*9:05am, January 29*
The door opened without a knock. Veeransh heard it from across the room and spun around, nearly dropping the towel. He was fresh out from the shower and water was still tracing slow lines down his collarbone. He had not dressed yet.
"WHAT THE HELL! What are you doing here?" The words came out sharp from his mouth.
Kairav stepped forward towards Veeransh, adjusting his glasses in an unhurried way. He was scanning Veeransh from top to bottom as if that person was his, technically it was. "I wanted to see you," Kairav said simply. "Maa won't allow it. She keeps saying it is apshagun for a couple to look at each other before the wedding."
"Yet you can not wait. Kairav ji, you know that our shaadi is in like the next 12 hours." Veeransh faced the other way and kept rubbing the towel on his body involuntarily.
Kairav moved closer and his arms wound around Veeransh's bare waist from behind. He pressed his lips slowly to his shoulder, sending shivers down Veeransh.
"How could I possibly stay away from you all day?" he murmured against his skin. "How could anyone resist this?" He slowly kissed the wet neck.
"Kairav ji...hng. wh-what are you..doing...?" Veeransh shivered at the warmth of Kairav's body against his. He lets out a breath.
"Looking at handsome soon-to-be husband," Kairav replied quietly and lips still at his neck. "Is that a crime?"
"It will be if someone walks in—" The rest of the sentence dissolved.
"You are shivering like a leaf," Kairav spoke with a low voice. "And here I thought you were getting used to me." His teeth grazed a small portion of Veeransh's neck, gentle and deliberate, and Veeransh's breath helpless. "Ahh... hn... Kairav ji..."
"See," Kairav murmured. "This is exactly why I came."
Veeransh turned around in his hold, finally facing Kairav. His eyes were flustered, "You are impatient."
Kairav smirked, sliding his glasses off with one hand. Then he kissed him slow, unhurried, and deliberate. Veeransh tensed immediately, a small sound catching in his throat, fingers curling against Kairav's chest. "Hmmph..."
Kairav did not pull back. If anything, he pressed closer.
It was softer, but the lips moved with quite a hunger.
"Mmmm... I love your lips, Veer," he said as he put his hands tightly around Veeransh waist. And instinctively, Veeransh wrapped his arms around Kairav's neck.
"Veer..veer.." Kairav moaned in between kisses, before nibbling Veeransh's lips.
"Ouch! You are bitting."
"I wanna bite more.."
"And you are hard..." Veeransh put his hands on Kairav's bulged pants.
"Yes ..yes...I am..for you..." Kairav said with a voice that could melt the self-respect of Veeransh.
Suddenly, Veeransh remembered something. "Oh shit! I forgot that Mummy ji had called me to arrive by 10. I should go."
"But.." Kairav whined.
"No.. you leave. For sake we are getting married today!"
"Fine."
"I love you, Veeransh."
Veeransh was breathing heavily. "Yuh, yuh. I love you, too." And just like that, Kairav was pushed out of the room and the door slammed shut behind him.
Inside, Veeransh hurriedly fixed himself and pulled on a hoodie, as if dressing simple could somehow calm the storm inside him. A few strands of hair fell over his forehead while he adjusted the sleeves and took one last glance at the mirror before stepping out.
The villa was noisy with decoration people and helpers working. Today was the first marriage. Veeransh walked through the hallway rolling the long sleeves of his hoodie up to his elbows. His mind was still tangled in Kairav's teasing words.
And because of that distraction, he didn't notice the figure walking towards him
Thud.
Veeransh collided straight into someone's chest. The chest was firm like a wall.
"Shit—" Veeransh stepped back quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't see—" His words stopped midway. This stranger was his soon-to-be brother-in-law, Krishav Singhania.
Dressed in black with silver rings glinting under the lights, Krishav lowered his gaze towards Veeransh. "Are you obsessed with me or something?"
Veeransh looked up at Krishav, "What—" He was interrupted badly when Krishav pinned him to the nearby wall, pressing his shoulder hard.
"Hng— what are you doing, Krish—"
"You might be marrying my brother but for me you are nothing but a stranger who walked into my family and broke my brother's marriage." Krishav tightened his jaw.
Veeransh stared at him, shocked by the hostility burning in his eyes.
"And I don't trust strangers like you."
The sounds of the workers faded into the distance.
Veeransh pushed against Krishav's chest. "Then don't trust me," he snapped. "I didn't ask for your approval."
For a second, Krishav's grip tightened and his eye twitched. "You speak boldly for someone standing inside a house that could throw you out overnight."
"I don't have time," Veeransh replied as he pushed Krishav. "Move."
"No."
"Krishav."
"You know what bothers me?" Krishav interrupted. "Everyone in this house suddenly acts like you're innocent. Like you just appeared here wrapped in sunlight." His eyes narrowed slightly. "But people don't change lives this quickly without bringing trouble with them."
Veeransh clenched his fists. "You don't know anything about me."
"I know enough."
Then suddenly—
Heels echoed from the far hallway. Both of them looked up instinctively.
