54. Rituals.
The moment the car stopped outside the Raizaada Mansion, Dhwani didn't even wait. She got out and started, walking inside like she was on mission. I leaned back in my seat for a second, watching her.
Still angry and stubborn, just like her brother...
Shaking my head, I parked the car, and then stepped out following her at a normal pace,by the time I reached near the entrance she was already standing in front of the door...
The whole family was standing and looking at me like I committed a crime.
I scanned every face, more specifically Samarth's.
Who knows when he'll jump on me like a lion. I'm already tired of fighting him. The man doesn't fight, he demolishes. One punch and my face resigns from existence.
So yeah... better to keep him on my side because unfortunately, I married his sister.
"What happened?" I asked, looking at Dadi, who was practically throwing daggers at me.
No one answered. I turned to Dhwani.
She was standing there like she is the most innocent girl in the world.
I raised my brows at her, silently asking, should I run? Is this a trap?
She looked away. Great.
I exhaled totally done.
Is this how women behave after becoming wives?
"What happened, Dhrithi?" I asked, the only one who might actually talk like a normal human.
"Bhaiya... you said you don't want to perform the rituals, didn't you?" she asked.
Yeah. This is my cue to disappear.
"It's not like that... I was just-"
"It's not like that? That means you didn't say that?" Dhwani cut in, looking straight at me like she's daring me to lie.
Wow. Teamwork.
" It's like that... but not exactly like that," I tried to fix it.
"That means you said that, Yugant?" Dadu asked.
Why is everyone suddenly so interested in my statements?
" Yes," I sighed. "I said that because Dhwani wanted to hear it."
"See Dadi... I told you, he'll blame me now," Dhwani said, her face already looking like she's about to cry.
"I'm not blaming you," I said quickly. "I just said what you were trying to make me say."
"Now you're saying I forced you?"
" I mean... not exactly forced," I ran a hand through my hair. "But yeah, that's what you wanted to hear."
"Yeah right, he never accepts. Can you tell us what else he said?" Samarth added, clearly enjoying this, smirking like he already knew his sister was about to turn into a full storm.
"He said we should go have breakfast outside," Dhwani answered.
Great.
Perfect.
" Ohh... see Dadi, your grandson has changed. Don't blame my sister later," Samarth said, adding pure petrol to the fire.
What a fucker.
I turned back to Dadi. "It's not like what you're thinking. I just suggested it. She refused. That's all."
"Then why the hell did you even suggest it when you know we've all been waiting here?" Dadi snapped.
"I just thought she might be hungry," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "And we could spend a little time together."
"So you said that thinking Dhwani might be hungry, right?" Samarth raised his brows.
I nodded, running a hand through my hair, not knowing what else to add.
"Problem solved, Dadi. Dhwani just misunderstood him."
My eyes snapped to him.
Did I hear that right? Did he just... take my side?
"Bhai... you're siding with your best friend now?" Dhwani cut in, clearly offended.
"Nope," he shrugged. "I'm siding with my brother-in-law because unfortunately my sister is being a little too dramatic right now."
"Excuse me?" she frowned. " You don't hate him anymore?" she added.
Valid question. Even I wanted that answer.
Samarth looked at her for a second, then at me, then back at her. "Hate him? Oh, I never did. Don't get confused," he said calmly.
Dhwani crossed her arms. "Of course you'll say that."
"Of course you'll overreact," he chuckled.
"Bhai..." Dhwani warned.
"Relax," he said, raising his hands. "You both are already fighting like you've completed ten years of marriage in one night."
Well, he knows his sister better than me.
Dadu cleared his throat. Dadi still looked annoyed... but less explosive now.
" If y'all are done, can we do the rituals now?" Dadi asked, clearly pissed now.
I grabbed Dhwani's hand and pulled her closer. "Let's do it."
"No. I won't. Call Olivia," she gritted under her breath near my ear.
Wow. I really dug my own grave.
"Dadi, please start the ritual," I said quickly, before this wife of mine buried me alive.
Dhwani tried to free her wrist from mine, but I tightened my grip. Thankfully, she didn't create a scene... yet.
She just stood beside me as Dadi brought the puja thali.
