Nikolai stood by the grand doorway, his tall frame composed yet carrying a quiet tension beneath the surface. The golden lights of the mansion reflected against his sharp features as Bhairavi stepped forward with a playful glint in her eyes. Without warning, she reached up and pinched his nose lightly. Nikolai blinked in surprise before a rare smile spread across his lips. She laughed softly and, without giving him time to react, grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside.
As he stepped in, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The hall was alive—music, laughter, fragrance of flowers, and the presence of two powerful families merging into one moment. The groom's family was welcomed with warmth, respect, and grandeur.
Nikolai subtly reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The time read 7:09 pm.
Right on schedule.
Salvatore sat beside him, leaning back casually, while Xeno stood close, arms folded, scanning the room.
"Nervous?" both men asked at the same time.
"No," Nikolai replied flatly.
They both chuckled at him.
His phone buzzed again. Two messages. From the women he had already blocked. Without even glancing at the content, he dismissed them instantly.
"She will be fine," Xeno said, his tone calm but certain.
Nikolai inhaled deeply, his chest rising slowly.
"Yeah… she will be," he murmured under his breath.
Across the hall, another story quietly bloomed. Daria and Leonid stood together, closer than before. After weeks of persistence, patience, and proof, Leonid had asked her to be his girlfriend. She had said yes. Now, he leaned down slightly.
"Hey baby," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
She smiled softly and rested her head against his chest, comforted by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Nikolai, please come sit here at the wedding altar," Rafsan called out.
Nikolai nodded once, stood up, and moved forward with controlled steps. As he sat, the women around began clapping rhythmically.
Then came the moment.
The brothers stepped forward, holding high a breathtaking canopy—the Phoolon ki Chadar.
A flowing canopy of hand-woven ivory silk, layered with cascading fresh jasmine and white roses, delicately touched with deep teal orchids to match her bridal look. Soft strings of pearls and Swarovski crystals shimmered between the blooms, catching every flicker of light. Delicate gold filigree framed the edges, while a faint attar fragrance followed its movement. The chadar was held high, creating a regal floating aura—as if a queen walked beneath a garden of stars.
And beneath it—
She came.
The women began to sing, their voices weaving emotion and tradition into one:
Shubh aagaman ho rani meri (Welcome my queen divine)
Phoolon ki baarish mehka jahaan (Flowers fall and fragrance fills the world)
Chaand bhi jhukkar dekhe tujhe (Even the moon bows to see you)
Noor tera sabse roshan yahan (Your light shines brightest here)
Aayi hai dulhan shehzadi si (The bride arrives like a princess)
Saansein ruk jaayein dekh ke tujhe (Breath stops at your beauty)
Payal ki dhun meethi si bole (Your anklets sing so softly)
Dil sabka dhadke sirf tere liye (Every heart beats only for you)
Mahira meri rooh ki rani (Mahira queen of my soul)
Ishq tera meri kahaani (Your love is my story)
Zameen asmaan sajde karein (Earth and sky bow to you)
Tu hai meri zindagani (You are my life)
Laal chunar hawa mein lehraye (Your red veil dances in the wind)
Sundar kadam mehfil sajaaye (Your steps decorate the gathering)
Har nazar bas tujhpe thehri (Every gaze is fixed on you)
Rab ne tujhe fursat se banaye (God created you with care)
Aaj ka din hai noor se bhara (Today is filled with light)
Dulhan meri sabse juda (My bride is one of a kind)
Aangan mein swarg utar aaya (Heaven descends into this home)
Jab tu mere ghar mein aayi (When you enter my home)
Karim gently held her hands and guided her forward. Lilith—Mahira—her face hidden beneath her veil, was seated beside Nikolai.
Riyana leaned forward carefully, lifting the veil just enough to see her daughter's face. The moment she saw Lily—Mihu—she smiled with relief and love. Lily giggled softly.
Riyana performed a protective ritual, circling money around her daughter's head to ward off evil, then handed it to Nihal, who passed it to a boy to give to the poor. The children ran out happily.
In another corner, a small heartbreak unfolded.
Dylan sat alone, crying quietly.
Taran—Massimo—noticed immediately. He walked over and crouched beside him.
"Hey buddy… what's wrong?" he asked, lifting him gently onto his lap.
"Nobody be my fwend… nobody love me… Danny alone… mama no love me… no fwend… nobody play me… I alone… nobody want me…" Dylan sobbed, covering his face.
