17. Unexpected

°˖✧✿✧˖°

The Vidai, traditionally known to be a somber and emotional moment, was a completely different scene for Ishika.

Her face glowed with happiness, wide smiles lighting up her features as she prepared to leave the house that had once caused her so much pain.

For her, this wasn’t just a departure—it was a liberation. A fresh start. A moment she had waited for.

Nearby, Divya, Amrita, and Ananya were dancing cheerfully, their laughter and energy filling the air, turning the moment into a celebration rather than a goodbye.

Ishika stood beside Rudraksh, smiling brightly as she watched her friends.

Their antics seemed to mirror her own inner joy, and she couldn’t help but smile even wider, her teeth showing in an unrestrained, delighted grin.

Geeta, Ishwar, and the rest of the Raghuwanshi family exchanged confused glances at this unusual Vidai.

Such scenes were unheard of, but they quickly found themselves distracted by the infectious smiles of the girls.

On the other hand, Ishika’s chacha and chachi stood nearby, their forced smiles and fake tears betraying their true emotions.

Their discomfort was palpable, but Ishika barely paid them any mind. She was finally leaving behind the shadow of the Agarwal house, stepping into a brighter future.

Rudraksh climbed into the car, ready to take his wife to the Raghuwanshi palace. Just as Ishika was about to follow, Amrita leaned in close and whispered into her ear, her voice low but teasing,

“Isha Mayya, now you’re no longer an Agarwal. Which means I can do anything to the Agarwal family."

Her smirk was sharp, dangerous and mischievous, her words laced with a promise that only she could make.

Ishika chuckled softly, shaking her head as she met Amrita’s gaze. For the first time, she felt completely at ease knowing that whatever scars the Agarwal house had left her with, she had allies now—people who would stand by her no matter what.

With a nod, Ishika climbed into the car, her heart full of hope and her mind focused on the journey ahead.

As the car rolled away, leaving behind the house of her past, the laughter of her friends followed, signaling the beginning of a joyous new chapter.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

In the car, Rudraksh found it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes off Ishika.

Her radiant smile and serene beauty were captivating, pulling his attention despite his best efforts to stay composed.

Forcing himself to look away, he reminded himself to maintain his distance.

As the car pulled up to the Raghuwanshi palace, Ishika's eyes widened in awe.

The grandeur of the palace was beyond anything she had imagined—a sprawling estate with intricate architecture and an air of regality.

She couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty, momentarily forgetting her surroundings.

The newlyweds were greeted warmly by the Raghuwanshi family. Bright smiles and festive energy filled the air as Geeta and Ishwar welcomed them with open arms.

They completed the remaining post-marriage rituals, and the atmosphere buzzed with joy and excitement.

Finally, it was time for the traditional ring-finding game. A milk-filled pot was brought out, and the gold ring was dropped into it.

The couple was instructed to find the ring, a playful ritual to determine who would "rule" the marriage.

Rudraksh, his expression stoic as always, glanced at the setup and muttered, "Is this really necessary?" His tone carried a hint of reluctance as he wasn’t particularly fond of such games.

"Of course it is, bhaiya!" Aaryansh chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Shouldn't we know who will rule this marriage?"

Rudraksh gave his younger brother a flat look, but his expression remained unreadable.

Meanwhile, Ishika felt a wave of shyness wash over her. Despite his reluctance, Rudraksh rolled up his sleeves and leaned over the pot.

Ishika, encouraged by Aaryansh’s teasing, hesitantly followed suit.

As their hands dipped into the milk, their fingers brushed momentarily, causing Ishika to pause and glance up at Rudraksh.

Rudraksh quickly averted his eyes, focusing on finding the ring. The family cheered them on, their laughter and playful teasing filling the room as the couple played along.

The first time, the ring was found by Ishika, and the next time by Rudraksh.

"Come on, bhabhi, you have to win!" Daksh encouraged, his voice full of energy.

"Yes, bhabhi! Come on!" Aaryansh smiled, making Ishika smile in return.

Rudraksh glared at his brothers, noticing that they were all backing Ishika instead of him.

Even Aditya, who usually stayed neutral, grinned and shrugged when Rudraksh shot him an unimpressed look.

The tension broke when Ishika’s hand shot up triumphantly, the ring gleaming between her fingers.

The room erupted in applause and laughter, and Aaryansh playfully declared, "And there you have it! Bhabhi is officially the boss!"

Rudraksh, still expressionless, glanced at Ishika. His face betrayed no emotion, but a faint twitch of his lips suggested amusement.

Ishika, on the other hand, smiled widely, her victory lifting the spirits of everyone in the room.

For the first time, Ishika felt truly welcomed into the Raghuwanshi family—a family that, despite its complexities, seemed full of life, laughter, and warmth.

She looked around at her new family, feeling the sense of belonging she had never experienced before.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

Ishika's anger was palpable as she stared at her phone, her fingers gripping it tightly.

The notification she had just received made her blood boil—another target of hers had ruined an innocent girl's life. The injustice of it was infuriating, and with every second, her rage intensified.

Before she could process her thoughts, she heard the door open.

Rudraksh entered the room, his expression as unreadable as ever, his attention diverted by the call he had just received.

He walked towards the balcony, but his voice cut through the heavy air.

"Look, Ishika," he said, his tone cold and indifferent, "Our marriage was just a marriage of convenience. I’m telling you now, so that you don’t misunderstand anything in the future.

Also, don’t expect me to show love and affection to you. I will only do the duties a husband needs to do. I hope you got it?" His words were like a cold slap to her, completely unaware of the fury brewing inside her.

Ishika’s chest tightened with frustration, her breath shallow with anger. She stood up from the bed, her phone slipping from her hands as her emotions exploded.

"What the hell do you mean?" she shouted, her voice trembling with both rage and hurt. "Aap mujhe kyu shaadi kiye the? If you wanted a namesake wife, you should have married some other girl, na!"

Her words echoed through the room, charged with the frustration she had held inside for so long.

She couldn’t believe he could be so cold, so indifferent to the bond they were now forced to share.

The hurt in her heart was so raw, so fresh, and his words just added salt to the wound.

Rudraksh, still standing near the balcony, turned his head slowly, his face a mask of confusion.

He hadn’t expected this outburst. "Ishika, I’m just trying to be clear with you," he said, his tone still impassive but with a slight edge of impatience.

But Ishika wasn’t listening anymore. She couldn’t hold back the storm of emotions that had been building up since the moment they got married.

She wasn’t just angry at Rudraksh; she was angry at the life she had been forced into, angry at the society that had shaped her into someone who had to swallow her emotions and fit into a mold she never asked for.

"Don’t talk to me like that!" Ishika's voice cracked slightly, but she pushed through. "You think just because we’re married, I’m supposed to be some quiet, obedient wife?"

The silence in the room grew heavier, with Rudraksh finally turning to face her.

His expression was still stoic, but the flicker of something—guilt, frustration, or perhaps a little concern—shone in his eyes. It was the first time she had seen him like this, and for a split second, Ishika thought he might actually say something that would make her feel heard.

But then, nothing. Ishika finally calmed down, realising what she had just done.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

LET KINDNESS BE YOUR LEGACY 💗