Meri Queen ~ Parnavi SS

A wrong phone number brings Parth and Vaishnavi together, creating an unexpected bond through heartfelt conversations. But when the truth shatters their world, Parth must distinguish between fleeting attraction and true love. Can he prove that the woman he unknowingly called "Meri Queen" has always been the queen of his heart?

Chapter 1 (A Wrong Number)

The Wedding Celebration

The magnificent Shanti Niketan was glowing with lights.

The sprawling lawn had been transformed into a royal wedding venue. White flowers decorated every corner, crystal chandeliers sparkled above the guests, and soft instrumental music filled the pleasant evening air.

It was the wedding reception of one of the Virani family's close relatives.

The entire Virani family had gathered to celebrate.

Tulsi Virani warmly welcomed every guest.

Mihir chatted with old friends while keeping an eye on the arrangements.

The younger members of the family had already taken over the dance floor.

Laughter echoed through every corner of the mansion.

Standing among them was twenty-five-year-old Parth Virani.

Dressed in a light blue denim shirt over a white T-shirt and black jeans, he looked relaxed and carefree.

Unlike the elders discussing business and family matters, Parth was busy teasing his cousin, Dev.

"Dev!" Parth called out.

Dev turned around.

"What happened now?"

Parth pointed toward the dessert counter.

"I bet you can't finish two gulab jamuns before I finish three."

Dev laughed.

"Seriously? That's your challenge?"

"It is now."

Within seconds, both cousins hurried toward the dessert table.

"You started before I said yes!" Dev protested.

Parth grinned mischievously.

"That's because I knew your answer."

"You cheat."

"I prefer 'creative thinker.'"

Dev shook his head with a smile.

"I don't know how this family tolerates you."

Parth placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

"They love me."

"They survive you."

Both burst into laughter.

Watching them, Tulsi smiled.

"Parth hasn't changed since childhood."

Mihir chuckled.

"And I hope he never does."

Just then, the wedding host announced,

"The bride's family has arrived."

Everyone's attention shifted toward the entrance.

Several luxury cars stopped outside the mansion.

Guests welcomed the arriving families with smiles.

Among them was a young woman wearing an elegant pastel lehenga.

She politely greeted the elders before entering the venue.

As she walked across the lawn, Parth happened to look in her direction.

For a brief moment...

Their eyes met.

Parth stood still.

He didn't know who she was.

He had never seen her before.

Yet something about her graceful smile caught his attention.

Dev noticed Parth staring.

"What happened?"

Parth smiled faintly.

"Nothing."

Dev looked in the same direction.

"Oh..."

"So that's what happened."

Parth quickly looked away.

"Don't start."

Dev smirked.

"I didn't say a word."

"You didn't have to."

Before Dev could tease him any further, one of the photographers called out,

"Virani family! Everyone, please gather for a group photograph!"

"Saved by the photographer," Parth muttered.

"What was that?" Dev asked.

"Nothing."

The two cousins laughed as they walked toward the stage, leaving the mysterious girl to enjoy the wedding with her family.

Love at First Sight

The family photograph finally came to an end.

The elders dispersed to greet the guests, while the younger members headed back towards the lawn.

Parth picked up a glass of juice from a nearby table.

Before he could take a sip—

"Parth!"

He turned around.

It was Angad Virani.

"Chachu!" Parth smiled, walking towards him. "When did you arrive?"

"Just now. You were too busy posing for the photographs to notice."

Parth laughed.

"I had no choice. Baa would have scolded me if I disappeared."

Angad smiled, placing an arm around his nephew's shoulder.

"So... enjoying the wedding?"

"Very much."

The two continued talking as they walked through the beautifully decorated venue.

Just then...

A little boy, no older than six, came running across the lawn.

"Catch me if you can!" he shouted to his sister.

Unfortunately...

He wasn't looking where he was going.

He bumped straight into a young woman carrying a tray of mocktails.

"Oh!"

The glasses wobbled.

Before they could fall...

Someone quickly steadied the tray.

It was Parth.

"You okay?" he asked.

The young woman looked up.

It was the same girl he had noticed earlier.

