**Pallavi's POV**
I was drifting in and out of consciousness, teetering on the edge of sleep, but something was wrong. My eyelids feel heavy, weighed down as if they were glued shut. I tried to force them open, but it was impossible. Panic swelled in my heart , I could feel it , my arms, my legs, they were tied. I tried to move, to free myself, but nothing worked. My body was trapped, as if every limb had betrayed me.
I could sense the danger, a cold, creeping sensation crawling over my skin. Something was terribly wrong. But I was powerless to stop it, unable to even cry out. My heart raced, beating wildly in my chest, as if trying to warn me.
“ Why can't I move? Why can't I wake up ? * The fear gripped me tightly.
In the midst of the terror, a calming thought swept through my mind. His face appeared **Arjun**. The mere memory of him brought me a fleeting moment of peace. **He was my safety, my comfort.**
"Woh hi toh tha, meri muskaan ki wajah, meri khushiyon ka kaaran." Usse yaad karke mera dil halka sa ho gaya. Har dafa, har pal, woh hi mere saath tha.”
(He was the one, the reason for my smile, the cause of my happiness." Remembering him made my heart feel a bit lighter. Every time, every moment, he was always with me.)
And just like that, my mind began drifting into memories of him, of us… from just a few days ago.
**5 Days Ago – Author's POV**
Arjun and Pallavi had stepped into the grand shopping mall, the hustle and bustle of preparations for Abrahm and Janvi’s wedding all around them. Pallavi, with wide-eyed wonder, took in the glittering displays, the countless shops, the sheer luxury of it all. This was her first time in such a place, and her excitement was almost like a child
"Yahan toh sab kuch itna khoobsurat hai!"
( Everything is so beautiful here ) .
Pallavi gasped in awe, spinning around to take it all in. The sheer size and glamour of the mall were overwhelming. She had never seen anything like it.
Arjun chuckled at her reaction.
“ It's just a mall, Pallavi. There's nothing very special about it. If you want to buy something here, just get it.” he asserted while arm around her shoulder.
Pallavi’s excitement only grew as they walked through the aisles. She browsed through racks of elegant dresses and finally picked out a few pieces. Holding them up with a wide grin, she turned to Arjun.
"What do you think? Which one is good?” she asked eagerly, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Whatever you like is good. Just take whatever you want.”Arjun, with his hands tucked casually in his pockets, simply shrugged
Pallavi’s enthusiasm faltered slightly when she checked the price tags. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
“ These are all quite costly “ . Her mind whirled, calculating the cost in her head. These were way out of her comfort zone.
"No , I don't want to take anything, " she said abruptly, hanging the dresses back on the rack.
Arjun watched her carefully, noticing the slight change in her demeanour. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Without a word, he sighed and nodded to Neil, who was standing a few feet away.
"Neil, take care of her , I will come back soon " Arjun instructed firmly. With that, Arjun turned and walked away, his phone already in hand, making a call.
As Pallavi hesitated in the store, her mind racing over the price tags, Arjun quietly slipped out. He walked through the grand corridors of the mall, his expression unreadable, but his pace determined. His phone was already in his hand, and his thumb quickly scrolled through the contacts until he found Aman’s name.
.
Without hesitation, Arjun pressed the call button. The phone rang only once before Aman picked up.
“Haan Arjun bolo ?” Aman’s voice came through immediately, always alert when Arjun called.
"There's something I need.Talk to the mall owner and set up a deal to buy the mall. I don’t care what it costs, just do it quickly.” Arjun said, his voice low but firm.
Aman paused for just a moment, but in that split second, he understood exactly what Arjun was asking. Without questioning further, Aman simply replied, “Done, Abhi calls karta hoon owner ko.”
Arjun ended the call, glancing around the empty, isolated space he had found in the corner of the mall. His expression softened slightly as he thought of Pallavi.
“ She deserved everything “ and if this was her first time in a place like this, he wanted her to have it all literally.
************
Back at the Mall
She was still standing by the racks of dresses, her hands brushing over the soft fabric, but my mind was elsewhere.
