Transmigration to the 90's

Ghar pravesh

In the car, Aadarsh continued to sob softly, the emotions of the day overwhelming him. The reality of leaving his family, the warmth of his home, and the love he had felt all his life was starting to sink in. He tried to wipe away his tears, but they kept falling.

Randhir, sitting beside him, glanced at Aadarsh, his expression softening for a moment. Though he wasn't overly affectionate or loving towards his new bride, he wasn't entirely cold-hearted either. Seeing Aadarsh crying, he felt a pang of sympathy. It wasn't about the arranged marriage or the expectations tied to it—just a basic human reaction to someone else's pain.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and quietly offered it to Aadarsh. "Here," he said, his voice low but firm. "You'll ruin your makeup if you keep wiping your face with your hands."

Aadarsh looked up, surprised by the unexpected gesture. His tear-filled eyes met Randhir's, and for a brief moment, he saw a glimpse of kindness there. Hesitantly, he accepted the handkerchief. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice still shaky, but there was a hint of gratitude. He dabbed at his tears, trying to compose himself, knowing the long journey to his new home was just beginning.

As they approached the Choudhary house, Aadarsh observed it carefully. It was much smaller and less extravagant than the Khurana mansion, but it had a certain charm to it—a warm, homey feeling. The house was adorned with flowers and lights, and there was a sense of quiet celebration. Randhir's family wasn't as affluent, but they had made the most of what they had to welcome the new bride.

Mr. Ratan Choudhary stood at the entrance, his expression a mix of pride and relief. He had struggled for years, facing one setback after another, and for a long time, the burden of his debts to the Khuranas had weighed heavily on him. But today, as he watched his cousin sister perform the welcoming rituals for Randhir and Aadarsh, he felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

He stepped away for a moment, standing in front of two large portraits that hung in the living room—one of his late wife, Leela, and the other of his parents. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he looked at Leela's picture, her kind eyes gazing back at him.

"Leela, I've done my best," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I brought up our son to be a man, as good as I could, even if I faltered along the way. And today... today, I can finally say I've done something right."

He turned slightly to face his parents' portrait, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, father. I know I wasn't the best son, and I made mistakes. But today, I've made amends. We're free of the debts, and I hope I've made you proud, even if just a little."

Taking a deep breath, he composed himself and walked back to the entrance, joining the ongoing rituals. The women in the family performed the aarti, and Randhir's cousin sister gently teased him as she welcomed Aadarsh into the house.

"Randhir, you look so serious!" she said, laughing. "Smile a bit; you're going to scare your bride away."

Randhir gave a polite smile, just enough to satisfy her, while Aadarsh stood beside him, trying to take in everything—the rituals, the people, the new faces. It was all so overwhelming, yet he had to adjust, to accept this as his new life.

Mr. Choudhary stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Randhir's shoulder. "Welcome home, Aadarsh beta," he said warmly. "I know it must be hard leaving your family, but you'll find a family here too. We'll try our best to make you feel at home."

Aadarsh nodded, managing a small smile through his nerves. "Thank you, Uncle," he said softly.

As the aarti and welcoming rituals took place, Aadarsh, with a mix of nervousness and grace, gently nudged the pot filled with rice using his right foot, sending it tumbling over, a symbol of prosperity entering the Choudhary household. He then pressed his haldi-stained hands against the wall near the entrance, leaving behind delicate prints as a sign of his new beginnings. With Randhir by his side, Aadarsh stepped into the kumkum water, creating soft, red footprints that trailed behind him as he walked into the house—a path marking his entry as a bride.

Next, he was guided to the puja ghar, where he offered his prayers to the gods and goddesses. Every step felt strange; the intricate bicheye on his feet was new to him, and he couldn't help but fidget slightly, trying to adjust. Despite the discomfort, he maintained a calm facade, his face still adorned with the gentle smile he had been carrying throughout the ceremonies.

The initial set of rituals concluded, and everyone began to relax, knowing that the rest would resume in the evening. Seeing that Aadarsh was struggling to walk comfortably, Randhir stepped forward, scooping him up in his arms without a word. It was a simple, practical gesture, yet it drew everyone's attention. Aadarsh blushed slightly, surprised by Randhir's action, but grateful.

As Randhir carried him towards his old room, Aadarsh's mind was buzzing with thoughts. The soft murmurs around them started to grow clearer. At first, he tried to ignore it, but then the familiar taunting words drifted to his ears, making his heart sink.

"Can you believe how heavy that pig must be?" one of the girls sneered, her voice laced with mockery.

Another chimed in, "Yes, poor Randhir is tied to a cow!" They snickered, their cruel laughter echoing in the hallway, unafraid of being overheard, as there were no older family members around to reprimand them.

Aadarsh stiffened in Randhir's arms, his heart clenching with a mix of hurt and anger. It was the same group of girls who had tormented the original Aadarsh, pushing him to a point of no return. The new Aadarsh's gaze flickered towards them, his eyes narrowing as he took in their faces, memorizing each one. Their harsh words might have broken the original Aadarsh, but he was determined not to let them get to him.

He subtly tightened his grip on Randhir's shoulder, as if drawing strength from it, silently vowing that he wouldn't be weak or let them have the satisfaction of seeing him crumble. If anything, this was just another reminder of why he needed to be strong, not just for himself but for the future he was now stepping into.

Randhir, unaware of the words being exchanged, noticed Aadarsh's sudden change in demeanor. He glanced down at him, concerned. "You okay?" he asked, his tone surprisingly gentle, almost as if he was trying to reassure him.

Aadarsh nodded, his expression calm despite the sting of the words still lingering in the air. "Yes," he whispered back, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine."

But deep down, he knew he would remember this moment. It was a reminder that while he might be surrounded by new faces, not all of them would be friendly. And as much as he wanted to lean on Randhir, he knew he would have to navigate this world on his own strength.

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