Hook:

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. And Aryan? He had just enough knowledge to blow up a wedding."

The Night Before the Wedding

The Mehran Mansion was glowing like a bride itself. Lights were strung from every tree, and the sound of traditional wedding music filled the air. It was the night of the Sangeet—the musical night.

Aryan and Rohan were hiding behind a large marble pillar near the catering area. They were supposed to be serving drinks, but Aryan’s mind was elsewhere.

"I’m telling you, Rohan," Aryan whispered, peeking around the pillar to watch the guests. "I heard the guards with my own ears. The groom, Imran, is a villain. He plans to ruin her life tomorrow."

Rohan rolled his eyes, adjusting his bow tie which was slightly crooked. "Aryan, focus. We are waiters. We serve juice. We collect glasses. We do not save damsels."

"But she’s innocent!" Aryan insisted, his eyes wide and earnest. "She’s being forced into this. And tomorrow, that Imran guy is going to humiliate her publicly. We have to do something."

Rohan sighed. He knew that look. It was the 'Hero' look. The last time Aryan had that look, he tried to 'save' a stray dog from a dog catcher and ended up getting chased by the dog himself.

"Okay, listen," Rohan said, deciding to use a different tactic—distraction. "Let’s say you want to help. You don’t even know her side of the story. Maybe she likes the villain groom? Rich people have weird taste."

"No way," Aryan shook his head. "I saw her eyes, Rohan. She looked... broken. Like a bird in a cage."

Rohan smirked mischievously. An idea popped into his head—a way to make Aryan feel important without actually doing anything dangerous.

"You know what?" Rohan lowered his voice, leaning in conspiratorially. "I think you're right. Actually... I think she likes someone else."

Aryan frowned. "Who?"

"Think about it," Rohan lied smoothly, enjoying the prank. "Today, during the lunch setup... she was staring at us."

"She was staring at me because I was eating her kabab," Aryan corrected.

"No, no," Rohan waved his hand. "It was more than that. I saw her looking at me earlier. And then she looked away shyly. I think... I think she is in love with me."

Aryan’s jaw dropped. "WHAT?"

"Shh!" Rohan put a finger to his lips. "Keep it down. It makes sense, right? She’s a rich girl, forced to marry a rich guy. She sees a handsome, simple, middle-class boy working hard... and she falls in love. It’s the classic 'Forbidden Love' trope!"

Aryan blinked, processing this information. "She... loves you? But she threatened to break my legs!"

"That was just a cover!" Rohan insisted, barely holding back a laugh. "She was angry because I was ignoring her. She’s heartbroken, Aryan. She is marrying Imran tomorrow, but her heart beats for... me."

Aryan looked at his friend with new eyes. Rohan was handsome, he had to admit. Was it possible?

"So..." Aryan whispered, the gears in his head turning. "You are the reason she is sad? You are the one she wants?"

"In theory, yes," Rohan nodded sagely. "But alas, I am a poor student. I cannot fight the Mehran family."

Aryan’s fists clenched. His innocence and his 'hero complex' fused together into a dangerous determination.

"No," Aryan said firmly. "This is wrong. Love should win, Rohan! You can’t just let her marry that villain Imran because you’re scared!"

Rohan blinked. Wait, what? "Uh, Aryan, I was just saying—"

"I won’t let this happen," Aryan declared, fire in his eyes. "Tomorrow, at the wedding... I will help you. I will make sure she doesn’t marry Imran. I will give you your love story!"

Rohan’s face paled. "No, no, Aryan! That was a joke! I was kidding!"

"I don't see any joke here," Aryan said seriously. "I see a crying soul and a coward friend. Don’t worry, Rohan. Your wingman is here. Tomorrow, we crash this wedding."

Inside the Mansion – Aayat’s Room

While Aryan was planning a disastrous rescue mission, Aayat was preparing for battle.

She sat in front of her vanity while her mother combed her hair. The room was filled with relatives, all cooing about how beautiful the bride would look.

"Just look at her," an auntie sighed. "So calm. So quiet. She has accepted her fate so gracefully."

If only they knew. Aayat wasn't calm; she was a dormant volcano.

Her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it. Another message from Unknown.

> "Imran has a plan. During the 'Qubool Hai' (wedding acceptance), he will refuse. He will claim he found out something scandalous about you. He wants to damage your reputation so the blame falls on your family. Be ready."

Aayat gripped the phone. Her suspicions were confirmed. Imran was going to play dirty. He was going to humiliate her family to get out of the alliance without losing face himself.

"Aayat?" her mother asked softly. "You’re trembling. Are you nervous?"

Aayat looked at her mother’s hopeful face. Her father had made a mistake, but he was still her father. If Imran publicly refused her, her father's reputation—and the family business—would crumble. The rivals would smell blood.

"I’m fine, Ammi," Aayat said, her voice steel. "Just... happy."

She stood up. She wouldn't let Imran destroy them. She had to think two steps ahead. If he wanted to play a game, she would end it.

But she didn't know that a third player was about to enter the game. A player with a waiter’s uniform and a very wrong idea.

***

The Wedding Morning

The venue was packed. Hundreds of guests, millions of dollars worth of jewelry, and enough food to feed a small country.

Aryan and Rohan stood near the entrance. Rohan looked terrified; Aryan looked like he was about to storm a castle.

"Aryan, please," Rohan whispered frantically. "I was joking about the love thing! Don't do anything crazy."

"I have a plan," Aryan said, his eyes scanning the crowd. "We wait for the crucial moment. When the priest asks if she accepts... we act."

"Act how?" Rohan hissed.

"I'm working on it," Aryan said. "Look! There she is."

The music changed. The crowd hushed.

Aayat walked in, escorted by her brother. She was wearing a stunning red bridal outfit, heavy jewelry weighing her down, but her face was covered with a veil.

She looked regal. Terrifying. And to Aryan, she looked like a victim being led to a slaughterhouse.

"Look at her," Aryan nudged Rohan. "She’s walking so slowly. She’s stalling. She’s waiting for you, Rohan. She’s waiting for her hero."

Rohan covered his face with his hands. "We are going to die."

Aryan watched the groom, Imran, standing on the stage. Imran was smiling a slimy smile. Aryan knew that smile. It was the smile of a villain planning something evil.

"Tonight," Aryan whispered to himself. "The villain falls. The hero rises."

He adjusted his vest, took a deep breath, and prepared to ruin the most powerful wedding in the city.

***

Cliffhanger

The ceremony began. The priest recited the verses. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Aayat stood opposite Imran. Under her veil, she was watching his every micro-expression. She was ready for his move.

Imran smirked and opened his mouth to speak.

But before he could say a word, a loud voice echoed from the back of the hall.

"STOP!"

The entire hall froze. The priest stopped. The family turned around.

Aryan stood on a chair near the entrance, his hand raised high, looking like a man on a mission.

"I object to this wedding!" Aryan shouted, his voice trembling slightly but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Aayat’s eyes widened under her veil. That voice...

She recognized that voice. It was the kabab thief.

***

End of Chapter 4