THE MEHNDI CEREMONY
As the sun filtered through the curtains, Riya sat on the bed beside Shruti, drying her hair with a towel. The memories of the haldi ceremony still played vividly in her mind.
"The haldi ceremony was not bad," Riya said, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Not bad? I have never seen you so happy than you were yesterday. You were brimming with joy, Riya," Shruti replied, a satisfied smile on her face.
Riya's smile widened. "That... that's right. I was happy yesterday."
"And... I find your husband-to-be quite interesting." Shruti added, a playful glint in her eyes.
Riya looked at her, puzzled. "Interesting?"
"Yeah. I think that guy is totally falling for you." Shruti's tone was light, but her eyes were serious.
Riya's eyes widened in disbelief. "...."
Then she burst into laughter. "Haha!"
Shruti raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Don't make me laugh. How...how is that even possible?" Riya asked, still giggling.
"Have you seen the way he looks at you?" Shruti's tone was now more earnest.
Riya paused for a second, her thoughts drifting back to Rishi's gaze. "…"
"It's like he is Cinderella who is finally with her Prince Charming," Shruti mused, leaning back against the headboard.
Riya blinked, confused. "What? Who...who is supposed to be the Cinderella here?" She felt a bit dizzy from the comparisons.
Shruti waved a hand dismissively. "…Never mind." She sighed and then clapped her hands together. "Anyways! It's your mehndi ceremony today! Let's choose the outfit! You ready!?" Her excitement was contagious.
Riya nodded, feeling a bit more cheerful. "…Ok…"
With that, they both got up, ready to dive into the preparations for the next ceremony, the bond between them growing stronger with every shared moment.
•••••
As Riya and Shruti continued chatting and preparing for the mehndi ceremony, Anjali ji, Rishi's mother, entered the room with a warm smile.
"Riya beti, how are you doing?" Anjali ji asked.
Riya looked up in surprise. "Ma! "
Shruti greeted her politely. "Aunty "
Anjali ji waved them off. "No need to get up. Please sit down, you two. I'm just here to check on you." She looked at Riya with concern. "Are you feeling okay, dear? Did you catch a cold?"
Riya shook her head, smiling. "No, Ma. I’m okay. "
"Have you chosen today's outfit?" Anjali ji inquired.
Shruti nodded enthusiastically. "Yep. Now we're onto the jewelry part."
Anjali ji laughed softly. "Haha. You young girls. Be ready soon, dears. Dadi ji is waiting to see you. "
"Yeah, Ma. " Riya replied.
After Anjali ji left, Riya and Shruti resumed their preparations, their excitement for the upcoming ceremony building with each passing moment.
•••••
As Rishi lay in bed, buried under his blanket, Suraj burst into the room, looking exasperated. "Dude, wake up!"
YOU ARE READING
His Twisted Desire
RomansaRiya loved Jai for five years. She thought she will spend the rest of her life with him. She thought he will free her from the misery of being always looked down and treated like a second choice. When he broke up with her saying he chose his dreams...
