Chapter 2 – A Misunderstanding Begins

Silence filled the air as the temple bells echoed through the temple, marking the beginning of a moment no one had expected. Arjun's eyes widened in shock. "What?" He scoffed. "You're just giving up your so-called right?" His mother, Meera Raichand, hesitated. "No, beta… this is your family’s tradition. We can’t—"

Vaishnavi folded her hands. "Aunty ji, we all are equal before Mahadev. You came first, so you have the right. Please don’t refuse."

Panditji looked at Arjun, then Vaishnavi, and something flickered in his eyes. “Destiny brings certain people here for reasons we cannot yet understand.” He turned to Arjun. “You should perform the puja, beta.”

"Me?" Arjun chuckled. "You must be joking, Panditji. I don’t even believe in all this."

Karthik clenched his jaw. “Then don’t disrespect it.”

Arjun Scoffs “Me? First puja?” He looks at Vaishnavi "Is this some kind of test?"

Vaishnavi speaks Calmly "Faith isn’t a test. If your mother’s devotion is true, then God won’t mind the order of prayers."

Arjun hesitated. He never cared for rituals but something about her unwavering confidence irked him. He didn’t want to appear like a coward. He glanced at his mother, who nodded looking hopeful. He sighed and took the puja thali, stepping forward with disinterest. As the sacred mantras filled the air, he mechanically followed the priest’s instructions, dipping the flower in holy water and offering it to the Shiva Linga.

Pandit ji observed Arjun as he carefully lit the diya, his hands steady but his heart untouched. His brows furrowed in thought. “Only a true heir gets the first puja…” He glanced at Vaishnavi, who had stepped back, her hands folded. “Then how did Arjun get this opportunity?”

After Arjun finished, he stepped back, unimpressed. "There, done. Can I go now?"

Vaishnavi took her place, gracefully performing the rituals bowing her head with genuine devotion. Arjun found himself watching her unintentionally. The Pandit watched her with reverence, convinced that the Rana family’s legacy was not just a tradition—it was destiny.

As she finished, Panditji blessed her, and the moment the temple bells rang, Arjun smirked. "Look at that. Even the bells know when to make a dramatic effect."

Vaishnavi shot him a glare. "It’s called divine timing, not drama."

"Two true heirs… one bound by blood, the other by fate?" Pandit ji thinks

Arjun remains unmoved. He had no interest in divine connections or temple legacies.

"What a waste of time." He mutters

Vaishnavi shot him a look again, but before she could respond, his mother spoke. "Enough, Arjun. Show some respect. The Rana family is not just any family—they are the reason we are here."

Arjun turned to her, confused. That’s when she dropped the real shock."We’ve come here to finalize your marriage with them only."

Silence filled. Arjun blinked, then let out a short, dry laugh saying "You’re joking, right?"*

But before his mother could clarify, his sister Maya, jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"So, Vaishnavi is his bride?" she excitedly

Arjun’s gaze flickered to Vaishnavi, and for the first time, he really looked at her. She was beautiful, no doubt—elegant, yet strong. But in his mind, she was nothing more than a spoiled princess, blindly following outdated traditions.

"A fool who believes in rituals… interesting." He thinks

Vaishnavi is stunned, she quickly tried to clarify, but before she could speak, Karthik’s patience snapped. He grabbed Vaishnavi’s wrist and pulled her to his side. "Enough of this nonsense. Vaishnavi is mine." His possessiveness rang through his voice.

Arjun stared at him, then at Vaishnavi. “Huh. So she’s already taken?” He smirked, feeling oddly relieved. “Great. That saves me the trouble.” He had no interest in being tied down.

"This is ridiculous." Surya stepped forward. "You people came to meet Anu, not Vaishnavi!"

"Anu?" Arjun repeated, now fully confused.

Vaishnavi sighed and gestured to Surya. "My friend surya. The bride you came to meet is Anu, his sister."

Arjun’s mother looked startled. "Oh! I… I didn’t know. I just assumed—"

Maya deflated. "Oh no! I thought Vaishnavi was going to be my sister-in-law!"

Arjun shook his head. "Trust me, I did too."

Vaishnavi rolled her eyes. “I am not your type, Mr. Arjun Malhotra.”

"Thank God for that," Arjun muttered under his breath.

Karthik exhaled sharply, still holding onto Vaishnavi as if someone would snatch her away. “Let’s go.”

Maya, still eager, turned to Vaishnavi. "But can you at least show us around the temple?"

Karthik and Surya exchanged firm glances. "No," karthik answered. "We have important work."

"Then let her stay!" Maya pleaded.

“Vaishnavi won’t stay out without one of us." Surya clarifies

Arjun mocks. "Wow. You need two bodyguards all the time?"

Karthik stepped forward, his eyes dark with warning, but Vaishnavi stopped him with a look. She turned to Arjun. "I have responsibilities. My family trusts me, just like yours trusts you for your business."

Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Don’t compare my business to your temple traditions."

Surya looked at Vaishnavi. "Let’s go."

But before they could leave, Maya pouted. "Please stay, Vaishnavi! At least until Anu arrives?"

Karthik and surya frowns. "Anu wanted to meet Arjun alone." vaishnavi clarifies

Arjun groaned. "Why? I don’t even want this marriage."

Vaishnavi hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. I’ll wait."

Arjun rolled his eyes. He didn’t care for marriage, much less for meeting his so-called bride.

Karthik turns to Arjun "Fine. But she will stay under your watch."

Arjun smirked at the challenge, his gaze shifting to Vaishnavi. "Gladly."

At that moment, the temple bells rang loud and clear, sealing an unspoken deal between them.

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