It was already well past midnight. The chaos of the day had finally settled — or maybe I had just pretended to be buried in work long after it actually ended. Either way, I was done now.
With a tired sigh, I stepped outside. The world was eerily quiet, wrapped in silence, the kind that almost makes your own thoughts echo louder. A cool breeze brushed against my face as if trying to shake me awake.
I slid into the driver’s seat of my car, the leather cold beneath me. Without thinking much, I started the engine and drove off toward the mansion. The roads of Jaipur were unfamiliar — this was my first time here, after all — and even though the city was asleep, my mind wasn't.
As I pulled into the mansion’s driveway, the stillness inside the grand walls hit me harder than I expected. My entire family was in Jaipur for the wedding preparations, yet the house felt… empty.
I stepped inside and began walking toward my room when I suddenly heard a familiar voice call out.
“Viyansh...”
I froze in place.
That voice — I hadn’t expected it at this hour.
“Yes… Papa?” I replied, turning slowly.
My father stood there, arms crossed, face calm but stern.
“What time is it?” he asked.
I glanced down at my watch.
“It’s 2:30 AM.”
He looked at me, disappointment quietly settled in his eyes. “This is what you call coming home? You’re getting married in two days, Viyansh.”
I exhaled slowly, already exhausted from the weight of everything. “Papa, I’ve told you before — don’t expect anything from me.”
“I know, beta,” he said, softer this time, “but… you haven’t even spoken to her. Baat karna toh door ki baat hai, you haven’t even looked at her picture.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.
He stepped a little closer. “Tomorrow is your bachelor’s party. She’s going to be there. All I’m asking is that you talk to her. Just once.”
I shook my head. “I’m not going, Dad.”
But his voice turned sharp again. “You are going, Viyansh. That’s final. And you will speak to her.”
“But—” I tried to argue.
“No more buts.” His words sliced through mine. “I don’t want to hear anything else.”
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with the weight of a decision I never made.
Frustration bubbled in my chest like boiling water. “What the fuck is even happening?” I muttered under my breath.
I stormed into my room, yanking off my coat and tossing it carelessly to the side. My clothes followed, landing wherever they fell — I didn’t care. I just needed to escape, even if it was for a few minutes.
Without another thought, I walked straight into the bathroom, hoping the water might wash off the mess in my head.
Next day at evening
It was already evening, and the room was a mess — filled with open makeup kits, scattered jewellery, and a mountain of dresses lying across the bed. Saanvi stood in front of the mirror, her eyebrows knit together in confusion while Akansha held up a bold, shimmery short dress.
“Wear this one! You’ll look absolutely sexy, I swear,” Akansha chirped with a mischievous grin.
Saanvi stared at the dress in horror, half laughing and half panicking.
“Are you mad? There’s no way I’m wearing that! Look at it! It’s way too short — I’ll barely be able to breathe in this, let alone walk!”
“Oh, come on,” Akansha groaned. “Who says you won’t look good? Just try it once — trust me, babes. You’ll slay.”
Saanvi crossed her arms stubbornly.
“Nope. Not happening. Give me something decent to wear — I’m not comfortable in this at all.”
Akansha rolled her eyes dramatically. “What do you want then? Wear your wedding lehenga? Should I help you carry your dupatta too? It’s a bachelor party, not your bidaai. People wear short dresses to parties like this — it’s the vibe!”
Saanvi sighed. “I know, but I don’t feel like wearing this. And to be honest… I don’t even feel like going. Why don’t we just stay in and celebrate at home instead? It’s not like I’m dying to meet anyone there.”
“Absolutely not!” Akansha shot back instantly. “**We’re going — no debates. It’s your bachelorette party, yaar! Have some fun. And besides… jiju is going to be there too,” she added with a teasing smirk and a nudge.
“Ughhh stop!” Saanvi groaned, burying her face in a cushion.
“Come on, yaar. Wear this dress, look hot, and show up like a queen. First impression matters!” Akansha insisted.
“No way. I’m not wearing this dress. Period.”
Akansha slumped beside her, throwing her hands up in defeat.
“Fine. You’ve ruined the whole mood now.”
They sat in silence for a few moments, the tension light but noticeable — until suddenly, Saanvi sat upright, her eyes lighting up.
“Wait… what if I wear that black saree instead?” she said thoughtfully.
Akansha turned to her, surprised. Then her face lit up.
“Oof! That’ll look killer! Elegant, classy, and hot all at once. Why didn’t we think of that before?”
