Published on:- 25/4/26 [Saturday]

...

“Every love story begins with a promise. This one began with a scandal.”

ShineeSunshine

...

The night glittered with celebration.

Strings of golden fairy lights wrapped around the grand Kashyap mansion, turning the entire estate into a palace of warmth and music.

Laughter filled the air, mixed with the loud beats of dhols and the cheerful cheers of guests who had gathered for one of the most anticipated weddings of the year.

Tonight, the eldest son of the Kashyap family was getting married.

The baraat moved like a wave of energy through the decorated pathway.

Men in sparkling suits, Indian traditional clothes danced with abandon while women in shimmering sarees clapped and laughed, their bangles chiming melodiously with every movement.

At the center of the celebration was the groom himself.

Aatish Kashyap, thirty-two years old billionaire Corporate Lawyer sat tall on the white mare, dressed in an ivory sherwani with intricate gold embroidery. A red safa rested neatly on his head, the kalgi glinting under the lights.

His posture was straight, composed, almost regal. While everyone around him danced wildly, the groom remained calm.

A faint smile rested on his lips, but his sharp eyes quietly observed everything around him.

He had always been like that. Controlled, measured and powerful.

The dhol beats grew louder as the procession reached the bride's residence.

Fireworks burst into the night sky, scattering sparks of color above the cheering crowd.

Aatish’s parents, his younger twin brothers and his best friends, along with their families, were enjoying the grand celebration. They had waited years for this moment, and tonight it was finally happening.

Tonight, Aatish Kashyap was going to marry Nimisha Khurana; his childhood friend and the beloved daughter of his father’s closest friend.

But this wedding was more than just a union of two people. It was the alliance of two powerful families; the Kashyap and the Khurana; sealed through an arranged marriage.

“Arre! Dulhe raja, thoda toh naachiye!” Aatish's first younger brother Aniket shouted, grabbing his arm playfully.

[Hey! Groom, please dance a little]

Aatish gave a side glance and simply shook his head.

Aatish's best friends Sankalpa Khanna and Vedant Malhotra chuckled softly, knowing Aatish very well.

Aatish’s second younger brother, Ankit, rolled his eyes dramatically. “Typical Bhaiya. No expression. No enjoyment.”

Laughter erupted around them.

Aatish said nothing as he glanced at his parents; Aham Kashyap and Mahima Kashyap; then at his twin brother, Aniket, who was holding his daughter and talking to his wife. Then he looked at Ankit, who was dancing with his best friends, who were wriggling their brows, teasing him.

Aatish shook his head. Just that familiar silence he always carried like a second skin.

Ankit’s teasing voice cut through again. “See? I told you. Bhaiya doesn’t even blink properly. I swear he was born serious.”

More laughter.

Aatish’s gaze flicked to him briefly. Then away.

Because explaining warmth to people who only knew noise was always pointless.

His jaw tightened slightly, but his expression remained carved in stone as he looked back at the scene in front of him; his family, loud and alive, like they were made of light.

And he was the one standing at the edge of a life that was about to change with marriage, still holding everything together in silence.

Soon the Khurana family welcomed the baraat with traditional rituals. Garlands, tilak, and warm greetings followed before everyone slowly made their way toward the beautifully decorated mandap set in the center of the grand lawn.

The mandap looked breathtaking.

Four pillars wrapped in marigolds and roses stood beneath a canopy of flowers and lights.

The sacred fire pit waited patiently in the middle, surrounded by silk cushions where the bride and groom would soon sit.

Guests took their seats while the priest began preparing the rituals.

Moments later, Aatish Kashyap sat at the mandap, his posture relaxed yet commanding.

Soon the bride was brought in.

Nimisha Khurana looked breathtaking.

Soft murmurs spread through the crowd as she walked toward the mandap in a deep red bridal lehenga, the heavy embroidery glimmering beneath the golden lights.

Her face was partially hidden beneath a delicate veil, adding a quiet grace to her beauty.

When she reached the mandap, her eyes instinctively found Aatish. He was sitting beside the sacred fire, his gaze fixed straight ahead, watching the flames dance as if nothing else around him existed.

Nimisha pursed her lips slightly and asked softly, “Why are you looking at the fire and not at your beautiful bride, Aatish?”.

Aatish finally turned his head and looked at her as she settled beside him.

A small smile touched Nimisha’s lips as she said quietly. “I’m happy. Happy that I’m marrying you, my best friend.”

Aatish said nothing. His deep, enchanting black eyes remained blank, his face completely unreadable.

No smile. No reaction.

Nimisha simply shook her head with a faint sigh. Aatish had always been like this since childhood.

