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*****
Riya's Pov
"Eeeeeks! What is this bhabhi?" I shrieked, shutting my eyes tightly, thoroughly embarrassed seeing the skimpy piece of lingerie in front of me, that left nothing for one's imagination.
"Offo Rii, stop being dramatic now." Bhabhi rolled her eyes helplessly, "It's a very very useful gift for your wedding that your only bhabhi is gifting you. You are cribbing now but you'll thank me later." She winked slyly, while I gulped in nervousness, extremely horrified, seeing the almost transparent red piece of net.
"Arey arey, relax Rii. Don't get nervous seeing this." Bhabhi hugged me from the side witnessing my lack of response, and spoke eyeing the lingerie set,
"I am not gifting you this for your wedding night only Rii. Bhabhis and friends are righteous to gift such fancy stuff. You know my bhabhi gave a similar gift to me at my time, and it's fair enough that as your bhabhi and friend I gift you this." She smiled fondly at me,
"Wear it whenever you feel like, and whenever you and Aditya are comfortable enough for all the hanky-panky activities." She reasoned softly and teasingly added the last part, wiggling her brows.
"Bhabhiii yaaar." I palmed my eyes, sheerly flustered, while bhabhi laughed heartily, still hugging me and caressing my arms lovingly.
"Vaise, when did you wore the gift your bhabhi gave?" I asked curiously, lifting my head.
A teensy-weensy shy smile marked its territory at the corner of her lips, as she spoke hushedly, "The first night itself!"
My mouth parted, and eyes widened at her blunt confession, and asked,
"Weren't you both tired and sleep-deprived after so many rituals for uh, that?"
"We were." She stated, "Even you know we were so tired that we slept after a little conversation. But unknowingly things got heated late at night." She shrugged, while I blinked my eyes unbelievingly.
Looking at my facial expressions, she explained,
"Rii, I and your brother had a courtship period of ten months, and I believe it's long enough time to know someone and fall in love with them. By the time we got married, we were ready in all aspects, be it mentally, emotionally, or physically. You know Once you start sharing your life with someone, everything else follows, that too naturally and unrushed."
"Hmm" I answered, thoroughly lost in my own world, thinking of the intimate part of mine and Aditya's life, which I feel I am not ready for, at least not now.
"If you are worrying about the physical intimacy between you and Aditya, then don't"." I heard bhabhi say, her tone calm and gentle.
Looking aimlessly towards the door, she spoke,
"Aditya is a good man, he is humble and grounded, he'll respect the space you need. You both have your whole life for being intimate, and trust me, the more you'll know him, the more you'll live with him, the closer you'll get to him, both emotionally and physically. And without you knowing your lives will be tangled beautifully in a strong emotional and physical bond."
"Maybe." I whispered, closing my eyes lightly, my thoughts wandering to a certain someone who always successfully manage to sneak into my thoughts with that kind beautiful smile of his, and those opalescent irises that radiates nothing but warmth and affinity."
*****
After the day's rituals, everyone was settled in different rooms, some laughing, some talking, and some resting while I was currently in my room, alone, and away from all the happy talks, teasing conversations, wedding preparations, in search of nothing but peace.
The constant conversations of my marriage tomorrow terrifies me, thus reminding me of the fact that I would no longer live here, in my room, in my home, with my family, far away from them to a new city with new people.
Out of the multitude emotions which I witness each day, this unsettling feeling overpowers them all today.
Everything seems so real yet so unbelieving.
Everything seems so much happy and shiny yet so sad and dull.
Everything seems so peaceful yet so unnerving.
Except for a few traitor tears, I have cried even once, neither alone nor in front of my family. Whenever I would feel like crying, I would just bottle up my feelings and separate myself by coming to my room, in search of the peace my mind and heart rightfully deserves.
My internal monologue came to a halt as I heard footsteps coming in the direction of my room.
I patted my face in rush, to remove any traces of the conflicting emotions I've been currently going through, and busied myself in arranging the already arranged bedsheet.
"Riya?" I heard paa say, his tone soft.
