The Raghuvansh family was buzzing with excitement as they prepared to visit Aman Rathore's house to congratulate Priya on her upcoming wedding. The atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation, and Shivansh could feel the vibrant energy pulsing through their home. It was a special occasion, and everyone was in high spirits.
As they arrived at Aman's house, the lively chatter and laughter greeted them. The house was beautifully decorated, reflecting the festive mood. The Raghuvansh family was welcomed warmly, and soon, the room was filled with the sound of cheerful conversations and heartfelt greetings.
Shivansh's grandfather, Amendra Singh Raghuvansh, took Priya's hands in his, blessing her with a smile. "May you have a life filled with happiness and love, dear Priya. You are like a daughter to us, and we are so happy for you."
"Thank you, Dadaji," Priya replied, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "Your blessings mean the world to me."
Meanwhile, the brothers had gathered around, teasing both Priya and Aman with playful banter. "Priya, are you ready to handle Ayush's tantrums?" Ekansh teased, winking at her.
"And Ayush better be ready to handle Priya's shopping sprees," Rivaan added, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
Aman, pretending to be serious, said, "Shivansh, maybe it's time for you to get married too. Priya's already getting hitched, and here you are, still single. What's the hold-up?"
Shivansh laughed, shaking his head. "Patience, Aman. All in good time. Besides, who would want to marry an old man like me when they can have you youngsters?"
"Right, because we all know the ladies are lining up for old men like us," Abhiraj added, winking.
Priya, not one to be left out, joined in the teasing. "Come on, Shivansh, you need to settle down before all your hair turns gray. And Aman, stop dodging the question. When are you tying the knot?"
Aman chuckled, "Well, I'm waiting for Shivansh to find someone first. If he can do it, then there's hope for me too."
The room filled with laughter again, and Shivansh couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. The camaraderie and love among them were palpable, and it warmed his heart.
They continued to tease Priya, throwing in Ayush's name every chance they got. "Priya, do you know what Ayush's favorite breakfast is? You better learn to make it," Abhiraj said with a mischievous grin.
Priya playfully rolled her eyes. "I think I'll manage, Abhiraj. But thanks for the tip."
Just then, Priya's parental aunt entered the room, her expression sour. She had always been a thorn in the family's side, and today was no exception. Her disapproval of Priya's marriage to Ayush was well-known, as she had wanted Priya to marry her brother-in-law's son instead.
"What's all this noise about?" the aunt sneered, looking around. "I saw Ayush today, by the way. He was with a girl in a café, very close, holding hands and hugging. Seems like your perfect groom isn't so perfect after all."
Her words were laced with sarcasm and taunts, aimed at sowing discord. The room fell silent, the cheerful atmosphere momentarily dampened by her cutting remarks. Shivansh's brothers exchanged looks, and Priya's face paled for a moment before she regained her composure.
"Oh, really? Holding hands and hugging?" Rivaan quipped, "Maybe he was just practicing for the wedding!"
Ekansh snickered, "Or maybe he's getting his last-minute flirting done before tying the knot."
The aunt scoffed, clearly annoyed by their nonchalant responses. "I'm serious. I saw them with my own eyes. They were very close, and it didn't look like just a friendly hug."
Priya, maintaining her calm, addressed her aunt, "Auntie, I trust Ayush completely. He's a good man, and I know he wouldn't do anything to hurt me. Thank you for your concern, but we are happy with our decision."
The aunt's expression hardened. "Well, let's see how long this trust lasts. I was just trying to look out for you, dear."
"Looking out for her or hoping your plan B would get another chance?" Abhinav muttered under his breath.
Before anyone could respond, the front door opened, and Ayush walked in. He had come to share important news about their upcoming tilak ceremony. He noticed the tension in the room and quickly pieced together what had happened.
"Auntie, with all due respect, Sanjana is a very close friend of mine. She came all the way from London to attend my wedding. There's nothing inappropriate about our friendship, and I won't tolerate any bad words against her," Ayush said, his voice firm and unwavering.
The aunt looked taken aback by Ayush's directness. "Oh, so that's the girl's name, is it? Sanjana?"
"Yes, and she means a lot to me. She's like family. I expect you to show her the same respect you would show any of us," Ayush continued, his gaze unwavering.
The aunt muttered something under her breath, but she didn't press the matter further. The room was silent for a moment before Ayush turned to Priya, his expression softening.
"I came to tell you all that our tilak ceremony has been arranged for tomorrow, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, by our kulguru," Ayush announced, his voice filled with excitement.
Priya's face lit up with joy. "That's wonderful news, Ayush! I can't wait."
"And there's more," Ayush added, smiling. "Sanjana will be there tomorrow for the ceremony. I want everyone to meet her."
The room buzzed with renewed excitement, and the tension from the aunt's words melted away. The Raghuvansh family was eager to meet Sanjana, the woman who had come all the way to India to support Ayush.
As the evening progressed, the lively conversations and laughter resumed. Shivansh couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. He was happy for Priya and Ayush, but he also felt a sense of protectiveness towards Sanjana. She was important to Ayush, and by extension, to him as well.
Later, as the families prepared to leave, Shivansh found himself lost in thought. The evening had been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it had also reaffirmed the bonds of love and trust that held their families together. He looked forward to the tilak ceremony and the chance to meet Sanjana. There was something about her, something that intrigued him.
The next morning, the palace was abuzz with activity as preparations for the tilak ceremony began. The festival of Raksha Bandhan held special significance for the Raghuvansh family, symbolizing the bond between brothers and sisters. Shivansh's thoughts drifted to the conversations from the previous night and the promise of meeting Sanjana.
As the family gathered for breakfast, Shivansh's grandfather spoke, his voice filled with wisdom and warmth. "Today is a special day, a day to honor our traditions and the bonds that unite us. Let us prepare for the ceremony with hearts full of love and respect."
The family nodded in agreement, and the preparations continued with renewed vigor. Shivansh helped his brothers with the arrangements, ensuring that everything was perfect for the occasion. There was an air of excitement and anticipation, not just for the ceremony, but for the chance to meet the woman who had come all the way to be a part of their celebration.
As the day progressed, Shivansh couldn't help but think about the encounter with Priya's aunt. Her words had been hurtful, but Priya's calm response and Ayush's firm defense of Sanjana had shown the strength of their bonds. Shivansh admired Priya's resilience and Ayush's loyalty, and he felt a sense of pride in being a part of such a strong and loving family.