“But today, I promise you one thing. Tum kabhi bhi khudko akela nhi paaogi. I know Vedant ke hote huye waise bhi nhi hoga but even when he’s not there, I will always be. Har mushkil mai tumhare aage tumhari dhaal ki tarah aur har khushi mai tumhare peeche. Aaj se meri saari khushiyan tumhari aur tumhari saari pareshaaniyan meri hai, Isha.”

He softly grasped her hand in his and she looked at him shocked. He had said such a big statement just like that. He truly was a gem. One that she didn’t deserve.

“Life ki ye jo nayi journey hum start krne jaa rhe hai, waada karta hu ki usme tumhare saath kandhe se kandha milake chalunga. Iss rishte mai koi chhota ya bada nhi hai. We are equals. In every aspect. If my family expects something from you as my wife, as a husband, I’d do that for you too.”

A few tears fell from her eyes at his genuinity. She was deceiving this amazing human. 

“Mujhe experience nhi hai relationships ka. I never had any like this. You’re the first woman in my life as a partner Isha and I promise you’ll be the only one. I’ll try my best to be the husband you deserve. Lekin agar kuch galti krdu toh please naaraz mat hona. Mujhe samjhana. Mai samajhne ki puri koshish krunga. Tumhara dhyan khudse jyada rakhunga aur tumhara saath tumse jyada dunga. Even if you are not with yourself, even if you doubt yourself, I’ll always be there with you and believe in you. And I’ll make you believe in yourself too.” 

Her grip on his hand tightened and she looked down trying to control her emotions. His words were so sincere. She could feel his love from his words.

“I’ve seen my parents' marriage succeed because wo dono kabhi bhi ek dusre se gussa hoke sone nhi gye. And I want that too. If we ever have any argument, I want us to talk it out immediately. Tumhare mann mai koi baat ho tum mujhe batana, aur mere mann mai jo baat hogi mai wo tumhe bataunga. Before husband and wife, I want us to become best friends. Can you do that?”

Could she do that? Yes! If he was ready to make so many efforts, she could do this much. He just needed communication. She could give him that. She could make him her best friend. Along with her husband. 

She nodded and he placed a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist before continuing.

“I know tumhara aur Vedant ka equation aur bond alag hi hai. And I trust you. But I am also a very possessive man, Isha. Wo tumhara best friend hamesha rahega. But I want you to know the difference between a best friend and a husband who is your best friend. I am ready to give my 100% into this relationship. Bas mujhe badle mai tumse tumhari loyalty aur honesty chahiye. Can you do that?”

Now this was what she feared? Was she really honest and loyal to him? Thinking about his brother while getting married to him. She wasn’t. But she was ready to forego the past and move on in her life. With him. He was going to be her husband. And she would be loyal to him, no matter what. Physically and mentally. 

She nodded and he gave her a smile while looking at her with his eyes filled with immense love for her. Was she so blind not to see his feelings ever before?

Vanisha couldn’t sleep the entire night. She kept staring at the ceiling and thinking about Ved’s words. And one thing she was decided with, the moment she steps into the altar as Ved’s bride tomorrow, Vedant would only be her best friend and nothing else.

The next day was a blur. Everything was so loud and chaotic that she couldn’t remember anything except for the moment when she became someone’s wife. And not just someone. Someone who loved her immensely and so much that his love shone in his eyes. So much that it brought tears in hers.

Vanisha was crying, clutching her father’s jacket. It was her bidaai and she didn’t want to leave her parents. 

“Mai jaanta hu ki aap dhyan rakhenge. Lekin laado hai meri, kahe bina reh nhi sakta. Meri jaan aapke haathon mai saunp raha hu. Khyal rakhiyega.”

Her father said in a broken voice to Ved. Ved held her father’s hand firmly and said.

“Aapki jaan aaj se meri zindagi hai papa. Khud se pehle iska dhyan rakhunga.”

Ved promised earnestly and her father gave her hand in his. She was sniffing as she sat in the car while driving towards her new home. A handkerchief came in her view and she saw Ved looking at her with a soft smile.

She took it and dabbed her eyes praying that she wasn’t looking like a witch because of her makeup. She had asked for waterproof makeup but she wasn’t sure.

“You look beautiful.”

He said as if reading her expressions and she bit her lip while nodding.

“Can you guys not start romancing in front of my eyes. Stop making me feel single.”

Vedant grumbled from the driving seat making Ved roll his eyes and give him a soft tap on his head.

“Focus on the road!”

“Haan haan I’ll focus on the road, aap apni biwi aur suhagraat pr focus kro. Hum singles kya toh kya hi hai. Kal bhi akele the, aaj bhi akele hai.”

He fake cried but Vanisha went stiff. She had completely forgotten about this part. The intimacy part. Would he want to get intimate with her? So soon?

“Don’t listen to his nonsense. We will not share a room tonight. It will only be after all the post-wedding rituals the day after tomorrow that you’ll shift into our room.”

Ved whispered to her clarifying lest she thinks that he was desperate. Vanisha nodded, relaxing a little. Although a part of her was still not sure if he would initiate something when they shared a room.