"What the f*ck is going on here?" A booming voice made everyone jump at their places.

A man made his way towards the commotion with a hard glare that made more than half of the students run away from the field. The ones who were left now were Raghav, Ishani and their friends.

His long strides, fist clenched made Ishani release a wavered breath in anticipation of his next actions.

It wasn't later that he reached the place commotion and in between all those other people, he looked like he owned the place with his aura.

"Is it what I am thinking? Did this fool just propose you?" Armaan asked Ishani with a cold look.

This was the first time Ishani hadn't gave back a witty remark to Armaan as her head was lowered down.

"I asked you something Ishani." He again asked in a hard tone when he didn't found her responding.

"I- I" Ishani stuttered.

"What the hell man? Who are you?" Raghav decided to butt in.

"I have no interest in replying to you." Armaan replied to him with a harsh glare.

"Ishu, who is this man? How can he talk with us this way?" This time Raghav's question was towards Ishani's direction.

"He-" Ishani started, but was cut off.

"I can't stand this anymore. You're coming with me right now." Armaan said in a tone that meant no further arguments.

With this he dragged Ishani harshly away from the dumbfounded college students and her worried friends, not even slightly bothered about the commotion he had caused just now.

Reaching the car, he made her sit in the passenger seat, closing the door harshly making her flinch in reaction and made his way towards the driver's seat. Without even waiting for any other second, he ignited the engine and roared the car to life.

"Ar-" Ishani started.

"Not a word." He gritted out with a cold look.

Ishani sealed her mouth with hesitation and for ten minutes straight he kept driving recklessly with a full speed, now reaching a deserted road.

A screeching of tires made the impact of Ishani's eyes widen, although she was safe from the seatbelt she had put on earlier. The car had now stopped in the middle of the deserted road and without even glancing at her, he exited the car with a bang making Ishani flinch in fear.

Another five minutes had passed with Armaan pacing around in front of the car and Ishani glancing at him secretly every second with her head lowered down. Gathering a big amount of courage, she slowly opened the door of the car and got out releasing a breath. As she made her way towards him whose back was turned in her direction, she stood couple of feet away from him.

"Ar-" She started when a voice beat her.

"Ishu huh? Everyone calls you Ishu. Even the strangers." Armaan let out in a hard tone.

"Why? Why do you do this every single time?" Armaan snapped in her direction as if he had felt her presence.

"I don't understand." She replied.

"You don't understand?" Armaan mocked lifting her chin.

"Wh-" This time Armaan had lifted her like a rag doll and had placed her on top of the SUV's bonnet causing her to shriek.

"Armaan, what is wrong with you? You cannot do things like this." As she tried getting down from the bonnet with a glare of her own because of his doings, Armaan had only tightened his hold in return.

"What part of the fact that you're my wife you don't understand huh? Come on, tell me." He glared at her.

"I am not." Ishani whispered in a quiet tone, but was easily heard by Armaan.

"Yes, you are. Don't you remember the night when we got married in presence of our family. The night where you became only mine." He shot back with a cold glare.

"No." Ishani again whispered causing him to laugh at her.

"Let me show you then." With this he claimed her soft lips with his own.

He was kissing her like a man on mission. Sucking harshly on her bottom lip, he soothed it with his tongue when Ishani let out a whimper. He had now pushed his tongue inside her mouth and was tasting it like a starved man. Biting lightly again on her lower lip, he soothed it with his tongue causing Ishani to suck a harsh breath and unknowingly kiss him back lightly as she was inexperienced. The kiss was sloppy due to the emotions building inside of them.

As they'd now parted away from each other's lips, both of their foreheads were in contact. Ishani looked at him through her long lashes and Armaan let out a sharp breath.

FLASHBACK:

"Dad, how can you even say this? She has turned 18 just a couple of months ago. And you're saying she needs to marry Armaan." Shivani said horrified after what she had heard.

"I know what I am saying Shivu. This is your Mom's last wish and I have to fulfill it no matter what." Mr. Khanna replied defeatedly to his elder daughter.

