“Anshika, help Meera to get ready quickly. They will be here very soon for the ritual of Roka.”, Radhika said while caressing Meera’s hair who was sitting in front of vanity to get ready for the day.
Anshika looked at Radhika who went from there and then immediately locked the door from inside before rushing towards Meera as she asked, “You are really getting married to him, Meera?”
Meera looked up at her best friend while wearing her bangles and sighed as she said, “Anshu, I am repeating this since yesterday that I am getting married to Mr. Malhotra. Then how many times are you going to ask the same question again and again?”
“Meera, I am asking you this again and again because I know you are not happy with this marriage alliance and all. I am worried for you. You cannot repeat the same mistake again. Specially after knowing how it all ended with Rehan.”, Anshika ssid worried and Meera could only smile lightly at her friend who was worried for her, genuinely.
“Help me with this dupatta, Anshu.”, Meera said while trying to fix her make up and Anshika sighed before walking towards her to help her.
“I don’t know what were you even thinking when you said yes to this marriage.”, Anshika chided and Meera got up from the vanity chair she was sitting on, before walking towards balcony followed by Anshika.
“He is nothing like Rehan. He is very different from what Rehan was.”, Meera said after few minutes with a small smile and continued playing with the pair of parrots caged in her balcony, and Anshika only stared at that beautiful smile playing on Meera’s lips.
Meera spared a glance towards Anshika for split of seconds before going back to play with those birds as she continued, “He was tough yet polite. And mature too.”
“I wonder what he did or said to you that night to change your views on this alliance?”, Anshika asked with raised brows and smirk playing on her lips.
Meera looked at Anshika with frowns as she dived into the memories of the night she met Vivaansh.
“That night…. One of the waiters was careless and by mistake drop the bowl of hot soup. That bowl was about to fall on my hands and I would have gotten a serious injury, or worst I would have been burnt. But, Mr. Malhotra was quick to get hold of that bowl. And in all this, his hand also got burn.”, Meera said while playing with her fingers and Anshika did not say anything.
“I felt protected, Anshu.”, Meera said as she looked at her friend with a small smile.
“Just because of this?”, Anshika asked with raised brows and Meera immediately nodded in no.
“I kept two conditions in front of him. And he accepted them just like that. No arguments. No negotiation.”, Meera said and Anshika slowly nodded with persued lips before she asked, “And then?”
“Nothing.”, Meera said shrugging her shoulders before she continued, “He agreed to my conditions for this marriage and he also made me realise that if not him, then I will have to marry someone else. Because right now in whatever condition my family business is, I think I have no way out of these business marriages. So, why not him!?”
“I think you are saying right.”, Anshika agreed to Meera’s reasoning and Meera said, “And now when he has already fulfilled his duty by revising the contract according to my condition, and had also signed the contract of merger with papa, I have no other reason to say no to this marriage.”
Anshika nodded agreeing with her before walking her back to the vanity and helping her to wear her earrings, when a knock on the door disturbed them and Radhika entered the room.
“You are looking very beautiful, Meera.”, Radhika said looking at her daughter and Meera slowly got up before walking to her mother.
“Vivaansh and his mother are already down there in the living room talking with your father. I will call you after few minutes when it is an auspicious time for Roka.”, Radhika informed and Meera simply nodded at her mother with small smile.
Meera sighed looking at her mother going and sat on the bed. She could hear her heart throbbing and breath laboring. She could not understand what has happened in last few days and what will happen in future. But she only hope that the decision taken by her parents’ does not go wrong anywhere. She felt Anshika sitting beside her and holding her cold hands while giving her an encouraging smile.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
“Radhika, Meet them. This is Mr. Malhotra—I mean Vivaansh Malhotra. And that is his mother Mrs. Tejaswi Malhotra.”, Virat saw Radhika coming towards them and introduced her to Malhotras’ and Radhika immediately greeted them with joint hands whispering ‘Namaste’, and Virat said further gesturing towards Radhika, “And she is my wife, Radhika Maheshwari.”
“Meera--?”, Tejaswi asked while looking here and there and Radhika immediately said, “She is upstairs in her room getting ready. She will be here soon.”
“There is still time for Roka. So I think we should discuss about other things first like all the rituals and marriage dates.”, Tejaswi suggested and Radhika nodded before saying, “Initially, Meera and Rehan were about to marry each other after two days that is on coming Monday."
Tejaswi looked at them with frowns and then looked at Vivaansh asking, “Marriage? Rehan?”
Vivaansh, who was busy typing something in his cellphone, glanced at his mother after feeling her gaze on him and said, “Ohh—I am sorry, I just forget to inform you that Meera was previously engaged with Rehan Goenka. But due to some issues, the engagement was called off. I already know about this.”
Tejaswi looked at Vivaansh with frowns before turning towards Maheshwaris' and asked, “Meera had an engagement before?”
