Bonus Chapter-2

Author's POV,

Rudra had spent the entire day ensuring every detail of the wedding preparations was perfect. He had personally checked the flowers, seating arrangements, and lighting. Everything had to be flawless for Pihu, just the way she deserved. As evening settled in, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, he finally made his way back to his room, thoughts filled with Pihu's smile and the happiness in her eyes.

Entering his room, Rudra found it empty. A small frown creased his forehead. He had expected Pihu to be there, waiting for him. His eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of her, but there was none. Assuming she might have stepped out for a moment, he headed to the washroom to freshen up, still brimming with the excitement of their upcoming wedding.

However, as minutes passed and Pihu didn't return, Rudra felt a stir of concern. Stepping out of the washroom, his eyes swept over the room again, now more alert. She still wasn't there. His frown deepened. Where could she have gone?

Determined to find her, Rudra headed towards the door. Just as he was about to leave, he found Veer, Akash, and Ankit standing outside, effectively blocking his path. Their expressions were a mix of mischief and determination.

Rudra raised an eyebrow at the sight of them. "What are you three up to?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.

Akash, the youngest of the trio and still a bit wary of Rudra, gathered the courage to speak first. "Are you going somewhere, Jiju?" he asked, his tone polite but firm.

Rudra nodded. "Yes, I'm looking for Pihu. Have you seen her?" His voice carried a hint of impatience. He didn't have time for their games right now; he just wanted to see Pihu.

Ankit, usually the one to lighten the mood, nodded. "Yes, Di is with Ma and Shivani Didi. They're probably in her room, getting her ready for the night."

Rudra's shoulders relaxed slightly at the information. He turned to head towards Pihu's room, but Veer stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Not so fast, Rudra," Veer said, his voice steady and serious.

Rudra looked at Veer, confusion crossing his features. "What do you mean, Veer?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

Veer stood his ground, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Rudra, tonight, you won't be with my sunshine. We've decided that you'll have to manage without her. We're here to keep you company instead."

Rudra's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why? I want to see Pihu. We're getting married tomorrow. Why can't I see her tonight?" His voice held a trace of frustration, his desire to be with Pihu evident.

Akash, still a bit nervous around Rudra but finding his voice, chimed in. "It's what Maa said, Jiju. She thinks it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other the night before the wedding. So, just... forget it." He ended with a small shrug, his eyes darting away.

Rudra took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. He knew these traditions meant a lot to Pihu's family, but he hadn't expected to be barred from seeing her altogether. "You all are seriously going to keep me away from Pihu?" he asked, trying to gauge if there was any way to change their minds.

Ankit nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Jiju. It's only one night. And besides, it's fun, a sort of pre-wedding ritual," he said, grinning widely.

Veer placed a hand on Rudra's shoulder. "It's only one night, Rudra. And you'll have a lifetime with her after tomorrow. So tonight, just stay with us. We can have some fun."

Rudra sighed, realizing there was no winning this argument. He could see the genuine affection in their eyes, and he knew that part of their insistence came from a place of love and protection for Pihu. It was hard to argue with that.

"Fine," Rudra agreed, crossing his arms over his chest, trying to hide the disappointment in his eyes. "But just know, if I don't see her first thing in the morning, you three are in trouble," he said, his voice half-serious, half-playful.

Veer laughed, clapping him on the back. "Deal. Now come on, we've got a long night ahead of us, and we're not letting you sulk. We've got snacks, drinks, and a movie waiting."

As Rudra, Veer, Akash, and Ankit settled into the room, the atmosphere was a mix of awkwardness and anticipation. Akash and Ankit still held a trace of apprehension. They exchanged glances, unsure how to behave around Rudra, who was not only their brother-in-law but also a man of immense power and influence.

Rudra, sensing the tension, decided to break the ice. He sat down on the floor, motioning for the others to join him. "Alright, you two," he said, looking directly at Akash and Ankit, his tone light and playful. "I know I can be intimidating sometimes, but tonight I'm just your Jiju, alright? No need to be so stiff. We're here to have some fun, aren't we?"

Akash shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flickering to Ankit for reassurance. Ankit nodded subtly, and they both sat down, still hesitant.

