The next morning felt surreal. I sat in front of the mirror, dressed in my bridal attire, barely recognizing the girl staring back at me. The intricate red lehenga, the delicate jewelry, the soft glow on my face-I couldn't believe how much I had grown up, and here I was, getting married today. A mix of emotions flooded my heart: excitement, nervousness, happiness, and a little bit of fear too.
Just then, my parents entered the room, their eyes filled with both pride and sadness. They looked at me and for a moment, none of us could speak. My mother's eyes brimmed with tears, while my father tried to maintain a brave face, but I could see the emotion in his eyes too.
"Humari bachi kitni badi ho gayi...," my mother whispered, her voice trembling.
"Maa, please don't cry," I said, feeling a lump form in my throat as I stood up to hug her. My father joined in the hug, and the three of us stood there for a while, sharing a bittersweet moment, knowing this was the last time I'd be with them as their little girl.
Before the emotions could overwhelm me completely, my bhabhi entered the room with a big smile. "Ananya, don't be so nervous. Just stay calm and enjoy every moment. Sab theek hoga," she said, gently rubbing my arm to soothe me.
Her words and presence did calm me a bit. After taking a few deep breaths and composing myself, I was ready. The time had come. I walked down the stairs, my heart racing, but as soon as I reached the mandap and saw Devyansh, everything else faded away. He looked regal, like a king straight out of a fairytale, sitting there in his sherwani, the glow from the holy fire enhancing his already handsome features.
Our eyes met, and in that moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I couldn't break the eye contact, nor did I want to. I walked toward him slowly, my gaze locked with his, and finally took my seat beside him. The rituals began, but I could barely focus on what the pandit was saying. My emotions were running high, and tears welled up in my eyes for reasons I couldn't even explain-maybe it was the nervousness, the overwhelming joy, or just the realization of how big this moment truly was.
Sensing my emotions, Devyansh gently took my hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly. I looked at him, and he was staring at me with so much love and admiration, as if I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. "Aaj toh aap khoobsurat se bhi zyada lag rahi hain, jaan," he whispered, his voice laced with affection, instantly calming the storm in my heart.
As we stood up for the pheras, he didn't let go of my hand. His touch was warm, firm, and protective, making me feel safe and cherished in front of everyone. My cheeks warmed up with shyness as I realized everyone was watching us, but with him by my side, I knew I could handle anything.
Each step around the fire was a promise, a vow to be together, no matter what life brought our way. With every mantra chanted, I felt more connected to Devyansh, our bond deepening with each passing moment. And amidst all the sacred rituals, his loving presence and that comforting grip on my hand reminded me that I wasn't alone-he was there, now and always.
As the sacred rituals drew to a close, the pandit handed Devyansh the sindoor, and with utmost care, he gently parted my hair and filled my mang with it. My heart skipped a beat as that deep red color marked the beginning of our journey as husband and wife. I felt a rush of emotions-happiness, a sense of belonging, and the weight of the new life I was stepping into.
Next, he took the mangalsutra, his fingers brushing against my skin as he secured it around my neck. That simple black-beaded chain held so much meaning, a symbol that I was now completely his. The world around us seemed to blur as he whispered, "Ab aap sirf meri hain, jaan." His voice was laced with both possessiveness and love, sending a shiver down my spine.
The rituals ended, and before I knew it, the moment I had been dreading finally arrived-my vidai. Tears welled up in my eyes as the realization hit me hard. I was leaving behind everything familiar-my home, my parents, my memories-and stepping into a new chapter. I hugged my parents tightly, sobbing uncontrollably as they tried to comfort me. My mother's voice broke as she whispered, "Apna khayal rakhna, beta. Hum sab tumhe bahut miss karenge."
It felt like my heart was being torn in two as I clung to them one last time, knowing I would no longer call this place home. My father's eyes were moist, but he held back his tears, placing a reassuring hand on my head and saying, "Apni zindagi mein khush rehna, Ananya."
With a heavy heart, I bid goodbye to everyone and walked towards the car with Devyansh by my side. As we settled inside, I could no longer hold back the tears. They flowed freely as I looked out the window, watching them slowly disappear from view.
Devyansh gently pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around me in a comforting embrace. "Rona band kariye, jaan. I know it's hard, but aapka saath hamesha meri zindagi mein hi rahega," he said softly, his voice filled with understanding.
I leaned into his shoulder, trying to calm myself. His words slowly started to soothe the ache in my heart. He kept murmuring reassuring words, gently wiping away my tears whenever they fell. I felt his warmth, his support, and the promise in his every touch.
After a while, I managed to stop crying, taking a deep breath as I let go of the pain. I looked up at him, and he gave me a small smile, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "Aapne sab kuch chhod diya mere liye, toh meri zimmedari hai ki aapko hamesha khush rakhun."
In that moment, I realized that no matter how difficult this transition was, I wasn't alone. Devyansh was there with me, ready to face whatever came our way together. And with that thought, I finally allowed myself to relax, knowing that this new journey, with all its unknowns, would be filled with love, understanding, and his unwavering support.
As soon as we reached his house-well, our house now-Devyansh stepped out of the car first and then turned to help me. The lehenga was so heavy, and I felt completely drained from the day's events. Whether it was the tiredness or all the crying, I couldn't really tell. All I wanted was to lay down on a bed and close my eyes for a while. With every step towards the entrance, I could feel the exhaustion weighing on me.
Just then, my feet slipped slightly on the marble floor, and I nearly lost my balance. But before I could even process what was happening, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Devyansh had scooped me up into his arms as if I weighed nothing. For a moment, everything felt surreal-like I was floating in the air.
I stared at him, utterly embarrassed, and whispered urgently, "Please, aap mujhe neeche utariye, sab kya soch rahe honge?"
But he didn't even acknowledge my plea, his grip on me only tightening as he carried me towards the doorstep. I could hear our cousins giggling and passing playful comments, clearly enjoying the scene. My face burned with embarrassment, and I buried it in Devyansh's chest, praying for this moment to pass quickly.
Finally, at the doorstep, he gently put me down, holding me steady as I found my footing. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, and the younger ones teasing us mercilessly. "Wah, wah, kya entry hai, bhaiya-bhabhi ki!" someone called out, making me want to disappear on the spot. Devyansh just smirked, clearly unfazed, while I stood there blushing furiously.
We moved forward to the entrance rituals. His mother performed the aarti, and I kicked the kalash, making my formal entry into the house. The entire time, I could feel Devyansh's hand resting on my back, a silent reassurance amidst all the newness around me.
Once inside, I finally had a chance to look around. And let me tell you, this wasn't just any house-it was a full-blown mansion! Chandeliers, luxurious furniture, grand staircases-everything was straight out of a royal movie set. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, thinking, *This is my new home?*
As I stood there in awe, Devyansh leaned in and whispered, "Kaisa laga, aapka naya ghar?"
I looked up at him, still trying to process everything, and managed to smile. "It's... it's huge! I'm still wrapping my head around it."
He chuckled, clearly amused at my wide-eyed reaction. "Aap mere saath hain, bas yeh yaad rakhiye. Baaki sab sambhal jayega."
His words made me feel a little less intimidated by the grandeur around me. This was a new beginning-our beginning-and I knew that as long as Devyansh was by my side, everything would eventually fall into place, no matter how overwhelming it seemed at first.