As Rajat stepped out of his room, he was enveloped in a warm and joyful atmosphere. The living room was abuzz with activity, as his family busied themselves preparing for the Grahpravesh ceremony. The air was thick with the sweet scent of incense and the soft murmur of chanting.

Savi stood at the doorway, a vision of elegance in her bridal attire. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as she chatted with Sai, Rajat's adorable daughter, who was bubbling with excitement. Sai's eyes shone with affection as she gazed up at Savi, her small hands clasped together in anticipation.

Bhagyashree, Rajat's mother, emerged from the kitchen, a warm smile on her face. She made her way to Rajat's side, her eyes shining with love and pride. She took his arm, her grasp firm but gentle, and guided him to stand alongside Savi.

"We don't want to hear that witch's name on this day," Bhagyashree said firmly, her voice low but determined. Her eyes flashed with a hint of anger, but her expression softened as she gazed at Savi. "Let's focus on the auspicious things first. Today is a new beginning for our family, and we want to fill it with love, laughter, and joy."

Tara, the eldest daughter, stepped forward, a warm smile on her face. She held a small tray with a diya, incense sticks, and a few sacred items. She began to perform the Aarti ceremony for Rajat and Savi, her hands moving gracefully as she chanted the sacred mantras. The soft glow of the diya illuminated Savi's face, casting a warm and golden light on her features.

Dolly Bua, Rajat's aunt, stood beside Savi, a gentle smile on her face. She handed Savi a small plate with vermilion powder and instructed her to kick the kalash, a traditional ritual symbolizing the bride's entry into her new home. Savi hesitated for a moment, her eyes meeting Rajat's, before gently kicking the kalash. The sound echoed through the room, followed by a soft cheer from the family.

As Savi stepped forward, Dolly Bua guided her to make a beautiful red footprint on the floor, marking her entry into the Thakkar household. The vermilion powder left a vibrant mark on the floor, a symbol of Savi's new beginning.

Bhagyashree's eyes lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "Laxmi aa gyi ji! Mithai baanton ji!" (The goddess of prosperity has arrived! Let's distribute sweets!) The room erupted into cheers and applause as the family welcomed Savi into their fold, showering her with love, blessings, and celebration.

As the celebrations continued, the family gathered around for the traditional ring-finding ritual, where a ring was submerged in a bowl of milk, and the newlyweds were tasked with finding it. The family cheered and chanted as Rajat and Savi dipped their hands into the bowl, their fingers searching for the elusive ring.

Savi's eyes sparkled with excitement as her fingers closed around the ring, and she held it up triumphantly. The family erupted into cheers and applause, congratulating Savi on her win.

As the family basked in the joy of the moment, Riddhi and Lucky, Rajat's siblings, began their playful banter. Riddhi teased Lucky about his lack of luck in finding the ring, while Lucky retaliated with jokes about Riddhi's clumsiness. The family laughed and joked, enjoying the lighthearted moment.

Bhagyashree, Rajat's mother, watched the scene unfold, a warm smile on her face. She felt a deep sense of joy and contentment, seeing her family happy and united. As she gazed around the room, her eyes lingered on each face, taking in the love and laughter that filled the space.

As the family celebrations continued, Bhagyashree's eyes wandered to a corner of the room, her gaze instinctively seeking out any negative energy that might be lurking. She felt a sudden surge of protectiveness towards her family, her heart whispering a silent prayer: "Kahin uske ghar ko kisi ki nazar na lag jaye" (May no evil eye fall upon my home).

With a subtle movement, Bhagyashree's hand rose to her forehead, her fingers instinctively forming a protective gesture, as if warding off any malevolent forces that might threaten her loved ones. Her eyes scanned the room once more, her expression serene but vigilant, ever watchful for any sign of negativity.

As the celebrations began to wind down, Riddhi and Tara, Rajat's sisters, approached Savi with warm smiles. "It's time for you to see your new room, bhabhi," Riddhi said, using the affectionate term for sister-in-law.

Tara nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's get you settled in. You must be exhausted after the wedding."

Savi smiled, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness as she followed Riddhi and Tara to her new room. The room was beautifully decorated, with flowers and candles adding a warm and intimate touch.

As they entered the room, Savi's eyes widened in surprise. The room was stunning, with a large bed adorned with intricate linens and a beautiful dressing table. Riddhi and Tara giggled as they saw Savi's reaction.

"We helped Maa decorate the room," Riddhi said, proudly. "We wanted to make it special for you and Rajat bhai."

Tara nodded in agreement. "Yes, we hope you'll be very happy here. This is your new home now, bhabhi."

"Thank you, Riddhi and Tara," Savi said, her voice filled with emotion. "This room is beautiful. I feel so lucky to be a part of this family."

As Riddhi and Tara showed Savi to her new room, she couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. She had married Rajat for Sai's sake, but she couldn't reveal her true motivations to his sisters.

Riddhi and Tara chattered excitedly, asking Savi about her favorite things and what she liked about the room. Savi forced a smile, pretending to be happy and excited about her new life.

"I love the flowers," Savi said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "They're so beautiful."

Tara beamed with pride. "We helped Maa arrange them. We wanted to make your first night special."

Savi's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. She couldn't let Riddhi and Tara suspect that she was only marrying Rajat for Sai's sake.

"Thank you, it's all so lovely," Savi said, trying to sound sincere.

Riddhi and Tara hugged Savi, welcoming her into their family. Savi hugged them back, feeling a twinge of guilt for pretending to be something she's not.

As Savi entered the room, she let out a soft sigh of relief. She was finally alone, away from the prying eyes and expectations of others. She looked around the room, taking in the elegant decor and the large bed that dominated the space.

Savi's gaze fell upon her reflection in the mirror, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection. The heavily embroidered wedding dress, the intricate jewelry, and the elaborate hairstyle all seemed to belong to someone else.

With a quiet determination, Savi began to undress, shedding the layers of fabric and ornamentation that had weighed her down all day. She slipped off the heavy jewelry, letting it clatter onto the dresser, and began to unpin her hair, letting it fall loose around her shoulders.

As she changed into a simple nightgown, Savi felt a sense of liberation wash over her. She was finally free to be herself, without the burden of expectations and tradition.

"Just change these clothes once and for all," Savi told herself, smiling wryly as she slipped into the nightgown. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing that she could finally be herself, without the trappings of her wedding day.

........

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