26. Shaadi

Feel free to comment your views ♡

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Amrita sat in front of the mirror, her beauty undeniable-like a goddess-but her expression was anything but serene.

Her normally fiery eyes seemed distant, as if clouded by something she couldn't shake off.

Ananya, busy fixing her hair, cast a quick glance at her. She immediately sensed something was off. "What happened, Amul baby?"

Amrita gave a small shrug, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Nothing. Just the effects of yesterday's fight," she muttered, though her tone hinted at more than just physical exhaustion.

Ananya's eyes softened with concern as she walked over, cupping Amrita's face gently.

"Oh no. Is it paining anywhere? Are you alright? Should we call off the wedding?" Her voice was filled with worry, her fingers tracing Amrita's jawline, trying to gauge if something more serious was bothering her.

Just then, Divya and Ishika entered the room, their eyes immediately locking onto the two of them.

"Call off the wedding?" Divya repeated, her voice laced with confusion and concern. "Why, what happened?"

Ananya glanced over at her and then back at Amrita, her hand still resting on her cheek. "It's Amul baby. She's not fine."

Ishika's brows furrowed, and she stepped closer, her hands on her hips. "Ritu, what happened?"

Amrita rolled her eyes, annoyance flashing across her face as she gently removed Ananya's hand from her face. "It's nothing, mayya."

Ishika, moved to her side, concern radiating from her. "What do you mean 'nothing'? You're not acting like yourself."

Amrita sighed, leaning back slightly in the chair, clearly trying to downplay whatever discomfort she was feeling. "It's just a small stomach ache. Don't worry."

"Are you sure, Ritu?" Divya asked, her voice low but filled with concern. Her eyes bore into Amrita, not buying the casual dismissal.

Amrita straightened herself, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm sure. It'll pass."

But the lingering tension in her voice and the way she didn't meet their gazes made it clear that something more was going on.

Ananya crossed her arms, looking skeptical but unwilling to push further-at least not yet. "If you say so, but we're keeping an eye on you. And no more hiding stuff from us, okay?"

Amrita gave a soft chuckle, nodding. "Okay, okay. I'll be fine. Just a little... extra pressure from everything, I guess."

Ishika, though still unconvinced, let the topic drop for now, realizing there wasn't much she could do if Amrita wasn't ready to open up.

"Fine. But we're not letting you off the hook today, okay? We're all here for you. You don't get to shut us out."

Amrita smiled at her friends' concern, their loyalty providing her a semblance of comfort, even though her emotions still felt tangled. "Thanks, guys," she whispered.

But Ananya, being the persistent one, wasn't letting her off the hook. She folded her arms and leaned in, her voice unusually serious. "Okay. Cut it out. What is it? Tell me."

Amrita sighed, knowing full well her friends weren't going to let this go. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes fixed on the ground before she finally spoke. "I just... don't like the date of this marriage. Why does it have to be today?"

The other three exchanged confused looks. Divya was the first to speak. "Why? What will happen if it's today?"

Amrita's shoulders slumped, her voice unusually soft and low as she answered, "It's... Dad's birthday today."

The room fell silent for a moment. Ishika's expression softened, her usual practicality tinged with a rare gentleness. "So? What if it's Uncle's birthday? Isn't it kind of nice that you're getting married on his birthday? Feels like he's with you in spirit, celebrating too."

Amrita shook her head, her jaw tightening. "now he's not here... and it just feels wrong."

Ananya walked over, kneeling beside her and placing a hand on her knee. "Ritu, Uncle would be so proud of you right now. Do you think he'd want you to be sad today? No. He'd probably tell you to stop sulking, stand tall, and show the world what you can do, right?"

Divya chimed in, her voice lighter, trying to ease the atmosphere. "And knowing Uncle, he'd probably be more worried about the food at the reception than the date."

That earned a small chuckle from Amrita. "You're not wrong there. He'd have a full critique ready by the end of the night."

"Exactly!" Ananya grinned, squeezing her knee. "So let's do this for him. Not just for you, but for Uncle too. Show him that his Amul baby can handle anything."

Amrita nodded slowly, her eyes misty but filled with determination. "You guys are right. He'd probably yell at me if he saw me crying like this."

Ishika smiled, handing her a tissue. "Exactly. And don't forget, we've got your back. Always."

"Always," the others echoed.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The wedding venue was a grand yet traditional setup, illuminated with thousands of golden lights that bathed the area in a warm, festive glow.

The shaadi mandap, adorned with lilies, jasmine, and roses, stood at the center, with a canopy of intricate silk drapes adding a regal touch.

The air buzzed with excitement and the faint scent of incense mixed with floral fragrances.

Aaryansh and Aditya sat on intricately carved chairs, their contrasting demeanors impossible to miss.

Aaryansh, dressed in a royal ivory sherwani embroidered with silver threads, looked both regal and restless, his eyes darting toward the entrance every few seconds.

The blackish blue turban and matching stole draped across his shoulder added to his princely aura. His lips curved into a faint smile as he imagined his bride walking in.

Aditya, on the other hand, wore a navy-blue sherwani with silver embellishments.