Saanvi gave a small, excited nod. “Right? It’ll be perfect. I’ll feel more like me in it.”
“Done then! Let’s get ready quickly or we’ll end up walking into the party when it’s already over.” Akansha clapped her hands, jumping to her feet.
In Singhania Mansion
The night was young, but excitement already sparkled in the air as preparations for the grandest bachelor party of the season took shape. The theme was clear and bold — "Black." A symbol of elegance, power, and mystery. And everyone was dressed to kill.
Inside the mansion, the younger crowd was buzzing, putting final touches to their looks for Viyansh’s bachelor party — their eldest brother and the untouchable icon of the family.
Vedaant and Vihan matched the tone effortlessly, both clad in crisp black shirts and fitted trousers, their confidence radiating as they adjusted their watches and grinned at each other like partners in crime.
In another room, the girls were creating a storm of their own.
Muskan twirled once in front of the mirror, her black off-shoulder mini dress fitting like a second skin. “Perfect,” she declared, flipping her hair over one shoulder.
Kritika stepped in next, a vision in a bold black backless bodycon dress that screamed glamour. The fabric hugged every curve, and the neckline dipped just low enough to turn heads.
Ananya, always the calm fire, wore a black satin bodycon with an open back and delicate chain detailing. She looked like poetry under moonlight — soft but unforgettable.
Shaurya pulled off the black theme like a gentleman — a classic black tuxedo, clean lines, no nonsense. And Emma, ever the fashion-forward one, wore a midnight black off-shoulder dress with silver heels and smoky eyes to match.
Everyone was ready. Dressed in black, looking dangerous and divine, they waited outside the mansion.
And then, the moment they were all waiting for.
Viyansh stepped out.
He was dressed head-to-toe in black.
A tailored black shirt, deep black trousers, and a perfectly fitted coat. His sleeves were rolled just enough to reveal his watch. His jawline was sharp, his hair combed back effortlessly, and those icy blue eyes? They could command a storm. He was magnetic. Intimidating. Mesmerising.
He wasn’t just part of the theme — he owned it.
As he approached the group, Kritika’s eyes stayed glued to him. Her gaze traced every inch of him.
Muskan noticed and leaned in, whispering teasingly, “Hey, what are you doing?”
“Ouch! Are you mad?” Kritika hissed as Muskan playfully elbowed her.
“Come back from your dreamland, love. You're drooling.”
Viyansh came to a stop and looked over everyone once with his usual quiet authority.
“Let’s go,” he said simply.
No more words were needed.
Everyone nodded and walked toward their respective cars. But Viyansh, as always, walked straight to his own car — untouched, personal, and sacred. No one had ever sat in it. Not because they didn’t want to, but because they knew better. It was his, and no one dared to cross that line.
The fleet of cars pulled out of the mansion gates in style — black wheels gliding into the night, a convoy of power and mystery, headed straight toward the city’s most exclusive club.
What awaited them inside was more than just music and drinks.
As I stood in front of the mirror, I tried to convince myself I looked… fine. Not stunning. Not breathtaking. Just… presentable. This was my first time going to a club — and quite honestly, I never thought I would.
Not because my parents were strict. In fact, they were fairly liberal. But I had always felt like I didn’t fit into that world of loud music, strobe lights, and people losing themselves on the dance floor. Even back in college, during our farewell party, when everyone dressed up and danced like there was no tomorrow — I skipped it. Not because I was shy, but because I always felt out of place in that crowd.
Maybe it’s because I never saw myself the way others did. I wasn't the kind of girl who drew attention the moment she walked into a room. My body wasn’t the kind you see in magazines — I was curvy, chubby in places, soft where the world often expected sharpness.
And though I smiled like I didn’t care, the truth was — I carried a hundred insecurities on my shoulders. About how I looked, how I sounded, how I moved. But I never spoke of them out loud. Never wanted to seem weak.
So tonight, I picked something that wouldn’t make me feel exposed. Something that made me feel safe. A black saree — simple, elegant, and modest. It was the first time I wore a saree outside a family function. No shimmer, no loud colors. Just a soft, flowing black that made me feel like I could breathe.
Once I was ready, I took one last look at myself. My kajal was perfectly in place, my hair left open in soft waves, and I had added just a touch of gloss to my lips. I still didn’t feel like I belonged at a party — but at least, I felt like myself.
With hesitant steps, I walked downstairs where Bhai and Akansha were already waiting. The moment my brother saw me, a mischievous grin spread across his face — trouble was brewing.
