RUDRANSH'S POV

I know I owe Vanya some answers. She must have a thousand questions, and honestly, I have my own. But first, I need to be sure she’s okay—calm, not weighed down by every thought and worry.

When she smiles, she looks almost ethereal, like someone untouched by the world’s harsh edges.

Watching her sleep in the car, it felt like no one knows to sleep elegantly; even the way she sleeps is somehow beautiful. Not just the pouty lips or those sparkling eyes—it's that little glare she gives me, eyebrows pinched. I love that look.

Right now, she’s on the balcony talking to Aarahi, having a serious conversation. I hope Aarahi can help her clear some of her worries. After that, it’ll be my turn.

She steps back into the room, still carrying that serious expression. Her gaze meets mine, steady and sharp, and it feels like a punch to my chest. She's standing in front of me now, arms crossed, eyebrows drawn together. I can’t look away.

"What?" she says, breaking the silence.

I grin, letting a hint of teasing slip in. "I’m just looking at the most beautiful girl in the world. What are you doing, Vanya?"

She breaks eye contact, and I can see a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She’s flustered, and it makes me want to smile even more.

"Sit down," I say, gesturing to the bed. "I need to tell you something."

She sits but keeps her distance, arms crossed defiantly as if she doesn’t fully trust me yet. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what makes her so captivating.

I kept my expression serious, looking directly at her. "Vanya, I know about your past," I started. "I’m glad your scars have faded, and to me, you are the most beautiful girl in the world. I know you didn’t get the chance to study, and that doesn’t bother me at all. You’re perfect just as you are. But I’ve arranged for a teacher to come and help you learn the basics so that you can feel more confident…”

Before I could finish, Vanya burst into laughter—full, genuine laughter that shook her shoulders and had her holding her stomach. She was laughing so hard she had to pace back and forth to catch her breath.

I watched, her cuteness is making me wild now, my own confusion growing. What did I say that was so funny?

I reached out, gently holding her by the shoulders to steady her. “Vanya, why are you laughing?” I asked, my tone soft but genuinely curious.

She was still chuckling, her cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling as she tried to compose herself. “Oh, Rudransh,” she gasped between giggles, “my cheeks hurt, my stomach—oh god, this is too funny rudransh!”

I sat beside her, folding my arms and giving her a patient look. “Alright, Mrs. Vanya Rudransh Tanwar, if your ‘oh god, Rudransh’ moment is over, would you mind explaining what’s so funny? Then you can laugh at me all you want.”

Vanya took a deep breath, finally calming down. “Who told you that I’m illiterate, that I have scars, or that I have some painful past?” she asked, still grinning.

I stared at her, my mouth slightly open, completely at a loss for words.

She sat up straight, crossing her legs in front of me, her adorable confidence making me feel a rush of emotions I could barely control.

She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint, and said, “Mr. Rudransh Tanwar, first of all, I don’t have any painful past. Sure, Mateshwari scolds me a lot, but I still love her. It’s all fine.”

The way she spoke, with her cute little accent, was almost too much for me. I bit back a smile as she continued.

“Second,” she said, moving even closer, her face just inches from mine, “do I look like someone with scars?” She raised an eyebrow, challenging me to find a single flaw.

“I don’t have any scars! Well, except for the occasional crazy pimple, but I have the best skincare routine.” She added that last part with so much pride that I couldn’t help but smile.

After about two minutes of laughing, Vanya said, “Miss Vanya Rawat is the best cabin crew member of the most reputed airline in the world. I also have a master’s degree in psychology, so technically, I’m a psychologist—even if I’m not currently practicing. Now, any more doubts, or should I show you my certificates too?”

Her words hit me hard. I was speechless, trying to process everything, caught off guard by how utterly wrong I’d been.

Breaking into my thoughts, Vanya added, “Wait, wait, wait… Is this why you were acting like a psycho from day one of our marriage?”

I glared at her for calling me a psycho, but she just smirked.

