Adheer looks at Kaya with a soft, romantic smile and says, "Yes, from today onwards, I'm her gulam, and she is my Queen."
The words send a wave of excitement through the family. Everyone begins hooting and teasing, while Kaya shyly lowers her head, her cheeks flushed crimson. Yet Adheer doesn't look away—his eyes remain fixed on her, as if in that crowded hall, she's the only one who exists.
Mahir, ever the mischief-maker, smacks Adheer on the head dramatically and exclaims, "Bro, is it really you? Or has Imran Hashmi's spirit possessed you?"
(Author: Wo toh Imran Hashmi hi hai, aap Salman Khan banke ghoomo 😁)
Adheer shoots him a deadly glare, motioning for him to shut up. Then, with a sly grin, he sneaks behind Kaya and whispers near her ear, "Stay away from him… he's a devil disguised as a human."
Kaya blinks at him innocently, her heart fluttering.
(Author: Saitan nhi hai 😕 mera baby hai)
Just then, Dadi clears her throat and declares, "Kaya will be sleeping with me tonight."
Before anyone can react, Mahir blurts out shamelessly, "Dadi sa, you've ended their first night before it even began!"
The family bursts into laughter, the halls of the palace echoing with joy.
Arohi, holding her stomach from laughing, teases, "Mahir Bhai, it seems you're more excited for their wedding night than they are!"
The playful banter fills the air, turning the grand palace into a home of love, laughter, and lighthearted mischief.
Mahir, with his trademark shameless grin, adds fuel to the fire, "So, they'll have their wedding night, and when they do, I'll become a chacha (uncle), not a dada (grandfather) at this age! Who knows, I might even end up changing their kids' diapers when I'm old. No way, baba, I'm not taking that risk!"
(Author: Tu rukh beta, agli baari teri hi hai 😏)
Adheer's jaw clenches as he shoots Mahir a deathly glare. His voice is sharp, carrying the weight of warning: "That's enough, Mahir."
But the very next moment, his tone softens as he turns to his grandmother, his eyes glowing with love and respect: "Dadi, we will do exactly as you say."
(Author: Dadi ka ladla 😏)
Dadi chuckles, her wrinkled hands cupping his cheek affectionately. "Silly boy, would it look good if you spent your first night with me instead?" she teases, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Then, with a gentle seriousness, she leads Adheer to her room. From the depths of her locker, she pulls out a small, ornate box and places it into his hands. "My mother gave this to me on my wedding day," she says softly. "It is my wish that you now put this on Kaya with your own hands."
—
Meanwhile, in another corner of the palace, Kaya is surrounded by Kiara and Prisha, who are busy teasing her mercilessly.
"Bhabhi, our brother is really great, but… you understand, right?" Kiara says, her words dripping with mischievous undertones.
(Author: 🌚🌚)
Before Kaya can even process the embarrassment, Arohi joins in with a wicked grin, "Don't worry, bhai's room is soundproof. Whatever happens inside… won't come out."
Kaya's cheeks burn scarlet, her eyes wide in mortification. Seeing her adorable reaction, the three girls burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.
Finally, still giggling, they escort her to Adheer's chamber. Making her sit on the edge of his grand bed, they chorus in unison, "All the best, bhabhi!" before scampering out, leaving Kaya alone with her racing heart.
Moments later, the heavy silence of the room is broken by the soft creak of the door opening. Her heartbeat leaps into her throat.
And in that trembling instant, the teasing words of Arohi, Prisha, and Kiara come flooding back to her mind…
Adheer quietly came and sat beside her. The closeness made Kaya's breath falter, and in that moment, her stepmother's cruel words came rushing back to her mind— "Your husband can do anything with you." Fear gripped her heart, and she thought this was the moment Adheer would force himself on her. Tears welled up in her eyes as her hand trembled.
But instead of what she dreaded, Adheer gently opened the box Dadi had given him, took out a pair of bangles, and softly slipped them onto her wrists. His voice was steady yet tender as he said,
"This house is yours as much as it is mine. You can do whatever you want here, live your life as you wish… no one will ever stop you."
Kaya's tears spilled—not out of fear, but from disbelief. Could this be real? All her life she had known nothing but scolding, loneliness, and harshness. And now, in just one day, she had found a family who embraced her with love, and a husband who treated her with respect.
Adheer smiled softly and rose to his feet. "I'll go change in the washroom. You wear something comfortable here. I'll sleep on the sofa, you sleep on the bed."
