📖

The next day arrived quickly. Akshu got ready early, afraid of Veer's anger if she wasn't on time. Soon, the maid came and took her to the dining hall.

Veer saw her dressed in a simple blue Patiala dress. He was mesmerized by her simplicity, and only one word came from his mouth: "Gorgeous." Akshara heard him, and a small blush crept onto her beautiful cheeks. She composed herself quickly and sat beside him.

Veer smiled and said, "Sweetheart, call your best friend and go shopping. Buy whatever you want. Take this." He handed her his black card.

Akshara looked at the card, a bit confused. Veer leaned in, trying to be charming. "You know what's common between my love and the card is?"

Akshara looked at him, puzzled. "I don't know," she said innocently.

Veer facepalmed himself and said, "Sweetheart, both are unlimited."

Akshara couldn't help it; she laughed for the first time in days, a genuine, happy laugh. Veer frowned initially, but then he realized her laugh was because of him. Her laughter sounded like music to his ears, and he decided it was now his favorite sound.

"You sometimes can be funny, Mr. Singhaniya," Akshara said between her laughs.

Veer, lost in her voice, snapped out of his daydream and said, "You look enchanting when you laugh."

Akshara quickly gathered herself, embarrassed by how she had laughed so freely in front of him. "Oh Kanhaji," she thought, "how could I laugh like that in front of him?"

Veer, noticing her embarrassment, felt a strange mix of happiness and amusement. He was pleased that he had made her laugh, and her blush only added to her charm.

The black card scene had turned out to be unexpectedly funny. Veer felt a warm glow inside, seeing Akshara's reaction. He realized that he wanted to see her laugh more often, to see her happy.

Akshara, on the other hand, felt a confusing mix of emotions. She was still wary of Veer, but his attempt at humor and the way he looked at her made her feel something she couldn't quite define. For a moment, she saw a different side of him, one that made her heart flutter.

"I am calling Shyra," Akshara said quickly, using the call as an excuse to escape the situation.

"Hello, meri jaan! Kaha thi tu, haan? Apni dost ko toh bhul hi gayi," Shyra's cheerful voice came through the phone, bringing a smile to Akshara's face.

[Where were you? You forgot your friend too.]

(Yeah, Shyra, I can feel you😓)

"Bubbly, I am fine. Are you free now?" Akshara asked, feeling happy to hear her best friend's voice.

"I am always free for you, janeman," Shyra replied dramatically. "Waise, jana kaha hai?"

"Wo actually, hume mall jana hai shaadi ki thodi shopping karne... ummm," Akshara struggled to find the right words to explain the situation to her bestie.

[Actually, we need to go to the mall to do some shopping for the wedding... umm]

"Ohhh... What the hell!!! Angel, tumne shaadi karne ka decide kar diya aur apni bestie ko bataya bhi nahi?" Shyra was shocked.

[Angel, you decided to get married and didn't even tell your bestie?]

"Actually, Shyra, wo..." Akshara started, but her words were cut off by Veer, who took the phone from her hand.

"Hello, Shyra. I am Veer. All of this was a sudden decision of ours. Please, can you come?" Veer asked, for the first time, requesting someone because he didn't want his wife to feel left out.

"Hello, Jiks. Actually, I was shocked, but I understand. Nobody can resist my baby. Okay, send me the address, and I'll come," Shyra said teasingly.

"Okay, Akshara, talk to her and send her the address I have forwarded to you already," Veer said and went to his office.

"Shyra, I am sending you the address. Come soon," Akshara said, hanging up and forwarding the address to her friend.

Soon, Shyra arrived, and they went to the mall. While they were in the car, Shyra noticed the many guards around them.

"Ye itne bade bade hulk jaise dikhne wale vyakti humare saath kya kar rahe hain? Jiju ko batade, mai tere liye kaafi hoon," she said with a smirk.

[What are these big Hulk-looking people doing to us? Tell Jiju, I am enough for you]

"It's for our protection. Let's focus on what to shop, okay?" Akshara replied calmly.

They reached the mall after a while. As they were entering, Shyra stumbled into something hard.

"Ohh teri ki! Kaun hai ye chutiya?" she said, looking up, and her heart skipped a beat. She thought, "When our eyes met, I felt a spark that lit up my soul. I knew then that you were the reason I was born."

