26| Shaddi

KASHI’S POV

It was finally our wedding day. I was dressed in a vibrant red lehenga that Mr. Agnihotri had chosen. Sitting in a room with a few members of BCC Cosmetics, I waited for my nail polish to dry.

I felt ready, glowing like a bride, but the hustle and bustle were making me anxious.

Despite everything that had happened in the last few days, I enjoyed every bit of it.

Ira, Saira, Eyana, and even Avaira came to check on me. Though they were busy getting ready themselves, they made sure to see me. I felt as if I had achieved a milestone by making so many friends.

“Mummy, Papa, no emotional speeches,” I said as soon as I saw them entering my room.

They looked at me and chuckled while I pouted. “We just came to see you,” Papa explained softly. I smiled and nodded at him.

They hugged me, tears in their eyes. “You don’t have to cry. It's not like I'm getting married for the first time,” I whispered, pouting, and Mummy glared at me with teary eyes.

“Can you stop making jokes about this?” Mummy scolded, and I smiled, shaking my head.

“Your baby will tease you the same way you tease me,” Mummy said, making me smile.

“No, my baby will be a good baby,” I retorted, shaking my head and placing my hand on my tummy, feeling my invisible baby bump.

“Let's see,” Mummy cooed mischievously as she kissed my forehead.

“Kashi, we know you have moved on from what happened. But don't let it affect your future. Adhikrit is a good man. He won’t do anything bad to you, and I've seen how you behave towards him, which isn't always nice.” I wanted to interrupt, but she silenced me with a look that said not to cut her off.

“He can bear it to a point, but every human has a saturation point. Don’t let your actions hurt him to the point where he shuts himself off and stays away from you..."

“He can't stay away from me,” I replied instantly.

She smiled weakly. “This is where you're wrong, Kashi. I know how I've raised my daughter. She's strong, bold, and graceful. Yet, the mistakes we make as humans can’t be taught; you need to learn them.”

I couldn't fully understand her words but nodded, I know him, he cannot stay away from me. Soon the room was filled with Ira, Eyana, Saira, and Avaira.

“You look so pretty,” they all yelled in shocks, making me smile, while Saira babbled in her usual way.

“You all look so beautiful,” I smiled at them, and they hugged me, making me feel good. Though, Avaira chose not to be physical and just smiled.

“We need to go,” Ira whispered, taking Avaira with her. Eyana left with Saira, and then Amani entered, dressed in a shimmery ice-blue saree. She was ready and looking so pretty.

“I'll check if you need any touch-ups,” she announced, making me nod.

She was using some brushes on my cheeks when Ivaan ran into the room, his cheeks red as if someone had bitten him.

“Oh my god, what happened, Ivi?” Amani asked, shocked.

“Who did this to the baby?” I asked, ashamed of such hostility from our side. A few workers came in and looked at Ivaan, confused.

The little boy hugged his sister's legs and pointed at the door.

“Meeee!” Saira yelled, running into the room.

I looked at her, shocked, as Ivaan hugged his sister's legs. Saira ran and bumped into Ivaan, but Amani held her, stopping her from falling.

Saira looked up, showing her toothy grin to Amani, who was looking at the two with dazed eyes.

I held Saira and pulled her towards me, while Ivaan let go of his sister's legs and looked down.

“Sowieee,” Saira whispered, pouting as if realizing she had done something wrong.

“It’s okay, Aira,” Ivaan said in a cute voice.

“Is Saira here?” Eyana entered, wearing a black saree. She looked so pretty, with her vermillion and nuptial chain as highlights. 

“Yeshhh, momma,” Saira jumped up. She immediately hugged Eyana’s legs but fell back as she could walk and run but would eventually fall.

“Where did you run off to, Shona?” Eyana asked, picking up her daughter, who just laughed and smiled in response. Saira was wearing a honey-colored kurta and golden-beaded pajama, with two pigtails. She resembled a sunflower. Eyana calls Saira ‘Shona.’ Isn’t it cute?

“Ivaan, are you feeling any pain?” Amani asked, making her brother shake his head slightly. “I am fine, thank you, Mani.”

