Bonus Chapter-4

Author's POV,

At that moment, her father, Dev, entered the room. His footsteps were hesitant, and when he saw Pihu dressed in her bridal attire, his eyes filled with tears. He approached her slowly, taking in the sight of his little gudiya, his doll, looking so grown up and radiant. For a moment, his mind went back to the time when she had worn a wedding dress before—when fear and uncertainty had overpowered every other emotion. But today, seeing her like this, he only felt pride and love.

Dev cleared his throat, trying to mask his emotions. "You look stunning, Pihu," he said softly, his voice cracking. "My little girl, all grown up. It feels like just yesterday you were running around in your school uniform, and now... now you're a bride."

Pihu stood up, her eyes locking with her father's. She could see the struggle in his expression, the way he was fighting to hold back his tears. She reached out and took his hand, her own tears threatening to spill over. "Papa," she said, her voice trembling. "I will always be your little girl, no matter what."

The room was heavy with emotion, everyone caught up in the bittersweet moment. Shivani, sensing the atmosphere becoming too emotional, decided to lighten the mood. With her usual mischief, she piped up, "Uncle, please don't make Pihu cry! If she smudges her makeup, she'll look like a chudail, and then everyone will think Jiju is marrying Manjulika! What if he runs away?"

The tension broke, and everyone burst into laughter. Dev wiped his eyes, shaking his head at Shivani's antics. "Only you could say something like that right now," he chuckled, feeling the heaviness in his heart lift a little.

Pihu smiled through her tears, grateful for Shivani's attempt to lighten the moment. Her heart felt full—full of love for her family, for the memories they shared, and for the future that awaited her. As she was prepared to leave the room, ready to face the world as a bride, she knew that no matter what lay ahead, she would carry these moments and this love with her always.

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Meanwhile, in another room of the mansion, Rudra was getting ready for the most important day of his life. He stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting the collar of his blue and gold sherwani. The rich fabric hugged his muscular frame perfectly, the intricate gold embroidery shining under the light, giving him a regal appearance. His hair was neatly styled, and a light stubble accentuated his sharp jawline. He looked every bit the royal groom.

Veer, Akash, and Ankit hovered around him, each making their own comments, teasing him occasionally. They had all grown close over the past few days, their bond strengthened by the impending marriage and the shared joy of bringing Pihu and Rudra together. But Rudra's mind wasn't entirely on their banter. He had been trying to call Pihu on a video call, eager to see her before the ceremony. However, his attempts were being thwarted by his mischievous brothers-in-law.

"Give me my phone back, Akash," Rudra said, his tone half-serious, half-amused. "I just want to see how Pihu is looking."

Akash grinned, holding the phone out of Rudra's reach. "No way, Jiju! You're not supposed to see her before the wedding. Bad luck and all, remember?" He winked, clearly enjoying this little power play.

Rudra turned to Ankit, hoping for a different response, but Ankit only shrugged, holding his ground. "Sorry, Jiju, but we have orders. We can't let you see Di before the ceremony."

Rudra's eyes narrowed playfully, but there was a glint of mischief in them. "If you don't give me the phone, I'll make sure you two won't see your Di either. You know I can make that happen." His voice dropped to a low, threatening tone, but his smirk gave away the fact that he was only half-serious.

Akash and Ankit exchanged glances, a hint of worry crossing their faces. They still had a healthy respect for Rudra's power and influence, even if he was now their brother-in-law. They knew he could pull strings if he really wanted to. Before they could decide whether to take the threat seriously, Veer stepped in, eager to stir the pot.

"Rudra, Rudra, Rudra," Veer said with a dramatic sigh, stepping between the twins and Rudra. "You really think you can keep Pihu's brothers away from her? Don't forget, my friend, my Sunshine has always had the upper hand over you. How do you plan to stop her from seeing them when you can't even say no to her?" Veer's eyes twinkled with amusement as he challenged Rudra.

Rudra shot Veer a mock glare. "You're supposed to be my friend, Veer, not siding with them!" he retorted, trying to grab his phone back but failing as Veer held it just out of reach. "Fine! If you're not going to help me, then consider yourself evicted from my house. You'll need to find somewhere else to live from now on." He crossed his arms over his chest, pretending to be serious.

Veer just laughed, unfazed by Rudra's threat. "You know that's no big deal for me. I've been waiting to redecorate my room anyway," he shot back with a wink. "Besides, you'd miss me too much. Admit it, you need me around to keep things interesting and do your work."

