autthorsahiba POV

Location: Moonlight Villa in Chandigarh 

A luxurious dining room with a long, dark-wood table is surrounded by plush, cream chairs with dark legs, arranged for family. Soft, warm lighting from two grand chandeliers crowns the space. The decor blends classic and contemporary. A generous area rug anchors the table, while large windows with sheer drapes invite natural light, creating a soothing and welcoming atmosphere for consuming meals. 

It’s breakfast time, at the dining table, the whole Singh family is eating their food. Eight people can sit at the dining and six people were sitting at the table, and two chairs were empty. 

The gathering felt cohesive, but no one was talking with each other; the sound was only a faint whisper.

Then one member from them speaks, “I’m getting married in court today.” It was Viraj who announced suddenly, but Veer was already aware of that. 

Heer, Veer’s wife, looked at Veer with a questioning eye, and Veer nodded. 

“I’ll be here with my wife at night. Her name is Janaat Roy, with in a few hours, Janaat Viraj Singh. She has a father and a younger brother; no one is going to ask her about her mother. Lastly, be good to my wife.” With that, Viraj got up from the chair and left everyone shocked behind. 

The atmosphere, which was filled with joy and comfort, now turned into disbelief and surprise. The old man stood from his chair and said, “Dono Bhai same harkate karege. What else can you expect from boys whose parents are not there to scold them? ”

(Both brothers do the same actions)

His gaze landed on the Veer and Heer sharply. His face hardened. Veer married Heer without any announcement, without family opinion. That’s not what marriage has happened in his house.

And now Viraj’s announced like they were just neighbours, not family.

He didn’t like that his opinion didn’t matter in his house anymore. He directly looked at Veer, who was eating his breakfast without bothering about his presence. 

The old man looked at Veer and Heer, who had broken some rule. 

“Bina maa baap…” His words cut by another voice, “Papa ji mere bacho ke khilaf ek shabd bhi nhi. Wo jo karte hai unko pta hai. Meri parvarish ne unhe es layak banaya hai ki apne zindagi ke fasale khud le sake.”

(Dad, not a single word against my children. They know what they do. My upbringing has made them capable enough, so they can make decisions about their life.)

He left the table with his walking stick, and everyone remained seated in their seats, not even bothering to look at his retreating figure. 

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Janaat Viraj Singh POV

I woke up with a jerk, as if I had seen a nightmare. Was yesterday real? Did I really meet him?  Did I really say yes? Don’t tell me that wasn’t a dream? 

But deep down I already know it was not any dream, but the reality. Truth of the day. 

The bright light was coming from closed curtains, as usual. But the unusual thing is my heart, it's beating like a drum, I’m scared that with this speed I can get a heart attack. Picking up my phone, I saw 7:08 am. 

Heart: I should sleep more.

Head: No, get up, it’s your wedding today.

Heart: a surprise and direct marriage

Head: Still a wedding.

Heart: Yaa! Bland signature wedding.

Head: Still a wedding.

Again, I glance up to see the sunlight, dragging my legs out from the quilt, my feet meet the cold floor. I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of morning. Stretching my arms up, trying to shake off the stress from my mind, headed towards the washroom.

“Who marries like that?” I muttered, going under the bathtub. Put some shower gel on my body just to wash away this heaviness.

It is scary to choose a dress for a surprise marriage. What am I supposed to wear it in? I don’t wanna dress up, but I want good pictures. Let's just wear a simple yet elegant dress. 

So I opened my cupboard, and after struggling a bit, I found a dress that was elegant but didn't look like something special. A square neckline frames my collarbone beautifully, and puffed short sleeves that add a touch of vintage charm. 

Overall, the dress was perfect when you don’t wanna get dressy but also don’t wanna look ugly. But I chose my latest baby. It’s hidden under my clothes, but I have to feel special. 

It was a camera-ready dress. 

