Author's POV
The next morning at Verma House,
the atmosphere was heavy with unresolved pain.
Riya stood in the living room with her suitcase packed, dupatta draped over her shoulder like armor. She looked at Aarav's mother and said firmly,
"Mummy, I'm leaving. I'm going to my parents' house. I won't be back for a very long time."
Aarav's mother froze, her eyes filling with worry.
"What happened, beta? Why so suddenly? Is everything okay?"
Riya's voice cracked with frustration and hurt.
"What do you mean everything's okay, Mummy? Nothing is okay! Your son brought me into this house and then left for London the very next day after our wedding—for some 'office tour.' Which husband abandons his beautiful wife like that right after the wedding night?"
She took a shaky breath.
"I'm done. I'm going to my parents now, and I won't be back for a long time."
Before Riya could take another step, Ritika rushed forward and snatched the suitcase handle.
"Yaar, don't get so angry! Please don't go… please!"
Aarav's mother raised her hand, her tone gentle but commanding.
"Riya, you're not going anywhere. That's final."
She nodded at Ritika.
"Take the bag back to her room."
Ritika quickly dragged the suitcase away.
Riya stood frozen, arms crossed, eyes glistening. Aarav's mother stepped closer and softly cupped her cheek.
"Today, just rest, beta. I won't let anyone disturb you. I'm angry with Aarav too. The moment he comes back, we'll deal with him together, okay?"
A small, reluctant smile broke through Riya's frown.
"But until then… please listen to me."
Riya pouted dramatically.
"Maa… I'm feeling so bored."
Ritika's eyes lit up. She grabbed Riya's hands and started jumping excitedly.
"Come on! Let's go to ISKCON this evening! Then we'll hit the mall, watch a movie—it'll be so much fun!"
Riya blinked in surprise, then glanced at Aarav's mother.
Aarav's mother smiled warmly.
"Let's go. It'll be fun. I'm coming too!"
Riya and Ritika shouted in unison, laughing,
"Of course, Maaji!!"
Later – Riya's Room
Riya sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall.
Ritika burst in carrying a beautiful pink saree, along with matching bangles, earrings, and a small round bindi.
"Riya, wear this pink saree. Pink bangles, pink earrings, tiny pink bindi—everything pink!"
Riya raised an eyebrow.
"Bhabhi… why everything pink-pink?"
Ritika folded her hands dramatically.
"Please, Riya. Please wear it. Plz!"
Riya sighed but smiled a little.
"Okay, Bhabhi… but why a saree?"
Ritika grinned.
"How long has it been since you wore a saree? You've never even worn one properly! We always see you in shorts and T-shirts."
Riya shot back playfully,
"Bhabhi, I've only seen you in a saree on my wedding day. Since then, I've only seen you in shorts and T-shirts too."
Ritika laughed loudly.
"Exactly! That's why today you're wearing a saree. Okay?"
Riya nodded.
"One minute… when are we leaving?"
"5 o'clock. You need to be ready by 4:20, okay?"
"Okay, Bhabhi."
Ritika gave her a quick hug and left.
Riya stared at the pink saree for a long moment, then exhaustion won. She curled up and fell asleep.
3:50 p.m.
A sharp knock on the door jolted Riya awake.
She opened it to find Ritika standing there, breathless and excited.
"Get ready fast! We have to go now! Hurry up—if you need any help, call me, I'll come running—but get ready! You have only 40 minutes!"
Before Riya could respond, Ritika vanished down the hallway.
Riya stood stunned.
"Only 40 minutes?!"
She rushed to the wardrobe, grabbed the pink saree, and hurried to the washroom.
Ten minutes later, she emerged draped in soft pink silk. She sat at the dressing table, styled her hair in soft waves, applied light makeup—kohl-lined eyes, pink lips—then slipped on the bangles and placed the tiny bindi.
She looked at her reflection and smiled—genuinely smiled—for the first time in weeks.
She picked up her phone and started taking selfies. One after another. At least a hundred.
Then she opened Aarav's chat and called him.
Again.
Again.
A hundred times.
No answer.
Anger surged through her again.
Still ignoring me…
From the living room, Ritika shouted,
"Riya! Come on, quick! Fast!!"
Riya took one last look in the mirror, whispered "Wow" to herself, and walked out.
The moment she stepped into the living room, Aarav's mother and Ritika froze, mouths open in pure awe.
