VANYA'S pov

Marriage had always felt like a distant concept, something I never truly imagined for myself—especially after having my heart broken once before.

Yet, here I was, stepping into a bond with a man I barely knew, all for the sake of my family’s wishes.

After the rituals ended, I touched my parents’ feet, feeling the weight of goodbye in every step.

They had always been my home, my safe place, but now that home felt like it was slipping away.

As we rode to Rudransh’s house, I could feel his presence beside me, yet it was the distance between us that felt so overwhelming.
It made me realize that I was no longer my father’s little princess or Mateshwari’s precious doll.

I was stepping into a role with responsibilities I wasn’t sure I was ready for. My tiny sobs were the only release I had for all the uncertainty and fear swirling inside me.

When we finally reached his house, I looked up at the massive mansion before me—decorated with flowers and lights, grand and unfamiliar.

It was stunning, but it only reminded me of how everything in my life was changing. The weight of my veil and the heavy lehenga felt like the weight of the new life I was about to enter.

At the grand entrance, his family waited eagerly: my mother-in-law, father-in-law, Dadi Sa, Twisha, and some other people with some servents.

Their faces were filled with joy, so warm and welcoming, yet I felt a pang of longing for my parents and the comfort of my old life.

This was my new family, my new home. I hoped I’d be able to live up to the expectations and find happiness here, even if it was going to take everything in me to make it work.

As I stood at the doorway, nerves tightened my chest, with everyone watching me.

Dadi sa stepped forward, took a bundle of cash, circled it over our heads for good fortune, and handed it to a servant, saying warmly, “Our Laxmi has finally arrived home.”

Her words filled me with a sense of warmth and acceptance.

Twisha and Tejveer then came over with a playful smile. She said ,“Bhabhi sa, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this special part of Bhau aagman ritual !

Tejveer said ," Welcome bhabhi saa , Bhai sa is my favourite but now I'm in your team".
I smiled at his words.

Then she looked at rudransh and said Bhai sa, if you want to enter with your beautiful wife, you’ll have to pay up.”

I watched from the corner of my eye as Rudransh handed her a check .
She then jumped like a little girl who got some candy and Tejveer hugged him in excitement after which rudransh looks annoyed.

But I don't know why he seems to be good brother.

And finally, we were allowed to enter.

With a kind smile, Maa sa welcomed me. “Thank you, Vanya beta, for coming into our home and lighting it up.”

She performed our aarti, while the ladies around us sang a traditional welcome song.

Then, with a gentle gesture, she instructed, “Now take five steps and overturn this pot of rice and coins. It’s a symbol of prosperity and fertility.”

I moved forward, Twisha helping lift my heavy lehenga, and tipped the pot as instructed.

Next, she presented a bowl of red dye. “Dip your feet in this and leave your mark on the cloth. It’s believed that these auspicious steps will bring blessings to our home.” I followed her instructions, feeling the weight of this symbolic gesture.

Afterward, she led us to the puja room.
Inside, six steel plates and a bowl were lined up neatly.

Maa sa asked Rudransh to nudge the plates with his sword, which he did.

Then she turned to me. “Vanya beta, pick each plate without making a sound, and stack them one on top of another.”

I carefully picked them up, one by one, and Twisha playfully teased, “Bhabhi sa, be careful not to make a sound!

Ragini Tai sa said ," Sambhal ke Bahu rani any noise would bring disharmony."

I managed to complete the task quietly and handed the plates to Maa sa, who gave an approving smile.

Maa sa then had me touch ghee and jaggery, and I placed my hands over bags of money—blessings for prosperity.

We completed the rituals by lighting a diya in front of the family deity.

Back in the hall, Dadi sa announced, “It’s late, and everyone must be tired. We’ll continue with the rest of the rituals tomorrow. Vanya should get some rest.”

Maa sa nodded. “Twisha, take Vanya to her room, and I’ll have her dinner sent there.”

Twisha, thrilled, added, “Maa sa, if Bhabhi sa and Bhai sa aren’t allowed to sleep together , can I stay with Bhabhi sa tonight?”

Dadi sa said ," They are allowed to share room after pagphera rasam so yes twisha sleep with Vanya so that she will not feel alone.

Twisha hugged me in excitement.

Just then, Rudransh’s father approached. As I bent to touch his feet, he stopped me gently and handed me a small box.

“Daughters are like Laxmi, and I’m blessed to have two now. From now on, call me Baapu sa, like Twisha does.”

His words brought tears to my eyes, and when he hugged me, I felt a wave of comfort, though it reminded me of how much I’d miss my own father.

We finally reached my room, which was grand and luxurious.
Exhausted, I changed into a soft pink sari, grateful to leave the weight of my bridal attire behind.

