Vaishali's POV -

I didn't sleep.

Not completely.

Every time I closed my eyes...

I felt it again.

His hand on my waist.

His voice.

"Stay... with me."

My heart raced even now.

And the word I said...

Yes.

I turned on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

How did everything change so fast?

A few days ago...

I was trying to survive.

Now...

I was someone's... future.

The thought made my chest tighten.

Not with fear this time.

But something heavier.

Something deeper.

A soft knock broke my thoughts.

"Vaishali?" Meera ji's voice.

I quickly sat up.

"Y-yes..."

She walked in with a gentle smile.

"Good morning, beta."

"Good morning..." I replied softly.

She walked closer, her eyes studying me.

Not judging.

Just... understanding.

"You didn't sleep well," she said.

It wasn't a question.

I gave a small nod.

She didn't push.

Instead, she sat beside me and held my hand.

Warm.Comforting.

"Big decisions don't let us sleep easily," she said softly.

My throat tightened.

"I didn't plan this..." I whispered.

"I know."

"And I don't even know if I deserve this..."

Her grip tightened slightly.

"Don't say that."

I looked at her.

Her eyes were steady.

Kind.

"Sometimes," she said, "life gives us things we didn't ask for... but need."

My breath slowed.

"You don't have to become someone else to fit here, Vaishali," she continued.

"Just... be yourself."

That word again.

Yourself.

I didn't even know who that was anymore.

But for the first time...

I wanted to find out.

Rudraksh's POV -

I was already in the study when Raghav walked in.

"Sir, the arrangements have begun."

I nodded once.

"Good."

No hesitation.No delay.

If something was mine..I secured it.
Completely.

"Family has been informed?" I asked.

"Yes, sir."

I leaned back slightly.

Everything was moving exactly how I wanted.

But my mind...Wasn't here.

It was upstairs.With her.

That hesitation in her eyes yesterday...

The way she still held fear...

And yet stayed.

That wasn't weakness.

That was courage.

And I respected that.

More than anything.

Vaishali's POV -

Rhea didn't knock.

She never did.

"VAISHALIIII!" she barged in, pulling Kavya along.

"Get ready! Big day!"

I blinked.

"Big day?"

Kavya smirked. "Someone said yes yesterday, remember?"

My face instantly heated.

"I... it wasn't..."

"Oh my God, she's blushing again!" Rhea gasped dramatically.

"I'm not..." I stopped, failing to defend myself.

Arya and Myra peeked in, giggling.

"Bhabhi is shy," Arya whispered loudly.

"I'm not bhabhi..." I said weakly.

"Too late," Kavya grinned.

I didn't know whether to hide or run.

But before I could react...Meera ji walked in again.

And this time...

She was holding something.

A soft, elegant saree.

My breath caught.

"This is for you," she said gently.

"For... me?"

She nodded.

"If you're going to be part of this family... you should look like it too."

My fingers hesitated as I took it.

The fabric felt... too beautiful.

Too precious.

Like something I wasn't used to touching.

"Go get ready," Rhea said excitedly.

"We'll wait outside!"

Before I could say anything...

They were gone.

Leaving me alone.

With the saree.

And my racing heart.

Later...

I stood in front of the mirror.

Barely recognizing myself.

The saree draped around me.

Simple.

Elegant.

Different.

Not the girl I was before.

But not someone else either.

Just...

Changing.

Slowly.

My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted it.

And that's when...

The door opened.

I froze.

Rudraksh's POV -

-Vaishali's Outfit-

I didn't knock.

I never did.

The moment I stepped in...

I stopped.

For a second.

She stood there.

In front of the mirror.

Still.Soft.Different.

And for the first time...

She didn't look like someone who didn't belong.

She looked like she was always meant to be here.

My gaze didn't move.Couldn't.

Vaishali's POV -

I turned slowly.

And saw him.

Standing there.Watching me.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
But not uncomfortable.

His eyes didn't leave mine.

And suddenly..

I felt nervous.

Again.

"Is... something wrong?" I asked softly.

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead...

He walked closer.

Slow.Steady.

Until he stood right behind me.

Close enough for me to feel his presence again.

My breath hitched.

His hand lifted slightly.

And adjusted the edge of my saree near my shoulder.

The touch was brief.

But it sent a shiver through me.

"Nothing's wrong," he said quietly.

A pause.

Then...

"You look right."

I blinked.

"Right?" I repeated softly.

His gaze met mine through the mirror.

"Like you belong."

My chest tightened.

Because...

That was exactly what I was afraid of.

And exactly what I wanted.

At the same time....I turned to face him slowly.

"You keep saying that," I whispered.

"Saying what?"

"That I belong here..."

I hesitated.

"...with you."

Silence.

He didn't deny it.

Didn't correct it.

Instead...

He stepped closer.

Reducing the space between us.

"You do."

My breath caught again.

"But what if I lose myself in all this?" I asked quietly.

For the first time...

He paused.

Then...

His hand lifted again.

Not to hold.

Not to control.

But to gently tilt my chin up.

"Then I'll remind you who you are."

My heart skipped.

That answer...

It wasn't something I expected.

And that's what made it real.

Author's POV -

Downstairs...

The family waited.

Excited.Curious.

Unaware of what was changing upstairs.

And inside the room...Two people stood close.

Not fully understanding what this was.

Not naming it.Not rushing it.

But slowly...Stepping into it.
Together.