Sanskriti returned home with a heavy heart. Just an hour earlier, she'd been buzzing with joy after meeting her crush, Ved. Now, she sat in the car outside her house, frantically thinking up excuses or lies to tell her mother.

Her thoughts shattered when the driver said, "Miss, we're home." She snapped to attention and ordered him sharply not to mention the accident to her mother. He nodded obediently as she stepped out and headed inside.

Her mother sat in the drawing room, deep in conversation with a few guests. Sanskriti greeted them quietly and slipped straight to her room.She let out a breath of relief, convinced her mother hadn't noticed the small scratches on her face. No need to explain herself much after all.

_______________________

At the palace,

Vibrant floral arches and twinkling lights adorned the palace from top to bottom. Wedding rituals had begun in full swing, with every corner packed with relatives and family, alive with laughter and anticipation.

Atharva arrived home a week early with Shaurya and Yuvansh, diving straight into the pre-wedding chaos at the palace. They helped set up decorations and joined family rituals, their laughter echoing through the halls as they bonded over inside jokes and late-night planning.

Devika texted that she'd arrive just in time for haldi, leaving the boys counting down the days. The palace buzzed with their energy, setting the perfect stage for her grand entrance.

The haldi ceremony came alive in the palace courtyard under the open sky, with golden turmeric paste flying as relatives rubbed it on the groom amid loud laughter. Vikrant's friends joined in happily.

Yuvansh smeared some on Shaurya's face, getting a light push back, while Devika laughed and dodged the sticky mix. Drums beat steadily, and folks sang teasing songs, everyone covered in haldi and full of simple joy.

Mehndi night turned the palace lawns into a quiet spot lit by candles, with henna artists drawing simple patterns on hands. Devika sat with the other girls, her hazel eyes bright as she showed designs to Gauravi, Atharva's sister, while the boys sat nearby, peeking and making jokes about the "markings." Shaurya dared Yuvansh to try it on his hands too, filling the night with fun and shy looks amid the henna smell.

The sangeet filled the big hall with lively music and dancing under bright lights. Atharva brought his friends into the fun.Devika shone in a simple lehenga, dancing steps with Gauravi in a group dance, while Yuvansh and Shaurya showed off moves that made everyone clap. Songs played loud, people spun around, and the group enjoyed the wedding spirit, growing closer in the happy crowd.

Sankriti's mother attended the ceremony not out of joy for the wedding, but to scout a fitting groom for her own daughter. With countless renowned guests at Vikrant's grand affair, she eyed the best matches, determined to secure the finest for her girl.

She lived her life with a man who was too simple and idle, content with a lazy life without ambition. All she desired was a strong, powerful husband from an influential family to protect and provide for her daughter. In the bustling crowd, she scanned faces, hopeful for that perfect alliance.

______________________

Sanskriti missed all the wedding functions due to her exams. Her mother urged her to join every ceremony, but she insisted on her studies, and her father backed her choice.

With exams now over, her mother feels relieved that she can finally attend the wedding. The family looks forward to her presence in the celebrations.

Today is Vikrant's wedding day,

Sanskriti's mother insisted so she wore a stunning lahenga she had never carried before. It's rich silk shimmering in emerald green with intricate gold embroidery that hugged her figure gracefully.

Sanskriti looked breathtaking, her long hair cascading in soft waves adorned with fresh jasmine flowers, her kohl-lined eyes sparkling with a mix of shyness and excitement, and her fair skin glowing against the vibrant fabric that swirled elegantly with every step.

When her mother saw Sanskriti beautifully dressed, she stood mesmerized for a second, then gently kissed her forehead with a proud smile.

Soon, they sat in their car and headed towards the wedding venue.The drive filled with chatter about the wedding, her mother's eyes gleaming with hope for the day ahead.

_____________________________________

At the wedding Venue,

The wedding venue gleamed with lavish decorations, strings of twinkling lights draped everywhere alongside cascades of vibrant flowers in every corner.