Shivani was all set to marry Rahil Grover, Son of Vishesh Grover and Aparna Grover when the news of Smiti Khanna and Aparna Grover's accident shattered everyone.

Both of them had gone to temple together to pray one last time before the marriage for betterment of everyone. Who knew this decision would only cost a severe accident for them when they were returning? Aparna Grover was declared dead before the help could arrive and Smiti Khanna was immediately taken to the hospital.

Everyone was broken with the news, but nonetheless made their way towards the hospital where both the ladies were taken by the paramedics.

Seeing Aparna in this state, Grover family was completely petrified. Everyone's mind was in a haze.

"Mr. Khanna your wife is continuously mumbling 'Ishu' and I suggest we call whoever the person is." The doctor announced making the petite girl's attention turn towards them from constant crying.

"That's my daughter. Ishu come here child." Mr. Khanna said to the scared girl.

Instantly she came and stood beside them looking expectantly for any of her mother's news.

"Your mama wants to see you." Mr. Khanna said to the girl. The fact Ishani was the dearest to Smiti was hidden from no one.

She obediently nodded and followed the doctor in the private room where Smiti was rested.

"Mama." She whispered to the pale lady laying on the bed.

"Ishu." Smiti mumbled much clearly this time.

Smiti called Ishani with an action with her hand and Ishani immediately compiled coming just beside her mother who had a smile on her face for her princess.

"Princess never cries na? Then why are you crying?" Smiti asked in a hoarse voice.

It was evident to every medical facility in the room how hard she was trying to live and speak for her daughter making their eyes glisten with tears.

"I won't cry." Ishani mumbled listening to her mother's words like she always does.

"Would you do a favor to your mama?" She asked Ishani who immediately nodded.

"Just do whatever you Dad and Shivu Di says after you leave from here." Smiti replied to her.

"Will this help you recover fast mama?" Ishani asked hopefully.

"It will make me the happiest princess." Smiti replied flinching a little at the pain in her head.

"Then I will definitely do it." Ishani declared.

Another Doctor had already announced everyone outside except Ishani who was with her mother that Smiti's condition is not going to get any better whether they perform an operation or not. According to them she must've died by now unknown to the fact that he was piercing the family's heart with his words, but they had no idea how she was in a conversation with Ishani inside the room.

"Pranay, please listen to the last thing I am going to say before I die." Smiti said knowing the fact her condition was critical and she could die any moment.

"Anything Smiti." Mr. Khanna replied to his wife.

"You know Aparna and I were long lost friends and how happy we were when we met for Shivani and Rahil's wedding. When Ishu was born and Armaan was already 4, we had decided back then only that we'll get them married with each other. It was a promise we made to each other years ago and it's something Aparna reminded me when she took her last breath. I promised her then and I promised her moments ago. I want them married as soon as possible." Smiti let out her words with a great difficulty.

Pranay Khanna was shocked at what he had heard. His little princess was just 18 and there weren't any kind of thoughts inside of him about her marriage till now. She was just a kid!

But if Smiti had thought about it, this must be something that was relevant or something she genuinely wants.

"I'll do that. Don't worry." Mr. Khanna replied as there was no way he would've denied his wife's last wish.

"Sir you need to get out." The doctor said to Mr. Khanna noticing Smiti's BP risen up.

Defeatedly, Pranay got out of the room with his eyes glistening with tears for his wife whom he knew was seconds away from dying, but cannot do anything especially not to see her die in front of his eyes.

He had now sent back everyone to the house after a lot of protests from each person and stayed back.

"Mr. Khanna, your wife is no more." The doctor gave him the news at 12 AM in the night.

Mr. Khanna nodded his head understandingly, tears glistening in his eyes at the though of his wife who he loves dearly and immediately made the preparations for the cremation of Smiti.

//////////

"Dad but still, she's young and she doesn't needs to marry Armaan. We'll see later on what we can do." Shivani reasoned out as she has always been an amazing sister to her with the 7 year age gap between them.

