01

Helloo cutie pies!!

So this is the very first chapter of this book and I really hope you like it.

Happy reading.💋

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The large hall was buzzing with people’s chit-chat, children’s laughter, and the clatter of plates as guests served each other food, enjoying the wedding. On the mandap, Pandit ji was chanting mantras.

Opposite him, a man sat in a well-stitched off-white sherwani. His hair was slightly pepper-and-salt, clearly in his late 30s. His sharp eyes were fixed on the havan kund, and soon his lips curved into a small, devilish smirk when Pandit ji said, “Dulhan ko bula lijiye.”

He turned his head slightly towards an old lady–Sabita–the bride’s mother, who was sitting there counting money. She looked up and nodded, then turned towards a beautiful young woman wearing a golden lehenga, no older than 25.

“Akshara, jaake Shri ko le aa,” the old lady said.

Akshara nodded and started walking towards the stairs, a small smirk dancing on her lips. She walked into the bride’s room, picked up the letter, and looked at her reflection, taking a deep breath.

“Don’t dare to laugh downstairs, warna tu toh maregi aur Shri ko bhi marvaegi,” she said strictly to her reflection.

She then made a tensed expression, sprinkled a few drops of water into her eyes, held the letter toghtly in her hand, and started running as fast as she could.

She rushed downstairs towards Shri’s mother, who was sitting near the mandap. After catching her breath, she said in a slightly loud voice, “Bua, Shri apne room mein nahi hai… aur yeh letter wahan tha.”

She blinked rapidly, forcing a fake tear to roll down her cheek. Shri’s mother looked at her in shock and immediately snatched the letter.

“Kya bakwaas kar rahi hai! Dimaag kharab ho gaya hai tera?”

Soon, Shubh–Shri’s stepbrother–came forward. “Kya ho gaya? Kahan hai Shri?”

Akshara looked at him, not breaking her act, letting another fake tear fall. “A-aap khud read kar lo…”

Shri’s mother, now fully tense and scared, glanced at the groom, who was already moving towards them, clearly burning with anger. He came forward, snatched the letter, and began reading–

“Mummy, I know aap meri shaadi paise ke liye karva rahi thi, aur aapka ‘beta, yeh tere bhalai ke liye hai’ mein kitna sach hai, mujhe sab pata hai. Aur itna pyaar achanak aapko aaya kahan se aa rha hai vho bhi.

But you know what? Hum na itni ‘mahaan’ hai ki aapke kehne par kisi 39 saal ke buddhe se shaadi kar le, aur na hi itni ‘gawar’ hai ki aapki chipri chupri baaton mein aa jaaye.

And yes, I am running away.

Aur thanks to you, ki hume bilkul guilt nahi hai, infact main to khush hoon ki finally aap sab se door jane mil raha hai. Aaj aapke liye sabse bada din hone wala tha na? But see Bhagwan ki leela. Yeh humara liye sabse bada din ban gaya.

Aaj mera pehla sapna poora ho gaya… aur ab mere saare sapne poore honge.

Now let me talk to Mr. Abhimaan Thakur. Haan toh bhai Abhimaan. Tere andar jitna ‘abhimaan’ hai na, usko havan kund mein daal! aur jala de, kyunki teri kabhi na hone wali dulhan bhaag gayi hai.

Aur hume bhagne se zyada khushi is baat ki hai ki tere jaise chutiya aadmi ki izzat ka kabaada hamare haathon hua hai. My proud moment.

Bas dukh iss baat ka hai ki hum yeh sab witness nahi kar payenge. (Witness matlab ‘gavaah’ hota hai agar by chance tumhe nahi pata. I mean, 12th fail ho na tum.)

Aur haan sharam kar le. 39 saal ka buddha hai tu, aur tera 1 baccha hain 5 saal ka. Usse hame ‘didi’ bolna chahiye, aur tu chahta hai ki hum ‘maa’ bane uski?