He is so sophisticated, while Saira is so goofy.

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Finally, I was walking down the aisle. Soft music was playing in the background, and Papa was walking beside me. The red lehenga seemed heavy, but the way my heart was racing couldn't be described. I took every step carefully, the people around the aisle blurring as my sole focus was to reach Mr. Bull.

I could see him through the veil. He was standing on the stage, and I could feel his intense gaze on me.

Suddenly, Mr. Agnihotri yelled, “Jaldi aao, Kashi, kahin mar na jaun mai.”

(Be fast Kashi, I might die waiting for you.)

My cheeks heated up, and everyone burst into laughter. Papa held my hand, squeezing it slightly.

“Kashi, beta, kahin Adhikrit rone na lag jaye, jaldi chalo,” Papa whispered, making my eyes widen.

(Kashi, my child, let's go fast; otherwise, he might start crying.)

What? Is he mad? Why would he cry?

Reaching the stage, Papa placed my hand in Mr. Agnihotri’s. It's a gesture where the father gives his daughter to the groom.

“Papa, aapki beti toh meri hi thi hamesha se,” Mr. Bull said shamelessly, helping me stand beside him. Papa chuckled and moved away.

(Father, your daughter was always mine.)

Gosh! Can he stop doing this?

“Bhaiya, she is all yours!” Ira yelled through the music, making me look at Mr. Agnihotri.

“May I?” he asked, about to remove the veil from my face.

“Ji,” I nodded. The stage was crowded with our family.

Slowly, his fingers held the hem of the veil, and he slid it up, placing it carefully on my head. I looked at him—his eyes held tears, and he resembled a baby trying not to cry.

“Meri he nazar lag jayegi aapko,” he said, lowering his gaze, making me gulp. Everyone else blurred away; I could only see his serene face.

“Mr. Agnihotri,” I stepped closer and placed my palm on his chest, rubbing it soothingly. His hands found their way to my waist.

He shook his head slightly, making me smile a little. “Bas na,” I cooed, gently rubbing his chest. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I couldn't help but feel ashamed for the wrong decisions I had made in my life.

I tiptoed and wrapped my arms around his neck, his face nuzzling into my neck.

“Shh, Mr. Agnihotri, sab dekh rahe hain. I can't take out everyone's eyeballs for looking at you,” I pouted, pecking the side of his neck.

(Everyone is watching.)

He chuckled softly, “Oh, you will?” he asked, pecking me the same way, sending tingles across my skin.

“I will,” I replied with excitement, and he shook his head slightly, making me smile.

I closed my eyes, inhaling his strong, masculine scent—why does he always smell so good? I pulled back, and his long lashes looked even longer and slightly wet.

“Aww,” the crowd cooed, bringing us out of our trance. I looked around to see everyone watching us with adoration. Mummy and Mom were crying badly, which made me chuckle, while Dad and Papa looked around shyly.

Angad Uncle was hooting along with a crazy Vyom and Avaira. Saira was jumping around and giggling. Ira had tears in her eyes, looking at us, and to my surprise, I saw Ranvijay standing behind her, soothingly rubbing her back. Arhaan and Eyana stood beside each other, yet they looked distant. Eyana had teary eyes, while Arhaan was just there. They were recording us with their phones too.

I could see other businessmen from the country and even abroad. The Kingston brothers were there, and Zaiden was roaming around, talking to girls who looked like they were throwing themselves at him. Kairoz was talking to business elites.

Amani was present as well. Ivaan was sitting beside her in a gentleman-like business suit. He would talk to Amani and smile at her while she brought up conversations and fed him, but not before tasting it herself.

Saira came out of nowhere with Ira and sat beside Ivaan. What’s with her being with Ivaan? She gave him chocolates, and I remembered her giving him chocolates many times before. While he would say he didn’t need any, she would force him to take them and say, “Vaan, chocolate?”

She is so cute. It seems like she has a crush on this boy.

“It's time for Varmala,” the priest announced, making all of us turn our attention to the ceremony.

Everyone moved away, getting busy with their business, while guests came to meet us. Mr. Agnihotri introduced me to ministers, businessmen, and others. Then I saw a handsome man walking towards us. Wait—I know him. I've seen him somewhere.