Neil stood a few feet away, watching me carefully, but saying nothing. She sighed and turned to him,
"Neil bhayya, I think this is a bit too much for us. I'll look for something else.” she asserted to Neil .
Before Neil could respond, my phone buzzed with a message. I opened it, and my breath hitched when I saw who it was from.
It was Arjun, and the message read:
"Mall tumhara hai ab. Take what you want. No more excuses."
My eyes widened in shock, my heart skipping a beat.
“Mall tumhara hai ab? What did that even mean? “ She thought and quickly dialled Arjun’s number, confusion and disbelief rushing through her .
The phone rang only once before he picked up.
“Arjun, yeh kya mazak hai?” she demanded, her voice a mix of confusion and disbelief.
“Mazak nahi hai, Pallavi. Maine yeh mall tumhare liye kharida hai.”Arjun’s calm voice came through the other end,
I blinked rapidly, as if trying to process what he just said.
"What? You bought the entire mall? Arjun, have you gone crazy ?!”
"I’ve already gone crazy, Pallavi. For you. You liked these dresses, so take them. And yes, no excuses will work now.” He chuckled softly,
She stood there, completely frozen, trying to make sense of what he just did. He had bought the entire mall.only for her
"Kuch bhi?" She whispered to herself, still stunned by his grand gesture. Her heart fluttered, overwhelmed by the depth of his love.
*******
**Back to the dark room
Pallavi's POV**
Even now, tied and helpless, those memories felt like a warm blanket around me. I could almost hear Arjun’s voice again, the way he had looked at me back then. He always knew me so well, knew exactly what I was thinking, even when I didn't say a word.
"Usse meri har soch ka pata kaise chal jaata hai?" I thought, my mind drifting further into those memories. Even in this strange, terrifying state, thoughts of him gave me strength. **He would come for me**, I knew it deep down.
But for now, I was trapped in the darkness, tied and unable to move. The danger loomed closer, and all I could do was hope… hope that Arjun would save me before it was too late.
**Pallavi's POV**
My mind drifted back to those cherished moments, just a few days ago when we all gathered to celebrate Abhram Bhaiya and Janvi Bhabhi’s haldi ceremony. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, teasing, and a sense of togetherness.
I remember watching Arjun from the corner of my eye. He stood there, slightly aloof, not entirely comfortable with all the traditional ceremonies.
“ He always stays away from these functions" I thought to myself. But that just gave me the perfect excuse to pull him into the fun.
After carefully applying haldi to Bhaiya and Bhabhi, I smirked mischievously and scooped up a small haldi ball. With a swift motion, I smacked it right onto Arjun’s cheek.
“ Pallavi, what have you done? " He growled in mock anger, wiping the haldi from his face. His eyes narrowed, and I could tell he was plotting his revenge. Before I could even respond, he grabbed a handful of haldi and ran after me.
"Arjun! Stop !"I shrieked, giggling as I sprinted away from him through the courtyard, weaving between family members.
He chased me with relentless determination.
“ You thought you would escape?” he shouted, laughter mixed with frustration in his voice. Finally, after a few minutes of playful running, he cornered me near the haldi water. I was panting, trying to catch my breath, when he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“ Now what will you do z? " he whispered, a victorious grin spreading across his face.
Before I could protest, he flung a handful of haldi onto my face, drenching us both in the golden-yellow paste. The whole scene quickly turned into a mini-Holi, with family members laughing and joining in, throwing haldi water at each other, the air filled with joy and vibrant splashes of colour.
In the midst of the playful chaos, Arjun’s grip on my wrist tightened. His eyes flickered with something mischievous, and before I knew it, he was pulling me away from the crowd.
"Arjun, tum kya kar rahe ho? Sab dekh rahe hain!" I protested, though my heart was already racing in anticipation.
He didn’t respond, just kept pulling me towards the far corner of the garden, away from the laughter and prying eyes. The haldi on our skin still felt warm, and my heart pounded as he finally stopped and turned towards me, a playful yet intense look in his eyes.
"Ab kya karne ka irada hai?"I asked, my voice shaky, but the smile on my face betrayed my excitement.
