Author pov

As the night settled in, everyone gathered to prepare for the journey to Bagru.

The family's cars lined up in a quiet row, their headlights cutting through the darkness as one by one, they began the long drive to the village.

Rudransh sat in the back seat of the leading car, looking outwardly calm, though his mind was anything but.

He knew he had to respect his grandfather's wishes, yet the suddenness of it all-leaving behind his business, the comforts of his life in the city, and moving to a place he rarely visited-made him feel uneasy.

And there was also Vanya, his new wife, someone he barely knew and hadn't been ready to share a life with just yet.

He couldn't quite place what he felt about her; a strange mixture of frustration, curiosity, and an unfamiliar pull toward her lingered in his mind.

Vanya sat quietly beside him, gazing out the window at the dark landscape that was slowly becoming more rural, the buildings of the city giving way to open fields and quiet stretches of land.

Her hands rested in her lap, and every now and then, she would adjust her dupatta, as if making sure she was presentable even while they were alone in the car.

She was feeling anxious-leaving behind her work and life as she knew it was a big decision. Yet she had agreed without hesitation, knowing that if Rudransh could leave his work for his family, she too could set aside her own ambitions to honor his grandfather's wish.

Her commitment to her new family felt right, and it gave her strength.

Rudransh occasionally stole glances at her. There was something about her calm presence that intrigued him, and he found himself observing the small details of her-how she gently held her hands together, how she seemed at peace despite the uncertainty ahead, and the soft, subtle fragrance she wore.

He tried to shake off the thoughts, yet something kept drawing his attention back to her.

The silence in the car felt heavy, not awkward but filled with thoughts they both kept to themselves.

Neither spoke, both lost in their own reflections. Rudransh found himself wondering if Bagru would be the same as he remembered from the few times he had visited as a child.

Vanya, meanwhile, thought about what it would mean to make a home in the village, where everything would be different and life would move slower.

The drive seemed endless, the city lights fading into the distance as they entered the quiet, dark roads leading to Bagru.

The vast fields stretched out on both sides, occasionally broken by clusters of trees or small houses dimly lit by lanterns. The night air was still, and only the low hum of the car engine filled the space between them.

They both stared out into the night, each wondering what this journey might mean for their future together.

As the car continued, they slowly began to settle into the idea that Bagru was going to be a new beginning for them.

This wasn't just a drive to a place, but a journey into a life they would have to face together, with all its challenges, unknowns, and perhaps, possibilities.

Neither of them knew exactly what awaited them, but in the stillness of the night, there was a quiet understanding that they would soon discover it together.

The silence in the car was broken by a soft, hesitant voice. "Rudransh ji..."

Hearing her call his name for the first time, Rudransh felt an unexpected warmth wash over him.

Her voice was gentle, almost soothing, and somehow, it stirred something inside him.

Even though her face was hidden beneath the veil, he found himself staring in her direction, unable to pull his attention away from her.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't immediately register her next words. Vanya hesitated, then repeated, "Rudransh ji..."

Her voice brought him back to reality, and he blinked, quickly regaining his composure. "Yes?" he asked, trying to sound calm.

She looked down slightly and said, "I... I need to use the restroom."

The simple request made him feel a strange sense of protectiveness. Clearing his throat, he turned to the driver. "Stop at the nearest dhaba," he instructed.

The driver nodded and soon pulled off the road at a small, quiet dhaba that seemed to be just what Vanya needed.

The other cars continued ahead to give them a bit of privacy, unaware of the subtle tension between the two newlyweds.

As they stopped, Rudransh got out, motioning toward the washroom area with a brief nod.

Vanya quietly thanked him and headed inside, while Rudransh leaned back against the car, unexpectedly still thinking about the softness of her voice.

He felt an odd urge to hear it again, but he pushed the thought aside, reminding himself that he barely knew her.

As she returned, he couldn't resist the faint feeling of intrigue growing within him, knowing that he might just be seeing a different side of her sooner than he thought.

As Rudransh saw Vanya's figure moving closer, he heard her saying, "Thank you,".

An unexpected sense of peace washed over him, as if just being near her was somehow calming.

He glanced around, noting the first hints of dawn beginning to break across the sky. Realizing he hadn't eaten since last night, he hesitated, then asked, "Do you...want something to eat?"

She paused, seemingly deep in thought, before shaking her head slightly. "I don't know what rituals or prayers might be needed once we arrive at home,"

she said softly, "so it's better if I wait. But... you should eat if you're hungry."

Her thoughtfulness caught him off guard. He decided he could still eat, even if she didn't want to.

As he started toward the dhaba's reception area, he noticed Vanya returning to the car. The idea of her sitting alone with the driver didn't sit right with him, so he stopped, glancing back at her.

"Come with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Even if you're not eating."

Vanya quietly nodded and followed him.

