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Riya's Pov
Weddings.
A celebration that marks the union of two souls.
Well, that's just the literal meaning. However, the modern-day explanation could be;
The next most favored spot for all the uncles and aunties for an arranged marriage set up after matrimonial sites and matrimonial groups.
If you are single by chance and gutsy enough to still attend a wedding, be prepared to become the next victim of all the grownups who will leave no stone unturned to set you up with the niece, nephew, daughter, or son of their acquaintances.
This mere thought teleported me to the conversation I shared with one of the close relatives of Purva a few hours ago in the hotel room we were staying in Delhi.
"Toh Riya beta, now your best friend is also getting married." She initiated with the line I was way too aware of by now.
Tight Smiles, Checked.
Awkward Posture, Checked.
An Entertained Best Friend, Checked.
A Nosy relative, Hell checked!
"It's time you should also find someone and get married on time." Purva's aunt suggested, unpacking her luggage,
Having nothing else to respond to, I survived with a polite nod which was followed by a lapse of
I had hardly rescued from one when another concerned relative of my best friend probed suddenly with a curious glint in her eyes,
"Purva, Rishabh Ji is also a baniya right?"
Purva bobbed her head up and down as she gobbled a handful of Masala Magic.
Is she the same woman who fretted for straight one hour yesterday for gaining a kilogram right before her D-day?
The former grinned widely, nodding in affirmation.
My stance stiffed, awkwardly glancing here and there, fiddling with my bracelet. My head tilted heavenwards to the slightest, praying for this conversation to end before it could start.
"Great then!" She beamed, the glimmer on her face equivalent to that of firecrackers, "Kitni pyaari bacchi ho tum. Our Rishabh Ji is of the same caste as you Beta. He must have some unmarried friend or cousin, who we can consider for you."
"Haina, Purva?" Aunty peered to the right, her hope-filled gaze settled on a certain snickering satan.
"Ji Ji, bilkul Chachi." Purva concurred with a sly smile, "I'll ask Rishabh to find a suitable match for our Rii." Her words turned into a muffled groan as I hit my non-existent heels over her bare foot.
"Arey, this way we can live together." She convinced in a hushed whisper.
Offended, I gaped at her for actually considering the idea.
"Until and unless I'm Queen Victoria, I don't think that this unmarried mystery cousin/friend of Rishabh will be able to find me in the massive crowd of five hundred people at your wedding." I grimaced, seizing the packet of chips from her. She snatched it back, fisting a handful.
"And, I am neither a Queen Victoria, nor I will be getting hooked up with any of his cousins or friends. So, stop dreaming of such nonsense." I hissed, pulling back the packet before she could sneak another handful.
"Who knows? Is liye chup kar" She pinned me with a fitting glare leaving me groaning in response.
*************
The past two days of Purva's pre-festivities including Haldi, mehndi, and Purva's sangeet ceremony had flown by in a jiffy. The days were spent merrily dancing, cravingly feasting, relishing each moment to the finest, sobbing in between, and laughing most of the time.
Since the bride and groom were not supposed to meet before the wedding, Rishabh's pre-festivities were hosted at his place.
My throat constricted with an unsurmountable overwhelmedness as today from today onwards, my best friend would be addressed as Mrs. Purva Singla.
An inexplicable sense of relief surrounded me witnessing the pure happiness reflecting on her face for marrying the man she had been ardently in love with for the past eight years.
The wedding ceremony would begin in a few hours so after dropping Purva at the salon, I reached my hotel room to bedeck myself for the function.
Salons and makeup were never a preference for me. Hence after fetching the finite make-up products I possessed and the limited knowledge of their application, I began getting ready for the function.
For the evening, I donned a navy blue, feather-like embroidered tapetta silk lehenga. This complemented well with the matching-color choli and a latkan lace georgette dupatta that was pinned on my shoulders.
I accessorized with golden jhumkas, a sleek golden choker necklace, and a set of blue and golden colored bangles in each hand. To add to the beautification, I complemented the look with a little black bindi on my forehead.
Wrapping up the look with natural makeup and loose curls at the ends of my hair, I let my gaze wander to the mobile screen.
6:40 pm.
"On time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony." I sighed in relief.
Haphazardly wearing my wedge heels, I turned around to leave the room. But before I could take a step, my gaze tumbled on the mirror once again, staring back at the woman who appeared radiant and glowing.
"You are beautiful. You are Capable. Don't allow someone else's comment to force you to believe otherwise." I whispered softly to my reflection before sauntering outside the room.
