Chapter 3 – Mine (Before the Ring)
The engagement venue was nothing less than royal.
A heritage palace on the outskirts of Jaipur.
Golden chandeliers.
Marigold decorations hanging from carved arches.
Soft instrumental music playing in the background.
The stage was decorated in deep red and gold drapes with white roses intertwined between fairy lights.
Guests had already started arriving.
The air smelled of perfume, flowers, and anticipation.
And inside her room…
Meera stood in front of the mirror.
She was wearing a deep red silk lehenga with intricate golden embroidery. The blouse was perfectly fitted, elegant yet subtly bold. Her dupatta was draped delicately over one shoulder, revealing her collarbones. Her hair was styled in soft waves, half pinned back. Diamond earrings sparkled when she moved.
She looked breathtaking.
But her fingers were slightly trembling.
Sana stood behind her.
"You're nervous."
"I'm not."
"You've adjusted that dupatta ten times."
Meera exhaled slowly.
"She's going to see me like this."
Sana smirked. "Oh? So this is about the IPS officer."
Meera didn't deny it this time.
"She looked… intense the last time we met."
"Intense good or intense scary?"
"Both."
Sana walked closer, lowering her voice. "Do you like her?"
Meera stared at her reflection.
"…I think I'm starting to."
—
Across the palace corridor, in a separate room…
Aarohi stood still while her mother adjusted the cuff of her sherwani.
She was wearing an ivory-colored sherwani with subtle gold detailing. Clean, structured. Royal but not flashy. Her hair was neatly styled. A watch on her wrist. Calm posture. Strong presence.
She looked like discipline wrapped in elegance.
Her father looked at her proudly. "You carry yourself well."
Aarohi nodded lightly.
Her mother asked softly, "Are you happy?"
That question again.
She hesitated for a second.
"Yes."
And for the first time… she wasn't lying.
Riya entered suddenly, grinning. "Ma'am, ready to get engaged?"
Aarohi gave her a warning look. "Behave."
Riya leaned closer and whispered, "You're nervous."
"I don't get nervous."
"You checked your phone five times."
Aarohi didn't respond.
Riya smirked. "You like her."
Aarohi's jaw tightened slightly.
"She attracts attention."
"Ohhh possessive already?"
Aarohi didn't deny that either.
—
The ceremony hadn't started yet.
Guests were mingling.
Music floated softly.
Meera stepped out into the main hall.
Conversations paused for a second.
She walked gracefully toward her parents.
And that's when it happened.
A well-dressed man in a designer suit approached her.
Film industry acquaintance.
Charming smile.
"Meera! I didn't know you were getting engaged so suddenly."
She smiled politely. "Life surprises us."
He leaned slightly closer than necessary.
"Does he even deserve you?"
She stiffened slightly.
"I'm sure she does."
He blinked. "She?"
"Yes."
Before he could process that, Aarohi entered the hall.
And she saw it.
The man standing too close.
The smile on his face.
The way he was looking at Meera.
Something unfamiliar tightened inside her chest.
Riya noticed immediately.
"Uh oh."
Aarohi didn't say anything.
But she walked forward.
Controlled.
Calm.
Dangerously calm.
The man was still speaking. "If you ever change your mind—"
"A problem?"
The voice was low.
Measured.
Firm.
Both turned.
Aarohi stood beside Meera now.
Close enough that their shoulders nearly touched.
The man looked confused. "No, I was just congratulating her."
Aarohi's gaze didn't soften.
"You were standing too close."
The hall felt quieter suddenly.
Meera's heartbeat quickened.
The man laughed awkwardly. "Relax, officer."
Aarohi took a subtle step closer to Meera.
Not touching.
But claiming space.
"I am relaxed."
Her tone said otherwise.
The man stepped back slightly. "I didn't mean anything."
"Good."
The word was sharp.
He excused himself quickly.
Meera turned slowly toward Aarohi.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did."
Their eyes locked.
Meera whispered, "Were you jealous?"
Aarohi's jaw flexed slightly.
"I don't like people disrespecting boundaries."
"That wasn't my question."
Silence.
Soft music in background.