"Ji paa? You need anything?" I said, sitting at the corner of the bed, looking at paa who just came, followed by mom.
Dad settled beside me and smiled at me. Caressing my head, he spoke indicating with his hands,
"Come here." Saying this, he hugged me from the side, my head now tucked under his chin.
"Let it out beta." Mom whispered, her voice quavering, as she rubbed my shoulder with her hand.
As if it was the last stroke, and as if this was what I wanted to hear from long, waterworks flooded my eyes, as I cried my heart out, the pent-up emotions slowly leaving my body.
Silent uncontrollable sobs escaped my throat as I cocooned myself in my father's embrace, pressing my face more into his neck, relishing his slow and soft caresses on my hair.
He didn't cry, he never does. His practical self could never make him cry, or even shed a drop of tear. But those red-glistening eyes of his, sullen face, wobbly voice, and stiff posture were enough to make me realize the havoc of emotions surging within him.
In her lifetime, a girl confidently claims innumerable times that she isn't going to cry at her wedding, but for once, if not more, she will cry, and cry her heart out as her time of departure comes nearer.
She'll shed somber tears of leaving her home, perturbed tears of having to adjust in a new family, insecure tears to make her place in someone's home, and those overwhelming tears of her transition from a carefree- insouciant girl to a responsible married woman.
"Boo-boo!!" My nephew's shrill cry broke our father-daughter moment as I looked towards the threshold of the room to see my brother holding a wailing avyukth, with protruding lips, and wobbling chin in his arms, followed by bhabhi.
A smile broke my lips seeing my munchkin and opening my arms towards him, I indicated him to come to me.
"See, you made my son cry by your crying!" Bhai stated accusingly, narrowing his eyes at me playfully, as I took hold of avyu.
"He's my nephew too!" I retorted, glaring at him.
My heart melted as avyukth palmed my face gently with his cute little hands, and tried to kiss my whole face, placing his lips at each corner, as if not liking the fact that his boo-boo is crying.
I giggled amidst my crying at his antics making this bunch of cuteness laugh too, his eyes shining with abundant love and happiness.
"Ah, see he is laughing." I said eyeing bhai, "Now say, I made your son happy! Say now!"
"Of course, he will be happy na. When you'll leave this home, your room will ultimately be his. And I'm going to transform your room into avyukth's room, and chucking out your things, I'll transfer all his belongings there super soon." My cruel brother mentioned indifferently.
I looked at him horrified, not at all ready for my room to witness any change indifferent of whether I live there or not.
"Bhaiya, this room is forever going to be called Riya's room only, and dare you, if you touched anything here. As much as I love my nephew, I am not going to let you transform my room into a kids room, or even change the name by it is called." I spoke threateningly, shooting daggers at bhai.
"Hmm hmm, we'll see." Bhaiya shrugged nonchalantly.
"Paaa see what he is saying." I pointed towards bhai accusingly, switching my eyes between paa and him, pouting at this sudden announcement of the transformation of my room.
"Oye, this room will forever be my daughter's, and no one else. So stop teasing her." Paa scolded him, infact fake scolded him, as that teensy weensy smile at the corner of his lips couldn't be missed.
"Paa stop fooling me, I know you are fake scolding him." I rolled my eyes, offended, glaring at each member of our home, witnessing their traitor grins.
"That's why I always say that nobody loves me here!" I pouted, irritated, while avyukth found this too funny as he kept giggling looking at each member of our home.
At my reply, everyone chuckled merrily with me still hugging paa from the side, and bhai ruffling my hair, while bhabhi and mom kept smiling amusedly, witnessing our ever-so-famous inevitable banters.
*****
"Don't you want to suggest me anything before my marriage?" I looked at mom, who was busy counting the safety pin bundles.
Currently, it was only us in my room, as we had to arrange my things in the bag which I was supposed to take to the salon tomorrow.
"What suggestion?" Mom asked, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Umm, like I thought you would be teaching me the do's and dont's at my in-law's place, before my marriage?" I said, more like asked, shrugging dismissively.
Leaving the task at hand, she made some space on the bed, as she settled beside me.
