A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Groom is here

Revived by the cool spray of the shower, Annika emerged, a sheen of determination replacing the earlier shock on her face. The hall, however, was devoid of the bustling activity that had filled it moments ago. The air still carried the lingering scent of turmeric and the echoes of surprised gasps. Taking a deep breath, she surveyed the scene.

Annika called together her remaining team members.  With a quick briefing, she divided them into two groups Team A and team B.

"Team A," she announced, her voice firm and clear, "we'll tackle the hall first. Get rid of the haldi decorations and restore it to its pre-ceremony state. Then, we'll move on to the Sangeet area in the garden."

Team A, accustomed to Annika's quick thinking, nodded in agreement.  "Alright team B," she announced, "recharge those batteries! After the hall is clean you need to transform this space again, this time to welcome the newlyweds back home!"

Team B's faces lit up. The prospect of creating a celebratory space for the bride and groom was a welcome change from dismantling the previous decorations.

As Team A sprang into action, dismantling the marigold garlands and clearing away the ceremonial items, Team B dispersed, seeking respite in their designated rooms.

The Oberoi mansion, once a vibrant stage for the Haldi ceremony, fell into a temporary lull. Guests, one by one, trickled away to their rooms at the Oberoi or the hotels booked for their convenience, seeking rest before the journey to the wedding venue.

Four hours of focused cleaning left Annika with a sense of accomplishment. The hall, once a vibrant canvas of Haldi yellow, had been meticulously restored to its neutral pre-ceremony state. A satisfied smile played on her lips as she glanced at the clock – 6:00 pm. Time was ticking.

A flurry of activity filled the Oberoi mansion as the clock ticked closer to the wedding hour. In their respective rooms, each member of the family prepared for the momentous occasion.

Annika, this time opted for a beautiful silk saree in a soft shade of rose gold with a matching sleeveless blouse. The shimmering fabric, adorned with delicate embroidery in a contrasting ivory, draped gracefully around her form. Kavya on the other hand, looked radiant in a soft pink lehenga adorned with delicate floral embroidery in a shimmery silver thread.

Shivay stood tall in a regal sherwani crafted from pure ivory silk. The intricate gold embroidery that snaked across his chest and shoulders was a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship. A crimson dupatta, edged with a border of shimmering gold, draped elegantly over his shoulder, adding a pop of color. A bejeweled turban, nestled atop his head, completed his transformation into a picture of regal elegance.

The rest of the Oberoi family followed suit, each member dressed in their finest attire to celebrate this momentous occasion. Dadi adorned herself in a shimmering gold saree. Om sported a vibrant blue sherwani with intricate silver embroidery, while Rudra opted for  a pale green sherwani paired with a contrasting maroon dupatta. Priyanka, adorned a stunning emerald green lehenga. Pinky and Jahnvi opted for dazzling silk sarees in hues of magenta and sapphire, respectively. Tej and Shakti chose classic white sherwanis  with minimal gold embroidery. 

Shivay stood before the mirror, his reflection a canvas of unease. A gnawing premonition of something amiss settled in his gut.  Just then, the door creaked open, revealing his siblings – Om, Rudra, and Priyanka.

"Woah, Bhaiya! You look like a prince!" Priyanka exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She reached for the kohl lining her eyes, dabbing a black dot behind his ear – a playful tradition to ward off evil spirits.

"I'm gonna miss you, Bhaiya," Rudra chimed in, wiping away a comically oversized tear. "No more late-night raids on the fridge, no more bro-talks..."

"Rudra, dramatic much?" Om chuckled, rolling his eyes. "It's not like Shivay's disappearing into thin air. It's the girl who leaves her house, not the guy."

"But Om, you don't know Kanika!" Rudra countered, his voice thick with mock-tragedy. "She told me once that if I want to spend time with you after the wedding, I'd need to make an appointment!"