And finally, that day arrived—the Wedding Day.

All the wedding rituals were scheduled for the evening, but the actual wedding was to take place in the afternoon.

The ceremony began with Sanskruti’s entry. She walked toward the mandap with her aunt and uncle by her side. Above her head, a small wooden canopy—beautifully decorated with red roses—was held, a sacred ritual every bride followed.

One by one, the brides arrived according to their mandap positions, each walking under the same rose-adorned wooden canopy, escorted by either their parents or aunt and uncle.

There were four mandaps arranged in a straight line, one for each couple.

Sanskruti sat beside Suraj in the first mandap. Her eyes reflected sadness—not just hers, but her entire family’s grief.

Soon, all the couples were seated.

Each bride wore a delicate veil draped gracefully over her head. The wedding rituals officially began with the varmala ceremony.

Unexpectedly, everything went smoothly. No drama. No chaos. Everything felt… normal. Perhaps the storm was saving its strength for the wedding night.

While the grooms were slowly accepting the reality that their weddings were actually happening, the brides seemed stuck on one unsettling thought—the wedding night.

Just then, a sharp gasp echoed through the mandap area.

All heads turned toward the fourth mandap.

At the Fourth Mandap — Kiara’s POV

During the fifth phere, I was walking ahead when my vision suddenly blurred.
I tried to steady myself, tried to stay strong—but it didn’t last long.

My feet gave up. I was about to fall—When someone caught me.

Aditya: “Don’t worry,”

A familiar voice said close to my ear. It was deep and dangerous.
Aditya: “I’m always here to catch you.”

It was the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me whole.

Kiara’s POV Ends

Seeing the bride unconscious, panic spread through the mandap. Her parents rushed forward, fear etched clearly on their faces.

Karan came running toward Aditya.

Karan: “What happened?”

Aditya (coldly): “How would I know?”

Meegha rushed to her son.

Meegha: “What happened, Aditya?”

But he remained silent.

Anita: “Maybe she fainted. The last few days were extremely tiring.”

Nandani: “Let’s take her to the room.”

Aditya (harshly): “No. The wedding isn’t over.”

Everyone froze.

Meegha: “But she’s unconscious. How will the wedding continue?”

Without a word, Aditya bent down and picked Kiara up in his arms, holding her in a bridal carry.

Gasps filled the air.

Holding her close, he completed the remaining two pheras, carrying her through them. The Oberoi family, knowing Aditya’s nature, silently stepped forward to assist him.

Karan stood burning with anger. His sister’s health had been completely disregarded. He looked at his father, his eyes screaming “Is this how they’ll treat her?”
But Gautam avoided his gaze.

After completing the pheras, Aditya sat down, Kiara resting on his lap. One arm wrapped securely around her waist, keeping her balanced. With Meegha’s help, Aditya applied sindoor in Kiara’s maang.

As he did, his eyes unknowingly lingered on her face. Her cheek rested against his shoulder. She looked fragile… innocent… beautiful.

For a moment, he forgot everything.

Meegha: “Aditya… Aditya!”

She called louder.

He snapped back to reality. Once all the rituals were completed, Aditya stood up, Kiara still in his arms, and started walking away.

Meegha: “Where are you going?”

He ignored her.

Karan (blocking his path): “Where are you taking her?”

Aditya: “Don’t you think your sister needs rest—and a doctor?”

So pissed off. With that, he walked away.

The incident instantly became the center of gossip. While the other three couples completed their weddings and moved to the stage for greetings, Aditya and Kiara were nowhere to be seen.

Later

Nandani: “What did the doctor say?”

Saumya: “She has weakness. Her BP is low.”

Nandani: “Where’s Meegha?”

Saumya: “I don’t know. She’s angry. Aditya ignored her in front of everyone.”

Nandani let out a tired sigh.

In the Room

Kiara slowly opened her eyes, finding herself in an unfamiliar room.

Aditya: “You’re awake?”

She turned toward the voice. Aditya was sitting on a chair nearby.

Aditya: “How are you feeling? If you’re in pain, that’s good for me. And if not… I’ll work on it later.”

Kiara frowned, confused.

Kiara: “Huh?”

He stood and walked closer.

Aditya: “The more pain you’re in, the more peaceful my soul feels.”

She looked away.

Aditya: “What happened to my officially wedded wife?”

His tone was innocent—for a second.

Then it turned manic.

Aditya: “I didn’t even enter your life properly, and you already have weakness and low BP.”

He leaned closer.

Aditya: “How are you planning to survive?”

Only Kiara knew what she had endured this entire week.

Aditya: “Come. Everyone is waiting.”

He grabbed her hand. She didn’t move.

Removing her hand gently, Kiara walked toward the mirror, fixing her appearance.

Aditya (rudely): “Can’t you tell me you want to fix yourself?”

It was the first time he spoke to her like that—but this was the man everyone feared.

In the Hall

As the youngest couple arrived, all eyes turned toward them—especially Aditya.

Why is everyone staring at him instead of me?

Kiara wondered.
She didn’t know what he had done while she was unconscious. Soon, the couple stood on the stage, greeting guests—while an invisible storm brewed silently between them.