AUTHOR'S POV

Ruhanika sat on the balcony of her room, quietly watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and gold. Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly noticed a familiar black car entering the mansion gates.

A few seconds later, Rudraksh stepped out of the car.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored black three-piece suit, he looked effortlessly handsome. The setting sun reflected on his sharp features, making him look even more attractive.

Ruhanika couldn't help but stare.

"Thank God for giving me such a handsome husband," she whispered unconsciously.

The moment those words left her lips, she smacked her forehead.

"What are you doing, Rooh? Have you forgotten? He hates you."

Shaking away her thoughts, she walked back inside and sat on the couch while talking to Avni on a phone call.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened.

Rudraksh entered.

His mere presence made Ruhanika's heart beat a little faster.

"Okay, Avi, I'll call you later."

She quickly disconnected the call.

Rudraksh's gaze fell on her instantly.

Feeling nervous, she lowered her eyes.

Without saying anything, he walked into the bathroom.

After a quick shower, he came out wearing only a towel around his waist.

Water droplets slid down his muscular chest while his damp hair fell over his forehead.

Standing in front of the mirror, he casually dried his hair.

Ruhanika stared at him shamelessly.

"Damn... he looks like a Greek god." she whispered.

Unfortunately for her, Rudraksh heard it.

A smirk appeared on his lips.

"If I'm looking that hot, then stop staring and take your eyes off me."

Ruhanika's eyes widened.

"N-No... it's not like that."

She immediately looked away in embarrassment.

His expression turned cold again.

"Good. It shouldn't be. Because between us, there is nothing except hatred."

His words hit her harder than she expected.

Without saying anything, Ruhanika quietly walked out of the room.

---

As she entered the hall, she found Aarvi, Purvi, and the rest of the family standing with their luggage.

"Is everyone ready?" Maina asked while entering the hall.

"Yes, Badi Maa," Aarvi replied.

Purvi noticed Ruhanika and smiled.

"Bhabhi, aren't you packing your luggage?"

Ruhanika frowned.

"Luggage? Are we going somewhere?"

"Yes," Aarvi replied excitedly. "We're going back to our ancestral haveli."

Ruhanika blinked.

"Rudraksh didn't tell you?" Maina asked.

Before she could answer, Rudraksh walked into the hall.

"Sorry, Mom. I didn't think it was important enough to tell her."

His cold tone immediately made everyone uncomfortable.

Then he looked at Ruhanika.

"Go pack only your important things and come back within five minutes."

It sounded more like an order than a request.

Ruhanika silently nodded and hurried upstairs.

Exactly five minutes later, she returned with a small suitcase.

Looking around, she realized everyone had already left.

Only Rudraksh remained.

"Where is everyone?" she asked softly.

"Come with me."

Without waiting for her response, he walked outside.

---

AT THE HAVELI

After a long drive, the car finally stopped.

Ruhanika stepped out and froze.

A massive royal haveli stood before her.

Its grandeur left her speechless.

"Do people actually live in places like this?" she whispered.

The family entered the haveli.

One by one, everyone disappeared into their respective rooms using the elevator.

Meanwhile, Ruhanika stood in the living area, curiously observing every corner like an excited child.

Her innocent reactions made Rudraksh stare at her for a moment.

"Should we go?" he asked.

"Y-Yes."

They entered the elevator.

Rudraksh pressed the button for the eighth floor.

Soon, they reached their destination.

He opened the bedroom door.

The room was huge and entirely decorated in black.

Black walls.

Black furniture.

Black curtains.

Even the bed matched the theme.

The room perfectly reflected Rudraksh's personality.

As soon as he entered, he dropped onto the bed with visible exhaustion.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Ruhanika walked over to open it but couldn't.

There was a digital lock requiring a password.

"Suniye... please open the door."

Receiving no response, she turned around.

Suddenly she felt a cold hand on her waist.

Her breath hitched.

Before she could react, Rudraksh pulled her back against him.

Her heart immediately began racing.

The closeness made her nervous.

Rudraksh leaned closer.

His breath brushed against her neck.

Then he lowered his lips and kissed the sensitive skin near her neck.

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

"Ah..."

At that exact moment, the doorbell rang again.

Reality returned instantly.

Rudraksh stepped away as though nothing had happened.

He opened the door.

A maid stood there holding Ruhanika's luggage.

"Ma'am, your luggage."

Ruhanika accepted it while the maid left.

After locking the door again, Rudraksh turned toward her.

"Where's the wardrobe?" she asked awkwardly.

Without speaking, he opened another door inside the bedroom.

"This is the wardrobe."

Then he pointed toward another door.

"And that's the bathroom."

She nodded.

Opening her suitcase, she began unpacking.

Rudraksh looked inside and frowned.

There were only:

Two simple kurtis

A few books

Some basic necessities

Nothing else.

"Why did you bring only two kurtis? We're staying here for a while."

Ruhanika shrugged.

"The other clothes are uncomfortable for me, so I didn't bring them."

Rudraksh stared at her.

"Are two pairs really enough?"

A small smile appeared on her face.

"I've been living like this since childhood."

For a second, sadness flashed across her eyes.

Before he could ask anything, she quickly entered the bathroom.

Rudraksh remained standing there.

For the first time, a question crossed his mind.

Why does she always choose compromise instead of demanding more?

