Our Valentine's Gift

Prologue

Published on: 11/12/2022

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Rampal Mansion glowed like a fairy tale castle, with colorful lights hanging in every nook and corner. Everywhere laughs, giggles, and smiles filled the air. Rampal elders were ecstatic and grinning from ear to ear. After almost five years, the marriage is happening in the Rampal mansion. The only remaining bachelor heir of the Rampal empire is getting married in two days, on Valentine's Day. Of course, it broke some young hearts in the process.

Well, what to do? He has fallen in love. Hard and deep. Never to rise on his feet again. No matter what his experienced brothers advise, he is hell-bent on marrying her.

Brother, let me warn you one last time, women are like marshlands, calm and collected on the outside, but you'll never know what's inside.

It's not too late to back out. Run, run while you can -

Smack!

Yuvaraj swirled his head, his eyes widening, and a sheepish smile spread across his lips. "Uh... honey, when did you come?" He asked his wife, Dara, hiding the microphone behind him.

"Oh... just when you started talking about Rampal Mansion and something about fairy tale castles," she retorted with a cunning smile. He gulped in fear, making everybody around the stage chortle.

"And about the marshland, I know a thing or two. I'm a woman, after all, you see." She gave him a sly leer. "And how about I help you understand?"

"Amm... Ummm... It's okay, honey. You don't need-"

"I want to, honey." She used the same sugary voice as him. "Come, let me explain to you," When she was about to drag him by the collar, suddenly, he took his smartphone and said, "Hello... Yeah? I'll come, I'll come."

Putting the phone back in his kurta pocket. "Honey? I need to go urgently. We will talk later." He stormed off the stage, shoving the microphone to his elder brother beside him, making everyone guffaw.

Krishna, his elder brother, was startled for a moment before glazing over at the microphone in his hands. Then he noticed that all eyes were on him now, including his wife's keen gaze.

Ah..no...no...not me. He thought.

"Welcome to the married man club, bro." With that, he threw the microphone to the people managing the speaker and wires and gracefully left the podium.

The crowd cheered, and some old men even shouted, 'Nice save, young man,' making his lips twist a little, which promptly disappeared once he saw Naziya observing him.

"What?" He innocently inquired. He is not ready to sleep on the floor just because he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

It's a strict no-no. Nada. He is a firm-believer in 'a happy wife, a happy home' policy after marriage.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head, still watching him keenly.

In the middle of the crowd, sitting on the sofa, are the bride and the groom, watching the whole scene unfold. Kabir softly leaned into his bride's ear and said, "So, is this my future Ms. Soon-to-be Mrs. Karishma Kabir Rampel?" He teased as she giggled.

"Of course, Mr. Kabir Rampel, what else do you expect?" She responded without missing a beat.

"Maybe I should take the advice. Mera chhota bhaiya(younger brother) provided about running." He faked like he was thinking about it.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Actually, Yuvaraj was wrong about one thing, you know,"

"Hmm?" Kabir stared at her, drowning in her beauty. This beautiful being is going to be his wife the day after tomorrow. Her chocolate-brown neck will be adored with the mangalsutra. Her black hairline will be coloured with sindoor, and her middle toes will be decorated with rings.