𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

The wedding chaos had finally settled.

The loud music, the endless rituals, the crowd of people—everything had faded away.

Now, there was silence.

And in that silence… Anika sat on the decorated bed, still in her bridal outfit, completely uncomfortable.

“This is so awkward…” she muttered under her breath.

The door creaked open.

Veer walked in. Calm. Composed. As if nothing had changed for him.

But everything had changed for her.

Anika immediately straightened. “Aap… yahan kyun aaye ho?”

Veer raised an eyebrow.

“Interesting question, Mrs. Chauhan.”

Anika frowned. “Don’t call me that.”

Veer closed the door behind him and leaned casually against it.

“Toh kya bulaun? City Doll? Ya phir… biwi?”

Anika’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Stop it.”

Veer smirked.

“Relax, Pagli. Main tumhe tang nahi kar raha.”

Anika crossed her arms. “Good. Kyunki main already enough irritated hoon.”

Veer took a few steps forward, stopping at a safe distance.

“Darr lag raha hai?” he asked calmly.

Anika instantly replied, “Nahi.”

Then after a pause…

“Thoda sa.”

Veer noticed the honesty. For the first time, his expression softened.

“Don’t worry, Gudiya,” he said quietly. “Main koi villain nahi hoon.”

Anika looked at him suspiciously.

“Pakka?”

Veer chuckled softly. “Haan. Thoda sa strict hoon… par itna bhi bura nahi.”

Anika sighed, relaxing just a little.

A moment of silence passed.

Then she spoke again, more serious this time.

“Dekhiye, Mr. Husband… yeh shaadi majboori thi. Mere liye bhi… aur shayad aapke liye bhi.”

Veer nodded slightly. “Haan.”

“Toh please,” Anika continued, “mujhse expectations mat rakhiye. Main perfect wife nahi hoon.”

Veer looked at her carefully.

“Achha hai,” he said.

Anika blinked. “Kya?”

“Perfect log boring hote hain, Chhoti,” he replied calmly. “Mujhe challenge pasand hai.”

Anika couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Of course, aapko sab game lagta hai.”

Veer stepped a little closer, his voice low.

“Game nahi… reality hai.”

Their eyes met.

For a second… the world outside didn’t matter.

Anika quickly looked away.

“Main yahan bed par soungi.”

Veer nodded. “Theek hai.”

Anika looked at him, surprised. “Bas? Itni easily maan gaye?”

Veer smirked slightly.

“Main zabardasti mein believe nahi karta, City Doll.”

A pause.

Then he added softly,

“Time ke saath sab theek ho jayega.”

Anika didn’t reply.

But for the first time since the chaos began…

She didn’t feel completely alone.

Veer picked up a pillow and moved to the couch.

“Good night, Shehzadi.”

Anika hesitated for a second… then softly said,

“Good night… Veer.”

A small moment.

But an important one.

Because somewhere between the chaos, the force, and the tension—

A strange comfort had begun to form.