Ties That Bind

3

### **Chapter 3: Silent Yet Elegant**

The night sky hung heavy with clouds, shrouding the city of Mumbai in a cool, misty darkness. The Sharma estate, however, glittered with a thousand lights, the grand courtyard transformed into a stunning display of wealth and elegance. Soft music played in the background, the kind that soothed the soul but did nothing to calm the tension bubbling beneath the surface.

Inside the estate, every detail of the wedding was meticulously curated. Long tables covered in white silk held exquisite floral arrangements of marigolds and roses, their scent wafting delicately through the air. Golden chandeliers hung overhead, casting a soft, warm glow across the marble floors. Guests in extravagant saris and finely tailored suits milled about, whispering behind bejeweled masks of courtesy.

Yet despite the grand setting, there was an unmistakable weight to the occasion. The union of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was more than just a wedding—it was an alliance, a fusion of two powerful families. And everyone knew it.

Virat stood in front of the ornate mirror in a small, private room just off the grand hall, his heart a steady drumbeat in his chest. He barely recognized the man staring back at him. Dressed in a cream-colored sherwani with gold detailing, his dark hair swept back in soft waves, he looked every bit the part of a groom. But the knot in his stomach reminded him that this was not a day he had ever imagined for himself.

He swallowed hard, the feeling of being trapped settling over him like a second skin. The marriage was inevitable, a path he had no choice but to walk. And Rohit—Virat had only spoken to him briefly, but that short conversation had left a deep impression. Rohit was everything Virat wasn't: cold, commanding, utterly unyielding. Virat didn't know how to fit into Rohit's world, but he was determined not to be swallowed whole by it.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Shikhar Dhawan, Krunal's husband, standing in the doorway. Shikhar's quiet presence had always been comforting in its simplicity. Even though they didn't know each other well, Virat appreciated his gentle nature amidst the storm that surrounded them.

"It's time," Shikhar said softly, stepping into the room. His gaze swept over Virat, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You look... perfect."

Virat gave a small, nervous smile in return. "Perfect for a wedding I never wanted."

Shikhar's smile faltered, and for a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something. But he merely stepped forward and adjusted the collar of Virat's sherwani, his touch reassuring. "You're stronger than you think," Shikhar whispered before stepping aside. "Just... hold on to that."

Virat nodded, his resolve hardening. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he couldn't afford to appear weak. Not in front of Rohit. Not in front of the dozens of eyes waiting for the wedding to begin.

When he stepped into the main hall, the murmurs of the guests fell into a hush. The chandeliers flickered softly, casting a golden glow over the gathering. Virat's gaze swept across the room, and then it landed on Rohit, standing at the front of the altar.

Rohit was breathtaking, dressed in a deep maroon sherwani with gold embroidery, his stance as rigid and imposing as ever. His sharp eyes met Virat's the moment he entered, the intensity in them enough to make the room feel even smaller. There was no warmth in Rohit's gaze, no softness. Only quiet, controlled power.

Virat took a slow breath, reminding himself of Shikhar's words. He straightened his back and walked toward Rohit, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

The ceremony proceeded like a well-rehearsed performance. The priest recited the sacred vows, their words heavy with tradition and obligation. Rohit's expression remained unreadable, his jaw tight as he went through the motions. Virat, for his part, followed the priest's instructions, his hands trembling slightly as he accepted the garlands, the silk cloth that symbolized their binding.