HER SAFE PLACE

MATURE CONTENT AHEAD

Rocky's POV

The second the veil lifted, I felt my soul leave my body.

Sitting there, grinning like the devil himself, was Adi.

Wearing a dupatta.

With lipstick smeared across his cheek for extra effect.

I JUMPED back like I had touched a live wire. “WHAT THE—?!”

Adi batted his eyelashes. “Oh, dulhe raja, why so shocked? Didn’t expect such a beautiful bride?”

Before I could even process the horror in front of me, the door BURST open.

Ravi, Vani, Jenny, Mihir, Shanaya, and—of course—Shivangi stood there, howling with laughter.

Ravi clutched his stomach. “BRO, YOUR FACE—PRICELESS!”

Mihir wiped away fake tears. “Rocky, I have never seen you look this traumatized.”

Vani was practically rolling on the floor. “Adi, how did you keep a straight face?!”

Adi flipped his imaginary ghoonghat, winking. “It’s called commitment, darling.”

Jenny wiped her eyes. “Rocky, you’re sweating.”

I pointed an accusing finger at all of them. “You all planned this.”

Shanaya smirked. “Duh. You think we’d let you off easy?”

I turned to Shivangi, who was leaning against the doorframe, shaking her head at me with a teasing smile. “You do realize I’m going to get my revenge, right?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what will you do, pati dev?”

I took a slow step toward her. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Her smirk faltered for just a second. Just a second.

And that was all the satisfaction I needed.

Ravi clapped. “Alright, alright, fun’s over. Let the actual bride sit now before Rocky actually murders us all.”

Shivangi sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine. Adi, out of our room.”

Adi huffed, standing up. “Ugh, finally. That dupatta was itchy.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “I hate every single one of you.”

Mihir threw an arm around me. “Nah, you love us.”

Shanaya smirked. “Okay, gang, let’s leave them alone for real this time.”

One by one, they all shuffled out, giggling and whispering until only Shivangi and I remained.

The room fell into silence.

A thick, heavy silence that wrapped around us like an unspoken promise.

I turned, my gaze locking onto Shivangi’s as I took slow, deliberate steps toward the door. My fingers found the lock, twisting it with a soft click that echoed louder than it should have.

Her breath hitched.

I didn’t look away. Neither did she.

She was still in her bridal lehenga, the soft gold and red fabric draping around her like she was made for it. Strands of hair had fallen from her bun, framing her face, making her look even more intoxicating.

I took my time walking back to her, my eyes tracing every inch of her. She was standing there, completely still, but her fingers gripped her lehenga just slightly—like she was trying to steady herself.