Sighing deeply, she started, "I am not going to suggest you anything, nor I am going to give you any lessons before your marriage."
My brows knit in perplexion at her words, as I looked at her bewildered.
Looking at my confused face, she reasoned, "The teachings and the upbringing that me and your paa have been giving you since the last twenty-four years are enough for your married life. Isn't it beta?"
Ruminating all the teachings and life lessons my parents have given me, I nodded my head in affirmation.
"You know," I heard mom say, "If I suggest you today that keep on adjusting even much more than needed, keep being submissive, etc etc, then there are high chances that you'll keep on adjusting with everything, maybe with all the wrongs as well, without even telling us, so that we don't get upset witnessing your troubles."
"And also," She continued drawing a deep breath, "If I suggest you that you are an independent woman, you don't need to listen to anyone, and no need to adjust in any way, we have got your back no matter what happens, etc etc, then there are also high chances that you won't be adjusting for the things you could have adjusted. Isn't it?"
"Hmm" I hummed in response, deeply engrossed in imagining both the scenarios.
"Beta I don't want to limit your thoughts and the decision-making power by the suggestions I'll give you. The problems I faced, had different solutions, and the problems you will face, even though similar, might have completely different solutions. And that is why I don't want to keep you bounded by my words"
"But whenever any issue arises how will I know that whatever solution I am going with, is right or wrong?" I voiced my query.
"You'll know when the time comes." She answered, immediately,
"Is all about priorities beta, once you'll set up your priority at that particular time, you'll know what you've to do. And it's not I'm not available for you ever, it's just that before relying upon me or anyone for guidance, you need to look for the solutions yourself." She paused, and continued,
"Moreover, I trust the upbringing that we have given you in all these years, so just go with your mind empty of any expectations and heart full of love." She finished, smiling softly at me.
"Will I be able to maintain the same type of relationship with Aditya's family which vaishally bhabhi have with you all?" I posed, my voice full of expectations.
She looked at me closely, and after musing for a while she answered,
"Beta, each relationship whether blood-related or not, isn't perfect, it can never be. Some little, some big issues are always present when people of different nature live together, and these issues are inevitable, you cannot run away from them."
She stopped midway, as she looked aimlessly towards the door, and continued,
"And these are the times when you have to keep making consistent efforts to keep everything going. At each step, and each crossroad you come across, you'll have to keep asking yourself that,
Is this issue worthy enough to ruin your and your family's mental peace, or is it not?
Is this issue worthy enough to be exaggerated unnecessarily or it could be sidelined?
Is the issue bigger or my ego?"
Listening to her words, I realized how beautifully she taught me so much, the words were less, but their impact was so much more.
"Come now, let's arrange your things in your bag for tomorrow." Mom patted my cheeks softly, eyeing the mess scattered on my bed.
"Ji." I replied, my heart full, and mind at peace, at least for now.
*****
"Hey!" A disoriented Aditya came into the line of my vision, helplessly strolling in his room, his hands full with serving tray, mobile phones, handbags, empty disposable plates, glasses, and what not, along with some clothes hanging at his shoulders, and charger hanging on his neck.
"Hey!" He smiled warmly despite his tired self, as he came near to his phone, which probably was settled on his working desk.
"What's all this?" I giggled, pointed toward his hands and shoulder.
"Yaaarr, don't ask." He whined, frustrated,
"All my cousins were settled in my room before your call, and the moment I asked them to go out for a few minutes so that we could talk, after a lot of maneuvering those buffoons did go out, but like some celebrities, leaving all their mess here for me, the groom, to clean up. God! I can't even find a place to sit in my own room."
He finished, more like talking with himself, placing the things at their required places, and straightened the bedsheet after dusting it with his hands.
"Phew!" He propped himself on the bed relieved, and smiled softly at me, ruffling his hair, "Chal let's talk now, at least some of the mess is cleared." He spoke looking around his room.
"Umm, how was your day?" I asked, not knowing how to start a conversation.
"Good. Finally done with all the rituals. But you know, I'm really nervous for tomorrow." He sighed softly.
