Page 57

We woke up early after barely getting any sleep.

The morning rituals had already begun, and I didn’t find Rudra beside me when I woke.

He must have been busy with the preparations for the Baaraat’s50 departure.

I dove straight into the thousand tasks that awaited me—the sweets, breakfast for the guests, the rituals, and, most importantly, getting the groom ready.

I asked Suman to bring out the clothes Rudra and I had picked for Devarsa—the jewellery, accessories, everything.

I arranged them neatly on a large plate and signalled an attendant to follow me.

As I stepped into Devarsa’s chamber, I saw him seated quietly on the couch while a few attendants moved briskly around.

His expression was unreadable, but the frustration in his eyes didn’t escape me.

“Is it too much, Devarsa?”

I asked gently.

He turned toward me and immediately stood up.

“Pranam, Bhabhisa,”

he greeted with a polite bow, and I gave him a soft nod.

Though older than me, he always treated me with respect, like an elder sister.

I couldn't say the same about Agastya, who saw me as more of a friend than a sister-in-law—he only called me Bhabhisa in formality.

I sensed how awkward Devarsa still felt around women.

I smiled lightly and addressed the attendants.

“Please leave us.”

They quietly filed out of the room.

I turned to the attendant who had come with me and motioned for her to place the plates on the table.

“Time to get ready,” I said.

“I’ve already bathed,”

he replied softly.

“Then change into this white kurta,”

I said, handing him the outfit.

“Okay,”

he murmured, taking the clothes and entering his dressing room.

I waited until he returned, dressed and standing still before me.

“Done, Bhabhisa,” he said.

I smiled.

“You’re looking very handsome, Devarsa,”

he smiled timidly, and looked down.

I gestured him toward the dressing table, and he sat silently.

When he began putting on the rings and a thick bangle, taking them from the jewellery plate placed beside him, I immediately intervened, “Wear the overcoat first,”

Another attendant stepped forward with the heavy, jewelled overcoat.

“Ji,”

he replied, glancing at the last attendant.

I could see he was nervous and uncomfortable.

I turned to her and said, “Leave the rest here.

We’ll manage.”

He slid his arms through the sleeves and sat again.

Once alone, I looked at him and asked softly, “Are you still unsure, Devarsa?”

He lowered his gaze and nodded faintly.

“Not unsure, Bhabhisa.

Just… worried,”

I grabbed the heavy kanttha51 and stepped closer to fasten it around his neck.

“Why are you worried?”

I asked quietly.

He inhaled deeply.

“She doesn’t know me.

I’m afraid—what if she doesn’t like me? What will our life even look like?”

His voice held hesitation, and I sensed how heavily this uncertainty pressed on him.

I smiled gently and placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Devarsa, aapna humaare bhai jaise hain, bade bhai.

Aap bahut samajhdaar hai, saksham hai, tab bhi ek ladki hone ke naate aapse ek baat awashya kahenge hum.

Ek kanya apna sab kuch chodkar apne var ke saath apne sasural aa jaati hai.

Pratidaan mein maatra sammaan, thoda sa prem, aur kuch mann ke baatein ki hi apeksha karti hai aur usi mein apni saari prasannatayein dhundh leti hai.

Aishwarya ko hum bhi nahi jaante, wo bhi humein nahi jaanti kintu yadi hum prayatn karenge use apnapan dene ki to wo apneaap humaari ho jaayegi. Parantu us prayaas ka praarambh aapko karna hoga. Uske hruday tak pahunchne ka maarg aapko swayam bana hoga, aur kisi bhi stree ke hruday tak pahunchne ka aadhaar sammaan hota hai jiski wo aadhikaarik hoti hai. Phir dekhiyega wo kaise aapki ho jaayegi,”

(Devarsa, you are like my brother—an elder brother.

You are very understanding and capable, despite that, as a woman, there is something I must say to you.

A girl leaves behind everything to come to her husband’s home.

In return, she expects only a little respect, some love, and a few heartfelt conversations—and in that, she finds all her happiness.

We do not know Aishwarya, and she doesn't know us either. But if we try to make her feel a sense of belonging, she will naturally become ours. However, that effort must begin with you. You will have to carve the path to her heart yourself, and the foundation of reaching any woman’s heart is the respect she rightfully deserves. Then you’ll see how she becomes yours.)

He nodded quietly, eyes soft with understanding.

We stayed silent for a while as he finished dressing.

“Are you ready?”

Rudra’s familiar voice made us both turn.

He stepped in with a smile, and Devarsa stood up.

“Ji, Bhaisa,” he said.

Rudra placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him into a hug.

“I’m so happy for you, Ranvijay.

Somehow, this feels even more special than my wedding,”

I chuckled softly, feeling a strange lump in my throat.

“His kohl is still left,”

I said, noticing his bare eyelids.

“Oh,”

Rudra murmured.

Ranvijay sat back down, and I grabbed the small silver kohl container.

I dipped my index finger in and stepped forward.