"Baby, what are doing?" The voice came from a woman wearing a long black satin one piece, the dress hugginf her at curves.
This was Jhanvi Suri. Krishav's fiancé.
Jhanvi's brows lifted slowly. "Am I interrupting something?"
Krishav finally loosened his grip. His fingers slid off Veeransh's shoulder with reluctance. "Nothing."
"Nothing," she repeated. "How interesting. You were pressed rather close to nothing, baby." She turned to face Veeransh. "You. You are the guy that Kairav left my sister for, right?"
"Kairav ji choose me over your sister," Veeransh replied back.
Jhanvi let out a small laugh. "Relax. I'm not Ayesha." She glanced sideways at Krishav. "I don't particularly care who Kairav marries as long as he's happy." A pause. "Whether you make him happy, however, remains to be seen."
Veeransh held her gaze. "That's between Kairav and me."
"Mm." She smiled again, stepping closer to Krishav and resting one hand lightly on his chest—possession without effort. "I like him," she said, to Krishav specifically. "He has a spine. That's rare in this house."
"Pfft." Krishav sighed.
"What? I am just complimenting him. He's interesting."
Krishav walked away without another word. The tension followed him as he disappeared into his room, slamming the door shut with a harsh thud.
Silence settled for a moment.
Then Jhanvi slowly turned toward Veeransh, crossing her arms over her chest. "Listen carefully," she said, she warned. "I don't care who you marry or what place you have in this family." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Just stay away from my Krishav. That's all I expect from you."
Veeransh stared at her for a second before letting out a scoff. "As if I'm interested," he muttered, rolling his eyes. Without waiting for another reply, he turned around and walked away down the hallway.
* * *
*5:13pm, Nikunj Villa*
The evening sky gave rise to full moon. The villa was dark and silent. The bedroom was decorated with dark red wallpaper. A phone on the wine table rang once. The man, in a black shirt picked his phone and sat in a high-backed chair carved from ebony, one leg crossed over the other, a crystal glass held between his fingers.
"Hello." His voice was low and calm.
"The marriage is today." The voice on the other side was raspy.
The man swirled his glass of red liquid and then taking a sip out of it. "Mmmm.. tasty."
His gaze shifted toward the marble floor. A lifeless young man lay there motionless, two dark marks visible on his neck. A shocked look spread across the dead man's face. "Congratulations to us, my child," Tamas said with a grinning smile.
"Baba, you are coming, right?"
"Ofc my dear. I am attending the marriage. How could I not. After the marriage, we can move forward with our next plan." Tamas sipped blood from the glass.
The rough voice laughed, "And then, we can finish the Singhanias'."
"You are right, my baby." Tamas took another sip from the glass. "The Singhanias built their empire on blood," he said. "It is only fair that blood becomes the reason it collapses." He stood up and walked to the huge glass window. "Do they suspect anything?"
"Not at all," Tamas answered calmly. "They are too busy celebrating."
"Good. See you at the wedding."
* * *
*9:05pm, January 29*
The house was adorned with off-white and peach-toned flowers, making the entire celebration look as though it had been arranged for celestial beings. Every corner appeared flawless and elegant. The golden lights, grand pillars, and marble vases cast a warm glow across the surroundings, adding a dreamy charm.
The mandap stood, decorated with layers of peach blossoms, delicate leaves, shimmering lights, and ornate embellishments. The agni kund burned steadily while the pandit chanted sacred mantras.
"Bring the grooms," he asked Lalita and Riya.
Both of them headed upstairs to bring the two grooms down. Meanwhile, the mansion buzzed with friends and family. Amidst the crowd, Tamas sat casually in a corner, smoking his cigarette. Near the beautifully decorated mandap stood the Singhanias, along with Rehaan, waiting as the wedding rituals were about to begin.
The grooms were there.
Veeransh stepped on the stairs in a deep red sherwani with intricate and shimmering golden embroidery. The rich fabric clung perfectly to his tall frame, every thread spoke of luxury and old-money elegance. Layers of pearl chains rested across his chest, while a red and golden embroidered shawl fell gracefully from his shoulders and trailed on the stairs. His face was hidden with a golden and white beaded shehra from his turban. He walked down the stairs as the trail kept getting long.
On the other hand, Lalita brought Kairav. He walked down the stairs in a white sherwani woven with intricate gold and pastel embroidery. The long regal sherwani was adorned with delicate floral patterns and royal motifs, paired with a matching draped stole that fell gracefully from his shoulder. Layers of ruby and peach beaded necklaces rested against his chest. A finely embroidered kamarbandh cinched his waist while the cream churidar and traditional mojris completed the attire. Upon his head sat an elegant ivory turban decorated with a jeweled brooch and a white feather that swayed slightly with every step he took. He was face was covered by grand shehra made of pearls.
As Kairav descended the staircase slowly, the crowd erupted with applause. Both the grooms looked like a power couple. Kairav took Veeransh's hands and they walked down the stairs together.
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Guide:
apshagun - bad omen
mandap - wedding platform
pandit - priest