BhoomiJain132
The heavy teak door of the bridal chamber clicked shut behind them, sealing the world outside. Soft golden light from the bedside lamps fell on the marigold and rose petals scattered across the bed, but the air inside felt colder than the winter night in Delhi.
Aarav Goenka sat motionless in his wheelchair, his broad shoulders rigid under the crisp white kurta. The medals on his chest from years of service caught the light, but his face remained shadowed-sharp jaw clenched, dark eyes burning with something far colder than duty. Scars peeked from the collar of his shirt, reminders of battles fought in shadows.
Nandani stood a few steps away, her red lehenga heavy with intricate gold zari work, the dupatta slipping slightly from her shoulders.
Aarav's voice sliced through the silence, low and venomous.
"I hate you for saying yes to this marriage."
His words landed like bullets. Nandani flinched, her breath catching in her throat.
"And remember it always," he continued, eyes never leaving hers, "I will hate you more every single day."
Tears welled up in Nandani's eyes, spilling over without warning. They traced silent paths down her cheeks, smudging the carefully applied kajal. Her voice came out broken, barely a whisper.
"I... I d-don't-"
Before she could finish, Aarav gripped the wheels of his chair. With a sharp turn, he propelled himself toward the door. The wheels left faint tracks on the petal-strewn floor as he moved away from her, away from the bed, away from everything this night was supposed to mean.
The door opened with a low creak. Cold air rushed in from the corridor. Without another word or backward glance, he wheeled himself out, leaving her alone in the decorated room-tears flowing freely now, her words unfinished, her heart already cracking under the weight of a love that had not yet begun.