Warrior

29

Not so long later, we reached the gates of Raizada mansion. They swung open and Dev drove through them, going up to the mansion. I spotted the large fountain and see that it's lit up, just like on the night of the engagement.

Does that thing ever turn off?

The car stopped in front of the house, and I see all of my in-laws standing at the doors.

"Dev, get these inside to Nigel and have him bring it up to our room," Arnav said.

"Yes, Sir," Dev nodded, and he stepped out of the car.

Dev held open the door for me and I glanced at Arnav. He gives me a small smile and I give one in return, then I step out. I make my way around and look up at the colossal mansion before me, Arnav coming to my side.

"Shall we," he asked softly.

I nodded, and we headed up the steps, Arnav holding my hand to give me support. We reached the doors and his entire family is smiling at us.

Except Shalini.

"Seriously Chote, even tonight you had to be late," she frowned.

"Sorry Ma, it was just a quick stop."

Shalini's frown quickly turns into a smile. "Oh, I can't stay mad at you, not on your wedding day!"

"I don't think you ever can, isn't that right Nanav," NK teased.

They all chuckled and smiled, and Shalini waved her hand.

"Oh, stop it you! Now let me greet my new bahu in!"

"Here you are bhabi," Akash's mom said, handing over the puja tray to her.

Shalini takes it and beams at us, and starts the procession. Soon, a small pot of rice is placed before me.

"You're going to use your right foot and knock this over," Shalini beamed.

Well yeah, it's not like I didn't know that. It only is my second time doing this.

I stepped out of my heels and lifted my right foot, and as I do, flashes of the past cross my mind. I remember doing it two years ago and how a relative from his family judged me for not exactly tossing it over straight and that it was a bad sign.

Honey, the bad was already in your home, reeking poison, the fuck!

Without even realizing it, I knocked the pot over. It's when the coolness of the pot touches my foot that I snap back to reality, and I noticed that the pot has fallen straight forward, the rice spewing out.

Oh shit.

Everyone clapped around us and we moved inside, stepping over the fallen pot. A tray of red alta is placed before me and I looked around at the gleaming white marble tiled floors.

Am I really going to be staining it? ...well okay, maybe not exactly staining but... is that okay with these hella rich folks?

"Khushi, you may step into the alta, and then with your right foot first, mark your entry into your new home," Shalini smiled.

Again, I'm instantly transported back to two years ago. Only then, when I was to step out of the alta then, I was given a white tarp to walk on and leave my prints on.

Amazing how with these guys, they didn't care, and yet with those monsters....

Wow.

Lifting my skirt, I stepped into the tray. I feel Arnav support me, taking hold of my left arm. He continued to support me as I stepped out and walked forward, leaving behind my mark as I entered my new home, the family clapping around me.