His posture was relaxed, almost indifferent, as he gazed straight ahead, his expression unreadable.

The slight smirk on his lips made it hard to tell whether he was annoyed or simply amused by the proceedings.

The music shifted to a soft, melodious tune, signaling the arrival of the brides. Everyone turned toward the entrance, their chatter dying down into an anticipatory silence.

Amrita and Ananya appeared, escorted by Ishika and Divya, each bride a vision of elegance and strength.

Amrita wore a rich crimson lehenga with intricate gold embroidery, her dupatta draped gracefully over her head.

Her jewelry was heavy but tasteful, with a choker, long necklace, and jhumkas that complemented her sharp features.

Her kohl-lined eyes shimmered, but her lips held a calm, determined smile.

Ananya wore a pastel pink lehenga adorned with pearl and silver work.

Her bubbly nature shone through in her smile, which lit up the room.

The playful glint in her eyes matched her demeanor, as if she were ready to turn the solemn occasion into something lighthearted at any moment.

As they walked down the aisle, whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd.

Even Aditya's stoic expression faltered for a moment as he noticed Ananya's liveliness, though he quickly masked it.

Aaryansh, on the other hand, couldn't tear his eyes away from Amrita, his smile growing with every step she took toward him.

As the brides reached the mandap, Amrita's and Aaryansh's eyes met.

For a brief second, the world around them seemed to blur. Amrita felt her heartbeat quicken, but she maintained her composure, her usual stoic demeanor intact.

Aaryansh stood up, stepped forward and held out his hand, which she accepted without hesitation.

The priest began chanting the mantras, the sacred sounds filling the air as everyone watched the couples intently.

Aaryansh and Amrita sat beside each other, their fingers brushing briefly as they performed the rituals.

Though she said nothing, Amrita's slight nod toward Aaryansh made him feel a warmth that words couldn't convey.

Meanwhile, Aditya and Ananya sat beside each other in stark contrast. Aditya performed the rituals mechanically, his face betraying no emotion.

Ananya, however, couldn't resist throwing playful glances his way, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

When she deliberately nudged his hand during the offerings, Aditya shot her a sharp look, but Ananya only giggled silently, as if daring him to react.

As the pheras began, the couples circled the sacred fire, each step representing a vow.

Amrita's strides were steady, her hand firmly clasped with Aaryansh's, while his protective glance toward her spoke volumes.

Ananya's walk was lighter, her soft whispers to tease Aditya earned her a few curt nods and an occasional exasperated sigh.

Finally, the priest instructed the grooms to tie the mangalsutra around their brides' necks. Aaryansh did so with reverence, his eyes locking with Amrita's as he made his promise of togetherness.

Aditya, meanwhile, moved with the same practiced indifference, but the slight twitch in his jaw hinted at emotions he wasn't ready to show.

After the mangalsutra ceremony, the priest handed Aaryansh a small silver dish filled with vermillion, the sacred sindoor, its bright red hue symbolizing love, commitment, and the sanctity of marriage.

Aaryansh took a pinch of the powder between his thumb and forefinger, his hand steady despite the weight of the moment.

He gently lifted Amrita's dupatta, revealing her serene face. Their eyes met briefly, hers calm yet filled with an unspoken resolve, his brimming with silent admiration.

With utmost care, Aaryansh applied the sindoor to the parting of Amrita's hair, the crimson streak standing out against her jet-black locks.

The moment felt sacred, almost eternal, as if sealing a promise that went beyond words.

Amrita's expression softened, and for a fleeting moment, a hint of vulnerability flashed in her otherwise stoic eyes.

On the other side, Aditya, ever the enigma, hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking the sindoor.

He moved with mechanical precision, lifting Ananya's dupatta without meeting her gaze.

Ananya, in stark contrast, watched him intently, her playful grin replaced by a rare moment of solemnity.

As Aditya placed the sindoor in her hair, a flicker of something unspoken passed between them-an unacknowledged bond that neither was ready to confront.

The crowd erupted into cheers and claps, showering blessings on the newlyweds.

Amrita, now adorned with the traditional symbols of a married woman, stood tall beside Aaryansh, her strength and grace undeniable.

Ananya, meanwhile, couldn't resist breaking the serious atmosphere as she leaned toward Aditya and whispered with a sly smile, "Well, Mr. Perfect, that sindoor suits your work, don't you think?"

Aditya sighed, shaking his head, but a ghost of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let's hope it suits you more."

The sindoor ritual, though brief, carried a profound significance-a blend of tradition, emotion, and an unspoken promise that bound them together in ways they were only beginning to understand.

As the weddings concluded, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Amrita glanced at Aaryansh, her stoic expression softening into a faint smile.

Ananya turned to Aditya, her grin broad as she whispered, "Well, Mr. Perfect, looks like you're stuck with me now."

Aditya smirked faintly, muttering under his breath, "Don't remind me."

The brides and grooms stepped down from the mandap, greeted by their families and friends with joyous celebrations.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

For my followers 💜

LET YOUR HEART BE YOUR GUIDE ❤️