A Mother's Will

Chapter 48

Then the YES of both families came, but with the condition that she is not leaving Gratia at all, nor will she stop working after marriage, and kids are no question for the next 5 years at least, and that Rayan, if he wanted to, can live with her at Gratia; rather, he has too. Rayan and his family accepted all, and they were engaged in a small ceremony at Gratia. Jovana was great at faking smiles, so no one could even imagine what she was hiding, but today was different. She was glad to get a good man, with all the qualifications she ever wanted in a man, and the spark was seen in her eyes. They wore formal attire because they only learned about this when they were at Gratia after a long day at work. They both slipped rings into each other's fingers that were chosen by Johaan and Misha for them. The rings were slim and made of platinum, with heart-shaped diamonds on Jovana's and hollow hearts on Rayan's ring. "I like them," Jovana said.

Later, the wedding date was fixed, and more than Jovana, others in the family were excited for her wedding. The Mehendi Ceremony commenced three days before marriage, and she was made to make the Mehendi on her full hands and legs too, and even Rayan wrote Jovana's name on his hand. Everyone in the family was at Gratia, and all of them took part in the ceremony with real happiness. Jovana wore a green kurta with simple jewellery, comfortable as her Mehendi was going to be big and she could not change for the night.

The next day was the sangeet ceremony, and Abira and Akira came with their husbands to attend, and it went like a grand ceremony; everyone sang and danced and was immersed in it. Here, Jovana and Johaan twinned with purple outfits exactly similar to each other, except she wore make-up and jewellery with heels while Johaan had his boots on instead. It was going perfectly alright.

The evening went, but that night was the bachelor's party for both of them, and they played games. When they played truth or dare, it was only Jovana and Rayan answering each other's questions as planned by Riyaan, and then Rayan asked the first question, "Who was your first boyfriend?" and "Ransh, yours?" Jovana said. "I had three girlfriends in total, and they are all married; is Ransh married too?"  "I don't know; we haven't been in touch for about 6 years now.". First kiss, Akira prompted, and Rayan said, "14 years old at school," and Jovana looked at Johaan, and then at Rayan, "I was 16, it wasn't a kiss, but smooch if you remember it right.". "With whom?" Rayan asked. "Ransh,"  Jovana said. "Was he your only boyfriend?" Rayan asked, "Yes,"  Jovana said, and when Rayan kept the stare, she added, "I don't have time to find love, but I make time for those who love me.". Later, they all danced and boozed up, and then finally dozed off, but Jovana and Rayan were still taking, and they were enjoying their time and getting to know each other. They were falling for each other again.

The morning arrived, and the Tilak/Sagan Ceremony began, which was followed by the Haldi Ceremony. Jovana wore a yellow dress and flower jewellery, and everyone started playing Haldi with each other, and the pool turned into a yellow pond. This was making Akira very jealous and insecure about her place in Gratia, while her husband enjoyed the per-wedding rituals. In the evening, the Roka Ceremony took place, and everyone was teasing the bride and groom.

Finally, the wedding day arrived, and Jovana was dressed in her mother's wedding dress, the red lehenga heavily embrassed with traditional handwork, and the very beautiful heavy jewellery of her mother too. A picture of her mother wearing the same things is still in the memory hall. Jovana was looking very beautiful; the wedding went really well, and she felt very nice about it. Kiara stole the footwear of Rayan, her Jijaji; now he had to give diamond rings to his sister-in-law. Finally, Vidaai came when Jovana restated her condition, and Pritam Dada said, "Arrey, you just have to leave the wedding place and enter through the throne room in Gratia.". The blessing ceremony took place, followed by the Dwar Rokai ceremony, and finally the Girah Pravesh ceremony. Jovana wanted to kick it like a football, so she did kick it hard and hurt her feet, and everyone laughed at her childish behaviour. Then Rayan picked her up and went inside her room and kept her on the bed. Rayan was called outside, and then the mischief happened. Rayan was stopped at the entrance and troubled by the cousins, as he was teased by them, and Rayan shooed them off. While Jovana sat in the room, when Rayan came, they looked around for flowers and decorations. They shared a laugh and fell asleep immediately.

The next day was the Mooh Dikhai Ceremony, and everyone came to Gratia and blessed the new bride with wishes and jewellery. This was followed by the Pag Phera Ceremony (God, they never end).

Reception was on the next day, and it was for business partners and investors, where some of them flirted with her and were trying to still woo her knowing she was married, Rayan's face could be seen with anger, and Jovana kind of enjoyed teasing him.