Anaya-His heartbeat

CHAPTER-21

SHIVARTH POV

I woke up to sunlight flooding my room, but instead of feeling purely excited about the day ahead, I was caught somewhere between happiness and uncertainty. Today was Haldi, a major step toward the wedding, and I should have felt... something more. But the excitement was clouded by doubt.I glanced at the outfit Samaira had picked out for me—a bright yellow kurta. The second I saw it, I cringed. I've never been the type to wear these traditional outfits. I was more comfortable in suits or something that didn't scream "festive." But today, I didn't have a choice. It was my Haldi ceremony, and I had to wear this, no matter how much I hated it.With a sigh, I got dressed and stepped out of my room, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. As I walked into the living room, I spotted my father sitting there, staring off into space. His face was emotionless, the same cold look he always had. For a moment, I let myself hope he would say something, anything, to acknowledge the fact that his son was about to get married.But nothing. Not a single word of happiness or pride. He was just there, out of formality, and it shattered something inside me, like it did every time. A small part of me kept hoping that one day, he would show something—a smile, maybe a kind word. But I knew better by now. He was always distant, always detached. I swallowed hard, trying to push the disappointment down, but it lingered like a bitter taste in my mouth. My thoughts drifted to my dadi. I missed her. She was the only one who could've made today feel a little brighter, but she was back in the village, too ill to come. She would have fussed over me, maybe even made me feel like I was doing something right. But with her gone, it felt like a void—one that couldn't be filled by anyone else, especially not my father.Just then, Ayaan and Samaira burst into the room, their energy shifting the mood immediately. Both of them were dressed in vibrant yellow outfits, completely in sync with the day's festivities. They looked excited, happy even, and for a moment, I let myself relax in their presence."Look at you, Mr. Groom," Ayaan teased, giving me a once-over. "Rocking that kurta, huh?"I rolled my eyes. "I hate this outfit."Samaira laughed. "Well, tough luck, Shiv! You're wearing it, and you look good. Own it."I shook my head, but a small smile tugged at my lips. They always had a way of lightening the mood, no matter how heavy things felt. They teased me a little more, throwing in comments about how it was time for me to "glow like a groom" and how I'd better be prepared for the Sharma's crowd.With that, they left for venuue, leaving me standing there, still feeling the weight of my father's silence. As much as I tried to focus on the day ahead, it was hard to shake off the gnawing sense of loneliness that came with it.

ANAYA'S POV 

### Chapter: Haldi Day – A Mother's LoveI woke up with a flutter in my stomach, but this time, it wasn't nerves. It was excitement—pure and simple. Today wasn't just about the Haldi ritual; it was about everything else. The outfits, the pictures, the laughter with my girls. I couldn't wait.As I got out of bed, my mind was already racing with thoughts of how the day would unfold. I was surrounded by my girls, my sweethearts— Annie ,Mahi, Vaani, Chavvi. They were buzzing with energy, each of them talking a mile a minute, discussing the colors, the poses for the photos, and just generally filling the room with a sense of joy and anticipation. There's something about girlhood—when you're with your closest friends, the world feels lighter, and even the smallest moments feel like they're made of magic.They helped me get ready, and there was something so comforting about the way they fussed over me. We talked, laughed, and even argued playfully over which jewelry would match best with my lehenga. It was in these moments that I felt like everything was normal, like nothing outside of this room mattered.Then came the lehenga—yellow, delicate, and so beautiful. As soon as I slipped into it, I felt... regal. It wasn't just a dress for a ceremony; it was a part of the day, a part of the memories we were all about to make together. Everyone else was also dressed in their stunning yellow outfits, and the whole atmosphere felt lively and bright, as if the sun itself had settled inside the house.As I admired my reflection in the mirror, my mother walked in. She was wearing a gorgeous yellow saree, looking as elegant as ever. Her face softened when she saw me, and for a moment, everything around us seemed to pause. She came closer and gently placed a kiss on my forehead. "You're beautiful, beta," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.I looked up at her and saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. My throat tightened. It wasn't the first time I'd seen her like this, but today felt different. There was a quiet understanding between us, a mix of happiness and sadness that only a mother and daughter can truly share."Mom, don't cry," I said softly, though my own voice was beginning to waver.She smiled, brushing away a tear. "I'm not sad, Anaya. It's just... you're all grown up now. It feels like just yesterday you were this little girl, running around the house, causing trouble. And now... look at you. You're about to start a new chapter of your life."Her words hit me deep, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. She pulled me into a hug, and we both stood there, wrapped in the warmth of the moment. No matter how much I'd grown, no matter where life would take me, this bond—this unbreakable, unconditional love—would always be there.I pulled back from the hug, wiping my eyes quickly before the tears could ruin my makeup. "I love you, Mom.""I love you too, beta," she replied, her voice still tender. "You'll always be my little girl."The day ahead was going to be full of laughter and celebrations, but this moment, with my mother, was something I knew I'd carry with me forever. No matter how uncertain I felt about the future, one thing was clear—this bond, this love, would never change.