"Tumne shuru kiya tha, ab khatam main karunga."He leaned in closer, his voice low,
My breath hitched as he slid his hands over my arms, smearing more haldi on me as his fingers lingered on my skin , and his hand travelled to my waist
"Arjun, koi aa jayega," I whispered, glancing around nervously, though I secretly hoped no one would.
"Toh aane do,"he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear. The closeness made me blush furiously, the heat of the moment more intense than the haldi ceremony itself.
"Tumhare chehre ka ye rang... Haldi ka hai ya sharm ka?" He leaned in further, his breath warm on my skin as he trailed light kisses along my jawline, he teased, his voice barely above a whisper.
I could barely manage a reply, too caught up in the moment, my body responding to every touch. My face heated up, and I knew I must have been as red as a tomato beneath the layers of haldi.
"Arjun... bas kariyr ," I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction. My hands instinctively clutched his shirt as he drew me closer.
"Bas kar doon?" he asked with a smirk, his lips now grazing my neck. His words sent shivers down my spine, and despite my half-hearted protests, I knew I was enjoying every moment of this.
My heart raced, every touch, every whisper making me feel like we were the only two people in the world.
"Mujhe aise haldi lagai tumne, ab iski saza toh milegi, Pallavi,"*he said, his voice dripping with playful menace.
"Tum toh besharam ho bilkul," I couldn’t help but giggle through my blush.I managed to say, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.
"Tumhare liye toh hamesha," he whispered, and before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a soft, lingering kiss.
"I never thought that this moment would be the last happy moment of my life, I never thought I would ever be so far away from Arjun like this, I never thought that the same hands, on which Arjun’s name was written in mehendi just a few days ago, wouldn’t even be able to move today. Where are you, Arjun? Come quickly and take me away from here...
And then I remembered those precious moments of my life, the ones I spent with my Arjun.”
The next day dawned bright and full of excitement after haldi It was the day of the **mehendi ceremony**, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh henna, mixed with laughter and music. I sat surrounded by family, my hands stretched out as the mehendi artist worked her magic, intricately designing patterns that twisted and curled up my arms.
As the artist finished up, she smiled at me.
"Accha, ab aap ka pati ka naam kahan likha hai?" she asked with a knowing twinkle in her eye. Tradition dictated that Arjun's name had to be hidden somewhere in the design, but before I could answer, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Mera naam toh main khud likhunga," Arjun said, stepping forward with a playful smirk.
‘ Aap ? Mehendi lagana aata hai kya?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised. ‘
"Ab dekh lo," he shrugged, taking the mehendi cone from the artist's hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The family gathered around, watching him with amusement, including Bhaiya and Bhabhi, who were enjoying the entire show.
Arjun knelt down beside me, holding my hand gently as he concentrated on the cone. His brow furrowed, and he carefully began to write, or rather attempt to write, his name. But within seconds, the design was hopelessly smudged, the letters merging into a messy blob.
"Arjun!"
I couldn’t hold it in
I burst out laughing.
"Aap toh bilkul hi kharab artist ho “ The whole family erupted into laughter, and even Arjun couldn't help but chuckle at his failed attempt, handing the cone back to the real artist with a sheepish grin.
Later That Evening
As the mehendi dried on my hands, the evening continued with fun and laughter. But soon, I realised something with my hands covered in intricate designs, I couldn’t really do much. That’s when Arjun stepped in, surprising me once again.
"Tumhe bhookh lagi hai?" he asked, kneeling beside me as I sat with the rest of the family.
"Lekin ab main kaise khaungi?"I nodded and looked at my hands, completely covered in dried mehendi, unable to even pick up a spoon.
Arjun just smiled, picking up a plate of food.
"Tumhe kaise lagta hai main yeh hone dunga?" And with that, he began to feed me with his own hands, lifting small bites of food to my mouth.
. "Arjun! Sab dekh rahe hain," I glanced around nervously and whispered, my cheeks turning pink.
."toh kya? Tum meri biwi ho. Tumhare haath busy hain, toh main khilaunga." But he shrugged nonchalantly
His calm confidence made me smile despite the blush creeping up my face. The family watched us with amusement, teasing and laughing, but I didn’t care. In that moment, it felt like nothing else mattered.