He dramatically gasped and said, “Mummy! I think Saanvi has finally shown us her real form. I’ve been saying it for years — she’s a full-on icchadhari naagin! Poor Viyansh... how is he going to survive living with her?”
I groaned, rolling my eyes and giving him a playful smack on his back.
“Mummy, I swear, if you don’t do something about your son, I will.”
Laughing, he rubbed the spot and muttered, “Marti bhi hai. Bas vish dena baaki hai.”
Before I could retaliate further, Ma walked in, drawn by the noise. “Why are you teasing her again?” she scolded Bhai with that soft, tired affection only mothers carry.
And then her eyes landed on me. They paused.
She didn’t speak for a second — just looked at me. As if she saw through the saree, through the smile I had fixed, into the small storm I had buried under layers of makeup and eyeliner.
Then she smiled. Warmly. Proudly.
“You look beautiful, beta. So, so beautiful.”
She stepped closer and gently pressed a kiss to my forehead. That single moment filled the hollow spaces inside me.
“Saanvi, today you’ll meet Viyansh properly. I know it hasn’t been easy... not for either of you. But try. Talk to him. Understand him. Marriage isn’t just a ritual — it’s a shared space. You two will be building a life together. Give each other a chance.”
Her words settled in my chest like a quiet truth.
I didn’t promise anything. I didn’t smile or argue. I just gave a small nod — a silent I’ll try.
“Let’s go!” Akansha called cheerfully, checking the time on her phone. “We’re already running late, and you’re the bride-to-be! You can’t enter like a guest.”
I took a deep breath and followed her out. One foot after the other, my saree flowing behind me like a quiet whisper of courage.
I sat tucked away in the far corner of the club, deliberately choosing the spot where the light was dim and the music slightly muted. My fingers scrolled through a few work emails on my phone, though my mind wasn’t fully on the screen. The irony wasn’t lost on me—this entire club was mine. Every light, every beat of music, every square inch of space here belonged to me, yet tonight I felt like a stranger at my own party.
We had reserved the entire place for the evening—just family and a few close friends. No outsiders, no unnecessary attention. It was meant to be a celebration, my so-called bachelor party. But truth be told, I had no desire to be here. From the moment the sun rose this morning, my father had been on my case. He called early, his voice stern but laced with that fatherly insistence I couldn’t ignore. “You’re going to the party,” he’d said. “And more importantly, you’ll meet her. Talk to her politely. No drama.
Around me, the atmosphere buzzed with life. Laughter, music, clinking glasses—it should’ve felt lively, but to me, it all seemed distant, like background noise in a movie I wasn’t a part of. I didn’t touch alcohol. Never had, never wanted to. Drinking didn’t appeal to me. Every time I stepped into a club—rare as it was—I ordered the same thing: a mocktail. Something simple, something that let me blend in without losing control.
As the server placed the drink gently on the table, the condensation glistening on the glass, a familiar voice broke into my thoughts.
“Heeey! What the hell are you doing here, hiding in the corner?”
I looked up to see Shaurya grinning at me, already a bit tipsy, but still annoyingly energetic.
“It’s your bachelor party, man! You should be out there, dancing, celebrating—doing anything but reading emails!”
I gave a faint smirk but didn’t move. “You know I didn’t want to be here,” I muttered. “Dad practically dragged me.”
Shaurya groaned dramatically. “Bro, you’re getting married! This is your last night as a free man! You should be making the most of it.”
I just shrugged. What freedom was he talking about? I never felt free to begin with.
Before he could push more, my phone buzzed again. I looked at the screen—Dad.
I sighed and picked up. “Yes, Dad?”
“Did you meet Saanvi yet?” His voice was expectant.
I glanced around lazily. “No. She’s not here yet.”
He took a short pause, then spoke slowly and clearly, like he was instructing a child. “Viyansh, when she gets there, I want you to speak nicely. No sarcasm, no cold behavior, no showing attitude. Be polite, okay? She’s going to be your wife.”
I swallowed back the irritation rising in my chest. “Hmm,” I said blandly, not trusting myself to say anything more, and ended the call.
When I looked up, Shaurya was giving me a puzzled stare. “What was that about?”
I leaned back in my seat, dragging my fingers along the glass before answering. “Dad. Giving me his usual instructions. Apparently, I need a script for how to talk to his beloved future daughter-in-law.”
Shaurya chuckled. “So… you’re not even a little curious to meet her?”
