The haldi ceremony of Reyansh and Avantika was no less than a royal celebration, held in the sprawling gardens of the grand Singhania farmhouse. The venue was nothing short of a dreamy golden paradise. The gardens were adorned with cascading marigold garlands and delicate yellow drapes swaying in the gentle winter breeze. A vibrant rangoli, studded with fresh petals and intricate designs, welcomed the guests, while ornate brass lamps added an ethereal glow to the setting. 

A canopy of jasmine flowers hung over the couple's seating area, where two intricately carved wooden seats awaited them. The area was surrounded by brass pots filled with turmeric-infused water, symbolizing the sacredness of the ritual. A floral swing nearby, draped with roses and yellow orchids, added a whimsical touch for photo-worthy moments. In the background, musicians played soft, melodious tunes on traditional instruments, creating a serene yet joyous ambiance. 

The elders of both families were seated on plush couches under a separate pavilion. Reyansh’s grandparents, Raghavendra and Kamini, exuded regal grace, dressed in elegant traditional attire, while Pratap and Aaradhya, warmly welcomed the guests. Aaradhya, with her nurturing smile, ensured every detail was perfect, while Kamini kept glancing at Reyansh with pride. Avantika’s bua, Sayli, and her husband, Digvijay, were present too, though their presence seemed muted in the joyous crowd. Sneha and Yug stood close to Avantika, almost like her guardians for the day, ensuring she felt supported at every moment. 

As the ceremony began, the youngest of the family, Radha, was quick to grab the mic and announce, “Welcome to the grand haldi ceremony of the future king of Jodhpur, Reyansh Singhania, and his soon-to-be queen, Avantika! Get ready for a day filled with turmeric, tears of laughter, and lots of fun!” Her cheeky announcement was met with cheers from the crowd. 

Reyansh, dressed in a pastel-yellow kurta with golden embroidery, walked in with Abhiram, and  Vinesh, who immediately started teasing him. “Reyansh bhai, you look like a king already, but let’s see how you survive this haldi!” Vinesh smirked. Yash, joined in, “Careful, Avantika might run away after seeing the ‘yellow monster’ we turn you into today!” 

Avantika arrived next, escorted by Siya and Raghav, who acted like her personal bodyguards. Dressed in a dazzling yellow lehenga with floral jewelry accentuating her natural beauty, she looked every bit like a queen. The guests couldn’t stop admiring her, and Siya took the opportunity to announce, “Ladies and gentlemen, behold the bride who’s making even the sun jealous today!” Avantika blushed deeply, while Raghav added, “Careful, Reyansh. You’ll need to up your game to match her glow!” 

As the elders began the rituals, applying turmeric on Reyansh and Avantika with prayers and blessings, the youngsters watched impatiently, waiting for their chance to unleash chaos. Aaradhya lovingly applied turmeric on her son’s cheek, whispering, “You’ve made us so proud, Reyansh.” Kamini blessed him with a broad smile, saying, “May you both always shine together.” 

On Avantika’s side, Sneha and Yug took charge, showering her with blessings and making her feel at home. Sayli and Digvijay, though reserved, reluctantly participated, their indifference overshadowed by the warmth of everyone else. 

Kaira who didn't knew anything but followed what her mother and grandmother did. She was enjoying the moment to the fullest as she didn't knew that she Avi bua will leave her soon.

The scene was set, the blessings were given, and the stage was now ready for the youngsters to take over—and with them came the chaos!

Reyansh and Avantika’s haldi ceremony turned into a battlefield of banter and fun as the youngsters took charge of the festivities.

The fun escalated when the haldi ritual  was given under control of youngsters. Radha and Vinesh teamed up to smear an embarrassing amount of turmeric on Reyansh’s face. “Bhai, this is to make sure Avantika doesn’t run away after seeing you!” Radha joked, while Vinesh added, “Or maybe she will, seeing how yellow you’ll look!” Reyansh tried to dodge, but the duo cornered him mercilessly. 

Meanwhile, on Avantika’s side, Siya and Raghav were no less. Raghav picked up a huge bowl of haldi and dramatically declared, “Avantika, let me do the honors of making you look like a walking mango!” Siya rolled her eyes but joined in, smearing turmeric on Avantika’s cheeks. “Who needs beauty treatments when you have us?” she laughed. 

The real chaos began when the youngsters decided to cross the boundaries. Vinesh and Yash teamed up with Siya and Raghav to carry bowls of haldi and attack the other side. Turmeric flew everywhere as Reyansh, Avantika, and the guests became unwilling participants in the messy but hilarious war. 