"Ab mehendi lagane ka kaam bhale hi na aata ho, lekin khilana toh aata hai." Arjun just winked at me.
I didn’t even realise when we reached the Sangeet ceremony.
The sangeet ceremony was in full swing, the stage adorned with shimmering lights, music filling the air as Abhram Bhaiyya and Janvi Bhabhi took centre stage. They looked perfect together , twirling, smiling for the family, but something felt off. There was a tension between them, a subtle undercurrent of discomfort that no one else seemed to notice.
I tilted my head, watching them closely.
"Yeh dono aapas mein kya baat kar rahe hain?" I wondered. Bhaiyya’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and Bhabhi’s movements were just a bit too stiff. They were pretending to be the perfect couple, but something was wrong. I could sense it, but I had no idea what the problem was.
Just then, Arjun came up beside me, his hand sliding into mine. His touch was warm, reassuring, as if he could read my mind.
"Sab theek ho jaayega," he murmured quietly, squeezing my hand gently.
"Tumhe kaise pata?" I looked up at him, my worry evident .
He gave me a small, comforting smile.
"Your bhaiya and bhabhi are clearing up their misunderstandings. It will take some time, but everything will be fine. And the plan we made is also working.” he asserted and I let out a soft sigh of relief. If Arjun believed that everything was going to be fine, I trusted him.
"Main khush hoon unke liye," I whispered, my heart lighter with his words. But then, out of nowhere, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
"Waise, yaad hai na? Tumhara challenge abhi baaki hai. Sabke saamne... tumhe mujhe kiss karna hai." He said and as usual I parted my lips in shock .
"Kya?!" I nearly jumped. He was talking about that challenge? Here? Now? My eyes widened in disbelief as I stared at him.
"Tum serious ho?" I questioned, nahi nahi how can he be serious ?? Kiss that too in front of everyone woh bhi lips par , no no no , it can't be happening..
"Maine toh kabhi mazak nahi kiya wifey . Aaj tumhe sabke saamne mujhe kiss karna hai. Aur haan, woh bhi lips pe." He raised an eyebrow, his smirk only deepening. I made a cry baby face ..
" Kya jarurat thi pallu is kankajoore ko challenge karne ka , ab lag gayi na Lanka “ I thought to myself..
My heart raced. "Arjun, main kaise…" I started, but before I could finish,
Adit and Anant came up behind us, clearly having overheard our conversation.i kept mum , Arjun winked at me and left from there
"Kya chal raha hai yahan?"Adit asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Mujhe lagta hai hamari madad chahiye yahan."Anant, catching on quickly, grinned
. "Tum dono ko kaise pata—" I was startled..
"Humne toh bas sun liya hai bhabhi . Aur hume ek idea bhi hai." Adit interrupted with a chuckle.
"Idea?" I asked, confused but curious.
Anant leaned in closer, lowering his voice and said his plan to me , only widened my grin ..
“ Jaha par hum jaise devar ho waha bhabhi ko pareshani utaneki kya jarurat bhabhi " adit continued , i couldn't help but blushed a little with a smile ..
“ Bhabhi , bhale hi Arjun Bhai hamara Bhai hai lekin hum toh by default aap ki team hai na ? " Anant whispered ..
" Haan yeh alag baat hai ki khud bhaiyya bhi aap ki team hai “ adit said in btw , and I laughed a little ..
" But bhabhi don't you think humme ho thoda reward milna chahiye “ adit asserted with a puppy face ..
" Konsa reward chahiye hamare devar ji ko “ I looked at him with a genuine smile..
" Bus do mahine ke ander humme ek chota sa baby dijiye , bus hume kuch aur nahi chahiye “ I was like , isn't it too much ?
" Abey saale , do mahine mein baby kaise aayega kum se kum 9 mahine toh lagega hi , aur kya bhabhi akeli de sakti hai , bhaiyya ko mehnat karni chahiye , tum bhaiya se bhi bolo tumhe jaldi chacha banade , bhabhi ko kyu pareshan kar rahe ho “ anant said but not before slapping on Adit head playfully..