Rudra rolled his eyes but couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. Despite the teasing, he knew these were the people he could always count on, who would be there for him no matter what. The tension and nervousness he had felt about the wedding were momentarily lifted by the lighthearted banter of his friend and brothers-in-law.

"Fine, you win," Rudra said, throwing his hands up in defeat. "But remember, the tables can turn at any time. I'm only letting you off the hook because I'm in a good mood today."

Veer, Akash, and Ankit laughed, clapping him on the back. "Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that, Jiju," Akash said, still grinning.

With the playful banter still hanging in the air, Rudra took one last look in the mirror. He adjusted his sherwani one final time, making sure everything was perfect. He looked every inch the groom—handsome, confident, and ready to start a new chapter of his life with Pihu. His heart swelled with love and anticipation, knowing that in a few hours, he would finally be married to the woman he had loved for so long.

"Let's go," he said, turning to his friends. "It's time to get married."

And with that, they all headed out, ready to face the joyous celebration that awaited them. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, the sound of laughter, and the promise of a beautiful future.

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Pihu took a deep breath as she stepped out into the grand hall, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The room was filled with guests, some of them famous personalities, alongside close friends and family. The sheer grandeur of the event momentarily took her breath away. It was much more than she had imagined—lavishly decorated with elegant floral arrangements, crystal chandeliers, and the rich aroma of incense filling the air. She felt a wave of nervousness wash over her, but the comforting presence of her mother, Shivani, her brothers, and Veer walking beside her gave her strength.

Veer noticed the awe in Pihu's eyes and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Pihu," he whispered softly, "Just focus on Rudra. Nothing else matters. We're all here with you." His words gave Pihu a sense of calm, and she nodded, holding her head a little higher as she walked towards the mandap where Rudra was seated, waiting for her.

Rudra, adorned in his blue and gold sherwani, looked every bit the regal groom. He was already sitting cross-legged in front of the sacred fire, performing the rituals. His eyes were on Pihu the moment she entered the hall. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her as she approached. She looked ethereal, her bridal lehenga shimmering in the soft lighting, the delicate jewelry adorning her neck and wrists sparkling with every step she took. Her hair was styled beautifully, with jasmine flowers woven through the braid, and her makeup was subtle yet elegant, highlighting her natural beauty.

As Pihu moved closer and finally sat beside him, Rudra's heart filled with emotion. Pihu's hands were slightly trembling, but when she glanced up and met Rudra's eyes, a wave of peace washed over her. His gaze was steady, filled with a warmth that soothed her nerves. The world around her faded into the background, and all she could see was the man who was about to become her husband. The rituals began, the priest chanting sacred mantras, their voices blending with the melodious sounds of the sitar and flute playing in the background.

Rudra couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked so beautiful, and for a moment, he felt as if everything in his life had been leading up to this point. When Pihu glanced at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears, he felt a rush of love so strong it nearly took his breath away. He gently reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Pihu smiled softly, the nervousness leaving her heart replaced with a sense of belonging.

The rituals proceeded, and soon the moment came for Rudra to apply sindoor to Pihu's forehead. He picked up the small silver box containing the vermillion powder, his hands steady as he filled Pihu's hairline with the sindoor. He filled Pihu's hairline, marking her as his wife. This time, unlike their first marriage, Pihu's eyes remained open, her heart open to this new beginning. She wasn't cursing her fate; she was embracing it, her heart filled with dreams of a brighter future.

As Rudra applied the sindoor, a bit of it fell onto her nose, just as it had during their forced wedding. But this time, it wasn't a symbol of pain or submission. It was a mark of love, of hope, of a future they would build together. Pihu's eyes shone with unshed tears, not of sadness, but of joy. Rudra saw the change in her, the acceptance, the love, the trust. His heart swelled with emotions he couldn't name, seeing Pihu's face glowing with happiness.

The pandit ji's voice cut through the moment, declaring them husband and wife. A cheer went up from the gathered crowd, and marigold petals rained down on the couple.

They moved to take the pandit ji's blessings first, bowing before him touch his feet. Then, they turned towards Pihu's parents. Neha was already wiping away tears of joy as she placed her hands on her daughter's head.

"Kush raho beta, and always take care of each other," Neha said, her voice thick with emotion.

Pihu nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I will, Ma," she whispered.

Rudra smiled at Neha. "I will too, aunty," he assured her, his voice warm and sincere.

Neha's eyes sparkled with affection as she gently corrected him, "Now, call us Ma and Papa. You are our son now, just like Pihu, Akash, and Ankit."

