Better ✓

Epilogue: Forever

Three years Later

Riddhima carefully applied another coat of mascara to her lashes, opting for a natural look without eyeliner or kajal. She wanted her eyes to radiate a captivating, heartwarming beauty, just as Rajveer always described. Adorning her forehead was a golden maang tikka adorned with delicate blue beads along the edges. A silver headband adorned with emeralds and tiny diamonds encircled her head, complementing the maang tikka. Around her neck rested a matching emerald choker, while a beautiful gold nathni with a small blue bead delicately touched her cheek. Her hair was elegantly styled in a loose bun, with loose curls framing her face. A subtle blush graced her cheeks, although today, her natural happiness made any artificial touch unnecessary. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and her heart fluttered with immense happiness.

As a knock resounded at the door, Riddhima turned her head, her eyes meeting her younger sister Sara's gaze, brimming with childlike excitement. Speechless, Sara communicated her awe and admiration through their mirrored reflection. Shortly after, Sejal entered the room without knocking.
"Riddhima, you.... You look stunning."

Riddhima stood up from the chair and smiled up at them. Her kaleerein chimed softly in the air mingling with her happy laughter in the silence of her home. She wore red bangles, patterned with diamond bangles in between. Riddhima held her heavily embroidered navy blue lehenga and walked towards them. Her payal sang with the rhythm of her feet. She spread her arms and they both immediately hugged her. Riddhima patted lightly on Sara's head.

Through tearful eyes, Sara managed to speak, "Uh... Don't destroy my hairstyle." Riddhima chuckled at her.

"Yes, now you two, don't get so emotional," said Sejal.

"Now, sit di," said Sara.

Riddhima obediently sat on the chair, facing the mirror again. Her kaleerein and payal tinkling together, again. Sara, placed her dupatta on her head and admired her sister in the mirror. Riddhima's stylist came forward to fix the dupatta in her hairs. From the mirror, Riddhima saw Karan quietly entering the room. Sara and Sejal left the room and Riddhima didn't miss the admiring glance that Sejal passed to Karan while leaving. Riddhima smiled. She didn't know when, but Karan has totally changed, he has grown up. She won't give its credit to her scoldings but to someone else rather. Riddhima just couldn't keep the silly grin and smile off her face, not even for a moment. Everything around her felt perfect.

Karan didn't speak a word. He didn't know what to say. He had a long list in his mind but he didn't know how to convey it to his sister.

"You have still not removed the rakhi. It has been two months."

"I thought it would come off on its own."

Riddhima smiled softly.
"It won't. I and Sara made sure that the knot is tight."

Karan laughed and put an arm around her shoulder, hugging her from the side. Riddhima closed her eyes in happiness and to keep her tears at bay.

"I am always here if you will ever need me in any case. If in any case, Rajveer hurts you, know that I am here."

Riddhima lifted up her head from his chest and nodded at him. She didn't need to speak anything, to convey anything, Karan could see how overwhelmed she was.

*

Rajveer picked up the matching blue dupatta with his blue sherwani. Roma helped him place it on on his shoulder and the other end of the regal fabric around his another arm. Rajveer wore the gold ring on his ring finger, his fingers lingering on it for few more seconds.

Roma admired her brother standing in front of her. Rajveer was wearing blue sherwani, her eyes stayed a little long on his shoes, that were under potential threat today. But, nevermind she had filled her brother's pockets to satisfy Sara. Also, she had raised the rates by motivating Sara to ask for the highest.