Mumbai is a city that never sleeps. Even at night, its streets pulse with life.
But tonight was different.
Tonight, the entire country's attention was fixed on one name—Arvik Jindal.
India's most celebrated business tycoon.
The uncrowned king of the business world.
Arvik Jindal, the elder son of the Jindal family, was not born into success—he forged it. When he was just eighteen, his father died in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, the weight of an entire empire fell onto his young shoulders.
Instead of collapsing, Arvik rose.
He not only saved his father's sinking company—he turned it into India's number one business empire, and soon, Asia's finest. Ruthless, brilliant, unstoppable—Arvik Jindal became a legend.
And tonight…
That legend was getting married.
Arvik sat in the wedding mandap, restlessly waiting for his bride—Aditi Arora.
Happiness was written all over his face.
He was dressed in a rose-pink sherwani, paired with a pristine white dhoti. A sehra covered his head, enhancing his already striking looks. He looked regal. Powerful. Irresistible.
Every girl present had eyes only for him.
Near the mandap, one girl stared at Arvik and thought to herself,
Wow… he's unbelievably handsome. So hot.
I wish I could marry him right now.
Just then, a voice whispered into her ear from behind,
"Don't even think about it. He's way out of your league."
Startled, the girl turned around.
"Vihaan! How did you know what I was thinking?"
Vihaan smirked.
"Simple, Sanaya. You've been staring at my brother for ages. And today, he looks even more handsome than usual. Obviously, that's what you were thinking."
Sanaya glared at him and stormed off.
Watching her leave, Vihaan muttered to himself,
As if I'd let anyone cast an evil eye on my brother.
Vihaan was Arvik's younger brother—protective, sharp, and deeply devoted to him.
Aditi Arora, the eldest daughter of the Arora family, was the woman Arvik loved with all his heart. He had been waiting for her, longing to see her walk toward him.
Elsewhere…
Everyone waited eagerly for the bride's arrival.
Suddenly, Sunanda—Aditi's aunt—entered, bringing Aditi with her.
Aditi was dressed in a pink bridal lehenga, her face completely hidden beneath a long veil. Despite the veil, her beauty radiated unmistakably.
She walked slowly and took her place beside Arvik, seated to his right.
Leaning closer, Arvik whispered softly into her ear,
"You look stunning today. If only this veil wasn't in the way… you'd look even more beautiful."
His voice dropped, intimate and impatient.
"I swear, I feel like starting our wedding night right here. I don't know when this wedding will end—I can't wait anymore."
"Just a few more moments," he murmured.
"And then you'll be in my arms."
Aditi said nothing. She merely nodded her head gently.
The wedding rituals began.
The priest chanted sacred mantras as Arvik and Aditi followed every ritual as instructed. Soon, the priest announced,
"Please stand for the wedding circumambulations."
They rose.
Arvik walked ahead; Aditi followed behind. After four rounds, the priest instructed,
"Now the bride shall lead, and the groom shall follow."
Moments later, all seven rounds were complete.
The priest turned to Arvik.
"Now, adorn the bride with the mangalsutra."
Arvik tied the mangalsutra around Aditi's neck. Then, reaching forward, he lifted her veil to apply vermilion to her hairline.
But the moment the veil lifted—
Arvik froze.
His breath stopped.
His world shattered.
Rage darkened his face, his jaw clenched tightly. For a split second, it looked like he would explode—but somehow, he controlled himself.
Without a word, he filled her hairline with vermilion and gently lowered the veil again.
"The wedding is complete," the priest announced.
Aditi and Arvik took blessings from the elders. Soon, the wedding procession departed with the bride.
After they left, Sheetal, Aditi's mother, turned to Sunanda and asked anxiously,
"You explained everything to that girl properly… didn't you?"
Sunanda nodded.
"Don't worry, sister. I explained everything."
Then she hesitated.
"But one thing I don't understand… When Arvik lifted the veil, why didn't he react at all?"
Sheetal fell silent, lost in deep thought.
Meanwhile… inside the car
Arvik sat quietly.
Too quietly.
It was the calm before a storm.
The girl sitting beside him was trembling with fear.
Suddenly, Arvik broke the silence. His voice was cold. Dangerous.
"Who are you?"
She didn't respond.
"Where is Aditi?" he demanded.
Still no answer.
That was enough.
Arvik grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently.
"WHERE IS ADITI?! Tell me!"
The girl was terrified. Her body trembled as she finally gathered the courage to move.
Slowly… hesitantly…
She lifted her veil.
Who is this girl?
Where is Aditi?
What truth is hidden beneath the veil?
To find out…
Wait for the next chapter.