Chapter 2

Jeevika sat on the bed, her mind replaying the events from earlier in the hall. Her heart was still fluttering from the playful yet intense moment between her and Abhiman during the post-marriage rituals. Everything had felt surreal, as if she was living someone else's life. The ring-finding ritual, meant to determine who would be the dominant partner in their marriage, had been a source of nervous excitement for her.

"Bhaiya always wins, so I think he will win this time too. I’m on his side!" Riddhi had announced, confident in her brother’s ability to dominate the game.

"Nah, no way! I think my bhabhi will win. She’ll have Bhaiya wrapped around her finger in no time. He’ll do whatever she says, right, Bhabhi?" Veer teased, placing a hand on Jeevika’s shoulder with a mischievous grin.

Jeevika had blushed at his words, her cheeks warming with the unexpected attention. Abhiman, however, wasn’t amused. His dark eyes had flicked toward Veer, clearly irritated by his touch on Jeevika. The tension was palpable, but Veer only smirked, noticing his brother's expression and stepping back, amused by Abhiman’s possessiveness.

"Stop teasing, and let's begin the ritual. Let’s see who wins!" Seema, Abhiman's mother, had said, cutting through the banter with a smile.

The ring was dropped into the bowl of milk and rose petals, and both Abhiman and Jeevika had plunged their hands into the bowl, searching for the small piece of jewelry. In the first round, Jeevika had found the ring quickly, to everyone's surprise. The second round, however, had gone to Abhiman, his fingers closing around the ring effortlessly.

Now, it all came down to the final round. Jeevika's heart raced as she searched for the ring, her fingers brushing against petals and milk. Then, suddenly, she felt a warm hand wrapping around hers under the surface. She looked up, startled, only to meet Abhiman’s smirk. He gave her hand a gentle but firm squeeze, and before she could react, she felt something small and solid in her palm. It was the ring. He had given it to her.

Her eyes widened in surprise, but before she could ask why he had let her win, he gave her hand a quick pinch, jolting her out of her thoughts. She let out a soft gasp and instinctively pulled her hand out of the bowl, holding the ring high for everyone to see.

“I won!” she announced, her voice a mix of surprise and triumph.

Cheers erupted from their family members, and Abhiman’s mother clapped her hands in delight. “Now, Abhi, put the ring on her finger.”

Abhiman didn’t hesitate. He slid the ring onto Jeevika’s finger, his touch lingering longer than necessary. Even after the ring was on, he held her hand firmly, not letting go.

The next ritual had been equally nerve-wracking. Abhiman had to find his name hidden in the intricate patterns of her mehendi. It didn’t take him long—within seconds, his sharp eyes found the letters woven into the delicate design. He had smiled, his confidence evident, as though everything was falling perfectly into place.

But now, sitting alone on the bed in the quiet of their bedroom, Jeevika’s nervousness returned tenfold. She fidgeted with the hem of her dupatta, waiting for Abhiman to come in. She remembered his words from earlier, the ones that had hinted at his intentions for this night. She knew what was coming. It was their wedding night—the night where they were expected to consummate their marriage.

Her stomach churned with anxiety. Jeevika wasn’t ready for this. She had never been close to any man before, and though Abhiman was now her husband, the thought of what would happen between them tonight filled her with dread. How would he behave? Would he be gentle, or would he be the commanding man she had glimpsed beneath his calm exterior?

Suddenly, she heard the door creak open. Her heart leapt into her throat as Abhiman entered the room, his presence instantly filling the space. He didn’t say anything at first, just walked toward her slowly, his eyes never leaving her face. Jeevika instinctively curled her legs closer to her body, her hands trembling slightly in her lap.

He knelt down in front of her, his eyes now focused on her feet. Without a word, he gently took one of her ankles and placed it in his lap. Jeevika tensed, unsure of what he was doing, but then she saw him holding a small anklet—payal. He was putting it on her. The gesture was unexpected, and for a brief moment, Jeevika forgot her nervousness. She had always liked wearing payal, simple ones like this that weren’t too heavy but still added a soft, melodic charm to her steps.

When he was done, Abhiman pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek. Jeevika’s breath hitched as his lips brushed against her skin. His kisses were soft, almost tender, but her mind was spinning, unsure of what to do. Then, without warning, his lips found hers.

The kiss was firm, his lips moving over hers with certainty. Jeevika’s eyes widened, her body stiff with shock. She didn’t know how to respond. She had never kissed anyone before, and the unfamiliarity of it left her frozen. Sensing her lack of response, Abhiman’s hand moved to her waist, giving her a sharp pinch. She gasped in pain, her mouth opening, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth.

Jeevika was too overwhelmed to react, her mind blank as he continued kissing her. When he moved to her neck, his lips trailing down her skin, she felt a strange mix of sensations—fear, uncertainty, and a growing awareness of his touch. Her hand instinctively moved to his shoulder as he kissed her neck, his lips now dangerously close to her collarbone.

But then, something shifted. Jeevika’s heart pounded harder as she felt his fingers on the edge of her blouse, starting to undo it. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she grabbed his hand, stopping him.

“Ji… woh… I’m not ready for this,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart raced, terrified of how he might react to her refusal.

Abhiman paused, his dark eyes meeting hers. For a moment, the air between them felt heavy, as if he was trying to decide whether to respect her words or push forward.

Then, without a word, he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Jeevika’s eyes filled with tears, and one slipped down her cheek. She had braced herself for him to force her into something she wasn’t ready for, but instead, he pulled back.

He didn’t say anything, but his actions spoke louder than words. For now, he would wait.

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