/BOOK 2 - PROPOSAL SERIES/
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Starting fresh, starting new is never easy. Not when you leave a major part of yourself back and locked in chains of the past.
Mahira comes to Mumbai - unplanned, unguided. She strives to make a life here with more wo...
Two garlands were passed to them both, Mahira kept her eyes down as the ritual started, her hair strands falling in front, covering her face still She could feel his gaze on her as he stood infront of her, his body tense and warm.
Vandita covered Mahira’s head with a red veil and the priest lit the holy fire, chanting mantras.
“You look beautiful” He whispered and her breath hitched, his low drawl making her stomach churn along with the anxiety.
“You look good too” She muttered under her breathe, gathering her confidence she looked up, towards him, in his eyes.
“White suits you Ira” His voice lowered. He raised the garland up, her lips curved at the side as he made her wear it. She followed.
The black pools were inviting her, cajoling her brown eyes to not look away.. they seemed to be glowing because of the fire but the darkness evident in them, just like the night. Their wasn’t a single readable emotion in them but they were attractive and enchanting. They forced her to loose herself in them and forget the world.
She almost did until a click resonated, followed by a clearing of throat. She snapped back and turned towards the priest who looked at them in a bored manner, as if he would be anywhere but here getting two more people married.
He instructed them to sit near the hawan kund, his lips started speaking Sanskrit mantras but Mahira kept her eyes set at the fire. He asked them to forward their right hands and perform the puja.
Holy thread was tied around their wrists, bounding them together with each other for next 7 lifetimes. She glanced at him, his eyes hooded, soft and gleaming with unreadable expressions.
“Your friends arranged this all” He informed.
Mahira let the sacred ingredients drop in the fire as instructed by the priest. “You don't mind?” She asked.
“It made you happy” He stated, turning towards her. His jaw was hard but not clenched. “You deserve this Ira, and much more”
“Who’ll perform Kanyadaan ?” He asked and Mahira snapped her eyes towards the priest. Kanyadaan was considered as the most auspicious ritual in the Hindu wedding where the parents of bride give her hands in the groom’s.
Parents ? She swallowed her already dry throat. She didn’t had parents, they weren’t their with her. Her palm closed but another hand touched it, opening it again. Her eyes glancing back to Veer whose lips curved a little, as if assuring her that she didn’t had to think about any of the things.
He tipped his head towards the front where Ayaan stepped towards them.
“I have considered you as my sister Mahi, always. The day I saw you first time with her..” He glanced towards Vandita “…I couldn’t help but develop this protective instinct towards you. You may be a person of few words but your actions speak loud and clear. You have been a little sister to me, Will you give me the honor to do Mahi, as your brother?” He asked and Mahira could feel her eyes burning.
She quickly nodded her head.
Ayaan smiled, his brightest smile with eyes sheering with wetness.
“Too bad, You got him as your brother Mahi” Sakshi jabbed sarcastically, lighting the atmosphere.
“You can always balance it being her sister-in-law Verma” Ayaan winked, earning laughter from others and glare from Sakshi.
Ayaan took Mahira’s hand in his, Mahira smiled and a tear rolled past her eyes. Ayaan rubbed it away from cheek, placing a small kiss on her forehead.
“Thank you Ayaan” She muttered. “Shush kiddo” He playfully ruffled her hairs.
“I’ll kill you if you mess her hairs Qureshi” Sakshi glared.
“You don’t look jealous at all darling” He mocked.
The priest cleared his throat once again.
“He’s in a hurry” Ayaan mumbled rolling his eyes making Mahira smile. He followed what all the priest said. He kept her right palm on top of Veer’s and then poured the water on his palm which fell in theirs, on the leaf and flower.
“Keep my sister happy Veer or you’ll regret meeting me ?” He warned him.
“I’ll do whatever it takes” Veer nodded, his tone held a solemn promise.
He stood up and turned, wiping a single tear away from his eyes which wasn’t missed by Sakshi. She took a shaky breath and unknowingly her hand held his, he didn’t look surprised at the gesture but held her’s tightly.
Next they were asked to take the Seven rounds around the hawan kund, they were showered his flower petals and rice as they took steps One after another, hands intertwined and clothes knotted, his sash and her veil, joined in a forever bond.
Veer took hold on mangalsutra, his hands tying the black beaded thread around her neck making her eyes flutter close. She felt his fingers on her hair partition, a small pint of red vermilion placed by him which made her look back at him.
“From today you’ll be husband and wife for the next 7 births” The priest announced.
Mahira blinked her eyes, a tear drop fell on her cheeks making her flinch. Veer cupped her cheek wiping it away.
“Welcome to new life Ira”
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I never thought writing could be this difficult, the words couldn't come and when they did, they didn't made sense to me. I hope this chapter does make sense.
