Foundation of Marriage

Part 19 - Entering RM

The atmosphere downstairs was festive, filled with joy and excitement as the wedding of Payal and Akash was about to begin. The area was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, creating a magical ambiance. Family members and close friends had gathered, eagerly awaiting the start of the ceremony. As Khushi and Arnav joined the gathering, Payal, dressed in a stunning red bridal lehenga, looked both nervous and excited. Akash, in a cream-coloured sherwani, couldn't take his eyes off his bride. The rituals began with the exchange of garlands, both of them smiling shyly as they completed the first step of their union. The priest chanted the sacred mantras, and the couple sat before the holy fire, with their families looking on, filled with happiness and pride. As Payal and Akash took the seven sacred vows, promising to stand by each other in every phase of life, there was a sense of serenity in the air. The rituals concluded with Akash applying sindoor (vermilion) on Payal's forehead and tying the mangalsutra around her neck, signifying their bond as husband and wife. The room erupted in applause and blessings as the newlyweds stood up, ready to take their first steps together as a married couple. Khushi was watching her sister, she felt a mix of emotions, joy for Payal and a pang of sadness for the complications in her own life.

As the night drew to a close, the guests began to disperse. Arnav and Khushi shared a quiet eye lock and made their way to a small, secluded temple. There were no elaborate decorations or large crowds, just the two of them, ready to take a vow of togetherness that would defy all odds. Aman and Roy, Arnav's trusted confidants, were the only witnesses to this intimate ceremony because of legal reasons. The temple was quiet, with only the soft chanting of the priest and the gentle rustling of leaves in the night breeze. The priest began the rituals, and as the mantras filled the air, Khushi felt a sense of calm wash over her. This wasn't the grand wedding she had once dreamt of, but in this simplicity, there was something profoundly beautiful. She looked up at Arnav, who was gazing at her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. As they took the seven vows, the significance of each promise resonated deeply within them. Arnav tied the mangalsutra around Khushi's neck, a symbol of their eternal bond. His fingers lingered on her skin for a moment, conveying the depth of his emotions without words. Finally, he applied sindoor in the parting of her hair, marking her as his wife in the eyes of the world. Aman and Roy were standing a few steps away. They watched with silent respect, knowing that this union was more than just a formality.

Khushi's heart raced as she now stood at the threshold of the Raizada mansion, her hand was tightly gripping Arnav's. She had no idea what Arnav had planned, and the uncertainty of how their families would react filled her with dread. The mansion was still buzzing with the excitement of Payal and Akash's wedding, and the sight of them entering together caused a wave of murmurs and puzzled looks. As they stepped inside, the festive atmosphere came to an abrupt halt. The family members, who were engaged in the playful wedding games, turned their attention to this couple. At first, they thought it was some kind of a joke, but the serious expressions on Arnav and Khushi's faces quickly dispelled that notion. Buaji and Naani exchanged confused glances before both women urged Arnav and Khushi to speak.

Naani: "Arnav bitwa, Khushi, yeh sab kya ho raha hai? Tum dono ne shaadi kar li?"

("Arnav, Khushi, what is going on? Did you two get married?")

Garima, however, was far from gentle. Her eyes were blazing with anger as she stepped forward.

Garima (shouting): "Khushi, what have you done? You've ruined everything! How could you marry Arnav like this? Don't you care about your sister's life? What will people say?"

Khushi's eyes filled with tears as she faced her mother's wrath. She wanted to explain, to make Garima understand that she had done this to protect Payal's marriage. But the words got stuck in her throat as she remembered Arnav's advise of not saying anything. Payal, who had been watching from the side, couldn't bear to see her sister being scolded and insulted. She knew what Khushi had sacrificed for her sake. But as she tried to move forward to intervene, Akash gently held her back. "Let bhai handle this," he whispered. Akash's eyes were filled with trust in his brother. Garima, in her anger, raised her hand to slap Khushi but before she could make contact, Arnav's strong hand caught hers mid-air. The room went silent with gasps, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Arnav's voice was calm but laced with an unmistakable warning not only for Garima, but also for Shyam.