Reserved and unreadable. A man who never showed his emotions. And eyes that never revealed what he truly felt.

The priest began chanting sacred mantras. The atmosphere turned peaceful and sacred.

The music softened.

Family members sat proudly in their chairs, watching the union of two powerful families unfold before their eyes.

Everything was perfect. Until it wasn’t.

A faint sound of footsteps echoed from the entrance. No one noticed at first.

But then a figure appeared at the far end of the aisle.

A girl.

She looked young, petite and almost fragile.

A simple backpack hung from one shoulder, slung casually, slightly worn at the edges. A pair of pinkish-purple frame glasses rested on her nose enhancing her hazel eyes, making her look even more sweet and innocent, like a little lost soul in a world that wasn’t hers.

She wore a simple pair of dull jeans, a plain white shirt, and sneakers shoes, her hair tied back in a neat ponytail; completely out of place among the luxurious wedding outfits surrounding her.

In her presence, a few heads turned. Then more. Whispers began spreading among the guests as the girl slowly walked forward, her steps steady despite the hundreds of eyes fixed on her.

She stopped right in the middle of the aisle.

Silence slowly swallowed the celebration. The priest’s chanting faded into nothing.

The bride’s relatives exchanged confused glances.

'Who is she?'

'What is she doing here?'

'Whose relative is she?'

Then the girl lifted her chin. Her gaze moved past the sea of unfamiliar faces and then stopped directly at the man sitting at the mandap.

Aatish Kashyap.

Aatish’s eyes landed on the girl as well. Their gazes clashed. For the first time that night, his calm expression shifted.

His sharp eyes narrowed slightly as recognition flickered across his face. He could already feel it; her sudden appearance at his wedding could mean nothing good.

The girl took a slow breath. Then she spoke loudly, her eyes locked with his midnight ones. “You can’t marry her.”

Her words stunned everyone and it echoed like thunder. A wave of gasps swept across the wedding.

“What nonsense is this?” someone shouted from the Khurana family's side.

“Who is she?”, someone asked.

“Who let this girl in?” another voice snapped angrily.

Mr. Khurana rose from his seat, his face flushed with fury. “Young lady, this is a private wedding. Leave immediately.”

Murmurs of outrage spread through the guests. Some stood up. Some whispered. Some simply stared at the girl in disbelief.

But she didn’t move. Her eyes remained fixed on Aatish Kashyap.

Aatish slowly rose to his feet. The calm authority in his posture silenced a few voices around them.

He studied her carefully and said quietly, "Reeva Sinha! You shouldn’t be here". 

His voice carried easily through the silent lawn.

At the mention of her name, both families were confused.

'Reeva Sinha. Who is she? How did Aatish know her?'

But Aatish knew her very well. REEVA SINHA - A name that had been buried deeply in the past. A name he hadn't expected to hear tonight.

Reeva's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “You're right. I shouldn't be”, she replied softly.

Aatish's mother, Mahima Kashyap stepped forward angrily. “Security! Throw her out!”

Before anyone could move, Reeva spoke again, a little firmer and loud this time. “You can't marry her".

The word struck the air like a slap.

“What rubbish!” someone snapped.

“This girl has gone mad!” Mrs. Khurana shouted.

Mr. Aham Kashyap, Aatish’s father, looked at Reeva with piercing eyes.

A spark of recognition flickered across his face. 'So she’s the trouble, trouble from the past', he thought coldly.

Aatish’s eyes darkened slightly.

Reeva slowly stepped forward. Now the lights illuminated her face clearly. She looked barely older than a teenager. Her eyes were tired, but they burned with something fierce. Grief and Hatred.

And something dangerously close to desperation. When she spoke again, her voice was calm and dramatic. “I’m pregnant.”

The words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Gasps. Shouts.

Both Kashyap and the Khurana family were speechless.

Mrs. Khurana nearly fainted.

Confused murmurs exploded everywhere.

“What did she say?”

“She’s lying!”

“This is a scandal!”

“Pregnant?".

Reeva didn’t look at anyone else. Her gaze remained locked on the man standing at the mandap.

Aatish Kashyap.

Then she delivered the final blow.

“I’m carrying your child, Mr. Aatish Kashyap.” 

The entire wedding descended into chaos. But Reeva stood perfectly still in the center of the aisle.

Her eyes never left Aatish. It was cold,  unyielding and burning with something far darker than anger. Hatred.

A hatred so deep that even after all this time, it still lived inside her. She had waited for this moment. Waited to watch the calm, untouchable Aatish Kashyap finally lose control.

To watch his perfect world crumble… piece by piece. And tonight, she had come to make sure it burned.

...

How's the chapter readers?

Thank you

ShineeSunshine ❤️