Confused, I asked, "Why? I am leaving my home, not you. I should be the one to get nervous."
"I am not leaving my home, but I'm bringing someone home. Isn't this reason enough to make me anxious?" He retorted immediately, raising his eyebrows.
"Hmm." I nodded in affirmation, "Don't tell me you are planning to run away from our wedding?" I teased, a playful smile playing on my lips.
"Ummmm." He started thinking profoundly, and added after a while with an evil traitor smile quirked up the corner of his lips, "Maybe!"
"Oii!!" I remarked in horror, my mouth agape, offended by his words, while he chuckled heartily seeing my reaction, making me laugh too.
"You know.." He started,
"Like after schooling, when we have to go to college, we all get so excited and happy about this new phase, new people, informal clothes, our career etc. But as the first day of going to college gets nearer and nearer, especially the night before the first day, anxiety and restlessness start overpowering the initial happiness and excitement. That's the kind of feeling I am going through now, though it's much more intense and overwhelming." He shared his honest feelings.
His words made me realize that no matter on what side of matrimony you are, the doubts, the apprehensions, the insecurities, and the anxieties are all the same.
"Don't worry, these muddled feelings are inevitable, and that's the beauty which this phrase holds. We'll pass this phase too, that too together. We'll make our optimism and happiness overpower all our anxieties and fears." I whispered tenderly, blinking my eyes in assurance, and drinking in his grounded self, filled with nothing but realism and humility.
At my reply, his deep, penetrating gaze bore into me, making my insides churn. No matter how hard I tried to look away, and break this eye contact, I couldn't.
Two months, merely two months, and this man has succeeded in undefinable ways to hold me captive merely by his piercing gaze. This fiancé of mine holds some divine power over me, which nobody ever had, nobody ever could, maybe, nobody ever will.
"Stop now." Defeated, I said to him, unable to handle his intense gaze anymore.
"What stop?" He feigned innocence, his tone teasing, a hint of amused smile perked up at the corners of his lips.
"You aren't that innocent Mr. Kansal, that you don't know what I'm talking about." I countered, raising my eyebrows.
"Arey waah, you've known me quite well in these two months huh?" He teased again, wiggling his brows.
"Yaaarr, bas na ab!" I whined as I felt heat crawling up my cheeks.
"Acha Acha." He sobered up and added a second later
"Arey han sun, your luggage and cartons have arrived." He told, showing me his dressing room through the back camera where my luggage was placed.
"We'll set it up in the cupboard when you'll come here. I have made space in the cupboards for your stuff." He informed.
"Arey Arey, you even made space for my stuff, even before my arrival." A said, dramatically.
"Yeah, had to. I had to clean up three-fourth of my space for you." He answered, half-heartedly, though I knew he was just trying to irritate me.
"Had to." I mimicked dramatically, while he chuckled at my reaction, "So cruel you are, you can't even spare some space for your would-be-wife."
"Lae, I've given my whole life to you, and you are talking about some space." He retorted immediately, while my face flushed at his words.
Before I could think of a coherent reply, he spoke, "Chal ab blushing queen, go now, spend some time with your family, we'll talk tomorrow."
"Hanji." I said, softly.
"Bye." He spoke, smiling.
"Bye." I end up the call, after our teeny-weeny eye contact, and soft smiles.
*****
Heya Buddies!
If given a chance what is the one suggestion you would give to a couple, who's going to get married?
Did you like the chapter?? Please do answer this, I genuinely look forward to your views on the chapter. And ab to bhtt time ke baad poocha, so answer kardenaaa!!ðð
Shaadi next chapter mein! As this and the previous chapter was needed to show Riya's dynamics with her family.
Also, anything particular you want to see at AdYa's wedding? Not the heavy, cliche moments, anything light and different.ð
And yes, I won't be able to continue the Wednesday and Sunday schedule for the updates, as I don't want to strain my eyes more than required for quite some time. I would be updating randomly, as and when I am able to complete writing the chapter. Hope you all understand.
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Until Next Time,
Lots of Love,
Râ¤ï¸