The morning inside Rana Mansion was nothing less than pure chaos.
The mansion, which usually carried a calm and royal atmosphere, had now transformed into a wedding house. Fresh marigold flowers decorated every corner. Workers hurried from one place to another, making sure nothing was left unfinished. Relatives were arriving every few minutes, while servants rushed around carrying trays, gifts, and flower baskets.
Everyone seemed to be busy with something. Rajeshwari was checking the guest list once again.
Rajveer was discussing security arrangements with Mahendra and Vikram.
Nandini and Meera were making sure every ritual was prepared perfectly. The excitement was visible on everyone's faces.
Everyone...
Except one person.
Rudra Rana.
Dressed in a simple cream kurta, he stood silently in the living room with an expression that clearly showed he would rather be anywhere else.
The wedding preparations...The decorations...The laughter...
Everything around him only increased his irritation.
Standing beside him with a mischievous smile was none other than Armaan Rana.
Meanwhile, Advik calmly adjusted Rudra's collar before taking a small step back.
Observing him carefully, Advik spoke in his usual composed tone,
"Ek baar muskura bhi do...Aakhir tumhari hi shaadi hai."
Rudra looked at him without changing his expression.
"Zaroori hai?"
Before Advik could answer... A tiny voice interrupted them.
"Papa..."
Little Ayaan stretched both his hands towards Advik.
"Godi..."
Advik's serious face immediately softened. Without saying anything, he lifted Ayaan into his arms. The little boy happily wrapped his arms around his father's neck.
Watching the scene, Armaan couldn't stop smiling. Then, as if another dangerous idea had entered his mind, he looked towards Rudra.
"Waise Bhai..."
He paused dramatically.
"Aaj Bhabhi apni mehendi mein aapka naam chhupayengi."
He tried hard not to laugh.
"Agar aap chahein...toh hum bhi aapke haath mein 'Anika' likhwa dete hain."
Advik shook his head with a faint smile. Even Ayaan looked at Rudra with curiosity.
"Bade Papa bhi mehendi lagayenge?"
The entire family nearby couldn't help but smile after hearing his innocent question.
Rudra slowly looked at Armaan. Then at Ayaan. Then again at Armaan. His famous expressionless stare was enough.
Armaan immediately raised both his hands.
"Theek hai... mazaak tha."
Without replying...
Rudra simply turned around. And walked away. Watching him leave, Armaan sighed dramatically.
"Dekha...Shaadi inse ho rahi hai...aur tension mujhe ho rahi hai."
Advik chuckled softly. Patting Armaan's shoulder, he replied,
"Abhi toh sirf mehendi hai...Shaadi tak zinda rehna."
Armaan looked at him in disbelief.
"Mujhe lagta hai shaadi se pehle Bhai mujhe hi ghar se nikaal denge."
Both brothers laughed. While little Ayaan looked at them in complete confusion.
"Chachu...Aap dono hamesha Bade Papa ko kyun pareshaan karte ho?"
For a moment...
Neither Armaan nor Advik had an answer. Then Armaan smiled mischievously.
"Kyuki..."
He looked towards the direction where Rudra had disappeared.
"...agar hum nahi karenge...toh aur kaun karega?"
The three of them laughed... Completely unaware... That in just two days...
The atmosphere inside Rana Mansion was about to change forever.
Mehra Residence
Unlike Rana Mansion, where everyone was running around with endless preparations...
The atmosphere inside Mehra Residence was filled with music, laughter, and relatives.
The entire house was decorated with pink and yellow flowers. Women sat together singing traditional mehendi songs while little children ran around the house, laughing and playing.
The fragrance of fresh mehendi spread through every corner.
Some relatives were already getting their mehendi done. Some were busy clicking pictures. Some were teasing each other.
The entire Mehra family was lost in the happiness of the upcoming wedding.
Just then...
Savitri looked around before calling,
"Kavya..."
From the kitchen, Kavya replied,
"Aa rahi hoon, Maa."
She quickly walked towards her. Savitri smiled knowingly.
"Ja... Anika ko neeche le aa. Agar koi usse lene nahi gaya na...toh woh khud kabhi neeche nahi aayegi."
