𝑰𝑺𝑯𝑸 𝑺𝑯𝑼𝑭𝑰𝒀𝑨𝑵𝑨

TIED WITH KNOT

Finally, the day had arrived.

The day Pooja and Armaan would be tied together for life.

The bride's house had turned into a glowing palace—fairy lights blinked from the terrace to the gate since 1 a.m., flickering like stars celebrating the couple. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of marigolds, sandalwood incense, and freshly brewed chai. The hallway echoed with hurried footsteps, laughter, and the rustle of bangles and payals. Somewhere in the background, wedding songs played softly, and in the kitchen, aunts chatter about the last few days.

Parama walked swiftly through the hallway, her saree slightly undone from the morning hustle, clipboard in hand, answering questions from every corner of the house.

"Aunty, phoolon ki chadar kahaan rakhni hai?"
"Parama ji, ladkiyon ki side ka tent thoda hil raha hai...Suresh bhaiya bularahe hai"
"Makeup artist abhi tak nahi aaye!"

"Hey Bhagwan! Sab kaam main hi karun?" Parama threw her hands up, clearly overwhelmed. "Ek toh meri hi bachi ja rahi hai shaadi karke...aur koi yeh makeup artist ko bulao, jaldi! Nisha, call karo unhe!"

Nisha, poised and calm in her pjs, approached her with a gentle smile. She touched her arm softly.

"Maa, tum bhet jao zara. Sabse pehle, aap thoda rest karo. Itna stress kyun le rahi ho?"

Parama paused, her eyes wide and anxious as she looked at her. "Nisha... kaise manage hoga sab? Mujhe toh bahut tension ho raha hai. Kahi kuch reh gaya toh?"

Nisha pulled her into a hug, her tone soothing, like a balm to her mother's worries. "Maa, shaadi hai... thoda sa chaos toh hoga hi. But trust me, sab kuch time pe hoga. Hum sab hai na yahan? Pooja ki smile dekhna, woh itni khush hai, hame sirf pooja ki khushi chahiye dusro ka kya woh to yese bhi bate karenge ... Tum bas relax karo."

Parama's shoulders relaxed a little as she let out a long breath. "Meri choti si Pooja... ab dulhan ban gayi hai. Kal tak toh mujhe se jhagadti thi mumma yeh mumma woh, ... aur aaj..." her voice cracked with emotion.

Nisha laughed softly, brushing her mom's hair back. "Aaj bhi jhagad rahi hai... foundation ke shade ko lekar."

They both chuckled, and for a brief moment, the chaos faded.

"Ab chalo, aap ek cup chai lo, main makeup artist ko call karti hoon. Aur haan, photographer bhi aa gaya hai... mein unko dekhti hu zara"

Parama wiped a tear, a smile breaking on her lips. "Mere dono bacche... kitne bade ho gaye."

Nisha held her mother's hand tightly. "Aur aap hamesha ke jaise beautiful ho. Aaj Pooja ki shaadi hai, maa... let's enjoy it too, okay?"

Parama nodded, finally allowing herself to sit down. Outside, laughter erupted as Pooja's friends tried to sneak in sweets while getting ready. The wedding house was alive—brimming with love, emotion, chaos, and magic.

Nisha stepped into the balcony, her phone glued to her ear, a little frown on her otherwise glowing face. "Haan, Sunita di... kitni der aur? Baraat nikalne mein 2 ghante bhi nahi bache. Makeup team abhi tak bride ke room tak nahi pohnchi?"

She sighed, trying to stay composed. "Please jaldi aayiye..."

She hung up and walked toward the garden where the photographers were bustling around with lights, tripods, and candid pre-wedding chaos. "Guys, please double-check the mandap lights."