They've returned home before the sunset. Just as they reached, Raj and Sangeetha were waiting with traditional new handcrafted clothes that they've brought for their young guests. The old couple presented the clothes and insisted on wearing them for the occasion. The four thankfully accepted their presents and went to two separate rooms to freshen up. Meanwhile Raj and Sangeetha made other preparations for the festival.
Abhi and Rishi finished off quickly and came out of their room. They both were wearing almost similar clothes but they did fit well to their masculine bodies. The boys are well groomed and looked so elegant, giving out a fresh aura.
They begin waiting in the hall for Maira and Ashmita, discussing something. Then the main bedroom door opens.
Abhi and Rishi looked at the room and they just kept staring at the girls like statues. Maira is wearing a blue color lehenga which is studded with small gold stones along with peach coloured veil which is draped in an elegant manner giving her a fresh and princess look. While Ashmita is wearing a same design lehenga of gold color with rose colored veil draped in a classy manner giving her a magnificent look.
Maira and Ashmita wear a simple pearl necklace with matching earrings and bangles. They both plated their hair and studded some pearl stones in between the hair.
Abhi and Rishi were in daze seeing the beautiful princesses in front of them. Rishi somehow knew who Ashmita is, just after looking at them. This is the first time they both saw the twins in a traditional way. Abhi saw Maira wearing this kind of dress before but those are simple and she wears them once in a while. Rishi saw so many royal families' dressing styles and he met many beautiful ladies before but he never saw a girl as beautiful as Ashmita.
"Beautiful." Both Abhi and Rishi said at the same time. Their hearts beat out of sync.
Maira and Ashmita chuckled and said, "Thank you for the compliment".
"Oh my. The lanterns usually bring more beauty to the already beautiful Lotus lake. But tonight, my granddaughters will bring much beauty to the whole festival. Won't they?" Raj asked Abhi and Rishi.
"My.. My.. Maira.. Ashmita! You both are looking like Angels. May all evil eyes go away from you", Sangeetha said and placed a dot of charcoal paste behind their ears. It is believed that it protects them from evil eyes.
"Thanks Grandmother. Thanks Grandfather", Maira said and took blessings from both the elders.
"Thanks Raj and Lotus. So Raj, who looks more beautiful, Lotus or me?" Ashmita asked teasingly while taking blessings from them.
Sangeetha caught Ashmita's ears and said, "You lass!! You always flirt with my husband in front of my eyes. Let's wait for sometime. I will definitely bring you a prince who will twist your ears like this", She said and twisted gently with love.
"Ouch.. No lotus I didn't flirt with Raj and I know you are the most beautiful here. And please don't get that kind of prince for me..", Ashmita said while making a cute pout and with sad expressions making everyone burst into laughter.
"Ok. Ok. We should start going to the lake now so that we could reach before it gets much crowded", Raj said while urging everyone out of the house.
On the way to the lake, everybody's eyes are on these 6 people. They're all cheerfully chatting and laughing without any care for their surroundings. They just looked like a happy family.
Almost every villager knows Raj shekhar and Sangeetha well. So everyone that passes by, greeted them politely.
Like that they reached the lake and it is a very lively atmosphere there. All the villagers are wearing new clothes and everyone is cheerful and happy. And everyone lit their lanterns and left them float away in the lake, making it glow under moonlight.
Sangeetha took out an incense stick and lit it with the help of fire near them. Then the six lit their lanterns with the incense stick and took the lanterns near the lake.
They found a free place at the shore and all of them released their lanterns into the lake there and everyone folded their hands in front of their chest and made their wish.
Maira closed her eyes and wished, 'Dear God. Please make all Ashmita's wishes come true and bless all people with great health.'
Abhi closed his eyes and prayed, 'God, please make all Maira's wishes come true.'
Ashmita closed her eyes and wished, 'My lovely God, please make sure all of my dear sis dreams come true and bless my people with all health, wealth and prosperity. Thank you God. Love you'.
Rishi closed his eyes and prayed, 'Dear God, I never needed to wish for anything but for the first time I'm making a wish. Please make all of Feisty's wishes come true and always keep her happy'.
"Ok guys. Me and your grandma will go and greet some people here. You can go and watch those different lanterns made by the people", Raj said.
"And be careful while watching. Don't get close to the fire," Sangeeta reminded them.
"OK Raj and Lotus, you can go. We'll take care", Ashmita said while others nodded their heads.
After Raj and Sangeetha left the place Abhi said, "Maira.. Would you like to go see the lanterns with me ?"
Maira looked at Ashmita who was grinning from ear to ear and slowly nodded her head before following Abhi.
"Ahh.. They both look cute!" Ashmita exclaimed.
"Yes. You also look cute", Rishi said while looking at Ashmita.
"What?" Ashmita asked, facing Rishi.
"Nothing. Shall we go and watch the lanterns?" Rishi cleared his throat and diverted the topic.
"Yes. We can go", Ashmita said with a smile. Rishi started walking, while Asmitha playfully hopped alongside him holding her lehenga off the ground.
"*Ahem* You look beautiful today. I never thought you'd look this beautiful in traditional wear", Rishi commented while watching her footsteps making sure she doesn't step on something hot or sharp.
Ashmita stopped in her tracks and looked at Rishi with her big round eyes with surprise and after registering his words she looked down and a small blush crept her face."Thank you so much for the compliment, Prince Rishi" Ashmita managed to say those words.
Rishi smiled while seeing her reaction and he felt giddy inside by watching her reactions.
"You also look handsome Prince", Ashmita said.
Rishi startled. He has been receiving huge praise from a number of people since his childhood but he never cared for them nor they ever made him happy. But a small compliment from Ashmita made him feel something strange between his heart and the stomach and he guessed it's what people call "Butterflies". Also his heart changed its rhythm. He couldn't see directly into her eyes and his smile got wider before they continued their sight seeing.
Meanwhile Abhi and Maira stopped at a place where they could watch all the people making wishes. The people's faces are glowing like those lanterns.
"Maira, you look so beautiful like an angel today. You really are my true beauty", Abhi said while watching Maira's face which is glowing under the moonlight and lanterns light.
Maira slowly looked at Abhi and said with a smile, "Thanks Abhi. Also you look so charming tonight. Did you observe? All the girls' eyes in the village were on you only".
Abhi chuckled and said, "I don't care about those eyes. I only care about these eyes"
Abhi touched Maira's eyelashes gently and his touch made Maira's eyelashes flutter like a butterfly. She is feeling giddy and happy.
"Maira. Can I ask you something?" Abhi asked suddenly.
Maira nodded her head and she noticed a change in his eyes.
"Maira. I am not a prince. So will your parents like me? What if they don't like me and ask you to stay away from me?" Abhi asked with fear in his voice. He has been thinking about this lately. Whenever Maira's marriage topic comes up, he gets panicked and thinks all stupid things.
Maira sensed his insecurity and took his hands into hers. Then she said with a smile, "Abhi. They won't think like that and they definitely won't ask me to stay away from you "
"But what if they ask you to do that?" Abhi insisted.
"Well if they asked you to stay away from me, will you do that?" Maira questioned back.
"No. Never", Abhi said in a heartbeat. "Even though they are your parents, I respect them but that doesn't mean they can separate us. I don't care for others Maira, I care for you. Only what you think and what you say matters to me. We grew up together and I want us to grow old together", Abhi said in one go.
"See, what are you worrying about then? I am not going to leave you even if you throw me away. I will come back and cling on to you. Ok?" Maira said with a smile.
Abhi sighed and nodded his head. He tightened his grip on her hand, looking at a young couple with a little kid leaving a lantern into the lake.