Sometimes I wonder if this is their genetic problem, these three brothers are really shameless,
********
Centre Stage
Me and Arjun were Dancing on "Subhanallah"
As the soft melody of *Subhanallah* began to play, Arjun and I moved to the centre of the stage, joining the other couples. My heart was pounding, but the excitement bubbling inside me was undeniable. Arjun’s hand rested on my waist, guiding me gently as we swayed to the music, completely in sync.
I caught Adit’s eye from across the room and gave him a quick, subtle nod. He nodded back, then signalled to Anant, who was stationed near the lighting controls. Everything was falling into place.
The song reached its crescendo, and suddenly, the entire room plunged into darkness. The lights were out, just as planned by devars not less than my own brothers
"Yahi waqt hai, Pallavi," I whispered to myself, my heart hammering in my chest.
Before Arjun could react, I leaned in quickly, brushing my lips against his in a soft, fleeting kiss. It was just a peck, but the moment felt electric and for that one second, it was just me and him, lost in the bliss of that tiny, stolen moment.
Before I could process it fully, the lights flickered back on, the music continuing as if nothing had happened. I glanced up at Arjun, half-expecting him to tease me, but instead, for the first time ever, I saw something I’d never seen before
**he was blushing**.
Arjun, the ever-composed, always-in-control Arjun, had the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks. It was fleeting, though, because as soon as he noticed me staring, his expression shifted, and the familiar stern look returned.
"Tum blush kar rahe ho," I teased, unable to hide my amusement. I giggled softly, stepping back, but he pulled me back and turned me on 180 degrees, now my soft back is touching to his hard one
He cleared his throat, his stern mask firmly in place..
" lights band thi, kuch dikh nahi raha tha. , toh challenge kaise puri ho gayi ? Wifey ?? “ he leaned towards my ear and whispered in my ear , i know everyone was eyeing on me , but it couldn't make any difference when he is around me ..
“ Haan, lights band thi... par kiss toh hui na? Aap ne sab ke saamney kiss karne ko bola toh maine kar liya , ab koi dekha nahi toh isme meri kya galti ?? " I smirked, knowing exactly what had happened.
“ Accha agar ayisa hai toh be ready to face the naughtiest side of your besharam husband , my love " Arjun gave me a pointed look, his voice low and teasing. I couldn’t help but blush at his words.
"Dekhte hain, waise mein bhi tayyar hunn aapki naughtiness dekhne keliye " I whispered and confessed that I am ready to take our relationship to the next level..
As I ran downstairs, my heart still racing from the kiss, I couldn't help but feel victorious. I had pulled off the impossible, and the sight of Arjun blushing was something I would never forget.
We both got busy for the next few hours , bcoz today Abrahm bhaiyya and bhabhi's wedding day..
"I had tied a sehra on Abrahm bhaiyya’s head. As a ritual, this ceremony is performed by my sister, so I completed this ritual."
Arjun placed a turban on bhaiya’s head and said:
"Now do you understand, Abrahm, what Janvi has sacrificed for you?" He mumbled, and I was confused about what they were talking about.
"And why did you all hide this truth from me?" Abrahm bhaiyya frowned at him.
"Hey Mahadev, now what happened to these two?" I stood there in worry.
"If I had told you the truth, it would have been wrong. But since Janvi told you the truth, you realised her love for you . That's why we didn’t tell you anything.” he continued by money garland on his neck ..
“ And see I have kept my promise ki jis tum shadi karega uss din mein tumhe apne haathon se padgi bandung “ he said and they two hugged each other , Aman who was seeing everything smiled and little , jai who was always being immature and naughty hugged Aman tightly and literally jumped on Aman , how how Aman composed him from falling on his back ..
I smiled at them ..
********”**" “" “"
The wedding mandap was beautifully decorated, a symphony of flowers, lights, and the warmth of family and friends surrounding it. The air was thick with emotions as Abhram Bhaiyya and Janvi Bhabhi sat side by side, both dressed in stunning wedding attire, looking at each other with the kind of vulnerability and happiness that only comes from true love.
They had come so far. All the arguments, misunderstandings, and pretences were finally over. There was no more acting, no more pretending to be a happy couple for the sake of appearances. **They were truly happy now.** I could see it in their eyes, the love and relief radiating from both of them.
