SAANVI

I stood in front of the mirror, my heart racing with a mix of emotions as I gazed at my reflection. The intricate embroidery on my wedding lehenga sparkled in the light, but my eyes looked dull and lifeless.

 I was about to marry Vivaan Raghuvanshi, the youngest son of the wealthy and influential Raghuvanshi family.

 It was a union that would secure my family's business interests and strengthen our social standing. But as I looked at myself, I couldn't help but feel like I was sacrificing my own happiness for the sake of my family's ambitions.

I thought back to the day my parents had told me about the engagement. I had been shocked, to say the least.

 I had never met Vivaan before, and the few interactions we had had since the engagement had left me feeling cold and unimpressed.

 He was handsome, I suppose, but there was something about him that didn't quite add up. Maybe it was the way he smiled, or the way he looked at me - like I was a possession, rather than a person.

I sighed, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. Why had my parents done this to me? Why had they never asked me what I wanted, never considered my feelings or aspirations? 

It was all about the family's reputation and business interests. I was just a pawn in their game of power and prestige.

I took a deep breath and tried to push aside my doubts and fears. I would do my duty, just as I had always done. I would be a good wife, a good daughter-in-law, and a good daughter. I would make my family proud, even if it killed me.

But as I turned to leave the room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror again. And for a moment, I saw a glimmer of rebellion in my eyes, a spark of defiance that threatened to upset the carefully laid plans of my family. It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to give me pause. 

Maybe, just maybe, I didn't have to follow the path that had been laid out for me. Maybe I could forge my own way, make my own decisions, and live my own life. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a sense of excitement and trepidation. What would happen if I took a stand and refused to follow the rules?

But that was a luxury I couldn't afford. I belonged to the Malhotra family, where "no" was never an acceptable answer. Our family's reputation and legacy were built on tradition, obedience, and sacrifice. 

I had been groomed from a young age to put the family's needs before my own, to prioritize duty over desire. And now, as I stood on the threshold of my wedding, I knew that I had no choice but to go through with it. 

The thought sent a wave of resignation washing over me, and I felt my shoulders slump in defeat. I was trapped in a life that wasn't mine, with no escape in sight.

.................

As Saanvi sat beside Vivaan near the mandap, she couldn't help but notice the emptiness in his eyes. Despite the elaborate wedding decorations and the joyful chatter of the guests, Vivaan's gaze seemed to bore into the distance, his expression cold and unyielding  through the sheer fabric of her long, red veil.

 The coldness in his gaze sent a shiver down Saanvi's spine, and for a moment, she forgot about the wedding, the guests, and the festivities. All she could see was the emptiness in Vivaan's eyes, and it filled her with a sense of foreboding.

Saanvi's heart sank as she gazed at Vivaan, her mind racing with thoughts of their future together. She had always known that their marriage was arranged, a union between two powerful families to secure their business interests. 

But she had hoped, foolishly perhaps, that Vivaan would at least pretend to be happy to be marrying her.

Instead, his cold, empty eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, making her feel like a mere commodity, a pawn in a game of power and wealth.

 Saanvi felt a wave of desperation wash over her, and for a moment, she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake by agreeing to this marriage. 

But it was too late now. The ceremony had begun, and Saanvi was trapped in this fate, bound to Vivaan for the rest of her life. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself, forcing a smile onto her face as she turned to face the priest.

...............

The priest's words echoed through the air, "Aap dono agle saat janam ke liye pati patni hue!" (You two have become husband and wife for the next seven births!) 

Saanvi felt a shiver run down her spine as she gazed into Vivaan's eyes, searching for some spark of emotion, some hint of connection. But his eyes remained cold, his expression unreadable. 

As the priest handed Vivaan the mangalsutra, Saanvi felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. This was it, the final moment of commitment.

 Vivaan's hands closed around the necklace, his fingers brushing against her skin as he tied it around her neck. 

Saanvi felt a jolt of electricity at the touch, but it was quickly extinguished by the realization that this was just a duty, a obligation that Vivaan was fulfilling.

As the ceremony came to a close, Saanvi felt a sense of numbness wash over her. She was married now, tied to Vivaan for the rest of her life. 

But as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't help but wonder if she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.

..............

SAANVI

As we stood up, Vivaan's eyes met mine for a brief moment, and I felt a flicker of uncertainty. But it was quickly replaced by his usual stoic expression. I, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness as we prepared to take the blessings of our elders.

We walked together, our hands touching briefly as we moved in tandem. I could feel the weight of the mangalsutra around my neck, a constant reminder of my new status as Vivaan's wife. 

