Page 210 of One Hellish Wedlock
Reyansh closed the space between them, claiming her mouth with a kiss that sealed every unspoken vow. It was a kiss not just of love, but of completion. A silent, desperate promise between two people who had gone through too much to ever lose each other again.
They broke apart reluctantly when the doorbell rang. Her gloss was smeared, but thankfully, her hair remained intact.
“I hate people doing this to us,” Reyansh growled as he headed toward the door. Aanya giggled and dabbed at her lips, reapplying her lipstick quickly.
“Di?” Reyansh exclaimed in surprise, swinging open the door to find Radhika, Rishi, and Nani standing there.
“Surprise!” the couple sang in unison as they stepped inside.
“Did you really think we’d miss this?” Radhika teased.
Aanya rushed to hug her, overwhelmed. She then touched Nani’s feet and took her blessings.
Anand Malhotra entered the room with a wide smile, warmly welcoming the Chopra family.
“Dad?” Aanya asked, eyes narrowing playfully. “Youknewthey were coming?”
Anand nodded proudly. “Of course. It wasn’t just you and Reyansh who wanted this wedding to be complete. Kyle and I wanted their blessings too.”
“Exactly,” Rishi chimed in. “That’s why we asked Uncle not to tell you both. Not even Sunny.”
Nani turned to Anand. “Anand, I’d like to speak with the priest. There are a few family rituals I’d like him to include.”
“Of course. Please come with me,” Anand said, and led her out.
“Where’s Ruhi?” Aanya asked.
“She’s with Sunny in our room,” Radhika replied. “She fell asleep in the car, so we left her with him until we could come up here and surprise you.” She turned to Reyansh and playfully pinched his cheek. “We made it in time.”
Reyansh pulled her in for a hug. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Radhika arched a brow. “Don’t try to dodge the question. What wereyou twodoing alone in this room before the wedding?”
He rolled his eyes. “Aanya called me to fix her gloss,” he said with an exaggerated wink, shooting his blushing bride a mischievous glance.
Rishi cleared his throat, playing along. “Radhika, don’t tease him.Did you forget our wedding day? You were even more desperate to seeme.”
Radhika scoffed, smacking his chest. “You sneaked into my room. I pushed you out. Don’t twist the story.”
Reyansh and Aanya looked on, amused as the married couple bickered playfully.
“Where the hell wasIduring all this?” Reyansh asked with mock curiosity.
“Reyansh, don’t listen to him,” Radhika warned, but Rishi wasn’t done.
“No way! He needs to know the truth—that hisbelovedsister sent him away that day so she could letmein.”
Reyansh’s eyes widened, finally connecting the dots. Sothat’show it had gone down.
“Okay, okay, enough about us,” Radhika said, gently cupping Aanya’s cheeks. “Today is aboutyou two.Let’s not steal your spotlight.”
Rishi raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, Rey. Allow me the honour of escorting you to themandap.”
Aanya’s gaze met Reyansh’s one last time before the ceremony. His eyes held the same heat, the same promise, the same impatience. Without another word, he turned and walked out with Rishi, toward the private beach where their wedding rituals were about to begin.
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Reyansh and Aanya sat inside the mandap, surrounded by sacred fire and family with Radhika, Rishi, and Nani, all watching with pride. With each mantra chanted by the priest, Aanya’s thoughts drifted briefly. She remembered how hollow she’d felt signing the marriage papers during their first, legal ceremony. Back then, it hadn’t felt like a union. It had felt like a transaction, her responsibility quietly handed over from one man to another.
