{Third person's pov}

As Ankush and Sharvika exchanged the rings, the crowd hooted and clapped for them, A smile laced on Ankush's parents' faces.

Sharvika's father smiled, looking at his daughter all grown up and finally entering a new phase of her life, Sharvika was just five when she lost her mother.

His father gave her everything and gave his best to her mother and father both, and Sharvika appreciated that more than her life.

Sharvika was standing with different guests, as they were complementing her.

Meanwhile Ankush looked at the entrance, A talk man standing in black tuxedo, Ankush smiled widely and walked towards him, "Bhai, You are late."

Ankush hugged Veeransh while complaining. Veeransh hugged Ankush back, patting his back lightly.

"I had to finish some business deals before I could come," he replied, his voice indifferent as usual.

He pulled away, his gaze sweeping over the extravagant decorations and the guests.

"At least you came," Ankush smiled and led him inside. "Mumma, papa bhai is here." Ankush said, letting their parents know that Veeransh is back.

Their parents looked up from their conversation, a wide smile spreading on their faces.

"Ah, Veeransh beta," Mr. Raichand said, gesturing for him to come over. "We were hoping you would make it on time."

"You know the traffic here in Delhi, papa." Veeransh replied with a chuckle and hugged his dad.

Mr. Raichand patted him on the back, a proud smile on his face. "Always running around the world, but you managed to make it for your brother's special day."

Veeransh nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, trying to sound nonchalant but there was a hint of affection in his voice.

"Oh Veeransh, I thought you wouldn't come." His mother hugged him, "I missed you son." She whispered.

Veeransh softened at his mother's words, embracing her warmly. "I missed you too, Maa."

He knew how much his mother worried about him, always nagging him to take a break from work and settle down.

"Now your younger brother is getting married, when will you get married?" His mother asked while breaking the hug.

Veeransh rolled his eyes at his mother's prying question. It was like a broken record every time he visited.

"Maa, not this again." He said, his tone exasperated but affectionate. "I've told you, I'm not interested in marriage right now."

"But you have to get married one day Right? You are already old enough." His mother said making him chuckle.

"Don't worry ma, You are already getting a daughter in law. Why worry about getting another, take care of her and be happy." He smiled and hugged his mother again.

His mother chuckled softly, patting his cheek. "but who will worry about my Veeransh?"

Veeransh just shrugged, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "I can take care of myself, Maa. You don't need to worry about me."

"Come bhai, I will introduce you to Sharvika. You guys have never met before." Ankush said.

Veeransh nodded and walked with Ankush, Ankush approached where Sharvika was standing and placed his hand of her waist making her turn around.

"Sharvika, meet my older brother Mr. Veeransh Raichand." Ankush chuckled making Sharvika smile.

She forwarded her hand for a hand shake, "I am Sharvika."

Veeransh took her hand, giving it a firm but polite shake. His grip was steady, his dark eyes briefly assessing her before he let go.

"Veeransh," he introduced himself simply. "Congratulations to both of you."

His tone was formal, detached, typical of how he spoke when there was no need for unnecessary words.

"Thank you so much." Sharvika smiled and looked at Ankush, making Ankush smile.

Ankush leaned in, whispering something playful to Sharvika, likely a teasing remark that made her lightly swat his arm with an eye-roll, though her lips curved up in amusement. The moment was warm, intimate even. 

Veeransh watched them silently before clearing his throat. "I should go greet the other guests," he said flatly and walked away without another word, leaving the couple to their shared laughter.

Sharvika looked at Veeransh and back to Ankush. "Isn't he older? Why are you getting married before him?" Sharvika asked.

Ankush shrugged, a small smile still lingering on his face. "He's never been interested in marriage. Work always comes first for him."

He glanced over at Veeransh who was engaged in a conversation with a group of businessmen, his demeanor cool and detached as usual.

"He's a good man though," Ankush added, a hint of pride in his voice. "Just too damn serious sometimes."

"Understandable," Sharvika replied. "It feels different, we are getting married in a few days."

Ankush nodded and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. He chuckled softly. "Nervous, huh?"

Sharvika rolled her eyes, but there was warmth in her gaze as she playfully swatted his arm. "As if. I'm more concerned about how I'll put up with you for the rest of my life."

"It's an arranged marriage, but thanks to you that you cherish me so much." She smiled softly.

Ankush chuckled and squeezed her waist, his smile turning into a cocky grin. "You're stuck with me now."

Sharvika scoffed, trying to feign annoyance but failing. "Yeah, what a lucky girl I am," she quipped with a touch of sarcasm.

........

It was the Haldi ceremony, Sharvika and Ankush were seated in the middle of the garden.

All the guests were complementing how good they looked together, "I will bring the Haldi." One of Ankush's cousin said and his mother nodded.

Veeransh was seated at a corner, looking at his phone and suddenly he got a call, He got up to recieve it just to collide with his cousin sister who was carrying the bowl of haldi.

Some Haldi got on him making everyone gasp, "Are you alright?" He asked his cousin and she nodded.

The haldi was safe but some of it got on him. "It's inauspicious," his mother said making him frown, "What?" He asked.

"The haldi should be applied to the groom and bride first, then only it should be applied on someone else." His mother said making him chuckle.

"Ma it was an accident, don't overthink. It's fine I will go change, you should start the ceremony." He smiled and walked away.

Ankush glanced over at Veeransh as he walked away. He chuckled softly, knowing that his mother's worry was just typical maternal instincts.

As soon as Veeransh was gone, the ceremony resumed, and the haldi was properly applied to Ankush and Sharvika. They sat side by side, both with golden-orange haldi on their skin, sharing amused eye rolls at the traditional significance of it all.

Meanwhile, Veeransh was upstairs swapping his now-stained shirt for a new one, muttering quietly to himself about the supposed "inauspicious" incident.

..........

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