“So, instead of asking me directly, you decided to play classic ‘Rudransh,’ isn’t it?”

I let out a sigh, guilt in my voice as I replied, “I misunderstood, and I’m sorry for that. Yes, that was why I acted that way. Anyone might react similarly if they were suddenly married to someone they hadn’t chosen, under assumptions like those. But I never intended to treat you poorly—I only wanted to help. I’m truly sorry, Vanya.”

She huffed, stomped her foot, and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

I knew she was upset, and I promised myself I’d find a way to mend things and make up for my mistakes. But first, I had to get to the bottom of this mix-up.

I went straight to Taiji and asked, with a tone sharper than I intended, “Taiji, why did you lie to me? "
I’ve always respected her but I need an answer

She looked at me, startled, and then sighed, “Son, I swear, I didn’t know things would turn out like this. The girl originally chosen for you… well, she did have scars and was uneducated. But when Bua Sa arranged the proposal, I wasn’t there, and I didn’t realize Vanya had been selected instead. I’m truly sorry for the misunderstanding…”

I cut her off gently, softening my tone. “There’s no need to apologize, Taiji. It was just a mix-up, and it’s done now.”

She nodded, and I told her to get some rest. After all, it was late.

Returning to my room, I looked around, realizing Vanya wasn’t there. A moment of panic hit me as I searched every corner of the house, wondering where she might have gone.

Then I finally found her on the backyard, standing under the stars, lost in thought.

She looked so delicate yet fierce, her arms crossed, still clearly upset. I took a deep breath and approached her cautiously, not wanting to make things worse.

“Vanya,” I called out gently. She turned to look at me, her expression unreadable. I could see the hurt in her eyes, and it made my chest tighten.

She didn’t respond, just stared at me, waiting. I took a few steps closer, stopping when I was just an arm's length away.

“I know I messed up. I should have spoken to you instead of assuming things. I understand now how hurtful that must have been,” I admitted, my voice sincere. “You deserve better, and I promise to make it right.”

She let out a small sigh, her gaze softening just a bit. “Do you even realize how ridiculous this has all been? You judged me before you even knew me. And all because of a misunderstanding?”

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. “I see that now. And I’m truly sorry, Vanya. I want us to have a fresh start, to make things right between us if you’re willing to give me a chance.”

She looked away, her expression thoughtful, before finally meeting my gaze. “A fresh start?” she echoed, as if testing the words.

I nodded, reaching out my hand to her. “A fresh start, with no assumptions, no judgments.”

After a moment's hesitation, she said ," I need some time to think".

I said with excitement ", Sure Vanya, I will try hard to earn you back ."

She didn't reacted and just left .

When I came back to our room carrying a bowl of ice cream, hoping it would help ease Vanya’s mind, I found her and Twisha sitting on the bed, excitedly looking at something on the laptop.

I cleared my throat and said, “Does anyone want ice cream?”

Twisha immediately jumped up, snatching the whole bowl from me, and went back to whatever they were doing without a second glance in my direction.

Curious, I asked, “What are you both up to?”

Twisha grinned and replied, “Bhaisa, the day after tomorrow is your reception. We’re shopping!”

Oh right, the reception—I'd nearly forgotten with everything that’s been happening. Now, thinking about it, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement too.

Twisha glanced at me and asked, “Bhaisa, any color preferences?”

I shrugged and said, “Whatever your bhabhi picks.”

Vanya glanced up at me briefly but then focused back on the screen, ignoring my presence.

Figuring they had everything under control, I left for the study to make a few work calls and arrange final details for the reception. I needed to look into some construction projects in Bagru that required my attention, so I opened my laptop to review the plans.

After about an hour, I returned to the room to find both Vanya and Twisha fast asleep, the laptop still open beside them. Smiling to myself, I carefully closed the laptop, covered them both with a comforter, and switched off the light.

As I headed to another room to sleep, I silently hoped I’d soon find a way to calm down my angry bird.