THE IInd DECISION

🌸Haldi🌸

Ayan Pov: -

I was gazing at Navya's smiling photo, my mind empty except for a promise to myself: I would never betray her. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone stumbling. I turned around to find Riya on the floor. I sighed at her clumsiness and walked over to help her up.

"Sorry, Bhai. You looked so good that I tripped," she said with a grin.

I smiled back and said, "Not prettier than you."

"Let's go, they're here already," my mother called out, waving at us. I adjusted my yellow kurta for the Haldi ceremony.

"Bhai, look at you! Bhabhi won't be able to take her eyes off you," Rudra teased, patting my back as we headed towards the lawn where the ceremony was to take place. As we walked, my eyes were drawn to Ashi. She was dressed in a white lehenga with a yellow dupatta, her hair softly framing her face adorned with flower jewelry and a bright smile. She looked... pretty.

Ruhi approached us and said, "Jiju, come sit near Ashi," gently holding my hand to guide me forward. We sat across from each other as the Haldi ceremony began.

"First, the groom will be applied Haldi, and then the same Haldi will be applied by the bride," my mother explained. Soon, everyone-my mother, sister, Rudra, and other relatives-began applying Haldi to my face, shoulders, and feet. Afterward, they turned to Ashi. Once the elders had finished, they asked us to apply Haldi to each other. There was a brief moment of awkwardness until Rudra, always the tease, remarked, "Why are you blushing so much? It's not like we're the ones going on a honeymoon in two days!"

Everyone burst out laughing, and Ashi's face turned bright red. I then took some Haldi and gently applied it to her, and she did the same to me.

"Now the Haldi ceremony is complete," my mother announced.

"Complete? No, it's not!" Rudra interjected. "We haven't applied it yet!"

"Yes, yes!" Ruhi and Riya chimed in, grabbing a tumbler of Haldi and playfully smashing it onto us and each other. The air filled with laughter, happiness, and the earthy scent of Haldi, but amidst it all, I couldn't help but think about Navya. I missed her deeply.

"Okay, okay, that's enough now," my mother said, stepping in. "The wedding is today; they need to freshen up and rest," she added, addressing the guests.

After freshening up, I went to my room and changed into clean clothes. I sat on the couch to review the plans for the upcoming week when my mom appeared at the doorway, peeking in.

"Are you free?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, Maa, come in and sit," I said, gesturing to the couch across from me.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," she said, still sounding unsure.

"Hmm?" I nodded, setting my tablet aside to give her my full attention.

"Ayaan, beta, I don't understand why you agreed to this wedding," she began. "Just a month ago, you didn't want to talk to anyone, and now you're ready to get married. I'm happy that you're moving on, but promise me that you won't break this girl's heart. Don't look for Navya in her. Give her a place in your heart that's hers alone."

She spoke with her hands clasped tightly together.

"Yes, Maa, I understand your concern. I'll never do anything that you wouldn't approve of," I assured her.

"It's not about me; it's about her. If you break her heart, you know what I'm capable of," she warned, her tone firm. "And starting today, change your routine-no more working late."

"Yes, Maa," I agreed.

"Alright then, go get ready. The Muhurat for the wedding is coming up soon," she said.

"Yes," I replied.

-Ashi Haldi outfit:-

- Ayan Haldi outfit

-Haldi Decoration

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