The man in front of her was none other than Abhiyansh Raghuvanshi, Veer's best friend.

"Sorry, aapko lagi toh nahi?" she asked, standing up and noticing the height difference between them. He was 6'4, and she was 5'6. He matched her dream of a tall, muscular, handsome man with cold expressions. "Uff, my dream man," she said dreamily.

[Sorry, did you got hurt?]

(ye toh us moment hogya shyra😭😭🤌🏻)

Abhiyansh was also mesmerized by her cuteness but couldn't let his feelings show. So, he shrugged and replied boringly, "It's fine. Now excuse me."

"You are excused, Mr.," she said, still lost in her LaLa land. "Akshu, baarat nikal. Tere jiju mil gaye," she said, excited about her imaginary wedding. Akshara noticed and said, "Pagal ladki, wo Veer ke secretary hain."

[Akshu, I finally found your Jiju.] [Crazy girl, he's Veer's secretary.]

"Tab toh aur acchi baat hai. Mai unko firse dekh paungi," Shyra said, blushing and shyly running away.

[Then it is even better. I will be able to see them again]

"Ye ladki sach mein pagal ho gayi hai," Akshu said, shaking her head and heading to shop. They bought many things.

[This girl is really crazy]

After shopping, they had lunch, and Akshara dropped Shyra at her house. Akshara then headed back to the penthouse, knowing she didn't have any other option.

Veer POV:

I came home early, around 6 PM, because I wanted to take my sweetheart to our family house. My family was waiting for her there, eager to start the main rituals for tomorrow's wedding. As I entered the living room, I saw her sitting on the sofa, lost in her thoughts. I quietly walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. She flinched but didn't push my hands away. That was a good sign. I could see some progress. The soothing scent of lavender from her filled the air, calming me.

"Sweetheart, are you ready? We need to go to our house. Maa and Chachi have called me a hundred times asking when I'm bringing you," I said softly. Her eyes lit up a bit at the mention of my family, and I could see a hint of happiness. Slowly, she will accept us, and I want to be the reason for her happiness.

"Ji, I am ready. Here, take this." She handed me my black card back, but I gently pushed it back to her. "You keep it; it's for you. I'll be ready in five minutes. Wait here," I said, heading to my room.

After a quick change, I came downstairs and we headed out to my car. As I drove, I kept stealing glances at the girl beside me. How could someone make me fall head over heels like this? I couldn't help but smile, feeling an unfamiliar but welcome warmth in my heart.

Throughout the drive, I admired her silently. She was beautiful in her simplicity, with her soft features and the way she carried herself. There was a quiet strength in her that drew me in. I wanted to protect her, to be the one who made her smile and feel safe.

As we pulled into the driveway of our family house, "Sweetheart, we've arrived. And remember, don't try to act smart," I said, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. She nodded, looking a bit nervous but also curious.

We went inside the mansion. She had already come here, but couldn't got to meet other family members.

We went inside the mansion. She had been here before but hadn't met all the family members yet.

"Sweetheart, let's go," I said, ringing the bell. A maid opened the door, and soon everyone came downstairs. I knew they were already prepared and waiting for us. Chachi came forward and performed Akshu's aarti. Overwhelmed, Akshu started sobbing, and before I could reach her, Chachi hugged her and patted her head.

Maa smiled at the sight, and I loved seeing her smile. We walked inside, and Akshu, looking shy, touched everyone's feet in respect.

My mischievous cousins, the "bandars," came running and tried to jump on her, but I intercepted them. "Idiots, do you want to hurt my wife before the marriage by jumping on her like monkeys?" I lightly scolded them. They all pouted in response.

"Bhaiyaa, sorry, we got excited to see our Bhabhi maa," Riansh said.

"It's okay, Veer," Akshu said softly, and I calmed down a little. All three of them touched her feet and welcomed her. She hugged them, and I felt a pang of jealousy. Why is she hugging them? She didn't even hug me when we first met. I pouted, and everyone laughed.

Hriday, that cheeky kid, said, "Bhaiyya, aapka patta kat gaya. Bhabhi maa humari hai."

[Brother, your card has been cut. Sister-in-law is ours]

"Hey, she's, my wife. So, stay away, or do you want me to stop giving you pocket money?" I said, holding my wife's waist protectively. She remained shy and reserved the whole time.

