Page 171 of One Hellish Desire

I realize she’s right. We’re late, and I don’t want Maahi to miss any moment of Preet’s wedding. So, I place a kiss on her shoulder and then continue to dress.

CHAPTER 45

MAAHI

I introduce Vikram to all my friends who were teasing me yesterday, and he seems very excited to meet them all.

“That’s a cool gang you have,” Vikram says, curling his arm around my waist once the girls leave, winking at us. They know we’re recently married and want to give us ample time to be together. “Now I know whom to contact if I wish to know all your college secrets.”

He smiles a wolfish grin, and I fall for him even more. I think about my plans for tonight, and a blush rises on my face.

“You look very happy today,” Vikram mentions, stroking the blush on my cheeks.

I don’t reply, just drag him to the mandap where the wedding rituals are about to begin. “I’ll quickly change and come back. Please stay here.”

“Where else would I go?” he mumbles, kissing my cheek. “Come soon. I’m waiting.”

Uff! The way he says “waiting” makes me eager to surprise him tonight. I hurry back to the resort, change into a peacock green lehenga, and return. But my husband looks so dapper in a sherwani today that I can’t think of giving him any competition. He stands out from the rest of the guests with his attitude and handsome traditional features. When I come out, Vikram is almost hypnotized. I have to literally pinch him to break his trance.

“Won’t you compliment me?” I stick my tongue out shyly, waiting for his praises.

“This is not the right place to compliment you. When is the wedding getting over?”

My cheeks heat. He’s in such a hurry to take me back to the hotel.

“The rituals haven’t even started yet, Vikram. Patience.” I entangle my arm around his and watch as Preet comes out with her family to the mandap. My eyes gleam with delight, and emotions flood my heart.

As if Vikram reads them, he leans into my ear again, pulling me close. “You wanted this kind of marriage? With all the rituals?”

I’m glad he asked. I nod too many times. “Always.”

His face pales, realizing he couldn’t give me that, but I don’t let him feel sad for long.

“But more than all this, you and our togetherness matter to me, Vikram. With whatever little we started, I’m so glad we reached this far. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

He keeps staring at me for a long time and then swallows hard. He presses my hand in his.

“I’m sorry, Maahi. I wish I could rewind all this and give you a proper wedding.”

I’m so thrilled that I palm his cheek, not caring about the surroundings.

“You don’t need to be sorry for anything,” I say to make him feel better. “We can take those vows now.”

Vikram grins. “Seems like a great idea. Let’s begin with you first.”

Really? We’re doing this here? I don’t mind. While the priest chants the mantras for the bride and groom in the background, we take vows with each other, ignoring the world.

“I will take care of our household, sharing all responsibilities with you, together.” That’s my first vow, which brings a smile to his face.

“I promise to hold you tight, grow spiritually, mentally, and physically old with you, protect you, and love you till the end of my time,” he says.

That’s too emotional, and it brings fresh tears to my eyes, which Vikram wipes before they can fall.

“No tears. I need vows,” he teases.

I nod and continue with the next one. “I will stay close to you in times of need and responsibly maintain the prosperity of you and your family.”

Vikram’s eyes search my face as if he wants to kiss me right here.

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