Aaradhya's Pov.
He seemed quiet while we were in the car but at times he stole glances secretly which started irritating me.
"What's with you now?" I asked him in annoyance and he looked nervous with my question.
"Did you read it?" He questioned in a low voice after sometime.
What is he talking about?
Oh that message!
Yes, I was angry when he didn't receive my call yesterday but after reading his message that he was busy, I completely understood him.
"Obviously." I spoke.
"Aren't you angry?" He asked me again.
I shook my head in response.
"Just forget about it, I am fine." I said and he nodded with a small smile.
"Thank you for wearing it.
You look quite pretty." He complimented about the saree, making me blush.
"Thanks, good choice, by the way." I praised him and a goofy grin got plastered on his face.
"How is everything going on here?
I mean with the wedding preparations." He queried.
"Like I told you on Skype. Great!" I replied with enthusiasm.
"I shifted my stuff to your house except for few things." I uttered.
"Our house." He corrected, making me smile.
We were on our way back to Pune for the wedding.
Our friends had already reached before us. Riddhant and I weren't going to meet each other except for sangeet (song) ceremony so our friends decided to give us sometime alone but that didn't help us as rest of the journey, we were silent.
Isn't it odd, whenever I am away from him, I want to talk to him even about lame things but now when we're finally sitting together, we both are equally silent as if the words have died.
Finally we reached my place and I exited the car.
"Aaradhya." His voice stopped me, making me spun around.
"Thank you-" He smiled genuinely making my heart skip a beat.
"-For marrying me." He completed the sentence and I blinked my eyes, smiling.
"Bye, See you." I said shyly.
"See you soon, Mrs. Taneja." He winked and again my cheeks heated up.
He left and I entered my house.
All of my uncles, aunts, cousins, friends were already present and were busy preparing for the functions.
"Look Arusha, The bride has arrived." Harshita Auntie said and Maa spun around.
"Ardu, Finally you're here. We were waiting for you." Maa hugged me brushing her tears away.
"Maa, What's wrong with you?
Why are you crying?" I panicked.
"Calm down. There is nothing wrong, Sis.
Maa is getting all emotional." Aditi reasoned.
"Oh Maa, Aren't you happy? then why are you getting me married?" I teased while she hit my arm playfully.
"Every girl has to get married some or the other day and I'm very much happy for you but I just can't believe that my little Ardu is ready to leave this nest and build a new one." She pecked my forehead and I cried on her shoulder.
"Oh drama queens stop it or else even I'll start crying and then the house will be flooded with water letting all our efforts go wasted." Aditi back hugged us making all of us laugh.
"Aaradhya!" Dad came out of his room.
"Dad, I missed you." I hugged him when he came forward.
"Even I missed you, beta (dear)." He patted my back.
"I am proud of you." He placed his hand on my head.
"Naresh is quite impressed with you for your dedication and hard work.
You didn't disappoint me." He said with a glint of gratification and joy in his eyes.
"Thanks Dad for trusting me." I spoke.
"I trust you with my life dear, you won't let our heads bend in shame.
Now go and get freshen up, we have lots of rituals to be performed." He said while I nodded. I came back to my room after exchanging pleasantries with everyone.
Today it's my Haldi Ceremony. A paste of turmeric with sandalwood and rose water will be applied to my body and the same will be also applied on Riddhant's. It will purify our skin and let it glow.
I wore my simple yellow suit and sat on the small tool. Maa and my relatives started rubbing the paste with a mango leaf on my hands and legs. One by one every one started doing it while my body was covered with turmeric.
Harsh and Nikita threw the paste on my face making the rest of them laugh at me.
"Niki, Harsh. what is this?" I fumed.
"This is called revenge for doing the same at my wedding." Nikita replied as I glared angrily at them.
"Your action is justified Niki But what about you, Harsh?" I asked him.
"It was fun, Look at your face." He mocked and started laughing.
"Don't you worry Aaradhya, you can deal with him when his time comes." Harshita Auntie commented.
I smirked at him evilly.
"Why to wait Auntie? When we can do it now." I got up and ran after him with the paste in my hand and threw it on his face while the rest were just enjoying.
After the haldi function, I took a quick bath by scrubing my body and came out for another ritual.
The next part was a pretty tiring job for me as I was made to sit erect without moving while Mehendi (henna) designs were applied on my hands and legs.
Other ladies too applied it but the best design was just for the bride with Riddhant's intial hidden in it.
"You know Ardu, if the color on your hand turns out darker. It means your groom loves you a lot." Jyoti maasi (aunt) spoke out loud making me blush.
"Mom, Did she apply it on her face too? See it has turned quite red." Rano teased while the rest burst out laughing.
The rest of the evening went smoothly with a lot of bantering and customs performed.
The worst part for me was that I couldn't call him.
Tomorrow is Sangeet (Song) ceremony which is the best part of the entire wedding function.
Aditi and Nikita are organizing it. Almost all are going to perform and most importantly I'll be able to meet him also before our wedding.
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Sorry, but a little patience is all I am expecting from you guys.
I am busy nowadays and I am trying my best to remove time for writing.
Please forgive me if any mistakes and vote for the chapter.
You can write your suggestions too
I'll try to update next chapter asap.
Thank you
♡♥♡.