The moment Pandit ji declared, "From this day forward, you are husband and wife," something shifted within me.

I was no longer just someone's daughter, sister, or friend. A new chapter had begun-I was now someone's wife, someone's daughter-in-law, someone's sister-in-law. With those words, my identity subtly but powerfully expanded. I looked at him-Viyansh-but his face remained blank, unreadable, as though nothing significant had occurred. No flicker of emotion, no change.

"Now, go and take blessings from your elders," Pandit ji instructed.

We stood up, hand in hand, and one by one, began touching the feet of our elders. When I bent to touch Manish uncle's feet, he stopped me.

"Saanvi, daughters never touch feet. They are placed on our heads with pride," he said, pulling me into a warm hug. His gesture brought a lump to my throat.

Next, we turned to my parents. As I bent to touch my mother's feet, she broke down. Her sobs echoed in my heart, and I couldn't hold back either. I collapsed into her arms like a little girl needing her mother one last time before stepping into a new world. My father stood silently behind her, trying his best to suppress the storm of emotions raging inside him.

Beside me, Viyansh held on to our gathbandhan-the sacred knot symbolizing our bond.

My brother, always the joker, stepped in to lighten the heavy mood. "Mummy, why are you crying? A big problem is finally leaving the house. Now I'll be able to live peacefully. Won't have to see her face every day," he said with a teasing grin-but the tears welling up in his eyes betrayed his real emotions.

I playfully responded, "Mummy, look at your beloved firstborn. Please explain some manners to him."

I hugged him tight, and for once, he didn't pull away. Instead, he held me close and whispered, "Saanu, if you ever feel alone or out of place, don't think twice-just come back home. And if anyone bothers you, remember, I'm always here. Don't worry. Or ha waha jaake apne asli roop ma mat aajana icchadhari nagin ka sasural wala bola hum toh normal bahu laye tha nagain kaise bann gaye."

"or Tu bhi icchadhari bandar ka roop ma mat aajana!" I shot back, both of us laughing through our tears.

Then, I turned to Papa. He kept avoiding eye contact, his composure slowly cracking. I hugged him tight, and in that moment, something in him broke too. He held me tightly, his tears finally spilling over.

"Saanvi," he whispered hoarsely, "I used to fear this day. Every time I thought about your vidai, I would feel this ache deep in my heart. How could I ever say goodbye to the little girl I've watched grow up? But this will always be your home. No matter what the world says, if you're unhappy there, come back. My little gudiya will always have a place here."

He kissed my forehead, and I held on tighter.

From behind us, Manish uncle stepped forward. "Don't worry, Mahaveer ji. She's my daughter too now. I won't let a single tear fall from her eyes."

My father nodded, placing my hand in Viyansh's. "She's yours now," he said softly. "She may be childish at times, immature, she'll make mistakes-but she's my Saanvi. Please take care of her. I'm giving you not just her hand, but my heart."

Viyansh simply nodded. No words-just silence.

As we walked toward the parked cars, my tears returned with full force. That's when I spotted Akansha, tears streaming down her cheeks too. I rushed to her and pulled her into a tight hug. We sobbed like there was no tomorrow.

"If he ever gives you trouble," she said, trying to sound fierce through her crying, "just kick him where it hurts and come running to me!"

Her dramatic advice made me laugh despite myself.

"Remember what you told me in school?" I continued, wiping her tears. "That you'd be the first among us to get married? Well, look who beat you to it!" I tried to grin through her tears.

"And don't worry-we'll still go to that stadium match one day. We'll watch Rohit Sharma's pull shot live, and Kohli's cover drive. Promise."

She nodded, and we both chuckled through the pain.

Then, she cupped my cheeks tenderly. "Saanu, all the best for this new journey. And don't ever forget-I'm just a call away. Whatever happens, I'm here. Always."

We hugged each other tightly one last time before I turned to leave-my heart heavy with emotions, but full of love.

What the hell did she just say?

"Hit him on his crouch and come back to me?"

Is that even a piece of advice to give someone on their wedding day?

I looked at her best friend - with wide eyes. Unbelievable.

I really need to be careful around this one. There's no guarantee what she might do next. The same girl who can casually call a normal man mute... yeah, she's capable of anything.