And yeah! your audacity ki tune 2 crore diye mere ghar walon ko… TO BUY ME?

Shakal pe ‘pagal’ likha dikha tha kya humare, jo tune soch liya ki hum chup chaap shaadi kar lenge?

Whatever. Enjoy kabhi na hone wali shaadi ka khana. Apne bacche ko utha aur nikal.

Chutiya saala.”

Abhimaan finished reading. His anger was beyond limits. He turned towards Shubh and slapped him so hard that he fell to the ground. A collective gasp spread through the hall.

He bent down, grabbed Shubh’s collar, and punched him again and again, "Tune bola tha ki teri Behen Sidhi hai. Ye hai iska sidhapaan!??" He bark at him loudly until Sabita rushed forward and fell at his feet.

“Thakur sahab, chhod dijiye mere bete ko… bheekh maangte hain hum…” she cried.

He grabbed her cheeks tightly, making her hiss in pain. “Ek mahine ka waqt hai tumhare paas. Tumhari beti humein hamare kadmon mein chahiye. Kyuki agar vho tumhe nhi mili to hum dhoond to lenge hei aur fir paisa aur zameen toh jaayegi hi…par jaan bhi nahi bakshenge ham.”

His voice was low and terrifying. She nodded in fear.

He pushed her away and walked off, burning with rage.

“Mast scene hai na? But sadly main witness nahi kar paayi, kyunki main toh plane mein hoon. Finally free and happy.

Arey! Sorry, sorry introduction toh diya hi nahi.

Hum hain Shri Mehra. Waise toh hum 22 saal ke hain, but humare andar bohot himmat hai. Matlab of course tabhi toh ghar se bhaag liye.

Chalo, tumhe batate hain ki bhaage kaise… uske liye thoda 3 ghante peeche jaana padega.”

3 hours ago

“Shri, jaldi kar. Siddhi neeche car mein wait kar rahi hai,” Akshara said hurriedly, glancing between Shri, the window, and her phone.

“Behen, jaldi kar! Kya likh rahi hai?”

Shri quickly folded the paper and walked towards her. “Didi, jab aap acting karte hue neeche jaogi ki main room mein nahi hoon, tab yeh le jaana aur bolna ki maine likha hai, okay?”

Akshara looked at the letter. “Kya hai yeh?”

Shri casually moved towards the bed and continued eating her pav bhaji. “Arey, movies nahi dekhi kya? Dulhan bhagne se pehle letter chhod ke jaati hai.”

Akshara stared at her in disbelief but sighed. “Acha chal, ab nikal. Koi aa na jaye.”

“Kanha ji hai na, chill,” Shri said calmly, taking another bite.

Akshara shook her head. “Tumko khane se fursat milta nhi hai aur kanha ji dhak lenge, Itna confidence?.”

Shri giggled as she finished her food and sat on the window. Making Akshara worried, "Gir maat jaana" 

“Arey chill, mera daily ka hai.” Shri said carefreely.

“Aram se!” Akshara warned again.

But Shri just smiled and jumped onto the overhang, then down onto the grass. She quickly stood up, waved at Akshara, and ran towards the back of the haveli, lifting her gown slightly—revealing her sneakers.

Soon she reached the car. Siddhi was already in the driver’s seat, signaling her to hurry.

“Chal bhai!”

With a bright smile, Siddhi started the car. Soon, they reached the airport. Shri checked in, and as they reached the waiting area, an announcement echoed through the speakers.

“Abey yaar, change karna tha…” Shri pouted, looking down at her heavy bridal lehenga.

Siddhi smiled and pulled her into a hug. Shri hugged her back tightly.

“Ja, kar le apna sapna poora. Finally aazaad hai tu.”

Shri giggled softly. “Haan… finally Vishnu Malhotra se milne milega… finally hum author banenge… finally hum Mumbai ja rahe hain!”

She jumped slightly in excitement, her eyes filling with tears which she never let fall.

