AUTHOR'S POV

The resort was transformed into a paradise of green and gold for the Mehendi ceremony. The sound of folk singers and the scent of fresh henna filled the air. While the families had already reached the venue in a fleet of cars, the Groom was missing.

Abhimanyu had stayed back at the main hotel. An urgent international merger required his final signature and a high-stakes video call. He was a man who put duty first, even on his own wedding week. After an hour of intense negotiation, he finally shut his laptop.

He didn't want the fuss of a driver or a convoy today. He wanted a moment of power and speed before the traditional rituals tied him down.

He stepped out to the porch where his custom Lamborghini Aventador in Nero Noctis (matte black) was idling. The engine let out a thunderous, predatory growl that made the valet stay back in awe. Abhimanyu slid into the cockpit, the carbon fiber interior hugging him as he gripped the steering wheel.

With a sharp shift of the paddle, he accelerated. The Lamborghini roared, tearing down the private road toward the Mehendi venue like a dark streak of lightning. He denied to attend his own wedding function but Devika emotionally blackmailed him and there he was heading towards the venue.

The thunderous roar of the Lamborghini Aventador slowly died down as abhimanyu pulled up to the decorated porch. The matte black finish of the car glistened under the sun, looking like a powerful beast at rest.

Abhimanyu stepped out, adjusting his midnight-green sherwani. He looked every bit the royal groom—commanding, sharp, and undeniably handsome. As he walked toward the main canopy, the crowd parted ways, but Abhimanyu's focus was only on one person.

His mother, looking radiant in her emerald silk saree, rushed toward him with a plate of aarti. Her eyes were filled with pride and a hint of moisture.

"Finally! The Groom decided to show up," she teased softly, though her hands were trembling slightly with emotion. She circled the lamp around his face, performing the ritual to ward off the 'evil eye.' "Meri nazar na lag jaye mere bete ko."

Abhimanyu, who was a lion in the boardroom, instantly bowed his head in respect. He offered a rare, genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Maa, I told you I’d be here. The meeting was just... unavoidable."

Before he could finish, a small blur of yellow and green silk crashed into his legs. It was Kaira, wearing a tiny lehenga that made her look like a doll.

"Papa!" she squealed, hugging his knees. She looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes. "Papa, you look so, so, so sundar! Like a prince!"

Abhimanyu laughed—a deep, rich sound—and scooped her up into his arms, kissing her forehead. "And you look like a little princess, Kaira. Did you have your Mehendi done yet?"

While this sweet moment was happening, his cousin brother Reyansh walked up, leaning casually against a pillar with a mischievous grin.

"Oho, Bhai! Itna swag?" Reyansh laughed, nudging Abhimanyu’s shoulder. "Lamborghini mein entry, designer clothes... itna sab kuch sirf ek Mehendi ke liye? Lagta hai bhabhi ko impress karne ka pura plan hai!"

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes, he has not mat his wife to be till now. But he had found every detail about her family and background. "Shut up, Reyansh. Go make sure the guests are being looked after instead of checking out my car."

After finished talking with Reyansh and playing with Kaira, Abhimanyu had every intention of slipping away to a quiet lounge to check his remaining emails. He wasn't exactly a fan of long, loud rituals. However, his mother had a very different plan in mind.

Just as Abhimanyu tried to step aside, his mother caught his hand firmly. "Abhimanyu! Where do you think you’re going? You haven't done the Mehendi Shagun yet!"

Abhimanyu let out a soft, defeated sigh. "Maa, please... you know I’m not into this. a CEO... all this color and design isn't really my thing."

His mother immediately pulled out her 'Master Card'—the ultimate emotional blackmail. She lowered her gaze, looking genuinely hurt. "Oh? So you’ll make your own mother beg on such a big day? I’ve waited years for this moment... can’t you do one tiny ritual for me? Fine, don't get it done. I won't even touch dinner tonight if you're going to be this stubborn."

