With great difficulty, Disha and her friends managed to make Riya sit beside Kartikeya at the mandap.
They stayed close… not daring to leave her alone even for a second.
The priest began chanting the sacred mantras and asked the couple to stand for the garland ceremony.
Rose petals rained down from all directions.
The circular stage slowly rotated, adding to the grand spectacle.
Kartikeya calmly placed the garland around Riya's neck.
But Riya…
She was swaying. Completely out of it.
She had no idea what was happening around her.
Disha whispered in her ear again and again—
"Riya… put the garland on him… come on…"
But there was no response.
Panic started building inside Disha.
This wasn't just alcohol.
No… Riya wasn't someone who'd lose control this badly just by drinking.
Disha glanced at Reena.
Reena lowered her eyes.
And that was enough.
Riya had taken drugs.
Somehow, Disha and Tanu lifted Riya's hands, trying to help her put the garland around Kartikeya's neck.
Just then, his friends suddenly lifted him up playfully, laughing and cheering.
The entire stage erupted in noise and celebration—
so much chaos that no one noticed Riya's condition.
Disha froze.
She didn't know what to do anymore.
And then—
GUNSHOTS.
The sound echoed through the hall.
Everything stopped.
Silence.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Standing at the doorway…
Babli.
Along with her two brothers… and a group of armed men.
Guns. Weapons. Fear.
They walked in like they owned the place.
Babli's elder brother smirked as he approached the mandap—
"Rathore saab… you were in such a hurry to get your son married. If you had informed us earlier… the bride would have been our Babli today."
Baldev stepped forward, furious—
"Who are you people? How did you get in here? Security!"
He shouted loudly.
The younger brother stepped ahead, laughing coldly—
"No need to call security, Rathore saab. They're already sleeping. And even if they were awake… they couldn't have stopped us."
He tilted his head proudly—
"No one dares to mess with Dhiren Gujjar."
Baldev's face hardened—
"I don't know any Dhiren Gujjar. And who the hell are you to step into my house like this? If you want money, I'll give you as much as you want. But leave. Right now. This is my son's wedding."
Up on the stage, Kartikeya was silently observing everything… analyzing.
A man from their group brought a chair.
Dhiren sat down casually, crossing one leg over the other—like a king.
Babli stood beside him.
His men stood behind him… armed and ready.
Dhiren smirked—
"Baldev Rathore… keep your money to yourself. If I start counting my wealth, you'll spend your entire life trying to match it."
His men burst out laughing.
Fear spread like wildfire.
Disha slowly let go of Riya's hand and collapsed onto a sofa on stage… staring at Dhiren in shock.
Kartikeya finally spoke—
"Who are you? And what do you want? How dare you speak to my father like that?"
Dhiren clapped slowly—
"That's more like it. Straight talk. No nonsense."
He leaned forward slightly—
"Listen carefully… today, your wedding will happen. But with my sister."
He pointed at Babli.
"And if you agree peacefully, good. Otherwise…"
He smiled coldly—
"at gunpoint."
Kartikeya's mother, Janhvi, clutched Baldev's arm in fear—
"Who are these people? How can they force this? Call the police!"
Baldev whispered, his voice heavy—
"It's useless. Dhiren Gujjar… from Haryana. I recognized him the moment he walked in. Even the police won't go against him."
He looked at Kartikeya—
"If he refuses… this won't just stop at the wedding. There will be bloodshed."
Fear was visible in his eyes.
Janhvi froze.
Meanwhile…
Riya stumbled off the stage.
Disha mentally panicked.
If her father found out…
everything would collapse.
As Riya walked ahead, Veeren handed Babli the garland and pushed her toward Kartikeya.
At the same time—
Guns were pointed.
At Kartikeya.
At his family.
The entire hall fell into terror.
Guests rushed to corners… hiding.
Veeren pressed a gun against Kartikeya's forehead.
Kartikeya's anger burned… but he stayed still.
Not for himself.
For his family.
On the other side—
Riya stumbled… and nearly fell.
Dhiren caught her instantly.
Their eyes met.
And then Dhiren looked at the priest—
"Pandit… do we need another auspicious time… or do you value your life?"
The terrified priest nodded quickly—
"Proceed… proceed…"
Under the shadow of guns…
Kartikeya and Babli sat down.
And the wedding rituals began.
Riya still leaned against Dhiren… completely unaware.
Baldev watched… furious.
The Rathore family cried silently.
All their dreams…
shattered.
And then—
Something no one expected.
Riya held Dhiren's face…
And before anyone could react—
she kissed him.
Shock.
Absolute silence.
Dhiren froze for a moment… then smiled.
Amused.
Intrigued.
Riya, lost in intoxication… was already drawn to his aura… his dominance.
She had no idea what storm she had just stepped into.
Meanwhile—
Kartikeya and Babli completed the sacred vows.
But inside…
Kartikeya burned with rage.
Dhiren Gujjar… you made the biggest mistake of your life.
Anyone who dares to look at my family… I destroy them.
You just signed your own fate.
Within half an hour—
the wedding was completed.
Gunshots fired in the air in celebration.
Guests covered their ears in fear.
The priest fled… without even taking his payment.
Kartikeya walked toward Dhiren with Babli.
Babli bowed to her brother.
But Kartikeya… just stared at him.
Cold. Dangerous.
Dhiren smiled—
"Stay happy… and keep your husband happy too… right, Jamai sa?"
Kartikeya turned his face away in anger.
Babli, in tears, said goodbye to her brothers.
As Dhiren turned to leave…
he noticed—
Riya was still leaning against him.
Without hesitation—
He lifted her in his arms.
Walked to the stage.
And in front of everyone—
filled her hair parting with sindoor.
Gasps echoed.
Before anyone could react—
he carried her over his shoulder…
and walked out.
Silence.
Shock.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
They just stared at the door…
where everything had just changed.
To be continued…
✍️