Dil tadap k kehta hai

26

[Annika - A, Shivaay - S, Gauri - G, Rudra - Ru]

Annika sat in the middle of the room as Gauri, Priyanka, and some other ladies applied Shivaay's 'haldi' on her arms and legs.

Priyanka: Gauri bhabhi you also prepare yourself, it's your turn tomorrow

G: Di, tomorrow when you come here to apply haldi to me, will you come as my di or as my jethani?

A: nothing will ever change our relationship. I'll always be your di first.

After cleaning up the haldi, Annika packed her bag. She got ready for her wedding but something was still bothering her. This whole deal for their siblings just felt unfair to her, not for herself, oh god no, she considered herself lucky. She was getting such a loving family. She felt Shivaay was the one making the real compromise here

She called him

S: Is everything okay Annika?

A: Are you absolutely sure about this? You can still back out if you want, I'll deal with everyone

S: I'm not backing out Annika

A: Shivaay

S: Annika, stop worrying. You're not cheating me into doing anything I don't want. Stop feeling guilty, we're in this together

A: Okay

S: I'll see you soon at the altar unless you decide to run away

A: Don't worry I'll never leave you hanging

She disconnected the call, her mind at ease.

A(in her mind): I promise Shivaay, I'll try to be the best wife and best daughter-in-law. I'll try my best to keep you happy. You're making a huge sacrifice because of my sister, now it is my responsibility to ensure you don't suffer because of this decision

*****

Gauri welcomed the baraat and did Shivaay's arti. Then Gauri and Chanda brought Annika to the mandap. As she walked towards him, dressed in red, Shivaay's heart began to race. He was at a loss for words today. She looked like an angel walking toward him.

They exchanged garlands (varmala) and sat down for the rituals. They took rounds around the holy fire (saat phere) and then Shivaay completed the other rituals and the pandit announced them, husband and wife.

They took blessings from all the elders. When they got down from the mandap, Shivaay's shoes were missing.

Ru: What yar Gauri bhabhi, tomorrow you're going to become one of us, and today you stole bhaiyya's shoes?

Gauri brought the shoes forward and laid them down in front of Shvaay's feet

G: Jeeju, I stole your shoes so I could help you wear them and take your blessings. I don't need any neg from you. You both have already given me everything I needed

She touched Shivaay's feet but he stepped back. He helped her up

S: sisters should hug, you don't have to touch my feet

He hugged her and everyone clapped.

Chanda's mother brought rice for Annika's bidaai. She threw it backward while Chanda, her mother, their neighbor Jaya aunty, and Gauri collected it in their dupattas.

Sahil hugged Annika and wiped an imaginary tear

A: why are you crying?

Sahil: I tried to cry but I couldn't. I'm acting for the video.