58. Tilak

The car drove inside the enormous wooden gate, Raina rolled down window and stared at the massive fort. Of course it was old, very old. Approximately two centuries old. But the regular renovation and fine work of traditional engineers kept the fort standing there with proud as the time passed by.

It was turned into a heritage hotel as the Royals had no use of this fort, they had plenty of other buildings to call it home. Generally, it was the property of Rathores because Maheshwari Sisodiya had no child and she had raised up his brother's son as his own, so she made Rana Uday Singh Rathore her nominee after her husband's demise.

Currently the fort was vacated on the name of renovation and repairing. The fort was like a mini city itself situated in the highland outskirts of Udaipur. Most of the hotel staff were sent away, only trusted ones were in the fort to provide helping hands.

More people, more chaos, more threat to their privacy.

Even the guests were limited, only the close royalties.

Car stopped, Raina got off from the car. She smoothen the crease on her saree as she approached the number of ladies standing at the entrance along with Maheshwari Sisodiya.

She was a little behind, walking with Dia and Gaurav. Akshit, Mr. Nagar and Mrs. Nagar were walking ahead.

She smiled seeing Vasudha and Adya appeared from the small group of women.

Rathores arrived a couple of days prior to make arrangements.

Can't be said same about the groom, he was wrapping up something important back in Jodhpur and decided to arrive on thr day of first ritual only.

After the meeting and greetings session, they were directed to the other part of fort especially arranged for bride and family.

They had separated the fort into two parts, so that they can perform the rituals perfectly and separately.

Although some rituals were planned to be done together but in a way that bride and groom can't see each other.

Yeah, yeah. Same old ritual. That meeting of both individuals were prohibited because it was considered inauspicious.

But it had it's own tangy bliss. Not seeing each other during those days used to enhance the restlessness to see each other.

But let's see if our couple feels the same or not.

Raina settled in the room which was provided to her. She was feeling tired by the journey. She went to bathroom freshen up, changing into a light Salwar Kameez.

That was one of the problems, she had to wear traditional wears only here, as she was surrounded by her to be in laws. And most often Royalties adore the traditional wears, it was another beauty of their tradition.

And it was a bit difficult for Raina, to handle it but she was getting used to wear them.

Raina made herself presentable, by braiding her long hair. She let the few tendrils cup her sides of face.

She finally gazed at her room.

She had noticed one thing, the fort was painted white from  inside with abundance of water and floral decoratives.

Even her the walls of her room were plain white but the yellow lights emitting from the glass lamps and the small sized chandelier was giving a yellow glow to room.

She moved to the window and pulled the wooden engraved slides.

Orange hue of setting sun hit her eyes, she gasped seeing the scenery.

As said, the fort was on highlands and it had height itself, from her window, giving her a clear view of vast lake located at a distance. It was far but still the beauty around it can be felt.

Raina sat near the window. A breeze flew past her, she closed her eyes inhaling the scent of roses planted near her window.

Four Days Later:

Raina was looking at the rush.

"Everything is ready.",Mrs. Nagar said inspecting the things which were to be carried along.

"That's good, we are about to leave.",Mr. Nagar said.

"You have to go just to the other part of fort,not to other city.",Dia sighed seeing them pacing like a mother hen while she was seating quietly.

But she knew that this Tilak ceremony was of great importance.

"Shut up!!!", Akshit and Gaurav exclaimed in unison, Dia poked her tongue out.

Raina shook her head, smiling at these grown up kids. She walked further in the corridor.

From that day, rituals were starting and the foremost one was Tilak, where the brother or maternal uncle of bride goes to groom's house with lots of gifts. There, the brother or uncle put Tilak on his forehead and exchange lots of gifts.

And Akshit was going to initiate the ritual , performing the duties of a brother.

She suddenly felt someone behind her, before she can turn back Akshit come forward, "So finally the procedure of send you away starts.",Akshit said seating beside her.

"And you are very eager to do that.",she looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Correct.", he nodded with a straight face but bursted into laughter after seeing her poker face

"Oh Raina!!",he snickered stopping her from walking further and pulled her to seat on stairs with him.

He patted her head and said dramatically, "My baby is getting married."

He wiped his non existent tears.

She smacked his head, "You should also marry, time is ticking out. Tick tock, tick tock. "

"I would have, if I would get someone like your Adhiraj who loves you a lot.", he teased back with smirk.

But it wiped off when Dia sat beside him and exclaimed, "Don't tell me!!! You are into boys."