Twisha had already settled in, changed into her night clothes, and as I freshened up, I saw her waiting with excitement.

Dinner was brought to us, filled with my favorites—kadhai paneer, gobhi masala, kachori, puri, rice, and kheer.

But I could barely eat; my appetite had disappeared with all the emotions of the day. I managed a single kachori, coaxed by Twisha’s insistence.

Afterward, we settled onto the bed, and Twisha looked at me, her eyes shining. “I’m so lucky to have a Bhabhi sa as beautiful as the moon.” I couldn’t help but blush.

We stayed up talking, with me sharing stories of places I’d traveled as a cabin crew. Before long, she fell asleep, still smiling. But my heart felt heavy, and sleep escaped me.

I wandered to the balcony, gazing at the stars, wondering if they held any sign of what my future would bring. I hoped this new life would allow me to find happiness and be the daughter-in-law they deserved.

RUDRANSH 'S POV

The entire way back, I could hear her silent sobs, each one stirring an ache in my chest that I didn’t understand.

Maybe it was my emotions getting the best of me, knowing she had gone through a rough past. A part of me wanted to comfort her, to ease her pain—but I held back.
My mind wasn’t ready to let her in, and the walls I’d built wouldn’t come down that easily.

As I reached the doorway, I felt a mix of emotions—some I didn’t fully understand.
Dadi sa performed a ritual, circling cash around us for luck and smiling as she called Vanya “our Laxmi.”

Her words surprised me; it was clear Dadi sa believed Vanya would bring blessings to our family.

As I watched Vanya go through each ritual, I felt uneasy. I respected her as a person, but the idea of her as my wife frustrated me.

How was I supposed to spend my life with someone so different from what I’d imagined? I’d always thought my wife would help with my business, someone who’d fit into my world. But with Vanya, it felt like that hope was fading.

I knew Dadi sa saw something special in her, maybe her strength to overcome tough times. That was likely why she chose Vanya.

But the thought of marrying someone who didn’t fit the life I’d planned left me frustrated and unsure.

One thing was clear—this marriage wouldn’t be anything like I’d expected. With Vanya by my side, I’d have to find a way to make it work.

Then, Twisha and that annoying Tejveer, as usual, teased me for a “bribe” if I wanted to enter with my bride.

I gave them a blank check signed by me, my baby doll sister smiled gracefully that makes me smile too .

But that Tejveer hugged me which makes me nauseous.

Maa sa then thanked Vanya warmly, as though she was some gift for us.

I looked at Vanya. She seemed calm, taking everything in with a quiet confidence.

As we went through the rituals, I noticed Vanya’s patience and calm.
She followed each step gracefully, turning the kalash, marking her footprints, and carefully stacking plates without making a sound.

Twisha joked around and Tai Sa said about disharmony to shake her confidence, but Vanya didn’t get flustered—she simply did what was needed, and it impressed everyone.

Ofcourse she is from bagru village she knows how to handle these customs nothing special.

When we finally moved to the hall, Dadi sa announced that the rest of the rituals would continue tomorrow. I felt a sense of relief; it had already been an overwhelming day.

Before we left, my father approached Vanya, stopping her from touching his feet and calling her “our Laxmi.”

He handed her a small box of gold coin and hugged her, and I could see Vanya was moved by his gesture.

It was rare for my father to show much emotion, and it made me realize how quickly Vanya had won them over.

Then, Twisha insisted on staying with Vanya in her room, laughing and pulling her along.

I watched them disappear down the hallway, feeling strangely unsettled.

I hadn’t expected this marriage to be more than a formality, but now it felt like my whole life was shifting.

It was 2 a.m., and despite the exhausting day, sleep was nowhere in sight.
I slipped off my sherwani, feeling weighed down by more than just the fabric.

A cold shower seemed like the only relief from this pounding headache and the endless thoughts swirling in my mind.

Standing under the icy water, I felt a brief sense of calm as it hit my tense muscles, soothing the fire within.

Afterward, I changed into a simple white t-shirt and pants, trying to shake off the restlessness.

When I returned to the room, I noticed a covered plate of food left for me, but I had no appetite.

I asked someone to take it away, knowing nothing could ease the churning thoughts tonight.

Out on the balcony, the chill of the night air felt like it was pushing back against the heat of my frustration.

Staring up at the stars, I realized that my fate was now sealed—with a girl from the village, a stranger chosen without my consent.

She deserved respect, but love? I didn’t see how I could give that to her.
I wasn’t a part of this choice; I wasn’t even told before it was decided.

But now, this was my reality. There was no turning back.

Hey doves🤍
What do u all think about rudransh and Vanya..??