With pink lip gloss. No makeup because I don’t want to give him any satisfaction that I like this sudden marriage. 

Today I’ll set the fastest record for getting ready. I am saying yes because he helped us, and I have to live there just for a week, not a week, just five days.

Then Chiku barged into my room, “Is the bride ready?”

I didn’t spare him a glance and continued putting on my lip gloss.“Have you lost your manners, young man? You should knock on the door before entering. It’s a girl's room.” I snapped. 

I was already frustrated because of this sudden marriage, and he is pissing me off. “Get lost, give me some privacy.” I hissed. 

“Privacy?” he scoffed and sat on my bed. 

“Dad didn’t let me lock the door. This kind of partiality I’ll not bear.” He is the girl of this house with all those tantrums. 

“Itne toh mere nkhre nhi hai jitne iske hai.” 

“What do you want?” I asked, coming directly to the point. 

“I’m here with the food, and you are scolding me.” I turned to see him, and I let out a dramatic sigh. “Shuru ho gya iska melo-drama.” I rolled my eyes. 

His melodrama has started. He is only fifteen, but emotional blackmail is like a certified saas. (mother-in-law)

Sometimes, he made me feel like I was such a mean sister. He was here to feed me, and I snapped at him. “So…sorry,” I said with guilt, and he hugged me. “PS5, then your apology will be accepted.”

I shove him away from a hug, “Traitor, and leave me room.”

(her simple and yet elegant dress)

Coming down the stairs, I find Dad is waiting with a suitcase. “You are looking beautiful like your Mom.” Dad's compliments bring a wide smile to my face. This was the world's best compliment you can get that you look like your mom. 

“Alright, children, all packed? Someone should pack his underwear. I’ll not buy new ones for them.” Dad joked. Yes, last time he forgot to pack them, so he had to wear the same underwear after the shower. 

Yuck.

“Dad, I already packed six pairs of underwear for a five-day trip,” Ruhaan retorted like an irritated puppy. 

“Where are your bags, Janu? I told you to pack a few clothes.” Dad questioned me.

I hold Dad’s hand, “hmm!! You both are taking flight. I’m just shifting within the city. I’ll pack my bag in the evening.”

“Okay, but I’ll inform Viraj to pick you up in the evening,” Dad said, and I nodded. 

Dad put the luggage in the car, and I sat on the passenger seat while Chiku sat behind. Dad twisted the key, and our journey to the court started.

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In court:

After parking the car, the three made their way inside the courtroom. He was already there waiting.

His back was facing us, talking with another man, who seemed to be a lawyer. His PA friend was also there. He was wearing a white shirt with black pants. His shoulders are broad, his legs are also long, and he is too tall for me. 

After feeling our presence, he turned to face us. And everything paused, “I’m going to marry this handsome man.” That mere thought gives me so many butterflies. 

Chiku just threw himself on him for a hug, “Morning Jiju.” 

Jiju? Why is everything moving fast forward in my life? 

A chuckle escaped from his lips, too, “morning, young man,” he said warmly. I just roll my eyes looking at them, they are behaving like they are going to get married. Not me.

He came toward us and touched Dad’s feet. Dad also put his hand on his head, “Khush raho beta.”

Everything looks like a Karan Johar movie. Noo Naa!! Ekta Kapoor's serial drama. 

The whole time I was staring at him, my eyes refused to leave his face, and his eyes also didn’t budge away. With two steps, he was face-to-face with me. Long legs advantage. I have to crain my neck to meet his eyes. 

I ditched the heels today, maybe because of my height, he will stop this wedding.

Silly me.

Before I could think of what I could do, He offered his hand to me. I was shocked. He is behaving like a lover who has loved me for ages. My heart was pumping fast in my chest, and my breath caught in anger or excitement didn’t name it.

Then I noticed everyone's eyes were on us. So, avoiding any further drama, I place my hand in his. And the moment our palms met, I felt warmth. His grip was firm but gentle.

