Layers of Us

Chapter 127: Papa Kehte Hain

Meanwhile, down at the mandap, the pre-wedding rituals were already underway.

The sacred fire had been prepared as the priest chanted mantras softly.
Family members occupied their designated places.

The air itself seemed heavier now filled with anticipation.

Merwin sat inside the mandap and for perhaps the first time in all days... he wasn't smiling much, because now it was real.

Every few seconds his eyes drifted toward the pathway leading to the house, waiting.

Finally the priest looked up.
"Vadhuvine kondu varu."
("Bring the bride.")

And just like that...
A hush spread across the gathering.
The conversations softened, the laughter died down and even the children seemed to settle.

Everyone turned toward the entrance waiting.

And then it came-
The soft musical chime of anklets, one step then another.
The delicate sound floated through the air before the bride herself became visible.

A collective smile spread through the crowd as Bhoomi had arrived.

She was flanked by her closest people-
Her friends behind her.
Ram walked proudly on one side, while Palash and others were on the other side.

Siya too trotted along nearby with her fur babies looking entirely too important for a child her age, as though she personally owned the wedding.

The photographers immediately went wild.
Cameras clicking relentlessly.
Drones capturing every angle from above.
Videographers practically walking backwards to film her entrance.

But midway through the pathway...
Bhoomi stopped just for a moment... because ahead of her sat the mandap and inside it...
Sat Merwin.

Their eyes met and everything else around them seemed to blur.

Merwin's entire expression softened as a smile appeared automatically.

Bhoomi smiled back a little nervous, a little emotional and alot more overwhelmed.

Above her, the camera drones circled quietly.
Capturing the exact moment.
The exact look and feeling.
A memory frozen forever.

Bhoomi took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly trying to steady the storm of emotions inside her.
Excitement. Fear. Love. Happiness. Nervousness.
Everything existed together.

And just when she was trying to gather herself... a familiar voice spoke beside her which instantly comforted her.
"Baby..."

It was Tripura's.
The same voice that had reassured her countless times before.
The same voice that always seemed to appear exactly when she needed it most.

She smiled softly and opened her eyes, only to find her standing beside her, one hand resting gently on her shoulder, while the other lightly held her arm grounding her, just like she always had.

Everything seemed to blur away until there was only her mother standing beside her, looking at her with that same familiar warmth she had known for years.

Tripura's eyes moved over her slowly, taking in the red Kanjivaram saree, the jewelry, the carefully done makeup, the nervous smile trembling on her lips.

A smile touched her own face.
"You look very beautiful."

Bhoomi felt her throat tighten instantly.
Tripura noticed the tears gathering before they could even fall.

Reaching up, she touched the corner of her waterline and gathered a tiny smudge of kajal and gently tucked it behind Bhoomi's ear. Then she cupped her face, and circled her hands over it and cracked her fingers lightly above her own head, taking away every ounce of nazar she could.