[ 9]

" हो सोलह बरस के दो कदम ,

चौखट के बाहर क्या गए ,

तेरी कुड़माई के दिन आ गए "

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"I'm scared, Vidhan," Vidhi's voice trembled slightly as she began, "Will my brother ever be able to forget her and truly accept his new life?" Her words were weighed down with concern.

Vidhan pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her eyes. "What do you mean, Vidhi?" he asked gently, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Vidhi hesitated, then said, "Today, I noticed a necklace around his neck... with the ring she gave him. We all want him to move on from his past, but it feels like he's still holding on."

"So, Rishit loved someone else?" Vidhan asked, his tone calm and steady, though there was a depth of understanding in his voice. "Where is she now?"

Vidhi's eyes dimmed as she quietly replied, "She died."

There was a moment of silence, and then Vidhan spoke, his tone thoughtful. "If I were to answer you today as Vaani's brother," he began carefully, "maybe I would say this is wrong because it could potentially ruin my sister's life."

Vidhi looked at him, her eyes still filled with worry, as she tried to understand his response.

"But I'm not going to answer as Vaani's brother right now," Vidhan continued. "Vidhi, everyone deserves a second chance at life... and so does Rishit. It's an arranged marriage for him, and there's every possibility that this marriage could turn out to be a happy one. Don't overthink it. Let's enjoy the wedding without carrying this worry."

He gave her a reassuring smile, tightening his grip around her waist, as if to silently promise that everything would be okay.

After a moment, he rose from the bed, leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead, and quietly left the room, leaving Vidhi with his comforting words.

As Vidhan left Vidhi's room, his expression shifted into one of determination. He walked straight to Rishit's door and knocked firmly. After a few seconds, the door creaked open, revealing Rishit standing there, his face marked with confusion.

"Tum yaha?" Rishit asked, his voice laced with surprise.

( Why are you here )

"Tumse kuch baat karni hai," Vidhan responded curtly as he stepped into the room. Rishit closed the door behind him, and the two sat on the couch, the silence hanging heavily between them.

( I wanna talk to you )

Vidhan wasted no time, his voice steady as he broke the silence. "I'll get straight to the point. As a brother, I have some concerns."

Rishit's brows furrowed slightly. "Tum kehna kya chahate ho, Vidhan?"

( What do you wanna say )

Vidhan leaned forward, his tone sharp with resolve. "Yahi ki agar meri behan ko tumhare ghar mein itni si bhi takleef hui, toh main tumhe barbad karne se pehle ek baar bhi nahi sochunga. And believe me, if I say it, I mean it."

( I my sister will be in pain at your place then I will not think twice before destroying you )

There was a brief pause as Rishit met Vidhan's intense gaze. He remained calm, taking in the weight of Vidhan's words, and then he spoke with equal conviction.

"Chinta mat kijiye. Aapki behan ko hamare ghar mein koi bhi takleef nahi hogi. Hamare ghar mein kisi ki himmat nahi hogi ki wo Rishit Oberoi ki biwi par aawaj bhi utha sake... Aur agar wo aawaj uth bhi gayi, toh wo aawaj hamesha ke liye khamosh ho jaegi."

( Don't worry. Your sister will not have any problem in our house. No one in our house will have the courage to raise his voice against Rishit Oberoi's wife... and if that voice is raised, then that voice will be silenced forever. )

He leaned back slightly, his eyes steady as he added, "Ye mera wada hai. Rishit Oberoi ka wada."

( It's my promise )

Vidhan's expression softened, a small smile tugging at his lips as he took in Rishit's words. "You better remember it," he said, standing up. "Mere liye meri behan ki khushi se badkar kuch nahi hai... Aur ab meri behan ki khushi tum ho, Rishit."

( For me, nothing is more important than my sister's happiness and you are my sister's happiness )

With those words, Vidhan gave Rishit one last meaningful look before turning and leaving the room, leaving behind the unspoken understanding between two men bound by love and responsibility.

******************

Eventually, the pre-wedding functions concluded, and the much-awaited wedding day arrived.

Vaani sat in her room, draped in a rich red lehenga, every intricate detail of the garment reflecting the artistry behind it.

