Laxita - The Mage's Awakening

10 - Desperate Measures

Laxita's POV

I just have to convince him, I thought. Since, I saw a ray of hope, I put my things back and went to sleep. That night I slept well after so long.

The next morning, I got ready and headed towards Vanya's house. It was her haldi ceremony tomorrow so we had a lot to prepare. Also, I had a mission in mind, I had to find Nakul. We were busy for the entire day. I was waiting for him but he didn't arrive that day. I decided that if he doesn't come by tomorrow, then I will go to his house to meet him.

It was her haldi ceremony the next day. All the ladies were dressed in yellow attire so I also draped a yellow saree. Vanya wore a yellow lehenga today and she was looking radiant. She was happy, that's what mattered.

The ceremony started and her mother was the first to apply the haldi (turmeric). She kissed her forehead and her eyes were moist. The rest of the ladies followed her mother. After that, I went to apply the haldi. All the ladies were talking and teasing her which made her giggle. Suddenly, I thought of something and took a handful of haldi and applied on her face. Her face was fully covered now and she was surprised. Everyone started laughing including me.

"You devil!!!" She laughed.

"Tumhara vivah hai, bura mat maano," I giggled.

("It's your wedding, don't be upset")

After that, everyone started enjoying and applying haldi to each other. This is the most fun I've had in years. I saw the back of my head heating up. I turned and saw that Nakul was standing there, staring at me. I have to talk to him today.

The ceremony was done and the bride went to take a bath. I also cleaned myself up. But when I came back, I couldn't find him anywhere. Sneaky jerk.

Two days later, it was her mehedi ceremony. The henna artists were called to apply mehedi (henna) on her hands. The colour code for today's function was green.

The bride sat down and the artists got down to work. I also decided to apply mehedi.

"Mehedi ka rang jitna gehra hota h, pati utna hi pyaar karta h shaadi ke baad," one of the ladies said and everyone started laughing.

("The darker the shade of henna, the more your husband loves you")

"Phir to bahut gehra chadega mehendi ka rang, humare Yuvraj apne hone waali Yuvrani se itna prem jo karte hai", I said which made her blush. Everyone started cheering and more laughs erupted.

("Then the shade of henna would be much darker, as our crown prince loves our would be crown princess very much")

The function was in full bloom when I saw him standing in the corner. This time I am not letting him go.

"I have something urgent to discuss with you," I said as I went to him.

He was just staring at me for a moment then replied, "What is it?"

"Laxita dear, can you please come here for a moment?" Vanya's mother called me.

"I have to go now but we will discuss this later," I said and went back to her mother to help her.

The next morning, we had to go to the palace to get the bride's lehenga from the groom. It was a tradition that the groom's family gifted the wedding dress to the bride. So, I went to the palace with her father and brother to fetch her lehenga. I thought that I would meet Yash too since I am in the palace and see his excitement. An attendee informed us that he was in the guest room.

He smiled as soon as he saw me and said, "Why are you from the bride's side and not mine? Am I not your friend?" He's being dramatic.

"Shama chahte hain Yuvraj par hum vadhu paksh se hai," I replied.