Ranveer Singh Rathore.

Oh my god.

“Congratulations, Mr. Agnihotri, on the wedding.” His words rolled off his tongue as smooth as butter. He motioned to his PA, who passed a bouquet to Mr. Agnihotri’s man.

“I am pleased to see you here,” Mr. Agnihotri said, nodding as they shook hands.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Agnihotri,” the man said professionally. If ‘being professional’ had a face, it would be Ranveer and Amani.

“Thank you. We are delighted you could be here,” I replied appreciatively, while a few other guests came to meet us.

I glanced at Ranveer Singh Rathore as he walked down the stairs, talking on his phone with a lingering smile on his face.

Wow.

In the blink of an eye, we were close to what seemed like the beginning of us.

“Dulhan ki maang mein sindoor bhariye,” the priest instructed. Eyana came and held the maang tikka so that Mr. Agnihotri could perform the ritual.

(Fill the vermilion.)

His fingers moved towards my hair partition, and the grains of red vermillion slightly escaped, landing on my lehenga and blending seamlessly with the colors of pain and love.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. In his gaze, I saw a reflection of myself. As the vermillion touched my hair partition, I felt warmth spreading through me, coloring not just my hair but my soul. I shut my eyes, overwhelmed by the emotions. This was the color of his love, marking me as his forever.

I could feel the vermillion settling in, each particle like an indication of what we had faced. Tears welled up behind my closed lids. They weren’t tears of sorrow, but of realization and acceptance. This was the beginning of a new chapter, painted with deep hues of crimson that signified we would last, no matter what came our way.

“Ab toh meri ban chuki hain aap, Kashi,” his throaty whisper brought me back from my thoughts.

(Now you are mine officially.)

Jaise kabhi kisi aur ki thi bhi? I wanted to ask him this so badly, but chose to remain quiet. I slightly pouted, realizing there was no vermillion on my nose.

(As if I was ever anyone else’s?)

“Uff, jaan bujh kar gira sakte the na aap thoda sa sindoor. Do pal ki khushi hi mil jati mere book lover soul ko,” I whispered sadly, looking down at my bright lehenga.

(You could have made some vermillion fall over my nose. My reader soul might have felt peace.)

I felt his fingertip brushing against my nose, making me lift my eyes toward him.

“Matlab, aap zabardasti bhi meri hi banna chahti hain,” he said, nodding appreciatively.

(Oh so you want to be mine, even forcebly?)

“Shut up, please.” I rolled my eyes, biting my lips to prevent myself from smiling.

Everything felt blurred. It was loud, with hundreds of people around, yet the only person I felt close to was Mr. Agnihotri. It seemed as if there was no one else but him. Even though Avaira, Eyana, Ira, and others checked on me, those moments felt like nanoseconds. But looking at the man beside me made time seem to slow down.

He looked like the darkest dream—forest green eyes giving him a mysterious look, holding not just clouds but tears. I wondered if it would rain by the end of our ceremony, his tears like raindrops. The sherwani made his bull-like body appear a bit leaner, though he still looked hot in this traditional attire.

“Ranvijay,” Mr. Agnihotri called loudly, making a grumpy Ranvijay nod and walk toward us.

What does this man even do? What kind of PA is he? He doesn't work like typical PAs. Mr. Agnihotri told me he has another PA as well, Akshat. I haven't seen that guy, but I’ve heard Mr. Agnihotri discussing business with him. Ranvijay, on the other hand, always looks grumpy and is wandering around.

He is a mystery—he doesn’t look like what he is.

“Would you like to eat something sweet or…?” Mr. Agnihotri asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Hm?” I asked, confused.

“I thought you—not you but the baby—might be hungry,” he said, making me feel embarrassed. I slightly glared at him.

“My baby is not just me; my baby is like you, a baby bull,” I whispered, touching my tummy. Aww, my baby, don’t be sad because of Mr. Agnihotri. He doesn’t know about you. After all, he is just a father, and I am your mother.

“Oh,” Mr. Agnihotri trailed off, nodding. Ranvijay went away to bring food for me.

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