~—————@UTHOR'S POV:~~
The early morning sun streamed through the large windows of the Singhaniya mansion, casting a warm glow over the vast living room. The room was grand, with marble floors, high ceilings, and plush sofas arranged in an elegant circle. It was the heart of the mansion, where the family often gathered for moments like these. Today, however, the usual tranquility of the space was about to be filled with lively chatter, laughter, and a touch of drama.
Komal Singhaniya, the matriarch of the family, stood at the center, her silver hair neatly tied back, her posture commanding yet graceful. She was dressed in an intricately embroidered saree, her aura one of wisdom and authority. Rakhi, her daughter-in-law, stood by her side, wearing a calm yet curious expression as she watched Komal's every move.
As each woman of the Singhaniya household entered the room, Komal's sharp eyes caught them, and she signaled for them to take their places. The ladies trickled in, each more curious than the last. Anaya, wearing a light pastel kurta, approached cautiously, her mind swirling with questions. She was still adjusting to the Singhaniya way of life, their traditions, and their unexpected moments of grandeur.
The first to join Komal were the younger ladies—Misha and Ria. Both were dressed in casual, comfortable outfits, but their personalities were anything but subdued. Misha, with her mischievous grin, looked ready to stir up trouble, while Ria, the ever-playful younger sister, had an air of excitement about her. As they sat, whispers of what the gathering could be about flitted between them.
Komal, observing their impatience, finally cleared her throat. "Everyone is here now. Good. Let's begin."
Anaya, who had taken her seat near Rakhi, leaned slightly toward her mother-in-law and whispered, "Grandma, why is everyone here? Is there an occasion or some festival I should know about?"
Komal, hearing the question, looked at Anaya with a slight smirk before turning her attention to the rest of the room. "It seems someone forgot to inform our dear Anaya," she said, her voice carrying authority but with a teasing edge. "Rakhi, why don't you explain?"
Rakhi chuckled softly. "Yes, that's on me," she admitted. She turned to Anaya, her expression warm and motherly. "It's for Karwa Chauth, Anaya. A full moon fast that we do once a year. It's an Indian tradition where wives fast for the health and long life of their husbands, breaking the fast only after seeing the moon."
Anaya blinked, a little taken aback. She had heard of Karwa Chauth before but had never participated in it. "But why are we preparing so much? I mean, with the designer and all the jewelry—"
Before Anaya could finish her thought, Ria interrupted with a playful laugh. "Oh, come on, Grandma! You called us for this? You do remember that Sissy and I are still very much single, right? There's no one to fast for in our lives." She nudged Misha, who was already grinning.
Misha chimed in, her tone just as cheeky. "Exactly! No husbands, no fasts, no need to get dressed up. Right, Grandma?"
Komal, however, wasn't having it. She raised an eyebrow, her expression firm. "Both of you will fast. It's good for you to do so, even if you're not married yet. You'll be fasting for your future husbands, so start preparing yourselves. And don't argue with me. That's an order."
Ria's playful defiance faded as she straightened up. "Yes, Lady Commander," she muttered, exchanging a quick glance with Misha, who rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smirk.
Anaya watched the exchange with amusement, but a part of her still felt out of place. She wasn't raised with these traditions, and everything felt foreign to her. "Grandma, I'm not sure if—"
"Don't worry, Anaya," Rakhi reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's your first time, and you'll do fine. It's all part of being a Singhaniya woman."
Just as Anaya was about to respond, Misha spoke up again, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Speaking of being a Singhaniya woman… Anaya, I've noticed something."
Anaya tilted her head, confused. "Noticed what?"
"You're not wearing an engagement ring!" Misha exclaimed, her voice dripping with faux concern. "Did my brother forget? Or… did he just never give you one?"
Ria immediately jumped in, her eyes wide with exaggerated shock. "Oh my god, she's right! Our ice-cube brother didn't even give you a ring yet! How could he?"
Anaya felt her cheeks heat up. The last thing she wanted was to discuss her complicated relationship with Rudra in front of the whole family, especially with the playful interrogation she knew was about to follow. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond.
Komal, however, was quick to speak. "Yes, I've been wondering the same. As I recall, you two came to us ready for marriage that night you saved us. Yet, here we are, and no ring?"
Ria leaned in closer to Anaya, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, what's the deal? Do you two actually love each other, or was it all just a practical arrangement?"
