Chapter 34
Wedding Day
Naina sat in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her in the bridal attire she had once only dreamed of wearing.
The deep red lehenga shimmered under the soft glow of the dressing room lights, the gold embroidery adding to its elegance.
Her jewelry sparkled, the maang tikka resting delicately on her forehead, her bangles jingling softly as she adjusted her veil over her shoulder.
Finally, the day had come. Ruhaan and her wedding day.
For her, this day felt truly auspicious.
Not just because she was marrying the man she had fallen in love with and once dreamed of building a future with seven years ago, but because he had become someone who deeply respected her choices, loved her wholeheartedly, and cherished her son, prioritizing him in ways she had never imagined.
Today she was not just becoming someone’s wife, but giving her son the family he had always deserved.
The sound of small feet pattering towards her caught her attention, and before she could turn, she felt two tiny hands hugging her from behind.
“Mom…” Neil whispered, his voice filled with awe. “You’re looking so beautiful.”
She turned to find him standing beside her, his eyes wide and shining.
Today for the first time she couldn’t get him ready for the event, it was her aunt Malti who got him dressed and she’d done a wonderful job already.
His little sherwani matched Ruhaan’s, the deep maroon fabric looking regal on his small frame.
His hair was neatly combed, and a small tilak on his forehead added to the traditional look.
Neil looked no less than a little prince in this attire.
“You too look so handsome, my little prince,” she said softly, reaching out to fix the tiny brooch pinned on his chest.
A tear slipped down her eye, making Neil frown. He quickly wiped it away with his fingers.
“Why are you crying, Mom?” he asked innocently.
She let out a small laugh, shaking her head and pulled him closer.
“This is a very big day for us,” she answered.
“From today, it won’t just be you and me anymore.
We’ll have Ruhaan and his mother with us…
We’ll be shifting to their house… and everything will change.
It will be a good change but it will take time to adjust there.
” She cupped his face gently. “Are you happy, Neil?”
Neil beamed. “Of course, I’m happy! You know how much I love Ruhaan and Daadi. And we get to stay together. I am so happy. Aren’t you happy, Mom?”
She was relieved to hear that he was excited for this new change in their lives as much as she was. Naina pulled him into a tight embrace and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“I’m super happy, just like you, my love.”
“Then why were you crying?” he asked innocently.
“Because sometimes when we’re too happy, we cry. And today, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Neil hugged her back and then suddenly pulled away.
“You know Mom, my friends said they never saw their Mom and Dad getting married. I’m lucky, isn’t it?”
Naina chuckled nodding her head and then pinched his cheek.
“Yes you are lucky. You even got to select your Dad unlike your friends.”
They both laughed heartily before Neil remembered something.
“I have a gift for you and Ruhaan.”
“Really?” Naina tilted her head curiously. “What is it?”
“I’ll give it to you at night.” He grinned. “When Daadi is gifting you too.”
Naina was confused. Kaushalya aunty had a gift for her too? What could it be? Before she could probe further, the door opened, and Suman walked in with her mother Malti.
“I knew you would be here with Neil. Now c’mon both of you. The groom is waiting at the mandap,” Suman announced excitedly.
“Yes,” Malti added. “Time to get to the Mandap, Naina. The priest is calling you to begin the rituals.”
Naina let out a nervous breath, smoothing down the folds of her lehenga while Neil straightened up, and took his mother’s hand, ready to lead her to the mandap just as he had rehearsed.
Naina’s heart swelled watching her little boy take on this significant responsibility with such pride.
At the doorstep her uncle Subodh was waiting for her with teary eyes.
He pressed a kiss on Naina’s forehead, his desire to see her getting married finally fulfilled.
As they stepped into the grand wedding venue, the scent of fresh marigolds filled the air, and soft traditional music played in the background. The mandap was adorned with golden drapes and flickering diyas, their glow adding warmth to the already magical moment.
And then she saw him.
Ruhaan stood at the mandap, dressed in a maroon sherwani with golden embroidery, a matching maroon stole draped over his shoulder.
His hair was perfectly styled, and his deep, intense eyes were fixed on her with a smile that spoke volumes.
It was a smile of adoration, of nervousness, of pure joy – a smile that said he couldn’t believe this moment was finally real.
After all, he had been waiting for this moment just as much as she had.