(A/N:-Author is not against LGBTQ+ community.)

Before Akshit could make out what she said, Raina was fast, "That's why,you weren't into relationships."

"Oh god! !", Dia slapped her forehead.

"What the he-",Akshit tried to meddle in between but was cut off by Dia, "But you should have told us this long ago."

"Of course,we won't judge you monkey.", she patted his head just like how he did a while back.

"Listen atle-", he removed her hand and again tried to say something.

But to no avail, Dia was already hyped up, "Your poor fangirls."

She made a sad face.

"Shut up!!! Shut up. Enough.", Akshit screamed while holding his head in his hands.

"Oh god!!  I am not a gay.",he whisper yelled.

He looked up seeing both ladies laughing their ass of.

Tears spilled from the eyes of Dia and Raina was gasping for air.

Akshit just continue to stare forward with poker face.

They calmed down from full blown laughter to small giggles.

"Done?", he asked monotonously.

"No.", they answered and again started laughing.

He got up to go away but Raina held his hand, she also stood up and hugged him tight.

Akshit reciprocated the hug by wrapping his hands around her.

He asked, "Hey! What happened?"

"Thanks monkey. Thank you so much for coming in my life.", Raina said in a cracking voice.

"Raina!!",Dia came near them and placed her hand on her shoulders.

"What happened?",Akshit asked worriedly.

Raina shook her head and pulled Dia in a group hug,"In childhood, I always craved for siblings. Destiny snatched my parents from me, but I am blessed with you two. You two became the only resons of my smile."

Akshit smiled and asked in a soft voice,"Okay! But why are you crying."

Dia nudged him,"Shhh!! Keep quite, the bride is getting emotional. Wedding jitters."

"Shut up!",Akshit huffed.

"What? I am just sharing my experience.",Dia glared at Akshit.

Raina broke the hug, her face was red from all the emotions.

Akshit tapped her cheeks, "Dude, smile. It's your own and only wedding."

Raina streched her lips in a small smile.

Akshit sighed seeing her. She had became emotional from when she had the past mental breakdown, but it had it's own profits. Raina didn't bottle up her feelings anymore.

"Thanks for being my brother.", she held his hand and squeezed.

"And thanks for being witch in my life.",he teased her.

"Akshit! Don't force me to beat you.",Raina pinched his biceps.

"Ahhh..!! Sorry.", Akshit apologised.

"Raina, don't cry. I did all the rituals of brother in her wedding.", he pointed to Dia who smiled.

"I will do same for you. You two are one of those people whom I love selflessly. We are family bro.",he placed his both hands on his two best friend's shoulders.

"And wipe your nose otherwise I will tell Adhiraj that his bride is blowing bubbles from her nose.", he snickered.

"Yuck!!!", Dia made a face.

Before Raina could retort, Mr. Nagar called from downstairs,"Akshit,it's time."

"Coming Dadu!!"

"Don't worry, I will click you hubby's  pictures and will show you when I will be back.",he shouted while descending the stairs.

"Akshit!!!",Raina screeched in annoyance. Heat creeping on her neck.

🔅🔅🔅

Akshit smiled and put red coloured Tilak on the forehead of Adhiraj , who was seating opposite to him dressed in the silk traditional wear.

The priest chanted mantras as Akshit placed a small silver coconut on his hands along with an elegant sword, spiritually and traditionally sealing the relationship.

🔅🔅🔅

It was night, Raina was in her room. The vast land was looking something different in the moon light from that height. She could here the chaos in the other part of fort.

Of course, Tilak was held there but it was almost late night. Men were back, as the celebration wrapped up. Maybe the women were performing music.

She kept seating near the window. True to Dia's words , she was having wedding jitters.

The intensity of her nightmares decreased so does the aftereffects but they didn't stopped completely.

And the nervousness during the wedding was not helping at all. Plus she was enjoying the night view.

Udaipur, the city of lakes. But amidst all the preparations , she didn't get the chance of visiting any lake.

Her trance was broken by a resonating knock on the door. She looked at the clock, it was close to midnight, she hit her forehead. Now the whole fort was silently sleeping beneath the dark blanket of night.

She stood up and walked to the door, thinking who might be there at this hour of night.

She opned the door only to smash her face lightly on something, and that 'something' pushed her behind,"Wh-".

"Nice room.", 'something' commented in a husky voice, surprising her with his presence.

A small chap for you all.

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