Crushed Chimere

15. Bittersweet

"That was Aditi, Kamla aunty's granddaughter."

" she seems close to you."

There was a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Moving a little close to me with a mischievous smile on his face Arhaan asks raising one of his eyebrows.

"Do I sense some jealousy there Inayah?"

"I am not jealous, was just asking I mean Friends don't give each other hugs that long."

Slightly laughing he says "I never said she was my friend."

"Oh so you-

"Arhaan, Inayah here you guys are, I was searching for both of you since morning, come on we are getting late for the rituals."
Arhaan's mother intrupted me.

She took my and Arhaan's hand and showed us the way where all the rituals are happening.

Leading us to an open field surrounded by lush greenery, decorative flowers and lighted lamps that are hung on trees. The air is filled with the gentle fragrance of incense and the sound of traditional Indian music was being played in a corner.

In the center of the field, a beautifully decorated, elevated platform stands adorned with colorful fabrics and intricate designs. The platform serves as the sacred stage for the ritual. On either side of the stage, numerous devotees, dressed in traditional Indian attire, form a semi-circle, creating an animated crowd.

We both stand among them, I still have no clue what this ritual is about but without complaining I join the prayers they were doing.

After some time Kamla aunty comes in the middle and start reciting about the ritual.

"This ritual is very important and have been ongoing in our family since centuries. Specially for newly married couples. There is a saying that whosoever couple performs and completes all the rituals will stay together as a couple happily in every lifetime."

Joining her hands  she calls the priest to start the ritual.

The priest recites ancient Sanskrit mantras, invoking blessings from the gods and goddesses. Devotees follow along, occasionally ringing bells and offering prayers.

One by one each "happily" married couple comes forward to do their prayers and seeks blessings from the priest. The priest blesses each person, giving the husbands
vermilion to fill in the parting-line of their wives hair.

After some time our turn comes, moving forward I take my blessings from the priest not caring about Arhaan as I know he is an atheist.

Like the impolite spoiled kid he is, when I asked him why he is an atheist he had the perfect explaination to give me and it was so so stupid like who does he think he is-

Arhaan was taking blessings from the priest, looking very much stiff I might add.

Well this is new. Something is definitely going inside his pea sized brain for sure.

Taking the vermillion from the pandit ji he turns towards me.

Looking at me ,his eyes holding a different kind of twinkle in them. Lifting his hand he brings them to the side of my face, tucking the hair strands behind my ear caressing my cheeks softly.

OK?

Taking a pinch of vermillion in his hand he puts it between my hairline.

Giving the box of vermillion back to pandit ji, he suddenly grabs me by my waist and leads us to the corner where we were standing before.

I punch him in the stomach with my elbow and make some distance between us.

Narrowing my eyes I look at him angrly.