Sudha's condition these past few weeks was no less than a mess. She couldn't come to the conclusion that she is finally going to get married and was about to leave the house she had always been her lifetime. It was sometimes hard for her to sleep thinking that she would be sleeping alone without her grandmother. She could easily say that her grandmother was just as a mess as she was.
Everyday passed by with preparations to the marriage and bringing new things deeply disappointing sudha that she will be sent off. Although she was not loved by her step mother and sister she would miss them too. They would not really talk to her but their mere presence is what she will miss.
Her brother Raghu did not attend her engagement because of his exams and she was awaiting his arrival. One fine day she was folding clothes and thinking about something when someone closed her eyes from behind. She jerked the strangers hands away and stood up abruptly making an attempt to get away.
" Surprise didi " Raghu, her brother said making her instantly calm down.
" Oh my God Raghu. You finally arrived " she said and engulfed him.
" How are you didi? " he asked.
" Don't call me didi. You didn't attend the most important day of my life and dare to call me didi " she said angrily pushing him away placing her hands on her hips. He put his hands on his ears.
" It was not intentional didi. My exams came around the same time your engagement and I could not miss them and moreover your biggest day is still there " he said smiling and sudha could not be upset with him more. She removed his hands from his ears and smiled.
" Now that you finally accepted my apology can I get your hand made fritters. It's been very long since I tasted them " he said pouting. She nodded and started her way towards kitchen.
Meanwhile Raghu met his other family members and came back to kitchen to see his sister working very precisely. After few minutes she was done and took the bowl in her hand to exit kitchen.
" What are you looking at? Huh? Come and eat them already " she instructed Raghu when she saw him.
" Can I join too? " Dadi asked coming from behind Raghu. Three of them sat in the kitchen itself and started munching fritters. Raghu kept praising sudha for making such delicious fritters.
" Tell me how's jiju? " He asked suddenly making her food stuck in her throat.
" That.. " she was saying but unable to form words while her dadi sighed.
" What are you even asking her Raghu? She didn't even see her husband " she said making a mad face.
" What? Aren't you engaged to him already? " He asked confused.
" I am engaged " she said and showed her kangan to him.
" Then why dadi is saying you didn't see jiju? " He asked to which sudha kept stuttering.
" What will she say Raghu? Her aunt asked her to keep her eyes low so she didn't even see who is she going to marry. And you know she promised to see him on marriage day. How thoughtful. Isn't she? " Dadi said sarcastically making Raghu burst in laughter while sudha pouted and kept her head low.
After quality time all the three left to their respective works.
Days passed in a blur as sudha was busy with going to the tailor shop to get her clothes stitched. Her step mother bought her a few sarees while they went shopping leaving sudha at home. Although she was upset, she was later overwhelmed that her sister came and handed her the shopping bags containing clothes. They even brought new sarees for her grandmother who was also very happy.
It was just a few days before wedding when all the house started buzzing with relatives. The house was completely covered with serial lights and during night it looked like a shining star.
On the day of mehendi her aunty did the rituals and started the ceremony. Her sister and she were made to sit side by side and both of their hands were covered with beautiful designs by her cousins.
Even on the day of haldi both of them were applied with haldi by all the ladies and later it was fun. Everyone started playing with haldi making it into holi festival. Everyone were happy but her dadi was just sitting in a corner and laughing. Deep inside she was dreading that her sudha will be away from her from now on. Although she kept a straight face while looking after the arrangements she was getting emotional seeing her granddaughters getting married soon.
On the day of wedding both the bride's got up early and did the rituals. After the rituals were completed they were to wear the sarees brought by her in laws which arrived a few minutes ago.
" Here are the things you need to wear " said someone with a warm smile. She nodded and took the huge plate containing the clothes and accessories and entered into her room. Her aunt's sister in law was with her to help her wear everything. As everyone were busy getting ready for the wedding it was only her who came forward to help her. She is a nice lady and always loved her.
" Wear these on sudha " she said after she wore saree handing her the jewellery.
After whe was done with jewellery she did her hair and put flowers and also some accessories in hair. She even did her makeup and nodded after a satisfied sigh. Sudha looked at herself and found herself looking beautiful and hugged her gratefully. She made sudha sit on the bed and sudha looked at her confused. 'It's time for the wedding now' Sudha thought.

