitting stoically.

"When? Why?" Mrs.Singh asks looking at us.

I feel nervous under such scrutinizing gazes.

"For when, just an hour ago and for why, ask dad," Arhaan replies Disrespectfully.

"Manav? Can someone please tell me what is happening?" Mrs.Singh asks frantically.

"Darling, our son is just pranking us. Arhaan, enough of it, come here and meet our guests." Mr.Singh responds in a jolly way.

I feel my heartbeat increase, a prank?!

"Oh dad, I'm not pranking, Maanya and I just got married " he replies with a sly smile.

I feel very uncomfortable right now, this man seems nothing like my Arhaan.

"And for our guests, I would requests, Ms.Rosie to bring out some sweets. To celebrate my marriage." He says looking at a lady standing at the side.

"Enough Arhaan! What is wrong with you?" One of the ladies announces, standing up. She seems familiar.

"Wrong with me? What did I do?" He asks dramatically.

"Marrying the woman I love is wrong? Why Aunty?" He asks furiously.

"Because she is not of our standard." His Aunt reprimand.

Hearing her I feel tears pool in my eyes.

"Reshma!" Mrs.Singh chide.

"What? Am I wrong? She doesn't have a family, nor is she well educated. How can we wed her to my well-educated nephew?" She retorts assessing me from up to down.

"Who says she doesn't have a family?" I hear a familiar voice, causing me to whirl and look into the raging eyes of my one only Aditi.

"I'm her family!" She says coming forward and standing beside me. I look at her with watery eyes and she nodded in assurance.

"Aunty! You have no right to talk to my wife like this." Arhaan announces menacingly.

"You'll talk to me like that? For this woman?" She asks hurt.

What is happening here?

"Aunty..."

"I'm not your Aunty! Call me Ma'am. Women like you are just manipulating and cunning, who manipulate innocent men like my Arhaan." She halts me in between and criticizes me.

"Mom? What are you saying?" Maira says walking towards her mother.

"You stay out of this!" Her mother scolds her, causing her to take a step back.

"I know how to handle such woman." She says looking at me.

"Really? How? How do you handle them? By insulting them? Or by giving them a character certificate?" Aditi implore.

I feel like digging a hole and burying myself into it. Why my mouth won't open and speak for myself.

"Girl, you stay out of it. You are no one to say anything." Aunty tells her.

"Why?" She retorts daringly.

"Do you even know what this girl did? She manipulated my nephew in marriage with her." She blames.

"I love her and it was my decision to get married." Arhaan exclaim again.

"Bhai, will you stand there and see him insulting me?" She stomps towards Mr.Singh and asks.

"Arhaan apologize to your Aunt right away!" He implores standing up and glaring at Arhaan.

"I have to take my wife to my room," he says instead and tugs me around.

"Stop!" The voice resonates in the whole room.

"We have seen enough of your attitude, now apologize to everyone and come meet Shreya." He demands.

"And our driver will take you both home." He further adds staring right at me.

I feel Arhaan's grip tighten on my hand.

"We just came to inform you guys, now we'll be on our way to start our new beginnings." He proclaims, tugging me towards the door.

"Wait!" I hear Mrs.Singh exclaim.

"Don't leave, this is your house. And I need to welcome my daughter properly." She says grabbing my other hand.

The tears I was trying to hold for a long time now fall continuously.

"Tanvi! What do you think you are doing?" Mr.Singh implores.

"Accepting my son's choice, now I get it why he did what he did. I never accepted that from you Manav." She grimaces at her husband.

"Riya, Maira, please take Maanya and Aditi upstairs, and take care of them." She urges them.

I take a look at Arhaan and see him nodding at me. With a deep breath, I leave him alone and follow the girls upstairs.

______________________________________________________

Arhaan POV

"Mo-"

"Both of you to the office, now!" She cuts me in between and walks away.

I look at my father and see him glaring at me. I ignore him and follow mom to dad's office.

Walking in, I see her sitting behind the desk in a boss lady mode.

Dad enters the room, a second later and stands beside me.

"Now tell me from the start what happened?" She asserts staring at me.

I look at dad and then again at mom and tell her all about my conversation with dad at his office a few days ago.

"But today when he called and said, He's waiting for me with a surprise. And then in the background, I heard Aunty Reshma saying that Shreya will make a great life partner for me, I lost it. I asked or rather pushed Maanya to marry me instantly. " I inform her.

"What do you mean by pushed her? Did you force her to marry you?" She implores.

"I...I asked her if she loves me enough to marry me without any questions." I mumbled looking at the floor. Now after my anger subsided, I feel guilty.

"Oh boy!" My dad whisper looking sad.

I look up to blame him when mom interferes and announce, "You are the reason for all this mess. Why did you do that?"

"After you told me that our son is in love with Maanya, I had a brief investigation done on her. And after knowing her past, I thought she will only taint our reputation." He murmurs.

"Manav! How could you?" Mom proclaim shocked.

"And whatever her past is, we can't judge her for that. She loves our son and he loves her too. We should support them. You are not somebody who characterizes someone. She is a nice girl, I know that and I support both of them." She acknowledges.

"I know, I just-" he takes a deep breath and looks away.

"You what dad?" I pry. I want to know why dad would do this. Because he has always been a supportive parent.

"Please dad, tell us," I beg.

He shakes his head in denial, but the look of begging on mu face compels him to tell.

"Because I don't want you to repeat the same mistake as Viren. I don't want to lose my other son too." He cries out.

Mom instantly stands up and rushes to his side. She wound her arms around him and he nuzzles her close.

I slowly retreat and gently close the door behind me.

As I turn around, I see Viren standing there with glossy eyes.

