Episode 4

Early in the morning, Archie awoke from his slumber, his face bursting with a smile, fuelled by zest for the day ahead.

His excitement was not without reason—for this day was the one he had long anticipated: his wedding day with the love of his life.

Indeed, today Archie and Aditya would exchange vows at a luxurious hotel, and to save time on getting ready, Archie had even stayed over at the hotel the night before.

Archie couldn't help but constantly smile, knowing that after today he and Aditya would live together as husband and wife. It would surely be beautiful and joyful.

The sound of a doorbell brought Archie back from his happy reverie. He slipped out of bed and, with ease, opened the door of his hotel room.

"You're up early, I thought you’d still be asleep," said Gita in a tender voice.

"I just woke up, Ma," Archie replied, inviting his mother in.

"Has Adinda arrived yet?" Archie inquired.

"Not yet, she will come closer to the time of the ceremony," Gita responded.

Adinda had chosen not to stay at the hotel but to remain alone at home.

"It won’t be long before the makeup artist arrives, go wash your face," Gita suggested, affectionately stroking her beautiful daughter’s head.

Nodding, Archie quickly headed to the bathroom to wash his face, for some reason having been instructed not to bathe.

After refreshing himself, Archie returned to find the makeup artist already there, along with the hairstylist.

"Let's start your makeup, please take a seat,” said the man with a gentle flourish.

Archie settled into the designated chair. In front of her was a mirror and a vast array of makeup tools.

The makeup session began, and Archie surrendered her face to be adorned for her wedding day.

Makeup was applied hours before the ceremony because of the intricacies and time needed to achieve the perfect bridal look.

Meanwhile, Archie's groom, Aditya, had just left his home—specifically, Archie's family home.

With the house emptied except for the caretaker, Adinda had seized the opportunity to invite Aditya over. A bold move that enamoured Aditya even more.

"Today I marry your sister, yet our first night has already been preempted," Aditya quipped.

Adinda smiled sweetly, holding Aditya's hand as he prepared to leave, finding it hard to let go of her love to marry her sister.

"I should go; after marrying your sister, we can meet more often," Aditya said.

With renewed spirits, Adinda unclasped their hands and kissed Aditya's cheek.

"Take care and see you at the ceremony," she said.

Aditya nodded and quickly left via a rideshare service, intentionally without his car, to avoid suspicion, even though it was futile since the caretaker knew everything.

The caretaker could only shake his head at the folly of his employer's child.

"Poor Miss Archie," he murmured.

After Aditya's departure, Adinda reentered the house to prepare for her sister’s—and secretive lover’s—wedding.

"Even though it's Archie who marries Adit, I'm the one he'll love," thought Adinda to herself, smiling.

***

Aditya, along with his family, arrived at the hotel where the ceremony and reception would take place. They gathered in the room where Archie's parents had stayed the night before.

Risa and Anto, Aditya's parents, were filled with joy, eagerly awaiting the moment when they would welcome Archie into their family.

"Papa and mama couldn't make it. You know how often papa has been ill," Kaivan informed them.

Risa had hoped her parents could attend her child's wedding. However, Kaivan’s words dashed her hopes.

"It’s alright, Van,” Risa replied, smiling.

"Kaivan, today your nephew gets married. When will you? You’re at the right age to take a wife," Anto advised.

"Yes, Uncle. I'm eager to see you get married," Aditya joined in.

"I’ll marry when the time comes, no need to rush as long as everything's right," responded Kaivan nonchalantly.

"All I can do is wait and support you, Van," Risa said, though Kaivan didn’t respond.

Soon after their conversation, Gita and Dito arrived, announcing that the ceremony was about to begin.

"Adit, you can go ahead to the altar," Gita instructed her soon-to-be son-in-law.

Aditya nodded. "Yes, Auntie. I’ll go ahead," he answered.

He left the room first, descending to the hotel ballroom with Kaivan, his father, and soon-to-be father-in-law. Gita and Risa stayed behind to accompany Archie later.

"After today, you'll be a husband. I wish you a lifetime of happiness," Anto said with a blessing.

"Thank you, Pa," Aditya replied with a sweet smile.

Kaivan just glanced at his nephew, choosing silence over words.

"I've only met you a few times, and never thought you'd be related to my daughter," Dito said to Kaivan.

With a slight smile, Kaivan extended his hand. "Perhaps our paths crossed in business circles, but today I introduce myself as a relative of your daughter," Kaivan replied.