The father-daughter duo had been arguing since an hour. No one amongst the two seemed to back down from their opinion. Till now, Ishani hadn't been consulted at all.

"I am not saying she has to live with Armaan. What I am saying is we should get her married with him and she can continue with her studies staying back with me. Whenever she's ready, she can go and live with him as his wife." Mr. Khanna explained to Shivani, taking a seat on the couch to calm his insides.

"This was your mother's last wish Shivu. I am bound to fulfill it, so please just go and talk to Ishu. I know I won't be able to talk with her about this." Mr. Khanna said to his elder daughter, looking at her with longing in his eyes.

"Don't worry Dad, I will. But don't expect me to force her about this nor I am going to let you do that." Shivani said with finality.

Knocking on the door Shivani entered her room only to see Ishani curled up on the bed. Instantly, she made her way towards her and sat down beside Ishani taking her in her own arms.

"Ishu, don't cry bacha. Everything will be alright." Shivani tried to pacify Ishani.

"Don't think I don't know Shivu Di. I know Mama's dead. I heard Dad talking with Vishesh Uncle and Rahil Jiju." Ishani replied still with lowered gaze.

It was true that Ishani is really smart. Although she's a child in everyone's eyes, but in reality she was very mature according to her age that is 18.

"What did Mama wanted me to do?" Ishani asked getting straight to the point.

"Ishu, please just think carefully about what I am going to say okay? There's no pressure." Shivani tried to calm her first and Ishani nodded immediately.

"Mama said she wants you to get married as this was her last wish before she died." Shivani blurted and then sighed.

This wasn't how Shivani had thought of dropping such a news to this 18 year old, but there wasn't other option. She's just a child and she needs to understand everything.

"I will get married na when I'll complete my studies." Ishani said innocently.

"Ishu, she wanted you to get married as soon as possible. Dad said he won't let you go so that you can complete your studies from here." Shivani said softly.

"I'll do it then. I will get married if that's what Mama wanted." Ishani declared.

"Ishu, you don't need to do this. There's no pressure. I will handle everything and you don't have to worry." Shivani reasoned as an elder sister.

"No, I'll do it no matter what. Just tell me the name of the guy." Ishani said with finality.

"Armaan." Shivani blurted.

"Armaan? Mama wanted me to get married to Maan? I'll do it definitely then." Ishani said thinking about her childhood mate who's 4 years elder to her.

"Ishu-" Shivani started but got cut off.

"I said na I will marry Maan." Ishani declared with no room left to argue and Shivani exited her room defeatedly.

Maan. She didn't have to think twice about getting married to Armaan after all it's her Maan. The one who used to spend all his time with Ishani when she was just a baby. The one whom she always cares about. The one whom she loves deep down.

//////////

Here Shivani had declared Ishani's decision to Mr. Khanna whose happiness was no bound after all deep down he had always dreamt of having Armaan as a husband for their Ishani. Although Shivani was not so sure about this happening with Ishani's life, it was only because she didn't want this to happen now. She wanted both of them to get married after Ishani is at considerable age seeing how much love they have for each other, however haven't confessed.

On the other hand, Vishesh Grover decided to let Armaan know about his mother's last wish.

"Armaan, your mother always wanted you to get married to Ishani. Before dying she also wished for the same, so I hope you'll fulfill it." Mr. Grover said to the 22 year old Armaan.

"Dad, we can get married later on. It's not like I would marry any other girl besides Ishani. We should just let her studies get over first." Armaan reasoned pacing in the lobby.

"We are going to let her study here itself. You are just going to marry and return back to our home without her. She can live with you whenever she completes her study or when she's ready." Mr. Grover explained.

"What will it change anyways if we're going to live apart? It'll be the same so I suggest we marry later." Armaan said as he didn't want his girl to feel pressured about anything at such a young age.

"She has already agreed to this Armaan. Why don't you agree as well?" Vishesh asked defeatedly.

Armaan couldn't believe what he heard was true. His Ani had agreed to marry him without any problem. He was now sure it's only because she feels pressurised because of both of their mother's wish. He didn't want to ruin her life.

