Love Or Betrayal?

Chapter Twenty

The very next morning for their haldi. The venue had been set outside of their house with grand decoration. Orange and yellow marigolds just ruled all over the place. Besides, beautiful couches, flower stands and pots were placed in the whole area. But at the center, a sitting place, decorated with garlands, string lights and hangings-, there are two big haldi tubs filled with marigold petals. Many of the earth glasses are stuffed with different materials. The place undoubtedly picturizes pleasant vibes to celebrate anyone's premarital rituals. Soon Shivanya and Ritik were spotted and they sat inside the tub on the stools. Both of them looked so adorable. Ritik was in a plain white cotton shirt along with white trousers while Shivanya in a plain white georgette lehenga along with floral ornaments. Everyone could not avert their eyes anywhere but to them. Then their holy haldi started. First of all, Yamini applied some turmeric on Ritik and then Shivanya. One by one, all the people present there bathed them with turmeric. Ritik and Shivanya shared glances with each other. Ritik raised his eyebrow with a smile and Shivanya looked away with extreme coyness. Amrita, Sandhya, Angad, and Divya did a special dance performance. Even the gang of children made a dance for their beloved uncle-aunty. Ritik and Shivanya were also asked to dance, which they agreed to. Ritik came out of the tub and took Shivanya to the dance floor. Angad whistled at their romantic steps. In between their performance, Ritik shifted his mouth near her ear and whispered,

"You're looking freaking gorgeous, Ms. Sharma and guess what, I've fallen in love with you once again!"

Her cheeks turned beetroot red, looking down at his chest. He made her look at him and kissed her at the end of their dance. Thus, the rest of the ritual ended flawlessly and now it was the time for the Mehendi ceremony. Shivanya got a scope to change her outfit and decked up into a beautiful yellow lehenga with doris and tassels, a beautiful headpiece and a pair of gorgeous earrings. Her stunning appearance was pretty enough to woo Ritik as well as other men attending the event. On the contrary, Ritik spotted there earlier, and he had been changed into a glittering white Kurti-pajama and a coat on top, light orange and white borders all over. When she came, Ritik moved to her and took her to the designated place. A henna artist was sitting on a couch with a plate full of henna cones. Shivanya got seated while Ritik was scanning her constantly. She gave him a smile and stretched her hands towards the artist. Soon the henna maker started applying henna on her hands. There were more artists for others as well. The ladies group chitchated and their giggles made the event more lively. After Yamini, along with Sandhya and Divya, had been done with her henna, she joined Shivanya whose eyes were only on Ritik and was smiling, God knows for which reason. All the while, Ritik also sat beside her and was teasing her by touching her back. She beckoned him not to do that but Ritik carried on doing so. Yamini spoke up,

"Shivanya, do you know the darker the shade of mehendi of the bride is, the deeper the bridegroom's love is? Well, Ritik, then we'll gotta see how deeper your love is."

Shivanya smiled whereas Ritik blurted out proudly,

"Oh, really, mom?? Then get ready to witness the depth of my love. The color would be dark red as my love. Just wait and watch."

Shivanya grinned and shook her head. So much confidence, huh!! Ritik kissed her forehead and proposed,

"Now I am also gonna apply henna on my hands so that I can get to know how much you love me."

Moving his hands forward towards the lady, he asked,

"On mine also."

The lady nodded and began designing, taking his palm. The couple had their mehendi sharply. After some time, they were again dragged to the dance floor and were asked to dance. Both danced their hearts out, especially Ritik. Everyone was startled to see him in this avatar for the first time. It was not that Ritik was an introvert or something else. The fact was he was a highly personified being who preferred disciplined ambience. His lifestyle, his talkings and his behaviors were all royal and formal. But today his informal activity just surprised everybody except Shivanya. She was used to watching him being a caring, soft-spoken, entertaining, and most importantly loving person. All this change was completely not a big deal for her, but Yamini. When Shivanya had taken a break from dancing, Yamini went to her and held her hands saying.