Jhanvi's POV:

Wedding day

Everyone said it was the most beautiful wedding they'd ever attended.

The lights, the flowers, the soft music flowing through the grand banquet hall—it all felt like a dream, meticulously woven together. Guests were smiling, my parents were glowing with pride, and the man I was about to marry stood at the altar like a prince out of a storybook.

And yet... something inside me felt off.

From the first day I met Vinay, there had been a flicker of something I couldn't name. Not fear, not exactly. But an odd sensation, like a cold breeze brushing the back of my neck when no windows were open. He was kind, respectful, even charming—but there was something in his eyes. Something I couldn't place. I had brushed it aside.

Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe it was just my heart protecting itself after what I'd been through with Arjun. I had convinced myself that I was being paranoid letting my past cloud a perfectly good future. And more than anything, I didn't want to break my parents' hearts again. They were so happy... and I didn't want to be the reason their joy turned into worry.

So, I smiled.

I smiled when the mehendi was applied to my hands. I smiled during the haldi and sangeet, through photo sessions and endless rituals. But every now and then, when Vinay looked at me a second too long, or when his hand lingered against mine, a strange discomfort crept under my skin. It was subtle. Just a flicker of warning. And I told myself I was imagining it.

But on the wedding day, that feeling became harder to ignore.

As Papa walked me down the aisle, I felt my heartbeat quicken—not just from nervousness, but from something darker. Vinay's eyes found mine the moment I stepped into view, and for a fleeting second, his smile looked less like affection and more like satisfaction. As if... as if he had won something.

My stomach churned.

I tried to shake it off. The music was playing, the guests were clapping, and my lehenga sparkled under the lights. This was supposed to be my fairytale. Everyone said Vinay was perfect. I had no reason to feel this way.

But during the pheras, as we circled the sacred fire, I felt it again.

Vinay's hand gripped mine tighter than necessary. His fingers locked around mine like shackles. I glanced up at him, and in that instant—when the fire's glow lit his face from below—I saw it again. That same unsettling glint in his eyes. It wasn't tenderness. It wasn't love.

It was possession.

And my breath caught in my throat.

Panic flared within me, small but fierce. My steps faltered slightly, and I wondered, just for a second, if I was making a terrible mistake. Were these just cold feet—or was my instinct trying to warn me of something deeper, something dangerous?

But then I looked over at my parents.

Their eyes were wet with joy. Their hands were folded in prayer. They were so proud, so relieved to see their daughter stepping into a new life. And in that moment, their happiness outweighed every doubt in my heart.

I swallowed my fear.

You're imagining things, Jhanvi. This is just anxiety. Nothing's wrong. You're safe. Everything is fine.

I repeated those words like a mantra, forcing myself to smile through the rest of the ceremony. But somewhere deep within, a quiet voice whispered: Something isn't right. And you know it.

That night, as I stood by the window of my new home, the stars above seemed too far, too cold. Vinay entered the room, his presence quiet but heavy.

"It's been a long day. You should rest," he said gently, stepping closer.

I turned, managing a faint smile. "Thank you, Vinay. For everything."

He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "We're in this together now, Jhanvi."

I nodded slowly, though a part of me wasn't sure what "this" really meant.

As he walked away, I looked up at the sky again, clutching my dupatta closer. Everyone believed this was the beginning of my fairytale. But standing there, in the silence of that beautifully decorated room, all I could feel was a storm gathering beneath the surface—unseen, but inevitable.

And I had no idea what awaited me.

Note to Readers

The story is a slow-paced, mysterious and emotional one. So, the initial chapters will be slow and as you read, it will start becoming interesting in further chapters.

If you like this story, please provide support by clicking the LIKE button. Also provide your valuable feedback and comments via the Comment Section. It will help me to improve my writing skills.

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Note to Readers

What do you think about Jhanvi's feelings? Will something bad happen or will it be something else?  Comment your thoughts in the comment section. 

If you like this story, please provide support by clicking the LIKE button. Also provide your valuable feedback and comments via the Comment Section. It will help me to improve my writing skills.

For future updates and spoiler alerts please do follow me on Instagram