"Dhwani... pull your saree pallu over your head, beta." Dadi instructed.
She nodded and slipped her hand out of mine. I let it go. She adjusted her pallu... then suddenly turned and pulled me closer.
"Here, cover your head as well," she said, trying to put the saree edge over my head.
" Why?" I frowned.
" Because Dadi said."
" I said to you only," Dadi corrected in between.
" Ohh..." Dhwani tilted her head slightly, looking straight at me. "So God only gave instructions to women? Men are just VIP guests in rituals?"
Well, the point wasn't wrong. This was a basic principle.
Alright... gender equality.
I pulled out my handkerchief from my pocket and covered my head. "Is it okay now?"
"Perfect," she gave a tight-lipped smile.
Dadi gave us a look.
"Bas. Enough. Stand properly, both of you."
Dhwani pressed her lips together, clearly holding back more.
Dadi started the ritual, lifting the puja thali and circling it in front of us, the soft sound of the bell mixing with the low chants she murmured under her breath.
The diya flickered between us as she did our aarti, her eyes moving from me to Dhwani, making sure we both stood straight for once without arguing.
My hand moved back to where it belonged, around my newly wedded wife's waist.
I pulled her closer, like I didn't want even an inch of distance between us.
Dadi placed tilak on Dhwani's forehead, then mine. After that, Dhrithika placed a kalash filled with rice in front of Dhwani.
"You have to kick it slightly and enter inside," Dadi instructed.
"Ohh... like football?" Dhwani chimed, a little too excited, probably trying to make everyone laugh.
Dadi and Dadu both shook their heads. "No. Slowly, with your toe," Dadi explained.
Dhwani looked down at the kalash, then back at Dadi.
"But it has rice inside... isn't it wrong to kick food?" she asked.
To be honest, I had no idea about half of these rituals or why they were done. But she wasn't wrong.
"But that's how the ritual is performed, Dhwani," Dadi said firmly.
"Suppose I didn't have a foot then?"
God. This woman. No filter.
"Dhwani... just do what Dadi said. You don't need to argue everywhere," Samarth cut in.
"But bhai... I can't kick something people don't even get enough of to eat, I know its value." she said softly, but there was stubbornness in her tone.
I looked at her for a second then sighed.
"Alright... do it your way," I said.
"You sure?" she asked, searching my face.
I nodded.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
She slowly went down on her knees, touched the urn gently, then kissed her fingers before holding the kalash carefully in her hands as she stood again.
"I'll enter holding it," she declared.
"But Dhwani, that's not how rituals work," Dadi said, clearly not happy.
"I know... and I'm really sorry for that," she replied, her voice calm but steady. "But our beliefs don't always match. Respecting food matters to me more than following a ritual the exact way. I hope you understand."
"Alright... just because we have a different perceptive, I'll let you do it your way," Dadi said, thankfully understanding Dhwani's perspective.
We both exchanged a glance and stepped inside together then A servant stepped forward and spread a white cloth on the floor, placing a small plate of red alta beside it.
"Now you have to leave your footprints here," Dadi said, looking at Dhwani.
"Ohh... yes, yes. I would love to do that," Dhwani replied instantly, her eyes lighting up.
Of course.
Miss Drama Queen loves to leave her imprint, whether it is her canvas, floor, or my heart.
Dhwani held the pleats of her saree carefully, and dipped her foot into the alta then slowl- she placed her first step on the white cloth.
A perfect red imprint.
Her eyes shone."Wait... this actually looks so pretty," she whispered, almost to herself.
I looked down.
It did. So fucking beautiful... like those imprints weren't just on the floor, they were carving themselves somewhere inside me, marking me in a way I won't ever be able to erase.
She took more steps inside. Each one leaving a soft red mark behind, forming a trail.
Her excitement grew with every step, like a child discovering something new.
"Okay, I like this ritual," she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Of course you do," Dadi said, her eyes shifting to me with a knowing look. "You clearly like leaving your imprints... we've already seen the proof."
"What do you mean?" Dhwani asked, completely clueless.
Of course. Everyone got it... except her.
