Disclaimer:  Any actions or characters in the story is only imagination and I don't support any harassment against women. Sorry in prior if I hurt with any sequence in the story.

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Recap: Aryan's thoughts filled with their marriage memories

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The night Maya stormed out of Aryan's mansion, she headed straight to the club where her friends Riya and Lekha were already waiting. Without sparing them a glance, she marched up to the bar and demanded shots.

"Give me something strong," she told the bartender, knocking back more than five in quick succession.

Her phone rang, and she answered with a sharp, "Hello."

"Princess, where are you?" Chandrasekar's concerned voice came through.

"Dad, for god's sake, just leave me alone. I need my space now."

"Maya, listen. Just come home. Let's talk. Dad will find a way."

"You don't worry, Dad. I can take care. Sleep well."

"Maya, please. Listen to me."

"Stop it, Dad. Don't call me again."

She hung up and took another shot.

Riya approached her. "Maya, what happened?"

"Today Aryan is celebrating his wedding anniversary," Maya said bitterly.

Riya and Lekha were shocked.

"What the hell?" Lekha exclaimed. "You mean he was married a year ago? Why did he keep it a secret?"

"I think he's just pulling some drama," Riya muttered.

"No," Maya replied. "He announced it to the entire media. Even my father knew only recently."

"Then your dad didn't tell you?" Riya asked.

"He had some plans, but Aryan made his move before my dad could act."

"Sorry, Maya," Lekha said gently. "We told you so many times—focus on your life instead of chasing him."

"Better move on," Riya added. "Find someone who loves you for who you are. You deserve to be happy."

"Think about Vivaan, at least," Lekha urged. "He still cares for you. Maybe not now, but take your time."

"Shut up," Maya snapped. "I won't spare Aryan and his bloody wife. If he can't be mine, he won't be anyone's. I'll kill him."

"Maya!" Riya exclaimed. "You're drunk. Don't talk nonsense. Be quiet."

Maya waved her off and asked the bartender for more drinks. Nearby, Vivaan watched everything unfold. He walked over to a friend and slipped him a small pouch.

"Spike the girls' drinks," he whispered. "Make sure they don't notice."

He then approached the group.

"Hi Maya," he said.

She ignored him.

"Hi Vivaan," Riya greeted. "She's a little upset. Don't mind her."

"I understand." Vivaan turned to Maya. "If I can help in any way, just tell me. Anything for your happiness."

As time passed, the girls got increasingly intoxicated.

"Girls, that's enough. You've had more than usual," Vivaan warned.

"One last drink, Vivaan," Maya insisted.

"Fine. Just one. No more than that."

"You're a good boy, Vivaan," Riya giggled.

Vivaan signaled the bartender. The girls received the spiked drinks and downed them quickly. Soon, they started swaying and found it hard to walk. Vivaan helped Maya to her car, then returned for the others. He drove them to Lekha's home, assisted them into a room, and laid them down gently.

"Good night, girls. Sleep well. Call me in the morning once you're awake," he said warmly.

"Good night, Vivaan. Thank you so much," Lekha murmured.

Vivaan stepped outside and waited until they were fully unconscious. Once sure, he returned inside, picked up Maya, and carried her to the next room, locking the door behind him.

"I'm sorry, Maya baby," he whispered. "If your love for Aryan is true even after you found out he's married and doesn't love you, then we're sailing the same boat. You wanted to kill Aryan if he's not yours—I'm a little different. I won't kill you, but I will make you mine. Everything is fair in love and war. Happy first night, Maya baby."

Vivaan got on the bed and took advantage of Maya in her unconscious state. Later, he dressed her and placed her back with the others before leaving.

Outside, he met his friend.

"What did you do, Vivaan?" the friend asked.

"Something I should've done a long time ago."

"What if they find out?"

"Not likely. Even if Maya suspects something, I won't be in the suspect zone."

"How?"

"Drop me back at the club."

Vivaan returned to the club and spent the night there. The next afternoon, Riya and Lekha woke up and refreshed themselves. They noticed Maya still asleep.

"Maya, wake up," Riya called.

Maya stirred and sat up but quickly lay back down, wincing in pain.

"Maya, what happened?" Riya asked.

"It's paining," she said, holding her lower abdomen.

"Maybe you're about to get your period," Lekha suggested.

"No, I just had it a few days ago."

"Alright, take a bath and see if you feel better. If not, we'll go to the doctor."

Maya nodded slowly and made her way to the washroom. After bathing and changing, she sat quietly.

This pain is different. What happened last night? she wondered.

"Lekha, how did we get home?" she asked.

