Saajna

9

Hii guys. This chapter contains slightly matured content.
Also, if you guys haven't guessed it by now, all the italics are thoughts.

That's it.

She was finally his.

In the 'mandap', with the mantras being chanted in the background, her hand was placed in the awaiting hand of his.

The 'kanyadaan' made tears appear in her eyes. Looking at her Kaka sa she can tell he was on the verge of crying too. How can he not when he was giving away his 'ladli'.

The little girl he took home with himself 16 years ago. He promised his elder brother on his death bed that he will take care of her as his own. Before dying Anika's father put her little hands in his and now he was placing it in Rudra's.

He knows he wasn't able to fulfill his promise. I am sorry bhai sa. I wasn't a good father figure to her as you would have but I tried my best. I am so sorry. Prashant apologies, wiped his tears and stepped back.

Many 'rasams' followed by and now it was time for her 'mang' to be filled. Rudra forwarded the pinch of 'sindoor' towards her head.

He was sneaking glances at her throughout the wedding but now his whole attention was finally on her.

Clad in the red 'joda' and gold jewelries from head to toe, she looked ethereal. His gaze fell upon her closed eyes as he lifted her 'mangteeka' and applied the 'sindoor'.

The 'mangalsutra' soon followed.

At last they completed the 'phere', circling around the 'agni' with her hand in his.

***

Rudra pulled her to his chest. Rubbing her back to calm her down.

Her weeping finally stopped. He looked at her only to find her sleeping in his arms. He sighs. All the crying has tried her out.

After the 'widayi', they were on their way to the Rathore Haveli. Rudra's heart clenched, seeing her tears and listening to the small sobs. He was trying to cease her cries since then and now she finally stopped.

She cried herself to sleep.

He kissed her head and adjusted her bent neck to make her more comfortable.

"Anika. Baby. Open those eyes sweetheart." He coos in her ear once they arrived.

Her lashes lifted and she looked at him with her slightly swollen honey brown eyes. Rudra kissed her eyes, first the left one and then the right. " We are here " He informed her in a soft voice almost a whisper.

She detangled herself from his and get down from the car when he opened her door.

"Welcome home bhabi sa" All three of his siblings were present to welcome the member.

A gazillion rituals later she was in his room.

Anika looked around, the colour, the decor, the bed. She didn't had the time to take it all in when he took her to his room at the party. She was nervous then and after she saw the collage wall she didn't look any were else.

However now she has time so she was utilizing it by noticing every detail of his room. Their room.

His room was very minimalistic with white, grey and brown tones. A king size bed which was now beautifully decorated with flowers. She smiles looking at her favorite lilies and roses. The whole room was smelling like it and Rudra.

Unknown to her, her husband was bribing his sisters to get inside their room.

"Have fun" He told his two younger sisters, Shobhana and Sristi and his younger brother Aniruddh, handing his credit card. "Nhi, nhi, nhi. I don't want this one. This one has a limit. I want the one with no limits." The youngest of his siblings whine.