In the middle of the madness, Yug stood protectively near Avantika, mock-scolding the group, “At least leave the bride alone, you hooligans!” Sneha, meanwhile, helped Avantika escape the worst of it, though her giggles betrayed her lack of seriousness. 

Finally, when the chaos subsided, Yash pointed at Reyansh, who was smeared from head to toe, and quipped, “Look at you, Singhania! Are you getting married or auditioning for a turmeric ad?” Reyansh, unbothered, shrugged and smirked, “As long as Avantika likes it, I don’t care.” 

His bold comment silenced everyone momentarily, before the teasing resumed with doubled enthusiasm, leaving Avantika blushing furiously. The haldi ceremony ended as a perfect blend of love, fun, and unforgettable memories.

But....

Every now and then, the words from yesterday night would echo in Avantia's mind: “If you want your loved ones safe, stop the wedding. You don’t know the danger you’re in.”

The message had sent a shiver down her spine when she first read it, and it hadn’t left her mind since. Every moment, every noise, every glance now seemed laced with suspicion. Was she being watched? Was someone in the family involved in this? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she pushed it down as best as she could, telling herself she needed to focus on the ceremony and the preparations for her wedding.

But it was hard. So hard.

Avantika had never been in the midst of such grandeur and attention before. Her whole life, she had always been on the outside, trying to blend in, never expecting something as huge as a wedding of this scale. And yet, here she was—surrounded by the wealth, luxury, and grandeur of the Singhania family. She had expected the family to treat her with kindness, but it was still all so new. The bonds and connections between them were so complex, the layers of history between each of them so deep, that sometimes she felt like a stranger in her own skin.

But it wasn’t just the wedding that had her worried. It was Reyansh.

She had been trying to understand him better. After all, he would be her husband soon. And though he wasn’t someone who wore his heart on his sleeve, she could see glimpses of a deeper side to him. It was a side that, for some reason, seemed to be guarded with a heavy responsibility. There was something in the way his eyes would harden whenever the topic of the future was raised, or the way he remained eerily quiet when people asked about his plans. Something in the quiet, steady manner in which he carried himself made her believe that Reyansh knew something more than he was letting on. Something that he didn’t want to share just yet.

As the ceremony progressed, Avantika could feel the heaviness of the situation bearing down on her. Everyone else seemed so immersed in the joy of the day—her future in-laws, the ladies of the family, the guests who had gathered to celebrate—but Avantika felt alone in the midst of all this happiness.

She excused herself for a moment, stepping into a quiet corner of the mansion’s lush garden. The vibrant colors of the flowers in bloom, the serene beauty of the garden—it was a stark contrast to the turmoil she was feeling inside. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She needed to talk to Reyansh. She had to know what was going on. The messages were making her paranoid, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something she wasn’t being told. Something important.

But just as she was about to make her way back inside, she caught a glimpse of Reyansh, standing across the garden, his expression unreadable. He was talking to Sarvesh, and from the looks of it, they were deep in conversation. Reyansh rarely showed emotions, but Avantika could tell that whatever they were discussing was serious. Sarvesh, always the loyal friend, seemed to be listening intently, his posture tense.

Avantika hesitated for a moment, watching Reyansh from a distance. She wanted to approach him, to tell him about the threats, but she didn’t know how. She didn’t want to appear weak or overly worried. But the fear was still there, lingering in the back of her mind.

She walked back toward the celebration, the weight of the unknown making her feel more isolated than ever. The sounds of laughter, music, and chatter all seemed muffled, like she was walking through a fog.

❤️

Later that evening, the ceremony came to an end, and everyone gathered for dinner. The night was cooler now, the stars twinkling above as the family sat together under the lights strung across the garden. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, and Avantika tried her best to focus on the present moment, to join in with the others, to enjoy what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

But even in the midst of all the food, laughter, and love, Avantika couldn’t escape the ever-growing feeling of dread in her chest. She had no choice but to push it aside for now.

Reyansh, on the other hand, was unusually quiet during dinner. As everyone took their seats, the conversation flowed easily among the guests, but Reyansh remained calm, his eyes scanning the room, ever watchful. The night’s festive mood wasn’t lost on him, but his mind was elsewhere. He knew Avantika had something on her mind—he could see it in her eyes. But he wasn’t ready to bring it up. He wasn’t sure how to explain everything without making her feel like she was in danger.

The dinner was lively, but Reyansh remained mostly silent, observing everything and everyone around him. Occasionally, he would share a word with his family, but mostly, he stayed close to Avantika. When she reached for her plate, he was quick to fill her glass with water, never letting his guard down.

