"Rudra, woh..." Maitree said, touching her forehead lightly. "Vatsal's dad is here and I just... lost my balance for a moment."
"Maitree, I can ask him to leave," Rudra said, gently taking her hands in his.
She shook her head, her expression softening. "No, Rudra. I'm moving on—with you. You are my present... and my future."
Rudra smiled, his grip tightening reassuringly around her fingers. "Then how about another dance to seal the deal?" he asked, extending his hand with a playful grin.
"I thought you'd never ask," Maitree replied dramatically, her smile widening as she placed her hand in his.
And with that, the two of them danced into the night.
_____________
Two Weeks later
The wedding hall was glowing softly with golden fairy lights and marigold garlands hanging from every corner. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and sandalwood, mingling with the joyful chatter of family and friends.
Rudra sat confidently in the mandap, dressed in a cream sherwani richly embroidered with gold thread, paired with a maroon turban topped with a sparkling kalgi. Shaurya, stood beside him, wore a deep navy kurta with subtle silver embroidery that added a regal touch.
Nalini looked radiant in a cream saree woven with golden zari work, complemented by traditional gold jewelry and fragrant jasmine flowers woven through her hair. Anjali wore a soft peach lehenga adorned with intricate embroidery, Varun, her husband, stood nearby in a beige kurta paired with a maroon nehru jacket. Aradhya, gently carrying little Amrutha wrapped in a cream shawl, wore a delicate mint green salwar kameez embroidered with silver thread, exuding quiet elegance.
In the dressing room, Khushi asked gently, "Nervous ho?" as she placed a pink veil on Maitree's head. Maitree glanced at her reflection in the mirror, taking a deep breath.
Maitree wore a stunning pastel pink lehenga with delicate gold embroidery that shimmered softly under the lights. The pink veil Khushi gently placed on her added an ethereal touch, flowing gracefully over her shoulders.
Khushi wore a flowing mint green saree with intricate silver detailing along the borders. The saree gracefully draped over her baby bump.
Maitree placed her index finger and thumb close together, glancing at Khushi through the mirror. "Itna sii," she said with a teasing smile.
Khushi laughed softly, steadying Maitree's pins on the pallu. "Don't worry, yeh hota hai," she reassured gently.
"Maitree," Manasi called out as she entered the dressing room, dressed in a deep emerald green saree embroidered with delicate gold zari work. The rich color complemented her warm complexion, and her hair was elegantly pinned up with jasmine flowers tucked in.
"You should wear this," Manasi said, holding out a delicate white brooch shaped like a lotus, its edges rimmed in silver.
"Ma, it's beautiful," Maitree said softly, her eyes lingering on it with a tender smile.
"It was Dad's," Khushi added in a gentle tone, placing her hand on Maitree's shoulder for support.
Maitree looked at both of them, her eyes misty. Manasi nodded, fastening the brooch carefully onto the drape of Maitree's saree.
"Kisi ki nazar na lagee," Manasi said, placing a small kala teeka behind Maitree's ear. Maitree stood up and turned to face her mother, cheeks tinged with pink as she smiled shyly.
"Maa..." Khushi whined playfully.
Manasi turned to her with a knowing grin. "Tumhe bhi," she said, gently tucking another kala teeka behind Khushi's ear.
YOU ARE READING
Threads of Destiny
Romance"I'm not interested in you, so I don't want to know anything about you," Maitree stated firmly. Rudraksh, responded with a playful tone, "Well, maybe you should go on more dates with me. You might find yourself becoming interested once you get to kn...
