My heart is so full of you, I can hardly call it mine.
~Adhiraj ❤️
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Days passed in a blur, and finally, the wedding functions started today. The haldi ceremony was organized in the vast backyard of Anantara Kutir, with a divider placed in the yard to separate the groom's side from the bride's side. The divider was thin, allowing only the silhouette of a person on the other side to be seen. It is said that during or after the haldi, the groom and bride aren't allowed to meet or see each other. Since both of them lived here, the organizer decided to put a divider in the yard to separate both sides.
Music played loudly throughout the Kutir, accompanied by the laughter and chatter of guests. Adhiraj sat on his side, adorned in a white dhoti, with no accessories except his engagement ring and a platinum chain around his neck. A holy thread (janeu) was the only thing on his upper body.
Anyone could tell he was clearly annoyed by his facial expressions. Veeransh decided it was the perfect time to tease him.
"Kya ho gaya bhai? Kya dekh raha hai baar baar us side? Kuch nahi dikhna tujhe," said Veeransh teasingly. (What happened, brother? What are you looking at again and again on that side? You won't be able to see anything.)
Adhiraj scowled at him and asked, "Ye bich mein parda lagane ka idea kiska hai?" (Whose idea was it to put this divider?)
"Of course Bhai Mera toh nahi hai. Mujhe apni jaan pyari hai," said Veeransh defensively. "Ye idea teri pyari si choti si behen ka hai," he added, smiling. (Of course, it wasn't mine. I value my life. This idea is from your sweet little sister.)
Adhiraj ignored him and stood up, but before he could move, his mother came and told him to sit back down.
"Hilna nahi hai vahan se. Baitha reh," said Tripti glaring at him. (Don't move from there. Stay seated.)
"Lekin maa," Adhiraj tried to argue. (But Maa)
His mother just glared at him, and he sat back down. He glared at Veeransh, who was laughing at his misery when his attention shifted to the other side. He could hear her laughter and see her silhouette from the divider.
On the other side of the divider, Annahita arrived adorned in a simple yellow saree and nothing else, except for her engagement ring. She wore no makeup but was still glowing, the glow of happiness and love clearly visible on her face. Everyone was teasing her, mainly Nandini, and she could only blush at their remarks. Although a hint of disapproval flashed in her eyes upon seeing the divider between her and Adhiraj, she masked it well and greeted the elders warmly. Many relatives, friends, and associates were present in the Kutir.
Shivanya made her sit on the stool placed for her, and she could feel someone's stare. Adhiraj's silhouette was visible through the thin divider, but his gaze could be felt even through the barrier between them.
