Chapter 1: Introduction
The air in the bridal suite was thick with the heady scent of jasmine and sandalwood, a tantalizing blend that seemed to cling to the very walls of the room. The heavy red velvet drapes were drawn, secluding Akansha and Kartik from the world outside, as if the rest of the universe ceased to exist in that very moment.
Akansha stood before the large mirror, her reflection announcing the crimson hue of her saree, a stark contrast against her smooth, ebony skin. She smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and mischief.