MY AVERAGE LIFE

Part 81

Sharath Pov:

After leaving Shivani's house, I drove home, my mind racing with thoughts of her. The scent of her hair still lingered on me, a reminder of the goodbye hug that felt far too short. The memory of her shy smile, the way her cheeks flushed when I teased her—those images kept me company as I navigated through the night.

The moment I walked through the door, my younger brother, and my sister, were waiting in the living room. They looked up from their phones simultaneously, their curiosity evident.

"Big news," I announced, leaning against the wall with a grin. "I'm getting married."For a second, the room was silent, and then chaos erupted. my brother let out a loud cheer, jumping up from the couch to give me a hearty slap on the back. Anandhi shrieked, rushing over to hug me tightly.

"Finally!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "We thought you'd never settle down!"

"Settle down?" Sidharth snorted, his eyes twinkling with mischief. " I know shiavni will make u settle down"I laughed, overwhelmed by their reactions. "Her name is Shivani but for u Vadhina," 

The next few days flew by in a whirlwind of preparations. My siblings took over the celebrations on my side, organizing everything from the music to the food. Our house was transformed overnight—vibrant marigold garlands hung from every corner, and the air was thick with the aroma of traditional Andhra dishes being prepared in the kitchen.

The *pelli koduku* ceremony was a lively affair. Turmeric was applied to me as my family laughed and teased me mercilessly.  I too let them because its the only chance they get.

But through it all, my thoughts kept drifting to Shivani. Was she smiling like I was? Was she missing me as much as I missed her? Every time my phone buzzed with a text from her, my heart raced.

The day had finally arrived. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the *dhoti* and sherwani I had chosen. The gold embroidery against the deep maroon fabric was regal, but nothing compared to how I imagined Shivani would look today.

When I arrived at the venue, the grandeur of the decorations took my breath away. The mandap was adorned with her favorite followers, exactly as she loved. Guests buzzed around, dressed in vibrant saris and kurtas, their chatter filling the air with excitement.

Then, the moment I had been waiting for came. Shivani stepped into the hall. I froze.

She was a vision. Dressed in a traditional red and gold Kanjeevaram saree, she looked ethereal. Her hair was adorned with jasmine flowers, and her jewelry sparkled, but it was her eyes that held me captive.

 They shone with a mix of shyness and joy, and I couldn't tear my gaze away. As she walked towards me, every step felt like a dream. My heart raced, and for the first time in my life, I felt nervous. How had I gotten so lucky?

The wedding rituals were steeped in tradition. The priests chanted sacred hymns as Shivani and I sat side by side in the mandap. The fire burned brightly before us, its warmth a promise of the life we were about to embark on together.

When it was time to tie the *mangalsutra*, my hands trembled slightly. As I secured it around her neck, she looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears. In that moment, I knew this was the happiest I had ever been.

The *jeelakarra bellam* ceremony, where we placed a paste of cumin and jaggery on each other's heads, was next. Our foreheads touched briefly, and I felt an electric jolt course through me. She smiled shyly, and I couldn't help but grin.

The *talambralu*, where we showered each other with rice mixed with turmeric, was filled with laughter. Shivani, in her playful spirit, threw an extra handful at me, and the guests erupted in cheers. She was everything I had ever dreamed of and more.

As the wedding concluded and we stood together as husband and wife, I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was glowing, her happiness radiating from every pore. When we bowed before her parents to take their blessings, I silently vowed to protect her, cherish her, and love her for the rest of my life.

Later, during the reception, as we greeted guests and posed for photos, I leaned towards her and whispered, "You look breathtaking."

She blushed, her cheeks turning the loveliest shade of pink. "And you look handsome," she replied softly, her voice filled with affection.

That night, as I sat beside her, watching her laugh with my family, I realized just how blessed I was. Shivani wasn't just my wife—she was my strength, my joy, my home.

I reached for her hand, and when she turned to look at me, I said, "I've never been this happy. You've made my life complete."

Her smile was everything. As the night wore on, I knew that this was just the beginning of a lifetime of care, laughter, and endless memories. And I couldn't wait.