Kavya sighed softly. She knew her daughter too well. Without wasting another moment, she walked upstairs. Reaching Anika's room, she gently knocked on the door.
Knock... Knock...
Receiving no reply, she slowly opened it. The sight before her made her stop for a moment. Anika was already ready.
She wore a beautiful pastel pink mehendi outfit that perfectly suited her. Her long hair was softly curled, and only light makeup adorned her face.
She looked breathtakingly beautiful... Yet her eyes held no excitement.
Kavya quietly walked towards her. The moment she stood in front of her daughter...
Her eyes automatically filled with tears. She slowly cupped Anika's face with both hands.
Her thumb gently caressed her cheek. In a whisper, she smiled through her tears.
"Kitni badi ho gayi hai meri gudiya..."
Anika looked at her mother. Seeing those moist eyes... Her own heart tightened.
Kavya immediately wiped away her tears before Anika could say anything. She smiled.
"Baith yahan...Main do minute mein aayi."
Without explaining anything, she walked out of the room.
The room fell silent once again. Anika sat quietly on the bed. Lost in countless thoughts.
Her mind kept asking the same question again and again.
"Kya mujhe waqai yeh shaadi kar leni chahiye...?"
Or...
Should she choose herself this one time? Before she could find an answer... The door opened again.
Kavya entered. This time... A beautifully wrapped velvet box rested in her hands.
She came and sat beside Anika. Without saying anything, she gently placed the box on her lap.
Curiosity filled Anika's eyes. Kavya slowly opened it.
Inside...
Lay a pair of delicate silver anklets. Payal. Beautiful...Elegant...Timeless.
Anika looked at them for a long moment.
Then...
She looked at her mother. Even though she hated this marriage... The realization suddenly hit her.
In just a few days...She would leave this home. This room. These people. Her family. Her eyes slowly became moist.
Kavya carefully picked up one of the anklets and placed it in Anika's hands. Anika lovingly traced its tiny bells with her fingertips.
Seeing her daughter like this... Kavya smiled through her tears. Softly she began,
"Itni si thi tum..."
She gestured with her hands, showing how little Anika once was.
"Jab tumne zid ki thi... Mumma, mujhe bhi bilkul aap jaisi payal chahiye.'"
A small smile appeared on Anika's lips despite her tears.
Kavya continued,
"Aur ussi din... Tumhare Papa poora bazaar ghoom aaye the...sirf tumhare liye mere jaisi payal dhoondhne."
She gently held Anika's hand. Her voice trembled.
"Aur aaj..."
She looked lovingly at the anklets.
"Aaj phir wahi payal...meri beti pehenne wali hai."
That was enough. Anika immediately wrapped her arms around her mother. Tightly.
As if she never wanted to let go. Kavya hugged her back just as tightly. Mother and daughter silently cried in each other's embrace...
Knowing...
Life was about to change forever.
The main door of Mehra Residence remained open as relatives continuously arrived, filling the house with laughter and excitement.
Women sang traditional songs while children ran around the courtyard. The fragrance of fresh flowers and mehendi made the atmosphere even more beautiful.
Just then...
The sound of several luxurious cars stopped outside the mansion. Everyone instinctively looked towards the entrance.
"Rana family aa gayi."
A smile spread across every face. One by one, the members of the Rana family entered the house.
Rajveer and Rajeshwari greeted everyone warmly, followed by Mahendra, Vikram, Nandini, Meera, Advik, Armaan and little Ayaan. And than at last rudra.
The atmosphere instantly became livelier.
Meanwhile...
Anika was already seated on the beautifully decorated mehendi stage.
The mehendi artist carefully continued drawing intricate designs on both her hands. After greeting everyone, Armaan's eyes immediately landed on Anika.
With his usual mischievous smile, he walked straight towards her.
Standing beside her chair, he looked at the half-finished mehendi and then at Anika's face.
Then he dramatically sighed.
"Bhabhi...Aap aur hamare Bhai..."
He paused before continuing with a completely serious expression.
"...dono ko na muskurane ke paise milte hain kya?"
A few relatives looked towards him. Armaan continued innocently,
"Sach mein...Dono aise muh banake baithe ho jaise shaadi nahi...board exam dene aaye ho."