Veer, noticing their reluctance, jumped in. "Come on, guys. Rudra's not that scary. Once you get to know him, you'll see he's just a regular guy... well, sort of," he added with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Rudra rolled his eyes but smiled. "Thanks, Veer, for the vote of confidence," he said sarcastically. Then, looking back at the two younger men, he said, "Let's play a game. Something fun and easy to get to know each other better. What do you guys think?"

Akash and Ankit exchanged another glance, and this time, there was a hint of curiosity. "What kind of game?" Akash asked cautiously.

"How about we play 'Truth or Dare'?" Veer suggested. "But let's keep it light. No crazy dares, just simple truths. It'll help us get to know each other."

Rudra nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds good. Nothing too intense. Just a way for us to relax and have a little fun." He looked at Akash and Ankit. "What do you say?"

Ankit shrugged, finally starting to relax. "Alright, I'm in. But only if the questions are fair," he said with a small smile.

"Fair enough," Rudra agreed. "Let's start." He glanced around the group, deciding to go first. "Ankit, truth or dare?"

Ankit thought for a moment. "Truth," he answered, feeling it was the safer option.

Rudra grinned. "Okay, tell me something about Pihu. What's her favorite place in the world?"

Ankit's eyes lit up at the opportunity to share. "Oh, that's easy," he said, warming up to Rudra. "When Di was small, she always dreamed of going to Disneyland. It's her childhood dream."

Rudra's smile softened, picturing a young Pihu with dreams in her eyes. Akash's tension eased, seeing Rudra's genuine interest in Pihu's childhood. He decided to join in. "Di also wants to visit every state in India and experience the different cultures. She's always reading about different places and trying to learn about them."

Rudra nodded, his fondness for Pihu evident. "That sounds like her. I've seen her lost in reading articles on her phone more than once," he said, his tone filled with affection.

Veer, noticing the atmosphere finally lightening up, clapped his hands. "Alright, my turn! Akash, truth or dare?"

Akash, feeling more at ease now, grinned. "Dare. Let's make it interesting."

Veer smirked. "I dare you to mimic Rudra. Let's see your best impression of our Jiju."

Akash hesitated for a moment, glancing at Rudra. Seeing the encouraging nod from him, Akash took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and put on a serious expression. He deepened his voice, imitating Rudra's authoritative tone perfectly. "If I see one thing out of place at the wedding tomorrow, just one mistake," he said, wagging his finger for emphasis, "you'll all be in serious trouble. This wedding has to be perfect, understand? No excuses, no slip-ups. Now, get back to work!"

The room burst into laughter, Veer and Ankit doubling over with delight at Akash's spot-on impression. Even Rudra couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"That was actually pretty good," Rudra admitted, shaking his head with a grin.

The laughter was infectious, and it seemed to break the last bit of tension in the room. The ice was truly broken now, and for the rest of the night, they shared stories, jokes, and more impressions. The bond between them grew stronger, not just as brothers-in-law, but as friends and family. As the night wore on, they realized they weren't just sharing a pre-wedding ritual—they were building memories that would last a lifetime.

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The morning of the Haldi ceremony dawned bright and sunny, with a light breeze carrying the scent of marigolds throughout the garden. The garden was alive with colors—yellow and orange garlands draped around every available surface, delicate white jasmine flowers woven into decorative hangings, and the soft music of traditional drums and flutes playing in the background. Family and friends were gathered, their laughter filling the air as they prepared for the ritual that marked the beginning of the wedding festivities.

Rudra and Pihu sat on separate, intricately decorated stools, facing each other but separated by a small distance. Both were dressed in yellow clothes, their faces glowing with the excitement of the day. They exchanged shy smiles, the tension and anticipation of the upcoming wedding evident in their eyes.

One by one, the family members approached, applying the turmeric paste to their faces, arms, and feet, offering blessings and good wishes. The Haldi was cool against their skin, the ceremony's significance a reminder of the love and support surrounding them.

Shivani, with her usual mischievous grin, grabbed a handful of the Haldi paste. "Rudra Jiju, you're too clean for a groom," she teased. Before he could react, she smeared the Haldi all over Rudra's face, making sure to cover every inch.

The sight was comical—Rudra's face was a bright yellow, with smears reaching his ears and hairline. Everyone around burst into laughter, the light-heartedness of the moment bringing even more joy to the celebration.