I was still trying to make sense of the madness when her father-Mahaveer uncle-walked up behind me.

"Viyansh beta..." he said, his voice soft but heavy with emotion.

I turned and was stunned to see him fold his hands in front of me.

" Uncle, what are you doing?"

He looked at me, pain evident in his eyes. "Viyansh, please take care of my Saanvi. She doesn't know much about this world-it's cruel, and I've protected her all her life in every way I could. She might seem bold to the world, but I know my daughter... she's sensitive, emotional-still a child at heart. Today, I'm not just giving you my daughter... I'm giving you my entire world. She's the reason behind my every smile. Please, never hurt her. I won't be able to bear it."

My throat tightened. His words hit me like a punch to the chest.

"I promise, uncle," I said sincerely. "She's my responsibility now. I'll take care of her... I'll protect her. Your daughter will always be safe with me."

Before he could respond, Saanvi threw herself into his arms once more, sobbing uncontrollably. He wrapped his arms around her like he was holding onto a piece of his soul one last time.

A lump formed in my throat again, but I kept quiet. Some moments are too sacred for words.

We slowly walked toward the waiting cars. I reached the passenger side and opened the door for her. She hesitated for a second, then sat down, wiping her tears.

I walked around to the driver's seat, got in, and glanced at her.

She wasn't looking at me-her eyes were glued to her family, her world, slowly disappearing from view. Her cheeks were wet, her lips trembling. I could feel her breaking silently beside me.

I don't know why, but something tugged at me-seeing her like that made my chest feel heavy.

Why do I care so much? I shook off the feeling, trying to brush it aside. Emotions weren't my strong suit.

I turned the key, and the engine roared to life.

---

She hadn't stopped crying since we left. The car was filled with silence... except for her occasional sniffles. Her tears weren't loud, but they were persistent-like a soft drizzle that just wouldn't stop.

I reached into my coat, pulled out my handkerchief, and without a word, handed it to her along with my water bottle.

For a moment, she simply stared at me-surprised, maybe uncertain. Then, slowly, she took both.

Finally, I thought. Some peace.

But peace didn't last long.

Out of nowhere, she mumbled through her sobs, "You know what, Mr. Singhania... mujhe bhook lagi hai."

I pressed the brakes, glancing at her in complete confusion. "What?"

"I'm hungry," she said again, wiping her tears. "Maine toh apni shaadi ka khana bhi nahi khaya. Aur mujhe bachpan se sapna tha ki main shaadi wale din ka khana khaungi. I always wanted to know... does it taste normal or extra special on your own wedding day?"

She paused, then added with a pout, "Lekin aap toh itni jaldi vidai kara ke le aaye... main toh kuch bhi nahi kha paayi."

I stared at her, stunned.

All this crying... all this emotional breakdown... was not because she was leaving her family. She was crying because she was hungry.

I sighed, hard.

This girl... she was something else.

She looked at me with those big, innocent, doe-shaped eyes, like she expected me to fix it all. I rolled my eyes (internally), took out my phone, and ordered a pizza without asking her further.

But of course, she wasn't done.

"Excuse me? Aap kahan ka kya order kar rahe ho? Mujhse pooch toh lete!" she huffed dramatically, snatched the phone from my hand, and canceled the order I had just placed.

Then began her great food quest. For ten whole minutes, she scrolled through the food app, mumbling to herself, comparing toppings like she was solving a national crisis. Finally, she ordered something and returned my phone to me with fake calm.

I checked it out.

It was the exact same pizza I had ordered a few minutes ago.

I looked at her.

She looked away and pretended like nothing happened. Not even a blink of acknowledgment. I almost smiled-but caught myself just in time.

We waited in the car. A few minutes later, the delivery guy arrived. I paid and handed her the box.

She opened it like it was a treasure chest, immediately pulling out a slice and taking a big bite. For a second, everything about her softened-like the pizza was her therapy.

She looked at me mid-bite and asked, "Aap khao ge? Waise toh main kabhi kisi ke saath pizza share nahi karti... but aaj aapne paise diye hain... so, would you like a bite?"