"Accha, chalo sab mere bahu-bete ko tang mat karo," my maa said, shooing them away from us.

[Well, let's all don't tease my daughter-in-law]

As we settled in, I watched Akshu interacting with my family. She seemed more at ease now, her initial nervousness fading. I felt a sense of contentment seeing her slowly becoming a part of my world.

Akshu's POV:

"Baccha, can I call you, my daughter?", Maa asked, her eyes filled with warmth. I nodded, looking down. How can someone be so compassionate to a stranger like me?

"Beta, you are not a stranger. I loved you the first time I saw you with my son," she said as if reading my mind.

"Beta, call me Choti Maa. You are also like my Pakhi," she continued, her voice gentle and reassuring.

"Jii, Maa and Choti Maa," I said and smiled, feeling a strange sense of comfort and acceptance.

"Bhabhi, did Bhaiyya kidnap you? You can tell me if he did. Bhaiyya is scared of me," Hriday said with a teasing grin. I was shocked at first but quickly realized he was joking.

[Bhabhi, did Bhaiyya kidnap you? You can tell me if he did. Bhaiyya is scared of me]

"Tu phir bola," Veer said, standing up to chase Hriday, and I couldn't help but giggle at their playful banter. [You started talking again]

"They are like this only, Baccha. Let's start the Roka. ," Choti Maa said sighing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We gathered in the living room for the Roka ceremony. The room was beautifully decorated with flowers and fairy lights, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. I was seated on a plush cushion in the center, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. Everyone had gathered for the Roka ceremony, and the attention was on me.

Maa and Choti Maa stood beside me, their smiles wide and welcoming. "Beta, this is a special ritual where we formally welcome you into our family," Maa explained, her voice gentle and loving.

Choti Maa held a beautiful red chunni, intricately embroidered with gold thread. "This chunni is a symbol of our blessings and love for you," she said, placing it delicately over my head. I held onto my dupatta, my hands trembling slightly.

Maa took a small silver tray filled with gifts, sweets, and a coconut. She placed it in my lap, saying, "These gifts are for you, beta. They represent our wish for your happiness and prosperity in our family."

Papaji stepped forward, holding a small box wrapped in gold paper. "And this, my dear, is a token of our affection and a promise that you will always be cherished," he said, handing the box to me. Inside was a delicate gold necklace, shimmering in the light.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at the necklace. "Thank you so much, Papaji," I said, my voice choked with emotion.

Choti Maa gently wiped away my tears. "No tears today, Baccha. Today is a day of celebration," she said, her own eyes glistening.

Veer's cousins, Hriday, Riansh, and Pakhi, gathered around, clapping and cheering. "Welcome to the family, Bhabhi!" they chorused, their faces lit up with excitement.

"Bhabhi, we promise to always be there for you," Riansh said, his voice sincere.

Hriday, added, "And to annoy you just like real brothers!"

Veer stood behind me, his eyes never leaving my face. "You are part of our family now, sweetheart," he said softly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

Chachi brought a plate of sweets and fed a piece to me. "These sweets are to mark the beginning of a sweet relationship," she said, her smile warm.

As the ceremony concluded, Maa announced, "Now that the Roka is done, Akshu will stay with us. We want her to feel at home and be a part of all the preparations."

I started to like them. They were so nice and welcoming. But still, a part of me knew I had to find a way to escape.

We had dinner together, and Papaji announced, "We will start the marriage functions from tomorrow."

After dinner, we all went to our rooms. My room was nice and comfortable. I changed into Pakhi's pajamas and lay down, feeling a mix of emotions. I felt a strange sense of belonging here, yet I knew I couldn't let my guard down. I had to find a way out, but for now, I allowed myself to feel a little bit of the warmth and love this family was offering.

So, my lovelies. How was the chapter? I edited this chp too.

Aur aap logo ne padha ki nahi Ishq Shufiyana ka aaj ka chapter?? Agar nahi kiya toh jao abhi @naavl-e-malika

Dono side updates honge simultaneously. It will be fun.

Tomorrow, maybe I won't be able to update on account of Ram Lalla's Pran pratishta.

Jai Shree ram. 🙏❤️

Okay Byee..

Love Authornoor✨✨