Fairy lights reflecting in Meera's eyes.
Aarohi finally said quietly, "Yes."
The word was barely audible.
But Meera heard it.
And her lips curved.
"You looked scary."
"I am."
"For him?"
"For anyone who stands too close."
Heat spread between them.
A moment too intense for a public place.
Riya coughed dramatically from behind.
"Okay wow. Engagement hasn't even started."
Both stepped slightly apart.
But something had shifted.
—
Guests were called toward the stage.
Families gathered.
Priests began chanting softly.
Aarohi and Meera stood side by side now.
The distance between them smaller than before.
Meera could feel Aarohi's presence like warmth.
Aarohi could sense Meera's nervous breathing.
Their mothers exchanged proud looks.
Meera's father said softly, "Are you ready?"
She glanced at Aarohi.
Aarohi nodded once.
Meera nodded too.
Rings were brought forward on a silver tray.
The priest spoke blessings.
Aarohi picked up the ring first.
Her fingers were steady.
But her eyes were not.
They were softer now.
When she held Meera's hand, she felt it—
Warm.
Delicate.
Trusting.
She slid the ring slowly onto her finger.
Their hands lingered for half a second longer than necessary.
Meera felt her breath catch.
Then it was her turn.
She picked up the ring.
Her fingers brushed Aarohi's skin.
Aarohi's pulse was strong.
Steady.
Real.
Meera leaned slightly closer as she placed the ring.
"You're still jealous," she whispered softly.
Aarohi's lips moved just enough for her to see.
"Very."
Meera smiled.
The ring slid into place.
Applause filled the hall.
Families clapped.
Cameras flashed.
But in that loud moment…
It felt quiet between them.
Just the two of them.
Standing closer now.
Not strangers anymore.
Not just an arrangement.
Something more.
—
After the ceremony, while guests surrounded them for photos, Aarohi leaned closer and murmured quietly:
"If anyone flirts again…"
Meera tilted her head slightly. "What will you do?"
"Handle it."
"And if I like the attention?"
Aarohi's gaze darkened just a little.
"You won't."
The possessiveness in her tone made Meera's stomach flip.
"Confident?"
"Certain."
Sana pulled Meera aside briefly.
"Okay WHAT was that?"
Meera tried to act calm.
"She was jealous."
Sana grinned. "That's hot."
Meera whispered, "You have no idea."
—
Later, standing near the balcony, away from crowd…
The city lights glittered below.
Aarohi spoke first.
"You looked beautiful."
Meera blinked slightly.
"You noticed?"
"I always notice."
Her voice wasn't teasing.
It was sincere.
Meera stepped closer.
"So you do stare."
"Yes."
No denial now.
"And?"
"And I don't like sharing."
The words sent a shiver through her.
Meera whispered softly, "You won't have to."
Aarohi's expression shifted.
Less guarded.
More open.
"Good."
—
Inside, their families were discussing wedding dates already.
Riya walked up to Aarohi again.
"You're gone."
"What?"
"You're completely gone."
Aarohi looked toward Meera laughing with her sister.
Soft.
Glowing.
Happy.
And something inside her felt… protective.
Not forced.
Not arranged.
Chosen.
"I think," Aarohi said quietly, "I don't mind this arrangement anymore."
Riya smiled knowingly.
—
Back inside the hall, Meera adjusted her ring.
She kept looking at it.
At the weight of it.
It didn't feel heavy.
It felt… right.
Her sister whispered, "Do you love her?"
Meera looked across the hall.
At the woman who had just claimed her without hesitation.
At the woman who stood tall but softened when looking at her.
"I'm getting there."
—
As the night ended…
They stood side by side once more.
Hands brushing occasionally.
Unspoken promises forming.
Jealousy had revealed something real.
Possessiveness had exposed vulnerability.
And when Aarohi quietly intertwined her fingers with Meera's for the first time—
Not for show.
Not for cameras.
But because she wanted to—
Meera didn't pull away.
She squeezed back.
And in that simple touch…
The arranged marriage had begun turning into something deeper.
Something intense.
Something theirs.
—
End of Chapter 3 💍🔥