✨4. Who won the ritual?

As Niharika completed her grah pravesh, the sound of her anklets resonating softly in the grand hall, she paused before the imposing figures of Indra Singh Ranawat and Shweta Singh Ranawat. Their expressions held a mixture of formality and restrained warmth, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere weighing on her.

Bending down gracefully, Niharika touched Indra's feet first. He extended a hand in response, his face unreadable as he murmured, "Bless you." It felt more like a formality than genuine affection, but she accepted it with a bowed head, knowing this was now her reality.

She then turned to Shweta, whose eyes held a faint glimmer of maternal instinct. As Niharika touched her feet, Shweta placed her hands on her head, murmuring, "Stay blessed, beta. May you adjust well here." Her words, though gentle, carried a subtle undertone-an expectation that Niharika would fulfill her duties as the Ranawat family's daughter-in-law.

Next, Niharika moved toward Anita and Anand, who stood slightly to the side, observing everything with quiet attention. Anita's smile was warm, a small reprieve in the otherwise cold welcome. When Niharika touched her feet, Anita pulled her up gently and said, "You're family now, Niharika. Don't hesitate to come to me if you need anything."

Anand, on the other hand, gave her a brief nod of approval. When she bent to touch his feet, he simply placed his hand over her head, a gesture that felt more like a duty than genuine emotion.

The formalities were done, but the weight of their gazes remained heavy on her shoulders. She straightened herself, her heart racing, as she prepared to navigate the next chapter of this unfamiliar journey. This was her new family, bound by name and tradition but not yet by love or trust.

Her eyes darted to Shivaay, who stood apart from the gathering, his expression cold and distant, as though he were an outsider in his own home. For a fleeting moment, their gazes met, but he quickly looked away, his indifference cutting deeper than any words could have.

As the grand hall buzzed with subtle excitement, Riya brought forward a large silver bowl filled with water, milk, and scattered rose petals, its aroma filling the air. She held the bowl with a mischievous grin, placing it in the center of the room where everyone had gathered to watch the playful ceremony.

"Alright, bhai, bhabhi," Riya announced cheerfully, "this is the moment we've all been waiting for. Let's see who wins!" Her playful tone did little to lighten the tension in the air.

Niharika sat silently, her nervous fingers fiddling with the edge of her dupatta. Shivaay, on the other hand, looked entirely disinterested, his jaw set and his sharp features void of any emotion.

"Bhai, at least pretend to enjoy," Ishaan teased, nudging Shivaay as everyone laughed.

Ignoring the comment, Shivaay sat down beside Niharika, his cold demeanor unyielding. Riya stepped forward, holding up a delicate gold ring. "This ring," she declared dramatically, "will decide who will rule the marriage." She dropped it into the bowl, her grin widening as the ring sank beneath the surface.

"Start!" she clapped, signaling the beginning of the game.

Both Niharika and Shivaay hesitated for a moment before reluctantly dipping their hands into the bowl. Their fingers brushed briefly, sending an unexpected jolt through Niharika, who quickly withdrew her hand, flustered. Shivaay's expression didn't change, but his movements became deliberate, almost as if he was determined to end the game quickly.

Everyone around cheered and teased as the two silently searched for the ring, their hands occasionally colliding. Niharika focused on the task, trying to ignore the tension and the subtle tremor in her hands.

"Come on, bhabhi! Don't let him win so easily!" Riya encouraged, laughing.

Shivaay's sharp gaze flicked to Riya briefly, and with one swift motion, he retrieved the ring, holding it up for everyone to see.

"I win," he declared flatly, his voice devoid of triumph.

The room erupted into cheers and playful jabs. "Bhai, no mercy even in a game?" Ivaan joked, shaking his head.

Niharika managed a faint smile, though her heart sank. She could feel the weight of the moment-the stark reminder that Shivaay saw this as nothing more than an obligation.

Riya, noticing the unease, quickly stepped in to lighten the mood. "Alright, bhai won this round, but don't worry, bhabhi, you'll get your chance to rule soon!" she said with a wink.

But even as laughter filled the room, Niharika couldn't shake the lingering sense of isolation. She was surrounded by people, yet utterly alone, tethered to a man who seemed to want nothing to do with her.

As the grand hall filled with eager chatter, Riya carried the silver bowl filled with a mix of water, milk, and rose petals to the center. The fragrant aroma wafted through the air, heightening the anticipation among the gathered family members.

"Alright, bhai, bhabhi," Riya announced with a cheeky grin, placing the bowl down, "this is your chance to prove who's going to rule the household. Let the games begin!"

Niharika sat down hesitantly, her eyes briefly meeting Shivaay's cold and indifferent gaze before flickering away. Shivaay's expression remained hard, his disinterest evident, but he reluctantly took his place beside her.

Riya held up a gleaming gold ring, winking as she explained, "The rules are simple: whoever finds this ring first is the boss of this marriage." She dropped the ring into the bowl with a flourish, and the water rippled as the tiny object sank to the bottom.

"Ready? Go!"

