Only then did she turn her gaze toward the place, where once used to stand a tall and mighty door. It explained how they all came inside.
'It's alright. I am fine. I just thought it was a dream.' She said while referring to all the people present, earning a hearty laugh from everyone.
Well. What's so funny? She did think it was a dream. Ahem… to be precise, a nightmare.
But even Ashutosh ends up smiling. His worry starts dissipating slowly, slowly. He worried, he did something, he shouldn't. But now, after watching her smiling face, he put his thoughts to rest.
' Then, let's go to the wedding venue. The bride and groom need to get dressed for their special day.' Avinash said, making everyone nod.
'But, firstly remove this white thing from your face. It gives off an eerie vibe.' Her mother said, not being familiar with sheet-mask. After all, sheet-masks haven't been introduced on a large scale in India, yet.
So, only a few people, especially the ones who watch East Asian dramas and know about their culture are fanatics of these things. But in the near future, with the efforts of Garnier and Nyka, it would end up being a common thing, found in every beauty care regime.
Yuvika raised her brow and then touched her face, only to realize, the sheet was still stuck in its place. She simply removes it, then crumbles it like a piece of paper, aims at the dustbin, and throws it.
She hit the home run.
Everyone simply rolled their eyes, but her father gave a proud father smile, energizing her more. But no one can deny the fact, she was practically glowing, which definitely has nothing to do with her wedding.
~~
They arrive at the venue. Everyone got a shock, when the valet bought the Ferrari from the parking lot, out of habit as he saw Yuvika coming, to which she courteously declined. Then, the chain of SUVs came, who picked them up from the building to the venue.
She was still in her PJs. But nobody gives a damn to that fact. Ashutosh went back in his own car, her mobile still remaining in his possession, which was given to him by Mrs. Chauhan and to whom he forgot to hand over to her.
He was surprised, or should I say, shocked. Every two minutes, her phone would ring. Sometimes the number would be saved, sometimes it wasn't. Sometimes the same caller calls again, but most of the time it was a different caller, making him wonder how she even manages it.
He had arranged for one of his guards to do the door repair and guard her home. But he really wanted to know whether she liked the surprise or not. As observative and keen as he is, he did notice how her eyes remained fixed at her father's. As if for her nothing or no one in this world matters, except him. He saw how she didn't even greet anyone, not even her mother.
But the moment she saw her father, she got emotional enough to cry in his embrace. He makes a mental note to talk on this matter, rather than deciding on his own.
~~
Soon, they reach the venue, where the first floor was reserved for the bride and her guest while the ground floor was reserved for the bride and his guest as for the top floor. It was reserved for the soon-to-be-couple.
Yuvika and all were escorted to their respected room, the hired workers started doing their job. Her glowing skin, additional to their magical hands and she was looking like a goddess who had descended the heavens to live a normal, mortal life.
Everyone was genuinely surprised and started praising her, but all that she could hear was the mockery they will do, once she will get divorced.
~~
The bridegroom kept her phone in his inner pocket, giving Vivek a moment to tease him that Ashutosh is hiding her things in his heart already. Soon, he will give his heart to her and hide her there forever.
Ashutosh just glared at him, but refrain himself from commenting.
~~
Since it was a three-day wedding. So, all the pre, wedding, and post ceremonies were supposed to be done per day. No one knows why it has to be a one-day wedding. [Like one day for these three events.] But no one queried out either.
Soon, the ceremonies started with the Roka/ Shagun ceremony.
After which the engagement ceremony takes place. Everyone cheered and brought joy to the occasion when the couple exchanged the rings.
After which they were given some time to rest and get dressed for the next ceremony. Given that it's an Indian wedding. So, how can things happen before the right timing? Every ceremony has a fixed auspicious timing and they were supposed to do it at that time only.
Then, the Mehandi ceremony took place.
After a few hours, the soon-to-be bride's hands were washed with rosewater.
Sidewise the Sangeet ceremony was taking place, in which Yuvika's mother, her cousins, her aunts, her friends were singing and dancing. She ignored them.
After which the Tilak ceremony, the Haldi ceremony took place. When they splash the milk over her, she felt a cold chill running through her spine.
[Guys, if you are interested in the ceremony details and all, then please google them. Since the ceremonies aren't the main part of the stories, I would be skipping the details. Maybe, I will explain them later. When either one of them gets married for real, with their lovers.]
She just came out of the bathroom, after taking a fresh bath. Since, she wasn't very comfortable with the traditional milk bath, which a soon-to-be bride has to undergo, after the Haldi ceremony.
Her hair was still damp since she loves her hair to dry naturally. She was wearing a satin golden nightgown, which was making her look slimmer and taller than she usually was. She was humming a tune.
'Wow, someone is slaying today.' She heard a voice and her head snapped immediately in that direction.
Vivek was laying on her bed, over the covers, with his shoes on, leisurely, staring at her. Next to the bed, in the chair was sitting, Ashutosh, as regal and sophisticated as always.
His expression clearly showed Vivek had teased him to the point of pissing him to death. She gave a confused look to the duo.
'Your phone.' Ashutosh finally said, staring in her eyes, unlike Vivek, who was giving the flirty look. He placed the phone on the table and was about to stand and leave when once again Vivek spoke.
'Boss, don't you think she is glowing today? Isn't she looking hot as a runaway model?' Vivek asked, showcasing the face full of seriousness.
'Just like you are looking like an old, lecherous, perverted geezer.' Yuvika replied instead with a laugh, shutting Vivek's nonsense up.
' Come on, I am still your senior. Show some respect, at least. I mean, even a little bit will do.' Vivek whined.
' Senior, oh yeah. Why didn't I know that earlier? Alright, the door is there, please show yourself out.' Yuvika replied back, with a lazy gesture. She already has a lot on her platter, she needs good sleep, or else she might collapse, again.
'See, look, I told you, not to let her be anywhere near that little devil. Now, she is speaking in her language, too.' Vivek whined, but this time to Ashutosh.
' She told you to leave.' Ashutosh replied nonchalantly, feeling somewhat light-headed, all thanks to this girl with a sharp tongue.
Well, I was saying to both of you. She added mentally but didn't have the guts to voice it out loud.
'Wanna bet, she was saying it to us, not me!' Vivek said, getting ready for some free money, while Yuvika felt dumbfounded. She knows, she can't lie. So, do they.
If he asks her, then she is dead.
'Wait outside.' Ashutosh said, while staring at Vivek, who gave an 'are you serious, bro?' look, but followed nevertheless. But just like an abandoned puppy, he would turn around and stare at the duo, after every three steps, hoping that at least one among them would let him in for some more gossip.
But they just stared at him, till he shut the door loud and waited patiently outside. Only then did she turn her head to face her boss.
' Have a seat.' He said, pointing to the chair next to him. She nodded and then obediently sit there.
' Are you comfortable with everything?' He asked next, making her give a confused look.
' I mean, are you comfortable with all the events happening or not? If you find it too much of a hassle, then we can skip some ceremonies.' He suggested, making her stare at him, for a good few minutes. She definitely wasn't expecting this.
' No, it's all good. Every bride has to go through all these events. I can't be an exception.' She replied while choosing her words carefully.
'Okay.' He replied.
' You still didn't answer me, did you like the surprise?' He asked next, his eyes fixed on hers. As expected, her face deceived her. Her smile was gone and her pupils had dilated, showcasing the shock. Although she recovered pretty quickly and the smile was back on her face.