“Let’s go,” I heard him say, but then I noticed he had jet black eyes. How can it be so dark? They are darker than my hair. I was staring into his eyes like they were the sea and I was finding a whale in it. 

His expression was calm and normal. It feels like he comes daily to court for marriage. I hope it’s his first marriage because his calmness is forcing me to doubt him. 

I was watching, might be staring at him with wide eyes, without much blinking. Not my fault, he also did that on the first day, and I practically learned from him. 

Suddenly, a bizarre thought came into my mind, “Should I punch him in his face?”

No, naa!! Violence is bad. We are standing in a court; if I punch him or he will sue me, then I’ll rot in real prison. College is still a better option compared with real jail. 

His lips moved and turned into a smirk, “You can look at my handsome face later. Please move, so we can marry. Then you are allowed to stare at your husband.” 

How does he know he is handsome? Mirror, silly, there is a thing called a mirror, we look ourselves in it. 

He squeezes my hand a little, so I can bring myself back from my head. I looked up again, then he started walking, and like a lost child, I also started matching his steps. 

Wait, why am I walking? Should I run away? 

But I can’t run from here, from him? He has long legs. He will catch me in no time.

I try to pull away from his hand, but he tightens his hold around my hand. I looked up to see his face, then his eyes met mine. “Don’t,” he said, this with a stern expression.

An unknown feeling rose in me, then a strong wave of air hit me, and I shivered a little, not because of the cold but because of this situation. 

My feet froze, and he turned to look at me. Then again, air hit me on my face, and my eyes were covered with my curls. I was scrunching my nose, then I felt his finger on my face. He was touching my curls with his fingertips. He was trying not to touch my skin, with a light touch, he aside my curls and tucked them behind my ear. 

Because of his feathered touch, my heart began thumping vigorously. What you can do when your own heart is betraying you. 

I tried to pull my hand from his grip, but failed miserably. I tried again, it was not tight but firm enough not to let me go. “Leave my hand, what do you think you are?” I  snapped, my voice probably a little too loud, a little too sharp. 

And then he smirks, A full-on, cocky smirks. He looks so illegal with that. “You're soon to be husband and within fifteen minutes, officially your husband,” he says, all casual and confident. 

My eyes went wide. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. My lips parted, like I was trying to say something, anything, but my brain had apparently short-circuited. Words? That doesn’t even exist. 

Husband? Fifteen minutes? A harsh truth!! 

The audacity of this man. I wanted to kick him so hard. 

“Jiju, hurry, we’ll miss our flight,” Chiku was shouting from inside. Again, Jiju, before I teach him a lesson, I should teach my brother a lesson. 

We both walked and sat on chairs, and I was so nervous that I didn’t even notice. My hands are sweating, I’m sure he felt it because till now he has been holding my hand. Yes, he is holding me like he is holding his own life.

Aise thodi hota hai, Koi toh rok lo. Maine mera lehange bhi nahi pehen, aise kaisi shaadi hai, bina lehange ke, bina makeup ke. Ye CHEATING hai.

I was totally lost in my own head.  I was thinking about… well, can’t point out one specific thing, but lots of things. 

I was so gone that the world could have been ending around me, and I wouldn't have noticed. 

I didn’t ever hear the conversation until Dad pointed the pen toward me, “Sign, Janu.” He finally let go of my hand, which felt kinda clammy and weird. I rubbed it on my dress, hoping to dry off the evidence of my nervousness. 

I was staring at the pen as if it would give me an electric shock. My hand was frozen in place, like a statue. 

“Ahh, this is cheating. He manipulates us. What if…” 

But then he stepped in, taking the situation in his hand, but situation but pen.  He took the pen from my dad, acting all smooth and confident. He gently pried my fingers apart and placed the pen between them. 

He was behaving like I was holding a pen for the first time. 