Several people burst into laughter. Even Advik lowered his head to hide his smile.
Little Ayaan looked at Armaan in confusion.
"Chachu...Board exam kya hota hai?"
The elders laughed even louder. Just then...
Rajeshwari looked towards Armaan.
"Armaan!"
Her voice carried a warning. Armaan immediately joined both his hands dramatically. Looking at Anika, he said,
"Maaf kar dijiye, Bhabhi. Aadat se majboor hoon."
For the first time that day... A small smile appeared on Anika's face. It wasn't a big smile.
Just a faint one. But Rajeshwari silently noticed it. She smiled to herself.
Meanwhile, the mehendi artist looked up politely.
"Dulhe ka naam?"
The question echoed in the air. Anika lowered her eyes. Her lips parted... But no words came out. Before the silence became awkward... Savitri smiled and answered on her behalf.
"Rudra."
Then she looked at the artist lovingly.
"Aur mehendi bahut sundar lagni chahiye...Meri Anika ki shaadi hai."
Anika looked towards her grandmother. Despite everything... She couldn't stop herself from smiling softly.
Rajeshwari gently held Savitri's hand.
"Are...Tu beech mein kyun bol rahi hai?"
She laughed.
"Usse enjoy karne de...Aa, mere paas baith."
Both old friends walked towards the sofa together, still smiling.
A few moments later...
The mehendi artist admired her work before saying cheerfully,
"Waise ek baat hai..."
Everyone looked towards her. She smiled.
"Kehte hain...Jitna gehra mehendi ka rang chadhta hai..."
She glanced at Rudra and Anika.
"...utna hi pati apni patni se pyaar karta hai."
The moment those words left her mouth...
The elders immediately began teasing.
"Dekhte hain kitna gehra rang aata hai. Rudra ko toh pyaar chhupana bhi nahi aayega. Shaadi ke baad pata chal jayega."
Laughter echoed throughout the hall. Only two people remained silent.
Rudra.
And Anika.
Rudra's expression didn't change. Without saying a single word... He quietly turned around.
And walked out of the house. Anika watched him leave.
Then lowered her eyes towards the mehendi on her hands. A deep sigh escaped her lips.
Neither of them believed in the words they had just heard.
Yet...
Fate had already started writing a story...
Neither of them had chosen.
The mehendi ceremony gradually settled into a calm atmosphere.
The loud music was lowered, and everyone gathered in the living area for snacks and tea.
Laughter echoed through the mansion as both families happily talked with each other.
Rajeshwari was comfortably seated beside her childhood friend, Savitri, while both of them discussed the wedding preparations.
Nearby, Rajveer and Harish were engaged in a serious conversation regarding the guest arrangements.
On the other sofa, Nandini, Meera, and Kavya sat together, talking about bridal outfits, jewellery, and the remaining rituals.
Meanwhile, Mahendra, Vikram, and Raghav discussed business and politics over a cup of tea.
A little away from them... The three Rana brothers sat together.
Or rather...
Two brothers were talking while the third one was silently listening.
Armaan sat beside Rudra, while Advik occupied the seat on his other side.
Little Ayaan comfortably sat in Advik's lap, happily eating his favourite samosa with his tiny hands.
Every few seconds he would proudly show his father,
"Papa... dekho."
Advik simply smiled and nodded. Not far away... Anika quietly sat on the decorated stage. Her mehendi had finally been completed.
The beautiful designs now covered both of her hands, with "Rudra" hidden somewhere within them. Everyone insisted she should eat something.
But she politely refused. She wasn't hungry.
Not because the food wasn't good... But because her heart simply wasn't ready.
Seeing this, Meera walked towards her carrying a small plate. She lovingly broke a small piece of dhokla and held it in front of Anika.
"Thoda sa hi sahi...Khali pet nahi rehna chahiye."
Looking at the affection in Meera's eyes...
Anika couldn't refuse. She quietly accepted the bite. A faint smile appeared on Meera's face.
The atmosphere once again became light as conversations continued.
Just then...
Rudra's phone vibrated. The screen flashed with the name of one of his trusted men.
The moment he read the message... His entire expression changed.
