The priest asked the bride and groom to sit down. Both of them sat. Then, the priest said, "Now, make the bride wear the mangalsutra."

The groom, meaning Astitva, made the bride wear the mangalsutra.

The priest then said, "Now, fill the bride's hairline with sindoor."

Astitva took a pinch of sindoor from the box and filled the bride's hairline.

Just then, someone turned on the large fan placed in front, causing the bride's veil to fly away.

Everyone was shocked to see the bride's face. The girl who had been sitting in the mandap as the bride now had an expression of pure fear. She immediately stood up, her eyes darting around in panic and innocence.

At that moment, a group of people entered, dressed in new clothes. Among them was another bride-one who wasn't wearing a veil.

A man and a woman from the group stepped forward and declared, "This wedding cannot happen!"

Before anyone could react, the priest firmly stated, "The wedding is already completed."

Everyone was left stunned and confused, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Meanwhile, the girl in the mandap suddenly bolted. She ran straight toward the woman standing in front and hid behind her, trembling in fear. As she ran, the sacred wedding cloth tied around Astitva's neck was pulled along with her.

The girl was visibly terrified.

Astitva's mother, witnessing the chaos, demanded, "What is happening? Who is this girl?" Then, her eyes fell on the other bride standing with the group, and she asked in disbelief, "Kashi, what is going on? How did this girl end up in the mandap instead of you?"

Kashi looked extremely distressed, her eyes filled with tears. She shook her head and said, "I don't know how this happened."

Astitva's mother turned toward the maid and asked sharply, "You were the one sent to bring the bride, right?"

The maid, trembling with fear, nodded. "Y-Yes, madam... I went to bring her."

Astitva's mother narrowed her eyes. "Which room did you go to? How could you bring this girl instead of Kashi? Tell me the room number!"

The maid hesitated before answering, "Madam, you told me to go to Room 196, so that's where I went."

Hearing this, a young man standing nearby gasped. "What?! But Kashi was in Room 169, not 196!"

A stunned silence filled the air.

Astitva's mother clutched her forehead in disbelief. "How could we make such a huge mistake?"

"Now what? The wedding has already happened."

Astitva's voice turned cold and dangerously firm as he spoke, "What's done is done. There's no need for unnecessary drama. The one I've married will be the one to come with me."

With that, he strode towards the girl, who was still hiding behind her mother. Looking at her mother, he said, "I understand that this marriage happened by mistake, but what's done cannot be undone. So, I seek your permission to take your daughter with me as my wife."

Everyone around was stunned. Astitva, who was known for his ruthless nature, was speaking so calmly and respectfully.

Kashi, who stood beside him, couldn't believe what she was hearing. She stepped forward, her voice filled with disbelief. "Astitva, what are you saying? You were supposed to marry me! How can you just accept this girl as your wife? It was a mistake, right?"

Astitva shot a deadly glare at Kashi, making her shiver in fear. She immediately fell silent. His voice was firm and unwavering as he spoke, "Whether this marriage happened by mistake or unknowingly, if it has taken place, then I will take full responsibility. Astitva Rajvansh never runs away from his responsibilities."

The girl's mother stood beside a man-most likely her father. Astitva walked up to him, his voice steady yet authoritative. "I promise you, I will never let your daughter suffer. If this marriage has happened, then I will take full responsibility for her. I will protect her from every hardship. This is my vow."

Hearing this, the girl's father sighed, conflicted but resigned. In the end, he was a father-how could he not think about his daughter's well-being? With a heavy heart, he nodded in agreement.

The girl's mother gently spoke to her, but the girl remained hidden behind her, too scared to step forward. Her face was still not visible, only her large, frightened eyes peeked out.

Astitva's mother and the others watched in confusion. Why was this woman talking to her daughter as if she were a little child? It was unusual, and it made them even more curious about the girl.

The woman lovingly coaxed her, "Baby, don't hide behind me. Come here."

The girl shook her head in refusal, her innocence evident in the small gesture.

The woman tried again, her voice softer, "Sweetheart, won't you listen to Mama? Or do you want to be a bad girl by ignoring Mama's words?"

At that, the girl hesitated before shaking her head again, indicating another 'no' with wide, tear-filled eyes.

Slowly, hesitantly, she peeked out from behind her mother, her tiny frame trembling as she sniffled, still visibly scared.

Astitva couldn't take his eyes off the girl. Her face held such innocence that anyone would feel drawn to her. He just kept staring, mesmerized by her delicate beauty.

The woman gently spoke again, "Don't be scared, sweetheart. This is your new family now." Then, pointing towards Astitva, she added with a soft smile, "And he is your husband."

The girl hesitated, then slowly lifted her eyes to meet Astitva's. Their gazes locked for a moment. Astitva was already enchanted by her-her innocence, her beauty-it was unlike anything he had ever seen.

But as soon as their eyes met, the girl quickly lowered her gaze to the floor, too shy or scared to hold it.

The woman turned to the others and said, "She's still frightened. You all talk among yourselves. I'll take her aside and explain everything to her." With that, she gently took the girl and walked away.

Meanwhile, Astitva and the girl's father remained seated.

The father let out a deep sigh and spoke, "I know all of this must feel strange to you, but none of us are at fault here. It just... happened."

To be continue.........

Who is this girl? Will Astitva accept her? Why does she behave like a child?

Stay tuned to find out!

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