I couldn't tell if she was offering politely or threatening me.

I nodded my head in no.

She shrugged and happily continued devouring it alone.

I restarted the engine and pulled the car onto the road again. We headed toward the mansion-me with both hands on the wheel, and her beside me, munching on pizza like it was the only thing that could heal her broken heart.

I was leaving behind everything I had ever known-my childhood, my family, the house that had seen me grow, fall, rise, and laugh a thousand times. The home where every wall was familiar, where I had cried for toys and danced barefoot during monsoons. It wasn't just bricks and cement. It was me.

And now, I was walking away from it all, carrying just memories and a heavy heart.

As I stepped out, I turned back one last time. My eyes scanned the windows, the door, the steps, and just like that, memories rushed in like an old film reel-birthday cakes, school uniforms, mom's laughter echoing from the kitchen, dad fixing the old bulb. I blinked, trying to hold it all together, but the tears betrayed me.

I sat in the car beside him-silent, numb, hollow. And hungry.

Yes, hungry. It sounds silly, doesn't it? But it wasn't just about food. Hunger had always made my emotions more intense, more raw. And right now, it was the cherry on top of my breaking point.

He drove calmly, expressionless, hands steady on the wheel, like nothing had changed. Like my world wasn't turning upside down. I glanced at him, bitterness curling in my chest.

Of course he's fine. It's not his home he had to leave. Not his family. Not his entire life.

He noticed me staring and passed me his handkerchief and a bottle of water-silently, without a word. No questions, no sympathy. Just... indifference, maybe?

I sniffled, wiped my eyes, sipped some water. But the ache in my stomach grew louder. I couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm hungry," I finally said, my voice low but blunt.

He looked at me-blankly, almost like I'd spoken an alien language. For a moment I wondered if I'd shocked him with my timing.

"I said I'm hungry," I repeated, louder, more annoyed. "Huhh... Khadoos! Heartless man! I haven't eaten anything, and he doesn't even ask. Who does that?"

He didn't respond with words-he just pulled out his phone and started ordering something.

I glared at him, fuming. Really? You'll just order food without asking what I want? So typical.

I leaned over and snatched the phone from his hand, ready to cancel whatever boring thing he was getting. But what I saw... made me stop.

Pizza. My favorite. Every single topping just how I liked it.

My pride flared up. I hit cancel anyway. Then I tried searching for something else, just to prove a point. But no matter what I looked at, nothing felt right. Nothing matched the comfort of that pizza he had chosen-without asking, but somehow knowing.

So, I swallowed my ego, ordered the same pizza again, and returned his phone like nothing had happened.

A few minutes later, the pizza arrived. He paid without a word. I began eating, not caring how I looked or whether he watched.

Mid-bite, a thought crossed my mind. Should I offer him a slice? Should I ask?

Then I told myself, Come on Saanvi. You're not like him. You still have manners, emotions. Just ask.

With a tiny breath, I turned and said, "Would you like a bite?"

He looked at me, expression unreadable, and shook his head.

And strangely... I was relieved. No, more than relieved-I was happy.

I had been silently praying he would say no. And he did. I didn't want to share. Not today. Not when this pizza felt like the only comforting thing I had left.

I returned to eating. Quiet. Still hurting. But at least... not Hungry anymore.

After some time, the car slowly rolled to a stop in front of the grand mansion.

The mansion stood tall, dressed like a newlywed bride-draped in shimmering lights, blooming marigold garlands, and the soft glow of diyas dancing in the evening breeze. The air smelled of fresh roses and sandalwood.

Saanvi stepped out of the car, her eyes wide with awe and heart fluttering with nervous excitement.

Just then, Ananya rushed towards her with a bright smile and open arms, pulling her into a warm, excited hug.

"Welcome, bhabhi!" she whispered joyfully.

Saanvi gave her a soft smile in return, trying to mask the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

They slowly walked towards the grand entrance, where the entire family stood waiting.

Nandini, held an aarti thali in her hands, its tiny flame flickering gently with the breeze. Her eyes held a calm grace as she stepped forward.

She circled the thali around Saanvi with devotion and then looked at her with gentle eyes.

"Now, beta... gently kick the rice lota and step inside."

