The Audacious Hearts

Pain and cure

Driving off, we reached my house just before the ceremony starts. I got off the car and head back inside just the way I came outside.

As soon as I reached my room, I went inside the bathroom to wash off the blood staining my waistband. I slowly removed the handkerchief. It was stuck to my skin due to the blood. The bleeding was stop for now but it was still hurting. If it was for some other time i would just have did the bandage and numb the area but I don't have time for that. All the people down are waiting for the bride and here I am decorated with blood. I breathed heavily and covered the area with my dupatta. It was transparent but the heavy embroidery helped me.

"Ruhi....."

"Coming maa" I replied and fixing my appearance left the bathroom.

"Where were you?" She asked as soon as I came out.

"I......I had some work ." I lied grabbing the lipstick from the dressing table and applying the dark red shade.

"Don't do anything stupid beta or else it all will be ruined." She said helping me with my hairs.

I looked at her through the mirror. " I know. But sometimes things are just not in your control."

She sighed. I smiled and we both moved downstairs.

The hall radiated with hues of yellow, and the fragrant air was laden with laughter and the sweet fragrance of haldi.The grandeur of festivity enveloped the house as I sat at the designated place, the vibrant sounds of celebration echoing through the halls. Despite the pain throbbing at my right waist, I adorned smile on my face, my yellow haldi lehenga resonating with the joyous atmosphere. The haldi ceremony was in full swing, and the anticipation of union hung thick in the air.

My eyes moved towards the opposite side. There he was, sitting like a king in between the distinguished strangers. A warm emotion adorning his usual cold face.The ladies of his family were applying the auspicious yellow paste on him.

"Why do we apply haldi, chachi?" Anya asked capturing the moment with her camera.

She smiled and replied "The yellow colour of turmeric is considered very auspicious, beta. It symbolises peace, happiness and new beginnings."

Well, what difference can the haldi make when I am the one bringing misfortune for him? How will it bring peace when I am the literal definition of chaos and how the new beginnings will work if I am here to avenge the past!

"Ruhi?" My chain of thoughts was broken by his Chachi's voice.

"Huh?" I asked baffled as I was so indulged in my thoughts that I didn't even noticed when she came towards me.

"Give me your hand,beta." She said and I noticed the auspicious thread in her hand.

"Oh" I forwarded my wrists forward and she tied it whispering something.

I peeked at him between the guests only to meet his eyes already. I smiled a little and he nod.

Ehsaan aapka! I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"Okay you all, it's time to apply the haldi to bhabhi." Anya cheered and all the family moved to the bride's side.

I ignored the burning pain at my waist which was increasing every passing moment.

"I will apply on her first. After all, devar hun mein aapka, haq banta h mera." Adish chimed in this time and I sat there smiling. And cringed internally.

"No, you won't either Chachi or her mother will apply it first." Anya argued.

"Okay but before that the haldi will be mixed with Aryansh's one." His daadu announced passing the haldi bowl to my mother and she went to the kitchen with it while the guests indulged themselves with music, dance and food.