“I thought Mr. Malhotra had already informed you.”, Virat said glancing between Vivaansh and Tejaswi and Tejaswi slowly nodded in no but immediately composed herself and turni5 towards Radhika before saying with a smile, “Its ok. Let’s not talk about the past. If Vivaansh knew this and still he is ready for this marriage then I also don’t have any problem.”
“Thank you.”, Radhika thanked Tejaswi with un-sheded tears and Tejaswi immediately comforted her saying, “You don’t have to thank me. After all we all are going to be close relatives after few minutes.”
“But still I think two days are not enough to prepare for their marriage. We have our relatives in other cities. Even few are in the other countries as well. And calling them here for marriage in such a short period of time will be difficult. Can we consider another date for marriage?”, Tejaswi asked and elder Maheshwari couple glanced at each other worried before Radhika said, “The thing is that all the preparations for marriage are almost done. Infact the wedding invitations are also sent to our relatives. Some has already reached here a week back and some will be here before tomorrow evening. Changing the dates will not be possible.”
Tejaswi looked contemplated and was about to say something when Vivaansh interrupted saying, “Marriage will be held after two days. Mom, we can have a grand function after few months to announce the marriage and directly invite the relatives there.”
“But even Sheetal didi is not here.”, Tejaswi said worried and Vivaansh thought for a moment before saying, “I will explain to her once she will be back from her trip. I am sure she will understand demand of the situations right now.”
“I know the situation is messed up and we are asking for more but—“, Virat tried apologizing and Tejaswi immediately said, “It is nothing like that. All these rituals and relatives are for formalities. What matters is Meera and Vivaansh’s opinion. Since Vivaansh is okay with the dates and if Meera is also fine with these dates then I also have no problem.”
“Meera also does not have problems with dates.”, Radhika said with a huge smile and Tejaswi nodded before saying, “I guess you might have already prepared for everything for the marriage. But I want them to get married according the ritual of Anand Karaj (Punjabi wedding rituals).”
“Anand Karaj?”, Radhika asked frowning and Tejaswi nodded and said, “Marriage performed in Gurudwara. It was always a dream for me to see Vivaansh getting married as per the rituals of Anand Karaj.”
“We are okay but we have to ask both the children since they are going to perform the rituals and it might get hectic for them to have two weddings in one day.”, Radhika suggested and Tejaswi nodded with a smile before looking towards Vivaansh who said without even asked, “I am fine with whatever arrangements. But ask Meera if she is okay.”
Radhika looked shocked at Vivaansh and then smiled at Virat who gave her ‘I told you’ look. The way Vivaansh gave importance to Meera’s opinion was enough for the Maheshwari couples to believe that they are entrusting their daughter in the safe hands.
“Anand Karaj has to be done before twelve in the morning”, Tejaswi said further and Radhika immediately said, “That will be very great. Anyways we had done all the preparations for evening marriage.”
“Then what about other rituals?”, Tejaswi asked and Radhika immediately said, “We have to perform all the rituals within next two days.”
“I think we can skip few of those rituals because it will be hectic to get done with all the rituals. Moreover, there will be two wedding in single day which itself will be tiresome for me and specially Meera since she will have to change her clothes and other things twice.”, Vivaansh suggested and though reluctant everyone agreed to his suggestion.
“Even if we skip many of them, We still have few important rituals to be performed before marriage day.”, Radhika said and Tejaswi also nodded agreeing to her.
“Chunni Chadana (a ritual where mother-in-law give a shawl to daughter-in-law) can be done tomorrow early morning and Engagement can be done in the evening.”, Tejaswi said and Radhika immediately said, “If you don’t mind, we can have Ganesh Nandi pooja in the afternoon tomorrow, and Stambh Pooja on day after tomorrow afternoon. This are very important rituals in our tradition to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha and other deities for the better future in married life of Groom and Bride.”
“Then Haldi can also be done in the morning on day after tomorrow before Stambh Pooja.”, Radhika suggested further and few other things were discussed between the elders while Vivaansh busied himself to message something to his PA Rajeev.
“It is almost time for Roka. I think we should start with the ritual. Uhh—Meera?”, Tejaswi said after looking the time and Virat asked Radhika to get Meera downstairs.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Meera took a deep breath and looked at her mother who smiled and nodded at her and Meera gave a small smile before descending the stairs. Her palms felt sweaty feeling so many gazes on herself and she continued clenching and un-clenching the fabric of her dress.
“This is my daughter Meera. And that is her childhood friend, Anshika Iyer.”, Virat said introducing Meera and Anshika as they stood beside her.
Tejaswi smiled before walking towards Meera with huge smile and Meera peeked at her from under her eyelashes before smiling lightly at her and then bend down to touch her feet to take blessings.
“When Vivaansh told me that he is getting married without even meeting you, I was a little unsure and reluctant about this marriage which was based on business. But now looking at you and your values, I am relieved that my son can never make a wrong decision.”, Tejaswi said caressing Meera’s hairs and everyone smiled at the way Tejaswi was trying to get Meera comfortable.