"Hey… hey…" Taran said softly. "Don't cry. Look at me. Aren't I your friend?"
Dylan nodded slowly.
"In Russia, you'll have lots of friends in school. And we can play any games you want. I promise. Now stop crying. Let's have sweets and dance, okay?"
Dylan hugged him tightly.
Elena rushed over moments later.
"Danny, I've been looking for you everywhere, my love," she said, kissing his cheeks.
"He's a little sad," Taran explained.
"Why baby?" Elena asked gently.
"Nobody loves me…"
"Oh baby… mama loves you so much," she whispered, kissing his hair.
"And I love you too, buddy," Taran added.
Dylan looked up, teary-eyed. "Really?"
"Of course. I love you… and your mama."
Elena froze, stunned.
Taran lifted Dylan into the air, making him laugh again.
"Thank you," Elena whispered.
"Are your bags packed?" Taran asked.
She nodded.
"Good. My plane will take you."
"P…p…plane?"
"Private. And I'll enroll Dylan in the best school in Russia. After the wedding, I'll call you."
He kissed Dylan's cheek. Then Elena's.
"Bye princess."
And he walked back.
The ceremony continued.
The priest began chanting mantras as the couple stood for the Varmaala / Jaimala (Garland Exchange)—a ritual symbolizing mutual acceptance and respect between bride and groom.
"Mihu, here," Rafsan said, handing her the garland.
She giggled and stepped forward—but suddenly, Rohan signaled Vishal, and they pulled Nikolai back.
"Hey!" Nikolai protested.
"Not so fast, Lily," Damian teased. "You have to earn him."
She pouted, hands on her waist.
"If you get the garland on him, we'll do anything you say," Rohan challenged.
"Sach mein? (Really?)"
"Ha! (Yes!)"
"M…mkay," she said, sticking out her tongue.
She tried again—but they lifted Nikolai higher.
Ariz and Nihal exchanged a look.
Then—
"Remember the basketball game?" Dr. Liv said.
"Uh huh?" Lily grinned.
And in one swift move—
She threw the garland perfectly around Nikolai's neck.
"YES!" her family cheered.
Nikolai chuckled.
Now his turn.
Ariz and Nihal lifted Lily high.
Nikolai froze. "Tf?"
Meghna laughed.
"You know what's funny, Bambi?" he said.
"N…nope!"
"It's funny because you brought her to my level."
He stepped forward and placed the garland on her.
"Awwww," Ariz sighed dramatically.
Laughter filled the hall.
Next came Kanyadaan—the sacred giving away of the bride by her parents, symbolizing trust and the transfer of responsibility.
"The bride's mother, please step forward," the priest said.
Riyana placed Lilith's tiny hand into Nikolai's large one.
"Take good care of her," she said, kissing their hands.
She tied their garments together—a symbol of union—and returned to Sohan.
Then came Havan—the sacred fire ritual, representing divine witness to the marriage. They offered prayers together, hands joined.
Then Mangalsutra—Nikolai tied the sacred black and gold necklace around her neck, symbolizing marital commitment and protection.
Then Sindoor—he applied red vermilion into her hair parting, marking her as a married woman.
Then the Saptapadi—seven steps around the fire, each step representing a vow:
Trust
Prosperity
Strength
Family
Loyalty
Health
Friendship and lifelong togetherness
Lily held his hand tightly, giggling softly as they completed the final step.
"Now you are husband and wife," the priest said.
They took blessings from elders.
Then—
It was time.
Vidaai—the bride's farewell.
Tears filled the room.
Riyana wiped her daughter's tears.
Sohan kissed her forehead.
"Bye, my little deer… Baba loves you."
"B…b…bye… Baba…" she whispered, hugging him tightly.
They all embraced her.
She was given rice, which she threw behind her—a gesture symbolizing repaying her parents' love and wishing prosperity for her home.
Outside, the decorated Bentley waited.
She turned one last time.
"I love you all!"
They waved back through tears.
Nikolai reached out.
She placed her small hand in his.
He helped her into the car.
"Thank you," he said quietly before entering.
As the car drove off, she leaned out the window, smiling through tears.
Sohan chuckled softly through his own.
Nikolai looked at her.
She turned, eyes still wet.
"Shhh… it's okay, sweetheart," he said, kissing her forehead.
She hugged him tightly.
He kissed her again.
And as the car disappeared into the night—
The queen left her kingdom behind…
And journeyed toward the castle that awaited her.