Guests began arriving in droves, filling the grand hall, their voices a pleasant hum against the rhythmic beat of the dhol that reverberated through the air. The atmosphere was vibrant with the colors of sarees and sherwanis, and the smell of freshly made delicacies wafted from the kitchen, teasing the senses.
Anika stood at the entrance, greeting the arriving guests with her usual charm. Each family member that walked in was met with a smile, a hug, or a greeting-each one more meaningful than the last. But Anika was also hyper-aware of the storm that had been silently building within her heart, and it had nothing to do with the wedding.
Across the hall, Shivaay was flanked by Omkara and Rudra, managing the flow of guests with an efficiency that made him seem almost robotic. His crisp suit looked impeccable, but there was a sharp edge to his demeanor that hadn't gone unnoticed by anyone around him.
Anika's gaze flickered back to Shivaay just as he turned to speak to Tej and Jhanvi.
The unmistakable sound of the baarat-lively, raucous, and full of life. The rhythmic beating of the dhol drums echoed across the street as the groom's family arrived, causing everyone in the house to pause and gather in anticipation.
Shivaay, who had been silently overseeing the final touches of the preparations, straightened up. His eyes, still tinged with a mix of exhaustion and excitement, glanced towards the main door. It was time. Priyanka's wedding had truly begun.
A line of cars slowly turned into the driveway, one after another. At the front of the procession was the groom's car-a sleek, black luxury sedan, its headlights cutting through the dusk as it approached the house. The horn blared, and as it came to a stop, the first sound to greet them was the unmistakable ruckus of the baraat.
The streets outside the house were a scene of organized chaos. Young men in bright sherwanis, family members in colorful turbans, and cousins wearing glistening garlands danced with abandon, their joy contagious. The dhol played at full volume as a group of dancers performed an impromptu routine on the road, kicking up dust and laughing.
Rehaan, the groom, was at the front, his face shining with joy. His eyes searched for Priyanka in the windows of mansion, and for a brief moment, he seemed almost nervous, unsure of the grand spectacle he was part of. But that nervousness vanished as his friends and family danced around him, cheering him on.
Rehaan, still perched on the back of a lavishly decorated horse, waved enthusiastically at the crowd. The whole scene felt like a blur of colors, sounds, and movements-each beat of the drum resonating in everyone's hearts.
"Rehaan, you look stunning!" Rudra shouted from the doorway, already hyped up, waving his arms to join the festivities. The family laughed as the groom dismounted his horse, his feet landing on the ground in perfect sync with the beat of the dhol.
"Shivaay bhaiya, join us! Come dance!" Rehaan called out, his grin wide and infectious.
Shivaay raised an eyebrow, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. He wasn't one for these public displays of emotion, but today, he was willing to indulge. For Priyanka, for her happiness.
But as he stepped forward to join the lively group, he caught sight of Mallika, standing quietly on the edge of the crowd. She was still watching him. Her gaze followed his every movement, though she hadn't yet joined the celebrations. There was something in the way her eyes lingered, an unspoken apology in the air that seemed to hang between them like an invisible thread.
Shivaay's attention was pulled back to the baraat as the lively beats of the dhol and the collective cheers of the family took over. He momentarily pushed aside the lingering presence of Mallika from his thoughts, letting the energy of the baraat fill him instead.
Rudra, ever the showman, pulled Shivaay into the center of the dance circle. "Bhaiya, come on! You can't just stand there looking serious. Let's see some moves!" Rudra teased, his excitement bubbling over. Shivaay couldn't suppress the small smile that formed as he reluctantly joined in.
Meanwhile, Anika, standing by the entrance, couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Shivaay trying to follow the rhythm of the dance. It wasn't graceful, but it was real-she could see the warmth in his eyes, the way he was letting himself enjoy the moment. And it wasn't just for Priyanka's sake. It was for the family, for all the years they had shared together.
But despite the growing celebration, Anika's gaze kept drifting back to Mallika, still standing apart from the rest. Mallika's expression was unreadable, her posture rigid. Anika could sense the tension she carried within her-there was something unresolved between her and Shivaay, something that lingered even now.
The music grew louder, and as the groom's family and friends took their turn in the limelight, the energy of the moment intensified. The baraat had reached its peak, with the entire family now dancing in full force. Shivaay was finally letting go, his usual reserved nature hidden beneath the infectious rhythm of the dhol.
Anika joined the dance circle as well, her presence igniting the energy even further. Soon, everyone was laughing, shouting, and twirling in joy. Even Priyanka's parents, Pinky and Shakti, were clapping to the beat. The house, and the very air around them, seemed to hum with excitement.
But as the groom's side finally made its way to the entrance, the celebrations took on a more reverent tone. The doors were opened, and Rehaan walked in, his family following closely behind.
Jhanvi stood at the door, ready to receive the groom and his family.
Rehaan grinned back, clapping Shivaay on the back. "I'm ready for this, Mom. Ready to make Priyanka the happiest woman in the world."
At that moment, everything seemed to come together. The celebrations, the laughter, the music-they were all culminating in this one perfect moment. The groom's family had arrived, the baraat had filled the house with joy, and now, it was time for the next chapter to begin.
And amidst the commotion, Shivaay caught a glance of Anika-standing on the sidelines, her face lit up by the celebration. She wasn't just a part of the chaos anymore. She had become his anchor, the one constant that had held him steady through everything.
As the wedding ceremony began, everyone took their respective seats. Shivaay was near the food counters talking to few guests when Mallika approached him. "Shivaay," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. The crowd around them seemed to melt away as the tension between them grew palpable.
Shivaay's shoulders stiffened at the sound of her voice, but he didn't turn to face her. He remained focused on the task at hand, his attention divided between greeting guests and keeping his thoughts in check.
"Shivaay," Mallika repeated, her hand lightly brushing his arm as she stepped closer. "Can we talk?"
Author's Note
Hey Guys, we have hit 10k + reads. Keep reading and commenting.
YOU ARE READING
The GIRLFRIEND Deal
Romance"The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly" Shivaay Singh Oberoi, a heartbroken lover whose ex betrayed him after a successful relationship of 5 years. His faith on love ceases to zero. Anika, an aspiring Interior designer does local plays...
