Chapter 33 – Haldi and Happiness

The next morning, the Rajawat house was full of excitement.

Yellow marigold decorations, mango leaves, and colorful flowers adorned every corner. The aroma of fresh turmeric, sandalwood, and rose petals filled the air as relatives gathered for Aradhya and Richard's haldi ceremony.

Everyone was dressed in shades of yellow.

Laughter echoed through the courtyard while music played in the background.

Aradhya and Richard sat on beautifully decorated seats as the elders began applying haldi, blessing them with happiness and a prosperous married life.

While everyone was busy, Veeresh quietly walked over to Poornima.

He gently held her wrist.

Poornima: "Veer... what are you doing?"

Without answering, he led her a little away from the crowd.

Before she could react, he dipped his fingers into a small bowl of haldi.

With a warm smile, he gently applied a little haldi to her cheek.

Poornima looked at him in surprise.

Poornima: "Veer!"

He smiled.

Veeresh: "For good luck."

She couldn't help smiling back.

Shaking her head, she took a little haldi and applied it to his cheek.

Poornima: "Happy now?"

Veeresh: "Very."

Just then—

Rudra: "Dad!"

Both of them turned.

Rudra stood there with his hands on his hips while Aradhya, Adwait, Thoshini, and the rest of the family watched with amused expressions.

Rudra: "Enough of your romance."

Everyone laughed.

Veeresh simply smiled.

He slipped one arm comfortably around Poornima's waist and pulled her a little closer.

Looking straight at Rudra, he said proudly,

Veeresh: "I'm romancing my wife."

The family burst into laughter.

Veeresh continued with a grin,

Veeresh: "I'll see what you do when you get married."

Rudra covered his face dramatically.

Rudra: "Dad, please..."

Veeresh just laughed.

Then, before anyone expected it, he leaned over and gave Poornima a quick peck on the cheek.

Poornima's cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.

The cousins started cheering.

Rudra groaned loudly.

Rudra: "Oh God... my eyes need bleach!"

The entire courtyard erupted with laughter.

Aradhya laughed so hard that even Richard couldn't stop smiling.

Aradhya: "Papa, today is our haldi ceremony!"

Veeresh raised his hands innocently.

Veeresh: "What? I was just wishing my wife."

Poornima nudged him lightly.

Poornima: "You're impossible."

He smiled at her.

Veeresh: "And you still smile every time."

The teasing continued as the haldi ceremony carried on, with both families laughing together. For the first time in many years, Veeresh and Poornima weren't just watching a family celebration—they were enjoying it together, surrounded by the people they loved.