The calm, emotionless face disappeared. In its place came the sharp...cold... Dangerous expression that everyone feared. Without wasting another second, he stood up.
His sudden movement caught everyone's attention. He answered the call while walking towards the exit.
No one could hear what was being said. Only his short reply...
"Main aa raha hoon."
He disconnected the call. Without explaining anything... He walked out of the Mehra Residence.
For a brief moment... Everyone looked towards the main door.
Even Anika's eyes unknowingly followed him until he disappeared from sight.
The sudden silence was broken by Armaan, who smiled awkwardly before looking at Anika.
"Bhabhi...Please bura mat maaniyega. Bhai ka nature hi aisa hai."
He shrugged.
"Chief Minister hain... Kab kis waqt kaunsa important call aa jaaye, kuch pata nahi hota."
Anika looked at him. She simply gave a small, understanding smile.
"It's okay."
But somewhere deep inside... She couldn't stop wondering...
What kind of life was Rudra Rana really living... beyond the title of Chief Minister?
Outside...
A black SUV had already disappeared into the distance. And with it... The groom of the wedding... Had once again become...
The Mafia King.
The atmosphere inside the abandoned warehouse was freezing.
Silence filled every corner.
The only sound that echoed through the room was the frightened breathing of a man tied tightly to a metal chair.
His hands and legs were bound with thick ropes. His clothes were stained with blood. Fresh scratches covered his body, and dried blood marked his face.
Around him stood several armed men. Nobody dared to utter a single word. Everyone waited...
For one person.
Tap...
Tap...
Tap...
The sound of slow footsteps echoed through the warehouse.
Every man standing there immediately straightened.
A tall figure walked through the darkness before finally stopping in front of the prisoner.
Without saying a word, he pulled a chair forward and sat down. The light hanging from the ceiling fell directly across his face.
Cold.
Sharp.
Emotionless.
The prisoner looked up with trembling eyes. His lips shook.
"R... Rudra Rana..."
Yes.
The man sitting before him was none other than...
Rudra Rana.
He calmly folded his hands and looked directly into the prisoner's eyes.
His deep voice echoed through the warehouse.
"Main apna waqt barbaad karna pasand nahi karta."
A brief silence followed.
"Jo poochunga...uska seedha jawab dena. Mujhe baat dobara poochna bilkul pasand nahi."
The prisoner remained silent.
Rudra slowly stood up. He walked towards him.
The prisoner instinctively tried to move back, but the ropes held him tightly.
Rudra leaned slightly closer. Without changing his expression, he firmly gripped the man's ear and twisted it.
A painful scream echoed through the warehouse.
"AAAHHHH!"
Rudra immediately released him.
His voice remained calm.
"Ab bolo."
Breathing heavily, the prisoner finally broke.
"B... bataata hoon..."
He hurriedly confessed everything.
"Hamara leader... aapki har information chahta tha... Aap kahan rehte ho...Kahan jaate ho...Kaunse log aapke kareeb hain...kya khatte ho...Sab kuch..."
Rudra listened without interrupting. When the man finished, he asked only one question.
"Naam."
The prisoner lowered his head.
"Main... woh naam nahi bata sakta."
Rudra's eyes darkened.
A long silence filled the warehouse.
He was already struggling to control his anger, but that man provoked him further. Just then, Rudra stood up, walked right up to the man, forcefully pried his mouth open, pulled out his tongue, and tore it right out. There was blood everywhere. Rudra then took a deep breath and looked back at the man, who was weeping uncontrollably but unable to speak.
Finally...
He quietly pulled out his pistol. Without anger. Without haste. Without changing his expression.
Bang.
A single gunshot echoed through the warehouse.
The man fell lifeless. Rudra looked towards one of his trusted men.
"Sab saaf karo. Aur..."
He paused.
"Mujhe dobara iska chehra nahi dikhna chahiye."
"Ji, Sir."
Rudra put the pistol back inside his coat.
Without another glance...
He turned around. And walked out of the warehouse.
Outside...
His black SUV was already waiting. As the vehicle disappeared into the night...
The groom who had left a joyful mehendi ceremony...
Once again became...
The King everyone feared.
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