Chapter 16: The Wedding Rituals Begin

The week flew by.

Both the Singh Mansion and the Rathore Mansion transformed into vibrant homes filled with laughter, music, and endless wedding preparations.

Every corner was decorated with marigold garlands, jasmine strings, and colorful drapes.

Relatives from across the country had arrived.

The wedding festivities had officially begun.

Rathore Mansion – Haldi Ceremony

Early in the morning, the courtyard was beautifully decorated with yellow flowers.

Poornima wore a simple mustard-yellow cotton lehenga with fresh jasmine flowers adorning her braid.

She sat on a wooden stool while everyone gathered around her.

Shirisha carried the first plate of turmeric paste.

Her eyes became emotional.

Shirisha: "May your new life be filled with happiness."

She gently applied haldi to Poornima's cheeks.

Poornima smiled.

Next came Raghav.

He looked at his daughter for a long moment before taking a little haldi.

Raghav: "Stay happy, kanna."

He lovingly applied haldi to her forehead.

Poornima held his hand.

Poornima: "Don't cry, Appa."

Raghav: "Who's crying?"

Everyone laughed.

Savithri came next.

Savithri: "My beautiful girl."

She hugged Poornima before applying haldi.

Soon cousins and relatives joined in.

Within minutes, Poornima's face, hands, and arms were covered in turmeric.

Everyone burst into laughter as little children tried to smear extra haldi on her.

Singh Mansion – Haldi Ceremony

At the Singh Mansion, the atmosphere was no less lively.

Veeresh sat wearing a simple white kurta and yellow stole.

Arjun entered carrying an entire bowl of haldi.

Veeresh: "Don't you dare."

Arjun: "Too late."

Before Veeresh could move, Arjun smeared haldi all over his face.

Everyone laughed loudly.

Veeresh: "Arjun!"

Aravind joined in.

Aravind: "It's our duty as brothers."

He applied haldi on Veeresh's forehead.

Rukmini lovingly touched Veeresh's face.

Rukmini: "May God bless you with peace and happiness."

Devraj smiled proudly.

He applied a small amount of haldi.

Devraj: "Enough of surviving."

"Now start living."

Veeresh smiled quietly.

The younger cousins soon attacked him with more haldi, and within minutes he was completely covered.

Rathore Mansion – Mehendi Ceremony

The following evening...

The Rathore Mansion glowed under hundreds of fairy lights.

Women sang traditional wedding songs while dholak beats echoed through the courtyard.

Poornima wore a beautiful emerald-green Anarkali suit with pearl earrings and fresh jasmine flowers in her hair.

She sat patiently as the mehendi artists began their work.

Unlike many brides, she didn't want elaborate designs.

Mehendi Artist: "Madam, shall I make it very heavy?"

Poornima smiled politely.

Poornima: "No."

"I want a simple design."

The artist nodded.

Elegant floral patterns decorated her palms and wrists.

The design was graceful and understated.

One artist smiled.

Artist: "Shall we hide the groom's name?"

Poornima hesitated for a second.

Then she nodded.

Poornima: "Alright."

The artist carefully hid 'Veeresh' within the intricate mehendi.

Savithri noticed and smiled.

Savithri: "Let's see how long it takes him to find it."

Poornima laughed softly.

Chooda Ceremony

The next morning...

The atmosphere became emotional.

Poornima changed into a traditional ivory and red suit.

She sat beside her mother while the family gathered.

A beautifully decorated tray carrying the red and ivory bridal chooda was placed before them.

Shirisha's hands trembled slightly.

Raghav gently held her hand.

Raghav: "Together."

They both lifted the chooda.

Shirisha lovingly slipped the bangles onto Poornima's wrists.

Tears filled her eyes.

Shirisha: "May your married life be blessed with love, respect, and happiness."

Raghav placed his hand on Poornima's head.

Raghav: "May every sorrow you've faced remain in the past."

"You deserve a peaceful future."

Poornima hugged both her parents tightly.

Savithri wiped away her own tears.

Savithri: "Enough crying."

"My niece is getting married."

"Today, we celebrate."

The women smiled through their tears.

As Poornima looked down at the red chooda adorning her wrists, the reality finally settled in.

In just a few hours...

She would become Mrs. Poornima Veeresh Singh.

And somewhere across the city, unaware of the simple mehendi design that secretly carried his name, Veeresh was getting ready for the biggest day of his life.