6.
Soon it was time for the farewell (Bidaai). His family left early because of preparations for the housewarming ceremony of the new bride and only Reyansh and Arya were left.
She was meeting everyone and Reyansh was by her side all the time. She didn’t cry while meeting anyone but when she hugged Navya her control broke and a tear fell from her left eye.
“Everything will be fine” Navya whispered and wiped her tears than she hugged Arohi.
And in the end it was Arav and Aryan. Both have tears in their eyes. They were also like normal siblings all the time teasing, fighting and loving each other. Love was silent but it was there. They never confessed but in their action it was clear.
Arya was their elder sister whom they will go to whenever they have some problem but for them she was also their little sister whom they swear to protect. She used to ask them if they would cry at her wedding.
Arav used to get silent listening to her marriage while Aryan, he used to tease her I will be happiest when you are gone. That time comes really fast and now if you ask him he is happiest the answer will be no not at all.
“Aryan, You are crying” It was more of a statement than a question. He wiped his tears looking away.
“No I am not, I am happy you are going.” His voice cracked at the end.
“I-I” words didn’t come out of his throat. He hugged her tightly and let his tears fall.
“Now no one will yell at me for putting a wet towel on the bed. No one will yell at me for playing games late at night. I can also eat ice cream without giving you a share . I should be happy” He paused.
“But why am I not?” She rubbed his back. Everyone has tears in their eyes seeing the scene unfolding well except Reyansh. He didn't have tears in his eyes but he was also sad looking at them but he couldn't do anything.
“Don’t forget me I am also here” They hear a voice which belongs to Arav. He also joined their hug.
“I will miss you so much” he voiced out.
“I will miss you so so so much” They pulled out from hug and wiped her tears.
“We should go,” Reyansh said and Arya nodded. Reyansh glanced at Aryan before he went to the car Arya followed him. Arohi Aryan and Arav came after her.
Arohi made her sit in the car and he closed the door. As he was about to sit Arohi came towards him. "Reyansh, I have a small request for you," she said. He could sense she was hesitating.
"You can say," he said to her.
"Whenever there is something related to Arya, call me before calling her Mama Papa. Anything related to her," she said to him.
"Yeah sure" he said to her. He looked ahead and saw Aryan standing there looking at him. He closed the door of the car and went towards him.
Both glaring at each other not saying anything. When Reyansh broke the silence.
“Anything to say”
“Don’t you ever hurt her” Or i will bury you alive. Hidden message behind those words. Reyansh knows very well that he is capable of it.
“Threat or request?”
“You know very well Shekhawat” He nodded with amusement visible in his eyes. He returned to the car and sat inside. Arya waved at them from the window.
“I will never” Reyansh whispered to Aryan while passing by his side.
It would take an hour to reach Jaipur from the venue. The area was covered with forest. After leaving from there she hadn't said anything all the time she was looking outside.
And till now he had never this much urge to ask someone if they are okay. After fighting the battle within himself he asked.
“Are you okay?” She didn’t answer, lost in her own world. He looked at her but seeing her lost he called her.
“Mrs Shekhawat” Words rolled out of his tongue like it was normal to call her by that name.
Mrs Shekhawat. This is what she is now Arya Reyansh Shekhawat.
How easily they married her to a stranger. The person she didn’t even know existed is now her husband.
From childhood every girl gets instructions: Don't talk to Strangers don’t go anywhere with them, don't take or give anything to them and more.
But when it comes to weddings they themselves marry her to strangers like this is nothing. They trust a stranger with their daughter like they didn’t raise her. like she was never a part of them.
How can they do this to her? Yes he is not a complete stranger for her family. They know him but she doesn't. For her He is a person she got to know three days ago.
Three days. It took only three days to change her life completely. Now she is shekhawat. She has a husband and another family. About Whom she doesn't know much about. In these three days she had noticed that they were good people. But again this is very less time to know someone completely.
She was going to another house. Another family didn't know if she would adjust there or not. They will accept her not all these thoughts were clouding her mind she was nervous. Very much.
A call of her name brings her back from her thoughts.
“Yes”
“I asked you something”
“I am sorry i didn’t hear”
“Are you okay?” Is she? No.
“Yes”
“You don’t seem though” she shifted in her seat uncomfortable by the sudden conversation and also her heavy lehenga and jewelry.
“Just nervous,” She admitted.
“It's normal. Everything is new for you New people, new life ". His words were true but it didn’t help her much. She hummed.
“You can remove that heavy jewelry. Its visible that you are uncomfortable”
“I can’t. There will still be some rituals at home and what if your mom don’t like it”
“She will be happy if you will choose your comfort over any other thing” she looked at him for a while then asked.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes”
She started to remove her jewelry But because of the uneven road she was unable to unhook the necklaces. He noticed her fidgeting with neckpieces and stopped the car at the side.
After a while She successfully removed all the jewelry. Except her mangalsutra. Feeling somewhat relaxed.
“You can put them in the car , I will get you them tomorrow” He said, continuing their journey. They crossed the other half of the distance silently. He turned his gaze to her to see she was sleeping so carefree.
"We have reached" He announced as they reached. He turned and looked at Arya but she was still sleeping. He said a little loudly again.
“Mrs shekhawat. We have reached” She opened her eyes and looked ahead to see a massive building all decorated.
It was beautiful.
She nodded her head and then opened the door and got off with difficulty because of her lehenga.
He walked ahead and she followed him silently till they reached the entrance where Arjun Avni Reva Reyaan and Vihaan were waiting for them. Avni did the Arti of both of them.
Next, Arya kicked the Kalash as Avni asked which was placed there and they entered inside together. Next Avni asked her to place her foot in the plate which was filled with red kumkum water and leave her footprint which was considered good.
It was difficult for her due to her lehenga she stumbled but she held his arm for support. As her hand held his arm he looked at her and to his surprise, she was already looking at him. Their eyes met and he felt a tingling sensation in his body.
He broke eye contact and looked away. "The rest of the ritual will be done tomorrow it's too late and you both must be tired too" Avni said as they reached the hall.
"And Tomorrow you have your first Rasoi so please wake up early.
It's only for tomorrow after that you can wake up as per your choice" Avni said, patting her head on which she nodded.
No one said anything to her about the jewelry.
She looked at him and as he understood what she was thinking.
He shrugged his shoulders, his expression telling ‘I told you.’
“Go to your room and rest” Avni said to them and They nodded. Reyansh lead the way while Arya followed him.
Reyansh brings her to his room which is now also her’s. Her eyes moved around and she was astonished to see the interior of the room. The whole room was White, beige and brownish themed.
She had imagined his room to be dark themed specifically black and gray but it was totally opposite. The room has another door which she guessed was a washroom.
Oh I forgot to tell you that the whole room was decorated with flowers and candles. Their eyes fell on bed where flowers were spread making the heart shape.
And they both remembered it was their first night after the wedding. Seeing that Arya’s overthinking started. Her brain started running various thoughts.
Nothing is happening right? He said we are not like a real couple and this is just an agreement. So nothing will be happening right? But what if….what if he…