I took a deep breath. One big sigh escaped from my lips, caused by panic. My heart had gone by now; he was racing inside my body.

And then I signed, with one shaky motion. And my grip on the pen loosened. 

He took the pen from my hand, which was now so loose it was barely hanging on between my finger and thumb, and he signed the papers.  

That was it. With just one sign, one little stroke of ink, he became my husband, and I became his wife. 

My sweaty hand was now clinging to my dress. I was married. Just like that. No big wedding, no lehenga, no makeup, nothing, just a small sign, just a pen, a piece of paper.

Realisation hit me like a rock,  “I’m someone, Mrs. now.”

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Viraj Janaat Singh POV:

Although she was not looking happy, she was not looking sad either; she was nervous. If she is sad, I can tell she is not; I’ll make sure that this moment of sadness passes by. After this, she will only be happy; her happiness is my priority. 

She is wearing white again, because it’s her favorite color. She was looking shorter today because she was wearing white sneakers. Both her hands are free, no ring or bracelet, just that same necklace with a double-layered chain. That is special for her because it belongs to her mother. She thinks that she will be close to her mother. 

How do I know all these things? Because she is my Heaven. 

I won’t say I don’t deserve her. Cause I do. Only me.

Earlier, the air was disturbing her; her curly hair hid her dark green eyes. I brush that hair away from her face with my fingertips. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable. In her eyes, I’m a stranger whom she met yesterday. But for me, she is my purpose. 

Only I know how I controlled myself not to roll her curly strands. 

Then my eyes fell on her nose; she has a tiny nose. Not a sharp one. 

She tries to pull her hand from my hands, but her strength is not enough for that. My grip was firm; I didn’t want to hurt her small hands, but she couldn’t escape from me now. I maintained my grip; after a few attempts, she didn’t try, maybe found comfort in my hands.  

I didn’t leave her hand the entire time, her hands getting sweatier, as her nervousness level rose, her sweat also increased. I leave her hand free only at the time of signature. Her hand was a little shaky when she signed the papers. I understand her nervousness. 

She signed first, then after that, I signed. Our signs are beside each other, looking perfect, just like they're supposed to be together. With just a single sign, I become hers legally. 

The wait was worth it. 

After the witness signs, we both stand up from our chairs, moving from there to the parking area. As everyone moved ahead of us, I held her hand again. Yes! Again.

Why not? She is my wife now.

She didn’t protest this, maybe lost. Her hand grip tightens around me, conveying that she is nervous. I also respond with a gentle squeeze on her tiny hand. Her hand in mine feels so tiny and soft.

Then I have to leave her hand, didn’t want to but to say a proper goodbye to Dad. When I approached him, he hugged me, “Hope you will take care of my daughter like you always did in the past.” 

We separate from the hug, “I promise, I’ll take care of her over myself.” 

Then I saw both brother and sister were talking. Then Dad says, “I’m not talking to her now, because if I talk to her, she will start crying. I’m trusting you with her.”

I hold Dad’s hand, “Dad, I am giving you my word, she is above everything.” he smiled and nodded.

Persuading my Heaven was the most difficult step, but Dad did it. 

Dad, Yes!! 

Her Dad’s mine, Dad too.

Next was the Ruhaan; he threw himself on me like always and whispered near my ears, “Jiju, I’ll break your teeth if you hurt my baby sister.” A chuckle escaped from me. This little boy is threatening a man like me, whom everyone fears.

“Are you the same boy who warned me that his sister is violent?” I asked, breaking the hug. 

“Yes, same boy.” He said with seriousness. “

“I’ll let you break my teeth, but make sure you break my side teeth; I’ll not look handsome with broken front teeth. You know your sister is like a handsome man, if you make me ugly, then she will tear all your hair.” Yes, I know she finds me handsome; the way she lost herself was proof in itself. 

Then he grinned, “You are funny, Jiju, keep my baby sister entertained.” Then he leaned and whispered, “Be safe, too.”