"Yes... thank you," she said with a grateful smile.

The little boy looked frightened.

"I'm sorry, Didi..."

The young woman immediately knelt down beside him.

"It's alright."

She gently brushed his hair.

"You didn't do it on purpose."

The little boy smiled in relief before running back to his sister.

Parth watched the entire exchange.

Not once had she lost her temper.

Not once had she blamed the child.

Instead...

She smiled as though nothing had happened.

"Thanks again," she said to Parth.

"My pleasure."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then one of her relatives called out,

"Mitali! Come here."

She turned.

"I'm coming!"

She looked back at Parth with a polite smile.

"Excuse me."

As she walked away...

Parth unconsciously repeated her name.

"Mitali..."

Angad noticed the expression on his face.

"So..."

Parth quickly composed himself.

"So... what?"

Angad chuckled.

"You finally know her name."

Parth tried to sound casual.

"I just happened to hear it."

"Hmm."

"I did."

Angad laughed.

"If you say so."

Just then, Dev joined them.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing," Parth answered immediately.

Angad couldn't resist teasing him.

"Your cousin seems very interested in a certain guest."

Dev's eyes widened.

"Really?"

Parth sighed.

"Not you too."

Dev looked around the lawn.

"Who is she?"

Parth hesitated for a second before subtly nodding towards Mitali, who was now speaking to her family.

Dev followed his gaze.

"Oh..."

"So that's why you've been unusually quiet."

"I haven't."

"You have."

"I've just met her."

Dev folded his arms.

"So?"

"So... nothing."

Dev smiled mischievously.

"Then you won't mind if I find out who she is."

Parth immediately looked at him.

"You'd do that?"

Dev raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you said it was 'nothing.'"

Parth scratched the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.

"I... just meant..."

Angad burst into laughter.

"Looks like our Parth has fallen at first sight."

Parth smiled sheepishly but didn't deny it.

His eyes wandered once again towards Mitali.

She was laughing with her cousins, completely unaware that someone across the lawn couldn't seem to look away.

One Phone Number

The wedding festivities continued with music and dance.

Guests filled the dance floor while others gathered around the buffet, enjoying the evening.

Parth, however, found himself looking towards Mitali every now and then.

She wasn't dancing.

Instead, she was helping an elderly aunt find a seat before joining her cousins.

Dev noticed.

"So..."

Parth sighed.

"I know that 'so.'"

Dev grinned.

"Then answer it."

Parth smiled sheepishly.

"I just... want to know her."

"Only know her?"

"For now."

Dev laughed.

"Progress."

Before Parth could respond, Angad joined them.

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing, Chachu."

"I don't believe either of you."

Dev couldn't resist.

"Chachu, our hero has fallen for a girl."

Angad looked at Parth with amusement.

"Already?"

Parth rubbed the back of his neck.

"I've only seen her."

Angad smiled.

"Then start by introducing yourself instead of staring from across the lawn."

Parth shook his head.

"I can't just walk up to her."

"Why not?"

"I don't even know if she's interested."

Dev smirked.

"Which is why..."

He paused dramatically.

"...I'll help you."

Parth looked at him.

"You will?"

Dev nodded confidently.

"Leave it to me."

A few minutes later...

Dev casually walked towards the bride's cousins.

He greeted them politely and soon struck up a conversation.

Parth watched from a distance, pretending not to.

Angad folded his arms.

"You really are nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

"Then why have you been holding the same glass of juice for the last ten minutes?"

Parth looked down.

The juice was untouched.

He laughed.

"Okay... maybe a little."

Nearly fifteen minutes later...

Dev finally returned.

Parth immediately stood up.

"Well?"

Dev smiled proudly.

"I know her name."

"I already know her name."

"Fine."

"I know a little more."

Parth waited impatiently.

"She's from Mumbai."

Parth nodded.

"Her name is Mitali."

"I know."

"She's here with her family."

"I know that too."

Dev rolled his eyes.

"You already know everything!"

"I don't know the important thing."

"And what's that?"

Parth hesitated before asking,

"Is she... seeing someone?"

