"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 67

Kabir's Perspective

As Pandit Ji entered the room, all the casual chatter around us quieted, and I felt the weight of the moment sink in. This was it—the official start of the next big chapter of my life. My mom, sitting beside me, shot me a reassuring glance, but I could see the excitement dancing in her eyes. She was practically beaming, and I knew that this meeting had been on her mind for weeks.

"Namaste, Pandit Ji," my mom greeted him warmly, rising from her seat. "We've been eagerly waiting for you."

Pandit Ji smiled and returned her greeting before looking around the room. My eyes automatically found Aditi, sitting with her family on the other side of the room, and I couldn't help but smile. She looked elegant yet slightly nervous, fiddling with the edge of her pallu. Her family—her parents, her younger sister Anaya, and her cousins Ridhima, Atharv, and Arushi—were sitting neatly beside her. They all looked expectant, aware of the importance of this meeting.

"This is the boy?" Pandit Ji asked, turning toward me with a polite smile.

"Yes, Pandit Ji, this is Kabir," my mom said, practically glowing with pride. "And that's Aditi, the girl we've chosen for him."

Pandit Ji turned to Aditi's family and gave them a welcoming nod. Her mom, who was sitting on Aditi's left, smiled warmly and introduced everyone. "This is our eldest daughter, Aditi, and this is Anaya, her younger sister," she said, gesturing to both girls. "And these are my nieces, Ridhima and Arushi, and my nephew Atharv."

"A beautiful family," Pandit Ji said, his eyes twinkling. "Let's begin with the auspicious dates, shall we?"

As everyone nodded, Aditi's mother added, "Pandit Ji, please check carefully. We want everything to go smoothly." Her tone was gentle but firm.

As the rituals continued, Pandit Ji looked around and said, "Everyone, cover your heads, please."

Sitting just a few feet away from me, Aditi had already covered her head with the edge of her pallu, looking every bit serene and composed, despite all the eyes on her. But something caught my attention—Arjun, my twelve-year-old cousin, was also sitting under the same pallu, his head covered along with hers.

My brow furrowed. What was he doing under there?

I leaned in, trying not to cause a scene. "Arjun," I whispered, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing under Aditi's pallu?"

He gave me an innocent smile. "I gave my handkerchief to Anaya. She didn't have anything to cover her head with."

I glanced over at Anaya, Aditi's younger sister, who was sitting quietly, her head now covered with what I recognized as Arjun's handkerchief. Alright, fine. That was a pretty decent move from the kid, but it didn't explain why he was making himself so comfortable under Aditi's pallu.

"You could've asked someone else," I muttered.

He shrugged. "It's fine. There's plenty of room."

Plenty of room? Yeah, right. I gave him a pointed look. "Move over," I said, fishing my own handkerchief out of my pocket and handing it to him. "Here, take this."

Arjun's eyes lit up as he grabbed the handkerchief from me. "Thanks, bhaiya!" he chirped, happily hopping out from under Aditi's pallu to sit next to Anaya.

Finally. But now... I didn't have anything to cover my head. I looked at Aditi, who was trying her hardest not to laugh at the whole situation.

Before she could say anything, I reached for the edge of her pallu and gently pulled it over my head, settling myself under it beside her. I expected her to protest, or at least give me a teasing comment, but instead, she just smiled. That soft, knowing smile of hers that always seemed to hold a million unspoken words.