You and I - a pranushka tale

chapter twenty-eight

It was the day before the marriage.

The villa was lit with excitement as everyone prepared for the joyous occasion.  Family members from afar arrived and were being given rooms for their short stay. Relations were given roles to carry out that ensured everything would happen smoothly. Mithrah was put in charge of making sure the visitors settled in well.

Oh, and making sure the bride didn't see the groom.

"I can't believe I can't meet him." Thara complained for what the girls felt like was the hundredth time. Her parents were the ones who suggested that Rana and Thara don't see each other for the day before marriage. It was something that both the bride and groom were quick to disagree with but much to their luck the elders found joy in their dismay.

"You're going to see him tomorrow morning," Mithrah said with a sigh, trying not to fall back down on to the bed in distress. She was sure they already had this conversation.

Nithya was no more in the mood. Initially, she was entertained by how eager Thara was to see Rana but after a while, she just wanted to grab the two and get them married in an instant herself just so that she didn't have to listen to Thara's complaints. "Baby, its already been a few hours and you only have a few more to go. Once you get married he's all yours. For now please just sit down and don't get us in trouble." Nithya begged.

Mithrah nodded fervently. "Yeah, I don't want to get in trouble because you can't stay away from Rana for twenty-four hours. If you want to blame anyone, blame your dad. This is his idea."

Thara made a face before muttering something under her breath. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. She looked at the others with an excited smile and tried to run to open it herself but Mithrah pulled her back and forced her to the bed.

"If it's Rana again, I'm going to kill him then burn his body and make kolams with his ashes," Mithrah muttered walking towards her door. He had already attempted to see his bride multiple times and each time the girls had to hide Thara away.

But it was Prabhas who waited on the other side.

"Woah," He said taking a step back with his hands raised when he saw Mithrah's expression. "Why do you look like you want to kill me?"

Mithrah shook her head as Thara made a sound of disappointment and fell backwards onto the bed. "I thought you were Rana. For once I don't want to kill you." She told him looking surprised herself.

He laughed before a smirk settled on his lips. "That calls for a celebration don't you think?" He asked, his voice lowering but of course, Nithya's bat-like ears were trained on the two. When she cleared her throat Mithrah's eyes widened.

She made a face at him and placed her finger on her lip shaking her head. "Why did you come?"

"Your mum wants you to come downstairs." He told her.

She nodded and after warning Thara to stay in place, the pair hurried downstairs. As they walked towards Radha, they looked around the villa with amazement in their eyes. Flowers were adorned on every wall and pillar. There were little candles placed everywhere possible. Yet the decorations were still not done. People were brushing past with items and preparations barely noticing the awed expressions of the pair.

Prabhas reached closer to Mithrah and whispered, "I could kiss you right now right here and nobody would notice."

She rolled her eyes and pushed him away. "Well, we are not going to find out so just walk."