He left the room and returned a few minutes later, only to find Kaya sitting exactly as before, still in her bridal attire. He frowned gently.
"Why haven't you changed yet?"
She looked up at him, innocence glowing in her wide eyes, and whispered in her sweet voice, "I don't have anything…"
He chuckled warmly. "Wait here, I'll get some clothes from Kaira, Prisha, or Arohi." He turned to leave, but suddenly, Kaya caught his hand, her touch hesitant yet desperate.
Her eyes lowered in shyness as she said, "If you leave now… what will they think?"
The realization dawned on him, and he smiled knowingly. "Then what should be done?" he asked.
An idea flickered in his mind. He went to his wardrobe, pulled out a crisp white shirt, and handed it to her. "Wear this."
Kaya's eyes widened. "No, no… how can I wear this?"
His lips curved into a teasing grin. "The same way you wear any other shirt. Just unbutton it, slip it on… go ahead."
She shook her head furiously. "No, I… I really can't wear this."
Adheer sighed dramatically, giving up with a smirk. "Fine then, don't wear it. Let's just sit and play Antakshari instead."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Meaning… we'll both play Antakshari today?"
His grin turned mischievous. "If you want… we can even celebrate our suhagraat (wedding night)."
At his shameless words, Kaya's cheeks turned crimson. She quickly snatched the shirt from his hands and rushed into the washroom. As the door shut behind her, Adheer burst into laughter, shaking his head.
"My innocent Ocean…" he murmured fondly.
Meanwhile, inside the washroom, Kaya stood before the mirror, blushing furiously as she looked at herself holding his shirt. Her heart raced as she slowly slipped it on.
A few minutes later, the door creaked open. Adheer, busy arranging the bed for her, turned at the sound—and froze.
There she stood, wearing his oversized white shirt, its length falling to her knees, its loose collar dipping low enough to reveal the curve of her cleavage she was shyly trying to hide.
For a moment, the world stilled. His eyes refused to move away.
Kaya took small, hesitant steps toward him. Her voice was soft, almost trembling. "Adheer ji…"
But he was lost, drowning in the vision of her. He didn't even hear her words. She touched his shoulder gently, shaking him back to reality.
He blinked rapidly, snapping out of his daze. "Yes?" he answered, almost too quickly.
Flustered, he cleared his throat, turned away, and muttered, "I'm sorry… I'll go sleep on the sofa." He began to walk away.
But then—Kaya's delicate voice stopped him.
"Ji… suniye." (Listen to me.)
He leaned in gently, his voice soft, "Ji, sunaiye…"
She hesitated for a moment before requesting, "You sleep on the bed, I'll take the sofa."
Without missing a beat, he replied firmly, "No. You'll sleep on the bed, I'll take the sofa."
This time her tone carried more seriousness, "No, you sleep on the bed, I'll take the sofa."
It was the very first time someone had denied him so directly, and for a moment, Adheer found himself at a loss for words. He looked at her—her eyes, her innocence—and then, in a hushed voice, he offered gently, "I have a deal you might like… so that both of us can sleep comfortably."
Curious, she asked, "What kind of deal?"
With an affectionate smile, he answered, "The right side of the bed will be mine, and the left side will be yours. That way, we'll both sleep peacefully."
She paused, studying him. Deep down, something told her—Adheer wasn't like the others she had feared, the ones who only wanted to use her. He was different. He was safe.
"All right," she whispered.
And so, they both lay down, each on their side of the bed. Silence filled the room, the kind of silence that carries comfort rather than distance. As Adheer closed his eyes, he couldn't help but wonder, Is this really happening? Just yesterday, he had been on the verge of marrying a girl he felt nothing for. But tonight, here he was—beside the woman for whom he felt he could give his very life.
Suddenly, he felt a gentle weight on his chest. He opened his eyes to find her—the girl who had unknowingly become his everything. His Ocean. She had, in her sleep, curled into him like a child seeking warmth, resting her head against his chest.
Then came her soft, broken murmur, "Mommy… please stay with me."
His heart clenched. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close, kissing her hair with all the tenderness in his soul.
"From now on," he whispered against her forehead, "you'll have every happiness you've ever been denied. Whoever hurt you will answer to me. I'll gather every joy in this world and place it at your feet."
And with that silent vow, his eyes grew heavy, and he too slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep—holding the only girl who had ever made his heart feel complete.
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