They reached the venue.

Aarav stepped out first and extended his hand. Cameras flashed all around them. Siya hesitated for a moment, then finally placed her hand in his. A soft smile touched his lips as he helped her out of the car.

Paakhi rushed to her. “Bhabhi, come.”

Holding Siya’s hand, she added, “Let’s go inside.”

Paakhi led her in, with Aarav walking quietly beside them.

Siya sat on the stage while Paakhi adjusted her lehenga. Cameras kept clicking. One of the photographers spoke up, “Please open her veil, we need clear pictures.”

Paakhi looked at Kavita. Kavita nodded.

Paakhi gently lifted the veil.

Siya’s face was now fully visible—she looked breathtaking. Her eyes remained lowered,calm. Aarav looked at her and froze for a second; his heart skipped a beat.

The photographers continued clicking pictures. Relatives and Aarav’s friends came forward, blessing her and handing over gifts. Aarav stepped aside when his friends surrounded him.

“Bhabhi is very beautiful,” one of them teased.

Another smirked. “So, Aarav… what are your plans tonight? Outing or what?”

Aarav cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed.

His friends burst out laughing. “Enjoy, Aarav!”

Paakhi called out, “Bhai, come for pictures.”

After the photo session, Kavita approached Siya. “Daughter, you must be hungry. Come, eat something.”

Siya stood up. Paakhi held her hand and brought her to the dining table. Aarav followed and was about to sit when his friend Aman interrupted, “Aarav—beside bhabhi.”

Another added, “Don’t leave our bhabhi alone.”

Paakhi smiled knowingly. Aarav sighed helplessly but smiled and sat beside Siya.

From a distance, Kavita watched them—smiling.

Siya sat back on the stage while Aarav went to handle a few arrangements. Paakhi stood beside her, gently introducing her to relatives.

Suddenly, the air shifted.

Kavita noticed him first.

Her smile faded. Her body stiffened.

Raj Mittal.

Before anyone could stop him, Raj walked straight toward the stage. He stopped right in front of Siya.

Paakhi saw him and froze. Her hands began to tremble.

Siya slowly looked up.

The moment her eyes met his, memories crashed into her mind—their lifeless bodies, blood, fire, screams. Her throat tightened, her chest felt suffocated. Tears welled up, but she refused to let them fall.

Raj smirked.

“I guess you remember me, Siya.”

She didn’t reply—only glared at him. Her hands shook, but she clenched them tightly, refusing to show fear.

Aarav noticed the disturbance.

The moment he understood what was happening, he rushed to the stage and shoved Raj back.

Raj stumbled a step, then straightened himself calmly.

“Relax, Aarav,” he said casually. “Today I’m very happy.”

Aarav snapped, “Why are you here?”

Raj smiled wider. “To congratulate you.”

Then, lowering his voice, “And don’t worry… I haven’t forgotten what you did. Mittals never forget.”

Aarav pointed toward the exit. “Get out. Now.”Or ..

Raj’s eyes flickered toward Siya. She was still glaring at him—silent, broken, but defiant.

Raj smirked once more.

“Bye, Siya. Bye, Aarav.”

And then he walked away as if nothing had happened.

Aarav immediately sat beside Siya. “Are you okay?”

She nodded quickly, wiping her tears before they could fall.

But deep inside, she realized one thing clearly—

This wasn’t over. Not even close.

I need to know what connection they share, siya thought.

Paakhi squeezed Siya’s hand tightly.

At the same moment, Kavita walked toward her, worry written all over her face.

Siya looked at Kavita and said softly,

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m okay. This time… I’m not broken.”

Kavita let out a slow breath, her eyes still filled with worry.

Paakhi stared at Siya in silence, admiration clear on her face.

Aarav looked at her too—his heart tightening as a single thought crossed his mind.

She’s stronger than she knows.

Kavita said firmly, “No need to worry, Siya. You and Aarav will stay far away from the Mittals.”

Siya nodded quietly.

Aarav turned his face away, his jaw tightening.

Just then, Rahul Goenka walked in. He noticed Kavita’s tense expression immediately.

“Don’t worry,” he said calmly. “Everything will be fine.”

Kavita looked at him, and for a moment, Siya watched them both.

He truly cares for Mom, Siya realized.

Rahul then said gently, “Kavita, go and see the guests. They’re about to leave.”

Kavita nodded and walked away.

Aarav didn’t want to leave Siya, but he turned to Paakhi and said,

“Take care of her.”

Paakhi nodded without hesitation.

Aarav walked away.

Siya remained seated on the stage, her hands resting in her lap.

Her new beginning—

once again—

had been shadowed by the Mittals

Kavita turned to Paakhi and said, “We’re leaving now.”

Paakhi held Siya’s hand and said gently, “We’re going.”

Siya stood up and walked toward the car.

This time, Paakhi sat beside her. With a small smile, she said“Bhabhi, there’s a little surprise for you.”Siya looked at her, confused.

“What surprise?”Paakhi smiled mysteriously.“You’ll see.”

They reached the Goenka mansion.Paakhi led Siya to their room and slowly opened the door.Siya gasped.

The room was beautifully decorated with red roses. Soft lights filled the space, and petals were scattered everywhere.

Her heart skipped a beat.Paakhi smiled brightly.“Bhabhi, nothing happen that day —but we’ll complete every ritual.”

Siya sat on the edge of the bed. Paakhi gently adjusted her lehenga and said,“If you need anything, just tell me.”Siya nodded quietly.

Paakhi paused at the door, then turned back with a teasing smile.

“Don’t worry… bhai is coming.”Paakhi said

Siya’s heart began to pound faster.Paakhi laughed softly and walked out, leaving Siya alone in the room.

Siya sat alone in the room.The air was filled with a sweet fragrance, yet her heart felt heavy.

She sighed.

She had never imagined that she would become the wife of Aarav—the man she once and always hated.

Memories rushed back.

Flashback_

Siya was sitting beside Veer when she sighed dramatically.

“So many proposals are coming for me,” she said. “I know I’m beautiful… but I’m special too, right?”

Veer smiled and shook his head, amused. Then he smirked.

“You know, I also received one proposal for you.”

Siya raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? Okay.”

Veer leaned closer.

“Aren’t you going to ask—from where?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Tell me.”

“From the Goenka mansion,” Veer said casually. “For Aarav”

Siya sighed loudly and glared at him.

“I will never marry Aarav.”

Just then, Aarav entered the living room.

He heard every word.

Veer noticed him and quickly said, “Hey, sit beside me.”

Siya saw Aarav too—but that didn’t stop her.

“Even if Aarav were the last boy in the world, I wouldn’t marry him.”

Aarav finally spoke, his jaw clenched.

“Me too. Even if you were the last girl, I wouldn’t marry you.”

Siya smirked.

“But Aarav, I didn’t send you a proposal. Your family sent it to mine.”

Aarav turned his face away.

She continued coldly,

“I rejected your family’s proposal. No one even asked for your opinion.”

“Enough, Siya,” Veer said sharply. “Leave my friend alone.”

She sighed.

“I’m leaving. I’m not even interested in staying here.”

And with that, she walked away.

Flashback Ends_

Siya let out a bitter laugh.

“Destiny really mocked me,” she whispered.

She never thought she would end up like this never imagined she would be the wife of Aarav.

Yet, after everything, she couldn’t ignore the worry she had seen in Aarav’s eyes.

Still, a thought haunted her.

Is this concern… or just pity?

Her thoughts tangled endlessly. Exhausted, she leaned back against the headboard and slowly drifted to sleep, her veil still covering her face.