I chuckled.“What’s going to happen to me?”

She laughed softly, and I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her in a gentle embrace. I kissed her forehead, holding her close until her breathing steadied again.

“I have to go,” she murmured after a moment.

I exhaled deeply and nodded.“Okay.”

Nudging me away, she gave me one last look and walked back toward the chamber. I turned to the nearby pot and washed my hands, letting the cool water help ground me again.

I had to look after the preparations and everything. The rest of the day was spent meeting with guests and finalising arrangements. Only one day remained until Ranvijay's wedding.

After overseeing the preparations, I decided to visit him. I stepped into his chamber and found him sitting on the couch with a book in his hand, like always. I cleared my throat, and he looked up.

“Bhaisa,” he greeted with a warm smile, standing up.

I returned the smile and asked,“How are you?”

He sat beside me and replied,“I’m good,”

“I hope you're not freaking out about the wedding?” I asked.

He chuckled.“Why would I? No one is letting me do anything. Feels like a holiday,” I laughed at his reply.

His face glowed from the haldi, and a faint stain of mehendi marked his hands.

I smiled, saying,“Aishwarya is going to be a lucky girl,”

He blinked, giving me a soft but lazy smile.“I don’t know, Bhaisa. With all the responsibilities and work, I worry I won't be able to give her the time she deserves,”

“Don’t worry, you’ll manage. I know you will,” I reassured.

He nodded, then added,“I’m just unsure. I don’t know her. What if she doesn’t like it here? Or me? I don’t know her. What would she be like? Her father placed so many conditions—I didn’t even get to meet her,”

I placed a hand on his shoulder.“She might be feeling the same, maybe even more scared. She didn’t get a chance to know you either. She, too, might not know what you expect,” I said, and he looked at me, worry clouding his features.

“What if it doesn’t work out?” he asked, his voice layered with distress.

“You have half the kingdom's ladies falling for you, and you're scared she won’t like you? Impossible,” I said with a grin.“Once she gets to know you, she’ll fall in love. But no matter how she is—remember, she’ll be the only one for you,”

He nodded.“I know, Bhaisa,”

I smirked,“Still, I feel a little bad for her already,”

“Why?” he asked, frowning at my statement.

“Because you'll either give your free time to her, or your books,”

He smiled.“I'm worried about that too,”

“Bhaisa,” Agastya’s voice interrupted us. We looked up to find him walking in, tired but relaxed. He had been helping Nandani manage the guests and preparations.

“Come, Agastya,” I said, shifting to make space on the couch. He sat down, and I wrapped an arm around his shoulder.“So, how’s everything going?” I asked.

“Very well,” he replied.

“All set for the wedding?”

He nodded and looked at Ranvijay.“Yes. All set to welcome our new Bhabhisa,”