I smiled, my heart swelling with joy as they took their vows, exchanged garlands, and performed the sacred rituals that would bind them together for life.
At that moment, I felt a familiar warmth beside me. Arjun, standing tall and proud, reached for my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. His grip was firm, yet gentle, and I felt the steady beat of his heart through that simple touch. He leaned closer, his voice soft yet filled with certainty.
"Bahut jaldi , hum bhi aise hi shaadi karenge," he whispered, his eyes locking with mine. "Khushi khushi, bina kisi naatak ke." He continued..
My heart skipped a beat. There was something so raw, so honest in his words that it left me speechless. I looked at him, my eyes glistening with unshed tears, and nodded.
"Haan, Arjun. Hum bhi ek din aise hi khush honge." I asserted and he took me into a soothing hug
*********************
After the Wedding
The wedding ceremony came to a close, and after all the heartfelt moments, the goodbyes, and the laughter, Arjun turned to me, his expression serious.
"Mujhe abhi kuch zaroori kaam ke liye Shree Mansion jaana padega," he said, his tone filled with responsibility.
"Neil tumhe ghar chodenge. Tumhe kuchh ghante mein wapas ghar jaana hoga, waise bhi. Hum baad mein milenge."I nodded, understanding his urgency.
But deep down, I felt a pang of longing. There was something I needed to tell him, something that had been weighing on my heart for so long. I wanted to confess my feelings to him today. **Today, I wanted to give him the right to love me**, but before that, I needed to tell him the truth about my past about Mr. Khanna.
Mr. Khanna, the man who had once tried to molest me, the man who had left me scarred with fear and trauma. I needed to tell Arjun everything, to finally let go of that pain. But there would be time for that later. For now, I had to focus on getting home safely.
From past few minutes I am sending some unusual looks , as a girl I can sense that disgusting look , I looked around but I didn't found anyone near me , but this feeling , am I going to lose my loved ones again , I don't know but maybe after seeing this much love and happiness around me , I am afraiding to lose anyone of them , my fate always betrayed me , maybe that's why I am afraid ..
---
When we are driving back to shree mansion
Neil Bhaiyya was in the front car, leading the convoy of vehicles back to Shree Mansion. I sat in the middle car, my mind racing with thoughts of Arjun and my upcoming confession. Normally, Arjun would be the one driving, always by my side, but today he wasn't there. Vipul Bhaiyya was driving the car instead, and I sat silently, staring out the window.
Behind us, another car full of bodyguards followed, ensuring our safety. Everything felt routine, just like any other day, but something in the air felt... off.
Suddenly, the loudest explosion I had ever heard shattered the quiet. Neil Bhaiyya's car in front of us erupted into flames, flipping over as it was thrown off the road. My breath caught in my throat, my mind unable to process what had just happened.
"Yeh kya ho raha hai?!" I screamed, panic rising in my chest.
Before I could even think, another explosion went off, this time hitting the car behind us. I turned around in horror to see the vehicle consumed by fire, the bodyguards inside it lost in the flames. I was frozen with terror, my hands shaking, my legs numb from the sheer shock.
"Vipul Bhaiyya, yeh sab " I shouted, my voice trembling.
Vipul immediately swerved the car, trying to escape the ambush. But then I heard a deafening crack , a gunshot. I looked over to see Vipul Bhaiyya clutching his shoulder, blood pouring out from the wound. Another shot followed, hitting him in the neck. His grip on the wheel loosened, and the car began to spin out of control.
Blood splattered across the dashboard as Vipul's body slumped over. My mind went blank. **The car was now drenched in blood**, and I could barely think straight.
I didn’t even have time to react when I felt a sharp sting in my neck . **An injection?** Someone had pierced me with something sharp, and before I could fight it, everything went dark.
---
Present
As I lay in the dark, my consciousness fading, all I could think of was Arjun. I didn’t know what would happen to me now, but I knew one thing for certain: **my husband would come for me**. And
whoever was behind this brutal attack, **Arjun would punish them all**, without mercy
*******************
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