Reyansh's POV

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When that day she came out of the changing room wearing that lengha... I don't have words. By wearing that lengha she make it worth of that lengha's luxurious price. She was standing there like a dream woven in scarlet and gold.Her lengha sways like unsaid. She was looking just like my BRIDE. & The jasmine smell...That's when I knew I could do anything to protect her. Make her always MINE. & I still remember the way she looked flushed when I mentioned our suhaag raat. But I have to say I like her blushed pace,of course when I'm the reason behind it. Otherwise an another man does this to her, I will bloody remove his existence. I am not clear about my feelings about her but I'm very clear about that, she is MINE and can do anything to protect her.

It's been two days since we went to shopping. Tonight at 10pm we gonna go to Rajasthan. There is a villa where our wedding and other festival gonna happen. We will go in my private jet. Now it's 8pm so, we have just only two hours. Before leaving from here I need to deal with my office works. So I called my PA to discussed about our lastest contract with Goenka Enterprise. After 2 rings Aditi picked the phone." Arrange a meeting with Goenka Enterprise within 10 minutes. I will finalize the deal before leaving." From the other side came an immediate answer." Yes sir. Considered it done." After that I cut the call.

~•~•~

THE VILLA

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The villa emerged from the darkness like a dream suspended in moonlight. Its pale stone walls shimmered faintly under the silver glow, and the terracotta roof was cast in deep, quiet shadow. Lanterns flickered gently along the gravel path, their warm golden halos dancing over clusters of lavender and the gnarled trunks of olive trees. A cool breeze rustled through the cypress groves, carrying the scent of earth and blossoms.

Inside, the villa was a sanctuary of hushed elegance. Dim sconces lit the hallways in pools of amber light, revealing glimpses of old tapestries and polished wood. The vaulted ceilings absorbed every sound, wrapping the space in a soft stillness. Open doors led to a wide stone terrace, where the pool mirrored the night sky-stars floating on the surface like scattered diamonds. Beyond, the hills rolled into darkness, and the sea whispered somewhere unseen, as if the world had fallen into a spellbound hush.

The perfect location for Ishani's and Reyansh's destination wedding. The entire bridal party had gathered, laughter and excitement filling the air. But beneath the celebration, a secret plan is hidden.

Ishani's POV

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That day when we all went to do our wedding shopping Reyansh aka Mr. Khadoos had made fun of me. Now, it's his turn."Just wait & watch Mr. Reyansh shekhawat" I whispered to my self.

I went to Navya's room to tell her about my plan. Apparently she & I , we share a great bond together. She is such lovely girl. & She always support me even when opposite me is her own brother. Like consider today. Eventually Reyansh's mom, maa, bhabhi everybody joined our plan to execute the horror prank on each of them husband's. We have finally finalize to do it tomorrow on them, because after tomorrow other guests will start coming. Tomorrow will be really fun.

NEXT NIGHT AT VILLA

Author POV

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Ishani exchanged a mischievous glance with Reyansh's sister, Navya. The two women, along with the other ladies, had conspired all night to give Reyansh and the other family members a little surprise-a night of harmless scares in the supposedly haunted villa.

As evening fell, the men relaxed in the main hall, unaware of what awaited them. The ladies slipped away quietly, slipping on white sheets, donning glowing masks, and hiding in shadowy corners, ready to bring the "ghosts" of the villa to life.

"Are you sure about this?" Navya whispered, stifling a giggle.

Ishani nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "He & others needs to lighten up before the wedding. Besides, what better way than a little haunted fun?"

The clock struck nine. The first ghost appeared, a figure draped in white, floating down the hallway with eerie moans. Reyansh jumped, his confident facade cracking. The other people like Reyansh's father & Ishani's father scrambled, trying to find the source, but every shadow seemed alive.

Suddenly, the doors slammed shut. The "ghosts" emerged, laughing and revealing their true faces. Reyansh startled expression melted into a grin.

"You got me," he admitted, shaking his head in amused defeat.

Ishani stepped forward, holding his hand. "Welcome to the family tradition-scaring the groom before the big day."

Reyansh chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Then be ready to get scare in our first night. It's my tradition" he whispered very slowly to her to make sure nobody can hear.

Immediately Ishani's faced lost of every other colors. Only red remained.

As the night turned to laughter and stories, the haunted villa didn't feel spooky anymore - it felt like the beginning of their new life together.

Later that night, as everyone settled down in their rooms, Ishani stepped onto the balcony for some air - only to find Reyansh already there, leaning against the railing with a smug expression.

"You again?" she said, arms folded.

He gave her a side glance. "I live in this villa now, apparently. Haunted and all. Might as well enjoy the view."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, don't enjoy it too much. Bride's off-limits until the wedding, remember?"

Reyansh grinned. "Relax, Miss Almost-Bride. I'm just here for the moonlight, not honeymoon vibes."

Ishani raised an eyebrow. "Moonlight's on the other side."

He leaned in slightly, voice low and playful. "So are you. Coincidence?"

Her breath caught for a second - whether from the cold breeze or his closeness, she wasn't sure. She covered it with a scoff. "You're such a flirt."

"I like to think of it as... emotionally preparing my future wife," he said with mock sincerity.

"For what? A lifetime of eye rolls?"

Reyansh chuckled. "If I get to see that expression every day, I'd say worth it."

Before she could fire back, her mother voice called from inside: "Ishani! Don't stay out too late with the groom!"

Reyansh looked over her shoulder and grinned. "Oops. Caught red-handed."

Ishani narrowed her eyes, backing away toward the door. "Enjoy your moonlight, Romeo. You'll need it to survive tomorrow's haldi."

He called after her, "I look good in yellow!"

She didn't turn, but he heard her laugh as she disappeared inside.

As she stepped inside, Navya met her with a raised eyebrow. "You sure this is just about the wedding? You and Reyansh bhai... there's more, isn't there?"

Ishani smiled tightly. "There can't be."

On othe other hand Reyansh stood alone, the laughter still echoing in his ears. She was impossible. And yet, he'd never wanted anything more than to be the one who made her laugh for the rest of her life.

As she stepped inside, her cousin met her with a raised eyebrow. "You sure this is just about the wedding? You and Reyansh... there's more, isn't there?"

Ishani smiled tightly. "There can't be."

The she directly run towards her bed room.

Ishani paused just inside the door, her fingers brushing the edge of her dupatta as if steadying herself. The teasing memory still lingered on her mind, but something in her chest had tightened.

She wasn't supposed to feel like this.

Not for him.

Not now.

The hallway was empty, the celebration sounds muffled behind closed doors, but her mind was anything but quiet. Reyansh had always been a flirt - charming, infuriating, and far too easy to like. But lately... something had shifted. The way he looked at her, like she was more than just a forced wife. Something.....

And wasn't that the problem?

Her phone buzzed in her hand. A message.

"Are you sure about this wedding?"

Her breath caught.

It was from unknown number.

she ran towards the window. He was still standing out there, his figure barely visible in the moonlight. Looking up at the moon.

Should I tell Reyansh about...?

She opened the message again. Below it, a second one appeared:

"Because I'm not sure I can watch you marry someone else."

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Author note

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Please do let me know your thoughts on this chapter & please also do votes.

If there any problem with my writing than I'm genuinely sorry.

For spoilers: search Inaaya era on YouTube

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