Soulmates ✨

Chapter 97 - The Biggest Festival

One week later :

'Ganpati bappa, morya..." - for the first time in history, the streets of Los Angeles echo with the joyous sounds of drums and chants as the community gathers to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the city's inaugural embrace of this cherished Hindu festival. And this has only been possible because of Maya and Marco. A very large pavilion has been set up, in which a very divine and beautiful statue of Lord Ganesha is placed. The local residents, whether they are Indian or not, have all come to seek blessings. The media are capturing everything with their cameras, and everyone is waiting for the arrival of the Fernandes family.

At the Mansion:

"Are you guys ready or not? We are getting late.." Maya shouts. She is wearing a pink saree in Maharashtrian style with gajra and nath (nose ring). Well she is looking absolutely stunning in this attire. "Yes ma, we are done." Marco and Elliot comes down with Arjun. Other family members are already waiting in the living room, and they are all wearing Indian attires. Marco and Elliot are twinning in golden sherwanis, while Arjun and Roger are in blue. Atharv is wearing silver, and David is in royal blue. All the ladies are wearing sarees: Eleanor is red, Siya in yellow, Charlotte in baby pink, Lisa in orange and Riya in sky blue. And all of them are looking absolutely gorgeous.

"If you guys are ready then let's go now." Maya says. "Sure ma.." Marco picks up Arjun in his arms and all of them start heading towards the pavilion.

At the pavilion:

"As you can see, Mr. Marco Fernandes has arrived at the pavilion with his entire family, and the Grand Aarti is about to begin." the reporter informs looking at his camera. "We will try our best to capture everything for you people, please stay with us." another reporter says. The people starts cheering the names as soon as the family enters in. The whole pavilion is on high security, the drones are flying, the military team are also here. The family enters from the right side as the front entrance is only for the visitors.

Marco puts Arjun down as he comes forward with Maya and Atharv. They each holds the aarti tray in their hands, and as the Pandit ji blows the conch, the Grand Aarti begins. Elliot stays back with others and chants the holy names. "I don't know what future holds, but please protect my children from all dangers. Ensure their lives are not like mine, and fill their lives with happiness and prosperity." Elliot prays before the idol.

"Roger!" Sylvie calls from behind. Roger immediately turns back and smiles widely. She is wearing a beautiful salwar kameez. "Sorry, I don't have any saree so.." she says. "It's okay, you're looking beautiful." Roger smiles. He takes her hand and introduces to Elliot first. "You're looking so gorgeous Sylvie, make yourself comfortable." Elliot hugs her. Sylvie stands next to Roger.

"Yo darling.." Rebecca has also arrived. She is wearing a printed saree. Siya immediately hugs her and takes her towards the family. "Nice to meet you dear. And from where did you buy it?" Elliot asks. "Uh.. I brought it from a store yesterday." Rebecca replies. Elliot smiles widely. Siya and Rebecca stands next to each other.

Marco and Atharv calls their partners for the Aarti. Elliot handovers Arjun to Eleanor and stands next to Marco, as well as Riya stands next to Atharv. Maya steps back and passes the tray to David and Lisa. "I heard you were shot, how are you now?" Sylvie asks. "I'm fine now, thanks for asking." Roger replies.

Marco and Elliot looks at each other and smiles while doing the Aarti. "Thank you for making my life so beautiful. Thanks for everything." Elliot gets emotional. "Thank you for coming into my life, love. Thanks you trusting me." Marco smiles at him. They continue the Aarti looking at Lord Ganesh. The drums are playing and people are loudly chanting the holy names. Christine and Ayushi joins their parents as well as Charlotte.

"Mam, the Prince of Spain has arrived now." Leon informs Maya. "Take him here." Maya orders. The Spanish Prince Carlos arrives in his traditional attire. "Welcome Your Royal Highness, I hope you will enjoy here." Maya greets him. "Sure, gracias (thanks)" Prince Carlos says. He looks around and his eyes catches Eleanor. She didn't look at him as she is busy taking care of her little brother. But Carlos is looking at her continuously. Maya notices that, she goes to Marco and whispers something.

"Alright guys come here, it's your turn now." Marco says. Roger and Sylvie takes the tray from Atharv, Siya and Rebecca takes from David. "Here you go now." Elliot gives the tray to Eleanor. "Carlos, come join with her." Marco invites. Eleanor looks at the Prince and mumbles something. Carlos comes forward and stands next to her. The parents stands back as their children starts doing the Grand Aarti.

Roger looks at Sylvie and smiles brightly. Sylvie blushes so hard. "Can't wait to see you in the bridal look." Roger whispers. "What?" Sylvie looks at him. "Nothing.." Roger looks back at the idol. "You're looking hot btw." Rebecca smirks. "Shut up.." Siya blushes. On one side, while the other two siblings are busy flirting with their crushes, Eleanor doesn't even glances at Carlos once. But Carlos stares at her continuously. The Grand Aarti finally finishes and everyone takes the blessings. Marco and Elliot get busy giving interviews to the media. On one side, Roger takes Sylvie to the food stall, while on the other side, Siya takes Rebecca to meet the other cousins.

"Hey wait!" Prince shouts. Eleanor turns back to him. "What's wrong? Did you not like me?" Carlos asks. Eleanor sighs. "No!" she replies. "That's strange! Until now, no girl has ever spoken to me like this." Carlos says. Eleanor chuckles. "For your kind information sir, I'm not like the kind of girl who will fall for you just because you flirt with her. I'm not saying you're same as other guys, but still I'm warning you, don't play with fire, you'll be dead!" she says looking directly into his soul.

Carlos holds her hand softly. "I don't know why you hate love so much, but I promise you, if anyone ever breaks your heart, I'll break every hone in their body and bring their corpse before you!" he assures. "No need to act like my dad..." Eleanor turns around and walks away. "I promise, I'll win your heart very soon." Prince Carlos says and leaves.

"Did you saw what I saw?" Roger asks. "Yes.." Sylvie replies. "I think we have to become the cupids for their love story." Roger says. Sylvie laughs. "No I'm serious! Anyways, you're staying here right?" Roger asks. "Yes." Sylvie replies. "Great.. I have something to tell you but no here. Let's go somewhere else." Roger says. Sylvie looks confused but follows him.

"Our kids future has settled now. So, let's do something for us." Marco whispers. "Shut up!" Elliot blushes. "Baby please.." Marco pouts. "Bhak saale.." Elliot runs away.