Saanvi nodded quietly, her heart thudding in her chest. She raised her foot and gently kicked the silver lota brimming with rice-it tumbled forward, spilling grains across the marble floor like blessings scattering in her path.

With hesitant steps, she crossed the threshold into her new life.

Nandini embraced her softly.

"Welcome to our family, beta," she said with heartfelt warmth.

Overwhelmed by the affection and acceptance.

---

After all the rituals were done and the house began to quiet down, Ananya walked up to Saanvi with that signature mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Now bhabhi," she grinned, "it's time for the breaking bed ceremony."

Saanvi blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

Ananya leaned in closer, giving her a teasing smile. "You'll understand."

It clicked a second later. Saanvi's eyes widened in shock as the meaning registered. Her cheeks flushed a deep red.

"Ananya!" she gasped, mortified.

But Ananya wasn't done. She playfully held Saanvi's arm and said dramatically, "Let's go, bhabhi. I've waited too long for my little nephew. Just start the process!"

Saanvi's jaw dropped, ready to respond - but before she could speak, they had already reached the bedroom door.

Ananya winked. "All the best, bhabhi!" she said, laughing as she turned to leave.

But then, seeing Saanvi's nervous face, she paused and stepped back.

She softly held Saanvi's hand, the teasing dropping from her tone for a moment.

"You okay?" she asked gently.

Saanvi nodded, but her voice was low. "Just... nervous. Everything feels so new and overwhelming."

Ananya smiled and leaned against the doorframe. "I get it. Shaadi is no joke. One minute you're attending functions, the next you're in a room decorated with roses and expectations."

Saanvi laughed softly.

"But don't stress," Ananya continued. "Viyansh bhaiya is serious-faced and quiet, but he's not someone who would ever cross a line. You're safe with him. Just take it slow."

Saanvi sighed in relief, her eyes softening. "You're really sweet, Ananya."

Ananya gave her a quick side hug. "Obviously! I'm not just your nanad, I'm your full-time drama queen, gossip partner, and emergency chocolate supplier. Midnight rants, husband complaints - all welcome."

Saanvi smiled, more genuinely this time. "Promise?"

"Pakka!" Ananya grinned. "Now go inside, breathe, and don't forget - I'm just a scream away."

She walked away backwards, waving dramatically. "All the best, Mrs. Saanvi Viyansh Singhania!"

Still thinking about Ananya's teasing, Saanvi stepped into the room, her entire face now flushed. The sight in front of her made her heart skip again.

A large king-size bed stood in the center, beautifully decorated with fresh rose petals, candles lit in corners, casting a soft romantic glow. The scent of jasmine and sandalwood floated through the air. The entire atmosphere felt intimate, like a scene out of a romantic film.

She gulped, her hands clutching the edge of her dupatta.

"Don't worry, Saanu... kuch nahi hoga," she whispered to herself nervously.

"Aur agar kuch karne ki koshish ki... toh haan, main wahi karungi jo Akansha ne kaha tha - seedha maar ke ghar chali jaungi. Haan! Bilkul aisa hi karungi."

She kept whispering to herself, trying to gather courage.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the house...

Viyansh was in his father's room, standing silently as Manish spoke in his calm but commanding tone.

"Viyansh... you're married now," Manish began, his voice heavy with meaning.

"You're no longer alone. You've taken a responsibility. You have a wife now - and that means you must care for her too."

Viyansh listened quietly.

"I know this marriage happened because of family pressure," Manish continued. "But that doesn't give you the right to hurt her. If you ever - ever - disrespect her or treat her badly, remember one thing: no one will be worse than me."

Viyansh raised his eyes. "Don't worry, Papa. I promise you... I'll never let a single tear fall from her eyes. Maybe I won't be able to give her the place of a wife in my heart... but she'll always have my respect. She is the first girl I've vowed to protect. And I will."

Manish's stern gaze softened with pride. "I know my son. I've always believed in you. I'm proud of you, beta."

He turned and left the room.

"One day... you'll give her the place she deserves. She's not just anyone, son. She's special. She has the strength to melt even the ice around your heart. And that day... it will come sooner than you think."Manish said.