Naina: His subconscious desire

41. Ritual

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Naina's POV

Just the moment I was about to enter the house, a familiar voice echoed in the surrounding.

“STOP” I took my feet backwards, it was none other than Maa sa. Fear crept in my veins from past experiences but I was sure this time, nothing bad is gonna happen. This is my family now they love me. He squeezed my hands to calm me while I gave him a sly smile.

After four months I was standing at the same door but this time not with hope or expectations but with Rights and Relation. There is no lie, just truth, a family who accepted me, not out of compulsion but love and compassion. I know we have a long way to go and it will be fun and memorable.

“Aap sab itna jaldi mein ho ki ye bhi bhul gaye hame apni bahu ki aarti utarni hai” Everyone chuckled at her talks, as they were in such a hurry to welcome me. ("You all are in such a hurry that you've even forgotten that we need to perform the welcoming ceremony (aarti) for our daughter-in-law.")

I felt her standing in front of me. She did my aarti and showered flowers on us. She applied kumkum on my forehead.

“I am sure, nobody would have even applied kohl to keep evil eyes away” I can feel her protectiveness towards me, and her taunt was directed to Veer and Sanvi. I felt her fingers beside my ears and I knew she was applying kohl. She kissed my head.

“Welcome home daughter,” Her voice held remorse for the action pulled by her four months ago. I felt a drop fall on my hands and it didn't take me time to realise she was crying. I hugged her immediately as I didn't want her to think about that more, I know she will keep thinking about it as we cannot forget our regrets and mistakes.

“Maa sa, it's been four months. Just forget it because I don't want to remember it, I have you all now so why ruin our present with the past” I engulfed myself in a motherly hug and pecked my head.

“Okay now let me do griha pravesh rituals for my daughter-in-law” She pulled out of the hug and ordered me to stand there quietly. I felt his hand intertwining with me, what's with him these days. He always finds a way to hold my hands, hug me, and peck my head frequently. Not that I am complaining, I feel affectionate.

“Now kick the rice pot with your right feet and enter the kumkum thal, Yash help her” She is so bossy that it's almost cute. I felt a movement, suddenly he held my feet and pointed towards the rice pot and then stood up, held me by my shoulder.

“Thal is beside the rice pot.” He whispered softly while others giggled. I don't know why. I kicked the rice pot and helped me to stand in kumkum thal. He pulled my waist pleats and I walked on the floor.

“Bhabhi, Bhabhi, Bhabhi ( Sister in law )wait” I heard the siblings said in unison and suddenly they sat near my feets,

“We want your footprints on our shirt please” Vihan whined while Vani kept the kumkum thal in front of me. I stood in confusion but Vihan and Vani pleaded like puppies.

“They won't leave you to grant their Wish Nayan” He pulled me in his arms and put my feets in kumkum thal, soon I imprinted their shirt one by one while the elders chuckled at their antics.

Finally he stood me on the ground as I fulfilled their demands.

“Come beta ( child ) we have one more ritual” I heard the voice of Papa and he dragged me with him while holding my shoulder.

“Finally, let's see who will win today” Dadi sa said in excitement while other's giggled at her comment.

“Which game?” I was confused about what they were talking about.