"FINE, I WILL MARRY SAYANTIKA, BUT—"

Abhimaan stopped his sentence abruptly and stared at his parents, who were waiting for his answer.

"I have some conditions." He completed his sentence.

"Conditions as in?" Anubhav asked, knowing how twisted his son is.

"You and Mom have forced me enough, so finally I am ready for this marriage, but after the marriage I will stay at my house and not here in this mansion, and also I don't want anyone to know that I am getting married; I want to keep this as a secret. If you both agree to these conditions of mine, then I will marry her." Abhimaan completed his sentence with a smirk dancing on his lips.

"We don't have any problem, son." Anubhav started, "If you can keep your personal life a secret, then it's totally alright."

"But I want a big, fat Indian wedding," Aashika whined, pouting.

"I would've gotten ready for a big fat wedding, but the girl Mom and Dad have chosen for me doesn't deserve that, you know," Abhimaan replied to his baby sister.

________

Sayantika's hands were shivering at just the thought that she had said yes to the marriage and how happy she and his family were.

It had been days since that conversation, and they had already called the priest and matched their kundali.

The date was fixed for next month as Abhimaan has gone out of India for a month for his business tour, and she has her exams starting the day after tomorrow.

She is still not able to believe that everything is happening for real; she accepted to marry him, something she never thought about.

She was now sitting in the library trying to concentrate on her studies but couldn't; she was hyperventilating then and now.

'Don't just think about him and study,' she chanted in her mind.

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When she felt his finger touch her hairline, she closed her eyes as tears rolled down; her own fingers touched her nose, where she found vermillion. The next second, she knew he was tying the nuptial chain around her neck; she controlled her sob and just accepted her fate.

She was his wife now, and there was nothing she could change about it.

"The marriage is done now; please take the blessings of the elder." The priest announced, and they stood up and took blessings from the priest and then the elders.

Once it was done, the legal marriage papers were brought, and she signed it away, making herself Jahnvi Yuvraj Khurana.

After that, Jahnvi was taken to one of the rooms for some rest, and then she has to get ready for the reception, which will happen tonight only.

They were now in one of the best renowned resorts where her wedding function took place and will have her reception as well.

She opened her veil, placing it aside; she sat down on the couch, palming her face as she sobbed.

Suddenly her phone started to ring; she didn't pick it up, but it was ringing continuously for the last 5 minutes, so she chose to pick up the call from an unknown number.

"Shadi Mubarak, Mrs. Jahnvi Yuvraj Khurana." Her heart dropped at the voice from the other side of the call.

"Abhi---"

"Damn. I never knew you were so hungry for money; just because that man has more money and net worth than mine, you chose to marry him knowing he was married before and a father of one. Woah, you are such a gold digger." His words pricked her heart in such a way that she felt an ache in her heart.

"But yeah, anyways, I hope you can seduce him just like you seduced me during our college days. You are very good at this." The sob left her mouth, which she was holding for so long; she rubbed her chest with another hand as it was getting too much for her; his words and the harshness were too much for her.

"Also, Mrs. Khurana I have one piece of news for you: if you are thinking that I will cry over you just because you chose to ditch me, then it's totally your misconception because I am getting married after 15 days," and he hung up the call, leaving her crying in pain.

_________________________

All the functions are ended now. Now she was sitting in Yuvraj Khurana's room on his bed, lost in her own thought; the ache in her heart increased tenfold as his words rang inside her mind.

When she heard the opening sound of her door , she became concious, and when she saw him walking inside and locking the door, her heart drop.

He wouldn't force her, right? Or would he?

"Jahnvi," he called, standing in front of her, probably the first time he was calling her name. She looked up at the man clad in a designer sherwani and waited for him to speak further.

"My parents will leave for London tomorrow, so tonight we have to share this room. I will take the couch, and from tomorrow you can shift to another room." She just gaped at him, registering his words, and was not able to believe her ears.

She thought he would turn out abusive.

But oh boy, that was just a misconception.

"Ok." She nodded her head and looked away.

"Also, this is for you; just wear this tomorrow because my mom will surely ask you what I gifted you." He forwarded her a jewelry box.

"I know you are forced into this marriage and so am I, but I will never do anything against your will, and you are free to do anything you want." Saying he went to the balcony.

She saw him lighting up his cigarette and taking a puff. Sighing loudly, she placed the jewelry box on the makeup table and started taking off her jewelry and hairpins.

Once she was done, she took out one of her light kurtas and pants and went to freshen up; she surely didn't want to wear nightwear in front of him.

When she came out of the washroom, she saw him setting the pillow and duvet on the couch.

She didn't utter a single word and lay down on the bed, pulling the duvet over herself. The shutting sound of the door made her realize he went to the restroom while the uncomfortableness crept in on her; she never shares a room with anyone, and now she has to do this.

____________________________

Next day.

Jahnvi woke up with the continuous knocking on the door. She stirred in sleep before opening her eyes. Her eyes widened seeing Yuvraj sleeping in such an uncomfortable position; one side was literally hanging, his leg and hand touching the ground; surely the couch was too small for a giant man like him.

Letting out a yawn, she got off from the bed, grabbing her dupatta (scarf); she went to open the door. She found her mother-in-law standing there with Yuvansh in her arms, who was sniffing, his face red and puffy, eyes full of tears.

"Good morning, Jahnvi," she wished, smiling.

"Good morning," Jahnvi wished her back; she was standing in such a way that her mother-in-law couldn't see the vacant bed or anything inside.

"Is Yuvraj still sleeping?" Jahnvi nodded in yes, "Then wake him up baccha, it's late and Yuvansh is crying as well." Just then they heard her father-in-law's call from down the stairs.

