7.
{Third person's pov}
It was the Haldi ceremony, Kiara was dressed in a yellow saree that hugged her curves perfectly and Ekansh was wearing a yellow dhoti and yellow scarf on his neck, which fell on either side of his shoulder and chest.
They say in the lawn, and one by one everyone applied the turmeric paste on them, Kiara was looking down and Ekansh was trying his best to stay away from his phone.
"Now It's the climax," Chitransh shouted and poured milk all over Kiara and Ekansh, they both were taken aback and stood up from their seats. Ekansh looked at Chitransh who was smiling at him, he didn't say anything and looked at Kiara who was fully drenched.
Her long hair now sticking at her back, her saree clinging to her.
He felt a stir of desire in his gut, his hands clenching into fists as he tried to control himself. The sight of her, drenched in turmeric and looking like a goddess, was almost too much for him to withstand.
Kiara looked at her mother who indicated to her to go inside and take a quick shower, she looked at Ekansh who was already looking at her, he was looking ethereal.
...........
Kiara changed into a plain kurti and stepped out of her room and walked towards the living room, where the groom's side was still present, she stood at a corner and looked at her sister, Richa looked at Kiara and understood that Kiara needed some sort of help.
Richa walked towards her and looked at Kiara with raised eyebrows, "What happened?"
"Why does it have to be today didi?" She whined and Rashi sighed, "periods?" Kiara nodded.
Richa and Kiara walked towards her room, "di how will I manage?" Kiara asked and Richa chuckled.
"You should have been aware and taken some medicines, but it's alright it's just a matter of tomorrow then I will be there right?" Her sister explained and rubbed her back.
"But this sucks." Her sister nodded and hugged her, "I know baby."
...........
It was the wedding day, Kiara was sitting in front of the mirror looking at her reflection, she was wearing a red lehenga, with a dupatta on her head, and one in the front, she was wearing heavy jewellery, bangles, anklets, her henna claded hands. She looked gorgeous.
She sucked a deep breath, it was a new step in her life, she was nervous, anxious and in a corner she was excited for the new life. She always wanted to dress like a bride, but now that she was actually dressed as a bride, she felt the weight of new responsibilities that were coming her way.
She sighed and looked towards Rookie who was wearing a red bow and sleeping comfortably on the bed, she smiled and the door opened revealing Richa and her other cousins.
"Let's go Ki!" Her sister excitedly ran towards her and helped her in standing, her heavy lehenga wasn't helping at all.
They walked towards the garden, where the wedding was supposed to take place, as Kiara reached near the aisle, Richa pushed her father and mother forward, who walked her towards the stage.
She stood near the stairs and Ekansh approached them to help her up, Kiara's father placed her hands in His, her eyes were on the stairs.
"I am giving a part of my heart to you, Please take care of her." Her father whispered and finally gave her hands to Ekansh, who was dressed in a beige shervani.
He took her hand in his, her small, soft hand dwarfed by his larger, rougher one. He could feel the slightest of trembles running through her, and he squeezed her hand lightly in reassurance.
As her father handed her to him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of weight settling upon his shoulders. She was his now, his responsibility, and he pledged silently to treat her with respect and care.
He gave her a brief glance, taking in her beautiful appearance, the red lehenga and jewelry making her look like a goddess come to life.
"I will do my best and I will try my best to keep her smiling, Sir." He replied and she slowly ascended up the stairs.
She was breathing heavily as they stood in the centre of the stage, Richa and One of Kiara's cousins came with Garlands.
With slow shaking hands Kiara took the garland in her hands, and stood in front of him.
He could feel the tension in her hands as she lifted the garland, her fingers trembling slightly. She was nervous, he could tell. But so was he.
He tried to keep his expression neutral as she placed the garland around his neck. He could smell the faint scent of her, like fresh flowers, and it was so intoxicating.
He took the garland and carefully avoiding any accidental touches, and placed it around her neck. Everyone cheered and threw flowers at them.
Kiara's eyes were on the floor all along, and she finally looked up, their gaze met and she felt her heart stop.
Their eyes met and it was like an electric current running through him. Time seemed to stop, everything and everyone else faded into the background, and it was just the two of them.
He studied her face, taking in every detail, every small movement. Her eyes were like pools of honey, golden flecks sparkling in them. Her lips were parted slightly, making her look more radiant and ethereal.
...........
They were now sitting in the mandap, the priest was chanting the mantras, "The bride's father may place the bride's hands in the groom's hands." The priest said.
Kiara's father walked forward and took Kiara's hand gently placing it in his, back of her hand touched his palm, her hands were still shaking, he noticed that and intertwined his fingers with her, stabling her hand.
She felt butterflies in her stomach, and her father poured milk on their hands. He wanted to comfort her, to reassure her that everything would be all right. Even he himself didn't know why he was doing something like that, he never did something like that.
"The groom may fill this Vermilion in the bride's hairline." The priest said. He reached for the vermillion, a deep red powder traditionally used to signify a marriage, and gently dipped his fingers in it.
Then, he slowly and carefully drew a line along her hairline, tracing the curve of her forehead. Her skin was silky smooth under his touch, and he fought the urge to let his fingers linger, to trace every contour of her face.
She closed her eyes, her eyes tearing up. She felt a weird sensation. The Vermilion made her look more gorgeous. Everyone smiled. And the priest told him to tie the mangalsutra around her neck.
He picked up the mangalsutra, a necklace made of black beads and gold, from the tray. He fumbled slightly with the clasp, his fingers feeling clumsy.
As he leaned closer to her, the scent of her perfume filling his nostrils, he carefully placed the necklace around her slender neck. His hands lingered for a moment, his fingertips tracing the smooth expanse of her collarbone, before he let the necklace rest against her chest.
Their eyes met, she looked in his eyes, trying to find reassurance. He held her gaze, the intensity of her gaze making his heart clench. He could see the fear and nervousness in her eyes, and he silently vowed to do anything in his power to soothe her worries.
He closed his eyes, signalling her to rest assured and backed off.
"I will now announce, you both Husband and Wife," the priest said, "now you both may take the blessings of the elders."
He took her arm, his grip firm but gentle, and led her over to where his family was sitting. One by one, they all came forward to offer them their blessings, murmuring kind words and placing their palms on their heads.
He could feel the heat of her body beside him, the slight shaking of her legs as she accepted their blessings.
It was his step mother who stood up next, Kiara touched her feet but Ekansh didn't, he stood there in all his glory, he hated that woman. She and his father were the reason he lost all his years of joy, his mother.
His demeanor changed as he looked at his stepmother, his jaw clenching tightly. Years of anger and resentment bubbled to the surface, and it took all his strength to keep his expression neutral.
.............