Agastya POV:-

I am standing downstairs eagerly waiting for Naina as few people have gone to bring her down.

And there she is coming down with slow steps and I couldn't help but keep looking at her.

How gorgeous she is looking in the red benarasi saree.

Some girls out there giggling seeing my mouth open reaction but I don't care..apne hone wale biwi kohi toh dekh rahi hu...kya galat hai??

All the time she was looking down. I forwarded my hand to help her and she slowly gave her hand.

Naina's POV:-.

I looked at Agastya as he extended his hand towards me, his eyes full of warmth and expectation. Without any other choice, I placed my trembling hand in his.

We both sat down as the priest started doing the ritual chanting mantras..

I could feel him staring at me all the time.

"You're looking beautiful, Naina," he whispered, his voice so soft, it felt like it was meant just for me.

Startled, I glanced at him, meeting his eyes briefly before he broke into a wide, affectionate smile-a smile that any other bride would melt under. But not me. I forced a smile in return, knowing it didn't reach my eyes.

Author's POV:-

The priest then announced for them to rise and prepare for the pheras. As they stood, Agastya held her hand firmly
His grip was full of assurance and devotion, but her remained limp, unresponsive.

It was as if he was the only one truly present, truly engaged, while she felt like an observer in her own wedding. Every step she took around the sacred fire felt like she was being led, not by love, but by obligation.

With each turn, the weight of her decision pressed harder on her chest.

As the pheras concluded, the priest signaled the final and most symbolic part-the sindoor daan. The moment that would seal her fate.

Agastya, with a tenderness that both comforted and suffocated me, picked up the pinch of vermilion and leaned in to fill her maang.

Naina's POV

I instinctively closed my eyes, as if by doing so I could block out the reality of it all. But reality hit harder than ever.

A lone tear escaped from the corner of my eye, not out of joy, but in guilt.

What am I doing? I thought bitterly, my heart aching with the weight of my deception.

Agastya, who loved me with all his heart, was completely unaware that I was standing there not out of love, but because I had no courage to say no.

The guilt surged through me like a wave, overwhelming, as I realized how much I was betraying both him and myself.

Author's POV:

As the priest finally declared them husband and wife, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of completion. Agastya and Naina, now bound together by sacred vows, moved to take blessings from their elders.

But soon, the inevitable moment of the vidaai arrived. Naina, clinging to her parents, began to cry softly, her tears speaking the unspoken grief of parting. Agastya, though trying to remain composed, couldn't stop his own eyes from welling up.

Her father, struggling to hold back his own sorrow, reached out, his voice trembling,

"Beta, I know you will take care of my daughter, but still... Please, always keep her happy."

Agastya quickly took his father-in-law's hand, gently lowering it.

"Papa, aap ye kya kar rahe hain... please, don't fold your hands like this. I promise, you will never have any complaints from me. I will always keep her happy," he said, offering a small yet sincere smile.

Naina's silent tears flowed as she watched the exchange.

With heavy hearts and tear-filled eyes, they bid farewell to the newlyweds. The car engine roared to life, carrying them away from the familiar and into the unknown future.

The door to Agastya's home opened wide, revealing his family eagerly waiting with the aarti thali. The soft glow of the diya reflected on their faces, all of them beaming with joy.

Agastya's mother was the first to step forward, performing the traditional aarti to welcome the newlyweds into their home. After the rituals, she fed sweets to both of us, her eyes full of love and pride.

Agastya's mother cups Naina's cheeks lovingly, 'Kitni pyaari lag rahi hain bacha. Welcome to our home'

Naina smiles seeing her loving gesture.Then Agastya's bhabhi Sanjh took her in a hug.

'Aajse mujhe bhi ek pyaari behan mil gayi... tujhe kabhi bhi kuch bhi madad chahiye toh har samay is didi k paas chali aana' she says chuckling kissing her forhead.

Agastya, standing nearby, grinned, clearly happy that the women in his life were welcoming her with open arms.

'Are Naina tera hi biwi h mera bhai..kahi nahi jaa rahi woh...ab toh use ghoorna band kar de' Aviraj commented keeping his hand on his shoulder..

'Bhai...!!!' he whines .

His ears turn pink as he shouted loudly gaining everyone attention.

Naina eye's widens turning her cheek pink as she looked down.

After then Sanjh took Naina to his room. It their wedding night.

Naina glanced at his room. It was fully decorated with rose petals and scented candles.The smell of the roses is suffocating her.

'Tu yaha abhi baeth, mera devar bas ate hi honge...' she says giggling.

She nods her head whispering a small thankyou.

'Ab apne didi ko hi thank you bolegi ?? Aur haa waha ek glass doodh rakha hain..half tu Pina ..aur half apne patidev ko dena ok. It's a ritual ' she says with a wink before leaving the room.

Agastya's POV:-

I stood outside the door, my heart racing. For some reason, I felt nervous. After all, tonight marked the beginning of a new chapter-not just as best friends, but as husband and wife. But I reminded myself that just because we were married now didn't mean our equation would change. I would still be her best friend, just as I had always been.

With that thought, I pushed the door open, ready to talk to her about the day, to share my excitement.

But the moment I stepped inside, my enthusiasm faltered. The room was cleaned, the rose petals gone, the candles snuffed out. The scent of jasmine and roses was still lingering faintly, but everything else had been erased.

And there, on the bed, Naina was already asleep, her back turned to me. She had changed out of her bridal attire into a plain salwar kameez. She hadn't even waited for me.

I stood there, feeling a strange pang of disappointment,since our marriage time, she didn't said a word to me ,she was all silent throught the ritual and now this though I quickly brushed it aside. Maybe she was just exhausted.It had been a long, overwhelming day.

I knelt down beside her, gently brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "Shayad bohot thak gayi hain," I whispered softly, trying to convince myself that this was normal.

Still, a part of me couldn't help but feel a little hurt. I had hoped for a conversation, for a moment to share with her.

But I pushed the feeling aside. "Koi baat nahi Agastya... kal baat kar lena abhi toh pura zindagi baaki hai," I murmured to myself, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before heading to the bathroom to change.

With that I goes inside the washroom to change into regular clothes.

On the other hand, Naina open her tear filled eyes. She was wide awake.

'How will I spend my entire life when I don't even consider you as my husband Agastya?? I can never able to give you the husband's right, that's why I act like sleeping. I am sorry.' she thought in her mind.

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