Dev laughed.

"No."

Parth let out a small sigh of relief.

"But..."

Parth looked at him again.

"I couldn't exactly ask for her life story."

"Fair enough."

Dev reached into his pocket.

"I did manage to get something."

He held up a small folded piece of paper.

Parth's eyes widened.

"What's that?"

Dev grinned triumphantly.

"Her phone number."

Parth blinked.

"You actually got it?"

"I told one of her cousins that you wanted to congratulate her family after the wedding and might need to contact them."

Parth looked surprised.

"That worked?"

"It worked."

He handed the folded paper to Parth.

Parth unfolded it carefully.

A ten-digit phone number was written neatly on it.

He stared at it for a moment before smiling to himself.

Dev nudged him playfully.

"Looks like someone's evening just got a whole lot better."

Parth carefully folded the paper again and slipped it safely into his wallet.

"I'll call her tomorrow."

Dev smiled.

"Good."

Neither of them noticed...

That during the hustle and bustle of the wedding, one of Mitali's cousins had accidentally written down the wrong number.

The number now resting safely inside Parth's wallet...

Did not belong to Mitali.

Hello... Meri Queen

The wedding reception came to an end.

One by one, the guests began leaving the Shanti Niketan.

Standing near the entrance, Tulsi and Mihir bid everyone farewell.

Parth's eyes instinctively searched for Mitali one last time.

She was standing beside her parents, thanking the hosts before getting into her car.

For a brief second...

She looked towards the mansion.

Parth smiled unconsciously.

The car drove away.

Dev walked up beside him.

"So..."

Parth smiled.

"So."

"You've been smiling ever since I gave you that number."

Parth slipped his hands into his pockets.

"I was just thinking."

"About Mitali?"

Parth didn't answer.

Dev laughed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Angad, who had overheard the conversation, shook his head with a smile.

"Don't overthink things, Parth. Just call her tomorrow."

"I will."

"Good."

The next morning...

The Shanti Niketan was unusually peaceful.

Most of the family members were busy with their own routines.

Parth sat alone on the balcony outside his room, sipping a cup of coffee.

His wallet lay on the table beside him.

He took out the folded piece of paper.

The phone number.

He stared at it for a few moments.

Then smiled.

"Let's see if destiny is on my side."

He picked up his mobile phone.

His thumb hovered over the keypad.

For the first time in his life...

He actually felt nervous before making a call.

"What if she doesn't remember me?"

"What if she doesn't answer?"

"What if she's busy?"

He chuckled at himself.

"You're behaving like a teenager, Parth."

Taking a deep breath, he dialed the number.

The phone began to ring.

Once...

Twice...

Three times...

Parth was about to disconnect when someone answered.

"Hello?"

A soft feminine voice came from the other end.

Parth smiled.

"Hi..."

There was a brief silence.

"Who is this?" the girl asked politely.

Parth stood up from his chair.

"Yesterday... we met at the wedding."

The girl frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry... which wedding?"

Parth assumed she was teasing him.

"The reception at the Virani Mansion."

Another pause.

"Oh..."

She still sounded uncertain.

Parth laughed.

"So you've already forgotten me?"

The girl smiled politely, though she was confused.

"I'm sorry... I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

Parth was convinced she was joking.

"Very funny."

"I really don't understand."

Parth decided to introduce himself.

"I'm Parth."

There was silence again.

Then the girl replied,

"I'm... Vaish—"

Before she could complete her sentence...

A loud mixer grinder started in the background.

"I can't hear you!" Parth said loudly.

"What?"

"The noise!"

"I said—"

The connection suddenly became disturbed.

Her voice broke repeatedly.

"...hello..."

"...can you..."

"...hear..."

The call disconnected.

Parth looked at his phone.

"Network."

He smiled to himself.

"I'll call her later."

Completely unaware...

That the girl on the other end of the phone had never attended the wedding.

Nor was she Mitali.

She simply looked at her phone with a puzzled expression.

"Who was that?"

She placed the phone on the table, still wondering how a complete stranger knew her name was connected to a wedding she had never attended.

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To be continued.

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