Vivaansh glanced at Meera and his lips curved a little upwards in a smile after looking her in his favorite color. Red. Wearing a maroon red colored netted lehenga embroidered with small mirror work in it, The dark colour of lehenga was complimenting her beautiful white skin perfectly. She had her hairs tied in a beautiful bun and was wearing small diamonds earring in her ears alongwith diamond necklace around her neck. She had dark red colored bangles in her both hands and few golden rings in her finger. She was wearing the minimal makeup of kohl in her eyes and dark red lipstick on her beautiful lips. Even in her simplicity, she looked beautiful.
And even though Vivaansh had looked at her only for mere seconds, before getting back to check something in his phone, he knew that she is looking the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on. And then, when she took blessings from his mother by touching her feet, he was impressed. The fact that being the single child of rich family, and still having such upright moral values made him proud of his own decision.
She was beautiful not only outside, but inside too.
“He was looking at you.”, Anshika whispered from behind and Meera glanced at him from under the curtains of her eyelashes.
Meera lifted her eyes and looked at Vivaansh who was now busy doing something in his phone and she was lost in him for few minutes. He was wearing a yellow colored kurta paired with white chudidaar pants, perfectly complimenting with her own attire. He had his hairs perfectly gelled and few bands in his left hand while an expensive watch in his right one. Even with the subtle look, he was looking the most handsome.
“I think we should start with Roka.”, Tejaswi said and Radhika nodded before guiding Meera to sit beside Vivaansh.
She shivered when accidentally her hand touched his while sitting beside him, and even Vivaansh could not help but glance at her. His eyes on her were doing something to her. While a small smile from her and Vivaansh felt his heart throbbing wildly.
A beautiful eye-lock for brief seconds was disturbed as Radhika came forward to do tilak on Vivaansh’s forehead, followed by tieing mauni~ a sacred thread on his right wrist. Then Virat came and made him eat some sweets before giving a gold chain and an expensive watch to Vivaansh who took it with a small smile and a nod.
After that, even Tejaswi came and perform the same ritual followed by gifting her many gift hampers consisting of fruits, dresses, jewelleries, shoes and other beautiful things.
“Since today, Meera is ours.”, Tejaswi said turning to Maheshwari couple who could only smile with emotions flowing in their tears.
“Meera, apart from all these gifts, I want to give you something more precious.”, Tejaswi said while turning to Meera and then forward a small box towards her.
Meera frowned while taking the box and Tejaswi gestured to open the box which Meera complied by opening the box to see a set of beautiful gold plated kundan bangles studded with real diamonds on it.
“These traditional bangles are something which was passed through generations after generations in our family. My mother-in-law had given this to me, and now I am giving this to you. You have to keep them safe.”, Tejaswi said taking them in her own hand and then herself made Meera wear them in her hands, while Meera admired those bangles for a minute before looking up at Tejaswi and nodded at her with smile as she promised, “I will always keep them safe.”, Meera promised while caressing those bangles
Vivaansh smiled glancing at her and felt utter seriousness in her promise.
“Congratulations. Now we are a family.”, Tejaswi said feeding sweets to Meera and Vivaansh followed by others.
“Meera, the day you were about to get married to Rehan, the same dates are decided for our marriage. Is that fine with you?”, Vivaansh asked all of the sudden taking everyone’s attention and Meera felt everyone’s eyes on herself.
Looking at her fidgeting with her fingers and not giving answer to his question, Vivaansh said further, “If you are not ready, you can take your time.”
“But Vivaansh, Radhika ji told us that the wedding cards are already sent to their relatives—“, Tejaswi first looked at the elder Maheshwari couple in dilemma and then gestured Vivaansh to look at them.
“Mom, those relatives are not the one getting married. She is the one to get married here and her comfort is more important. Isn’t it, Mr. Maheshwari?”, Vivaansh said looking at Virat and then Radhika, and now nobody knew what to say.
“I am ready.”, Meera said after a minute when she looked at her parents in worry and everyone sighed hearing her reply.
“That is good. So, now we have to focus on their engagement tomorrow. But before that we need to buy rings—“, Tejaswi said but even before she can finish mentioning the rings for their engagement, Vivaansh said, “I have already asked Rajeev to come here with some best designs for engagement rings. This will save us time.”
Meera looked at mother who looked at her own husband but even Virat shrugged his shoulders not knowing what to say or do. While all Tejaswi could do was to nod her head at her dominating son.
“He is weird, isn’t he?”, Anshika whisper ask in Meera’s ears and Meera glared back at her before her eyes shifted on him. She was confused with his personality. He was looking tough and dominating from outside but appears to be caring and considering if you look through into his inner self.
While Feeling her constant gaze on himself, Vivaansh looked at her who was already looking lost in him. Her gaze did not wary, even when he stared back into her beautiful eyes and—
He felt himself drowning into the sea of those hazel brown orbs.
