18

I was storing my Chapters in one app, and it got glitched somehow, my 2 chapters were deleted too, so i had to write again and it took long enough.

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Vidya’s POV

"And she’s not interested."

The name landed heavy. Even I felt it.

The guy hesitated.

"Thakur… as in—"

"Yes," Avi cut him off.

"That Thakur."

Silence.

Avi didn’t raise his voice. Didn’t threaten. He didn’t need to.

The guy cleared his throat.

"Didn’t know she was—"

"Now you do," Avi said.

The guy nodded quickly and walked away without another word.

Avi turned to me instantly, his expression softening.

"I’m sorry I left you alone."

I shook my head.

"You came back on time."

He studied my face, making sure I was really okay.

Then, as if on cue, Adi’s presence joined us—quiet, steady. One look at us and he understood everything. He didn't asked for any explanation or questions.

Avi exhaled slowly.

"Let’s go."

As we walked away, I realized something with startling clarity.

I hadn’t been saved.

I had been protected.

By a prince who protected me like a shueld.

And a king who ruled without arrogance.

Before I could even process what had just happened, Maa's hand wrapped around my wrist.

"Come," she said simply.

I barely had time to glance back before she pulled me away from the game zone, through the mall corridor, straight toward a row of glowing storefronts draped in silks and mirrors.

Lehenga shops.

"Maa-wait" I started.

"No arguments," she said calmly, already walking faster.

"You’ve played enough games for one day."

I smiled.

Inside the shop, the air changed. Soft music. Fabric everywhere, rich colors, embroidery catching the light. Adi stopped at the entrance. He didn’t step in. He just stood there. Avi, on the other hand, walked straight in like he owned the place.

"Alright," he announced, rolling up his sleeves.

"Now this—this is serious work i guess."

"You know nothing about lehengas."

"Oh, bhabhi maa," he said, clicking his tongue.

"I know exactly what suits my bhabhi"

Savitri raised a brow but didn’t stop him.

Avi’s eyes scanned the racks until he stopped.

There.

He pulled out a deep wine lehenga—heavy embroidery, gold thread woven like fire through the fabric. He held it up in front of me. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Avi looked at me with a soft gaze. Adi was still at the entrance. Watching me like he’d just seen a prophecy take shape. He had a very serious expression. He was just standing there as if the king was getting ready for another war.

Maa squeezed my hand gently.

And in that moment, I felt something settle deep inside me.

This wasn’t just shopping.

This was becoming.

I was getting married.

Adi took a step forward—and collided with someone.

"Sorry—" he paused.

He Looked up.

"Ayesha?"

Adi’s POV

I wasn’t prepared to see her.

Not here atleast.

I wanted Moon's moments to be perfect. The collision was accidental, but the moment our eyes met, something ugly stirred in my chest. Her face changed the second she recognized me—surprise first, then something like panic, quickly masked by a careful calm. I didn’t give her time to speak.Because the rage came before. My first instinct wasn’t to confront her. It was to move away. To go where my mind felt steady. I turned without another word and walked straight toward Vidya.

She stood near the lehenga racks, wine and gold still folded over her arm, Avi and Maa beside her.

The moment my eyes found her, the noise in my head dulled.

She was safe atleast!

That was all that mattered.

I stepped closer, placing myself subtly between her and the rest of the store, my back to Ayesha, my focus on Vidya.

"You okay?" I asked quietly.

She nodded, though her eyes searched my face, sensing the shift.

"I'm fine," she said, "What happened?"

"Nothing," I replied, a little too quickly. "Let's continue."

Avi noticed. Of course he did. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask. Maa simply watched me the way only a mother can. I moved toward a rack without thinking too much. And then I saw it.

Deep red. Heavy golden embroidery. Bridal look. My fingers brushed the fabric instinctively. I lifted it carefully and turned toward her.

"Try this," I said.

She blinked.

"Adi, this is… too much."

"It’s not," I said calmly. "It’s right."

Avi let out a deep sigh.

"Bro went straight from royal wedding to some heavy wedding. Let her choose something light. When we'll introduce her to everyone as Ranisa—then only she'll wear something heavy."

I ignored him. Ofcourse.

Author’s POV

Avi wasn’t about to let that slide.

"Oh no," he said, stepping forward dramatically.

"You don’t just walk in and choose a lehenga like you’re doing some kind of business bhai."

Adi shot him a look.

"She’ll look good in it."

"She looks good in everything," Avi replied. "That’s not the point."

Vidya glanced between them, confused. "What's happening?"

Avi grabbed another lehenga—ivory with rose gold work.

"She needs options."

Adi folded his arms.

"She needs one."

"She needs choices," Avi corrected. "She needs comfort."

"She needs Royalty."

Savitri cleared her throat.

Both boys froze.

She walked past them calmly, scanning the racks with practiced eyes.

She stopped, reached out, and pulled one lehenga forward.

Deep pink. Rich, elegant, timeless. Not heavy yet royal.

"This," Savitri said simply. Vidya’s breath caught when she saw it. Everyone went quiet.

Harsh nodded slowly. "Yeah… this one."

Avi tilted his head. "Okay. Maa wins."

Adi didn’t argue.

He just watched Vidya as she held the lehenga against herself.

She smiled.

"I like this," Vidya said softly.

Savitri squeezed her hand. "It suits your soul— calm, kind and Lovely"

For a moment, everything felt… right.

Jewellery Store

They moved to the jewellery store next. Gold gleamed under soft lights. Glass cases reflected quiet anticipation. Vidya walked ahead with Savitri, pointing at bangles, earrings, laughing lightly.

Adi stayed back, watching.

And then—

"Ayesha?"

Vidya’s voice.

Adi’s head snapped up.

Ayesha stood near the counter, eyes fixed on Vidya like she’d been waiting for this moment.

No arrogance now.

No confidence.

Just hesitation.

"Vidya," Ayesha said, swallowing. "Can we talk?"

Vidya stiffened.

The air shifted.

Vidya had a serious expression like she would kill someone. But pain was there in her eyes. She was hurt. Ayesha—her once sharp features were full of guilt, regret, pain, and something different—like everything is a lie. Savitri paused but didn’t intervene.

Avi’s jaw tightened but relaxed. He looked at Ayesha, like hus eyes were made for her only. Adi took a step forward—then stopped. This wasn’t his moment— He knew.

Vidya met Ayesha’s eyes steadily. "Say it."

Ayesha took a breath. "I'm sorry."

The word hung between them.

"I was wrong," Ayesha continued.

"I crossed lines. I betrayed your trust. I don’t expect forgiveness. I just… didn’t want to pretend I didn’t see you. I know what I did was wrong. Please give me a last chance. I'm not in contact with Shreyansh. I swear—"

Vidya didn’t reply immediately.

She looked at the jewellery.

The lights.

The reflection of herself in glass.— She was thinking.

Then back at Ayesha.

"Thank you for saying it," she said finally.

"That’s all. Come to my wedding and all functions. You're most invited"

This was Vidya—who forgives everyone, no matter what they did in the past. Even if someone stabs her, she

'll forgive in one second.

Ayesha nodded, eyes glistening, and stepped away.

Vidya turned back to Savitri.

"Maa," she said softly, "can you help me choose bangles?"

Everything felt right till now.

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