Chapter 1 - The Empty Bridal Room

The wedding was supposed to start in forty minutes. Rajvansh Haveli was glowing with golden lights and flowers. Music was playing in the courtyard and guests were moving around happily, waiting for the bride and groom. Everything looked perfect from outside, but upstairs, near the bridal room, everything had suddenly gone silent.

"Meera?"

Kavya stood at the door and looked inside again. The room was empty. Meera's red bridal dupatta was lying on the bed. Her jewellery was still there. Her phone was on the dressing table and even her wedding shoes were beside the bed. Everything was there except the bride.

"Check the bathroom again," Rajeshwari Devi said calmly.

"We already checked it, Dadi."

"Then check it again."

Kavya didn't argue. She turned around and left. Rajeshwari looked at the empty room with a worried expression. She had seen many things in her life, but something about this didn't feel right.

Arjun was standing near the window. He had been silent for several minutes. He was dressed in his black wedding sherwani and looked completely calm, but his eyes were fixed on the empty bed.

Kavya came back a few minutes later. "She's not anywhere in the house."

Arjun finally moved. He walked toward the dressing table and picked up Meera's phone. There was a small piece of paper underneath it. He pulled it out and read the words written on it.

I am sorry.

Kavya looked at him. "What does it say?"

Arjun gave her the paper.

Rajeshwari took it from her and read it. Her face changed immediately.

"Close the gates," she said.

Everyone looked at her.

"Dadi?"

"No one leaves this house until we find Meera."

---

Three hours earlier, Aanya Mehra had no idea that her life was about to change.

She was sitting in the back of an auto, staring at a message on her phone.

Come to Rajvansh Haveli immediately.

She had no idea why they wanted her there. She didn't even know the Rajvansh family personally. She had only heard their name many times. They were one of the most powerful families in the city and today's wedding was supposed to be the biggest event of the year.

Her mother had called her a few minutes earlier. Aanya could tell from her voice that something was wrong.

"Ma, do you know why they called me?"

"No," her mother had replied too quickly.

Aanya frowned. "You're lying."

There was silence.

"Just come home after you finish whatever they want," her mother finally said.

Before Aanya could ask anything else, the call ended.

When the auto stopped outside the huge gates of Rajvansh Haveli, Aanya looked up at the building. It was beautiful but strangely intimidating. Golden lights covered the walls and flowers hung from every balcony. Guests were dressed in expensive clothes and music could be heard from inside.

A woman in a green saree walked toward her.

"You're Aanya Mehra?"

"Yes."

"I am Kavya Rajvansh. Come with me."

Aanya followed her through the crowded hallway. The further they walked, the quieter it became. Finally, Kavya opened a large wooden door.

Several people were waiting inside.

Aanya immediately recognized Rajeshwari Devi. She also noticed the man standing near the window.

Arjun Rajvansh.

The groom.

He looked at her without saying anything.

Aanya felt uncomfortable. "Why did you call me here?"

Rajeshwari looked at her for a long moment before asking, "Do you know Meera?"

"Yes, but we're not close."

"Have you spoken to her recently?"

"No. Why?"

Nobody answered.

Aanya looked from one face to another. "What happened?"

Arjun finally spoke.

"Meera is missing."

Aanya stared at him. "What?"

"She disappeared before the wedding."

Aanya thought they were joking, but nobody was smiling.

Then Rajeshwari said something that made Aanya completely speechless.

"We want you to take her place."

Aanya stared at her.

"You want me to what?"

"Marry Arjun tonight."

Aanya gave a nervous laugh because surely this had to be some kind of misunderstanding.

"No. Absolutely not."

She turned toward the door, but Rajeshwari stopped her with one sentence.

"Your father's company is in serious debt."

Aanya froze.

Slowly, she turned around.

"How do you know that?"

Rajeshwari didn't answer.

Aanya's heart started beating faster. "Why do you know anything about my family?"

Rajeshwari looked at her calmly. "Because Meera asked us to bring you here."

Aanya felt even more confused.

"Why would Meera ask for me?"

"That is what we don't know."

Before Aanya could say anything, her phone rang.

It was her father.

"Papa?"

His voice sounded tired. "Aanya, where are you?"

"At Rajvansh Haveli."

There was silence.

Then he said quietly, "Leave that place."

Aanya's face changed. "Why?"

"I should have told you about the Rajvanshs a long time ago."

"What are you talking about?"

The call suddenly ended.

Aanya stared at her phone.

Then she looked at Arjun.

He was watching her carefully.

Before anyone could speak, Arjun's phone rang. He answered it and listened silently. His expression slowly changed.

"What happened?" Kavya asked.

Arjun looked at Aanya.

"They found a letter in Meera's room."

Aanya frowned. "A letter?"

Arjun nodded.

"It has your name on it."

Aanya's heart stopped.

"My name?"

He walked toward her and handed her the envelope.

AANYA MEHRA

was written across it.

Her hands trembled as she opened it.

There was only one sentence inside.

If I am gone, don't trust the person who tells you I ran away.

Aanya slowly looked up.

Eve

ryone in the room was staring at her.

And suddenly, she understood one thing.

Meera's disappearance had nothing to do with a cancelled wedding.

Somebody had brought Aanya into this house for a reason.