𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"80. Mehendi & Haldi"

"In haathon me rachi mehendi me ehsaas unke naam ka,
Is chehre par haldi ka nikhaar hai unke naam ka
Dil se ab dil ka milan door nahi,
Shadi ka atoot bandhan, bandh jaye,
Hume intezaar us shaam ka"

-Vaidehi
(Fictionflare_)

The next day brought with it a burst of vibrant celebrations, beginning with the Mehendi ceremony during the day and Haldi at night. This time, the venue was within the royal palace nor in its sprawling lawn, but in a beautifully set-up open space that felt straight out of a fairytale. The entire area was transformed into a soft dreamscape with lavender, blue, and white flowers cascading from every corner, intertwined with flowing curtains in matching hues. It was ethereal, elegant yet festive, reflecting the love story it was celebrating.

The guests and family members dressed gracefully in shades of green and pink, blending harmoniously with the theme. Every smile, every glance shared among them held excitement and joy. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the sweet scent of fresh blossoms and henna.

Among everyone, all eyes naturally found their way to the bride and groom. Ruhanika was a vision in her dark green lehenga, adorned with delicate pink floral embroidery. The color brought out the radiance in her complexion, and the embroidery felt like tiny blossoms blooming with every movement she made. But the most beautiful part of her outfit wasn't just the design, it was the thought behind it. The lehenga had been handpicked by Rudraksh himself. It was Ruhanika's heartfelt wish to wear only those outfits chosen by him for every ceremony, and Rudraksh had taken that responsibility with the utmost care and affection. For him, every thread had to match her elegance, every color her mood.

Rudraksh, complementing her perfectly, wore a dark green kurta embellished with mirror work that sparkled softly under the sunlight. His white dhoti added a classic charm, while the dupatta draped casually yet regally around his neck completed his look. He looked effortlessly handsome, but more than that, he looked deeply content, because everything today was about her.

Their love didn't need grand declarations. It echoed through the smallest gestures, how he adjusted her dupatta when the wind blew it away, how she smiled every time her eyes met his, how his hands hovered around her protectively when the crowd got too close. Their every glance, every brush of fingers, every shared smile told a story, a story of love that had grown stronger with every passing day.

The music filled the air with joy as the beats of traditional instruments blended beautifully with the vibrant energy of the evening. Ladies twirled gracefully to the rhythm, their lehengas swirling like blossoms, while Rajasthani folk performers added a rustic charm to the celebration. Everything felt just perfect, like a dream in motion.

Amidst the festivities, Ashvik stood with Akshavi, a soft smile on his face. Little Aveer was nestled comfortably in his arms, completely fascinated by the intricate patterns of mehendi adorning his mother's hands. His wide eyes sparkled with curiosity as he gently touched the designs, making Akshavi chuckle at his innocent wonder. Ashvik, ever the doting husband, used his free hand to feed Akshavi some fresh fruits, balancing fatherhood and affection so effortlessly, creating a picture of quiet love in the middle of the vibrant chaos.

Akshavi: "Kitni pyaari nazaron se dekh raha hai haathon ko"
(How sweetly he's looking at my hands.)

Ashvik: "Phir durr hi rakho apne hath main nahi chahta ye nautanki teen daant tumhari mehendi kharab kar de"
(Then keep your hands away. I don't want this little drama king with three teeth to ruin your mehendi.)

Akshavi: "Chup kariye aap jab dekho mere bachche ko kuch na kuch kehte rehte hai"
(Oh please, you always keep saying something or the other to my child.)