“You’ll crush me,” I laughed.
He nuzzled his face in my neck.“I will,”
After a few moments, he calmed and put me back on my feet.
“Although we are one at heart still…” he inhaled, as though trying to contain himself. “…I’ll wait until the world knows.”
I glanced around nervously.“They must be looking for me.” And took a few steps back.
His jaw tightened, making me giggle.“You look cute when you do that.”
He smirked.“And you sound adorable when you go,oh yes, Kunwar-sa.”
I rolled my eyes and turned away.
I’ll punish him later for that.
Heading back toward the celebration, I tried my best to hide my flushed cheeks and unsteady breath. Despite that, Nandani caught me instantly.
“Where’d you go?” she asked, squinting her eyes.
“Washroom,” I lied.
She glanced me up and down once, then smirked.“Sure,” Holding my wrist, she dragged me into the centre and added,“Keep lying.”
As the music sank in again, I let myself dance, but even from afar, I could feel his gaze on me.
That night, I felt like the luckiest woman alive. That night, I had the most contented sleep.
?????
I woke up the next morning to hurried footsteps and bustling voices, and realisation struck me like a wave.
It was my wedding day.
I sat up with a jolt and looked around.
Yes, it was my wedding day.
The chamber was fully adorned with flowers draped along the walls, soft fabrics cascading from the pillars, and the distant hum of music drifting in from outside. My breath caught as I lowered my gaze to my palms.
The henna had darkened beautifully, the deepest shade I had ever seen on my skin. My heart fluttered like loose petals in the wind. A soft warmth bloomed in my stomach as I brought my hand to my nose and inhaled the familiar, soothing fragrance.
He loves me so much.
“Suman,” Nandani’s voice called, pulling me from my thoughts.
I looked up as she approached.
“Come, it’s time for the bangles ceremony,” she said.
I nodded.
After a quick bath, I was dressed in a simple yellow outfit. Soon, they seated me on a stool and asked me to close my eyes. I felt hands gently taking mine and heard the soft clink of glass as bangles slid onto my wrists.
Everything felt unreal… too beautiful to be true.
My hands were then wrapped in red cloth, and I was told not to look until the ceremony began. A yellow thread was tied tightly around my wrists, knotted again and again.
