"I also arrived up to surprise you with a gift."
Rajeev continued. He gave her a gift in a box as well. Gowthami accepted the gift and gave it a close inspection.
"What is this, Rajeev? It seems really important and fascinating. What's inside that?"
"You may find out by just opening it."
"Alright, hold on," was the response. Gowthami was shocked when she unwrapped the present package.
Gowthami took the box, her fingers tracing the delicate patterns etched into the wood. She could feel the weight of the moment as she carefully lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in a bed of soft velvet, was a set of exquisite jewelry—an intricately designed necklace with matching earrings and bangles—and a beautifully folded saree, its rich, deep color shimmering under the light.
She looked up at Rajeev, her eyes wide with wonder and curiosity. "This is beautiful, Rajeev," she whispered. "But… whose jewelry is this? And the saree?"
Rajeev's expression softened even further as he stepped closer to her, his voice tender as he explained, "This wedding garment and its ornaments pertain to my mum. In fact, mothers-in-law offer their beloved daughters-in-law their jewels as is traditional for me. My mother got the piece of jewelry from my grandma, and I'm carrying it forward for you now. They must be worn to our wedding."
Gowthami's breath hitched slightly at the mention of Rajeev's mother. Though she had never met her, she felt a deep sense of reverence for the woman who had raised the man she was about to marry.
Rajeev continued, his voice now tinged with a gentle sadness. "Since my mother is no longer with us, it falls on me to give these to you. It's her way of being a part of our marriage, of welcoming you into our family. This jewelry… this saree… they are more than just heirlooms. They are symbols of the love and blessings she would have showered upon you if she were here."
Gowthami's eyes filled with unshed tears, touched by the significance of the gift. She ran her fingers lightly over the jewelry, feeling the history and love imbued in each piece. Then, she gently unfolded the saree, revealing its intricate design and rich, deep color—a color that seemed to hold memories of a time gone by.
Gowthami asked Rajeev about wearing her mother's wedding garment to the event. "Does putting this garment also have a customs?"
Rajeev shook his head slowly, his gaze meeting hers with a tender intensity. "No, it's not a tradition," he replied, "This is my mom's wedding attire,If you could don it , Gowthami, it will assist in making me sense that my mom was additionally participating at the day of our marriage. My mother could be in this room, therefore I'd love to check out you donning this garment. "
The sincerity in his voice, the depth of his emotions, wrapped around Gowthami like a warm embrace. She could see how much this meant to him—how this saree and jewelry represented a connection to the mother he had lost, and how he wanted to honor her memory on their wedding day.
Without hesitation, she nodded, her heart swelling with love and respect for the man standing before her , "I would ultimately dress the garment to our wedding," while holding the dress in her palms.
Rajeev's eyes shone with gratitude, and he reached out to cup her face gently in his hands. "Thank you, Gowthami," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for making this day even more special. I know my mother would have loved you as much as I do."
Rajeev received Gowthami nicely while mesmerizingly focused on her eyes. He afterwards drew nearer to her and kissed her. Really controlled, that one.
In that moment, they both knew that their bond had deepened even further. The saree and jewelry had become more than just wedding attire—they were now a symbol of the love and connection that transcended time, bringing together the past, present, and future in a single, beautiful moment.
Rajeev was given a bear hug by Gowthami, who said, "You know Rajeev, I'm pretty glad to hear about all the wedding customs you revealed to me and iam quite enthusiastic."
Rajeev gently cradled Gowthami's face in his hands, his touch tender and filled with love. His voice dropped to a soft, intimate murmur as he spoke, "I'm waiting for the day when we get married, Gowthami." The anticipation in his tone was palpable, each word a promise of the life they would soon share together.
Gowthami, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion in Rajeev's voice, felt her heart swell. Her eyes fluttered closed, lost in the moment, as she leaned into his touch, trusting and vulnerable. Seeing her like this, Rajeev felt an irresistible pull. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this quiet, tender moment. He moved closer, his breath mingling with hers, and slowly, he closed the distance between them, his lips brushing hers softly.
Just as he was about to kiss her, the door to the room burst open, shattering the intimate silence. A chorus of voices erupted, cutting through the air with a mix of teasing and reprimand. "You are not allowed to touch Gowthami!" The loud exclamation was led by Sashi, followed by the mischievous chuckles of Abhi and Ram.
Startled, Rajeev jerked back, his lips just inches from Gowthami's. He spun around to face the intruders, a look of frustration and embarrassment crossing his face. His moment of private tenderness with Gowthami had been thoroughly disrupted.
Gowthami's eyes flew open at the sudden interruption, and she blushed deeply, her cheeks flushing a rosy pink as she realized how close they had come to sharing another kiss. She quickly looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment, but the playful grins on Sashi, Abhi, and Ram's faces made it impossible to escape the situation.
Sashi, always the one to lead the teasing, stepped forward with a mock-serious expression. "Rajeev," she scolded lightly, wagging a finger at him, "you know the rules! You're not allowed to kiss or even touch Gowthami until the wedding is over. And here you are, trying to sneak one in. Shame on you!"
Abhi and Ram nodded in exaggerated agreement, their eyes twinkling with amusement. "Exactly," Ram chimed in, barely able to keep a straight face. "We've got our eyes on you, Rajeev. No funny business until you're officially married!"
Rajeev sighed in mock defeat, shaking his head at the group who had clearly conspired to keep him on his toes. "You guys are impossible," he grumbled, though the hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He glanced at Gowthami, who was still blushing furiously, and gave her a helpless shrug, as if to say, *What can we do?*