With every step she took toward him, her nervousness melted away. When they reached the mandap, Neil placed his mother’s hand in Ruhaan’s, then looked up at his soon-to-be father with a solemn expression. “Keep her happy,” he said clearly, causing both adults to freeze in surprise.
“Woah!! Who taught you to say that?” Ruhaan asked, amazed.
Neil grinned and pointed at Rohit, who stood nearby with a knowing wink.
Ruhaan chuckled, recalling Rohit had been helping Neil in the last few days to rehearse for the wedding, right from getting Naina to the mandap till this.
.. handing her over to him. He turned back to Neil who was waiting for his reply and then pulled Neil gently closer.
“I promise to keep both you and your mom happy for the rest of our lives,” he vowed.
Neil’s eyes sparkled with joy as he threw his arms around Ruhaan, hugging him tightly. He held him close, looking at Naina whose eyes teared up as she watched them.
“Think again Mr. Singh,” Naina whispered. “This is your last chance to save your bachelorhood. Want to escape tying a knot?”
Ruhaan grinned as he stepped closer to her, ignoring that all the eyes were on them.
“I’ll be the biggest fool of the millennium to leave such a beautiful bride and a cute son at the mandap.”
Naina bit her lip liking his reply but he had more to say. “I can sacrifice my bachelorhood of the next six births even to make a family with you, Naina.” Without any delay, he leaned and kissed her cheek.
The cheers from his family and guests were enough to draw them apart and bring them to reality that they were being watched.
“Ruhaan, Naina,” Kaushalya intervened. “You both have a lifetime to continue such romantic talks. The mahurat can’t wait beta. C’mon.”
Naina was utterly shy as the Priest announced it was time for the varmala. They exchanged garlands, laughter echoing around as Ruhaan deliberately ducked to tease Naina before finally letting her place the garland around his neck.
As they sat down for the wedding rituals, Neil settled beside them, watching the rituals with fascination, occasionally stealing glances at his mother and Ruhaan with a smile that reflected pure joy.
Ruhaan then suddenly leaned in, whispering playfully to Naina, “Didn’t think you could look more beautiful than you already are. But here you are, proving me wrong again.”
Naina blushed, lowering her gaze. “You’re just saying that because you finally got me.”
“I really mean it. For now, it’s just with words… but tonight—” His grin turned wider. “I’ll demonstrate practically, how much you mean to me.”
“Ssh,” Naina’s looked around to ensure no one heard his bold reply, especially her son who was sitting so close to them. Ruhaan gave her a lopsided smile before turning back to the Priest and continuing the rituals.
Kaushalya, sitting close by, watched them with glistening eyes.
She had always envisioned this moment—her son settling down with a life partner who truly loved and understood him.
But what she hadn’t anticipated was how easily she would come to adore the woman he chose, and the grandson she never knew she needed.
Throughout the ceremony, Neil remained attentive, occasionally asking quiet questions to Kaushalya about each ritual.
“Daadi, what is Pandit uncle saying? Why are Mumma and Ruhaan putting things into the fire?” he asked Kaushalya with wide, curious eyes.
Kaushalya smiled, pulling him close. “That’s called the havan, beta. It’s a sacred fire, and they’re making offerings to seek blessings from God for their new life together.”
Neil nodded in deep concentration continuing to watch them.
When it came time for the sindoor ceremony, Neil clutched the brass plate holding the sindoor, steady and careful, proud to be helping in this important moment.
He watched them in fascination as Ruhaan carefully traced the vermillion line in Naina’s hair parting.
“Now the whole world knows I’m yours, Naina Bhalla Singh,” Ruhaan said as he delicately applied the sindoor to Naina’s forehead.
Naina squeezed his hand, unable to speak through her tears of joy.
Soon, they stood up for the pheras. Neil kept showering the flower petals over them with the rest, his excitement now at its peak.
The moment the priest termed them as husband – wife, he hugged them both.
The mandap erupted in applause and blessed wishes, celebrating not just the union of two souls, but the beautiful melding of three hearts into one family.
“Welcome to the family, Dad,” Neil beamed. This was the first time he had addressed Ruhaan as ‘Dad’.
The word he had longed to hear but never wanted to force upon the boy. Naina’s breath hitched, her eyes instantly filling with unshed tears. She turned to Ruhaan, whose stunned expression mirrored her own.