Next was the Leo, he side hugged me, “Congratulations, VJ, you got the girl.” 

Everyone is hugging me except my own wife. 

“Leo, you drop Dad and Ruhaan at the airport and park their car in the Roy Residence,” I command, and he does the same. 

Before Dad and Ruhaan sat in the car, she came running to them, and all three groups hugged, “I’ll miss you both. Come fast, I can’t live without you. Or bring everything I mentioned in the list. If you skip the single product, I’ll not talk to you ever again.”

Did they forget about me? I’m also a part of the family. Leave it, VJ.

Only this time. 

Both Dad and Ruhaan settled in the car, and my heaven waved to them; her eyes were wet, and her nose started turning red. She lifted her head in the air and inhaled a long breath. 

Is she going to cry?

My hand automatically slipped into the pocket of my pants grabbed the handkerchief. I extended the cloth towards her. With shaking hands, she took from me, before the cloth touched her, a single tear slipped from her eye. 

“They are coming back in a week. You can meet and live with them whenever you want.” I passed my warm words. And with long breath, she swallowed the tears and handed my handkerchief towards me.

“A week. Right!” her voice came as a whisper, but I heard it clearly. She blinked her tears away. I wanted to console her, but didn’t find any suitable word. For her, she just married a stranger. How can I try to deny this, but it is actually the truth.

“Let’s go home, you can pack your stuff. Then we will leave for our house. It’s just a forty-minute drive from your home.” I said, looking at her. 

She shook her head, “I have to meet my friend, you can come in the evening. I’ll pack my stuff till then.”

“Whom the hell am I to deny her?” so I replied with a curt nod. “Let me drop you off then.”

“No need, she will come to our predecided place, and I can’t go with you. What will I answer her questioning session on you?” concern was dripping from her tone.

Again, I nodded. What else can a husband do?

I watched her go farther and farther, till she sat in the cab. I also got in the car and started to follow her cab. I can’t stand still there watching her fade away from my sight. I maintained the gap. It was rush hour, so she couldn’t see my car following her. She got off, and on the front door, a white girl with brown hair was standing.

She hugged her, and that girl squeezed her. 

How does she do the what if she gets hurt? She is already thin and small. 

I was cursing her. The next moment, Janaat kissed her on the cheeks.

I coughed and choked, seeing the scene in front of my eyes.

Teenagers these days are weird. 

I never saw kissing girls when I was in college. 

That girl seems to be from a nice family. But how they both were behaving, I don’t like at all.

I should be in her place.

That brown girl said something in my baby’s ear, and she laughed and started jumping there. Her face was glowing with happiness. I felt relief; her earlier sad face and that single tear hurt me like hell. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss those tear-filled eyes. But, no, she might feel uncomfortable with that. 

Both entered holding each other's hands, like they were lovers. They sit at the table. I can see them from the parking lot. Then opened her phone and showed that girl something. The next moment, my phone rings, and “they are planning something against QRZ.” Leo's words made me turn my car around.

We were both sitting in a private room. Leo showed me the clues that my team gathered. A tiny smudge appeared on my lips. “He is playing.”

Leo's eyes locked up and froze in pure shock. “This can be serious? And you are referring to the game.” 

A wicked smile spread on my face. I stood up, rolling my white shirt cuff. Leo was looking at me with amusement, like he saw an alien. “Let them play.” 

“Don’t play around. VJ.” Leo said in a deep, slow voice. 

I turned to leave the room, but I didn’t reply to him. I’m not the one who is playing around; it’s them. They want to play, so I’ll let them because this will be their last game. 

“My wife must be waiting for me.”

To be continued…

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⬩➤ Up next ~ their wedding night. I will cover both couples' wedding nights in the next chapter because there is no hanky-panky. 

⬩➤ For spoiler and extra stuff, you can follow me on Instagram. ID is ~ autthorsahiba_