By the time the wedding ceremonies ended, it was already late into the night.

The stars had settled quietly above the city, and the long day of rituals, blessings, and endless congratulations had finally come to an end.

Aarohi sat silently inside the decorated car that was taking her to the Rajvansh mansion.

Her hands rested in her lap. Her red bridal bangles softly clinked with every small movement. The heavy crimson dupatta still covered part of her hair. And the sindoor in her parting felt heavier than all the jewelry she wore.

Beside her sat Abhimaan.

Silent as always.

One hand resting on his knee. The other loosely holding his phone. His expression unreadable.

And yet—

even in silence—

Aarohi could feel his presence beside her.

It made the air feel different.

Neither of them spoke during the drive.

But somehow the silence no longer felt empty.

It felt aware.

When the car finally stopped, Aarohi looked out of the window.

The Rajvansh mansion glowed under golden lights.

The entrance was decorated with fresh jasmine strings and white roses. Brass lamps flickered on either side of the marble staircase. Family members waited at the entrance smiling.

And suddenly—

everything became real.

This was no longer a ceremony.

This was her new home.

As soon as Abhimaan stepped out of the car, he turned toward her side before anyone else could.

He opened the door himself.

Aarohi looked up at him in surprise.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then he quietly held out his hand.

No words.

Just a simple gesture.

Aarohi hesitated for only a second before placing her hand in his.

His fingers closed around hers carefully as he helped her out of the car.

The touch lasted only a moment.

But Aarohi felt it long after he let go.

And from the doorway, Meenu noticed everything.

Her smile deepened.

At the entrance, Sakshi stood with the traditional aarti thali in her hands.

The warm glow of the diya reflected in her eyes as she welcomed Aarohi.

“Welcome home.”

Those two words alone nearly made Aarohi emotional.

Sakshi circled the aarti in front of the couple, then gently placed a small red tilak on Aarohi’s forehead.

Beside the door sat a silver kalash filled with rice.

Sakshi smiled softly.

“Aarohi, gently knock it with your right foot.”

Aarohi looked down.

Her anklets softly chimed as she lifted her foot and touched the kalash.

The rice spilled slowly across the marble floor.

A symbol of prosperity. Of abundance. Of a bride bringing blessings into her new home.

Then she stepped into the tray of red alta.

And took her first step inside.

Then another.

And another.

Red footprints marked the white marble floor behind her.

Aarohi lowered her gaze shyly.

But Abhimaan looked at those footprints.

And for the first time in years—

his house no longer looked cold.

It looked lived in.

The family gathered in the living room afterward.

The formal atmosphere of the wedding had faded.

Now it was just family.

And teasing.

A lot of teasing.

Riya grinned as she placed a large silver bowl filled with milk, rose petals, and floating flower buds in front of them.

A small ring rested at the bottom.

Aarohi looked confused.

Krish smirked.

“Traditional game.”

Riya added dramatically, “Whoever finds the ring first will rule the marriage.”

Aarohi’s eyes widened.

Abhimaan looked entirely unimpressed.

Riya folded her arms. “You both have to play.”

Abhimaan raised an eyebrow. “Do I?”

Meenu gave him a look.

Abhimaan sighed.

And sat beside Aarohi.

Aarohi carefully dipped her hand into the cool milk.

A second later, Abhimaan’s hand entered too.

Their fingers brushed beneath the rose petals.

Aarohi immediately pulled back.

Krish laughed.

“Bhai, at least let bhabhi breathe.”

Abhimaan ignored him.

Aarohi tried again.

This time her fingers moved through the petals—

only to brush against his hand once more.

And for a second both of them paused.

Because even through cold milk and flower petals—

they still felt it.

That strange awareness.

That impossible tension.

Riya leaned forward excitedly.

“Find it!”

Aarohi searched again.

But before she could reach the ring, Abhimaan’s fingers closed around it.

Aarohi looked up.

He met her eyes for one silent second.

Then—

without anyone noticing—

he placed the ring into her hand beneath the milk.

Aarohi blinked in surprise.

Riya clapped when Aarohi lifted the ring.

“She wins!”

Everyone laughed.

Krish stared at Abhimaan.

“You let her win.”

Abhimaan looked at him blankly. “No.”

Krish rolled his eyes.

“Liar.”

Aarohi looked down at the ring in her hand.

And for reasons she didn’t understand—

her heart beat a little faster.

A little later, another ritual began.

Riya grinned mischievously.

“Bhabhi has to say bhai’s name.”

Aarohi nearly choked. “What?”

Pratap chuckled.

“That is the rule.”

Aarohi looked horrified.

Because in front of everyone? Impossible.

She glanced at Abhimaan for help.

He simply watched her.

Completely calm.

Which made it worse.

Riya smirked. “Come on, bhabhi.”

Aarohi looked down, her cheeks pink.

Then very softly said—

“Abhimaan.”

The room instantly erupted into cheers.

But Aarohi barely noticed.

Because the moment she said his name—

Abhimaan’s gaze changed.

Just slightly.

But enough.

Enough to make her look away first.

Hours later, after the laughter faded and the rituals finally ended, Aarohi stood outside the bedroom she was now meant to share with him.

Her heartbeat was unsteady.

The house had gone quiet.

And for the first time all night—

there was no one else around

Just her.

And the man waiting inside.

Before she could overthink it, the door opened.

Abhimaan stood there.

Still in his sherwani. Still unreadable. Still entirely too aware of her.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then his eyes dropped to her tired face.

And in that same low voice that had already begun unsettling her far too much, he said—

“Come inside, little wife.”

Aarohi froze.

Her breath caught instantly.

Because in a house full of people, she had heard him speak all evening.

But hearing those words— when they were alone— felt completely different.

Far more dangerous.

Far more intimate.

And as she stepped into the room—

Aarohi realized that maybe the wedding was not the beginning.

Maybe—

this was.

--------------

And Aarohi has finally taken her first step into the Rajvansh house... and into Abhimaan’s life. ♡

Did you notice he secretly let her win the ring ritual? 👀

And that final: “Come inside, little wife.”

Tell me your favorite moment from this chapter. I love reading your thoughts.

— Author