Third person’s pov!

The small temple in Mussoorie stood reverently, the early morning mist curling around the stone steps. The air was crisp, filled with the sweet scent of jasmine flowers that had been hastily arranged for the wedding. It was a quiet, serene spot, tucked away from the bustling town, the perfect place for a ceremony as intimate and sudden as theirs.

Dhruv stood at the entrance, his heart racing. He adjusted the wine-coloured kurta he had hastily bought that morning, matching perfectly with the saree he had chosen for Shraddha. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to push down the creeping sense of unease. This was it — the moment he would bind his life to hers. And yet, the doubts lingered in the back of his mind, nagging at him.

‘Are we really doing this?’ He thought. ‘What if this isn’t enough? What if I can’t give her everything she deserves?’

He exhaled slowly, watching as Sid and Diya approached with little Ansh toddling beside them. Diya smiled warmly, though a hint of concern flickered in her eyes. She had always been worried for Dhruv, especially after she got married and moved away. But now, seeing her brother take this leap, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was too soon. Sid gave Dhruv a firm pat on the back, offering silent support, but even he seemed to sense the weight of what was about to happen.

As they entered the temple, Dhruv’s eyes fell on Shraddha. She was standing at the centre, draped in the wine-coloured saree he had chosen, her eyes lowered as if lost in thought. The morning light streamed through the open archways, casting a soft glow around her. She looked ethereal, yet there was a tension in the set of her shoulders, a quiet war going on inside her.

Shraddha’s heart thudded in her chest as she heard Dhruv’s footsteps draw closer. She lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before looking away again. A thousand thoughts swirled in her mind, doubts threatening to drown out the hope she was desperately clinging to.

‘Am I doing the right thing?’ She wondered. ‘I barely know him. What if this doesn’t work?’

But then she remembered the loneliness — the years of craving for a family, for someone to call her own. And here was Dhruv, offering her all of that. She had to believe that they could build something real together, even if it didn’t start with love.

Dhruv stepped closer to her, his fingers trembling as he reached for the mangalsutra the priest handed him. His eyes flickered to Shraddha’s, searching for any sign of regret, but all he saw was the same uncertainty he felt mirrored in her gaze. He took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of conviction he had.

“This is it,” he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear. “After today, we are in this together. No matter what happens.”

Shraddha nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, afraid that if she did, her voice would betray the storm of feelings swirling inside her. Instead, she focused on the weight of the mangalsutra as Dhruv gently placed it around her neck, the sacred thread symbolising the bond they were about to share.

The priest began chanting, his voice low and rhythmic, filling the space with an air of solemnity. Dhruv and Shraddha stood before the fire, the sacred flames flickering between them, casting shadows that danced on the walls of the temple. They exchanged garlands, the weight of tradition settling on their shoulders.

Dhruv’s fingers brushed against hers as they exchanged the garlands, the touch electric, though it brought with it another wave of doubt. His mind kept going back to his past — the darkness he had endured, the mistakes he had made. Would Shraddha still want him if she knew everything?

‘I have to be enough for her,’ He thought. ‘I have to make this work.’

Meanwhile, Shraddha’s thoughts were spiralling too. She had dreamed of this moment for so long — not the suddenness of it, but the act of finally belonging to someone, of having a family. But now that it was happening, the reality of it hit her hard. Was she truly ready to trust Dhruv with her heart, with her future?

The priest instructed Dhruv to place the sindoor in Shraddha’s hairline. Dhruv’s hand trembled as he dipped his fingers into the red powder, his heart pounding as he pressed it into her parting. The sight of it, the mark of a married woman, solidified the reality of the moment. There was no turning back now.

As he slid the solitaire ring onto her finger, Dhruv's voice cracked with vulnerability. 

“I don’t know what the future holds, Shraddha. But I promise you, I will do everything I can to make this work.”

Shraddha stared at the ring, her vision blurring with tears. She looked up at him, her voice soft but steady. 

“I have been alone for so long, Dhruv. I want to believe we can have the life we both need. But I am scared.”

“I am scared too. But we don’t have to be alone anymore.” Dhruv nodded, his own throat tight with emotion. 

With those words, they circled around the sacred fire, the priest’s chants rising in rhythm with their steps. Each circle felt like a step into the unknown, a vow made not just to each other but to the life they were about to build — a life neither of them had expected, but one they were both willing to fight for.

As they completed the final circle, Dhruv caught Shraddha’s hand, squeezing it gently. She looked up at him, their eyes locking for a moment that stretched on forever.

“You are mine now,” Dhruv whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “And I am yours.”

“Yes. I am yours.” Tears slipped down Shraddha’s cheeks as she nodded. 

Sid and Diya, watching from the side, exchanged a glance. Diya’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears, her heart full as she saw her brother take this monumental step. Little Ansh clapped his hands, oblivious to the emotional weight of the moment, but his giggles brought a small smile to Shraddha’s lips.

The priest blessed them, concluding the ceremony, but Dhruv and Shraddha stood still, holding on to each other as if letting go would shatter the fragile hope they had just built.

“Tomorrow, Shraddha, we’ll start building the life we’ve both been searching for.” Dhruv leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead in a soft, lingering kiss. 

Shraddha closed her eyes, allowing herself to believe, if only for a moment, that they might just be able to find happiness together.