The Addiction of Love

VI

Both Avira and Ashra were welcomed in their respective homes with quite a few relatives. Since Ashar had never lived in Dehradun, he didn't have any friends in the city, but Avira did have some friends in her neighborhood. They all had come to meet her as well.

The next few days were hectic for both of them. Instructing the wedding planners for the last time, entertaining the guests and the last minute shoppings had them busy the entire time and they barely got time to even speak to each other on call. Even during the nights, Avira's cousins didn't leave her alone. Three days before the wedding, Nandini, Antara and a few of Avira's Delhi's friends and colleagues arrived. A common hotel had been booked where all the guests would stay. Since all the pre-wedding functions and the nikah were being held in the same hotel, both the families had decided to stay at the hotel as well.

On the day of the haldi, both the bride and groom along with their families shifted to the hotel early in the morning. But both the families were staying in different wings and Avira and Ashar had been strictly instructed that they'd not meet each other.

For the haldi function, Avira had designed a beautiful yellow colored lehenga for herself which had small flower patterns on it. The choli was of the same design. There was a two inches gap between her choli and lehenga, and her slim waist was visible. She didn't take any dupatta with her outfit as she'd be covered in turmeric anyway.

The ceremony went on for around two hours, as Avira's cousins and friends were very interested in playing with the haldi. Finally Nandini dropped Avira outside her room and left, but not before winking at her.

Avira didn't understand that wink, and entered her room. As soon as the lights turned on, she was about to yelp out in fear. There was a man standing in the middle of her room, with his back facing her. But her scream died down when he turned around. It was her soon-to-be-husband. Clad in white kurta-pyjama with haldi smeared on his face and clothes, he still looked fine.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him while quickly shutting the door behind.

"I'm here to apply haldi on my beautiful bride." He showed a small bowl filled with haldi in his hand.

They both were taking small steps towards each other and reducing the distance between them.

"We're not allowed to meet each other before nikah." She told him.

"I'd never been the one to follow rules. And moreover, I'd never let the opportunity slip of applying to haldi on you." They were at a hand's distance now.

"How did you even get in?" She had a small smile dancing on her lips now.

"Nandini helped me, but in return I had to promise her that I'd let her steal my shoes on nikah easily." He chuckled.

"Now enough with talking," He said and pulled her to himself.

Her body jerked against him, and he held her waist. His fingers rested on her naked skin and he made different patterns on it. This made her squirm in his arms.

"You look beautiful, meri jaan!" He whispered, looking at her ethereal face. She couldn't help herself and wrapped her arms around his neck. He hugged her back too. Their eyes closed as their souls sighed in relief after feeling each other's presence after so long.

"I missed you," She whispered as she pressed her face into his chest more.

"I missed you too, Vira." He kissed her hair.

After they broke the hug, he dipped his fingers in the haldi and then applied it on both her cheeks.

"Chalo, ab mujhe bhi lagao." He forwarded his cheeks. She laughed at his cuteness and applied it on him too.

"Haldi mubarak," She teased him by putting some haldi on his nose.

He playfully glared at her and leaned into her more to rub the haldi on his nose on her nose. She shrieked and giggled. In their playfulness, they didn't realise their closeness. And when they did, their laughter died and the vibe suddenly changed. A sexual tension enveloped them and they stayed still, their breaths mingling.

"Ashar," She whispered, getting closer to him.

This brought him out of his daze and he created some distance between them.

"What happened?" She asked.

He closed his eyes to control himself. It took every ounce of his self-control to not kiss her senseless right there. But he had to stop. "Not yet, Vira."

Avira knew he was right. They weren't married yet.

She cleared her throat to calm herself and then smiled at him. "I know."

______________

The next day was mehendi. Avira was dressed in a multi-colored palazzo and short, sleeveless kurta. She had paired the outfit with huge silver jhumkas and light make-up.

Two henna artists were working on her henna design. A few of the relatives were getting their hands tattooed with mehendi as well, while some were dancing to the beats of the dj.

Bushra, Mahira and a few other relatives from the groom's side had also come.

"MashaAllah, kitni pyari lag rahi hai meri bahu." Bushra kissed Avira's forehead.

"Thank you, aunty." She smiled at her mother-in-law.

"Aunty kaun? Maa bulao, bhabhi!" Mahira winked at her, making Avira blush.

"Ji, maa." She shyly said.

The henna artist interrupted them. "Mehendi par naam kya likhna hai?

"Ashar," Avira spoke immediately, making everyone around her laugh.

After the function ended, Nandini fed Avira food and then dropped her back to her room. That night was the longest night for Avira and Ashar. When the Sun rose the next day, it was the first day of a new chapter in their lives.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

To be honest, I was not very happy with my writing for this chapter. I really think I could do better, but I didn't want to make you guys wait so I uploaded it. If you also didn't find it upto the mark, forgive me.

Ready to see them married in the next chapter?