Chapter 15: Preparations and Doubts

The wedding announcement had changed everything.

Within a day, both the Singh Mansion and the Rathore Mansion were buzzing with activity.

Wedding planners walked in and out with files.

Designers arrived with bridal and groom collections.

Jewellers displayed exquisite ornaments.

The elders discussed guest lists while the younger generation argued over decorations, music, and ceremonies.

The wedding was only a week away.

Rathore Mansion

The mansion was beautifully decorated with fresh marigolds and jasmine flowers.

Relatives had already started arriving from different cities.

Poornima had taken a week's leave from her dessert shop so she could participate in the wedding preparations.

Although she had completed her Business Graduation, she had chosen to follow her passion for baking and had built one of Jaipur's most successful dessert boutiques.

She was helping Shirisha select sarees when voices from the living room reached her ears.

It was Riya and Aaravi.

Riya: "Everything is happening so fast."

Aaravi: "Exactly. The wedding is next week."

Riya looked towards Poornima.

Riya: "Let's see how long this marriage lasts."

Aaravi: "She's taking two babies into the Singh family."

"I wonder how they'll adjust."

Riya: "We'll see."

Poornima heard every word.

She paused for a second.

Then she simply walked away without reacting.

There was no anger on her face.

No tears.

No arguments.

She trusted her father.

She knew Raghav would never make a decision that would ruin her life.

And she had known Veeresh since childhood.

Yes...

He had been her biggest rival.

They had fought in school.

They had competed in college.

They had argued over almost everything.

But she had never seen him disrespect a woman or a child.

Whatever else he was...

He was a good man.

Later that night...

Poornima entered her room.

Her one-year-old twins were sleeping peacefully.

She sat beside them and gently caressed their tiny hands.

A soft smile appeared on her face.

Poornima: "I don't know if what I'm doing is right or not."

She kissed one baby's forehead.

Poornima: "But I trust your Dadu."

"He has never made a decision without thinking about what's best for me."

She looked at the second baby and laughed softly.

Poornima: "Do you know something?"

"Your Mumma and Veeresh have been enemies since school."

"We've fought over marks..."

"Sports..."

"College elections..."

"Business competitions..."

"Almost everything."

She smiled as old memories flashed through her mind.

Poornima: "He's a good man."

She paused before adding with a grin,

Poornima: "...but he's also the most egoistic man I've ever known."

She looked lovingly at both babies.

Poornima: "I just hope your Mumma is making the right decision."

"For all three of us."

She gently switched off the bedside lamp and lay down beside the cradle.

Sleep didn't come easily.

Her mind was filled with questions about the future.

Singh Mansion

At the same time...

Veeresh sat alone in his room.

Several sherwani designs lay untouched on his bed.

His wedding was only a week away, yet he couldn't focus on a single outfit.

Instead...

His thoughts kept drifting toward Poornima.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Memories came rushing back.

School debates.

Sports competitions.

College presentations.

Business case-study contests.

Every time he had stood on one side...

Poornima had stood on the other.

He let out a helpless sigh.

Veeresh: "Poornima Rathore..."

A faint smile escaped him.

Veeresh: "Of all the women in the world..."

"It had to be you."

He shook his head.

Veeresh: "You're still as stubborn as ever."

After a moment, he looked out of the window at the Jaipur skyline.

His father's words echoed in his mind.

"I'm asking you to live... not just survive."

Veeresh whispered to himself,

Veeresh: "Let's see, Chudail..."

"Whether we'll spend our lives fighting..."

"...or learn how to live under the same roof."

Outside, both families were busy preparing for the grand wedding.

Inside their rooms, the bride and groom were preparing themselves for a future neither had ever imagined.