The accidental vows

Chapter 3 : The Bride in Pink

Janvi’s POV

My dad looked at my mom and Kajal aunty and said, “Get Janvi ready for the wedding.”

As I stepped out of the room with Mom and Aunty, a strange mix of emotions swirled inside me—nervousness, disbelief, and somewhere deep inside… hope.

Kajal Aunty called Raj and Abhi over.

She looked at Raj and said calmly, “Go inside, your dad wants to speak with you.”

Raj simply nodded and walked back into the room without saying a word.

Then Aunty turned to Abhi and said, “Go tell the guests that your father is feeling better, and the wedding will take place soon.”

Abhi looked stunned. “But… Priya hasn’t come back. How will the wedding happen?”

Aunty looked at him and said firmly, “Just do as I say. Go, and take care of the guests.”

Without further questions, Abhi left.

Mom and Aunty then guided me to the bridal room—an elegant suite at the venue meant for the bride. As I entered, I saw a beautiful pink lehenga hanging on the wall. It was stunning.

Aunty walked over to me and gently said, “Janvi beta, I know like every girl, you must’ve dreamt of your wedding day… of how it would look, of what you'd wear, the man you'd marry. But today, you didn’t get a chance to choose any of that. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

She cupped my face lovingly. “But don’t worry. We’ll make sure you get everything you love. And I’m glad you’re going to be our daughter-in-law. We’ve always loved you like our own daughter.”

She kissed my forehead, and I gave her a small smile.

Just then, the makeup artist arrived and began working on my bridal look. Aunty brought out a set of beautiful jewelry and helped Mom adorn me with it. Together, they dressed me with such care and love that I forgot for a moment how sudden everything had been.

After half an hour, I was ready.

I wore the pink lehenga with a deep-neck blouse and a gorgeous dupatta. Long jhumkas dangled from my ears, a heavy necklace adorned my neck, and pink bangles with kalire jingled on my wrists.

Mom added the final touch—a small kala tika behind my ear to ward off evil.

She got emotional seeing me in bridal attire and hugged me tightly. “You look so beautiful, my baby,” she whispered.

Just then, Dad entered the room. Seeing me as a bride made him tear up. “I’m so proud of you, my baby,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve grown up so fast… and now you’re getting married. Don’t worry. Raj is a good boy. He’ll always keep you happy. He’s responsible and kind.”

I smiled at him softly.

Then, holding his hand, I walked toward the mandap, where Raj stood waiting in a cream sherwani, looking incredibly handsome.

As I reached near, he stepped forward and offered me his hand. I was nervous… but I placed my hand in his. Together, we sat at the mandap.

The pandit ji began the wedding rituals, chanting mantras as the holy fire crackled beside us.

We exchanged garlands, and the moment felt surreal.

Then came the moment I’d dreamed of, but never imagined happening this way.

The pandit instructed Raj to apply sindoor in my maang. With steady hands, he did. Then, he tied the mangalsutra around my neck. My heart pounded in my chest.

We stood up and took the saat pheras—seven sacred vows around the havan kund.

And then…

“With these vows and blessings,” said Pandit ji, “you are now husband and wife.”

We took blessings from our parents, and throughout it all, Raj still held my hand.

That simple gesture surprised me.

Even though I was a last-minute bride, even though he had loved someone else just this morning… right now, in this moment, he held my hand like he meant it.

His friends began teasing him playfully, laughing and joking around. Meanwhile, a strange sadness settled in my heart.

I looked around… and realized my own friends weren’t here. They didn’t even know I was getting married today.

I was now Mrs. Raj Malhotra—a bride, a wife—and yet, I felt like I was living someone else's life.

But this was real.

This was my life now.