AUTHOR'S POV

The Malhotra's were preparing for the mehandi ceremony. They were all very happy and excited, it was the first shaadi of this generation. Anjali was especially euphoric because her son was finally getting married, after two years of persuading him, he had finally agreed and now she's preparing for his wedding which is next week. She was also enthusiastic to finally have her bahu here, she liked Shivani and she saw the already building chemistry between Rudraksh and shivani which they themselves didn't. Now all she wanted was everything to ho smoothly without any hindrance.

Rudraksh burst into his home and everyone was silent, they could all see he was fuming with anger. Harshavardhan put a hand on Rudraksh's shoulder, "what happened beta?" He asked.

Rudraksh wasn't going to tell anyone anything unless he heard everything from shivani, she deserved a chance to explain. He wanted to know whether she really wanted this wedding or not.

"Just a business meeting dad." He said. Harshavardhan was once like him, no care for the world, but then his life changed when Anjali walked into his life, so he could only wish that shivani make him realize that there's more to life than business and work and that when you've right life partner you can enjoy living, Rudraksh had been through a lot and he just wanted his son to finally get love and happiness.

"Raksh, meetings will come and go beta, it's your wedding don't spoil your mood, go and get ready, upar room mai kapde rakhe h." Anjali says. Rudraksh looks at her, her sparkling eyes, how does he tell her that there maybe a chance this wedding won't take place because he wasn't going to marry anyone against their will. And if shivani was forced he will break off this wedding.

Translation- your clothes are in the room

"Okay maa." He says and proceeds towards the staircase. Before going up, he turned around, "And maa when shivani comes please send her to my office, I have to talk to her." And then he walks off. Everyone exchange a look with a smile, because they thought a romance was blooming between them.

Rudraksh half heartedly got ready and impatiently waited for shivani. Shivani and her family arrived, she was oblivious of what was coming. She was happy to be here, her parents could never hurt her in public, and she felt safe here. As soon as she entered the house, everyone was around her, complimenting her, this was what she had always wanted. She felt like the main character of her story. Anjali told her that Rudraksh wanted to meet her and Aditi couldn't leave any opportunity to tease her because she liked how her bhabhi turned pink. Shivani's heartbeat increased. She remembered how abruptly she had ended his call, was he angry with her.

When rudraksh heard a knock on his door. "Come in", he said in a commanding tone, while he stood infront of the mirror in his office to check his appearance. The door opened and his beautiful fiancee walked into his office. He turned to look at her and gasped softly. Just the sight of her made his mouth go dry. He swallowed hard and tried to maintain his composure. She looked stunning  in her light green sharara salwar, with silver kundan jewelry. His eyes roamed over her from head to toe.

On seeing how rudraksh was eyeing her She became self conscious. No one has ever looked at her with the intensity rudraksh was  watching her, maybe her father, but rudraksh's gaze didn't make her feel small or afraid, she was just uncomfortable because she doubted whether he will like how she was looking today or not.

Rudraksh shook his head, it wasn't the time to admire her, he wanted answers. He walked towards her. Shivani felt as if she was the prey and he was a predator, he came and stood centimeters apart from her, and grazed her chin making her look up at him, "you remember when I called you and you cut the call in hurry?" He asks harshly and she shivered.

"Y.. Yes" She replied, her voice barely audible.

"Well you thought you cut the call jaan, but I heard everything." He smiled but shivani didn't like this smile. She felt him lightly graze her jaw, "now I need to know, is this wedding forced on you?"

Shivani's eyes widened in fear as Rudraksh's words hung in the air. She felt trapped, unable to escape the intensity of his gaze. Her mind raced as she tried to process what he had just said. How did he know? She thought she had cut the call. If her father found out, he would kill her.

"N-no," she stammered, her voice barely audible. "My parents just think I am lucky to marry you." Rudraksh's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "And what do you want, Shivani? Do you want to marry me, or are you just going along with it to please your parents?"

Shivani felt a lump form in her throat as she struggled to find the right words. She didn't want to lie to him, but she was scared of what might happen if she told the truth. The wedding might have been forced but she had started liking him and his family, she wanted this marriage now.

"I-I want to marry you," she said finally, trying to sound convincing.

Rudraksh raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. "Really? Why did you sound so scared?"

Shivani's heart raced as she realized she was cornered. Tears sting her eyes, her father would blame her for being careless, he would beat her up if this wedding was called off. She can't lose it now. She has to handle this situation.
"It's an arrange marriage Rudraksh, I.. I was just scared because.. because you're rumored to be ruthless, so I didn't want to marry you but now I do." She looked into his eyes, she wasn't lying this time because it was the truth.

Rudraksh knew she wasn't lying but he also knew she wasn't telling the whole truth too. But the fact that she wants this marriage was enough for him, for now. The way Ranveer was talking to shivani, was anything but normal, no father calls his own daughter a bitch. He was going to find out what was going on, but now he wanted to marry shivani, he wanted to get her out of that house, because he felt he finally understood why shivani wasn't confident or had low self-esteem, he thought she might have been abused in that house and he was concerned. But he couldn't deny that he wanted to get over this wedding sooner not only because he wanted to keep shivani safe but also because whether he admits it or not he has started to care for her, he has started to like her.

He wants to see her around his family, happy and he wants to see that blush, that shy smile, her wide eyes whenever he said something even borderline dirty. He wanted her to be his legally wedded wife. His wife.
He wanted to protect her, respect her, be loyal to her, give her happiness and confidence, he wanted to support her, and maybe, maybe he was also open to the idea of loving her someday.

"Wait for me here." Rudraksh says gently now. Shivani finally caught her breath.

She watched as he turned and walked out of the office, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She couldn't believe how much she had revealed to him, how much she had wanted to tell him the truth. But she can't, what will he think, she couldn't even protect herself, she is weak she knows that but she doesn't want her husband to feel that.

Rudraksh walks back into the office, a small box in his hand.
"Shivani," He pauses for a while, looking into her eyes as if searching something, "we both know the circumstances we are marrying in, but I am always going to be by your side and I expect the same." He bends down on his knees and shivani's eyes widens. Rudraksh has never bent in front of anyone expect his parents, and here he is on one knee in front of his to be wife, "I am yours shivani, and you're mine."

Rudraksh opened the box revealing a beautiful ring. The ring sparkled under the dim light in the room, and a small gasp escaped Shivani's lips.

He took her hand in his and held it, gently slipping the ring onto her finger. His grip on her hand tightened, and his thumb caressed her palm in a way that made her heart skip a beat. He slightly pecked her finger where there was a ring now.

His voice was steady, but she could hear the faintest hint of vulnerability in his words. "This ring symbolizes our union. I'm giving you my promise that I will cherish and protect you always."

Shivani nods, tears streaming down her face, but she was happy, she felt happy.