The courtyard was filled with music again, but this time... it felt different.
The laughter wasn't as loud. The happiness wasn't as real.
Everything felt forced.
Just like this marriage.
Anika sat quietly, dressed as a bride, her hands resting in her lap. The red lehenga felt heavier than it should... or maybe it was the situation weighing her down.
This wasn't supposed to be her wedding.
"Maa..." she whispered softly. "Main yeh sab kaise karun?"
Sunita held her hand gently. "Beta, kabhi kabhi zindagi humein aise mod par la deti hai jahan humare paas choice nahi hoti."
Anika looked down, her heart heavy.
On the other side, Veer stood near the mandap, calm as ever. His expression didn't reveal anything, but his eyes searched for her.
And when he finally saw her...
He paused.
For a moment, even his calmness broke.
She looked... beautiful.
Confused. Nervous. Stubborn.
Still a Shehzadi.
"City Doll..." he muttered under his breath.
The rituals began.
Anika walked toward the mandap slowly, every step feeling unreal. As she sat beside Veer, she avoided looking at him.
"Darr lag raha hai?" Veer asked quietly.
Anika shot him a look. "Nahi. Bas thoda regret ho raha hai."
Veer almost smiled.
"Abhi bhi time hai, bhaag jao."
Anika raised an eyebrow. "Aapko khushi hogi?"
Veer leaned slightly closer.
"Thodi si... par phir maza kaise aayega, Pagli?"
Anika blinked, caught off guard. "Pagli?"
Veer's lips curved faintly. "Haan... kyunki tum itni jaldi give up karne wali nahi lagti."
For a second, the tension shifted.
The priest's voice echoed, calling them for the next ritual.
"Var-vadhu varmala ke liye tayyar ho jaayein."
Anika picked up the garland, her hands trembling slightly. Veer noticed.
"Relax, Gudiya," he said softly. "Main bhaag nahi raha."
Anika rolled her eyes. "Mujhe farak bhi nahi padta, Mr. Villager."
But still... her hands steadied.
They exchanged garlands.
Cheers filled the air.
But between them... something else passed.
A silent understanding.
The rituals continued. Fire burned between them as they took the pheras. Each step felt like a promise she never agreed to... yet couldn't deny.
As Veer tied the mangalsutra around her neck, Anika closed her eyes for a brief second.
Everything changed in that moment.
"Ab tum officially meri ho," Veer whispered softly.
Anika opened her eyes, looking straight at him.
"Control mein rehna, Mr. Husband."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Tum bhi, Ziddi ladki."
The sindoor filled the parting of her hair.
And just like that...
It was done.
Anika Kapoor was now Anika Veer Singh Chauhan.
The villagers cheered, blessings echoed, and the wedding was complete.
But inside...
A storm had just begun.
Because this wasn't love.
Not yet.
This was something else-
A bond built on chaos, challenge... and an undeniable spark.
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