The sun bathed the grand estate in a warm golden glow as Rhea stood at the entrance of the lavish venue, feeling the weight of her wedding dress and her future pressing upon her. The soft ivory fabric flowed behind her as her mother fussed over the final touches to her veil, ensuring every detail was perfect.
"You look beautiful, beta," her mother whispered, eyes brimming with tears. "Rajat is a lucky man."
Rhea smiled softly, her heart a swirl of emotions. She had loved Rajat fiercely from the moment they'd met—his charm, his sense of purpose, his confidence that seemed to radiate strength. Today, surrounded by the grandeur of their wedding, it all felt like a dream.
The grand hall, adorned with strings of marigolds and orchids, bustled with activity. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, the shimmer of jewellery, and the rustle of silk sarees. On one side stood Rhea’s small nuclear family—her parents and a few close relatives, looking somewhat out of place in the sprawling crowd of Rajat’s joint family.
She caught sight of Rajat near the mandap, laughing with his cousins and uncles. Dressed in an intricately embroidered sherwani, he looked every bit the regal heir to his family’s empire. His dark eyes found hers, and he smiled—a smile that reached her in a way that made everything else blur for a moment.
As she walked towards him, his hand extended to hers, his grip firm and reassuring. "Nervous?" Rajat asked, his voice low and teasing.
"Terrified," Rhea admitted with a laugh, her nerves bubbling up as the ceremony began.
"Don't be. You're mine now," he said, his gaze locking with hers. There was something about the way he said it—possessive yet protective—that sent a shiver down her spine.
The wedding went by in a whirlwind of rituals and blessings. But as the night drew on and they were finally alone, away from the prying eyes of family, the weight of the day fell away, leaving just the two of them in the dimly lit honeymoon suite.
Rajat wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close. "So, Mrs. Rajat Malhotra, how does it feel?"
"Surreal," Rhea whispered, resting her head against his chest, her fingers entwining with his.
He turned her gently, his eyes intense as he brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I promise you, Rhea, I’ll make you the happiest woman alive. You’ll never regret this."
She believed him. At that moment, in the warmth of his embrace, Rhea believed every word he said. The intimacy between them grew palpable as he lowered his lips to hers, soft at first, before deepening with the promise of more. Their chemistry had always been undeniable, but tonight, it felt different—more intense, more consuming.
As they made love for the first time as husband and wife, the world outside ceased to exist. All that mattered was the quiet, shared space between them, filled with whispered promises and gentle touches. Rhea felt herself slipping further into him, into the life they were about to build together.
But even in the quiet after, as they lay tangled in each other’s arms, a faint vibration broke the silence. Rajat’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. He tensed, just for a moment.
“Who could be calling you this late?” Rhea asked, sleepily tracing her finger across his chest.
“Nothing important,” Rajat muttered, quickly reaching for the phone and silencing it without checking. “It’s just work. It can wait.”
Rhea raised her eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Work? On our wedding night?”
He chuckled, brushing it off. “It’s nothing, trust me. I’m all yours tonight.”
The warmth of his smile reassured her, but a part of her couldn’t shake the brief shadow that crossed his face. Maybe she was just overthinking it—it had been a long, exhausting day, after all. She let it go, pulling him close again, allowing herself to sink back into the comfort of their new life.
The next few days were blissful. They had jetted off to a secluded beach resort for their honeymoon, where the world outside seemed miles away. Rajat was attentive and loving, and they spent their days exploring the pristine shores, laughing over candle-lit dinners, and sharing intimate nights under the stars.
One evening, as they lounged on the terrace of their private villa, Rajat sat beside her, his fingers lazily tracing circles on her hand. “I hope this is everything you imagined,” he said softly, watching her.
“More than I imagined,” Rhea replied, her heart full. “I still can’t believe we’re married.”
He laughed. “Well, you better start believing it because you’re stuck with me.”
“As if I’d want to be anywhere else,” she teased, leaning in to kiss him.
But just as their lips met, his phone buzzed again, breaking the moment. Rhea glanced at it—another unknown number. She saw Rajat’s face harden slightly as he swiped it away and slipped the phone into his pocket.
“You’ve been getting a lot of calls lately,” Rhea commented lightly, trying to keep her tone casual.
“Just business,” Rajat said quickly, his smile faltering for the briefest of moments. “Nothing to worry about.”
Something in his tone made Rhea pause. She trusted Rajat, of course, she did, but there was something… off. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but a small knot of unease began to form in her stomach.
Still, she pushed it aside. This was her honeymoon, after all. She wasn’t going to let her paranoia ruin it. Rajat loved her—he had shown her that in every possible way. Whatever this was, it couldn’t be anything serious.
The rest of the trip passed in a blur of passion and laughter. But every so often, that phone would buzz. Every time, Rajat would brush it off, his answers vague, his face guarded. Rhea noticed, but she kept her silence, choosing instead to focus on the man she loved, the man who had promised her forever.
But deep down, a small voice whispered that something wasn’t right. And though she tried to ignore it, she knew it was only a matter of time before she would need to find out what that something was.