Seeing Shivani's success, Akash, Ankit and Veer couldn't resist joining in. They rushed forward, each grabbing more Haldi paste, smearing it over Rudra's neck and arms. Rudra tried to dodge, but with three against one, he was quickly overpowered. His laughter mingled with theirs, echoing across the garden.

Pihu was laughing so hard she had to clutch her stomach, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Seeing Rudra covered in yellow from head to toe was too much for her, and she couldn't contain her amusement.

Rudra caught sight of Pihu's laughter, her joy lighting up her face, and he decided to turn the tables. His eyes met Shivani's, and he gave her a conspiratorial nod. Shivani's eyes twinkled with understanding, and she moved quietly towards Pihu.

"Uh-oh," Pihu muttered, sensing trouble. She tried to back away, but it was too late. Shivani lunged at her with a handful of Haldi.

Pihu squealed and turned to run, darting between guests and around the garden, Shivani, Akash, and Ankit in hot pursuit. "Catch her!" Shivani called out, laughing as Pihu evaded her grasp.

Pihu ran around the entire garden, her laughter ringing out as she tried to escape. She was almost back to where she had started, her breath coming in short gasps, when her foot slipped on a patch of damp grass. Her arms flailed as she began to fall, a yelp escaping her lips.

But before she could hit the ground, Rudra was there. He caught her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her close. Pihu's hands instinctively clutched at Rudra's shoulders, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, they just stood there, faces inches apart, the world around them fading into the background.

Rudra steadied her, his grip firm but gentle. His eyes were warm as they locked with hers, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Careful, Pihu," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of concern and amusement. "I wouldn't want my bride-to-be to get hurt."

Pihu's heart skipped a beat. She tried to pull away, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. "Let go, Rudra," she said, trying to sound stern but failing to hide the laughter in her voice.

But Rudra tightened his hold, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not so fast," he said. With a swift movement, he turned her around, holding her in place as Shivani, Akash, and Ankit approached with their hands full of Haldi.

Pihu gasped, looking back at Rudra over her shoulder. "Rudra, don't you dare!" she threatened, her voice a mix of laughter and mock outrage. "If you do this, I won't let you into my room after the wedding! I'll make you sleep in the garden!"

Rudra smirked, unfazed by her threat. "I'll take my chances," he replied, his tone playful. He nodded to the trio, giving them the go-ahead.

Shivani, Akash, and Ankit didn't waste a second. They moved in, smearing Haldi over Pihu's cheeks, arms, and even a bit in her hair. Pihu shrieked in surprise, her protests drowned out by the laughter of everyone around them.

By the time they were done, Pihu was just as covered in Haldi as Rudra. She stood there, catching her breath, a mock glare directed at Rudra. But the twinkle in her eyes gave her away, and soon, she was laughing along with the rest of them.

Rudra pulled her close once more, his thumb gently wiping away a smudge of Haldi from her cheek. "You look beautiful," he said, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Pihu's heart swelled with happiness, her earlier annoyance forgotten. "And you look ridiculous," she teased back, her smile softening the words.

The ceremony continued with joy and laughter, but for Rudra and Pihu, the memory of that moment—the laughter, the chase, and the closeness—would stay with them long after the Haldi had been washed away.

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The hours passed quickly, and before anyone realized, it was already 3 o'clock, the time for Pihu to start getting ready for the wedding. After the exhausting Haldi ceremony, Pihu had managed to take a short rest. But her peace was soon interrupted by Shivani and her mother gently waking her up. The soft rustling of the curtains and the sound of birds outside filled the room, creating a serene backdrop against the excitement that was building up inside the house.

"Pihu, wake up, sweetheart," her mother's voice was tender yet laced with urgency. "It's time to get ready. The makeup artist is already here, and we need to start."

Pihu opened her eyes slowly, the weight of the upcoming event settling in her heart. She stretched a little, feeling the nervous excitement bubble up in her. Shivani, her face still bright with leftover Haldi, grinned at her. "Come on, Pihu! You're about to become a bride! No more sleeping, it's time to shine!"

With the help of Shivani and her mother, Pihu got out of bed and move to freshen up , then, made her way to the dressing area. The makeup artist had already set up her tools, brushes, and palettes, ready to transform Pihu into a bride. Pihu sat down in front of the mirror, the familiar face staring back at her beginning to blur with the image of the bride she was about to become.

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TBC.....