Soon, the vibrant sounds of the baraat echoed through the air. The rhythmic beats of the dhol and festive music filled the surroundings, enveloping the atmosphere in joyous energy. As Rishit descended from the horse, dressed in an ivory sherwani adorned with gold embroidery, the air seemed to still for a moment.

Vaidehi, who had been standing near the entrance with an aarti ki thali, performed the welcoming rituals, her hands steady as she circled the tray, flames flickering in the gentle breeze.

Meanwhile, Vidhan's attention was elsewhere. His gaze was fixed entirely on Vidhi, who stood not too far away, radiant in a red saree that only accentuated her natural beauty. A slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he couldn't help but give her a small wink, playful and affectionate.

Ved, noticing the exchange, leaned in close and whispered mischievously into Vidhan's ear, "Bhai, jyada romance mat karo warna Rishit jiju aapko dho denge."

"Chup kar," Vidhan muttered, though the amusement never left his face. His gaze returned to Vidhi, who was still looking at him, her own smile playing on her lips.

With the rituals complete, Rishit moved towards the stage, where the varmala ceremony was about to unfold. A sense of anticipation filled the air as the guests gathered around.

After some time, Vaani entered, adorned in a breathtaking bridal lehenga, her face veiled in an aura of quiet elegance and grace. As she walked down the aisle, her eyes, filled with love and hope, sought out Rishit.

But Rishit's gaze faltered. His eyes dropped to the ground, unable to meet hers.

Kartik, standing just beside him, noticed this hesitation. Gently, he lifted Rishit's chin and made their eyes meet. "Apni dulhan ko nihar le, ye mauka phir nahi milega," Kartik whispered, his tone teasing yet affectionate.

For the first time, Rishit truly looked at her. Vaani, radiant in her bridal attire, looked every bit a queen walking toward her love. His eyes, which had remained clouded, now softened as they took her in from head to toe. Her gaze remained unwavering, locked onto him, carrying the weight of her love and commitment.

As she neared him, Rishit felt his heart begin to race. There was something in her gaze, something so pure, so full of love, that it made him feel unworthy. A wave of guilt washed over him, pulling him under its weight. He couldn't meet her eyes with the same intensity, couldn't muster the same joy she felt in that moment.

At last, she stood before him, close enough to touch. The varmala ceremony began, and as they exchanged garlands, the hall erupted in cheers. A broad smile lit up Vaani's face, but Rishit's expression remained unreadable, his thoughts far too tangled to express.

"Thoda has le kamine," Kartik muttered under his breath, earning a sharp glare from Rishit.

"Jhoot mut ka hi has le," Kartik added, nodding toward Vaani as if to say, "For her sake, at least pretend."

Rishit made an effort, trying to curve his lips into a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Later, as the ceremony progressed, Rishit and Vaani found themselves seated on the mandap. The priest began chanting the sacred mantras, the rhythmic incantations weaving through the air, filling the moment with a timeless weight. The atmosphere grew reverent as the fire burned before them, crackling softly.

"Ab var aur vadhu phere ke liye khade ho jayein," the priest instructed, and the two stood, preparing for the seven sacred rounds that would bind them as husband and wife.

As they began the ritual of walking around the holy fire, the priest chanted the sacred mantras associated with each phera. But for Rishit, the words seemed to take on a different meaning.

As they circled the flames, the echoes of those very mantras whispered in his mind, words once explained to him by Nandini, his first love. The memories came rushing back, and with them, the bittersweet recollection of a love long past.

The priest's voice reverberated through the air, chanting the ancient Sanskrit verses:

"ॐ इष एकापदी भव।"

"With this first step, we promise to nourish each other."

Nandini's voice echoed in his memory, "This step is about building the foundation of a life together, ensuring there's always food and sustenance in your home."

"ॐ ऊर्जे द्विपदी भव।"

"With this second step, we promise to strength and support in all life's trials."

He remembered how Nandini had explained, "You will walk through storms and sunshine together, always supporting each other, no matter what."

"ॐ रायस्पोषाय त्रिपदी भव।"

"With this third step, we promise to accumulate wealth and prosperity by righteous means."