I stared at him for a second, then shook my head. “Curious? I’m not even interested. I’m here because I was forced to come. I don’t want to meet anyone, let alone make small talk with a stranger I’m expected to marry.”
He looked at me, unsure whether to tease or stay quiet. I didn’t give him the chance to choose—I picked up my glass and took a long sip, letting the cold drink numb my tongue, hoping it would dull everything else too.
A luxurious black car pulled up to the velvet-lined entrance of the club, its headlights momentarily cutting through the dim night. The valet stepped forward swiftly, opening the door with practiced precision. From the car stepped Saanvi, dressed in an elegant yet simple black saree that hugged her softly, her bangles clinking gently as she adjusted her pallu. Her heels clicked faintly on the stone pavement as she stepped out, followed closely by Akansha, who was practically buzzing with excitement.
Akansha looked up at the glowing sign of the club, her mouth falling open slightly. “Saanvi,” she gasped dramatically, “you didn’t tell me we were coming to the most expensive club in the city!”
Saanvi gave a small shrug, her eyes scanning the glimmering building with visible hesitation. “I didn’t know either until we were already on our way,” she mumbled. “Do we really have to go inside?”
Akansha turned to her, wide-eyed. “Are you serious right now? This is your bachelor party! You can’t back out. Everyone’s waiting—we’re already fashionably late. Come on, let’s make an entrance.”
Saanvi hesitated for a moment, then allowed herself to be pulled inside.
The doors opened, and the world changed.
Inside, music pulsed through the air—deep, rhythmic bass that vibrated through her chest. The lighting flickered in hues of gold and violet, casting moving shadows on the sleek black walls. Laughter echoed from the dance floor where groups of friends swayed, drinks in hand. The scent of luxury perfume, citrus mocktails, and faint hints of smoke mixed in the air. The place was alive.
But as soon as Saanvi and Akansha stepped through the main entrance, something shifted.
Like a ripple through still water, heads began to turn. One by one, conversations paused, and for a brief moment, even the music seemed to recede into the background. Her presence didn’t demand attention—it drew it, softly but powerfully. She wasn’t overdressed, nor did she try to stand out. Yet there was something in her stillness, in the way she carried her uncertainty with grace, that made everyone look.
Across the room, near a secluded corner of the lounge area, Viyansh sat beside Shaurya, a drink untouched in front of him. He wasn’t listening to the music or watching the crowd. He was barely engaging in the party that was meant to celebrate him. His eyes had been scanning emails a few minutes ago, his expression distant and clearly disinterested.
But then the atmosphere shifted, and instinctively, he looked up.
And saw her.
His breath caught—just for a second.
Saanvi stood there, framed in the soft spotlight from the overhead chandelier, the fabric of her saree catching the light with every small movement. Her expression was unsure, her fingers nervously adjusting her bangle. But her presence was undeniable. And for the first time in his life, something… or rather, someone… held Viyansh’s full attention.
He didn’t blink. Didn’t move. He just stared, transfixed, as if his entire mind had been wiped clean of thought.
He didn’t understand it. He wasn’t supposed to feel anything. This entire evening was something he had been dragged into by his father. He had made it abundantly clear to everyone that he had no interest in meeting the girl they were trying to tie him to. But now… now he couldn’t look away.
Beside him, Shaurya noticed the sudden shift. He followed his friend’s line of sight, and when his eyes landed on Saanvi, a slow, knowing grin spread across his face.
He leaned in, elbowing Viyansh playfully and whispering in his ear, “Not interested in meeting anyone, huh? You sure about that?”
Viyansh didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He was still caught in the quiet pull of the moment, still caught in her. His gaze hadn’t shifted. It was as if time had frozen between the two of them. Across the room, Saanvi finally noticed him—really noticed him—and their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them in that shared glance. A flicker of recognition, a pulse of surprise… or maybe something else neither of them could name.
Viyansh blinked, pulling himself out of the trance. He looked down at his drink, then turned sharply to Shaurya, who was now grinning like a devil.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” he muttered under his breath. “Why do I feel like a schoolboy who just saw his first crush?”
Shaurya chuckled, sipping his drink. “Maybe because… you just did.”
Viyansh didn’t reply, but his fingers tightened slightly around the glass. The club had never felt so loud… and yet, so silent at the same time.
It was the first time in my life I had stepped into a club—and not just any club. This was one of the most elite, extravagant places in the entire city. The kind of place I had only seen from a distance while passing by in autos or scrolling through on social media. And now, I was supposed to walk right into it… like I belonged.
