Aakriti's POV

Dadu woke me up early in the morning and handed me a saree and asked me to get ready.

"Are we going anywhere?"

"Just get ready." He said and left hurriedly. What is going on? I quickly got ready and went downstairs. We had our breakfast, and I asked him about the saree. He informed me that guests were going to come. But then why make me wear a saree?

I saw Dhruv and his family entering the house. What is happening? Dhruv came forward and touched my Dadu's feet, so I also hurriedly went forward and touched Dhruv's Dadu's feet.

"Bhabhi, you are looking so pretty, right, Bhai?" Kabir said, and I looked towards Dhruv. I saw him staring at me intensely. I could feel the temperature rising, and my cheeks felt hot.

Dadu asked them to sit. What are they doing here? Dhruv and I were following them.

"What is going on?" I asked him.

"You will get to know. By the way, you look breathtaking in this saree." He whispered, making me freeze. He smirked at me.

The snacks were served, and soon Pandit Ji came. I realized what was happening. Our wedding date is getting fixed. Pandit ji looked into his books, and with each passing second, my heartbeat was increasing.

"The auspicious date is exactly a month from today," he declared, tapping the page with certainty. Smiles blossomed across everyone's face. Sweets were passed around. Both the elders looked content. I looked at Dhruv and saw a genuine smile on his face.

Sometimes I doubt that he planned everything, as he is in love with me because of the way he behaves. But I don't want to be so narcissistic. We looked at each other, but I know that I wasn't smiling as his smile faded. A lot of things were running in my mind. One month. Just thirty days. And then... forever?

Why does it feel so final? Why does it feel like I'm being carried into something I haven't fully touched yet? I thought I was ready, but hearing the date, my heart was unsure. Filled with fear and anxiety. This wasn't fear of Dhruv — he had never been cruel, never unkind. But love? Something that is meant to fade.

Does he know me? Truly know me? And do I even know what I want, what I feel? He just saw my sweet and kind side, but what about the cruel devil that resides within me? The one where everything is calculated, even relations. I forced a smile as everyone started congratulating us. I feel as if I am deceiving everyone.

"The wedding will take place in Rajasthan in our palace."

"You both are not allowed to meet each other." Dhruv's smile vanished. But he nodded. Dhruv wanted to use the washroom, so Dadu asked me to guide him.

Dhruv's POV

I walked beside her, but she was completely lost in her world.

"Planning on how you can cancel the wedding?" I asked her.

"Everyone's really happy; I would never do anything to ruin it." She said and looked at me as if I had wronged her.

"Then this gloomy look?" I asked her. I know it's not about being unhappy; rather, it's her fear resurfacing.

"I'm... processing," she replied. A gentle answer, safe but honest.

"Fair enough. You've always been the slower one between us — thinking unexpected things ." I said, teasing her. She glared at me.

"Contract marriage. Which sensible person would think about that?" I said, and she got embarrassed. I love to tease her.

"Even if you have such an idea about cancelling our wedding, then don't forget you kissed me. I was saving myself for my wife. You need to take responsibility and be my wife." I said dramatically.

"Dhruv.... What nonsense are you talking about? You forgot it was you who kissed me first. It was my first kiss." She said in annoyance.

"I didn't deny my responsibility." I said, and she looked speechless.

"Why am I even arguing with you?" She said in frustration and left after stomping on my feet. Ouch. It looks like I might have many injuries in the future. My wife loves violence.

Third Person's POV

It's been a week since they met. Aakriti sits cross-legged on the bed, chewing the end of a pen, pretending to read the contract file. She stares at her phone. After pacing once, she calls Dhruv.

"Hello, Dhruv." Aakriti said nervously.

"Aakriti?" Dhruv was surprised. Dhruv never thought that Aakriti would take the initiative to call him.

"Dhruv I was reading our contract and couldn't understand some clauses." Aakriti, said a surprising Dhruv.

"The award-winning CEO Aakriti Nanda can't understand a clause." Dhruv teased her, and Aakriti was caught off guard.

"This is complicated. I understood, but I want to clarify with you." Dhruv smiled, realizing that she was lying. But didn't confront her. They started talking about the contract. Or rather pretend to talk about the contract. After discussing the clause, there was a long silence. Nobody knew what to say, but neither was ready to cut the call.

"Goodnight, Dhruv." Finally, Aakriti decided to end the wait and also the conversation.

"Wait." Dhruv panicked.

"Why do you sound so tired?" Dhruv came up with a lame excuse to continue the conversation.

"Maybe I sound tired because of all the wedding preparations."

"Are the wedding preparations going well?"

"Yes."

"Don't tire yourself too much. Rest properly. Goodnight." Dhruv said and then cursed himself for his stupidity.

"Ok. Good night. Take care." Aakriti said and cut the call in disappointment.

Dhruv's POV

The call ended, and a quiet emptiness settled over me. What the hell was that? Why did you end the conversation like that, Dhruv?

I tossed the phone on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Why did it feel like she was waiting for something more too?

I stared at myself in the mirror like it had betrayed me. Should I call her back? No. That'd be desperate. But what if she misunderstood my tone? Thought I was being distant?

What am I even supposed to do? Can't be distant and can't be too close. Me and my miserable self.

Your wife made an attempt to call you with that lame excuse. It showed that she missed you. But even if the world ends, she will not say it. I need to be proactive now.