*************
Aditya's Pov
Kunal and I entered Rishabh's room to summon him for the Sehra Bandi when our gaze disembarked on his fidgety self, tapping his feet in nervousness.
His chestnut skin was well-suited by the contrast of maroon and cream sherwani. The latter color's subtle piping around the neck and sleeves with a maroon Safa highlighted the entire ensemble.
"Ahem Ahem." I simulated a cough, nudging him out of the stance,
"All ready to get hitched, huh." My eyebrow perked in question as I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe. Rishabh eyed me anxiously, angling his neck towards the room entrance.
"Looking handsome Bhai." Kunal praised slinking into the room. Rishabh's cheek tinted at the comment before he wrapped his arms around Kunal for a brotherly hug.
"Kya hua Mr. Singla, why so fidgety?" I poured a glass of water reaching him.
He plopped on the bed, exhaling a sigh, "Trust me when I say I am a nervous wreck from the inside." He confessed, "It would have been much better if Purva and I just got married in a private ceremony at the court. Smiling at almost five hundred people whose attention is just on you is nothing but a nightmare." He groaned, time and again adjusting his Safa, "This is making my head throb." He groaned in discomfort.
I smiled at the velocity of his varying expressions,
"Why do you need to care about others when you'll be having her standing next to you?" I put forward, taking a seat next to him.
"Moreover, considering the extent to which you are whipped by her, I hardly think you'll notice anybody else Bhai," Kunal added sitting on the other side. Rishabh rewarded him with a sharp glower, stifling a curse.
"I am not whipped." He muttered in defense.
"Ohho Rishabh." I deviated his attention, "This is the moment you both have been waiting for the past decade. So just live this moment. Pre-wedding jitters are normal but don't let that ruin your evening." I gently patted his palm, smiling in reassurance. He reciprocated with a faint smile of his own.
Our conversation was interrupted by my brother, his gaze switching between me and Rishabh.
"Adi Bhai is looking dapper as well, right Rishabh Bhai?" The latter nodded, giving me a once over, "Any chance of him finding someone there?" Kunal's gaze swiveled with mischief, accompanied by the amused smile perked upon his lips.
Rishabh's mouth twitched at Kunal's question.
"Purva has a best friend who's also a baniya. Single as well from what she mentioned. She can be a good match for you." He nodded thoughtfully.
"Really? What's her name?" Kunal's exulted voice echoed. While I sat muted, rolling my eyes at the gibberish they both were spewing.
Before Rishabh could respond, massi called us for his sehra bandi ceremony.
Kunal cribbed throughout the way, disappointed that he didn't get to know the name of the girl Rishabh was talking about.
We all left for the wedding venue in our respective cars after concluding the sehra bandi. While Rishabh sat on the ceremonial mare as a part of a wedding ritual.
Parking the cars almost ten minutes away from the palace, we joined the baraat along with the other guests and guided Rishabh's way, dancing exuberantly.
*************
After dancing at the heart-pleasing bolis, we were now inside the venue for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. To my misfortune, I was stuck behind, unable to witness anything considering the vigorous gathering of kids, uncles, and aunties blocking the sight of my vision.
According to what I overheard, Rishabh was required to partake in sweets from Purva's family as a welcome tradition after the negotiations were concluded. This was followed by loud cheering from the bride's side.
Giggles and ripples of laughter followed from both the ends. But amidst the cheering, one voice outshined the others.
"How was the salty-sweet, Jiju?" A peal of beautiful laughter resonated in the confined space.
My heart pumped at an uneven pace listening to the unfamiliar voice that despite being distant had enraptured me with a comforting sense of presence.
Instinctively, my feet fell in rushed footfalls, coursing through the crowd in expectation of hearing her voice once again.
Until now, I had no clue that a hushed giggle and the teasing timbre of someone's tone might be enough to mystify my senses.
As my steps slinked, her voice resurfaced. Pure, Unadulterated, and Contagious.
The urge to see her intensified and I ceased my steps immediately, realizing,
I was in trouble.
****************
Heya Dear Ones!
Finally, Aditya is entrapped in someone's voice. But whose?ð
Love can knock your heart in different ways, isn't it?
How is marriage arranged in your culture apart from the ways Riya mentioned?
Did you like the chapter? Especially the last paragraph? I tried my best to write it as beautifully as I can ðð
Also, Do vote(Star Iconâ) and comment, as it will motivate me to write more.
Until Next Time,
Lots of Love
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