"Jahnvi, give him to Yuvraj and freshen up." She handed Yuvansh to her and left, while the little baby in her arms started crying loudly, as Jahnvi was still a mere stranger to him.

She didn't even know how to console a baby; it's difficult for her. "Hey, little, stop crying; your dad's here only." She whispered softly, caressing his back.

She finally made up her mind to call him, gathering all her courage, "Yu--" but he woke up already; her words died down in her mouth.

He immediately took his son from her, caressing his back to calm him down. She watched the little baby calm down in his arms, his cries stopping and turning into small sniffs.

"I am sorry, did he bother you so much?" His morning husky voice reached her ears. She nodded in no and went to take out an outfit for herself for the day.

When Jahnvi stepped inside the room after her morning routine, she didn't find Yuvraj, which she was thankful for. Standing in front of the vanity, she did minimal makeup and wore the red bangles; her eyes fell on the jewelry that he gave her last night, and he told her to wear it as his mother would ask about it.

She opened the box to find a beautiful diamond pendant set with diamond studs.

She unwantingly wore it and combed her hair, letting it open.

"No, Mr. Shrivastav, you have to understand I won't be---" She flinched at the voice and turned to find Yuvraj standing there, his eyes widened and mouth slightly open. He has already taken a shower in another washroom and changed into a blue-colored kurta and white pants.

Hanging up the call, he apologized, "Shit, I am sorry. I totally forgot that you would be in the room. I should've knocked and--"

"It's totally alright; it's your room only." She softly replied to him, stopping his rants, and turned to pick up her phone as she wanted to leave the room.

As she was about to put her heels out of the room, she heard him say, "Un Jahnvi?" She turned, staring at him as if telling him to continue.

"Can you please apply the vermillion? My mom is kind of orthodox; she lives in London, but she follows old beliefs. You don't need to do this from tomorrow," he requested politely.

She nodded, walking back inside the room, and stood in front of the mirror. Taking the small box that has vermilion, she took a pinch of it and filled her hairline.

Once she was done, she left the room.

________________________

'Breathe, Sayantika, try to breathe.' She whispered to herself again and again.

She was now in one of the best boutiques in Mumbai with her to-be mother-in-law and to-be sister-in-law, but she was hyperventilating as hell knowing that her to-be husband, the Abhimaan Raichand, was present there as well.

Gazing at her then and now as if she did the biggest mistake of joining them for shopping.

"Sayantika, you can choose anything you want from your wedding." She heard Avni saying and passed her a soft smile.

"I know Sayantika, this is your first time in a big expensive boutique like this, but not to worry; don't feel left out and choose anything." The mocking in Abhimaan's tone didn't go unnoticed by her; shocked would be an understatement; she was flabbergasted.

But she composed herself and made a comeback. "Surely I've never been to such a high-end boutique until today, and to be honest, I never had and still don't have any wish as well." Now it was his time to get shocked while Avni stared at his to-be daughter-in-law with pride in her eye.

"Mrs. Raichand, you can choose anything for me you want," she softly said to Avni.

"Alright, can you please show something in pastels for both the bride and groom?" Avni asked the staff who were assisting the billionaire Raichands.

"Surely, Ma'am, please come this way." They took them to the pastels section.

Abhimaan was studying the young damsel who was standing silently, clad in black-colored jeans and a pink-colored kurti, her tote bag resting on her left shoulder, hair long tresses tied in a ponytail, and face devoid of any makeup. She was just nodding her head and staring at the outfits boredly.

He shook his head, knowing that it was just her facade of being so good, because he thinks she is just an opportunist and nothing else.

"Abhimaan, go and try this one out." Avni handed him a sherwani. He sighed and followed his mom's order.

On the other side, Sayantika also tried the outfit that Avni told her to; it's a beautiful pastel pink-colored lehenga with fine work; everything was fine; it's just they need to alter the top. She didn't see Abhimaan's outfit, nor did he see her wearing the lehenga.

Once they finalized it, she saw Avni paying it via card and telling them to deliver it after all the alterations and fittings.

"Mom, I am so hungry now," Aashika grumbled as soon as they walked out of the boutique.

"You are always hungry," Abhimaan retorted, only to receive a 'haww' from his younger sister.

"That's so mean, bhai." She pouted.

"Mom, Starbucks is so near; at least a coffee, please," she requested again.

"Mrs. Raichand I need to leave now; I have to reach my college. There are some issues regarding my assignments.

"Mom, I got a call from the investor. I am leaving. Either I will drop you both in my way now, or I am calling the driver. He'll drop you once you are all done with everything," Abhimaan said in haste.

"Abhimaan, how about you drop Sayantika at the college on your way? I and Aashu will come later. I have to shop for some other things." Sayantika's eyes widened at Avni's words, and she immediately nodded in no.

"I'll manage; please don't bother." Sayantika was fast enough to deny the offer thrown at her.

"You can see the scorching heat of Mumbai; it's not easy to find any public transport now." Sayantika was touched by Avni's words and the concern in her tone.

"Mom, I can't, you know, right? Anyone can capture us, and they will make a big fuss about it. I don't want our reputation to get tarnished." And then Abhimaan's word felt like a humiliation to her.

"I will manage, thank you. It's been 2 years of me staying in Mumbai all alone. I am used to Mumbai's heat and all the changes of weather, and Mr. Raichand, I don't want your reputation to get tarnished." Saying this, she hugged Avni and Aashika, all the while feeling Abhimaan's glare on her, which she ignored and walked away.

__________________________