Ruthless Rulers of Rakshatra (RRR)

Chapter 5 - Wedding

After all the rituals are done, Kalindi had returned to her chamber to have a good night's rest for the marriage next day. Just before going to bed, she instructed Rekha, "Rekha, it seems like the time has come for testing the new herb which you brought last week". Both her maids shared a knowing look and went on to proceed with the assigned work.

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The next morning, there was hustle bustle in the entire Hridaypura palace as there was only a few hours left for the marriage of their Princess and the crown Prince of Rakshatra. Kalindi and Abhyuday were getting ready in their own chambers with the help of servants and also their friends, while in case of Kalindi both servants and friends are the same people.

Kalindi wore a silk saree instead of skirt and dress, since she will become a married woman now. Soon the time for marriage ceremony came and Pandit ji (Priest) asked for the groom to come first, following which Yuvraj Abhyuday came to the marriage hall. The Pandit was chanting some holy mantras and then asked for the bride to come to the ceremony hall.

Before Kalindi could enter the hall, the sound of anklet bells were resonating throughout the hall which made everyone turn their head towards the entrance. And then the bride came inside the hall with gold jewellery adorning from her head to her waist and her long braid decorated with Jasmine flowers along with jewellery. Among all her heavy jewellery, it was her waistband with dangling bells at the connecting part, which got Yuvraj Abhyuday's attention. He stared at her waist for a few seconds before turning his attention back towards the holy fire in front of him, all the while without a change in his facial expression. But what he might have thought in his mind, only he could tell.

Kalindi took her seat beside her groom and the Pandit continued with his chants. Then the Pandit called upon the parents of both bride and groom for exchange of some gifts to symbolize their agreement with the marriage. Suddenly Yuvraj Abhyuday interrupted saying, "My mother is no more in this world pandit ji. Suggest some other options". Hearing his words, his stepmother Oormila heaved a sigh of relief as she was hesitating to involve in his matters and at the same time, didn't know how to avoid it infront of all the guests.

Then Pandit ji asked only his father to do the ritual. Next Kalindi's right hand was placed on Abhyuday's hand to symbolise their union and both of them didn't react even the slightest. Finally the marriage was completed with him tying the Mangalsutra around her neck and filling sindoor on her hair partition. Both took the blessings of Pandit ji and then her parents. When they came infront of his father, both bent down to touch his feet and got blessings from King Virendra.

Virendra was elated to see his son getting married and on top of that he came to get his blessings which won't happen usually if they were in Rakshatra. Kalindi turned and looked at Queen Oormila, contemplating whether to take her blessings or not, as she had heard Abhyuday's answer to Pandit ji when the latter had called for parents. Looking at Kalindi's sight on herself, Oormila gulped inaudibly as she could see Yuvraj Abhyuday clenching his fists.

Before anyone could say anything, King Virendra said, "Let's move to the dining hall for the wedding feast. Everyone should enjoy the wedding day of the Crown Prince of Rakshatra". Soon everyone followed him out leaving Oormila and her son Kaushal, who as usual vented out their anger by cursing Abhyuday and went to join the others.

After the lunch, the guests left one by one and only the royal family members remained. In the inner hall of the Palace, both the kings and their family members were simply chit chatting while the newly married couple sat together in a couch silently without uttering a single word to each other.

Suddenly King Virendra asked, "Udayan, where is your second wife and daughter. I haven't seen them even during the wedding ceremony but couldn't point it out as we were immersed in the marriage rituals. Now also they are not here when all the other family members are present. What happened?". King Udayan sighed and said with a stressed look on his face, "Actually Virendra, there is a problem".