Chapter 1
Ashi Aggarwal never believed in fairytales, but she never imagined her story would begin like this.
The grand Pandya wedding was all anyone could talk about. It was supposed to be the most glamorous event of the year, a perfect blend of cricketing royalty and high-society elegance. The entire venue glittered with fairy lights, floral arrangements spilling over tables, and a stage set for the perfect couple.
Only it was taking a lot of time for both the bride and the groom to make an appearance.
Ashi stood at the back of the massive hall, watching as whispers spread like wildfire. Guests exchanged confused glances. The media, positioned strategically to capture every perfect moment, were growing restless. And the Pandya family was nowhere to be seen.
Suddenly Ashi’s phone rang, which broke her out of her reverie. After attending the call, she immediately ran towards the bridal suite. There stood the Pandya family, tense, expressions ranging from worry to frustration to anger. She marched towards her father, who, for some reason unknown to her, was unable to meet eyes with his best friend’s wife. The tense environment of the suite was scaring her. She frantically looked around for her sister but wasn’t able to locate her. And at the center of it all stood Hardik Pandya, the groom.
Yes, the Aggarwals and Pandayas were friends. More specifically, Mr. Ankit Aggarwal was best friends with the late Mr. H. Pandya. They were both here to wed their respective children, Ashi Aggarwal and Hardik Pandya.
Her dad thrust a letter in Ashi’s hands, which read that her precious Didi has run away from the wedding, the wedding of her dreams. Ashi was too stunned to speak. She couldn’t believe that her Didi has run away. It’s not like their families were forcing her didi to marry Hardik. Hardik had proposed to her for marriage after dating her for 3 years. Ashi, when she first knew of her sister’s engagement, thought it was too early for them to settle down, but who was she to speak?
Hardik’s face was unreadable; his sharp jaw clenched as he spoke in hushed but firm tones with his brother. His bride—the woman he was supposed to marry—has run away, leaving him at the altar. Hardik knew if this news reached the media, they’d tarnish his image, the image he had built of himself after a lot of ups and downs.
Ashi barely had time to process it all before she felt a strong hand wrap around her wrist.
She turned sharply, meeting the dark, intense gaze of Hardik Pandya himself.
“Come with me,” he said.
Her brows furrowed. “What? Hardik—”
He didn’t wait for her to argue. His grip was firm but not forceful as he pulled her past both of their families, straight into a private room.
The door shut behind them with a soft click, enclosing them in heavy silence.
Ashi’s heart pounded. Hardik ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, frustration radiating off him in waves. Then, he turned to her, his eyes blazing with something she couldn’t quite place.
“Marry me.”