The room fell silent as all the women turned to Anaya, waiting for her response. Anaya took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. She knew they were teasing her, but there was an underlying curiosity she couldn't ignore. She had been in this house for over a week now, and while she had seen small changes in Rudra, their relationship was still shrouded in secrecy.
"Well," Anaya began slowly, her heart pounding in her chest, "it wasn't exactly a traditional love story. We… had our reasons for getting married. But that doesn't mean—"
"Doesn't mean what?" Ria interrupted, her grin widening. "Doesn't mean you're not in love now?"
Anaya flushed, but before she could respond, Rakhi spoke up. "Girls, give her some space. Relationships take time. You can't expect everything to be perfect from the start."
Komal nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And as for the ring, Rudra will handle that in his own time. You know how he is—always too focused on his work to remember the little things. But when he does, he'll make it special."
Anaya smiled gratefully at Rakhi and Komal, appreciating their support. But the conversation had opened a door she wasn't sure she was ready to walk through. The truth was, her feelings for Rudra were complicated. She had married him to find her brother, but now… now she wasn't sure where her heart truly lay.
As the women continued chatting, the designer arrived, carrying several large boxes filled with jewelry and sarees. The atmosphere shifted as the ladies excitedly gathered around the jewelry, each piece more extravagant than the last. Komal, always the leader, began selecting pieces for each of them.
Misha, with her usual playful energy, held up a particularly large necklace and grinned at Anaya. "Hey, Anaya, this one would look perfect on you. Just imagine walking into a room with this around your neck. Rudra wouldn't be able to take his eyes off you."
Ria laughed, joining in on the fun. "Oh please, Misha, Rudra's already head over heels for her. She doesn't need jewelry to catch his attention."
Anaya smiled but said nothing. She could feel the weight of their expectations, the unspoken questions about her relationship with Rudra. But for now, she was content to focus on the moment, enjoying the lighthearted banter and the vibrant energy that filled the room.
As the morning went on, the women continued to chat and laugh, trying on different pieces of jewelry and admiring the intricate designs. But in the back of Anaya's mind, she couldn't help but think about the conversations that had just taken place. Her relationship with Rudra was far from simple, and as much as she wanted to believe that things would eventually fall into place, she knew there were still many hurdles to overcome.
And with Karwa Chauth just around the corner, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
________________
Karwa Chauth Preparations//
The days leading up to Karwa Chauth passed quickly, and soon enough, the Singhaniya mansion buzzed with activity. The excitement was palpable as the family geared up for the rituals, with Komal leading the preparations like a seasoned commander. Each room was filled with discussions of sarees, jewelry, and the elaborate meals that would follow the fast.
On the morning of Karwa Chauth, the women gathered in the grand living room once again. This time, the atmosphere was more formal, with a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. Anaya found herself swept up in the whirlwind of preparations, unsure of what to expect but determined to play her part.
Komal stood in front of the large mirror, inspecting the jewelry laid out on the table. "Anaya, come here, dear," she called, her voice warm but authoritative.
Anaya, who had been quietly observing the other women, walked over to her grandmother-in-law. "Yes, Grandma?"
Komal gestured to a delicate gold necklace, intricately designed with tiny diamonds that caught the light. "This will suit you perfectly," she said, holding it up against Anaya's neck. "Rudra may not be expressive, but I know he'll appreciate seeing you in something like this."
Anaya smiled softly, her thoughts drifting to Rudra. Though their relationship had taken a complicated turn, she couldn't deny that there were moments where she saw glimpses of a softer side to him. However, today wasn't the time to dwell on those complexities. Today was about tradition.
"Thank you, Grandma," Anaya said, accepting the necklace.
Rakhi, who had been watching from nearby, approached with a warm smile. "You'll look beautiful, Anaya. This is your first Karwa Chauth, and it's special. Even if things between you and Rudra aren't the way you expected them to be, this fast is a symbol of love and devotion. It can be a fresh start."
Anaya nodded, though her heart remained conflicted. She wasn't entirely sure how she felt about Rudra yet, but she knew this day was important for the family. More than that, it was important for her to honor the traditions she was now a part of.
Meanwhile, Ria and Misha were busy trying on different outfits, their playful banter echoing through the room.
"Ria, do you really think I should wear this? It's too… bright!" Misha said, holding up a vibrant red saree.