"Nothing... come inside," Dhrithika said quickly, grabbing her arm and pulling her in before she could ask anything else.
I shook my head slightly and followed them inside.
Everyone was sitting in the hall while Dadi was busy preparing something.
I looked at Dhwani, who was talking to Dhrithika like I didn't even exist. I walked towards them.
The moment she saw me coming, she tried to place a pillow there to block the seat-but I was faster.
I sat down. She looked at me once then turned back to Dhrithika.
Seriously?
Now I'm getting ignored too?
"I'll post these pictures on my Instagram," Dhwani said, scrolling through her tab.
I leaned slightly and saw the screen.
Her footprints.
"Collaborating with bhaiya?" Dhrithika raised her brows.
Of course. When life is collaborated, why not the wedding post too?
"No. I'll post alone," Dhwani said casually.
"Why?"
"Because firstly your bhaiya didn't follow me on Instagram and secondly it's my wedding pictures, not his."
I stared at her. If it were someone else, they'd be desperate to post with me and here she is-doing the complete opposite.
"Follow bhaiya, he will follow back. You both are married, so you should post together," Dhrithika insisted.
"No one knows who I'm married to, and I won't let them know either." Dhwani replied. "We don't even have any wedding pictures together, so I'll post alone and keep my husband a secret."
Ohh. So the problem is pictures.
Dhrithika shook her head and gave me a look.
Message received.
"Yugant, Dhwani... come here," Dadi called.
Dhwani flipped her hair and walked away like she didn't just ignore me two seconds ago.
I followed like a lost puppy because that's exactly what I felt like at the moment.
As we reached, I saw bedding spread on the floor. Dhwani sat down, and I took a seat right in front of her.
Then came a big copper bowl, filled with milk and rose petals, placed between us.
Dhwani looked at it. I already knew what was coming. Her eyes slowly shifted to Dadi.
"Don't worry, it's not milk," Dadi said, giving her a soft glare.
Of course. Everyone understands her now.
Dhwani smiled instantly and even threw a flying kiss at Dadi.
Traitor.
Dadi sat beside us and showed a ring. "I'll drop this ring in the bowl, and you both have to find it. Whoever finds it first wins."
Everyone leaned in, suddenly interested.
Dadi dropped the ring and swirled the bowl slightly. "One... two... three..."
We both dipped our hands inside. Dhwani immediately started searching like her life depended on it, moving her hand quickly through the petals.
I did the same... but my focus shifted the moment our hands touched. I caught her fingers and she froze.
The excitement on her face vanished, replaced with pure annoyance. Her eyes snapped to mine, clearly saying leave my hand. I didn't.
She tried to pull away. Still didn't.
Next second her nails dug into my hand.
Sharp. Very sharp.
I instantly let go and pulled my hand out.
"What happened?" Dadi asked.
"I found it!" Dhwani cheered, holding the ring up like she just won a trophy.
Everyone's attention shifted to her.
"Oh God, I thought bhaiya would win," Dhrithika said, disappointed.
"Ohh, so you're not happy I won?" Dhwani raised a brow.
"Of course I am..." Dhrithika replied.
Dhwani didn't look fully convinced, but she smiled anyway.
"Now Dhwani will have the upper hand in your marriage, Yugant," Dadu said, patting my back.
"She already does, Dadu... that's why she married me under a veil," I said, my gaze fixed on her.
"I never let go of what's mine, Dadu... even if I have to beg or claim it," Dhwani replied, matching my tone without blinking.
Yeah... I've seen the demo. From Gaala designs to my dignity... and now my entire life.
I took the ring from her hand, then pulled her other hand towards me. Slowly, I slid the ring into her finger and lifted her hand to my lips, placing a soft kiss over her knuckles.
Her eyes stilled on my face... like she forgot everything else for a moment.
The rest of the day passed with a few small rituals, and before I knew it, evening had settled in.
Since morning, I had been waiting for the nuptial chain. I had asked Ishaan to bring it from the office-it was going through final touches because I wanted it perfect for Dhwani.
She was already pissed that I removed the previous one, so this... this had to be right.
I designed it myself.
I know her. She won't say it easily, but she'll love it.
