Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty Four.

Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty Four.
Arjun's family approached first. Meera's father stepped forward.

He placed a red tilak on Arjun's forehead, symbolizing blessings and acceptance into the family.

Gifts were exchanged, silver coins, sweets, a gold watch, and traditional clothes.

Soon enough, both Arjun and Meera stood, and their mothers took turns performing aarti with lit lamps in circular motions around the couple to ward off evil.

Then it was time to exchange ring...

A velvet box was brought forward. Meera was handed Arjun's ring - the one they bought together. Her fingers trembled slightly as she slid it onto his finger.

Then Arjun took her delicate hand and slipped a stunning diamond ring, intricate and unique, onto her finger.

More applause. More flashing lights.

His thumb brushed her hand before letting go.

Only she noticed.

Arjun's mother lovingly fed Meera a piece of laddoo, blessing her softly. Meera returned the gesture, feeding Arjun a bite of peda.

He didn't look away from her as he ate it.

Few Minutes later, the couple stood to receive blessings.

Guests lined up to offer wishes, gifts, and envelopes. Arjun stayed polite but aloof, only his hand would tighten every time someone complimented Meera a little too much.

Siddhartha kept whispering jokes behind them, trying to make Meera laugh.

Eventually, Arjun leaned toward his brother and murmured, "You'll be the next person I throw into the sea."

Siddhartha raised his brows. "I knew you were getting territorial."

When the main rituals ended and the music resumed, waiters passed out more refreshments. Guests mingled, and photographers took couple portraits while the priest quietly finalized the ceremonial books and signed blessings.

Arjun and Meera remained seated for a moment, alone in the sea of guests.

"You haven't touched your juice." Meera whispered, looking at the untouched glass on the side table.

"I don't want juice."

"What do you want?"

He turned his head slowly. "You."

She blinked rapidly.

The cameras clicked.

And she looked away - blushing fiercely.

The engagement ceremony had flowed into a beautiful reception, laughter echoed through the grand hall, soft instrumental music played in the background, and the guests milled around with glasses of wine and plates of delicate hors d'oeuvres.

The stage had been cleared, and now Meera and Arjun stood beside their parents, receiving congratulations from dignitaries, family, and well-known business tycoons.

Meera smiled politely as person after person approached them.

Her cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling, but it was worth it. Arjun stood tall beside her, calm and proud, only occasionally glancing her way - but every time he did, she could feel it. Like heat against her skin.

Then, amidst the crowd, Vihaan Sengar appeared again - the same dashing man from earlier with that smooth confidence and faint smile.

He approached with a warm grin, "Congratulations again, Miss Meera, my name is Vihaan. You look... beautiful."

Meera smiled gently, "Thank you, Vihaan. That's kind of you."

Before Arjun could say anything, Vihaan turned to him and added, "You're a lucky man, Arjun. A very lucky man."

Arjun forced a thin smile. "I know."

There was something unreadable in Vihaan's eyes - not challenging, not flirtatious... just quietly amused. He chuckled, then bowed his head slightly. "Well, I'll let the couple enjoy the night. We will be leaving now."

As Vihaan walked off, Arjun's gaze followed him like a hawk until he disappeared into the crowd.

Meera noticed and leaned a little toward him, whispering, "He was just congratulating..."

"I didn't ask," Arjun muttered under his breath, not looking at her.

Her breath caught, but she didn't respond. She looked ahead again, pretending to smile at a passing guest.

Moments later, Siddhartha appeared, nudging Arjun with his elbow as if to snap him out of it. "Relax, Bhai. You're the groom. No need to kill with your eyes."

Arjun didn't respond. His hand, instead, moved quietly - resting lightly against Meera's lower back. A subtle touch. Possessive. She stiffened slightly, her eyes darting to him.

"You okay?" he asked, voice low and suddenly softer.

"I-yes," she whispered.

Then his eyes met hers, slow and deliberate. "Good. You belong next to me. Only me."

She blinked, lips parting slightly. His gaze didn't waver, and she could feel her pulse quickening.

Suddenly, a voice nearby called for photographs. Meera was pulled away for a family picture with her parents, giving Arjun a moment to himself.

He took a breath, calming the tightness in his chest.

His fingers still remembered the heat of her skin, even through the fabric of her blouse.

Every smile she gave someone else made something twist in his gut.

He wanted to hold her, to claim her right there - not just with a ring, but with something no one else could take.

His eyes found her in the crowd again , she was laughing softly at something her cousin said, her smile easy, her posture relaxed. But as if sensing him, she looked toward him... and their gazes locked.

His lips curled into a dark, satisfied smile.

Meera sat with her cousins, still basking in the glow of the ceremony, her cheeks flushed from all the compliments, the lights, and... Arjun's intense gaze earlier.

Jiya leaned closer with a mischievous grin. "So... how does it feel being his fiancée now?"

Meera laughed softly, looking down. "It's... surreal."

"Surreal? Girl, you're engaged to Arjun Madhav! The man is literally obsession-worthy." Ishita whispered with a dramatic sigh, and the girls burst into giggles.

"Uff, don't remind me," Meera whispered, trying to fight back the shy smile creeping onto her lips.

Ami, who had been standing by with folded arms, smirked and said, "Alright, enough drooling over Mr. Mafia-glare. We should go have a word with him."

The girls all turned to her, surprised. "Wait-what?"

"I mean it," Ami said, raising a brow. "Someone needs to let him know he's not allowed to hurt our Meera. Ever."

"Oh my God," Meera groaned, already shaking her head, "Please you don't-"

But they weren't listening. Jiya and two other cousins grinned and stood with Ami leading the way like a general preparing for battle.

Across the hall, Arjun stood talking to a relative when he noticed the small group of girls heading his way with fire in their eyes.

He straightened subtly, brow raised, arms crossing lightly.

Siddhartha, standing nearby with a glass in hand, glanced over and snorted. "Incoming."

The girls stopped in front of Arjun, and Ami stepped forward confidently, arms folded.