---

After changing into a simple kurti, Ruhanika came out.

Rudraksh looked at her for a moment before speaking.

"Let's go downstairs. Dinner is ready."

She nodded.

Together, they headed to the dining area.

As everyone settled down, Ruhanika quietly served food to everyone.

During dinner, Maina looked at the couple.

"Tomorrow is your reception. Be ready."

Both of them nodded silently.

---

NEXT DAY

The entire haveli was decorated with flowers and sparkling lights.

Guests had already started arriving.

The Raizada family was busy welcoming everyone.

Meanwhile, in her room, makeup artists were getting Ruhanika ready.

One of them held a pair of black lenses.

"Ma'am, if we apply these lenses, they'll match your look perfectly. You'll look even more beautiful."

Ruhanika hesitated.

Her hand unconsciously moved toward her blue eyes.

Remembering Sunidhi's warning, she fell silent for a moment.

Then she slowly said...

"No. Leave my eyes the way they are."

RUDRAKSH POV

After Ruhanika's makeup was completed, the makeup artists left the room. She was dressed in a beautiful gown, her long hair falling freely over her shoulders.

A few moments later, Aarvi and Purvi entered the room.

The moment they saw her, both girls froze.

"Wow..." Purvi whispered. "You look like Cinderella."

A faint smile appeared on Ruhanika's lips.

"Come, Bhabhi. Bhai is waiting for you downstairs," Aarvi said excitedly.

Ruhanika nodded and followed them.

---

As the ballroom doors opened, my eyes immediately found her.

For a moment, everything around me faded away.

No doubt, she looked breathtaking.

The gown suited her perfectly, and those eyes...

Those blue eyes reminded me of someone.

The girl from the airport.

The same girl I had bumped into.

The same girl whose eyes had stayed in my mind for days.

I couldn't find words to describe her beauty.

She didn't look like the girl I hated.

She looked... different.

She looked pure.

She looked innocent.

She looked like she belonged to me.

"Bhaiii!"

Aarvi's voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked.

"Should we go?" she asked.

I nodded.

Together, we walked toward the stage.

As soon as we entered, all the guests turned to look at us.

Instinctively, I wrapped an arm around Ruhanika's waist.

She stiffened for a second but didn't move away.

Once we reached the stage, I picked up the microphone.

"Meet my wife..."

I paused briefly before continuing.

"Mrs. Rudraksh Singh Raizada."

The hall filled with applause.

I noticed the small smile that appeared on her face.

For the first time, I hadn't called her Manika.

The photographers immediately surrounded us.

"Ma'am, please hold Sir's arm."

The cameraman instructed.

She hesitated before lightly holding my arm.

Her touch was gentle.

Almost fragile.

Without thinking, I pulled her closer by her waist.

Her eyes widened and instantly met mine.

For a moment, neither of us looked away.

"Perfect, Sir!"

The photographer clicked several pictures.

---

After the photoshoot, I introduced her to some of my business associates and friends.

The Suryavanshi family was also present.

The evening was going smoothly until my friends started forcing me to dance.

"Come on, Rudra!"

"It's your reception!"

"You have to dance with your wife!"

Eventually, I gave in.

A few moments later, Ruhanika and I stood in the center of the dance floor.

The soft music began playing.

As I placed my hand on her waist and pulled her closer, I felt her body tense.

Her heartbeat became so fast that I could almost hear it.

The music seemed quieter than the sound of her racing heart.

And for the first time...

I didn't want to let go.

---

AUTHOR'S POV

Purvi was quietly drinking juice when suddenly someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an empty room.

"What the hell!"

She immediately stepped back.

"Leave me!"

A familiar chuckle echoed through the room.

"I missed you, honey."

Purvi's expression darkened instantly.

"Oh really?"

She folded her arms.

"You missed me so much that you couldn't even call me once?"

The man sighed.

"Honey, you're the one who broke up with me."

"Don't call me Honey."

Purvi glared at him.

"My name is Purvi Singh Raizada. Understand that, Mr. Yug Suryavanshi."

Yug stepped closer.

"Jaan, please stop being angry."

His voice softened.

"I wanted to talk to you, but I had to leave for Italy because of business. Please forgive me."

Purvi looked away.

She was still hurt.

Yug took a deep breath.

Then his expression became serious.

"Purvi... I need a favor."

"What?"

"Please take care of my sister."

Purvi frowned.

"What sister?"

"Ruhanika."

The answer shocked her.

"What are you talking about?"

Yug looked around before speaking.

"She's not Manika."

Purvi froze.

"What?"

"Ruhanika is Manika's twin sister."

The glass slipped slightly from Purvi's hand.

"You never told me about any twin sister."

"Because very few people knew."

Yug sighed heavily.

Then he told her everything.

About Nandita.

About Ruhanika being hidden away.

About Manika's crime.

About Rudraksh's revenge.

About how Ruhanika had been forced to pay for mistakes she never committed.

As Yug finished speaking, Purvi stood silently.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief.

All this time...

They had been hating the wrong girl.

"Purvi..."

Yug's voice broke.

"Please take care of her."

He looked genuinely worried.

"She's innocent."

"She deserves love, not punishment."

For the first time since entering the room, Purvi's anger disappeared.

And in its place came guilt.

Because now she finally understood why those innocent blue eyes always looked so broken.