Her words whispered again, " This is the step where you build not just wealth but an abundant Life through honesty and integrity."

"ॐ मयोभवाय चतुष्पदी भव।"

"With this fourth step, we promise to be together for the sake of happiness and harmony."

Her gentle explanation had been, "It's about bringing happiness into your home, celebrating the little joys and victories."

"ॐ प्रजाभ्यः पञ्चपदी भव।"

"With this fifth step, we promise to raise noble children and be responsible parents."

He recalled Nandini's sweet smile as she had said, "This is where you pledge to build a family together, to raise children with love and wisdom."

"ॐ ऋतुभ्यः षड्पदी भव।"

"With this sixth step, we promise to be welcome every season wholeheartedly."

"ॐ सखा सप्तपदी भव।"

"With this seventh step, we promise to remain friends, to stand by each other in every phase of life."

Her voice softened in his memory, "And this, the final step, is about friendship. You'll always be partners, best friends, in all that you do."

After that, Nandini's voice reverberated through his mind one final time, "Wade nibhane ke liye hote hain, Rish... unhe yun thoda nahi jata. Ye wade jisse bhi karo, hamesha nibhana." Her words, laden with significance, lingered in the air, like a haunting reminder of promises meant to last a lifetime.

Each step resonated deeply within Rishit's soul as he walked around the sacred fire, feeling the weight of every vow. Though Nandini was a part of his past, her words intertwined with the present, amplifying the significance of each promise he now made to Vaani. His heart swelled with the knowledge that this love, this union, was both a continuation and a new beginning.

Each phera felt heavy, not just with tradition but with the weight of his own conflicted emotions. While Vaani walked beside him, her every step filled with hope for their future, Rishit's mind was consumed with the past, the echoes of Nandini's voice lingering in his ears.

As the rituals continued, the fire crackled, and the priest's chants filled the air with sacred energy, Rishit knew that this was where he was meant to be, tied in an eternal bond with the woman standing beside him.

After the pheras, Rishit and Vaani returned to their seats, their steps measured and heavy with the gravity of the rituals they were performing. The priest, with a solemn tone, instructed, "Ab var vadhu ki maang mein sindoor bhare."

Following the instructions, Rishit took a small pinch of the sacred sindoor and gently applied it to Vaani's hairline. His hand was steady, yet the moment was filled with unspoken weight. As the sindoor settled into her parting, a small bit of it fell onto her nose, a symbolic sign of love and luck. A soft murmur spread among the guests, noticing the auspicious mark, while Vaani's cheeks flushed slightly with a shy smile.

"Ab var vadhu ko mangalsutra pehnaye," the priest announced once more. Rishit took the delicately crafted mangalsutra-a chain of black beads interwoven with a stunning diamond pendant-and carefully fastened it around Vaani's neck. The intricate necklace rested gently against her skin, a symbol of the bond that had just been sanctified between them.

With the final rituals complete, the priest declared, "Vivaah sampann hua... ab var aur vadhu bade ka ashirwad le." The wedding had officially concluded, marking the beginning of their new journey together.

One by one, Rishit and Vaani rose and made their way toward their elders. They bent in respect, touching the feet of their parents and family members, receiving blessings for a prosperous and harmonious life ahead. As they did so, their faces showed the weight of the day's events-Vaani's filled with a mixture of joy and reverence, while Rishit's expression remained more subdued, his thoughts still clouded.

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After all the rituals were complete, the moment that everyone had been dreading finally arrived-Vaani's farewell. The air, once filled with music and laughter, now carried the heavy weight of emotion. Everyone gathered around her, their eyes glossy with unshed tears.

One by one, Vaani hugged her family members, her eyes brimming with sorrow. Each embrace was long, filled with love and the pain of parting. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to each loved one, her heart heavy with the realization that she was leaving her home.

She then turned toward Vidhan and Ved, who stood nearby, trying their best to stay composed, but the emotional weight of the moment was evident in their eyes. Both brothers struggled to hold back their tears, their lips pressed tightly together as they watched their beloved sister prepare to leave.