Just as our eyes meet, his expression fades away. He must have heard what dad said.

"He didn't mean-"

"I was just coming up to tell mom and dad, that I have to go to New York." He notifies and walks away.

"Viren!" I call after him but he had left.

The door to my side opens, and mom hurry outside.

"I heard Viren? Did he hear that?" She asks terrified.

I nod and she slumps, if not for dad's support she would have fallen.

"He said, he's going to New York." I further notify.

"Why?!" She cries out.

"I'll talk to him," I mumble and walk towards his room.

Nearing his door, I knock and enter.

I see him browsing his file.

"Why are you going?" I ask softly.

"I have work, somethings happened there, they need me." he rambles.

"Please don't go..." I say unable to control my tears.
Say it our twin connection or anything, but I can feel his pain. I can see my brother is suffering, he's trying to control his emotions.

"Hey, I'm okay, they really need me. Please let me go." His voice breaks too when he hugs me.

"I really need to get away right now, I will be back. I promise." He further adds.

I can understand his pain, and I think it is the right decision for him to go away for a while.

He steps backs and I nod in agreement.

He passes me a smile and gets back to his file cabinet. He is making work his priority to forget about Paakhi.

Paakhi, I never thought she will be the one to break my brother completely. When she came into our lives, I thought she is the one for my brother but I was wrong.

I hope he meets someone on the trip. And his life changed for the better.

"When are you leaving?" I ask standing back.

"Tonight, around 3." He replies and gets back to packing his files.

"I will send someone to back your clothes," I announce and walk away.

"Did you talk to him? Is he going because of your dad?" Mom asks frantically.

Seeing her in distress hurts, so I lie, "No mom, he didn't hear us. He's just going for some work. He'll be returning soon."

"Oh thank God, I can't live this time knowing my son will not return." She huffs and takes a relaxing whiff of air.

"Now let's go to the living room and celebrate." She exclaims tugging me to the living room.

Entering the living room, I see Aunty Palak and my cousins gushing looking at my wife.

Seeing a smile on her face my worries for a second disappear.

"Congratulations son," Uncle Dev, say patting me on back.

Shaurya comes forward and hugs me.
"Congratulations bhai! Never thought I would see the day when you will get married." He teases, causing everyone in the room to laugh.

"I'm sorry son, I'm happy for you," Dad says hugging me.

I smile and hug him back. What he did was in fear of losing his son. How can I blame him?

"By the way Bhai? Who was your witness?" Riya asks curiously.

"Me, who else in this family is as trustworthy as me?" Alam exclaims, causing everyone to tease him.

Taking this opportunity, I go towards the window and look outside. How can I celebrate this day? I have never thought the day I get married the same day I will lose my brother again.

"Hey," I hear the soothing voice of my wife.

"Are you okay?" She asks caressing my face.
I lean into her touch and feel a sense of peace.

"Are you?" I asked taking her hand and caressing it.

"Earlier I was not, but now, I'm more than okay." She admits with a smile.

Seeing her smile, a smile takes over my face.

"Thank you!" I confess.

"For what?" She asks confuse.

"For marrying me, I didn't tell you that but my dad had you investigated." Her face goes white.

"After knowing your past he refused to accept us." I further tell.

"But right now, he came to me and blessed me." She asks hurt.

"Yeah, because he understood his mistake. He was just looking after me. I know I can't justify his action but I hope you forgive him." I ask hopefully.

She looks away and after few seconds, looking at me she says, "I forgive him. He was just looking after his family and for the record, he didn't say anything to me."

I leap forward and hug her, "Aunty Reshma is like this only, she just speaks without thinking. Don't take her words to your heart." I assure her.

"You love birds, we are hungry! Come fast." Aditi's voice reaches my ears.

Maanya slips back and looks in the direction of the hall entry.
Then I notice that we are alone in the living room.

"Where is everyone?" I asked taking her hand and following her.

"To the dining hall, we all are having a late lunch. You must be in deep thought to ignore Riya's announcement." She informs with a chuckle.

Entering the dinner hall, I pull out the seat for her first and then take a seat beside her.

"So now you guys are married, but you can't just start living together," Mom announces.

"What?!" I accidentally shout, causing everyone to chuckle.

"There are some rituals we have to perform for your prosperous married life. For that, we need a day or two." She informs.

"A day or two?" I ask appalled.

"Yes we have to wait for Pallavi, she'll be returning tomorrow morning." She responds, assessing staff, who is serving food.

"And till then Maanya will live with her friends." She completes her sentence.

"Is it okay dear?" She asks Maanya.

I look at her and prompt her to object. Knowing that she's my wife, I cant spend a night without her. And they are talking about two!

"Okay, Mrs.Singh." hearing her reply, I frown at her. Traitor.

"Mom, not Mrs.Singh. You are my daughter now." Mom tells her.

"Call Viren," Mom asks one of the maids,

"Wait, take his food to his room, he is busy packing." I interfere.

"Packing for what?" Shaurya asks shocked

"He's flying to New York, tonight." Hearing this I hear simultaneous slamming of three spoons.

Everyone glance at Aditi, Maanya, and Shaurya.

"Why?" Shaurya asks getting up.

"He has work," I explain.

"Bloody hell. If you didn't stop him. I will!" He proclaims and storms off.

"It's okay everyone, please continue," Dad announces.

"Bhai, by the way, you insulting my guests was very wrong." Aunty Reshma interjects,Causing mom to groan lightly.

I look at her and see her making a face at Aunty.
You can say my mom and my aunt do not have a very friendly relationship.

And now the scene begins...

______________________________________________________

Hey, lovelies!!

What's up? How are you?

So how's the update?

And one more thing please point out the mistake if you see one because sometimes some skip my sight.

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