“Devarsa, ye neg hai humaara,”

(Devarsa, this is my ceremonial gift.) I said with a mock sternness.

He chuckled, and Rudra warned playfully, “Stay still, or she’ll end up poking your eye,”

I rolled my eyes and pulled back my hand for a moment.

“Shut up, Rudra.”

Devarsa laughed and adjusted himself.

“Okay, I’m still now,”

Just then, Agastya’s voice echoed in the room.

“Are you ready?”

“Now you are disturbing me!”

Devarsa said, laughing.

I smiled and gently applied the kohl to his lower eyelid as he closed his eyes.

“You’re looking very handsome, Bhaisa.

Honestly, hot,”

Agastya added suddenly, making us all laugh again.

I shot Devarsa a look.

He controlled his smile as I finished applying the kohl.

“Thank you, Bhabhisa,”

he said with a soft smile.

I held out my palm playfully.

“No, no.

Thank you.

I want a gift,”

He chuckled.

“Yes, yes.

We’ll give you a gift,”

I gave him a playful slap on the shoulder, chuckling, “I’ll tell her you called her a gift,”

He smiled and stood up from the chair.

“No need; I think I have something for you,”

he said, walking toward his almirah.

I waited until he returned with a book in his hand.

“This is for you.”

He held it out, and I took it with a smile.

“Thank you so much.”

I placed it on the table, and just then, Agastya stepped forward and plopped down in the chair.

“Me too, Bhabhisa.”

I chuckled and shook my head.

“But it’s not your wedding.”

“So what?”

he shot back immediately.

I sighed and extended my index finger to apply kohl to his eyes, too.

“Thank you, but I’ll give you a gift when you do the same at my wedding,”

he said, rising from the chair.

I laughed softly.

“You’ll have two Bhabhisas to do that for you, Devarsa,”

I teased, glancing at Rudra, who was watching me intently.

“Aap bhi lagwa lijiye, Ranaji.”

(You should get it too, Ranaji.) I said gently.

He smiled and stepped forward, settling into the chair.

“As you suggest, Ranisa,”

he replied with a soft smile.

“Just a little, ,”

he murmured, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

He looked irresistibly handsome in white—an impossibly hot, regal king.

I applied the kohl to his eyes and then leaned back.

Gathering more on my finger, I applied a small dot behind his ear.

“This will protect you all from the evil eyes,”

I did the same for Devarsa and Agastya.

“You should get ready now; we’re all set to leave,”

Rudra said, and I looked at him.

“Someone should stay behind to welcome the bride, too,”

I replied.

“I’ve spoken to Badimaa; she’s staying here at the palace,”

he informed me.

I nodded.

“All right then, I must get ready quickly,”

I said, leaving the chamber and heading to mine.

I asked Suman to bring out a fresh pair of clothes.

I chose the one my mother had gifted me.

I had met them the previous night.

She told me Baapusa had been a little unwell after Holi, though he was better now.

The news shook me, leaving me distressed.

Fighting with my parents, disagreeing with them, enduring tough moments, that was one thing.

But hearing about their sickness? That was my worst nightmare.

The thought of those who gave up all their comforts to raise us unconditionally, needing us now, was jarring.

I couldn’t bear the idea of anything happening to them.

My grandfather’s death devastated me. He loved me so deeply.

Why was I thinking about all this on such a beautiful occasion?

I quickly asked Suman to help me get ready.

I wore maroon attire and adorned myself with jewellery.

I asked her to tie my hair into a bun.

She draped the dupatta over my head.

And before stepping out, I added vermilion to the parting of my hair.

The entire kingdom was bursting with joy.

Trumpets, drums, and dancers filled the atmosphere with celebration.

I walked toward the gathering, where everyone was waiting for me.

Rudra walked up to me, smiling.

“You will surely catch the evil eye today,”

he said, holding my hand and leading me to the centre of the crowd.

I looked around—everyone was watching us as the dancers made space.

I giggled, and suddenly the drumbeats intensified.

We lifted our steps and began dancing.

I matched his rhythm, laughing freely, catching Agastya’s gaze across the crowd.

I signalled him in, and he joined.

I pulled Daadisa and Maasa in, too.

Daadisa danced with joy while Maasa hesitated shyly.

Even Badimaa and other relatives joined.

The atmosphere was electric—everyone was lost in the moment.

I watched as Rudra and Agastya walked toward Ranvijay.

They also pulled him into the dance, and he smiled and joined them.

I turned to the beautifully adorned elephant, ready for Ranvijay’s departure.

I walked toward him, applied Tilak52 to his forehead, fed him fruits, and gently stroked his head.

“Give blessings to Devarsa,”

I whispered.

Rudra and Agastya helped Devarsa climb onto the elephant.

Cheers filled the air as he sat proudly, and I sprinkled rice and flowers in the air.

The priest blew the conch shell, marking the beginning of the departure.

Everyone began settling onto their horses and into their palanquins.

I took my place in mine, and with great joy, our journey to Songarh began.

***