The club wasn’t just famous for its exclusivity—it was owned by none other than the powerful Singhania family. That fact alone made my steps falter. I stopped just outside the entrance and turned to Akansha, my best friend, voice laced with anxiety.
"Yaar… are you sure we have to go in?"
She, of course, was practically glowing with excitement. “Obviously! It’s your bachelor party, Saanvi! You can't chicken out now.”
For Akansha, this wasn’t new. She was a city girl through and through—confident, social, and very much at home in parties and clubs. But me? I had never stepped into this world.
After mentally gathering every ounce of courage I had, I took a deep breath and walked in.
The first thing that hit me was the blaring music—so loud it seemed to shake the floor beneath me. Neon lights swirled over polished marble. The scent of expensive perfume and imported liquor filled the air. It was overwhelming.
And then—silence. Or so it felt.
As I entered the main lounge, I felt it—the sudden shift in attention. People stopped. Conversations dimmed. Faces turned. And just like that, I felt like I had walked into the wrong room… like an outsider crashing a party she wasn’t invited to.
Their eyes were scanning me—judging. My saree wasn’t designer, my makeup was minimal, and my nervousness was written all over my face. It felt like I was being undressed by a hundred stares. To calm myself, I looked around aimlessly, pretending I wasn’t affected.
And then... my eyes found him.
Viyansh Singhania.
The man I was supposed to marry. The one I had only heard about in hushed whispers and dreamy sighs. This was the first time I was seeing him in person.
And I froze.
He was everything I’d heard—and more. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Impossibly handsome. His jawline looked like it had been carved by a sculptor, and those icy blue eyes—sharp, intense, unreadable—were unlike anything I’d ever seen. He didn’t look like he belonged to the real world. He looked like the fictional heroes I’d read about in romance novels—the kind that only exist in someone’s fantasy.
No wonder my colleagues were obsessed with him. One of them even used to joke that she had married him in her dreams—and had imaginary kids too. I laughed at them then, but today… I understood.
Even Akansha, who usually didn’t drool over men, was staring at him like she was under a spell. I elbowed her playfully.
“Kya kar rahi hai?”
She blinked, dazed. “Look at him, Saanvi… he’s too good-looking to be real.”
I rolled my eyes, though I secretly agreed.
But just as I began to settle into the moment, I caught a group of girls eyeing me—not kindly. Their expressions were unreadable, but the judgment was clear. I could almost hear their silent questions: Who is she? What is she doing here?
I turned back to Akansha and whispered, “Let’s go stand somewhere else.”
She nodded, and we made our way to one of the bar counters. I could feel the whispers trailing behind us.
Then, just as I was catching my breath, one of my acquaintances came over. She was someone I had known distantly, a face from somewhere in the past.
“Oh heyy, Saanvi! Congratulations you are going to marry!” she chirped with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Thank you,” I replied politely.
“You’re… quite lucky, you know,” she added, cocking her head. “I mean... how did you manage to bag someone like him?”
I frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”
“Oh come on,” she laughed softly. “I mean just look at him—rich, handsome, successful. And then… look at yourself.”
Her eyes traveled from my plain earrings to my saree, down to my heels. “No offense but… you two just don’t match.”
Her words cut through me like paper slices. But they weren’t new. In school, I had always been teased for my weight. Even after I lost most of it in college, the tag of being “chubby” had never really left me. People always found something to pick on—my looks, my clothes, my background. Eventually, I stopped listening. Because no matter how hard I tried, I could never be enough for them.
I took a deep breath, smiled sweetly, and replied,
“Wahi toh... sabki kismat hoti hai na? Aaj meri thi. Waise tum bhi toh kaafi beautiful ho, phir bhi tumhara boyfriend doosri ladkiyon ke saath ghoomta hai—usse bhi toh sambhal lo pehle.”
Her fake smile cracked into something uglier. She turned and walked away, clearly fuming.
Akansha turned to me, wide-eyed, then burst out laughing. “You slayyyy, babes! That was a solid burn!”
I just smiled, trying to hide the storm inside.
“Okay, now you’ve earned a reward,” she said, giving me a little push. “Go say hi to your Greek God fiancé. And let me go dance!”
“Yaar, abhi nahi… thodi der baad,” I protested.
But Akansha was already walking toward the dance floor, leaving me with no choice but to turn... and walk toward the man who—despite everything—might just change my life.
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