𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗜 𝗠𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜

• The Day of Forever •

Saanvi, blushing deeply, leaned in and whispered to Aadhya,
"Baad me aadha aadha baant lenge ham tum okay?"

Everyone laughed once more - the mandap glowing with love.

The morning after their wedding in Chennai, Saanvi and Eshaan arrived in Lucknow.

The moment the car pulled into the driveway, Saanvi's eyes widened. The entire Shekhawat mansion looked as if it had been wrapped in a festival. Strings of golden fairy lights shimmered in the daylight, casting a warm glow across the sprawling structure. Fresh marigold and rose garlands framed every archway, swaying gently in the winter breeze. The air was scented with a heady mix of jasmine and incense.

Saanvi had imagined Eshaan's family home before - but standing here now, she realised she had underestimated it. The grandeur was beyond anything she had pictured.

As the chauffeur opened the car door, Saanvi stepped out in her heavy bridal lehenga, her bangles chiming softly. Eshaan followed, his hand briefly steadying her. Together, they made their way towards the entrance.

Before they could cross the threshold, Sangita stood waiting, a ceremonial thali in her hands. She performed their aarti with practised grace, the flame circling in the air before them. Tilak was applied to both their foreheads - a mark of welcome and blessings.

Following tradition, Saanvi nudged a silver kalash with her foot, letting it roll aside, spilling rice across the red-and-gold carpet. She then stepped into the shallow plate of crimson aalta, her feet now dipped in vermillion. As she walked across the long white cloth laid out for her, soft red imprints bloomed behind her - the first footprints of the new bride in the house.

From the side, Shobha called to one of the maids, "Neatly fold the cloth and put it in the locker." Her voice carried a note of preservation, as though the fabric itself now held a piece of family history.

When the rituals were done, Shobha placed a warm hand on Saanvi's head.
"Aap araam kijiye jakar beta, fir ham baki ki rasmein karenge," she said with motherly care.
"Ji... maa..." Saanvi replied with a shy smile.

Inaya, appeared at her side and cheerfully took charge of showing her the way to their room. Saanvi followed her through the wide corridors, past tall windows draped in silk curtains, and into a private wing of the mansion.

"This is bhaiya's room," Inaya announced, pushing the door open. "Now, yours too."

Saanvi stepped inside and froze.
"He bhagwan... ye room hai?? Isme ek ghar ban jayega!" she gasped, turning in a slow circle.

Inaya giggled. "Wo bhai ko nahi pasand koi is room me aaye... mtlb is floor pr bhi nahi pasand hai unhe... siwaye Shobha maa aur Sangita maa ke."

Saanvi frowned. "Aisa kyu?"

"Wo bhaiya doesn't like ki unki private life me koi aaye," Inaya explained a little awkwardly.

Before Saanvi could respond, the man himself appeared at the doorway.
"Princess, hame humare room me jaane dijiye," Eshaan said, smiling at his sister.

"Nahi bhaiya, aap nahi ja sakte jab tak aap hame koi gift nahi denge," Inaya insisted, blocking the way like a determined little guard.

Eshaan sighed. "Kya chaiye apko, princess?"

"Um... niece," she bubbled mischievously.

From inside the room, Saanvi - who had just taken a sip of water - choked, coughing in shock at the audacious demand.

Eshaan raised his brows but played along. "To wo to tab de payenge ham apko jab hame aap andar jaane dengi," he said with a smirk.

Saanvi's eyes widened in disbelief at her husband's shameless tone.