Abhimanyu froze. He knew exactly what she was doing, but he could never stand to see his mother upset. "Maa.. that’s cheating. You’re using the dinner threat again."

"It’s not cheating, it’s love," she said with a triumphant smile, seeing him soften. "Just a tiny bit of henna, beta... for me? Please?"

Kaira joined in, tugging at the edge of his green kurta. "Please, Papa! Get it done! Look, I got mine done too!"

Abhimanyu closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and finally gave in. "Fine... just a little bit. Only for the ritual."

His mother beamed with joy and practically dragged him toward the Mehendi artists. Abhimanyu extended his strong, broad hand with a reluctant look. As the artist began to trace a delicate pattern, Abhimanyu stopped her mid-way. "Just... just a small symbol or a tiny design. Nothing too much."

After the Mehendi ritual was over, Abhimanyu waited for the henna to dry just enough to satisfy his mother before washing it off. The evening followed with a grand dinner—tables laden with rich delicacies and the sound of laughter filling the dining hall. Abhimanyu played the part of the perfect host, but his mind was heavy.

Once the guests began to retire to their rooms, Abhimanyu finally escaped to the silence of his own suite.

He loosened his emerald sherwani and threw it onto a chair, standing by the large glass window overlooking the dark, quiet resort gardens. The moon was bright, but his thoughts were dark.

Every time someone mentioned the word "marriage" or "bride" today, a sharp pang of bitterness hit him. His mind drifted back 4 years... to a time when he wasn't this cold, guarded CEO.

Flashback

He remembered his first wife(Riya). He had loved her with a blind, intense devotion. But she hadn't wanted a home or a family; she wanted the status and the wealth that came with the Rathore name. Shortly after Kaira was born, the betrayal came like a dagger to his back. She had left him for someone else, choosing a life of glamour and freedom over her own child.

He could still hear the echoes of Kaira crying in her crib while her mother walked out the door without looking back. That was the day the "Old Abhimanyu" died. He had promised himself two things that night:

He would never let another woman close enough to hurt him.

He would be everything to Kaira—both father and mother.

Flashback ends

He looked down at his palm, where the faint orange stain of the new Mehendi was still visible. This second marriage wasn't about love for him; it was a decision made for Kaira and his mother’s happiness.

"I won't let it happen again," he whispered to the empty room, his jaw tightening.That betrayal changed Abhimanyu forever. He had closed the doors of his heart, deciding that he would only live for two people: his Mother and Kaira. He had become the "Strict CEO" to protect himself from ever being hurt again.

As he lay there, staring at the ceiling, he thought about the wedding rituals starting tomorrow. To him, this second marriage was just a duty for his family's sake. He didn't expect to find love again. He was not sure if Neha was good for kaira, he trusted his mother decision.

They had talked only once after there engagement. He had cleared everything from his side. About kaira, the walls he had built so high.

Abhimanyu finally stood up and walked to the switchboard, turning off the bedside lamp. The room plunged into total darkness, save for the thin silver streak of moonlight filtering through the curtains.

He pulled the heavy duvet over himself and closed his eyes, determined to get some sleep before the Sangeet the next morning. He tried to focus on his breathing, on his business plans, on anything that felt logical and safe.

But it was useless.

The moment his eyes closed, the darkness didn't bring sleep—it brought her. Specifically, those honey-brown eyes from the mall.

He could still vividly see the way they had widened in shock when he caught her. He remembered the exact shade of brown—like warm honey caught in the sun. No matter how much he reminded himself of his past betrayal, or how much he told himself that he was a "Strict CEO" who didn't believe in fairy tales, he could not erase that image.

He shifted on the bed, frustrated. He had met many beautiful women in the corporate world, but none had haunted his thoughts like this "mystery girl."

"Why her?" he whispered into the silent room. "Out of everyone in this world... why do I keep seeing those eyes?" Thinking about her he was not aware when sleep took over him for few hours.

________________________________

Thanks for rea

ding

Follow for more

Wattpad id minedelulu31

BYIEE BYIEE

________________________________