40.
There was a rustling noise in the Shekhawat mansion. Servants were on their toes to make sure they didn't make any mistakes. The mansion was decorated beautifully with flowers and curtains.
There was puja in the morning and engagement in the evening. Arohi's family had also come. And Arya's family is also coming. Then, they all will be going directly to the venue from here.
Currently, Elders were busy with their talks, sitting on the couch, keeping an eye on all the arrangements.
Soon the priest came and told them to call the couple. Vihaan and Arohi came with Arya and Reyansh. Reva Aryan Reyaan and Arav were also there.
Naveen, Divya, Partab, and Ashvini came at the same time and greeted everyone.
Arya and Reyansh went towards them, and Arya hugged her. Mama, Papa, and Reyansh touched their feet and hugged them for a matter of faculty.
They went to the elder couple and touched their feet. Ashvinis' face slightly twisted seeing Arya but she masked it with a smile. Arya noticed that, but she didn't say anything.
They all went and sat there. Reyansh noticed Arya being silent all of a sudden.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Huh?...nothing" She forced a smile. Reyansh noticed but didn't ask further
As Puja started, the priest read some mantras, and the couple did all the rituals perfectly. Everyone was happy there was a peaceful environment.
(I don't know about rituals and all, so I searched them, and some I am writing here.)
The first ritual was the tilak ceremony. This ceremony is only for the groom-to-be and family members or close friends. During the ceremony, the bride's father and groom's father exchange gifts, such as sugar, coconuts, rice, clothes, jewelry, and henna.
The groom-to-be is offered tilak, a paste painted onto the forehead, to ensure he will be a loving husband. The exchanging of gifts and the application of tilak at this ceremony are meant to symbolize the bride's father's acceptance of the groom into his family.
Another ritual was Wagdaan, in which the groom's father asks permission from the bride's father to proceed with the wedding.
Vihaan's father Mr. Shekhawat, asked permission from Mr Sharma, who gladly gave, and the Shekhawat family welcomed their bride.
Another ritual was lagna patrika, which is when the bride and groom exchange a written vow to one another that the wedding will take place at a later date and time.
Typically, the date and time proposed during this ceremony will be the one printed on the invitations. Priest will be writing down the details of the marriage, including the names of the engaged couple, their family members, and the proposed date and time of the wedding, with a red pen.
Together, the wagdaan and lagna patrika are considered a formal announcement of the wedding.
After all the ceremonies, the elders were sitting there talking. And the younger ones were in their world.
Arya was making tea for everyone in the kitchen when Reyansh entered and hugged her from behind, wrapping his hands around her waist and keeping his head on her shoulder.
"What are you doing?" She asked looking behind.
"Recharging myself," He said and started kissing her neck, waking butterflies in her tummy. She tilts her head giving him more access.
"Recharged enough?" She asked after some time giggling.
"No, not yet," He said, nuzzling his nose in his neck. She turned in his hold now facing him. She pecked his lips.
"You can charge later now I have work," She said.
"You can work later instead," He whined. She glared at him.
"Okay, okay, let me help you," He said. "No, I will do it myself."
"Tell me, na, I have nothing to do anyways." On the orders of Arya, Reyansh is on leave today, and he is also banned from working from home, so now he has nothing to do.
"Okay, I will make this, and you can help me in serving," She said and he obediently nodded.
She started making tea while Reyansh was constantly staring at her, making it difficult to concentrate.
"Stop staring," She said.
"Why ? I am staring at my property" He said, making her blush hard.
After 5 minutes, tea was ready, and they went to serve outside.
Everyone thanked them with a smile except one Ashvini Malhotra. She took tea from Reyansh but was glaring at Arya. Reyansh noticed it but didn't say anything.
After serving them tea, they make their way toward the youngsters. After seeing them this morning so clingy with each other, they know that everything is fine between them now.
Aryan was a little angry with Reyansh for not telling them earlier, but Reyansh apologized to him also, and now everything was fine.
They were talking more like teasing each other when elders interrupted them.
"You all should get ready now," Avni said to them, and they nodded.
"We girls are getting ready together," Reva said. And Reyansh was quick to speak
"Why?" He looked at Arya. Others looked at him, some with raised brows and some with teasing smiles. Arya blushed and looked away. He looked at them and cleared his throat.
"What?"
"Nothing," they said in unison, still with a teasing smile.
"We are getting late," Arya said, trying to go away as soon as possible.
Arohi looked at Vihaan with a warm smile.
"Come fast baby, I'll be waiting for you" He whispered in her ear. She smiled and went with them. Reva looked at Aryan before going and smiled at him. who looked away.
__________
Girls were in Arohi's room getting ready. Reva and Arya were helping Arohi in getting ready.
The room was messed up with dresses and jewelry heels here and there. Arya was doing Arohi's hair when Reva asked them.
"Which one," she asked, holding two beautiful earrings. "Right one," both said in unison. She smiled and said okay.
"Done, "Arya said after doing her hair. She made her face herself and looked at her with adoring eyes.
"Hayee kisi ke nazar na laga," She said, taking kajal from her eye and applying it behind her ear.
Arohi smiled at her and said, "You are looking beautiful too," she said and hugged her.
"And me?" They heard a third voice and looked at Reva. Arya made a hand gesture to join them. She came and hugged them.
"You are also looking very pretty," Arya said to her.
Three of them smiled, imagining their boy's reaction to their look.