"I want to talk to her." Armaan mumbled in a daze and his father instantly agreed.

As he was walking towards her room, he got stopped by his elder brother Rahil in between.

"Armaan, where are you going at this time?" Rahil asked raising his eyebrows.

"To Ishani bhai. I want to talk to her about everything." Armaan replied, massaging his forehead.

"Hmm. Listen to one thing though. Almost everyone knows how both you love each other, no matter if you've confessed or not." Rahil explained like a good advisor.

"I know bhai. It's just that I don't think I want to marry her." Armaan said.

"And it's only because I don't think she's ready for this. Although she has agreed, but she's just 18 for God's sake. What if she hates me for ruining her life? I can't do this no matter how much I love her." Armaan continued defeatedly.

"Armaan, the only thing you should care about is if you're ready. Because I know Ishani is not a child. She may seem like a normal 18 year old, but she's very mature. Her decision is not just based on her mother's wish, but also because she loves you. She really does and you do too." Rahil explained.

"You're right bhai. But I still need to talk to her." Armaan said with a smile this time.

"Hmm. Just go." Rahil said waving him off.

//////////

"Ishani?" Armaan knocked on his love's door.

"Come in." He heard a faint voice from inside and immediately got inside.

Ishani was sitting on the plush carpet on a support from the bed with her legs touching her chest. Armaan instantly walked towards her direction to sit beside her.

"Ani, are you sure you want this?" Armaan questioned, looking at her hesitantly.

"It's Ishani for you. And yes, I am sure of it only because it was my mother's last wish." Ishani said without even glancing at him.

"Ani-" Armaan said shocked.

"Didn't I just say it's Ishani for you? And what are you still doing in my room?" Ishani said with a blank expression.

"Ishani why are you saying this? Please look at me once." Armaan said hurt evident in his voice.

"I have agreed just for our mothers. And you're not my Maan. You aren't." Ishani said gulping her tears.

As Armaan forwarded his hands for capturing her, she just pushed those away harshly making Armaan shocked for the second time at her actions and words.

"Get out of my room." Ishani mumbled quietly.

"Ani-"

"I said get out of my room now!" This time Ishani had raised her voice.

Hesitantly, Armaan got up from the carpet and exited her room not before glancing at her one last time, his eyes filled with longing for her.

//////////

As it was decided, Rahil and Shivani got married a couple of months later their mother's death as it didn't going to change the fact that they had died and they have to continue their lives like they'd planned.

Armaan and Ishani got married in the temple two months later than them with just both of their fathers and Rahil and Shivani present as per Armaan's request. This was only because he didn't want Ishani to feel uncomfortable and they'd even decided to not let anybody else other than them to know about this.

In these four months, Ishani hadn't talked with Armaan once or let him explain anything although he himself was unknown of the reason of Ishani's behaviour towards him.

Like every bride goes to her husband's house after marriage, in this case Ishani and Armaan had to part their ways where Ishani left with her father for their home like always and Armaan left with Vishesh, Rahil and Shivani, them being his family.

This wasn't before they both had glanced each other with longing for each other in their eyes unknown to the big misunderstanding caused between them, parting their ways and getting into their cars.

After this, years passed normally for Ishani as she'd eventually made up her mind that it was just a adjustment for him. She had believed that this marriage meant nothing to him and she started living her college life normally as she should.

On the other hand, Armaan had become so cold with others as he didn't have his girl, his wife beside him. His girl who is angry at him and behaving like this for a reason unknown to him. He only lived as he believed the day would come soon when Ishani will start living with him. He had to take over the family business as the CEO because his elder brother was in the medical field as a successful surgeon just as his sister in-law Shivani. Another reason was that his father had died almost a year after his marriage due to heart failure so he had no other option, but to behave like this. A man who looks so cold and strong from outside, but only wants the presence of Ishani.

This continued for all these years till now, where Armaan would visit this city in the name of business when it was just to see Ishani and every time he would stay with them where Ishani wouldn't even glance at him, talking was a massive thing.

******