At the reception, they were greeted by an elderly man who was already preparing food for the day.

Rudransh asked, " Khamma Ghani , Kaka. Do you have anything ready to eat?"

The old man gave him a warm smile. " Ghani Khamma beto. Just a bit longer. Kadhi is ready, but the kachoris need to be fried. Please, take a seat on that cot for a few minutes," he said, pointing toward a shaded spot near a field.

Rudransh nodded, and the two of them made their way over. They sat on the cot, the early morning silence settling around them, carrying the soft hum of nature waking up.

The quiet stretched between them, filling the air with a subtle tension neither of them acknowledged but both felt.

The moments stretched on, but neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.

The silence between them finally broke when an old man from the dhaba brought two plates of steaming kadhi and kachori.

Rudransh thanked him, then asked the man to give one of the plates to the driver. He began eating, savoring each bite, while Vanya sat beside him quietly.

The smell of the food filled the air, tempting her with each passing moment, but she held herself back. She reminded herself of the rituals she might need to observe when they reached the village and decided it was best not to eat.

As the sun started to rise, soft pink and golden light spread over the fields, casting a beautiful glow on everything around them.

Feeling drawn to the view, Vanya stood up from the cot and wandered closer to the field to enjoy it. She kept her veil on but lifted it just slightly, letting the cool morning air touch her face as she took in the peaceful scene around her.

The sunrise over the fields was breathtaking-the sky was painted with gentle shades of pink, fog lay low over the crops, and birds chirped softly in the distance.

A light breeze rustled through the plants, making her feel calm and free, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

It was a rare moment for her to take a breath and enjoy the beauty of nature, away from all the worries and pressures of her new life.

She stood there, lost in thought, until she heard a gentle clearing of a throat behind her.

Quickly, she pulled her veil down and turned to see Rudransh waiting for her. He had finished eating and was ready to get going.

Trying to hide her surprise, she nodded, and they both walked back to the car.

After Rudransh paid for the food, they got back into the car and resumed their journey.

The ride was quiet, but the silence between them now felt different. There was something unspoken in the air, a sense of connection they couldn't ignore.

Though they didn't exchange words, both were aware of each other's presence in a way they hadn't been before , slowly and silently they reached their destination.

As soon as Rudransh and Vanya arrived at the family estate, the whole household quickly got ready to give them a grand Rajputi welcome.

The entrance to the house was beautifully decorated with bright marigold garlands and colorful rangoli designs on the ground.

An impressive archway with flowers and traditional decorations marked the doorway, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

A group of women dressed in vibrant lehengas and chunaris gathered to greet the couple with cheerful folk songs.

Their joyful voices filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere. The sound of drums and dhols created a lively rhythm, celebrating their Rajasthani culture.

Men in traditional outfits danced energetically, waving colorful umbrellas (chhatris) and twirling their turbans with pride.

As Vanya took her first step onto the red carpet, Maa Sa and Tai sa approached her with a silver thali that held everything needed for a welcome-kumkum (red powder), rice, a small diya (lamp), and rose petals.

Maa Sa gently placed a tika of kumkum on Rudransh's forehead and performed a ceremonial aarti, welcoming her into the family.

Rose petals were softly showered over both Vanya and Rudransh, symbolizing blessings and happiness.

Dadi Sa stood beside Maa Sa, nodding with approval and guiding them forward.

They approached a small pot of rice placed at the entrance. Vanya pushed it forward with her foot as she stepped inside, representing her role in bringing good fortune into her new home.

Young children from the village gathered around, clapping and cheering, while the elders offered heartfelt blessings to the couple.

The sweet scent of incense and rose petals filled the air, mixing with the lively sounds of folk music.

Every detail reflected a sense of unity and tradition, warmly welcoming Rudransh and Vanya into the beauty of their ancestral home, where old customs and modern lives blended together harmoniously.

Rudransh's eye landed on his Tau ji , Sarpanch of Bagro Village, Thakur Mahaveer Chippa .

He hadn't been able to attend the wedding due to her duties as Sarpanch.

Tau ji stepped forward and said "Rudransh beta, I couldn't be there for your wedding, but my blessings have always been with you," he said warmly, his voice rich with affection.

He felt a swell of respect for his Tauji as he is seeing him after years.

"It's good to see you, Tauji," Rudransh replied while touching his feet, managing a genuine smile.

Dadi Sa looked at Rudransh and Vanya with a warm smile. "Alright, Rudransh and Vanya, go freshen up now. You'll both need to be here shortly for more rituals. The whole village of Bagru is excited to meet you."

Then, turning to Tara, Dadi Sa added, "Tara, please take Vanya to her room."

Tara nodded obediently, gesturing for her to follow her.

Vanya started following Tara down the hallway, feeling both the excitement and anticipation of all that lay ahead in this new chapter of her lives.