Ria laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course! It's perfect for you. Plus, maybe you'll catch the eye of some handsome man who appreciates bold colors."
Misha rolled her eyes but grinned. "I doubt that, but fine. I'll wear it. Just don't blame me if I outshine everyone, including you."
Ria waved her hand dismissively. "Please, like that's even possible."
Komal, overhearing their conversation, smiled. "You two should be fasting as well. It's good to start the tradition now, even if you don't have husbands yet."
Misha groaned dramatically, throwing herself onto the sofa. "But Grandma, why? Can't we just eat and enjoy the day without fasting?"
Komal fixed her with a stern look. "It's tradition, Misha. And it's good for you to practice now, so you'll be ready when the time comes. You and Ria are both at the age where it's important to think about your future husbands."
Ria raised an eyebrow, her expression playful. "Future husbands, huh? I didn't know we had to start preparing so early."
Komal gave her a knowing look. "You never know when the right one will come along. It's better to be prepared."
Anaya listened to the exchange, smiling to herself. Despite the teasing, she could see the love and warmth that filled the room. This was what being part of a family felt like, something she had longed for since she was young.
As the morning progressed, the women busied themselves with final preparations. The jewelry was selected, sarees were draped perfectly, and the house was decorated with flowers and traditional decorations. Komal, ever the perfectionist, oversaw everything with a keen eye, ensuring that no detail was overlooked.
At one point, Ria approached Anaya, her expression a mix of curiosity and mischief. "So, Anaya," she began, her voice low, "are you excited about your first Karwa Chauth? Or are you just nervous about the fast?"
Anaya chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "A little of both, I guess. I've never done anything like this before, so I'm not sure what to expect."
Ria grinned. "Don't worry, we'll help you through it. Just think of it as a day to test your patience—and your hunger. Plus, it's a good excuse to look stunning in front of your husband."
Anaya blushed at the mention of Rudra, unsure of how to respond. Before she could say anything, Misha joined them, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Speaking of Rudra," Misha began, her tone teasing, "I've noticed something. You still don't have an engagement ring, do you?"
Anaya's smile faltered slightly, and she glanced away. "No, I don't."
Ria gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest. "What? Our ice-cube brother didn't give you a ring yet? How could he?"
Misha nodded in agreement, her grin widening. "Yeah, what's the deal with that? Did he forget? Or is he just… too busy with work?"
Anaya shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. The truth was, their marriage wasn't based on the typical foundations of love and romance, and the engagement ring had never been a priority. But explaining that to the ever-inquisitive Ria and Misha was another matter entirely.
Rakhi, sensing Anaya's discomfort, stepped in. "Girls, don't tease her. Rudra is… well, you know how he is. He'll get around to it when he's ready. Right, Anaya?"
Anaya nodded, grateful for Rakhi's intervention. "Yes, exactly."
Komal, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "It's not the ring that matters, girls. It's the relationship. Rudra and Anaya may have taken an unconventional path, but what's important is that they are together now. And as time goes on, they'll find their own way."
Anaya smiled softly, feeling a sense of warmth and acceptance from Komal's words. It wasn't the typical love story, but perhaps, in time, things would change.
As the day wore on, the excitement in the mansion continued to build. The designer arrived with the final touches for their outfits, and soon, the women were dressed in their finest sarees, adorned with jewelry that sparkled in the afternoon sun.
The dining room was prepared for the post-fast feast, with Komal overseeing every detail to ensure everything was perfect. The air was thick with the scent of marigold flowers and incense, creating an atmosphere of tradition and reverence.
Anaya, dressed in a deep maroon saree with gold embroidery, stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the necklace Komal had given her. She looked at herself, feeling both nervous and excited. This was her first Karwa Chauth, and though her relationship with Rudra was still complicated, she couldn't deny that she felt a growing connection to this family and its traditions.
As the moon began to rise, the women gathered outside on the balcony, their faces lit by the soft glow of candlelight. The fast would be broken soon, and the ritual would be complete.
Anaya stood beside Rakhi, holding the sieve in her hands as she looked up at the sky, searching for the moon. When she finally saw it, she smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her.
Rudra appeared beside her, his expression unreadable as always. But when he looked at her, there was something different in his eyes—a softness that hadn't been there before.
As she performed the final steps of the ritual, she caught his gaze and smiled. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new. Something real.
##To be continued...**