I was heading towards the garden to look for her when I heard voices.
Dhwani and Samarth.
"You don't need to argue about everything with Dadi, Dhwani... you know she's older. She knows better," Samarth was saying.
No need for that advice. She'll argue anyway.
"So you wanted me to kick that rice-filled urn?" Dhwani asked.
"It was just a ritual."
"It wasn't for me," her voice changed. Softer. Breaking. "It was the same food I once craved... lying on the roadside... starving... dying... hoping someone would come and give me a little food so I could eat and survive."
I froze.
Roadside? Dying? What?
"That was your past, Dhwani. Forget it. Your present is better... your future with Yugant will be even better," Samarth said.
"I know, Bhai..." she whispered. "But I don't want to forget my past. I can't. It'll stay with me till my last breath... whether I want it or not."
"Then you'll stay stuck there. You're in Mumbai... the same place you ran away from. If you don't let go of your past, you won't be able to live peacefully with Yugant. Start fresh."
She looked down, nodded slowly. "I can't promise... but I'll try."
I stood there trying to process every word.
Past?
What did I miss? What don't I know about her?
By the time I looked ahead again, they were gone.
I stepped forward to where they were standing, as if the ground would explain something to me.
It didn't.
"Sir!" Ishaan's voice broke my thoughts.
I turned. He was standing there, holding a small jewellery box.
"Here is the chain."
I took it and opened it.
Perfect. Exactly how I imagined because it was made for her.
"Thanks," I muttered.
He nodded. "It's late. I'll go my house."
"Have dinner with us first," I suggested.
He shook his head. "I'll eat at my house."
And just like that, he walked away.
I watched him go. He never says home, it's always house, because that's what it is for him.
"Bhaiya... where is Ishaan?" Dhrithika's voice pulled me back.
I pointed towards him, already starting his bike.
"He's leaving? Dadi told him to have dinner with us."
"He said he'll eat at his house."
"Okay... I'll deal with him. You go inside for dinner."
I nodded and walked in, while she went towards Ishaan.
I knew Ishaan would come back now.
Because this time, the stubborn queen herself went to drag him in.
I've seen the way Dhrithi handles him. He's stubborn, she's worse. And somehow, that works.
That's exactly why the idea of Ishaan marrying my Dhrithika always felt... right to me.
But of course, it's just an idea.
?
I opened the door and stepped inside after dinner, expecting to find her asleep by now.
But I didn't expect what I saw.
She was standing in front of her canvas, holding a color palette in one hand and a brush in the other. Her hair rested over one shoulder... leaving her back completely bare.
That back and blouse.
Women have trust issues with men, but not with those two strings, holding that tiny piece of fabric?
I closed the door quietly, locking it, sliding the key into my pocket. I didn't trust her. What if she ran away at midnight?
She turned slightly at the sound, looked at me for a second... then went back to her painting like I was just another piece of furniture.
I walked towards her slowly, pulling out the nuptial chain from the box in my hand.
The moment I reached behind her, my arm slipped around her waist and I pulled her back against me.
Her bare back touched my chest. Her breath hitched instantly and mine-went somewhere else entirely.
Every time I come this close to her, I lose it. Completely.
I leaned down, my nose brushing against her neck, breathing her in like that was the only thing keeping me sane.
My eyes fell shut for a second. I pressed my lips softly against her shoulder, not rushing, just letting it linger... feeling her react beneath my touch.
She shivered.
"Yu... Yugant..." she whispered, my name breaking in the middle.
I didn't answer.
Just held the chain up, slid it around her neck, and locked it gently from behind.
The cold metal touched her skin, and she froze.
Her eyes dropped down instantly, noticing it.
Then she turned to me. Eyes full of questions. Confusion.
"Whose is this?" she asked, holding it lightly between her fingers.
I stepped a little closer, my fingers brushing hers as I held the chain in place.
"Yours. Only yours."
A faint smile touched my lips, not teasing this time... something real.
"A wedding gift," I added, my gaze locked with hers, "designed by Yugant Raizaada... for Mrs. Raizaada."
I wasn't just giving her a piece of jewellery...I was claiming her, her body, her soul everything