Fresh marigolds, roses, and jasmine bloomed in intricate mandaps and arches, their scents mingling with incense in the warm air. The palace transformed into a dreamlike haven, buzzing with guests in finery under the opulent glow.

The baraat swept into the palace venue with roaring excitement, groom Vikrant leading on his flower-adorned horse amid bursts of fireworks and cheering crowds.Drums thundered as men danced wildly, twirling sticks and swords in the air, their turbans flashing under strings of lights.

Nandini's family welcomed the baraat with warm smiles, performing the tilak ritual on groom Vikrant first, marking his forehead with red sandalwood paste and rice amid chants and flower showers.

They then honored other family members as well Atharva and his friends with tilak and garlands, the air thick with incense and cheers. Atharva, Shaurya, and the group danced joyfully right after, twirling to drumbeats before entering the lavish venue together.

Atharva and Shaurya enjoyed the wedding festivities, laughing and chatting amid the vibrant crowd and lively music.

Meanwhile, Yuvansh trailed Devika everywhere, his playful steps shadowing her through the decorated halls as she moved gracefully among guests.

A few minutes later, a waiter slipped through the lively crowd and tapped Atharva's shoulder softly. He leaned in and said Atharva's father was calling him from the other side of the venue. Atharva nodded with a grin, gave Shaurya a quick pat on the back mid-laugh, and started weaving past guests swaying to the music and tables piled with fresh flowers. The warm scent of incense clung lightly to his sherwani as drums echoed in the background.

As he walked, a familiar gaze reached out to him from across the mandap. Turning toward it, he spotted her standing radiant in an emerald green lahenga amid her family, her long hair flowing down her back in elegant waves that framed her poised figure.

Unlike the day of the accident when she looked like a cute, innocent girl, today she appeared so grown and mature, carrying herself with quiet grace that made his heart race. His face broke into a wide, excited smile despite the summons, heart skipping as he raised a hand in a subtle wave, the wedding buzz fading for that electric moment.

______________________

Sanskriti's P.o.v-

This lehenga is so heavy the first time I'm wearing it, pulling at me with every step, and this makeup feels all wrong on my face.I don't like it much at all.

But then Maa saw me, her eyes lighting up after so long with that warmth, and she kissed my forehead softly.

That rare affection melted my heart; suddenly, it was all worth it.

Later, at the venue, lights twinkled like stars on the veranda, flowers everywhere, gramophone music filling the air.

My heart burst with joy, forgetting the weight. One day, I dreamed, my wedding will be this beautiful... with the man my heart chooses.

With joyful heart we entered inside, it was all crowded, buzzing with voices.

Ma took me straight to meet the groom and his family.I met the king and his wife, and the groom himself.I greeted them all with folded hands, my voice tiny.

Then Maa dragged me to greet almost all the influential families, one after another. I'm totally exhausted from all these meet-and-greets, my feet aching under this weight.

I told Maa, "I need to go eat now," and slipped away.

I finished the snacks,crispy pakoras and sweet jalebis and started going inside to meet my father.

As I moved forward through the crowd, a familiar voice caught my attention.I looked in that direction, and my eyes widened in shock. There he was,the idiot from the other day, laughing with someone, looking annoyingly handsome in his sherwani.

Though I don't like him one bit, I can't deny he's handsome.That day, I was too startled and furious to even notice but today, in this light, he looks truly charming.

Oh god! What the hell am I thinking right now?

It's not as important as why this guy is even here and he's waving at me!

He sure wants me dead.

I'm really scared, heart pounding like a drum. I glanced around.

Thank goodness, no parents in sight. But I need to talk to him for sure, make him promise not to tell them about the accident.

______________________

Hey beautiful Ladies ❤️

I updated two chapters within today.

See my dedication.

I'll complete this story,for sure,till new year.

And if you like the story vote and comment.

Love_Qiana❤️