Sudha's POV:

" I need to talk to you for a moment sudha " she said to which I nodded. She held my hands in her and spoke.
" Look from now on you are going to be someone's wife, someone's daughter in law. You will no longer be a daughter to this house alone but instead you will be wrapped with different people and relationships. And these new relationships are more important to you. You maybe hurt sometimes but trust me you should believe in yourself and move on. You can't be stuck there and keep thinking why did this happen to me. You have to just allow yourself to think that this is life and life will move on no matter what. I am sure your parents will always be there to support and care you but the support you receive from your husband is what will make you strong. So always be a strength to your husband and he in return will reciprocate it. Don't think anything other than your relationship. This might be new to you but trust me everyone should face this and this new beginning is what defines who you are in future. This new beginning is what tells what beholds you in someone's life. I don't know how you have been till now but now I want you to be strong as well as happy. Don't take things too seriously and go with the flow " she said and I was lost in her words. All the words she said felt like a lesson to me and I will keep them close to my heart. I nodded at her.
" And one more important thing. I think you do not know but from today you will be sleeping with your husband " she said and I gasped at the new information.
" Relax Sudha. It's not like you are sleeping with a ghost " she chuckled.
" And remember he has every right over you. To touch you, to feel you and to sleep with you. Allow him to do whatever he wishes for. Do not stop him and at the same time do not stop yourself from enjoying it. I hope you will understand it soon " she said and I got tensed.
" Wi...will be hurt me? " I asked not able to control my feelings.
" Oh no sudha it's not like that. It might be painful in the beginning but you will get to enjoy it " she winked and I looked at her with anticipation.
" Painful? " I asked.
" I said don't think too much and you already started thinking. Just go with the flow. You will get used to it " she said and made me stand saying it's time to go to the mandap.
Although my mind was completely frozen from the previous information I somehow managed to put on a small smile and came out. Dadi got emotional and hugged me and later I was taken to the mandap where my husband was sitting already.
As I was veiled I could not see him properly but I can see I am beside him now. My hands started to sweat and I was highly tensed.
Panditji asked to forward my hand and I did it. Due to my shivering I was slow. He slowly placed my hand in my husband's hand and I felt warmth spreading through my veins. He held my hand lightly and still I was not able to makeout  his face.
Panditji asked him to tie the nuptial chain around my neck when my veil was pushed back by my aunt. He took it and brought it in front of my neck. I dared to look at his face and stunned. He is the same person whom I saw that day. The same attractive person I saw and ran to my room. My eyes got stuck to him while he looked into my eyes for a few seconds and put sindoor in my hair partition before sitting beside me. We got up and did pheras holding hands but I couldn't think anything clearly. All I could think is I am his wife now completely and I will be in his room from now on. That thought alone gave me goosebumps and I tried to avoid them as much as possible.
After all the rituals were performed we took blessings from the elders. We were made to sit in the front row as now Radha's wedding will commence. When it was auspicious time she was also wedded and we both are officially married women.
When I was busy looking at them I felt his eyes on me. An unknown blush crept on my cheeks and I lowered my head.
Then everyone had lunch together. I was very hungry as I was not allowed to eat since morning. I ignored who looked at me and started eating but I can feel eyes on me and the owner of it.
It was evening till all the post marriage rituals were completed and it was finally bidaai time.
I started crying looking at dadi and I don't know how long we embraced eachother while crying. Then Raghu also cried hugging me. Papa hugged me and said some soothing words although I can see tears in his eyes. My step mother blessed me when I hugged her and I just thanked her.
We were made to sit in the bus which was from the groom's side. I sat near the window and waved my hand until I could no longer see them. I was still sniffing when I heard him from beside.
" Do not cry. Hear take this " he gave me his handkerchief and I nodded. It was already night and all the people in the bus were sleeping or talking inaudibly due to exhaustion and tiredness from journey.
I was still in my own thoughts when I felt someone keeping hand on my shoulder and I shuddered.
" Relax it's just me " he said and I nodded. It weirdly felt good to be near him but at the same time I am worried about what's going to be later.
We reached my new home and was allowed to enter after few rituals. We both stepped inside with hands interlinked. I was trying to take my hand away but he held it firmly.
I didn't understand the reason for his gesture but I kept mum.
I was just tired from the journey but all these new things made me restless.

This is it for this chapter...
Let's see what awaits her next 😁😉
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