Soon, it was time for everyone to feed their partners as part of the dinner tradition. It was meant to be a lighthearted moment, a display of care and affection. Yash, ever the charmer, was the first to feed Siya. He teased her, offering her a bite of dessert before she could even grab her fork.

“Oh, come on, Yash, I can feed myself!” Siya laughed, but Yash’s playful antics made her smile.

Next was Raghav, who carefully fed Radha with a small spoonful of dessert, making her laugh at his overly cautious approach. “Careful, Raghav! You don’t need to treat me like I’m some kind of royalty.”

“I’m just making sure you don’t get any turmeric on you,” Raghav joked, carefully wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin.

The others joined in with their playful exchanges, feeding each other, laughing, and enjoying the moment. But despite the warmth of those around her, Avantika couldn’t fully escape the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.

She glanced over at Reyansh once again, meeting his gaze for a moment. He didn’t smile. He didn’t need to. His eyes said everything she needed to know—he was there for her, even if she didn’t know the whole truth.

But deep down, Avantika knew that something was coming. Something she wasn’t prepared for. And as much as she wanted to focus on the joy of the day, the shadow of the unknown loomed large.

❤️

Avantika paced in her room, her bare feet muffled against the plush carpet. The warmth of turmeric still lingered on her skin, a stark contrast to the cold dread that gripped her heart. The cryptic message from the night before replayed in her mind like a broken record:

"If you want your loved ones safe, stop the wedding. You don’t know the danger you’re in."

Who sent it? What danger were they talking about? And why now?

She clutched the phone in her hand, her knuckles white from the tension. She had thought of ignoring it, brushing it off as a prank. But the words didn’t feel like a joke. They carried a weight, a warning she couldn’t shake off.

Her gaze flickered toward the window. The garden outside, which had been so alive with laughter and color just hours ago, now looked eerie under the moonlight. The swaying of the trees felt ominous, the shadows beneath them deeper than they should be.

A sudden knock at the door startled her. Her heart raced, and she froze for a moment before whispering, “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” came Siya’s familiar voice, soft and concerned. Avantika sighed in relief and opened the door to find Siya and Raghav standing there, their expressions mirroring the worry she felt.

“We’ve been looking for you,” Siya said, stepping inside. “You disappeared after dinner. Is everything okay?”

Avantika hesitated, her eyes darting toward Raghav, who was watching her closely. She debated whether to share the message but decided against it. Not yet. She didn’t want to drag them into something she wasn’t sure about.

“I’m fine,” she lied, forcing a smile. “Just tired. The day was... overwhelming.”

Raghav frowned, crossing his arms. “Avantika, you’re a terrible liar. Spill it.”

Siya placed a reassuring hand on Avantika’s shoulder. “You can tell us anything, you know that, right?”

Before Avantika could respond, another knock interrupted them. This time, it was Reyansh. He leaned against the doorframe, his expression unreadable as always. But his eyes… they seemed to see right through her.

“May I come in?” he asked, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Siya and Raghav exchanged a look before Siya said, “We’ll leave you two to talk.” She gave Avantika a small nod and dragged Raghav out with her, despite his protests.

Once they were alone, Reyansh stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His presence filled the room, commanding and unyielding. He crossed his arms and leaned slightly against the wall, his gaze fixed on her.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said plainly.

“I haven’t,” Avantika replied too quickly, her voice betraying her nerves.

Reyansh tilted his head, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “You forget I can read people, Avantika. Something’s bothering you.”

For a moment, she thought about denying it again, but then the weight of the message pressed down on her. Maybe he deserved to know. Maybe he could help. She need to trust him.

“I got a message,” she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Reyansh straightened, his expression hardening. “What kind of message?”

Wordlessly, she handed him her phone. His jaw clenched as he read the words, his grip on the phone tightening. When he looked back at her, his eyes were dark, stormy.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he demanded, his voice low but laced with urgency.

“I… I wasn’t sure,” she stammered. “I didn’t want to ruin the ceremony. And I thought—”

“You thought you’d handle it alone,” he interrupted, his tone sharp. “This isn’t something you can ignore, Avantika.”

Her eyes widened at his seriousness. “Do you think they’ll… do something?”

Reyansh took a deep breath, his hands curling into fists. “Not if I can help it.”

He paced the room, his mind clearly racing. Avantika watched him, feeling both fear and a strange sense of comfort. Despite his intimidating demeanor, she could tell he was thinking of ways to protect her.

“From now on,” he said, stopping in front of her, “you don’t go anywhere alone. If you need to leave the house, you tell me, Yash, or Yug. Understand?”