Vaani, her voice thick with emotion, moved towards them. As she embraced Vidhan, his usual playful demeanor vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sadness. He held her close, unwilling to let go, his tears finally breaking free as he whispered a soft goodbye.

Next, she turned to Ved, who was silently wiping his eyes, trying to maintain his composure. As Vaani hugged him, Ved's arms tightened around her, the weight of the moment hitting him harder than he'd anticipated. His usual teasing words were replaced by a rare silence, and all he could manage was a soft "Take care" as they parted.

Vidhan, still struggling with his emotions, turned to Rishit and leaned in close, his voice low but firm. "Apna wada yaad rakhna, Rishit," he whispered, reminding Rishit of the promise he had made. Rishit, his face stoic, simply blinked in acknowledgment, unable to find the words in that moment.

As the time came for them to leave, Vaani, with tears still flowing from her eyes, sat beside Rishit in the car. The atmosphere inside was heavy, the weight of the farewell hanging between them. She gazed out the window, watching her family disappear in the distance, her heart aching with each passing moment.

Rishit, observing her struggle in silence, gently pulled out a napkin from his pocket and wordlessly handed it to her. His gesture, though small, carried a quiet tenderness. Vaani accepted it with a slight nod, her fingers brushing against his as she took the napkin from his hand. She wiped her tear-streaked face, but her emotions continued to overwhelm her as the car drove further away from the world she had known all her life.

*******************

Vaani sat in the dimly lit room, her heart a mix of emotions as she waited for Rishit. Meanwhile, outside the room, Rishit stood with Kartik, trying to delay the inevitable.

"Jaa bhai," Kartik nudged him with a grin.

"Yaar, mein tere room mein so jau?" Rishit half-joked, trying to escape.

Kartik smirked, "Haan haan, kyu nahi. Suhaagrat bhi mana lena mere saath."

"Chup kar," Rishit shot back, shaking his head in exasperation. "Isse accha toh main yahi chala jaata." With a deep breath, he finally opened the door and entered the room.

Inside, Vaani sat at the edge of the bed, quietly removing her jewelry, each piece a reminder of the day's overwhelming events. Sensing his presence, she looked up, and their eyes met for a brief moment. Rishit, clearly uncomfortable, awkwardly shuffled towards the couch placed a few inches away from the bed and sat down.

Breaking the silence, he said, "Look, I don't know what to say or how to say it, but... I want to say something." His gaze was steady now, locking with hers. "Let's be friends."

Vaani blinked, taken aback. "What?"

Rishit shifted in his seat, trying to gather his thoughts. "I know I won't be able to be more than that... So let's be friends, just friends," he repeated, searching her face for a response. But when he didn't get one, he stood up awkwardly. "Main change karke aata hoon, phir tum kar lena," he mumbled, quickly heading toward the washroom.

As Rishit disappeared into the washroom, Vaani stared after him, her initial shock turning into amusement. She muttered under her breath, "Sharam nahi aati isse, apni biwi ko shaadi ki pehli raat hi friendzone karte hue." She smirked, an idea forming in her mind. "Iska badla toh main lekar rahoongi," she said with determination.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Vaani walked toward the washroom door and knocked lightly. "Rishit?" she called out sweetly.

"Haan?" Rishit's voice came from the other side, clearly unaware of what was coming.

"Tumhe claustrophobia toh nahi hai na?" she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"Nahi, kyun?" Rishit replied, confused.

The moment she heard his answer, Vaani swiftly locked the door from the outside, grinning to herself. "Bada aaya mujhe friendzone karne wala," she muttered, pleased with her little act of revenge. She then turned back to the room and began changing at her own pace, feeling triumphant.

Inside the washroom, Rishit stood in stunned silence as he realized what had just happened.

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How was the chapter ? Do let me know.

[ I know the first part was a bit boring and I feel this it was unnecessary but as I had already started it in the previous chapter so I couldn't delete it...sorry if you found it boring ]

[ And also if the wedding mantras or meaning were incorrect...do let me know...kyuki Google se copy paste kiya h ]

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( My ID - author_roohi_ )

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Thanks for reading

- Roohi