PUNARVIVAAH - ARRANGED TO LOVE (L&M #3) [COMPLETED]

SHOT 41

Vaiga's pov!

Upon arriving at the Agnihotri House, I was welcomed with the Griha Pravesh ceremony.

My eyes widened seeing the huge rangoli design made on the entrance. Early in the morning, when we left for the Kul Devi temple for the wedding ceremony, this wasn't there at the entrance. While the wedding ceremony was going on, the Agnihotris might have made arrangements for the rangoli design to be made on the entrance.

It was so huge and beautiful that I couldn't move my eyes from the beautiful creation. I used to love drawing rangolis in front of my small house back in Thanjavur. It was something I enjoyed doing until my marriage.

In Shiva's house, drawing rangoli started being a chore, because I could never enjoy it, as Durga Devi, my ex mother in law, would stand watching like a hawk, micromanaging everything I do.

"Vaiga.." It was Anjana Maa's voice which brought me out of my thoughts.

I looked up at her and tried to smile. Life was so unpredictable. After Shiva, I have never, not even in my wildest dreams, imagined that I would marry again.

And now, here I am, standing in front of the Agnihotri family, wearing a mangalsutra of Dev ji's name.

As I prepared to step into my new life, Anjana Maa, my mother-in-law, approached me with a warm smile.

"Vaiga, welcome to your new home," she said, her voice gentle yet filled with affection. "Before you step inside, there is a small ritual we need to perform. It's a tradition that signifies prosperity and happiness."

I nodded, feeling a sense of comfort in Anjana Maa's presence. I noticed the pot filled with rice placed at the entrance.

"First, gently kick this pot of rice with your right foot," Anjana Maa instructed, "It symbolises that you are bringing abundance and prosperity into our home."

My heart swelled with the significance of the moment. I lightly tapped the pot with my foot, and the rice spilled out, spreading across the threshold.

"Perfect," Anjana Maa said with a smile. "Now, step into the plate of milk and vermillion, and then walk inside, leaving your footprints. This marks your entry and leaves auspicious signs for your new beginning."

I dipped my feet into the mixture, feeling the coolness of the milk and the smooth texture of the vermillion. As I walked inside, my red footprints created a path of blessings, each step resonating with the importance of the ritual.

With each step I took, I left a trail of red footprints, marking my entry and symbolising auspicious beginnings. Just as I was about to take another step, a sudden, shrill cry echoed through the house.

I turned to see baby Kriti, her big eyes wide with curiosity and excitement.

She leaned towards the vermillion mix, clearly wanting to join in the ritual. Her antics drew everyone's attention, and soon the room was filled with chuckles and affectionate smiles.

"Looks like Kriti wants to be a part of the ceremony too." Anjana Maa laughed softly.

Before anybody could react, Mithran bhai, Dev ji's friend, stepped forward with a grin. He gently picked Kriti up from Chaahat's arms.

"Alright, little one, let's get you involved too," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

He carefully dipped Kriti's tiny feet into the vermillion mixture, her chubby feet turning a bright red. The room filled with more laughter as Kriti's face lit up with pure delight.

Mithran bhai then set her down, holding her under her armpits firmly as he slowly made her toddle on the floor, leaving a trail of adorable, tiny red footprints beside mine.

Kriti clapped her hands excitedly, clearly pleased with herself. Her giggles were infectious, and I found myself smiling along with everyone else.

The sight of her tiny red footprints mingling with mine added an unexpected, heartwarming touch to the ceremony.

"Looks like Kriti has again stolen the show." Siddhu said.

I smiled at him, feeling a warmth spread through me.

"She has made this moment special." I said as I picked little Kriti from Mithran bhai.

Anjana Maa stepped forward, her eyes shining with affection as she looked at both Kriti and me.

"Vaiga, your entry into our home is now doubly blessed, with both your and Kriti's footprints marking this new beginning."

Anjana Maa guided me further inside, where the family had gathered, all smiles and welcoming gestures.

"Vaiga, this is your family now. We are so happy to have you here."

"Thank you, Anjana Maa," I responded softly, feeling the warmth and acceptance from my new family. I couldn't help but remember Durga Devi's face when I stepped foot into Shiva's house after marriage. She has looked at me with such hatred and disdain that all the happiness of the marriage ceremony had drained immediately.

My eyes filled with tears when I remembered all that. Shiva's smiling face flashed in front of my eyes and I felt suffocated for a moment.

Why? Why is it so hard to forget everything? Why is it still hurting?

"Ammu..." Appa shook me gently and I looked at him startled. He shook his head softly, as though telling me to not think about him. Appa has always been able to read me. He was my best friend and nobody knows me better than him.

"Don't cry, Ammu. It's all over now. Look forward to a new life.." Appa said gently as he wiped my tears and I leaned forwards and embraced him.

My greatest gift in this life. My Appa!!

Not even once did he point a finger at my wrong choice. He stood by me like a rock!!

"Now let's have some fun games to ease everything.." Drishti said as she and Siddhu came forwards with a pot of coloured water and rose petals sprinkled all over. Drishti took a ring and dropped it into the pot.

"Let's see who is gonna be the boss!!"

A/N

Here goes the next shot..

Again, I have no idea about the Grihapravesh ceremonies either. In Kerala, the bride is welcomed into the house with a traditional oil lamp "Nilavilakku" . I have no idea how things are done in other South Indian states. When I google about the traditions in Karnataka, it showed the rice pot and vermillion mix rituals. I got a bit confused since I thought they were North Indian traditions which I have seen in many ITV shows. Anyways, I wrote those itself.  If the rituals of Karnataka are different, I apologise for the mistake..

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