“Accha sun,” Siddhi said, handing her a phone. “Land karte hi Aditya ko call karna. He’ll send you the location. Aur yeh phone rakh, isme bas mera aur Aditya ka number hai. Akshara didi ka nahi hai, kyunki ghar mein kisi ne dekh liya toh problem ho jaata.”

Shri nodded. “Samajh gayi.”

“Ab ja,” Siddhi said softly.

Shri took a deep breath and walked towards the boarding gate.

Soon, she was inside the flight.

People gave her strange looks because of her bridal outfit, but she didn’t care. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she searched for her seat. Once she found it, she sat down, smiling brightly as she looked out the window.

It was her first flight and that too alone.

She quickly took out her phone and clicked a few pictures. Despite everything, she wasn’t scared. Her happiness of finally being free was far greater than her nervousness.

“Hey!”

Shri turned her head and saw a girl sitting beside her, smiling brightly.

“Hello,” Shri replied.

“Tum apni shaadi se bhaagi ho?” the girl asked, eyes shining with excitement.

Shri nodded casually. “Haan.”

“Oh my God!” the girl gasped. “Mera hamesha se sapna tha ki main kisi ladki ko shaadi se bhaagte hue witness karu! Matlab, you understand that’s so cool! Naam kya hai tumhara?”

Shri laughed lightly at her excitement. “Shri. Shri Mehra. Aur tumhara?”

“Aadhira. Aadhira Malhotra,” she said proudly.

“Tum bhi yahin rehti ho?” Shri asked.

Aadhira shook her head. “Nahi, main toh Mumbai mein rehti hoon. Bas yahan explore karne aayi thi. Par tumne bhaagne ke liye Mumbai hi kyun choose kiya?”

Shri smiled softly. “Mera dream college hai wahan.”

“Wow,” Aadhira said, impressed. “Padhai ke liye bhaagi ho… that’s brave. Agar tum bolti boyfriend ke liye bhaagi ho, toh main shayad seat change kar leti.”

Shri laughed. “Mera sapna hi mera boyfriend hai.”

Aadhira smiled warmly. “May God fulfill each and every one of your dreams.”

Shri’s smile softened. “Thank you...”

They kept talking throughout the journey—random topics, laughter, light teasing—like they had known each other for years.

After landing, Shri stepped out of the Mumbai airport.

Her smile widened.

“Finally…”

Aadhira adjusted her bag. “Chalo, main chalti hoon. Mera driver wahan hai.”

Shri nodded. “Bye. Milte hain baad mein.”

“Definitely,” Aadhira smiled and walked away.

Shri took a taxi, gave the driver the address Aditya had sent, and immediately called him.

“Hello Adiii!!!” she chirped.

On the other side, Aditya smiled hearing her voice. “Hello, bacha! Theek se land hui na? Airport pe koi problem toh nahi hua?”

“Bilkul nahi!” Shri said happily. “Aur mujhe ek ladki mili almost meri age ki. Bhai, woh humse zyada khush ho rahi thi! She said she always wanted to meet a runaway bride.

Bohot sweet thi we exchanged numbers too.”

Aditya’s tone turned serious. “Bacha, sun. Kisi stranger se friendly mat ho abhi. Main next month aa raha hoon na? Tab tak distance maintain kar. Abhimaan pakka tujhe dhoond raha hoga.”

Shri quickly interrupted, “Arey bas bas, bullet train shaant! Samajh gayi main. Jab tak tu nahi aata, kisi se dosti nahi karenge. Okay?”

Aditya sighed but smiled. “Theek hai. Ab complex pahunch, watchman se meri baat kara, phir fresh ho, kuch kha, aur call karna.”

“Okay! Tata!”

“Bye, bacha.”

Soon, the taxi stopped in front of the complex.

“Bhaiya, signal ke uss side utaar dijiye na, mere paas bohot luggage hai,” Shri requested.