Niharika tentatively dipped her hand into the cool water, her fingers brushing against Shivaay's for a fleeting moment. She flinched slightly but steeled herself, focusing on the task at hand.

The atmosphere buzzed with teasing and encouragement from the family. "Come on, bhabhi, don't let him win!" Ishan called out.

"You've got this, bhai! Show her who's boss!" Ivaan chimed in, laughing.

Despite the playful remarks, Niharika concentrated, her slender fingers searching through the petals and swirling water. Shivaay moved with calculated precision, but his irritation was clear in the stiffness of his movements.

Suddenly, Niharika's fingers closed around something solid. She pulled her hand out triumphantly, holding up the golden ring as the room erupted into cheers and claps.

"Bhabhi won!" Riya squealed, clapping her hands excitedly.

Shivaay's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his expression unreadable as Niharika smiled shyly, basking in the brief moment of victory.

"Round two!" Riya declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She took the ring, tossed it back into the bowl, and stirred the water dramatically.

This time, Niharika was more confident. The encouragement from Shweta and Riya gave her a sense of belonging, albeit faint. Shivaay, on the other hand, seemed even more detached, but he reached into the bowl again, his movements almost robotic.

The game went on for a few moments, and once again, Niharika's nimble fingers found the ring before Shivaay could. She raised it high, earning another round of cheers and laughter.

"Two out of two! Bhabhi is the queen!" Riya exclaimed, pretending to bow before Niharika.

Shweta smiled warmly, stepping forward to pat Niharika's shoulder. "Looks like our daughter-in-law is not only graceful but also quick-witted," she said with pride.

Niharika's cheeks flushed, her heart swelling with a mix of happiness and nervousness. For the first time since entering the Ranawat mansion, she felt a glimmer of acceptance.

Shivaay, however, stood abruptly, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room before turning to leave. "I have work to do," he said curtly, walking away without sparing Niharika a glance.

The laughter faded momentarily as everyone exchanged uneasy glances, but Riya quickly stepped in to lighten the mood. "Well, bhai might act tough, but we all know who's really in charge now," she teased, making everyone laugh again.

Niharika smiled faintly, holding onto the small victories in a sea of uncertainty.

As Shivaay walked away without a word, the cheerful atmosphere dimmed slightly. However, Riya quickly took charge, her bubbly personality not letting the mood falter for long.

"Alright, bhabhi," she said, clapping her hands together, "since Mr. Grumpy has disappeared, let us show you around the palace. Trust me, it's much better than sitting around waiting for him to warm up!"

Ishaan and Ivaan joined in, their playful demeanor lifting the spirits further. "We'll give you the grand tour, bhabhi," Ishaan said, winking. "You're royalty now, so you should know your castle."

Niharika smiled hesitantly, grateful for their kindness. "Thank you," she said softly.

The three siblings led her through the sprawling mansion, which was nothing short of a palace. The grand corridors were lined with intricate carvings, and crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow. Every room they entered was more majestic than the last, with antique furniture, opulent decor, and walls adorned with family portraits and priceless artworks.

"This is the main hall," Riya explained as they entered a massive room with a high domed ceiling and large windows that bathed the space in natural light. "This is where we host most of our formal events and gatherings. You'll get used to seeing it filled with people during festivals and parties."

Niharika nodded, taking in the grandeur. The hall was so vast it felt like a world of its own.

They moved on to the library, a room filled with towering bookshelves that seemed to touch the sky. "If you ever need peace and quiet, this is the place," Ivaan said. "Though I doubt you'll find Shivaay here. He's more of a study-through-files person than a bookworm."

Niharika smiled faintly, running her fingers along the spines of the books. The room had an inviting warmth that appealed to her.

Next, they took her to the gardens, sprawling acres of lush greenery, fountains, and exotic flowers. "This is my favorite spot," Riya said, twirling around on the cobblestone path. "It's like a slice of heaven when you need to escape the palace drama."

Niharika admired the beauty, feeling a rare moment of calm amidst the chaos of the day.

They continued to the grand dining hall, the music room, and even the private theater. Every corner of the mansion spoke of unmatched luxury and history, leaving Niharika both awed and slightly overwhelmed.

Finally, Riya stopped in front of a pair of ornate double doors. "And this," she said dramatically, "is your room."

Ishaan pushed the doors open to reveal a spacious bedroom decorated in soft, elegant tones. A large four-poster bed stood at the center, and the room had its own sitting area, walk-in closet, and an attached balcony overlooking the gardens.

"It's beautiful," Niharika said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, it is!" Ivaan said with a grin. "Only the best for the Ranawat bahu."

Riya nudged Niharika gently. "Don't let Shivaay's coldness get to you, bhabhi. This is your home now, and we're all here for you."

Niharika's eyes welled up slightly, but she quickly blinked away the tears. She nodded, offering them a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. It means a lot."

As they left her to settle in, Niharika stood by the balcony, looking out at the gardens. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, but she held on to the kindness shown by Riya, Ishaan, and Ivaan, hoping it would help her navigate this new chapter of her life.