After the wedding, Rooh and Vidyut left for his house. As they arrived, they saw the entire villa decorated with fairy lights, and rose petals covering the pathway from the entrance to the main gate. As Rooh stepped on the petals, firecrackers burst into the sky... it felt like even the universe was welcoming her.
Her mother-in-law did their aarti and then softly said, "Now kick the Kalash."
Rooh did as instructed. Rice spilled across the floor. Then she stepped into the kumkum plate and walked forward, leaving red footprints behind.
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Rooh's POV
Currently, I am sitting in his room.
Now he is my husband.
My mind is buzzing... how did my life take a full 360-degree turn? I was just here to attend his wedding, but ended up as his bride.
What will he do?
I heard from so many people that he is a heartless monster with anger issues. What if he shows all his anger on me? What if he abuses me? What if he makes me sleep on the floor or couch, like in those books I read?
The thoughts tightened my chest. I was lost when I heard the door opening. And there he was MY HUSBAND, still in his wedding sherwani.
Why was he so late?
Was he searching for his ex-fiancée?
Or... does he not want to see me?
Will he be angry that I am sitting on his bed?
But I didn't move because his mother told me I must not get up or change my clothes until he lifts my veil.
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Vidyut's POV
After her grah-pravesh, when Rudra and Nisha guided her to my room, my mother stopped me.
"Did you bring any gift for her?" she asked.
I stared at her in confusion. "Gift?"
"Grooms give their bride a gift on their wedding night, the first time you see her face after marriage," she explained softly.
"She may be a replaced bride, but she is still your bride. Don't hurt her. You know how much she has suffered since childhood... how much she needs love and care."
She left, but her words kept echoing in my head.
Love? How can a monster give love?
I shook my head. I needed to think of a gift.
A ring.
Yes, I should give her a ring... a symbol of our marriage. I don't want her to feel unwanted.
I called Nisha and told her to get Rooh's finger size. She quietly stole Rooh's ring and gave it to me without asking anything - she knew this wasn't the right moment for questions.
Then I called my best friend, YUGANT RAIZADA , who knows all my secrets. He came, I gave him the ring, and told him to bring a diamond one of the same size.
Within half an hour, he returned with a beautiful ring.
I thanked him and rushed to my room.
She was sitting on my bed.
"Why didn't you change your clothes?" I asked "Aunty told me not to change until you see my face," she said.
I nodded. I sat beside her and slowly lifted her veil.
It's not the first time I am seeing her... but tonight, her face glowed like the moon. Her perfect eyes... her heart-shaped lips... she looked beautiful.
"Give me your hand," I ordered I demand obedience, because I don't request.
Her hands were soft like petals as I slid the ring onto her finger.
"Your gift," I whispered before leaving to change my clothes.
---

Author's POV
Rooh sat frozen. She had prepared herself for the worst shouting, insults, maybe even violence.
But instead... he gave her a ring.
She looked down at the sparkling diamond with disbelief.
Maybe he's not as bad as everyone says, she thought.
He returned wearing a black t-shirt and joggers.
"You should also change. Go and change," he said in his deep voice.
She quickly removed her makeup and hair pins, then changed into a brown night suit. An awkward but not uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"You can sleep," Vidyut said as he lay on his side. "I won't eat you."
Her eyes widened at his unintended joke, but she nodded and lay down a small distance between them.
She stared at the ceiling, wondering how her life changed in a single day.
Meanwhile, Vidyut's thoughts burned with betrayal his ex-fiancée ran away with important documents. His guards were already searching for her.
He will never forgive those who betray him.
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