 As we reached the first row of seated elders, Vivaan's mother, Mrs. Raghuvanshi, smiled warmly at us and held out her hands for us to touch her feet.

I bent down to touch her feet, feeling a sense of reverence wash over me. Vivaan followed suit, his movements precise and calculated. 

As we straightened up, Mrs. Raghuvanshi placed her hands on our heads, blessing us with a warm smile. "May you both be happy and prosperous," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "May your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and joy."

...............

Vivaan's cold, hard voice cut through the silence of the room. "What are you doing on my bed?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at Saanvi.

Saanvi, still trying to process the events of the day, rolled her eyes and shot back sarcastically, "Ohh God, my family married me off to a blind man." She didn't even bother to look at Vivaan, instead keeping her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Vivaan's expression darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. "Can't you see, Mr. Raghuvanshi, I'm trying to sleep?" Saanvi continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She finally turned to face Vivaan, a mocking glint in her eye.

Vivaan's face twisted in disgust as he took a step closer to Saanvi. "Get off my bed!" he scoffed, his voice dripping with contempt. Saanvi, still lounging on the bed, raised an eyebrow and shot back, "That's my bed too, Mr. Raghuvanshi."

Vivaan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "I don't recall inviting you to share my bed," he growled, his voice low and menacing. Saanvi, undaunted by Vivaan's intimidating demeanor, shrugged and replied, "Well, I'm your wife now. I think that comes with certain... privileges."

As Saanvi slowly got up from the bed, her eyes locked onto Vivaan's, a hint of defiance sparkling in their depths. 

She moved towards him with a deliberate slowness, her hips swaying slightly as she walked. Vivaan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anticipation of what she might do next.

And then, in a move that caught him completely off guard, Saanvi encircled her arms around his neck, her fingers intertwining with a gentle yet firm pressure.

 Vivaan's eyes widened in surprise, his body stiffening as he struggled to process this sudden display of intimacy. 

Saanvi's face was inches from his, her breath whispering against his skin as she whispered, "I'm your wife now, Vivaan. Get used to it." 

Vivaan's eyes flashed with anger, but Saanvi just smiled sweetly, her lips curling up in a provocative smile. She pressed her body closer to his, her chest brushing against his as she whispered, "I think it's time we started acting like husband and wife, don't you?"

Vivaan's face twisted in disgust, and he tried to push Saanvi away, but she held tight, her arms wrapped around his neck like a vice. 

"Let me go," he growled, his voice low and menacing. But Saanvi just laughed, a low, husky sound that sent a shiver down Vivaan's spine.

"I don't think so," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear. "I think we're just getting started." And with that, she pulled his head down, her lips meeting his in a fierce, passionate kiss. 

Leaving Vivaan stunned and speechless, Saanvi winked at him, a mischievous glint in her eye. She then turned and sashayed back to her side of the bed, her hips swaying seductively as she moved.

 Vivaan watched her, his eyes fixed on her retreating back, his mind reeling with shock and confusion. 

As Saanvi slipped under the covers, she cast a glance over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with amusement. 

"Goodnight, husband," she whispered, her voice husky and seductive. And with that, she turned off the lamp and plunged the room into darkness, leaving Vivaan to stew in his own frustration and confusion.

VIVAAN

I stood there, frozen in shock, as Saanvi winked at me and sashayed back to her side of the bed. What was she playing at? I couldn't understand why she was being so... flirtatious. Didn't she know that I wasn't interested in her?

As I watched her slip under the covers, I felt a surge of annoyance. Who did she think she was, teasing me like that? I wasn't some naive fool who could be easily manipulated. I was Vivaan Raghuvanshi, and I wouldn't be played.

But as I stood there, my eyes fixed on Saanvi's dark form, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was in over my head.

 There was something about Saanvi that didn't add up, something that made me feel like I was walking on thin ice. And I couldn't help but wonder what she had planned next. 

Saanvi's voice emerged from beneath the covers, her tone dripping with sass. "If you're Vivaan Raghuvanshi, then I'm Saanvi Malhotra Raghuvanshi, husband."

I felt a jolt of surprise at Saanvi's words. How did she...? I hadn't spoken aloud, I was sure of it. I must have just thought it, but somehow Saanvi had sensed it. 

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that Saanvi seemed to be able to read me in a way that no one else ever had.

I stood there for a moment, frozen in surprise, as Saanvi's words hung in the air. And then, without thinking, I spoke. "How did you...?" I trailed off, unsure of how to finish the question.