Driver shook his head. “Madam, mujhe iss side se jana hai. Aap manage kar lijiye.”

Shri sighed but nodded.

She stepped out, collected her luggage, paid the driver, and started walking. She stopped near the signal.

No vehicles were coming.

“Chalo…” she muttered and stepped forward.

Suddenly—

HONK!

A speeding car came rushing towards her.

Her eyes widened in shock. Her feet froze. Instinctively, she covered her ears and stood still.

The car screeched to a halt just inches away from her.

The door flew open.

“Are you insane?” a masculine voice snapped.

Shri snapped out of her daze and glared at him. “Maybe. But at least I’m not the one driving like the road belongs to him."

“Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?” he said sharply.

“And maybe,” Shri shot back, “if people stopped driving like they own the road–”

“And maybe,” he interrupted calmly, “if people stopped running blindly into traffic, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“Oh please! Road toh empty tha. Aapki car achanak prakat ho gayi, toh hamari kya galti?” she snapped, crossing her arms.

The man sighed, rubbing his forehead. His eyes studied her.

Bridal outfit. Shaking hands. Forced attitude.

It was obvious—she was a runaway bride.

And terrified.

But trying hard not to show it.

“Accha, jao ab,” he said finally. “Let me leave too.”

Shri smirked. “Aa gaye na line pe?”

She flipped her hair, grabbed her luggage, and walked off toward her complex.

The man stood there, slightly stunned.

“Pagal ladki…” he muttered before getting back into his car.

Shri entered the complex, called Aditya, and handed the phone to the guard.

“Ji, theek hai sahab,” the guard said after listening, then returned the phone.

“Aap ja sakti hain. D3 block, 5th floor, flat number 124.”

He handed her the keys.

“Thank you,” Shri smiled and walked inside.

She unlocked the door and stepped in.

Her eyes widened.

“Yeh… exactly waise hi hai…”

The flat was exactly how she had once described it to Aditya and Siddhi.

She giggled softly, feeling overwhelmed.

“Pagal log… seriously le liya…”

She quickly locked the door, double-checked it, and then began exploring the house like a child who just got her favorite toy.

Everything was there.

Everything she needed.

After a while, she changed into a light night suit, made herself a bowl of Maggi, and called Aditya and Siddhi on conference.

“Hellooo!!!”

“Hello!”

“Hii guys!”

They talked for a while about her safety, comfort, everything.

Then Siddhi smirked. “Shri, kal tera college ka pehla din hai na? Finally tu apne Vishnu Malhotra se milegi.”

Shri blushed instantly.

Aditya joined in, grinning. “Oye haan! Kal tu finally jijaji se milegi!”

“Bas karo yaar… humein sharam aati hai…” Shri muttered, hiding her face.

Siddhi burst out laughing.

Aditya pouted dramatically. “Bacha, tu itne mein hi sharma jayegi toh main aur Siddhi mama-maasi kaise banenge?”

“Bhai, tujhe mouth filter ki zarurat hai,” Siddhi said, still laughing.

Shri turned red. “Kutta! Itna maarenge na ki khud ke mama-maasi yaad aa jayenge! Badtameez!”

They laughed together.

Then Aditya asked, “Waise, pehchaanegi kaise us Vishnu ko? Shakal toh kabhi dekhi nahi.”

“Exactly!” Siddhi added. “17 saal ki umar se pagal hai tu us author ke peeche, aur kabhi face bhi nahi dekha!”

Shri sighed dramatically. “Abe gawaro… Vishnu sir wahan professor hain Psychology ke. Soch! Unki classes attend karne ke liye mujhe Psychology padhna padega!”

They both chuckled.

The conversation slowly faded into comfort.

After the call ended, Shri lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

A soft smile appeared on her face.

“Kal…”

She closed her eyes.

“Finally…”

And drifted into sleep excited to meet her idol,

Vishnu Malhotra.