Deal To Love

18. The Rituals

Rai was shocked and confused at the same time that why Keshav is pretending to be a couple. She didn't have any idea that what was going in his mind.

“First expectations then hurting her gonna lead her to dislike me.” He thought.

As he climbing up, Rai was smiling at him. He objected her to smile when he took a glance at him.
“I can't stop smiling but you know you are looking very funny” she smiled.

“Look at yourself.. you are so heavy.” Keshav mocked her. “Well you only said that you like challenges...and I have warned you before.” She replied with a grin.

“Why you always get win in words?” Keshav muttered.

“Thats how I'm” Rai smiled.
Keshav sighed in relief when he landed her on the ground before the idol.
“See I succeeded this challenge.” he happily chirped and looked at her only to get lost at her who was just praying closing her eyes and joining her hands.

“Sometimes I think.. it's really very difficult to avoid you... You are pretty both from outside and inside..” He smiled looking at her.

“Ab tum mujhe dekh ke smile kyon kar rahe ho?” She mumbled. “Ese hi” he still was smiling looking at her.

Rai tugged her hairs in confusion. “You are weird..” Rai muttered beneath her breath.

“Don't think so much I was looking at the baby... see he is so cute... I wish I had a baby..”

Hearing these words Rai started to cough... Keshav made faces as he understood what was the meaning of the line. He excused himself and went down. Later Basant too carried Monica  and climbed up the temple. They believed they should welcome the baby with the blessing of RadhaKrishn who is considered as Epitome of Blissful  aesthetic love.
“Apply this Sindoor to your wives. And take this along as blessing” the priest offered them two boxes containing Sindoor. 
Basant applied Sindoor on Monica’s hairline happily. While Keshav gulped his lump and looked down to the red powder. He took a pinch and applied it  on her hairline. Rai looked up on him. She didn't expected that he would apply the Sindoor.
“I don’t believe in these.. like we don't have that feelings now... still I did it to show respect to our culture.” Keshav softly whispered near her ear. Rai nodded but kept quiet. 
Monica noticed her silence where all the three were performing the rituals, she was all quiet and silent. She went to her and understood what happened to her and why was she all silent.
“Time flies so fast.. you remember we were  very young when I first met you..at the same place here..” Monica broke her thoughts.
“Di... you remembered?” Rai hugged her. “You remember that day I was literally struggling to get your attention....it was the last time I came here with mumma... it was also her last Birthday I celebrated with her..” her voice choked.
“Rai we are all mortals you should be proud of your parents one left by giving all her to the needy ones and one left by saving the smile of this family.” Monica pointed out the three old person who were giggling. Rai hummed and got up to continue her part.
“Beti aaj toh Mera dil aur pet dono bhar gaya.. esa lag raha hai jaise maano saakshat lakshmi ji ne parosa ho..” a poor old lady smiled at her.

Rai just smiled back at her. They served food to many homeless people there not only food but donated many valuable things.

“is utsav ki aakhri vidhi poora karne ke liye yeh yagya karna hoga.” the priest said to Vasanti.

“Sure.. you proceed and carry on.” Vasanti permitted.

The priests took their positions while all the couples including Rai and Keshav took there seat and were repeating the holy chants after the priests.

The next they asked the newly wed so called ‘couple’ to exchange the garlands.

“Aai.. you know that I'm not his real wife. This marriage is just a contractual.. I can't do this...” She said softly in her ears.