𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧: 𝐀𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢 (𝟏𝟖+) ✅

21

20 days later

Riya

"Karwachauth ki saari tayari hogayi, Riya, Aisha?" Geeta maa asked.

(Preparations for Karwa Chauth done?)

"Ji maa" Aisha answered as she handed me the last poori to fry.

"Dekho, humare yahan to paani bhi na pine ka riwaz hai, to beta aap log agar wo kar skate ho to koshish kar lena, nahi to beta apki tabayat kharab hogi to mat karna. Shradha chhaiye karwa maata ko to, apki takleef nahi." Maa said. And we both smiled, how understanding our in-laws are.

(Look, here it's a tradition not to drink water, so beta, if you can follow that, please try, otherwise if your health deteriorates, then don't do it. Offering reverence to the divine is necessary, your discomfort doesn't matter.)

"Hum kar lenge maa" I answered for both of us as we were really excited to do it. Get ready in our lehengas that we chose before-hand.

(We will do it maa)

"Aisha!!" Kabir jiju's voice echoed in the hall as he called her.

"Shit!" Aisha said and I tensed.

"Kya hua?" I asked in her ears.

(What happened?)

"Yaar, maine bed mein sab faila diya tha ready hone ke liye, I'm sure woi dekh liya hoga Khadoos ne" she sneered and I smiled.

(Bro, I had everything spread out on the bed to get ready, I'm sure that Grump must have seen it.)

"Jaa jaldi!" I pushed her to the gate.

(Go fast)

"Tu pakka sambhal legi na?" she asked again for confirmation.

(You'll handle it right?)

"Haan" I confirmed.

(Yes)

As I was arranging the dishes for the pooka, I heard someone on the door.

"Are tu itni jaldi aa-" I looked up and paused, I thought it's Aisha. I don't know for how long he was leaning on the door.

(You came so fast-)

"Ahem" he cleared his throat and walked towards me.

"I'm going out, I'll be back before midnight" he said.

That's it. That's how it has been since the time I confessed my love to him, what is wrong with him? Ugh.

"Suniye?"

I meticulously selected a light pink ghaghra adorned with intricate stone embellishments, each one carefully chosen to enhance its elegance. Draping my dupatta with a delicate touch, I ensured it fell just right, framing my attire with grace. The mang-tika adorned my forehead, adding a touch of traditional allure, while the jewellery I selected, though slightly heavy, exuded the essence of the festival with its ornate design.

I longed for his gaze to linger on me, to offer a word of appreciation, no matter how small. Perhaps a compliment on my choice of attire, a whispered acknowledgment of my appearance—whether it be cute, beautiful, or simply 'pretty'. At this moment, any form of recognition would have sufficed to soothe the fluttering nerves in my heart.

This Karwa Chauth marked my first participation in the tradition, and it was solely dedicated to him. The excitement had been building within me ever since I was a child, observing my mother dutifully observe the fast for my father, and witnessing the heartfelt gestures of love and appreciation exchanged among couples during this auspicious occasion.