She nodded, her heart pounding. She wanted to ask so many questions which raised in her mind but she didn't sound it.

That night, as she lay in bed, sleep eluded her. And in the shadows outside, a figure watched the Singhania palace, their presence hidden but their intentions anything but not innocent.

The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light casting eerie shadows across the Singhania palace. The once-lively gardens were now shrouded in silence, the festive decorations swaying gently in the cold night breeze. But hidden in the darkness, the figure watching the palace remained motionless, their eyes fixed on Avantika’s window.

Inside, Reyansh couldn’t sleep either. His sharp instincts told him that the threat wasn’t empty. Whoever had sent that message knew what they were doing, and Reyansh wasn’t one to take such things lightly. He sat in his study, the soft glow of a single lamp illuminating his tense expression as he went through his security plans.

Yash, seated across from him, broke the silence. “We’ve doubled the guards around the estate. No one gets in or out without being screened. But are you sure you don’t want to postpone the wedding? At least until we figure out who’s behind this?”

Reyansh’s jaw tightened. “No. That’s what they want. I won’t let them control my life, or hers.”

Yash nodded, understanding Reyansh’s resolve. “If it’s related to your underworld connections—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Reyansh cut him off, his voice cold. “The only thing that matters is keeping her safe. Make sure the team is on high alert. I want eyes everywhere.”

Yash nodded again, but concern lingered in his eyes. “You care about her, don’t you?”

Reyansh didn’t answer immediately. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armrest. “She’s my responsibility now. That’s all that matters.”

But deep down, Reyansh knew it was more than that. Avantika had stirred something in him, something he hadn’t felt in years. She wasn’t just a duty—she was someone he wanted to protect, someone he wanted to see happy. And that terrified him.

❤️

Meanwhile, Avantika’s unease grew. She lay in bed, staring at the ornate ceiling, her mind racing with questions and fears. Every creak of the old palace, every rustle of the wind outside, made her jump. She had tried to distract herself with thoughts of the wedding, but the message loomed large in her mind.

Unable to take the suffocating silence anymore, she got out of bed and wrapped a shawl around herself. Quietly, she slipped out of her room and into the corridor, the cold marble floor chilling her bare feet. She needed fresh air, a moment to think.

As she stepped into the garden, the cool night air hit her face, bringing with it a sense of clarity. She wandered toward the fountain at the center, the soft gurgle of water offering a brief respite from her thoughts. But her solace was short-lived.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a shadow move.

Her heart raced as she turned quickly, scanning the darkness. “Who’s there?” she called out, her voice trembling.

No answer.

She backed away, her eyes darting around the garden. The shadows seemed to stretch and shift, playing tricks on her mind. Just as she was about to run back to the safety of the palace, a hand grabbed her arm.

She gasped, ready to scream, but the familiar voice stopped her. “Avantika, it’s me.”

Reyansh stood there, his grip firm but reassuring. His eyes were intense, scanning her face for any signs of harm. “What are you doing out here alone?” he demanded, his voice a mix of anger and concern.

“I… I needed air,” she stammered. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Reyansh’s gaze softened slightly, but his frustration was evident. “You can’t just wander off like this. It’s not safe.”

“I thought I was imagining things,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “But I saw something—or someone. Over there.” She pointed toward the shadows near the edge of the garden.

Reyansh’s expression darkened. He motioned for her to stay put as he strode toward the area she had indicated. His movements were quiet and deliberate, his every sense on high alert. Sarvesh, who had been patrolling nearby, joined him, his hand instinctively reaching for the weapon tucked at his side.

Avantika watched from a distance, her heart pounding. The minutes felt like hours as she waited, her mind conjuring worst-case scenarios. Finally, Reyansh returned, his expression unreadable.

“Who was it?” she asked anxiously.

“No one,” he said, his voice steady but unconvincing. “Just a stray animal.”

Avantika frowned, sensing he wasn’t telling her the whole truth. But before she could press him, he added, “Let’s go inside.”

❤️

As Reyansh escorted her back to her room, his mind was racing. He had seen the faint imprint of footprints in the damp soil near the garden’s edge—footprints that didn’t belong to any of his guards. Someone had been there, watching.

Once Avantika was safely inside her room, he lingered in the corridor, his hand gripping his phone. He dialed a number and waited for the line to connect.

“Double the perimeter checks,” he ordered when Yash picked up. “Whoever it was, they were close. Too close. I want answers by morning.”

“Yes” Yash replied, his tone grim.

As Reyansh ended the call, he glanced back at Avantika’s door. He knew the danger was far from over. And whoever was behind it wasn’t just targeting him—they were targeting her.

The question was: why?