Rudra felt a lump in his throat but managed to nod. "Yes, Maa," he said softly.

Shivani, never one to miss a moment, chirped in, "Me too, aunty." She grinned, earning laughter from everyone around.

Veer, standing beside Shivani, muttered under his breath, "This girl can't stop without getting attention."

Shivani caught his words and turned to glare at him. Veer met her gaze with a smirk, his eyes twinkling. "What? I didn't say anything wrong," he said, feigning innocence.

Shivani rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile that tugged at her lips.

The joyous atmosphere around them lifted everyone's spirits, making the grand hall feel even more alive. Rudra, with Pihu by his side, felt like he had everything he could ever wish for. As he looked at her, surrounded by their family and friends, he silently vowed to cherish and protect her for the rest of their lives.

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After a night filled with countless marriage rituals, the sound of laughter, and the blessings of family, Rudra's eyes longed to see his wife. He had been yearning for this moment all night, and the thought of holding Pihu close was the only thing that kept him going through the endless ceremonies. His steps quickened as he approached their wedding room, only to be halted abruptly by a trio of grinning faces—Akash, Ankit, and Shivani—blocking the door.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, not so fast, Jiju," Akash chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You know the tradition," Ankit added with a mischievous smirk. "You can't enter the room without paying us a little something."

Shivani's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Think of it as a toll, a small price to pay for meeting your beautiful bride."

Rudra let out an exaggerated sigh but quickly pulled out his phone. His fingers moved swiftly over the screen, and within seconds, the trio's phones buzzed in unison. He didn't care about the little money; all he wanted was to see Pihu. His eagerness was evident, making Shivani's curiosity pique even more.

"You didn't even try to negotiate!" Shivani exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. "I didn't expect you to give in so easily."

Rudra shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I've waited long enough to see my wife. I don't have time for games."

Shivani, not one to back down easily, raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. "Okay, big shot. Then how about this? We want a trip to Paris!"

Rudra's smirk deepened. "Fine. I'll arrange it."

Akash and Ankit exchanged surprised glances, while Shivani tried to maintain her composure. "I'm serious, Jiju," she said, narrowing her eyes. "We want the tickets now or something in writing. Otherwise, you're not getting in."

Rudra knew they were just teasing him, testing his patience. But his own patience was running thin. He raised an eyebrow, and said "You all think you're clever, don't you?" He smirked, then calmly pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. Within moments, six of his guards appeared from down the hallway.

"Escort them back to their rooms," Rudra ordered, his voice firm but playful. "I'll fulfill all their demands tomorrow. For now, I want to spend some time with my wife."

The guards moved swiftly, each taking hold of Akash, Ankit, and Shivani, lifting them slightly off the ground.

"Jiju, this is unfair!" Ankit shouted, his legs dangling as he tried to kick. "We'll complain to Di!"

Rudra simply shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "Go ahead."

As the trio was carried off down the hallway, still protesting and shouting threats, Rudra turned his attention back to the door, only to find Veer leaning casually against the wall, watching the entire scene unfold with a mischievous smile.

"Not getting involved, are you?" Rudra asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Nice move," Veer remarked, patting Rudra on the shoulder. " But I'm just here to watch the show. Besides, don't forget—my Sunshine has the upper hand here. I'm just a messenger."

Rudra's hand was on the doorknob, ready to turn it, but the door didn't budge. Locked. He turned to Veer, a knowing look crossing his face.

"What did you do, Veer?" Rudra asked, feigning patience.

Veer shrugged innocently. "Don't you remember Pihu's morning threat? Something about locking you out? I hope you enjoy the garden tonight."

"You can sleep in my room if you want as I am your friend," Veer offered with a full blown smile,

Rudra remembered Pihu's playful threat that morning and shot Veer a sarcastic smile. "Thanks, but no thanks." He watched as Veer walked away, whistling to himself, leaving Rudra standing alone outside his wedding room.

Rudra sighed, knocking gently on the door. "Pearl, please open the door. I'm sorry about this morning. Why are you listening to that idiot Veer?"

Inside, Pihu sat on the bed, still dressed in her bridal attire, her veil draped over her shoulders, listening intently. She could picture Rudra's pleading expression, and it made her smile. She called back, her voice firm, "I won't open it, Rudra. So you won't mess with me in the future."

"Pearl, please, my love, please open the door," Rudra tried again, his voice softening.

Pihu crossed her arms, still grinning. "No."

Rudra's tone changed, becoming playful yet serious. "Pearl, if I have to come in there myself, I won't leave without a punishment."

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TBC.....