"We were blind drunk. You both were unconscious. Vivaan brought us home and left. He told me to call him once we're awake."

Lekha dialed Vivaan's number. A girl answered.

"Hello, who's this? Can I speak to Vivaan?" Lekha asked.

"He's asleep. Maybe call later," the girl replied.

"Where is he?"

"He's in the room at the nightclub."

"Okay, I'll speak to him later."

The girl turned to Vivaan and handed back the phone.

"Thanks for your help," he said.

"Why didn't you speak? You're awake."

"None of your business. Take the money and leave. Remember—if anyone asks, you say I stayed at the club all night."

She nodded, took the money, and left.

Back at Lekha's home, Maya asked, "What happened?"

"Looks like he returned to the club after dropping us," Lekha said. "Some girl answered. She said he's still asleep."

So he left after dropping us. Maybe I'm overthinking. Just a normal pain, Maya reasoned.

She checked her phone and saw hundreds of missed calls and messages from her father.

"What's your next plan, Maya?" Lekha asked.

"He gave his 50% ARC Group shares to that bloody girl. Appointed her cousin as CEO. Played very smart. But I signed the partnership agreement. I'll be working from ARC Towers. I'll do something big. I'll make her cry every minute of her life. She'll leave Aryan on her own. Only I can be Mrs. Aryan. I won't give up."

"Maya, don't you think you've lost enough time over Aryan?" Lekha asked gently. "You're the princess of DC Groups. Your dad can get you a prince from anywhere. Just think."

"Lekha, one more word and this will be the last time we meet."

"Hey, cool down. I just voiced my opinion. I'll always support you."

"Maya, just relax for a few days," Riya said. "Clear your head. Then do what you want."

"I'll stay with you girls this week," Maya decided.

She called her father and informed him of her plans. Chandrasekar, hoping time with her friends would help, agreed not to disturb her.

The sun was bright as Aryan and Sanjana stepped out of the temple, flanked by their security team. Ever since their private lives became a topic for the paparazzi, even a temple visit required caution. But inside the sanctum, away from flashing cameras and chaos, they found a rare moment of peace.

After completing their prayers, they sat quietly in a shaded corner of the temple premises. The scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the soft murmur of devotional chants in the distance.

Sanjana turned to Aryan, her fingers gently dipping into the holy ash. She reached up and pressed it against his forehead with a soft smile. In return, Aryan took a pinch of vermillion and carefully placed it on the center of her forehead. Their eyes met, and time seemed to pause for a heartbeat.

"It feels so different," Sanjana whispered. "Like we just got married."

"Even I feel the same," Aryan replied, his voice low and warm.

"This is the first time we're visiting a temple together," she said, still gazing at him.

"Are you happy?" he asked, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"I'm so happy... and scared at the same time."

"Why?" he asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

"I don't know... I just feel it," she murmured.

Aryan wrapped his fingers around hers. "Nothing will happen. Let's be happy and enjoy the present instead of worrying."

Later, they returned home where Kowsalya had been waiting eagerly with a freshly prepared lunch. The aroma of traditional dishes filled the air as they stepped inside.

"I couldn't cook anything special yesterday," Kowsalya said apologetically, bringing the dishes to the table, "so I made something nice today."

"Thank you, maa," Sanjana said with a grateful smile.

Kowsalya looked at her with admiration. "Sanjana, you look so beautiful today."

Ranjith chuckled from behind. "Sanju, all these days you looked like a young girl... but all of a sudden, you give the vibes of a mature married woman."

Sanjana turned with mock indignation. "Bro, you too?"

They all laughed as they settled in for lunch. After the meal, Aryan and Sanjana returned to their room. The warmth of the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the space.

As Sanjana moved to place her jewelry in the box, Aryan stepped behind her and pulled her into a hug, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"You dressed up so beautifully today and tortured me by asking to take you to the temple," he murmured into her ear. "Do you even know how long I had to wait to get back to you?"

Sanjana smirked. "What? I'm tired. I'm going to sleep now."

Aryan's grip tightened playfully. "Let's get a little more tired before falling asleep. It would be a sin if I didn't worship my wife who took her sweet time to get dressed so beautifully."

"No sin will happen," she said firmly, trying to wriggle out of his hold. "Do you realize how late it was when we fell asleep last night?"

"That was a celebration at night," he grinned. "Now let's have a celebration in the daylight."

Without another word, he swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed, where their laughter and whispers melted into one more shared moment of intimacy. Wrapped in each other's warmth, they drifted into a deep, satisfied sleep, the peaceful afternoon holding their secret celebration close.

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A/N:

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