Bound by Fire

Wedding Whirlwind

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Sanya stood in front of her bedroom mirror, staring at her reflection with wide eyes. It was the same face she had seen for years, but now, there was something different—something more alive, more vibrant. Her fingers absentmindedly played with the ring that Aarav had slipped onto her finger just a few days ago.

Engaged.

To Aarav.

Her mind still struggled to wrap itself around that idea, even though her heart had already accepted it. Their fake marriage had turned into something real, something unexpected and beautiful. Now, here they were, preparing for an actual wedding.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts, and her mother's voice followed. "Sanya, are you ready? The wedding planner is downstairs, and Aarav's parents just called. We need to discuss the arrangements."

Sanya let out a soft sigh and straightened her posture. This was happening—a real wedding with real families, real guests, and, of course, real drama.

She opened the door and was greeted by her mom's bright smile. "You look stunning, beta," her mom said, hugging her tightly. "I still can't believe my little girl is getting married! And to Aarav of all people. Who would have thought?"

Sanya smiled, hugging her mom back. "Trust me, I'm still processing it too."

As they walked downstairs, Sanya's mind swirled with thoughts of the upcoming ceremony. It had all been decided so quickly. In typical Indian fashion, Aarav's family wanted a big wedding with all the bells and whistles. And since Sanya's parents had the same idea, the preparations were already in full swing.

When they reached the living room, Sanya saw Aarav sitting with their wedding planner, Rina, who looked like she had already downed three cups of chai and was ready to conquer the world with her wedding spreadsheets.

"Sanya! Thank goodness you're here," Rina exclaimed, looking frazzled yet energetic. "Okay, so let's get started! We have *so* much to discuss! First off, the *guest list*. Both sides are asking for at least 400 people, and I don't know how we'll fit that many without turning this into a Bollywood movie set."

Sanya glanced at Aarav, who gave her a playful grin, clearly enjoying the chaos. "I told you this would be insane," he mouthed, leaning back with an amused expression.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing. This was exactly the kind of thing Aarav would find hilarious—watching their lives turn into a three-ring circus while he kicked back and enjoyed the show.

Rina pulled out a massive notepad filled with names, venues, and dates. "Now, the venue," she said, tapping her pen furiously. "I have some beautiful places shortlisted, but you'll need to decide fast because weddings are in season, and venues are booking up faster than you can say 'lehenga.'"

Sanya felt a wave of panic rise in her chest. She loved Aarav, but planning a wedding with hundreds of guests, endless traditions, and the weight of everyone's expectations felt overwhelming. She wanted something simple, something that reflected who they were—not an over-the-top affair where she and Aarav would be lost in a sea of people.

"Maybe we could... tone it down a bit?" Sanya suggested hesitantly. "Something more intimate?"

Rina nearly dropped her pen, staring at Sanya as if she had just suggested eloping to the moon. "Tone it down?" she repeated, aghast. "Sweetie, this is an Indian wedding. We don't tone *anything* down! Intimate means 300 guests instead of 500. And don't get me started on the *sangeet*!"

Aarav snickered beside her, clearly enjoying her discomfort. Sanya shot him a glare, but his mischievous grin only widened.

"You're no help," she muttered, crossing her arms.

"Hey, I'm just here for the food and dancing," Aarav teased. "I thought that was our deal."

Rina cleared her throat, clearly trying to regain control of the situation. "Okay, back to business! We need to discuss *decor*, *music*, and, of course, the *theme*. Do you want traditional red and gold? Or are we thinking of something more modern?"

Aarav raised his hand like a schoolboy. "I vote for *less* red. I already have nightmares about looking like a walking tomato."

Sanya burst out laughing, her nerves easing slightly. Aarav always had a way of making her feel better, even when she was completely stressed out. His humor was like a safety net she could rely on when the world felt overwhelming.

Her mom, who had been listening from the sidelines, suddenly piped up. "Oh, Sanya, don't forget about the *mehndi* ceremony! We need to decide which of your friends will help with it. And we should start looking for a designer to create your lehenga. Something stunning, of course!"

Sanya sighed. Of course, it had to be stunning. This wasn't just a wedding for her and Aarav—it was a production for their families, friends, and every relative within a 500-mile radius. The pressure of making sure everything was perfect weighed heavily on her shoulders.

"I feel like I need a vacation *before* this wedding," she muttered under her breath.

Aarav caught her eye and winked. "Don't worry, I've got you covered," he whispered conspiratorially.

Sanya raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see," Aarav said, leaning back with a grin that told her he was up to something.

Rina, meanwhile, was on a roll, flipping through her notepad with the speed of a lightning bolt. "And what about entertainment for the sangeet night? Do you want a live band, a DJ, or—wait for it—a Bollywood dance troupe?"

Sanya groaned softly, rubbing her temples. "Maybe just a DJ," she said, knowing she had to choose something before Rina threw her into the deep end of wedding extravagance.

Aarav leaned in closer, whispering in her ear, "Or we could make everyone watch *us* dance. That'll keep things interesting."

Sanya shot him a sideways look. "Right, because your dance moves are legendary."

"Don't underestimate me," Aarav said, wiggling his eyebrows. "I've been practicing my *thumkas*."

She snorted, barely containing her laughter. "This wedding is going to be a disaster, isn't it?"

"Nah," Aarav said confidently. "It's going to be epic. And if all else fails, we can sneak out halfway and let them figure it out."

The idea of sneaking out mid-wedding felt more tempting by the minute, but Sanya knew they couldn't get away with that—not with their families involved. Still, Aarav's teasing and lighthearted attitude made her feel like maybe, just maybe, they could survive this wedding madness together.

By the time the meeting with the wedding planner was over, Sanya's head was spinning with all the decisions they had to make. But as Aarav walked her to the door, he slipped his hand into hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't stress," he said softly. "We'll get through this. And after all the chaos, it'll just be us."

Sanya smiled up at him, grateful for his steady presence. "You make it sound so easy."

Aarav shrugged, his playful grin back in place. "That's because it is. As long as we don't let them rope us into a 12-hour baraat, we're golden."

Sanya laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing. With Aarav by her side, maybe this wedding wouldn't be such a disaster after all.

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In this chapter, Sanya and Aarav dive headfirst into wedding preparations, dealing with the chaos of planning an Indian wedding. Amidst the stress of guest lists, venues, and traditions, Aarav's humor and light-hearted nature keep Sanya grounded, showing how their relationship continues to grow stronger as they face the challenges of wedding planning together.

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