Page 223 of One Hellish Wedlock
“Well, duh. I can only imagine what those two nights with your husband were like,” Shikha teased. “I really wish I could’ve been there, seeing you take your marriage vows. But someone had to stay and manage the client.”
Aanya sighed.
“But I’ve got a gift for your re-marriage. Hold on!”
She dashed into her room and returned with a sleek black box.
“What’s this?” Aanya asked curiously.
“Open it.”
Aanya popped the lid and gasped. Inside lay a set of red bold and sultry lingerie, undeniably meant to seduce.
Her cheeks flushed. “Shikha! This is so sexy.”
“I remember you said red was his favourite colour. Give him a hard time when he arrives,” Shikha winked.
“Oh, I will,” Aanya said, giggling.
They chatted late into the night about the upgraded security, the shift in Aanya’s living arrangements once Reyansh joined her, and all the possibilities the coming months might hold.
“Why don’t you move in with us?” Aanya offered. “It’ll be a big house. You’ll have privacy too.”
“Nah,” Shikha smiled. “I don’t want to intrude. I’ll find someone else to share this place with.”
“You sure?”
“Totally. You just enjoy what’s ahead. You deserve every bit of it.”
Aanya smiled, warmth blooming in her chest.
“You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of this, Shikha. I want to wake up beside him… cook his favourite meals… wait for him to come home after a long day. I want to share stories, lean on him when I’m exhausted, and laugh together over the tiniest things. That’s always been my idea of happiness.”
Shikha grew emotional and pulled her into a hug. “And he’s going to give you all that and more. You finally found your person.”
And Aanya, with her heart full, believed that too. All that remained now was for him to arrive, so they could finally begin their life together.
*****************
The next day, Aanya visited her office to collect theCertificate of Appreciation—the one she had missed accepting in person before flying to Cape Town. Her colleagues and clients gathered around, congratulating her, not just for the recognition, but also for her wedding in California. Some of them had no idea she was married toReyansh Chopra, the very name that made headlines and commanded boardrooms.
Now that they knew, they looked at her differently. Not with pity or envy, but admiration. She could have chosen an easy life, staying in his shadow as a trophy wife. But instead, she had carved her own path, and the world around her had started to notice.
Smiling, Aanya shared a few candid selfies with her team, holding the certificate with pride. She sent them to Reyansh through a WhatsApp message.
His response came almost instantly:
“Proud to be your husband.”
Those five words. They did more to her than a thousand promises ever could.
*******************
Aanya spent the evening at Radhika’s home. Shikha was working late, and being alone in the apartment didn’t appeal to her. She joined Radhika in the kitchen, helping her finish the dishes and wind things down.
“Aanya, go rest,” Radhika urged gently. “You work all day, and now you come here to help me every evening. I can manage on my own.”
“I know you can, Di. But I like helping out.”
