Closure

29. Mehendi

The day of the Mehendi ceremony dawned bright and beautiful, the lush gardens of The Leela Palace in Udaipur transformed into a vibrant spectacle of color and tradition. Strings of marigold flowers adorned every corner, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of jasmine. Guests dressed in dazzling attire added to the kaleidoscope of colors, their excitement palpable.

Akshu sat in the center, dressed in a stunning green lehenga that shimmered with intricate gold embroidery. Her hands and feet were being adorned with delicate henna patterns by skilled artists, who worked meticulously to create designs that told a story of love and togetherness. As the intricate patterns began to take shape, Akshu's excitement grew. Around her, friends and family chatted and laughed, sharing stories and reminiscing about old times. Music played softly in the background, setting a romantic and celebratory mood. The women sang traditional songs, their voices blending harmoniously with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of bangles.

Abhi arrived, looking dashing in a green-colored sherwani with gold detailing. His eyes immediately sought out Akshu, and when their gazes met, a silent understanding and affection passed between them. He made his way through the crowd, his heart beating faster with each step.

"You're finally here," Akshu said, her eyes alight with joy as she saw him approach.

Abhi's smile was warm as he took a seat beside her. "Sorry for being late. An emergency surgery came up."

As the henna artist continued her intricate work, Abhi's gaze remained locked on Akshu, filled with admiration. "You look absolutely breathtaking," he whispered, leaning in.

Akshu's cheeks flushed, her heart fluttering at his compliment. "Thank you," she said softly. "And you, as always, look incredibly handsome."

"And I'll forgive your tardiness if you can spot your name within seconds," she teased, presenting her hands adorned with henna.

Abhi's gaze was intense as he reached out, his finger tracing a path to her heart instead of her hands. "Here," he said, "this is where my name is written."

Akshu blushed deeply, her smile widening. "Forever," she murmured, accepting his playful reply.

Just then, the sky, which had been clear and bright, suddenly darkened with ominous clouds. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and a gust of wind sent petals and decorations flying.

"Looks like we're in for a storm," someone remarked, a hint of worry in their voice.

The guests began to move inside, seeking shelter from the impending rain. Abhi said to Akshu, "Come on, let's get you inside." His voice remained calm and steady amidst the chaos.

They hurried indoors, the palace offering refuge from the brewing storm. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, the earlier joy replaced with a sense of anticipation.

Finding a quiet, secluded alcove, Abhi pulled Akshu close. The sound of the storm outside only added to the sense of seclusion and romance.

Abhi brushed a stray strand of hair from Akshu's face, his fingers lingering on her cheek. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Akshu nodded, her eyes meeting his. "I am, thanks to your quick thinking. My mehendi, my dress, and I are all safe from the rain."

A mischievous glint appeared in Abhi's eyes as he noticed that Akshu's hands, full of henna, couldn't push him away without risking ruining the design. He moved closer, their faces inches apart, the air crackling with electric tension. Abhi's hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her nearer.

Akshu's heart raced. "Abhi, someone might come."

"Let them come," he whispered.

Akshu held her hands out and away from her body, a gesture that was both protective of the henna and a silent surrender to him. Outside their bubble, the world ceased to matter as they were enveloped in their own realm of intimacy. Abhi's lips lightly brushed her neck and kissed her collarbone, his fingers tenderly exploring her hair, gliding down her shoulders, and tracing the contours of her back. His desire grew with every touch, but then, with a sudden shift, he pulled away, leaving their connection hanging in the charged air.

Akshu's heart pounded as she looked at him, noticing a flicker of confusion and fear in his eyes. "Abhi, what's wrong?"

He touched their foreheads together, letting out a sigh. "Akshu, since I fell in love with you, I've wanted to reduce the distance between us. The closer I get, the stronger the urge to get even closer becomes. Just now, I felt on the edge of losing control and crossing a line, so I pulled back."

Akshu placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Abhi, it's not just you. I've also longed to close the distance between us as well, and every little step we've taken together has only made me happier. That line you're worried about will disappear in a few days, after our marriage."

A tender smile illuminated Abhi's face at Akshu's heartfelt words. Just then, they both realized that the rain had stopped. They made their way back to the hall, where the ceremony continued. Guests slowly returned to their celebratory mood, the music played again, laughter filled the air, and the festive spirit was rekindled.

Sitting together amidst the renewed joy, Abhi whispered in Akshu's ear, his breath warm against her skin, "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Me too," Akshu replied, resting her head on his shoulder, her heart full of love and anticipation.