It was nearly midnight. Maybe she's asleep. Or maybe she's staring at her phone too. Waiting. Hoping.

Screw this.

I grabbed my car keys and stormed out. I didn't even care about being quiet. I needed to see her. Talk to her. Only I know how this week passed.

As I drove, the night air hit my face through the open window, but it did nothing to cool the fire inside me. What if she doesn't want to meet me?

The mansion gates came into view. I can't just go in. The house was dark. Everyone's asleep. My heart pounded as I called her.

"I'm outside. Can we talk?" I said softly.

I waited. Ten seconds. Twenty. A minute. Come on, Aakriti. Say something.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered, eyes wide.

"You called me," I whispered back.

"So."

"I thought you missed me, so I came to meet you. Get ready and come out. Or else I would ring the doorbell," I said and cut the call without giving her the chance to refuse.

She showed up.

Ten minutes after I called, there she was, stepping out of the mansion in that soft cotton kurti, her hair open, her eyes scanning around until they landed on me. God, I don't think she knows what she does to me just by showing up. Her imperfect look is more appealing than the perfect CEO mask.

"You're late," I said, trying to keep it light, opening the door for her like it was the most natural thing in the world. Just get into the car, no questions, please. As I don't know any answers.

"You didn't give me time to refuse," she mumbled as she slid in.

Exactly. I didn't want to give you that option. Because deep down, I was scared you would take it.

I kept driving. No destination. Just us and the road. She turned on the radio, and it played some old Hindi song—soft and nostalgic—the kind that sneaks up on you and sits in your chest. I just kept driving, letting her do whatever she wanted.

She looked at me sideways after a while. "Where are we going?"

"Nowhere," I said. "And everywhere."

She rolled her eyes. But she was smiling. That tiny little curve of her lips? That's the highlight of my entire week.

"Kulfi?" I asked. She gave me a look like, 'Are you crazy?'. It's freezing right now.

"If I get sick, I'm blaming you." she muttered, but she followed me anyway. She wants to spend more time with me. God, I love this woman. Help me make her mine.

We stood there, holding the kulfi. Scared to take a bite. I wanted to reach out and brush a strand of hair away from her cheek. But I didn't. Not yet. She'll kill me and ask me to drop her home.

She took a bite and instantly winced, eyes squeezing shut like she'd just bitten into betrayal.

"Ahhh!" she hissed, placing her hand dramatically against her cheek. "My teeth! Oh my God, I hate you."

I bit back a laugh, holding my kulfi in one hand while watching her like the most entertaining movie I've ever seen. Whoever said that love makes you crazy is right.

"It's literally winter. Who eats kulfi in this weather?" She muttered, eyes still closed, and smacked my arm, making my kulfi fall. Her kulfi was already on the ground.

"Legends," I said with a grin.

"I feel like you've planned this whole thing just to see me suffer," she said, her voice full of mock betrayal. She glared at me, but her cheeks were already pink from the cold. Making her look so cute. I wanted to just grab her cheek and kiss her.

"This legendary kulfi made me cry." She threw me a scowl, took the tissue, and dabbed her eyes dramatically like a heartbroken heroine from an old movie.

"Aakriti... Are you okay with everything? The wedding, this sudden change..."

She didn't pretend. Didn't lie.

"I don't know," she said softly. "It feels like I'm walking into something I can't control." That hit me harder than it should've.

"I don't have all the answers either," I admitted. "But I'm not here because someone forced me. I'm here because I want to be."

She looked up at me, something shifting in her eyes. But then she looked away again, almost like she didn't trust what she saw.

"If you ever decide you don't want to marry me..." I said, keeping my voice even, "I'll understand. But don't wait till the last moment." She turned sharply toward me. Her silence was dangerous. Scaring me so much. I want to marry you, Aakriti. And I know you want to be with me. Don't let your fear make us lose the opportunity to be with each other.

"I don't want to cancel the wedding," she said, so quietly I almost missed it. My heart skipped a beat.

"Say that again," I teased gently.

She shot me a look. 'Don't push your luck.'

"I don't want to cancel the wedding, you feel safe. Like home. To the point of making me face my fear." But that was enough. That was more than I expected. This trip was worth it. I would've driven to the moon for that one line. I nodded, trying not to smile like an idiot. She just looked at me with so much love without realizing it. My, my, this woman drives me crazy. I need to hold her, touch her, or kiss her, or else I might just be grumpy the entire time. Yelling at everyone.

"Aakriti, you kissed me, remember?" I tried to play with words.

"You're never letting that kiss go, are you?" She asked me.

"How about you let me kiss you back?" I asked her boldly.

"Ok, but you will not mention it again or else," she said, showing me her fist. She agreed. Really? I didn't give her a chance to think and just cupped her cheeks and held her for a moment. I saw hesitation rising in her eyes. But before she could think, I kissed her softly. I felt as if I was pouring all my emotions into this kiss. Promising her something. Aakriti, I never felt such a strong desire towards anyone. She occasionally reciprocated the kiss. Not like the previous one, where she fought for dominance. I broke the kiss when I felt her tear against my cheek.

"Dhruv, let me hold you." She said and hugged me tightly. I understood the turmoil that she was experiencing right now. We just stood there embracing each other.

**************************************************

🥰🥰💕💕

Hello! I hope you liked this chapter..................

Do vote and comment.....................

Share this story with your friends.................

Do follow me...............

Take care bye..........