Aarav's mother clasped her hands to her heart.
"My bahu looks so beautiful!"
Ritika grabbed Riya's hands, eyes sparkling.
"Wowww! You look so cute, Riya!!"
They immediately started taking photos—posing, giggling, clicking nonstop.
Five minutes later, Aarav's elder brother cleared his throat from the doorway.
"Enough photos! Let's go, we'll be late."
Riya and Ritika laughed, nodded, and followed him to the car.
Aarav's elder brother drove, mother in the front passenger seat, Riya and Ritika in the back, still buzzing with excitement.
Meanwhile – ISKCON Temple
Aarav had already arrived in India earlier that day.
He had gone straight to the temple, offered his prayers, taken darshan of Radha-Krishna with a racing heart.
Now he stood hidden behind a thick tree near the stairs, eyes fixed on the entrance.
When the car pulled up and Riya stepped out—glowing in pink, laughing with his family—he forgot how to breathe.
She looked breathtaking.
And she had no idea he was here.
She still thought he was in London.
Riya, Ritika, Aarav's mother, and his elder brother walked inside the temple, completely unaware of the man watching from the shadows.
Aarav stared at her like a madman in love, heart pounding.
Ten minutes later, as the family descended the stairs after darshan, Aarav saw his mother talking to his brother. Behind them, Riya and Ritika walked together, chatting animatedly, holding plates of rose and marigold petals for offering, with Ritika carrying prasad.
They were lost in conversation, smiling and laughing.
Suddenly, Aarav's mother spotted him. She shouted in joy.
Riya froze, stunned.
Her foot slipped on the step.
The plate of flowers flew upward, petals scattering into the air like colorful rain.
Riya closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the fall.
But then—warm, familiar arms wrapped around her waist and shoulder, steadying her.
Petals rained down around them, roses and marigolds drifting like blessings from the sky, as if the universe itself was celebrating their reunion.
In the background, the soft melody of (("Surili Akhiyon Wale")) began to play (from the movie Veer), filling the air with romance:
((Surili akhiyon wale, suna hai teri akhiyon se...))
Riya's hands instinctively rested on his shoulders. Her eyes stayed closed, heart racing.
((Behti hai neendein aur neendon mein sapne...))
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Their gazes locked—lost in each other, the world fading away.
Everytime I look into your eyes, I see my paradise... The stars are shining right up in the sky...
For five long minutes, they stood like that, petals still falling gently around them.
Ritika and Aarav's mother coughed lightly. Everyone nearby was smiling, adoring the moment, some even clapping softly.
Aarav helped her stand properly.
Riya suddenly threw her arms around him and started crying—happy tears, right there on the temple steps, in front of everyone.
Aarav leaned in to kiss her, but Riya playfully slapped his cheek lightly with a teasing smile.
"We're on the street! Everyone's watching!"
Aarav looked into her eyes, removed her hand from his lips, and whispered in her ear so only she could hear,
"I don't care, baby."
He kissed her cheek softly, then smirked and winked.
"Baby, you were getting bored without me, right? Now watch what I do with you today."
Riya's eyes widened in shock, surprise, happiness—and a deep blush.
He pulled her into a tight hug.
"Baby, I missed you soooo much!!!"
Riya's eyes filled with fresh tears.
Everyone around them smiled, offering blessings, sharing in the joy.
But happiness is fragile.
Deep in the crowd, where love and cheers flooded the air, a pair of evil eyes watched the beautiful couple.
Something unholy stirred.
Something dark was brewing—something that could shatter not just one heart, but many.
To be continued...
Cliffhanger Hook:
Who is hiding in the crowd, watching their reunion with malice? And what terrible thing is about to ruin this perfect moment?
Author's Note 💖🌸
Hey my romantic souls! 😭
That reunion... petals falling, song playing, the hug, the wink—I'm dead! Did it give you butterflies? Tell me in the comments: How would you react if your love surprised you like this? Cry? Slap? Kiss? 👀
If this chapter made your heart race or brought happy tears, smash that ⭐ VOTE, comment "RIYA & AARAV FOREVER" or "WHO'S THE VILLAIN IN THE CROWD?!", and add to your library so you don't miss the drama!
Next chapter: The dark shadow moves closer... and maybe Rudra's world starts colliding.
Stay dreamy, stay reading. Love you all! 💕
— Your author (still swooning over the petals) 🌹