Wanna be yours

The sun rose gently over the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the expansive courtyard of the family mansion. Birds chirped merrily, adding a melodic symphony to the morning. It was the day of the Haldi ceremony, a significant pre-wedding ritual in Indian weddings, and the household was abuzz with excitement and anticipation.

Bhavya, stood at the balcony of her room, overlooking the preparations below. Her cousin, Anika, was getting married, and today was dedicated to the age-old tradition of applying turmeric paste to the bride. The vibrant yellow of the marigold garlands adorning the courtyard matched the excitement in the air. Bhavya couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotions—happiness for Anika and a nostalgic sense of familial bonding.

However could not stop reminiscing her marriage rituals where she the most happiest and tried to enjoy all the activities, but her husband seemed off and distant although she tried to talk to him before marriage when they were asked to pick out rings and clothes for their marriage rituals he always seemed busy for her or sent his secretary stating he was busy.

Downstairs, the women of the house were busy arranging the decorative items. Brass urns filled with rose petals, bowls brimming with turmeric paste, and intricate rangoli patterns embellished the courtyard floor. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the distinct earthy aroma of turmeric, creating a heady mix that signaled festivity.

As the clock struck ten, the family members began to gather. Anika, dressed in a simple yet elegant yellow saree, radiated a natural glow. She looked both nervous and excited, her eyes twinkling as she surveyed the scene around her. Bhavya descended the staircase and joined her cousin, giving her a reassuring smile.

“You look beautiful, Anika,” Bhavya whispered, squeezing her cousin’s hand.

Anika blushed and nodded, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and joy. The ceremony began with the elders blessing Anika, marking the commencement of the ritual. The women, led by Anika’s mother and aunts, began to apply the turmeric paste to her face, arms, and feet. Laughter and cheerful banter filled the air as Anika’s friends joined in, smearing her with the golden paste.

Bhavya watched, her heart swelling with affection for her cousin. She remembered their childhood days—playing in the garden, sharing secrets, and dreaming about the future. Now, as she stood by Anika’s side, she felt a profound sense of pride and happiness.

The Haldi ceremony was not just a ritual; it was a celebration of love, togetherness, and the familial bond. The turmeric, believed to bring good fortune and enhance beauty, also symbolized the joy and warmth shared by the family. As the paste was applied, Anika’s face lit up with a radiant smile, her nervousness melting away in the warmth of her loved ones' presence.

The ceremony took a playful turn as the younger cousins, including Bhavya , decided to make it more memorable. They mischievously smeared each other with turmeric, turning the event into a fun-filled affair. Bhavya found herself laughing uncontrollably her cousins chased her with a bowl of turmeric paste. The courtyard echoed with laughter, joy, and the vibrant colors of celebration.

Bhavya was trying to run away from her cousins trying to dodge their haldi attacks in making her into a minion while she had successfully coloured them all in the yellow paste.

Just then Swara appears in front of her and says didi hypocrisy ki bhi Seema hoti hai aapne humko sab ko nimbu jaisa peela bana diya aur ab khud itna Kam Kam haldi lagake ho?

And started to chase her when Bhavya was almost caught by her brother swara tried to throw haldi at her face and Bhavya ducked it causing haldi paste to land on her brother's face making Bhavya laugh and swara to fear as he had landed herself in the bigger trouble.

Ye kya Kiya tune swara khud ke pair pe kulhadi maar Li nai ruk tune to kulhadi ko khud invite Kiya hai maarne ke liye says bhavya and starts to laugh.

Swara just by the pissed off look on her brother's face understood that he was gonna take revenge and that too in his manner

Bhai dekho meri galti ni hai didu ki galti hai, unhone dodge Kiya nai to aapko kaise lagti haldi Mai thode apke saath aysa karungi.

Smirking her brother started to drag her near the pool causing swara to get scared and she started blabbering all nonsense

Arey bhaiya kya kar rahe ho hum to bacche hai akal ke kacche hai dekho chote se panchi hai phur phur udne vaale

Ha agar to panchi hai to pool Mai girne ne pehle udd jayiyo and threw her into the water.

Bhavya who was just at the back started laughing but it didn't last even for a minute as she was also thrown in the pool.

Yaar bhaiya Maine kya Kiya mujhe kyu pheka pool Mai??

Kyunki tum dono ke vajah se mai peeliya (jaundice) lag raha hu isiliye

Just then he was about to turn he was pushed into the pool by his own wife who was laughing at him.

He was startled by this but soon his shocked face turned into a smirk when his wife was pushed by his cousin and others joined them as well.

Amidst the revelry, Bhavya couldn’t help but notice the eyes of Shivansh, following her every move. Shivansh had arrived for the wedding festivities a few days earlier, and since then, there has been an unspoken connection between him and Bhavya. His gaze was warm and appreciative, and Bhavya felt a flutter in her heart whenever their eyes met , Although she never forgot how after her marriage he always tried to avoid her and made her wait for him.

Though it was never spoken ,but bhavya figured out that her husband was forced into this alliance unlike her who was just asked . Bhavya feeling grateful for her parents sacrifices said yes to Shivansh unknowingly that he was forced and how a contract was made in order to strengthen the ties between their families for business connections.

Shivansh , aware of the arrangement, felt that bhavya had also known about the arrangement and that's why he never bothered to clear why he was distant with her, yet he couldn't control his feelings for her whenever she tried to initiate a conversation with him or even when she silently took care of his needs. Every time Bhavya did something for him he felt warmth and love.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the family gathered around Anika, blessing her and showering her with gifts. Anika’s grandmother, the matriarch of the family, presented her with a beautiful gold necklace, a family heirloom passed down through generations.

“May you always be as happy as you are today,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Anika hugged her grandmother, tears of joy glistening in her eyes. The moment was poignant, a reminder of the love and blessings that surrounded her.

As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the festivities, Bhavya reflected on the day’s events. The Haldi ceremony had been a beautiful blend of tradition, love, and joyous celebration. It was a reminder of the importance of family, the strength of their bonds, and the beauty of shared moments. After the ceremony ended Bhavya went to her room to change and rest after a long tiring day only to find her husband already in the room . Shivansh approached her , holding a small bowl of turmeric paste. “Seems like you missed some,” he said with a playful smile.

Bhavya was first astonished with a sudden change in his behaviour but soon composed and laughed, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Oh really? And where might that be?”

Shivansh gently dabbed a bit of turmeric on her nose, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Right there,” he said softly, his eyes locking with hers.

Bhavya's heart skipped a beat. She felt an undeniable spark, a connection that seemed to transcend the festive chaos around them. “Thank you, Shivansh,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“For what?” he asked, his tone equally soft.

“For being here, for making this day special,” she replied, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions.

Shivansh smiled, a tender warmth spreading through him. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

As they stood there, the golden rays of the setting sun enveloping them, Bhavya felt a sense of calm and happiness. She didn’t know what the future held, but in that moment, with Shivansh by her side, she felt ready to embrace it.

The Haldi ceremony had not only marked a special day for Anika but had also woven new threads into the tapestry of Bhavya's life, threads that promised love, joy, and endless possibilities. Little did she know, her journey with Shivansh was just beginning, a journey that would unfold in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.

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