14.

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"Rudra"

I whispered, "There's no way I won't be able to recognize him." His eyes widened when he heard me, but they softened, and he smiled at me.

"...."

And that smile took my heart away. His smile is charming, just like his voice. His eyes are sharp, but they are a piece of art. He is just like I imagined.

I forgot to blink, I just kept on looking at him. It was like if I blink he might disappear and I might lose my eyesight again. I held my breath for how long I didn't know.

My cheeks turned red. He stepped towards me, and I didn't mind, Dada and Baba went out. I guess to give us privacy.

He sat down in front of me tucking the hair strand behind my ear. And his little touch gave me shivers, not in a bad way.

"You finally see me, Mrs Chauhan"

I couldn't help but smile. I smile every time he calls me Mrs Chauhan. Seeing me smile, his lips curled into a smile too. Wait, is that a dimple?

I held my hand up to touch the dimple on his right cheek.

"I am happy Rudra... thank you so much for this"

Rudra shook his head,

"No need to thank me, it's all worth it to see your smile"

And my heart skipped a beat. He knows how to make my heart flutter. Does he know what he does to me?

***

I was lying on the bed while Rudra went out to attend a call. I saw the door opening and samarth dada walked in.

He smiled at me. I know he must have smiled after years like this. He walked towards me and sat beside me.

"Sunshine how are you feeling?"

I smiled and held his hand.

"Top of the world"

He laughed lightly, finally hearing my cheerful voice. He pats my head.

"Simba is missing you..."

I pout hearing about Simba. He is my baby and hasn't stayed without me since I adopted him.

"I'll ask Rudra if I can keep Simba with me"

Dada nodded,

"House will get lonely without you and Simba"

I drew a circle on his palm,

"I am not going somewhere far away from Mumbai. Only you can come to meet me. I can go meet you anytime, right?"

"Yes sunshine"

We heard the door opening, and Rudra had returned with a bowl of soup.

"Time for dinner"

He walked in, dada got up and walked to the door.

"Sunshine take care"

I nodded and he left. While Rudra sat where Dada was sitting.

"I asked Maria to make porridge for you cause Doc asked to eat something light for today"

I scrunch my nose, I didn't want to eat something bland. I was about to refute but Rudra beat me to it.

"Once you are well I'll ask Maria to make your fav saoji but today you have to eat it"

He spoke sternly leaving no room for refusal. I sighed in defeat.

"Fine"

Rudra took a spoonful of porridge and blew air on it as it was hot, bringing it near my lips.

I took a spoonful and gulped it down. I didn't like this bland food but there was no way I could refuse him.

After he was finally done feeding me. He wiped my lips with the napkin, not letting me do anything as if I had hurt my hands.

"You'll get discharged tomorrow but we have to see the doctor for regular check-ups"

He spoke, handing me a glass of water. I took it and gulped down the water.

"Now like a good girl lay down and sleep"

He helped me lay down and covered me with a comforter.

"Call me if you need anything I'm right here"

He leaned down and kissed my forehead, I closed my eyes feeling his tender lips on my forehead.

Butterflies were dancing in my stomach with this small gesture. His lips stayed for a few seconds and he pulled back.

"Good night"

I spoke and my cheeks must have turned red. I quickly closed my eyes he went to the couch and lay on it.

And I didn't know when I fell asleep.

I saw her closing her eyes and soon the room was filled with her quiet snores. I turned to her and stared at her sleeping face.

Tomorrow rest of the rituals will be finished, i wanted her to enjoy them so I urged this eye surgery. I wish I could do it before the wedding.

'Sleep well Chashni'

I mumbled and closed my eyes slowly falling asleep.

The next day after finishing up the discharge formalities we both left the hospital to go to Chauhan mansion. When we reached I got out of the car went to her side opened the door for her.

I held out my hand for her to hold which she took with a smile and got out of the car. I led her to the front door where Veena Aunty and the rest of the family were waiting.

After my bua insulted my chashni I didn't allow her to be involved in any rituals she just had to show her presence like a guest and then leave.

Veena Aunty did Chashni's aarti. Chashni was about to walk in but Arya stopped her.

"Kat not like this... take his name first only then you'll get to enter"

I frowned and looked at her, she understood my expression and explained.

"Jiju is a tradition where the bride has to take her husband's name only then does she get to enter"

I nodded and looked at chashni who was shy. She cleared her throat,

"Rudrache naav ghete chandryachya prakasaat,

Aayushyabhar karin jeevan ananda"

(Taking Rudra's name under the moonlight, I'll make our life together truly bright.)

And everyone started clapping and laughing. I didn't quite understand what she said in Marathi i guess I need to learn Marathi now.

"Google translate it later"

Zayn whispered teasing me. Veena Aunty then instructed further.

"Now bacha kick this pot full of rice grain"

Chashni lightly kicked the pot and we both walked in, then Veena Aunty asked her to dip her leg in kumkum thaal and walk in.

Chashni dipped her feet in kumkum and walked in leaving her footprints on the floor.

We were sitting in front of each other with a bowl between us.

"So kids now it's time for a little game I'll put this ring in the bowl of milk you both need to find this ring and the one who finds it will be the winner"

Veena Aunty spoke explaining the game.

"Bhabhi you have to find the ring... The one who finds the ring first is believed to have the upper hand in the marriage.

Nitya who was sitting with Arya and Misha spoke.

"Rudra you have to find the ring... izzat ka sawal h (it's a question of respect)"

Zayn spoke patting my shoulder. Tf do I care whether I find the ring or not, chashni is gonna rule.

Veena Aunty puts the ring in the bowl and we both put our hands in the bowl to search for the ring.

Everyone was cheering for us, some for me well mostly boys for me and all girls for ketki.

I was casually moving my hand in the bowl, while chashni was genuinely into finding the ring. At a point, our hands touched and I held her hand.

She looked at me with her wide eyes while I just gave her an innocent smile. She tried to free her hand but I was in the mood to tease her.

We both stared at each other until Zayn cleared his throat.

"Guys game is still going on"

And she quickly slipped her hand off my grip, I glared at Zayn

'Bich ka bandar' (monkey)

And ketki got the ring and showed it to everyone, she was genuinely happy about winning. Everyone clapped,

"See I told you Bhabhi would win and now she'll rule the marriage"

Nitya spoke teasing her brothers for my loss. She hugged ketki all happy.

Just like this, I wanna see my chashni happy, always smiling. I wanna see her eyes bright and also I want her to love me... the way I do... It might take time but I know she'll love me the way I love her.

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