Chapter 1
The Malhotra mansion had never looked more beautiful.
Golden lights covered every wall, every pillar, every corner of the huge palace-like house. Fresh marigold flowers hung from the ceiling, their fragrance mixing with the smell of expensive perfumes and incense sticks burning near the mandap.
Outside, luxury cars lined the entrance one after another as guests kept arriving, dressed in designer sarees, heavy lehengas, and expensive suits.
Everyone was talking about only one thing.
Arjun Malhotra’s wedding.
The biggest business family in the city. The most powerful name. The most awaited marriage of the year.
But inside the mansion, behind all the music and laughter…
Nothing was normal.
Near the mandap, standing in front of the sacred fire that had not yet been lit, Arjun Malhotra looked like the only person who did not belong there.
He was dressed perfectly.
Black sherwani. Gold embroidery. Diamond watch. Cold expression.
His face showed no excitement, no happiness, not even nervousness.
Only irritation.
His jaw was tight as he adjusted his cuff, eyes scanning the crowd like he wanted the entire function to end as soon as possible.
A few relatives whispered behind him.
“He looks angry…” “Didn’t he want this marriage?” “I heard this is a business alliance…”
Arjun heard everything.
He always did.
He just never cared.
His mother, Mrs. Malhotra, walked toward him carefully, holding her heavy dupatta so it wouldn’t fall.
Her smile looked perfect for the guests… but her eyes were full of tension.
“Arjun,” she said softly, standing beside him, “the muhurat is in fifteen minutes. The bride’s family has arrived.”
He didn’t look at her.
“Good for them.”
She frowned slightly.
“Beta, at least try to look happy. Everyone is watching.”
That made him laugh.
A dry, humorless laugh.
“They are watching because they want drama, not happiness.”
Before she could reply, his father, Mr. Rajiv Malhotra, joined them.
His presence alone made people move aside.
Strict face. Sharp eyes. Authority in every step.
“Enough,” he said quietly. “This wedding will happen without any problem.”
Arjun finally turned toward him.
“You are still saying that like it’s my choice.”
His father didn’t react.
“This marriage is important.”
“For the company?” Arjun asked.
“For the family.”
“For the deal,” Arjun corrected coldly.
There was a moment of silence between them.
The sound of shehnai grew louder as the priest started preparing the mandap.
Mr. Malhotra leaned closer.
“You will sit there, take the pheras, and finish this wedding. After that, you can live however you want.”
Arjun stared at him.
“You always say that.”
“And you always do what I say.”
For a second, it looked like Arjun would argue again.
But he didn’t.
He just looked away.
Because deep down, he knew the truth.
In this family… no one really had a choice.
Not even him.
On the other side of the mansion, near the back entrance, the atmosphere was completely different.
Workers moved around quickly, carrying decorations, trays of sweets, flower baskets, and gifts.
Among them stood a girl holding a tray full of rose petals.
Simple cream lehenga. Light makeup. Hair tied neatly.
She looked nothing like the rich guests.
Her name was Kavya.
And she wasn’t supposed to be noticed.
“Keep those flowers near the mandap,” the event manager said quickly.
Kavya nodded.
“Yes ma’am.”
She started walking toward the main hall, trying not to bump into anyone.
This was not her world.
She was only here because she needed the money.
Just one event, she told herself.
Just finish the work and leave.
But the moment she stepped inside the hall, her feet slowed.
The decorations… the lights… the luxury…
Everything felt unreal.
Her eyes moved toward the mandap.
And then she saw him.
Arjun Malhotra.
Standing near the fire.
Tall. Serious. Untouchable.
Even from far away, his presence felt heavy.
Kavya quickly looked down.
Don’t stare. Do your work. Leave.
That was the plan.
That was always the plan.
She tightened her grip on the tray and walked forward.
She didn’t know her life was about to change in the next few minutes.
Suddenly, the music stopped.
The shehnai sound broke in the middle.
People looked around in confusion.
“Why did the music stop?” “Is the bride coming?” “What happened?”
Near the mandap, Mr. Malhotra frowned.
“This is not the time for mistakes.”
A servant came running inside, breathing heavily, face pale.
He stopped in front of Mr. Malhotra but couldn’t speak.
“What is it?” Mr. Malhotra said sharply.
“S-sir… the bride…”
Mrs. Malhotra’s heart dropped.
“What about her?”
The servant swallowed.
“She is not in her room.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
Arjun slowly turned his head.
“What do you mean not in her room?”
The servant looked like he might faint.
“She… she left, sir.”
The words spread through the hall faster than fire.
Guests started whispering loudly.
“She ran away?” “No way…” “In Malhotra wedding?” “This is a scandal…”
Mrs. Malhotra held the chair for support.
“No… no… this can’t happen… not today…”
Mr. Malhotra’s face turned dark with anger.
“Find her.”
“We checked everywhere, sir.”
Arjun let out a slow breath.
Then he laughed.
Not loudly.
Not happily.
Just one cold laugh.
“So the bride ran away.”
No one spoke.
His father looked at him.
“This wedding will still happen.”
Arjun looked at him like he was crazy.
“With whom?”
Mr. Malhotra didn’t answer.
His eyes moved across the hall.
Looking.
Searching.
Thinking.
And at the same moment…
Arjun’s eyes stopped on someone near the entrance.
A girl holding flowers.
Standing quietly.
Trying to leave.
Kavya.
His gaze stayed there.
Longer than normal.
Something changed in his expression.
Slowly, he spoke.
“…Fine.”
Everyone looked at him.
“If the bride ran away…”
He raised his hand and pointed straight at her.
“…then I’ll marry her.”
The tray slipped from Kavya’s hands.
Rose petals scattered across the floor.
And the entire hall went silent.
